• News

    Fifteen of the Most Unique Stays You Can Book Around New Zealand

    Spend a few nights in a leafy treehouse, a beautifully restored truck perched right on the bay or even a mountaintop cabin with views for days.

  • News

    The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels, B&Bs and Self-Contained Getaways in Victoria

    Accommodations where both you and your pet can sit and stay all around Victoria.

  • News

    Now Open: The CBD's Newest Luxury Hotel Melbourne Place Is Home to Three Knock-Out Hospitality Venues

    The new 14-storey hotel is home to a Med-inspired restaurant, Portuguese diner and late-night basement bar.

  • Feature

    The Luxury Traveller's Guide to Brisbane to Inspire Your Next Indulgent Escape

    From helicopter wine tours to luxury hotel stays, there are plenty of ways to live the high life in Brisbane.

  • Feature

    Your Essential Guide to Memphis, Tennessee

    Memphis is a veritable playground for music fans. It's not only the home of blues and soul music but also the birthplace of rock 'n' roll.

  • Feature

    Nine Luxury Experiences in Tropical North Queensland That Are Also Environmentally Responsible

    Head north for an eco-friendly escape that doesn't skimp on luxury.

  • Feature

    Into the Wild: Go off the Beaten Path at These Fascinating Regional Destinations

    Get out of town — literally — and do your weekend differently.

  • Feature

    Taste of Tasmania: Discover the Delicious Charm of the Apple Isle

    Australia's island state boasts the perfect conditions for producing top-quality, flavour-filled produce — and an exceptionally talented roll call of passionate people doing spectacular things with it.

  • Feature

    A Southern Edge Road Trip: Follow a CP Writer's Ambling Foodie Adventure in Tasmania's South

    "While I love a scenic road trip with good company as much as the next person, this road trip truly rivalled almost every journey I can recall."

  • Feature

    A Northern Forage Road Trip: Follow a CP Writer's Tasting Tour Across Tasmania's North

    Proceed with an empty stomach, an open mind and a readiness to build a more meaningful relationship with what’s on your plate.

  • News

    Meet The Culinary Tastemakers Championing Tasmanian Produce

    Meet the passionate advocates and entrepreneurs who deal in flavours of the wild and tastes of terroir with the finest produce the earth and sea can offer.

  • News

    A Weekender's Guide to Kangaroo Island

    The South Australian island's wineries, beaches, oyster farms and accommodation are as beautiful as ever.

  • News

    A Weekender's Guide to Queensland's Bundaberg Region

    Watch baby turtles hatch, swim at the Southern Great Barrier Reef, then sample award-winning local gin and rum.

  • News

    A Weekender's Guide To Bowral and the Southern Highlands

    Stay at a country estate, taste locally produced wine and whisky, peruse a whole heap of art and feast at a hatted restaurant — all in just one weekend.

  • News

    A Weekender's Guide to Daylesford

    Spend a few days wrapped in nature, natural mineral springs and a blanket of good food and wine.

  • News

    A Weekender's Guide to the Mornington Peninsula

    Just an hour out of Melbourne, the Peninsula provides the perfect combo of coastal parks, prime produce and pinot noir.

  • News

    The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels, B&Bs and Self-Contained Getaways in Victoria

    Accommodations where both you and your pet can sit and stay all around Victoria.

  • Guide

    The 14 Best Hotels In Melbourne

    Whether you're vacationing or staycationing, this lineup of the best hotels in Melbourne will help you live your best life — fine restaurants, premium spas and pillow menus await.

  • Hotel

    Lanson Place Parliament Gardens

    502 Albert Street, East Melbourne

    This new Melbourne hotel houses a 20-metre lap pool, gym, all-day diner and cocktail bar, and 137 rooms.

  • News

    Ten Next-Level Australian Stays with Outdoor Baths for the Ultimate Relax and Rewind Getaway

    Whether you fancy relaxing in a private Japanese bathhouse, a rustic metal tub perched on a farm's timber deck, or a spa-bath in a mountain cave — we've got you covered.

