All posts in Places to Go

Shinju Matsuri (Festival of Broome)

by admin on October 8, 2012 in Aussie Icons, Columns, Life in Australia, Places to Go, Western Australia with No comments

This is a great time of year to visit Broome in the far north of Western Australia. There is a big festival going on – the Shinju Matsuri. It is commonly referred to as the Broome Festival. This is a celebration of the Asian and Pearl culture in the area. An industry once highly dangerous for its shark-infested, oxygen-depriving ‘naked dives’ has evolved into a high-science, cultured pearl industry. With the trials and tribulations of those early days long gone, a highly diverse population embraces its past and celebrates the gold-colored nacred beauties that have put Broome on the map.

The Festival starts with a bang…literally. Firecrackers go off and the Dragon parade starts winding its way through Chinatown. Stephen “Baamba” Albert, an Aboriginal folk singer regales revelers with songs about ‘saltwater cowboys’ (that is, pearl divers) and food trucks keep us fed.

For another week and a half, the party continues with special markets, art exhibitions, athletic events, motor stampedes, musical performances including a night of Opera Under the Stars, a popular long-table luncheon and a gala ball. The big highlight, around which the Festival is always scheduled, is the Staircase To The Moon. The natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon occurs between March and October when the full moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay at extremely low tide creating the optical illusion of a staircase reaching for the moon. It draws big crowds, many of whom walk the low tide area which has receded from it original shoreline by almost a mile.

Another delightful phenomenon is the appearance of dragonflies. The court house market has some beautiful framed silk lightboxes , mostly with dragonfly motifs. In fact, many crafted items have the dragonfly motif on them. For Broomers, dragonflies signify the end of the rainy season. They come in like locusts , but far from pests, they eat all the mosquitoes the rainy season also brought in. Dragonfly appearances also indicate that the warm ocean currents will start bringing the whale migration and that comfortable weather is coming.

Perfect for the Festival of Broome.

Judy Bailey’s Australia — Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

by admin on July 25, 2012 in Northern Territory, Places to Go, Travel, Videos with 1 Comment

Judy lands in Darwin to complete the final leg of her Australian journey — exploring the landscapes, culture and wildlife of Kakadu.

Find out more www.australia.com/judybaileysaustralia

Guest Post: The Best Shopping Outlets in Melbourne

by admin on June 28, 2012 in Guest Posts, Melbourne, Places to Go, Travel, Travel Guides with 2 Comments

If Melbourne, Australia isn’t your first thought when you hear “discount shopping,” well, maybe it should be. While the second largest city in Australia and the capital of the southeastern state of Victoria, it is also considered Australia’s cultural capital: with historic architecture, art galleries, sprawling public parks and shopping for nearly every budget.

The Melbourne Airport, with direct travel lines to many major cities all over the world, handles a substantial portion of the flights to Melbourne and the Skybus system can ferry eager shoppers into the city via a no-stop line along the freeway. So ditch your luggage and free up arms and hands for bags filled with hot deals, culled from the numerous factory outlets and bustling streets lined with discount-friendly shops that have established Melbourne as the shopping and fashion center of Australia. Melburnians and visitors alike can agree that this is the place to come for a world-class shopping experience at low prices you have to see to believe.

Direct Factory Outlets (DFO)

The Direct Factory Outlets have earned a reputation for being the best and most popular collection of discount stores in Melbourne, with native Australian brands like Quiksilver and Roxy and international names like Adidas, Levi’s, Calvin Klein and Guess. There are three locations in Melbourne and DFO Spencer Street is in the heart of the city and easily accessible by tram. More jaw-dropping than the number of merchants is the savings: up to 70 percent off retail prices and a selection of not only clothes, but footwear, travel items and home goods all in one massive location. If you’ve worked up an appetite, DFO features two food courts plus various cafes so you don’t literally “shop until you drop.” And while you’re on the north end, check out the mural depicting the history of Victoria’s railways, which took the artist, Harold Freedman, five years to complete.

Smith Street, Collingwood

Smith Street was an active shopping draw as early as the 1860s and today it is the place to go if you’re looking for a deal on new running shoes or stylish athletic shorts. With Nike, Adidas, Fila and Kathmandu outlet stores you’re sure to find something to get you on your feet; just don’t pull a muscle sprinting toward the sales. The Smith Street shops are also a great place to find cool street wear, as well as garb for the outdoor enthusiast. If just the thought of all that mesh and nylon makes you thirsty, check out the restaurants and cafes along the way, or stay late for a tonic at one of the many bars that has popped up recently.

