Office News

All three Managing Directors (Stéphanie Karst-McGrath, APTC Australia; Stephan Wendler APTC New Zealand & Monika Oldenburg, APTC Fiji) will attend ITB in Berlin, which will take place from 9th to 11th of March 2011. 

• You will find us at:
  • APTC                            Hall 5.2A, stand 123
  • APTC New Zealand      Hall 5.2A, stand 106
  • APTC Fiji                      Hall 5.2A, stand 122

Product of the Month

Australian Eco Adventures

 

For over 20 years, Australian Eco Adventures has been providing complete luxury small group touring packages across Sydney & New South Wales, and have continually set the benchmark for first class itineraries, guides and vehicle comfort. Not only do guests benefit from a more personalised small group service, but additionally with the tours, guests are able to enjoy some very memorable experiences that no other tour company provides.

Their Diamond Series range of touring specialises in premium, luxury charters tailored for clients wishing to experience the best Australia has to offer. These private experiences are the ultimate in first class touring.

Dreamtime Stories of the Blue Mountains World Heritage (A80)

Tour itinerary and highlights:

• Private luxury 4WD touring
• Explore the wilderness of Yengo National Park with an expert driver/guide
• See ancient Aboriginal rock engravings and learn of their significance
• Morning tea and picnic lunch in the national park

The enormous Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area comprises of seven bordering National Parks and a staggering 10,000 square kilometres of pristine wilderness that starts just 60 kilometres from downtown Sydney.

Your informative and knowledgeable guide will collect you from your Sydney hotel as you commence a small group journey and introduce you to the northern most edges this impressive heritage asset travelling on dirt roads into very remote sections of the Yengo National Park. Stop for morning tea overlooking the Mangrove Creek Dam, before continuing deep into the national park, rich in Aboriginal culture and heritage, especially Yango (Sacred Mountain), where the mystical Aboriginal Baiamie (Sky Father) landed to start the creation. You will see carvings depicting his foot prints along with other rock engravings.

Stop for a picnic lunch at Finchley Trig, with 360° views of the national park. The peace and tranquillity is bound to captivate your senses and the stories we will relate will be bound to leave a lasting impression on your perspective of Australia. Following a full day of experiences, head back to Sydney and return to your hotel.

What’s New

New South Wales

Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

• Accor will manage an MGallery label hotel in the Blue Mountains effective 1^st January 2011 which will be undergoing major refurbishment.
• Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is an existing hotel with 210 rooms and facilities which include two restaurants and two bars, significant meeting facilities, business centre, fitness centre, two swimming pools and a Day Spa. The resort is 2 hours drive from Sydney and is located in the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park.

Azure at Salamander Bay

• The AIH Group has announced the addition of Azure at Salamander Bay located within the prestigious Oaks Pacfic Blue Resort to their portfolio.
• Azure at Salamander Bay offers a range of dining options including breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks throughout the day. With a wonderful poolside location and tropical vibe, Azure at Salamander Bay is a great way for groups or FIT’s to start and finish their day.
• Azure at Salamander is located in the heart of Port Stephens, Salamander Bay, and is an easy 2 1/2 hour drive from Sydney and 20 minutes from Williamtown, Newcastle Airport.

Queensland

Moreton Bay Escapes & Bushwacker Ecotours

• As of 1^st April, 2011, Moreton Bay Escapes & Bushwacker Ecotours will no longer be operating their 1 day Fraser Island Tour.
• They have started a 3 day Fraser Island tour in its place, which will be continuing normal operation of the 1 day tour up until the 1^st April, 2011 and all bookings until then will be honoured.
• Any booking that has been made after this date will unfortunately need to be cancelled and re-booked with another tour operator.

Hamilton Island

• Hamilton Island has announced the introduction of a new room category at the 4-star Reef View Hotel - Reef Family Room.
• The Reef Family Room is two interconnecting rooms that cater for families travelling to Hamilton Island. 
• The Reef Family Room offers a main room containing 2 x Queen beds and an adjoining ‘junior room’ with 2 x Single beds, perfectly suited for young children. 
• Reef Family Rooms will be available for sale and travel from now on.

Victoria

Hotel Crossley in Little Bourke Street Melbourne

• The Hotel Crossley in Little Bourke Street Melbourne has been sold. 
• The new owner, The Renzella Group will take possession of The Hotel Crossley from the 1^st April 2011. 
• The Renzella Group has commissioned Tourism Hospitality Support Network (THSN) to represent The Hotel Crossley. 
• From 1^st April 2011 The Hotel Crossley will be operating as usual.

Tasmania

Boutique Wine Tours Tasmania

• Boutique Wine Tours Tasmania is a new tour operator in Tasmania.
• The tours commenced on Wed 26 January, 2011.
• There will be four departures a week on the Wine and Art Experience Tour (A Full day Tour which features MONA) and one departure each Saturday for the Richmond and Wine Tour (this tour commences at midday so visitors have a chance to spend time at Salamanca market).
• Tours operate all year, except Christmas Day with a minimum of 2 pax and maximum of 11 pax. Charters are also available.

