Latest news with #TourismResearchAustralia
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Centrelink warning for Baby Boomers wanting to caravan around Australia: 'Need to consider'
Older Australians wanting to caravan around the country have been warned about the implications this journey can have on their Centrelink payments. Those wanting to get on the Age Pension or receive other payment types will have to undergo income and assets tests to find out if they're eligible. Services Australia community services officer Justin Bott said while caravanning across Australia can be fun, there are "things you need to consider" — like how long you intend to be away for. This will ultimately affect what is and isn't included in the assets test. Caravan and campervan registrations have soared by 27 per cent since 2019, according to Tourism Research Australia, with Aussies taking a staggering 15.2 million caravan and camping trips in 2023 alone. RELATED Centrelink reveals 'common misconception' about $1,732 pension payment Major retirement mistake millions of Aussies are making Little-known superannuation rule sparks warning for millions of Aussies In that same year, those aged 55 and above accounted for 42 per cent of nights spent caravanning. Back in 2018, that same age group only took roughly 3.4 million caravan and camping trips across the country. But this isn't only popular amongst older Aussies, dubbed Grey Nomads, but middle-aged and younger Aussies are also jumping on the travel on Centrelink payments if you're caravanning for less than 12 months If you are planning to spend a few months on the road in a caravan, Centrelink will not include your home in its assets test. Bott said Services Australia will continue to assess you as being a homeowner if your journey lasts less than one year. However, your caravan will be included in that test during that time. Depending on how much your assets are worth, the vehicle could push you into a higher bracket or off the books completely. That could mean your Centrelink payments get reduced or taken away altogether. Services Australia will also not allow you to claim rent assistance on the site fees when staying at caravan parks. Impact on Centrelink payments if you're caravanning for more than 12 months The situation flips if you intend to travel in a caravan for more than a year. Services Australia will not include your caravan in the assets test, however, your principal place of residence back home will be included. That could have a much bigger impact on your eligibility for certain Centrelink payments, as homes are typically worth far more than caravans. But this will mean you can claim rent assistance for your site fees during your journey. It's only when you return from the caravan trip that you can make your home exempt from the assets test again. "If you lost your payments while travelling, you should check your eligibility to see if you can reapply now that you've returned," Bott said. What are the limits for Centrelink's Age Pension assets test? Assets include things like cars, business assets, property (not including your primary residence), your superannuation balance, investments and private trusts and private companies. These recently went up on July 1 to keep pace with inflation. To access the full pension: Single homeowners can now have assets of $321,500, which is up from $314,000 Couples who own a home can have $481,500, up from $470,000 Single non-homeowners can have assets of $579,500, up from $566,000 Couples who don't own their home can have $739,500, up from $722,000 To access the part pension: Single homeowners can have up to $704,500 in assets, which is up from $697,000 Couples who own a home can have up to $1,059,000, up from $1,047,500 Single non-homeowners can have assets of $579,500, up from $566,000 Couples who don't own their home can have $739,500, up from $722, in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Time Out
04-08-2025
- Time Out
Looking for a farmstay in NSW? You're not alone – "agritourism" is Australia's new travel trend
Ever dreamt of fleeing the city and spending your days collecting eggs and baking bread in a farmhouse kitchen? You're not alone. And while, for many of us, the cottagecore country existence is still just a pipe dream, holidays to the countryside are the next best thing. Over the past few years, farmstays and 'agritourism' experiences in NSW have been on the up, with some of the state's most lusted-after stays incorporating some kind of farm-style experience (everything from luxury farmstays to foraging workshops and fruit picking). In fact, new data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) has just confirmed that Regional NSW is Australia's leading destination for visitors seeking agritourism experiences. According to the data, 700,000 international visitors to NSW participated in agritourism experiences in 2024 alone, with participation in agritourism activities up. According to the data, visitors who engage with agritourism activities spend 9.1 per cent more per trip compared with people who don't get their hands dirty (so to speak). Plus, visitor expenditure by agritourism-ready international tourists was up 22 per cent year on year. With so many magical farmstays, cellar doors, orchards and vineyards to explore in NSW, we don't blame them. To help you kickstart your agritourism adventure, we've rounded up a few of our faves in the state. On Diego Bonetto's immersive mushroom foraging tours, you'll be taught all about the art of foraging and the fascinating world of fungi. Luxury farmstays at Barranca Kangaroo Valley At this magical eco-luxe farmstay, you can feed the farm animals before eating your own, locally-sourced breakfast hamper from an architecturally-designed cabin looking out across the rolling farmland. Set on a 1,000-acre property a few hours south of Sydney, Barranca Kangaroo Valley is agritourism in its most luxurious form. Oyster shucking and more at Narooma Oyster Festival This delightful foodie fest is a celebration of everyone's favourite mollusc: the anything-but-humble oyster. Over two shucking fun days, you'll get the chance to connect with oyster farmers, join oyster shucking masterclasses and, of course, knock a few back. At the 2023 event, 70,000 oysters were consumed over two days, and the festival has become the largest food and wine event in southern NSW. Fruit picking and cherry pie making at Ballinaclash At this charming, family-run vineyard and orchard, you can pick your own cherries then join a cherry pie making class before settling in for a wine tasting. Arrive hungry – the cherry ice-cream is the best you'll ever taste. Camel riding and goat cuddling at Silverton Outback Camels This incredibly Australiana farmstay is home to an extensive family of adorable goats, sheep, piggies and ponies, whom you'll find happily lazing in the outback sunshine. The farm is also home to a group of camels, and guests can book in for a camel ride around the stunning outback Picnics with alpacas at Bilpin Cider Company At this cellar door and orchard in the Blue Mountains, you can eat a slice of freshly baked apple pie while the local alpacas graze in their paddock just steps from your table. According to the NSW Government, things aren't slowing down in the agritourism space, with more to come over the next few years and Destination NSW hosting a special AgriTourism Summit to help boost the industry and support emerging and established operators. 'Agritourism is key to future-proofing our regional visitor economies – drawing travellers to the four corners of the state, from the Northern Rivers to the Riverina, and Port Stephens to Parkes,' explained Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper. These are the best glamping sites in NSW. These are the best camping sites near Sydney.
