Indigenous Tourism Forum

Tourism Australia and the State Tourism Organisations met in Brisbane / Meanjin in February for their annual Indigenous Tourism Forum. The Forum provided an opportunity to share strategic priorities, new projects that continue to grow Indigenous tourism. Key topics of discussion included: opportunities for Indigenous culture leading into the Brisbane 2032 Olympics; dark sky tourism and how states can engage travellers with Indigenous communities when an eclipse event occurs; and the newly formed First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership Committee. The group also spent time visiting Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah, with Elisha Kissick’s Yura Tours exploring the beautiful Quandamooka Country.

Two weeks until Destination Australia 2025

Tourism Australia’s 2025 Destination Australia Conference will kick off at the ICC Sydney in two weeks. Speakers include Australian television journalist and radio presenter, Ross Greenwood who will share the macro-economic outlook for business, Rajan Kumar CEO & Co-Founder at The Lumery, part of Accenture Song who will share practical insights around AI, and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell will also join. With the theme ‘We are the Australian Tourism Industry’, the future evolution and growth of the sector will be the firm focus of the day. There will be panel discussions with industry CEOs focused on the future of the industry, and industry experts focused on Agritourism. Today Show host Karl Stefanovic, will return as the emcee to guide the day. Find out more and register to attend virtually or in-person here.

Hong Kong One Voice event to kick start the Year of Snake

Last week, Tourism Australia, along with representatives from State and Territory Tourism Organisations (STOs) and key distribution partners, participated in the Holiday & Travel Expo at the Hong Kong Convention Centre. This popular event offered attendees a chance to discover the latest travel trends, products, and destinations from over 300 exhibitors, including travel agencies, airlines, and tourism boards. The following day, the One Voice team hosted an Aussie Specialist Program Self-drive training day, guiding agents on how to explore Australia’s stunning scenery by road. Agents also received up-to-date visa information from the Department of Home Affairs representatives. The event included themed training sessions and exclusive incentives to encourage agents to become certified specialists.

Tourism Australia’s Australia Next Magazine released

Tourism Australia has reimagined its Australia Next magazine to assist planners when pitching Australia as a business events destination. Now hosted on the Business Events Australia website, planners can easily read the inspiring content, search the magazine and re-package the content directly into presentations. Whilst the platform has changed, the familiar style of the magazine hasn’t. Planners will still find bite-sized, insightful content featuring new product and experiences to help them plan their next program in Australia. The latest edition of Australia Next magazine features an interview with Nornie Bero about Australia’s evolving food scene. A local shares their inside tips on where to go on the Gold Coast, and an international planner details experiences from their recent visit to Cairns / Gimuy and Brisbane / Meanjin. This edition also uncovers new venues and accommodation, plus the chance to discover wellness experiences and explore Melbourne / Narrm in a three-day program pitch.  

Banksia Tourism and Destinations Award finalists announced

Tourism Australia is proud to sponsor the ‘Tourism and Destinations Award’ at the 36th Banksia National Sustainability Awards. This year’s finalists are:

• Kosciuszko Thredbo – A Gold-level EarthCheck Sustainable Destination integrating sustainability across its alpine operations.  
• Polperro Dolphin Swims – Pioneering ecotourism with conservation-focused dolphin and seal swim experiences.  
• Taronga Conservation Society – Leading global conservation efforts through education, research, and sustainability.  
• Wild Adventures Melbourne (WAM) – Setting a sustainability benchmark for small tourism businesses.

Winners will be announced on 3 April 2025. Learn more about the finalists and vote in the new Banksia People’s Choice Award here.  

World-first safe beach accessibility course

CQUniversity has launched the first micro-credential in beach accessibility, designed to facilitate safe and inclusive beach experiences for people of all abilities. The U-BEACH Introduction to Beach Accessibility is the first of its kind in providing essential education on navigating terrain and facility challenges when accessing beach environments. The micro-credential features real-world learning activities that explore disability diversity and highlights the importance of equal beach access for everyone. The modules cover essential topics such as accessible beach elements, communication, safety considerations, manual handling for beach access and the safe use of widely available beach mobility equipment, including beach pathways, sand-adapted walking aids and beach wheelchairs.

