Office News

In the past weeks, we conducted two in-house famils, thanks to the support of South Australia Tourism Commission. Highlights of the itineraries included Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Barossa Valley, Clare and Flinders Ranges. It was a great opportunity for our team to experience these areas first hand and get the most up to date information on these regions. If you have any questions or would like our feedback, please let us know!

What’s New

New South Wales

Australian Eco Adventures

• Australian Eco Adventures has announced the release of six new FIT tours and new luxury Diamond Series charter tours in Sydney as well as a launch of new modern and luxury vehicles.
• Most tours include Sydney city, the Rocks, Eastern Suburbs and depending on the tour additional cruises or private charter.

Queensland

Flames of Australia

• Flames of Australia waslisted in Australian Traveller Magazine as one of the top 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences.
• In 2011 Flames of the Forest will have a new lighting design in the rainforest.

Tusa Dive

• Tusa Dive has announced a $3 million investment in TUSA 6.
• It will be the newest boat in Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef fleet and offers day dive and snorkel tours.
• It will be launched in June 2011.

Victoria

Phillip Island Nature Park

• Phillip Island launched a new tour based at the Penguin Parade.
• The Penguin Island tour features ranger guided demonstrations of penguin research equipment and includes e.g. a reserved seat at the Penguin Parade, a hot drink, a Penguin Island DVD and others.

Gray Line Australia

• The season for the Mount Buller starts in 10^th June 2011 and ends in October.

• Gray Line has tours to suit day trippers, tours with the return on a different day, sightseeing lift ticket options, limited ski lift and lesson option and an unlimited ski lift options.

South Australia

Outback Ballooning

• Outback Ballooning announced they will begin balloon flights in the Wilpena Pound region of the Flinders Ranges from 1 April 2011.
• The first season capacity will be limited to 10 passengers per morning.

Western Australia

Aspen Resorts

• Skippers Aviation commenced offering flight services to Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Carnarvon on 1^st March 2011.
• Aspen Resort and Aspen Parks announced to be in liaison with Skippers Aviation and others to ensure the service, to and from resorts.

Tasmania

Museum Mona

• Mona is Australia’s largest private art collection, consisting of ancient Egyptian antiquities as well as contemporary art, and is valued at over AUD$100million.
• The museum building itself, valued at over AUD$75million, is made up of three levels cut into the Triassic sandstone of the River Derwent, just 15minuts drive from Hobart’s city centre.

Product of the Month

Franklin Manor - Strahan Tasmania

Since 1896, Franklin Manor has provided a vital backdrop to Strahan. In the early years this was due to the town’s prominence as a major port, as it was the home to the Harbour Master. In recent history it has advanced the concept of “hospitality” in the State, often pioneering new and “edgy” events.

2010 opened a new chapter in the life of this Grand Old Lady, with the arrival of new managers, Wolfgang and Jenny Koch. Their new hospitality team re-opened the hotel offering Standard, Manor & Manor Spa suites.

Franklin Manor is a casual boutique hotel situated on a hillside on the outskirts of Strahan, a charming little fishing village on Macquarie Harbour. Franklin Manor has become synonymous with everything that embodies tranquillity, warm hospitality and affordable indulgence.
Guests can enjoy the company of fellow travellers in the comfortable lounge with its soft lamplight and roaring log fire, select wine from the Manors extensive cellar or mix a favourite cocktail at the bar.  After your journey you may wish to take a leisurely afternoon tea on the verandah or explore the garden with its century old rhododendrons, duck pond and towering trees.

Franklin Manor’s restaurant perfectly complements the experience with a variety of “tasteful” offerings. This comfortable accommodation of Franklin Manor is one of Tasmania’s best wilderness retreats.

Other facilities include: the celebrated licensed restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner; picnic baskets prepared to order for that day out exploring the unique West Coast; off-street parking; and reception/tour desk

 

Specials

Queensland

Daydream Island Resort and Spa

• Daydream Island Resort and Spa has extended the Eggcellent Easter package from 1^st April to 31^st May 2011 and the sale period to 27^th May 2011.
• Stay 4 nights and pay for 3 nights in a twin share room and get a free upgrade to an Ocean Balcony Room, scrumptious full buffet breakfast daily and children eat breakfast free of charge.
• The offer includes over 20 free guest activities including catamarans, kayaks, open air cinema (Mon, Wed, Fri), fish feeding show, gym, rainforest walk and many more.

