Ruby the Roo to extend a warm Australian welcome at World Expo 2025 Osaka

Last week the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, hosted an event at the National Archives of Australia which brought together Australian companies in sectors from tourism to food and beverage, to renewable energy and space to celebrate the launch of the Australia Pavilion and Australia’s participation at World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. More than 40 Australian companies and hundreds of Australians have been involved in the preparations for the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025, where we will feature the best Australia has to offer to create new business opportunities, inspire travel to Australia, and strengthen our relationship with Japan. Tourism Australia’s Ruby the souvenir kangaroo is appearing at World Expo 2025 Osaka to extend a warm Australian welcome to visitors to the Australia Pavilion, which will showcase to Japan and the world the very best that Australia has to offer.

Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME)

Business Events Australia attended the AIME trade show to meet with international business events planners, media and to connect with Australian industry. The team hosted Sunday brunch for the international hosted buyers and media at the Port Melbourne Yacht Club in Melbourne / Narrm prior to the start of AIME. In partnership with Melbourne Convention Bureau, Tourism Australia's Executive General Manager of Commercial and Business Events Australia Robin Mack welcomed the guests to Australia and highlighted why there is nothing like Australia for business events. Managing Director Phillipa Harrison joined the opening media conference on the Monday to talk about Tourism Australia’s work, including the Business Events Bid Fund Program, and partnership with industry. During AIME Tourism Australia’s General Manager Business Events, Kelly Maynard, presented at the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) Convention Bureau Pillar Meeting, and attended the ABEA Leaders Forum event alongside Robin Mack.  

Ruby the Roo stars in interactive 3D in Germany

Tourism Australia’s brand ambassador, Ruby the kangaroo, is the star on the largest digital full-motion screen powered by solar energy in in the heart of one of Germany’s commercial powerhouses in the city of Duesseldorf. The digital out of home screen located in one of the most popular and highly frequented upmarket pedestrian zones in Germany has an average daily footfall of 152,000. The unmissable giant screen with the latest state-of-the-art technology features the interactive 3D animation of Ruby. Along with the giant screen, Ruby also features on the digital street furniture to extend the brand messaging further with a planned total reach of 3.6 million. The activation marks a burst in one of the key geo-location of the video-first brand campaign in Germany that launched in October 2024.

Tourism Australia Indsutry Webinar

Last Friday we held the first Industry Webinar for 2025. The webinar featured and update on Tourism Australia activity by Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison. Also on the webinar was by Tourism Australia’s Regional General Manager, South, South East Asia, Jennifer Doig who gave an update on that important market. And finally we were joined by Jayme Cuttriss, CEO, National Trust of Australia (Queensland) who provided some great insights as to what is happening in the next few months. If you missed the webinar you can watch a recording online here. Our next Industry Webinar will be held on Friday 28 March at 11am AEDT. Register to attend here.

Coral Sea Marina gears up for annual Clean Up Australia Day event

Coral Sea Marina is inviting the Whitsundays community to take part in its annual Clean Up Australia Day event on Sunday 2 March. In partnership with Tangaroa Blue Foundation and ReefClean, volunteers can help remove litter from land, waterways, and islands, contributing data to the Australian Marine Debris Initiative. Last year’s clean-up recovered over 100 kilograms of waste. Participants will meet at Coral Sea Marina at 8am, with gloves and collection bags provided. For details or to register click here.

Bullo River Station shares inaugural Sustainability Report amidst 10-year partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Bullo River Station in the East Kimberley has released its first Sustainability Report, highlighting its approach to conservation and pastoral operations. The 400,000-acre property, in partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, is balancing cattle grazing with ecological preservation through biodiversity monitoring, controlled grazing, and land restoration. Key achievements include increased solar power use, reducing waste, and a focus on local and sustainable food sourcing. To read the report, visit the website.

