Australian Traveller Readers' Choice Awards terms and conditions

Terms and conditions of entry for the Australian Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.

In addition to the general terms and conditions of entry for Australian Traveller Media competitions and giveaways, these are the terms and conditions for each of the prizes in the Australian Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.

By entering, I agree to have my personal information shared with all the major prize suppliers and handled by the major prize suppliers in accordance with their respective privacy policies. By opting in, I consent to receiving marketing communications from each major prize supplier.

Please note: you will not be able to choose which prize you win. The winners will be announced in issue 108 (on sale from 3 November 2025).

You only need to enter the giveaway once.

Skip to the terms and conditions for each below.

Intrepid Travel

Australian Traveller x Intrepid – Best of Tasmania’s Tarkine & Cradle

Mountain (PZKT) Terms & Conditions

The winner will win two (2) spaces on the 6-day Best of Tasmania’s Tarkine & Cradle
Mountain (PZKT) tour.
This prize must be redeemed against a new booking by 31 October 2026 and is available
for travel departing before 14 December 2026.
The winner must contact Intrepid Travel (sales@intrepidtravel.com 1300 255 485)
directly to book the prize, quoting the promo code received at the time of winning.
A minimum of four (4) customers must be confirmed on the Intrepid Travel trip for the
prize winner booking to be confirmed on their requested date.
The following blackout periods apply to travel: 14 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026 & 14 Dec 2026
- 31 Dec 2027.
This prize is provided on a twin-shared basis and is subject to availability and
confirmation by Intrepid Travel at the time of booking.
Any request to change to a different Intrepid Travel trip is at the discretion of Intrepid
Travel and is not guaranteed.
If the chosen departure does not operate for any reason or the trip is discontinued
Intrepid Travel will offer an equivalent Vietnam trip of same value to the prize winner.
This prize applies to the land element of trip only and cannot be redeemed against
flights, accommodation, meals, domestic transfers, travel insurance, single supplement
payment, activities, spending money or local payments/kittys not covered by the
The prize, or any unused portion of the prize, is not exchangeable or transferable,
cannot be extended, and cannot be taken as cash if the prize is not fulfilled.
Once booked, any changes made to the prize winner booking may incur a cancellation
fee or amendment fee, at the cost of the winner.
The total prize is valued at up to $6,430AUD. Prize value is based on high season
2025/2026 trip departures. The prize value may fluctuate based on trip availability.
Except as set out expressly above, Intrepid Travel’s Booking Conditions apply.

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa

Vouchers are only redeemable at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa.
Bookings are subject to availability. Blackout dates apply.
The total voucher amount must be redeemed in one transaction only
Vouchers are digital and paperless. A physical voucher is not available unless you print it yourself.
Vouchers sales are final, non refundable, non transferable and non replaceable if lost, stolen or destroyed. Any unused parts of this voucher cannot be transferred or redeemed for cash. It will be forfeited.
Vouchers are to be used only for personal gifting and cannot be used for promotional or commercial awards and/or purposes. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa reserves the right to cancel or refund any unauthorized use of vouchers.
Vouchers cannot be redeemed online through Marriott.com or any 3rd party website.

Pair’d Margaret River

The prize includes a 3-night stay for two adults at Smiths Beach Resort in the Margaret River Region from 21–24 November 2025, a selection of festival event tickets, return flights to Busselton from major Australian airports, and official Pair’d festival merchandise.
Entrants must be 18 years or older.
Flights will be arranged from most major Australian airports. If regional flight paths are unavailable or difficult to coordinate, travel arrangements will be discussed with the winner.
The prize is valid only for the specified dates: 21–24 November 2025.
Blackout period: 22 December 2025 to 15 January 2026.
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
All bookings are subject to availability.
Accommodation policies apply and must be adhered to by the prize winner and their guest. Please include blackout dates, transfer policy, etc
The winner agrees to all third-party terms and conditions, including those of the accommodation provider, airline, and festival organisers.
If the winner is unable to attend or redeem the prize on the specified dates, the prize will be forfeited and no alternative offered.
The winner must comply with all Pair’d Margaret River Region event terms and any local regulations in place at the time of travel and attendance.

