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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.
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Tourism surges thanks to rise in after-dark travel
The increase in 'noctourism' is seeing hundreds of millions of dollars added to Australia's economy each year.
ABC News
16-05-2025
- ABC News
Rise in after-dark travel drives tourism surge across Australian
Star-gazing, nude solstice swims and spectacular light shows are part of a growing travel trend known as "noctourism" that's injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into Australia's economy each year. A global survey of more than 27,000 travellers found noctourism was a top travel trend for 2025, according to with a growing demand for night experiences. Tourism Tasmania chief executive Sarah Clark said the state had positioned itself at the forefront of the noctourism trend, with the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, a major drawcard for visitors. "We're seeing an increase in visitors coming specifically for the night sky, but also for our nocturnal wildlife tours and dark-sky experiences," she said. "Tourists are coming for the natural beauty during the day but staying for the night-time spectacles like the Aurora. It's a major driver for visitors, particularly from international markets." The state's Dark Mofo festival, which includes art installations, music, and nude swims, kicks off next month, with Qantas adding extra flights between Melbourne and Hobart to accommodate the estimated 50,000 visitors. Vivid Sydney, one of the largest light festivals in the world, is expected to bring in more than 2.5 million people and $180 million when it starts at the end of May. Vivid's Festival Director Gill Minervini said the event was set up specifically to drive more tourism into Sydney in the winter months. "Over 15 years we've proved that people do want to go out in winter," Ms Minervini said. "They want to see their city in a new light. "We know our restaurants and hotels are full so as well as being an incredible creative force in Sydney, it's also a great economic force." Sydney Zoo in the city's west is also capitalising on the trend, with giant illuminated animal sculptures alongside real-life creatures in an event called "Glow". Sydney Zoo chief commercial officer Chris Rivett said the zoo was expecting more than 100,000 visitors to attend, bringing in $20 million to the local economy. "There's a lack of things to do for families in western Sydney and we saw an opportunity. Light shows in zoos work extremely well and we've seen that around the world and taken inspiration from that." Regional centres around the country are also looking to the skies to boost tourism while at Uluru in the Northern Territory, traditional owners, the Anangu, have created a drone show to share an ancient creation story. American travel journalist Stephanie Vermillion has written a book about night time travel adventures, and has herself chased auroras across the globe. "The night is this uncharted territory for many people," she said. She said darkness is becoming a drawcard for a new generation of travellers looking for off-peak experiences. "We go through our day-to-day on phones and in meetings — I think we travel to feel alive. And nothing makes me feel more alive than being out at night, really tuned in to what's around me," Ms Vermillion said. "At night, I have to be on — listening, looking, feeling. It's immersive. It's vivid. And I think that's what so many of us are craving."
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The beautiful city crowned cheapest party hotspot in Europe - with £2 pints and return flights from £25
If your dream break is about kicking back and partying a little harder than you might ordinarily then there's plenty of great European cities where you can dance till one remains much cheaper than the others, according to new research. While staying up all night in a glamorous destination is nothing new, there's now a name for it - 'noctourism'. The travel term defines the rise in breaks that are dedicated to seeking out the world's best party spots, with European cities amongst the most popular places to go. A recent study puts Prague at the top of the list of destinations that promise the best nightlife, when factors such as food and drink prices, safety and venue density per square kilometer - making bar crawls easier - all considered. The study by Casinova revealed the top ten party destinations in Europe ahead of this summer and found that the Czechia capital won hands down. Already established as a popular stag party destination thanks to low-cost flights from destinations across Europe - with flights from around £25 - the city has worked hard to make its nightlife a more sophisticated affair in recent years. Prices for a tipple remain lower than many of its European city break counterparts, with the average price of a drink just £1.96, compared to £6.75 in London. There's also a diverse array of venues in a small area, with 266 bars and clubs spread across just 496 square kilometres. And safety scores high too, notching up 75.51 on the index. In second place was another eastern European hotspot, but one that's lesser known than Prague. The compact city of Plovdiv in Bulgaria has an average drink price of £2.18, and although it's small, it's mighty, with 16 venues across just 101.98 square kilometres. Dining out is also hugely reasonable, the research found, with a meal costing on average just £6.54. Taking the third spot is Madrid, which has the most venues - 357 - of any that make the list. A night out in the Spanish capital isn't always cheap - an average meal out costs £12.17, but drinks are still much cheaper on average than in rival cities such as Paris and London - costing £2.84. For those still looking to get away this month, a lesser known city in Poland could be the answer to a cut-price half-term break for British families, according to new research. May half-term is looming and prices typically soar during the early summer break - but there are