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The ultimate in travel experiences

Tuamotu Expeditions launches new tour

If you’ve ever looked at Tahiti and thought, yes, but quieter, the Tuamotu Archipelago has been waiting for you. And now there’s a new way to experience it properly.

Tuamotu Expeditions has launched a brand-new expedition-style experience through this remote scatter of coral atolls, designed for travellers who’d rather trade infinity pools for reef passes and actual silence. This isn’t a cruise, and it’s definitely not a tick-and-flick island hop. It’s six nights, five full days on the water, exploring lagoons, reefs and drop-offs that still feel wildly untouched.

At the centre of it all is Denis Grosmaire; local guide, deep freediver, marine conservationist, Air Tahiti Nui ambassador and long-time resident of Tikehau. He’s been living and diving here for over 20 years, which shows in the way the experience unfolds. There’s no rushing, no performative “wow” moments. Just time in the water, learning how the ocean actually works when you stop fighting it.

Days are spent snorkelling through passes and lagoons, reading currents, spotting marine life and understanding why this part of French Polynesia has quietly earned a reputation among serious ocean people. Denis also draws on techniques from his book Respirer comme l’océan, introducing breathing practices rooted in freediving: practical, grounding, and refreshingly un-woo.

The result is an expedition that feels personal and deeply connected to place. So, psst, if you’re after Tahiti without the gloss, and with far more meaning, this is it.

Follow in the footsteps of Mick Dundee

Forty years ago, a bloke in a battered hat stepped out of the Top End and into pop culture, dragging Kakadu along with him. Crocodile Dundee didn’t just make Paul Hogan a global export, it quietly turned one of Australia’s wildest landscapes into a movie star. Now, Kakadu Tourism is leaning into that legacy with a new self-guided tour that lets visitors trace Mick Dundee’s muddy footprints across the park.

Timed to mark the film’s 40th anniversary, the route stitches together the locations that helped sell the outback myth to the world, sadly without the knife tricks. Nourlangie (Burrungkuy) and Anbangbang Billabong are first up, where Mick famously demonstrated his “bush skills” beneath rock faces that hold some of the country’s most important Aboriginal rock art.

Then there’s Ubirr, where that famous line about the Never Never still lands hard, especially when you’re standing above the floodplains at sunset, watching the light stretch out forever.

Gunlom Falls, known to film buffs as Echo Lake, delivers the money shot. Recently reopened, its upper pools now come with improved access and the same infinity-edge views that made the scene unforgettable. Kakadu also pulled double duty in Crocodile Dundee II, with the Bardedjilidji Walk hosting the bullroarer scene among sandstone outcrops and shaded paths.

You can tackle it solo, or hand over the keys to Kakadu Adventure Tours, whose off-road 4WD trips dig deeper into places like Jim Jim Falls and Maguk. Stay inside the croc-shaped Mercure hotel, glamp it at Cooinda, or camp under the stars. Either way, Kakadu hasn’t aged a day, it’s just finally getting the credit it deserves.

Cycle across Sri Lanka’s southern coastline

If your idea of sightseeing usually involves a car, a dusty selfie stick, and way too many “are we there yet?” moments, it’s time to rethink things. That’s where the Tour de Resplendent comes in, an eight-day cycling tour across Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, Yala National Park, and the misty highlands of the tea country – designed for anyone who can handle pedals, hills, and breathtaking views.

Starting at Cape Weligama, the tour kicks off with coastal roads, palm-fringed beaches, and golden sunsets that demand you do a slow spin. From there, riders move inland, weaving through villages, forest paths, and the untamed landscapes surrounding Yala. There’s enough wildlife spotting to keep your camera busy, from elephants to birds you’ve never seen outside a documentary.

By the time you hit Haputale and the rolling tea-country roads, your legs might be tired, but your eyes will be having the time of their life. The trails through Ceylon Tea Trails’ plantations are misty, quiet, and impossibly scenic: the perfect excuse to stop, sip tea, and question why you haven’t done this sooner. For those who want to linger, there’s even a “five nights, pay for four” offer at Tea Trails until December 2026.

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a beginner keen to swap four wheels for two, the Tour de Resplendent mixes adventure with comfort, culture, and scenery in equal measure. Days are full, nights are relaxing, and at the end of it all, you’ll have seen a side of Sri Lanka most travellers miss, without a single traffic jam in sight.

