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The Tassie Afterglow awaits travellers visiting Tasmania this Spring. From romantic meanders through a sea of blossoming tulips at the Bloomin’ Tulips Festival, to tastings of some of Tasmania’s finest wines and boutique brews at the Southern Vineyard White Wine Weekend and Tasmanian Beerfest; from capers on the grass and succulent oysters at the Bicheno Food and Wine Festival to enchanting bird-watching at the Bruny Island Bird Festival, Spring in Tasmania will leave visitors feeling refreshed.

COLOURS OF WYNYARD – BLOOMIN’ TULIPS FESTIVAL -13 OCTOBER 2012

With its rich, fertile soil and cool, mild climate, the township of Wynyard comes ablaze with the rich colours of thousands of blossoming tulips in Spring (mid-September to late October). The tulip fields in Wynyard are some of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and visitors are invited to wander the fields at leisure. The Van Diemen Table Cape Farm is also worth a visit when it opens to the public for a limited time from the 26 September until the 19 October. Spring in Wynyard also celebrates the Bloomin’ Tulips Festival – a 20 year tradition with an annual tulip tossing competition, live music, food, arts and a fireworks display in the evening.

What: A celebration of the flowering of the tulips in Wynyard – Tassie’s tulip capital

When: Saturday 13 October, 8.30am – 2.00pm

Where: Van Diemen Quality Bulbs Farm, 363 Table Cape Rd, Wynyard 7325

How: For more information visit the Bloomin’ Tulips Festival website at http://www.warwyn.tas.gov.au/page.aspx?u=374. The program will be released closer to the date

SOUTHERN VINEYARD WHITE WINE WEEKEND – 13 TO 14 OCTOBER 2012

The Southern Vineyard White Wine Weekend brings together the winemakers from the vineyards of Southern Tasmania to the striking IXL atrium at the Henry Jones Art Hotel. It is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to taste their way through the renowned vineyards of the region, meet with the vignerons and winemakers, and try an excellent line up of fine and award-winning cool climate wines. The spread will include rare varieties not available outside of Tasmania as well as new releases. Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling, Riesling, Chardonnay, Schonburger, Pinot Gris, Rosé, and Dessert wines are just some of the varieties offered at the weekend.

What:  Meet-the-maker and tastings of Tasmania’s leading white winemakers

When: Saturday 13 October and Sunday 14 October, 12pm to 5pm

Where: Henry Jones Art Hotel, 25 Hunter Street, Hobart

How: Tickets cost $25 and include a complete tasting booklet, a crystal Plumm glass, all wine tastings, and entry into the lucky door prize. For more information visit the White Wine Weekend website at www.winesouth.com.au/WhiteWineWeekend.html

BRUNY ISLAND BIRD FESTIVAL – 25 TO 28 OCTOBER 2012

Rich in flora and fauna, Bruny Island is one of Tasmania’s most accessible bird watching sanctuaries, with over 50 bird species (12 endemic to Tasmania and nine threatened) to be found. This charming four day festival opens on the 25 of October with a BBQ, carvery dinner and live music, followed by a series of bird watching walks with expert guides. Rarely available boat trips to Pedra Branca (an offshore rock stack and major sea bird breeding area) will also be available as well as flights direct from Bruny Island to Melaleuca in the Southern Wilderness World Heritage Area, where visitors can see the endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. Activities will also include an expert speaker series.

What:  A birdwatcher’s delight with rare tours, an expert speaker series and community activities

When:  Thursday 25 October to Sunday 28 October

Where: Various locations around  Bruny Island

How: Prices vary according to event and can be booked online through the Bruny Island Environment Network website. For more information visit www.bien.org.au.

TASMANIAN CRAFT FAIR – 2 TO 5 NOVEMBER 2012

Spread over 16 different venues in the charming town of Deloraine, the Tasmanian Craft Fair is the largest working display of arts and crafts in Australia, with 240 exhibitors from Tasmania and beyond sharing their working techniques and displaying their finest wares. This year, the theme of the fair is ‘Transforming the mundane to the magical’. Feature artist and enamellist Jenny Gore will be presenting a series of previously unexhibited works inspired by the flooding of Lake Eyre. Other pieces inspired by her travels around the world and 40 year career will also be featured. Visiting Artist, Anaïs Pitalier (FRA) will also return to the fair in 2012 following a highly successful debut last year. Anaïs is highly regarded in her authentic reproductions of historically important artworks.

