Whales are back in full force on the 'humpback highway' - here's how to see them

The annual humpback migration is officially underway along Australia's east coast, and Brisbane Whale Watching is marking its 30th year on the water with a push for greater environmental protection. Operating out of the sheltered waters of Moreton Bay Marine Park, a vital rest stop for mothers and their calves, the tour company is advocating for the bay's World Heritage listing. Visitors can see breaching and tail-slapping as an estimated 50,000 whales travel north through October, a staggering recovery from the 100 whales recorded at the end of the whaling era. Tours depart daily from June. brisbanewhalewatching.com.au

Far from a traditional kids' club, a wilderness sanctuary in Sri Lanka is inviting young travellers to walk in the shoes of early explorers. Resplendent Ceylon's Wild Coast Tented Lodge has unveiled The Fossil Room (pictured), with preserved specimens, animal skeletons and vintage telescopes among other interactive learning tools to inspire a new generation of junior rangers. Designed to spark curiosity about the island's prehistoric natural history, the resort blends luxury stays with hands-on conservation storytelling. Read more about Sri Lanka on page 16. resplendentceylon.com

Jetting off to Europe or island-hopping through south-east Asia is getting more accessible for budget-conscious Australian travellers. Low-cost carrier Vietjet is expanding its network, opening up fresh routes from Vietnam to the Philippines, Singapore and Kazakhstan. The airline is also introducing a long-haul connection to Prague via Almaty in Kazakhstan using its widebody Airbus A330 aircraft. Promotional fares across the network start from $199, including taxes. vietjetair.com