Travelbag - The Ultimate To Do List - Australia, New Zealand and Fiji 2012-2013

THE ULTIMATE TO DO LIST

Australia, New Zealand & Fiji

2012-2013

Reward yourself with life’s enriching experiences...

The Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Welcome...

For over 30 years, Travelbag has offered inspirational journeys in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Complementing our traditional programme to these remarkable destinations, we are delighted to introduce our new collection of inspirational travel experiences: The Ultimate To Do List. Filled with unique and experiential touring and hotel ideas, The Ultimate To Do List Australia, New Zealand and Fiji provides yet more tantalising motivation for our most discerning travellers.

In a new era of luxury travel, Travelbag is at the forefront of tailor-making unique itineraries to enrich every stage of your holiday. We have long understood that it is not enough to tick off a checklist of places visited, rather it is how you spend your time and the experiences that you have that shape your days and nights.

Highlighting the most unique, elite and enriching travel experiences in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, the following pages are the start of your journey down under in style where time and events will effortlessly merge to give you a genuine, utterly unique and entirely exuberant experience.

Our consultants look forward to sharing their Australia, New Zealand and Fiji travel experiences with you.

Tony Carty Managing Director, Travelbag

Contents Australia page 06

04 Contents

Air Safaris

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Iconic Landscapes

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Unique Environments

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Wilderness and Wildlife Encounters

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Walking and Trekking

16

Wild Bush Luxury

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Australia’s Accessible Outback

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Aussie Rural Life

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Aboriginal Country

26

Exclusive Touring

28

Great Barrier Reef

30

Luxury Island Resorts

32

Unique Island Hideaways

34

Tropical Rainforest

36

Luxury Cruising

38

Adventures on Water

40

Beaches and Bays

44

Sydney Harbour

46

Heritage, Arts and Architecture

48

City Chic Living

50

Cosmopolitan Collection

52

Style, Design and Interiors

54

Unique Places to Stay

56

Private Retreats

58

Country Food, Wine and Spa Retreats

60

Golf, Gourmet and Spa Indulgence

62

Contents Glacier and Alpine Adventures

66

Volcanic, Thermal and Spa

68

Wildlife and Wilderness Encounters

70

Exploring New Zealand

72

Luxury Lakeside Living

76

Adventures on Water

78

Maori and Modern Culture

80

Private Retreats and Country Estates

82

Unique Places to Stay

84

Food, Wine and Golf

86

Luxury Fiji

90

Unique Island Hideaways

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Australia

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New Zealand

64

Fiji

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New Zealand page 64

Fiji page 88

Maps

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Bamaga

Ti m o r S e a

Milingimbi

Darwin

Aurukun

Gulf of Carpentaria

Timber Creek Normanton

Halls Creek

Townsville Mount Isa

Kings Canyon

Exmouth

Queensland

Uluru

Bundaberg Hervey Bay Fraser island Sunshine Coast

South Australia

Meekatharra

Coober Pedy

rli

Da

G re a t A u s t r a l i a n B i g h t Esperance

Port Augusta Port Pirie

Barossa Valley Maitland

Albany

Murray

Adelaide

Kangaroo Island

Busselton

Coffs Harbour

ng

Tamworth

Broken Hill Whyalla

Norseman

Bathurst Blue Mountains Mildura Narrandera

Victoria

Murray

Australia

Canberra Bega

Ta s m a n S e a

Wonthaggi

Devonport Cradle Mountain

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Sydney

Wollongong

Melbourne

Geelong

Surfers riding a frothing wave toward Bondi Beach.

Kangaroos bounding through wild grasslands. Diners savouring local vintages in an urban bistro. All of this is Australia. But it’s only the beginning of the story.

Hunter Valley Newcastle

A.C.T.

Wodonga Yarra Valley

Bendigo Maryborough Mornington Peninsula

Indian Ocean

Port Macquarie Lord Howe Island

Dubbo

Vinefera

Great Ocean Road

Feel the thunder of hooves as you canter across a vast outback sheep station.

Inhale the salty tang of sea air as you walk a scenic coastal path. Delight in the thrum of a helicopter rotor as you travel to undiscovered places. Listen to the ancient tales of an Aboriginal storyteller under a starry sky.

Gold Coast

Byron Bay

New South Wales

Head of Bight

Fremantle

Brisbane

Murwillumbah

Flinders Range

Northam

Gladstone

Toowoomba

Kalbarri

Margaret River

Rockhampton

Western Australia

Coral Bay

Perth

ef

Longreach Alice Springs

Denham

Mackay

Goldsworthy

Roebourne

Monkey Mia

Whitsundays

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Northern Territory

Airlie Beach

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Fitzroy Crossing

ie

Port Hedland

Mission Beach

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Broome

Coral Sea

Cooktown Daintree & Cape Tribulation Port Douglas Palm Cove Cairns

Ba

Wyndham Kununurra

at

Australia

Arhnhem Land

Katherine

Kalumburu

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Lockhart River

re

Kakadu NP

Launceston Freycinet

Hobart

Maria Island

Tasmania

thriving culinary scene. Revel into the small hours on the glittering Gold Coast or enjoy the laid-back beach culture of Perth.

