region: Oceania

Ovolo Hotel launches its Summer Concierge

You probably don’t need any more convincing to book a little holiday season getaway, but in case you’re still on the fence, Ovolo Hotels is throwing its newly launched Summer Concierge initiative into the deciding factor mix.

Not only will you get 20% off your room stay at any of Ovolo’s hotels (think The Valley, Nishi, Laneways by Ovolo etc) from December through to February, but you’ll also get bonuses, special discounts and exclusive benefits at over 70 participating tour operators, wellness facilities, local restaurants and top attractions.

All you have to do is flash your Ovolo Hotels room key like it’s an all-access pass, and you can explore Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne or Sydney like a true local without paying full price for anything.

If you’re thirsting for a drink and you happen to find yourself near one of Sydney’s finest waterfront restaurants China Doll, you’ll be sipping on their complimentary house cocktail ‘Sampan’ before you can say, “We’d like a table with a view”. They’ll even chuck a dessert at ya free of charge.

Or if Melbourne’s weather ever sorts itself out long enough for you to think boating down the Yarra River is a good idea, Go Boat is giving 10% off every booking (and 20% off on weekdays) for those with an Ovolo keycard.

There’s a little something for everyone from the beauty-obsessed teen (The Lab in Canberra is offering 20% off treatments) to the ultimate foodie (Middle Eastern vegetarian hotspot ZAZATA in Brisbane is promising Ovolo Hotel guests 15% off their entire bill), so the only logical next stop is picking which hotel you want to stay at.

Maori culture tour launches in New Zealand

Hold onto your pounamu necklaces, folks—travel experts New Zealand In Depth has just dropped a Māori culture programme that’ll make your standard guided tour feel like watching paint dry. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s a crash course in mana (spiritual power), tikanga (customs), and kai (delicious food).

They’re offering guests the chance to fully immerse themselves into the spirit and culture of the Indigenous people of New Zealand on a 12 day itinerary featuring a tribal homestay where you’ll learn to weave, carve and cook a hangi feast (and if you ask nicely, your hosts might teach you the Hakka).

But wait, there’s more. Take a dip into the bubbling hot pools of Rotorua for a geothermal bathing experience straight out of Middle-earth. Trek through the lush wilderness on Kapiti Island and spot kiwi birds when night falls. Join an Ancestral Footprints Cultural Tour and explore former Maori settlements. Wake up at the crack of dawn for a unique sunrise experience at Maunga Hikurangi (the Ngati Porou people’s sacred mountain). And that’s not even all of it.

We can promise you’ve never travelled New Zealand like this. This isn’t just travel; it’s a soulful connection to the country’s indigenous heart. But be warned, your next holiday’s going to feel boring in comparison.

Stay in style at The EVE Hotel Sydney

They already have the Harbour Bridge. They’ve got the Opera House. And now, from Feb 2025, Sydney’s beefing up its impressive touristic lineup with The EVE Hotel (lucky ducks).

It’ll be located in the heart of the city, convenient for when you’ve gorged yourself on wood-fired bread and drank too many Neapolitan Sours from Totti’s, and will showcase a bold new vision of boutique luxury thanks to its makeup of art, culture and culinary experience.

This place has it all – think vaulted ceilings, curated interiors, immersive art installations, rooftop gardens, a 20-metre rooftop pool and a mouthwatering restaurant with views overlooking the trendy suburbs of Surrey Hills and Redfern.

It might seem like you’ll have to sell both kidneys to stay here, but the sales team are doing each and every one of us a solid by celebrating the hotel’s opening with a specially designed package.

The package will include one night’s stay in your room of choice (presidential suite, here we come!), a signature cocktail at Bar Julius and a bespoke take-home gift you can’t get anywhere else, starting from AU$519. For Sydney?! That’s a bargain in today’s hotel economy.

But let’s back it right up because Bar Julius won’t just be The EVE’s hotel bar, it’ll be the trendiest watering hole in the whole city (you heard it here first). It boasts an all-day dining concept, food bursting with fresh and bold flavours, dynamic interiors and a cocktail menu filled with ‘Crystal Mimosas’ (served tableside) and ‘Bar Julius Negronis’.

Kicking off the new year in a new way sounds pretty good right about now.

Kangaroo Island Indigenous Day Tour

Sick of staring at spectacular scenery like a typical tourist? Dive into Kangaroo Island’s cultural deep end by embracing the ancient stories of its First Nations people with SeaLink’s new Indigenous tour.

This unique experience has been created in partnership with recently inducted South Australian Hall of Famer, Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie (founder of Kool Tours) and blends the island’s cultural history with its modern history through interactive storytelling and personal perspectives.

Mark knows his stuff – he’s basically a walking, talking encyclopaedia of island lore—so you’ll get the chance to discover sacred sites, learn about native bush foods and hear creation stories that have been passed down through the generations.

