Pack your bags for the adventure of a lifetime when you head Down Under this April. Indulge in the allure of the Australian autumn and gear up for a range of activities – from coastal walks and bike trails to road trips and iconic laneways – Australia invites you to begin your journey of self-exploration.
“Autumn in Australia offers a unique experience with sweeping landscapes and is one of the best times for Singaporean travellers who are seeking some relaxation, restoration, and exploration, whether it’s indulging in some wining and dining with a spectacular view or taking it slow exploring a farmer’s market. There is no better place than Australia for your next adventure,” said Ann Lim, Country Manager Singapore of Tourism Australia.
Below is a monthly roundup of upcoming events as well as the latest tourism experiences, restaurant openings, and exciting new stays. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like more information on these or other uniquely Australian experiences!
Vivid Sydney (Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales): Invigorating the city of Sydney this May is the city’s award-winning annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology – Vivid Sydney. The awe-inspiring festival is back with a renewed focus on nature beauty, natural brilliance and natural wonder. Embodying 2023’s theme of Vivid Sydney, Naturally, the event will feature boundary-pushing artists, thinkers, musicians and culinary experts of our time who celebrate nature and authenticity. From 26 May – 17 June.
Tasting Australia (Adelaide/Tarntanya, South Australia): Prepare your tastebuds for Australia’ longest running eating and drinking festival. A celebration of people, produce and places, Tasting Australia is a ten-day celebration of exceptional eating and drinking experiences. This year’s edition features a tantalising program of Masterclasses, intimate tastings with Tasting Tables and Chef’s Table where you can witness world-famous chefs at work while hearing the stories behind their craft. From 28 April – 7 May.
Gold Coast Film Festival (Brisbane/Meeanjin, Queensland): Discover Queensland’s screen industry and how locals bring film to life at the annual 12-day Gold Coast Film Festival. With more than 100 films, panels, parties, pop-up cinemas and special events right across the Gold Coast, learn more about diverse Australian and International films, filmmakers, and film events. From 19 April till 30 April.
Dark Mofo (Hobart/nipaluna, Tasmania): This year marks a decade of Dark Mofo, a provocative midwinter festival that stretches imaginations with its unique, artistic expression. Explore a variety of offerings from the iconic Winter Feast to the nude solstice swim. This daring festival will allow for extreme merry making with its mesmerizing exhibitions, astounding visual shows at the Dark Park, and scrumptious spread for all to enjoy. From 8 – 22 June.
Enjoy a coastal walk with sweeping landscapes of the South Coast. Photo Credit: R Brand/DPE
Murramarang South Coast Walk (South Coast, New South Wales): Power up and reenergise with this new 34km Murramarang South Coast Walk on Yuin Country, starting at Pretty Beach to wherever your heart wants to take you to. Walking packages include transfers, a welcome tour, camping or accommodation at a choice of five beachside campgrounds, or beach-side cabins at Pretty, Pebbly, and Depot beaches, as well as local accommodation options in coastal villages along the route.
Hazy Days Bike Trail at Blue Derby (Derby, Tasmania): Strap on your helmet and lace up those shoes. Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails has launched Hazy Days, a beginners mountain bike trail north-east of Tasmania. Just a 90-minute drive northeast of Launceston, the trail is free to access, offering an approachable, rolling terrain perfect for beginners looking for a thrilling ride. Build up on your biking skills and work your way up to riding Blue Derby Mountain Bike’s many other world-class trails.
Wawa Biik (Euroa and Nagambie, Victoria): Explore the rich culture and immerse into the Taungurung story with three new cultural experiences recently launched by Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TlaWC). Each experience explores a different part of Tungurung Land, just an hour north of Melbourne. Wawa Nagambie explores the rich layers of living culture embodied in the land and waterways around Nagambie; wawa Euroa welcomes visitors to Euroa Arboretum (‘the Arb’), a nurtured pocket of Taungurung Country; and wawa tablik-tablik uncovers the 1,214 hectares of river flats located at Tahbilk Winery and Wetlands, with an extensive frontage to the Goulburn River and impressive backwaters and creeks. Visitors learn about cultural heritage, ceremony, the impacts of colonisation on Country and the next generation of Taungurung Culture.
Litchfield Waterfalls & Finnis River Lodge (Darwin, Northern Territory): Nautilus Aviation has added a new experience to its ranks with the Litchfield Waterfalls & Finnis River Lodge tour via helicopter. Guests can hop on this four-hour tour in Darwin and fly 100km south to Finnis River Lodge in Litchfield National Park, where they land for a bespoke meal. The flying time will include a view of pristine waterfalls and giant canyons, accompanied by a guided tour that encapsulates the most iconic experiences of Australia’s Top End. Stop for an exhilarating dip at a private swimming spot at Sandy Creek before you head back to Darwin.