Rydges Tradewinds Cairns

• Pay for 2 nights and get the third night free, which can be used for up to 4 consecutive stays in Rydges Tradewinds Cairns.
• This deal is based on 2 adults per room, single or twin share.
• Valid for bookings until 30 April, for travel between now and 30 June 2011

South Australia

Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide on Hindley

• The Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide on Hindley has released winter specials for up to 3 persons including breakfast.
• The special is valid for bookings made from 1^st April to 30^th September 2011.
• Please refer to our online booking system to view the rates.

Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide on Currie

• Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide on Currie has released a winter special for the deluxe room.
• The special is valid for bookings made from 1^st April to 30^th September 2011, for travel between 1^st May to 30^th September 2011.
• Please refer to our online booking system to view the rates.

Southern Ocean Lodge

• Southern Ocean Lodge offers the Remarkable Retreat special:
• Stay 4 pay 3,
• valid for stays1^st May to 30^th September 2011.
• Guests receive a bonus night’s stay, an epicurean hamper and two Southern Spa vouchers.

Northern Territory

Voyages

• Voyages has extended their two night special called ROCKAWAY.
• Sale dates now until 31^st May 2011, for travel until 30^th September.

Longitude 131′

• Longitude 131′ announced to extend the ‘Luxury Spa Indulgence’ package, which is now available for sale until 31 May 2011. 
• The additional travel dates for this offer are from 1^st June till 30^th September 2011.
• This offer is applicable for a minimum of 3 night stay at Longitude 131.  

New South Wales

Pensione Hotel Sydney

• Pensione Hotel Sydney offers a lower rate under the condition of a minimum stay of 2 nights in a deluxe double room.
• Sell dates are from 1^st April to 31^st July 2011 valid for the travel time from 10^th April to 31^st July 2011

Holiday Inn Old Sydney

• Holiday Inn Old Sydney has a special reduced low season rate for bookings from 25^th April to 31^st August 2011.
• Valid for new bookings only, refer to our online system for special rates

Capella Lodge

• Lord Howe Luxe: Stay 7 Pay 6
• valid from 1^st April to 31^st October including a bonus night’s stay, Bollinger Champagne on arrival and two Capella Spa vouchers.
• Kentia Dreaming: Stay 4 Pay 3
• available 1^st May - 31^st August and includes a bonus night’s stay, Island-style BBQ lunch and one Capella Spa voucher.

Western Australia

Coral Princess Cruises

• Coral Princess Cruises operates a 10-night tour in the areas of the Kimberley between April and October including the river gorges, Aboriginal art and the ancient coastline between Darwin and Broome.

• The new International Special is valid between 1^st April and 30^th September 2011 on five departures dates late in the 2011 season, representing a 15% saving on the normal gross rates.

Changes & Refurbishment

Northern TerritoryDarwin Central Hotel

• The Darwin Central Hotel has continued with various upgrades and refurbishments over the past year, including the opening of the Waterhole Restaurant, bathrooms upgrades, TV and entertainment systems, Wireless Broadband Internet, new window dressings and enhanced security measures.
• They have renamed the room types and the names will be effective by the 1^st April 2011. However reservations using the new room names are accepted immediately.

Novotel Darwin Atrium

• Novotel Darwin Atrium advises that the noise impact from the construction site next to the hotel no longer has an impact to guest rooms in the hotel.

Queensland

Mercure Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island

• Mercure Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island will join the Accor network in Australia in April 2011.
• This existing hotel has 152 rooms, two restaurants, a bar, 5 meeting rooms and resort style facilities which include two swimming pools, tennis courts, water sports and a Day Spa.

Peppers Bale Resort at Port Douglas

• Port Douglas Resorts Pty Ltd owned by Mantra Group have closed the property effective immediately, in March 2011
• All future bookings have been relocated to other properties.

Pamagirri Rainforest Amphitheatre

• CAPTA advises that the canopy for the Pamagirri Rainforest Amphitheatre at Rainforestation was damaged during Cyclone Yasi.
• The Pamagirri Dance Corroboree has been temporarily relocated to the Cultural Centre.
• The new canopy will be installed within 4 weeks from 17^th March 2011.

Dreamworld

• Dreamworld is going to change the bus parking area, because of a new major attraction which is about to commence at the site of the current bus stop.
• The construction started and alternative drop off locations are available.
• Limited parking is available on the service exit road by the large billboard, or the gravel paved area immediately on the left after exiting the carpark.

