It’s a tough job narrowing down the best beaches in Sydney, but we love a challenge. As the capital of New South Wales and the country’s most densely populated city, there’s an abundance of urban attractions. But away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD (Central Business District), there is sun, sea and sand in spades. Fire up the barbecue at Bronte Beach – where you can watch salty-haired surfers race for the waves – or snorkel along the jagged coastline of Shelly Beach.
17th December 2024 - Australia Beaches & Islands
Australia is at the forefront of the Indigenous Tourism movement, helping to incubate and codify a number of authentic Aboriginal experiences that connect people with the land, culture and 65,000-year history of what is widely acknowledged as the world’s oldest continuous culture. Meg MacMahon, from our Australasia team, was lucky enough to try out several such experiences on a recent trip down under.
5th February 2024 - Australia Culture
It’s near impossible to spend five minutes Down Under without passing someone who’s inconceivably tanned, blindingly blonde and clutching a well-waxed surfboard. Watching sun-kissed surfers dance over the waves with mythical ease is enough to make you stop and think ‘that should be me’. Well, whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a complete newbie to the swell, Australia is the perfect place to hone your skills.
11th October 2023 - Australia Beaches & Islands
While Australia might be synonymous with world-class wine, the best cocktail bars in Sydney give the country’s beloved wineries a run for their money. Margaritas, martinis or Sydney slings – finding a new favourite drink is easy in a city with so many excellent places to enjoy a cocktail. Join us for a tour of the movers, mixers and shakers stirring things up in Sydney, including two bars that rank among the finest in the world.
25th September 2023 - Australia Food & Drink
As the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, Cairns is one of Australia’s hottest travel destinations. The laidback city has everything going for it, from fascinating Aboriginal culture to epic waterfalls, pristine island gems and adventure activities aplenty. Even better, it boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, with soft white sand, turquoise waters and the bucket-list busting Great Barrier Reef not far off the coast.
19th September 2023 - Australia Beaches & Islands
Choosing the best beaches in Australia is a little like picking your favourite pasta dish in Italy. Almost impossible. Urban or wild, family-friendly or far-flung, Australia has world-beating beaches for every type of traveller. So, whether you want to learn to surf, escape the crowds or tick the best beach in the world off your bucket list, we can help you find the bit of Aussie coast you’ll love the most.
7th September 2023 - Australia Beaches & Islands
Your trip Down Under might begin in a jet-lagged haze, but once your body clock is back on track and you head out on an Aussie adventure, some extra-special scenery is waiting to say g’day. From coastal roads and coral reefs to majestic mountains and ancient monoliths, Australia is all about bucket list landscapes. So, if your idea of the perfect itinerary is one that’s packed with panoramic views and picturesque places, keep reading for our round-up of unmissable landscapes in Australia.
31st July 2023 - Australia The Natural World
Australia is the land of plenty. With a huge diversity of landscapes, climates and cultures, there is so much to explore across this vast country. In fact, you’ll probably need to visit multiple times to really get under its skin. On a recent trip Down Under, in Tropical North Queensland, Sydney and Perth, Meg, our Asia and Australasia Specialist, had the chance to discover Australia’s east and west coast from every angle.
24th July 2023 - Australia Adventure
From live music and local wine to surf culture and Sydney’s landmarks, festivals in Australia celebrate the best this vast and vibrant country has to offer. There’s a packed events calendar to pick from during a trip Down Under, including one-day parties and month-long festivities in locations across the country. So, whether you’re in Australia for the beaches, the backpacking or the beers around the barbecue, you’re sure to find a festival that’s your kind of fun.
4th July 2023 - Australia Travel Inspiration
Don’t you just wish it could be Christmas every day? If you’re after some mid-year cheer in the southern hemisphere, you’re in luck, as there are Yuletide celebrations twice a year. It’s a great excuse to eat, drink and be merry, but many have been left questioning why Australians celebrate Christmas in July. The short answer? July marks the middle of winter in the southern hemisphere and the cooler temperatures lend themselves to all the cosy Christmas traditions - flickering fires, flowing mulled wine and wrapped presents waiting in anticipation beneath a bauble-clad tree.
