Office News

• We congratulate Pam Spencer on her recent promotion to Operations Manager at APTC. Melanie Dieterle will be sadly missed and we wish her all the best for her future.

• Stephanie Karst-McGrath will be attending WTM (World Travel Mart) in London this November. Further details to be announced, meanwhile if you’d like to make an appointment please contact Stephanie.

Product of the Month

 

Adventure North Australia & The Bama Way Aboriginal Journeys

Cairns, Tropical North Queensland

Cooktown is one of Australia’s most exciting new destinations. Nestling on North Queensland’s stunning tropical wilderness coast, this small historic town with its pristine environment steeped in Aboriginal culture, has everything to offer those looking for a taste of real Australia.

Adventure North Australia operates 4wd tours to Cooktown from Cairns and Port Douglas. Travel one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives as you traverse the 4wd-only Bloomfield Track through the heart of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, with stunning scenery, mountain ranges and river crossings.

Enjoy lunch at the Lions Den Hotel which has a rich history since 1875. A landmark hotel with a wood & iron construction, famous for its quirky decorations and walls adorned with visitors signatures.  See the mysterious Black Mountains, a unique geological oddity, steeped in Aboriginal history and legend.  On arrival in Cooktown visit Grassy Hill which offers spectacular views of the Coral Sea, Endeavour River and Cooktown.

Visitors to the region now have the opportunity to visit Aboriginal ancestral lands and Rock Art sites with Nugal-warra Elder Willie Gordon of Guurrbi Tours.  Willie, the traditional story-teller of the Nugal-warra clan, takes guests to his ancestral rock art sites, set high in the hills above Hope Vale, outside Cooktown. Here he shares the stories behind the art, and explains how the cave paintings speak of the essence of life and the lores of his people.  The Rainbow Serpent Tour visits 6 Rock Art Sites, including an ancestral Birth Cave. 

There is free time to explore Cooktown before the return journey via the Mulligan Highway which follows the Great Dividing Range.  A complex of mountain ranges, plateaus, upland areas and escapements which is the Outback of Far North Queensland.

Please contact APTC for further details about the product and rates.

What’s New

Australia - wide

The Mantra Group

• After the split of Stella Travel Services and Stella Hospitality Group, the Stella Hospitality group rebranded to Mantra Group.
• Mantra Group will continue to operate the different hotel brands of Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree.

The Voyages Group

• The Voyage Group sold following resorts: Lizard Island Resort: Kings Canyon Resort; Wilson Island Resort; El Questro Homestead; El Questro Station; El Questro Emma Gorge; and Heron Island Resort (including Australian Marine Experience which operates launch transfers from Gladstone to Heron Island)
• As with all prior sales, until time of completion, Voyages will continue to operate these resorts on a ‘business as usual’ basis.
• As well as the above assets leaving the portfolio, the GPT Group have also entered into a contract to sell Wrotham Park Lodge.
• It is the intention of the purchasers to cease the operation of the Lodge in its current location at the close of this year’s season and relocate the infrastructure to another destination within Australia in the future.

Big Blue Air touring

• Big Blue co-owners, Pat and Sally Kent have been appointed managers and hosts at Arkaba Station.
• The 1851 homestead is currently undergoing a makeover programme, including the construction of a swimming pool during the next few months and is scheduled to reopen on 1st November 2009
• Big Blue can now also offer the choice of 5 aircraft based out of Adelaide.
• Having these aircraft available in Adelaide will enable them to easily put together outstanding South Australian itineraries, including the wonderful outback and wine regions as well as Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges.

Australian Pacific Tours/Topdeck Tours

• Australian Pacific Tours and Topdeck Tours announce that an agreement has been reached for Topdeck to acquire Connections Adventures for Australia and New Zealand.
• The transaction allows the operational expertise Topdeck has in 18-38 coach tours to be applied to Connections Adventures while continuing the opportunities of joint representation for the programmes.
• APT will retain ownership of the Connections Safaris open age touring range.
• Connections open age touring business remains exactly as it is. Connections Safaris (camping) and Connections Discovery (open age accommodated tours) continue, 100% owned by APT with all existing terms and conditions.

New South Wales

Sydney Wildlife World

• New Baby Emus Arrived at Sydney Wildlife World
• In a specially designed exhibit, visitors have the chance to get up close to the cute cream-striped chicks, which are currently only 30cm tall.
• Keepers will be on hand to answer questions and visitors can even pat the chicks during the keeper talks.

