News

Following the resumption of numerous Emirates services last month, the UAE carrier is planning to restart even more routes from the 15th June. This includes Brisbane and Perth, adding to the Sydney and Melbourne services currently in operation. The returning services will fly on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft between Dubai and 16 cities, adding Singapore,…

If you’ve ever wanted to hike to the top of Sydney’s emblematic Sydney Harbour Bridge, now is the time to do. In response to loosening lockdown restrictions, quintessential Sydney experience BridgeClimb has reopened and will resume their sky-high expeditions from June 27th. What’s more is that BridgeClimb will now be offering significant discounts on the…

As domestic travel begins to pick up, Qantas and Jetstar have announced 300 more inter-state and intra-state flights each week for June and July. Given demand for domestic services has shot up in recent weeks, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has said capacity will go from 5% of pre-crisis levels to 15% by late June. “We…

With the world’s major airlines set on resuming services in response to loosening border restrictions, Etihad Airways has announced a special ‘Etihad Wellness’ program to further their commitment to health and wellbeing throughout the passenger journey. This includes new roles created within the airline, fit into a programme of specially trained Wellness Ambassadors. Expanding on…

During this current global pandemic, maintaining mental health and well-being has proven essential. Digital platforms have become the new normal, so access to mindful practices online has made an enormous leap in the wellness world. Recently, that’s a space being covered quite comprehensively by the world’s best luxury hotel groups. COMO Shambhala, the wellness arm…

As one of NSW’s only remaining drive in cinemas, the vintage-minded Skyline Drive In Blacktown has officially reopened as of 28th May. With the ideal format for social distancing, it builds upon popularity of drive-in movies in the current pandemic, which has seen places like Vilnius in Lithuania turn its airport into a drive-in cinema…

Along with reopening of restaurants across New South Wales, it appears the 22nd Biennale of Sydney has plans on welcoming art lovers back to its full public program. The free contemporary art exhibition, which takes place across various Sydney art institutions, will reopen from 16th June with its entire collection of more than 700 artworks…

Hugely anticipated lifestyle hotel W Melbourne has confirmed a new opening date, pushing back their originally stated mid-2020 debut to the end of the year. Come December 2020, the second property as part of W’s triumphant return to Australia – the first was W Brisbane – will be flinging doors open for guests ready to…

As part of restarting their extensive network, Etihad Airways has announced a number of new services and special flights operating to and from its home hub of Abu Dhabi. This includes a new Sydney to London via Abu Dhabi service, in addition to the newly introduced Melbourne-London route. Throughout May and June, Etihad will increase…

While airlines around the world start to lay out their new health regulations, Qatar Airways has announced what may be some of the tightest measures by an airline yet. This includes hazmat suits worn by cabin crew over their regular uniform, and passengers must wear a mask on board otherwise face a rather high fine…

Across decades, Lonely Planet has built up an incredible bank of award-winning travel shows and videos in addition to their ubiquitous guides. Now, the Australian-born company has launched their first-ever travel-only video streaming platform which features over 350 episodes of pure wanderlust and cultural immersion. Given the prospects of international travel are still vague, Lonely…

Qantas Group has today announced a range of strict health measures to prepare for when domestic travel resumes. Both Qantas and Jetstar will be implementing a new “Fly Well” program to ensure a safe travel environment and give travellers peace of mind as state border restrictions after lifted across the country. This includes masks on…

Qatar Airways will resume some of their Australian services starting Wednesday 20th May. The announcement follows the airline’s approval to operate to Brisbane, granted back in early April when the carrier helped take over 5,000 people home in the face of tough state borders. This is, of course, part of the gradual restart of services…

Following a four-week ban placed on Velocity members redeeming points with Virgin Australia, the airline is now allowing frequent flyers to use the virtual currency to book domestic flights. Of course, this is all contingent on the troubled airline being sold soon, but things do at least look promising with several potential buyers on the…

Emirates has become the latest international carrier to pick up some key routes following the relaxation of lockdowns around the world. This includes flights into, and out of, Sydney and Melbourne. After the current pandemic forced them to cut some of their most valuable services, Emirates plans to restart services from 21st May, including to…

