So, it’s time to book a trip. It could be a roadtrip to a new part of Australia you haven’t seen yet, or a much-awaited post-covid overseas trip. There’s a lot of stress when it comes to planning your perfect holiday. There is accommodation to consider, routes, activities to do and landmarks to see. You’ve done some preliminary googling, and on every other hotel or airline website you see one name pop up time and time again: Tripadvisor. With more than 20 years in the travel business, Tripadvisor has made a name for itself worldwide as a one-stop-shop destination for travellers online. If you’ve never used the service before, or you have a few questions, read on to find out everything you need to know about tripadvisor.com.au(opens in a new tab).
What is Tripadvisor?
Tripadvisor is a popular travel website that provides information and reviews of travel-related content. Launched in February 2000, Tripadvisor has become one of the largest travel websites in the world, allowing travellers to search for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other travel-related content in thousands of popular travel destinations. Users can also share their own experiences by writing reviews, posting photos, and giving ratings to the places they have visited. These user reviews make up the bedrock of Tripadvisor’s value to travellers, with a huge community of users giving honest feedback, which can help you avoid common mistakes and “tourist traps”. You can also find forums, travel guides, and booking options for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Overall, Tripadvisor aims to provide a comprehensive resource for travellers to plan and book their trips.
Is Tripadvisor a travel agency?
Tripadvisor is not a travel agency in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a travel website that provides information, reviews, and booking options for travellers. Tripadvisor does not directly offer or sell travel services, such as flights, hotels, or vacation packages, but instead acts as a platform for travellers to research and plan their trips. However, Tripadvisor partners with third-party providers such as online travel agencies, airlines, and hotels. This means that ultimately, you can use Tripadvisor to research, plan, and book your trips, but you will need to use third-party providers to complete the bookings. And while Tripadvisor has historically been used primarily for flights and accommodation, these days you can also use it to find activities and experiences in your chosen destination, with some great deals and benefits to speak of.
Why book experiences through Tripadvisor?
Within the ‘Things To Do(opens in a new tab)’ section of the Tripadvisor website or app, you’ll find curated lists of activities you can expect to find in your chosen destination. These often include scenic tours, museums and galleries, cultural and educational experiences, and local delicacies. If you’re a little lost on where you should go and what you should see, and if you want to make the most of what limited time you have on your travels, this is a great place to start. Tripadvisor carefully selects the providers and tourism agencies it works with to ensure they meet high standards of quality and safety. This can give you peace of mind knowing you're booking with a reputable provider. It also just provides a really user-friendly experience, with instant confirmation and the ability to manage your booking online. If you’re travelling on a budget, Tripadvisor can both help you save money with lowest price guarantees, some free 24-hour cancellations, and with user reviews (which can help you decide which expensive attractions to avoid, and which free attractions to not miss). There are also countless blogs and guides from users to help inspire you on your travels, like this article on “The Perfect 2 Days in London(opens in a new tab)”, that not only present you with a well-written travel story, but with links to booking those same experiences in the moment you are inspired by them.
Why book hotels through Tripadvisor?
Booking hotels through Tripadvisor(opens in a new tab) can offer a convenient way to keep all your travel plans together and get a great deal, with access to a wealth of information and options to help you navigate your burgeoning itinerary. Tripadvisor offers a vast selection of hotels and accommodation to choose from, all in one place. With an extensive database of user-generated reviews and ratings to help you determine the quality of a hotel, the amenities offered, and the overall guest experience. Tripadvisor also allows you to compare prices from multiple booking sites, which can help you find the best deal on your hotel stay.
Is it safe to buy tickets with Tripadvisor?
Tripadvisor doesn’t sell you tickets directly, but partners with third-party providers such as airlines, online travel agencies, and other booking platforms to offer tickets, accommodation and experiences to its users. When you click on the "Book Now" or "Check Prices" button on Tripadvisor, you will be directed to the website of the third-party provider to complete your booking. One benefit of Tripadvisor is that you are only looking at options that have been verified by both the travel website, and the scores of user reviews that are front and centre before you make any purchasing decisions. And while Tripadvisor works to ensure the safety and security of its users by only partnering with reputable providers, as with any online transaction, it is important to use caution and follow best practices to protect your personal and financial information. Additionally, use secure payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal and avoid sharing sensitive information such as your bank account details. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure a safe and secure booking experience.
If you’re looking to start making travel plans, or maybe it's crunch time (and you’ve already left), there is a heap of information and content on Tripadvisor that will be helpful to you. It also acts as a great way to keep track of activities and locations you want to visit, and as a means of price matching and effortlessly making sure you’re getting the most out of your trip. So, open up tripadvisor.com.au(opens in a new tab), do the digital equivalent of spinning a globe and seeing where your finger lands, and find out all the incredible travel experiences you could be having.
Top Travel Experiences In Australia On Tripadvisor
There are potentially thousands of experiences and activities to be found on Tripadvisor. And while many of the most popular options are guided tours and ticketed events, there’s also a bunch of free activities if you're traveling on a budget or need some inspiration. To give you a better idea of the sorts of experiences you can expect to find when planning your next Australian road trip, take a look at some of the highest rated travel experiences in Australia as rated by Tripadvisor users:
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns(opens in a new tab) QLD
Climb aboard a 35m superyacht in Cairns and set sail for the open sea. Reach the Barrier Reef and explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look.
Hotel pick: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort(opens in a new tab)Sydney Harbour Bridge BridgeClimb(opens in a new tab) NSW
Ascend the arches of the famous coathanger. See some of the most spectacular views of the Sydney skyline from the center of the harbour itself. With a number of options for different times of day and height of your climb.
Hotel pick: Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney(opens in a new tab)Jumping Crocodile Experience(opens in a new tab) NT
Cruise out onto the Adelaide River looking for crocs. Staff will entice the animals with food, causing them to jump high in the air. An unmissable Northern Territory experience, and one that you’re sure to remember.
Hotel pick: Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel(opens in a new tab)Yarra Valley Wine and Winery Tour(opens in a new tab) VIC
Visit Yarra Valley wineries on a tour from Melbourne that includes tastings and a vineyard lunch. You’ll tour four beloved Yarra Valley wineries—Steels Gate Winery, Balgownie Estate, Yering Farm, and Greenstone Vineyards—while learning about the flavors and terroir of Yarra Valley wines.
Hotel pick: Yering Gorge Cottages(opens in a new tab)Barossa Valley Wineries Tour with Tastings and Lunch from Adelaide(opens in a new tab) SA
Head to the Barossa for a full-day of wine tasting and a sprinkling of sightseeing. Board a “pretty bus” in Adelaide and enjoy exquisite cellar door experiences at three World Class Wineries.
Hotel pick: Majestic M Suites(opens in a new tab)2 Hour Return kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus(opens in a new tab) TAS
Enjoy hassle-free transfers between Hobart and the summit of Mt Wellington, a 30-minute journey each way. The 1,270m peak of Mt Wellington is Hobart’s most famous landmark and lies just west of the city.
Hotel pick: Grand Chancellor Hotel Hobart(opens in a new tab)