20th July 2022 - Australia Culture
If sun-kissed beaches, mobs of lounging kangaroos and views that are nothing short of jaw-dropping are what draws you to Australia, then this list is for you. After two Covid-filled years, the Land Down Under has fully re-opened its borders and is welcoming travellers with open arms. With 685 national parks filling Australia’s wild and wonderful landscape, it is tricky to choose a favourite. From the spellbinding Great Barrier Reef and immense desert Outback to crystal-clear waterholes and lush rainforests,
25th April 2022 - Australia Conservation
Australia's cultural capital may just have had its 'world's most liveable city' crown stolen by Vienna, but there's a reason it has reigned supreme for the last seven years. Famed for its coffee culture, fantastic brunch scene and infectious creative charm, it's a city you can really get under the skin of. Here's our perfect day in the life of a local to give you a taste for what to expect... Magic Coffee Beans Kickstart your day on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy with a steaming cup of coffee.
28th June 2021 - Australia Food & Drink
Iconic, sun-drenched, laidback - Sydney is the cosmopolitan capital of New South Wales and a much-loved destination among Original Travellers. This week the city plays host to our very own Duke and Duchess of Sussex (plus baby bump), which got us thinking about how best to enjoy a crown jewels experience of the city. Well, hold onto your hats as we race you through a whistle-stop tour of Sydney's most exclusive experiences.
28th June 2021 - Australia Big Short Breaks
When it comes to friendly locals, Australian's are well known for being some of the friendliest out there. People do actually say g'day and you won't be hard pushed to find a gang of surfers barbequing at the beach. Plus, with a population of 24 million people, there are plenty of mates to make. Handy for us holiday-ers then that some of these friendly locals also know a thing or two about their favourite local destinations, and have even dedicated their time to making sure we get to see the best of it.
28th June 2021 - Australia Culture
Are you in desperate need of some time away from screens, social media and emails? Then Australia might just be the answer. Heading to the other side of the world will give you the chance to be in a completely different time zone to everyone on the other end of those emails and calls, and, as if that isn't enough, we've put together our top recommendations for how to get as far off the grid as possible in Australia.
28th June 2021 - Australia Adventure
Arkaba The quintessential Aussie homestead, Arkaba sits in the heart of a 60,000 acre private conservancy between craggy sandstone bluffs and dry creek beds lined with River Red Gums, and just outside the Flinders Range National Park. Accommodation is in five (four in the homestead and a separate cottage) traditional-style bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and access to the shady verandah for escaping the midday heat.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
Longitude 131° Longitude 131° is the most innovative camp in Australia's Red Centre. Catering to just 30 guests and set on top of an isolated sand dune close the border of Uluru-Kata Tjunta National Park, Longitude 131° offers luxury tented accommodation. Each tent backs up to the slope of the dune with the bush underneath the floor and around the stilts. The bathroom has ingenious features like the long shallow sink suggesting a rock ledge.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
The Islington Hotel Dating back to 1847, the Islington is a boutique hotel with the feel of a private home located in the former penal colony of Hobart. All eleven rooms are individually decorated with international art, and all have varying views of the hotel and surrounding countryside. For views of the gardens, and direct access to, opt for the Garden Rooms and Signature Suite, or for spectacular views of Mount Wellington, we recommend the aptly named Wellington Room.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
Park Hyatt Melbourne Surrounded by Victorian architecture and close to the central shopping district, the Park Hyatt Melbourne enjoys a wonderful location. Guests are greeted by views of St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Fitzroy Gardens and Cook's Cottage. The interior is luxurious: bedrooms are appointed with marble en suites, some with spa bath tubs, and the décor is inspired by art deco design. All rooms have internet access, hairdryer and a coffee maker, and cribs are available for families with young children.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
Capella Lodge World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island is a crescent-shaped sub-tropical island in the South Pacific Ocean, a two-hour flight from Sydney. The nine suites are designed in the style of sophisticated beach houses that compliment the Lodge's contemporary style. Capella is also the best place to eat on the island, serving contemporary Pacific cuisine in a restaurant offering spectacular views of the lagoon and mountains.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
Millbrook Resort This hotel preserves its rich history and natural surroundings, whilst remaining one of the worlds leading five star golf and spa resorts. Set in 500 acres of land, The Millbrook Resort can cater for your every need. With over 175 rooms, the choice of accommodation is extensive. To detail but a few; the self-contained cottages are designed to evoke a sense of homely comfort, while studio rooms in the Village Inn, located down quiet cul-de-sacs, are designed in the French provincial style, each with a private terrace.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
Orpheus Island Orpheus Island Resort is a secluded island hideaway, located amidst the magical waters of the Great Barrier Reef, accommodating just 28 guests. The resorts Beachfront Rooms have natural décor and boast Coral Sea views, the Beachfront Villas (with two bedrooms) are perfect for families and groups whilst the South Suites have chic beachcomber interiors and sit just a stone's throw from the water's edge.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is an exclusive safari camp in the white sand dunes of Western Australia's Cape Range National Park. There are just nine spacious wilderness tents a few feet from the water's edge and one of Australia's best kept natural secrets - Ningaloo Reef. The tents are on raised platforms and have comfortable beds with excellent views of the Indian Ocean, en-suite bathrooms with a compost loo and solar hot water showers.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
Here's a fun game. When staying on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia, ask the nearest local how the island got its name, then wait for the exasperated - and possibly swear word-laden - response. No nonsense nomenclature Yup, no nonsense nomenclature is a true Australian trait, but more often than not it's also spot on. 'Because there are bloody kangaroos on it' is just one example, but there's another close at hand on this beautiful island.