Over the next three days, Tourism Australia will unleash a diverse live program of virtual travel experiences, showcasing a huge range of the country’s best to inspire domestic travel once restrictions lift. Anyone with an internet connection can discover a wide range of Australian experiences across everything from nature to music, world-class food and, of…

Qatar Airways has committed 100,000 free international flights to frontline healthcare professionals across the globe. As the airline’s way of expressing gratitude for their heroic work during the ongoing pandemic, complimentary economy class return tickets are being offered, with full flexibility on destinations and travel dates up until the end of this year. There’s even…

As of 15th May, Etihad Airways will officially operate a regular schedule service from Melbourne to London Heathrow, via its home hub of Abu Dhabi. The move comes as border restrictions begin to cautiously relax in wake of stabilising COVID-19 cases, and Governments begin to plan for further loosening of lockdowns. In addition, as of…

By the end of this month, Gulf carrier Qatar Airways will begin a phased approach to expanding its network in line with passenger demand and the expected relaxation of entry restrictions across the world. Having maintained flights to at least 30 destinations where possible during the ongoing global pandemic, the Oneworld member is aiming to…

Talks of forthcoming travel between Australia and New Zealand, referred to as the “trans-Tasman bubble”, has been the centre of much discussion since The National Cabinet met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier this week. The possibility of opening up a travel route between the two countries, despite the global pandemic, is seriously…

Want to explore Central American and Mexico this Sunday? You’re in luck. As part of their virtual travel series, which kicked off last week with a tour around Italy and attracted more than 750 e-travellers, G Adventures are barrelling forth with their awesome live virtual small group tour concept. Cosy up to your chosen device…

Legendary LGBTQI+ Sydney club night “Poof Doof” is going digital now that we’re all isolating at home. The inclusive club night, which shifted to ivy for a weekly residency towards the end of last year, hasn’t given up despite the whole not going out thing, pushing forth into a “Poof Doof Direct” concept which takes…

In collaboration with Australian company Elenium Automation, Etihad Airways will begin trialling an innovative new technology to help identify travellers with medical conditions before they fly, potentially including the early stages of COVID-19. Rolling out at the end of this month for trialling throughout May at the airline’s hub airport in Abu Dhabi, Etihad will…

Last week, the new Australian podcast Portland Unpacked dropped, hosted by Faustina Agolley. The series takes listeners on a comprehensive tour of the U.S. city of Portland. Who would have known though that when they were making the six episode series that it would arrive in our lives just as international travel has been forced…

The doors might be closed thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s still business as usual for the Keepers and residents at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, including their 365kg Saltwater Crocodile Rocky With that in mind, the Keepers are going to be holding the first ever live stream of Rocky the Crocodile’s feeding time. With many…

On advice from the local Government, Etihad Airways has now moved to temporarily suspend all flights to, from and via its home hub of Abu Dhabi. This follows almost daily announcements from airlines around the world who continue to react to the ongoing threat from Covid-19 and its profound effect on travel. This decision has…

As some Australian states shut their borders, the nation’s largest carriers, Qantas and Virgin Australia, have begun to cut more domestic services. Although they’ve already cut domestic capacity by up to 60%, the airlines have continued to axe some of their most frequented routes in response to the ongoing threat of Covid-19. A combination of…

Following stages of select flight cancellations, Emirates, the world’s largest airline by international traffic, has now announced the suspension of all passenger operations. The extreme measure will take place from 25th March, responding to the rapid and ongoing spread of Covid-19 as the virus decimates the demand for international travel. In a statement to media,…

The NSW Government has made the decision to shut Bondi Beach for the time being. The rather blunt closure comes after a sweltering Friday during which the golden sands exceeded Australia’s recently introduced outdoor-gathering limit of 500, necessary to slow the spread of Covid-19. Photos of a packed-out Bondi Beach went viral yesterday, with beachgoers…

In response to the current situation with Covid-19, Etihad Airways has introduced “Etihad Credit” to give guests the freedom to delay their travel plans. It simply works by permitting a free cancellation and is offering the original value of their booking to be used as credit towards their next trip. As the situation continues to…