Office News

• Our Supervisor Evi attended the ATE in Melbourne from the 13th- 19th June 2009.

Product of the Month

Sheraton on the Park, Sydney

Located in the heart of the city, this grand hotel overlooks Hyde Park and is only a short walk to Sydney’s attractions, with direct undercover access to major department stores and the monorail to Darling Harbour.

The hotel’s 557 generous sized rooms including 47 suites provide every comfort and convenience with the finest quality furnishings and appointments.

There is an Executive Club with dedicated floors, exclusive services and Executive Club Lounge and award winning convention and meeting facilities for 10-1000 delegates.

Sheraton on the Park also provides the very best of dining and recreational choices with attentive service and delicious cuisine from the Brasserie style restaurant, Tea Lounge, Steakhouse and Bar.

The hotel’s fully equipped Health Club on 22nd floor with Gymnasium, Steam & Sauna Rooms, Heated Rooftop Pool, Massage and Beauty Services provides sweeping views across the city creating a spectacular setting in which to revive the body and soothe the soul.

APTC is pleased to offer the following value adds for new Hyde Park Room bookings: 

• Stay 4 nights and pay 3 nights: valid 01 April - 30 Sep 2009; 01 Dec 2009 - 31 Jan 3010 (excl 30Dec-01Jan).
• Receive guaranteed early check in upon arrival prior to 3pm (for flights arriving into Sydney no earlier than 6.30am) - valid 01 April - 31 Oct 09; 01 Dec - 29 Dec 09; 02 Jan - 31 Jan 2010; 16 Mar - 31 Mar 2010.
• Stay 5 bonus: Stay 5 nights and receive complimentary upgrade to Executive Room with Executive Club Benefits for 2. Valid all year (01 April 09 - 31 Mar 10) excluding NYE period (30 Dec - 01 Jan).
• Honeymooners Bonus: Receive a bottle of sparkling wine, valid all year round.

What’s New

New South Wales

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

• Sofitel Sydney Wentworth was the first five-star luxury hotel to be built in Sydney and delivers a luxury experience with a touch of French inspiration. Recognised as Sydney’s most prestigious 5 star hotel, it won the title ‘Deluxe Hotel of the Year’ in 2008.
• A recent $10 million enhancement program ensures that the most modern facilities are available to guests. The entire 5th floor was redeveloped to create a spectacular new Garden Court restaurant and a stylish executive lounge called ‘Club Sofitel’.
• The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has 436 elegantly appointed guest rooms with the choice and flexibility of a variety of luxurious room types. All rooms have marble bathrooms with oversize showers and luxurious French bathroom amenities.

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

• Due to open on the 1st October
• Construction is now over 85% complete and they have commenced the landscaping programme which will include the planting of over 25,000 native trees and plants around the resort site and individual suites.
• They are also working with the local community of terrific artists, potteries, craftsmen, furniture makers, blacksmiths and glass artists.

Northern Territory

Darwin Day Tours, Wildlife Park & Cruise tour

• Darwin Day Tours launches a new Wildlife Park & Cruise tour.
• The ½ day tour takes in the award-winning Territory Wildlife Park and then returns to Darwin on an 1 ½ hour eco cruise. Passengers have the chance to check out a crocodile trap, pull up a crab pot and learn about the integral Top End mangrove environment.

Travel North

• Travel North has commenced its magnificent Crocodile Night Adventure Dinner Cruise which departs from Springvale Homestead nightly at 6.30pm.
• Guests are taken down the Katherine River then enjoy a BBQ dinner with limited refreshments (wine, water, and billy tea). The tour guide then calls up freshwater crocodiles for feeding seen at a close range. A spectacular experience!

Waterfalls & Wetlands

• With 18 years experience in operating nature-based tours in the Top End “Waterfalls and Wetlands” offer unique day tours out of Darwin to the surrounding areas.
• International-ready product includes the Wetland Experience with the inclusion of an Aboriginal Cultural Experience, giving travellers a fantastic mix of Culture, Crocodiles, Wetlands and Waterfalls. This tour also visits Berry Springs for a swim at the end of the day.
• Other tours include a 1-Day Litchfield Adventure and a Morning Jumping Crocodile Cruise.