Kingfisher Bay Resort

This voucher is valid until 14th December 2026.
This voucher is subject to availability at the time of booking and cannot be taken during Australian school holiday periods, public holidays, or long weekends.
Hotel accommodation and additional voucher inclusion upgrades are available at own expense unless stated above and subject to availability at time of booking.
This voucher is not valid with any other offer, is not transferable or redeemable for cash and must be taken intact. If lost or misplaced, vouchers will not be replaced.
Inclusion(s) not utilised, is non-refundable. Monetary value of the inclusions cannot be used for any upgrades or in replacement of services not included in the voucher.
The recipient of this voucher cannot on-sell or auction the prize for any monetary benefit. Kingfisher Bay Resort reserves the right to revoke the validity of the voucher, if such an incident occurs.
Any alterations to travel plans may incur a rebooking fee.
Kingfisher Bay Resort may, without notice to the holder of this voucher, substitute any services or the mode of carriage to carry the passenger.
Kingfisher Bay Resort may, without notice to the holder of this voucher, cancel any services without penalty, if services offered in this voucher are no longer offered as a product at time of redemption or they are cancelled due to circumstances outside of their control for example, but not limited to inclement weather.
Food, beverages, and incidental expenses will be at the expense of the holder of this voucher unless otherwise stated, please be aware not all restaurants are open year-round.
Please keep your voucher for presentation to reception staff on check-in.

Prancing Horse

Valid for 12 months, from 01/01/2026.
Bookings are subject to availability. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
The winner of this competition agrees to adhere to all third-party terms and conditions when claiming and using the prize package.
Eligible drivers must be at least 30 years of age and possess a complete and valid driver licence. Comprehensive vehicle insurance and cover for third party property damage is included on the provision that a maximum ‘at-fault’ insurance excess of $20,000 applies to each driver individually. A security deposit or bond is not required. Conditions Apply*

Star RV

Travel Dates: 04 July 2025 – 04 July 2026 (subject to availability).
Vehicle Type:
Length of Hire: 7-day rental (inclusive of pick-up and drop-off days).
Prize Valuation: Based on peak season pricing (1–7 Feb 2026), for travel from Star RV Christchurch. Rates are accurate as of 4 July 2025.
Blackout Dates:
- New Zealand:
  - 01 Jan – 26 Jan 2025
  - 12 Apr – 27 Apr 2025
  - 28 Jun – 13 Jul 2025
  - 20 Sep – 05 Oct 2025
  - 20 Dec 2025 – 26 Jan 2026
- Australia:
  - 01 Jan – 02 Feb 2025
  - 05 Apr – 27 Apr 2025
  - 28 Jun – 20 Jul 2025
  - 20 Sep – 12 Oct 2025
  - 13 Dec 2025 – 01 Feb 2026
- Booking Conditions:
  - Subject to availability.
  - Minimum hire periods and one-way fees may apply.
  - Valid for pick-up and drop-off from any Star RV branch in Australia or New Zealand. Cross-country hires are not permitted.
  - Flights not included.
- Inclusions:
  - Basic Risk Taker excess reduction cover
  - Unlimited kilometres
  - 24-hour roadside assistance
  - Camping chairs and table
- Redemption:
  - Voucher must be presented at time of booking and provided at vehicle pick-up.
  - Bookings must be made via our Reservations Team.
- General Conditions:
  - Non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.
  - Cannot be split across multiple hires.
  - No refund will be issued for unused portions.
  - Not valid in conjunction with any other Star RV promotion, offer, or discount.
  - Standard Star RV terms and conditions apply.

Lancemore

Block out dates apply. Not available injunction with any other offer.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Room reservations are subject to availability.
The Gift voucher is valid for 6-months from the date of issue
Gift voucher may not be exchanged for cash or other hotel services.
Not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions or on the eve of and on Public Holidays or any festive promotional days and blackout dates.
No resales are allowed. Voucher is only valid for one-time use.
Please refer to the gift voucher when making your advance booking and present the voucher at the reception or restaurant upon your arrival.
Validity is as specified and shall not be extended.
The hotel reserves the right to substitute a suitable replacement should the offer be unavailable. · The hotel will not be responsible for the loss of this gift voucher.
For inquiries, please email fsy.reservations@fullertonhotels.com. Minimum 3-working-day notice is required.

Glenayr Farm

Available mid-week and not during school holidays. Valid one year from date of Auction
Please note that the $500 cleaning fee is not included and is the responsibility of the winner

Wildlife Retreat at Taronga

Valid until 31 October 2026
Bookings are subject to availability
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash
Blackout periods apply 20Dec25-27Jan26; 14Feb26, 03Apr26-07Apr26, 26Apr26,
Prize inclusions are strictly as described. Any additional costs, such as food and beverage, mini-bar usage, or supplementary zoo expenses, will be the sole responsibility of the winner.
The winner of this competition agrees to adhere to all third-party terms and conditions when claiming and using the prize package

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach , the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road . Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.

Split point lookout — The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.

This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities.

Lorne to Birregurra

Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park , which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.

Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.

From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.

You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae , helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.

Brae restaurant — Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.

A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.

It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.

The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.

Port Campbell to Timboon

Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream , Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

Warrnambool building — A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.

Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.

The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit.

The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip.

Eating there

The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.

Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.

Australian Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards terms and conditions