PRODUCT UPDATE

Sydney Opera House launches new tour

2007-10-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-10T01:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-07-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

The Australian Stella Group has taken over the UK-based long-haul travel retailer Travelbag for AUD 17 million.

The acquisition will further strengthen Stella's distribution capabilities in the UK, where it now has more than 90 retail outlets consisting of 83 Harvey World Travel shops and eight Travelbag outlets.

Stella has also purchased Travel 2 Travel 4 in the UK from Travelport, with extensive similarities between the businesses expected to aid integration.

The businesses will also be integrated with the Harvey World Travel network under Stella Travel Services umbrella.

Travelbag Managing Director Rick Weber and the senior management team will remain in the business.

Stella Group's existing Australian and New Zealand portfolio counts some 15,000 rooms under the Mantra, Peppers, BreakFree and Saville brands.

Rockford Adelaide joins Accor family

2007-07-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Accor group has added the centrally-located Rockford Adelaide Hotel to its growing Australian network.

Located on the corner of Hindley and Morphett Streets in the West End Arts precinct, the Rockford Adelaide recently completed a full refurbishment of its 57 hotel rooms and 11 spa suites.

For leisure travellers, Rundle Mall, Adelaide Oval, the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide SkyCity Casino, Festival Theatre and the picturesque Botanic Gardens are within easy walking distance from the hotel.

Ideal for business travellers, the Rockford is conveniently located close to the Adelaide Convention Centre. The hotel has wireless broadband access, in-house conference facilities, catering for boardroom and small meetings to a capacity of 220 people.

Hotel facilities include two restaurants and a bar – as well as a heated rooftop swimming pool with views across Adelaide Oval.

Diamonds from Cairns

2007-07-16T00:40:00.000-07:00

The Hilton Cairns in Tropical North Queensland is celebrating its 20th anniversary with diamonds.

It is running a promotion that offers guests the chance to win one of 20 half-carat diamonds from a local jewellery store.

Every booking at the Hilton Cairns between until December 15 (inclusive) will receive an arrival voucher inviting guests to go to Hardy Brothers Jewellers in Cairns to select a colourless gem and have it checked to see if it is a real diamond.

It doesn't matter if guests don't select a real diamond the first time around, they will still go in the draw to win a one carat diamond valued over AUD 11,000 drawn on December 18.

Accommodation rates at the Cairns Hilton start from AUD 150 per room, per night.

Eco-friendly driving with Hertz

2007-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hertz has introduced the petrol/electric Hybrid Toyota Prius to its Australian rental fleet. The car can travel up to 100 kilometres on just 4.4 litres of fuel, and up to 1,000 kilometres in a full tank.

The new Prius, which is being introduced progressively at major Hertz locations around the country, emits up to 55 per cent less carbon monoxide than conventionally powered vehicles of a similar size..

Hertz has more than 220 locations dotted around Australia.

In another sign of the times, Hertz has launched an on-line version of its Tour Operators Manual (TOM), providing tour operators and travel agents with detailed information on its Australian products and services.

Access is easy: just go to the site, enter the word “tom” as both Use ID and password and then click on the Tour Operator tab. You can also pick your preferred language: English, German, French or Spanish.

Apart from detailed information about its fleet, locations and contacts, there is also a mileage chart – which is very handy when preparing clients’ self-drive vacation itineraries. The site also gives some good advice on driving in the Outback.

Gippsland pushing to return

2007-07-07T04:57:00.000-07:00

Well-known for its excellent beaches, vast lakes, untamed wilderness and seasonal snowfields, the Gippsland Lakes region on Victoria’s south eastern coastline is currently pushing hard to restore its popular tourism appeal for the coming months.

Bushfires kept tourists away from the region over last year's Christmas holidays and tourists have been cancelling their winter trips because of the recent floods.

The Gippsland Lakes system is Australia’s biggest and most beautiful expanse of inland waterways with more than 400 square kilometres of lakes, rivers, lagoons and islands to explore.

The ideal way to explore the lakes is by boat. Head for Metung, a small, stylish lakeside village that offers a range of accommodation and award-winning boat hire options.