Bridge Road, Richmond

For a well-rounded experience where even crowds of tourists can’t keep the locals away, Bridge Road, Richmond is a shopper’s heaven. Not only is it a Heritage area, with plaques along the streets describing the historical significance of different houses, but Bridge Road also plays host to numerous restaurants, cafes and pubs. It’s all perfect for putting your feet up between rounds of shopping or just catching up with a friend while people-watching. Yet the diverse collection of stores takes center stage, with some of Australia’s most well-known clothing brands offering up their wares at deeply slashed prices. Bridge Road is also the place to find designer goods for less, while offering a unique and unforgettable atmosphere in which to find them.

Queen Victoria Market

Known casually as the “Queen Vic,” this 17-acre behemoth of an open air market is the largest in the southern hemisphere and dates back to the 1850s. Named for the famous Queen Victoria of England who ruled the British Empire for over 60 years, this market offers up fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, meats and poultry, and seafood and special delicacies fit for royalty – but of course you don’t have to wear a crown to enjoy the Queen Vic. On Sundays, the Queen Vic transforms into a veritable carnival, with live entertainment for the whole family. Treat yourself to a new outfit, accessorize with new jewelry or shoes or find a one-of-a-kind gift from one of the handmade arts and crafts vendors. With over 600 merchants plying their wares (and a little friendly competition to sweeten the deal for you) on any of the five open days per week, you are sure to walk away with a bargain.

This article was provided by Sheryl Baldwin, a freelance writer and travel consultant. Sheryl is a Melbourne native and self-proclaimed “shopaholic” who can’t get enough of the great deals found in her home town.

(Image provided by Pieter Donkers from Flickr’s Creative Commons)

Life in Oz: Get Out of Town!

by admin on May 20, 2012 in Columns, Life in Australia, Life in Oz, Melbourne, Places to Go, Travel, Victoria with No comments

It is very tempting when traveling for a limited time to just stick to the big cities. They offer plenty of diversions that are fairly easy to reach and well set-up for the hordes of visitors walking in and out of their doors. But I’d like to offer the argument for getting out of town–even if you have to rent a car and drive on the wrong side of the road for a few days.

On a recent trip to Melbourne, we decided to spend a few days heading north. It is autumn, rainy, uncrowded and the road is inviting. First stop is Daylesford, a town of natural mineral spas, wombat and former mining that on this autumn day could be a movie location for somewhere in Connecticut. There are deciduous trees in these parts and the colors are vivid. There are plenty of historic pubs to stay in and the places the locals go to eat aren’t too far off the main drag. The Visitors Bureau is especially helpful in locating what interests you the most.

This area has a lot of natural mineral springs. Public water pumps push out water from its own spring with its own taste. Fortunately, few have the sulfur (or rotten egg) tinge that many people associate with such springs. Most of these have a pleasant bicarbonate tingle to them. Indeed, since ‘once upon a time’ the town of Kyneton has made a mint bottling their spring water for the souls in need of refreshment. But if you want to bathe in the natural spring, head to Hepburn Springs ["Australia's Spa Town"] and to Hepburn Spa. Bring a swimsuit to stay in the larger public pool. There is a two hour access in this partially chlorinated water for the least amount of money. But go all out for some of the special treatments. There are very private single and double bath tubs that are exclusively mineral water. The mineral deposits crusting on the end of the spigot will tell you it’s the real deal. The mineral constitution of the water is etched onto the side of the bathtub. Special luxury bath salts and moisturizers are part of the grand, one-hour experience. It’s a bit less pricey if you go mid-week.

Driving around in the country one can find surprises. Produce stands may offer just the fresh fruit you work up a taste for on the road. Chestnuts were coming into season and we bought some from the back of the farmer’s truck. Where to roast them? On the ubiquitous free electric barbeque grills found in every community park. I started to hum “Chestnuts roasting on a ‘lectric bbq, oh that misty rain it blows” while the roasting chestnuts started to burst at the X we cut into a side. Quite the fun snack.