What:  A four-day arts and crafts fair working fair in Deloraine, Tasmania, bringing together artists and craftmakers from around the world

When: Friday 2 to Monday 5 November. 9am – 5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 9am – 4pm, Monday.

Where: Various locations in Deloraine

How: For more information including the full program visit the Tasmanian Craft Fair website at www.tascraftfair.com.au in October.

BICHENO FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL -17 NOVEMBER 2012

The Bicheno Food and Wine Festival celebrates the best produce, wine and boutique brews from the East Coast region of Tasmania. Overlooking the sparkling blue waters of Waubs Bay, the lively Spring festival harks back to yesteryear, giving visitors the chance to meet producers, talk to restaurateurs and go home with a basket of country style goodies. Freshly shucked oysters and award winning cool climate wines are just some of the delights on offer at the festival, alongside cooking demonstrations by top Tasmanian chefs including David Quon and Paul Foreman, and Tasmanian chef of the year Simon Pockrane. The festival is a wonderful time to take in the golden sunshine and fresh spring air in a lively atmosphere enhanced by live blues bands, talented buskers and helicopter rides.

What:  A one-day event celebrating the food and wine from the East Coast Region of Tasmania

When:  Saturday 17 November, 11am – 5pm (music will continue until 7pm)

Where: Corner of Burgess Street and James Street, Bicheno

How: Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-16 years.  Entry price includes; entry to the Festival, Live music, entry to Art Space and a ticket in the draw to win a Helicopter ride on the day. For more information visit www.bichenofestivals.com.au

TASMANIAN BEERFEST – 24 TO 25 NOVEMBER 2012

Breweries large and small from across Tasmania, interstate and overseas are putting their best brews on show for beer lovers to sample at this years’ Beerfest. One of Tasmania’s top Spring festivals, the Tasmanian Beerfest is a two-day event held at Hobart’s Princes Wharf, giving guests the chance to mingle with Tasmania’s best brewers and immerse themselves in over 350 types of beer and cider. Lovers of ale can also attend information sessions on commercial and home brewing as well as enter the 2012 Home Brew Competition. With beers available from across the globe, visitors can dedicate their journey of discovery to specific regions – from a home grown Tasmanian experience to English Ales and Bitters or the oldest beers in the world from Belgium.

What:  A two-day event celebrating the best brews from across Tasmania, interstate and overseas

When:  Saturday 24 November, 11am-10pm and Sunday 25 November 12pm-8pm

Where: Princess Wharf 1, Hobart

How: For more information visit the Tasmanian Beerfest website at www.tasmanianbeerfest.com.au closer to the date.

For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Discover Tasmania website www.discovertasmania.com.au.

Emerging from a dramatic transformation, the newly redesigned Park Hyatt Sydney brings a new level of contemporary luxury to the edge of Sydney Harbour.  With a coveted harbour‑front location between the world-famous Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Park Hyatt Sydney offers guests an intimate, residential-style hotel with architecture, design and art that reflect the Australian landscape.  Three new rooftop suites, including the exclusive Sydney Suite with near 360-degree panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and a private outdoor terrace, cater for the most discerning traveller.

Newly opened, The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney is an urban retreat offering personalised therapies towards relaxation and well-being.  Drawing on time-inspired treatments and philosophies, The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney is a place where guests yearning for peace of mind and tranquility come to unwind.

Nestled in the historic Rocks area between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, The Spa introduces a spa champagne afternoon tea offer where relaxing massages and desserts meet in harmony.  This blissful offer includes a 60-minute massage of choice at The Spa followed by an indulgent champagne afternoon tea experience served with a flute of Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne in the hotel’s lounge, The Living Room.

The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney also offers a selection of holistic massages, facials, body and beauty treatments and personalised spa packages that focus on healing and wellness.  The treatments use luxury Spanish spa range Natura Bissé and home-grown iKOU, a natural and organic spa range from the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

Featuring five thoughtfully designed treatment rooms, each with its own private shower, a guest relaxation room and a spacious spa reception, The Spa also offers spa gift certificates and spa products for purchase.

The spa champagne afternoon tea offer is priced at AUD$150 per person and available on weekdays.  For bookings at The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney, please call +61 2 9256 1234 or email phsydney.spa@hyatt.com.

 www.sydney.park.hyatt.com

Sydney is so much more than just a pretty place.

