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 14 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 Canarvon (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
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.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
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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
10complimentary 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.
What’s included?
A 2-night stay glamping at The Inverloch Glamping Co
Access to the camp kitchen
Private bathroom
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
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
Why settle for another landlocked weekend away when you could spend a thrilling few days sipping cocktails poolside with friends and family, taking in a Broadway-style musical, and having once-in-a-lifetime adventures—all without leaving Australia?
Royal Caribbean’s summer 2025/26 season packs all the excitement and variety of a cruise holiday into a new lineup of weekend getaways. There’s something for everyone on board, from your mum who just wants to relax at a spa to your adrenaline-junkie mate who is keen to skydive in a simulator on the deck. With two world-class ships making debut voyages from Brisbane and Sydney, there’s never been a better time to plan the ultimate short getaway with a Royal Caribbean Australia cruise.
Why cruise?
The ultimate adventure, close to home.
On a short cruise holiday, you’ll set sail with zero planning stress, booking drama, or traffic woes, knowing your itinerary is jam-packed with fine dining and adventure (or relaxation, if that’s more your vibe). And everyone’s needs will be catered to, from your parents to your gourmand partner to your toddler niece. All main meals* and most onboard activities are seamlessly included in your fare, from Royal Caribbean Entertainment to the Adventure Ocean® Kids’ Club.
The ship
Scale new heights at sea with onboard rock climbing.
Sailing from Sydney for the first time, Anthem of the Seas® is an award-winning ship. It boasts 360-degree views from its thrilling North Star® observation capsule – the tallest viewing deck on any cruise ship, anywhere, stretching an astonishing 91 meters above the ocean. And it offers tailored adventures for families and friend groups alike.
Thrill-seekers can on the FlowRider® Surf Simulator, or try out the bumper cars. For those looking to chill, relax poolside at the adults-only Solarium with a cocktail in hand. Experience some culture and show-stopping entertainment with a Broadway-style production of We Will Rock You.
Or set sail aboard Voyager of the Seas®, making her debut voyages from Brisbane this summer with a turbo-charged slate of activities, including mini golf and ice skating, as well as The Perfect Storm℠ – a three-storey high-speed waterslide.
Onboard activities
The onboard dining scene is legendary.
Royal Caribbean’s onboard dining scene rivals what you’d find in any top global city, bringing top chefs and inventive flavours from around the world right to your ship’s deck. From Japanese sushi bars to old-world Italian joints, late-night cafes, private room service and five-course, white-tableclothed Chef’s Table culinary journeys, there’s something to suit every mood and palate.
For those craving relaxation, the Vitality℠ Spa and Fitness Centre offers a full menu of massages, facials, hair and nails, teeth whitening and even medi-spa treatments to plump skin and smooth wrinkles. Not to mention state-of-the-art gym facilities. Or take in the pristine views at the adults-only Solarium, a serene retreat space featuring tranquil pools and whirlpools.
Meanwhile, the thrill-seekers in your group can pack more adrenaline into three or four nights than most holidays do in a week. Royal Caribbean’s signature RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator* delivers the singular rush of a freefall without ever boarding a plane. And the 12-metre-long FlowRider® surf simulator lets everyone from beginner boogie-boarders to advanced shredders catch a wave without ever leaving the deck. Launch yourself down a multi-story waterslide against a backdrop of ocean views or grab the whole crew for Battle for Planet Z℠*, a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience. Top it all off with rock climbing, ice skating, pickleball, or a game of basketball on the sports court.
When night falls, the drama amps up with a slate of award-winning shows: We Will Rock You, the Queen musical playing on board Anthem of the Seas®, or Ice Odyssey, a dazzling and futuristic spectacle performed on Voyager of the Seas®’ very own ice rink. Or bar hop before catching some live music, a comedy show, a silent disco, an outdoor film night, and so much more.
Where can you sail?
Snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef.
Departing from Brisbane, take a four-night getaway to stunning Airlie Beach, Queensland on board Voyager of the Seas®. Along the way, spend time immersed in Airlie Beach, where you can take a Segway tour, hop on a glass-bottom boat and try an ocean rafting eco-adventure. Book a Shore Excursion and take a trip to the Whitsunday Islands for snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, or hike to secluded beaches in Molle National Park.
If you prefer to depart from Sydney, hop on board Anthem of the Seas® for a five-night holiday to Hobart, Tasmania. You’ll spend time docked in Hobart experiencing Tasmania’s other-worldly beauty and famous culinary scene, from hikes and horse rides on Mount Wellington to strolls through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to winery tours in the countryside and up-close encounters with Tasmanian devils.
Days at sea are a chance to create your own adventure and savour it all, from the ships’ astonishing breadth of dining experiences and activities to the serenity of the open seas to unhurried moments with loved ones – the most memorable part of any holiday.
Book a short getaway that everyone will love (and don’t compromise on forever memories) at RoyalCaribbean.com.au.
*T&Cs apply. Specialty dining and select beverages and some activities incur an additional cost. Activities vary by ship.
