Travel

Spirit in the skyAfter more than 50 years Qantas retires 747

Qantas is finally retiring the 747, a plane Bill Gates called ‘the world first worldwide web’ as it brought mass travel to the world with its economics.

Geoffrey Thomas

StaycationsGet out and explore Tasmania’s backyard

Make yourself at home – that’s the message from the state’s tourism operators to Tasmanians as they gear up for reopening in just over two weeks. SEE THE VIDEO >>

JESSICA HOWARD

Border restrictionsNT caravan parks back in demand as grey nomads warm to travel

CARAVAN parks are getting ready to welcome back grey nomads and interstate travellers as the Northern Territory’s strict border controls look set to loosen

NATASHA EMECK, natasha.emeck@news.com.au

The West Aussie WaveGive a friendly wave to make road trips safer

It’s the long weekend, coronavirus restrictions have been removed, and West Australians are heading down south in droves. Let’s make roadtrips safer and friendlier by bringing back the wave.

Sarah Steger

NEW REALITYHow tourism has changed forever

Keyless room entry, COVID-19 quality assurance systems and the death of the buffet. Welcome to the many small ways in which the pandemic will change travel and tourism forever.

David Mills

Tourism bubbleMore countries rush to join Aussie travel bubble

Proposals for a global tourism bubble are rapidly expanding with Israel planning to join as a gateway to Europe and the popular destination for America’s rich and famous also wanting in.

Clare Armstrong, David Aidone, James MacSmith

Coronavirus NTAlice Springs Desert Park reopens as restrictions ease

THE Alice Springs Desert Park has reopened — with two new self-guided audio tours available for visitors — as the NT’s coronavirus restrictions ease

SARAH MATTHEWS

Close FinnishVirtual Happiness Guide for rent in Finland

Finnish happiness isn’t just skin deep, it’s a superpower. Rent your personal Finn and learn what makes Finland the world’s happiest nation.

Mogens Johansen

TravelLiving the dream in Phuket

Wilson kept Tom Hanks company in the movie Castaway... We found another Wilson living the dream in Phuket

Mogens Johansen

Coronavirus NTNT Airbnb bookings soar as restrictions ease

AIRBNB bookings in NT have soared by 93 per cent as Territorians prepare to explore their own backyards under newly relaxed restrictions

NATASHA EMECK, natasha.emeck@news.com.au

New demandPerth the ‘gateway to Europe’ in post COVID-19 era

More nonstop Qantas flights from Perth to London and Europe could emerge as passengers flock to long-haul travel to avoid transfers in South East Asia.

Geoffrey Thomas

Coronavirus NTTraditional owners calling for Kakadu to reopen

TRADITIONAL owners have called for Kakadu National Park to be reopened to visitors as soon as possible

NATASHA EMECK

Coronavirus NTNT scraps need for enforced mandatory hotel quarantine

MANDATORY quarantining in hotels for people coming to the Territory will be scrapped, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has announced

JUDITH AISTHORPE and MADURA McCORMACK

Reconciliation weekAboriginal artist aims to connect over tough issues

Justin Martin, a Noongar man, has redesigned today’s The West Australian masthead in honour of Reconciliation Week. He hopes the design will engage conversations with the paper’s readers.

Annabel Hennessy

Travel credits and refundsTravel credits and refunds.. are they making you angry?

Dennis Bunnik, chairman of the Council of Australian Tour Operators tackles those questions and explain the complexities of the tourism “ecosystem” in a comprehensive Q&A

Mogens Johansen

Coronavirus restrictionsMore NT parks open, Kakadu and Uluru remain shut

PARKS and reserves across the NT will reopen from June 5 as level three restrictions ease

JUDITH AISTHORPE

Coronavirus lockdownsGunner warned of mass job losses over border closures

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has been challenged to release the scientific advice that is keeping the Territory’s borders closed — and warned he is risking mass job losses

GARY SHIPWAY, gary.shipway@news.com.au

Trade war‘Gossip’: Wine exporter’s China trade fears hosed down

The Federal Government was tonight dismissing speculation Australian wine was the latest product caught in the crossfire of the trade war with China after a Perth based exporter raised the alarm.

Ray Jordan

Eye spyPan Pacific installs thermal cameras amid COVID threat

One of Perth’s biggest hotels will be reopened to the public - together with new coronavirus protections - after it was no longer needed to quarantine passengers returning from international flights.

Peter de Kruijff

The Pod Well TravelledBonny brae in WA

You don’t have to travel outside WA for a genuine European farm experience, as WILL YEOMAN discovers

Will Yeoman

Coronavirus NTFyles backs away from saying tourists not welcome in the Dry

HEALTH Minister Natasha Fyles has denied saying there will be no tourists in the NT during the Dry season, despite last month insisting travellers were not welcome

RAPHAELLA SAROUKOS, raphaella.saroukos@news.com.au

Borders downWA borders down for long weekend despite four new cases

Western Australians will be able to travel freely anywhere in the state besides the Kimberley in time for the WA Day long weekend, Premier Mark McGowan revealed this afternoon.

Josh Zimmerman