Aboriginal rock art, idyllic waterholes, spectacular sunsets, intriguing history and diverse culture. This is Alice Springs. From holding a baby kangaroo wrapped in a pillowcase to hot air ballooning, mountain biking and camel rides, here is your guide to the best things to do in Alice Springs. 1. Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs Cuddling a joey is the stuff of bucket lists. Luckily, Brolga, aka Chris Barnes, is ready to make your dreams come true at his Kangaroo Sanctuary 20 minutes’ drive from Alice Springs. The sanctuary is home to orphaned joeys and kangaroos. (Image: Tourism NT/Jewe ..read more

With slick new openings, classic cucinas and masterful high-end dining, there’s a lot to love in Melbourne’s Italian restaurant world. Melbourne has long loved its Italian restaurants. But times change. The city seemed to fall a little out of love. That’s life. It can happen. Sure, the top-end classics continued, and endless old-school pizza joints and ristorantes peppered the inner city to the outer burbs, but the buzz wasn’t there. Then – suddenly – there was a flicker, a change. Was it the White Lotus effect? Perhaps all those Aussies roaming Rome, or wintering on the Amalfi Coast ..read more

The true reward of a stay at Sal Salis is a reintroduction to the wonder of nature; leave your phone at home, forget about deadlines and prepare to dive in. Conservation has been at the heart of Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, since its inception. Travellers come here to swim with whale sharks, hike the ancient ranges of Cape Range National Park and fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the fringing reef. The operators have always sought to conserve the region’s natural environment through educational and environmentally sound tourism operations. It’s this eco-centric approach that has s ..read more

Saunas are popping up everywhere from bathhouses to recovery clinics with hot-cold contrast therapy but can you sauna where you sleep, too? You can at these slow stays. 1. Still at Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tas Ladling water over the hot coals, steam rises in front of floor-to-ceiling glass – the only thing separating you from the pristine waters of Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula. Take in the beauty of Coles Bay from within your private sauna. (Image: Renee Thurston) Guests at Still at Freycinet – a three-bedroom architectural abode designed with hygge in mind – are invited to indulge ..read more

Each April, Parrtjima turns the landscape around Alice Springs (Mparntwe) into a virtual canvas with large-scale light installations that adorn the ancient slopes of the MacDonnell Ranges. This annual 10-night celebration of Aboriginal art and culture also features performances, talks, films, a meandering six-metre-high puppet, and the Buy Blak Market, as well as nightly projections against the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. This year’s Parrtjima: A Festival in Light runs from 12 to 21 April 2024. Here’s everything you need to know before you see it with your own eyes ..read more

You won’t need your hiking boots for this Blue Mountains trail. You’ve heard of the countless incredible nature walks in the Blue Mountains. But what about those of us who prefer to stay inside and exercise our minds rather than our bodies? There’s a different kind of trail enticing tourists to the region, replacing water bottles with cups of coffee and hiking boots with books. Stopping at 11 bookshops along the way, the Blue Mountains Bookshop Trail is perfect for everyone who loves a good read, from the well-read bibliophile to bookish beginners. 1. Blue Dragon Books, Glenbrook The trai ..read more

These analogue-first stores and bars should be on every Australian music fan’s radar. Whether you’re dipping your toe into the world of LPs or have years of collecting under your belt, everyone is welcome in the world of vinyl. And with World Record Store Day on 20 April each year, it’s our time to hit the decks. From cafe-meet-record stores to listening bars stocking enviable vinyl collections, here are our top picks of the best record shops in Australia. Victoria 1. Greville Records Just off Chapel Street in this upmarket portion of South Yarra in Melbourne is Greville Records: which is ..read more

Cheers fun-fuelled indulgence with your people at the best places to bottomless brunch in Brisbane. At the liveliest spots to bottomless brunch in Brisbane, creative cocktails come on tap, as do far-too-drinkable wines plus flavour-crammed food for good measure. And if that’s not enticing enough, most of them are treated to ultra-scenic vistas and epic live music. Gather your friends and leave the car at home – our list of unmissable venues demands total commitment. 1. Buns and Bubbles at Yoko Dining Best for: classy vibes on the water Mimosa slushie, anyone? Start Saturday right with a t ..read more

Queensland’s natural beauty is utterly exploited during a go-with-the-flow journey from Brisbane to Cairns. Two cities stacked with non-stop entertainment — but it’s what’s between Brisbane and Cairns that’s often underestimated. The 1,390-kilometre coastal sweep between the southern end and the far north clocks in a drive time of just under 19 hours. But if you’ve got a solid week or so to take your time, road-tripping the journey will facilitate a non-stop stretch of pinch-me pit stops. From flawless beach towns and sublime subtropical trails to mind-blowing culinary experiences and cul ..read more

Celebrate the arrival of the cooler months at these stunning autumn festivals around the country. Summer has well and truly had her time in the spotlight this year, and many of us who prefer the cooler months have welcomed autumn with open arms; celebrated it even! And what better way to do so than with like-minded people? So, from food-focused festivities and wine weekends to autumnal plant fairs and arts events, here’s your guide to the best festivals around Australia during autumn. Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival Macedon Ranges, Vic: 5–28 April Welcome the arrival of autumn in one of the pre ..read more