Queensland

All Seasons Cairns

• Accor will add a new All Seasons hotel to the network in July 2009.
• All Seasons Cairns is a 75 room existing hotel located in the heart of Cairns and a short distance from the Reef Terminal, the Convention Centre and Casino.
• Facilities include a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.

Ocean Spirit

• As of the 1st June 2009 the Rum Runner Cape Tribulation tour will be operating 7 days per week.

Peppers Coral Coast, Airlie Beach

• Peppers Coral Coast, the only five star resort in Airlie Beach, has recently opened.
• Peppers Coral Coast is the perfect base to explore the Whitsunday Islands. No other apartment style resort offers the luxurious facilities of Peppers Coral Coast and excellent service.
• Pure indulgence from their resort style pool to the endota day spa; from the five star restaurant to sumptuous café dining.

The Sebel Harbour Lights Cairns

• The new official new name of The Sebel Harbour Lights Cairns is Cairns Harbour Lights.
• They are still part of Mirvac.

South Australia

Great Soutern Rail

• From November 2009 until April 2010 the Platinum Service will be available on the Indian Pacific.
• For further information please contact our office.

Wild Bush Luxury

• Arkaba Station Joins the Wild Bush Luxury Fold in the Flinders Ranges.
• Arkaba is arguably one of the most spectacularly beautiful properties in outback Australia, its rolling hills, escarpments and creek beds lined with red gums providing a quintessential Australian scene in one of the oldest landscapes on earth.
• The 1851 homestead will be undergoing a makeover during the next few months to reopen on 1st November with its classic heritage style enhanced by a few Wild Bush Luxury touches: the chef making the most of the bush foods of the region, the guides whose passion and knowledge for the flora and fauna of the area will open eyes and minds.
• For the more adventurous and energetic Arkaba Walking Safaris offers the chance to explore the area on foot, a great way to experience the sights and sounds of the bush, camping out in the vast outback under the clarity of the southern night skies.

Victoria

Crown Metropol, Melbourne

• Crown has announced the name of its third hotel, Crown Metropol, set to open in early 2010.
• The 28-storey, $300 million hotel will have 658 rooms, dedicated spa accommodation, extensive meeting facilities, a sky bar and Gordon Ramsay’s first Australian restaurant, Maze.

Go West

• Go West Tours recently announced the acquisition of a new brand of touring vehicle that maintains Go West’s famous interactive & engaging small group touring style while adding a whole new level of passenger comfort.
• The newly-acquired Hino Rainbow vehicles have a seating capacity of 24 passengers with truly comfortable seats. The seats provide generous leg room and have a massive recline.
• They also released a brand new Melbourne Crime Tour.
• Operating twice daily from Federation Square, this exciting new tour uncovers the disturbing facts about some of the Melbourne’s darkest days and find out about what motivated the violent slaughter of both criminals and innocent bystanders.
• This 4-hour tour encompasses many of the city’s more “mainstream” landmarks as well as the scenes of our bloodiest confrontations, so is a great way to see Melbourne while exploring its most sinister events.
• The tour “terminates” at the Old Melbourne Gaol with an included “arresting experience” at the Melbourne City Watch House (entry included). An included morning or afternoon tea at one of Melbourne’s true icons - the famous Brunetti café & pasticerria in Carlton - makes this new tour terrific value.

Mercure Hotel Mildura

• Accor will add a new Mercure hotel to the network in July 2009.
• Mercure Hotel Mildura is a 66 room existing hotel located in the popular tourist destination of Mildura in far north-west Victoria.
• Within walking distance of the town centre, the famous Murray River and local attractions, the hotel has a wine cafe and a wine tasting centre.

