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Travel + Leisure
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
Australia Is Even Better After Dark—From Torchlit Tours and Open-air Theater to Rooftop Climbs Under the Stars
As far as travel trends go, none are making a splash in 2025 quite as hard as "noctourism." In fact, named it the No. 1 travel trend of the year. And yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: nocturnal tourism, ensuring people don't just see their favorite destinations in the daylight. This trend is all about what happens in these spots after dark. And few spots are as spectacular after the sun goes down as Australia. "We're seeing an increase in visitors coming specifically for the night sky, but also for our nocturnal wildlife tours and dark-sky experiences," Sarah Clark, the chief executive of Tourism Tasmania, recently shared with ABC. "Tourists are coming for the natural beauty during the day, but staying for the nighttime spectacles like the aurora. It's a major driver for visitors, particularly from international markets." And while certainly gorgeous, travelers should stay up late for far more than the aurora. From torchlit prison tours and twilight roof climbs, to artistic illuminations and private after-hours museum access, these seven nighttime experiences from Cultural Attractions of Australia members will make your next night visit to Australia all the more memorable. Badu Gili projections depicting Celestial Navigation are seen on the Opera House sails. Every evening, the Sydney Opera House transforms into a glowing canvas as Badu Gili , which translates to 'water light' in Gadigal language, illuminates the eastern Bennelong sails with spectacular First Nations art. The free art exhibit runs multiple times each evening after sunset, so check here for the full schedule. Visit Western Australia's only UNESCO World Heritage site after dark with a spooky and educational nighttime tour. The Torchlight Tour at Fremantle Prison takes visitors into the cells, tunnels, and courtyards of the prison, all by handheld light, with guides recounting the stories of those imprisoned in the 19th-century penitentiary. Book a tour here. Live out a real-life "Night at the Museum" experience at Canberra's National Gallery, which opens its doors after hours for select Night at the Gallery events. Get access to marquee exhibitions, performances by local creatives, food and drink pop-ups, and a more intimate vibe than your average daytime visit. See exhibition dates here. Visitors climb the roof of the Adelaide Oval. Get a bird's-eye view of South Australia's capital by signing up for the RoofClimb Twilight experience. As the sun sets, guests will strap in and ascend the curved rooftop of the Adelaide Oval, a historic sports arena, taking them all the way to the top. There, guests can gaze upon the twinkling city lights and the River Torrens below. Book your climb here. Aura is far from your average historic reenactment. This immersive nighttime show at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat includes projection mapping, storytelling, and sound design to help guests more deeply understand the impact of the discovery of gold in the area. Learn about the chapters of Australia's history by booking the experience here. The company of Carmen during a media preview of Handa Opera's production of Carmen at Sydney Harbour. James D. Morgan/Getty Images Experience the magic of live theater under the stars with open-air productions at the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor. With seats over the water, the stars above, and the Sydney skyline behind you, it certainly has cinematic appeal. See what's coming to the stage for your next visit here. Travelers can sit down for one of the most exclusive meals in the world with Dinner With David at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The event, hosted by MONA founder David Walsh, is a rare experience that brings each guest into his orbit for an evening of food, wine, and unforgettable conversation. Get a seat at the table here.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Seed and Grain NZ celebrates its 'incredibly important' women
Women make up about 35 percent of the seed and grain sectors. File photo. Photo: 123RF The country's seed and grain sectors are hoping to empower the wāhine who make up about a third of its workforce. Industry group Seed and Grain New Zealand hosted about 130 women in Ōtautahi on Wednesday for the Women in Seed conference The group represented a range of companies involved in the production and trade of seed and grain, research and development, support services like testing and seed broking. Chief executive Sarah Clark said seed and grain were significant contributors to the economy, earning about $345 million in exports each year. She said women played a key role in these sectors that underpinned the success of multi-billion dollar primary industries. "Women in the primary industries have been at the core of it for many, many years, even if the the record books don't show that," she said. Statistics shared by Minister for Women Nicola Grigg at the event showed women made up about 35 percent of the sectors, Clark said. "[We're] still reasonably male-dominated, however I looked at the attendee list at our event today and we've got women in logistics, finance, management, agronomists and at all levels of of the particular specialty. "So definitely, women are incredibly important to our industry and we want to encourage them. We need to keep that expertise and knowledge in the industry." Seed and Grain New Zealand chief executive Sarah Clark Photo: SUPPLIED/SEED AND GRAIN NEW ZEALAND Clark said events like Women in Seed were about encouraging women in the sector to know they have "a really important part to play". "They're hopefully leaving the event feeling really refreshed and inspired to continue the work that they do and even progress their career, perhaps into some leadership roles," she said. "Actually, that was another thing that the Minister [Grigg] was encouraging was more women to get into leadership roles." Clark said the association - formerly known as the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association - had hit a significant milestone itself. "This is the first time we've had a woman as a president, so Charlotte Connoley is the president of Seed and Grain New Zealand, and concurrently whilst having a woman [chief executive], so I guess this is a first for the industry. "So it's an exciting time to be in primary industries." Clark said there were "exciting trade opportunities" for seed and grain in general, even in light of global headwinds. The group will hold its annual conference in Christchurch in August. StatsNZ figures showed seed exports earned $281 million in 2023 up 27 percent on 2022. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Straits Times
