EP 91 Australia's Ultimate Beaches, the top airports around the world & the best countries for a road trip
Australia has more than 10,000 beaches, so if you need a beachside break, how do you choose where to go?Celeste Mitchell, author of Ultimate Beaches Australia has scoured the nation to come up with 80 of the best beaches from the big names to some secret spots; places for world-class surf breaks or rock pools for the kids. Celeste is also the owner of the slow travel booking site, Life Unhurried and she reveals some of her top picks for beachside slow stays.Also, Skytrax’s annual survey of the top airports around the world is out. Can you guess which airport takes the top gong? And DiscoverCars.com reveals the best countries for a road trip. Take a listen to find out where they are!And co-host Belle Jackson visits the Bendigo Art Gallery for the Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition – a look at one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Support the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.auSend us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
--------
32:15
EP 90 The Cocos Keeling Islands, hot spots for European travel right now & top tips for staying safe when travelling solo
Giant green palms, sugar-white sand beaches where every shell seems to move with life, and gin-clear waters home to an aquarium of kaleidoscopic marine life.Welcome to the Cocos Keeling Islands – an atoll almost halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka where the airport runway doubles as the golf course, so infrequent are the flights.We explain why this special little spot should be on your travel bucket list – and if you’re travelling from Australia, you don’t even need a passport to get there. We also chat about Emirates' new data about the hot European destinations this winter, and Airbnb's spring travel report is out with some top tips for staying safe when you are a solo traveller.https://cocoskeelingislands.com.au/https://news.airbnb.com/2025-spring-trends-travelers-embrace-soft-slow-travel/Support the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.auSend us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
--------
30:04
EP 89 Where do inflight blankets go? Avgeek Dennis Bunnik tells all; best destinations for enlightenment & how to avoid flight delays
What do you do when a revolution breaks out? If you're Dennis Bunnik, you throw yourself into the thick of it. Dennis is co-owner of Bunnik Tours which, in 2025 celebrates 30 years taking Australians to every corner of the globe, and he chats to Belle about the situations he's found himself in as a very, very hands-on small group tour operator. He's also a hardcore aviation geek with a huge YouTube following for his airline reviews and behind-the-scenes access into the world of aviation, answering all the big questions like, "What happens to airline blankets?" He shares his hot tips for best airlines in all classes, adds a few airport lounge hacks and 'fesses up to the country-counting competition of his family. See bunniktours.com.au Also, where to go if you're seeking spiritual enlightenment on your next trip. New research from Psychic World reveals the top destinations we're searching for that deepen our connection to faith, heritage and history.And a new study by Australian luggage brand Kadi Luggage reveals the best time and day of the week to schedule your flights at five major Australian airports to avoid the dread flight delays.https://kadiluggage.com/Finally, where is Belle off to this week? Tune in...https://www.youtube.com/c/DennisBunnikTravels https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/world-book https://www.psychicworld.com/Send us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
--------
34:39
EP 88 Adventurer Laura Waters on paddling Australia's longest river; top tourism operators & best destinations for the Aussie dollar
First, she walked the length of New Zealand and now adventurer, author and inspirational speaker Laura Waters has completed an epic journey paddling the length of Australia’s longest river, the Murray River.The 2,400-kilometre challenge saw her paddle for weeks on end. She tells us why she did it, recounts the tough challenges she faced along the way and tells us where the best spots are if you want to follow in her wake.Watch Laura here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCRARCeTKywThe Qantas Australian Tourism Awards has revealed the best in the business, from tourist attractions and festivals to five-star accommodation.And non-bank lender MONEYME has analysed Australia’s 10 most popular holiday destinations to find the best and worst value destinations for travellers.Finally, we give you a sneak peek into one of Melbourne's most anticipated luxury hotels, 1 Hotel, and explain why this hotel is gaining so much attention.Support the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.auSend us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
--------
35:25
EP 87 Travels for bookworms; Aussie travel trends & which airlines are overcharging for extras
If your dream destination is anywhere curled up with a great book in a cosy nook by the fire or by the pool, let Lucy Pearson take you on a reading retreat. Lucy is a bibliotherapist and bespoke library curator who has designed a series of upcoming reading retreats in France, Wales and Australia. Expect silent book clubs or find a cosy nook by the fire or pool to read, as well as a bibliotherapy session and a book 'prescription'. Each retreat has a theme, stories shaped by the sea, a French-inspired reading list inspired by the allure of France, and a winter retreat where houses are the central character.Co-host Belle also asks Lucy for her travel lit hot list, which includes:Holy Cow! (India) Sarah MacDonaldWild (USA) Sheryl StrayedIn Search of Silence (India & New Zealand) Poorna Bell Eat Pray Love (India, Italy, Indonesia) Elizabeth GilbertHideous Kinky (Morocco) Esther Freud and her favourite travelogue;A Year in Provence (France) Peter Mayle.For more about Lucy's reading retreats in Provence, Wales or Daylesford here in Australia and her bibliotherapy practice, visit thelitedit.com You can also sign up to her substack, and follow her on Instagram.And what kind of holidays are we taking? Find out what's hot right now, according to new research from experience network Big Red Group.We also hit the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival; Kirstie went to the Longest Lunch - think hundreds of meters of tables set along the lawns of Kings Domain, while Belle went to gaol. She sat down to what should have been Ned Kelly's final dinner the atmospheric Old Melbourne Gaol. There are still more free and low-cost events at the festival, or pop in the diary for the 2026 festival; https://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.auSend us a textSupport the showVisit us at https://theworldawaits.au
About The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust
Where does your wanderlust lead you? To Melbourne’s cafes or the vast deserts of the Empty Quarter, a New Zealand vineyard or the pavements of New York… what’s your neighbourhood? Join travel journalists and editors Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson for stories and inside information from across the world. Hosts Belinda Jackson & Kirstie BedfordWebsite Instagram @theworldawaitspodcast Support us https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits (thank you!)
Listen to The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust, The Garden Clinic and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
Australia