Homegrown travel hacks

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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Deciding to skip the long-haul flight this year and stay close to home? We get it; holiday planning can be hard work, but it doesn’t have to be. Travel experts, Expedia have all the tips and tricks to make your next at-home Aussie adventure effortless and unforgettable.

Get in early

It sounds simple, and it is. Don’t fall into the trap of booking everything at the last minute. Australian accommodation fills fast, especially in summer when everyone and their Cavoodle heads to the beach. Go online early to have your pick of hotels, holiday rentals and resorts, and try to bundle your booking. On the Expedia app , you can unlock extra savings just by booking a flight and hotel together. And don’t forget to keep your eye open for freebies; breakfast, spa credits, kids’ clubs – you can find all sorts of free add-ons if you know where to look.

Go mobile

These days, all you need to make your holiday hassle free is your mobile phone – and we’re not just referring to easy GPS navigation and a great camera. Now, you can actually research and book your holiday on a mobile app. The Expedia app , for example, is free and comes with mobile-exclusive deals, and the option to earn double Expedia Rewards points towards your next trip. You can also manage your itinerary and quickly access all your trip details – including check-in times, airport gate changes and even baggage carousel numbers.

Brisbane, QLD
The opening of a few hip hotels has upped Brisbane’s appeal as a city break destination.

Be flexible

Byron Bay might be on the brain for your next holiday and for good reason; it’s beautiful. But it’s also busy and, depending on the time of year, expensive. Instead, look to nearby spots like Lennox Head, where you’ve got the equally beautiful, but quieter, Seven Mile Beach and calm Lake Ainsworth to keep you occupied. The same principle applies to when you travel. Avoid the traditional Friday night or Saturday morning departure to skip the crowds and hiked up travel prices, and consider a Thursday night departure, which could come with a hefty saving. If you have to stick to school holidays, try to skip town a few days early to beat the rush. Or, if you’re flying with little ones, avoid the school holidays altogether for a better chance of securing a bassinette on board.

Find your home away from home

Settling in somewhere bigger than a standard hotel room is a big drawcard for families or groups of friends heading to one spot for longer than a few days. Whether you need a two-bedroom apartment or a five-bedroom house, you can find accommodation of all shapes and sizes on a range of travel apps, including the Expedia app . You’ll find a lot of these options are self catered, too, which can help cut down your food costs significantly – a big win if you’re trying to save a few dollars. Expedia’s top tip: book a grocery delivery for the day you arrive. Most supermarkets will let you order online, so get enough for a few simple meals and arrange to have it delivered at the same time you arrive.

Kingscliff, Tweed Coast, QLD
Kingscliff is the new hotspot for travellers seeking a beachside break with a Byron Bay vibe.

Expedia’s trending destinations

The Whitsundays, QLD: A bona fide slice of Australian paradise, The Whitsundays is a must-visit at least once. Choose from a range of accommodation options and price points, including Daydream Island Resort, which has just reopened after an extensive makeover.

 

Kingscliff, NSW: Located only 40 minutes south of the Gold Coast, Kingscliff is emerging as a new hotspot for travellers seeking a beachside break with a Byron Bay vibe.

 

Lorne, Vic: A seaside town set on the picturesque waters of Louttit Bay on the Great Ocean Road, demand to Lorne is up around 15% year-on-year. Visit soon before it catches the eye of even more Aussies.

Lorne, Victoria
Visit Lorne soon before it catches the eye of even more Aussies.

Brisbane, QLD: The opening of a few hip hotels has upped Brisbane’s appeal as a city break destination. Check out The Calile Hotel and well-known eateries like Three Blue Ducks.

 

Mollymook, NSW: With beautiful beaches within a 10-minute drive of rolling countryside, and a range of accommodation options from holiday rentals to Bannister’s by the Sea, Mollymook on the NSW South Coast is perfect for a family holiday or a long weekend.

 

Visit Expedia : everything you need to go.

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Your summer events guide to Australia’s cultural capitals

    Lee MylneBy Lee Mylne
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    Explore the best that Sydney and Melbourne offer over summer, when busy event-packed days stretch into fun-filled nights.

    As summer unfolds, Sydney and Melbourne are at the forefront of the most exciting events in Australia. Whether your tastes run to culture, sport, shopping or dining, both offer a host of things to do and places to stay. Discover the best Accor hotels to explore from and how to spend your days to make the most of the warmer months in Australia’s vibrant capitals.

    Sydney

    Where to stay

    suite at Manly Pacific – MGallery Hotel Collection
    Relax beachside at Manly Pacific. (Image: Manly Pacific)

    Sydney has no shortage of fabulous hotels to choose from when attending events in the city, often within reach of either the harbour or the beach.

    The glamour and European style of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is hard to beat, whether for a romantic getaway or a family holiday. It’s within walking distance to the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, so everything the city offers is at your feet.

    Pullman Sydney Quay Grand is equally central and offers luxury apartment-style accommodation, featuring fully equipped kitchens and laundries. It’s ideal for family stays. Also in the CBD, Swissôtel Sydney gives easy access to some of the city’s top shopping, including the historic Queen Victoria Building.

