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The World Awaits travel podcast aims to inspire your wanderlust The World Awaits travel podcast Travel tales to inspire your wanderlust GIVEAWAY! Win a night's stay & breakfast at the Novotel Melbourne Airport Competition closed! The winner is announced on this week's epsidode About us The World Awaits is Australia's top weekly travel podcast, dropping each Thursday on every major podcast platform. Co-hosted by Melbourne-based journalists, colleagues and friends Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson with sound producer (and resident movie reporter) Alaisdair Leith , each episode is curated to inspire your wanderlust, with travel trends, interviews and tips to help you travel better. Past guests include G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip , Lonely Planet guidebook founder Tony Wheeler , Channel Nine's Travel Guide Kevin Moloney and Australian Geographic Society’s 2024 Adventurer of the Year Lucy Barnard . We talk to travel book authors, walkers, explorers, wine drinkers, guides on the ground – and anyone with an amazing story to tell, as well as covering all the latest travel trends. If you love to travel, this is where you need to be. Listen here Latest episodes Explore previous episodes EP 143 South African safari by e-bike, car & in luxury; fuel-saving tips for roadtrippers & the death of the working holiday? Go safari by ebike, self driving and in luxury as host Belle Jackson tried all three options in South Africa recently. We're talking the all-inclusive and exceptionally knowledgeable experiences provided by leading luxury safari company Sabi Sabi Game Reserve . Also, how to self-drive through Kruger National Park, with expert travel planner Travel Africa Your Way and spotting ostriches and kudu while e-biking to the Cape of Good Hope with Cape Point E-Bike Tours . We're also announcing the winner of our giveaway of a night & buffet breakfast at the Novotel Melbourne Airport ! Thanks to everyone who entered! Also, why Gen Z's lost interest in taking an overseas working holiday and Crusader Caravans tops on how road trippers can manage increasing fuel prices. Listen here Ep 142 Japan's lesser-known regions, flights and fuel surcharges & Australia's prettiest national parks Rob Goss is a UK-born, Tokyo-based writer who has lived in Japan for almost two decades and authored more than a dozen books about the popular island nation. His latest book, Another Japan (Gestalten, Sep 2026), with photographer Irwin Wong, looks at community, rejuvenation, and cultural preservation in non-urban Japan. He talks to us about some of the best lesser-known places to go, and he has some top tips for first-time visitors. You'll find him at: https://www.tokyofreelance.com/bio/ https://www.instagram.com/robgosswriter/ Listen here EP 141 Travelling in Afghanistan, eye care & why cash is still king on the road Come to Central Asia's forgotten country, Afghanistan. We are joined by Afghanistan’s first female tour guide, Fatima Haidari, and adventure travel company Untamed Borders' founder James Willcox, author of the new Brandt Afghanistan guidebook. Fatima leads virtual tours through Afghanistan, a tribal country with enormous diversity. She talks about the impact tourism has upon her country, and the natural beauty of Bamiyan, chaotic, crowded Kabul and the poetic heart of Herat. Our tip this week is about keeping your eyes healthy while you travel, thanks to Sydney's The Eye Practice . And cash is still king, finds the inaugural Travelex Travel Money Insights Report. Listen here EP 140 Hot Take: Navigating the unknown – travel in the Middle East crisis & Australia's best airport hotels with a runway view Travel has taken a huge hit with the Middle East crisis now entering its fifth week, and it can be challenging to keep up with what you should and shouldn't do with travel plans during these significant and devastating world events. This week on our Hot Take, hosts Belinda Jackson and Kirstie Bedford bring you the good and the bad news to help you navigate this uncertain time when it comes to travel plans – with some positive solutions. Our tip this week is for the aviation geeks among us. We’re sharing the best runway rooms at Australasian airports; so if the sight of a plane taking off gets your blood pumping, this is the list for you. Listen here Stay in touch and keep it affordable in 200 destinations across the world. 