The lakes are separated from the ocean by a strip of coastal sand dunes known as the Ninety Mile Beach.

Separating the stunning Gippsland Lakes from the Bass Strait, Ninety Mile Beach is one of the most natural and unspoilt beaches in the world -- and is ideal for whale and dolphin-spotting.

Along with Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland’s Ninety Mile Beach are among Victoria’s greatest natural attractions – and both of them are ‘must visit’ locations on Melbourne-Sydney coastal self-drive itineraries.

Wilsons Promontory or 'The Prom', as it is fondly called by locals, sits at the southernmost point of mainland Australia.

The 50,000 hectare national park features great beaches, cool fern gullies, spectacular rock formations and an abundance of wildlife. Around half of Victoria’s bird species and a third of its mammals, both rare and common, can be found there.

The area is also renowned for its scenic walking tracks – more than 30 walks cover 130 kilometres of tracks varying in length and difficulty.

Victoria's new birdwatching tour

2007-07-04T02:32:00.000-07:00

Birdwatchers, and you'd be surprised how many there are among visitors to Australia, are now given the opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of the Geelong Otway Region on a new ecotour that focuses on the diverse and remarkable birdlife of the area.

Catering for small groups, Go Birding Tours offers a variety of day tours for birdwatchers who are keen to experience the widely diverse habitats of the area and observe the local wildlife.

What makes this tour so attractive for birdwatchers (or any eco-minded visitor) is that more than 300 different bird species have been recorded in this region, which begins just a one hour’s drive south west of Melbourne and includes the Bellarine Peninsula, Great Ocean Road, the Otways, and Brisbane Ranges region.

Tour guide Barry Lingham has lived on the Bellarine Peninsula for 20 years and has a wide knowledge of the fauna and flora of southern Victoria. He enjoys sharing his passion for bird watching with visitors to the area.

Catering for small groups of up to six people, the tours are conducted from a 4WD mini van and stop at key birdwatching areas along the way including: the wet forests of the Otways Ranges and Great Ocean Road; the coastal floral heathlands of the Surf Coast; the dry forests of the Brisbane Ranges and areas north of Geelong; and the Ramsar listed wetlands of the Bellarine Peninsula.

Go Birding operates out of a place called Ocean Grove, but will pick up guests within 30 kilometres of Geelong, which is the second largest city in Victoria, some 75 kilometres from Melbourne.

Tiger's end year take off

2007-06-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-19T23:46:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-19T23:19:00.000-07:00

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

Mirvac’s new European line-up

2007-02-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

Munich-based Conjoint Marketing Group, which represents Mirvac Hotels and Resorts in the UK/European market has appointed Petra Herget to the role of Sales Manager Europe and Chris Crampton Sales Manager UK and Ireland.

Petra comes from the German tour wholesaler Dertour, where over the past eight years she has held the roles of Asian Product Manager and team leader Asia, whilst Chris has worked in a variety of senior sales, commercial and strategic roles for CityFlyer Express, British Airways and Alamo covering the UK / Ireland, South African and Middle East markets.

Mirvac Hotels & Resorts currently owns and or manages 40 properties in Australia and New Zealand – and has recently taken over Australia’s Carlton Crest properties in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, which are being re-launched as part of Mirvac’s four-star Citigate brand.

Another leading Mirvac brand is its Sebel luxury portfolio, which will include the Sebel Harbour Lights Cairns at the beginning of April, offering 114 fully self contained 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.

Voyager replaces Pioneer at Britz

2007-01-17T03:05:00.000-08:00

Britz Campervans have announced a new addition to their fleet - the Britz Voyager.

The new vehicle replaces the Britz Pioneer, which caters for two couples or a family of four, is available for bookings now, with travel from April 1.

The Britz Voyager, which is said to have been developed in response to customer feedback, has two double beds and takes into account the number of campervan clients who prefer to use caravan park facilities while touring Australia by not including a built-in toilet and shower.

Britz say this configuration has been planned to provide more space and comfort in the vehicle while not including facilities that clients are unlikely to use.

The new configuration includes an 80-litre fridge, gas stove, crockery and cutlery, as well as a microwave and CD player.

