BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE
Call Now  1 855 607 2869

Why you should plan to travel to Australia NOW ...

Michelle Streicher • Jan 15, 2020


Why you should plan to travel to Australia NOW…


Long before the fires, drought and cyclones, the value of tourism to regional Australia was undisputed. With the onslaught of these life and status changing events, the viability and existence of our tourism community is at risk and the finely interconnected, vast web of small and medium enterprises that make up much of tourism and support industries needs quality tourism to Australia more than ever before.

Why?

Looking at just the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection as a small (but globally acknowledged) sample set… 19 lodges in 17 diverse regions across Australia – a continent the size of the USA, with just 25 million people.

Many of the lodges are leaders in their own right in sustainability in all its forms, a mandatory for businesses in today’s world.

But these lodges between them partner with well over 1600 tourism-based businesses supplying products and services that are clearly visible to their guests, that are part of the appeal, the delivery of real, memorable, Australian experiences. These are our expert guides, our artists, gin distillers, winemakers, organic and specialist food producers, our craftspeople… the people of our places, our storytellers. They are essential to the rich fabric of our luxury lodge travel experiences.

This doesn’t include the businesses and services that are not visible to guests – the tradies, the mechanics, the behind the scenes local businesses and suppliers.

The vast majority of all these businesses are small to medium and family owned enterprises. They contribute enormously to the sustainability of the region they are based in and beyond.

  • Economically: by generating income that is spent and paid and circulates within the community
  • Culturally: by sharing the local expertise, craft, produce and character of the place
  • Community: via employment, sense of purpose and pride; and
  • Environmentally: on too many levels to deal with here.

All are essential to the economic survival of regional Australia. The economic contribution of a single lodge impacts deep into regional communities. Positively in good times, a potentially crippling void in bad. This degree of impact is mirrored across our tourism industry.

So yes, while some areas are facing devastating bushfires, the vast majority of our island continent is safe to travel in and our Luxury Lodges are ready to welcome guests.

For those who fear this may be insensitive to those impacted and even destroyed by very recent fires, it is these people who are often the first to plead for people to not desert Australia’s tourism operators. Southern Ocean Lodge was one of our treasured tribe. We have all shed many a tear since the Kangaroo Island fires ravaged it just over a week ago. But as one of the Baillie team said to me, the outpouring of love and support has been strangely but beautifully uplifting. James and Hayley Baillie were fast to plea for people to still travel to Australia. (See their letter here ). Their leadership, empathy, vision and resilience have been an inspiration to many globally and truly set the tone for how we can survive this, stronger, better, more purposeful and more impactful than ever.

Southern Ocean Lodge’s sister properties Longitude 131˚ , Silky Oaks Lodge and Capella Lodge , along with fourteen other lodges across this vast continent, are welcoming guests daily, and operating as normal, to deliver their amazing and uniquely Australian experiences. Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is undamaged by fires and will reopen shortly.

So yes, base your decision to travel on facts around safety. A good place to start: Tourism Australia Bushfire Information .

Do keep perspective on the sheer scale of Australia , and do take out travel insurance.

And do plan to visit Australia. It is times like this when the Australian character shines through and you will receive the warmest of welcomes, deepened by the shared experience of our land – a land that we have had a stark reminder is both fragile and resilient – all the more precious to us all.

