I want to holiday in Australia this year. How can I save on accommodation?

Given the hullaballoo happening in the world, I’m not going anywhere outside Australia for the rest of this year. One thing that bothers me though, is the high cost of accommodation in Australia. Is there an easy solution?
A. Wallace, Kingsford, NSW

If you want basic but clean, comfortable accommodation at a budget friendly price in some great holiday locations, YHA Australia is my secret source. You don’t have to be a youth, and they’re not exactly hostels. Sure, there are co-living rooms but also private rooms in some great locations including Apollo Bay, downtown Melbourne, Cairns, Byron Bay, the Blue Mountains and for the escapist, a bushland hideaway on Pittwater set on the hillside of Morning Bay in Ku-ring-gai National Park. YHA Sydney Harbour gets you a room overlooking Circular Quay and the Opera House plus a rooftop bar, at about half the cost of a room at the neighbouring Shangri-La Sydney.

I am planning a 20-day trip to Mexico from late December 2026, flying into and out of Mexico City. Instead of doing and seeing everything, I prefer to experience a few areas well. Can you suggest an itinerary? I love food, culture, wilderness, hiking and any other “must do” experiences. Also happy to chill out and people watch.
D. Crossley, Melbourne, Vic

Mexico is a great choice for December. The weather is ideal and there are plenty of festivities. Spend your first five days easing yourself into Mexican culture and food in Mexico City. Explore Centro Historico, focusing on the cathedral, the colonial streets and Zocalo, the main square. Other highlights include the Frida Kahlo Museum (advance bookings essential), Chapultepec Park and a day trip to the archaeological complex at Teotihuacan. Sample street food, sch as tacos al pastor and tamales, and take in the cool dining scene around the Roma and Condesa districts. Look for accommodation in these quarters of the city; both are walkable, safe and lively. A food tour is a great way to learn about the local cuisine as well as culture, especially for solo travellers.

Next stop, Oaxaca, via a one-hour flight. This is Mexico at a slower pace, plan to spend four days visiting local markets, the nearby textile and artisan towns and Teotitlan del Valle in the foothills of the Sierra Juarez mountains and sampling mezcal in nearby villages. Oaxaca is a world-class food city, don’t miss the dishes with mole sauces and tlayudas, crunchy tortillas covered with refried beans, asiento, lettuce or cabbage, avocado, meat, Oaxaca cheese and salsa, a local specialty. From there head for San Cristobal de las Casas to experience the mountainous highlands and dense rainforest of Chiapas, dotted with Mayan archaeological sites and Spanish colonial towns. Stay three nights and take a boat trip through Sumidero Canyon and visit some of the surrounding indigenous villages.

Next stop is the Yucatan Peninsula, fly to Merida or Cancun but you might base yourself at Tulum. Chichen Itza is the big Mayan archaeological drawcard in the Yucatan but Coba, one of the largest of all the region’s Mayan cities, is just a 45-minute drive from Tulum. You could also visit some of the region’s cenotes, limestone sinkholes you can swim in. Just south of Tulum, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is 5281 square kilometres of lush tropical forest, savannas, mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs that provide a home to hundreds of species of birds and animals. The best way to explore this ecological labyrinth is on an escorted boat tours offered by Friends of Sian Ka’an. From here you can fly to Mexico City to start your return journey.

My husband, who has no health issues, turns 80 in March 2027. I will be 65. We are both regular travellers and until now have relied upon credit card insurance, but I understand this is not available beyond the age of 80. Is there any travel insurance available that is not prohibitively expensive for travellers our age?
K. Jay, Cockatoo, Vic

Probus is a global association for retired and semi-retired individuals and it offers travel insurance at a competitive rate, underwritten by Allianz Global Assistance. You need to be an active member of Probus but conditions are not onerous, and membership comes with plenty of benefits. With more than 1400 clubs in Australia and New Zealand, Probus hosts regular meetings with guest speakers, activities and outings that foster social connection and upskilling for retirees.

My partner and I are visiting Sri Lanka for two weeks. We want to experience the beaches and authentic Sri Lankan culture. Any suggestions for essential places to include in our itinerary? What’s the best way to get around?
K. Dyson, Newcastle, NSW

Most travellers in Sri Lanka follow a well-worn path and it’s hard to deviate too much. While I’m no fan of goat-track tourism, with a little imagination you can weave some magic into the journey. From Colombo, make a clockwise circuit to visit the ruined cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and the impressive rock dome of Sigiriya. Turn south to spend a couple of days in Kandy, famous for the Temple of the Tooth, then head south through the tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya.

On the south-western tip of Sri Lanka, the ancient port of Galle is a city of sleepy fascination. It is a World Heritage site, where the fading shreds of the city’s colonial architecture provide a backdrop for coconut sellers and browsing cows. Between Galle and Colombo is the Resort Coast, the place to kick back and relax before returning to Colombo. One place you might include is Ulpotha, an eco-village that offers an immersion in local village culture, yoga and ayurveda. Many travellers hire a car and an English-speaking driver, which gives you the freedom to go when and where you want at a reasonable price. As an alterative, air-conditioned express buses operate on inter-city routes. Exotic Asia Holidays is a Sri Lanka specialist.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances