Most of us spend months or years eagerly collecting airline points in hopes of cashing them in for our dream flight. But for one day only – Virgin is giving Velocity members the chance to redeem a slew of prizes in exchange for just one Virgin Velocity point.
Sydneysiders, mark your calendars for 22 August because Velocity’s 1 Point Rewards Store will pop-up on Pitt Street for one day only. Here, you’ll be able to cash in just one Velocity point for a range of rewards from designer fragrances, Bose headphones and yes, Virgin Australia flights and lounge access. All you have to do is have one Velocity point in your account and download the app to participate.
Redeem prizes and flights with just one Virgin Velocity point – for one day only.
Many prizes, like the fragrances and headphones, will be collected on a first-come-first-served basis, so have your points ready and get in early. But if you’re feeling lucky, there will be a mix of games and mystery prizes, including some flights. Don’t have a Velocity account? It’s worth a punt anyway – Virgin Australia crew will be there to help you earn on the spot.
Speaking to Australian Traveller,Nick Rohrlach, CEO of Velocity Frequent Flyer, said: “Melbourne was the debut [of the 1 Point Reward store] in 2023. People had camped outovernight, [and] there were over a thousand people lined up down Chapel Street." The Points Rewards Store returns this year to “remind people that we actually havereally great value rewards," says Rohrlach. “We like to do one point rewards because it just reminds people that we’re all about [being able to redeem things] fast."
Virgin flights and lounge access can be redeemed at the 1 Point Store. (Image: Mitchul Hope/Flickr)
Pop-up dates for Velocity’s 1 Point Rewards Store in Brisbane and Melbourne will be announced soon. Stay tuned for updates.
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
The passionate community that saved Bendigo Tramways has kept the story of this city alive for generations.
It was an absolute steal: a fleet of 23 trams for just $1. But such a fortunate purchase didn’t happen easily. It was 1972 when the Bendigo Trust handed over a single buck for the city’s historic collection of battery, steam and electric trams, which had transported locals since 1890.
Bendigo Tramways is a historic transport line turned tourist service. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)
The city’s tram network had been declared defunct since 1970 due to post-war shortages in materials to upkeep the trams and declining passenger numbers as motor vehicles were increasing. However, determined locals would not hear of their beloved trams being sold off around the world.
The Bendigo Trust was enlisted to preserve this heritage, by converting the trams into a tourist service. The Victorian government approved a trial, however news spread that the Australian Electric Tramways Museum in Adelaide had acquired one of the streetcars for its collection.
A tram on its way to Quarry Hill in 1957. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)
An impassioned group rallied together to make this physically impossible. Breaking into the tram sheds, they welded iron pipes to the rails, removed carbon brushes from the motors, and formed a blockade at the depot. The community response was extraordinary, and a $1 deal was sealed.
A new chapter for the city’s fleet
The old Tramways Depot and Workshop is one of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off service. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Today, Bendigo Tramways welcomes some 40,000 passengers annually, operating as a hop-on, hop-off touring service aboard the restored trams. Fifteen of the now 45-strong fleet are dubbed ‘Talking Trams’ because of the taped commentary that is played along the route. The trams loop between Central Deborah Gold Mine and the Bendigo Joss House Temple, which has been a place of Chinese worship since 1871, via other sites including the old Tramways Depot and Workshop.
The fleet comprises 45 trams that have been restored. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)
Keeping things interesting, throughout the year visitors can step aboard different themed trams. Tram No. 302 becomes the Yarn Bomb Tram, decorated both inside and out with colourful crochet by an anonymous group of locals.
During the festive season, Tram No. 15 operates as a tinsel-festooned Santa Tram, and the big man himself hides out somewhere along the route for excited children to find. And on selected dates, the adults-only Groove Tram runs nighttime tours of the city, accompanied by local musicians playing live tunes and a pop-up bar.
Visitors can hop on and off to see the city’s sites such as the historic post office turned visitor centre. (Image: Tourism Australia)
As well as preserving the city’s history, however, the continuation of the tram service has kept the skills of tram building and craftsmanship alive in a practical sense. Bendigo’s Heritage Rail Workshop is world-renowned for restoring heritage trams and repurposing vehicles in creative ways.
Locally, for example, Tram No. 918 was transformed into the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram with original Aboriginal artworks by emerging artist Natasha Carter, with special commentary and music that shares the stories and traditions of Bendigo’s first people. You can’t put a price on preserving history. Nonetheless, it was a dollar very well spent.
