Travel & Lifestyle

A weekend in Unzen Onsen: Japan’s first national park

Ready to explore a new corner of Japan? Or looking to elevate your next Japanese holiday? Discover a side of the country that’s still very much a local secret and take a look at how we spent a few days in Japan’s first national park, Unzen Onsen. Nestled in the heart of Nagasaki Prefecture, Unzen…

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Fiji Airways flight sale

PSA: Fiji Airways highlights the Pacific Islands with massive airfare sale

Dreaming of an island vacation? Fiji Airways has stepped in to make that dream a much more affordable reality with its latest flight sale, cutting airfares on services between Australia, Fiji and the rest of the Pacific from now through to next year. Jump on the sale now and you could score a flight from…

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One of Vivid Sydney’s long-time curators takes to the Middle East with Dhai Dubai

I’m staring up at the 67-metre tall Al Wasl Plaza as elaborate video works slide across the steelwork panels; a call to Prayer echoes through the air. The structure, which designers Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture revealed for Expo 2020 Dubai, is the perfect centrepiece for Dhabi Dubai. This small-scale light and arts festival…

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From AREA15 to the Sphere: Las Vegas ups the ante on the immersive experience

From the faux Venice canals at the The Venetian, to the awe-inspiring fountain show at the Bellagio and a sky covered by LEDs on Fremont Street, Las Vegas has long immersed its audiences. These immersive experiences run from the streets right into the bars, from sitting under a replica of the Eiffel Tower, as at…

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What’s it like flying Tropic Air Belize? Island hopping in the Caribbean paradise 

Island hopper flights are often the best way to get around tropical paradises. It’s how I travelled around Hawaii with Hawaiian Air in recent years. In the Caribbean country of Belize, Tropic Air are one of two airlines (the other being Maya Island Air) to provide regular service between the main destinations of the country…

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‘How We Rise’ – free entrepreneurial workshops coming in April

In this fast changing environment, many people are looking towards expanding their entrepreneurial skills. Often though, the question is about how to start your journey. This April, Chivas Regal are hosting two valuable workshops featuring some of the nation’s most successful and creative entrepreneurs Geedup Co. and Serwah Attafuah. These free workshops are taking place on Saturday, April 13 with Geedup…

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G Adventures steps into luxury travel with new Geluxe itineraries

Since 1990, G Adventures has been leading people around the world as one of the biggest tour operators in the travel industry. From National Geographic itineraries across the Galapagos Islands, to wildlife tours in Madagascar, this company has kept an adventurous spirit for decades. And continues to find new ways to open up the world,…

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Innovative new lifestyle hotel, Drifter, set for Australia and New Zealand

A new design-forward hotel brand is set for Australia and New Zealand, initially opening properties in Christchurch and Byron Bay. Drifter, a unique hybrid hotel concept, will add a unique lifestyle brand to these frequently visited locales, with plans to grow steadily with two more properties earmarked for 2025. Drifter Byron Bay and Drifter Christchurch…

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Turkish Airlines debuts in Australia, making Europe more accessible (and affordable)

When it comes flight prices, it’s all about competition. The more airlines flying in and out of a country, the better it is – for your budget at least. It’s a big deal when a major airline makes its debut in any market for the first time, and so one of the biggest news stories…

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Why Cook Islands is the ultimate tropical paradise for Australians

I just don’t think I’m an island person. Throw me into a warehouse rave in New York City and I’ll thrive. Take me driving through the dizzying hills of Tuscany and I’m good. Tell me about “island time,” however, and I’ll let out an audible groan. I’m not a patient person when I’m travelling. So…

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Photo Gallery: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2024 (02.03.24)

Last night, the 46th edition of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras took place. The event was a great success, bringing together the LGBTQIA+ communities to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness. The Dykes on Bikes, crowd-favourites for many, kicked off the parade. Following them were the 78’ers, the original marchers from the first edition, who…

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Meet the five lands of Universal Studio’s new Orlando theme park Epic Universe

The most anticipated new Theme Park in the US is without question Universal Studio’s upcoming third gate in Orlando*, Epic Universe. While plenty of rumours have been floating around since the park was announced in 2019 about what it would feature, and some (like Super Nintendo World’s inclusion) have long been confirmed, a few weeks…

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Sphere Las Vegas Review: Postcard from Earth will take your breath away

After five years of hype and construction, no less than 54,000 m2 of LED on its exterior, and space for some 20,000 punters, the ambitious venue known simply as Sphere opened in Las Vegas last September, immediately becoming one of the world’s most recognisable structures. As the largest spherical building in the world, enjoying an…

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Sydney’s historic Sheraton Grand makes major play for diners with swanky Sydney Common

In some of the world’s greatest cities, such as New York and Tokyo, locals heading to hotels to eat and drink well is a thing. It’s a big thing. From Dowling’s in The Carlyle (NYC) to Nadaman in Shangri-La (Tokyo), some of the best meals I’ve had overseas have been in hotels. Sydney has always…

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Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Review: The Honolulu Resort You Won’t Want To Leave

In December last year, as Hawaiian versions of classic Christmas songs echoed across the busy streets of the tropical paradise, I spent two nights at the recently renovated Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. The US$80 million renovation has seen the iconic resort (with its origins dating back to the 1950s) reimagined with updated rooms, facilities…

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You can now get Sydney’s famous Gidley burger at The Rover in Surry Hills

Sydneysiders, I know what’s on your mind when you book into The Gidley’s moody bar area. You want that superlative signature burger. You know, the one with such a strong cult following that the popular steakhouse sells around 500 of them each week. That winning combination hasn’t changed over the years. A classic bun with…

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Qantas double status credits offer is back for 2024

Qantas has launched its popular double status credits offer today so you can each elite status much quicker in 2024. The promotion is the airline’s most popular year-on-year with many Qantas Frequent Flyers waiting patiently for the airline to launch the generous offer before they start planning their travel. It’s a smart way to fly…

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Is Genie+ worth it at Disneyland California? And how do the Lightning Lanes work?