Melbourne City Circle Tram

• Melbourne visitors can see more of the city for free following the recent extension of the City Circle Tram route.
• The route now takes in the popular NewQuay and Waterfront City precincts of the Melbourne Docklands, offering sightseers an even more convenient and cost-free way to visit the city’s newest hot spots.

Phillip Island, Penguin Parade

• In response to popular demand, the number of people able to view the penguins from the Penguins Plus viewing platform each night has increased from 150 to 170 people.

Western Australia

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

• Cable Beach Club Resort is now officially to be known as Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa.
• With the opening of the luxurious Chahoya Spa complete with seven private suites, double vichy shower room, hair salon, yoga deck, gym and much more, the spacious new spa provides an additional peaceful retreat which continues to enhance the luxury experience already on offer at the award winning Cable Beach Club Resort.

Kununurra Country Club Resort

• With a million dollar refurbishment complete, the new look Kununurra Country Club Resort takes centre stage as Kununurra’s premier Resort destination.

The four star Resort’s 90 rooms have all undergone a total refurbishment, complete with modern manchester and furnishings, state of the art wooden plantation blinds, tasteful artwork, lamps, LCD flat screen television and in-house movies.

Specials

New South Wales

Devere Hotel, Sydney

• The hotel offers special rates for the winter months until 30 September 2009.
• Please refer to our online facility iCom or contact our team for further information.

Shangri-La Sydney

• Have amended their season dates, lowered rates and changed some bonus offers - for both FIT and groups.
• APTC hold allotments in Deluxe Darling Harbour and Deluxe Opera House Rooms for New Years Eve!
• For further details please refer to iCom or contact our office.

InterContinental Sydney

• Have extended their low season rates for the duration of the contracted year, for all room types.
• Valid for new bookings only
• Please refer to iCom for updated rates

Old Sydney Holiday Inn

• Have also extended their low season rates for the duration of the contracted year, for all room types.
• Valid for new bookings only
• Please refer to iCom for updated rates

Northern Territory

Outback Private Tours

• Offers 50% discount on some of their Italian Language tours to Ayers Rock.
• Outback Private Tours is the only Central Australian Italian tour operator offering dedicated language vehicles, true Italian outback adventure and visit to Aboriginal Community and chance to spot Australian native animals in the wild.

Queensland

Shangri-La Cairns

• Have lowered their rates and offered some attractive Bonus Offers - for the rest of the contracted year.
• For further details please refer to iCom or contact our office.

Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise

• Nitro SuperGP is an exhilarating mix of A1 GP racing and V8 Supercars combined with all your favourite track and non-track entertainment.
• The only place to experience the hottest cars, the hottest parties and the hottest beaches of this year’s Nitro SuperGP, is from the hottest trackside hotel; Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise.
• The race takes place from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 25 October 2009.
• They offer special rates for this event. Please contact our office for further information.

Victoria

The Windsor

• Have lowered their rates in High season.

For further details and rates please contact our office.

Changes & Refurbishment

Australia - wideVoyages Hotels & Resorts

• No new bookings can be accepted for their ‘Multi - Stay’ offer once a property is no longer owned by Voyages Hotels & Resorts.
• At Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tasmania no new MULTI bookings can be accepted from 29 June 2009.
• At Silky Oaks Lodge, Queensland no new MULTI bookings can be accepted from mid-late July 2009.
• Voyages Stay 3 Nights at Lizard Island and receive a Free Night at Silky Oaks Lodge offer runs out from mid-late July 2009.

New South Wales

Magistic Cruises

• Magistic Cruises has advised that they will cease the operation of their Morning Cruisesmart product effective immediately until further notice.
• They will still operate the popular Lunchcruise and Afternoon Cruisesmart.

Chifley Potts Point

• Chifley Potts Point will be temporary closed from 14 June for approximately 3 months.
• The reason for the closure is so that immediate and urgent building works can be conducted which are too invasive to also host guests at the same time.

Silky Oaks Lodge

• Silky Oaks Lodge will leave the Voyages portfolio.
• The sale is not expected to take place until the end of July.

