Winners of past Australian Traveller giveaways

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Here are the lucky winners of Australian Traveller’s past competitions.

Congratulations to our winners! Don’t forget to subscribe to stay in the loop on our latest giveaways. You could win anything from a luxury escape for two in Australia to the latest travel gear, luggage, experiences and more.

2025 Readers’ Choice Awards

The winner of the Intrepid Travel six-day exploration of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast was Dale Thomas.

The winner of the luxury stay at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa was Shauna Tracey.

The winner of the Pair’d festival getaway in Margaret River was Andrew Walker.

The winner of the ultimate K’gari adventure was Vicki Fox.

The winner of the supercar escape with Prancing Horse was Peter Gregory.

The winner of the seven-day Star RV motorhome getaway was Sarah Biggs.

The winner of the luxury Red Hill Escape was Prue Phillips.

The winner of the night at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney was Pauline K Hanson.

The winner of the luxe glamping stay for eight at Glenayr Farm was Rachel Anderson.

The winner of the Wildlife Retreat experience was Nicole Wincupp.

Christmas giveaway

The winner of the adventurous traveller prize pack was Jennifer Livingstone.

The winner of the beach traveller prize pack was Amanda Fraser.

The winner of the coupled-up traveller prize pack was Jacqueline Johnston.

The winner of the traveller wanting to disconnect prize pack was Carolyne Yeow.

The winner of the family traveller prize pack was Kim May Tini.

The winner of the foodie traveller prize pack was Justine Amy Gardiner.

The winner of the luxurious traveller prize pack was Kylie Servante.

The winner of the outback traveller prize pack was Mairi Taylor.

The winner of the sophisticated traveller prize pack was Amy Cooper.

The winner of the wellness traveller prize pack was Sam Wills.

Father’s Day giveaway

The winner of a Father’s Day prize pack worth over $10,000 was Karoline Willis.

Airnorth giveaway

The winner of an immersive Red Centre escape for 2 worth over $6800 was Jim Coutts.

Federal Group giveaway

The winner of a luxury weekend escape for 2 to Hobart worth over $3000 was Samantha Clifton.

Mother’s Day giveaway

The winner of a $3000 travel gift pack for Mother’s Day was Grace Chamia.

Kakadu National Park

The winner of the 4-night holiday to Kakadu National Park was Holley J.

Mega Holiday Giveaway

The winner of the Royal Caribbean cruise was Dannielle N.

The winner of the Virgin Voyages cruise was Naomi R.

The winners of the 10 double passes to the Josef Chromy Art of Sparkling Experience were Tim M, Millie E, Lou B, Vanessa S, Josh M, Katarina S, Alexia D, Romaine S. Gaylene N and Gina W.

The winner of the Sunshine Coast foodie getaway was Michael M.

The winner of the JW Marriott Gold Coast was Aimee B.

The winners of the 10 $200 vouchers with Qantas Hotels and Holidays were Cyan VG, Lorrae C, Suzanne M, Karen T, Jessica E, Terry C, Savanna Y, Jo B, Andrei D and Masayo U.

The winner of a two-night Lizard Island getaway was Gemma M.

The winner of the Sealink Rottnest Island seafood experience for two was Adam R.

The winners of the three family holidays to Uluru were Bron M, Mandy G and Lynn G.

The winner of the luxurious trip to the tip of Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula was Toni C.

The winner of the long weekend at Noosa Eat and Drink Festival was James S.

The winner of the Crystalbrook Collection luxury escape was Tara L.

The winners of the Quest weekend local experience packages were Monica P, Carla T, Jenny M, Angela R, Kate W, Mary-Anne D, Brent D, Sigrid K, Luana M C and Lisa B.

The winner of the ultimate ‘city meets paradise’ escape to Brisbane was Nicolle P.

The winners of the Victorinox Touring 2.0 Sling Bags were Gabrielle E, Bradley J, Scott S, Matt W, Renaldo R, Charlotte L-J, Larissa S, Claire S, Leanne C and Mayanna D.

The winner of the seven-night escape to Cocos (Keeling) Islands was Rachael A.

The winners of the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park overnight stays were Rebecca M, Ula L, Amelia M, Corinne B and Karen T.

The winners of the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park treatments at On The Park Rejuvenation Day Spa were Kate T, Leanne N, Carolyn F, Nancy H and Stacey M.

The winners of the 6 Accor Hotels experiences were Nikita H, Rebecca K, Angie J, Prue M, Stephanie D and Julie C.

The winners of Samsung’s best tech for travelling were Kiri W and Jenny C.

The winner of the K’gari and Lady Elliot Island adventure for 2 was Russell C.

The winner of the romantic trip for 2 on the legendary Ghan was Chantelle A.

The winner of the culturally immersive overnight package for two at Bundanon was Owen J-H.

The winner of the Wild Bush Luxury experience was Margaret A.

The winner of the AAT Kings tour to discover Tasmania’s wild side was Tahlia C.

The winner of the 5-night stay at Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas was Andrew S.

The winner of the 5 Lancemore Hotels getaways was Zoe T.

The winner of the 7 nights of pure Whitsundays luxury was Perla L M.

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

    Jocelyn PrideBy Jocelyn Pride
    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.