Melbourne, get ready to check in, freak out, and forget everything you thought a hotel should be. Hijinx Hotel is crash-landing into QV on August 1 and spoiler alert: there are zero beds, but approximately one million reasons to absolutely lose your mind.
This place is immersive game park, a recurring fever dream and a cheeky escape from reality all rolled into one; packing 10 “rooms” of chaos, cocktails and colour-drenched mayhem. Think ball pits, brain teasers, light-up floors, and a rogue art heist challenge that’ll turn you into Danny Ocean with a disco twist.
And because one dose of ridiculousness is never enough, they’ve also thrown in Archie Brothers right next door. It’s a circus-themed arcade and cocktail bar where you can blast through VR adventures, smash claw machines, and sip cocktails out of unicorn bowls and disco balls. Because of course you can.
The whole shebang spans a whopping 1,600sqm of pure unfiltered fun and can fit up to 400 revellers. Whether you’re planning a wild date night, boozy birthday bash or just need an excuse to unleash your inner maniac, this two-in-one fun palace has your chaos cravings covered.
Word of warning: don’t bring a toothbrush. Or pyjamas. This is one hotel where the only thing getting tucked in is your dignity, right behind a shot of rum and a watermelon-scented bubble.
Bookings are open now, Melbourne. Go forth and play like no one’s watching, even though everyone definitely is.
Surf, sun and one hell of a surf coach; this July, Soneva Fushi is dialling things all the way up with a wave-chasing residency hosted by none other than Luke Stedman. Yep, that Luke Stedman – former World Championship Tour shredder, Rookie of the Year, and proud possessor of a surname that’s basically surf royalty. (Fun fact: his dad claims to have invented the UGG boot, but we digress).
From July 15 to 28, Luke will be swapping comps for coaching, running a series of surf experiences on Soneva Fushi’s pristine shores. We’re talking modular sessions for grommets and grownups alike, communal surf trips to Maldivian breaks so clear they look photoshopped, and – for those who take their board riding as seriously as their beachside smoothies – a five-day performance surf camp complete with breathwork, video analysis, drills, and daily surf safaris.
And the setting is no biggie, it’s just a UNESCO-protected slice of paradise where the villas are so fancy they have their own waterslides, and the desserts live in a dedicated chocolate room. Between sessions, you can snorkel with manta rays, catch a flick under the stars, or simply marvel at how salty your hair can really get.
Whether you’re a total beginner or a closet pro in need of a tune-up, this is your chance to ride the best waves of your life with a legit surf legend showing you the ropes.
Craving Europe but allergic to queues, sweaty crowds and paying €12 for a sad gelato? Eurail’s whispering sweet savings in your ear with 20% off all Global and One Country Passes – if you’re smart enough to travel after the summer madness.
From 1 September, you can gallivant across 33 countries, blissfully free of selfie-stick mobs and sunburnt tourists yelling in caps lock.
But why now? Because Eurail wants to curb overtourism and gently nudge Aussies into shoulder season travel. Turns out 37% of us descend on Europe during its busiest months – July especially – causing gridlock in Venice and major heartbreak for introverts everywhere.
So, let’s lay it out: book your pass before 3 July 2025, and travel from 1 September onwards. You’ll get perks like uncrowded piazzas, autumn wine harvests, cherry blossom-lined canals, and actual breathing room in museums (but they still can’t guarantee you’ll be able to get close enough to the Mona Lisa to get a half-decent pic).
A top-tier three-month 1st class pass drops from AU$2,149 to AU$1,719.20 – that’s enough savings for 17 Aperol Spritzes (just) and a guilt-free pistachio binge in Sicily.
Plus, seniors and youth score extra discounts, and you have 11 months to activate your pass – perfect for commitment-phobes or the ‘I’m just gonna wait ‘til the flights drop a bit’-ers.
In other words, ditch the summer scramble. Take the train. Save some coin. And remember that sunshine in Europe doesn’t magically vanish after August. You can thank us later.
For years, gaining entry to Turkmenistan was as easy as joining an exclusive cult: secretive, bureaucratic, and requiring a special invitation. But that’s changing fast. The notoriously closed Central Asian nation just hit the big ol’ refresh button on its tourism strategy, launching a brand-new e-visa system for travellers from over 50 countries.
