OFFICE NEWS

• APTC is proud to announce that we have secured a number of allocations at a selection of Sydney hotels on New Years Eve. Please contact our team for further information of if you wish to make a booking.

WHAT’S NEW? No swine flu in Australia 

• There are currently no confirmed cases of swine flu in Australia.
• The Australian Government has robust plans in place to deal with influenza outbreaks and Australian authorities are on very high alert and in position to implement full border measures, including thermal scanners and health declaration cards.
• Health authorities advise there is no need to wear face masks in Australia.

Voyages

• Voyages are pleased to announce that their Multi-stay discounted nightly rates are now available to be used in conjunction with Voyages special offers.
• This means that additional nights confirmed at another Voyages resort, with a combined minimum night stay of 5 nights, will receive the multi-resort discount of 15%.
• Please note that the 15% discount is not applicable to the resort with the special offer, only against the nightly rate at the additional resort/s.
• Valid for travel until 31 March 2010. 

New South Wales Australian Eco Adventures, Sydney

• Have added a brand new Toyota Landcruiser to the fleet. This vehicle will predominantly be running tours for their Diamond Series range of private charter itineraries.
• The newest product, Luxury in Sydney, has been well received.
• First tour Sydney city, the Eastern Suburbs & Bondi Beach in a small group vehicle, then board a luxury 40ft motor cruiser to experience a 4 hour lunch cruise on the harbour…all with a maximum of 12 people.  

Northern Territory Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin

• Crocosaurus Cove is Darwin’s newest attraction. A unique up close and personal experience with the Top End’s massive salt water crocodiles and much more.
• Not only are massive saltwater crocodiles ready to welcome the visitors but they can also view the worlds largest display of Australian reptiles, the turtle sanctuary and the World of Crocs display and more, including Feedings & Activities Hourly, 200,000 Litre Aquarium, “Swim with the Crocs” experience and “Cage of Death” - high adrenalin diving experience with the Massive Saltwater Crocodiles.
• Dining with the Crocs: Enjoy a quick snack, lunch and beverages at the Croc Cafe.  
• Why not make one or all of these occasions a “real event” by sharing the experience with our crocs and reptiles.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are available for groups. 

Voyages Kings Canyon Resort

• Kings Canyon Resort are welcoming guests back to the Sounds of Firelight dining experience, the perfect way to unwind after a day of touring. While you soak up the atmosphere, a four course set menu is served accompanied by Australian quality wines.  

Walking Country, The Larapinta Trail

• Walking Country is owned and operated by Don Wait of Wayoutback Desert Safaris.
• Their new product – The Larapinta Trail - offers expert back up by an established and reputable tour company.
• Key attractions include Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen.
• They feature 3 itineraries on the Larapinta Trail ranging from 7 to 16 days including pre and post Alice Springs accommodation, all meals whilst on tour, full support with ground crew and expert guide.
• Grades range from the moderate to physically challenging and appeal to a cross section of ages, generally customers are well travelled and have participated in Walking Tours before.
• All walks are fully supported by a ground crew meaning participants only have to carry a day pack. 

Queensland Mercure Port Douglas Resort

• Mercure Port Douglas Resort (193 rooms), in Queensland, Australia will join the Accor network in May 2009.
• The Mercure Port Douglas Resort is built amidst its own natural melaleuca forests with free-flowing waterwaysand lily ponds and is a short distance from Four Mile Beach.
• Featuring a restaurant and two bars, facilities include a day spa, gymnasium, lagoon swimming pool, retail shops and tour desk. There are also seven conference rooms. 

Queensland Rail

• International passport holders can enjoy six months unlimited rail travel across Australia with the release of the all new Austrail Pass.
• Available from 1 April 2009, the Austrail Pass can be used across Traveltrain, Countrylink and Great Southern Rail services.
• The Austrail Pass offers unlimited travel over a six month period in Economy Class seats.
• Passholders also have the option to pay the applicable fees to upgrade to a higher class of seating or to a sleeping berth if they wish.
• Austrail Passes are valid only to bona fide overseas visitors to Australia, and a valid international passport must be presented when validating your ticket.
• Conditions apply; please contact our office for further details. 

Sun-Air Bus Service

• Sun-air now has a Wheelchair friendly coach.
• On request they can provide a vehicle with a lift at the rear to meet the needs of a passenger in a wheelchair. 

Tasmania Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

• Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston has now opened all of their retail outlets which includes 8 retails stores, Avis and access to Yorktown Square and Brisbane Street. 

