Making a statement: Tasting Australia unveils new experiences

Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond has unveiled a series of new culinary adventures that aim to showcase South Australia and its bounty by plane, train and road. 

Three highlights from the festival’s 2026 program went on sale today, each offering a fresh perspective on culinary tourism showcased by leading chefs and beverage producers.

The festival will run from May 8-17, 2026. 

An evolution of popular Tasting Australia by Train invites culinary travellers to board The Ghan in Darwin and travel southbound to Adelaide, joined onboard by chefs including Michelin-starred Nieves Barragán Mohacho, Jo Barrett, Mark Best, Shannon Flemming and host Mandy Hall. 

The three-night journey will include a full day in Coober Pedy, exploring the outback town and its remarkable landscapes, together with lunch at Simpsons Gap, dinner beside the Alice Springs Telegraph Station and a bespoke Bollinger tasting and masterclass. Bollinger was not a South Australian product last time I checked. 

Tasting Australia Airlines will travel to the Eyre Peninsula in celebration of seafood and coastal views.

This full-day experience includes time aboard a historic tuna fishing boat, a visit to Coffin Bay National Park and food from chefs Mindy Woods, Ben Devlin and Jimmy Toone. 

The new Tasting Australia by Road series offers a chance to explore Adelaide’s surrounding regions with local food and beverage identities. Guests will travel in small groups to McLaren Vale, the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula, spending time on private farms, orchards, kitchens and at cellar doors.

South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the festival’s program would highlight culinary experiences unique to the state.

“We know quality food and wine are the top drivers of interstate visitation to our state, and Tasting Australia is where the very best eating and drinking experiences are brought together,” Bettison said.

“Its next edition is a renewed invitation to discover South Australian people, produce and places – to share adventures and enjoy the warm hospitality we are renowned for.”

Tasting Australia Festival Curator Kane Pollard said the first program release was an exciting milestone.

“These new program highlights speak to the spirit of adventure that runs through this festival, now in its 19th year and with a reputation for consistently raising the bar,” he said.

“South Australia’s hospitality scene is as diverse and delicious as ever. We can’t wait to feature its heroes in joyful events that chart their own course.”

The full Tasting Australia 2026 program will launch in February. 

See tastingaustralia.com.au for more info. 

Images: Melissa Lee

Seniors in one Australian state to enjoy free weekend public transport

Good news for local seniors who love travelling in the Australian state of Victoria.

In a move aimed at easing cost of living pressures and encouraging regional exploration, the state government is to make all public transport free on weekends to holders of Victorian Seniors cards from January 1, 2026.

The initiative will allow more than 650,000 seniors to travel by train, tram or bus for free across the entire state on weekends - saving regular travellers up to $360 a year, local media reported.

Seniors currently enjoy free travel on weekends within two local fare zones, but pay for longer journeys.

Under the new plan, restrictions will be lifted, offering free weekend travel across all 16 fare zones, from outlying areas including Wodonga, Warrnambool and beyond.

“This is about making it easier for seniors to see family, enjoy a day out with the grandkids or experience the best of Victoria - without the extra cost,” said Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

The policy builds on a regional fare cap introduced in 2023, which significantly reduced concession fares - cutting the cost of trips like Bendigo to Melbourne by more than half.

Seniors will continue to get a 50% discount on weekday fares, but on weekends, they won’t pay a cent,” said Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams.”

In neighbouring South Australia seniors get free transport 24/7. 

To access the free weekend travel, passengers must use a Senior Myki transport card and carry their Victorian Seniors Card while touching on and off as usual. While the system will still record trips, no fares will be deducted.

To be eligible for a Victorian Seniors Card, residents must be aged 60 or over, a permanent resident of the state, and work fewer than 35 hours per week.

The deal will not extend to visitors from interstate and overseas.

First we take Paris, then we take Berlin

 

Travelling by train is often the best choice in Europe - and two of the continent's great capitals are now linked by a direct high-speed train connection. 

Germany’s Deutsche Bahn and France's SNCF introduced a daytime InterCity Express (ICE) service between Paris and Berlin last month and are planning to add a second route between the two capitals in 2026.

Taking advantage of its new fleet of 322 kph ICE3neo trains, the once-a-day service takes around eight hours in each direction, also serving Strasbourg, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt on its 878km trip.

The trains link Paris Gare de l'Est with Berlin Hauptbahnhof. 

Fares start from around $100 Aus and each train has capacity for 444 passengers, of which 111 are in first class.

The new high-speed ICE service is the first direct daytime train between Paris and Berlin since the 1990s and complements the Nightjet sleeper service introduced in 2023.

Unfortunately, speeds on some section are reduced with trains having to use lower speed lines, but the service is expected to prove popular with both business and leisure travellers. 

The price of a Paris-Berlin ticket varies depends on many parameters such as whether you have a discount card or an SNCF subscription, the dates of the journey and the railway company.

For more details see https://www.sncf-connect.com/train/trajet/paris/berlin

New direct rail link between Luton Airport and London

A new train route connecting Luton Airport and central London is to launch this northern hemisphere summer, taking just 30 minutes to get passengers to the terminal.

This is good news for travellers flying with low-cost carriers, with the airport operating flights with Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air, Travel Mole reports.

Taking a London airport taxi from Luton airport to the downtown area of London is currently the most convenient transfer option. The ride costs approximately 80€ (£70) and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes

Trains do not currently run from Luton airport to the centre of London. To reach the train, you will first have to take a 10-minute shuttle bus from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway - inconvenient for those with luggage.

The new route - set to open from May - will be a faster, non-stop option. It will run between 6am and 10pm every half an hour on weekdays. It will also link with Corby in Northamptonshire

Eeast Midland Railways managing director Will Rogers said that the new route will offer "more seats, quicker journeys and a simpler and more resilient timetable".

Other London airports already have fast routes, include the Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and the Heathrow Express.