    For beachside vibes, head to Manly or Brighton, where there’s something for everyone. Manly Pacific – MGallery Hotel Collection is all about coastal elegance, ocean views and fresh seafood. Hit the rooftop pool or the beach to cool off, or go snorkelling at nearby Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Take the Manly ferry for a scenic trip to the city.

    Peppers Manly Beach offers stylish accommodation literally across the road from famous Manly Beach. Grab a free e-bike, take a surfing lesson, walk the foreshore or browse the surf shops, boutiques, galleries and cafes.

    For a luxury stay that’s closer to both the city and airport, choose The Brighton Hotel Sydney – MGallery Hotel Collection . Hugging the shore of Botany Bay, the hotel is just 20 minutes by train to the CBD, and a 10-minute drive from Sydney airport. Soak up the sea air, or dive into the outdoor pool or the adults-only indoor pool.

    Events and sightseeing

    two people at Sydney Festival
    Time your Sydney trip to visit the Sydney Festival. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Sydney loves a party and there are few bigger than Sydney Festival , which has been entertaining locals and visitors alike for 50 years. Running from 8–25 January in 2026, it’s a city-wide celebration of culture and creativity encompassing music, dance, comedy, visual art and edgy experimental performances.

    Westpac OpenAir Cinema opens for the summer season on 20 January. Set on the waterfront at Mrs Macquaries Point, with a backdrop of the harbour and city skyline, it features classics and new movies. Grandstand seating (BYO cushion) provides perfect viewing.

    A cool oasis of green in the heart of the city, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney offers much more than just plants and flowers. Escape the heat with a stroll through themed areas, including the romantic Palace Rose Garden and lush Palm Grove, and stop at the Cadi Jam Ora – First Encounters Garden to learn the story of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Best of all, it’s all free.

    Where to eat and drink

    Arches on Market bar in Accor SwissôtelSydney
    Stop for drinks at Arches on Market. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

    Fancy a taste of Italy? Flaminia is the new restaurant coming to the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour in November 2025, and it’ll make you feel as though you could be in Portofino – but with the freshest of Sydney’s produce.

    Arches , at Swissotel Sydney, is the perfect spot for a classic martini. Head there for afternoon tea or pre- and post-theatre dining delivered with old-school charm. You can even let the bartenders choose your drink for you, based on your mood.

    With a $20 lunch menu and a leafy covered terrace, Wentworth Bar , on level five of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, delivers a sophisticated escape from the hustle of the city. An extensive champagne list and Vietnamese-inspired bar menu complete the stylish scene.

    Melbourne

    Where to stay

    view from Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers by accor
    Enjoy a luxurious stay at Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers.

    Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is the epitome of style, elegance and luxury. Appropriately at the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street in the CBD, the Sofitel combines French flair with Australian hospitality.

    Like many of the best discoveries in Melbourne, Pullman Melbourne City Centre is tucked away in a laneway. Five-star luxury is the hallmark here; enjoy stylish rooms, a rooftop bar, and the city’s best food and fashion finds just steps away.

    On the historic South Wharf promenade, Novotel Melbourne South Wharf is a contemporary beacon that opens up to everything the precinct has to offer – shopping, dining, entertainment and the arts.

    Pullman Melbourne on the Park , on the city’s threshold at East Melbourne, is a ball toss from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne and Olympic Parks. Naturally a favourite with sports fans, it’s only minutes from the CBD by tram and right next door to the cool of Fitzroy Gardens.

    The spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments of Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers offer stunning views and easy access to the city and Southbank’s dining and shopping district. Head to the rooftop garden or relax in the outdoor heated pool.

    Events and sightseeing

    spectators watching Melbourne Cricket Ground
    Cheer on your team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    As the ‘sporting capital of Australia’, Melbourne is the place to catch the best of your favourite game. Whether it’s the Boxing Day test cricket or all the action of the Australian Open tennis in January, book tickets early to ensure the best vantage points.

    Find the Summer Night Market, a feast for both the body and the senses, in the Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday nights in the warmer months. Savour street food from 30 stalls and shop for locally made fashion, jewellery, art and homewares, and pause to watch performances by talented buskers.

    The work of two of the most influential fashion designers in history – Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo – are on show at the National Gallery of Victoria  over summer. You can also wander through free exhibitions of First Nations art, colonial paintings and European masters.

    Where to eat and drink

    Melbourne’s laneway culture and rooftop bar scene set it apart from others. Where better to enjoy extended twilight hours or cheeky cocktails atop one of the city’s tall buildings, or while away long summer evenings in a cosy bar tucked far from the crowds in a hidden alley.

    Head to Cleo on the rooftop at Hyde Melbourne from December 2025. Enjoy a cocktail with sweeping views of the skyline, and choose nibbles from a Mediterranean-inspired menu.

    Under a 15-floor mirrored canopy at The Atrium on 35 , in the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, sip cocktails in an intimate but playful setting. This is the place for l’aperitif hour before or after a night out at the theatre.

    Start planning your summer getaway of events, culture and food with at ALL.com.