Australia / NZ

In the early days of human history, the night sky was a central character in cultural lore and belief systems. Before artificial light and electrical power, the stars were the primary show available to everyone each night, and the stories about stars, constellations, and other astronomical phenomena seem almost as …

New Zealand has launched a tongue-in-cheek campaign called ‘Travelling under the social influence’ to urge people to stop taking influencer-style photoshoots at tourism hotspots. The campaign is comprised of a series of funny videos designed to encourage Instagrammers to avoid clichéd social media shots and share new aspects of the country …

Forget hang-gliding and paragliding – there’s nothing like the rush of jumping from a plane at 12,000ft. Just about anyone can tandem skydive, but sky surfing, wingsuit surfing and BASE jumping are best left to pros. Where to try it: choose an idyllic natural setting like Byron Bay, Australia (try Skydive Australia), the Swiss …

After bush fires ravaged Tasmania in early 2019, the Tahune Airwalk was fortunately spared enough to be able to reopen at the end of the year. Guests observe this Unesco World Heritage area from almost 100ft (30m) above the forest floor and 165ft (50m) above the Huon River while traversing 2030ft (619m) of walkway (which …

Given the sensitivity – and sometimes deadliness – of the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, there’s no better way to explore the Daintree in Queensland than from above. Some 26ft (11m) above the ground, guests with any level of mobility can look for cassowaries and tree-kangaroos knowing they’ve made the sustainable decision to …

As night falls in Rotorua, New Zealand, the redwood forests of this North Island town come alive with light and magic. A gentle walk up a winding ramp brings you to the first of 27 platforms connected by secure, swinging bridges. The experience of standing up to 65ft (20m) above the fern-covered …

While travel to and from Australia and New Zealand seems likely to be limited in, at the very least, the early stretches of 2021, residents there can plan to catch a different aurora. The aurora australis – or southern lights – are the same phenomenon on the other side of the Earth. With less landmass …

South of Newcastle Beach, below King Edward Park, is Australia’s oldest ocean bath, the convict-carved Bogey Hole. It’s an atmospheric place to splash about when the surf’s crashing over its edge, but be wary at high tide.

At Coogee Beach’s northern end, below Dolphin Point, Giles Baths is what’s known as a “bogey hole” – a semiformal rock pool open to the surging surf. It’s good for kids and those with shark paranoia.

Sydney’s most famous pool commands the best view in Bondi, and is one of its more community-oriented spaces. There’s a sauna and a cute little cafe. The saltwater lapping pool is regularly doused by the bigger breakers, but there’s a more sheltered pool for kids. It closes on Thursdays so they …