Victoria Go West Tours

• The Phillip Island Penguin Parade day tour has been revamped significantly, to include a visit to the spectacular new Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne. They will be including a fully guided eco tour of this unique artistic creation.
• The itinerary now includes a visit to the new Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, including the brand new Amazing World of Chocolate and the famous Koala Conservation Centre to meet some of the friendly locals.
• This tour will no longer visit a regional winery, nor include the guided fauna park tour that has been a part of the itinerary to date.
• Also, the Great Ocean Road tour will no longer include a visit to an Aboriginal Cultural Centre. 

Hilton Melbourne South Wharf

• Melbourne’s newest deluxe hotel, the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, opened its doors recently.
• The $150 million, 20-storey hotel is part of the Melbourne Convention Centre and another impressive addition to Victoria’s tourism infrastructure.
• The Hilton Melbourne South Wharf includes 396 rooms, a café, a Catalan inspired restaurant – Nuevo39, a tapas and wine bar – Sotano, and is a five-star hotel.

Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs

• The Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs, Australia (104 rooms) will join the Accor network in August 2009.
• Located in the rapidly developing suburb of Caroline Springs in the west of Melbourne, the Hotel sits 30 minutes from the central business district enroute to Ballarat, and is a short walk from shopping, dining and corporate attractions. 

Quay West Resort & Spa Falls Creek

• Mirvac Hotels & Resorts has been appointed to manage Australia’s first 5-star luxury drive-in, drive-out, ski-in, ski-out trans-seasonal alpine resort at Falls Creek.
• Located within the St Falls precinct, the resort is on schedule to open on 5 June in time for the 2009 winter ski season and will operate under Mirvac’s prestigious Quay West Resort & Spa branding.
• The 63 one, two, three and four bedroom fully furnished apartments boast modern interiors designed by architects Elenberg Fraser, under floor heating, open plan living areas, a European laundry and drying cupboard, amazing views overlooking the Kiewa Valley and towards Falls Creek’s main ski runs and a toasty hot tub on most apartment balconies. 

The Sebel Deep Blue Warrnambool, Great Ocean Road

• Mirvac Hotels & Resorts will take over management of the Deep Blue hotel from 1 July 2009, when it will be rebranded under the group’s Sebel brand.
• To be known as The Sebel Deep Blue Warrnambool, the resort will join Mirvac’s portfolio of 43 managed hotels and resorts across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, predominately under the Sebel branding.
• Less than three hour’s drive from Melbourne, The Sebel Deep Blue is perfectly positioned on a peninsula between Lady Bay and Stingray Bay in Warrnambool, also known as “The City by the Sea” and the largest city on the Great Ocean Road. 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Western Australia Pinctada Cable Beach, BroomePinctada Cable Beach five star resort, scheduled to open  on 12 May 2009, is the flagship of Marilynne Paspaley AM’s Pinctada Hotels & Resorts. Handpicked décor mirrors the colours and textures of the Kimberley and original artwork is from Marilynne’s private collection. The centre piece of this intimate 72-room resort is an asymmetrical pool with spa nooks, a cascading water feature and 25m lap lane.The design respects Broome’s past, intelligent water and energy management systems embrace the future and personalised service and tour experiences nurture the present. The world-class Pinctada Spa offers couples and individual treatment rooms, native Australian botanical products, two vichy shower treatment rooms, a juice bar, sauna and a salon for hair, manicures and pedicures. All guest rooms are graciously sized with king beds, fine quality linen, personal pillow menu and a private balcony or courtyard. The personalised cutlery in the Master Pearler suites is designed by Christofle and the Honjin Courtyard rooms open onto a courtyard with lush gardens and a relaxation plunge pool. The fine dining restaurant, bar and pool café feature signature menus designed by Melbourne chef Greg Malouf of Mo Mo Restaurant and fresh produce from the resort’s market garden. Pinctada Cable Beach also offers 24-hour in-room dining, concierge and personal butler services, a guest gym, resort boutique, meditative garden zones and a lounge-based check-in with refreshments in the indoor-outdoor reception area.Landscaping by Jamie Durie’s Patio features native flora and completes the private and intimate world of Pinctada Cable Beach.Whether your quest is serenity or adventure, here you’ll find time and space, understated elegance and around the clock attention. And discover your own treasures – personal moments, endless horizons. 
 SPECIALS Australia – wide 
 Mirvac Hotels & Resorts

• Mirvac Hotels & Resorts has released some fantastic offers at a number of their hotels.
• The following three hotels have offered substantial lower 09/10 rates for NEW FIT Bookings:Sebel Reef House Palm CoveSea Temple Palm CoveSea Temple Port Douglas
• Quay West Bunker Bay, Citigate Perth and Sebel Manly Beach have reduced their rates in the low season.
• Please contact our office for more information or check the updated rates on iCom – our online facility. 