Explore Ningaloo on a multi-day tour

Ningaloo doesn’t really need selling. The reef does its own thing quite happily, the water is ridiculous, and the wildlife shows up whether you’re ready or not. That said, Exmouth Adventure Co’s newly launched Essence of Ningaloo tour is a pretty solid way to experience it all without having to plan, ChatGPT, or argue about logistics.

The three-day, two-night adventure moves through Cape Range National Park and the World Heritage–listed Ningaloo Reef at a pace that feels considered rather than rushed. Think walks through places like Yardie Creek, long snorkels at Turquoise Bay where the drift does most of the work for you, and visits to cultural sites including the Jurabi Turtle Centre. But dw, the stops add context but don’t feel like a lecture (hell yeah).

Days are active but achievable, even if your idea of fitness is “carrying a snorkel and snacks.” Guides handle the details, share stories, and know when to talk and when to let the landscape do its thing. Which, in Ningaloo, it does very well.

Nights are spent back at a comfortable base camp with proper meals, cold drinks and stargazing that reminds you how small your inbox problems actually are. There’s time to sit, chat, look up and do absolutely nothing productive.

Essentially, this tour is about being in a remarkable place, moving through it thoughtfully, and leaving with sandy feet, tired shoulders and a very full camera roll.

Have fun on The Rig

When regular theme parks start to feel as thrilling as stale airline pretzels, that’s when you know it’s time to jump on a plane and head out to The Rig.

Anchored 40km off Saudi Arabia’s coast in the Arabian Gulf, this floating mega-destination takes the industrial muscle of oil platforms and flips it into something wildly fun and unapologetically extra. It’s not a theme park; it’s literally an experience made of steel and sea.

Spread across more than 300,000 m² (yes, you read that right), The Rig packs three hotels, 800 beds, 11 restaurants and over 70 attractions: think less office cubicles, and way more adrenaline.

Flying over the waves by seaplane, helicopter or fast ferry is just the warm-up. Once you arrive, there’s everything from extreme sports parks to splash zones, immersive theatres and even underwater thrills.

It’s a project with serious ambition, designed to pull nearly a million visitors a year and celebrate Saudi Arabia’s oil heritage in a way that is both cheeky and visionary.

Imagine go-karts chasing sunlight on floating decks by day, epic eats with ocean views by night, and stories that start with “Remember that time we…” for decades.

Ngl, in a world full of cookie-cutter resorts, The Rig feels like the one that actually understands adventure. And we’re here for it.

Explore Mount Hotham with Highlander Adventure

If your 2026 mood board involves fewer spreadsheets and more mountain vibes, Highlander Adventure is about to make your year.

The global hiking phenomenon (born in Croatia and now strutting across more than 20 countries) is finally bringing its multi-day magic to Australia, kicking things off with a blockbuster debut in Victoria’s Mount Hotham from 18–22 March 2026. And yes, it’s every bit the wilderness love letter you’re hoping for.

This isn’t your average “walk in the bush.” Highlander’s Hotham itinerary sends hikers wandering through the Alpine National Park’s greatest hits: sweeping ridgelines, historic huts, cinematic valleys and old mining sites – hidden, rugged, and very much worth the effort. You start and finish at Mount Hotham, and everything in between is a choose-your-own-adventure of 1 to 5 days on the trail.

And the best part is that Highlander handles all the logistics so you can pretend you’re living your best off-grid fantasy while someone else remembers where the water stations are. Meals, mapped routes, safety support, air stations, it’s all sorted. And once the sun clocks off, their legendary festival-style campground kicks in. Think starry skies, new mates, and the kind of energy that says “yes, I hiked 20 km today, and yes, I will absolutely have another campfire snack.”

Five format options mean everyone, from first-timers to ultralight disciples, gets a slice of the Alpine action.

Visit Netflix’s new ‘funhouse’

There’s a new kind of “house” in Philly, and by house we mean the sprawling, neon-lit, pop-culture funhouse of Netflix, one you can actually walk into.

Netflix House Philadelphia recently opened its doors at the King of Prussia Mall, offering fans a chance to step off their couch and into some of their favourite shows.

Inside, you’ll find over 100,000 square feet of immersive experiences – a mix of VR games, mini-golf, escape-room-style puzzles, themed food, merch and more. Two of the early centrepieces: a 60-minute pirate-style quest called “ONE PIECE: Quest for the Devil Fruit” and a carnival-meets-mystery event inspired by Wednesday (very spooky, very playful).

