Ali, director of Operations and Commercial headed out to Australia to scour the country for the very best hotels, excursions and exclusive options for our 2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series packages. Keep reading to hear how he got on!

Having eagerly awaited the dates of the Ashes, we had pre-booked a trip to Australia to meet our the suppliers, check out and choose the hotels and also plan the itineraries and the sightseeing options. It’s a bonus that many of our staff have been in Australia recently planning for other trips. From this, we feel that we have got the best insight into the country and many options for the best travel experiences, to fit a range of choices. 

Gatwick Airport

The trip started with an overnight stay at Gatwick airport and a first use of the capsule hotel chain Yotel. If you are looking for a low-cost, no-frills bed for the night this might be worth looking at. Equally we have also used the Bloc hotel for similar short overnight stays. They can’t be compared to the hotels of various quality because they are capsules, so they are short on space, but low cost and convenient being inside the airport. 

Flying

We flew to Sydney via Dubai with Emirates. Having checked in online the check in was very relaxed and quick. We will be using lots of airlines to cater for our Ashes packages and we have the best and most current relationships as we were in Australia most recently for the Cricket World Cup and will be returning in the summer of 2025 in great numbers for the Lions tours. 

Landing in Australia

I have to admit upfront that Australia as a destination is very special to me. I was lucky enough to live in both Western Australia and New South Wales at various stages, as well as having run Lions Tours and multiple cricket programmes, including two Ashes series in the country. Like many of you will have been yourselves, I was there in Perth in the scorching sunshine, I was there in Adelaide as England lost the series on day 3 and the fallout that came with it, and I’ve been there on Boxing Day walking up to the ‘G’ which is a feeling no other sporting event can deliver.

Sydney

The trip started in Sydney and it’s fair to say that the city has changed a lot since the 2017/18 Ashes series. There is now a fantastic metro/ tram system supporting the city with modern contactless tap on/off function. Never has it been so easy to get around Sydney, which was already very accessible. 

Getting out to the ground has never been easier with regular trams that are free on match days with match tickets, and never more than a few minutes’ walk from hotels. In general, the hotel industry has changed substantially since Covid with many taking that opportunity to refurbish and refresh. It was fantastic to be back enjoying drinks overlooking the harbour from The Glenmore Pub, and to be back on the ferry to Manly, meeting all our old friends from the transport companies, the grounds, the excursion suppliers and the hotels, alongside the new properties that have appeared in the city. 

Adelaide

After covering everything in Sydney I took the short flight across to Adelaide which is a big change in pace from Sydney. Adelaide is going to be a fantastic host for the Ashes. The day/night game has moved to Brisbane which I personally welcome as it did get a bit cold in the evenings in Adelaide last time around. There are new hotels in Adelaide, and it’s such a fantastic city for getting around. The tram system is free within the city centre and everything you want is in walking distance. 

Having been back in the stadium it remains as special today as it was 7 years ago. What a fantastic stadium. On the day I visited they were gearing up for the Women’s Big Bash game and as I stood in various sections of the stands to choose the best seats, it reminded me that the view from any of the stands is fantastic. 

Whilst the city is compact it has wineries close by and coastal towns also. What struck me in Adelaide was the nature of the efforts the city has put in to host more and more sporting events. There are more hotels, the hotels have refurbished, the stadium is hosting more sporting events and there are many carnivals and cultural events on, yet the city maintains its laidback and relaxed feel.

Melbourne

From Adelaide I took an even shorter flight to Melbourne. Flying internally in Australia is incredibly easy, more akin to catching a bus. In Melbourne there is some construction happening on the South bank which is planned to be finished in early 2025 and the major works that were taking place in the city have now completed. As with Adelaide and Sydney, public transport in the city is free in Melbourne and all travel is free with match tickets on match days. 

As I walked around the MCG it was fantastic to see the mix of generations enjoying the magical venues, from the members delivering tours to young school children and equally fascinated adults. As the day ends and work finishes, the Southbank is a hive of activity with people enjoying drinks as the sun goes down over the river and into dinner that evening. Melbourne is a fantastic city to explore the laneways and discover new favourite spots and we’ve enjoyed many an evening in Chinatown enjoying the fantastic food on offer. 

Again, in Melbourne there are a lot of hotels that have changed hands and been freshened up which is great for us as visiting fans. In 2017/18 Wi-Fi was still often a payable item in hotels, that has long gone and hotels feel much more modern for the visiting fan. After catching up with everyone we needed to see to ensure we are ready for the creation of our cricket packages, it was an early wake up for a flight to Perth. As I left Melbourne at the crack of dawn and walked across the river the sun was rising from behind the MCG, a pretty special sight and whet the appetite to be back!

Perth

As I mentioned, Perth and Western Australia holds a special place in my heart, and it was great to be back. As I adjusted to the different time zone I took a walk from the city out to the new Optus Stadium, walking past the old WACA and Gloucester Park racetrack where the new stadium appears into view and it is very impressive. Yes, it’s modern and won’t have the uniqueness of the WACA but it’s certainly going to be a great host for a test match. Getting there is incredibly easy as it’s supported by regular trains and buses, all free with match tickets and what a lovely location it enjoys sitting alongside the river. 

Some of the hotels are located just a 5-minute walk away with the majority of the options in the city centre. Back in the city centre, when in Perth you have to head up to Kings Park for the beautiful views across the city. Elizabeth Quay is new and finished, back in 17/18 it was still being constructed in parts but it’s now a hub for both families enjoying the lovely climate and locals finishing work. Ferries depart from the jetty to take you on sightseeing trips along the river and now that Perth has the first test, with the shorter flight time from the UK I can see this being very popular. Sounds great to take in Perth and Brisbane with somewhere nice in between all being able to get home for Christmas. 

As with the other destinations, there are new hotels and refurbished hotels. There are new hubs of the city, new transport networks but the coastline remains as impressive as ever and if you have the time, I certainly recommend a trip to Fremantle, whether it’s to visit the markets, enjoy some fish and chips or to cross over to Rottnest Island. We plan to have some extra time in Perth to enjoy the wonderful climate and many excursions close by.

Departing Australia

It was sad to leave Perth to head home to the UK winter, but it was a brilliantly successful trip. To be able to get over to Australia, review all the hotels, choose the ones we hope to offer, and to see the new landscape and rebuild the excitement of being back in Australia for the 2025 Ashes. After the Covid interrupted years, we can’t wait to be back over there with you.