Packed with honest reviews and inspiring travel stories, Australian Traveller is the most authoritative and trusted guide to travelling this great country. It's no wonder that it's Australia's best-selling travel magazine.
HAVING OUR FINGER on the pulse of all that’s happening in the domestic travel landscape: it’s what Australian Traveller does best, and one of the many things that excites me about my job. And it’s why we’ve dedicated this issue to the pursuit of the next big thing. But as much as we love the shiny and new – we can’t wait to check out the Whitsundays’ latest boutique offering, The Sundays, when it opens next year (check out page 24 for our preview) – we’re also interested in how destinations and experiences are evolving, too. Case in point, how Australia’s most legendary railway journey, The Ghan, is continuing to reinvent itself as it marks its 95th anniversary this year, while staying true to the rich sense of heritage its…
Australia’s hidden gems It’s no secret that Australia is full of unforgettable places that offer equally indelible experiences. But you haven’t even glimpsed the best of them if you don’t know about these unsung destinations, some even hidden in plain sight. BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT WHEN IT RAINS When it rains, it pours, and these Australian destinations are all the better for it. From an ancient tropical rainforest in Queensland to a quiet conservation park in WA, there are certain parts of this country that are at their best in the rain. Where to see the southern lights You’ve heard of the iconic northern lights, but seeing this phenomenon in real life is an experience many Aussies don’t get the chance to have. Don’t fret – we’ve got our very…
At the northern end of Catseye Beach, nestled among palm and gum trees, Sundays is Hamilton Island’s newest stay, slated to open mid-2025. The boutique hotel has been conceived with families in mind, with 59 guestrooms that all gaze out to the Coral Sea. Boasting cabanas and a water’s-edge restaurant, the hotel pool will be the place to while away hours under the sunshine, making every day in the Whitsundays feel like a beloved lazy Sunday. Turn to p24 for more accommodation openings.…
WHITE HORSES ARE mythic symbols, often imbued with extraordinary qualities. So too is the White Horse Hotel, a Sydney stalwart that’s been a beloved watering hole for close to a century. It’s transfigured over the years, from piano bar to live music venue and brasserie, reopening this year in its newest iteration after a cool $6 million makeover. The Surry Hills fixture has received a slick, contemporary update with French oak tables, Scandi chairs and elegant quartz countertops. The White Horse isn’t quite a pub, nor is it a fine dining establishment, but a new entity that blends the best of both. You can amble upstairs for a breezy beer on the luscious terrace or park yourself on a plush velvet ottoman at the bar. Or dine at the pared-back…
See the forest for the trees Boutique hotel Osborn House, in the NSW Southern Highlands town of Bundanoon, has opened five new Forest Lodges and a Forest Bathing Deck designed to keep visitors grounded and mindful. The new deck is set amid the forest and includes an ice bath, sauna, jacuzzi and fire pit exclusive for the use of just two guests at a time. The design-led stay, which has a curated collection of 27 suites, is offering all-inclusive packages to celebrate the new luxury additions to the property. osbornhouse.com.au NEW PERSPECTIVES AAT Kings will inspire wanderlust in those looking for new ways to experience under-the-radar Aussie destinations with its latest roster of experiences. Travellers can forage for botanicals at Yarnbala (pictured) on a seven-day South Australian Eyre Peninsula Escape,…
SUNDAY BEST Picture yourself soaking up the sunshine on Hamilton Island, Qld. Would you prefer to swim, read, or sit by the pool with a cocktail? There’s bound to be an option that tickles your fancy at The Sundays, set to open on the palm-lined shores of Catseye Beach in autumn 2025. The hotel from the team behind luxury resort qualia features 59 rooms drawing on a pared-back palette of coastal influences. The beachside boutique escape will include a waterfront restaurant and views over the Coral Sea. hamiltonisland.com.au HIGH TIME The owners of Harry’s on Moodemere in Victoria’s High Country have infused their winemaking heritage into the property’s every accent. Tucked amid the lush vineyards of Lake Moodemere Estate, the upscale accommodation comprises two vineyard villas (sleeping two and four)…