New South Wales Australian Eco Adventures, Sydney

• Australian Eco Adventures and Australian International Hospitality have partnered up to offer a special value promotion which includes two course dinner and cocktail of the day at the AIH 360 Bar & Dining for each couple booked on:Any private charter tour (Diamond Series and tailor-made tours)3 Day Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley Experience3 Day Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley & Port Stephens Experience4 Day Outback Beyond the Black Stump Tour3 Day Sydney to Melbourne Tour
• Value until 31.12.2009 

The Grace Hotel, Sydney

• They currently offer attractive B&B group rates, for 4 – 20 rooms.
• The Grace Winter Adhoc Group B&B Special is valid from 01 April 2009 until 30 September 2009.
• Please contact our team for further information. 

South Australia Great Southern Rail, Adelaide

• Great Southern Rail have the following booking offers currently in place:1. The Southern Spirit 2010 – Free flight or onboard credit and 10% early bird discount for the consumer.2. Indian Pacific – buy one get one half price.3. The Ghan’s 80th Birthday – 20% value added discount.
• Please request further information from our team. 

Queensland The Hotel Cairns, Cairns

• For a very limited time The Hotel Cairns are offering the following specials:Stay 4 nights and only pay for 3 nightsComplimentary one day use of smart car$10 per person breakfast voucher daily
• Specials only valid to 30 September 2009 for new bookings only
• Specials can be combined
• Only available for FIT bookings 

Cairns Plaza

• Cairns Plaza Hotel has released interesting FIT and Group rates valid through to 31 March 2009.
• Please contact our office for further information. 

Palm Royale Cairns

• The Hotel currently offers very attractive FIT rates.
• Please request our office for more details. 

Northern Territory Crowne Plaza Darwin

• Special offer: Complimentary full buffet breakfast for two daily
• All bookings - No minimum night stay required!
• Valid: 1 May 09 - 31 Aug 09 

Holiday Inn Darwin

• Special offer: Complimentary full buffet breakfast for two daily
• All bookings - No minimum night stay required!
• Additional Offer: Stay 4 Pay 3 - May be combined with above offer
• Valid: 1 May 09 - 30 Sep 09 

Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin

• Special offer: Complimentary full buffet breakfast for two daily & 2 x Cocktail vouchers (per stay)
• All bookings - No minimum night stay required!
• Valid: 1 May 09 - 31 Aug 09 

CHANGES & REFURBISHMENTS New South Wales  Cronulla Eco Cruises, Sydney

• They have modified the Aboriginal Tour of Djeebahn to further suit the requirements of the clientele.
• The cruise is now a 2½ hour morning tea or afternoon tea and will be operating within the confines of the Royal National Park.
• Option 1: Morning Cruise departing Audley at 9:00am and returning at 11:30am.
• Option 2: Afternoon Cruise departing Audley at 2:00pm and returning at 4:30pm.
• What to expect:A tour including morning tea and bush tucker.Upon boarding visitors will receive a ‘Welcome To Country’ with a traditional smoking ceremony by a traditional elder.Hear stories about the first European settlers to the area.Commentary compiled by Anthropologist and Archeologist, Professor Les Bursill, who will reveal the country and culture.Learn about the unique ecology of the Port Hacking River system.Enjoy informative talks on the native plants and wildlife.View Aboriginal shell middens that were formed over thousands of years.Hear how the rock art in the area was created and the stories that date back more than 4,500 years.
• Cruise inclusionsBilly Tea infused with local gum leaves, freshly baked camp oven style Dharawal damper served with butter and sugar bag (bush honey) and local Lilli Pilli Jam. 

The Grace Hotel, Sydney

• The Grace Hotel is delighted to advise that new 32” LCD digital flat screen TV’s have now been installed in all rooms! In addition to enjoying the new look, guests can take advantage of an enhanced in room pay per view movie system with up to 100 movies to chose from. Guests also have the power to bookmark – pause, stop or rewind their chosen movie at their discretion – this is to ensure the movie experience fits into the schedule of every guest.
• Additionally they have recently installed upgraded cabling throughout the hotel, which now provides high-speed broadband internet for faster response and quicker downloads. Wireless internet is also available throughout the hotel.
• Their exciting “10 room” project will be launched soon, which has involved the complete renovation of 10 of their accommodation rooms, to offer something unique and sophisticated for the guests. The final touches involve soft furnishings and there is no noise or disruptions that will impact on guests. 

