Newsletter September 10
Office News
APTC at WTM London 2010
This year’s tourism trade fair WTM (World Travel Mart) in
Product of the Month
Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises
Departing daily from Cairns, Great Adventures operates a range of exciting, ecotourism-based cruises to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical Green Island. Choose from a full or half day tour at the reef and rainforest-clad Green Island, or a full day cruise to a spacious activity platform moored permanently at the magnificent Outer Reef.
Ensuring visitors have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the magnificent World Heritage environment of the Great Barrier Reef, all of Great Adventures tours are accredited with Advanced Ecotourism and certified Climate Action Innovator. Great Adventures is part of the multi-award winning Quicksilver Group.
Great Barrier Reef Adventure: A day of discovery and adventure at the Outer Reef
Cruising aboard Great Adventures’ modern, fast catamaran, escape into a world of surprises to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. From the comfort of the stable reef activity platform, this is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers alike to explore and enjoy a magical day of discovery with friendly and knowledgeable crew.
With the air-conditioned semi-submersible and underwater observatory, you don’t even have to get wet to discover the reef. Snorkel and dive amongst beautiful coral gardens and colourful marine life, or just relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch and enjoy the amazing marine-scape! Exciting optional activities include the exclusive Scuba-doo underwater scooter, introductory scuba diving, guided snorkelling tours and scenic helicopter tours.
For the complete reef and island experience in one day, you can also include an optional two hour stopover to explore beautiful Green Island.
Discover Green Island , just 45minutes across the Coral Sea
For a Great Barrier Reef island adventure, tropical Green Island offers the unique opportunity for a combined reef and rainforest experience. On a Great Adventures fast catamaran, you’ll be there in just 45 minutes and with 3 departures daily from Cairns, it’s perfect for a full or half day tour.
You can enjoy up to 7 hours on this island paradise - choose from the “Green Island Eco Adventure” or the “Green Island Discovery”. Whether you’re up for adventurous activities or island relaxation, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
You can explore the island’s lush rainforest, see the reef from the glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, snorkel from the beach or take a refreshing dip in the island swimming pool. The island has well appointed day visitor facilities where you can enjoy a delicious lunch. With an abundance of optional activities, you can scuba dive, take an offshore snorkel excursion, walk underwater with Seawalker helmet diving, kayak, or even take to the sky in a parasail.
What’s New
Australia wide
Great Southern Rail
- A journey aboard The Ghan or the Indian Pacific in the budget friendly ‘Red Service’ will be an even more memorable experience from August 2010, with the introduction of the newly refurbished ‘Red Gum Lounge’ carriages.
- Red Service Sleeper cabins feature a compact twin-share berth fitted with two facing lounge chairs by day which convert to upper and lower berths by night.
- The new Red Gum Lounges will be introduced on the Indian Pacific on 31 August and will operate on The Ghan later this year.
Qantas Group
- The Qantas Group announced plans to increase capacity across its domestic route network by 9.6 per cent, including a number of new routes for both Qantas and Jetstar.
- An A330-300 will be added from January with a further five B737-800s being progressively added to the domestic network from March 2011.
- Qantas will commence direct Brisbane-Broome services next year, resulting in Broome becoming the third destination behind Perth and Karratha that Queensland passengers can fly to direct from Brisbane. The new services will be seasonal, operating from April-October, to coincide with the Broome dry season.
- Jetstar will also add new routes and increase services to key leisure destinations across Australia.
Virgin Blue
- Virgin Blue launched its daily service from Sydney to Ayers Rock, and connections from most major Australian airports.
- Qantas Airlines continues to provide support to Ayers Rock with flights from Sydney, Cairns, Perth and Alice Springs, with connections from all major Australian cities and key overseas destinations.
- The new Virgin Blue service and strong continuing support from Qantas Airways has stimulated significantly increased demand for Ayers Rock.
Pan Pacific Hotel Group
- Pan Pacific Hotels Group announced that it will enter the Australian market with an initial three properties by 2011.
- The three new properties in Australia will be Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (rebranded from Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour, opens November 2010) and Parkroyal Parramatta (rebranded from Crowne Plaza Parramatta, opens November 2010) in Sydney. The third will be Pan Pacific Perth in Perth, Western Australia (rebranded from Sheraton Perth, opens in January 2011).
