Australian Tourism Exchange
Katherine Madill reviews the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE23) conference
Some of the best from Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE23) conference
I attended the annual International Australian Tourism Exchange on the Gold Coast with over 1000 suppliers showcasing their products over 5 days. I spoke with many exciting lodges & hotels and tour companies offering new experiences. It was intense! - but I learnt so much. Some highlights for me were…
The Great Walks of Australia – So many great options from one day through to a week. Two fantastic Tasmanian options I liked were Maria Island by Wild Bush Luxury where you can stay in lovely lodge accommodation and have everything laid on for you. Or the more intrepid Wakulina Walk in the Bay of Fires which is a 4 day Aboriginal owned & operated guided walk including bush tuck and stories of their mob.
Two hotels which stood out for me were the Emporium Hotel in Brisbane, so handy in Southbank. This 5-star boutique hotel has elegant suites rooms and a super stylish rooftop Terrace bar overlooking the river & city – all for a very reasonable price too! Another favourite for me was United Places Hotel Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, just a few minutes from the city and MCG this chic boutique hotel has large balconies overlooking the peaceful gardens. A little oasis. There are also many fabulous lodges to stay at scattered all over the country ranging from hip seaside hotel in Byron Bay (the IN Place!!) to remote islands, rainforest retreats and rustic outback experiences. And you don’t have to be on the land: there are houseboats, paddle steamers, yachts and high-end cruises on the Kimberly coastline – something for everyone.
I talked to various Tourist Commissions about what made their area special and discovered some parts of Australia that are worth seeing but only the locals know about… a bit like Coromandel is a hidden gem. Some of these include the award winning Grand Pacific Drive along the coast just south of Sydney. Or the 2 / 3-day drive around the Port Philip loop below Melbourne down the Mornington Peninsula to Sorrento, then ferrying across to Queenscliff where you can dine on the premier Q-Train, take in some wineries and head back to the city via Geelong.
I was looking for quality experiences to offer my clients, something a bit different from the ordinary. And there were many small companies operating and their expertise did not disappoint. Whether it be aboriginal bush tucker or foraging tours - right through to helicopter rides, sailing trips in Queensland, or stunning drone light displays near Uluru. Small group walking tours that have sprung up in the cities for locals only look behind the scenes – including a “Hidden Bar tour” down Melbourne’s laneways. Even outback pubs like Prairie Hotel in the one-dog town of Parachilna is an unexpected oasis of country style food, hospitality, and house-brewed beers! Wineries are always a huge drawcard in Australia with many now offering delightful accommodation along with tastings and onsite restaurants – or perhaps a picnic amongst the vines? And all this doesn’t have to cost the earth. Luxury does not just mean expensive – it means personal service, orchestrated adventures, and amazing memories.
Oh, and to top it all off - I cuddled a Koala!
