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 …”
Category Archives: Travel talk
Lounging with Air NZ …
AIR New Zealand’s newest lounge will be unveiled at Brisbane Airport’s international terminal tomorrow. The contemporary space – a purpose-built architecturally-designed lounge that can accommodate almost 200 customers – occupies a 771sqm plot in a corner of the terminal with 70 per cent more seating that the previous location. “We’re proud to offer our customersContinue reading “Lounging with Air NZ …”
Very social London …
THE English capital was the most talked about travel destination on Twitter in 2015 with the words “London” and “travel” tweeted together more than 630,000 times during 12 months. That was 200,000 times more than the next most popular cities Paris, New York, Rome and Tokyo according to information from the Mayor of London’s promotionalContinue reading “Very social London …”
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 …”
HOTEL – ANANTARA MALDIVES
BIG MALDIVIAN DIGS THE Maldives has long been known as a destination that’s perfect for pairs. The Indian-Ocean utopia has an extensive list of resorts boasting the style of accommodations that suit two people seeking endless amounts of romance with a generous supply of over-water bungalows, infinity swimming pools, secluded sandbars, and stunning sunsets. ButContinue reading “HOTEL – ANANTARA MALDIVES”
Battambang …
Where … The top of a hill near Battambang in Cambodia’s north-west corner When … Sunday, October 25, 2015 What … The lush rice fields and jungle carpeting a hill combine to drop a layer of green on Battambang, which was a region of Cambodia that was a Khmer Rouge stronghold for decades but isContinue reading “Battambang …”
U Bein Bridge …
Where … U Bein Bridge, near Mandalay in the heart of Burma When … Friday, November 20, 2015 What … The sun sets behind what locals boast is the world’s oldest and longest teak bridge, stretching 1300m across Taungthaman Lake near Mandalay. … posted Sunday, January 17, 2016
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”
Rutherglen vineyards …
Where … Rutherglen Estates’ vineyard near the Murray River in northern Victoria When … Late afternoon on Thursday, June 11, 2015 What … A winter sunset mixes with the smoke from a farmer’s fire to throw a golden glow over a Rutherglen Estates’ vineyard a stone’s throw from Rutherglen in the northern Victorian wine-making region. …Continue reading “Rutherglen vineyards …”
King George Sound …
Where … Albany’s King George Sound on Western Australia’s wild south coast When … Thursday, May 8, 2014 What … Taking in the view to the South Ocean, across Albany’s Princess Royal Harbour and King Edward Sound, from the Clarence Hill Memorial on a glorious blue-sky day near the end of autumn. Visit the AmazingContinue reading “King George Sound …”
Seaside Stanley …
Where … Stanley, Hong Kong Island When … May 19, 2013 What … Boats bob on the water in Stanley Harbour as locals enjoy a day at the seaside settlement that’s home to the Stanley Markets and a swag of places to eat and drink. Visit the Discover Hong Kong website … posted Tuesday, MarchContinue reading “Seaside Stanley …”
Danube River …
Where … Budapest, Hungary When … August 16, 2009 What … The view along the Danube River to Chain Bridge and the Hungarian parliament building from the deck of Uniworld’s River Beatrice at the start of an eight-day cruise north to the German city of Passau. Visit the Uniworld website … posted March 14, 2015
the Yarra Valley …
Where … Coldstream in the heart of Victoria’s Yarra Valley When … Friday, February 20, 2015 What … The vines at Meletos, a restaurant and boutique hotel in the Yarra Valley near Melbourne, mature towards vintage in the warm summer sunshine. Visit the Visit Yarra Valley website … posted Sunday, March 8, 2015
Melbourne’s Langham …
Where … A function room at The Langham in Melbourne When … Thursday, February 5, 2015 What … The view across the Yarra River to the Melbourne skyline was the vistas I had to gaze at during today’s Visit Britain media briefing at The Langham on Melbourne’s South Bank. Visit The Langham Melbourne website …Continue reading “Melbourne’s Langham …”
Karrat Fjord …
Where … Karrat Fjord, on Greenland’s west coast When … August 22, 2012 What … Baby icebergs, that have just been calved from glaciers inside the Arctic Circle, float in the still water of Karrat Fjord before making their way into the Davis Strait and eventually south to the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the official GreenlandContinue reading “Karrat Fjord …”
Wet-season Darwin …
Where … Darwin Harbour When … Saturday, November 29, 2014 What … Whispy wet-season clouds gather over Darwin Harbour, with this early-evening photo snapped from Stokes Hill Wharf which was the site of devastation after the first Japanese raid on the top-end city in 1941. Visit the official NT Tourism website … posted Saturday, NovemberContinue reading “Wet-season Darwin …”
