How this $70 membership could save you thousands on travel

The luxury travel perks

Vivid Sydney cruise sails through Sydney Harbour past the Sydney Opera House during Vivid Sydney

Receive discounts on experiences like a Vivid Sydney cruise. (Image: Destination NSW)

The newly launched Entertainment Travel platform is kind of a game-changer as it gives members exclusive access to thousands of travel deals, including:

Over 36,000 cruises with brands like Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea, Uniworld and Ponant.

More than 20,000 guided tours with names like Wendy Wu Travel, AAT Kings and Collette.

Hotel discounts across 750,000+ properties worldwide – from Club Med to Hyatt and Hilton.

Savings on flights with Emirates, Virgin Australia, Qatar Airlines and more.

Deals on car hire, travel insurance and tailor-made holiday packages.

To put it into perspective: a 13-night luxury Antarctica cruise with Seabourn is currently $21,499 per person, a discount of more than $6000. While providers like Sealink offer between 15 and 50 per cent off certain ferries, tours and cruises across Australia, like a Vivid Sydney Lights Cruise or K’gari experience tours.

That’s a lot of money back in your pocket in just one booking.

Travel smarter – and support your community while you’re at it

Splurging on travel will cost you less.

Memberships start at just $70 per year (for a single city) or $120 for multi-city access. And while the travel deals are new, the Entertainment Group’s mission remains the same: giving back.

Every membership sold directs 20 per cent to one of Entertainment’s fundraiser partners (of your choice). So, while you’re off ticking off your bucket-list adventures, you’re also supporting your community.

It’s not just travel either

Don’t break the bank on family outings. (Image: Destination NSW)

While travel is the headline act right now, the app still offers all the local perks it’s famous for – like the two-for-one dinner I used on the weekend – as well as discounts at restaurants like Catalina and OTTO Ristorante, and experiences including SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, HOYTS, museums, bathhouses and more.

Verdict? So far, so good

AAT Kings Tasmania tour to Wineglass Bay

Explore Tasmania with AAT Kings. (Image: AAT Kings)

I’ve only just started exploring what this app can do, but after saving $35 on my first use, the rest of the year is already a bonus. And the travel perks? If I book even one trip using the deals, the value could be in the thousands.

If you’re planning a holiday – or just want to eat out more without the bill shock – this unassuming little app might be the smartest $70 (or $120) you spend all year.

Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour. — Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

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3. The city as a canvas

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art. — Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

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5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude.

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background. — Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW. — Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor. Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection. — Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra. — Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.