The call of country Australia: why the regions are king this season
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9 News
3 hours ago
- 9 News
Australians issued warning about popular tourist destinations
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Australian tourists have been warned to rethink trips to parts of Thailand and Cambodia as troops clash along the border in a deadly escalation of their months-long conflict. Fighting was ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Thai Defence Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said, and Thai villagers could be seen on video fleeing their homes to seek shelter as the clashes began in the morning. Local vehicles pass the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) Following a review of the situation, Smartraveller warned Australians to reconsider their need to travel to the Cambodian border provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, and the neighbouring Thai provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. The Cambodian provinces are just north of Siem Reap, a historic city globally famous for stunning temples such as Angkor Wat. The warnings don't extend to Siem Reap province itself but do cover several famous temples such as Preah Vihear, Ta Krabei and Ta Moan. "Armed conflict between Thai and Cambodian military forces along the Thai-Cambodian border has increased," Smartraveller warned. "This includes reports of military strikes, violence and the use of landmines in the border areas. "Follow the advice of local authorities, monitor local media for updates and pay close attention to your personal security." Thailand sealed all land border crossings while urging its citizens to leave Cambodia. A mine explosion along the border on Wednesday that wounded five Thai soldiers triggered the clashes and led Bangkok to withdraw its ambassador to Cambodia and expel Cambodia's representative. Longstanding disputes periodically flare along the 800-kilometre border. They usually result in brief confrontations that sometimes involves exchanges of gunfire but relations have deteriorated sharply since a confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier. Yesterday's clashes were far bigger in scale and intensity than usual. - Reported with Associated Press CONTACT US Auto news: BYD speaks out about their ongoing battle with Tesla.
7NEWS
12 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Top travel trend: Australians are choosing ‘live like a local' Airbnb stays for authentic holidays
If your social feed is full of endless friends soaking up the European sun right now — you're not imagining it. A growing number of Aussies are jetting off to Europe and beyond to swap chilly mornings for sun and spritzes. But that's not the only shift happening — savvy jet-setters are skipping chain hotels in favour of local, lived-in stays — and Airbnb is leading the charge. Whether it's a stylish city apartment in Paris or a quiet cottage in the English countryside, Airbnb offers a wide range of unique places to stay. You can filter by location, budget, and type of place — making it the perfect solution for solo travellers, families or group getaways. Home to handy reviews and even pet-friendly options, finding an accomodation to suits your needs has never been easier, with niche requirements easy to find on the app. Washing machine? Car space? You name it, Airbnb's filters can help you find it. With major sporting events happening across Europe and the UK, Aussies are busy making a holiday out of it. From Wimbledon in London to football finals in France, travellers are flying across the globe to experience the action firsthand. 'Australians are known for their love of both sport and travel, a passion that extends to global sporting events, attracting countless Aussie fans,' says Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Manager for Australia. With many accomodating hosts offering flexible check-in and check-out times, unique features in their properties (hello cinema rooms) it's an opportunity to experience a comfortable home-away-from-home stay while you're overseas. Arguably the best — and easiest — way to get a taste for the city or country you're visiting, more and more Aussies are opting for a local and unique Airbnb accomodation over chain hotels. You could even find yourself right on the doorstep of footy stadiums or moments away from Grand Slam tennis courts — a game-changer when it comes to skipping the queues and avoiding public transport. For hosts, it's also a clever move. 'For those embarking on sporting adventures abroad, listing your home on Airbnb offers a smart way to not only utilise your empty space but offset the cost of your trip!' Susan notes. Airbnb's co-host network can even help manage your place when overseas. 'Our co-host network simplifies the process, allowing you to easily find a local host to manage your listing while you're away,' she explains. Whether you're a regular traveller or simply indulge in a yearly holiday, listing on Airbnb is a great way to offer other visitors a unique stay. The platform has also introduced Airbnb experiences, offering local tours, classes and services you can book throughout your stay. Think expert-led historical walks and carefully curated pub crawls — you could explore the city as if it's your regular stomping ground. 'Whether your destination is within Australia or across the globe, Airbnb offers you the opportunity to live like a local while enjoying your favourite sporting events,' says Susan.
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Overseas travellers are paying an extra $80 when they don't have to
Picture: Shutterstock Use a card with no international fees Set up your PIN before you leave for your holiday Don't withdraw money at airport currency exchange kiosks Pay in the local currency Foreign transaction fees are surely the bane of every overseas traveller's existence. You often forget about them until you have to pay for something - or worse, until you get home and see your credit card bill. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area I experienced this on a recent trip to Europe, but more on that later. New research from shows almost 60 per cent of Australian travellers paid foreign transaction fees on their most recent overseas holiday, costing them $80 on average. A third of those were slugged with charges of $100 or more. says foreign transaction fees - charges banks apply when you use your card overseas or make a purchase in a foreign currency - typically range from 1 per cent to 3 per cent of the transaction amount. These charges can quickly add up. If you spend $5000 overseas, a 3 per cent foreign transaction fee adds up to $150 in unnecessary charges. Saving on international fees puts more money in your pocket for seeing the sights. Picture: Shutterstock finance expert, Sean Callery, says these fees are one of the most overlooked travel expenses and one of the easiest to avoid if you're willing to shop around. "Most people look for savings on flights, accommodation and travel insurance - but forget about international transaction fees," he says. There are plenty of credit cards and debit cards on the market that don't charge international transaction fees. Some allow you to see your balance and spending in both local currency and AUD, as well as the conversion rate, so you can control your spending. But there are other ways you can avoid hefty bank fees, too. Here are Explore and top tips to avoid those pesky fees. Use a card with no international fees Australians can pick from more than 30 debit and credit cards that charge no foreign transaction fees, Mr Callery said. Switch before you travel and save up to 3 per cent on every purchase or ATM withdrawal you make overseas or online in a foreign currency. Don't forget to set up your PIN Before my Europe trip, I obtained a travel money card. But once overseas, I realised I could only tap and pay up to a maximum of AU$100 and once over this cap, I had to punch in my PIN. The problem was, I hadn't set up my PIN before leaving Australia, so I used my other card for larger payments and ended up being slugged with the very fees I was trying to avoid. Make sure you set up your PIN before you travel. Avoid overseas ATMs with extra fees Mr Callery advises sticking to partner banks or major networks when withdrawing cash abroad. Some ATMs also charge their own fees on top of what your bank may add, so it's a good idea to check with your bank about fee-free global ATM partners or daily withdrawal charges. "Avoid withdrawing cash using a credit card as high cash advance rates and fees typically apply," he says Always pay in the local currency There are instances overseas when you might be asked whether you want to pay in Australian dollars or the local currency. Always choose the local currency, Mr Callery says. Picture: Shutterstock If you pick AUD, the merchant's payment system handles the conversion using its own exchange rate, which will trigger dynamic currency conversion, and this often adds hidden fees, he says. Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports "Airport currency counters have some of the worst exchange rates and fees," Mr Callery says. "If you need cash, withdraw a small amount from a reputable ATM abroad using a debit card or use a prepaid travel card." Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
