Travel news from Australia and around the globe: All the new things happening in 2024
New Harbour Bridge climb suit for first time in over a decade
December 19: Sydney Harbour Bridge's BridgeClimb has announced its first major suit redesign in over 12 years.
Created in collaboration with First Nations' artist Taleena Simon, the design reflects Gadigal Country, showcasing whales, fisherwomen in Nawi canoes, and gathering circles symbolising shared climber experiences.
"I wanted to create a piece that not only celebrates the beauty of the landscape but also honours the ancestral connections and stories of the Indigenous peoples who have called this land home for millennia," said Simon, who is a proud Worimi and Bundjalung woman.
"There is no doubt we're seeing growing demand for Indigenous tourism and experiences right around the country," said Managing Director of Tourism Australia Phillipa Harrison.
"BridgeClimb's new suits are a wonderful acknowledgement of the importance of the oldest living cultures on Earth."
BridgeClimb has welcomed over 4.5 million climbers to its famous arches since it was launched in 1998.
From Friday, December 20, all climbers who scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge will wear the new Climb Suit.
Read on for more travel news...
It's been a huge year of travel in 2024.
From new hotel openings, new flights, and a host of fun new experiences opening up around the globe, this year is set to be a fun-filled year of exploring.
Just in case you missed anything, here is some more of the most exciting travel news happening in Australia and the world.
Virgin Australia launches Journey Tracker
December 11: Virgin Australia has launched a new way to track your flight from your mobile.
Journey Tracker allows you to get updates from three hours before your trip.
It offers real-time updates on flight status, including gate changes and delays, on the lock screen.
You can also access boarding passes, and use the Virgin Australia app.
"Guests can focus on enjoying their journey rather than worrying about logistics," Virgin Australia General Manager Digital, Alex Plummer, said.
To use it, open the latest Virgin Australia app within three hours of departure.
You must have iOS 16+ or Android 8+ on your phone.
Fiji Airways launches new Dallas flight
December 10: Fiji Airways is now saying 'bula' to Dallas in the USA after launching a new flight route.
The airline's longest flight yet connects Nadi, Fiji with with Dallas Fort Worth, with connections avaliable to Australia.
The new service operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Fiji Airways is operating the Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft on the route, carrying 334 passengers, including 33 in lie-flat, aisle-access business class seats.
Return flights start at $1,599.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens at Disneyland
November 29: The new musical, water-based attraction Tiana's Bayou Adventure is now open at Disneyland Resort in California.
Inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film "The Princess and the Frog," guests board a log flume to join Tiana and her alligator friend Louis on a fun adventure through the bayou in search of a band for her Mardi Gras soiree.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure is the latest chapter in the princess and entrepreneur's story at Disneyland Park, which also includes the Tiana's Palace quick-service restaurant and three themed retail shops.
The ride based on the story of Disney's first Black princess previously opened in Orlando, Florida, in June and replaces the decades-old Splash Mountain attraction that was beloved by many Disney fans yet also widely criticised.
The original Splash Mountain ride – which first opened at Disneyland in 1989, and at Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland in 1992 – was based on characters from Song of the South, a 1946 Disney movie that has long been criticised as racist for its stereotypical portrayals of African Americans and a romanticised view of the antebellum South.
Delta Air Lines teams up with iconic burger chain
November 21: Delta Air Lines has announced a new partnership with Shake Shack to bring its iconic cheeseburgers to 30,000 feet in the air.
The new menu will be available on long-haul flights, but only to a select few passengers.
The all-beef cheeseburger with Shake Shack's special sauce, plus lettuce, onions, pickles and tomato on a potato bun can be yours if you're flying in first class.
