AVANI’S first Australian hotel is set to open its doors on Queensland’s Gold Coast in early 2018 with the new AVANI Broadbeach Residences now taking shape. The $150 million development boasts 219 guest suites including one and two-bedrooms apartments that each feature a lounge, dining room, and kitchen as well as modern appliances and neutralContinue reading “AVANI coming to Queensland …”
Category Archives: Australia
Where to stay on Victoria’s MP …
THE Mornington Peninsula has long been one of Victoria’s favourite holiday playgrounds. And it’s no wonder the patch of land between Port Phillip and Western Port bays is so appealing with a feast of opportunities on offer for those looking to escape the big smoke for a few days or a couple of weeks. TheContinue reading “Where to stay on Victoria’s MP …”
Bendigo’s View Street …
BACK in the 19th century Bendigo sat at the heart of Victoria’s goldfields with the regional settlement growing into a bustling metropolis after the first sparkling nuggets were found in the 1850s. While tent neighbourhoods quickly sprawled in every direction – as more miners arrived to fossick for gold rustic communities grew around the minesContinue reading “Bendigo’s View Street …”
Four Points makes it to Melbourne …
FOUR Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will welcome its first guests on March 28. The 273-room hotel, located at 22 Pearl River Road in Melbourne’s rejuvenated Docklands area, is just 2km from the Victorian capital’s CBD making it an ideal address for both business and leisure travellers. Each guest room boasts a river or cityContinue reading “Four Points makes it to Melbourne …”
New to Aussie travel in 2017 …
AUSSIES are comfortable parking the passport and spending time in familiar territory with our vast homeland offering something to satisfy every vacation whim. And here are eight reasons to holiday at home in 2017 – from the hot and happening to new and novel – sure to sway those yet to be convinced. Cruising isContinue reading “New to Aussie travel in 2017 …”
The big Kimberley catch …
BERKELEY River Lodge is buzzing with news from the water.“Did you hear what happened today?’’ a fellow guest asks as I arrive at sunset drinks which, on this tranquil dry-season evening, are happening on a west-facing plateau past the last elevated ocean-view villa. “One of the ladies out fishing this afternoon caught a crocodile, aContinue reading “The big Kimberley catch …”
the Eureka Stockade …
THESE pieces of worn and faded navy and white fabric come together to make one of Australia’s oldest treasures. This is the flag of the Southern Cross, or what’s left of the material more than 160 years after it was created, with the banner born on the Ballarat diggings during the boom years of theContinue reading “the Eureka Stockade …”
Australia, after the stars …
SO, you’ve done Australia’s headline acts. Heard Dreamtime stories in the Red Centre, paddled from pontoons above a far north Queensland atoll, soaked in Top End waterfalls, walked in the footsteps of convicts and motored the asphalt winding around a stretch of southern coastline. But don’t rest yet. Some of this Great Southern Land’s mostContinue reading “Australia, after the stars …”
Hotels bathrooms with a view …
IT’S not unusual for a hotel room to come complete with a remarkable view. But what about the bathroom? Long gone are the days when this most functional space was placed in a dark corner, out of sight and out of mind, with today’s architects and interior designers positioning the bathroom so those occupying theContinue reading “Hotels bathrooms with a view …”
Port Stephens glamping …
GLAMPING has come to Port Stephens with Thou Walla Sunset Retreat unveiling 10 new safari-style tents with each of the comfortable camps featuring an ensuite, flatscreen TV, electric fireplace, balcony, king-size bed, and outdoor furniture placed to take in the water views. Thou Walla Sunset Retreat – pronounced “dha walla”, the location was a gatheringContinue reading “Port Stephens glamping …”
Little corner of France …
IT’S easy to forget you’re in suburban Sydney dining at this new Chippendale restaurant with Bistrot Gavroche reminiscent of the charming cafe you frequented on that last memorable visit to Paris. Antiques gathered from around France decorate the first-floor eatery, a building that was originally a rum factory on Kensington Street, to bring a bygoneContinue reading “Little corner of France …”
Sydney’s Surry Hills …
SURRY Hills is one of urban Sydney’s most intriguing neighbourhood with everything from fine-dining restaurants and comfy cafes to sophisticated shops and quirky boutiques lining the historic blocks just south of the CBD. Crown Street is the enclave’s main drag, a stretch of asphalt that appears to be inner-city drab at first glance but revealsContinue reading “Sydney’s Surry Hills …”
Sand-side dining …
MY knowledge of Sydney doesn’t extend far beyond Circular Quay. When I’m in the New South Wales capital I stick close to the blocks between the Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Opera House, occasionally making a detour to The Rocks or Art Gallery of NSW, but my exploring is typically limited to spots I canContinue reading “Sand-side dining …”
the Yarra River …
Where … Melbourne’s Yarra River from the Bridge across Spencer Street. When … Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 6.22pm. What… The late-afternoon sun shines on the side of Southbank’s glass towers with an abstract reflection of the riverside scene captured by the Yarra River. Visit the Visit Victoria website … posted Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Westin welcome …