That awesome harbourside was the drop-off point 224 years ago for what was basically a bunch of convicts and their minders. None of them had much idea of what they would find here, or how they would survive. They almost didn’t!

Using this guide you’ll go from the heights of an Eiffel Tower look-alike to the depths of an ancient watercourse flowing under the city. You’ll find out how you can dine in a horse-drawn carriage, rub a pig’s snout for luck, or down a pint in this town’s oldest pub.

Perhaps along the way you’ll see Sydney’s first international airport (and no, it’s not the one you think), catch sight of a memorial to a cat, or maybe stop for a drink in the bar that was once a church for seamen.

Uncover this vibrant city’s fascinating past and see for yourself. In the 200-plus years since white settlement it’s experienced glory and gore, plagues, punishment and pleasures.

There are ghosts too (we’re told!) and there are some fascinating things to learn. Check the Fun Fact highlighted in red at the end of each entry for the ideal piece of trivia to tweet and email, or drop into your next conversation.

Hardly anything is what it seems in Sydney. The Town Hall was once a cemetery, an air raid shelter was built in the basement of a city hotel during World War II, and a grand house helped save the life of Queen Victoria’s son after an assassination attempt.

Convicts, saints, stars and colonists – this city has it all. And more. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’ll be amazed what you can unearth here.

There are over 130 entries crammed with interesting facts about places you might otherwise walk past without noticing. Each is accompanied by  photographs, a map, transport details and much more. Search by location or category – or simply see what is nearby where you are right now!

There’s something to see at every turn. Keep your eyes open and please let us know your discoveries too. This city is for all of us!

This app is living proof that history doesn’t need to be boring.

Sally Hammond, the author, loves Sydney and she wants everyone to know why.

Sally has lived in this city for over thirty years and for much of that time, as a fulltime food and travel writer, she has written about it, driven around its streets and suburbs, and enjoyed the fantastic things it has to offer.

She has written many guide books about different sides of this city – ranging from dining to schools and bargain shopping. In 2011 she and her husband Gordon released the popular Sydney Café Culture application with Sutro, now covering over 330 cafes.

However it was only while preparing this application that she gained a fixation with brass plaques!

“This city is well marked for visitors interested in learning what lies beneath their feet and behind the façade of those stately old buildings,” she says. “I just hope that people using this application have as much fun with it as I did when researching.”

Sydney’s Living History

iPhone and iPad app – available on iTunes App Store see

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/sydneys-living-history/id540205443?mt=8 ($4.49)

App for Android phones and tablets: http://sutromedia.com/android/Sydneys_Living_History ($4.09)

Come join Sydney’s hippest postcode for a celebration of everything creative, fun and funky. The annual Surry Hills Festival returns to its newly revitalised home in Prince Alfred Park on Saturday 27 October 2012.

Get to hear the sounds of Australia’s freshest up and coming and established bands and musos. Wander the revamped commons among crazy art installations, theatre performances and unexpected kooky acts and happenings and make sure you check out the Surry Hills Dog Show and Sydney Rides Festival set amongst the trees.

Peruse eclectic markets and pick up one-of-a-kind goodies. Dine out on gourmet food stalls whilst discovering new tastes and flavours. And be creatively inspired and surprised by Sydney’s most iconic and eccentric suburb. Alternatively just lounge on the grass and soak up the atmosphere with a cool drink in hand from one of the many themed bars onsite..

Best of all feel good that funds raised on the day go to the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre to run community development programs for the local area.

Check out www.surryhillsfestival.com for a full line-up of bands, artists, performances and the latest program updates.

Website | www.surryhillsfestival.com

Facebook | www.facebook.com/surryhillsfestival

Youtube|www.youtube.com/surryhillsfestival

Twitter | www.twitter.com/surryhillsfest

Pinterest | www.pinterest.com/surryhillsfest

Mantra Group has announced further expansion to its network of boutique Peppers Retreats and Lodges in Australia with the addition of Rundells Alpine Lodge in Victoria’s Mt Hotham ski fields.  To be known as Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge, it will be the first Peppers property to be located in an Australian ski region.

“We are pleased to now offer our guests who’ve enjoyed staying with Peppers in wine regions, coastal destinations and golf resorts, the chance to enjoy the Peppers experience in Australia’s premier ski destination,” said Mantra Group CEO, Bob East.