Time Out
30-06-2025
- Time Out
Sydney recently ranked as the best winter sun destination in the world – now it's been labelled a "coolcation" capital
When we hear the term 'holiday destinations', people often conjure up fantasies of warmer climates, a cocktail in hand and waves lapping at the sparkling shore (extra points for some Baja Fish Tacos delivered straight to the sun lounger, but we're not picky). But for those of us who lean into the Hygge lifestyle (a Scandinavian word to describe a warm and cosy vibe), the perfect getaway takes place in the winter months. Thanks to a new campaign from Destination NSW, Sydney – the city known for its outdoor lifestyle and summer experiences – has been pitched as a top holiday spot for those looking to get into the warm and woollies. If our cosy pubs with fireplaces are anything to go by, we'd say the theory checks out. The ' Feel the Sydney side of winter ' campaign has launched to showcase the delights on offer in Sydney through the colder months, and you might be pleasantly surprised to learn how much there is to see and do when the temps drop. Sure, the harbour comes alive during summer (so much so that it ranked as the best winter sun destination in the world for residents of the Northern Hemisphere). But have you ever popped on a pair of ugg boots and sipped a mug of mulled wine while watching the whales cruise past Clovelly? A report from Tourism Research Australia revealed that in 2024, 8.7 million domestic and international travellers visited Sydney between June and September. Which means a lot of people like the cut of our winter jib, and we can't blame 'em. If you're not afraid to pop on a puffer (and actually delight in doing so) you can grab a ticket to one of the theatre spectaculars lighting up stages across the city. Prefer to take culture at your own pace? Marvel at the arts by heading along to an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Art Gallery of NSW. More into sports than art? Catch the State of Origin game three decider at Accor Stadium or head down to cheer on the runners at the TCS Sydney Marathon. If you prefer to explore a city without a real plan in hand, our (relatively) mild winters mean that visitors won't have to battle through snowstorms to head off on an adventure; a good attitude (and perhaps a few restaurant recs) is all you need to head out onto Sydney's streets. Keen for a luxe city staycation? .
The Age
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Brisbane on top as American, Asian tourists flock to city
Brisbane has been named Queensland's top destination, attracting four in every 10 visitors to the state, and breaking international records. The latest data from Tourism Research Australia shows Brisbane delivered 38 per cent of the state's visitation (2.3 million) between January and March this year, with an added 31 per cent of visitor expenditure ($2 billion) and 30 per cent of visitor nights (6.9 million). During the same period, visitation from international holidaymakers increased by nearly 20 per cent year-on-year, with a total of 594,000 visitors. Tourism Research Australia said Brisbane set records for visitation from the USA, Indonesia and India, with visitation from China growing 28.4 per cent year-on-year as a result of added direct flights. The previous period saw record visitation from Canada, India and Thailand. Loading The Crisafulli government's 20-year tourism strategy, announced earlier this month, included a new Connecting Queensland Fund to unlock new air routes and drive international growth. The fund was pitched to initially focus on delivering direct flights from India and South-East Asia, and adding routes to hubs such as Kuala Lumpur and the Middle East. India is now the world's most populous nation, and is the largest economic market within range that does not have any direct routes to and from Brisbane Airport.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane on top as American, Asian tourists flock to city
Brisbane has been named Queensland's top destination, attracting four in every 10 visitors to the state, and breaking international records. The latest data from Tourism Research Australia shows Brisbane delivered 38 per cent of the state's visitation (2.3 million) between January and March this year, with an added 31 per cent of visitor expenditure ($2 billion) and 30 per cent of visitor nights (6.9 million). During the same period, visitation from international holidaymakers increased by nearly 20 per cent year-on-year, with a total of 594,000 visitors. Tourism Research Australia said Brisbane set records for visitation from the USA, Indonesia and India, with visitation from China growing 28.4 per cent year-on-year as a result of added direct flights. The previous period saw record visitation from Canada, India and Thailand. Loading The Crisafulli government's 20-year tourism strategy, announced earlier this month, included a new Connecting Queensland Fund to unlock new air routes and drive international growth. The fund was pitched to initially focus on delivering direct flights from India and South-East Asia, and adding routes to hubs such as Kuala Lumpur and the Middle East. India is now the world's most populous nation, and is the largest economic market within range that does not have any direct routes to and from Brisbane Airport.
