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Australia Travel EscapesAustralian travel and wellness escapes, revived for a new editorial era
Low surf rolling onto a pale sand beach at sunset

Cycle 12

Australia Travel Escapes

This publication shares ownership with PeptaraLabs, Lab Ranked Agency, and Dental Link.

Australia Travel Escapes publishes destination guides, wellness-travel features and buyer notes for Australians who like to plan before they pack. We ran as a travel publication from 2008 to 2014, turned toward wellness travel from about 2015, and now bring the masthead back with dental travel as a featured niche beside the classic escapes.

Australia Travel Escapes 2026 programme seal
168
honorees, 2026 cycle
13
categories

Categories, 2026

Aerial view of the Saigon skyline beside the Saigon River in VietnamDental Tourism Destination of the Year · 18 honorees

Soft surf rolling onto an empty beach at sunrise near Byron BayWellness Escape of the Year · 8 honorees

Twelve Apostles sea stacks along the Great Ocean Road in VictoriaCoastal Escape · 17 honorees

Uluru glowing at sunset over spinifex grasslandOutback Retreats · 6 honorees

Aerial view of Whitehaven Beach and the swirling sands of Hill Inlet in the WhitsundaysIsland Stays · 11 honorees

Harvested white grapes in golden light in the Barossa ValleyFood & Wine Trails · 20 honorees

Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House at dawnCity Breaks · 10 honorees

Empty outback railway line crossing a flat plain in South AustraliaRail Journeys · 15 honorees

Wild kangaroo on a grassy headland above the beach in New South WalesFamily Adventures · 18 honorees

Tree ferns and moss in a Tasmanian rainforestLuxury Lodges · 14 honorees

Aerial view of Whitehaven Beach and the swirling sands of Hill Inlet in the WhitsundaysReef and Dive Tours · 11 honorees

Twelve Apostles sea stacks along the Great Ocean Road in VictoriaCampervan and Motorhome Hire · 14 honorees

Ridgeline and valley in the West MacDonnell Ranges along the Larapinta TrailGuided Walks and Treks · 6 honorees

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Browse the register

2026 honorees

Logos belong to each honoree.

Full register with editorial notes · Cycle index

Australia Travel Escapes 2026 programme seal

2026 cycle

The 2026 register

The 2026 register lists 168 honorees across 13 categories, decided by the desk from public material on each operator. See the full register or read the methodology.

Questions

Trip planning questions, answered

How long is the Larapinta Trail, and when should I walk it?

The trail runs for more than 230 km through the West MacDonnell Ranges, from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Mount Sonder. NT Parks splits it into 12 sections of one or two days each, and most people walk in the cooler months from May to September. Our Larapinta Trail guide lists every section.

How does Overland Track booking work?

Bookings run from 1 October to 31 May. In that season each walker picks a start date and pays the pass fee, with a cap of 34 independent walkers a day. The walk covers 65 km over six days in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The Overland Track guide covers fees, huts and gear.

Aurora australis Tasmania: where and when can I see it?

Choose a clear, dark night and an open place facing south, such as Cockle Creek, Bruny Island, kunanyi / Mount Wellington or the South Arm Peninsula. A display is never certain, so our southern lights guide explains the Bureau of Meteorology alerts and the Kp index.

How much is the Bali tourist levy, and how do I pay it?

It is a one-off IDR 150,000 per foreign tourist, set by the Bali Provincial Government and separate from your visa. Payment is cashless: pay online ahead of the flight, at an arrival counter, or at a registered hotel or attraction. Our Bali levy guide explains who is exempt.

Can Australians use the Tourist Refund Scheme?

Yes. Australian residents can claim back GST and wine equalisation tax on goods they take overseas, just like visitors. You make the claim in person on departure day, at the airport or seaport you leave from, as our Tourist Refund Scheme guide explains.

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