Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 12 January 2026
WIN DRY BAGS
I’m often asked what lurks inside Casey, my faithful suitcase. Among essential packing items is a dry bag. This is a strong, waterproof bag with a roll-top clip which completely seals it. I always use vinyl-style dry bags. (My experience is that nylon and silicon ones are pretty useless.) I use it for days out whitewater rafting or kayaking, or keeping my camera dry when walking in rainforests. But it is also useful for wet bathers after that last swim at a hotel on the morning of leaving. And for laundry. And for things that you need to declare when you arrive home, like that little bespoke bottle of olive oil.
We have 20 West Travel Club dry bags to give to readers — and we’re doing it in pairs, so five winners will each receive two dry bags. There’s a pretty simple catch. All you have to do is sign up for our free midweek digital edition, eTravel (just to try it out). Send an email, with your first and second name, to info@westtravelclub.com.au . We will draw 10 winners at random and contact them.
LAST WEDNESDAY
We write separate stories for eTravel which don’t make it into print. Last Wednesday, we included stories about current offers and discounts.
BRIGHTER FUTURE
I’ve also always carried a small Petzl headtorch in Casey. There are hotel rooms in some places that are matt black with very little light (“the land that light forgot”). In other places, the fact that there’s a candle next to the bed is a sure giveaway that electricity supply is a flexible concept.
The new kid on the headtorch block is Othemo — and I was kindly given one by friends for Christmas. It has an ultra-bright band of LEDs across the front, with a 230-degree angle. Then there is a smaller side light, which can be turned on and off, hands-free, with a wave past it. It is weatherproof and water-resistant for use in different weather conditions. The strap is adjustable and it has USB-C charging, so there are no more batteries. They are usually $75 but $40 at the moment. For $8 there’s a two-year Othemo Care guarantee.
othemo.com
ESIM WARNING
We’ve been writing about eSIMs for phones. This is where you subscribe to a SIM plan without actually inserting a SIM card. I use Airalo, buying a 365-day plan. But here’s one warning — that Airalo doesn’t support transfer to a new device. Airalo can only be installed on one device — and once installed, it cannot be transferred to another device. So, if you get a new phone during your Airalo plan period, you will lose what’s left and have to start again with a new phone.
Airalo confirms: “Unlike traditional SIM cards, which you can physically remove and insert into another phone, the eSIM is digitally embedded and locked to the first device where it’s activated.”
STRANGE NOISES
Flights across Europe were disrupted last weekend when Greece was forced to close its airspace due to a communications failure. Lots of flights were delayed during the busy New Year weekend. What’s particularly interesting is that the civil aviation authority in Greece said an indeterminate “noise” was affecting radio channels. The cause is still unclear. A spokesperson for the authority said: “The ‘noise’ observed in the frequencies was in the form of continuous, involuntary emission. For some reason all frequencies were suddenly lost. We could not communicate with aircraft in the sky.” Panagiotis Psarros, chair of the Association of Greek Air Traffic Controllers, later told media that Greece has the most antiquated systems in Europe.
WATER IN DOHA
Perplexed passengers at Doha’s Hamed International Airport, about to enter the departure gate for Qatar’s flight to Perth on Monday morning, were told to tip out the water they’d just bought after clearing transit security. Cue a queue of travellers downing big bottles that cost up to $5, and claiming they didn’t have the same problem on their outbound flight to London. They were told that they could have taken the water on board if it was sealed in a duty-free bag, and they then endured a frustrating hour inside a gate which didn’t have a water fountain — or a toilet.
HOLIDAY HACKS
West Australians get 11 public holidays — the rest of Australia gets 12. But Virgin Australia has released its 2026 Annual Leave Hacks Guide, showing how to turn them into 29 days off.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson says travellers can strategically align annual leave with national and State-based public holidays and long weekends to extend time away from work.
“The release serves as a timely reminder for travellers to plan ahead, particularly as many return to work following the holiday period.”
January — Australia Day
Take leave: January 27–30 (Tuesday to Friday). Travel dates: Depart Friday evening, January 23; return Sunday, February 1, 2026. Outcome: Nine-day holiday using four days of annual leave.
April — Easter Take leave: April 7–10 (Tuesday to Friday). Travel dates: Depart Thursday evening, April 2; return Sunday, April 12, 2026. Outcome: Ten-day holiday using four days of annual leave.
December — Christmas and New Year Take leave: December 28–31, 2026. Travel dates: Depart Friday, December 25; return Sunday, January 3, 2027. Outcome: Ten-day holiday using four days of annual leave.
virginaustralia.com
GETTING CONNECTED
Ballardong First is a community-led celebration of Ballardong Noongar culture in York on the Australia Day weekend, from Saturday, January 24, to Monday, January 26. There will be music, storytelling, workshops and opportunities for connection. Sunday is a community fun day, with morning workshops for young people and families, a film screening of Journey Home, David Gulpilil, and the popular Ballardong Picnic by the River in the evening. Ballardong First is presented by Wheatbelt Arts and Events.
yorkfestival.com.au
RISING STAR
Australian Star is being hailed as the country’s first luxury overnight riverboat.
Murray River Paddlesteamers started sailing the “five-star” boat this summer and a spokesperson for the company says: “The 38-guest boat fuses heritage and contemporary elegance.” It is the biggest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere.
And Murray River Paddlesteamers has added bonuses for bookings made for 2027 voyages. Travellers booking a seven-night cruise on Australia Star departing between January 1 and August 31, 2027, get:
A $100 saving per person.
A free hotel night in Echuca or Melbourne before or after the cruise.
The chance to win $1000 off the total stateroom fare.
Bookings have to be made by February 28, 2026.
STEAM ENGINE
The $11 million Australian Star cruises year-round on the Murray River from Echuca, with journeys of between three and seven nights. It was designed to replicate a 19th-century paddlesteamer — but with modern luxuries. It has a big lounge offering river views, a gourmet restaurant, many outdoor areas to relax in and 19 staterooms. They all open to a deck and have an ensuite, air-conditioning, complimentary wi-fi and quality linen. It has an energy-efficient, hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system, with a 1907 woodfired steam engine. It sails the Murray, with excursions weaving in history, culture and nature. There are daily excursions to farms, wineries and heritage towns.
murrayriverpaddle steamers.com.au