Ask AT: Meet our game-changing new travel tool

We are excited to share with you Ask AT.

We think it is a world first – an Australian-owned, human-powered AI travel tool that will plan your ultimate domestic Aussie holiday for you.

What exactly is Ask AT?

We’ve called it Ask AT because it draws exclusively on AustralianTraveller.com content – more than 150 detailed destination guides, curated trip itineraries, family-friendly tips, outback experiences and hundreds of road trip ideas – to give you personalised recommendations in seconds.

You can prompt Ask AT with any Aussie travel questions you have, and it will give you expert ideas and advice based on real travel insights from 20 years of specialist Australian travel writers.

To give you an idea, here are some questions asked by our users during testing:

“Tell me the best things to do on the Gold Coast for families – where to stay, what to do and nature-based activities"

“Hi, can you suggest some unique luxurious stay at Port Macquarie?"

“Can you design a week away in Margaret River with great food and wine?"

Why it’s different

A car parked on the side of the road next to a pink lake — Ask AT will plan your ultimate domestic Aussie holiday. (Image: Rachel Claire/@fieldnotes__)

We think there are four reasons Australians will fall in love with Ask AT.

1. Ask AT has the answer

Ask AT uses 20 years of expert travel writing to answer your question. In numbers, that is more than:

150+ thorough Aussie destination guides

100+ individually crafted family trips

160+ detailed outback itineraries and experiences

170+ thoroughly explored road trips

2. You can trust it

Because Ask AT draws exclusively from AustralianTraveller.com content written by real travel journalists, the answers are local, vetted and 100% focused on Aussie travel. We even include the reference articles for you to read in the answer.

3. It’s ethical

Unlike other LLMs (ChatGPT, etc.), which are trained using content from other websites without permission or reimbursement, we have spent millions of dollars paying Australian writers for our content, so we are not stealing from Australian writers.

4. It’s Australian

As an Australian company, we are invested in our community, pay taxes in Australia and employ Australians. Again, every other LLM is an international company not contributing to the Australian economy or community. The more success Ask AT has, the more Australian writers we will pay for content, the more Australians we will employ, the more taxes we will pay in Australia.
But most importantly, the more we spend on Ask AT, the better Ask AT will get at helping Aussies find their dream holidays.

That’s a win for all Australians and something we believe you can feel good about supporting.

Who it’s for

Two cars parkers near the beach — Ask AT draws exclusively on AustralianTraveller.com content. (Image: Rachel Claire/@fieldnotes__)

Everyone!

Whether you are a couple chasing a romantic getaway, a solo traveller looking for your next thrilling adventure, a group of friends in need of a weekend away, or a family planning a break for the school holidays, Ask AT is here to help.

How to use it

It really couldn’t be easier!

Ask AT sits front and centre of our new website.

All you need to do is type in your travel-related question into the prompt box and let it do the hard work for you.

Don’t forget you can clarify any response or ask for more information.

And in our testing, people loved it when they asked Ask AT to turn all those great insights and recommendations into an itinerary.

There are a couple more great features:

You can save all your conversations for easy reference by creating an account using your email. Each time you log in your prompt and answer history will appear on the sidebar.
You can share answers with friends and family by clicking the send icon.

A final request

Happy or unhappy with an answer?

Let us know by giving it a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down – we’re dedicated to continually refining our new tool to make it as helpful as possible.

Ready for your next amazing Aussie adventure? Ask AT is here to help. 

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

There’s something very special about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges . A mix of rugged bush, mist-laden rainforest, gardens bursting with vivid blooms and a network of rivers and waterfalls, the landscapes here are layered and diverse. Late summer is a particularly good time to visit, when the days are long and the region’s outdoor offerings are ripe for sun-soaked adventures.

The best part? Despite being only an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, the area feels a world away from the hustle. You’ll be greeted by a slower pace with fewer travellers and more room to move – allowing you to truly switch off and take it all in.

From rail trails to rainforest walks, this is where you’ll find nature at its most rewarding.

1. Warburton

Biking around Warburton is one best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. — Hit the trails at Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Perched at the top of the Yarra River, surrounded by pristine national park, the town of Warburton is a haven for nature lovers. It’s known for its towering redwoods, found in the Californian Redwood Forest just 15 minutes out of town. You’ll be in utter awe of these giant trees, some of which reach heights of up to 55 metres.