No more government-vetted invitations, just a few clicks, and you’re on your way to the land of marble cities and flaming craters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is rolling out the welcome mat (firmly supervised, of course), eager to show off jewels like the ancient Silk Road city of Merv and the infamous Door to Hell, a blazing gas crater that’s completely mind-blowing.
In a country known for golden statues and tightly controlled narratives, this digital visa shift signals something deeper: a tentative embrace of the outside world. Turkmenistan’s partnering with regional allies and development banks to upgrade roads, hotels, and *gasp* English-speaking tour guides.
Still, don’t expect a backpacker free-for-all just yet. The government insists it will balance openness with “cultural and security safeguards”, which sounds like code for “we’re watching, but nicely.”
According to tourism analysts, this could be the start of a broader economic reboot if Turkmenistan can manage the balancing act of inviting tourists in without losing control of the storyline. For now, the gates are ajar, the fire pit’s burning, and Turkmenistan is finally ready for its global close-up. Sort of.
Nestled deep in the lush jungle heart of Six Senses Fiji’s spa village on Malolo Island, the new Alchemy Bar is like your quirky, plant-obsessed best friend who also happens to be a skincare genius.
Forget grabbing off-the-shelf lotions; here, you get to channel your inner mad scientist by handcrafting your own body scrubs, face masks, or aloe vera gels with fresh, local ingredients harvested straight from the resort’s garden.
Think aloe, neem, papaya, hibiscus, and even Fijian medicinal herbs that sound like a spell from a fantasy novel (hello, vevedu and vau). Guided by expert therapists, you’ll embark on a sensorial adventure through TeiTei Gardens, blending nature’s finest goodies tailored to your skin’s every whim.
But the Alchemy Bar is less about vanity and more about hitting pause, bonding with nature, and embracing a deliciously messy kind of self-care.
Surrounded by tropical vibes and shelves lined with quirky jars of essential oils, upcycled coffee grounds, and honey from the resident bees, it’s the ultimate island wellness playground.
Whether you’re flying solo or scheming with your travel crew, expect to leave feeling refreshed, radiant, and just a little bit magical. Cheers to skincare with a side of island soul.
If your idea of a holiday involves sipping cocktails on a sunlounger, look away now. But if you’ve ever thought, “What if I could paddle my way through tropical islands, snack constantly, sleep in hidden beach camps, and possibly befriend a sea turtle?” then Kayakasia Philippines has your name written all over it (probably on a dry bag).
This adventure company offers multi-day, muscle-powered odysseys through some of the most untouched corners of the Philippines; think limestone cliffs, secret lagoons, beach bonfires, and zero crowds (unless you count the occasional curious fish). You’ll paddle between islands, feast like a castaway with a personal chef, and fall asleep under a trillion stars.
Worried you’re not Bear Grylls? Don’t stress. You don’t need abs of steel or Olympic stamina, just a sense of adventure and a healthy obsession with snacks. The Kayakasia crew sorts the logistics, hauls the gear, and keeps the vibe equal parts safe and silly.
Tours range from chill two-night trips to full-on five-day expeditions, with routes around El Nido, the Linapacan Islands, and Coron. Translation: postcard views, every damn day.
That means ditch the resort wristband and grab a paddle. These tours are for anyone who wants to explore paradise the slow, splashy, unforgettable way. And yes, your arms will get a little sore. But your soul? Very, very happy.
Tired of your job not involving enough golden hour, white sand, and semi-aquatic chill? Same. That’s why Employment Hero, the Aussie tech unicorn shaking up the job market, has teamed up with Fitzroy Island Resort to launch what may be the most envy-inducing gig of all time: Sunset Supervisor.
Uh, translation please? Sit on the beach and make sure the sun goes down properly. Maybe snap a pic. Repeat for three days.
This dreamy job listing has officially dropped via EH Jobs – the shiny new app that matches you with over 1.5 million roles without requiring you to awkwardly loiter in a café clutching your resumé.
But there’s brains behind the beauty. Gen Z is clocking in more hours than ever (2.3% more, in fact), and Employment Hero is here to prove that work doesn’t have to be a soul-sapping grind (we feel that).
