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”
Category Archives: Pacific
NEWS – COOK FLIGHTS
JETSTAR TO COOK ISLAND JETSTAR is expanding its international network by launching direct flights between Australia and the Cook Islands. The new non-stop service between Sydney and Rarotonga will commence on June 29, 2023, with the airline deploying its newest aircraft – the new generation longer-range Airbus A321neo LR – on the two weekly returnContinue reading “NEWS – COOK FLIGHTS”
CRUISE – SEA PRINCESS
If you’re like Goldilocks, and prefer your cruise ship to be just right, then Sea Princess fits the bill. And she will soon be in Australia doing voyages around our picturesque patch of the Pacific Sea Princess is a Goldilocks ship. No, there aren’t three bears with a penchant for porridge taking in the sunContinue reading “CRUISE – SEA PRINCESS”
HOTEL – THE HAVANNAH VANUATU
The list of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World welcomes The Havannah Vanuatu VANUATU’S NEW NAT GEO ONE of the South Pacific’s most exclusive addresses is the newest name on the list of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World with The Havannah Vanuatu joining the esteemed register on the eve of its 10thContinue reading “HOTEL – THE HAVANNAH VANUATU”
VISIT – AUCKLAND
There’s so much for travellers to do in New Zealand’s biggest settlement, and lots of stuff can be seen for free … AUCKLAND FOR FREE AUCKLAND is one of the world’s most vibrant non-capital cities. The New Zealand metropolis, which is the country’s largest settlement by size and population, may yield capital status to sleepyContinue reading “VISIT – AUCKLAND”
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 – FIJI FOR SOLOS
Two’s A Crowd has made plans for those travelling sans a partner to see Fiji in 2019 FIJI CRUISE FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS ATTENTION solo travellers, Two’s A Crowd has just announced arrangements that will have you seeing Fiji in style. The Melbourne-based agency has reserved an entire ship to host a solo-only cruise around theContinue reading “CRUISE – FIJI FOR SOLOS”
Milford Sound cruising …
→ Experience luxury cruise operator Fiordland Discovery’s new Milford Sound overnight winter cruise … FIORDLAND Discovery’s new Milford Sound overnight cruise is offering travellers a reason to get out on the water this winter. The boutique cruise operator – which offers unrivalled access to Milford Sound and Fiordland on the vessel Fiordland Jewel – launchedContinue reading “Milford Sound cruising …”
Crowne Plaza to open big in Fiji …
WHEN the Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach opens its doors in 2020 it will be the South Pacific holiday haven’s biggest hotel. The new-build address, which will boast ocean views and direct beach access, will feature 453 guest rooms and two swimming pools as well as a selection of places to drink and dine. “AsContinue reading “Crowne Plaza to open big in Fiji …”
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 …”
Numbers show Air NZ service …
AIR New Zealand is beginning the next financial year by looking back at customer data from the past 12 months and revealing some interesting insights into guest travel preferences. The Kiwi carrier, which operates around 176,000 flights every year to facilitate more than 15 million customer journeys, took care of its youngest fliers by issuingContinue reading “Numbers show Air NZ service …”
SQ291 sightseeing …
Where … Flying above the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island in a Singapore Airline’s 777 on approach to Wellington’s airport. When … Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 1.31pm What … The journey from Canberra to Wellington takes my Singapore Airline’s flight right over the Marlborough Sounds with the settlement of Picton passing belowContinue reading “SQ291 sightseeing …”
Queenstown’s new Holiday Inn …
INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group has opened its first Holiday Inn hotel in Queenstown following the conversion of the former Goldridge Resort. The multi-million-dollar refurbishment sees an upgrade to all 75 rooms – with potential for 50 rooms to be added in 2017 – and other amenities include a fully-furnished deck with BBQ facilities, a bar andContinue reading “Queenstown’s new Holiday Inn …”
South Pacific story …
THERE’S much to love about Norfolk Island. Cows have right of way on roads, house doors are left unlocked and car keys remain in the ignition, the population measure distance in driving time not kilometres, locals retrace their ancestors’ steps in an annual procession from the port, ships are unloaded using a method dating backContinue reading “South Pacific story …”
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 …”
Air NZ’s Hollywood-style safety …
AIR New Zealand is continuing its tradition of making quirky safety videos with Anna Faris and Rhys Darby teaming up to craft a Hollywood themed before-takeoff briefing. The video is called Safety in Hollywood and was filmed at Warner Bros Studios in Los Angeles with Rhys, a New Zealand actor and comedian, attempting to convince theContinue reading “Air NZ’s Hollywood-style safety …”
