AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND – WHAT TO BOOK RIGHT NOW
Whether to secure availability for sought-after events or be among the first to enjoy epic new experiences, here is a round-up of what to book right now:
SOUGHT-AFTER ANNUAL EVENTS
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
For the first time ever, the Australian Open will begin with a special Opening Ceremony under the lights of Rod Laver Arena (17 January 2026) where tennis, music and culture come together to celebrate the icons who shaped the game and the stars who will define its future.
Our Travel Designers can provide access to a collection of once-in-a-lifetime elevated experiences including opportunities to meet Roger Federer himself. Availability is extremely limited and won’t last long.
FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX
Australia’s Formula 1 Grand Prix (5-8 March 2026) is gaining popularity year by year – and keen spectators are encouraged to book early to secure their preferred Melbourne accommodation for this annual event too.
Ahead of the event itself, Melbourne has welcomed the Asia-Pacifc debut of The Formula 1 exhibition that provides an immersive introduction (through to April 2026) to the sport’s past, present and future.
Ask our Travel Design team to tailor touring especially for car enthusiasts, such as a scenic flight and self-drive tour of the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, by helicopter and Ferrari.
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.
For keen runners, the Southern Crossings Travel Design team can curate guided harbourside jogging tours of Sydney and riverside runs in Melbourne, along with a collection of fabulous walking trails and tours across the country – and wonderful wellness experiences to recuperate too.
SYDNEY NEW YEAR’S EVE 2026-27
The Park Hyatt Sydney, which enjoys front-row seats to the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks each year, has released the details of their celebrations for the 2026-27 festivities including an exclusive superyacht sunset cruise and special inclusions for guests of the harbourside hotel’s spectacular suites.
SPECIAL EVENTS
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2027
The teams have been selected and the pools have been announced for the next rugby union world cup. Hosted across Australia (with games in Adelaide – Tarntanya, Brisbane – Meeanjin, Melbourne – Naarm, Newcastle – Awabakal-Worimi, Perth – Boorloo, Townsville – Gurambilbarra and Sydney – Warrane) between 1 October and 23 November 2027, rugby fans can enjoy special access hospitality packages and exclusive rugby-centred experiences by registering their interest with us.
Rugby fans visiting the region in 2026 can also enjoy a collection of international matches with the New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies facing up against Ireland, Italy and France in July (with matches held in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, Sydney and Brisbane).
SPECTACULAR NEW EXPERIENCES
Be among the first to experience a collection of new luxury travel experiences 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 that 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 (including a Ningaloo Coast itinerary, with the opportunity to swim with whalesharks, for March 2027).
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.
DIVINE NEW WELLNESS EXPERIENCES – in New Zealand’s North and South Islands
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. These are in addition to Queenstown’s new wellness indulgences at the new ROKI Collection Queenstown, Bathhouse Queenstown and Bathe by Allum – which will also include a new floating sauna experience on Lake Wakatipu from mid 2026.
THE WATAI LODGE FIORDLAND EXPERIENCE – from November 2025
A new fully-inclusive two-day experience, staying at Waitai Lodge (one of New Zealand’s most secluded lodgings usually reserved for the final night’s stay for hikers on the four-day Hollyford Track wilderness hiking experience). The new Fiordland itinerary includes scenic private helicopter transfers, all food and drinks, a luxury lunch cruise in Milford Sound and a range of optional activities during the overnight stay at Waitai Lodge – including a soak in the outdoor hot-tub, guided walks and wildlife encounters or a scenic jetboat experience.
THE LODGE AT CRAGGY RANGE – from March 2026
The new exclusive-use Lodge at Craggy Range will provide 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.
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 prepare to reveal a new level of luxury with the introduction of two fabulous new luxury accommodation suites available on Australia’s Indian-Pacific and Ghan rail journeys from April 2026.
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 3 night northbound itinerary (between Adelaide and Darwin) for 2027 that will include a new stop to explore the spectacular ancient outback landscapes of the Flinders Ranges; a destination that recently featured in Lonely Planet’s Top 25 must-visit destinations across the planet).
NEW AND EXCLUSIVE EARNSLAW BURN GLAMPING EXPERIENCE – from Summer 2025/26
Enjoy the very privileged and limited opportunity to experience New Zealand’s dramatic Earnslaw Burn in complete privacy and seclusion with an overnight heli-glamping experience immersed in some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking landscapes. The all-inclusive and very exclusive experience includes scenic helicopter flights over the Southern Alps, guided alpine landings and an overnight camping experience just for two. Dine on locally sourced produce prepared by your host and accompanied with fine New Zealand wines as you marvel at the ‘hanging’ glacier glistening in the fading light, whilst day gives way to spectacular star-studded skies.
THE NEW ULURU-KATA TJUTA SIGNATURE WALK – from April 2026
A spectacular new 5-day hiking experience through Australia’s spiritual heart, the Uluru Kata Tjuta Signature Walk which traverses some of Australia’s most iconic outback landscapes between Uluru and the Kata Tjuta has been 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 stay 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.
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 Signature Walk season runs from April through to September, from April 2026.
ORPHEUS ISLAND REIMAGINED – from July 2026
The Great Barrier Reef Island resort will take a pause following the festive season (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. Suites will also include a spacious separate living area opening to a private patio, to be revealed in July 2026.
Header image: Odalisque expedition cruising in Tasmania’s South West wilderness