The Britz Voyager is built on a powerful 2.6 litre 2006 Toyota Hiace super long wheel base chassis with automatic transmission.

Accolades for the Sunshine Coast

2007-01-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

It’s all been happening on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast lately, with good news for golfers, divers and those who prefer chilling out on the beach.

Hyatt Regency Coolum was recently named Best Australian Golf Course Resort at the Luxury Travel & Style 2007 Gold List Awards. The resort was also a finalist in the Best Australian Spa Resort category.

Another accolade for the Sunshine Coast has gone to Coolum Beach, which has been named Queensland's Cleanest Beach 2006.

The popular swimming and surf beach outperformed 175 other entrants from along the Queensland coast and islands in the annual Keep Australia Beautiful's Clean Beach Challenge.

Meanwhile, the dive business on the Sunshine Coast is booming as a direct result of national and international interest in diving on the wreck of the ex-HMAS Brisbane.

The latest estimate from the Environment Protection Agency suggests about 8,000 divers have made around 14,000 separate dives on the wreck since it was scuttled in July 2005.

The Sunshine Coast's Scuba World has reported a 400 per cent boost in dive numbers in the twelve months following the scuttling of the ex-HMAS Brisbane.

Eco-resort for Phillip Island

2007-01-16T02:31:00.000-08:00

Phillip Island, a major attraction in Victoria known for its legendary fairy penguins, will be offering a new resort in May with the opening of Accor’s All Seasons Eco Resort Phillip Island.

The eco-resort is the first of its kind on the island providing the perfect base for visitors who want to combine quality and comfort with environmental sensitivity. It will offer a mix of accommodation including self-contained studio spa as well as two and three bedroom villas.

All 211 villas will be operational by the end of 2007.

The villas are scattered within the 26-hectare (64 acre) site surrounded by bicycle and bush walking tracks. Resort facilities will include a swimming pool, toddler pool, tennis courts, health club (with a fully equipped gymnasium, spa and sauna) and a kids club with playground.

The resort will also host weddings, conferences and meetings for up to 150 delegates.

Phillip Island is also home to the annual Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix, which this year will be staged from October 12-14.

Accor also operates hotels in fragile environments including Grand Mercure Mt Buller Chalet in Victoria’s unique Alpine region; and the Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort in the Snowy Mountains, which conducts a guided walks programme in Kosciusko National Park, adhering to the environmental ‘Leave No Trace’ principles.

Accor recently opened Novotel Ningaloo Resort near Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia, one of the largest fringing coral reefs in the world and home to a diverse array of coral and marine life.

Your Monopoly vote needed

2007-01-10T16:11:00.000-08:00

An Australian version of the world popular Monopoly game is to be released in June.

And you are invited to log onto www.monopoly.com.au to vote for your favourite towns and attractions from around Australia.

Are you a fan of the Barossa Valley, Margaret River, the Great Ocean Road, Cradle Mountain, or major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne or Perth? Then you have until February 10 to make your vote.

The region that receives the most votes will be honoured with the famous dark blue property, traditionally held by Mayfair.

Once published, the Australian Monopoly game will make a great tool for promoting the destination.

Podtours for Melbourne

2007-01-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

Radio station 774 ABC Melbourne has joined forces with the University of Melbourne’s Department of History and ABC New Media and Digital Services to launch PodTours, which double as both an audio guide and a guided walking tour.

History students from the University of Melbourne have thoroughly researched the tours, ensuring scores of facts and anecdotes about the city.

There are three tours, and they can be downloaded free of charge at the ABC website.

Highlights of Eat, Drink Melbourne include the story of Australian food icons, such as Vegemite, the Freddo Frog, and the Dim Sim, which were all invented in Melbourne; the site where the Prince Alfred caused Melbourne’s biggest food-fight involving around 100,000 Melburnians; and great tales about Melbourne's famous pubs and vineyards.

Under every glistening, stylish sophisticated city (and Melbourne's certainly one of those) there lies a long tale of grime and crime – and Death, Dirt & Disease and Showbiz helps visitors explore the macabre side of Melbourne. There are dead bodies being pulled out of the Yarra River, coroners counting maggots and nightmen dumping bedpans on flowerbeds.