→ An historic Sydney building provides a fancy facade for this place to stay in the heart of Australia’s biggest city … I’M sleeping in a hotel room that’s worth a cool million dollars. That’s not the rack rate, the price it costs to make a reservation and occupy a room, but a reflection ofContinue reading “Westin welcome …”
Kimberley oasis …
THE eastern sky is touched by a subtle brush of pre-dawn pink when the first bird breaks the silence and sends a melody across Berkeley River Lodge. It’s as if this morning bird is a sentry – like the man in the mosque calling the faithful to prayer – with the duty of announcing dawnContinue reading “Kimberley oasis …”
New outback experience …
TRAVELMARVEL is taking bookings for an new seven-day tour that visits Lake Eyre (above) in flood at the innovative Field of Light installation at Uluru. The guided Lake Eyre & the Red Centre itinerary, priced from $3595 per person twin share, journeys between Adelaide and Uluru with the tour company offering five departure in MayContinue reading “New outback experience …”
Circular Quay …
I LOVE ice cream, but ice cream doesn’t love me. I have a pesky allergy to the icy treat which demands I give all but dairy-free gelato a miss. But there are rare occasions when I just can’t resist so I do my sums, decide if I can risk a migraine, and order a scoopContinue reading “Circular Quay …”
Sydney Harbour …
Where … On a ferry beside Bennelong Point and the Sydney Opera House When … Wednesday, March 23, 2026 at 4.41pm What … Jorn Utzon’s masterpiece the Sydney Opera House, a building so despised at the time of construction that the architect fled the country before it was finished and refused to return Downunder toContinue reading “Sydney Harbour …”
Lights at Uluru …
THE spectacular and innovative installation Field of Light Uluru has finally open at the Ayers Rock Resort in Australia’s red centre. Bruce Munro’s creation, which features more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of four football fields that “blooms ” when darkness falls on the desert, openedContinue reading “Lights at Uluru …”
Sydney’s harbour …
PHOTOS from an afternoon drifting – or should I say motoring – around Sydney Harbour, from Circular Quay to Mosman Bay and back, on board a pair of lovely Sydney Ferries’ vessels christened Sirius and Royale. Visit the Beyond the Wharf website … posted Friday, April 1, 2016
Art Gallery of NSW …
FOR many years now I’ve been keen to play tourist in Sydney. I have made semi-regular jaunts to the New South Wales capital since I’ve been a journalist but it was always for work which meant I rushed from one appointment to the next, dashed in and out of hotel rooms, and sprinted to theContinue reading “Art Gallery of NSW …”
Oh so lovely …
IS there anything more lovely than a plate packed with finger sandwiches, plump scones flanked by dishes of jam and cream, colourful macaroons, and cute miniature cakes? Afternoon tea has always been one of my favourite eating experiences, especially when I have time to linger over pots of a fragrant brew and perfectly-arranged pastries, andContinue reading “Oh so lovely …”
QF444’s Sydney …
Where … Above Sydney When … Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4.48pm What … Descending towards Sydney’s Mascot Airport on board QF 444 from Melbourne with the bays of Sydney Harbour and the inner waterside suburbs stretching out below the 737-800’s wings. Visit the Qantas website … posted Monday, March 20, 2016
Manor makeover …
PEPPERS Manor House, the 137-year-old retreat in the New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, is back in business after a $4.5 million upgrade. A modern extension has given the heritage hotel a contemporary touch with the refurbishment adding guest rooms and a new place to eat as well as revamping the reception area, lounges, roads andContinue reading “Manor makeover …”
Duckboard Place …
MELBOURNE is my hometown and while I don’t do as much exploring as I should – I much prefer to spend downtime eating Vegemite on toast in my pyjamas rather than gallivanting about the big smoke – I do get out when inspired. I was motivated to do a little exploring today when in the cityContinue reading “Duckboard Place …”
Crown Promenade …
Where … Crown Promenade, Melbourne When … Wednesday, March 16, 2016 What … The window in a guest room on a high floor at the Crown Promenade frames a view across the Yarra River to the early-evening lights of Melbourne. Visit the Crown Promenade website … posted March 16, 2016
Spending big at home …
NEW South Wales was the top spot for Aussie travellers holidaying on home soil in 2015. The state that’s home to the Sydney Opera House, Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains (Below) welcomed 28.1 million domestic travellers last year – that number was a 4.4 per cent increase on 2014 – with local tourists combining toContinue reading “Spending big at home …”
Leave big smoke for festa fun …
EVERY year food and wine festivals in Australia’s capitals bring together chefs, winemakers, restaurateurs and amateur foodies to showcase the best of their cities’ eating and drinking. The annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is jammed with more than 300 events, including 25 free activities with 17 family-friendly events, and more than 30 countries andContinue reading “Leave big smoke for festa fun …”
Brisbane’s new Styles …
BRISBANE’S newest international hotel, the ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street, is now in business with the first guests checked in on March 1. The “premium economy hotel”, occupying a central block in the Queensland capital beside the Myer Centre and Queen Street Mall, boasts a new restaurant and bar called The Social and every oneContinue reading “Brisbane’s new Styles …”
Far Near Or Here 