CRUISE – NORWEGIAN’S AUSSIE RETURN

Norwegian Spirit’s maiden arrival marks a significant milestone for the Australian cruise industry’s comeback, as well as the chance for Australian cruisers to experience NCL’s unique Freestyle Cruising concept from their doorstep, with a choice of eight sailings between December 2022 and March 2023 from Sydney and Auckland. NCL media release SYDNEY WELCOMES NORWEGIAN SPIRIT Norwegian CruiseContinue reading “CRUISE – NORWEGIAN’S AUSSIE RETURN”

HOTEL – SOFITEL MELBOURNE

PARIS FOR SOFITEL MELBOURNE SOFITEL Melbourne on Collins is now home to new guest rooms that “feel like a Parisian apartment in the heart of Melbourne” thanks to an extravagant $15 million renovation. Celebrated architect IM Pei – who was originally tasked with designing the five-star address that sits at the Paris End of CollinsContinue reading “HOTEL – SOFITEL MELBOURNE”

HOTEL – OSBORN HOUSE

What we have achieved is a relaxed environment that feels more like a home away from home, than a hotel stay. The space really emulates a countryside, guesthouse escape. Linda Boronkay – Linda Boronkay Design Studio HOTEL WITH HISTORY THE Southern Highlands town of Bundanoon is home to regional Australia’s newest place to stay withContinue reading “HOTEL – OSBORN HOUSE”

HOTEL – WALDORF ASTORIA SYDNEY

Located in the One Circular Quay mixed-use development at 1 Alfred Street, which includes an adjoining 61-level apartment tower, the hotel will be a home away from home for today’s discerning travellers.  Waldorf Astoria media release WALDORF ASTORIA SET FOR SYDNEY SYDNEY is set to become home to a new Waldorf Astoria with the iconicContinue reading “HOTEL – WALDORF ASTORIA SYDNEY”

CRUISE – AUSTRALIA

There are so many ships heading to Australia during the coming cruise season, but which one is right for you SHIPS TO CRUISE AUSTRALIA THE countdown to the 2019-20 Australian cruise season has officially started and there’s a flotilla ready to deploy Down Under during the Southern Hemisphere summer. Anyone considering a cruise holiday hasContinue reading “CRUISE – AUSTRALIA”

VISIT – WINTERTIME VICTORIA

July is the perfect time for a mid-winter break, with properties dotted around rural Victoria providing the ideal retreat for a quick recharge VICTORIA’S WINER RETREATS DAYS are dark, the temperature has plunged below brisk, and even the hardiest of souls battling this bleakest of mid-winter months are dreaming about a break. While the sunContinue reading “VISIT – WINTERTIME VICTORIA”

HOTEL – ELEMENT MELBOURNE

Our spacious, light-filled guestrooms and suites with striking views are designed to create a peaceful place for you to unwind. Element Melbourne Richmond website MELBOURNE IN ITS ELEMENT SUBURBAN Melbourne is home to Australia’s first Element by Westin with Element Melbourne Richmond opening its doors this month. The brand, which belongs to the Marriott InternationalContinue reading “HOTEL – ELEMENT MELBOURNE”

HOTEL – BRISBANE MARRIOTT

It’s like Australia’s River City has a new place to stay, with a $20 million renovation modernising the Brisbane Marriott Hotel BRISBANE MARRIOTT MAKEOVER A $20 million spend has “reimagined” Brisbane Marriott Hotel with the just-completed renovation transforming all 267 guest rooms and suites as well as the executive-level lounge and the property’s signature restaurant.Continue reading “HOTEL – BRISBANE MARRIOTT”

VISIT – OUTBACK QUEENSLAND

If getting back to nature, exploring the great outdoors and reconnecting with our amazing country and its people are what you’re looking for, then Outback Queensland is for you! The landscapes are like no other, from red deserts to luscious waterholes, and are waiting to be explored. Outback Queensland website OUTBACK QUEENSLAND IS CALLING THEContinue reading “VISIT – OUTBACK QUEENSLAND”

