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Meet Ask AT: Our game-changing new travel tool

We are excited to share with you Ask AT.

We think it is a world first – an Australian-owned, human-powered AI travel tool that will plan your ultimate domestic Aussie holiday for you.

What exactly is Ask AT?

We’ve called it Ask AT because it draws exclusively on AustralianTraveller.com content – more than 150 detailed destination guides, curated trip itineraries, family-friendly tips, outback experiences and hundreds of road trip ideas – to give you personalised recommendations in seconds.

You can prompt Ask AT with any Aussie travel questions you have, and it will give you expert ideas and advice based on real travel insights from 20 years of specialist Australian travel writers.

To give you an idea, here are some questions asked by our users during testing:

“Tell me the best things to do on the Gold Coast for families – where to stay, what to do and nature-based activities"

“Hi, can you suggest some unique luxurious stay at Port Macquarie?"

“Can you design a week away in Margaret River with great food and wine?"

Why it’s different

A car parked on the side of the road next to a pink lake
Ask AT will plan your ultimate domestic Aussie holiday. (Image: Rachel Claire/@fieldnotes__)

We think there are four reasons Australians will fall in love with Ask AT.

1. Ask AT has the answer

Ask AT uses 20 years of expert travel writing to answer your question. In numbers, that is more than:

150+ thorough Aussie destination guides

100+ individually crafted family trips

160+ detailed outback itineraries and experiences

170+ thoroughly explored road trips

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

2. You can trust it

Because Ask AT draws exclusively from AustralianTraveller.com content written by real travel journalists, the answers are local, vetted and 100% focused on Aussie travel. We even include the reference articles for you to read in the answer.

3. It’s ethical

Unlike other LLMs (ChatGPT, etc.), which are trained using content from other websites without permission or reimbursement, we have spent millions of dollars paying Australian writers for our content, so we are not stealing from Australian writers.

4. It’s Australian

As an Australian company, we are invested in our community, pay taxes in Australia and employ Australians. Again, every other LLM is an international company not contributing to the Australian economy or community. The more success Ask AT has, the more Australian writers we will pay for content, the more Australians we will employ, the more taxes we will pay in Australia.
But most importantly, the more we spend on Ask AT, the better Ask AT will get at helping Aussies find their dream holidays.

That’s a win for all Australians and something we believe you can feel good about supporting.

Who it’s for

Two cars parkers near the beach
Ask AT draws exclusively on AustralianTraveller.com content. (Image: Rachel Claire/@fieldnotes__)

Everyone!

Whether you are a couple chasing a romantic getaway, a solo traveller looking for your next thrilling adventure, a group of friends in need of a weekend away, or a family planning a break for the school holidays, Ask AT is here to help.

How to use it

Ask AT
You can prompt Ask AT with any Aussie travel questions.

It really couldn’t be easier!

Ask AT sits front and centre of our new website.

All you need to do is type in your travel-related question into the prompt box and let it do the hard work for you.

Don’t forget you can clarify any response or ask for more information.

And in our testing, people loved it when they asked Ask AT to turn all those great insights and recommendations into an itinerary.

There are a couple more great features:

  1. You can save all your conversations for easy reference by creating an account using your email. Each time you log in your prompt and answer history will appear on the sidebar.
  2. You can share answers with friends and family by clicking the send icon.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

A final request

Happy or unhappy with an answer?

Let us know by giving it a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down – we’re dedicated to continually refining our new tool to make it as helpful as possible.

Ready for your next amazing Aussie adventure? Ask AT is here to help.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Quentin Long
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.
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Soak in Australia’s best views from these 9 hotels

(Credit: Hilton Surfers Paradise)

    Angela Saurine Angela Saurine
    A new generation of Hilton hotels is reshaping Aussie getaways, pairing the brand’s signature comfort with some of the most spectacular outlooks in the country.

    When life calls for a reset, there’s nothing quite like checking into a hotel where the view does all the heavy lifting. From spectacular outback landscapes and mountain peaks to shimmering seas, these are the best Hilton hotels for sinking into comfort while soaking up unforgettable vistas from your window.

    1. DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs

    DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs
    Enjoy panoramas of the MacDonnell Ranges.

    With panoramas of the MacDonnell Ranges from its Mountain View rooms, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs makes the most of its dramatic Red Centre setting. Set on the banks of the Todd River next door to Alice Springs Golf Club, the hotel offers a relaxed base for exploring the region’s natural attractions, including Alice Springs Desert Park and Anzac Hill, both within a 10-minute drive. An outdoor pool overlooks leafy gardens inhabited by a resident peacock, while tennis courts, a fitness centre and an on-site restaurant round out the resort-style appeal.

    2. Hilton Garden Inn Busselton

    Hilton Garden Inn busselton
    Wake to views of the ocean in Busselton.

