Travel Guides’ return date is revealed! Everything to know about the 2026 series
Anyone looking to scratch that travel bug will soon be able to do so from the comfort of their own homes, as Travel Guides is back!
But this time, there will be some surprises in store, including some new castmates on the Channel Nine series (and you might already recognise them).
Filming for the 2026 season wrapped back in January, with Brett and Matt confirming on Instagram that they started travelling for the show in August.
Not all of the filming locations have been revealed, but we now know where the first episode was filmed – and when it will be released!
Scroll on for all the details.
When will the 2026 series of Travel Guides air?
Channel Nine has confirmed that Travel Guides will return on Tuesday, April 21, at 7.30pm for a massive special-event episode.
Ahead of the 2026 series launch, the recognisable crew will be heading off on a one-off adventure of a lifetime in Ireland.
Married At First Sight‘s best pals, Lucinda Light and Andrea Thompson, will be joining as a one-off new Travel Guides team for the trip.
The jam-packed itinerary sees the cast enjoy a drink and a dance in Dublin, try out Gaelic hurling in Galway, and visit an authentic sheep farm, among other adventures.
The guides will end their trip in Northern Ireland, visiting Belfast to learn all about the history of the Titanic and the Troubles.
This extra special episode will launch before the 2026 series, but it is not known when the rest of the episodes will follow.
If it follows the broadcaster’s schedule in previous years, it will hopefully air in the first part of 2026.
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Where is the 2026 series of Travel Guides being filmed?
As well as Ireland, the teams are set to visit a string of locations around Australia and the rest of the globe.
According to Channel Nine, viewers will also be able to enjoy some exciting adventures in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Rio de Janeiro.
And one team will even put on their Akubras for the Mount Isa rodeo Down Under.
“Our cast’s vastly different perspectives prove time and again that one person’s idea of holiday perfection is another’s idea of total hell,” a press release teased.
Meet the Travel Guides 2026 cast
(Credit: Instagram)
Kev, Dorian and Teng
Fan favourites Kev, Dorian, and Teng will be returning for the 2026 series and have already amped up the excitement on social media.
The trio took to their joint Instagram account to share a photograph of themselves in the airport, ready to jet off on their latest adventure.
However, they cheekily kept fans guessing as they didn’t reveal where they were heading off to.
(Credits: Channel Nine)
The Fren family
The Fren family have been a staple on Travel Guides ever since it premiered on Channel Nine eight years ago.
The family – parents Mark and Cathy, and their adult children Jonathon and Victoria – were recently hit by rumours that they were set to leave the show for their very own spin-off.
But they clarified that they are going nowhere and will be back again for another round of adventures.
“We’ve definitely seen the chatter about a potential spin-off, but there’s absolutely no truth to it,” Jono told New Idea exclusively.
“Travel Guides is such a brilliant show, with an incredible team behind it, and the Fren family feel so lucky to be part of something that has already won three Logies and is up for a fourth this year.
“Nothing could top the Travel Guides experience, and we’re not looking to do any other travel shows or spin-offs. We are perfectly happy where we are and are grateful to be part of such an incredible show like Travel Guides.”
(Credit: Channel Nine)
Matt and Brett
Newcastle couple Matt and Brett joined Travel Guides in season four and have confirmed they will be back for the 2026 season.
“Such great memories and we can’t wait to make some more, so watch out here we come!!” they wrote in a recent Instagram post.
The duo also recently renewed their passports in preparation for their latest holiday, but it remains to be seen where they will be heading next.
(Credits: Channel Nine)
Karly and Bri
It certainly wasn’t their first stint on reality TV, as they met while filming Channel Nine’s Beauty and the Geek in 2022.
The best friends have become staples on the show, and even admitted they felt “a bit odd” when they now travel without the rest of their Travel Guides cast and crew by their side.
(Credits: Channel Nine)
Kevin and Janetta
Kevin and Janetta will be back for the 2026 series after rumours that they could be axed from the show.
There were rumours swirling that they were at risk of being axed when Channel Nine put out a casting call for the 2026 series.
One fan addressed the speculation on Facebook, writing underneath one post: “Have Kevin and Janetta left Travel Guides?”
To which Janetta responded: “No,” prompting the relieved fan to add: “Glad to hear, love watching you two.”
(Credits: Channel Nine)
Andrea and Lucinda
However, there are some newcomers set to shake things up on the show – and you probably recognise them!
After much speculation, New Idea revealed that Married At First Sight stars Lucinda Light and Andrea Thompson would be joining the cast for a one-off episode.
Channel Nine, which airs both MAFS and Travel Guides, has reportedly been keen to reward Lucinda with a second TV stint for always “playing by the rules” during her time on MAFS.
“Lucinda is no fool. She picked Andrea because she’s fun but won’t steal the spotlight,” a source told New Idea of their signing.
“It’s a smart move and Lucinda knows this is her moment.”
The pair filmed their stint in Ireland in August with the rest of the cast.
And the Travel Guides family welcomed the new recruits with open arms, with Victoria Fren liking an August Instagram post from Lucinda that teased her reunion with her beloved ‘Andie’.
“It’s very much a ‘girls just want to have fun’ role,” the insider added.
“Viewers are going to see Lucinda laughing, letting her hair down, and living life in a way we didn’t see on MAFS.”
(Credits: Channel Nine )
Eliza and Liberty
Some other familiar faces that are set to make their Travel Guides debut are The Block stars Eliza and Liberty.
The Melbourne sisters rose to fame on the building competition in 2023, and will now be trying their hand at a brand new travel adventure.
Eliza and Liberty came in second place on The Block, nabbing them over $1 million, and now they are set to return to TV screens!
Channel Nine confirmed they would be joining the cast at the 2025 Upfronts on October 15, sending fans into a frenzy.
(Credits: Channel Nine)
Callum and Mitch
Love Island Australia besties Callum Hole and Mitch Hibberd will also be joining the fray in 2026.
However, they formed a strong “bromance” during the show, and their friendship became a fan-favourite aspect of the series.
Callum and Tina broke up shortly after filming, but he has still maintained his close friendship with Mitch.
Now, they will be packing their bags for a brand new adventure, really putting their bond to the test!
(Credits: Channel Nine )
Adam and Brooke
Australian country music duo Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley are also set to head off on a jet-setting adventure.
It is not their first stint at reality TV, as they previously took part in the 2024 celebrity edition of The Amazing Race Australia.
Married for 15 years, the couple are set to bring their signature flair to Travel Guides next year.
(Credits: Channel Nine)
Tash and Meryl
But not all of the newcomers are instantly recognisable for their TV fame.
Best friends Tash and Meryl are also set to join the ever-growing cast of Travel Guides.
Channel Nine revealed a first look at the new team at the Upfronts on October 15 in an exciting announcement.
(Credits: Channel Nine)
Nicky and Connie
Brisbane mums Nicky and Connie are also hoping to shake things up on Travel Guides.
They will be introduced to fans on the 2026 series as they jet around the world, but little else is known about the new team yet.