The Great Southern Hotel Sydney

• Effective 15 August 2009; Great Southern Hotel will no longer be part of the Mantra Group

Boutique Tours Australia

• Boutique Tours Australia has again won the Hunter Regional Tourism Awards as the Best Tour Operator in the Hunter!
• Boutique Tours Australia has consistently won this award for the last 3 years in a row, and now enters the Hunter Tourism Hall of Fame - as the first Hunter Tour Operator to achieve this level.

Australian Eco Adventures

• Australian Eco Adventures has a new tour for the Diamond Series private charter collection, which is called the Wolgan Valley Luxury Diamond Eco Experience.
• This tour includes private touring to explore the remote regions of the Blue Mountains with stunning views, a visit to Scenic World Attractions, lunch at the luxurious Echoes Restaurant, and accommodation at the new Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa where guests can enjoy the unique experiences of this property.
• This itinerary is based on 3 days and 2 nights, but it can be extended to include more evenings at Wolgan Valley on request.

Northern Territory

SEIT Outback Australia

• New Touring company operating in the red centre of Australia
• SEIT Outback Australia offers exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and / or cultural touring throughout Outback Australia
• Company focuses on customized events for small groups and charters between Alice Springs and Uluru
• As of 11^th August SEIT Outback Australia offers exclusive touring to Mount Conner from Ayers Rock Resort
• The company also offers a Cave Hill day tour and several 3 day tours between Alice Springs and Uluru.

All Seasons Katherine

• All Season Katherine has a new bar and dining options with, the “Galloping Jack’s Steakhouse and Bar.
• Galloping Jack’s Steak House will provide both guests and visitors with a unique dining experience.

Pepper Seven Spirit Bay

• Peppers Seven Spirit Bay will close effective 28 August 2009
• All companies with bookings have been contacted and alternative accommodation suggestions provided

Alice Springs Helicopters

• Alice Springs Helicopters has launched a new joint touring initiative with the Lynan family of Apmwerre.
• The new indigenous art tour with a maximum of 4 passenger gives a truly personal Red Center experience.
• The tours include a private helicopter journey and a Dot Painting Workshop with the traditional owners of Apmwerre.

Queensland

 Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

• Tjapukai has changed their buffet lunchmenu as of Wednesday 2nd September, 2009.

Western Australia

Wild Bush Luxury- Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

• Wild Bush Luxury offers an exclusive safari camp on a deserted stretch of beach in the Cape Range National Park, where the magnificent corals of Ningaloo Reef are just metres offshore. Five spacious ensuite wilderness tents on raised platforms are 50 metres back from the water’s edge and the world’s greatest fringing coastal coral reef.
• The company is still waiting for permission to build the 4 additional tents. Should all go as planed the construction will take place from early January until the end of March 2010 in readiness for the Whale Shark season.

South Australia

Holiday Inn Adelaide

• Holiday Inn Adelaide will leave the IHG group and has been purchased by the Grand Chancellor Group
• The takeover is expected to take place on 28 September

Clipsal 500

• Holiday The dates have been announced to be 11 March to 14 March 2010
• Most Hotels in Adelaide implement a minimum stay requirement and special event rates apply during this time period.

Victoria

Grand Prix Melbourne

• The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Formula One Teams Association have come to an agreement that the Grand Prix will certainly be held until 2015 in Melbourne.  

Specials

Australia - wide

The Ghan

• An upgrade offer from Red Sleeper Service to Gold Service provides savings of up to 32% and can be booked from 01.09 2009 to 31.03.10 for travel between 01.11.09 and 30.04.10.
• There is also a Platinum Service Summer Special - this offer is for Platinum Service on The Ghan and Indian Pacific with significant savings for travel between 01.11.09 and 30.04.10.

The Mantra Group

• Mantra offers a wide range of specials (stay 4 nights / pay 3 deals or reduced rates) at a number of their properties
• Please contact our office for a full list of details.

New South Wales

Capella Lodge

• New ‘Luxe Launch Stay 5/Pay 4′ package offers guests a complimentary night’s accommodation when staying five nights and a $100 Capella Spa Treatment Voucher per person (maximum 2 per suite).
• Valid for stays from the Lodge re-opening from 22 August till 30 September, guests will be captivated by Capella’s bespoke new suites, swish interiors and constant charm. Package applies to new bookings only.