This is the second acquisition for the Peppers brand in Australia this year following the addition of the iconic Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge to the network in March.   A further two properties were also added to the Peppers New Zealand network this year – Peppers Parehua Martinborough and Peppers Awaroa Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park -  to bring the network to a total of 28 properties across Australia and New Zealand.

“It is an exciting time for Peppers – we are building on the boutique retreat network which is the foundation of Peppers brand and looking forward to announcing further CBD properties in the near future as the brand evolves from boutique retreats, to luxury resorts and city hotel offerings.”

Rundells Lodge enjoys a history that dates back to 1904, ironically in the newest village in Australia – Dinner Plain – which was established in 1986.  The Lodge that exists today, however, was rebuilt some 23 years ago after the original was razed to the ground in a fire in 1928, and relocated closer to town, 10km from where Charles Edwin Rundell built his original lodge to capitalise on the passing trade of the coach service between Bright and Omeo.  Current owners Marg, Gary and Fiona Battershill reinstated the name Rundells Alpine Lodge when they purchased it in 2007, ensuring the pioneering Rundell legacy lives on.

Like the original lodge, Rundells is a family run business offering a first class dining room – Graze Restaurant – and superb accommodation hosting both leisure and business travellers as they pass through the high country.

“Aligning with Peppers is an exciting new chapter in Rundells’ history,” says General Manager, Fiona Battershill.

“We focus on creating a boutique lodge experience and Peppers has such an established presence in this sector so we look forward to capitalising on their expertise and bringing a successful international brand to the High Country.”

Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge is located above the snowline at 1565m altitude in the heart of the Victorian Alps surrounded by the Alpine National Park and centrally positioned just 10 minutes from both Mount Hotham Airport and Mount Hotham Ski Resort.  It is also easily accessible via Australia’s newest touring route, The Great Alpine Road.

Surrounded by alpine walks, mountain bike tracks and cross country ski trails, a short walk to the Onsen Retreat & Spa and Cobungra Platter ski run and only 10 minutes from Australia’s leading ski resort, Mount Hotham, the Lodge provides a year round luxury destination.

Dining at Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge reflects the commitment that Peppers has to providing an exceptional food and wine experience to guests. Regarded as one of the best restaurants on the Great Alpine Road, Graze uses fresh regional ingredients presented with European alpine influences, showcasing produce from both sides of the mountain including the North East Valleys and Gippsland.

Guests can enjoy a Victorian High Country Experience with a Two Night Snow Getaway Package from $430 per person* which includes accommodation in a King Room, degustation dinner in Graze restaurant, breakfast daily, private access to the spa and sauna and wireless internet valid from 29 June to 5 September 2012.  Visit www.rundells.com.au for bookings.

Set amongst the snowgums in the Victorian High Country, Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge provides a unique retreat for small to medium conferences and business meetings of up to 85 delegates offering privacy, space and the opportunity to promote creativity. The stunning High Country setting also provides the perfect backdrop for weddings and special events.

The Peppers brand started with the opening of the first Peppers property 25 years ago – the famous Peppers Guest House in the NSW Hunter Valley – and now includes 28 properties in Australia and New Zealand.

What began as a group of small boutique retreats now includes a host of luxury holiday resorts and the beginnings of a network of metropolitan based apartment hotels.  Retreats include Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat in Daylesford and Peppers Craigieburn Bowral through to the impressive resort style accommodation at Peppers Salt Beach in Kingscliff and Peppers Beach Club Palm Cove.  The brand’s first foray into metropolitan locations has been a great success with the opening of Peppers Broadbeach in 2010. Further CBD and regional locations around Australia and New Zealand are slated for 2012.

Toasty fires, roast dinners and puddings, decorations and Santa: the season the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region is renowned for has arrived – Yulefest.

Blue Mountains, Lithgow & Oberon Tourism chairman Randall Walker said: “Yulefest in this region is a magical time when this unique landscape is transformed into an icy winter wonderland yet our hotels, motor inns and guest houses, our restaurants and cafes become warm havens with roaring fires, hearty meals and hot drinks to retreat from the winter chill.”

The history of Yulefest in the Blue Mountains goes back about 30 years to a small group of Irish visitors relaxing in front of a fire after enjoying the crisp, clear winter climate.

They commented on how the conditions and atmosphere reminded them of Christmas celebrations back home so a savvy hotelier offered to re-create a similar festive atmosphere and meal for his nostalgic Celtic guests.

That first Yulefest was a hit. Word spread throughout the region and before long, St Nick was doing the rounds twice a year.

