Features

Here’s everything you should do for your first time in Bangkok

Bangkok is exciting. Sure, you’ve heard that one before, but it should be repeated at all times. It’s one of travel’s most reliable facts. Bangkok is this irrepressible beast of a city, as diverse as it is chaotic. You’ll never run of things to see and do here, which makes planning a trip a bit…

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Small City, Big Vibe: Reno, Nevada is more than Burning Man’s gateway

“The Biggest Little City in the World”: ambitious nickname for Reno and a loaded slogan for anyone who dares doubt the vitality of Las Vegas’ overshadowed sibling. Once the divorce capital of the USA, due to the blunt efficiency of Washoe County Courthouse, this Nevada hotspot flows with a lively cosmopolitan culture, rapidly emerging hipster…

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LAX ferries rideshare & taxi passengers away from the terminal with “LAX-it”: Three months in, does it save time?

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been undergoing a number of welcome changes over the last couple of years: long overdue upgraded terminals, new walkways connecting terminals post-security, and a wide range of enhancements designed to make the experience of being at one of the world’s busiest airports all that better. Higher quality food,…

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How to get to the Grand Canyon without a car (and other adventures in Arizona)

I’ve always been flabbergasted by America’s undying reliance on the car. Unless you’re in a city like Chicago or New York which has a heavily ingrained public transport system, if you tell someone you’re getting from point A to point B without a car, they look at you with confusion. The concept just seems so…

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Tigerlily’s top five tips on balancing wellness and travel

Not only is she one of Australia’s most successful DJ exports, the eternally vibrant DJ Tigerlily (AKA Dara Hayes) is now increasingly known for her sharp focus on all things wellness. Whilst travelling, performing and partying all over the world, the rainbow-haired DJ and producer has managed to maintain a noticeably healthy lifestyle, influential amongst…

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Ed Wells at Home: A few of my favourite things (About London)

London based, Sydney raised singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Ed Wells has long been a friend of the AU, and today Ed is releasing his debut EP, Home, produced by Luke Gerber. Musically, the EP is a vibrant mix of modern soul and R&B, a collection of songs of which Ed has reflected on different aspects of modern life….

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24 hours in Pattaya: Walking Street isn’t the only thing in this resort city

Many tourists unfortunately associate the beachside city of Pattaya with its notorious Walking Street. That’s understandable, but it’s also a massive overlook to what can be a fantastic weekend away from Bangkok’s kinetic social scene. The resort city not only has one of the country’s most spectacular temples, the eternally developing Sanctuary of Truth, but…

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Five new Broadway shows to see in New York City

New York City’s famed Broadway Collection isn’t slowing down for 2020, with five new productions set to open throughout the year. From a musical based on cult comedy Mrs. Doubtfire, to an ambitious show tracking the creative process and indelible work of Michael Jackson, these five are well worth paying attention to for those planning…

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Why Chicago International Film Festival is worth travelling for in 2020

In its 55th year of competition, the Chicago International Film Festival – the longest-running of its kind in the USA – once again acted as a beacon for cinephiles the world over, showcasing meaningful works across various genres and countries. Film festivals have long been considered some of the greatest and most impactful destination events…

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How to spend the perfect weekend in New Caledonia

Designated an official Overseas French Territory, New Caledonia is the closest slice of that delicious European lifestyle for Australian travellers looking to escape. The unique blend of its unmistakable South Pacific vibes and prevalent French influences make this major scuba diving and gourmand destination one of the most essential getaways for Aussies who have limited…

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The best ways to spend 24 Hours in Jasper, Alberta

The great Canadian Rockies are, rightfully, always found near the very top when adventurous travellers reveal their bucket list. Why? Well, exploring this immense and memorable part of the world is not just a true journey into powerful natural landscapes, but a path that might just redefine the way you think about travel and its…

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The ultimate guide to Phuket, for people who can’t stand Patong

If you’ve cringed at the thought of making your way to Thailand’s tourism hotspot of Phuket, then Patong is probably to blame. The island’s resort town and party centre is a constant reference for bad impressions. Although, this garish, hyper-boganised side of Phuket is a far cry from the rest of the island, with many…

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Cruising the Mekong: Best things to do in Can Tho, Vietnam

Can Tho, Vietnam may not be the first city on everyone’s bucket list, but don’t mistake it’s relative obscurity for anything but a lack of exposure. As the biggest city along the famed Mekong Delta, it is now enjoying a swift boost in interest from those looking to explore the diverse country, thanks to greater…

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Everything you should do at Cape Town’s bustling V&A Waterfront

The historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is an essential part of any Cape Town itinerary. Shadowed by heaving Table Mountain and populated with restaurants, bars, shops and museums, the port is one of the most visually stunning precincts in the world. From what was once built as a refreshing station in at The Cape of…

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Why Santa Rosa is one of the best weekends away from San Francisco

