Each week Traveller publishes a selection of rants, raves and travel tips from our readers. See below on how you can contribute.August 29, 2026 — 5:00amGo teamIt’s Qantas crew that make flights with the airline memorable, writes one Traveller reader.Getty ImagesIn defence of Qantas, during the last six months I have had two return international flights and two return domestic flights. Check-in at the airport was polite, courteous and efficient, as was boarding. However, I remain loyal to Qantas chiefly due to its onboard crew who make the flight memorable and as anxiety-free as possible. Although age is creeping up, I still travel economy because the service is still consistently hospitable. Upon boarding at London Heathrow, after an unsettling experience at Copenhagen Airport with British Airways, I informed the economy flight attendant that I was looking forward to the 16-hour flight to Perth for a box-set binge-watch and much-needed sleep. They ensured these small-scale desires, by meeting my refreshment needs with attentive regard. I do not expect much of an airline except that they get me there and back safely. Qantas, time after time, exceeds this basic expectation.Debra J. Phillips, Wollstonecraft, NSWLetter of the week: Deepest southKing penguins wander along a beach on Macquarie Island.iStockInstead of travelling all the way to Antarctica to see penguins, consider a wonderful expedition cruise to the sub-Antarctic islands from New Zealand. We did this with Ponant, it was the best cruise we have ever done. To sit on the beach at Macquarie Island among thousands of king penguins along with smaller royal penguins was amazing. The penguins pecked at our boots and stood before us as if having a meeting about us and who we were. We also visited other islands, where we saw a beautiful royal albatross sitting in the grass. We carefully walked past it, marvelling at its three- metre wing span. The cruise had expert scientists aboard, including a New Zealand Department of Conservation biologist who talked about the incredible project to rid Macquarie Island of rats and mice to allow the seabirds to breed safely.Eira Battaglia, Seaforth, NSWSign up for the Traveller newsletterThe latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.Pail imitationsDoes having and working through a travel “bucket list” provide true enjoyment? After all, it originally was a “wish list” before one “kicks the bucket”. Does it give inner enjoyment or just an inflated ego and bragging rights to bore everyone like the song I’ve been Everywhere? When travelling, would it not be better to look for something special in every place you go, rather than focus on the big extravaganza? When your bucket list is complete, what next?Marjie Williamson, Blaxland, NSWEditor’s note: Funny you should ask. On Sunday you’ll find a feature article by Ben Groundwater aimed squarely at those who think they’ve been everywhere. There are always new places to explore.Grab a parkMount Bogong, Alpine National Park, Victoria. AlamyWith cost of living pressures biting, your national parks story by Mark Chipperfield was timely. So many activities can be enjoyed in Australia’s many national parks. Victoria has only 45 national parks, having scotched the long-awaited Great Forest National Park, 60 kilometres north of Melbourne. It would have been a haven for tourists and wildlife while deer hunters can operate in six Victorian national parks: Alpine National Park, Baw Baw National Park, Errinundra National Park, Snowy River National Park, Mitchell River National Park and Lake Eildon National Park. Hopefully our new Victoria premier is less gun-friendly and more attuned to nature-based tourism.Joan Reilly, Surrey Hills, VicRoom with a better viewSometimes blockbuster exhibitions can be too popular.AlamyStymied by hundreds of keen viewers at a blockbuster art exhibition? I discovered a way to enjoy the paintings, displays and installations in rooms that are close to empty. I arrive at the opening hour and amble slowly. So attendants aren’t concerned, I go to the last room and start reading the information labels for the pieces and indulge in the art work. Then I work backwards, and about an hour later I’m at the start. From there I can then “re-view” the artwork; the second time around one’s eye is experienced. The curator may dispute the logic of this style of viewing but the pleasure of the almost private viewing is sustaining.Mary G. Clarke, Mount Gravatt, QldGood and VladWe had a wonderful river cruise in Russia (Traveller Letters, August 8) in 2013, from St Petersburg to Moscow. It was two weeks of relaxation, visiting various places, exploring the country’s cities and towns and cities, all while enjoying Russian culture. There were only 150 guests aboard with evenings on board taken up with learning language and culture while sailing through lakes and rivers. During the days we visited various museums, eating the local food and marvelling at the architecture. Hopefully, the political climate will improve, and more people from all over the world will be able to experience this amazing country.Mia David, Wollongong, NSWTip of the week: Mean streetsWe stayed in the Sanita/Materdei neighbourhood of Naples, Italy in an Airbnb last year and, as a result, we raised the anti-tourist sentiment obvious in those areas. As you make your way to the restaurant of your dreams, there is plentiful graffiti in the poorly lit streets, with “tourists go home” being the polite version. The restaurant may decide to leave you outside irrespective of any booking while it seats locals or just tells you they