15% Off Get an exclusive discount on Saily eSIMs with us Shop Now For 15% off your first purchase, download the SAILY app on your phone and use our code THEWORLDAWAITS Meet the team The World Awaits is co-hosted by Melbourne-based travel journalists, colleagues and friends Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson, with our sound producer, tech & film reviewer Alaisdair Leith. Co-host Kirstie Bedford Co-host KIRSTIE BEDFORD has the same enthusiasm for travel she held as a six-year-old when she boarded her first international flight. In her 20s, she did the customary European tour, cycling along the French Riviera and zipping around Tuscany on a scooter, but it’s learning from other cultures she holds dearest. Biking with locals on Vietnam’s Cam Kim Island; cooking traditional Sri Lankan dishes in Colombo; drinking sake with a Japanese family in Shikoku; and a Welcome to Country ceremony with Indigenous elders in Broome. Kirstie is Editor, Luxury at Karryon, a crime author with her debut fiction, White Lies, coming in 2027, and a travel writer who writes for multiple publications across Australasia. Co-host Belinda Jackson Co-host BELINDA JACKSON has travelled to every continent and lived on three, eating everything she was told to (and many things she should not have). The current Australian Travel Writer of the Year, she’s played piano while crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica, hiked through ancient olive groves in Palestine, danced in Russian nightclubs, taken a dingy to find hidden Australian rock art galleries. A former finance journalist in Ireland, Belinda's second home is Cairo, and she has more than a passing fancy for the Middle East’s scarves and carpets. She is a regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age 's Traveller , and chats regularly to ABC Radio , 3AW and 2GB. See globalsalsa.com Sound producer, tech & film reviewer Alaisdair Leith Sound producer ALAISDAIR LEITH is a man of many talents. Founder and editor of Novastream, he spends many a week reviewing the latest movies, games, TV and pop culture. When he’s not at the movies, trialling the latest travel gadgets or dropping the latest travel story, he’s editing The World Awaits travel podcast. Alaisdair ensures every episode is music to your ears, even if it means late-night edits and he always does it all with a smile. See novastreamnetwork.com Contact us Got a comment, enter a giveaway, or just say hi! Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you. Melbourne, Australia If you’d like to support us so we can continue to bring you inspirational travel interviews, you can 'buy us a coffee’ at https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits. hello@theworldawaits.au First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for getting in touch! Send © 2023 by The World Awaits. All rights reserved.

Collaborate with The World Awaits & Travel gear recommendations We love... Want to see how we travel? Alaisdair, Belle & Kirstie share their favourite travel gear, which has been tried, tested and featured on the podcast. Stay in touch and keep it affordable in 200 destinations across the world. For 15% off your first purchase, download the SAILY app on your phone and use our code "THEWORLDAWAITS"; saily.com Saily e-SIM Travel Hats Crushable, SPF 50, broad-brimmed, stylish, and it's all Australian made. The Bahama travel hat is the hat Belle swears by; tinamcopenhagen.com.au Zoomlite luggage The smartest, smoothest top-opening luggage that won't eat your precious hotel room space. Australian design, great colours; zoomlite.com.au Bellroy Lite Sling Mini Durable and lightweight, this crossbody sling lets you travel hands free, but with precious docs close, from Melbourne-company Bellroy;Shop Bellroy Lite Sling Mini bellroy.com Money.com We love a mention on our fav travel poddy! A must listen! Heather Jeffery, Hawaiian Airlines I’m so enjoying The World Awaits – really entertaining travelling vicariously with you without even leaving the M1! Kevin Moloney Channel 9 Travel Guides Loving every minute with you two. Andrea Barton, Author Such a great podcast that allows me to travel vicariously and to get ideas for our next vacations! Peter Hook PR Specialist Great episode. Thought I knew everything about FF points but learned a lot from Toby.

Australia's top travel podcast, dropping weekly with travel tales to inspire your wanderlust The World Awaits Contact Got a story idea you’d love to share? Drop us a line – we’re all ears! If you’d like to support us so we can continue to bring you inspirational travel interviews, you can 'buy us a coffee’ at https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits. Email hello@theworldawaits.au Social Media Got a comment, enter a giveaway, or just say hi! Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Join expert travel journalists Belinda Jackson and Kirstie Bedford on The World Awaits travel podcast

Australia's top travel podcast, dropping weekly with travel tales to inspire your wanderlust WORK WITH US The World Awaits works with travel-related brands across Australia and the world. Options include: Sponsored episodes A mix of pre, mid or end-roll, host-read ads to be inserted into each episode 30-second mid-roll ads supplied by the client 20-minute interviews on agreed theme with hosts Takeover of the news segment at the top or tip at the end of the show These can be with a mix of any of the above for placement in TWA's catalogue for evergreen branding. Get in touch to reach a travel-savvy audience that’s ready to hit the road. Contact us Who we've partnered with...

