McLachlan's Helloworld Travel Wagga

17/10/2025

A Christmas Miracle - 2 x cabins only! Advent on the Danube 10 December 2025 from Vienna to Nuremberg! WIth most cabins booked out for winter cruising in 2025, and heavily booked in 2026 and 2027, two balcony cabins have been released. We would not expect them to last beyond a day or two. Cruising through a real winter fairytale, you can visit the best Christmas Markets along the Danube, explore some sleepy little towns and riverscapes, warm yourself with a delicious glass of mulled wine on board and immerse yourself in the wonderful traditions of the pre-Christmas period. Your spacious cabin on Amadeus Riva has a full picture window where the top half can be opened to create a French Balcony. A magic experience, available at this last minute if you are quick. Email [email protected] and if they are still avaiable we will lock them in for you. $3.395 per person sharing (twin or double).

At this most contemplative time of year, you can enter a real winter fairytale. Visit the best Christmas Markets along the Danube, explore some sleepy little towns and riverscapes, warm yourself with a delicious glass of mulled wine on board and immerse yourself in the wonderful traditions of the pr...

18/07/2025

SMELL THE FRANGIPANI. Sigh..
You’re under the banyan tree in the courtyard of the Moana. There is a mai tai in your hand. The sun is setting over the reef and a soft freeze blows though the garden. Smell the fangipani. Sigh. I the background, dancers are swaying to Blue Hawaii…

And almost next door is the amazing Halekulani where we have spent the last four nights. Our oceanfront room on the 8th floor had this incredible view of Diamond Head - you can see it perfectly from the lanai every morning.
The hotel is right on Waikiki Beach, so you're literally steps from the sand. Room service breakfast on the balcony was a highlight - they set up the table nicely and the weather was perfect the whole time we were there.
Staff was attentive without being intrusive. The concierge helped us book a sunset sail and gave good restaurant recommendations in Honolulu. Pool area gets busy around 10am but early morning is peaceful.
Would definitely stay again. The location and views are hard to beat if you want to be right in Waikiki but still have that luxury hotel experience.

In our opinion Hawaii is hard to beat, as is this superb property, and and prices seem to have settled a bit. If you would like to know more about the Moana, the Halekulani or one of the hundreds of other properties around Waikiki, just contact Samantha who will love to help you: [email protected]

16/07/2025

OTHER POOLS ARE NOW SO...ORDINARY! We loved this feedback on Kokomo in Fiji:
"Honestly, it's hard to put into words. The overwater villas have infinity pools that literally blend into the lagoon - you can't tell where one ends and the other begins.
The water is that impossible shade of turquoise you think only exists in heavily filtered photos. Boats anchor right off the beach, and you can swim out to them if you're feeling adventurous.
We spent most mornings exactly like this - coffee on the daybed, then a quick swim, then back to the daybed. Repeat. The staff brings you whatever you need without you having to ask twice.
If you're looking for somewhere to properly disconnect (or celebrate something special), this place delivers. Fair warning though - you'll spend the first day back home just staring at regular pools wondering why they look so... ordinary."

As you might guess it is far from cheap, for absolute value it may be worth putting on your list. If you interested please ask Samantha to advise you on this special place. [email protected]

28/11/2022

Don't Miss the Final Days
of Our Early Booking Discount!
________________________________________

LAST DAYS FOR EARLYBIRD BOOKINGS! As the year draws to a close, we look ahead to all the adventures and excitement that 2023 holds! We're proud to offer a luxury hotel experience with authentic, culturally engaging itineraries made complete with immersive optional excursions. Book any 2023 AMADEUS River Cruise by 130 NOV 2022 and save $150 per person! There are only a few days left, so be sure to take advantage of our Early Booking Discount and book now! (Ask us why we believe Amadeus to be the best value true luxury class experience on the European waterways). Agent feedback: "The ships are beautiful and the staff so lovely". Our family company is the Australian distributor for Amadeus.
www.amadeus-rivercruises.com.au

