Andrew Moloney 
Changes to Credit Card Travel Insurance leads to confusion Up To a million Australians could be relying on complimentary credit card travel insurance that has been either reduced or removed, new research has found. A survey by Compare Club uncovered that over half of Aussie travellers do not have a clear understanding of recent travel … Read more
For most businesses, a travel dollar is simply a cost to be kept sensible. For a non-government organisation delivering government-funded services, it’s something more loaded: it’s public money, spent under public scrutiny, that has to be accounted for to the people who funded it. That changes everything about how travel should be handled. Many of … Read more
This article by Michael Koziol and Chris Zappone first appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald. New York: Qantas has announced its direct flights to New York will begin from Sydney in mid-2028, connecting Australia and the east coast of the US with non-stop air travel for the first time. A specially configured Airbus A350-1000 ultra-long … Read more
The one thing every surfer craves in these days of ever-more crowded lineups is empty, perfect waves and one of the few places on the planet that can actually guarantee just that is the Solomon Islands. From November to April this vast 992-island archipelago offers flawless waves peeling over countless coral reefs. With board rider … Read more
APT Luxury Travel is marking its centenary with a one-off journey. The 100 Day World Tour will transport guests on a special itinerary, encompassing Australia, Europe, South-East Asia, North America and New Zealand, packing in flights, cruising and touring for an epic experience you won’t want to miss. The 100 Day World Tour is a … Read more
On the screen, it looks like a win. A staff member finds a flight twenty dollars cheaper than the usual, books it in a couple of clicks, and moves on. Multiply that instinct across a whole organisation and it feels like thrift. But when the invoices, the timesheets and the credit-card statements are added up … Read more
Ask most people what a travel agency does and they’ll say the same thing: they book flights and hotels. It’s an understandable assumption — and a surprisingly costly one. For any business that sends staff on the road, the gap between simply booking travel and properly managing it adds up to real money, real time, … Read more
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the return of its annual ‘Stay for Good’ campaign across Australia and New Zealand this month in support of OzHarvest and KiwiHarvest. Throughout Sep, IHG will donate $1 from every night stayed on new and existing direct bookings across its 59 participating properties in Australia and NZ. Each dollar … Read more
Despite the growing use of AI as a travel research tool, the majority of consumers still rely on travel professionals to book complex trips. Speaking with Travel Daily, Adam Ewart, CEO of luggage shipping company Send My Bag, said that around 35% of travellers are now using AI to research holidays, yet only 8% actually … Read more
Qantas’ Project Sunrise plane will land in Australia today, after making a direct 20-hour plus flight from the factory in France. The specially adapted Airbus A350-1000ULR is expected to land in Melbourne on Friday after performing a flight test designed to push its range capability. It is fitted with an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank, … Read more
Australian travellers are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for trip ideas, but new government advice warns the technology can create costly mistakes if not carefully checked. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has highlighted the risks of relying on AI tools for overseas travel planning, including incorrect visa advice, outdated transport details and … Read more
Our Leisure Team Manager – Vivian Moloney has just returned from a week of Small Ship Cruising along the Croatian Coast… By Vivian Moloney Sometimes when you travel, you have to compromise. But when you travel to Croatia, you really don’t. It has a rich history, medieval streets, ruins, national parks and stunning waterfront promenades. … Read more
VOMO Island Fiji has become the only resort in the Pacific region to have its childcare team complete Worldwide Kids’ Tier I Professional Childcare Training and pass a full facilities audit. The luxury private-island resort, set between Fiji’s Yasawa and Mamanuca archipelagos, has had its full Kids’ Village team complete the internationally recognised qualification, delivered … Read more
Oceania Cruises has announced its Specialty Cruises for next year, which will see guests travel alongside culinary and cultural leaders. The line’s 2027 Specialty Cruises will visit the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and Japan, and include exclusive events, expert insights and distinctive experiences. Select voyages will be hosted by celebrated culinary icons and television personalities, such … Read more
Coffee, like travel, is inundated with a number of options. You can make it yourself at home and it’s fairly cheap. You know exactly what is going into it, how much it cost you and if it tastes like crap, you’ve only got yourself to blame. You are not a coffee expert but it does … Read more
Luxury Cruise Line To Exclusively Welcome Travellers Aged 18+ Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary and destination-focused luxury cruise line, is ushering in a new era of tranquillity and sophistication at sea. Introduced in January this year, the cruise line will exclusively welcome guests aged 18 and older for all new reservations for future voyages, … Read more
THE Federal Government has given the green light for the Brisbane Airport Master Plan 2026, which will see the hub invest more than $5 billion over the next five years alone. Highlights of the future strategy include the construction of a new Terminal 3 that will be operational by the early 2030s in preparation for … Read more
QANTAS Group has confirmed that London will be the first destination for its historic Project Sunrise flights and the bespoke Airbus A350-1000ULR. The non-stop Sydney to London flight will take off in Oct 2027 and mark the first time Qantas has been able to link the two cities directly since it began flying between them … Read more
Smartraveller review shifts advice for UAE and Qatar to level three. Following intense lobbying from the travel industry, the key Middle Eastern transit hubs of the UAE and Qatar have both been lowered by Smartraveller from Do Not Travel to Reconsider Your Need To Travel. Advice has also been lowered for Israel, Bahrain, and Kuwait, … Read more
The new partnership gives Qantas Frequent Flyer members access to Classic Reward seats across Philippine Airlines, including 15 island destinations in the Philippines that were previously missing from Qantas’ partner network. For QFF members, it adds one-stop reward options via Manila to Boracay, Cebu, Palawan and other leisure destinations, along with broader access to North America and … Read more
Travel bosses share insights In light of a peace deal between Iran and the United States reached yesterday, Intrepid Managing Director ANZ, Brett Mitchell is hopeful the milestone will precipitate a change in travel restrictions in the Middle East. “As conditions evolve, we hope ofÏcial travel advice will continue to reflect the situation on the … Read more
The first thing you notice when you hit the Aussie outback is the colours. That deep, almost rusty red that feels so distinctly Australian it’s hard to explain unless you’ve seen it properly; the wide-open blue of the sky, going on forever. It feels vast, relentless and totally mesmerising. In the midst of this, The … Read more
Bali has topped a new May 2026 study of the best girls’ summer trip destinations, scoring 100 ahead of Phuket and Crete on safety, activities and daily cost. Bali has topped a new global ranking of the best destinations for a summer girls’ trip, finishing ahead of Phuket and Crete. The study from small-ship cruise company Sail Croatia scored 10 … Read more
Jetstar and Qantas have confirmed launch routes from Western Sydney International, flying to Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The inaugural flight, JQ362, departs at 11am on 25 October 2026 bound for Gold Coast Airport, making Jetstar the first commercial passenger airline to take off from Australia’s newest international airport, with Qantas to follow next … Read more
Queenslanders chasing snow now have more direct ways to reach the slopes from this month, with Jetstar and Air New Zealand both launching seasonal Brisbane to Queenstown services in June. Jetstar flies first. Its direct Brisbane to Queenstown service starts on 15 June, operating three times a week through the snow season to the end of September. … Read more
First Published by Oceania Cruises in Australia & New Zealand From bright red deserts and rugged canyons to iconic cityscapes and a thriving dining scene, the land Down Under offers so much to experience, not to mention a bevy of natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage sites. Whether you’re in need of some travel inspiration or … Read more
The Joy of Travelling Well – a new global campaign and evolved brand expression that reflects Oceania Cruises continued commitment to intentional, enriching travel at sea. As traveller expectations continue to evolve, modern luxury is increasingly defined not by excess, but by depth, intention, and a sense of ease. The Joy of Travelling Well captures Oceania … Read more
Aussies will soon have a new way to fly to Asia with the arrival of Starlux Airlines in Australia. Starlux launched just six years ago and has come a considerable way since then. Based in Taipei, the carrier already has an extensive network of Asian destinations, flies to multiple US ports and even operates a handful … Read more
These Articles first appeared in TRAVEL DAILY Qantas Gold Coast – Auckland Qantas Airways is launching new direct flights from the Gold Coast to Auckland. Qantas Flight QF209 will depart Gold Coast on Tuesday, Thursday at 2:15pm and Arrive in Auckland at 7:20pm. Return flights from Auckland will depart the same days at 11:05am and … Read more
This article by Mark Harada first appeared in KarryOn A lot can change in 20 years, especially when it comes to where Australians choose to travel. In March 2006, Indonesia barely scraped into our top 10 most popular destinations abroad, Japan hardly registered with Aussie travellers, and the UK outranked almost everywhere in Asia. Fast … Read more
The response to our first list of breathtaking, bucket-list destinations was so overwhelming that I knew a follow-up was inevitable. Clearly, I’m not alone in feeling that pull — that quiet urgency to see the world’s wonders while we still can. So here are five more places that have captured my imagination: destinations that are … Read more
In a throwback to its heyday in the 1980s and 90s, a once-renowned Queensland island has welcomed back permanent accommodation. But this time around, guest stays will look a little different. Dunk Island Resort closed in early 2011 after being wiped out by Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Since then, the island has only offered basic campsites. … Read more
A New report from YouTrip has revealed Australians’ unwavering desire to travel, with 93% of survey respondents saying they still plan to venture overseas this year despite rising costs and global uncertainty. Nearly two-thirds (63%) said they remained determined to travel, while 30% said they would change destinations instead of scrapping their plans altogether. Only … Read more