New South Wales
Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney
- With the launch of Bistro Fax Restaurant & Bar the Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney also relaunched the Morning & Afternoon Teas. Delectable sweet treats, scones and open sandwiches are served with endless cups of Twinings tea or Vittoria coffee.
- The Tea is served daily between 10am and 12pm and 3pm till 5pm.
Australian Wild Escapes
- From October 1, 2010, Wild Escapes will only be offering a range of tours on a share basis. Further to this the tours will only be offered on certain days.
- All other tours will still be offered on a Private Charter basis only through the Australian Luxury Escapes brand.
- The new Essential Sydney Tour will be offered from October 1.
- Please contact our office for detailed information.
Murrays
- Murrays has a change in their pick up policy at Sydney International Airport.
- Due to Sydney Airport Authorities enforcing strict parking rules, Murrays has decided that they willenter the coach parking bay 30minutes after flight landing time.
- The vehicles will wait in the Giovanni area first where they can monitor flight arrivals, then move into the coach parking bays.
- The control centre also monitor all flight arrival times, so in the event a flight is scheduled to arrive early Murrays will make the necessary adjustments.
- There is no change to domestic airport arrivals.
The Menzies Sydney
- The Menzies Sydney has new look rooms!
- The South Wing Rooms have new door locks, painting, carpet, bedding, curtains and shower screens and the South Wing Corridors now have new painting, lighting, wallpaper and panelling.
Queensland
Sun Palm Transport
- Sun Palm Transport has released a new Mission Beach Coach Transfer Timetable.
- Furthermore, they provide additional transport services to and around the Mission Beach region including private transfer bookings to and from Cairns Airport, dedicated Mission Beach Smart Car, and small to Large Conference and Incentive passenger movements to and from Cairns Airport.
- Touring options will be available shortly from Mission Beach.
- Please contact our office for further information.
Mercure Inn Townsville
- The MercureInn Townsville in Australiahas changed its name with immediate effect to MERCURE TOWNSVILLE
Hamilton Island
- Hamilton Island’s brand new Spa wumurdaylin (meaning ‘dragonfly’) opened on Thursday 19 August.
- Spa products from Waterlily and LI’TYA have been chosen to provide a unique indigenous experience.
- Spa wumurdaylin is open 9am-7pm daily.
Accor
- Accor will add an All Seasons Hotel to their network in Queensland in September 2010.
- ALL SEASONS STRADBROKE ISLAND is an existing hotel (Domain Stradbroke Resort) with 60 guest rooms. Facilities include a restaurant, swimming pool, gymnasium and a small meeting room.
- The hotel is located off the coast, approximately one hours drive from the Brisbane CBD.
Dreamworld, WhiteWater World & QDeck
- In celebration of Australia’s traditional culture Dreamworld is launching a captivating Aboriginal show, Dreamworld Dreamtime, this September school holiday period featuring stories, songs and dance spoken and performed by members of the regions Koombamerri tribe.
- Dreamworld Dreamtime will be located within the park’s Australian Wildlife Experience with two shows daily from September 18 until October 7, 2010.
- The show is included in the cost of theme park entry and will be performed daily at 11.40am and 12.40pm.
Victoria
The Blackman
- The third installment of the Art Series Hotel called ‘The Blackman’ is has opened in August 2010.
- Located next to Melbourne’s CBD the hotel boasts 209 guest rooms and suites, a selection of which will have private terraces and spas.
- Visitors to Moonlit Sanctuary are now able to hug and pet a koala during a new visitor experience that has been developed in response to a change in government regulation.
- The koala experience will be available to all visitors under strictly controlled conditions designed to protect the welfare of the koalas. The experience follows the success of the sanctuary’s Wallaby Walk, which allows visitors to come face-to-face with wallabies and kangaroos on a meandering bushland path.
Australian Capital Territory
Australian War Memorial’s Canberra
- Australian War Memorial’s newly upgraded the Second World War galleries.
- There is a number of objects that have not previously been on display, including: a rare Australian armoured vehicle, the Dingo scout car; a captured German Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun still in its original desert camouflage; a unique Chevrolet lorry and a Breda anti-aircraft gun combination used by Australians during the siege of Tobruk.