Park Regis City Centre, Sydney

• Due to unforseen circumstances the Coffee Club Café that Park Regis City Centre - Sydney uses for breakfast packages has temporarily closed its doors.
• An alternate breakfast venue at nearby Castlereagh Hotel has been sourced in the interim.

Sullivans Hotel Sydney

• On 1 July 2009 Sullivans Hotel Sydney is changing its name to Arts Hotel.
• Nothing else is changing: the hotel will continue to be operated by the Sullivan family.

Northern Territory

Anangu Waai, Frontier Camel Farm

• Further to their recent sell of Frontier Camel Tours in Alice Springs, they will be suspending operations at Frontier Camel Farm as of 1st June 2009.
• They are no longer able to partner with Alice Springs Helicopters on the Alice’s Camel package.

Aussie Adventure

• Due to ‘Bush Holidays’ on the Tiwi Islands, their One day tour content will be affected from 22 June - 20 July 2009.
• Bush Holidays runs for approximately 4 weeks of the year, where the Tiwi Island people take the Children ‘out bush’ to teach them about hunting, gathering and traditional customs.

Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin

• Mantra on the Esplanade has enhanced its position as one of Darwin’s most desirable accommodation options following a $1.2 million soft refurbishment.
• The revamp includes new carpets, bedding package, new lounge room, furniture and flat screen TV’s to all rooms.
• The restaurant has also undergone significant renovations with a launch of the new FINZ Restaurant and Bar with modern furnishings, fresh carpet, revamped bar and a new built in buffet. FINZ Restaurant and Bar serve modern Australian cuisine at reasonable prices with 24 hour room service now available

Queensland

Australian Pacific Touring

• Changed departure days for the B51 Fraser Island tour.
• Now only operate on Tue, Wed and Sat (no more Thu).

Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Resort

• Hinchinbrook Island wilderness Lodge will be closed for the duration of 2009.
• They will open again in 2010.

Holiday Inn Townsville

• They recently commenced a refurbishment of all guest rooms and public areas of the hotel between February and September 2009.
• The schedule for construction works is between 9am - 5 pm, with minimal disruption to impede guests stay outside these hours.
• The Restaurant and Bar will be relocated on a temporary basis to an alternative area of the hotel.

Jupiters Townsville

• Fresh off the back of a $6 million hotel refurbishment, Jupiters Townsville continues on its journey of transformation with an exciting new bar which features many opulent touches such as marble bars, luxurious furniture and an 18 square metre floor to ceiling window, providing a stunning backdrop.

Mercure Port Douglas Treetops Resort

• Ongoing refurbishment of Treetops Resort & Spa includes painting of the entire resort internally and externally plus soft refurbishment of rooms and public areas.
• Expected completion date is the 1st August 2009.

Quicksilver, Cairns

• They extended the maintenance work for Wavedancer (their sailing vessel).
• From 23 November until the 23 December one of their Quicksilver Wavepiecers (powerd vessel) will be running to Low Isles.

Wooroonooran Safaris, Cairns

• The inclusions of their Rainforest Safari T1 have changed.
• The tour now includes Josephine Falls, Johnstone River Crocodile Farm, Roscoe’s Restaurant, Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway and Babinda Boulders.

Victoria

All Seasons Phillip Island

• Effective from now, until September 2009, the All Seasons Phillip Island restaurant will be closed Monday & Tuesday only for Breakfast & lunch.
• On these days only, any guests that do have breakfast included in their accommodation, will be provided with a breakfast pack in their villa and will be advised on reception, when they check in.
• Once the restaurant re opens, the Hotel will advise accordingly.

Mantra Deep Blue

• Effective midnight 30 June 09, Mantra Deep Blue will be removed from the Mantra portfolio and joins Mirvac.
• The new name is Sebel Deep Blue, Warrnambool.

Western Australia

Sal Salis

Sal Salis will be closed from the 10th January to the 14th March 2010 for planned expansion to the property.