Sexy Spectacles and Sideshows is full of interesting trivia, such as Houdini’s chained and padlocked dive into the Yarra; the place where Kung Fu actor Jackie Chan threw a bad guy through a shop window; the lanes that served as purgatory for Nicholas Cage in Ghost Rider , and the story behind the 1920s race to build the first and most exotic picture palace.

All PodTours begin at the Federation Square Tourist Information Centre and take approximately one hour to complete.

*Selling Down Under keeps you up-to-date with Australian travel product with a bi-monthly turn-the-page on-line publication for the travel industry. Make sure you get your online edition by going to www.sellingdownunder.com or sending an email to register@sellingdownunder.com

New luxury lodge for Tasmania

2007-01-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

The newly-opened Tarraleah Lodge, located in a restored art deco-style building just a 90-minute drive from Hobart, is set to become another of Tasmania’s luxurious wilderness resorts.

Perched high on a plateau on the edge of the World Heritage wilderness area the property is an ideal base for a range of activities including guided trout fishing.

The village of Tarraleah was originally built to house pioneering hydro-electricity workers in the 1930s. The village was bought by a local company in early 2005, and has since been developed to create a five-star lodge with nine spa suites and a cliff-top spa tub.

The property also offers 15 art-deco style cottages, 10 apartments in the former 1940s schoolhouse, a gourmet restaurant called Scholars, a café and tavern.

Tarraleah is situated midway between Hobart and the west coast town of Strahan, surrounded by Tasmania’s temperate wilderness. With virtually no alternative accommodation along this popular but challenging six-hour drive, it gives visitors access to a vast area of ancient forests, streams, rivers, lakes and mountains.

There are more than 80 bird species in the region, including wedge-tailed eagles and black swans – as well as an abundance of rare and elusive wildlife species, including platypus and Tasmanian devils,

Activities range from playing golf on Tasmania’s highest golf course, (from where on a clear day you can see Mount Wellington in Hobart) to mountain biking, kayaking and boating on pristine lagoons, to bush-walking, 4WD adventure tours and star-safaris.

*Selling Down Under keeps you up-to-date with Australian travel product with a bi-monthly turn-the-page on-line publication for the travel industry. Make sure you get your online edition by going to www.sellingdownunder.com or sending an email to register@sellingdownunder.com

Alpine fires do not stop horse riding tours

2007-01-04T02:51:00.000-08:00

In the latest edition of Selling Down Under, we took a look at horse riding adventures in Victoria’s Alpine National Park. As we went to press, massive fires struck this region of Victoria, threatening several tourism ventures. So we were pleased to get this message from Bogong Horseback Adventures

“Our area of the Alpine National Park has been re-opened for our summer tour programme.

The bushfires are now described as contained and have not burnt any of the country featured in our Mount Bogong Tours. The Western (Mansfield) end of the Alpine National Park remains closed. I have been advised that the unburnt country north and east of Falls Creek, including the Nelse Range and Mount Bogong have been opened for our operations.

Those clients booked on the January 6 ride should plan on the ride going ahead. Please be assured that as this section of the Park is opened it will be safe to visit, and being unburnt, as beautiful as ever.

We carry satellite phones as well as Web abled next G phones so we can be well informed of any future developments.

Meanwhile our daily trail ride programme is fully operational, and visitors are encouraged to return to our Valley to enjoy their summer holiday. The fire scars are barely visible and the smoke has cleared.

If any one is considering booking one of our scheduled tours, you can assume that they will be going ahead. Some of the Mount Fainter program may move to Mount Bogong, but it's all great country."

If you have any specific queries please contact Steve

*Selling Down Under keeps you up-to-date with Australian travel product with a bi-monthly turn-the-page on-line publication for the travel industry. Make sure you get your online edition by going www.sellingdownunder.com or sending an email to register@sellingdownunder.com

New ferry for South Australia

2007-01-04T02:05:00.000-08:00

The much-anticipated Sea SA car and passenger ferry service linking the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas in South Australia has started operation, saving visitors around 350 kilometres in travelling between the two popular tourism regions.