Today, many hotels, restaurants, motor inns and guest houses in the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region offer Yulefest celebrations.

Following is a sample on offer this year:

Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat, Katoomba (Saturday June 30 and July 7, 14, 21 and 28): Popularly regarded as the “home of Yulefest” in the region there will be pre-dinner drinks from 6pm in the lounge followed by a five-course dinner and entertainment, visit by Santa, a souvenir photo and after dinner treats. Cost: $149 adults, $66 children (5 – 12 years), $15 children (0 – 4 years). Accommodation packages available. Bookings and details: contactus@mountainheritage.com.au or 02 4782 2155.

Waldorf Leura Gardens Resort, Leura (Saturday, July 14, 21 and 28; Friday, August 3; and Saturday, August 4 and 11): four-course meal and entertainment. Special accommodation packages. Cost: $95 adults, $55 children aged over 4 years (under-4 free). Pre-payment and bookings essential: leurares@waldorf.com.au or phone 02 4784 4000.

Jenolan Caves House (Wednesdays and Fridays throughout July): log fires, festive decorations and tree. Yulefest-style menu and small gift at Chisolm’s Restaurant (children will receive a gift too – from Santa inside a cave). Details and bookings: www.jenolancaves.org.au, 1300 763 311, bookings@jenolancaves.org.au.

Fairmont Resort, Leura (Saturdays throughout July): sumptuous buffet with seafood, festive meats and desserts. Cost: $79 adults, $49 children (5-12 years), under-5 free includes visit from Santa. Bookings essential: 02 4785 0000 or reservations@fairmontresort.com.au. Accommodation and dinner packages available.

Redleaf Resort, Blackheath (Saturday, July 21): accommodation, traditional Yulefest dinner, entertainment, gift from Santa and full buffet breakfast Sunday. Cost: $300 per couple or $80 dinner only adults (over-12) and $50 children. Details and bookings: reservations@redleaf.com.au, 1800 817 011 or 02 4787 8108.

Rick Rutherford’s Country (Badgery Cres, Lawson and Leura Mall): 10 showcase rooms filled with festive treasures including twinkling white trees, glass ornaments, gilded collectables, traditional festive wares and more. Yulefest will be launched on June 30 with five private functions and then run every day throughout July. Details and bookings: www.rickrutherford.com, rickrutherford@iprimus.com.au or 02 4759 3434.

The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba (throughout winter): Saturday Yulefest dinner from June 30 to August 11. Cost: $140. Group lunches (20 people or more) daily from June 1 to August 31. Cost: $49 pp Monday to Friday and $55 Saturday and Sunday (lunch and dinner available). Details and bookings: www.thecarrington.com.au, reservations@thecarrington.com.au or 02 4782 1111.

Blue Mountains Manor House, Mt Victoria (June 30 to July 29): weekend packages include accommodation, full breakfast, Saturday three-course Yulefest dinner with mulled wine, table wine and late Sunday check-out. Cost:  $590 couples (ensuite room), $85 children under-12 sharing with adults. Details and bookings: www.bluemountainsmanorhouse.com.au, contact@laccom.com.au or 02 4787 1369.

Other Yulefest offers include festive lunch (minimum of four) at Bygone Beautys, Leura, from June 12 to August 31 (Cost: $65 adult, $35 children. Bookings essential: 02 4784 3117); Saturday lunch and dinner at the Hotel Imperial, Mt Victoria, (Cost: $70 adults, $35 children. Details and bookings: 02 4787 1878); four-course dinner and show every Saturday in July at the Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba (Cost: $75 dinner and show or $25 show only. Bookings: 02 4782 1322); and Yulefest lunch and dinner throughout winter at the Metropole Hotel, Katoomba (Cost: $45 lunch, $49 dinner. Bookings: 02 4782 2417).

Visit www.visitbluemountains.com.au for more information about Yulefest events and packages in the Blue Mountains
Lithgow and Oberon region.

The newest addition to Spicers Clovelly Estate’s luxurious and intimate accommodation is the newly renovated The French Cottage – the perfect place to relax with friends, catch up with family or just enjoy the space and privacy as a couple.
This standalone cottage, located in the tranquil Sunshine Coast Hinterland, contains three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, open-plan living, kitchen and dining, a study and two verandas front and back with views across the Hinterland.
The cottage is fully self-contained but you can use all the facilities of Spicers Clovelly Estate such as Spa Anise and Queensland’s Good Food Guide Regional Restaurant of the Year, The Long Apron.
Mid-week rates for the cottage start from $699* and includes a Parisian style breakfast each morning.

