Quentin Long’s insider hints on how to beat the booking engines and squeeze the best deal from your travel agent, hotel and airline directly next time you book your holiday.
Travel agents are your friends (and vice versa)
Travel agents can mark-up the itinerary price so you can negotiate their commission (“how about we half the commission and I’ll give you something in return" – such as referring friends to them)? Make friends with a travel agents and they might just call you next time they have some industry specials to offer.
The airfare price match reminder
Jetstar guarantees to price-match plus a further 10 per cent off (if there is an equivalent flight within an hour of the departure). So, if you are flying from Sydney to Melbourne, for example, check with Tiger first and then go back to Jetstar to see if you can get a better deal. (includes international flights, but there will be extra conditions).
Go straight to the hotel
Hotels often mark up prices 10 to 25 per cent on booking engine websites so there is room to negotiate if you phone the hotel directly. Where would the hotel rather see the commission go, to the hotel or to the booking engine?
Get in with the staff
Hotel and airline staff can dictate how happy your flight/stay will be so be nice and friendly and they can perhaps put you at the top of the upgrades queue or make sure you get the best room in the house or give you extras like wine, meals and massages, for example.
The art of complaining
If you do have a legitimate complaint you may be able to get something out of it: upgrades, free gifts. Be assertive without being aggressive and sob stories are okay used sparingly.
Quentin Long is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Australian Traveller Media. Quentin is a sought-after travel media commentator. He is Australia’s most trusted source for travel news and insights, having held weekly radio segments across the country since 2006, and regularly appearing on Channel 9’s Today and A Current Affair programs from 2010. Don't ask him his favourite travel experience as that's like asking him to choose a favourite child. However he does say that Garma Festival is the one travel experience that changed him the most.
The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.
There’s something very special about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges . A mix of rugged bush, mist-laden rainforest, gardens bursting with vivid blooms and a network of rivers and waterfalls, the landscapes here are layered and diverse. Late summer is a particularly good time to visit, when the days are long and the region’s outdoor offerings are ripe for sun-soaked adventures.
The best part? Despite being only an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, the area feels a world away from the hustle. You’ll be greeted by a slower pace with fewer travellers and more room to move – allowing you to truly switch off and take it all in.
From rail trails to rainforest walks, this is where you’ll find nature at its most rewarding.
1. Warburton
Hit the trails at Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Perched at the top of the Yarra River, surrounded by pristine national park, the town of Warburton is a haven for nature lovers. It’s known for its towering redwoods, found in the Californian Redwood Forest just 15 minutes out of town. You’ll be in utter awe of these giant trees, some of which reach heights of up to 55 metres.
The Warburton Rail Trail is another way to experience the town’s natural beauty. This flat, 40-kilometre route goes all the way to Lilydale and is ideal for a stroll or cycle past native bushland, wineries, farmland and parts of the Yarra.
If you want to up the pace a little, head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination , which encompasses 160 kilometres of purpose-built tracks amid wild bush terrain. For something a little more laid-back, the Rainforest Gallery is a standout spot for a wander. The gallery features statuesque Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees, moss-covered logs and tree ferns, and a 40-metre elevated walkway that brings you right into the centre of the forest canopy.
2. Yarra Glen
Yarra Glen is a beloved food and drink destination, but it offers far more than excellent produce and top-notch wines.
A highlight is Alowyn Gardens , which stretches over seven acres. Inside, you’ll find nine different gardens with vivid floral and seasonal displays, plus a nursery featuring exotic plant species. The Wisteria Arbour is a crowd favourite, a curved walkway connecting the different gardens with a display of cascading lilac blooms.
Intersecting with the Warburton Rail Trail, the first stage of the Yarra Valley Trail runs from the gateway town of Lilydale to Yering Station. A more manageable track of just 7.5 kilometres, it takes you through rolling farmland and pockets of native bush, with ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting.
If you’re travelling with kids, McKenzie Reserve is a non-negotiable stop. The reserve encompasses a skate park, plenty of open grass to stretch little legs, and a nature-inspired adventure playground to suit every age and every energy level.
3. Healesville
Get up close and connect with koalas. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Healesville is the region’s best place to meet local wildlife. It’s home to Healesville Sanctuary , where you can get up close to kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, reptiles and more. Beyond giving you front-row access to these gorgeous creatures, you’ll appreciate the scenic charm of the tracks and trails that meander through the wildlife park.
To see even more birdlife, head over to Badger Weir for a picnic. Situated among soaring Mountain Ash trees and tranquil waterways, the area supports several bird species, including crimson rosellas, Australian king parrots and the elusive lyrebird. Barbecue facilities are available, and several tracks leading to Badger Weir are pram-friendly.
Fernshaw Picnic Area, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park , is another idyllic setting for picnicking and short walks, also encircled by Mountain Ash trees. Compared to Badger Weir, though, Fernshaw provides a slightly more secluded experience, making it ideal for quieter outings.
4. Olinda
Wander through terraces of ever-changing blooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Sitting more than 600 metres above sea level, the Dandenong Ranges have an enchanted feel and are shrouded in lush rainforest filled with tree ferns, mossy trunks and lingering mist.
The town of Olinda is one of the finest places to experience this unique environment in all its verdant glory. At the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens , rhododendrons reign and drape the gardens in a riot of colour every spring.
The nearby Cloudehill Gardens are well worth visiting any time of year. In each of the garden’s nine terraces, you’ll find an array of plant varieties that bloom and transform across the seasons, including weeping Japanese maples that have been growing here for nearly a century.
Besides being a haven for arbory enthusiasts, the nearby RJ Hamer Arboretum is a spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views. Here, more than 150 tree species grow and overlook the neighbouring Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.
5. Emerald
Enjoy a lakeside picnic at Emerald Lake Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Set just behind the Dandenong Ranges , the foothills town of Emerald has a slightly more open feel, featuring rolling hills and open bushland. The town sits on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park , with a patchwork of forested reserves and accessible bush trails on the Emerald side.
You can also take to the water at nearby Aura Vale Lake, which is popular for sailing, canoeing, fishing for eel and perch, and picnicking on the grassy banks.
The stand-out, though, is Emerald Lake Park, a sprawling green with multiple recreation zones. Across 52 hectares, there are walking tracks, playgrounds, paddleboats, a model railway, fishing sites and a family-friendly wading pool that comes to life every summer. The park also lies adjacent to the iconic Puffing Billy, making it a perfect stop if you’re travelling on the historic steam train.