HOTEL – DOUBLETREE PERTH

Northbridge has emerged to be the entertainment and cultural hub of Perth, and Doubletree by Hilton Perth Northbridge is located at the heart of it all. Hilton Australasia’s oeprations boss Heidi Kunkel NEW HOTEL FOR NORTHBRIDGE THE West Australian hotel boom continues with the Double Tree by Hilton Perth Northbridge now welcoming guests seeking a placeContinue reading “HOTEL – DOUBLETREE PERTH”

GALLERY – CHASE RANGE

FLINDERS RANGES FLYING WHERE … The Chase Range, in the north of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges WHEN … Thursday, July 3, 2018, at 3.40pm WHAT … The Chase Range appears under the wing as my Air Adventure tour of the Flinders Ranges draws to a close with a quick two-hour flight back to Melbourne. SouthContinue reading “GALLERY – CHASE RANGE”

VISIT – NORTHERN TERRITORY

LOCAL TOP-END TIPS DOROTHEA Mackellar might have been dreaming about the Northern Territory when she penned the most famous verse of her ode to Australia. The swathe of sunburnt terrain crowning the continent has everything the patriotic poet describes in My Country’s second stanza, from the sweeping plains and ragged mountain ranges to droughts, floodingContinue reading “VISIT – NORTHERN TERRITORY”

INSIDER – TOP TRAINS

Rail Plus announces its top five train journeys for 2019 RIDE THE RAILS ON TOP TRAINS THE team at Rail Plus has come up with a list of the top train trips for travellers to do in 2019 and while there are a couple of old favourites on the list there’s also a fab newContinue reading “INSIDER – TOP TRAINS”

CRUISE – SEVEN SEAS MARINER

Regent Seven Seas Mariner is in Aussie waters for the 2018/19 cruise season following a recent bow-to-stern refresh SEVEN SEAS REVAMP REGENT Seven Seas Mariner is making her first visit to our part of the world since getting a freshen up earlier this year. The ship received a bow-to-stern revamp during a 20-day break inContinue reading “CRUISE – SEVEN SEAS MARINER”

Brissy’s hotel boom …

QUEENSLAND’S River City is booming with more hot new accommodation offerings than you can count on all fingers. From glamping tents and riverside wharf residences, to moody five-star digs and a 1920s-era bank turned 220-room hotel, each new gem is embellishing the Brisbane skyline with their own quirk and character. Here are the latest BrisbaneContinue reading “Brissy’s hotel boom …”

Alice Springs refresh …

CROWNE Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters has completed a refurbishment of its 139 guest rooms to modernise the accommodations and celebrate the best of the outback Australian landscape Each suite has been updated with tiles, carpet, furniture, cabinetry, fittings and artwork while bathrooms have been revamped and now feature modern décor, a spacious walk-in shower, andContinue reading “Alice Springs refresh …”

Canberra in 2018 …

CANBERRA is going from strength to strength as a holiday spot, and it’s Aussies who are falling for its new-found charm. Since the national capital threw off the boring tag earlier this decade — about the time new places to stay such as Ovolo Nishi (formerly Hotel Hotel), QT Canberra, East Hotel, Adina Apartment HotelContinue reading “Canberra in 2018 …”

Byron Bay YHA update …

THE Byron Bay YHA on Australia’s east coast has just reopened with a new focus on design, works by renowned local artists, and an extension that doubles capacity at this luxe flash-packer address. The new reception area features an artwork by local artist Robert Moore – his paintings are used by Aussie clothing brand MamboContinue reading “Byron Bay YHA update …”

Tips for​ visiting Vic …

WHEN it comes to travel, nothing beats a personal recommendation from someone who has already made the trip. Here, seven Victorians share their favourite part of the state. The Grampians Robin Wickens – executive chef, Royal Mail Hotel More people that pass through the Grampians need to make time for walking in the national parkContinue reading “Tips for​ visiting Vic …”