10/06/2022

OUR MOST AMAZING TRIP EVER! (ONE SUITE ONLY! Was booked out but we have a cancellation). If you have been hanging out to travel again this might be your chance to catch up. Cairo to Lisbon, 46 nights, 9 countries, 5 stunning Uniworld river ships. Our longest river package yet. 20th May 2023.
Dedicated Travelling Concierge for your entire journey
Internal flights, porterage and transfers included throughout.
Price twin share: $68,359pp fully inclusive – the only thing not included is flight to Cairo and flight home from Lisbon. Deposit is 10% or you can pay in full at time of booking to get an extra 10% saving.
Please email [email protected] and I will attend to your enquiry personally. Best regards, Gil McLachlan. CEO.
Overview below:
PART 1
Ship: S.S. Sphinx
Destination: Egypt
Days: 11
The Nile was home to the world’s first river cruises, so it’s apt that we start our voyage here. Join us as we celebrate our inaugural Rivers of the World Cruise in style at our opening event in Cairo. Then embark on the first part of your epic journey with luxury hotel stays in Cairo and onboard our newest Super Ship–S.S. Sphinx. Along the way, you’ll be joined by an expert Egyptologist and explore such fascinating ancient wonders as the temples at Abu Simbel.
PART 2
Ship: S.S. La Venezia
Destination: Italy, Switzerland
Days: 11
Cross the Mediterranean Sea as you fly into the Swiss Alps to stay at the beautiful Lake Town of Lugano, situated on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Then move onto a land tour in chic Milan before setting sail on the Venice Lagoon and Po River for your cruise through Northern Italy on the newly transformed S.S. La Venezia.
PART 3
Ship: S.S. Maria Theresa
Destination: Hungary, Austria and Germany
Days: 7
Cruise through the heart former Holy Roman Empire onboard a ship inspired by its most famous queen, Maria Theresa. Expect stunning natural landscapes, hidden gem villages and awe-inspiring regal architecture—which you’ll get VIP access to on such experiences as a private tour of the Schönbrunn Palace.
PART 4
Ship: S.S. Joie de Vivre
Destination: France
Days: 7
Head to the Seine for the penultimate leg of our trip. Here, you’ll indulge in the casual elegance of Paris, enjoy sumptuous wine and cuisines, explore a unique array of charming local towns in Northern France and form a profound emotional connection with the historic beaches of Normandy. Culminate your time in France with an iconic show at the Moulin Rouge, sure to be a highlight.
PART 5
Ship: S.S. São Gabriel
Destination: Portugal, Spain
Days: 11
Experiencing the spectacular Douro River Valley onboard the new S.S. São Gabriel is the perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime cruise, with no shortage of colorful cities and lush river views. Cap off your incredible journey with a land tour in Lisbon, during which you’ll visit the one-of-a-kind cities of Sintra and Cascais, and a glamorous Farewell Event in Lisbon.
Please email [email protected] and I will attend to your enquiry personally. Best regards, Gil McLachlan. CEO.

07/04/2022

In a positive sign for cruising worldwide, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that the first week in April was its biggest booking week since the line was founded in 1972. Carnival Spirit (pictured) departed Australia because of the covid cruise ban, but Carnival and other lines are preparing for their return now the ban has been lifted.

09/11/2021

You’re invited. Special Event for Remembrance Day:
This year for Remembrance Day, I would like to invite you to join me for a very special online event that will take you to the battlefields of the Western Front, Vietnam and Kokoda to chat about some of the most significant battles in Australia’s history.

DATE: 11 November 2021
TIME: 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Special guests joining me will be historian and battlefield guide Pete Smith from the Somme; Vietnam veteran and Military Cross recipient Gary McKay; and historian and Kokoda specialist David Howell – who has undertaken over 60 crossings of the Kokoda Track.

Please register to attend: https://synergyevents.eventsair.com/battlefield-tours/registration

I hope that you can join me to honour our Anzacs.

Mat McLachlan

You will receive an email confirming your registration and a separate email containing instructions on how to access the online event.

05/11/2021

SOMETHING SPECIAL! Here is a 39 second preview of what is coming up on Remembrance Day with the restart of Mat's battlefield tours. On 11 November 5.30pm AEST, Mat and Synergy Events will introduce some of Australia's most prominent historians to discuss the Western Front, Vietnam, Kokoda and more.
https://vimeo.com/642522444
I promise this will be special, and you can register at
https://synergyevents.eventsair.com/battlefield-tours/registration/Site/Register
P.S. Yes, Mat McLachlan BattlefieId Tours is the same family company that owns Helloworld Wagga and Mat attended Charles Sturt - and paid his way carrying bags at Wagga Airport. An excellent country education :)

This is "2021-11-03 Battlefields PROMO MASTER" by MCR on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

01/11/2021

After 590 days, Australia's international border has reopened, and here they come! The one going into Perth might be lost but on the east coast it's a traffic jam. Qantas has taken 500,000 new bookings already. We are taking bookings all the way into 2025, but the majority are for 2022. Viking Cruises restarted it's European river cruises in May with full vaccination and daily fast covid tests for all crew and passengers, and 93% of passengers said they felt safer on board than they did at home. Amadeus River Cruises in Europe has been sailing successfully since June and is launching new ships. And Mat reports that with our battlefield tour bookings, the vast majority are new travellers. It has been worth the wait!

31/10/2021

You are invited! Here is one of the most exciting media events with which we've ever been involved, as Synergy Effect create an extraordinary presentation where on Remembrance Day, 11 Nov 2021, West Wyalong/Wagga's Mat McLachlan will be announcing the new Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tour program for 2022. Just go to this link to register: https://synergyevents.eventsair.com/battlefield-tours/registration/Site/Register?fbclid=IwAR33P-P8Zm37Mwbf0ELEQgeHi7nMY2NBjFq1zXFvu88hdI21KKbRIW2ArnE