Our thoughts, first and foremost, go to those directly affected by these wars, the scores of innocent people caught in the crossfire. And you may say that any other conversation right now is “first world problems”, which is true. But this is the travel section, where all problems are first world problems.
So here goes: let’s talk about the problems with travel. Are you flying to Europe soon? Are you going in via the Middle East? Are you visiting somewhere like Jordan or Egypt? Are you planning a trip to a country close to Ukraine or Russia?
Or perhaps the US is more your thing, in which case have you considered stories of Australians being detained at the US border and then ultimately sent home, a permanent stain left on their record? Or the deployment of active US troops on the streets of Los Angeles, or the sweeping raids by ICE that seem to take in anyone who looks or sounds a bit different?
Snowfall along the Lake St Clair National Park hiking trail in Tasmania.Credit: Tourism Tasmania
There’s a lot of evidence for the idea that travel right now, at least to two of our favourite continents (Europe and North America), is just not a great idea. And we haven’t even talked about exchange rates, which are still brutal for Australian travellers heading to those continents. Or the very real prospect that fuel prices – aviation fuel included – are about to skyrocket.
It’s doom and gloom out there if you choose to consider all the factors.
And it should also, really, point you to one of the few destinations that still makes complete sense in this time of war and unrest: Australia. You remember, that place we all visited during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then left as soon as we had the chance? Yeah, Australia.
Fresh as it gets … oyster and wine tasting at Freycinet Marine Farm, Tasmania.Credit: Alastair Bett
We’re all set for an Australia summer. An Australia spring, too. It seems like now is the time to pull your travel focus back to your homeland, to sit tight in a safe, predictable place that could really use your custom while the rest of the globe simmers.
I would be looking to Australia for travel this year (as long as you don’t already have something else booked). I would be looking to Tasmania, which has a huge amount to offer, from untouched wilderness to cracking food and wine to varied, high-quality accommodation to just the friendliest people around.
Pristine shores of Radical Bay on Magnetic Island.
I would be looking to Queensland too, particularly during winter, where the weather is still as warm as the welcome, natural attractions like the reef and the rainforest are all still there, and the likes of Brisbane have truly come of age.
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Though, you could go for any state you wanted, or even just stay in your own. Go camping somewhere beautiful. Stay in a fancy hotel close by. Spend some of the money you’re saving on trans-hemispheric flights and take yourself out for a three-hatted meal.
There was a time not so long ago when we all travelled in Australia because we had no other choice. Now, unless you really want to fly the scenic route around countries intent on each other’s destruction, Australia once more seems the smart way to go.