The French Cottage’s three stylish bedrooms feature ultra-plush King-size beds fitted with luxurious Bemboka blankets and two Carrara marble bathrooms. The open plan living area combines modern French furnishings with state of the art fittings such as wall-mounted plasma TV’s and stainless steel kitchen appliances.

Luxurious Bordeaux armchairs and stylish contemporary European décor complete with waxed oak timbers and soothing neutral tones and textures make for a truly unique experience.

Set on nine hectares of lush country land within easy reach of Noosa and Mooloolaba and just 90 minutes from Brisbane, Spicers Clovelly Estate at Montville is one of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s most intimate and refined accommodation experiences.

For more information and bookings for Spicers Clovelly Estate phone 1300 252 380 or visit www.spicersgroup.com.au

El Questro Homestead, located in the magnificent Kimberley region of Western Australia has joined Luxury Lodges of Australia (LLoA), further showcasing Australia’s extraordinary regional diversity and experiential luxury travel offering.

The Homestead is a stylish luxury retreat set high overlooking the Chamberlain River in El Questro Wilderness Park, a vast landscape of just under a million acres comprising red rock ranges, river gorges, waterfalls and thermal springs.

“El Questro Homestead is a significant addition to the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection,” said James Baillie, Chair of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

“It is a truly Australian travel offering that has stood the test of time – an outstanding blend of remote regional hospitality and the exploration of the superb outback wilderness landscape of the Kimberley – one of the great icons of our amazing Australian landscape.”

Tim Smith, Managing Director of Delaware North Australia Parks and Resorts, owners of El Questro, said “This seems to be a very fitting honour as we celebrate our 20th anniversary in providing luxury accommodation to guests from Australia and all over the world wanting to experience this very special place.”

El Questro Wilderness Park is one million acres in size and really is one of the last true frontiers with rugged sandstone ranges, gorges, waterfalls and abundant wildlife. At the heart of the property lies El Questro Homestead, a boutique oasis, perched atop a cliff with bird’s eye views of The Chamberlain River.

The extensive experiences menu is key to the Homestead offering and there are diverse options for guided drives, bush, culture and nature tours, bird-watching, gorge hikes, swimming at pristine waterfalls and rock pools, scenic flights, remote picnics and fishing excursions.

The Homestead is an easy 90-minute drive (just over 100km) from Kununurra or is accessible via private airstrip. It caters to a maximum of eighteen guests in nine suites including three newly opened Cliffside Retreats.

The Retreats offer uninterrupted views across the Chamberlain Gorge where freshwater crocodiles, turtles, catfish and wild barramundi can be seen from the room’s balconies and outdoor baths. These new rooms join the existing accommodation which includes the premium luxury of the Chamberlain Suite featuring a wrap-around veranda, floor to ceiling windows, a double shower and an indoor/outdoor private double bath overlooking the gorge.

The Homestead is renowned for serving premium cuisine in dramatic locations, from a secluded cliff top table to the Homestead’s spacious verandas.

Luxury Lodges of Australia was formed as a result of the dramatic change in the Australian travel landscape over the past decade, which has seen the emergence of a new breed of exceptional lodges and camps in some of Australia’s most beautiful and outstanding regions.

Never before has Australia had a critical mass of experiential luxury properties to appeal to global travellers and adventure seekers.

With the addition of El Questro Homestead, eighteen of Australia’s leading independent luxury tourism properties comprise the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection. The lodges are independently owned and operated, but are united by their delivery of uniquely Australian experiences and a strong sense of place.

Each lodge has its signature experiences and activities to showcase the special aspects of its region. It is these experiences that define the new Australian luxury and showcase Australia’s extraordinary diversity.

James Baillie said: “Australia is now, more than ever, one of the most exciting and desirable travel destinations globally. Australia’s diversity is unique. No other country in the world has the breadth and depth of experience we have. Now, for the first time, in many of our remote regions, this is now offered at the luxe levels expected by experience-seeking luxury travellers.”

The collection has brought together many of Australia’s innovators and leaders in hospitality, tourism, food and wine, and regional development; and their passion for delivering authentically Australian luxury experiences over and above offering a great place to stay, is ingrained in their unique lodge offering.

