Off-grid is on-trend as first-time caravan bookings surge this Easter break

The number of first-time caravanners is surging over Easter with 152 per cent more Australians trying their hand at outdoor holidays than the same time last year, according to RV sharing platform Camplify. The On the Road: Easter report shows pet-friendly travel is trending with more than a quarter of holidaymakers taking along their furry friends. There has also been a 50 per cent increase in off-grid adventures, now 12 per cent of trips. While Queensland coastal favourites like the Sunshine Coast remain popular, a "reef road trip revival" has had bookings for Agnes Water and 1770 jump by 48 per cent, alongside a growing appetite for inland nature stays in the Flinders Ranges.

A new wave of "granfluencers", or social media creators aged over 60, are driving travel bookings among older adults, a University of Queensland study reveals. By defying ageing stereotypes and showcasing more adventurous lifestyles, granfluencers are connecting with their peers more effectively than younger influencers. Dr Rashid Saeed from the university's Business School said granfluencers promote a more inclusive understanding of ageing that resonates across generations.

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Newcastle's beloved Art Gallery has reopened to the public after four years, becoming the largest public art institution in NSW outside of Sydney, and positioning the city as Sydney's newest cultural holiday rival. The building has more than doubled in size adding 1600 square metres of exhibition space, a cafe, retail zone and multi-purpose program area. The 2026 launch program includes an installation from Newcastle artist Angela Tiatia and portraits and sketches from national icon and painter Anh Do.