Darwin’s waterfront …
Where … My room at the Adina Hotel on the Darwin Waterfront When … Thursday, November 27, 2014 What … The view across Darwin’s wave pool to historic Stokes Wharf, which was the scene of such devastation when the first Japanese bombs fell on Darwin during the Second World War, to the gathering clouds ofContinue reading “Darwin’s waterfront …”
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 …”
Queen Charlotte Sound …
Where … Queen Charlotte Sound, the water feature crowning New Zealand’s South Island. When … Saturday, November 22, 2014. What … The wild water of Queen Charlotte Sounds disappears behind the Interislander ferry Kaitaki as it cruises from Picton To Wellington across the Cook Strait on a stormy New Zealand afternoon. Visit the Interislander websiteContinue reading “Queen Charlotte Sound …”
Coastal Pacific …
Where … The coast between Kaikoura and Blenheim When … Friday, November 21, 2014 What … The view from my window seat on the Coastal Explorer, the scenic train that runs between Christchurch and Picton on New Zealand’s South Island, as we follow the coast around a bay on the north side of Kaikoura.Continue reading “Coastal Pacific …”
Kaikoura views …
Where … Kaikoura, New Zealand When … Thursday, November 20, 2014 What … Standing on a hill above Kaikoura, looking across to the Kaikoura Range, and taking in the view at the spot on the South Island where the mountains meet the ocean. Visit the Kaikoura website … Thursday, November 20, 2015
Akaroa Harbour …
Where … Akaroa Harbour, New Zealand When … Tuesday, November 18, 2014 What … A volcanic eruption that happened six million years created Akaroa Harbour, by blowing the side of the caldera and letting the water in to create the bay, with the steep slopes behind the town reminding all of this pretty destination’s violentContinue reading “Akaroa Harbour …”
Woolamai Beach …
Where … Flying above Victoria’s Phillip Island. When … Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 10.13am. What … Looking down at Bass Strait breakers crashing against Woolamai Beach, on Phillip Island’s rugged southern shore, while taking a spin aloft with Phillip Island Helicopters. Visit the Phillip Island website … posted November 14, 2014 Posted with BlogsyContinue reading “Woolamai Beach …”
the Great Wall …
Where … The Great Wall, Beijing When … Monday, October 20, 2014 What … A bad smog day in Beijing makes it hard to appreciate the scale of The Great Wall, but the handful of guard towers and steps that are visible tell the tale of a miraculous feat of engineering. … posted Friday,Continue reading “the Great Wall …”
Airlines in 2015 …
AIR travel was big news in 2014, but for all the wrong reasons. Instead of hearing about the development of innovative aircraft, the addition of new routes and improvements to customer service, the headlines were dominated by the loss of two Malaysian Airline planes with the occasional story about plunging profits and staff cuts. WhileContinue reading “Airlines in 2015 …”
CZ3202 cityscape …
Where … Above Xian at the start of my first visit to China. When … Monday, October 13, 2014 at 10.05am. What … A window seat on a China Southern flight from Guangzhou to Xian reveals the first view of a city that’s home to 9 million people as the aircraft descends through a layerContinue reading “CZ3202 cityscape …”
Guangzhou …
Where … Guangzhou Airport When … 6.30am on Monday, October 13, 2014 What … The wide windows in the China Southern Business Class Lounge at Guangzhou Airport reveal an armada of aircraft ready to launch on the first flights of a new day. Visit the China Southern website … posted October 14, 2018 PostedContinue reading “Guangzhou …”
Espiritu Santo …
Where … Oyster Island, Vanuatu When … November 6, 2009 What … Oyster Island sits just off the coast of Espiritu Santo, the Vanuatu island that was the second largest Allied base in the Pacific during World War Two. There were four or five airstrips on Santo during the Second War, with one of theContinue reading “Espiritu Santo …”
Garden Tap House …
Where … The Garden Tap House, Kyneton When … Thursday, September 2, 2014 What … The setting sun shines through an upstairs window at The Garden Tap House, one of the comfortable self-contained properties available to those looking to spend a few days in Kyneton’s Piper Street. Visit the Piper Street website … posted OctoberContinue reading “Garden Tap House …”
Murray River …
Where … Gol Gol on the Murray River When … Monday, May 13, 2013 What … An early-morning storm throws a rainbow over the southern bank of the Murray River near just a stone’s throw from the historic Gol Gol Hotel. Visit the Gol Gol Hotel website … posted Sunday. October 4, 2014
Far Near Or Here 