Eventually you will come to a place with a public strip called Pall Mall complete with statue of Queen Victoria, a few mid-19th century domed buildings, shaped topiary and an idyllic air. London, England? Nope, Bendigo. Bendigo is Australian for El Dorado, I am sure. As with Ballarat, gold was discovered here. No longer lying by a tiny streambed but mined quite deep in the earth, one can take a tour of the mines. Great depths and experience require a greater admission charge but if you’ve ever wondered about this precious metal, this is the place to learn about it.

But there is more to Bendigo than deep holes. The Bendigo Pottery is quite famous and nearby. Perfect to spend a rainy morning here looking at the pottery being made, strolling through their top grade collectibles (all kinds of curios) shop and, of course, purchase an item or two of the famous pottery. Also, do make an effort to say hi to Grace Kelly at the Bendigo Art Gallery. “Grace Kelly , Style Icon“ is a highly popular exhibition of some of her most famous movie and personal outfits. We have some of the same taste in clothing. Only she looked so much better in it. The exhibition ends June 17, 2012, so hurry in.

Ah, but one must return from whence one came eventually. May I make one more suggestion before heading back? Stop in at the Beechworth Bakery. It’s Australia’s greatest bakery–it says so right on their sign. The best item to pick up to test this claim is their signature BeeSting. It looks like a cream puff with a touch of apricot jam to set it above the rest.

Ready to hit the road? I thought so.

Tasmania: What to See, Where to Stay

by admin on April 9, 2012 in Aussie Icons, Hobart, Life in Oz, Places to Go, Tasmania, Tourism, Travel Guides with No comments

The best time of year to visit Tasmania is during its summer, December through March . The temperatures are mild and there are a lot of festivals and events on offer during this time. If you have lots of time, just follow your nose on roads less travelled for some great discoveries-as you might do anywhere else. But just like most trips we take, time is limited so let’s hit a few highlights:

Port Arthur. You can’t visit a penal colony like Tasmania without visiting at least one prison and Port Arthur is the best preserved of the lot. A prisoner’s life was a wretched one and that is abundantly clear here. No walls or fences and yet, no escape. Great vistas, though.

Salamanca Markets. Go Bohemian, go local, go cheap…just go to the Salamanca Markets every Saturday in Hobart. Natives and tourists alike enjoy this experience and bargain hunting opportunity.

Cadbury Chocolate Factory. Located in suburban Hobart, this is a hugely popular attraction. It costs $7.50 to see the high school science lab type presentation of how chocolate is made (hey, no one does factory floor tours anymore) but the bonus is the huge shopping area with all of the products Cadbury offers. Locals pay the fee to shop here for their cheap and fresh chocolate. Cadbury will even mail a huge box of goodies you’ve picked out right from the sales floor. Alas, only to an Australian address.

Hobart Regatta. A horse race stops humanity in its tracks in Melbourne. Far more natural for a boat race to seize the public on an island state. It’s not just a boat race in February, it’s a long weekend of activities for everyone. Lots of shoreline to watch the regatta.

Launceston. Launceston, at the confluence of three rivers, has charms Hobart seems to be lacking. Historic buildings in great condition abound. The state’s viticulture industry is centered here. The Cataract Gorge is a lovely place to spend the day. And my personal favorite Tasmanian National Trust site: the Old Umbrella Shop.

Evandale. Location of the National Penny Farthing Championship Race, home to the Commonwealth’s most decorated soldier, also home to famous landscape artist Glover, a colonial mansion sits on the hill (Clarendon), an old-fashioned general store anchors the town shopping section and , in general, looks more England than England.

Faery Penguins. Head north to Burnie or Stanley to see faery penguins come out of the sea at night to tend to their nesting chicks on shore. Vigilant volunteers are quick to point out the rock-hopping penguins to visitors and quicker to make sure visitors don’t mess with the penguins. Flash photography is not allowed so the lasting images of this neat experience will be in your head.

Of course this isn’t an exhaustive list of things to do in Tasmania. But it will get you started on your journey through this beautiful state. If you are a walker, you are in great luck. There are numerous hikes of all durations here. Indeed, some of the best places are accessible only by foot.

WHERE TO SLEEP?