Spoiler alert: you won’t get to throw a boomerang or hear a didgeridoo. But you will participate in a smoking ceremony and get your steps in with a bushwalk in Penneshaw, exploring the island’s plants and animals and discovering how the locals used them for food and medicine (and everything in between).

This isn’t just a tour, it’s a fascinating peek into a world that’s as beautiful as it is resourceful – one that’s largely been unheard of. Until now.

By the end of the day, you’ll not only have a deeper connection to Kangaroo Island, but you’ll also have a new understanding of just how this breathtaking island came to be and how long it’s been used, loved, lived on, and treasured, explained to you by the people who know it better than anyone. Sign us the hell up.

Intrepid launches new trip with Lucinda Light

Hold onto your caps and cork hats, folks, because everyone’s favourite small-group tour operator Intrepid Travel, has joined forces with Lucinda Light (remember her from season 11 of MAFs?) to lead an ‘everyone’s welcome’ trip to tropical Far North Queensland.

If this seems like a weird collab, then it’s not. Lucinda was an Intrepid tour leader back in the day and is now reprising her role for this exclusive, 7-day trip so that people can experience a transformative journey through the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

It’s essentially Intrepid’s Daintree & Cape Tribulation Adventure with a light-soaked twist. Leave your office chair behind to swim under waterfalls, dodge cassowaries (just kidding, they’re not that scary), and bask in the kind of natural beauty that’ll have you questioning whether you can’t just stay in Queensland indefinitely.

Not only will your body relish time spent in the sun, but this Aussie adventure will have your soul doing cartwheels – think guided earthing sessions and immersive discussions on emotional intelligence and wellness, all designed to invite calm reflection and inner exploration.

And Lucinda will be there every step of the way to share her expert knowledge of the iconic destinations and help cultivate a connection between you and your fellow travellers, all while cracking jokes and making you laugh so hard you’ll forget you’re covered in mosquito repellent.

We’ll swap our routine for self-rejuvenation any day. Sign us up.

Dark Mofo to return in 2025

Alert everyone you know, Dark Mofo is set to come back on full throttle in 2025 (did you miss it?) That’s right, next June in Hobart is looking more wild than wintery.

If you don’t know what Dark Mofo is, first of all, where have you been, and second of all, it’s Tasmania’s dark, weird and downright rebellious festival. It opens its eccentric arms to all the misfits, art lovers, and thrill-seekers looking to dive headfirst into the Dark (Mofo).

It may have taken a small hiatus, but its back with a bigger vengeance than you’ve ever seen – think firelit ceremonies, spine-tingling art installations, boundary-pushing performances and a Winter Feast that’s part pagan bonanza, part foodie heaven.

Don’t get it twisted, this isn’t some backyard shindig. Artists from around the globe descend on Australia’s southernmost city to create an experience that’s both unsettling and unforgettable, and no, we’re not just talking about the infamous Nude Solstice Swim. Night Mass will also make its return alongside the Ogoh-Ogoh.

While the full festival program hasn’t been released just yet, the anticipation of the boldest thing Tassie’s produced since the Mona’s vulva wall is enough to whet your appetite. So, grab your mates (and a little bit of bravery) and get ready to embrace the bizarre. Because when the lights go off and the thermals come on, Dark Mofo will be waiting to welcome you into its beautifully twisted heart. Where you’ll probably stay. Until June 2026.

Palm Springs in inner Sydney

Stepping into the Adina Apartment Hotel in Chippendale is like falling into a rabbit hole and landing smack in the middle of Palm Springs—minus the desert, but with all the style. Think mid-century vibes, retro palm tree wallpaper, and a pool that looks like it’s auditioning for an Instagram influencer’s next post. You half expect to see Frank Sinatra lounging in a cabana, martini in hand. But no, it’s me instead, clutching a hazy IPA and wondering how the hell I ended up in this chic little oasis in the heart of inner Sydney.

Chippendale is one of those suburbs that’s equal parts gritty and glamorous, with a dose of “why haven’t I heard of this place before?” The area’s got its fair share of converted warehouses that scream “cool creative types live here.” Locals sprawl across Chippendale Green, picnic baskets in hand. Just nearby is Central Park Mall, sleek, shiny, and futuristic, the kind of place where you could spend an hour deciding between artisanal gelato or fusion tacos.

But what really makes Chippendale buzz is its art scene. Around Abercrombie Street, you’ll find contemporary galleries packed with pieces that’ll either blow your mind or make you think, “Am I not getting this?” The creative energy is palpable. Then there’s Kensington Street, which is like the food truck of your dreams came to life, packed with hawker-style Asian joints and alleyways with cafes that pumping out flat whites at record speed.

