Travel & Lifestyle

In its 55th year of competition, the Chicago International Film Festival – the longest-running of its kind in the USA – once again acted as a beacon for cinephiles the world over, showcasing meaningful works across various genres and countries. Film festivals have long been considered some of the greatest and most impactful destination events…

Dubbed the “HOSCARS”, HostelWorld’s annual crowd-voted round-up of the world’s best hotels has been released. Once again, it’s a deep-drive into hostels around the world that are a cut above the average, named across various categories which give budget-conscious travellers greater insight into the quality and reliability of properties. The awards are based on more…

The shift towards travelling more responsibility has been gaining steady traction over the past few years, but never has it felt more pervasive. It’s now common knowledge that socially conscious travel trends resonate with a wider number of people, especially younger generations who have come into a world ravaged by overtourism and careless daily practices….

Designated an official Overseas French Territory, New Caledonia is the closest slice of that delicious European lifestyle for Australian travellers looking to escape. The unique blend of its unmistakable South Pacific vibes and prevalent French influences make this major scuba diving and gourmand destination one of the most essential getaways for Aussies who have limited…

On Wednesday, the Folk music scene is heading to New Orleans for the 32rd installment of the Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. Usually the February conference is held in Kansas City, but this year – following a year in Montreal…

The great Canadian Rockies are, rightfully, always found near the very top when adventurous travellers reveal their bucket list. Why? Well, exploring this immense and memorable part of the world is not just a true journey into powerful natural landscapes, but a path that might just redefine the way you think about travel and its…

It’d be tough being the very first Azerai property, being that it’s a brand started by famed hotelier Adrian Zecha and operating under the inevitably high expectations that come with the territory. The award-winning Indonesian stalwart is most famed as the founder of the super luxurious Aman hotel brand, which now boasts acclaimed properties everywhere…

If you’ve cringed at the thought of making your way to Thailand’s tourism hotspot of Phuket, then Patong is probably to blame. The island’s resort town and party centre is a constant reference for bad impressions. Although, this garish, hyper-boganised side of Phuket is a far cry from the rest of the island, with many…

Can Tho, Vietnam may not be the first city on everyone’s bucket list, but don’t mistake it’s relative obscurity for anything but a lack of exposure. As the biggest city along the famed Mekong Delta, it is now enjoying a swift boost in interest from those looking to explore the diverse country, thanks to greater…

We at the AU are a huge fan of amazing bills of Australians going to tour overseas together, and your latest favourite threesome have just announced they’ll be playing some shows in the US and Canada together for the first time. Aussie acts Didirri, Alex The Astronaut and Jack River are all headed to SXSW…

The historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is an essential part of any Cape Town itinerary. Shadowed by heaving Table Mountain and populated with restaurants, bars, shops and museums, the port is one of the most visually stunning precincts in the world. From what was once built as a refreshing station in at The Cape of…

People talk of some kind of imagined competition between Sonoma and Napa, both highly touted regions of California Wine Country; the reality is that both regions are as the strong as each other. Sure, Napa may just have a prestigious edge to its international reputation, but the much larger Sonoma County, with its 13 AVA’s…

Making the short 2 hour drive from San Francisco to Santa Rosa is always a popular way to start any California Wine Country adventure. After all, the Sonoma County city is one of the best located destinations for anyone wanting to get away to the country side and really dig into some of the most…

The Richardson Hotel (fka Hotel Henry) in Buffalo, New York, sits inside a building with an inauspicious history: for a century, and dating back to 1870, it was the site of an insane asylum as part of the Richardson Olmsted Complex. The hotel opened in May 2017 following a decade long restoration project that is…

New Caledonia’s flagship carrier Aircalin now have the distinction of being the first ever airline to bring the new-age A330neo aircraft to Asia-Pacific. And of course they’ve used that considerable boost in capacity to enhance their Business Class services between Noumea and Sydney, making the journey for Aussies looking to explore New Caledonia not just…