- The Australian War Memorial is open 10am to 5pm daily and offers free entry. Free 90 minute highlight tours of the galleries are conducted daily by the Memorial’s voluntary guides. Tailored tours can also be organised for large groups such as coach series.
Aria Hotel Canberra
- Arias Hotel is a 4 ½ star property located only 2kms from Canberra’s CBD. Indulge in one of over 120 modern rooms. There are hotel rooms, fully equipped 1 or 2 bedroom apartments and elegant spa suits.
- Facilities include an onsite café, walk/in showers, 24 hours business lounge, complimentary underground parking, internet access and a complimentary shuttle bus servicing the airport, city centre and parliament triangle areas.
Western Australia
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
- Fishing in style at Sal Salis
- Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef now offers fishermen the opportunity to catch coral trout, red emperor, snapper, groper, marlin, Spanish mackerel, giant trevally and many other species of fish from the pristine waters of the mid north coast during the day, followed by enjoying the comfort of wild bush luxury at night.
- Packages include accommodation in a wilderness tent, all meals and beverages, daily private fishing charters and return airport transfers from Learmonth airport.
Orion Expedition Cruises
- Orion Expedition Cruises has announced that they will waive the single supplement surcharge for all new bookings on Orion sailings from 16th September to 21st December 2010 inclusive.
- 5 staterooms will be reserved for sole occupancy on each voyage for single travellers to pay the per person fare with no added supplement.
- This offer applies to the selected departures. Please contact our office for further details.
South Australia
Jacobs Creek Retreat
- Jacobs Creek Retreat has changed its name to Moorooroo Park. The new name for the property is an aboriginal name meaning “where two rivers meet“, speaking of the Para River and Jacobs Creek which runs along the properties gardens.
- In line with the release of the new property name, Moorooroo Park, they have also released two brand new websites
Northern Territory
Bamurru Plains
- Bamurru Plains has extended its product range to include ‘Floodplain Fishing’ during the peak Barramundi fishing season of February to May.
- A highlight for any fisherman at Bamurru is fishing on Swim Creek floodplain by airboat. The camp’s airboats are fitted with casting decks to maximise the experience of fishing the floodplain in spots that are accessible to camp guests only.
- Operates Feb to May only.
Wildman Wilderness Lodge
- Wildman Wilderness Lodge is now taking bookings.
- Opening in March 2011, the Lodge will be situated on the beautiful Mary River Wetlands - around half way between Darwin and Kakadu.
- The development of Wildman Wilderness Lodge is well underway with rates now available for the 2011 season for nightly or 2 and 3 night packages. The nightly rate is inclusive of dinner, bed and breakfast, while the 2 night package includes a Billabong sunrise or sunset cruise. The 3 night package includes a Mary River Rockhole cruise and Kakadu touring.
- Please contact our office for further information.
Specials
Australia Wide
Great Southern Rail
- Great Southern Rail announced the launch of the Tropical Summer Campaign.
- Travel on The Ghan between 1 November 2010 and 31 March 2011 and receive a free upgrade from Red Sleeper Service to Gold Service. To qualify book a minimum of 2 nights accommodation and 1 full day tour to receive this excellent offer.
- This offer is valid for new bookings made between 23 August 2010 and 24 December 2010 and is subject to availability per departure and may not be available on all departures.
- Offer is valid for travel between Darwin to Adelaide or v.v and Darwin to Alice Springs or v.v. Offer is not valid for travel between Alice Springs to Adelaide or v.v.
Queensland
Lizard Island
- ‘Stay an extra night with our compliments’
- Stay 5/pay 4 including room, meals, selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, use of non-motorised water sports & dinghy hire with a minimum stay of 5 nights
- Valid for sale until 30th November 2010 and for travel until 20th December 2010
Lizard Island
- ‘Best of the Best’
- Based on a min. 3 night stay as part of 7 night ‘Best of the Best’ package.
- Must be booked in conjunction with both Southern Ocean Lodge and Wolgan Valley for a minimum stay of 3 nights.
- Guests receive a spa and activity voucher to the value of $100 pp.