Northern Territory Bamurru Plains, Kakadu National Park

• In response to strong demand for family travel they have decided to reduce the minimum age requirement of children to 8 years.
• They are pleased to announce that Airborne Solutions have reduced their scenic helicopter transfer rate. This makes for a spectacular arrival as our pilot flies low across the country before landing right in front of camp.
• Their staff celebrated the official launch of the new river boat, MV Nowhere, and the upgraded pontoon last month. This new vessel will take guests down the Sampan River to spot crocodiles, the local birdlife and learn about mangrove ecosystems. 

Queensland The Fraser Island Company

• With the world in the midst of a financial crisis, The Fraser Island Company have been looking at ways to give our customers better value for their dollar. In light of this they have made some exciting changes.
• 2 Day Northern Adventure & Wilderness Safari:Their 2 Day accommodation will be relocating from the campsite at Frasers at Cathedral Beach to the individual timber lodges of the Wilderness Retreat located at Happy Valley. All guests will continue to enjoy twin / double accommodation now with the added benefit of private ensuites. To accommodate a maximum of 24 guests on each 2 Day Tour, they will be offering a choice of either a 1 or 2 bedroom free standing lodge with private bathroom facilities. Guests will also have the luxury of enjoying exclusive use of all the amenities offered at the Wilderness Retreat. These include a swimming pool, bar, bistro, bottle shop, convenience store, Global Gossip internet, and pool table whilst being a 200m walk from amazing 75 Mile Beach. 

Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane

• Their guest rooms are currently being updated with new furniture. The dramatic and fresh look continues from the bed linen, to the bedside tables and study desk, adding a ‘wow’ factor to the rooms décor.
• Additionally they celebrate the refurbishment of Frescos Restaurant and the installation of the new buffet. 

Mercure Inn Townsville

• Mercure Inn Townsville has commenced a refurbishment of 86 rooms on a rolling programme.
• All rooms will be completely stripped with new furniture and fittings, as well as external rendering and painting on the building.
• This is expected to be completed by 30^th June 2009. 

Quicksilver, Green Island Resort Transfer

• As a result of a Work Place Health and Safety Inspector visitor the porters and boat crew are only allowed to carry up to, 23 kg. Whilst they understand that any kind of impost would be in appropriate, they do feel it important to make you aware that bags exceeding the 23kg weight restriction will need to have their contents transferred by the guests to another bag which shall be provided.
• This policy becomes effective as of 1st May 2009. 

Voyages Brampton Island

• Effective 01 April 2009, the Brampton Island launch transfer will operate on a new schedule:
• Mackay Marina to Brampton Island departs 14.00 daily (previously 11.30 daily) 
• Brampton Island to Mackay Marina departs 15.20 daily (previously 13.15 daily)
• The Mackay marina launch departure time has been changed in order to align more efficiently with major city flight arrivals into Mackay. In turn, the new Brampton Island launch departure time allows guests greater opportunity to enjoy the island on their date of departure, whilst still connecting with city return flights.
• Current booking procedures and launch transfer rates remain unchanged. The Australasian Jet air transfer timetable remains unchanged also. 

Voyages Dunk Island

• From 15 April 2009, the Hinterland Aviation air transfer from Cairns to Dunk Island at 8.00am will cease to operate. Accordingly, the return flight that departed Dunk Island at 9.00am will no longer operate.
• Private charters are available on request and any existing regular flight bookings will be honoured. No other flight times are affected, and the revised timetable can be obtained from our office. 

Victoria Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne

• Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne in the heart of the city, has recently made some enhancements to the ground floor public areas of the hotel.
• The lobby and breakfast restaurant have been newly carpeted and casual tub chairs are in the lobby for guest relaxation.
• Encore Café and Bar has modern polished wood floors, high back dining chairs, dramatic feature walls and modern funky lighting that gives the space an inviting atmosphere. 

Tasmania Bruny Island Cruises

• The award-winning Bruny Island Charters cruise will continue operations until the end of June this year, adding an additional two months to the usual season. The acclaimed cruise along the wild and remote coast of South Bruny from Adventure Bay will resume after a short break on 1 September.
• Bruny Island Charters operates - 7 days a week between 1^st September and 30th June each year. Except Christmas Day
• Cruise Departure times is 11am.

Destination Management Company