28th June 2021 - Australia Hotels
It's no secret that Australia is one of the best wine producers in the world, and those in the know will also be aware that the variety and quality of food on offer here stands it in the running with the likes of Italy as one of our favourite all-round gastronomic destinations. What might be less well known is that there are a growing number of ways that visitors can get directly involved in the processes of farming, foraging, or filleting, and consequently end up with a meal that tastes all the better for knowing exactly where it came from.
28th June 2021 - Australia Food & Drink
Take your stay in Melbourne to the next level by enjoying one of the city's intoxicating rooftops. Australia's vibrant and creative cultural capital offers a host of opportunities for people who love rooftops and cocktail with views. Whether you choose to sip a cosmopolitan at the very top of a shiny glass skyscraper or enjoy a pint of beer on the roof of a neighbourhood pub, there is something for everyone.
28th June 2021 - Australia Food & Drink
Famous for its coffee culture, bustling brunch scene and creative charm, the cool coastal city of Melbourne is a must-visit on any trip to the Land Down Under. Whether you’re planning your first visit to Victoria’s capital and don’t know where to begin, or you’ve been here so many times you’re basically a local, read on for a handy roundup of our favourite things to do in Melbourne... 1 Join a Foodie Tour With its mix of cultures and myriad restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars, Melbourne’s dining scene is wonderfully eclectic.
28th June 2021 - Australia Travel Inspiration
6:00 am A marine alarm clock in Bondi Sydney wakes up… In Bondi beach, the brave are already doing laps in the seawater basin overlooking the Pacific. At Tamarama, the nearby beach, we take a dip before a green apple/ginger/mint juice, as refreshing as a dawn visit (the time difference helps) to Pyrmont's Fish Market, the largest fish and shellfish market in the southern hemisphere. 10:00 am Circular Quay Ferries dock at Circular Quay and let a flood of workers escape to the CBD (business district).
28th June 2021 - Australia 24 Hours In
Melbourne offers a lively intellectual scene and off-beat culture. The city offers the very best Australian gastronomy, the Australian Open and football. But what we love most about Melbourne is its coffee shops. Coffee shops are all over the city and not always easy to find. They might be on the second floor of a Victorian building, on balconies, or a rooftop. Nor is it easy for the newcomer to order their coffee:
28th June 2021 - Australia 24 Hours In
Outback desert, stunning beaches as far as the eye can see, rugged coasts and steep mountains, pristine forests, rivers, gorges and canyons, Australia is full of natural treasures that are best discovered by car. From state to state, inland or on the coast, here is a selection of the best road trips in Australia. 1 Great Ocean Road, Victoria Anglesea - Aireys Inlet - Lorne - Wye River - Kennett River - Apollo Bay - Lavers Hill - Port Campbell - Peterborough 150 miles You can't drive in Australia without taking the most famous of its roads, the Great Ocean Road on the Victoria coast.
28th June 2021 - Australia Adventure
From AC/DC to Tame Impala, the history of Australian music is marked by internationally renowned artists. To get into the spirit of the island-continent, here is our list of the best music to listen to while on holiday in Australia. 1 INXS, Need You Tonight Originally from Sydney, INXS enjoyed worldwide success in the 1980s, thanks in part to the big hit Need You Tonight. 2 Parcels, Overnight Their recent collaboration with French artists, Daft Punk, on the song Overnight brought the members of this long-haired hipster electro-funk band back into the limelight.
6th November 2019 - Australia Culture
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