Australia's top travel podcast, dropping weekly with travel tales to inspire your wanderlust Episodes Stargazing around the world; best Aussie towns & making travel memories When was the last time you really soaked up the night sky? Spotted a full moon? Admired the Milky Way? Saw an aurora? Read More Norway beyond the fjords & world’s most liveable cities Dramatic fjords, snowy mountains, midnight sun… Norway’s natural beauty is legendary. But Torunn Tronsvang, founder of UpNorway, says there’s so much more to Norway than the stunning scenery. Torunn leads you through Norway’s world-leading food and wine scene, shares cultural experiences with the Indigenous people, as well as its impressive architecture, upnorway.com Read More Unlocking India, travelling with jewellery & ski prep tips India specialist Fiona Caulfield swapped a high-profile career as a futurist and branding consultant in New York for Bangalore in southern India, where she created the Love Travel brand. She shares the key to exploring India, lovetravelguides.com Read More The waterways of Vietnam, tourist taxes & safe sports Done Saigon and Hanoi, ready to explore more of Vietnam? Co-host Belle Jackson talks about why you should have the water cities of Hue (on the Perfume River), Kê Gà (on Kê Gà Bay) and Can Tho (on the Mekong Delta), on your must-visit list. She also shares the cultural tourism of the Azerai hotel group, and new flights from Melbourne into Hanoi with Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet, azerai.com, vietjetair.com Read More Deserted island escapes, new flight routes, inflight self-care Would you let yourself be dropped on a remote island, for total solitude? That’s explorer and entrepreneur Alvaro Cerezo’s job – he drops willing travellers on deserted islands in the most remote corners of the globe. Read More Best fares to Europe & the US, top tiny towns & pre-travel checklist Want to get the best airfare to Europe or the US? We’re going full #avgeek, as flight booking expert Mark Trim shares insider secrets on airlines to watch, alternative routes and the best time to buy. He also shares tips on booking in shoulder seasons and the Asian gateways offering great lie-flat deals. The co-founder of the Complex Travel Group, which specialises in round-the-world fares Read More Secrets of the Blue Zones, where Aussies are travelling & quirky honeymoon stays Do you want to know the secrets to living a long, healthy life? Blue Zone Vice President Nick Buettner reveals secrets from the Blue Zones, the places around the world where you can find people living the longest and healthiest lives, including Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan and Ikaria, Greece (pictured). And the show Nick mentions is Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones see netflix.com/title/81214929 Read More

< Back Secrets of the Blue Zones, where Aussies are travelling & quirky honeymoon stays Do you want to know the secrets to living a long, healthy life? Blue Zone Vice President Nick Buettner reveals secrets from the Blue Zones, the places around the world where you can find people living the longest and healthiest lives, including Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan and Ikaria, Greece (pictured). And the show Nick mentions is Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones see netflix.com/title/81214929 Do you want to know the secrets to living a long, healthy life? Blue Zone Vice President Nick Buettner reveals secrets from the Blue Zones , the places around the world where you can find people living the longest and healthiest lives, including Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan and Ikaria, Greece (pictured). And the show Nick mentions is Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones see netflix.com/title/81214929 Also, new research from Emirates shows where Aussies are travelling overseas, and quirky honeymoon hotels with luxury hotel travel booker Mr & Mrs Smith . Click to listen now Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Norway beyond the fjords & world’s most liveable cities Dramatic fjords, snowy mountains, midnight sun… Norway’s natural beauty is legendary. But Torunn Tronsvang, founder of UpNorway, says there’s so much more to Norway than the stunning scenery. Torunn leads you through Norway’s world-leading food and wine scene, shares cultural experiences with the Indigenous people, as well as its impressive architecture, upnorway.com Dramatic fjords, snowy mountains, midnight sun… Norway’s natural beauty is legendary. But Torunn Tronsvang , founder of UpNorway , says there’s so much more to Norway than the stunning scenery. Torunn leads you through Norway’s world-leading food and wine scene, shares cultural experiences with the Indigenous people, as well as its impressive architecture, upnorway.com Also, the most liveable cities in 2024 – and best language apps , economistgroup.com And Cunard’s Great Australian Culinary Voyage in 2025 will feature Big Esso indigenous chef Nornie