Tiger's end year take off

Part Singapore Airlines-owned Tiger Airways is to launch daily flights between Melbourne and Darwin on December 1 with Internet-only fares starting at AUD 79.99 one-way, inclusive of taxes.

Chief executive Tony Davis said it was half the cost of its competitors, but Jetstar quickly responded with AUD 79 Darwin-Melbourne fares valid from the same date.

“Darwin has long suffered from a lack of affordable domestic air fares and this new service, with our true low fares, will be welcomed by both travellers and the tourism industry,” said Davis.

Other routes will be added “in the coming weeks”, the carrier said. It recently placed an order for 30 extra Airbus A320s to be delivered from 2011, with an option to buy another 20.

Tiger will also increase its Singapore to Darwin services to a daily frequency from December 1 to tie in with the domestic operation.

From Darwin, flights to Melbourne will depart at 02.20 and 12.05.

The schedule sees flights depart Melbourne at 23.00 and arriving in Darwin at 01.50 four days a week and departing 20.00, arriving 22.50, three days per week.

Meanwhile, Asia's largest budget airline AirAsia is expected to announce the Australian destinations for its new long-haul carrier in July.

AirAsia's founder Tony Fernandes has signalled his interest in flying to Adelaide, Melbourne's Avalon and Newcastle,up the coast from Sydney in New South Wales.

AirAsia is expected to offer return fares for below AUD 400.

New luxury resort for Queensland

Qualia, a new luxury resort is set to open on Queensland's Hamilton Island at the end of August. The five-star property will be an important addition to the premium sector of the Australian accommodation market.

Hamilton Island is a two to three hours non-stop flight from Australia's major east coast cities. Qualia is set on the secluded and breathtakingly beautiful northenmost tip of the island, providing guests (18 years and over) with complete privacy.

The new resort will feature 60 private one-bedroom pavilions, accessible only to Qualia guests, with interiors including purpose-built hand-crafted furniture.

The Windward pavilions include their own plunge pool and are more than four times the size of an average hotel room.

At the top end of the product, Qualia's Beach House has uninterrupted sweeping views over the Coral Sea. It offers a spacious bedroom, an extensive entertaining area, and a private full-size swimming pool in the main pavilion. The Beach House also boasts a separate guest pavilion.

The property has a spa, complete with Roman baths, and a state-of-the-art gym and yoga centre right on the water's edge.

Qualia will have two restaurants -- one of them elegant for formal dining, the other more casual. Dining on the beach will also be offered to guests.

The rates? Qualia's Pavilions have a lead-in price of AUD 1,400 a night (AUD 1,600 if guests want a private plunge pool) while the Beach House runs at AUD 3,000 a night. Rates include all meals at Qualia and selected restaurants on Hamilton Island, all non-alcoholic drinks, non-motorised watersports and the use of a private electric buggy.

www.qualiaresort.com.au

When those boots are made for walking

If those boots are made for walking, Victoria offers a range of different tours that fit the picture.

Visitors can now get into the heart of the stunning Australian Alps on a new guided walk along the Great Walhalla Alpine Trail. The alpine walk extends from Mt Baw Baw to the quaint historic township of Walhalla in Gippsland, home to less than 20 permanent residents.

The challenging 40-kilometre guided walk follows the first section of the Australian Alps Walking Track, one of the world’s best walks, and travels past snowgum glades, rainforest, patches of wildflowers and abundant wildlife.

A two day/three night tour, the walk includes two nights with hotel accommodation and one night camping.

Scheduled walks depart October to April and are fully inclusive of meals, accommodation and guiding.

Elsewhere, visitors touring the world-famous Great Ocean Road should head for Tower Hill Reserve, the only attraction in Australia offering native wildlife and authentic Aboriginal experiences in a dormant volcano.

Believed to have erupted 30,000 years ago, Tower Hill’s volcanic formation is the largest of its type in Victoria.

Situated just 10 minutes west of Warrnambool, the area was once a rich food source for the Koroitgundidj people whose descendants retain links with this country. Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative offers a one-hour bush walk with local guides, who give an Aboriginal perspective on volcanic formations, bush survival practices and art.

There are many other activities, including spear and boomerang throwing, didgeridoo playing, message stone painting, dancing and traditional ceremonies. See abundant wildlife on five self-guided nature walks, such as emus, koalas, kangaroos, magpie geese, possums, wallabies and echidnas.

Meanwhile visitors to Melbourne can feel like a local on Hidden Secrets’ fantastic city tours, which help you uncover the unique and quirky attractions of Melbourne. Hidden Secrets Tours are led by in-the-know locals and focus on the alternative, unusual and cutting edge in design, fashion, art and cuisine.

The Lanes and Arcades Tour has become legendary, with the three-hour amble taking you to more than 50 unique shops tucked away down Melbourne’s laneways. Other tours include Gertrude’s Corner, which brings fashionable Gertrude St, Fitzroy, to life, and the Fashion Triangle Tour, which takes in the GPO, Melbourne Central and QV shopping precincts.

The Art and Design Tour explores the creative elements of the city, from hidden art galleries to commissioned graffiti, mural art, and art installations in the laneways. For food lovers, the Progressive Dinners Tour introduces you to some of the city’s best chefs and sommeliers as you sample great dishes and wines.

www.greatwalhallaalpinetrail.com
www.worngundidj.org.au
www.hiddensecretstours.com