The call of country Australia: why the regions are king this season
Plus, three other things Explore is loving this week.
The Gold Coast, Cairns and the Sunshine Coast (pictured) are the three most popular domestic destinations among Australians for the upcoming July school holidays season, according to Wotif. The travel booking platform has crunched the numbers, with regional destinations taking all top 10 spots. Other locations popular this winter are: Yarra Valley in Victoria, Newcastle in NSW, Fremantle in WA, Port Douglas in Queensland, Wollongong and Kingscliff in NSW, and Dandenong in Victoria. Wotif has also released a list of best-value domestic destinations, where you can enjoy hotel stays for less than $250 a night, with Alice Springs in NT; Port Stephens, Katoomba and Port Macquarie in NSW; and Townsville in Queensland taking the top five spots.
'Active-ism' pursuits in the US
In response to the executive orders that led to the dismissal of about 1500 National Park Service staff members in the US as well as the budget proposal to slash park spending by $US1 billion, Intrepid Travel has launched two "Active-ism" tours aiming to highlight the challenges facing the national parks and raise awareness around how travellers can help. Hosted by "guest activists" and local guides, tours include the five-day Active-ism: Zion & The Grand Canyon trip and the six-day Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons itinerary. intrepidtravel.com
Historic digs in Sydney
Housed in a Heritage-listed building dating back to 1887, the Russell Boutique Hotel has reopened on Sydney's Globe Street after a major refurbishment. Check in to one of the 28 rooms - each of them is different in size and features unique interiors - then make your way to Bistro 1828: the newly refurbished 60-seat dining room, where you can enjoy gourmet breakfasts, lunches and dinners. therussell.com.au
Virgin Australia is back on the international long-haul circuit, following its Sydney-Doha flight on June 12. The airline's partnership with Qatar not only connects Australian travellers to more than 170 destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, but a brand-new limited-time promo allows 13 million frequent flyers to earn 50 per cent bonus status credits on flights to Doha, as long as they book before June 30 and travel between October 1, 2025, and May 27, 2026. virginaustralia.com
Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
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