    Sitting on the foreshore a seashell’s throw from Busselton Jetty, Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts one of Western Australia’s most celebrated coastal outlooks front and centre. Guests staying in Ocean View Rooms wake to views of Geographe Bay and the Indian Ocean, while Balcony rooms further enhance the experience, inviting guests to step outside and soak up the sea breeze. For a different perspective, Town View Rooms overlook Busselton’s distinctive peppermint trees. The hotel is perfectly positioned for seaside strolls and easy access to the town centre, with a heated outdoor pool, fitness centre and contemporary dining.

    3. Hilton Cairns

    view from a room at Hilton Cairns
    Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.

    In a prime position on the Esplanade, Hilton Cairns gives you front-row views over Trinity Inlet, framed by palm trees and passing cruise ships, or across the lush, mountainous backdrop of the hinterland. In addition to its waterfront setting, guests can unwind beside the lagoon-style pool, stay active in the fitness centre and enjoy a selection of on-site dining and bar spaces, while the Executive Lounge offers another relaxed vantage point over the tidal estuary. Opt for a private balcony room to maximise the unobstructed views.

    4. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
    Choose from rooms looking towards the water or the ranges.

    Just down the Esplanade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns offers similar panoramas, with rooms looking towards the water or the jungle-clad ranges beyond the city – many featuring private balconies. The hotel leans into its tropical setting with landscaped gardens and an enticing outdoor pool, perfect for cooling off after a day exploring the reef or rainforest. Guests can dine at on-site restaurants or linger over drinks at the bar, while a 24-hour fitness centre keeps routines intact. With modern rooms and that signature Hilton comfort, the hotel balances resort-style ease in a central location a short stroll from the lagoon and city sights.

    5. Hilton Darwin

    Hilton Darwin
    Opt for Harbour View Rooms or Suites at Hilton Darwin.

    Take in the Top End horizon from Harbour View Rooms or Suites on the upper levels of Hilton Darwin. On Level 20, the city’s only Executive Lounge is the place to be at dusk, where canapés and cocktails are served against a cinematic sky. Set high above the city, the hotel’s outdoor pool invites a leisurely swim, complemented by a fitness centre for those keen to keep moving indoors. Dining spans PepperBerry, showcasing modern Australian cuisine with native bush spices, to the immersive Le Petit Chef experience, plus light bites and drinks in the stylish bar and lounge.

    6. DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin

    DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin
    Watch sunsets over Darwin’s Esplanade.

    Positioned right on the foreshore, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin offers a more laid-back alternative near the waterfront parklands. Book an upper-floor ocean-facing room to make the most of the harbour view, especially golden at sunset. King Executive Suites elevate the experience further, with private rooftop verandahs. Guests can relax by the large outdoor pool made for tropical lounging, plus there’s a fitness centre and the Aqua Restaurant and bar, which spills onto an alfresco terrace.

    7. Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

    Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
    Garden, pool and Esplanade views await.

    Also located on the Esplanade, Hilton Garden Inn Darwin places you right on the edge of the harbour. From the outset, it feels tailored for easy Darwin living, with an outdoor pool, all-day dining at Together & Co, a fitness centre and a 24-hour snack shop for grab-and-go essentials. Upper-level Harbour View Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and Juliet balconies with unobstructed views of the water. Inside, rooms are modern and practical, with smart TVs, workspaces, Wi-Fi access and contemporary bathrooms. Guests also have access to free parking and a self-service laundry, making for an easy and hassle-free stay.

    8. Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences

    hilton hotels surers paradise deluxe ocean view residence gold coast
    Look over the iconic Surfers Paradise.

    Set in the heart of Australia’s holiday playground, Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences captures the essence of the Gold Coast. Floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies offer uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views, with Surfers Paradise Beach stretching below. Turn inland and the city skyline sparkles at night, a neon grid rising above Cavill Avenue. Beyond it all, the Gold Coast hinterland drifts into soft, green-blue mountain silhouettes. The hotel makes an excellent base for exploring theme parks and other attractions. There’s also four pools, an award-winning spa, two fitness centres and on-site restaurants.

    9. Hilton Garden Inn Albany

    Hilton Garden Inn Albany
    Look out the room window to Albany Waterfront Marina.

    Poised above Princess Royal Harbour, Hilton Garden Inn Albany distils the salt-licked calm of Western Australia’s south coast into a modern waterfront stay. From upper-level Harbour View Rooms, guests arise to magnificent sunrises spilling across Albany Waterfront Marina, where they can watch boats slip quietly in and out like clockwork. The same views carry through to the on-site restaurant and breezy viewing decks. Inside, it’s all clean-lined comfort, with a fitness centre and a casual eatery showcasing local produce.

    Escape with Hilton. Start planning at hilton.com.