Brotherly bond key to Birdsville Races epic journey
From bare-back pony rides in the bush to the iconic Birdsville Races in the outback, three trainer brothers have forged a bond through their love of horses.
tourism and leisure
Outback ice-cream van serves sweet joy amid sorrow
The Gee Whiz ice-cream van is a popular stop for perspiring punters at Birdsville, part of one man's mission to bring happiness after the death of his wife.
Outback music festival built for comfort, not for greed
Organisers of Australia's biggest outback music festival have ruled out building on the event's sold-out crowd of 15,000.
Mad Max adds extra grunt to outback music festival
Music-loving Mad Max devotees have packed extra luggage for a trek to the outback as they pay tribute to George Miller's famed film franchise.
Body in creek fourth grim discovery on glitter strip
A woman's body found in a creek marks the fourth grim discovery in less than a week at one of Australia's most popular beach locales.
Tourist mecca fighting to turn tide on Mother Nature
The Gold Coast could be pushing sand uphill as it works to restore beaches eroded by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
More holidays in richest state could boost productivity
A public holiday review is under way in a western state to potentially better align it with the rest of country and boost productivity.
At least killed as hot air balloon crashes in Brazil
A hot air balloon has caught fire and tumbled from the sky in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, killing eight people, firefighters say.
Australians enlisted to help flush out hidden dunnies
Dunno where to find the dunny? Australians are being called on to flush out the nation's best-kept secret - the elusive public toilet.
Six killed as sub with Russian tourists sinks off Egypt
Egyptian officials say six people have died after a tourist submarine sank in the Red Sea destination of Hurghada.
UK government orders probe into Heathrow shutdown
The UK government has ordered an investigation into the country's energy resilience after an electrical substation fire shut Heathrow Airport for almost a day.
‘Cruise from hell’ passengers reimbursed and then some
Passengers will get back about double what they paid for a storm-affected P&O cruise from Australia to the south Pacific.
Tourists splash cash in Australia’s holiday hotspots
Parking nightmares and long lines at coffee shops are common in Australia's beachside towns during peak season - a period local businesses rely on.
Support grows to ditch shark nets along popular beaches
Shark nets are being likened to a "hanky floating in the ocean" and more coastal communities want to ditch the barriers, which can kill other marine life.
Man charged with sexual assault of crew member in Fiji
A man has reportedly been charged with rape and sexual assault after an airline crew member was allegedly attacked on New Year's Eve in Fiji.
‘We are safe’: worry after air crew allegedly attacked
Alleged attacks on two Australian flight crews in Fiji has left locals worried about the impact the news would have on tourism for the Pacific nation.
No methanol or illicits detected in cocktail, Fiji says
Forensic testing of cocktail ingredients at a Fijian resort where seven people fell ill with suspected poisoning has found no evidence of methanol.
Tragic end to waterfall search for missing tourist
Almost a day after an international tourist was reported missing, police have discovered the man's body at a waterfall in far north Queensland.
Laos ‘profoundly saddened’ by tourist poisoning deaths
Authorities in Laos are under pressure to get to the bottom of a mass methanol poisoning tragedy that claimed the lives of two Australian teenagers.
Laos hostel owners held over tainted alcohol poisonings
Police have arrested the manager and owner of a Laotian hostel where two Australian tourists stayed who died after being poisoned by tainted alcohol.
‘Gone too soon’: grieving community mourns two teens
Tributes are flowing as a community mourns two Melbourne teenagers who died from suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos.
Laos government pledges justice over poisoning deaths
The Laotian government has pledged justice for the victims of a mass alcohol poisoning case that has killed six tourists including two Australians.
Family prayers as teens fight for life in Laos tragedy
The family of an Australian woman gravely ill in Thailand is praying for her, after she and her best friend suffered apparent methanol poisoning in Laos.
Tourists warned as Aussie teens fight for life in Laos
The families of two Melbourne best friends fighting for life in Thai hospitals have raced to their bedside as they suffer from suspected methanol poisoning.
Marathon journey from also-ran to global racing status
The elevation of the Sydney Marathon to an illustrious run club is expected to be a boon for elite athletes, joggers and Australian tourism providers.
Casino precinct opens but yet to catch a falling Star
An eight year wait is finally over with the Brisbane's $3.6 billion Queen's Wharf entertainment precinct finally starting a staged opening.
Tourist spot camping ban proposed after dingo attacks
Families with young children could be banned from camping outside unfenced areas at a popular tourist spot after a spate of dingo attacks.
Sanctuary ends koala cuddling practice
A Brisbane wildlife sanctuary has ended koala cuddling encounters following feedback from international and domestic visitors.
Cute cuddles canned as Koalas can’t bear the stress
A Brisbane wildlife sanctuary has become Australia's latest tourist destination to ban "stressful" koala cuddles after feedback from visitors.
P&O Cruises sets sail into sunset after 90-year voyage
After 90 years on the high seas, Australian cruise line P&O is sailing away to be absorbed by Carnival Cruise Line, the most popular brand in the world.
Climate change puts the heat on Aussie ski resorts
Popular Australian ski resorts could find themselves on death row without urgent action on climate change, new modelling suggests.