Crossing between Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula and Lucky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, and using the interim vessel Seaway , the new ferry service will take just under two hours each way to complete the journey.

Seaway will be replaced at the end of February by the purpose-built, luxury vessel Sea Scape, a 49-metre ropax drive-through catamaran that has much larger capacity and will complete a one way crossing in 100 minutes.

As well as the ferry service, Sea SA will also be offering a range of holiday packages including accommodation, adventure tours and cruise/drive tours.

The toughest thing about a trip to Yorke Peninsula is dragging yourself off the beach. But there's plenty to see "on-shore" -- such as wandering through time in historic copper mining towns; tasting the produce along the Yorke Peninsula Home Grown Trail; strolling along coastal trails and hiking through rugged bushland at Innes National Park.

The Yorke Peninsula is also home each May to to Kernewek Lowender the world's largest Cornish festival: the name means 'Cornish happiness' in the Cornish language.

With more than 600 kilometres of coastline and a host of sunny seaside towns, Yorkes, as it is known to South Australians, has an array of great beaches -- all within a couple of hours drive from Adelaide.

Yorke Peninsula also has many diverse accommodation styles, from luxury resorts to beach bungalows to backpackers to camping facilities.

Eyre Peninsula also promises a holiday tailor-made to every need, with a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere and Mediterranean climate.

It's an area covering over 2,000 kilometresm of spectacular coastline, ranging from towering limestone cliffs, sweeping surf beaches, sheltered coves and bays, changing to a hinterland of rolling hills and farmland, remarkable rocks and rugged ranges.

There's so much to do on the Eyre Peninsula - from great fishing from beach, rock, jetty or boat, an exciting range of tours, cruises, yachting, fishing charters and 4WD safaris -- including swimming with sea lions or dolphins or waking up under the stars and exploring the ancient Nullarbor Plain and Gawler Ranges.

Eyre Peninsula is often called the seafood capital of Australia and also produces some award winning local wines. For gourmet travellers interested in learning about the region’s excellent seafood, participation in Australia’s Seafood & Aquaculture Trail is a must. This Trail extends around the Peninsula and provides unique opportunities to see and sample an array of local product direct from the suppliers.

*Selling Down Under keeps you up-to-date with Australian travel product with a bi-monthly turn-the-page on-line publication for the travel industry. Make sure you get your online edition by going www.sellingdownunder.com or sending an email to register@sellingdownunder.com

New ECO Certified operators

2007-01-04T01:36:00.000-08:00

More and more visitors to Australia are looking for eco-friendly experiences as they travel around the country – using operators that are members of Eco Tourism Australia.

Newly certified at Ecotourism level, Cape York Motorcycle Adventures offers a thrilling off road experience exploring the rugged Cape York landscape in Tropical North Queensland on the back of a motor bike.

Providing ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas, Cape York Motorcycle Adventures conduct organised tours throughout some of the region’s remote and hard to reach landscapes – and all within easy reach of Cairns.

Synergy Reef Sailing is a luxury operation set off the coast of tropical Port Douglas that has recently been certified at the Ecotourism level for its operation, which fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation of the surrounding environment.

Synergy Reef Sailing offers full day luxury sail and snorkel cruises with a maximum 12 passengers aboard Synergy II. In addition to a private charter services the operator employs fully qualified gourmet chefs.

The Cairns Dive Centre is an Scuba Schools International (SSI) training centre with five star facilities. Ecotourism certification acknowledges the company’s efforts to boost conservation awareness while offering extensive dive training courses. The Cairns Dive Centre is set in one of the world’s premier diving locations.

Set in the Hinchinbrook Shire, the award winning Noorla Heritage Resort is now also certified at Ecotourism level due to its efforts to provide a sustainable tourism experience for guests to the area. The 2006 Queensland Tourism Award winner is a stunning boutique hotel and stately country club set on a spacious property just minutes from Wallaman Falls, the highest single drop waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere.

*Selling Down Under keeps you up-to-date with Australian travel product with a bi-monthly turn-the-page on-line publication for the travel industry. Make sure you get your online edition by going www.sellingdownunder.com or sending an email to register@sellingdownunder.com