The Warburton Rail Trail is another way to experience the town’s natural beauty. This flat, 40-kilometre route goes all the way to Lilydale and is ideal for a stroll or cycle past native bushland, wineries, farmland and parts of the Yarra.

If you want to up the pace a little, head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination , which encompasses 160 kilometres of purpose-built tracks amid wild bush terrain. For something a little more laid-back, the Rainforest Gallery is a standout spot for a wander. The gallery features statuesque Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees, moss-covered logs and tree ferns, and a 40-metre elevated walkway that brings you right into the centre of the forest canopy.

2. Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen is a beloved food and drink destination, but it offers far more than excellent produce and top-notch wines.

A highlight is Alowyn Gardens , which stretches over seven acres. Inside, you’ll find nine different gardens with vivid floral and seasonal displays, plus a nursery featuring exotic plant species. The Wisteria Arbour is a crowd favourite, a curved walkway connecting the different gardens with a display of cascading lilac blooms.

Intersecting with the Warburton Rail Trail, the first stage of the Yarra Valley Trail runs from the gateway town of Lilydale to Yering Station. A more manageable track of just 7.5 kilometres, it takes you through rolling farmland and pockets of native bush, with ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting.

If you’re travelling with kids, McKenzie Reserve is a non-negotiable stop. The reserve encompasses a skate park, plenty of open grass to stretch little legs, and a nature-inspired adventure playground to suit every age and every energy level.

3. Healesville

One of the best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is seeing a Koala upclose. — Get up close and connect with koalas. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Healesville is the region’s best place to meet local wildlife. It’s home to Healesville Sanctuary , where you can get up close to kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, reptiles and more. Beyond giving you front-row access to these gorgeous creatures, you’ll appreciate the scenic charm of the tracks and trails that meander through the wildlife park.

To see even more birdlife, head over to Badger Weir for a picnic. Situated among soaring Mountain Ash trees and tranquil waterways, the area supports several bird species, including crimson rosellas, Australian king parrots and the elusive lyrebird. Barbecue facilities are available, and several tracks leading to Badger Weir are pram-friendly.

Fernshaw Picnic Area, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park , is another idyllic setting for picnicking and short walks, also encircled by Mountain Ash trees. Compared to Badger Weir, though, Fernshaw provides a slightly more secluded experience, making it ideal for quieter outings.

4. Olinda

Cloudehill Gardens is a beautifully curated, year-round garden destination featuring nine terraced gardens filled with seasonal blooms and lush plant varieties. — Wander through terraces of ever-changing blooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Sitting more than 600 metres above sea level, the Dandenong Ranges have an enchanted feel and are shrouded in lush rainforest filled with tree ferns, mossy trunks and lingering mist.

The town of Olinda is one of the finest places to experience this unique environment in all its verdant glory. At the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens , rhododendrons reign and drape the gardens in a riot of colour every spring.

The nearby Cloudehill Gardens are well worth visiting any time of year. In each of the garden’s nine terraces, you’ll find an array of plant varieties that bloom and transform across the seasons, including weeping Japanese maples that have been growing here for nearly a century.

Besides being a haven for arbory enthusiasts, the nearby RJ Hamer Arboretum is a spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views. Here, more than 150 tree species grow and overlook the neighbouring Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.

5. Emerald

A lady eating with the view of Emerald Lake Park. — Enjoy a lakeside picnic at Emerald Lake Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Set just behind the Dandenong Ranges , the foothills town of Emerald has a slightly more open feel, featuring rolling hills and open bushland. The town sits on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park , with a patchwork of forested reserves and accessible bush trails on the Emerald side.

You can also take to the water at nearby Aura Vale Lake, which is popular for sailing, canoeing, fishing for eel and perch, and picnicking on the grassy banks.

The stand-out, though, is Emerald Lake Park, a sprawling green with multiple recreation zones. Across 52 hectares, there are walking tracks, playgrounds, paddleboats, a model railway, fishing sites and a family-friendly wading pool that comes to life every summer. The park also lies adjacent to the iconic Puffing Billy, making it a perfect stop if you’re travelling on the historic steam train.

Start planning your next adventure at visityarravalley.com.au

Meet Ask AT: Our game-changing new travel tool