bargains to be had. Digital marketing agency Ink Digital says looking east to Central Europe could lead to big savings, with the city of Poznan, Poland's fifth largest city coming in as the cheapest destination for a family of four. A week's holiday costs £2,186 in the historic metropolis, which was once Poland's capital city. Beyond Poznan, three other Polish destinations appeared in the top five cheapest destinations. At the other end of the price spectrum, a mini-break in US cities - including New York, Chicago and LA - proved the most expensive for families, with a trip for four to the Big Apple in late May costing on average £7,643. Other Polish cities also fared well when it comes to keeping costs low for the May half-term, which typically crosses the final week of May and the first week of June. Tourist favourites Warsaw (£2,459), Krakow (£2,499) and Wroclaw (£2,959) also made the Top ten - all of which are on the low cost flights map from the UK. Big Apple, big costs: New York may be a favourite but families visiting during May half-term will pay in excess of £7,000 for a hop across the Pond On the ground, Poland is easy on the wallet too; the research found food more affordable than in other European destinations, with a three-course dinner for two as low as £33. Getting around is also a relative bargain; local transport is cheap with one-way tickets under £1 and taxi fares often below £1 per kilometre. For those determined to get some May sunshine, Portugal also ranked as one of the cheaper places to holiday for families, with Gaia, Braga and Porto all taking spots in the top ten. Those who enjoy a tipple might also find Portugal favourable, with its beer and wine prices making the top 20 destinations for lower alcohol costs.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why 'Noctourism' Is the Hottest Travel Trend of 2025
'There's something about being in nature at night that enlivens all the senses,' says Vicky Derksen. She's the creator of Night Sky Tourist, an Arizona company that organizes stargazing trips. In recent years, demand has been booming, Derksen says. 'The global dark-sky movement is making people aware of what they're missing at night.' Leading the charge is the nonprofit DarkSky International, which has to date certified more than 200 destinations worldwide as being well suited for stargazing and comet-spotting because of their low levels of light pollution. The demand for 'noctourism' continues to grow. In January, for example, the city of Tucson, Arizona, introduced its Astro Trail, a network of 11 sky-watching spots that includes the impressive 32-inch public telescope at Mount Lemmon SkyCenter and the pristine Saguaro National Park, which earned DarkSky certification in 2023. This fall, Phoenix will welcome a first-of-its-kind International Dark Sky Discovery Center, a 23,000-square-foot astronomy hub with an observatory, planetarium, and immersive exhibits. Another astronomical display, the northern lights, is drawing growing numbers to high latitudes. Canada's Yukon Territory, which borders Alaska, has seen a spike in aurora-season visits, and local outfitters have developed out-of-the-box ways to enjoy the phenomenon. North Country Outdoor Adventures, for example, runs nighttime ice-fishing tours near the city of Whitehorse that combine angling with night-sky viewing, while the new Yukon Spa in Dawson City has a rooftop barrel sauna and a whirlpool from which guests can admire the lights. Interest in eclipse tourism is also booming, particularly after the most recent show in April 2024. Similar solar spectacles will be visible in Spain in 2026 and in Egypt in 2027; demand to see them is so high that some trips are already sold out. 'Whether it's stargazing, night markets, the northern lights, or nighttime safaris, guests are looking for adventures after dark,' says Jim Lutz, the founder of Vaya Adventures, an outfitter. 'Long gone are the days when travelers expect to turn in by nine and turn out the lights.' Stephanie Vermillion's new book, '100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Adventures After Dark' (National Geographic), is available now. Wildlife Watchers See Kangaroo Island's nocturnal koalas, echidnas, and wallabies on a night safari with Australia's Southern Ocean Lodge. Hiking Enthusiasts Desert walks illuminated by the moon are one draw at Under Canvas Lake Powell–Grand Staircase, a Utah glamping getaway that also offers guided sky-viewing programs. Aurora Chasers Iceland's Hotel Rangá has long delighted aurora hunters with its on-site observatory; last year, it added private astronomer-led stargazing sessions for those who want to geek out. Forest Bathers In the woods of Alta, Norway, Holmen Husky Lodge has new 'Forest Suite' A-frames with views of the northern lights through large skylights. Safari Fans A new lodge in northern Kenya, Basecamp Samburu has night game drives and suites with alfresco starbeds. Duck the Crowds 'National parks are getting more crowded year after year, and stargazing programs are a great way to enjoy them with fewer people,' says Vicky Derksen, a noctourism pioneer. Enjoy Cooler Conditions Overwhelming heat has become an unfortunate reality of summertime trips to European cities. One solution is sightseeing after dark, with an after-hours tour of spots like Rome's Colosseum or the Acropolis Museum, in Athens. Skip the Hangover Drinking less, or not at all? Nighttime tours are an active alternative to bars and clubs. Many resorts are alsoadding astronomy-meets-wellness experiences, such as full-moon sound baths and starlit meditations. Do Something Different Noctourism can deliver a fresh point of view, whether you're hot-air ballooning in the predawn hours or hiking after dark. Millions of visitors see China's Great Wall every year, for example, but few go after sunset—something the outfitter Great Wall Adventure Club offers travelers looking for a new perspective. A version of this story first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline 'The Dawn of 'Noctourism.'' Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