Hip New Places to Eat & Drink
Promenade Bondi Beach (Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales): Dine at Promenade Bondi Beach, located in the scenic Bondi Pavilion by Australia’s most iconic beach. Situated under the historic arches and Spanish-inspired roof of the Bondi Pavilion, this spacious venue offers a restaurant, intimate private spaces, and a sprawling beachside terrace bar. Soak up the sun and surf while you indulge in delicious seaside dining, with influences from coastal regions around the globe made with contemporary techniques that champion Australian produce.
Mount Monument Restaurant (Romsey, Victoria): Nestled on the southern side of Mount Monument in Victoria’s stunning Macedon Ranges, the two-storey Mount Monument Restaurant is carved into the hillside. This stunning dining venue includes an elevated floor offering breath-taking views of the eastern horizon and vineyard, while the cellar door faces west towards the forecourt and curated sculpture park. The menu features modern European fine dining staples to complement Mount Monument’s minimal-intervention, French-style wines. Indulge in a four-course meal paired with the perfect wine to end your day.
Vin Populi (Fremantle, Western Australia): Savour the taste of authentic Italian cuisine at Vin Populi. Step inside from Fremantle’s High Street and be transported to a classic Italian trattoria, complete with exposed plaster walls, mosaic-tiled floors, and soft linen valance curtains. With traditional and contemporary Italian dishes, including freshly-made pasta and sensational cured meats, Vin Populi provides the perfect pairing to complete your meal with their extensive selection of both Italian and local wines.
Any Given Sunday (Adelaide/Tarntanya, South Australia): Discover Any Given Sunday, the newest addition to Adelaide’s north-west hospitality scene. Open all week, this coffee shop is located in a charmingly converted corner store and is already causing a stir among locals. Serving up delectable coffee and pastries with a selection of sandwiches and toasties, Any Given Sunday is the perfect spot for a morning pick-me-up or a leisurely breakfast.
Totti’s Lorne (Lorne, Victoria): Totti’s, Merivale’s beloved Bondi restaurant, has expanded its horizons and ventured to the coastal town of Lorne. Step off the beach and into Totti’s Lorne, where you can find Totti’s signature dishes with a local touch. Sip and snack on delectable dishes showcasing the finest local seafood and produce, from succulent King George Whiting to tender Apollo Bay octopus, accompanied by local wines to show off the best of the region.
Exciting New Stays
Laneways by Ovolo (Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria): Lose yourself amidst Melbourne’s iconic laneways when you book a stay Laneways by Ovolo, the perfect starting point for any Melbourne adventure. Inspired by the colourful 80s Memphis Group design, the reimagined public spaces and rooms, as well as an all-new drinking and dining venue, Amphlett House, promise to elevate Melbourne’s hotel experience with a colourful nod (and cheeky wink) to the city’s vibrant laneways and eclectic offerings.
Kyneton Springs Motel (Kyneton, Victoria): Have a feel of a classic Australian road trip and the cool glamour of California’s Palm 
Springs in the newly refurbished Kyneton Springs Motel. Created by former restaurateur Catherine Foote and the creative team at Good / Hands, the aesthetic new look is filled with nostalgic vibes. Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Kynetons newest motel is the perfect stop for countryside road trips with no two spaces the same; all 20 kitschy-cool rooms have been individually designed and come with Wi-Fi, access to streaming services, high-quality bedding, and deluxe bathroom products
Horizontal Falls (Talbot Bay, Western Australia): Discover one of the world’s greatest wonders with the Ultimate Horizontal Falls Luxury Stay. Departing from Talbot Bay in the Kimberley, the 24-hour voyage on the Jetwave Pearl, a floating hotel, offers 20 guests three types of rooms, including premium cabins with queen beds, en-suites and balconies. Splurge on the luxury package for a phenomenal experience, with a scenic seaplane flight over the enchanting Horizontal Falls, power boat cruises through the creek system, locally sourced dinners, and more.
Vibe Hotel Adelaide (Adelaide/Tarntanya, South Australia): Celebrate local talent of Adelaide when you book a room at Vibe Hotel Adelaide. Every room in this accommodation features photography from local artist, Alex Frayne, and displays contemporary inspired furnishings that further encapsulate the South Australian spirit. Located moments from the city’s dining and cultural hub, the hotel is in walking distance to the iconic Rundle Mall, Central Market, Botanic Gardens, Hutt Street and Vardon Avenue.
Ritz-Carlton Melbourne (Melbourne, Narrm): Soaring 80 stories above the city, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne hosts 257 elegantly appointed rooms or suites for guests to bathe in the hotel’s breath-taking views of the city. Enjoy an elevated experience with the hotel’s signature level 80 dining experience at Atria, multiple holistic wellness spaces, and an instantly iconic infinity pool. This stunning hotel brings a true Melburnian experience for guests to truly connect with the vibrant city.
