APTC at ITB Berlin 2009

This year’s tourism trade fair ITB is being held in Berlin, from 11^th to 15^th of March. Here you can meet with APTC Managing Director Stephanie Karst-McGrath and learn more about the APTC group and our latest travel ideas for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands. We are looking forward to seeing you at our stand.

Product of the Month

Sydney Aquarium’s new exhibit: Mermaid Lagoon

Sydney Aquarium has recently launched a new exhibit: Mermaid Lagoon. It officially opened to the public in December. The tropical water habitat features two orphaned dugongs, making Sydney Aquarium the only place in Australia where you can see these unique sea mammals up close.

Pig, a 10-year-old male, and four-year-old female Wuru (an Aboriginal word meaning ‘young child’) will reside in the new 28 metre long and 18 metre wide oceanarium. With a water depth of 3.75 metres the oceanarium will hold around 1.7 million litres of water that will be heated to maintain comfortable 24 degrees. Designed to replicate the dugongs’ natural habitat of northern Australian coastal waters, the tank will also feature turtles, schooling fish and rays.

Sydney Aquarium’s dedicated aquarists will engage in the daily process of threading 80-90kg of cos lettuce into weighted custom-made feed plates that sink to the bottom of the exhibit. The lettuce substitutes for the dugong’s natural low-nutrient diet of seagrass. Seagrasses are protected, and are not harvested as it could be harmful to the environment.

In an incredible story of rescue and rehabilitation, the docile and endearing marine mammals - whose numbers are declining in the wild due to a number of human threats including degradation of habitat, boating injuries and drowning in nets - have been relocated from Sea World, where they were raised after being rescued as orphaned calves, to their new home at Sydney Aquarium.

What’s New

Brisbane Wheel

• The 60 meters tall Wheel of Brisbane takes guests in gondolas on a 12 to 15 minute ride which offers panoramic 360 degree views of the river and city.
• The wheel is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 10pm, and will be in Brisbane until 2010.

Hidden Peaks

• Australia’s newest guided walks company, Hidden Peaks, will launch its first adventure, the Spicer Private Walk, in March 2009.
• The fully-hosted 4 day walk will traverse the scenic trails of one of South East Queensland’s largest private nature refuges.
• Overnight accommodation is in well appointed safari style tents supported by a purpose-built kitchen/dining room serving fantastic food and wine.
• The walk culminates with a night at Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge.

Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences

• The Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel and Residences, a new deluxe hotel in the heart of the Gold Coast, will open at the end of 2009.
• The hotel will feature 170 luxury hotel rooms and 340 premier apartments within Dual beachside towers.

Quay West Resort Noosa

• Opening in September 2009, the Sunshine Coast’s new Quay West Resort will feature 108 one, two and three bedroom apartments and villas.
• The 5-star resort will be situated two minutes from the area’s iconic Hastings Street, on a waterfront site overlooking Noosa Sound and a protected conservation sanctuary.
• The resort will also feature a day spa, restaurant, and bar, Gymnasium, Kids Club and Conference Centre.

Outrigger Viridian Resort & Spa

• Noosa will welcome the opening of the 5-star Outrigger Viridian Resort & Spa at
  the end of 2009.
• The resort will feature 192 rooms in 11 buildings.
• The resort’s leisure facilities will include two swimming pools, mini theatre, poolside
  dining, bar, restaurant, fully equipped gym and sauna, day spa and a games and entertainment complex.

The Australian Experience

• The Australian Experience is a new dinner show featuring Australian food, folk music, dancing, didgeridoo performances and Aboriginal entertainment in the heart of Cairns.
• The show includes a three course menu of Aussie favourites and allows guests to cook their own main course on hot volcanic stones.
• Visitors receive their own souvenir boomerang and experience a live didgeridoo Performance, complete with traditional costumes and body paint, and are also invited to play the instruments themselves.

Vibe Hotel Darwin & Medina Grand Darwin

• Vibe Hotel Darwin & Medina Grand Darwin will now be opening on 9 March 2009.

Waratah Adventures

• Waratah Adventures will be abolishing the fuel levy for the remainder of this season as of now to 31 March 2009.

Thala Beach Lodge

•  The soft refurbishment of the Eucalpyt Bungalows is complete!
• Farewell to the tropical print - welcome to a more soft and natural finish in line with the natural charm of the resort.
• New addition to the family: The private beach is now proudly home to the quaint Beach Shack - a new ’sundowner’ and dining venue. Seating up to 50 guests, the Beach Shack will operate on selected evenings in conjunction with normal a la carte dining at Ospreys Restaurant.
• Guests at Thala automatically have the following complimentary activities included in their stay: Guided nature walks, bird watching, and star gazing at on site observatory; Scheduled transfers to/from Port Douglas daily from morning to evening; Evening entertainment and presentations.