- This offer is valid for sale and travel until 31st March 2011.
Heron Island
- ‘Bonus Meal Offer’
- This offer requires a minimum stay of 4 nights and is based on two adults.
- It is valid for sale and trade until 17th December 2010.
Daydream Island Resort
- Daydream Island Resort and Spa has a new Spring Special in the marketplace for September/October
- This min 4 nights offer includes full buffet breakfast daily, return luxury catamaran transfers, 2 children stay FREE, 1 day FREE snorkel hire, plus over 20 FREE guest activities including catamarans, kayaks, open air cinema (Mon, Wed, Fri), fish feeding show, gym, rainforest walk and much more.
Hayman Island
- Hamilton Island advise that their popular Pay 4 / Stay 5 offer has opened to travel for 1 February - 31 March 2011.
- This offer is available for new bookings made from August 2010, valid for travel before 31 March 2011 and is valid for Whitsunday Holiday Apartments, Reef View Hotel & Beach Club.
- The package includes:
- 5 nights accommodation for the price of 4
- Full breakfast daily
- Kids Stay and Eat Free program (excluding Beach Club)
- Unlimited use of paddle skis catamarans windsurfers and snorkelling equipment
- Complimentary Hamilton Island airport to hotel transfers
- Complimentary use of scheduled island shuttle service for duration of stay
- Use of the gym spa sauna tennis & squash court hire (Reef View Hotel & Beach Club guests only)
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa
- O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa has announced a new package to be launched into the International market next month.
- The package will include the following:
- 4 x nights’ accommodation at Kewarra Beach Resort in a deluxe Pandanus Bungalow
- Return airport transfers
- Full breakfast daily
- 1 x full day cruise on the Great Barrier Reef
- 1 x full day on the Kuranda Train and Skyrail to include Hartleys Crocodile Adventures
- 2 x nights accommodation at O’Reilly’s including private return transfers & breakfast daily
- Full use of the Discovery Program
- The only componentNOTincluded is the journey between Brisbane and Cairns
- This package will be effective from September 1st 2010.
Queensland Rail
- As an added incentive, Queensland Rail has a special 20% discount rate for travel 1 Oct 2010 to 31 Mar 2011 when travel Queenslander Class on The Sunlander.
- Queenslander Class on The Sunlander departs Brisbane twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
Hayman Island
- Hayman Island has announced a special family offer for the upcoming School Holidays.
- For a Family Holiday of a lifetime on Hayman the Hayman Short Break offer and the Hayman Family offer an be combined.
- Cruise Whitsundays is also inviting a second child to travel free when accompanied by an adult and one other child on its Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise to Knuckle Reef in September and October.
Mercure Port Douglas Treetops Resort
- Mercure Port Douglas Treetops Resort offers special rates until 31 March 2011
- These rates are valid on new bookings only
- Please contact our office for further details
Kewarra Beach Resort & Silky Oaks Lodge
- Kewarra Beach Resort & Silky Oaks Lodge has announced the release of an new package incorporating two stunning properties in a dual destination experience.
- The package will include the following components:
- Airport transfers with welcome tropical cocktail on arrival.
- 2 night’s accommodation in a Deluxe “Pandanus” Bungalow
- Full day on the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Spirit Cruises
- Daily breakfast 2 mornings at Kewarra Beach Resort
- 2 night’s Deluxe Tree House accommodation at “Silky Oaks Lodge”
- Daily breakfast 2 mornings at “Silky Oaks Lodge”
- Full Day Cape Tribulation Safari including lunch
- Transfer of luggage between Kewarra Beach Resort & Silk Oaks Lodge
- Departure airport transfers from Silky Oaks Lodge to Cairns airport
- This package will be effective from September 1st 2010 and valid to March 31st 2012.
Angsana Resort & Spa
- Angsana Resort & Spa have an incentive offer if you book your next residential conference/incentive group with them.
- They offer your group a complimentary ½ -hour pre-dinner drinks and canapés on one of the nights the group is staying with them.
- In addition you can also choose either a complimentary Sunrise Kayaking tour around Double Island, complimentary breakfast on the beachfront on one morning or a complimentary Yoga session on one morning for the group.
