Explore reader wins a $42,000 holiday in North America

The iconic Rocky Mountaineer rail journey is part of the package.

Explore giveaway winner Leearna Brauman (left) with sister Janelle Bennato. Picture: Cai Holroyd

By Akash Arora

Updated April 1, 2025, first published August 24, 2024

They say you have to be in it to win it. And no one knows that better than Leearna Brauman, who has just won Explore's 15-day holiday for two in North America, valued at $42,000.

"I never enter competitions like this because I always think negative - that I'll never win anything," said 59-year-old Leearna, who lives in Griffith, NSW.

"This is the first time I did it and I still can't believe I have won it."

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It was a Friday afternoon when the 59-year-old, who was playing with her grandchildren, received a call from the Explore team, informing her of the news.

"I went speechless - mum. And I still haven't shared the news with anyone because I'm still processing it," she said.

A collaboration between tour operator Collette and Explore, the reader giveaway includes international flights for two travellers; two nights of accommodation at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel in Canada's breathtakingly beautiful Banff National Park; two nights of rail journey aboard the renowned Rocky Mountaineer train (from Banff to Vancouver); a seven-night cruise of the scenic Inside Passage in Alaska onboard a Holland America cruise ship; as well as two nights of premium accommodation in Vancouver.

Lake Louise, Canada. Picture: Roberto Nickson

Leearna intends to take her sister, Janelle Bennato, also a Griffith local, on this trip with her.

"My sister has had a very hard life with illness - she's had a kidney and pancreas transplant. That's a big thing. And her pancreas has just failed so she's back to being a diabetic, and her kidney is also not doing real well either," Leearna said.

"She means a lot to me, and this holiday is something I would love to share with her. I'm hoping she's still going to be here when we go on this trip next year."

Leearna has been to Canada once in the past but has never heard of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - one of the world's most luxurious and famous hotels, where her trip will start.

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada.

"I don't know much about it but I'm looking forward to doing my research," said Leearna, who's also excited about the Rocky Mountaineer train journey that'll take her from Banff to Vancouver, through stunning Canadian mountains.

But it is the cruise aspect of the 15-day holiday that Leearna is most thrilled about.

"My son said to me, only a few weeks ago, 'Mum, we should go on a cruise for your 60th' ... and now, I can't believe, I could be heading to an Alaskan cruise for my 60th."

Read more on Explore:

Explore is the Saturday travel section of 14 Australian newspapers published by ACM, including Bendigo Advertiser, The Canberra Times, The Courier (Ballarat), Central Western Daily (Orange), Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong), Newcastle Herald, The Advocate (Burnie), The Border Mail (Albury), The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga), The Examiner (Launceston), The Northern Daily Leader (Tamworth), The Standard (Warrnambool) and Western Advocate (Bathurst).

Explore offers reader giveaways every few months. To stay up to date, visit exploretravel.com.au and subscribe to the Explore newsletter.

Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.