There is no shortage of hostelries in Tasmania although finding an ensuite room (bathroom inside room) for under $100 a night can be tricky. If you don’t mind a bathroom down the hall, plenty of country pubs offer decent accommodation for less than triple figures. Three unique options :

The Empire Hotel. In Queenstown. Showing her age a bit but still a treasure. The central blackwood stairwell is listed with the National Trust! Supper in their intimate restaurant upstairs is worth while.

Pendragon Hall. In Hobart. So many decommissioned churches are repurposed as art galleries, museums or homes. The undercroft of this church is rented out as lodgings. Awaken to sun filtering through stained glass windows. Ideal for multiple-day stays as multi-media entertainment and food preparation is possible in this self-contained unit.

Jail Cell. Maria Island. Maria [ma RYE ah] Island is a national park with no services (you pack in, you pack out-including trash) but with an opportunity for people to enjoy plenty of hiking by staying overnight in one of their jail cells. Surprisingly spacious with a fireplace for cooking and picnic table inside. Coin operated showers in the next building. A unique experience.

Pub in the Paddock. Pyengana near St Columba Falls. A true country pub—out in the bush, old and with lots of character. Close to the St Columba Falls and near an excellent dairy which brush massages its cows. But they’re not the only ones pampered. Pub in the Paddock has Priscilla, a beer swigging pig. For a mere buck, you too can share a drink with Priscilla, queen of the paddock.

It is so easy for visitors to Australia to catch the big eastern state cities like Sydney and Melbourne while ignoring gems like Tasmania. I can’t guarantee that a Tasmanian Tiger will come out of extinction long enough for you to take a photo of it, but the detour here will be memorable nonetheless. If nothing else, come here for the only tolerable summer in OZ.

Guest Post: Top 5 Australian Ski Resorts

by admin on March 27, 2012 in Guest Posts, Places to Go, Travel, Travel Guides with No comments

Internationally, it’s a little known fact that Australia has ski fields. Between 50 and 100 kilometres inland from the eastern coastline lies a mountain range entitled the Great Dividing Range. Follow the range south and you’ll hit Australia’s ski fields and resorts. Alternatively there are several options for domestic flights from the metropolitan capitals. Here’s a top five list of Australian ski resorts situated in New South Wales and Victoria.

Thredbo

For a complete alpine resort experience, consider staying at Thredbo located in the Snowy Mountains. The slopes offer plenty of snow-based fun and cater to all experience levels with nine beginner, 25 intermediate and 14 advanced runs. But the big attraction at Thredbo is the ability to ski direct from your accommodation to the lifts and be transported direct to the mountain top – maximum skiing with minimum travel.

Perisher Blue

Perisher Blue is one of the most family-friendly ski fields in the region. The ski school is excellent and the 30 beginner runs will keep newbies amused all day. Experienced skiers will appreciate the 80 advanced runs and may contemplate other winter activities such as Nordic skiing, tobogganing and tubing.

Falls Creek

The largest alpine resort in Victoria, Falls Creek presents a complete winter experience. On offer is a full range of accommodation options, together with fantastic après ski options. And to keep you entertained during the day, there are 14 lifts that transport eager skiers and snowboarders across the mountain.

Charlotte Pass

Scenic Charlotte Pass is a beautiful place to ski. This is a compact, intimate skiing experience with five beginner, six intermediate and eight advanced runs. The Pass is regularly used as a base for cross country skiers and also offers night skiing for eager enthusiasts.

Mount Hotham

Mount Hotham regularly receives the highest concentration of natural snow out of all Australian mountains because of its impressive altitude and southern location. This destination appeals to experienced skiers with the 34 intermediate and 26 advanced runs making up the bulk of the skiable terrain.

About the Author: Lyndon Barnett is a copywriter with Flight Centre. He has travelled independently to 68 countries and extensively throughout Australia.

Life in Oz: Introducing Tasmania

by admin on March 26, 2012 in Hobart, Life in Oz, Places to Go, Tasmania, Travel with No comments

First things first: Tasmania is NOT a foreign country floating somewhere in the Andaman Sea. It is the island state of Australia at the country’s most southern point. Actually, it’s a collection of islands much like Hawaii but that’s where the similarity ends. There is nothing tropical about the weather at this last stop before the Antarctica, rather entirely more like Wisconsin or Michigan in weather . The western 37% of Tasmania is reserve land, mountainous and snowbound in the winter.