Luxury Lodges of Australia www.luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au

Lizard Island has been named Best Resort/Lodge in Australia at the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Travel Awards.
At an event held at the stylish Park Hyatt hotel in Sydney, mc Catriona Rowntree announced the award to an audience of tourism industry luminaries.
“We are truly honoured to be recognised with such an important award as this is a reader nominated category meaning we have not only won the award but also the hearts and minds of our guests ” said Tim Smith, Managing Director of Delaware North Hotels Parks and Resorts Australia, owners of the property.

In their summary of the award win, Australian Gourmet Traveller states:  “Of all the Great Barrier Reef’s many hundreds of islands, Lizard is arguably the most blissful. It’s a 1013-hectare national park fringed by the World Heritage-listed wonder of the planet’s largest living structure, meaning its basic specs are hard to beat. Factor in the 40-room Lizard Island Resort, recently restored to its five-star shimmer, and there’s really no contest.”
Lizard Island is located at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef in Tropical North Queensland and can be reached via a short one hour scenic plane flight from Cairns.  Its’ 40 rooms and public spaces have recently undergone a refurbishment with the magazine commenting:  ”The chic design and finishes of the resort’s Anchor Bay Suites make for the ultimate Barrier Reef beach-houses.”

The Resort was also commended for its easy access to some of the world’s greatest snorkelling and dive sites.   The Ribbon Reefs near Lizard Island are
renowned for being home to a diverse range of fish species including the impressive black marlin, as well as tuna, mackerels, trevallies and swordfish.

The nearby Cod Hole is internationally acclaimed as one of the most spectacular dive sites in the world and one of the most famous on the Great Barrier Reef. Divers can feed the Giant Potato Cod and view a huge variety of marine life.And 24 deserted beaches ensure opportunities for guests to simply don a mask and fins and swim straight into spectacular, brightly coloured clam gardens passing turtles, fish life and miniature spotted rays along the way.

Lizard Island was also named runner up in the Best Australian Island Resort category which was voted on by an expert judging panel drawn from media and tourism industry representatives.

World-class luxury resort qualia (www.qualia.com.au) has taken out two awards at the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Travel Awards.
qualia was named Best Australian Island Resort and Spa qualia was named Best Spa for the third year running, adding to the multi-award winning resort’s array of national and international accolades.

Michael Shah, qualia’s General Manager, said: “These awards are testament to the position we hold not only in Queensland as a unique island resort, but in the wider context of high end hospitality across the country. Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine is iconic, and the awards reflect that the readers are the people who enjoy the understated elegance and ease of qualia.

“Our philosophy for qualia is that exceptional guest experiences cannot be artificially formulated; it must come from within the guest. qualia’s environment allows each guest to respond to his or her own experience in their own way. When you combine exceptional service with zero pretension the result is what we describe as ‘The qualia Effect’, and winning these awards demonstrates that the qualia effect is clearly resonating with our guests.”

Testament to its names’ Latin origins, ‘a collection of deeper sensory experiences’, qualia occupies Hamilton Island’s unashamedly beautiful and sun-drenched northern-most tip. A member of Relais & Châteaux, qualia’s unique design combines a sense of space, openness and harmony that draws the outside in. Set amongst native Eucalypts, and with breathtaking views of the luminous Coral Sea and neighbouring Whitsunday islands, the 60 luxurious pavilions with a sundeck or private infinity edge plunge pool provide the perfect space for guests to unwind in.

The resort’s outstanding facilities include two tranquil infinity-edged pools, two bars and exclusive restaurants, a private dining room, library, fitness centre and Spa qualia, an award-winning venue unto itself. qualia also hosts several special events for its guests throughout the year, including the popular Australian Ballet ‘Pas de Deux in Paradise’ and Great Barrier Feast series.

Nestled privately in the very heart of the resort, Spa qualia exemplifies the resort’s meaning by offering guests a completely unique sensory experience. The indigenous Australian treatments have been meticulously designed to relax, revitalise and replenish the mind, body and soul. A beautiful Meditation Pavilion is perfectly positioned to capture the tranquil views of the Whitsundays, the ideal place to unwind and reflect.

Spa qualia features anti-stress, anti-aging, detoxifying and cleansing treatments; including Spa qualia’s signature ‘Bularri Yarrul’ hot stone massage using 300 million year old stones; and beautiful aromatherapy treatments using essential Australian oils designed to release emotional blocks through the body’s energy centres or chakras.

For more information visit www.qualia.com.au.