Tourism Australia and Malaysia Airlines tactical campaign for Indian travellers

Tourism Australia has partnered with Malaysia Airlines to launch a limited period tactical campaign in India, focusing on attracting high-value travellers to experience a holiday in Australia. The campaign highlights offers to key gateway cities such as Sydney / Warrane, Melbourne / Narrm, Perth / Boorloo, Adelaide / Tarntanya, and Brisbane / Meanjin, all facilitated by convenient one-stop connections through Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines is recognised as the third-largest international carrier from India to Australia, and will boost the connectivity between the two countries by reintroducing its service to Brisbane starting 29 November, 2025 and will enhance services to Sydney and Melbourne beginning in October 2025.

Australia Wins big at WAVE Awards

Australia has been awarded the 2025 TravelAge West WAVE Award for ‘Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction – Pacific’ for the third consecutive year. The accolade was announced at a ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California. The WAVE Awards recognise outstanding contributions across 77 categories in the travel industry. This continued recognition reflects Australia’s strong appeal and consistent delivery of high-quality travel experiences.

New Executive Officer for Great Walks of Australia

Great Walks of Australia (GWOA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Genevieve Matthews as its new Executive Officer. With a dynamic career spanning over 30 years in the tourism and travel industries, Genevieve brings a wealth of experience to the role and a passion for sustainable nature-based travel with a deep appreciation for the role it plays in Australia’s tourism future. Genevieve has held senior roles across international tourism sales, operations, and executive leadership, including with Kingfisher Bay Resort, Destination Pacific, Tour East Australia, and as Managing Director of Pacific Spirit. GWOA is a member of the Signature Experiences of Australia program and is a collective of independently owned, guided multi-day walk experiences that showcase the country’s most iconic and remote landscapes. Together, they offer immersive, small group adventures that connect people with Australia’s spectacular landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant regional communities.

Introducing ‘Pairings’ to highlight culinary journeys across Australia

Last month, Tourism Australia welcomed prolific international foodies Jeff Mauro, Melissa King, and Nigel K. Kabvina to Australia to explore the flavours and stories behind our produce and meet with leaders in the hospitality industry. During their visits to the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria, each guest was paired with one of our most innovative food and drink creatives – Josh Niland, Analiese Gregory, and Dominic Wilton – to craft dishes and drinks inspired by their travels and time with their host chef. Showcasing these dynamic collaborations and their culinary journeys across Australia, we created Pairings – a content series designed to highlight the depth and deliciousness of our food and drink offering to audiences in the United States.

Applications open to attend Australia Marketplace China 2025 and Australia Luxury Showcase China 2025

Australia Marketplace China 2025 (AMC25) will be held in Xi'an, China from Monday, 10 November to Thursday, 13 November 2025. The event is an opportunity for representatives from the Australian tourism industry to establish and maintain business relationships with key qualified travel agencies and tour operators from across Greater China. It includes three days of pre-scheduled appointments and networking opportunities. The Australia Luxury Showcase China 2025 (ALSC25) will be held on Friday, 14 November. The event will provide Australian luxury tourism businesses with a forum to engage with luxury travel agencies across Greater China and establish business connections through pre-scheduled appointments. ALSC25 buyers are senior decision makers with itinerary and product contracting influence who actively sell Australia as a preferred luxury long-haul destination. Sellers can apply for consideration to attend, noting a luxury focussed seller selection criteria will apply. Seller and buyer applications close on Friday, 4 July 2025. Visit the event website for more information and to apply.

New Sydney Airport a step closer

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) has reached a major milestone with the newly completed state-of-the-art terminal formally unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today. Major construction works are now complete across the runway and terminal at the 24-hour airport which is due to welcome its first passengers by the end of next year. With the key works now complete attention will now turn to the fit-out of the terminal’s retail precinct and airline lounges ahead of the first domestic, international and cargo services to WSI in late 2026. 

It has also been announced today that Air New Zealand has committed to services from Auckland to Western Sydney. Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar (domestic) have also committed to land at Sydney’s new airport.

Phillip Island Explorer: new hop-on hop-off and transfers

The ‘Phillip Island Explorer’ by Local Way Tours has launched, aiming to transform tourism on Phillip Island, Victoria. Unveiled at an industry event, this initiative offers a two-part transport and touring solution designed to enhance accessibility, increase in-region. The new service includes daily direct transfers between Melbourne / Narrm (with airport/CBD hotel pickups) and Phillip Island, plus a daily hop-on, hop-off bus loop connecting island destinations, including a late-night Penguin Parade return. The Phillip Island Explorer officially launches during the Phillip Island Whale Festival on July 4th for 1.5 weeks. It will resume in September as a daily service, running both the Melbourne Transfer and Hop-On Hop-Off Components.

Love, Tilly Devine hosts an exclusive wine night

Sydney / Warrane wine bar, Love, Tilly Devine will host its next ‘Tilly Takeover: Beaujolais Night’ on Wednesday, 2 July, highlighting the exceptional wines of fifth-generation vigneron Yohan Lardy. Lardy, a rising star from the Beaujolais wine region of France, is renowned for his organic farming of ancient vines in crus like Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent, utilising natural, whole-bunch fermentation. This exclusive event, in collaboration with Chris Harag of Vintrepid, offers guests the chance to sample six of Lardy's range. Wines will be available by the glass, bottle, or as a flight of three Beaujolais crus. Complementing the wines, a special one-night-only pork and duck terrine will be served. Bookings are encouraged for this unique evening.

Bigger and brighter Firelight Festival returns

Melbourne / Narrm’s Firelight Festival returns bigger and brighter to Docklands from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6. This free, family-friendly event will transform the harbour into a winter wonderland with dazzling flames, immersive art, music, and winter bites. New this year, internationally renowned Tasmanian artist Amanda Parer will debut monumental inflatable sculptures, ‘Man and Fantastic Planet,’ illuminating Docklands. For the first time, the festival extends onto the water with the ‘Light the Night Boat Display,’ inviting decorated vessels to compete for a People's Choice Award. Nearly 50 fire artists, dancers, musicians, and roving performers will captivate visitors, alongside crackling fire pits, flame jets, and blazing fire arches. Almost 40 food trucks will dish out a belly-warming selection of tasty winter treats, from sizzling street food to seasonal favourites like s’mores and hot chocolate. For the full program or more information, visit here.

Kittawa Lodge launches beautiful new 2-bedroom retreat

Kittawa Lodge, the exclusive off-grid accommodation on King Island, Tasmania, has opened its new two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat, offering guests an unparalleled escape where rugged wilderness meets refined luxury. Kittawa Retreat has been designed for shared escapes without compromising on privacy, expanding Kittawa Lodge’s offering to family and friend groups, or couples who simply want to enjoy the extra space. The retreat offers the same refined luxury as the two existing one-bedroom lodges and amplifies the guest experience with additional features such a secluded outdoor seating area and hot tub plus access to a private cellar. Kittawa Lodge has also announced the return of its exclusive Guest Chef Series in July and August which are both available to book via its website.