AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND – WHAT TO BOOK RIGHT NOW
Whether to be among the first to enjoy epic new experiences or to secure availability for sought-after events; here is a round-up of what to book right now:
SPECTACULAR NEW EXPERIENCES
Be among the first to experience a collection of new luxury travel offerings in Australia and New Zealand over the coming months:
A COLLECTION OF NEW EXPEDITION CRUISES – from Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast to the wilds of Tasmania
Western Australia’s remote and rugged coastline offers some spectacular sights, experiences and adventures for luxury travellers that are best accessed and viewed from the water. We are pleased to be able to offer a selection of fabulous experiences along this coastline including the new Paspaley Pearl which also offers exclusive windows into the world of Paspaley’s pearling operations, Ocean Dream that offers private charter cruising along this coast for a maximum of just 12 indulged guests and some exciting new itineraries from True North.
Meanwhile in Tasmania, travellers can now enjoy a shorter 2-night wilderness expedition cruise with Odalisque III to explore the island state’s World Heritage South-West wildernesses.
A STUNNING ADDITION TO MT ISTHMUS PRIVATE VILLA
The Lindis Group’s Mt Isthmus private villa overlooking Lake Hawea in New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps will include an enhanced new outdoor living and dining experience including the new addition of a stunning swimming pool in time for the 2026-27 festive and summer season.
DIVINE NEW WELLNESS EXPERIENCES – across New Zealand, now and coming soon
In recognition of luxury travellers’ desires to incorporate wellness experiences into their adventures, Te Arai Links golf resort in New Zealand’s Northland and Flockhill in the Southern Alps have both recently added new world-class wellness facilities to their offering with everything from hot tubs and cold plunge to indulgent spa treatments and state-of-the-art restorative therapies.
These, in addition to Queenstown’s new wellness indulgences at the new ROKI Collection Queenstown, Bathhouse Queenstown and Bathe by Aluume.
THE LODGE AT CRAGGY RANGE
A new exclusive-use Lodge at Craggy Range now provides a luxurious new base from which to explore New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay vineyards. Set on Craggy Range’s picturesque Giants Estate, the generously proportioned, full-service private villa style stay provides contemporary luxury accommodation for up to 8 guests and special access to Craggy Range wine tasting experiences.
TWO NEW VILLAS AT ANNANDALE – Mid 2026
Annandale Coastal Farm on New Zealand’s Banks Peninsula will soon have two new additions to its luxury villa collection. The stunning new Wakaroa Point two-bedroom villa nestled into the property’s picturesque coastal landscapes and the two-bedroom Shearwater Historic Villa in a beautifully reimagined residence exuding contemporary warmth and comforts.
A NEW LEVEL OF LUXURY ON AUSTRALIA’S ICONIC RAIL JOURNEYS – from April 2026
The world’s epic rail journeys have long conjured up notions of glamour and romance, and with the growing appetite for slower and more sustainable ways to travel, have also been enjoying a renewed golden age of train travel. Meanwhile, Australia’s iconic rail journeys now offer a new elevated level of luxury with the introduction of two fabulous new luxury accommodation suites available on Australia’s Indian-Pacific and Ghan rail journeys.
The new ‘Aurora’ and ‘Australis’ suites will bring an unparalleled level of world-class luxury to Australia’s epic rail journeys. Each one boasting a separate bedroom with a fixed queen-size bed, en-suite and private lounge area. Guests of the new suites also enjoy the services of a dedicated butler, Bollinger Champagne served throughout the journey, exclusive off-train adventures and the option of in-suite dining or joining fellow travellers in the new Platinum Club carriage.
The Ghan iconic rail journey will also offer a new, extended three-night northbound itinerary (between Adelaide and Darwin) for 2027 that will include a new stop to explore the spectacular ancient outback landscapes of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges; a destination that recently featured in Lonely Planet’s Top 25 must-visit destinations across the planet).
THE NEW ULURU-KATA TJUTA SIGNATURE WALK – from April 2026
A spectacular new multi-day hiking experience through Australia’s spiritual heart (available as a 5-day (54km) Uluru Kata Tjuta Signature Walk and a 4-day (34km) Uluru Kata Tjuta Lodge Walk), traverses some of Australia’s most iconic outback landscapes between Uluru and the Kata Tjuta. Developed in close consultation with Anangu Traditional Owners, the immersive outback journey offers the privileged opportunity to connect with ancient culture and landscapes, hiking and staying within the World Heritage-listed Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.
Hikers on the Signature Walk stay two nights in exclusive camps (with the opportunity to sleep in comfort under canvas or in a swag under a blanket of stars) and spend the final two nights at a thoughtfully designed, purpose-built private lodge that also boasts a range of wellness amenities and treatments. Those who opt for the Lodge Walk, sleep the first night in the Desert Gardens Hotel and the following two nights in the new purpose-built hikers lodge within the national park.
From sunrise breakfasts to campfire dinners, delicious meals are enjoyed in spectacular settings; opportunities to enjoy captivating storytelling and relax with new-found friends.