New tourist visas for Aussies …
TRAVELLERS packing an Australian passport will find it easier to visit Papua New Guinea with a 30-day visa now available free to tourist arriving in the country. It’s the first time this visa option has been available to holidaying Australians with the alteration made by the National Executive Council this week delighting local tourism operators.Continue reading “New tourist visas for Aussies …”
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 …”
Fiji’s newest island retreat …
FIJI’S first DoubleTree resort has opened on Sonaisali Island with the Hilton property boasting 120 guest rooms and bungalows positioned to take in the view across the South Pacific blue to the Mamanuca Islands. “DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island is ready to provide guests with an authentic Fijian experience whilst delivering theContinue reading “Fiji’s newest island retreat …”
New tracks in 2016 …
AUSSIE travellers are always enthusiastic about going off the beaten track but a lack of transport, absence of accommodation, or scant supply of tours often make it hard to plan a holiday. However, new air routes, hotels, ferry services and guided tours mean some quiet corners of the planet – as far-flung as the ArcticContinue reading “New tracks in 2016 …”
Where to wander …
THERE are more ways than ever to explore a holiday destination – trams, horse-drawn carts, Segways, vintage cars, bicycles – but there are some streets that should be seen on foot so pack your walking shoes and prepare to pound the pavement. Budapest Budapest’s Andrassy Ut stretches 2.5km from Heroes Square to Erzsebet Square withContinue reading “Where to wander …”
INSIDER – PRIVATE ISLANDS
PRIVATE ISLAND PAMPERING DREAMING of jetting off to a private island where butlers cater to your every need and empty palm-fringed beaches wait outside your bungalow door? While supreme luxury comes at a cost – North Island’s “standard” presidential villas are priced about $4600 a person, a night, in 2016 – it is possible toContinue reading “INSIDER – PRIVATE ISLANDS”
Norfolk Island perfect 10 …
ALL is fresh and fabulous on this green and pleasant isle. Farm fresh A Saturday-morning tradition for most Norfolk Islanders is a jaunt to the Farmers’ Market, but don’t expect big and busy. A handful of stalls occupy the patch of green beside the Visitor Information Centre in Taylors Road. What the market lacks inContinue reading “Norfolk Island perfect 10 …”
On the mail run …
JULIAN Stilles is a mailman, but don’t expect to see this New Zealand postie peddling a bicycle or pushing a cart. Stilles is the postman in Queen Charlotte Sound — the most eastern waterway in the Marlborough Sounds at the top of New Zealand’s South Island — and six days a week he pilots aContinue reading “On the mail run …”
Discover a Pacific paradise …
THE Pacific is calling. Warm crystal-clear water, blue-sky days and humid afternoon breezes, trees heavy with fragrant frangipani blooms, lonely stretches of white sand fringed by palm trees, coconuts with a straw, a hammock in the shady corner of a garden, legions of smiling locals. Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands. Wait, whatContinue reading “Discover a Pacific paradise …”
Hotels with history …
THERE’S a trend in Melbourne – well, a mini trend, at least – with the Victorian capital’s newest hotels moving into territory that once served a different purpose. The shiny new Sheraton Melbourne Hotel (below) sits on the Little Collins St site of the bygone Naval and Military Club, a 127-year-old institution that once counted SirContinue reading “Hotels with history …”
Riding the rails …
FROM The Oriental Express to the Rocky Mountaineer, the romance of train journeys have long captured the imaginations of travellers the world over. We’ve chosen the top ten rail experiences that will bring out the explorer in you. 1. Peru’s Andean Explorer (below) takes 10 hours to rattle from Cuzco to Puno, making for aContinue reading “Riding the rails …”
New Zealand’s luxury lodges …
I’M spending the night in a treehouse. I grant you it’s not technically a treehouse balanced in the branches of a forest giant, but this suite is perched high above a rough copse of tall New Zealand fauna on a bucolic block between the snow-capped peaks of the Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean onContinue reading “New Zealand’s luxury lodges …”
Shades of green …
I HAVE never seen so many shades of green. The bucolic vista filling my window has more tones than the green portion of a paint chart, with every hue from emerald and jade to mint, khaki and lime combining in a scene that deserves to be captured in a whimsical watercolour. I’m so close toContinue reading “Shades of green …”
Bay of Many Coves …
Where … Bay of Many Coves, New Zealand When … Friday, November 20, 2014 What … The view from the sitting room in my suite at the Bay of Many Coves Lodge, sitting in a quiet corner of Queen Charlotte Sound at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, as day descends into evening. VisitContinue reading “Bay of Many Coves …”
Far Near Or Here 