Grand Chifley Adelaide

• Grand Chifley Adelaide is part of a new generation of Chifley Hotels having undergone an extensive $10m refurbishment to its accommodation, conference space, restaurants and all public areas.
• This contemporary and stylish 4.5 star property is situated on the Southern Fringe of the CBD and overlooks the beautiful South Parklands, which enables guests to be close to the central business district yet in an environment that is welcoming and calm.
• Guest rooms and suites blend contemporary design with comfort, and also offer video on demand, wireless broadband and a personal balcony. Suites offer uninterrupted views east to the Adelaide hills, and a separate living area and bedroom.

Connections

• 3 day 4 WD Kakadu Bird Watching Safari: Join the two expert Bird Watching Guides Gerry VanWees and Luke Paterson who were able to identify 95% of the birds seen and identify 85% of all bird calls heard.

Specials

O’Reilly’s On Sale

• Stay for 3 nights but only pay for 2!
• Valid for bookings made between 05.01.09 - 30.06.09.
• Valid for stays between 05.01.09 - 30.09.09.

Prime Apartments Hotels & Resorts

• Please find below Prime Apartments Hotels & Resorts current stay pay offers:
• Tropical North Queensland - Stay 7 Pay 5, Stay 4 Pay 3 in Cayman Villas Resort, Nimrod Resort Apartments and Prime Trinity Beach Pacific.
• Sale Period: immediate to 31 March 2009
• Travel Period: immediate to 31st May 2009
• Sunshine Coast - Stay 7 Pay 5, Stay 4 Pay 3 in Pumicestone Blue Resort or Stay 7 Pay 5 in Cilento Mooloolaba.
• Sale Period: immediate to 31 March 2009
• Travel Period: 1 February to 31st May 2009 excluding 9 to 12 April
• Gold Coast - Stay 7 Pay 5, Stay 4 Pay 3 in Hi Surf and Budds Beach
• Sale Period: immediate to 31 March 2009
• Travel Period: 1 February to 31st May 2009 excluding 9 to 12 April

Spirit of Freedom

• On selected departures in March, April, and May 2009, for every booking of two people, the 2nd person receives a discount of 50% off retail rate.
• Valid for selected departures and cruises. Please contact our office for further details.

Hayman Great Barrier Reef

• Pay for four nights and receive the fifth night complimentary.
• Offer includes daily buffet breakfast for 2 in Azure.
• Bonus offer: $100 dining voucher per room per stay.
• Not valid on Retreat rooms - valid on Pool room categories and above only.

Bloomfield Lodge

• Pay 4 / Stay 5 Deal: Valid for stays in any room type with all standard inclusions.
  Valid from 19^th January to 20^th April2009.

Orpheus Island Resort

• Pay 4, Stay 5 Offer: Valid for travel from 1 April to 31 July 2009.

Old Sydney Holiday Inn

• Old Sydney Holiday Inn has released new and lower rates, valid for new FITbookings.
  Black Out: 30 Dec 09 - 2 Jan 10.
• Valid from 1 Apr 09 - 31 Mar 10 for Standard room only.

Connections

• Free activities in OZ & NZ: Book a Connections Adventures trip of 10 days or more in Australia or New Zealand and get a free optional activity of your choice, such as a half day Fox Glacier guided walk, or luncheon cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Travellers must book before February 28th, and quote the relevant promotion code.

Changes & Refurbishment

 The Grace

• The Grace is currently upgrading 10 accommodation rooms.
• Renovations are expected to be completed within 10 to 12 weeks.

Sydney Tower and OzTrek

• Westfield Centrepoint and Skygarden shopping centres are undergoing a refurbishment starting in February 2009. Redevelopment works are expected to be completed in early 2011.
• It is business as usual for Sydney Tower + OzTrek + Skywalk during this time.
• There will only be some small changes in regards to access Sydney Tower. As of the 2 February there will be two ways to gain access:
•  Lift access via the 100 Market Street Foyer
• Lift access from the Castlereagh Street entrance

Spirit of Freedom

• Spirit of Freedom will be on annual maintenance from 11 - 25 May 2009.
• The last departure before refit will be 07 - 11 May, with the first departure after refit commencing 25 May 2009.

Bloomfield Lodge

• Bloomfield Lodge will be temporarily closed for maintenance from Monday 20 April to Sunday 31 May 2009.

Barron River Rafting ex Port Douglas

• Please be advised from 1 February until 31 March 2009 the Half Day Barron River tour ex Port Douglas will be operating on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only.
• As from 1 April 2009 the above tour will recommence their 4 days of operation to Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays.

Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary

• From 1 February to 31 March 2009, Breakfast with the Birds and Lunch with the Lorikeets will be available on Wednesdays through to Sundays.
• On Mondays and Tuesdays, the Curlew Café will be open for food and beverage purchases.
• From 1 April 2009, Breakfast with the Birds and Lunch with the Lorikeets will recommence 7 days a week.
• As from 1 February 2009 The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary will be open until 4.00 pm daily.

 

Destination Management Company