With hiring and wages on the rise, especially in sunny QLD, the Sunset Supervisor role is both a cheeky PR stunt and a serious reminder that the future of work should include more… well, paradise.
Flights? Covered. Accom? Luxe. Value? Over AU$4,000. All you need to do is show up, look at the sky, and let Fitzroy Island do the rest.
It’s time to embrace island time, powered by Employment Hero. Now, excuse us while we try to apply for this role using one hand while a piña coladas in the other.
Ready for a holiday that’s literally out of this world? In August 2026, the cosmos is serving up a total solar eclipse, and Explore Worldwide is throwing an epic viewing party across Northern Spain and Iceland. Because what pairs better with complete solar obliteration than tapas or a glacier?
These are total eclipse-themed adventures with a side of wow and a dash of science. Whether you’re sipping Rioja in the Basque Country or road-tripping through Iceland’s volcanic wonderland, you’ll get front-row seats to one of nature’s rarest light shows. And yes, there will be a dedicated solar expert on hand to explain what’s happening in the sky (because let’s be honest, you haven’t googled “umbra” since Year 9 science, and maybe not even then).
Each tour comes with eclipse glasses – so you don’t accidentally blind yourself – and carefully chosen viewing spots. Think al fresco dining in Spain as the sun disappears, or standing in Icelandic wilderness with your jaw on the floor.
Three trips means three unforgettable experiences:
• Spain for the foodies (and romantics who like their eclipses with wine).
• Iceland for the wild souls who think molten lava and total darkness sound like fun.
• Picos de Europa for the hikers who prefer their astronomy at altitude.
Book now and be the kind of person who casually drops, “Oh, I watched the 2026 eclipse from a mountain in Spain” into small talk. You cosmic show-off, you.
Ah, the Polaroid Flip. It’s not just a camera. It’s a nostalgia-infused, red-shutter-buttoned, flash-wielding time machine disguised as a point-and-shoot. Designed for the creatively chaotic and the “let’s just see what happens” crowd, the Flip takes the pain out of photography and replaces it with instant joy, printed in your hand before you can say “hashtag no filter.”
Using it is so easy, even your technophobic uncle could nail a portrait on his first try. Thanks to its hyperfocal 4-lens system, the Flip automatically chooses the best lens for your subject, whether it’s a moody street scene or your mate mid-sip of a questionably named cocktail. Add in sonar autofocus (yes, it uses sound like a tiny Bat-camera) and the most powerful flash Polaroid has ever packed into a lid, and you’ve got yourself a pocket-sized photo beast.
Unlike other instant cameras that make you work harder than a barista at brunch, the Flip actually wants to help. It alerts you if your shot’s over- or underexposed and links via Bluetooth to the Polaroid app on your phone for double exposures, self-timers, and manual control because sometimes you want to feel like an artist and look good doing it.
At $399, it’s not cheap, but you can’t put a price on capturing life’s messiest, most magical moments in all their perfectly imperfect glory.
In short: Flip it. Shoot it. Frame it. And try not to fall hopelessly in love (oops, too late).
Tired of the same old bike rides past suburban hedges and nosy neighbours? Upgrade your handlebars to something worthy of legend with Much Better Adventures’ cycling tour through Kyrgyzstan: the land of nomads, sky-scraping peaks, and zero Starbucks (hell yeah).
We’re talking mountain passes, alpine lakes, yurt stays, and more sweeping landscapes than a David Attenborough voiceover. You’ll pedal across the Tian Shan mountains, cruise beside the glittering Issyk-Kul Lake (which is basically the sea, but cooler and inland), and pass through villages where time forgot smartphones and found hospitality instead.
Nights are spent under the stars or in cozy yurts with local families, possibly rethinking your life choices in the best way. Days are spent conquering terrain that makes your thighs scream and your soul sing. There are also horses, hot springs, and so many photogenic vistas your phone might overheat out of sheer gorgeousness overload.
Why go to Kyrgyzstan, you ask? Because it’s underrated, unspoiled, and unburdened by crowds. It’s like cycling through a Tolkien novel, but with more fermented mare’s milk and less orc activity.
If you’re on the fence, hop off, grab your bike (or borrow theirs), and saddle up. This is the kind of adventure that turns “where’s Kyrgyzstan again?” into “you HAVE to go.”
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