Bero and others, see cunard.com , mabumabu.com.au Click to listen now Power in Numbers Programs Locations Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back The waterways of Vietnam, tourist taxes & safe sports Done Saigon and Hanoi, ready to explore more of Vietnam? Co-host Belle Jackson talks about why you should have the water cities of Hue (on the Perfume River), Kê Gà (on Kê Gà Bay) and Can Tho (on the Mekong Delta), on your must-visit list. She also shares the cultural tourism of the Azerai hotel group, and new flights from Melbourne into Hanoi with Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet, azerai.com, vietjetair.com Done Saigon and Hanoi, ready to explore more of Vietnam? Co-host Belle Jackson talks about why you should have the water cities of Hue (on the Perfume River), Kê Gà (on Kê Gà Bay) and Can Tho (on the Mekong Delta), on your must-visit list. She also shares the cultural tourism of the Azerai hotel group, and new flights from Melbourne into Hanoi with Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet, azerai.com , vietjetair.com Also, we talk about tourist taxes in New Zealand, Bali and Venice and whether they’ve deterred tourists visiting Europe – the visitation numbers say “Hmmm, not so much.” And our tips this week are from Smartraveller, who suggests you read the fine print on adventure sports, carry an emergency beacon if doing mountain sports, ask for that safety equipment and ensure you’re insured, https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Deserted island escapes, new flight routes, inflight self-care Would you let yourself be dropped on a remote island, for total solitude? That’s explorer and entrepreneur Alvaro Cerezo’s job – he drops willing travellers on deserted islands in the most remote corners of the globe. Would you let yourself be dropped on a remote island, for total solitude? That’s explorer and entrepreneur Alvaro Cerezo’s job – he drops willing travellers on deserted islands in the most remote corners of the globe. “We give fake names to protect our islands so they are secret to protect them from mass tourism.. [otherwise] we will destroy the feeling of isolation for the client… so that’s important to us to keep them secret,” he says. We also cover off the top new international airline routes from Australia, and we have some tips about how to best take care of yourself while you travel; from Andrea Powis of travellingdivas.com Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Stargazing around the world; best Aussie towns & making travel memories When was the last time you really soaked up the night sky? Spotted a full moon? Admired the Milky Way? Saw an aurora? When was the last time you really soaked up the night sky? Spotted a full moon? Admired the Milky Way? Saw an aurora?Marnie Ogg joins us to talk about astrotourism . Marnie designs and leads stargazing tours, and she is also the founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, which educates people about light pollution. So stay with us to learn the best places on Earth to go stargazing, aurora hunting and spotting all sorts of celestial bodies. See darkskytraveller.com .au We also reveal the best little town in Australia: it's official, with the winner of the Top Tourism Town Awards, and we've got some tips about how to make the best memories when you travel. See toptourismtowns.com .au Finally, it's giveaway time, thanks to Lonely Planet - win a guidebook to Vietnam, or their new book, Stargazing Around the World: A Tour of the Night Sky . To be in the running, email us at hello@theworldawaits.au Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Power in Numbers Programs Locations Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Best fares to Europe & the US, top tiny towns & pre-travel checklist Want to get the best airfare to Europe or the US? We’re going full #avgeek, as flight booking expert Mark Trim shares insider secrets on airlines to watch, alternative routes and the best time to buy. He also shares tips on booking in shoulder seasons and the Asian gateways offering great lie-flat deals. The co-founder of the Complex Travel Group, which specialises in round-the-world fares Want to get the best airfare to Europe or the US? We’re going full #avgeek , as flight booking expert Mark Trim shares insider secrets on airlines to watch, alternative routes and the best time to buy. He also shares tips on booking in shoulder seasons and the Asian gateways offering great lie-flat deals. The co-founder of the Complex Travel Group, which specialises in round-the-world fares , adds that the ‘best’ airfare may be the most wallet-friendly, or it could also be the one stuffed with fabulous destinations for a memorable adventure, see complextravel.com.au Also, Airbnb releases its list of the best tiny towns to visit in Australia, and tick off your essential pre-travel checklist with smartraveller.gov.au , from vaccinations to passport checks. Click to listen now Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next