This Month
‘Superhuman’: Sea World staff slept at work to keep dolphins safe
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred crept towards south-east Queensland, Sea World set in motion a massive operation to ensure the park’s dolphins were safe.
February
Travel agencies smashed as airfares tumble
Flight Centre and Helloworld released disappointing results with the former’s average international fare decreasing by 6.5 per cent over the December half.
TWU Airlines is not needed to keep flying to the regions
Not only is the nationalisation of Rex not required to maintain air services to regions, it is wrong in principle based on basic competition policy grounds.
January
Frank Lowy trades up to private jet favoured by Bezos, Zuckerberg
The Westfield patriarch’s tail number was recently spotted on a top-of-line Gulfstream G700.
Just back from holidays? Time to plan the next one
In the second of a special two-part summer series, The Fin talks to travel editor Fiona Carruthers about why Greenland is on everyone’s list for 2025.
Were the good old days really that good?
Readers’ letters on “old-fashioned Australian values”, the erosion of democracy, gas as a transition fuel, ExxonMobil’s hypocrisy, the Congo’s riches, four-year terms, and nuclear power.
Think there’s been a major rise in shark attacks? You’re wrong
Two deaths within a week have heightened fears over the ocean predator, but experts insist there’s been no significant uptick in fatal attacks.
December 2024
I travelled for a year and found the best place to run is in Melbourne
Of the six surprising travel hacks I discovered in 2024, there were few better places to sweat it out than the Tan in the Victorian capital’s Botanic Gardens.
Qantas says goodbye to Richard Goyder
The former chairman was toasted by his board, exiting with free flights and a bruised reputation.
November 2024
Deloitte made me do it: CEO throws auditor under the bus
A weekend call from the auditors sent the $1.7 billion Web Travel into a spin.
Web Travel restates earnings two months after WebJet spinoff
Company boss John Guscic says he’ll explain to investors next week at a postponed results briefing why margins on its global WebBeds business are falling.
Wheels fall off the ASX’s new ‘Ferrari’
If the deal was about letting a sports car out of the garage, it drove straight into a freezer. A potential accounting issue is the last thing it needed.
October 2024
Bennelong restaurant preps for Jordan Peterson and ex-prime ministers
Dining with the popular online conservative sends a signal about the current state of Liberal party ideas.
Beach bans may last to the weekend in tar ball mystery
Thousands of tennis ball-sized black globules have washed up on some of the city’s most popular beaches, and authorities are worried about a risk to public health.
The King & me! Power players jockey for royal attention
Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys is manifesting a Randwick visit from the King this weekend.
Opulent yachts of Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer meet in Fiji
The billionaires’ vessels were recently spotted in an exclusive Pacific cove after Packer appeared on TV talking up one of his oldest friends.
Melbourne is losing its conference capital crown
The city has long called itself the major events capital of Australia, but data shows it has fallen behind Sydney in hosting business conferences.
Star Casino’s bloodied shareholders still paying top dollar
The corporate basket case released its remuneration report, which shows leaders are being paid like it’s an ASX major.
September 2024
Justin Hemmes’ fight for the heart of the Establishment
The hospitality baron is locked in a battle with a wealthy cattle farmer over naming rights.
August 2024
ILSC’s Ayers Rock Resort sale expands to the Daintree
The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation has launched a formal sale process for the operational assets of its subsidiary Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
The Canary Islands are revolting against British tourists
Permanent residents are dependent on an industry overwhelming their towns and destroying the environment.
$340m wipeout for Kangaroo Island ferry operator
Cost blowouts on construction of ferry infrastructure on Kangaroo Island, along with spending on buses in NSW and USA, cause a 25pc share price plunge at Kelsian.
Queen’s Wharf opening to revive Brisbane – and Star Entertainment
After years under construction and a stream of opening delays, Brisbane’s mega $3.6 billion resort and casino complex will finally fling open its doors next week.
Corporate Travel shares dive after earnings miss
UK refugee contracts failed to materialise, sending the travel booking company’s earnings spiralling.
Fortitude’s tourism bet Active Adventures inks US bolt-on
The New Zealand-based company has snapped up US family-owned bicycle tour company Discovery Bicycle Tours for around $3 million.