Spend a relaxing winter in nature on an all-expense paid trip to wild Tasmania
Curringa Farm spans over 300ha of land, with around 3,000 sheep that roam free. PHOTO: CURRINGA FARM SINGAPORE – For the first time, Tasmania is inviting one Singapore resident to embrace winter life Down Under on a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip in August. The trip, dubbed a 'Winternship', is part of a campaign run by Tourism Tasmania and travel booking platform and will feature an itinerary of Tasmanian experiences. The winner will visit three establishments in Australia's southernmost state – Kuuma Nature Sauna, Devil's Corner Cellar Door winery and Curringa Farm – where he or she will take part in hands-on activities that showcase Tasmania's tourism offerings. Kuuma Nature Sauna offers sauna cruising in Hobart on a custom-made pontoon vessel with a wood-fired sauna on board. PHOTO: KUUMA NATURE SAUNA For instance, at Kuuma Nature Sauna – dubbed the 'first Australian sauna boat' – the winner will spend a morning loading a floating wood-fired sauna before heading to the Southern Ocean for a cold plunge. The pontoon vessel is custom-designed for sauna cruising and can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests, who can enjoy the sauna on board and dive into the ocean, which is a brisk 9 deg C in winter and 17 deg C in summer. At Devil's Corner Cellar Door, a two-hour drive from Hobart, the winner will shuck fresh oysters and learn how Tasmania's terroir contributes to its rich agriculture. Shear sheep at Curringa Farm. PHOTO: TOURISM TASMANIA And on the roughly 303ha Curringa Farm – where around 3,000 sheep roam – he or she can wrangle livestock in sheep-shearing demonstrations and sessions to hand-feed herds. The itinerary will include tours of other popular sites in Tasmania, such as Bruny Island, Cradle Mountain and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. The Winternship campaign follows the success of a previous edition, dubbed Odd Jobs, where Australia residents could win a winter stay in Tasmania taking on quirky roles like wombat walker, stargazer and truffle hunter. The Odd Jobs campaign recorded more than 12,000 applicants for 10 jobs in 2024 . In 2025, 10 Australia residents will win trips based on such roles. According to Tasmanian Visitor Survey data in December , Tasmania welcomed around 1.3 million travellers in 2024, of which around 254,000 were international visitors. Among its top Asian visitor markets were China (9 per cent), Hong Kong (9 per cent) and Singapore (4 per cent). Ms Sarah Clark, chief executive of Tourism Tasmania, says: 'Singapore has been a longstanding inbound market for Tasmania, with travellers drawn to our pristine wilderness, rich food culture and slower pace of life. Ultimately, we want the 'wintern' to return home with stories to tell, a fresh sense of clarity, and maybe even a newfound love for winter. ' Eat fresh oysters, drink Tasmanian wines and learn more about the terroir at Devil's Corner Cellar Door winery. PHOTO: ADAM GIBSON To participate, you must be a Singapore resident aged 18 or older and state, in 50 words or fewer, why you want to be Tasmania's first wintern from Singapore. The winner will enjoy return flights, six nights' accommodation and transport, and can take along one person on the trip. They must travel between Aug 1 and 31 . The contest runs from May 27, 5am, to June 17, 9.59pm. For more information, go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hans India
21-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
US parents split on right age to talk about body changes with kids: Study
New York: Parents are evenly split on right age to start talking about puberty with kids, a US study said on Monday, adding that most parents agree that talking to their kids about puberty is important, but when and how to start the conversation is often less clear. Among the most common challenges for parents: choosing the right age to start talking about body changes and whether to explain sex, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. 'It's easy to assume a child is too young for conversations about puberty, but many parents are surprised to find their tween already showing signs of puberty or asking unexpected questions about body changes,' said Mott Poll Co-Director Sarah Clark. Starting the conversation early gives parents a chance to shape the message in an age-appropriate way and help kids know what to expect, so they're not confused or anxious. If parents don't open the door to these talks, kids may get their information elsewhere, like from classmates, social media, or what they see on TV, Clark added. Parents polled shared a range of approaches, worries, and gaps in preparing their tweens for this major stage of development. About half of parents describe their approach to talking with their child about puberty as proactive while two in five say they talk about it only when asked. Another 5 per cent avoid the conversation altogether. One in five parents also worried about feeling embarrassed while one in six feared saying the wrong thing when it came to the subject. Among parents of children 10-12 years, a quarter say their child doesn't want to talk about puberty, and among parents of children 7-9 years, nearly a third believe their child is too young to understand, said the study. Some of the hesitancy about broaching this subject may stem from parents' own experiences, Clark noted. 'Whether they realise it or not parents may bring their own experiences into their parenting approach,' Clark said. 'Many parents said they had little or no discussion of puberty when they were young. If puberty was treated as an awkward or embarrassing subject growing up, that can make it harder to know how to begin.' Another common challenge shared by parents was whether, when, and how much to talk about sex and reproduction. 'Early conversations should focus on making kids aware that they will experience physical and emotional changes, and reassuring them that those changes are normal. Discussions about sex can occur over time,' Clark said. Many parents also report that their child has asked about their own body, their parent's body or other puberty-related topics. 'Ongoing, supportive discussions are also key as children grow and encounter new phases of puberty,' she added.