EVERY year, from November to April when the northern Pacific swells sweep in from Hawaii, the Solomon Islands’ reefs and northly coastlines come alive with some of the most perfect waves to be found on the planet. The destination’s two best-known surf regions are Gizo in the Western Province and Santa Isabel, but there are … Read more
The UAE has removed all temporary airspace and airport restrictions imposed during the Iran conflict, clearing the way for Emirates, flydubai and Etihad to return to full schedules after two months of disruption. The all-clear came on Saturday, when the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed all temporary limits on airspace and airport operations … Read more
Ponant Explorations has unveiled the initial release of its 2028 voyages, in alliance with its partner Smithsonian Journeys. The first departures for the 2028 line-up include an all-new solar eclipse itinerary in Western Australia’s Kimberley region (pictured), along with a number of returning favourites. ‘Solar Eclipse on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast’ is a 10-night voyage … Read more
Japan Airlines will introduce the robots for trial run at a Tokyo airport amid country’s surge in inbound tourism and worsening labour shortages. Japan’s famously conscientious but overburdened baggage handlers will soon be joined by extra staff at Tokyo’s Haneda airport – although their new colleagues will need to take regular recharging breaks. Japan Airlines … Read more
Cause by Rotary Club of Mt Warning AM Tripaway Travel Supports this worthy cause: About this cause Kenya Health was founded by Lyle Burgoyne, a registered nurse and midwife from Murwillumbah, NSW, with a simple but powerful vision — that everyone deserves access to basic healthcare. Today, Kenya Health provides vital medical care to women, … Read more
By Matt Leedham – Karryon Five luxury cruise line leaders told Karryon that demand remains robust despite the Middle East airspace closures, with Travel Agents successfully rerouting clients and cancellation rates minimal across the luxury sector. Reading the sensationalised media headlines these past few weeks, you’d be forgiven for thinking the travel industry was in complete … Read more
With the Easter long weekend approaching and travellers already thinking ahead to their next escape, Norwegian Cruise Line is inviting Australians to make every moment count with its first-ever four-day round-trip ‘Tassie Taster’ sailings from Sydney to Hobart, on board Norwegian Spirit in January 2027. Perfectly timed for the summer holidays, with departures on 6 and 21 January … Read more
Qantas Europe flights will increase services and capacity ahead of the peak summer travel season as travellers scramble for options to avoid Middle East airspace and the US-Israel war on Iran continues to wreak havoc on routes. Australia’s biggest airline has made some major schedule and route changes from April 2026 as demand and airfare prices for Qantas … Read more
Gold Coast Airport will welcome another international carrier to South East Queensland, with Fiji Airways set to commence direct Gold Coast–Nadi flights from June 11, 2026. The new service on Fiji Airways’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 will operate three times weekly direct flights between the Gold Coast and Nadi , providing an additional 53,000 seats per year … Read more
The Viking Libra hydrogen cruise ship has been floated out in Italy ahead of her November 2026 delivery, marking a major milestone as the world’s first hydrogen-powered ocean cruise ship capable of zero-emissions sailings. The float-out ceremony for the Viking Libra hydrogen cruise ship took place at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona, Italy, and significantly represents the first time … Read more
Carnival Encounter resumes year-round sailings from Brisbane, emerging from dry dock in Singapore and sailing into port with a refreshed look inside and out, including a new hull design, spa relaxation zone and entertainment lineup Passengers boarding the seven-night Queensland cruise on 20 March 2026 were the first to check out the new-look ship upgrades … Read more
Say hello to the rewards program that lets you use your points, your way. The American Express Membership Rewards program lets you choose from a wide range of rewards Are those points burning a hole in your wallet? Use points to pay Boost your cash flow by paying off your eligible purchases with your American … Read more
A travel expert has revealed the seven destinations Australians can holiday right now that avoid Middle East flight disruptions. As disruptions continue across parts of the Middle East, Australians worried about flight connections through the region are being urged to consider alternative holiday destinations with direct routes. Savvy travellers are looking for destinations and routes … Read more
The war in the Middle East has caused significant disruption to air travel around the world, including Australia With hubs such as Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai being used by countless Aussie travellers to get to Europe, thousands were left stranded when conflict began earlier this month. Despite the threat of drone strikes and missiles in the area, thousands of Australians have been safely evacuated … Read more
In short: The UK government has updated its guidance for British and Irish dual nationals. Travellers who hold both an expired UK passport as well as a valid passport from a country that’s eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation may now be able to enter the UK. What’s next? The new rules will come into … Read more
Frustrated Australian-UK and Irish dual citizens have questions about the new UK passport entry requirements that come into effect on February 25. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed officials had relayed concerns from British Australian dual citizens to the British High Commission in Australia. The Deputy British High Commissioner Dr Brian Jones … Read more