If you’re not into puzzles or spooky vibes, there’s still plenty to do: a nine-hole mini-golf course, VR versions of hits like Stranger Things and Squid Game, a themed restaurant called “Netflix Bites”, a merch shop, a theatre for screenings and fan events. So this place is basically a hybrid between a gaming arcade, immersive art installation, and a social clubhouse.

For a company that’s long lived in your TV screen, Netflix has now built a place where the stories really feel like they come alive; a playground for anyone who’s ever paused a show and thought, “What if I could walk inside this?”

It’s like a reminder that even in a world of algorithmic suggestions and streamed binges, there’s still something special about showing up to something in person.

Malta is the world’s hottest new dive spot

Saltwater lovers, rejoice: Malta is having a seriously big moment beneath the waves.

The Maltese Islands just scored major bragging rights in the 2026 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards, a.k.a. the PADI community’s annual ceremony of “who’s absolutely nailing it underwater.” And Malta? Absolutely nailed it.

The Mediterranean country is now officially known to have the Best Cave, Cavern and Grotto Diving Destination on Earth. Not too shabby for three tiny islands better known for sunshine and rabbit stew.

But the accolades don’t stop there. Malta also grabbed second place for wreck diving (the seabed is stacked with WWII relics, scuttled ships and photographic gold) and second place for shore diving, because here, great dives are literally a few steps from your sun lounger.

Add a handful of “One of the Best” rankings, including Best Value, Best Overall, Best Beginner Diving, Best Advanced Diving, and Best Wall Diving, and you’ve got a destination collecting awards like they’re seashells.

MTA Chairman Dr Charles Mangion says the success reflects Malta’s commitment to sustainability, operator expertise and the serious effort going into protecting its marine environment. In other words: they’re earning every single shiny gold thing they get.

And with Scuba Diving Magazine splashing these results across print, digital, newsletters and social channels reaching millions of divers, Malta’s underwater fame is about to crank up even further.

So, grab your fins. Malta’s waters are waiting.

Oddtrips has launched

There’s a new kid shaking up the travel world and they’re not here to take you to the places straight off a “Top 10 Things to Do in…” list. Say hello to Oddtrips, a Melbourne-born travel brand built for the incurably curious, the wanderers who’d rather get lost in Kyrgyzstan’s mountain passes than queue for yet another temple selfie.

Founded by Sasha Fidler, who grew up in Kazakhstan surrounded by sweeping steppes and stories that never make it into guidebooks, Oddtrips is all about taking the road (or goat track) less travelled. Hint: you’re more likely to swap five-star resorts for five-billion-star skies and meet locals who actually live where you’re visiting.

These are self-guided, private, and small-group journeys with heart (and just enough oddness to keep things interesting). Think Japan’s sleepy countryside, Pakistan’s untouched valleys, Lapland’s wild white silence, and the Baltic coastline no one talks about (yet). Each trip is meticulously designed with local knowledge, a touch of style, and zero tourist fluff. Just the way we like it.

“Travel should be independent, local, and deeply human,” says Fidler, and that’s exactly what Oddtrips delivers. Backed by travel industry pros with 15+ years’ experience and accredited by ATIA, it’s the real deal for travellers who crave the unexpected.

So, if your idea of adventure doesn’t fit neatly in a brochure, it’s about time you joined the odd ones out.

Majestic Whale Encounters launches new tour

Just when you thought your next island escape couldn’t get more brag-worthy, Majestic Whale Encounters has gone and launched a new tour to Niue (pronounced new-way), a speck in the South Pacific that packs more paradise per square metre than most countries can manage.

Home to just 1,600 people and roughly the same number of sea views, Niue is a place where your biggest worry is whether the dolphins will crash your swim with the humpbacks (they often do). From July to September, the island turns into an aquatic playground where whales cruise through bathtub-clear water and curious humans are invited (respectfully) to join the party.

Majestic Whale Encounters, long-time champions of ethical and eco-friendly adventures, are calling it their 8-day Niue Experience, which sounds blissfully simple because it is – swim with whales, soak up sunsets, and remember what it’s like to breathe properly. Between five guided whale swims, you’ll stay at the clifftop Matavai Resort, sipping poolside cocktails, devouring local feasts, and watching migrating whales roll past like they own the place (which, to be fair, they kind of do).

It’s family friendly, crowd-free, and traffic light–free, so it’s basically the anti-city break. Flights from Auckland take just over three hours, but mentally, you’ll be light-years away.