ATEC and Welcome With Pride launch Australia’s First LGBTIQ+ inclusive tourism training program

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) have partnered with Welcome With Pride to launch Australia’s first LGBTIQ+ inclusive tourism training program. Industry is encouraged to register for the e-learning course which will provide training on how to unlock the skills to authentically engage this high-value market. Find out more and register here.

Tourism Industry Digs in to Restore Tree Kangaroo Habitat

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) has planted a second hectare of tree kangaroo habitat in partnership with Reforest, supporting carbon removal and ecosystem restoration. The initiative, part of TTNQ’s broader sustainability efforts, saw 40 industry representatives’ plant 3,150 trees at the Mabi Forest site on the Atherton Tablelands. These trees will help remove 637 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years. TTNQ’s Reforest partnership encourages tourism businesses and visitors to contribute to local restoration projects, reinforcing tourism’s role in protecting natural assets. The Reforest dashboard tracks progress, with 18 TTNQ members planting over 5,600 trees to date. Find out more about the program, and find the dashboard at here.

The Calile Hotel debuts Rooftop Harvest event series with Julia Busuttil Nishimura

The Calile Hotel, Brisbane / Meanjin has announced the much-loved cook, presenter and best-selling author, Julia Busuttil Nishimura will launch the Rooftop Harvest series next month. The ongoing series of special events celebrates food through collaborations, new and experimental food concepts, and inclusive explorations of fresh air, food and ideas.The series’ first iteration will invite guests to take part in an epicurean excursion, presented by Julia in conversation with leading Australian chef and restaurateur Mark Best, that honours food as the great connecting force to our environment and each other. The culinary event will take place in two locations with welcome drinks and canapés as well as a live cooking demonstration by Julia taking place in the Calile rooftop garden: to an alfresco multicourse custom menu dinner hosted by Julia in the hotel’s Amphitheatre. For booking and more information, visit the website.

Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights to illuminate Mildura, Victoria

Experience the magic of internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, as he transforms the stunning Mildura Wentworth landscapes in Victoria with his latest large-scale light installation, Trail of Lights. Opening on 4 April 2025, this breathtaking display will transform the Murray River’s Lock Island into a mesmerising dreamscape of 12,500 firefly lights. Munro, celebrated for this visionary light installations worldwide, is best known for his iconic Field of Light installation at Uluru, Northern Territory – a globally recognised masterpiece that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Tickets for the 2025 autumn and winter season are on sale now via its website.

Barragunda Dining introduces a new wave of produce-driven dining in the Mornington Peninsula

Highly anticipated farm to table restaurant Barragunda Dining, will open its doors to its intimate 40-seat venue this Friday, 21 February. Located in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the venue is set within Barragunda Estate which boasts a sprawling 1000 acres of native bushland. Housed within an existing farm building, the space has been reimagined with a considered design, open kitchen and contemporary glass pavilion. Barragunda Dining has been driven by Executive Chef, Farmer and local, Simone Watt’s alongside food system advocate and philanthropist Hayley Morris. Diners can expect a set menu which is built around showcasing hyperlocal seasonal ingredients and embrace the cycles of the estate’s farm system. For bookings, visit its website.

Longitude 131° announces dates for 2025 artists-in-residence events with Ernabella Arts

Luxury outback camp Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has announced 2025 dates for its popular artists-in-residence program in partnership with the First Nations Anangu artists at Ernabella Arts. Longitude 131° holds a privileged, long-term working partnership with the team at Ernabella Arts, which includes commissioning artworks and ceramics, providing funding support for a ceramics tutor, the artists-in-residence program and special day tours offering guests the chance to visit the artists in the outback Ernabella studio. The artists-in-residence program sees Indigenous artists travel from Ernabella to stay a few days at the lodge, to paint with a view to World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Guests can see how the artist's work and experience how the vibrant works take shape in the cool surrounds of the main lodge.This year’s artist-in-residence dates are throughout the year. For more information, please visit the website.