are full. Local shops such as the bakery and fishmonger can be either passive-aggressive or angrily refuse to serve you as soon as you walk in. The Airbnb influx in such a recently impoverished area is causing significant tensions. Protecting yourself against theft and scams in all areas of Naples requires constant watchfulness. Don’t expect relaxation if visiting there.Geri Moorman, Dee Why, NSWTake controlFor travellers, recent Sydney Airport air-traffic-control incidents are more than delays: they create understandable anxiety about safety, particularly during peak periods when staffing pressures and absences may be greatest. Major international hubs such as Singapore, Seoul and Bangkok routinely accommodate far greater aircraft movements without comparable recurring concerns. Sydney should be able to provide the same operational resilience. With Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport opening, Sydney will effectively have three major passenger-airport operations requiring appropriately staffed, experienced controllers. Before traffic expands further, the government and Airservices Australia must ensure adequate numbers, seniority and resilience across Sydney’s domestic, international and western operations.Joseph Ting, Carina, Qld Right on queuesDarwin Airport has devised an impressive test of the international traveller’s patience. First, join the often understaffed queue for security, unpack your belongings, get screened and repack. Then walk upstairs for approximately a minute, where you join another understaffed queue, unpack the same belongings and get screened all over again. Apparently, something alarming may have happened to you or your carry on bag on the escalator. I’m all for aviation security, but surely screening passengers twice within minutes is bureaucracy rather than security.Simon Benedict, Moonee Ponds, VicSwitch to remoteI refer to the letter by your reader Jennifer Saunders regarding certain aspects of her trip in the Kimberley in Western Australia (Traveller Letters, August 8). It would appear she has done little travelling in the north of the country, or she’d be aware that the cost of food and essentials are dictated by distance. The fact that workers were of Polynesian background (and would also include other islanders) is of no surprise to me as people, particularly those born in Australia, do not want to work in those locations. The fact that queries to staff resulted in no sensible reply would have been because they were being diplomatic and no doubt did not want to upset sensitivities.Michael Weiss, Vermont South, VicBackpack mentalityRight now, as we’re travelling down Western Australia’s beautiful Coral Coast from Exmouth to Perth, there is talk on the news about the federal government slowing the processing of working holiday (backpacking) visas. This has to be bad news for the tourism operators in places like Exmouth and Coral Bay on Ningaloo Reef, where every hospitality and retail worker and every room attendant and tour guide is a young backpacker from overseas. What will happen in the many places like these around Australia? Who else can realistically do this work in isolated places where there aren’t enough locals, apart from backpackers?Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSWSpot of botherMy husband and I recently visited the UK where we stayed at a budget hotel near our car-hire company in the town of Guildford, England. My husband collected the hire car and parked it outside the hotel doors where we took precisely 14 minutes to load up and drive off to the West Country. We knew it was 14 minutes because we were on CCTV owned by a private parking company which, to our surprise and horror, informed us by email that we’d parked illegally and would be fined £85 by them. Apparently, they owned the few spaces outside the hotel door, and, on top of that, there was another penalty of £35 from the car-hire firm. No one seemed surprised when we told our friends. It happens all the time apparently. You have to register your car on arrival via an iPad on the check-in desk but no one informed us of such a requirement. After several phone calls, which proved unhelpful, my dogged husband emailed the parking company and persuaded them that the fines were unfair, and they were subsequently waivered.Christine Galbraith, Wollongong, NSW Near MissI read Michael Gebicki’s review of the newly named Mandarin Oriental in Aswan, Egypt, with a touch of nostalgia. We stayed there in December 2005 (when Egypt was affected by a tourist downturn) and were upgraded to a river-view room. The hotel was certainly a little frayed at the edges, but the bed was comfortable and the bathroom efficient. My memory is of the experience of staying in an icon of slower grander travel with the tarboosh hat rack outside the door of the dining room where a pianist and harpist were playing as we were seated. When another couple entered, an elderly lady in a red dress and her son, obviously regular guests, the musicians stopped playing and began Chris de Burgh’s Lady in Red. Later a large birthday cake came out ablaze with candles and happy birthday was sung by the staff. The cake was shared with all of us still in the room. The next morning having coffee on the terrace, we spied the lady in red again, enjoying a quiet moment. Was she Miss Marple?Beryle Bevan, Scotts Head, NSWThe Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. See hardiegrant.comThe Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. See shop.lonelyplanet.comMore:Traveller lettersQantasFor subscribersAir travelFrom our partners