  • News

    The Best Places to Go Glamping in New Zealand

    Choose from seaside glamping spots, campsites in the mountains and tents scattered about countryside farms full of roaming sheep.

  • News

    The Eight Best Places to Go Glamping in Victoria

    All these luxury Victorian glamping experiences are under two hours away from the Melbourne CBD — so you can easily have your weekend wilderness adventure and goose-feather down quilt, too.

Travel

Get Concrete Playground's take on the latest travel news, events, places and trips
  • Travel & Leisure

    Three Items to Pack That Will Make or Break Your Next Day Trip

    Add these lightweight items to your backpack for your next summer adventure.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Twenty of the Most Unique Country Stays You Can Book Around NSW

    Swap the big-city hustle for some downtime in the countryside.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Australians Now Need a Permit to Enter Victoria Under the State's New Traffic Light-Style System

    And if you try to travel to the state without a valid permit, you'll be fined $4957.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Victoria Has Shut Its Borders to Greater Brisbane in Response to the New COVID-19 Strain

    The closure came into effect overnight, but includes anyone who has been in the area since January 2.

  • Travel & Leisure

    The Federal Government Has Declared the Greater Brisbane Area a COVID-19 Hotspot

    Domestic border arrangements with Queensland have been changing, too, in response to Australia's first local case of the new, more contagious coronavirus strain.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Face Masks Are Now Mandatory On Domestic Flights Within and International Flights to Australia

    And at airports, too — and international travellers coming to Australia will also be required to undertake a pre-flight test.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Ten Must-Visit Aussie Places to Plan Your 2021 Travel Adventures Around

    Forget long-haul flights and lengthy stopovers — you can enjoy these idyllic islands, gorgeous beaches and scenic regions without leaving the country.

  • Travel & Leisure

    You Can Take Your Car to Tasmania Via Ferry for Free Between March and June

    The $6 million plan will save travellers an average of $240 for a return trip.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Victoria's Hybrid Buses Will Soon Be Able to Achieve Zero Emissions in Certain Drive Zones

    Get set for clearer air and quieter bus rides once the system is rolled out across all 50 vehicles.

  • Travel & Leisure

    The Most Impressive Group Stays You Can Book in Byron Bay

    An array of waterfront villas and roomy coastal retreats ideal for a beach vacay with your besties.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Qantas Has Been Named the World's Safest Airline for 2021

    The Aussie carrier has topped the list eight years in a row.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Ten Extremely Australian Big Things Worth a Detour on Your Next Very Long Road Trip

    Giant watermelons, potatoes and lobsters named Larry might sound ridiculous, and they are — but that doesn't stop them from being among our most loved landmarks.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Take a Sneak Peek at Japan's New Super Nintendo Theme Park and Its 'Mario Kart' Ride

    Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studios in Osaka in February 2021.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Victoria Is Closing Its Borders to All of Greater Sydney and the Central Coast From December 21

    It comes as NSW records 30 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the northern beaches area.

  • Travel & Leisure

    All Public Transport Will Be Free on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve 2020

    So you can get to and from the city (and your family lunch) without spending a penny.

  • Travel & Leisure

    How to Explore Sydney Like a Local When You've Already Seen the Touristy Sites

    Uncover the hidden neighbourhood gems you'll never want to leave.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Five Adventurous Activities in the Snowy Mountains that Are Better in Summer

    Avoid the beach-bound crowds and head to the hills for the biggest thrills this summer.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Jetstar Has Launched Its Christmas Sale with Flights Starting From $29

    If travelling the country is one of your 2021 resolutions, this is great news.

  • Travel & Leisure

    You Can Win $5000 to Put Towards a Luxury Holiday By Buying New Threads for Summer

    Pick up a new shirt and go into the draw to have your trip to The Whitsundays bankrolled.

  • Travel & Leisure

    You Can Now Book an Entire QT Hotel Floor to Party with Your Mates

    Floor'd is on offer to groups of between 16 and 41 punters keen for an exclusive rockstar-style soiree.

  • Travel & Leisure

    A Quarantine-Free Travel Bubble Between Australia and NZ Could Be in Place by Early 2021

    NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has agreed to a trans-Tasman bubble, which could kick off in just a couple of months.

  • Travel & Leisure

    The Victorian Government Is Releasing 30,000 More Regional Travel Vouchers Due to Demand

    The first round proved so popular that the Business Victoria voucher registration page went offline for extended periods, so the scheme has been extended.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Two New Off-the-Grid Unyoked Tiny Cabins with Outdoor Baths Have Popped Up Near Byron Bay

    Located at the end of a valley in the Northern Rivers region, these cute, compact places to stay are surrounded by citrus trees — and plenty of quiet.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Victorian Government's $200 Regional Travel Vouchers

    You can apply for the first round of 40,000 vouchers from tomorrow — but there are some caveats.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Ridesharing Service DiDi Is Offering Half-Price Rides to Airports Until the End of January

    You can head to the airport for cheap across Christmas and New Year's Eve.

  • Travel & Leisure

    This Melbourne Hotel Has Added a Hot Tub and Outdoor Cinema in a Private Courtyard to Your Next Staycation

    Pick a movie to watch under the stars while you have a soak — over some wine, too.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Victoria Is Easing Gathering, Hospitality and Venue Capacity Limits Again From Midnight Tonight

    You'll be able to have 30 people over to your house and hit the beach in groups of 100 — and hospitality venues can move to the one-person-per-two-square-metres rule.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Virgin Has Launched a 12-Hour Sale with 60,000 Flights Starting from $75

    And there are lots of flights available over Christmas and NYE.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Sweet Retreat Is the New Candy-Themed Getaway Located in Regional Victoria

    The Sugar Republic team has opened a retreat decked out with a peach ball pit, free candy and cherry-scented wallpaper.

  • Travel & Leisure

    The SA Government Is Giving Away $50 and $100 Hotel Vouchers to Put Towards Your Next Getaway

    You can nab $50 vouchers for regional and suburban accommodation, and $100 vouchers to use in the CBD and North Adelaide.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Nine Cosy Villages to Visit on a Long Weekend in South Gippsland

    Carve out a few days to road trip around this stunning Victorian region — or pick one spot and bunker down for the weekend.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Western Australia Will Let NSW and Victorian Residents Visit Without Quarantining From December 8

    The two eastern states will be reclassified as 'very low-risk' under WA's controlled interstate border system.

  • Travel & Leisure

    A Weekender's Guide to Mudgee

    Hop between cellar doors, then sleep among the vines.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Queensland Is Reopening Its Borders to Victoria From December 1

    As previously flagged, the Sunshine State will reopen to both Victoria and NSW when December hits.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Queensland Is Reopening Its Borders to All of NSW From December 1

    It's set to open to Victoria from that date, too, as long as the state records no new cases in the next 24 hours.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Victoria Is Easing Venue and Gathering Limits Even Further From Midnight Tonight

    At-home gathering limits will increase again in mid-December, too — just in time for Christmas.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Melbourne's Long-Awaited Airport Rail Link Will Run Trains to the CBD Every Ten Minutes

    The trip from the airport to the city will take less than 30 minutes — and the service should be up and running by 2029.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Victoria Is Set to Score New Coastal Walking Tracks, Campsites and a Hot Springs Resort

    They'll be funded through a $465 million Victorian Tourism Recovery Package as part of the 2020–21 State Budget.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Victoria's Peninsula Hot Springs Is Launching Luxury Onsite Glamping So You Can Bathe and Stay

    From December 1, you'll be able to pamper the day away, then spend the night in luxury.

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