Tourism Tasmania

• Tourism Tasmania has just launched its new Trade Site - still a work in progress for International content.
• You can find distances and drive times, maps and itineraries on this trade webside.

Artbikes

• Artbikes is a new, free bike borrowing service around the streets of Hobart.
• Modelled on bike-sharing services in Paris, Auckland and Melbourne, Artbikes is unique in that it has been developed specifically to service the arts and cultural sector, enabling locals and visitors alike easy access to Hobart’s dispersed arts precincts and galleries.

There is a 15 strong fleet suitable for both male and female riders, Artbikes are available to borrow from two central locations within Hobart.

Specials

Australia wide

Captain Cook

• Captain Cook Cruises has released their “Discovery Cruise Sale” with savings on the Murray River and Sydney Harbour.
• Murray River cruise special is valid for sale from 1 January to 31 March 2011 and for travel from 1 March to 31 March 2011 exclusive special event cruises.
• This special contains 20% of the cruise brochure fares.
• Sydney Harbour Cruise special is also valid for sale from 1 January to 31 March 2011 and for travel from 1 March to 31 March 2011 exclusive special event cruises and contains 20% of the cruise brochure fares.

Please contact our office for further information.

Queensland

Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas

• Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas has announced their ‘Early Bird Offer’ valid until 31 March 2011 and for travel from 01 July 2011 to 31 March 2012.
• Book Stay 4 Pay 3 Offer by 31^st March 2011 AND receive 10% off
• Some blackout dates apply and the offer is not applicable to groups or in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Daydream Island Resort & Spa

• Daydream Island has a new special in the market place called ‘3 Night Daydream Escape Special’.
• The package includes:

• 3 nights in a luxurious Garden Balcony room
• Scrumptious full buffet breakfast daily
• Return luxury catamaran transfers with Cruise Whitsundays from Whitsunday Coast Airport or Hamilton Island Airport
• Children stay FREE
• Over 20 FREE guest activities including catamarans, kayaks, open air cinema (Mon, Wed, Fri), fish feeding show, gym, rainforest walk and much more
• PLUS a BONUS $50 Food & Beverage Voucher per room per stay

• This offer is valid for sale until 27 March 2011 and for travel until 31 March 2011.

Hamilton Island

• Hamilton Island is currently offering Pay 4, Stay 5 nights, including Breakfast daily. 
• Valid for travel from 1 February - 18 August 2011 at the following Hotels:   

Palm Bungalows (1 Apr - 18 Aug), Reef View Hotel and Beach Club (1 Feb - 18 Aug)

Sailaway

•·         Sailaway has announced its special valid to 28th February 2011. 

• Every passenger booked with Sailaway for a full day to Low Isles receives a free Sunset Sail.

Spirit of Freedom

• For every booking of 2 people, the 2nd person receives a 50% discount off the retail trip rate.
• Valid for the 3 Day Cod Hole tour and the 7 Day Cod Hole & Coral Sea tour (Monday departures).
• Applicable for the departures on 21 and 28 February and 14 March to 04 April, inclusive.

Changes & Refurbishment

Australia wideGreat Southern Railway

• A new timetable has just been introduced for The Overland, making the scenic rail journey between Adelaide and Melbourne even more convenient.
• Launched on 3 January 2011, the new timetable means that arrival and departure times at locations enroute are now consistent from day-to-day.
• Arrival and departure times have also been matched as closely as possible to that of regional Victorian bus services making connecting journeys easy.

                                                                                                 

Queensland

Coral Tree Inn

• Coral Tree Inn is being refurbished and planned to be upgraded into a deluxe four stars motel next year.
• The 1^st stage of refurbishment including 20 rooms on 1^st floor, is currently taking a place and is expected to be completed by the end of Feb.
• The whole project is expected to be completed by the end of April

Lagoon Wing

• As part of Hayman’s continued refreshment program, the following phased upgrades will now be undertaken in the Lagoon Wing during low season:

-          Works to the Lagoon Wing roof
-          New Lagoon Room soft furnishings

• The above works will ensure the Lagoon Wing continues to be recognised as Hayman’s premier Wing offering an authentic retreat of luxury, privacy and tranquillity within its natural surrounds.
• This program will be undertaken from 12 February through to mid-August 2011. They do not anticipate any guest disruption.

South Australia

Rockford Adelaide

• Rockford Adelaide has recently undergone a complete refurbishment, with new superior king rooms offering sleek white leather chairs, stylish soft furnishings and 106cm LCD televisions with iPod and camcorder connectivity.

Clare Country Club

• Fresh from a recent upgrade to its existing 44 spa rooms, The Clare Country Club has announced it will now build an additional 10 x one bedroom spa suites and 10 x two bedroom apartments.
• The four star Country Club is the largest accommodation provider in the Clare Valley and the new apartments are expected to be available from June 2011.