Bread, milk and a holiday: ALDI launches travel packages

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German supermarket ALDI has launched a series of domestic and international holiday packages in Australia that you can add to your shopping cart.

What doesn’t ALDI do? The German supermarket chain is known for its no-frills discount groceries and Special Buy items, which can include anything from televisions to power tools. Now, ALDI Australia is adding vacations to the list of things you can purchase, with a series of holiday packages that span weekend getaways to cruises to far-flung destinations at ALDI’s signature low prices. Here’s what we know so far about what’s on offer.

ALDI Holidays
The German supermarket is expanding its offerings in Australia to include holiday packages.

Why Aldi?

The supermarket may seem like an odd place to purchase your next holiday. But although supermarket-bought vacations are an Australian first, the German discount chain has already offered package holidays in Europe for over a decade, becoming a trusted supplier of getaways.

ALDI often plays outside typical supermarket offerings, with Group Director Rodney Balach citing ALDI Mobile and ALDI Insurance as an example of the supermarket’s diverse portfolio of offerings. ALDI Mobile is the number one mobile provider outside of Telstra and Optus in Australia, and ALDI Insurance launched just a few months prior.

“With ALDI Holidays we’re bringing our Special Buys to the skies, offering savvy travellers premium holiday options. From budget-friendly bliss to extravagant escapes, there are different levels of luxury for every keen explorer," says Balech.

Aldi Holidays
ALDI Holidays follows the launch of ALDI Insurance and ALDI Mobile.

What kind of holidays will be on offer?

ALDI has teamed up with Gold Coast-based travel group, Ignite (owned by Flight Centre), to put together a series of exclusive holiday packages that offer ease, value and a touch of luxury. Many of the packages are all-inclusive, with pre-arranged flights, transfers, and meals, meaning that customers can simply book, pack and go.

ALDI’s holiday offerings cover everything from domestic escapes to the Whitsundays (5 nights in Daydream Island Resort, From $899 pp twin share) to international escapes on a 15-day European Odyssey (from $4590 pp).

ALDI Holidays
ALDI Holidays will sell holiday packages abroad and domestically, such as a 5-night escape to the Whitsundays. (Image: Zhimai Zhang/Unsplash)

“ALDI Holiday customers can expect incredible savings with these exclusively curated holiday packages including flights, local experiences and more, covering some of the most popular destinations around the world, that can conveniently be booked online or via the dedicated ALDI Holidays Sales Centre," says Ryan Thomas, CEO of Ignite Travel Group.

How to book?

ALDI’s holiday packages are available to browse and book online on the ALDI Holidays portal . But customers will definitely be seeing holiday offers in-store and in ALDI catalogues.

Elizabeth Whitehead
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.
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The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

Cafe culture

‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

Brilliant brews, bars and food

diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

food and drinks at Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro, Castlemaine
The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

pizza at Theatre Royal
Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

Quirky country stays

Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.