Now more than ever Australia needs you…


Written by Luxury Lodges of Australia

By Michelle Streicher 12 Mar, 2021
We're here to set the record straight.
By Michelle Streicher 30 Sep, 2020
Not many cities take their coffee as seriously as Melbourne, which is why the city is known as the Coffee Capital of Australia.
02 Sep, 2020
Let’s face it; meals on hikes normally aren’t the stuff foodie dreams are made of. But Great Walks Of Australia turns that on its head, giving walkers fine food feasts worth walking for. It’s not just these amazing wild places, exquisite views and the astonishing nature you remember when your walk ends; the food and wine experience on each of our Great Walks plays a huge role shaping the memories you’ll leave each new adventure with. Big days on the trail call for hearty meals to sustain and fuel you, and that’s exactly what we deliver, with bucketloads of gourmet goodness. Often showcasing flavours of the region and the best producers and local providores in the region, our walks make sure the food is high quality, delicious and always generous. Because we all know how plenty of fresh air makes you ravenous!
By South Pacific Journeys 12 Aug, 2020
Let South Pacific Journeys connect you to mesmerizing destinations, unforgettable experiences and extraordinary cultures. We'll be here for you when you are ready to travel.
By Michelle Streicher 17 Jan, 2020
Come join us on this fully hosted sailing through French Polynesia with Michelle Streicher, Eastern Ontario's South Pacific Expert. Immerse yourself in French Polynesia with its deep green rainforested islands, its dazzling turquoise lagoons and its soft white sand beaches. Package Includes: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard Oceania Regatta Group Transfers Kingston/Toronto/Kingston for departures ex Kingston Group International Flights ex Toronto (Economy Class) Return Airport/Pier Transfers in Papeete Pre-Paid Gratuities Welcome Bottle of Wine per stateroom Choice of OLife Choice Amenities: $600 Shipboard Credit per stateroom ($300 pp) OR 6 Shore Excursions per stateroom (3 pp) OR Drink Package $100 Aquamar Spa Credit per stateroom Mind, Body & Soul Experiences including yoga, pilates and fitness classes Specialty Dinner at Bloody Mary's Restaurant in Bora Bora Half Day Island Tour in Papeete upon disembarkation Day Room in 4 Star Tahiti hotel post-cruise (1 per couple)
By Michelle Streicher 08 Jan, 2020
Tourism Australia has released a statement about the state of Australia's bushfires.
By Michelle Streicher 01 Jul, 2016
On a recent trip to Sydney, Australia I was introduced to Spice Alley. What a special culinary experience. Unless a local makes the introduction, it is unlikely a visitor will find this little gem on their own….so let me introduce you. Spice Alley, located on Kensington Street, is tucked away on the city side of Central Park just off Broadway on the eastern fringe of Chippendale. The Kensington Street area is steeped in colonial history and presents an idiosyncratic profile of heritage buildings and soaring steel structures. Spice Alley is home to the Kopi-Tiam; four hawker-style diners under glowing lantern ceilings. This laneway which meanders through the landscape of Asian cuisine is bordered by two small restaurants. -Japanese dining hall KYO-TO and Vietnamese fares from the glass-faced Mekong . Dine on Singaporean dishes at Alex Lee Kitchen, Bang Luck Kitchen, Bang Luck Thai Street Food and Old Jim Kee’s Malaysian spices and Cantonese street food. Spice Alley unites family recipes from across the Asian continent. Looking to dine where Sydneysiders dine? Spice Alley is the place to visit.
By Michelle Streicher 06 Jun, 2016
Recently my daughter and I had the opportunity to experience Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. From the moment we landed in Kingscote, we were treated like royalty. We were quickly whisked away in a comfortable and luxurious van for our hour long roadtrip to the southern side of the island. Upon arriving at the gated property, each guest receives a warm welcome and glass of bubbles. No queues at this check-in. With your own Guest Services member, guests are seated in the Great Room facing the magnificent view that is the Southern Ocean. Here guests receive an overview of the Lodge, their accommodation, the meals and their personalised touring itinerary.
By Michelle Streicher 05 Feb, 2016
Freycinet Marine Oyster Farm has THE experience for all you oyster lovers. Don a pair of waders and visit a working oyster farm located in a beautiful setting within an internationally significant wetland and ornithological site. Develop an understanding for wetland and marine ecology, plus a taste for prized Pacific oysters. Where? The beautifully situated Saffire Freycinet located on the East Coast of Tasmania. Saffire Freycinet’s complimentary Marine Oyster Farm experience is one of the many activities included at this Luxury Lodge of Australia. Where else can you shuck oysters straight from the farm?
By Michelle Streicher 15 Nov, 2015
Chin Chin Restaurant focuses on South-East Asian cuisine with Benjamin Cooper as its executive chef. This super trendy and popular restaurant is modelled on the hawker dining halls of Asia with a shared-eating concept. Chin Chin Restaurant has a walk-in only policy except for one table of 10-12. They aim to serve their diners the freshest ingredients with all of their sauces, pastes and relishes made in-house. Located at 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne – Chin Chin is open every day except for Xmas Day from 11am till late, 7 days a week. Where are you going to dine when you visit Melbourne?
Show More
Share by: