Usher in the New Year with this month's unique festivals and bespoke experiences, ranging from tours tailored to your liking, to accommodations that fit your needs. Whether it's for your year-end itinerary or New Year's trip, Australia has got something special for you!

Upcoming Festivals & Events

Kick off 2023 with a bang with these upcoming festivals happening in Australia. Spice up your travel itinerary with a relaxing folk music festival, an exclusive Frida Kahlo exhibition, and an indigenous immersion, available on selected dates only.

Read on to find out more about these exciting festivals and events.

Cygnet Folk Festival (Cygnet, Tasmania): One of Australia's most iconic folk music festivals, The Cygnet Folk Festival is a showcase of eclectic music genres featuring local and international talent and a diverse range of arts. Set against the breath-taking scenery of Tasmania's Huon Valley, the festivities offer a vibrant and rich cultural experience, through music, dance, poetry and local handicrafts.  From 13 – 15 January.

Frida Kahlo: The life of an icon (Sydney, New South Wales): For the first time in Australia, journey through a unique biographical exhibition on the life and works of inspirational artist, Frida Kahlo. The exhibition features seven transformational experiences, and plenty of souvenirs to bring a bit of Frida's magic into your home. Held on 4 January. 

Kakadu Full Moon Feast (Darwin, Northern Territory): Discover the oldest living culture in the world while enjoying the wilderness of Cooinda Lodge, in Kakadu National Park, on the full moon. Enjoy a four-course Indigenous-inspired menu surrounded by local stories and traditional music. Runs on selected dates from early November.

Explore New Experiences

This January, Australia has an array of exciting new experiences across the states; from discovering giants, to uncovering Sydney's nightlife, to browsing exhibitions featuring Indigenous artists and sacred artefacts. 

The Giants of Mandurah (Mandurah, Western Australia): The Giants of Mandurah have popped by Western Australia! A free exhibition crafted by world-renowned Danish sculpture artist, Thomas Dambo, these large sculptures are scattered across Mandurah and the Peel region – plus a lone one in Subiaco – for explorers to seek out. The Traditional Custodians of the Peel region, the Bindjareb People of the Noongar Nation, have shared stories of the land on which each giant is placed on signage in each location. Make sure to carve out some time in your trip to stay at Mandurah – one day will not be long enough if you want to find all the giants!

Local Sauce Tours (Sydney, New South Wales): Discover Secret Bar Crawl routes through the Sydney CBD and The Rocks with Local Sauce Tours. The tour hosts up to 12 guests, and is perfect for solo travellers, expats, and singles to make new friends while exploring Sydney's best small bars. From Cantina OK!, one of the top 50 bars in the world, to Frankie's Pizza, the tour brings you to an average of four bars over three and a half hours.  

Kangaroo Island Touring (Kangaroo Island, South Australia): Explore Kangaroo Island's unique landscape alongside knowledgeable and experienced guides with Kangaroo Island Touring Company. Travellers can enjoy local delights in private bush locations, pick from a range of curated tours, or even request for a bespoke itinerary tailored to their needs. Available to both in-house guests and the general public, guests are transported in Mercedes Benz vehicles for a luxurious ride.

taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country (Hobart, Tasmania): taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country is a ground-breaking exhibition showcasing creative works from 20 Tasmanian Indigenous artists. Running till 12 February 2023, the exhibition explores relationships between community and Ancestral objects, in particular, those held in institutions outside Tasmania.

Feared and Revered Exhibition (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory): Launched this December, Feared and Revered: Feminine Power through the Ages celebrates femininity and cultural traditions spanning six continents and 5,000 years. Featuring over 160 objects from the British Museum, the exhibition will present sacred artefacts, contemporary artworks and more, alongside Australian Indigenous representations of female ancestral figures and popular cultural embodiments of the divine.

Hip New Places to Eat and Drink

As we welcome the New Year, treat yourself to a luxurious dining experience unique to Australia. Elevate your meal – literally – 87 metres above sea level with sweeping views over Sydney's most iconic landmarks. This month's gastronomic picks offer something for everyone, whether you're craving traditional flavours, or the energetic atmosphere of a bar, or something romantic by the vineyards.

Luke's Table at the Pylon Lookout (Sydney, New South Wales): Luke's Table at the Pylon Lookout serves a three-course menu on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge's South East Pylon, offering spectacular views of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and the stunning sunset over Sydney Harbour. Start your evening with a welcome reception and mocktail, followed by a short, personalised tour of the Pylon Lookout & Museum as guests are taken through the Bridge's history on their way to the elevated dining experience 87 metres above sea level.