Back at the Adina the rooms are a step up from your typical city hotel—spacious enough to stretch out like you’re on a mini-holiday, but with the convenience of being smack in the middle of everything. You could literally walk past this place if you didn’t know where it was. It’s got all the trimmings: kitchenettes for whipping up a snack, a gym for pretending you’ll work off all that hawker food (spoiler: you won’t), and that iconic pool for when you want to channel your inner Palm Springs cool.

If you’re looking for a stay that’s equal parts chill and chic, with Chippendale’s cutting-edge charm right on your doorstep, the Adina’s got you covered. Now excuse me while I lounge by the pool, pretending I’m not in Sydney but somewhere between 1960s California, an art gallery opening and a craft beer bar.

Kuuma Nature Sauna

Only a few things can make a sauna cooler (pun very much intended); a dip in the Tasman Sea off a bespoke pontoon boat is definitely one of them.

This sauna cruiser was custom-built to be the best damn sweat you’ve ever had, taking the sauna experience to new heights by setting sail to various open water locations in the Northwest Bay of Southern Tasmania.

There’s one wood-fired sauna on board and it’s been carefully designed to maximise your epic surroundings with large, glazed windows, so you can see the Tasmanian landscape clearly (you might be perspiring but the windows won’t be) and direct access to the chilly waters of Snug Beach, Coningham Beach and Howden upon anchoring.

Kuuma—a literal and metaphorical embodiment of ‘warmth’—encourages eager sauna-goers to disconnect from everyday life for the duration of their experience in order to rejuvenate their mind and body. If you’re sceptical, don’t be. Tasmania’s southern waters are cold. Like, 9 degrees cold or, ‘I can’t feel my toes cold’. So you’ll definitely feel alive and ready for anything after taking a dip.

There’s a skipper on board so you don’t have to worry about any technical stuff (phew), and two different session options—going communal or hiring it out for your own private use. Kuuma even offers sunrise saunas in case you’ve ever thought about plunging into freezing water at 6 am on a Tuesday morning.

Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park

You no longer have to work at the Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park to snorkel at the Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park.

Renowned for its leading coral and marine conservation efforts, the park is opening its doors in a Willy Wonka-esque move that’ll give regular Joe’s the chance to snorkel its healthy marine ecosystem for the first time ever.

Not only will thousands of tropical fish, crabs, sea snails, blue-spotted rays, octopus and plenty of colourful coral now be at your pruny fingertips, but this snorkelling experience promises a firsthand insight into just how much work the park’s been doing in the conservation space over the past 15 years.

A group of happy snorkellers posing for the camera in the crystal clear waters of Fiji's Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park

This work includes supporting marine restoration by planting coral and replenishing fish stock in the qoliqoli, and safeguarding the island’s coral reefs for future generations by educating both tourists and locals on the importance of protecting the environment. And because of the park’s Marine Protected Area status, a whopping 28,800m2 of shoreline is protected from fishing and other potentially destructive activities.

The park doesn’t even keep all this extra money they’re now making; every single cent you pay goes directly to the local community for staff training and village infrastructure.

Image credit: Tourism Fiji

Valiant Bar

In an unassuming car park is Melbourne’s newest, and definitely glitziest bar – with no less than 200 disco balls to prove it.

To reach The Valiant from Collins Street you’ll cruise down a little laneway which goes past Melbourne’s oldest pub, and onto Little Collins. Here you’ll find one of those extortionate car parks which charge a small house deposit for a car park each day, which seems as mundane as the rest of them until you clock the painting of Mona – a beautiful AI-inspired woman surrounded by disco balls.

Follow her longing gaze and head up the stairs, and you’ll find a glitzy cocktail lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows.

There’s incredible cocktails, including get lost’s favourite, the Mona’s Secret: gin, muscat, orange blossom, strawberry, raspberry, lemon and pink pepper. It’s pink, its sweet, and it’s got a V for Valiant .  smoothed into the top layer of the cocktail…and it’s god damn delicious.

Others included the Butter Dill Martini – Grey Goose vodka, noily prat, butter and dill – and the Marine Martini – voir, gin, white vermouth and tonic.

If you’re looking to hedge your bets, there’s a bunch of half-cocktail, half-shots, which is an interesting concept. It’s probably less hedging your bets – our own bet is you’d get absolutely obliterated doing this.

The food is great – unique dishes like burrata and mortadella with crushed pistachio focaccia; poached prawn with fennel celeriac remoulade and Saucisse en Croûte, which is essentially a sausage roll with a fancy name.

We were stoked with bumps of Siberian caviar – a refreshing change from doing bumps of something else in a cocktail bar – served straight off the back off your own hand.

And there’s disco balls…there are apparently 200 on the roof. You’re more of a 400 disco ball or more sort of operator? Say no more – apparently there’s another 200 on the way.

Valiant is an upmarket, centrally located place ideal for date nighters, promotion celebrators, after-work drinkers and disco ball and car park enthusiasts.