February 2010
Quay West Resort & Spa Noosa opening, Queensland
qwrn extThe newest of Queensland’s coastal properties, Quay West Resort Noosa, is scheduled to open in March 2010. The resort and spa boasts a picturesque waterfront position overlooking Noosa Sound and surrounded by the National Park Conservation Sanctuary. The five star, fully self-contained apartment-style hotel will offer accommodation in one, two and three bedroom lagoon apartments and in villas. Located just two hours north of Brisbane, Noosa boasts a beautiful beach – perfect for sunbathing or surfing, a nearby National park – ideal for coastal walks, and plenty of top-class restaurants and cafes. The property will also include a Mii Spa Day spa, lagoon swimming pool, restaurant and cocktail bar.
www.mirvachotels.com/quay-west-resort-noosa
Kylie’s getaway to become high-profile health retreat, Victoria
After nearly a year on the market, Kylie Minogue’s getaway home on French Island, a National Park southeast of Melbourne, has been sold, with plans for it to be turned into a high-profile health retreat. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house is set to open in Spring 2010. The new venture will be Victoria’s answer to other high-profile health retreats in Australia, such as Olivia Newton-John’s Gaia Retreat near Byron Bay. Named Beauciel by Minogue (French for Beautiful Sky), the property is located on the island’s Western Port Bay, which has 100 inhabitants but no gas or electricity. Offering sweeping bay views, the four-bedroom estate was a haven for Minogue. www.visitvictoria.com
Tassie Devil voluntourism, Tasmania
tasBonorong Wildlife Park, approximately 45 minutes north of Hobart, is introducing a new ‘voluntourism’ scheme. The park specialises in Tasmanian wildlife care, education and rehabilitation, including the endangered Tasmanian devil, and hopes to attract international visitors to take up volunteer placements. The park is extremely flexible but does request that volunteers must stay at least one week in order to make it worthwhile for the park’s staff to invest their time in training volunteers. Volunteers can get involved in everything from feeding and rescuing animals to repairing buildings, cleaning and building new enclosures. www.bonorong.com.au
Sydney Photography Tours, New South Wales
Visitors to Sydney can now see the cobbled laneways and heritage buildings of The Rocks through the lens of a digital camera with a professional photographer on Sydney Photography Tours. Budding photographers can learn about photography and how to explore new destinations by capturing unique images using fill flash, apertures, shutter speeds, colour temperatures and long exposures. Course notes on image design principles are included. The three hour tour costs A$99 per person (approx £50). If where to stay is the question, then live like a local at recently opened Residence in Sydney, a boutique hotel-style studio apartment in the heart of Darlinghurst. Housed in a stunning art deco inspired building, the apartment features contemporary design and amazing views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour. There's a queen size bed, separate bathroom, kitchen and roof top swimming pool. From $99 per night for 2 people. www.sydneyphotographytours.com / www.eighthotels.com
Ngaro Sea Trail Great Walk, Queensland
whitThe latest of the Queensland Great Walks was officially launched in December 2009 and is the first to combine land and water elements. The trail is named after the traditional owners of the Whitsundays, the Ngaro people, and allows visitors to follow in their footsteps and experience a remarkable journey on Hook, Whitsunday and South Molle Islands. Visitors can travel by commercial boat, sailing vessel or canoe and trails range from short and easy to long and challenging. The combination of sheltered anchorages, striking lookouts, white sands, turquoise waters, ancient rock art, rugged headlands, dry rainforest and rolling grasslands makes this a spectacular area to explore. www.epa.qld.gov.au
New camel tours at Rawnsley Park, South Australia
Visitors to Rawnsley Park Station can now discover the Flinders Ranges from the back of a camel. Pichi Richi Camel Tours has introduced breakfast and sunset camel tours from the station – a working sheep farm with luxurious eco villas. Guests on the Sunset Tour can experience a two-hour camel ride before hopping off to enjoy a relaxing drink while the sun sets over the ranges. The two-hour Breakfast Tour includes a camel ride through picturesque bush, stopping for a cooked breakfast to watch the sun rise over Wilpena Pound – a natural amphitheatre on a grand scale in the outback. All tours are escorted by Graham Cannard, a fourth generation cameleer and South Australian resident. Rides from A$25 per person (approx £12). www.rawnsleypark.com.au / www.pichirichicameltours.com
The place to party in Adelaide, South Australia
appleAdelaide's hottest new venue has recently opened in the city’s East End, transforming South Australia's oldest heritage listed synagogue into the place to meet. Finished with sleek edges and furnished with luxurious European décor, new bar Apple includes a grand internal balcony that gives an intimate view to three dazzling crystal chandeliers. Enjoy whilst sipping on a classic cocktail… www.theapplebar.com.au
Holiday Inn Darwin refresh, Northern Territory
Holiday Inn Darwin, the hotel that has been established on Darwin’s skyline since 1974, is undergoing a complete refurbishment of all its guest rooms and lobby. The new contemporary look is set be complete by the end of April 2010. Located on The Esplanade, a stone’s throw from Darwin harbour, the hotel is ideally situated for visitors to the Northern Territory, with easy access to Darwin’s delights, such as the numerous Aboriginal galleries and Asian-fusion restaurants and cafes. www.ihg.com / www.holidayinn.co.uk
Cook up a feast at Faraway Bay, Western Australia
FarawayBayDiningAcclaimed Kimberley wilderness retreat, Faraway Bay, The Bush Camp has unveiled an impressive calendar of four Cooking School events for 2010. Australian celebrity chef Pete Evans returns for the second annual Celebrity Cooking School in September, while Perth’s Chris Taylor will stage two Kimberley Cooking Schools in May. Faraway Bay will also deliver its third annual Bush Tucker and Camp Oven Cooking School in August. The cooking schools are conducted in an open air lodge perched on a headland overlooking the tranquil waters of Faraway Bay. Combine cooking with croc-spotting, walking, fishing and relaxing in this remote wilderness. The four day cooking school packages include meals and beverages, accommodation, excursions and transfers. The schools are open to 12 guests only. Prices start from A$4,550 per person (approx £2,200). www.farawaybay.com.au