What’s better than booking your dream holiday? Winning it, of course!
The Australian Traveller 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are back, and your opinion matters. Got 10 minutes? That’s all it takes to vote for your favourite Australian travel experiences, operators and destinations – and enter the draw to win 1 of 15 ultimate Aussie holidays.
We know your time is precious, and we really appreciate you giving us 10 minutes of it. In return, it’s your chance to shape the awards, tell us exactly what content you want to see more of, and score an unforgettable getaway. A win-win-win, really. And let’s be honest, you’ve spent longer trying to pick something on Netflix. At least this could end in a holiday.
Please note: Winners will not be able to choose which prize they win. Winners will be contacted via email after the competition closes and announced in Issue 112 and on our socials.
Swim with manta rays on a 5-night Coral Coast escape for 2, worth up to $4500
Explore the Coral Coast for 5 nights. (Credit: C J Maddock)
Swim with manta rays in the wild.
Discover WA’s incredible coastal beauty with three nights in Carnarvon and two nights in Coral Bay. The prize includes accommodation, passes to Carnarvon’s three iconic attractions, a dining voucher, a tour with Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys and a once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming with majestic manta rays in Ningaloo’s pristine waters.
What’s included?
Accommodation in Carnarvon (3 nights)
Accommodation in Coral Bay (2 nights)
Dining voucher
Exclusive Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys tour voucher
Passes to Carnarvon’s 3 iconic attractions
Manta Ray experience
A 2-night stay at The Westin Brisbane, worth $4259
Wind down in luxury at The Westin Brisbane.
Indulge in a luxurious two-night escape at The Westin Brisbane. Stay in the elegant Renewal Suite with valet parking, club lounge access and daily buffet breakfast. Enjoy dinner for two at The Westin Signature Restaurant, then unwind with a 60-minute signature massage for two at Heavenly Spa by Westin. A revitalising city stay designed around total wellbeing.
What’s included?
2 nights in the Renewal Suite
Valet parking
Daily breakfast buffet
Dinner for 2 at the Westin signature restaurant
60-minute massage for 2 at Heavenly Spa by Westin
A 3-night escape to the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, worth $4000
Escape to one of Australia’s most iconic retreats.
Snorkel, sail and soak up the beauty of Hayman Island with a glamorous three-night island stay at InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef. Located in the Whitsundays, this iconic retreat invites two guests to stay in a One Bedroom Pool Ocean View Suite, complete with sweeping Coral Sea views. Daily breakfast and return boat transfers from Hamilton Island Airport are included.
What’s included?
3-night stay in a One Bedroom Pool Ocean View Suite
Daily breakfast for 2
Return transfers for 2 from Hamilton Island Airport
The ultimate coastal wellness escape to Wollongong, worth $1688
Win a wellness holiday in Wollongong.
Experience the coastal goodness of Wollongong with a packed wellness itinerary. Enjoy a clifftop getaway perched above the ocean and surrounded by rainforest at the boutique Tumbling Waters Retreat. When hunger strikes, head to the iconic Imperial at Clifton for a delicious meal steeped in history. Wind down in the afternoon with stunning ocean views and live music at the Headlands Hotel. Round out your day with a full-body workout at Limber Co, then melt away any remaining tension with a rejuvenating treatment at ibah Spa.
10-pack class pass for Limber Co with Liber tote and socks
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
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An overnight luxury beachfront stay at The Langham, Gold Coast, worth $1500
Enjoy a taste of beachfront luxury at The Langham, Gold Coast.
Dive into absolute beachfront luxury with an overnight stay in a Junior Ocean Suite at The Langham, Gold Coast. Enjoy daily buffet breakfast at Akoya restaurant, valet parking and direct access to the Gold Coast’s iconic shoreline – where spectacular ocean views come standard.
What’s included?
A 1-night stay in the Junior Ocean suite
Daily buffet breakfast at Akoya
Valet parking
Direct beach access
A night at The Langham, Melbourne for 2, worth $1353
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, enjoy an overnight getaway in elegance at The Langham, Melbourne.
Experience the buzz of Melbourne with a swish overnight stay in a One Bedroom Suite at The Langham, Melbourne. Enjoy breakfast at Melba Restaurant, club lounge access and a complimentary glass of house wine – all wrapped in the hotel’s signature elegance on the banks of the Yarra.
What’s included?
1-night stay for 2 in a 1-bedroom suite
Breakfast at Melba Restaurant
Club lounge access
1 complimentary house wine
Savour a foodie getaway to Geelong, worth $1298
Experience all Geelong has to offer with the luxury of bay front views.
Treat yourself and a plus one to a premium waterfront escape in Geelong. Stay overnight in a Bayview Room at the newly opened Crowne Plaza Geelong, complete with buffet breakfast and sweeping views across the bay. The experience continues with a perfume-making workshop at Aysha Hansen Fine Fragrances, Asian fusion dining at Two Noble and a nightcap at Geelong Cellar Door, home to one of the region’s largest collections of local wines. A perfectly curated taste of Geelong.
