Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 18 February 2025

INSPECT A GADGET

A charger and power bank that’s all in one neat little unit. Did I dream that once? Altronics has brought it to life for $159. Its USB 65W charger and wireless power bank is a comprehensive all-in-one unit with 65W USB C power delivery output for laptops, MagSafe-compatible wireless charging for phones and a standard USB A QC3.0 output for simultaneous charging of up to three devices. They can charge off its internal 15,000mAh (54Wh) battery and, when close to a mains outlet, there are Australian, US, UK and European travel adaptors in the box too. It comes in a nice zip-up carry case. (Two are $143 each; three are $127 each.) There are Altronics shops in Northbridge, Balcatta, Joondalup, Midland, Myaree and Cannington, or visit altronics.com.au.

RESTING BEACH FACE

Still shopping, I see there is a sunscreen serum called Resting Beach Face (surely a far nicer demeanour than “resting bitch face”). It’s an SPF30 product by the cosmetic company Everyday Humans. everyday-humans.com

BREATHING EASY

We get pretty consistent inquiries from readers about CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines, used by those with sleep-related breathing disorders including sleep apnoea. Which is also a polite way of saying “snorers”. The ResMed AirMini CPAP Machine is a popular solution. It weighs 380g and is small enough to fit on a headboard or bedside table. It comes in a kit for $1150. thecpapclinic.com.au

MARC FOLLOWS MOGENS

MotoGP star Marc Marquez clearly likes the Insta360 action camera — so much so he’s become an ambassador for it for the 2025 MotoGP season. Now in his 13th season, Marquez holds more than 30 MotoGP records — including being the youngest six-time MotoGP champion. Racing with the Ducati Lenovo team, Marquez says: “Insta360 cameras are small, easy to use and record with, and can capture amazing moments that a cameraman cannot. The audience will see my riding POV like never before.” Insta360.com

Mogens Johansen tested the camera recently. That story was published in Sunday Travel, you can read it here.

RAIL AND RACE

Vintage Rail Journeys has unique Bathurst Race’N Rail packages. Travel on the Vintage Rail Journeys 1960s ex-Southern Aurora train carriages to the Supercars Repco Bathurst 1000, which is from October 9-12, 2025. It combines a much-loved motorsport event with the charm and nostalgia of vintage rail travel. The package includes reserved grandstand tickets to the race for Saturday and Sunday, with travel there from Sydney on the Southern Aurora Vintage Rail Journeys train. The three-night package, with three breakfasts, one lunch, and dinner onboard the train on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights includes wine, beer and spirits on board the train. The four-day, three night package is from $4995 per person in a heritage twin cabin and $4945 in a heritage single cabin. vintagerailjourneys.com.au

BRIGHTER MOMENT

Canberra’s Enlighten Festival will transform our national capital into a stunning canvas of art, light and innovation in March. (Think a summer version of Sydney’s Vivid, minus the crowds.) National institutions will come to life with light, sound and movement. They include Australian Parliament House, National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, Old Parliament House, and Questacon, the national science and technology centre. It runs from February 28-March 10.

BUSINESS BONUS

Malaysia Airlines has up to 20 per cent off its business class fares until February 20. The offer is right across its international and domestic network. Tickets include access to lounges and gourmet dining. Chief commercial officer of airlines Dersenish Aresandiran is particularly proud of the airline’s A330neo planes. Spacious business class suites have privacy doors and direct aisle access. For business class passengers, there’s “meet and greet” assistance and access to the Golden Lounge and partner lounges worldwide, and private terminal transfers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1. malaysiaairlines.com

SKYBREATHE HOPES

A spokesperson for Vietjet, which flies between Perth and Vietnam, says it will be the first airline in Vietnam to adopt SkyBreathe, which leverages artificial intelligence, big data algorithms, and machine learning to analyse flight data and optimise fuel use. The SkyBreathe 360-degrees eco-flying platform provides practical recommendations for saving fuel. The spokesperson says analysis shows SkyBreathe could reduce Vietjet’s fuel consumption by 2 per cent and lower CO2 emissions by more than 87,000 tonnes a year.

VIEWS FOR TWO DECADES

Google Maps is celebrating its 20th anniversary — and the team there points out it has Aussie roots. An insider reveals: “It was an Australian startup called Where 2 Technologies, run in an apartment in Hunters Hill in Sydney, that built the core technology that would become Google Maps.” In addition to road maps, Google Maps gives aerial and satellite views of many locations and, in some cities, street views made from photographs taken from vehicles.

OFF TO ROTTO

Rottnest Fast Ferries recently launched a new addition to its fleet. Ocean Master is a 32m catamaran designed by Incat Crowther and purpose-built for the Rottnest run by Austal Australasia in Henderson, just south of Fremantle. It can carry up to 400 passengers and five crew members. There’s a “stepped deck” for whale watching. rottnestfastferries.com.au