Most of its half million people reside in the eastern and northern part of the state. An interesting bunch, this lot. Almost everyone is related to a crook. Tasmania was settled by the British as a penal colony, and where this was once a fact to be hidden, most people today embrace their … colorful… ancestry. There is a lot free spirit found here in the form of ageing hippies and their organic produce and earth friendly products. Despite the rumors you’ll hear on the mainland, no one in Tasmania has two heads (a not-so-veiled hint at small island inbreeding.) The state seems to be losing heads to the mainland anyway. Unemployment in Tassie is the highest in the country. The apple, beer (Cascade and Boag) , cheese (King Island cheese & beef is second to none!) and tourism industry cannot make this beautiful state more attractive to young workers and industries that would employ them. Retirees, however, find this a most suitable place.

Another misconception to correct is the Tasmanian Devil. Warner Brothers got the strong jaw and irritable temper correct but the rest is a bit fanciful. The Tassie devil, found in the wild only in Tassie, is small and black with a white collar. It is also suffering from a facial tumor that has been spreading like wildfire for 15 years now. Conservation and breeding programs are a high priority for the residents of the state. Unfortunately, this has also brought out bogus organizations looking to capitalize on people’s concern and generosity. Also capturing the natives’ fancy is the Tasmanian Tiger—more of a canine with stripes and huge mouth than a big cat. The last Tassie Tiger is said to have died in 1936 but tragics still hold out hope that their sightings and scat collections will resurrect the state emblem. And for all you wombat fans , wombat poop perfectly square bricks so identifying their scat is easy enough.

Some famous Tasmanians: actor Errol Flynn, actor Simon Baker (from “The Mentalist”) and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark who met her handsome prince during the Sydney Olympics.

Perth: in one week and on a budget

by admin on March 14, 2012 in Life in Oz, Perth, Places to Go, Travel, Western Australia with No comments

Perth, with its expansive bodyguards of the Nullarbor desert and Indian Ocean, can be difficult to get to and certainly expensive once you get there. For many visitors, it’s a side trip while vacationing in South East Asia or a long distance detour from Sydney and Melbourne in the eastern states. And all of this means people are usually short on time and money.

So what can you do in a mere handful of days with a rapidly collapsing wallet? This does mean you’ll need to confine your adventures to the Perth metro area (You can always come back later for the entire State of Western Australia.) And you should make the following list part of your must-sees:

The CAT busses. A free bus service within the Central Business District which covers all corners in three different routes. A great way to get the lay of the land. www.transperth.wa.gov.au
City Walking Trails. Take the CBD on foot and learn of its parks, art and history either with a free volunteer guide, on your own with a special map or with a free downloaded audio tour. Stop at the i-City Information kiosk in the Murray Street Mall in the heart of the CBD. www.perth.wa.gov.au
Kings Park. At Kings Park, take in Perth’s impressive skyline and admire the flow of life on the Swan River. You can enjoy a picnic at this premier park while sitting under a canopy of native trees or explore the park’s botanical gardens. Walk the Federation Walkway or climb the DNA tower for a 360 degree view of the world’s largest inner city park. www.bgpa.wa.gov.au
Cottesloe Beach. Dip your toes into the blue waters of the Indian Ocean at Cottesloe Beach or sit on the manicured lawn to watch the sun as it sets over the ocean. Also impressive is Scarborough Beach just further north where you can catch a wave or enjoy a beverage at the trendy Hillary’s Boat Harbour. Both of these beaches are easily accessible by city bus.
Heirisson Island. Kangaroo are closer than you think. At the east end of the CBD, halfway across the Causeway, a small mob of female kangaroo rule half of this small and easily accessible spot of land. Early morning and just before dusk are the best times to walk around and say hi to these iconic marsupials.
Fremantle. The port city just south of Perth has many charms. The weekend markets are full of street performers, there is a lively café atmosphere, the historic Fremantle Prison is open for tours and one of it’s favorite sons, Bon Scot of rock group AC/DC is celebrated in statue. Fremantle is also easily accessed by bus and train. www.fremantle.wa.gov.au
Swan Valley. Western Australia’s wine industry is attracting the world’s attention. The closest wine region to the City is in lovely Swan Valley. You’ll need a car, or better yet, take one of the bus or boat tours from the City to Swan Valley to try some of the fabulous wines found there. A great day adventure. www.swanvalley.com.au

Twenty Reasons to visit Melbourne in 2012

by admin on February 10, 2012 in Melbourne, Places to Go, Travel with No comments

Melbourne is ‘hot’ right now. International visitors are proving it by flocking to the ‘Most Liveable City in the World’ in record numbers. In fact, Victoria recorded its highest number and share of total international overnight visitors on record with a 9.1% increase to 1.74 million for the year ending September 2011.