What’s included?
Overnight stay in a Bayview Room at Crowne Plaza Geelong
Buffet breakfast for 2
Perfume-making workshop at Aysha Hansen Fine Fragrances
Dinner at Two Noble
Night Cap at Geelong Cellar Door
An off-grid cabin stay and sauna session in Denmark, worth over $1200
Take a relaxing break in nature with Heyscape.
Set on the breathtaking Raintree Estate, Heyscape immerses guests in the wild beauty of Denmark, WA. Enjoy a two-night stay in your choice of either a one-bedroom cabin or a four-person cabin, complete with premium bedding and an outdoor barbecue. Slow things right down with a private sauna session for two at The Fieldhouse amid towering trees and coastal calm.
What’s included?
2-night stay in a 1-bed cabin or 4-person cabin in Denmark
A private sauna session for 2 people at The Fieldhouse
A $1000 Accor gift card to use on your next getaway
Redeem your next getaway with Accor.
Where will you go next? Put a dream escape on the calendar with a $1000 accommodation gift card, redeemable across participating Accor hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. From city stays to resort escapes, this versatile prize lets you choose the getaway that suits you best, with plenty of time to plan, thanks to a generous 36-month validity period.
What’s included?
A $1000 gift card to select Accor hotels
36-month validity period
2 nights of calm, coastal glamping in Gippsland worth $800
Go glamping in style in Gippsland.
Designed for couples seeking a slower pace, this two-night boutique glamping escape at The Inverloch Glamping Co. is set on rolling farmland just minutes from Inverloch’s beaches in Gippsland. Spend your days exploring the Bunurong Coast or simply staying put with a coffee in hand. Come evening, unwind by the firepit or under open skies, then enjoy plush bedding in a safari tent, bell tent, dome or cabin.
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
What’s included?
A 2-night stay glamping at The Inverloch Glamping Co
Access to the camp kitchen
Private bathroom
1 night in a harbour view room at The Langham, Sydney, worth $800
Take in the beauty of of Sydney Harbour right outside your window.
Wake to Harbour Bridge vistas with a night in a Deluxe Harbour View Room at The Langham, Sydney. Located in The Rocks district, this heritage hotel blends historic charm with indulgence. Enjoy an included breakfast for two and serene harbour surrounds.
What’s included?
Overnight stay in a Deluxe Harbour View room for 2
Breakfast for 2
1 night in a water view room at Pier One Sydney Harbour, worth $750
Wake to sparkling water views beneath the Harbour Bridge.
Live out your five-star harbourfront dreams with a one-night stay in a Water View Room at Pier One Sydney Harbour. Wake to sparkling water views beneath the Harbour Bridge and enjoy breakfast for two, then get lost in Walsh Bay’s vibrant waterfront precinct, home to cultural attractions, dining hotspots and iconic Sydney scenery.
What’s included?
1-night stay for 2 in a Water View Room
Breakfast for 2
An overnight escape at The Anchorage Port Stephens, worth $699
The Anchorage is a Port Stephens icon.
Escape to a private marina haven in Port Stephens, just 2.5 hours north of Sydney. This one-night stay in a Loft Suite for two guests includes breakfast and access to The Anchorage’s postcard-perfect surrounds, where white sands meet gentle waves. A refined waterfront escape designed for pure relaxation.
What’s included?
A 1-night stay in a loft suite for 2
Breakfast for 2 included
Private waterfront access
A weekend getaway for 2 at voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley, worth $675
Enjoy an unforgettable getaway to the Hunter Valley for two.
Escape to wine country with an overnight stay at voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley in a King Grand Valley View Room. The package includes buffet breakfast for two, a bottle of wine on arrival, free parking and wi-fi. An ideal base for exploring the flavour-filled Hunter Valley region at a relaxed pace.
What’s included?
Overnight accommodation at voco in the King Grand Valley view room
Buffet breakfast for 2 adults
Bottle of wine on arrival
Free parking
Free wi-fi
A Hawkesbury Valley weekend getaway for 2, worth $625
The Hawkesbury Valley is the perfect weekend getaway to switch off.
Flee the city for a relaxing night at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, located around an hour’s drive from Sydney. Bed down in a King Bed Junior Suite, complete with a bottle of wine on arrival, buffet breakfast for two adults and complimentary parking and wi-fi. Set amid peaceful surroundings, this weekend retreat is perfect for slowing down and switching off.
What’s included?
Overnight stay in a King Bed Junior Suite at the Crowne Plaza
Buffet breakfast for 2
Bottle of wine on arrival
Free parking
Free wi-fi
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This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.
Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).
All-inclusive VIP benefits
Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.
The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.
The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay
Pier One Sydney Harbour
Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)
The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.
If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.
Pier One Suites
Enjoy incredible views from your suite.
Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.
United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.
But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.
Dining at Pier One
Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.
Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.
PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.
Around town
Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)
If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.
You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.
Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.
