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.
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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.
September to April in the Northern Territory rewards those who seek adventure.
Sure, the Northern Territory shines during the high season, but did you know it transforms into lush magnificence in the summer low season? From September to April, hundreds of waterfalls roar into action, vegetation flourishes and natural pools swell, all thanks to spectacular storms. This is when some of the country’s best arts and cultural events hit the calendar, too.
Travelling at this time of year means you’ll also be rewarded with off-peak travel pricing on accommodation, tours and experiences, and can even enjoy many of the top sites all to yourself.
1. Kings Canyon is transformed
Kings Canyon transforms in the low season. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)
Kings Canyon’s towering sandstone domes and crevasses are a sight to behold year-round, but during the low season you can witness a rare phenomenon. This ancient outback wonder’s arid landscape bursts to life when it rains, temporarily transforming it with waterfalls that thunder down the cliffs. At the base of the canyon is the verdant Garden of Eden and its permanent watering hole.
2. John Hayes Rockhole is a natural wonder
Hike to a desert oasis. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)
Hidden in the Trephina Gorge Nature Park in the East MacDonnell Ranges, John Hayes Rockhole is an oasis waiting to be discovered. Visit the narrow canyon during the high season, and you may see only a sandy creekbed, but after rain in the low season the pool is full of cool water. It’s accessible via a 4WD-only track off the Ross Highway, or you can set out early and join the nine-kilometre Trephina Ridgetop Walk. The reward for undertaking the hike is worth every step, and there’s a dedicated, tent-only campground for those who’d like to soak up the serenity overnight.
3. The Red Centre Light Trail shines bright
Watch the Outback light up after sunset. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)
The Red Centre’s rich cultural heritage and lack of light pollution make it the ideal setting for immersive light shows, and you can experience the most iconic ones on an epic six-day road trip in April. Witness the Parrtjima cultural festival inMparntwe (Alice Springs) before heading to Kings Canyon for Bruce Munro’s Light-Towers, where 69 glowing towers shine to a celestial soundscape. At Uluṟu, Munro’s Field of Light blankets the red soil with glowing frosted-glass stems, and the Wintijiri Wiru drone show lights up the sky in front of the sacred cultural site. Along the way you’ll witness the changing landscapes of the desert from the West MacDonnell Ranges to the Valley of the Winds.
4. The Parrtjima festival lights up the Red Centre
Witness the magic of Parrtjima. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)
For 10 days every April, the Red Centre turns into a dazzling display of colour for the Parrtjima festival. Held at Alice Springs Desert Park, the unmissable celebration shines a spotlight on the world’s oldest living culture using modern technology. Artworks by local Aboriginal artists are transformed into large-scale illuminated installations with accompanying soundscapes, offering a unique opportunity to see the spectacular sunburnt landscapes, night skies and 300-million-year-old West MacDonnell Ranges in a new light. The jam-packed line-up of art and cultural events also includes workshops, markets, short films, talks and live music.
5. Cruising along Nitmiluk Gorge is breathtaking
Sail between towering sandstone cliffs. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Nic Morley)
Drifting down the emerald waters of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge between towering red sandstone cliffs carved over millions of years, all while waterfalls stream down around you, is an experience like none other. Nitmiluk Katherine’s two-hour NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Tour sails through gorges past ancient rock art while a local guide imparts knowledge about the Jawoyn culture and significance of the landscape.
6. You can explore local culture on the Tiwi Islands
Immerse yourself in Tiwi culture. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Elise Cook)
Take an 80-kilometre ferry ride from Darwin to arrive at the Tiwi Islands, an archipelago of 11 picturesque islands and a haven for art lovers and anglers. On the Tiwi By Design walking tour you’ll be guided to the Tiwi Design Art Centre, one of Australia’s oldest art centres, to observe local artists in action and join a screen printing workshop.
If you’re more partial to sinking a line, book a stay at Tiwi Island Retreat in April. It’s one of the best months to fish for barramundi, and their world-class fishing adventures are your best chance at reeling in a prized catch.
7. Scenic flights over Kakadu’s waterfalls are jaw-dropping
Soar above Jim Jim Falls. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Jarrad Seng)
Seeing Kakadu National Park’s gushing waterfalls and dramatic escarpments from above offers a dose of unparalleled beauty – and it’s all best witnessed in the low season.
Taking flight from Darwin, Kakadu Air Services offers an unforgettable experience, with doorless helicopters revealing unobstructed views of the 1.8-billion-year-old landscape. Soar above the untouched savannah that turns into a tropical green paradise, marvel at the thunderous Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, and whiz through ancient sandstone canyons. If you’re lucky, the scenery will look all the more dramatic with rolling tropical storm clouds in the distance.
8. Litchfield National Park is an amazing place to cool off
Dive into natural swimming holes. (Image: Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen)
Litchfield National Park is peppered with stunning natural swimming pools for you to beat the heat in. Take a refreshing dip in pristine, crocodile-free spots such as Buley Rockhole, a series of spring-fed cascading pools, and the nearby Florence Falls, which is enveloped by monsoon rainforest and features a crystal-clear plunge pool fed by a 15-metre-high waterfall. Be sure to check the Northern Territory Parks & Reserves website for closures before you go.
