When it comes to vibrant autumn colours, Australia is up there, with regions such as New England in NSW and Macedon Ranges in Victoria putting on spectacular shows. Explore the vivid landscapes with Australian Cycle Tours, which is offering a number of self-guided excursions on two wheels.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
The two-day Clare Valley Cycle Short Break, which winds its way through the scenic wine region, is perfect if you only have a weekend to spare. Or consider the four-day 134-kilometre Great Victorian Rail Trail, which weaves through the idyllic Victorian High Country. For a luxurious guided experience, consider Renaissance Tours' eight-day Autumn Colours of New England package from Sydney to Ballina, which kicks off on April 29 and visits locations such as Tamworth and Armidale.
If you're heading to the big cities this autumn, don't forget to check out the flower shows: Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show from March 26-30 and Sydney Royal Easter Show (renowned for its flower and garden pavilion) from April 11-22. australiancycletours.com.au; renaissancetours.com.au; melbflowershow.com.au; eastershow.com.au
World's best airlines
Air Transport World has announced the winners of the 51st annual ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards, with All Nippon Airways (ANA) winning the Airline of the Year honour. The awards are widely regarded as the most prestigious in the air transport industry and while many Australians may not be familiar with ANA, the Japanese carrier offers direct flights from Sydney to Tokyo, from where you can take connecting ANA flights to other Asian hotspots, such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Hanoi, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, as well as to bucket-list European destinations such as London, Paris, Milan and Vienna. Other airlines honoured in the awards include Cathay Pacific, which has been lauded for its eco credentials, and Scoot, named the value airline of the year. ana.co.jp
Read more on Explore:
Positive impact
Eighty-four per cent of gen Z and 88 per cent of millennial travellers from Australia and New Zealand say they use travel to improve their mood or mental health, according to a new survey by travel-booking platform Klook. Sixty-one per cent of the 7000 respondents say they set aside half of their travel budget for immersive cultural experiences when travelling, with 40 per cent saying they start planning their next holiday within a month of returning from one.
Walk this way
Australia has one of the longest coastlines in the world, with hundreds of heart-racing hikes. Finding the one that's right for you can be a challenge. But Brent McKean - editor of Great Walks magazine - is here to help, with the launch of his Great Coastal Walks Australia coffee table book (Gelding Street Press; $40). McKean has highlighted 40 of the country's most spectacular coastal trails.
Journeys range from the half-day Bouddi Coastal Walk on the NSW Central Coast to the week-long South West Cape loop at the bottom of Tasmania. Beautiful images and colourful descriptions fire up the wanderlust, while boxes with key info such as location, start and finish points, and degree of difficulty help you pick (and prepare for) the adventure ahead. geldingstreetpress.com