Here are twenty of the hottest new reasons to visit Melbourne and Victoria in 2012.

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2012 celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Extended to last 20 days between 2 – 21 March, 2012, the celebration will start with a Riverside Opening Weekend with activities such as city street feasts; 80 events under $50, and the world’s longest lunch. Almost 100 of the world’s top chefs and winemakers from 14 different countries will converge on Melbourne for the festival’s famous Langham Masterclass in order to share their culinary secrets and the newest gastronomic trends. Beer lovers are also in for a treat as the festival will be showcasing its very own 20th anniversary brew at the Great Melbourne Beer Breakfast. There will also be over 100 events across regional Victoria, giving visitors the chance to explore Victoria’s harvest-ready wine and river country.
Melbourne Airport’s $330 million expansion is almost complete. New gates 18 and 20 are now in operation and the aerobridge upgrades will be completed this month. New airside retail offerings include Little Ludlow, Dreamtime Journey, Think Sport, WH Smith, Discover Victoria and Hudsons has also launched their rebranded concept store. Opening soon will be Melbourne’s only Victoria’s Secret store, Bar Pulpo by Movida, Happy Lab, Wok on Air and Hungry Jack’s.
So many exciting restaurant openings in 2011 from the Shannon Bennett’s new Vue de Monde at the top of the Rialto to Donovan Cooke’s Atlantic in Crown and Andrew McConnell’s Golden Fields in St Kilda. Then there was the amazing Chin Chin by Chris Lucas of Pearl fame, not to mention Geoff Lindsay’s Dandelion in trendy Elwood – can the stomachs of food tourists cope with another year like this? We are already looking forward to seeing what Andrew McConnell does with Fitzroy stalwart, The Builders Arms, in the New Year.
The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia, a major new exhibition showcasing stunning artefacts from one of the world’s great ancient civilisations will open at 2011 RACV Victorian Tourism Award winner, Melbourne Museum on 4 May, 2012. Presented in collaboration with The British Museum, The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia explores an era of extraordinary invention and innovation. The exhibition will focus on three of the great centres of ancient civilisation, Sumer, Assyria and Babylon, bringing their rich history to life through objects and multimedia. Themes in the exhibition include palaces and royal power, religious beliefs and rituals, burial practices and royal tombs, and the myths and legends that surround ancient Mesopotamia.
Music lovers visiting the Australian live music capital, Melbourne, now have a free guide to help them find venues, music stores and other music resources with the release of Melbourne Music City. The guide maps Melbourne’s main metropolitan entertainment hubs as well as venues in regional Victoria. The guide also includes a Victorian music festival timeline, a plotted history of key music events in the state plus information on gig guides, media, public transport and music-friendly accommodation. The guide is available in hard copy at various tourist hotspots around the city, and will be distributed internationally via international embassies and consulates. The guide is also available to download.
Victoria’s Great Ocean Walk is to be extended in 2012, allowing visitors to walk all the way to the iconic 12 Apostles. A new platform has just been completed at the finish of the walk where hikers can celebrate their achievements with the view of the 12 Apostles in the background. Works are already underway which will extend the track as far as the Gibson Steps by the end of this year. The track will then be extended further via an underpass under the Great Ocean Road which will allow walkers to access the 12 Apostles by foot.
One of the newest international events on the sports calendar is billed as ‘probably the toughest event on the planet’. Tough Mudder at Phillip Island, 31 March – 1 April, 2012 encourages participants to ‘get dirty’ while tackling the world’s most extreme obstacle courses. It’s a physical and mental endurance challenge designed by ex military men and Phillip Island is set to welcome some very extreme participants and amused spectators as they travel to the island for the event. Visitors will also be able to get their hands dirty in a very different way next year with the extension of Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate. The new chocolate kitchen, set to open on 26 December, 2011, will have visitors making their own chocolate in an interactive exhibition that is sure to delight chocolate lovers of all ages.
Renowned for being Victoria’s premier wine region, the Yarra Valley has recently seen an infiltration of a different kind of drop. A handful of brewers and cider makers are producing unique local beers and cider, giving the wine makers a run for their money. So great is the interest, that the region’s seven brewers and cider makers have joined together to launch the Yarra Valley Cider and Ale Trail. From December 2011, visitors to the Yarra Valley will be able to grab a copy of the new Cider and Ale Trail brochure and explore these innovative businesses including an eco-friendly brewery, a winery producing the golden drop and a brewery shipped in all the way from New Zealand.
Want to tick off wild kangaroos, wallabies, emus and wombats in one bush walk? Well now you can with Wilsons Promontory National Park’s new Woodland Walk. Located in the northern part of the park, the walk is 7.6km or two and a half hours return and will almost guarantee native wildlife spotting. Wilsons Promontory is in the Gippsland region of Victoria; about a three and a half hour drive from Melbourne. Visitors wanting to explore more of this extensive and extraordinary region will be excited to hear about Inspiring Gippsland Rides - a guide to 35 rides that take in the best of Gippsland by bike, to be launched in February 2012.
A new boutique hotel will open for guests visiting the stunning Mornington Peninsula region of Victoria next year. Construction has begun to turn 120-year old Flinders Hotel into a forty guestroom boutique accommodation slated for completion mid-2012. The hotel’s restaurant will be the first to open. Getting ready for completion this month, Terminus will be a fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant headed up by Chef Pierre Khodja (ex Canvas restaurant) and Food & Beverage Manager Clinton Trevisi (ex Royal Mail Hotel). This destination restaurant will add another feature in the cap of the culinary hub of Mornington Peninsula – only an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne.