Whether you are a seasoned pow chaser or beginner shredder, everyone knows Canadian snow is the absolute stuff of legend. For 5-6 months a year, soft, fluffy snow falls all across the province, and visitors from every corner of the globe flock for a piece of the action.  For folks on the other side of…

It’s that time of year when everything starts ramping up for the annual SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas – where from the 16th to the 22nd of March, hundreds of acts from around the world descend on the Texan capital, including dozens of Australian acts. Ten more were added this week! The ten new…

The Primavera Sound lineup has dropped for 2020, and as usual the Barcelona festival is an absolute blockbuster. The event, which is celebrating its 20th year this year, is bringing together 211 artists of 35 nationalities, in a lineup that celebrates the best artists of this year, and the past twenty years or more, that…

Travelling for arts festivals is one of the most enriching experiences an intrepid adventurer can have. Not only are you able to explore a destination as you normally would, and take in the many sights, sounds and experiences on offer, you also have access to a curated program brimming with creativity. Whether that means you’ve…

As if one of the most popular destinations in Europe wasn’t accessible enough already, Qatar Airways have confirmed 18th May 2020 as the official launch date for a new three-times weekly service to Dubrovnik. Operated with an Airbus A320, the route will join Zagreb to become Qatar Airways’ second destination in Croatia. The service will…

Fast becoming an institution in Bondi, Totti’s is clearly one of Sydney’s most in-demand Italian eateries and continues to build a cult following thanks to the fresh ideas of chefs Mike Eggert and Jake Ahrens. Now an energetic spin-off has opened, and this time it’s much closer to the CBD. Taking up residence at ivy,…

New Caledonia’s flagship carrier Aircalin now have the distinction of being the first ever airline to bring the new-age A330neo aircraft to Asia-Pacific. And of course they’ve used that considerable boost in capacity to enhance their Sydney to Noumea service, making the journey for Aussies looking to explore New Caledonia not just more accessible, but…

The bushfire crisis in Australia is ongoing, ferocious and will require a long-term strategy of growth and support for those effected. This past week many celebrities around the world have come out and pledged substantial amounts to help with various bushfire appeal funds aimed at supporting a wide range of people and animals who have…

They say good things come to those who wait, and Melbourne is officially done waiting, as the highly anticipated opening of Sydney-born brand Mary’s is finally around the corner. After ubiquitous success in Sydney – from the Newtown original to the more upmarket Mary’s Underground – the crew behind Mary’s are done teasing Melbourne with…

A little over a month ago, the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane finally opened its doors on the edges of the Brisbane River in the city’s CBD. It’s in the walls of a grand, heritage-listed building on George Street, a short walk from the Queen Street Mall and the South Bank. The history of the building itself is…

Bonnaroo’s 2020 lineup brought big surprises and a really big moment in the history of the festival. Lizzo will be the first female headliner in its 18-year history. This marks a major moment for the Tennessee festival, and Lizzo isn’t the only lady leading quite the feminine movement at the top of the lineup; Miley…

On Sunday 12th January, some of Sydney’s most highly regarded hospitality heavyweights will collaborate for a #cookforthebush event in support of the country’s ongoing bushfire crisis. Spearheaded by the team at NOMAD, the supergroup will be staging three culinary events through the day, including a rooftop lunch, a good old fashioned bake sale, and a…

Australia is, at this very moment, gripped in a calamity the scale of which the country has never seen before. I’m sure you are already aware of the bushfires which are destroying entire communities and threatening countless more. They have taken lives, properties, livelihoods, they have killed almost half a billion animals, and we aren’t…

Sampa the Great, Skegss and more will be part of the growing Australian presence that has been nudging its way onto the Coachella platform these past few years, joining the iconic music festival for its 2020 edition. Set for two weekends across April 10-12 and 17-19, the world renowned music and arts festivals will once…

You don’t think of Trans-Atlantic airlines as being ones where you don’t get a complimentary meal on board. But sure enough, there are plenty that don’t offer the service. Most of them are branded as “Budget Carriers”, however, like Norwegian Air, who fly out of the U.S. East Coast to the UK and Europe. Others,…