People talk of some kind of imagined competition between Sonoma and Napa, both highly touted regions of California Wine Country; the reality is that both regions are as the strong as each other. Sure, Napa may just have a prestigious edge to its international reputation, but the much larger Sonoma County, with its 13 AVA’s…

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How to Plan a Canadian Ski Holiday on a Budget

Whether you are a seasoned pow chaser or beginner shredder, everyone knows Canadian snow is the absolute stuff of legend. For 5-6 months a year, soft, fluffy snow falls all across the province, and visitors from every corner of the globe flock for a piece of the action.  For folks on the other side of…

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Telluride Film Festival 2020

Five U.S. film festivals that are worth the trip in 2020

Travelling for arts festivals is one of the most enriching experiences an intrepid adventurer can have. Not only are you able to explore a destination as you normally would, and take in the many sights, sounds and experiences on offer, you also have access to a curated program brimming with creativity. Whether that means you’ve…

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Here’s how you can help victims of the bushfires in Australia

Australia is, at this very moment, gripped in a calamity the scale of which the country has never seen before. I’m sure you are already aware of the bushfires which are destroying entire communities and threatening countless more. They have taken lives, properties, livelihoods, they have killed almost half a billion animals, and we aren’t…

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11 theme parks and attractions opening in 2020 around the world to get excited about

It’s going to be a massive year in 2020 for those who enjoy theme parks, with a number of brand new, highlight anticipated parks and expansions opening up all over the world. There are also new museums, IMAX cinemas and even hotels that are worthy of getting excited about here in Australia and overseas. Here’s…

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The best way to spend a weekend in California’s iconic Napa Valley

The small city of Napa is no longer just a stepping stone to the many venerated vineyards that populate Northern California’s Napa Valley. Although once seen as the forgettable part of an unforgettable wine adventure, recent years have worked magic around Napa’s boutique-minded downtown, propping it up as the most ideal base for discerning wine…

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11 of the most incredible things to see in the Canadian Rockies

Want to experience something truly surreal? We’re talking genuinely life-affirming, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping sights that will forever be etched into your memory. See everything you possibly can in the Canadian Rockies. Hike it, drive it, sit on a solitary pier tearing up at the profound beauty of it all; fear this immense pocket of untamed nature…

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What it’s like seeing a concert in Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Honestly, is there any live music experience as prized in the U.S as seeing a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for the first time? Sure, there’s South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, Billy Bob’s, the jazz of New Orleans, and the blues of Memphis, but none quite compare to the myth and majesty of this…

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20 gift ideas if you really want to sleigh Christmas this year

What makes the perfect Christmas gift? Something that tugs the receiver’s heart strings? something the receiver has already asked for? or something the receiver didn’t know they even needed in the first place? It of course depends on the individual (and the gift-giver), and that should be your first consideration when trying to find the…

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This New York to Sydney route is perfect if you can’t sleep on planes and want to avoid jet lag

With all this talk about the new NYC to Sydney direct route that Qantas are proposing to launch in the coming years – and the Air New Zealand direct NYC to Auckland route that’s going to get us one step closer in October 2020 – I can’t help but wonder if there is a better…

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Why David Byrne’s American Utopia is unlike anything Broadway has ever seen

I’ve always loved the theatricality of music; that indescribable feeling it can provided when presented with a bit of bombastic flair. But I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a production bring so much life to its soundtrack, as David Byrne has achieved  with his American Utopia show – which is currently enjoying a 16…

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The best live music venues in Washington D.C.

They may have just been crowned champions of Major League Baseball, but the city of Washington D.C. has plenty to celebrate year round, given they’re one of America’s finest hubs for live music – boasting some of the country’s best live music venues, in a thriving scene. It may not at all be what you’d…

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Portland, Oregon: The musical heartbeat of America’s West Coast

When one thinks of the music industry in the US, there are three cities that immediately comes to mind: LA, New York and Nashville. The vast majority of music companies are based there, and on face value a lot of the creativity is happening there, too. Historically that’s not wrong – but in 2019, it…

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What to do in Sydney over the next few weeks (October-November)

Entering an immersive world of alt-circus performers and steampunk oddities, watching in awe as one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the world is transformed by art, and taking part in deep, serious and playful discussions about what goes on in a city after the sun sets. These are just a few of the…

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If you’re looking for Gold Coast’s creative scene, you’ll find it here

Gold Coast is a city built of soft sand and hardy skyrises. At least that’s the short version of it, with the famous beach destination unfairly shouldering the burden of many rash stereotypes throughout the years, the most unfortunate of which has to do with the raucous yearly celebration of “Schoolies”. Much like Canberra and…

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The best live music venues in Seattle

Insular, rainy and oft ignored for bigger cities like New York and L.A, Seattle’s music scene in the 90’s benefitted greatly from its relative obscurity. While no one was paying attention, the city birthed some of the greatest artists and bands that have ever lived, sprouting an everlasting impact that would change music and pop…

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