Aboriginal Bush Traders (Darwin, Northern Territory): Serving traditional flavours with a modern twist, Aboriginal Bush Traders boasts a bush-tucker inspired three course tasting plate including roasted kangaroo, bush spiced chickpea salad, beetroot hummus and zucchini, corn bush slice, as well as seasonal desserts. For those stopping by, Aboriginal Bush Traders gallery is also home to a café, offering fresh homemade baked goods, signature sweet and savoury dampers and delicious wraps with bush inspired flavours.

The Rusty Fig (Perth, Western Australia): Located in Perth, The Rusty Fig is wrapped around a 130-year-old heritage listed Port Jackson Fig Tree. The centrepiece of the restaurant was given as a gift to residents of the Old Cloisters building and subsequently planted in 1887. At The Rusty Fig, guests can expect a modern Australian menu uniquely influenced by European flavours, surrounded by elegant décor, plush armchairs, and contemporary artwork.

Blue Eyes Bar & Lounge (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory): For those who enjoy a bit of glitz and glamour, immerse in the opulent atmosphere at Blue Eyes, inspired by Frank Sinatra's soulful music and old Hollywood bars. Enjoy a curated menu of oysters, charcuterie, caviar, and expertly crafted signature cocktails befitting the atmosphere.

Laura and Pt. Leo Restaurant (Morning Peninsula, Victoria): The Laura and Pt. Leo Restaurants at Pt. Leo Estate have reopened for the summer, bringing with it reimagined venues and the iconic 180-degree views over the stunning Sculpture Park to Western Port Bay. At Laura, guests can book the Laura experience for two, and enjoy the flavours of Morning Peninsula region in the carefully curated menu that changes with the seasons. Alternatively, go for a contemporary course meal at Pt Leo Estate Restaurant for a stunning view overlooking the vineyard and sculpture park.

North & Common and Olivine (Melbourne, Victoria): Serving seasonal menus paired with a thoughtful wine list, North & Common is an elevated bistro located at the Pentridge lifestyle precinct in Coburg. The bistro invites patrons to enjoy a luxurious meal made with quality produce available in Victoria. For an intimate and exclusive experience, visit the nearby wine bar, Olivine, to explore a curated experience with their Sommeliers. With an impressive wine list and stunning interior, Olivine marries food, wine, art, and community to bring guests an all-rounded dining experience. Both venues will officially open for bookings in February 2023.  

Exciting New Stays

There's no better way to make Australia feel more like home with exciting new stays popping up Down Under. For the adventurous, for the indulgent, and for those seeking a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the year – there's nothing like Australia.

These new lodgings are sure to stir your wanderlust.

Into the Wild Escapes (Southern Highlands and Upper Colo, New South Wales): Take the whole family on a year-end trip for a break from the city's hustle and bustle at one of Into the Wild Escape's newest tiny homes. Tiny Thomas shares the land with a family of horses, overlooking bountiful natural waterways, rock formations, and native wildlife. Lose yourself in the allure of these off-grid sanctuaries ideal for quiet contemplation and family bonding. Guests can also choose to stay at Tiny Oscar, which also houses up to six, and even comes with an outdoor deck and bath.

CABN (Kuitpo Forest, South Australia): Escape the city life and go off-grid in one of the three new eco-friendly cabins – Jarrah, Nala, and Bambra – for the wellness retreat you deserve. Nestled in the Kuitpo Forest, these cabins offer the perfect stay to connect with Mother Nature, watch and listen to the local wildlife, and explore the numerous walking and biking trails. Each timber cabin houses up to four guests, and is the perfect getaway for family and friends.

Capella Sydney (Sydney, New South Wales): The Department of Education building in Sydney's Sandstone Precinct reawakens as Capella Sydney with eight levels and 192 guestrooms and suites. The heritage icon is a unique way to experience the culture of the city through iconic spaces in the original building. From the reimagined Farrer Place foyer to the McRae Bar, guests can experience the magic of Capella Sydney's heritage, architecture, and extraordinary guest experiences. Opening in March 2023.

The Polaire Suite (Hobart, Tasmania): This new accommodation concept by Institut Polaire is a spacious retreat located on St David's Park across from the famous Salamanca Place, and a leisurely 5-minute stroll from Institut Polaire itself. Boasting a minimalistic design with eye-catching statement pieces, The Polaire Suite is ideal for quiet getaways to relax and unwind.

qtQT Hotels (Gold Coast, Queensland): Cosy cabins, natural textures, earth tones, and lavish local linens, qtQT cabins are designed for optimum comfort and a sense of tranquillity. Just like Australia's laid-back nature, qtQT cabins each feature a private balcony, set within a tropical green oasis against a golden horizon. Opt for special Curated Experiences organised by qtQT's Curator of Sunshine for an unforgettable bucket list experience tailored just for you.