Sydney Harbour Marriott

• A special FIT rate applies from 1 August 09 until the end of March 2010 (excl. 28.12.09 to 02.01.10)
• This offer is only valid for new bookings

 The Sebel Manly Beach

• The Sebel Manly Beach reduced their high season rates, effectivefor travel from1 September 2009.
• These rates are valid from 1 September 2009 - 31 March 2010 excluding 26 December 2009 - 4 January 2010 where surcharges and minimum stays of 3 nights apply.

Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney -

• The Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney revised their low season rates for new bookings effective immediately
• For further information please check iCom or contact our office directly

South Australia

Southern Ocean Lodge

• Stay 4 / Pay 3 package has been extended with bookings takenfor stays up to 30 September 2009.
• Two 50$ vouchers and a KI EpicureanHamperare also included in this package

Queensland

Voyages Dunk/Brampton/Heron Island

• Voyages has announced an extension of meal inclusive rates at: Dunk Island, Brampton Island and Heron Island
• The rates can be booked until 31 of October 2009 and are valid for travels until 30 November (subject to availability at the time of booking)
• Please contact our office for further details

Peppers Bale-Port Douglas

• The rates for all room types have been reduced for the remaining of the season 2009-2010.
• New rates are only valid for new bookings. Please check iCom for further details and rates.

Holiday Inn Cairns

• Have reduced their rates for new Fit bookings as of September.
• These rates are valid until 31 of March 2010.
• Please refer to ICom for updated rates

 

Northern Territory

Outback Private Tours

• Outback Private Tours offers a 25% discount per person on all Italian language tours from 1st November 2009 until 31st January 2010 and is offered for new bookings
• We still have a 30% discount to bride only on offer until end of October 2009, sale ends 14th October 2009.

Western Australia

Mantra on Murray-Perth

• Offers new special stay 3 / pay 2 nights deals
• This is valid for sale and travel from now until 31 January 2010.
• Block out dates apply

Sal Salis Spring Special

• Stay 5 Pay 4 plus a bonus free night in Perth
• This spring special offers guests a complimentary night when they book 5 nights at Sal Salis as well as a complimentary night at Perth’s leading luxury hotel, The Richardson Hotel & Spa.
• Offer valid from 1 October to 15 December 2009
• Complimentary night in a Classic Room at The Richardson is valid for use between 1 October 2009 and 31 January 2010 (subject to availability)

Quay West Resort Bunker Bay

• The Quay West Resort Bunker Bay have lowered their rates
• The reduced rates are available until 31 March 2010
• Block out dates apply
• For further information please check iCom or contact our office directly

Citigate Perth

• The Citigate Hotel Perth has lowered the rates
• The reduced rates are available until 31 March 2010
• For further information please check iCom or contact our office directly

Changes & Refurbishment

New South WalesOld Sydney holiday Inn

• Old Sydney Holiday Inn is currently refurbishing all bathrooms in the guest rooms. This will not impact or inconvenience the guests is any way.
• Old Sydney Holiday Inn is also completing a lift refurbishment. There will only be one lift closed at a time with one lift operational for guests.There will be minimal impact to guests staying in the hotel
• Completion date for both projects will be the end of November 2009.

Pensione Hotel - Sydney

• First stage of the refurbishment has now been completed
• This also included double glazing the windows in the rooms located on George Street for the entire hotel. This has had an enormous effect on reducing noise in these rooms
• These rooms can be booked on request

South Australia

Grand Mercure Mount Lofty House

• New Grand Mercure Mt Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills will undergo a refurbishment over the next 12 months.
• Refurbishments will include the addition of four new rooms - taking the boutique hotel’s room inventory to 33 - as well as updated conference and technological facilities, new flat screen TVs and new King zip beds to sleep a total of 74 guests.
• This increase in capacity makes the hotel ideal for small groups.
• As part of an introductory offer the hotel is offering a weekday special,

Queensland

Mercure Inn Townsville

• Refurbishment of 86 rooms is expected to be completed in early September
• All rooms will be completely stripped with new furniture and fittings, as well as external rendering and painting

Tasmania

Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

• Three floors of Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston will be refurbished within the next 6 months. This will include new beds, linen, TV’s and paintwork.

Victoria

Hotel Windsor

• Has announced a significant refurbishment of the hotel
• Construction work will begin in April 2011
• Hotel operates as normal through the whole year 2010