Breaking Barriers: Putting Accessibility into Practice

Elevate your business potential with Breaking Barriers, a dynamic seminar that empowers businesses to create accessible and inclusive environments. With 5.5 million Australians living with disabilities and accessible tourism generating $13.5 billion annually, this seminar explores the significant opportunities inclusivity offers to drive business growth. Hosted by the City of Melbourne in partnership with the Victoria Tourism Industry Council and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the seminar offers an exceptional opportunity to transform your approach to accessibility, blending professional development with actionable insights and strategies for lasting impact. Discover how to seamlessly integrate accessibility into your operations while unlocking new opportunities for your business and the broader Melbourne community. Visit the website for more information and to register. 

South Australian Agritourism Framework released 

Agricultural Tourism – or agritourism as it is commonly known – is a type of experiential travel which connects people to product or produce, delivered on farming land through an ‘on farm’ experience. It is a growing sector in Australia, worth $17.4 billion nationally. South Australia is well positioned to target this burgeoning market, leveraging its globally renowned reputation for premium produce. To support South Australia’s farmers to unlock their agritourism potential, the South Australian government have released the South Australian Agritourism Framework. The framework is an agritourism toolkit, providing practical advice, resources, checklists and key contacts to help along the way. Find out more here.

An exclusive food tour to land in Melbourne / Narrm this April

One of Melbourne / Narrm’s most respected steakhouses, Meatmaiden, will host a four-hands dining experience in collaboration with Swedish steakhouse Restaurang AG as part of The Rare Tour from 29 April to 1 May. This international culinary series brings together world-class chefs, immersive steak education and expert grilling techniques at celebrated steak restaurants around the world, including Melbourne’s very own Meatmaiden. Positioned as a one-off culinary event, this is a limited three-night experience with only 500 seats available. Tickets are available through the website here.

Iconic Melbourne / Narrm Venue celebrates 10 years

Since 2015, the Lulie Tavern has cemented itself as an iconic pub and destination for live music in the Melbourne / Narrm inner city suburb Abbotsford. The much-loved venue is now celebrating it’s 10-year anniversary and is set to host a week- long extravaganza (from 31 March to 6 April) of multiple epic celebrations. Throughout the week, guests can expect a special edition all-stars pool competition with a $500 bar tab up for grabs, food and drink specials, free live music, a birthday disco, family friendly party and the revival of Lulie’s popular country music night, Heartache Tonight. For more information on the event, please visit the website.

Kangaroo Island Indigenous Day Tour announces weekly departures

The Kangaroo Island Indigenous Day Tour operated by SeaLink in South Australia has announced it will increase the tour to weekly departures, operating every Wednesday from 1 April 2025. Guests will experience Kangaroo Island like never before on this authentic Aboriginal expedition. Ngarrindjeri Elder, Mark Koolmatrie will explain the Indigenous history and culture of Kangaroo Island which is as vast and varied as its landscapes. Experience Australian bush foods during a walking tour of Penneshaw and gain insights into the sealing industry from the perspective of the Ngarrindjeri people at the Seal Bay Conservation Park. Uncover the importance of Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, learning how these natural wonders contribute to the life of the Ngarrindjeri community. Guests will also be treated to a delightful two-course Australian lunch and a light dinner to compliment the journey. To book and learn more, visit the website.

Boutique hotel joins Travellers Group collection

Travellers, an Australian accommodation group, has acquired a boutique hotel nestled in a beautifully restored 19th-century homestead in Orange, New South Wales, launching as Yallungah Boutique Hotel. Located a comfortable 3.5hr drive from Sydney / Warrane, the hotel is a destination to explore the town’s award-winning wineries, beautiful parks, historic streetscapes, and hatted restaurants. Paying homage to the property’s history, ‘Yallungah’ is the name of the original 1896 built homestead which is considered a significant piece of Orange’s historical architecture. The mixing of colour, pattern and texture with reclaimed and revamped elements of the historic building works beautifully to create a bespoke hotel experience for guests. Yallungah accommodates 44 guests across rooms and suites spanning across the property’s original heritage wing to the architecturally designed contemporary extension. For more information and to book, visit the website.