Victoria’s Goldfields region, a mere hour’s drive away from Melbourne, is becoming known as much for its major art exhibitions as for its gold rush history and architecture. This year, the Art Gallery of Ballarat has secured the rights to host Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration from 25 February – 15 April, 2012. It’s an exhibition of vintage prints from London’s V&A Museum taken by royal photographer, Sir Cecil Beaton. And just down the road in Bendigo, there is a celebration of another Queen, the Queen of the screen. Grace Kelly: Style Icon will be drawing visitors far and wide to Bendigo Art Gallery from 11 March – 17 June 2012.
New accommodation options are a welcome addition for outdoor adventurers visiting the Grampians, North West Victoria, in 2012.DULC cabins in Halls Gap is building new cabin, Boroka Downs luxury accommodation now has a two bedroom villa available, andHamilton Apartments in the Southern Grampians has range of self contained houses available for holiday rentals. And after working up a hunger exploring the region’s many mountain ranges and natural wonders, visitors can stop by Three Troupers Brewery provedore / café which has recently opened in Beaufort.
The biggest shark and stingray feeding experience in the world opened near Melbourne this month. The Australian Shark and Ray Centre (ASRC) is the world’s largest combined shark and ray feeding experience located just 20 minutes from Melbourne on route to Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula. Visitors can opt to stay dry in waterproof pants, or get waste deep in the water with a wetsuit, and hand feed, pat and play with nearly 20 species of sharks and stingray. Sharks range from 10cm to 3m giants, and rays from 15cm to the world’s largest species of stingray (the Black Stingray) at 300kg. Children and adults of any age can enjoy the experience and there are shallow pools and viewing bridges for those wanting to keep their distance.
Aqua Orbs water zorbing is the hottest new family fun activity in Victoria’s second biggest city, Geelong. On the Eastern Beach of the beautiful Geelong foreshore, Aqua Orbs is a safe, fun addition to any day on the Corio bay. Another new family attraction nearby is Geelong’s Saddle On Riding School. It’s been operating as a horse riding school for several years but is now open as a tourism experience with horse camps, pony parties, BMX, buggy, archery and track hire available, plus an animal farm for the little ones.
The second and final stage of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ 18-hectare Australian Garden in Victoria is anticipated to open in spring 2012 and will complete one of the most significant landscape projects in Australia. The multi award-winning Australian Garden tells the story of the metaphorical journey of water through Australia’s arid outback eastward to the urbanised coast and will offer visitors a unique landscape experience and the chance to immerse themselves in the stories, colours, textures, sounds and scents of Australia. The garden is located just 45 minutes from Melbourne at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, a division of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Since it opened in 2006, it has received over 17 international, national and regional awards for landscape design, tourism and sustainability. The garden was also recreated at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011 and won a prestigious gold medal.
King Valley Prosecco Road is a new wine and food trail attracting a lot of attention to north east Victoria. The King Valley is the first region in Australia to commercially grow and produce the Italian celebratory sparkling white wine, prosecco. Each year the region produces over 10,000 cases for the Australian market. In 2011, the King Valley prosecco wine making pioneers developed the food and wine trail with a dedicated King Valley Prosecco Road website and travel booklet enabling visitors to discover a new way of experiencing the warmth and hospitality of Victoria’s beautiful King Valley. The King Valley is easily accessible by car, train or air. Albury Airport has daily flights between Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney and from the airport it’s an approx 90 minute drive to the King Valley.
Historic property, Perricoota Station, has been carefully restored in a makeover that will be ready for those visiting the Murray River town of Echuca Moama in early January 2012. The property, which has previously been associated with pursuits including Merino Sheep, Cobb and Co Horse Transport, Short Horn Cattle, Orange and Grapefruit Orchards, has been brought back to life as a grand visitor destination. Surrounded by over 3 ½ Km’s of Murray River frontage it will be available for accommodation, functions, weddings and conferences.
In Daylesford, one hour drive from Melbourne in the wonderful Spa Country, the owners of the recently renovated Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat announced the purchase of the historic Club Hotel in Clunes. Clunes is notable as the site of Victoria’s first gold strike and the Club Hotel is one of the many features that stand to this day. Plans are already underway to transform the 1870′s Hotel into a stylish bistro restaurant, café and wedding venue under the new moniker Birch Club. It is planned that almost all of the produce used in the bistro will be sourced from the Birch Estate Farm nearby.
Experienced Murray River captain, Greg Evans, and his singer/entertainer wife, Julia, have this month launched Wentworth River Cruises. Heading off from the historic port of Wentworth, near the tranquil desert town of Mildura, a four hour drive from Melbourne, this new scenic cruise is the only one that takes visitors to the junction of Australia’s two largest rivers, the Murray and the Darling. The new fully catered, licensed and air conditioned motor vessel can carry more than 50 passengers who can relax on either the lower indoor or upper outdoor decks.
The Barmah Forest Heritage and Education Centre has opened its doors to the public. Located in picturesque, Nathalia, in north central Victoria, the centre provides visitors with the chance to discover and explore the colourful history associated with the Barmah National Park. Interpretive boards show key time-frames dating back to pre 1830 and information on the Indigenous community; the timber industry; past industries; cattlemen and ecology is brought to life for visitors as they walk through the centre. Situated on the doorstep of one of largest River Red Gum wetlands in the world, the centre will act as the perfect starting point or stopping point for those visiting the Barmah National Park.