- These special offers are valid for all conference and incentive groups with a minimum of 10 fully paid rooms booked & confirmed prior to 30th June 2011.
Whitsundays Sailing Adventures
- The Whitsundays Sailing Adventures offers a special September Sailing Sale until September 30, 2010.
- Vouchers are to be validated for travel before October 31, 2010.
- The special offers concern ‘Adventure Sailing’, ‘Eco Tallships’, ‘Sail and Dive Adventure’ and ‘Sail & DiveCat Adventure’.
- Please contact our office for detailed price information.
South Australia
Captain Cook Cruise
- Captain Cook Cruise offers the Murray River Summerbreeze Sale with 25% off 2010/11 Cruise Brochure Fares
- The sale is related to PS Murray Princess and it is valid from 03 January 2011 to 28 February 2011.
- Special prices are available on all cabin types.
New South Wales
Jordans Seafood Restaurant
- Jordans Seafood Restaurant Darling Harbour is offering a main meal and drink for a special promotion price.
- This offer is valid for the next 3 months for lunch and dinner, from 11:30am to 12pm and 5:30pm to 6pm for a 1 hour duration.
Tasmania
The Van Diemen Hotels Group
- The Van Diemen Hotels Group has 2 special announcements
- To welcome the arrival of spring in Tasmania, The Islington Hotel will offer a special Stay/Pay offer for stays up to 30 September 2010.
- The Islington Stay3/Pay 2 offer includes a complimentary night’s accommodation with breakfast and parking to experience the luxury of Hobart’s only 5 star rated hotel.
- Combine a stay at The Islington with The Priory Country Lodge in the charming village of Bothwell. The Priory now boasts the addition of two new private suites to complement the luxury accommodation available in the main house.
Changes & Refurbishment
New South Wales Sydney Tower Restaurant
- Sydney Tower Restaurant is about to undergo a refurbishment to its buffet area from September 13th to October 20th. During this time Sydney Tower Restaurant will be relocated to Sky Lounge.
- During the refurbishment period they will be offering a reduction in rate.
- Please contact our office for detailed rate information.
The Observatory Hotel Sydney
- Kitchen renovations are scheduled at The Observatory Hotel and will commerce from the 19 September 2010 to 3 October 2010.
Australian Capital Territory
All Seasons Olims Canberra
- A kitchen and restaurant upgrade is scheduled at the All Seasons Olims Canberra to commence 1st September 2010. The proposed duration of the project is 4 Weeks.
- Jack hammering during the first week will only be done between the hours of 9am - 4pm.
- Breakfast shall be relocated to the Bistro area until completion.
Victoria
- The transformation of the 547 guest rooms of Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt hotel with the hotel’s premium suites, Grand Club lounge and Club floors is now finished and available for bookings.
Northern Territory
Skycity Darwin
- The works on Skycity Darwin brand new 5 star tropical Resort are expected to commence on Monday 23rd August 2010 and should be completed by late April 2012.
- As the new resort is being constructed next to the existing Hotel, the hotel do anticipate some noise and dust, which will affect the hotel rooms closest to the construction site during the business hours of 7.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Saturday, in the initial 12 weeks of construction.
Queensland
BreakFree French Quarter Noosa
- BreakFree French Quarter is currently undertaking a major transformation with the resort being repainted in fresh modern colours.
- The project involves some remedial works and scaffolding in sections of the resort however the impact on guests is minimal. There will be intermittent periods of construction noise that is expected to have minimal disruption or inconvenience to guests.
Novotel Brisbane
- Guest rooms will be refurbished including all furnishing and furniture elements from 30th August 2010 until May 2011.
- Work will be strictly controlled between the hours of 10-4 pm and there are only two floors at a time being refurbished.
South Australia
Prairie Accommodation Refurbishment
- The four ‘Heritage Rooms’, in the original part of the Hotel, have had a fabulous Prairie makeover, all with ensuites, queen beds and furnished in elegant Prairie style.
- Each room adjoins the internal courtyard/Hotel Guest Lounge, which has also had a refurb, providing a cheerful and cosy retreat exclusively for Hotel House Guests with tea and coffee facilities available 24/7. While across the road at the ‘Overflow accommodation’ all 5 self contained cabins now have ensuites.