In December 2021, after more than 20 years of the “FastPass” system (which this feature length documentary will tell you all about so I don’t have to), Disneyland scraped their relatively groundbreaking – if imperfect – queue cutting system, in favour of “Genie+”. The system was to take advantage of new digital technologies and allow…

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cafes sydney

The 3 best cafes in Sydney right now (February 2024 Edition)

Remember when Devon Cafe and Three William Street were helping Sydney compete quite fiercely with Melbourne’s famously progressive cafe scene? All of the sudden laneway bars started to pop up over the city to take care of the night owls (at least until the lockout-law-mandated-cessation-of-service). But by day, these increasingly creative cities were taken good…

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The four best things to do with just 72 hours in Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart is the most underrated capital city in Australia. There’s no question. Direct access to some of the country’s finest produce has given the city’s dining scene a standard to rival the world’s greatest food cities. It’s small, walkable and incredibly relaxing. And Hobart also plays host to some of the most interesting and exciting…

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What’s new at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California (and what’s coming soon!)

Are you heading to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California anytime soon? We just returned from a visit to the iconic park, and are happy to report a number of new experiences to enjoy across both the OG Disneyland Park, and the accompanying second gate, California Adventure. There’s even a brand new Pixar-themed hotel! Here’s…

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Etihad

PSA: Etihad has posted a nice little Business Class sale for Valentine’s Day

Etihad Airways has been going hard on sales and promotions lately. At the start of the year, the Gulf carrier started a big sale with very affordable international fares. Then the airline announced a Status Match program for Gold and Silver tiers. Now, Etihad has decided to throw a bit of bone to point-end travellers…

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Herb & Chilli Festival to return to the Yarra Valley for 2024

The Herb & Chilli Festival is gearing up to return to the Yarra Valley next month. Returning for its 12th year, the annual celebration brings a weekend of live music, entertainment, beautiful local food and, of course, mouth-burning chilli experiences you can’t get anywhere else. Set inside the Lovely Nursery in the gorgeous Yarra Valley,…

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Las Vegas gets a sparkling new Hong Kong style Dim Sum hot spot: Washing Potato

With the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas playing host to this weekend’s Super Bowl (for American Football fans) and next month’s NRL Telstra Premiership season kick off match (for Australian Football fans), “Sin City” is fast becoming America’s newest “Sports City”. But long has it been a destination for foodies, with restaurateurs from all…

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How to catch and pay for the LAX FlyAway Bus at Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles is a difficult city to navigate without a car, but it’s something those on a budget need to manage one way or another. Arriving at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) is the first step in that navigation. How do you get out of there as quickly as humanly possible? Before LAX-it and Uber/Lyft…

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February is free Margarita Month

Altos Tequila will be embarking on a month-long party by shouting 20,000 margaritas at selected venues down the east coast of Australia. The authentic Mexican brand will also giving away a free trip back to the motherland. Celebrated as the best tequila for the traditional margarita, Altos Tequila are hoping for a Mexican Wave of…

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Etihad

Etihad Guest announces a 2024 status match for Australian passengers

Every now and again, a major airline loyalty programs will announce a status match. This basically means that frequent flyers with elite status on any rival programs are able to gain complimentary (and instant) elite status with the airline offering the status match. Basically, it’s a play for loyalty. And it seems Etihad Airways have…

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Fiji Airways flight sale

PSA: Fiji Airways has launched a massive flight sale so you can slip, slop, slap for cheap

Is 2024 your year of travel? Well, some of the world’s best airlines are certainly helping you navigate your goals despite the rising cost of living. We’ve already seen very tempting sales from Virgin Australia and Etihad; now it’s time to turn our attention towards Fiji Airways. The highly-rated airline has announced an exclusive flight…

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QT Hotels is giving away an entire room worth of goodies (even the bed) for Valentine’s Day

One of Australia’s foremost luxury hotel brands, QT Hotels & Resorts, has built quite the reputation for doing things differently. And this is one of their most out-there offerings to date, celebrating Valentine’s Day by taking the phrase “get a room” quite literally. Throughout February, guests booking in for a romantic staycay at any of…

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PSA: Etihad just launched a massive international flight sale (and fares to London are cheap as chips)

For its massive (and massively generous) New Year’s Resolution sale, gulf carrier Etihad Airways has just dropped a massive international flight for Australian travellers. Running from now until January 18th, the popular airline has slashed fares to mostly European hotspots like Athens, Dublin, London and Paris, as well as to Cairo in Egypt. This includes…

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