Australian Day Tours

• Australian Day Tours has changed the departure days for the 4WDMoreton Island Eco Tour: It now operates Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• The pick up and drop off from most of the hotels is included, as well as the national park fees, a picnic lunch. None included is the sand tobogganing and the morning and afternoon tea.

Whitsundays Sailing Adventure

• Due to operational reasons Whitsundays Sailing Adventure has had a few changes to scheduling of the Tallships departure day. This is effective of the 1^st April 2011.

• - Derwent Hunter: Monday and Friday
• - Alexander Stewart: Monday and Friday
• - SV Whitehaven: Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.

Lizard Island

• Lizard Island has undergone a soft refurbishment. Guest rooms have been renovated and now appear similar to the island and the colours of the coral reef.

Green Island Resort

• The Club Spa situated at Green Island Resort will close from 1^st to 18^th April for a refurbishment.
• All pre-booked guests have been contacted.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa

• Surfer Paradise Marriott will undergo a refurbishment from 27^th April to 20^th August 2011.

• - The Lagoon Restaurant will be completely refitted from Monday to Friday between 7am to approximately 4pm. Noise levels will be kept to a minimum prior to 9am.
• - Buffet breakfast will be relocated to either, Garden Terrace, Lobby Bar or Benihana.
• - A la carte menu for lunch will be offered in Lobby Bar and a la carte menu for dinner will be offered in Lobby Bar and Benihana Japanese Teppanyaki Restaurant.

• Only the accommodation floors 4 to 16 will be refurbished from 27^th April to 20^th August 2011, since the other floors have already been done.
• The hotel lobby will be renovated , as well as landscaping works. This will involve replanting of all gardens around the poolside area and the construction of a new poolside bar and restaurant. The pool and poolside area will be closedfrom30^th May to 5^th August. During this time, guests are unable to access this area.

New South Wales

Park Hyatt Sydney

• Park Hyatt Sydney has closed down the hotel for renovations.
• Scheduled to take place over a period of seven months, the hotel closed on Monday 28^th March to complete the extensive works, and will re-open its doors in November 2011.
• At this stage the hotel is not taking any bookings for the 11/12 period, until at leats the second half of the year.

Fairmont Resort

• The Fairmont Resort commenced a refurbishment of the guest rooms in two accommodation blocks and the lobby lounge area.
• These works are being staged with works progressing in one accommodation tower at a time to ensure no disruption to guests.
• The expected date of completion is in the end of July 2011.

Northern Territory

Bullo River Station

• Bullo River Station will be closing for the wet season from 31^st October 2011, reopening 1^st March 2012. Their decision is based on the high temperatures, humidity and Wet Season rains.

South Australia

Chifley on South Terrace

• The hotel will be undergoing a soft refurbishment program, commencing 4^th of April 2011.
• Work includes re-carpeting of all guest rooms, corridors and staircase, installation of new light fittings, lamp shades and artworks. Painting of some guest rooms, stairwell and corridors will also be carried out during this time.
• To ensure any disruption or impact on the guests they will keep the work to an absolute minimum.
• The works will last approximately 3 months and will take place on Mondays to Fridays between 8am and 4pm.

Skylink Airport Shuttle

• After some research, Sealink Adelaide Airport Transport has changed it times of operation of their Skylink Airport Shuttle.
• The services at 9:15pm and 9:45pm will cease from 31^st March 2011 and the last operating time will be at 8:45pm.
• Any existing bookings will be honoured.

Victoria

Crown Towers

• Crown Towers Hotel is commencing a refurbishment of the lobby and the driveway.
• The works will last until 15^th June 2011. Guests can be assured that the temporary lobby will continue to provide the same level of personalised service.
• In order to assure continuing service to guests, they gain access into the lobby via Whiteman Street or if on foot, from the riverside promenade, parallel to the Yarra River.

Western Australia

Duxton Hotel

• The Duxton Hotel in downtown Perth expects to complete its soft refurbishment by end of March 2011.
• The renovation included all 306 rooms and the Lobby Bar.

Grand Mercure Cable Beach

• Grand Mercure Cable Beach had previously advised that be reopening date of the Pindan Restaurant & Bar would be at 1^st April. Since there is outstanding work that has to be done in the kitchen to meet Health Department requirements, there is no opening day yet.
• There are no restaurant or bar facilities available at the property, but a number of restaurants and bars are within walking distance. They are providing free transfers for breakfast and dinner in the Cable Beach area.