CNN
21-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Puberty conversations are starting too late, new poll reveals
For many parents, the idea of having 'the talk' with their kids may be daunting, making them feel embarrassed or squeamish. But many parents are conflating the classic growing-up talk about sex with another crucial conversation they should be having, new research suggests. The talk in question should happen earlier than one may think, and it's not necessarily about sex. It's about puberty. About 41% of parents reported they approached talking with their child about puberty only when prompted by the child, according to a new C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health released on Monday. Only 36% of parents think it's best to start puberty conversations before age 10, according to the poll, although puberty has been starting earlier. The poll's researchers focused on why many preteens and tweens are unprepared for the changes that they experience during puberty. 'Our thinking was, how much of that (lack of preparation) might be due to how their parents are approaching the task of talking with them, helping prepare them for puberty,' said Sarah Clark, codirector of the poll and a research scientist in the department of pediatrics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. 'When we're talking about these younger kids, 7, 8, 9, maybe even 10, as they're just getting started with puberty, they don't necessarily need the sex talk,' said Clark, noting that tweens and teens need a conversation about what is or will soon happen with their body and emotions. 'We all tend to be a little calmer, a little less anxious, and deal with things better when we know what to expect,' she added. The Mott Poll, which was conducted in February 2025, surveyed 911 parents with at least one child ages 7–12 to understand how parents approach conversations about puberty. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 to 5 percentage points. While many parents said they only talked with their child about puberty only when their child brought it up, Clark explained that this could lead to confusion and anxiety in children, especially if they feel their parents haven't prepared them. Kids who develop early may become anxious not understanding changes in themselves, and late-developing kids may see some changes in their classmates and wonder, 'what's wrong with me?' Instead of parents waiting until asked by the child, Clark suggested giving your child information in bits and pieces over time 'to help your kid get the concept that these changes are going to happen. They are normal.' And while nearly half of parents said they felt 'very confident' in recognizing signs of puberty in their children, Clark said, 'parents might be a little overconfident. Some of those first changes are subtle' — like hair growing and voices changing — and parents can't actually see the hormonal or emotional changes. Today's children are exposed to a flood of information — and misinformation — from online sources and their peers. Without parental guidance, children may turn to social media or their peers for answers at a time when kids may be confused and potentially self-conscious. 'Not talking to them just can leave them in a little bit of a vulnerable position,' Clark said. 'A lot of the norms on what was shown or talked about on TV were really different (when parents were kids) than they are today,' Clark said. 'Back then, parents could maybe feel like they could protect their kid or avoid certain topics — or avoid their kid from encountering certain topics.' That's no longer the case. Because kids can learn or hear about all sorts of topics at very young ages, parents have to be 'a little more proactive,' to get ahead of the child absorbing confusing, inaccurate or harmful information, Clark said. The poll found that only 31% of parents said they had received an adequate puberty education from their own parents growing up. That means many parents, without a model of how to discuss sensitive developmental changes, often default to the avoidance method they received as children. But today's parents don't actually need to have all the answers, Clark and other experts say. Parents just need to start having the conversation. About 44% of parents reported in the poll that they have not gotten any information on how to talk about puberty, but that doesn't mean parents can't find straightforward help. Parents should choose a quiet, one-on-one setting — a walk, a car ride or after a younger sibling goes to bed — and leave discomfort out of it, psychiatrist Dr. Neha Chaudhary suggested. 'Present the information in a matter-of-fact way,' advised Chaudhary, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and chief medical officer at Modern Health, via email. 'It's important that the child knows they are not alone in this experience — that it's a universal change. Offer the space for them to ask questions … and check in later.' Don't wait until your child hits a growth spurt or need to use deodorant. Begin the conversation in elementary school, with basic, age-appropriate information. You can use light-hearted, teachable moments, like a movie scene or a health class unit as openings, or you can share your own experiences. 'Make it kind of funny and not so intense, not so scary,' Clark suggested. 'If you talk about puberty early, your child will know that the physical changes they are about to go through are normal, and something that happens to everyone,' Chaudhary said. 'They might also have a chance to develop some healthy coping skills that they can practice and strengthen before their emotions start to fluctuate as a result of hormonal shifts. 'If you're waiting until middle school, it's likely too late. By then your child might either be caught off guard by unexpected changes in their body or how they feel, or they might be noticing those changes in their friends already.' Healthy, inviting communication needs to be ongoing, both Clark and Chaudhary emphasized. Kids should not be left guessing about the changes happening to them, but rather feel they have parental guidance supporting them along the way. 'You want to leave the door open so kids know they can come to you,' she said. Even if you don't know the answer, you can learn together and foster a healthy environment.
