THE time has finally come for that long-awaited post-pandemic vacation - and where better to spread your travel wings than vibrant, multicultural Australia for a well-deserved break.
To satiate that wanderlust, look no further than Tourism Australia’s “Discover A Great Deal More” virtual travel fair that offers tons of exciting travel deals to and within Australia – including discounted airfares, tour packages, car rentals and fun Australian experiences.
Known for its exciting and creative F&B with a diverse multicultural makeup, Australia is a destination full of unique experiences – from one-of-a-kind interactions with native wildlife; spacious and spectacular landscapes; a bustling world-class arts and culture scene; to beautiful beaches and islands.
Whether you are looking for a destination to rejuvenate your mind and soul with calming wellness experiences, or hoping to venture beyond your comfort zone with thrilling adventures, this land of diversity surely has something for everyone - especially since in recent years, everything from its food to accommodation has had a fresh new makeover.
Not sure where to start? Here are some trending travel experiences in Australia to inspire you and help kickstart your travels pronto.
Trend #1: Odyssey Travel
Never has it felt more important to live in the moment and not delay that adventure of a lifetime.
Whether travellers are looking for relaxation, to reconnect with loved ones, or dreaming of discovery – Australia is the perfect destination for an epic adventure.
With so much to see and do, odyssey journeys remind visitors how wide and wonderful Australia is, with a range of multi-day and cross state experiences to immerse yourself in, such as iconic rail journeys, legendary road trips and airborne experiences.
> Iconic rail journeys
Hop on an epic adventure along the world's longest stretch of straight railway with a four-day cross-continent journey on the Indian Pacific that ferries you between Sydney and Perth via the Nullarbor Plain; while its luxurious sister train The Ghan crosses Australia from top to bottom, taking you between Darwin and Adelaide over three days, with incredible Red Centre views and immersive off-train experiences.
And then there’s the Great Southern, creating a rail arc from Adelaide through Victoria and up to Brisbane, with four days of vineyards, coastal vistas and mountain moments.
> Legendary road trips
Soak up the scenic 846km Great Southern Touring Route, which encompasses Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, while the classic Grand Pacific Drive that hugs the New South Wales coast from Royal National Park — just south of Sydney, down to the Shoalhaven region — offers you 140km of rainforest, powdery beaches, rockpools and dolphin-filled waters, not to mention the Sea Cliff Bridge, winding for 665m over the Pacific Ocean.
> Airborne experiences
Take a sip of Outback Australia’s iconic pubs and watering holes on Classic Safari Company’s pub crawl by air. Over five days and across three states, you’ll see epic landscapes via private plane and unwind in far-flung pubs, at the end of the day.
Arcadia Expeditions offers a 15-day Indigenous Immersion air safari, which travels to parts of northern Australia. Your journey here is rewarded with 40,000-year-old rock art and Australia’s immense history.
Meanwhile, West Aussie Adventures fly-out North West Big 5 Marine
All-Inclusive Eco Safari, which will see you flit in supreme style between Perth and Monkey
Mia, Exmouth, Karijini, Broome and more over 11 days.
Trend #2: Art Bringing Landscapes to Light
With more and more light festivals and installations launching each year, Australia’s cities and outback landscapes are set to get their glow on in 2022.
Whether it’s Vivid Festival in Sydney or the Field of Light in the Red Centre, the growing number of dazzling light displays and family-friendly delights is a trend that is here to stay.
> Art installations using light
There is a year-round light show at Uluru, thanks to artist Bruce Munro’s staggering Field of Light, an installation of 50,000 spindles of light illuminating the Northern Territory outback near the sacred monolith.
In the Murray River region of northern Victoria and southern New South Wales, the Moama
Lights transform the landscape throughout May with theatrical fog, strobes and projections. You can also witness some sparkling art at Melbourne’s Rising festival in June, when artists cast streetscapes in all manner of colours, and performers add live music and entertainment.
>Light festivals and events
Sydney’s premier winter festival, Vivid Sydney, celebrates the country’s creative brilliance from May 27 to June 18, with bedazzled sails of the Sydney Opera House and installations dancing on the water at Darling Harbour.
It can’t get more fiery than Tasmania’s Dark Mofo, has transformed into one of Australia’s hottest events, with dark conceptual themes enhanced by bonfires and light installations around Hobart and across the state from June 8 to 22.
Next up is Illuminate Adelaide, from July 5 to 31, with streets and laneways in the South Australian capital draped in an explosion of lights and interactive installations. Then Western Australia gets glowing at Perth’s Winter Lights Festival in August.
Trend #3: A Globally Leading Culinary Destination
Australia continues to offer fresh new culinary delights and possibilities, thanks to its ever-evolving food scene that is all about locally sourced and high-quality produce and the dedicated chefs who champion sustainable practices behind the scenes.
>A new wave of regional dining
Just 90 minutes’ drive from Melbourne, Victoria’s Brae named amongst the world’s top dining destinations by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2021.
From the Tweed-Byron region of the New South Wales North Coast comes the culinary kudos of Pipit, Fleet, Harvest, The Hut, and Three Blue Ducks.
In South Australia, The Summertown Aristologist, Appellation and Hentley Farm Restaurant have been monumental in the recent evolution of the state’s food scene.
> Culture, country and cuisine
Tuck into a foodie adventure that you can feel good about, by taking home learnings and memories of the world’s oldest living culture - dive into Australia’s culinary heritage with the Indigenous owners of the land. Mandoon Estate outside of Perth offers a unique opportunity to listen to the stories of this area and learn about local Indigenous food and culture from Noongar Elder, Dale Tilbrook.
In Tropical North Queensland, Walkabout Cultural Adventures host Kuku-Yalanji man Juan Walker takes visitors on epic adventures in the Mossman-Daintree and Cape Tribulation regions, where you can even learn how to throw a spear to catch your next meal.
“Discover A Great Deal More” Virtual Travel Fair
Check out limited time offers by clicking the ‘Discover A Great Deal More’ image above.
Australia is yours to explore - and there’s nothing like the Aussie welcome. Now that you know the diverse experiences awaiting you in Australia, wait no further to bring your dream holiday to life.
Visit www.australia.com/greatdeals today for a wealth of exciting travel deals at your fingertips - offers end on May 15, so don’t miss out!
