We are thrilled to introduce you to the brand-new Australian Traveller website.
We have been quietly toiling away behind the scenes since the start of 2025 to bring you a new website. But we haven’t just given it a facelift – we’ve completely reimagined the user experience to make planning your next holiday in Australia easier than ever before.
Ask AT – 20 years of travel expertise at your fingertips
At the heart of the new user experience is Ask AT – an Australian owned, human-powered AI travel tool that will plan your ultimate domestic Aussie holiday for you. Now you can search more than 150 detailed Australian destination guides to give you personalised recommendations in seconds. You can read more about Ask AT here, including how to use it, why we think it is a world first, why it’s different from other AI tools, including why you can trust it.
What else is new?
When we started this journey, you – the reader – were the focus. We wanted to build you a website that allows you to consume expert, tried and tested travel content any way you want. Here is a taste of what else you can find…
Safari in SA? Yep. But not South Africa… South Australia. Get up close with giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs and more – all right here in Australia.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
New user features
It’s mobile-first, so searching AustralianTraveller.com on the go will be incredibly easy – and fast!
We’ve simplified the navigation – you can now search the website via Ask AT or the more traditional drop-down menu.
You can explore by experience, destination, accommodation or even “surprise me" if you just want to be inspired.
Australian Traveller’s annual Top 100 lists are now easier to read, with a dedicated index page for all previous lists as well as improved navigation through the 100.
We continue to spotlight our award-winning travel magazine, Australian Traveller, with a dedicated section on the homepage showcasing the latest edition and new travel narratives.
You can manage your subscriptions online – a dedicated spot to easily sign in to your account and manage your print and digital subscriptions.
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
The dune viewing area at Kata Tjuta in the Northern Territory. (Image: Dom Nuttall & Jesso Coleman /Tourism NT)
Spot whales in Queensland's Hervey Bay in mid-July to late October. (Image: Visit Fraser Coast)
The Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve in Heathcote, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Iconic views of the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. (Image: Filippo Rivetti Photography)
Witness the Bungle Bungle Range in all its glory in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Drink in views of Tasmania's Wineglass Bay. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Scott Sporleder)
The Sugarloaf, a fascinating geological formation, in South Australia. (Image: Cale Matthews/South Australian Tourism Commission)
The Members’ Hall at the centre of Parliament House in Canberra. (Image: Visit Canberra/Lean Timms)
We will be progressively rolling out a series of new columns. The first will be Hotel Addict, a monthly column profiling the best hotels in Australia, written by our Evergreen Editor Rachael Thompson – a self-confessed hotel addict (she’s already stayed at 20 hotels in Sydney in the past 12 months).
You’ll also have continued access to the same great Australia-wide travel content, written by the team at Australian Travellerand expert contributorson more than 150+ destinations across Australia. If you haven’t already, join our travel community of over 90,000 subscribers and get the latest stories direct to your inbox weekly. Find the link in our footer to sign up.
Enjoy planning your next Aussie getaway on the new and improved AustralianTraveller.com. We hope you love it as much as we do.
Katie Carlin,Head of Content, Australian Traveller Media
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Katie Carlin is Australian Traveller's Head of Content and when she’s not travelling or behind her computer, she’s hosting a dinner party (likely cooking an Alison Roman recipe), at brunch, working on extending her running k’s, or has her nose buried in a book.
She joined Australian Traveller in 2018 and is responsible for leading the editorial team across print, digital, social, email and native content. Her job is to make sure we create content that connects readers to incredible experiences in Australia and beyond. In addition to sharing her expertise on travel through industry speaking engagements, Katie appears onToday, A Current Affair and various radio segments.
With a BA in Communications majoring in Journalism and a career that has spanned roles at Fairfax Media and Are Media writing for titles such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and various lifestyle brands, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her most impactful trip to date has been swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef. For her next trip she is longing to experience the romance of train travel – hopefully on The Ghan or Indian Pacific.
Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.
When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.
Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)
Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.
1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle
Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)
Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.
Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.
Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe.
Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca, which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.
One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie, the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.
Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.
3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks
Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)
What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?
Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach. Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen, which is open from 6am.
Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse.
You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach, where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.
Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.
4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle
Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)
In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.
Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.
Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.
5. Newcastle nightlife
Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)
As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.
