Sydney Opera House launches new tour

Visitors to Sydney Opera House can now see as well as hear the dramatic story of the building following the introduction of a completely new visitor experience, The Essential Tour.

Featuring previously unseen video footage, The Essential Tour uses the latest audio-visual technology to give visitors a compelling experience.

Video sequences are shown at points of interest, using the building itself as a storytelling canvas. The sequences are delivered in ways which respect the building’s world heritage values using methods such as the projection of footage directly onto the interior fabric of the building.

The Essential Tour takes visitors on a journey celebrating the creative genius of architect Jørn Utzon, telling the story of a building which came into existence against seemingly impossible odds.

Tour guides bring to life the remarkable tale of design, construction, conflict and renewal, weaving video and sound with the unique structure of the building itself.

The Essential Tour will be available from October 15.

Fly your own Boeing

Fancy flying a Boeing? The five-star Hilton Melbourne Airport, in partnership with the Ansett Flight Simulator Centre, has just launched a new, fully interactive flight simulator package for guests

The Simulator Package enables visitors to strap themselves into the captain’s seat and - under the guidance of a qualified instructor - follow the real airline checklist procedures through all the phases of a real commercial flight. The simulator represents the world’s most popular airliner, the 737 – 300, 400, 500 series.

The Simulator Package includes a one-hour simulator flight; luxury accommodation on the deluxe floor; dinner and breakfast in the Airo Restaurant; a bottle of wine on arrival; late check-out; and return transfers to and from the Ansett Simulator Centre.

Hilton Melbourne Airport is located just minutes from Tullamarine airport and a half hour drive from Melbourne CBD. The 276 deluxe guest rooms offer in-room flight information, broadband access and levels of comfort rarely seen at an airport hotel.

The hotel also has a café, restaurant, lounge bar, ballroom and fully equipped gymnasium with heated indoor pool, spa, sauna and steam room.

Riding in tandem

Two of Australia’s best known cycle tourism operators, ROC Tours Australia and Outbike, have joined forces under The Adventure Collective, to create Australia’s leading adventure and cycle tourism company.

Both companies have become well known for providing unique cycling trips through some of the most remote regions of Australia’s Outback.

The Adventure Collective was formed by Peter Solly, former CEO of Bicycle SA, founder and former CEO of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Cycle Tourism (now Cycle Tourism Australia), with Emma Ringer, former staff journalist for Bicycling Australia and a number of other cycling magazines, and Ben Weigl, adventurer and experienced tour guide.

They are now offering a package as part of the Tour Down Under in 2008, which combines a blend of cycling, gourmet food, top class wine, nature, and racing action.

New policy for Whitsunday cruise

Whitsundays-based Fantasea Adventure Cruising has formally adopted a non-smoking policy across all of its operations - including its 10-strong fleet of inter-island ferries and cruise vessels to Reefworld and Whitehaven Beach, along with the cruise ship, MV Fantasea Ammari.

Award-winning Fantasea Cruising's newest and most luxurious vessel, the 60-metre, 32-cabin MV Fantasea Ammarì, began 3-night cruises to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday islands at the beinning of the year.

MV Fantasea Ammarì offers one cruise a week, departing Hamilton Island and Daydream Island Resort & Spa on Sundays, returning Wednesdays.

The vessel can also be charted exclusively for day trips and overnight cruises – an attractive package that is aimed at the MICE market.

MV Fantasea Ammarì features comfortable air-conditioned cabins, restaurant, cafe, bars, saltwater pool, day spa, salon and souvenir shop as well as offering an exciting range of on and off-board activities.

Fantasea Cruising, which is Australian-owned and operated, is the largest operator in the Whitsundays.

More Mantras for Queensland

Mantra Resorts has boosted its portfolio of hotels, resorts and apartments in Queensland with the addition of three former S8 properties on the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

This follows the recent acquisition of S8 by Mantra's parent company, the Stella Hospitality Group.

In Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, Zanzibar Resort Apartments and Sirocco Resort Apartments in have been re-branded as Mantra Zanzibar and Mantra Sirocco; while on the Gold coast the former Phoenician Resort Apartments at Broadbeach has changed to the Mantra Phoenician.

This brings Mantra's presence on the Gold Coast to five properties: the Mooloolaba re-brandings bring the Sunshine Coast total to four.

A new season in the saddle for Bogong

Bogong Horseback Adventures have set their departure dates for the coming season of packhorse adventures into the peaks and plains of the Victorian High Country.

As in past years, the 2008 programme is a mix of straight out adventure rides and a few "mobile clinics" on natural horsemanship and bush riding and camping skills.

All offer similar experiences in the same spectacular landscape.

The adventures focus on traditional packhorse journeys, travelling the High Country in a time honoured fashion – with an emphasis on great horses and good food along the way.

On offer are Mount Bogong rides and Mount Fainter rides, both offering different but rewarding riding country.

On the Fainter side you can expect traditional huts and yards, sweeping open high plains and often encounters with brumbies.

The Bogong rides offer spectacular landscapes, rugged remote tracks and soaring ridges and spurs.

Numbers on the tours are limited, and some dates book out early.

Brisbane Marriott plugs in

The five-star Brisbane Marriott is claiming an Australian ‘first’ after installing Plug In technology that gives guests instant access to using personal electronic devices such as MP3s, laptops and video games in their rooms.

The Plug-in technology has just been installed in all guest rooms as part of a AUD 4.25 million refurbishment of the hotel.

Currently only on offer in Australia at the Brisbane Marriott, the Plug In panel is being promoted as the answer to multimedia travel needs, allowing guests to access various different electronic devices to help with either work or play or a mixture of both.

For example, a split-screen function allows guests to work and watch TV at the same time. Simply plug in your laptop to the Plug-In panel and the TV automatically detects the laptop and splits the screen for viewing.

Or get more work done without the eye strain and plug your laptop into the Plug-In panel which will turn the 32 inch wide screen TV into a computer monitor.

The Brisbane Marriott Hotel is also looking after those guests like to play. Through the Plug-In technology MP3 component, guests can play their personal music through the speakers, while also charging their MP3 player.

Guests can also watch in-house DVDs by simply plugging in a personal DVD player to watch a movie displayed in high definition. Another option is to plug in personal video games to the Plug-In and play on the big screen.

Digital cameras and camcorders are easily hooked up to the Plug-In technology for viewing on the 32 inch widescreen TV monitor. This technology allows the user to make the most of personal equipment they carry with them to get that home away from home feel.