travel
Explore the Barossa Valley. IMAGE: SATC/Paul Torcello.
Hop aboard an exclusive SA tour
In 2024, RAA will launch exclusive member-only day trips to three South Australian destinations.
Taste wine paired with chocolate in the Barossa Valley; enjoy Hahndorf’s culinary delights on a sip, savour and explore tour; or combine a trip to the National Motor Museum with cheese tasting in the Adelaide Hills.
RAA Travel General Manager Gina Norman says the tours are for small groups of no more than 20 people.
“These are bespoke tours that shine a spotlight on these regions,” Gina says. “We know people love to visit the Barossa and Adelaide Hills and we want to show RAA members the best these regions have to offer.”
The three tours include exclusive member benefits like a complimentary cheese pack from Udder Delights in the Adelaide Hills or a delicious selection of six mini jars of Beerenberg condiments. Finish the Barossa tour with a personalised Lambert Estate wine glass, and a bottle of your choice from their Classic Range. All tours include pick up and drop off from the Adelaide CBD and expert commentary from local drivers and guides.
For more information about RAA Travel’s exclusive day tours for members, visit travel.raa.com.au or call 8202 4589.
3 water wonderlands
These SA spots are perfect for families looking to cool off this summer.
Tusmore Park wading pool
Kids will have a blast splashing around in the Tusmore Park wading pool. Renovated in 2022, it’s fully shaded, with a lawned area for picnics, a new creek-style section and water play equipment.
Splash Town Moonta
Complete with a tipper bucket, water slides and raining mushrooms, this park on the York Peninsula will keep the kids happy for hours. The best part – it’s free.
SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre
Home to Olympic swimmers, the centre at Oaklands Park also has plenty of space for youngsters to play. There are water slides, a giant tipping bucket and even a huge floating obstacle course on weekends and during school holidays.
IMAGES: City of Burnside; Getty; SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre; SATC/John Montesi.
Visa warning for Aussies travelling to Bali
Australians travelling to Bali have been warned of online visa scams targeting holidaymakers after reports of tourists being ripped off by fake websites.
A visa to leave an Indonesian airport must be bought for $50AUD upon arrival in the country or travellers can pre-purchase an electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA) from the Indonesian Government’s website. However, some travellers are buying their visas before they land on what they believe to be the Indonesian Government’s official website.
These tourists have fallen victim to scammers imitating the Indonesian Government’s website, leaving them without a visa to get into Bali upon arrival and forcing them to pay for another visa.
Other travellers reported they’re getting charged higher fees after purchasing the e-VOA unknowingly through agencies. The Indonesian Government released a statement earlier this year, reminding travellers to only visit the official government website at molina.imigrasi.go.id when purchasing an e-VOA.
2.9 million foreign tourists visited Bali in the first half of 2023
Travelling with extended family growing in popularity
About half of South Australians are planning a trip away with extended family, according to recent RAA data.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are planning family holidays, whether it’s to reunite with loved ones or celebrate special occasions.
RAA Travel General Manager Gina Norman says there are fantastic types of holidays for the whole family.
“Cruises are a one-stop shop where you unpack once and enjoy the amazing entertainment and facilities available for all ages including special attractions for the kids, and it suits all levels of mobility,” Gina says.
“Another great option is Club Med, with resorts all over the world catering for babies through to teenagers with activities like circus school acrobatics, archery, nightly shows, multiple kids' clubs and fun activities or relaxation for parents and grandparents too.
“Otherwise, a family tour, such as those offered by Intrepid Travel, allow families to adventure together across the generations.”
Avid traveller May Loke is considering a holiday to Japan with her two young children and her mother. “I want to create holiday memories with our children where their grandparents are also included,” May says.
“We’re lucky to be in a position where our extended family is still healthy and mobile enough to travel with us. “When looking at booking, I’ve had to consider whether the destination includes a range of activities and attractions to suit all ages, while also thinking about mobility.”
To book your next family holiday, visit travel.raa.com.au or call 8202 4589.
Track your baggage on Virgin
Earlier this year, Virgin Australia’s new baggage tracking system took flight for domestic passengers. Travellers across most of the airline’s domestic routes can now register their checked-in luggage and monitor its journey through the Virgin Australia app. The tool, which took the airline about two years to create, allows passengers to see when their checked luggage is transferred to an international partner airline, and when the baggage is available for collection from the carousel. Qantas has announced it will introduce a similar measure towards the end of the year.
In 2022, airlines across the globe reported 26 million bags were delayed, damaged, stolen or lost.