Written by Zoe Shurgold on behalf of Tourism Victoria. This story is copyright free and may be reproduced.

New York Daily News Explore Australia’s Wine Country

by admin on January 23, 2012 in Adelaide, Places to Go, South Australia, Travel with No comments

The New York Daily News recently sent a reporter on a road trip to Australia’s Wine Country.

Here’s an excerpt:

Editor’s note: Travel writer Gretchen Kelly is on a two-week trip across Australia in celebration of Australia Day and G’Day USA, a series of events connecting the two great ex-British colonies. She’ll be traveling from Adelaide to Darwin and back to Sydney in time for the big bash on Australia Day, which is Jan. 26. Here’s the first part of her adventure, with tips on planning your own trip Down Under.

Flying into Sydney on Qantas’ brand new and very, very big A380, I hopped a short domestic flight over miles of what looked like L.A.-type desert to land in Adelaide, Australia’s version of Bologna or Lyon — a food and wine haven in a lush greenbelt a stone’s throw from the outback.

Adelaide, a port town on the Great Australian Bight about 700 miles west of Sydney, is true to the sound of its name: a laid back town where the local population of foodies take their tastebuds seriously.

I journeyed around this town of wrought-iron balconies, Victorian ranch mansions and patio-fringed pubs with A Taste of South Australia’s founder, Mary Anne Kennedy.