The Uluru Kata Tjuta Walk season runs from April through to September annually.
ORPHEUS ISLAND REIMAGINED – from July 2026
The Great Barrier Reef Island resort will take a pause from welcoming guests (19 January – 29 June 2026) to undertake a significant refresh of their North Beachfront rooms, suites and villas including raising the ceilings, stylish new furnishings, redesigned bathrooms and enhanced outdoor areas. The reimagined suites will also include a spacious separate living area opening to a private patio, to be revealed in July 2026.
THE SAFFIRE JEWEL – opening December 2026
Tasmania’s breathtaking Saffire luxury lodge on the East Coast Freycinet Peninsula, will soon provide a stunning new ultraluxe three-master suite villa accommodation option, complete with private infinity pool and spacious outdoor terrace with fireplace and sweeping coastal views. Guests of the Saffire Jewel will also enjoy elevated experiences such as in-villa breakfasts, a dedicated guide and private-chef dining options.
EMIRATES WOLGAN VALLEY
Emirates Wolgan Valley will reopen later this year following $50 million dollar refresh and rebranding as the world’s first Ritz Carlton Lodge.
With just 40 freestanding accommodation villas (each with their own private plunge pool) set on a privately held and dramatically scenic 7,000-acre conservation reserve, enveloped by Blue Mountains World Heritage wilderness, Emirates Wolgan Valley is the invitation to explore Australia’s awe-inspiring nature whilst enjoying indulgent modern comforts with a true sense of place.
NEW FLIGHT CONNECTIONS
New flight connections continue to bring Australia and New Zealand closer to the rest of the world, with some notable new additions including:
Qantas’ new Las Vegas – Sydney direct service starting in December 2026; and British Airways’ London – Kuala Lumpur – Melbourne daily service from January 2027.
China Eastern’s new Buenos Aires – Auckland service, with onward connections to Australian destinations too, has brought New Zealand, Australia and Argentina closer together. Meanwhile, LATAM has also expanded its Santiago – Melbourne service to daily departures also improving flight times and connections between Australia and other Latin American cities including Buenos Aires .
SOUGHT-AFTER EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL RUGBY TESTS
Rugby fans have plenty of opportunities to catch an international tussle Down Under in 2026. Australia’s Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks will play each other (10 October in Auckland and 17 October in Sydney), and France, Italy, Ireland, South Africa and Japan in the months ahead.
Wallabies v Ireland (July 4, Sydney), France (July 11, Brisbane), Italy (July 18, Perth), Japan (15 August, Townsville) and South Africa (Sept 27, Perth).
All Blacks v France (July 4, Christchurch), Italy (July 11, Wellington) and Ireland (July 18, Auckland).
Now is also the time to start planning to catch the excitement when World Cup Rugby returns to Australia again in 2027 (with 52 matches played across Australia between 1 October and 13 November 2027).
The Southern Crossings team can curate tailored touring and special access experiences for rugby fans, including introductions to legends of the game.
SYDNEY MARATHON
The newest addition to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the TCS Sydney Marathon (30 August 2026) is a bucket-list event for any marathon runner with the 42km route crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, taking in some of the city’s most iconic sites and finishing up at the Sydney Opera House. Those who missed out on securing a place in the ballot can still participate in the event – reach out to our Travel Design team to find out how.
Registration for the 2027 Sydney Marathon is expected to open with a ballot system in late September / early October 2026. For further details or to register your interest, visit: www.tcssydneymarathon.com
NFL IN MELBOURNE: LA RAMS v SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Melbourne will host Australia’s first regular American Football NFL season game this year with the LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers going head to head in the Melbourne MCG on Friday 11 September 2026.
HORIZONTAL FESTIVAL OF FOOD, WINE & MUSIC IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Centennial Vineyard in the Southern Highlands (approximately 90 minutes south from Sydney) will host a delicious three-day festival (2-4 October 2026) celebrating local produce and world-renowned chefs (including a fabulous Fiesta del Fuego with Argentina’s internationally celebrated Francis Mallmann). Southern Crossings has access to VIP tickets and exclusive experiences.
FESTIVE SEASON 2026-27
If your new year’s resolution is to celebrate differently over the 2026-27 festive season, now is the time to start planning your ideal celebrations in Australia, New Zealand or Fiji. Whether just the two of you or the whole family; whether you’re looking for lakeside, beachfront or city centre; whether you’re seeking to get away from it all or immerse yourself in the centre of it all, we have that place; but our top tip for this time of year, is to book early.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS GRAND SLAM 2027
Whilst the excitement of the 2026 Australian Open is still in the air, now is the time to register your interest (and secure preferred accommodation) for next year’s highlight tennis event, hosted again in Melbourne 17 – 31 January 2027.
FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX 2027
Dates have yet to be set for the 2027 event (anticipated early April), but now is the time to register your interest with our team ausdesign@southern-crossings.com
Header image: Emirates Wolgan Valley reopening as the world’s first Ritz Carlton Lodge in 2026