Bread, milk and a holiday: ALDI launches travel packages

Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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German supermarket ALDI has launched a series of domestic and international holiday packages in Australia that you can add to your shopping cart.

What doesn’t ALDI do? The German supermarket chain is known for its no-frills discount groceries and Special Buy items, which can include anything from televisions to power tools. Now, ALDI Australia is adding vacations to the list of things you can purchase, with a series of holiday packages that span weekend getaways to cruises to far-flung destinations at ALDI’s signature low prices. Here’s what we know so far about what’s on offer.

ALDI Holidays
The German supermarket is expanding its offerings in Australia to include holiday packages.

Why Aldi?

The supermarket may seem like an odd place to purchase your next holiday. But although supermarket-bought vacations are an Australian first, the German discount chain has already offered package holidays in Europe for over a decade, becoming a trusted supplier of getaways.

ALDI often plays outside typical supermarket offerings, with Group Director Rodney Balach citing ALDI Mobile and ALDI Insurance as an example of the supermarket’s diverse portfolio of offerings. ALDI Mobile is the number one mobile provider outside of Telstra and Optus in Australia, and ALDI Insurance launched just a few months prior.

“With ALDI Holidays we’re bringing our Special Buys to the skies, offering savvy travellers premium holiday options. From budget-friendly bliss to extravagant escapes, there are different levels of luxury for every keen explorer," says Balech.

Aldi Holidays
ALDI Holidays follows the launch of ALDI Insurance and ALDI Mobile.

What kind of holidays will be on offer?

ALDI has teamed up with Gold Coast-based travel group, Ignite (owned by Flight Centre), to put together a series of exclusive holiday packages that offer ease, value and a touch of luxury. Many of the packages are all-inclusive, with pre-arranged flights, transfers, and meals, meaning that customers can simply book, pack and go.

ALDI’s holiday offerings cover everything from domestic escapes to the Whitsundays (5 nights in Daydream Island Resort, From $899 pp twin share) to international escapes on a 15-day European Odyssey (from $4590 pp).

ALDI Holidays
ALDI Holidays will sell holiday packages abroad and domestically, such as a 5-night escape to the Whitsundays. (Image: Zhimai Zhang/Unsplash)

“ALDI Holiday customers can expect incredible savings with these exclusively curated holiday packages including flights, local experiences and more, covering some of the most popular destinations around the world, that can conveniently be booked online or via the dedicated ALDI Holidays Sales Centre," says Ryan Thomas, CEO of Ignite Travel Group.

How to book?

ALDI’s holiday packages are available to browse and book online on the ALDI Holidays portal . But customers will definitely be seeing holiday offers in-store and in ALDI catalogues.

Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

    It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

    The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

    surfers at Bells Beach in Australia
    Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

    True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road . These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

    huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach
    Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

    an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach
    Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver , which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

    surfers out at Bells Beach
    Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

    Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

    Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay
    The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum . Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

    surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

    surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

    surfing at Bells Beach
    The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)