KarryOn

In an update today (8 October), DFAT announced it had reviewed its advice for Qatar and lowered its overall travel advice level for the Gulf state. “We now advise exercise a high degree of caution [level two] due to the unpredictable security situation in the region,” it says on its Smartraveller website. At the same time, the department has lowered its travel advice for the UAE, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as Emirates and Etihad Airways.

The offer, from Journey Beyond’s premium small-group outback operator, covers return flights from eight gateways: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra. Flights are bundled at the start and end of the tour, landing travellers directly at the departure point for trips spanning the Kimberley, Western Australia, Arnhem Land and Tasmania.

Timed to kick off Australia’s largest annual gay and lesbian festival, the two services carry flight numbers that mark milestones in Australian LGBTQIA+ history: VA1978 from Melbourne, for the year Sydney held its first Mardi Gras parade, and VA2017 from Brisbane, for the year same-sex marriage was legalised. Both are operated by Virgin Australia LGBTQIA+ crew and allies.

The PS Australian Star completed its inaugural seven-night cruise this week, departing Echuca on Monday 5 October, and is now sailing a revolving program on the Murray River for domestic and international travellers. Launched by Murray River Paddlesteamers and parent company The APT Travel Group, which recently acquired a majority stake in the Echuca operator, the vessel carries 38 guests across 19 staterooms and is the largest wood-fired paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere.

The next stage of Sunshine Coast Airport’s $170 million terminal transformation has opened, giving arriving passengers a larger, purpose-built space to collect their luggage. Around 20,000 passengers arrive at Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) each week and the longer luggage carousel is designed to deliver more bags at any one time and ease congestion at the belt. Passengers at the new, larger arrivals precinct and baggage claim area at Sunshine Coast Airport.

The SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum opened together in the heart of Music City, giving advisors a new, bookable Nashville drawcard to sell beyond the honky-tonks of Broadway. Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum spans more than 1,860 square metres (20,000 square feet), making it the largest single showcase of Dolly Parton’s life and legacy, occupying the third floor of the hotel with its own dedicated entrance at 126 3rd Avenue North.

Australians planning a 2027 European summer can choose from an array of major international airlines as Europe earlybird season is now upon us. Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines are the latest to open Europe earlybird economy fares with sharp pricing under $1,800, joining Virgin Australia (with Qatar Airways), while Qantas has an NT airfare deal and Jetstar has launched a 72-hour Japan and South Korea sale. Qatar Airways Economy Class with Europe earlybird fares.

Speaking to Australian media (including Karryon) in Melbourne this week, Air India’s global head of sales, Manish Puri, said the airline’s “Easy Connect” service, which allows Aussies to check their baggage through to their final destination within India, is expanding to several more cities across the country. For eligible passengers, that means no more baggage carousels, rechecking luggage, customs or immigration at Delhi airport before their domestic flights.

Speaking to Australian media (including Karryon) in Melbourne this week, Air India’s global head of sales, Manish Puri, said the airline’s “Easy Connect” service, which allows Aussies to check their baggage through to their final destination within India, is expanding to several more cities across the country. For eligible passengers, that means no more baggage carousels, rechecking luggage, customs or immigration at Delhi airport before their domestic flights.

Travellers are increasingly leaning on human expert advice, itinerary flexibility and real-time support to book with confidence, as geopolitical instability reshapes not just where Australians go, but whether they go at all. According to Redion’s 2026 Holiday Barometer, a record 50 per cent of Australian travellers say the risk of terrorism or armed conflict now plays an essential role in choosing their destination.