QF unveils Perth lounge …

QANTAS has unveiled the new Perth transit lounge a day before the first direct flight to London departs the West Australian capital. The airline is working to improving the health and comfort of those completing the 18-hour flight between Australia and England with customers entitled to access the lounge set to benefit from stretching classes,Continue reading “QF unveils Perth lounge …”

Freycinet’s new Pavilions …​

TASMANIA’S Freycinet Peninsula is already the place to find some of the state’s most excellent accommodation options with the choice growing more extensive after a cluster of new dwellings was unveiled on March 15. Freycinet Lodge is home to new Coastal Pavilions with nine environmentally-friendly suites hidden in the bush beside Great Oyster Bay. EachContinue reading “Freycinet’s new Pavilions …​”

Holiday Inn Flinders refurb …

THE HOLIDAY Inn Melbourne on Flinders has received a new look with an extensive renovating changing the character of every guestroom and giving those visiting the city a fresh place to stay in the Victorian capital. The guest room count has been increased to 209 chambers with the building gutted to create a blank canvasContinue reading “Holiday Inn Flinders refurb …”

Christmas 2017 in Melbourne …

SANTA is making his list and checking it twice, presents are being wrapped, the windows on advent calendars are being peeled back, and carols are echoing through shopping centres. Christmas is on its way and those lucky enough to be in Melbourne during the 2017 Silly Season have a swag of options available to getContinue reading “Christmas 2017 in Melbourne …”

Melbourne’s Adina update …

A REVAMPED rooftop pool with a terrace for entertaining, new penthouse suites, and fresh decor in every one of the 155 guest rooms are just some of the highlights of the Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne’s recent renovation. Those in the know say the hotel has “adopted a modern international style” which starts in the newContinue reading “Melbourne’s Adina update …”

Cruising the Australia coast …

AUSSIES are infatuated with cruising our coastline and it doesn’t look like the affair will end soon. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports Australia will welcome “an unprecedented number’’ of passenger liners this cruise season — about 60 — and they’ll make more than 1000 port visits before the end of April. CLIA Australasia’sContinue reading “Cruising the Australia coast …”

Sydney’s swanky new Sofitel …

THERE’S a new star on the Sydney hotel scene after the official October 4 opening of the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. The address, which boasts 590 guest rooms including 35 spacious suites, is the first new-build hotel wearing an iconic luxury brand to open in the capital’s CBD in more than 15 years and isContinue reading “Sydney’s swanky new Sofitel …”

Sydney’s Sheraton receives refit …

SYDNEY’S Sheraton on the Park will undergo a comprehensive renovation with the city hotel’s club lounge and 558 guest rooms receiving an elegant refresh. The $40 million refurbishment will wrap by early 2018 and is planned to combine “modern design with the classical elegance” expected of a brand that caters comfortably to both business andContinue reading “Sydney’s Sheraton receives refit …”

Tips from top photographers …

SEVEN Australian photographers who specialise is landscapes and wildlife tell us about their favourite destinations for photography. David Evans David Evans is a photographer and travel writer hosting photo tours inside Scandinavia’s Arctic Circle. Abisko is a premier location for viewing the northern lights because it’s nestled between a mountain range and Lake Tornetrask, withContinue reading “Tips from top photographers …”

Accommodation for Adelaide Airport …

FLYERS travelling through the South Australian capital will soon have somewhere to stay close to their aircraft with building now underway on the new Atura Hotel at Adelaide Airport. The 165-room hotel, which will cost $50 million to complete and is expected to welcome its first guests at the end of 2018, will be connectedContinue reading “Accommodation for Adelaide Airport …”

Cool and quirky QT Canberra …

FOR so many years there was nowhere interesting to stay in Australia’s national capital. Sure, there has always been loads of hotels dotted around the districts radiating from Lake Burley Griffin, but they were sterile address offering the bland experience travellers expect from same-same chains promising a reliable style regardless of location. But that’s allContinue reading “Cool and quirky QT Canberra …”