With countless species of plants and animals, Australia exerts a magnetic pull on nature lovers. Whether you’re enjoying the dawn chorus of parrots, photographing a sleepy koala in a eucalyptus tree, or chuckling at a parade of little penguins, you’ll feel as though you’re starring in a nature documentary.

Enjoy a new era of Australian experiential luxury. Now, even in remote locales, you can stay in exceptional accommodations, from exquisite historic buildings to tented ‘camps’ serving gourmet fare. Unwind with a massage in the luxe spa of a city hotel or savour a cooking class in a wine country retreat. Everywhere, service is superb--in many properties, the owners are on site.

For the urban adventurer, Australia’s cosmopolitan cities are unparalleled places to relax, indulge and play. Attend an avant-garde play in sophisticated Melbourne. Shop for designer fashions in Sydney. Immerse yourself in Adelaide’s

Highways Cities 3,000,000+ City or country.

Mountain or island. Rainforest or vineyard. Spa or trail. The Primary Roads Cities 900,000-2,999,999 Rivers diversity of uniquely Australian places is Major endless--and with luxurious options Cities 250,000-899,999 abounding, there’s never been a better time to visit.

Cities 75,000-249,999

National Capitals

Cities 0-74,999

International Boundaries

0 0

245 245

490km

490 miles

edge of a cliff, enjoying dramatic views of Whale Beach and the sprawling Pacific Ocean, Jonah’s at Palm Beach is one of Australia’s most prestigious ocean retreats – something of a Sydney institution. Return to Sydney on a glorious afternoon seaplane flight back to Rose Bay, encompassing a Sydney Harbour circuit in front of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House does it for most!

Day 5 Depart Sydney for your flight to Uluru (Ayres Rock). You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Longitude 131º (two nights) in a luxury tent.

Longitude 131º offers, eco-sensitive and romantic accommodation, complete with 5-star luxury and private views of the sun rising and setting over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Venture to Uluru and Kata Tjuta and you are exposed to an expansive living cultural landscape, which very few are able to experience.

Sydney, Rock, Rainforest & The Whitsundays!

– A Custom Itinerary in Exploring Australia Day 1 Arrive into Sydney. On arrival, you will be welcomed to Australia by an ATS Pacific representative who will assist with your private transfer to the Park Hyatt Sydney (four nights), which is set on the water’s edge overlooking Sydney Opera House. Included in your stay is a gourmet daily buffet breakfast.

Day 2 Enjoy a full day at your leisure. Take in the surreal white pinnacles of its famous Opera House and explore the historic Rocks district, the heart of the old city. Climb the famous bridge and take in the harbour and city landmarks from an altogether more original vantage point. Tonight you’ll enjoy a seafood dinner at Nick’s Seafood Restaurant.

Day 3 Board your Sea Sydney Cruises vessel to commence an afternoon cruise.

Be engulfed by the beauty of Sydney as you ‘cruise like a local’ aboard Calypso, a 52-foot motor yacht. Cruise the foreshores of Sydney Harbour past world famous, iconic landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House before dropping anchor in a secluded cove for lunch.

Day 4 This morning you will be transferred by private car to Rose Bay, the departure point of your seaplane tour to Palm Beach. Join Sydney Seaplanes for your four-hour tour to Palm Beach and enjoy lunch at Jonah’s. Perched high on the

Day 6 Enjoy a full day at Ayers Rock today with luxury touring to the world’s largest monolith. Rising 348 metres above the desert floor with a circumference of 8 kilometres, Uluru is considered one of the great wonders of the world. It is located in the Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park, which is owned and run by the local Aboriginals. 40kms west of Uluru is Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which are a series of giant majestic domes, once part of a single rock that was even larger than Uluru itself.

Day 7 Depart on your flight from Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Cairns. You will be met on arrival at Cairns and transferred to the Daintree Rainforest (two nights) to stay at Silky Oaks Lodge in a treehouse. Lying on the edge of the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, Silky Oaks Lodge is an elegant oasis presenting a captivating blend of natural tranquillity and modern sophistication with 50 superb treehouses and riverhouses just 30 minutes from Port Douglas.

Cairns

Uluru

Hamilton Island

Sydney

Day 8 Enjoy a full day at your leisure. Join an indigenous guided rainforest walk to learn something of the flora and fauna of the region, explore the Mossman Gorge, or take a dawn or dusk river cruise.

Day 9 Transferred to Cairns for your flight to Hamilton Island. On arrival you’ll be transfer from the airport to qualia (four nights) to stay on the secluded northern tip of the island. qualia, Australia’s newest premium resort on the Great Barrier Reef is set in 30 acres of tropical garden landscape on the northern most tip of Hamilton Island.

Day 10, 11 & 12 With its secluded and idyllic setting, situated amongst the glittering Whitsundays, qualia provides the ideal resort to unwind. Within easy access of the marine wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, qualia is the perfect island hideaway, where you can choose do as little or as much as you like.

Day 13 Depart Hamilton Island. Depart Hamilton Island and connect with your onward journey home.

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Sydney HeliTours

Air Safaris Turquoise seas shimmering above the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

Endless sandy beaches shaded with palm trees. The untamed outback, where sun-baked landscapes stretch to an unbroken horizon.

Lush tropical rainforests and the hazy Blue Mountains. Busy Sydney Harbour with its landmark bridge and breathtaking opera house. These and many other Australian wonders may unfurl below you on a thrilling trip by helicopter or bush plane— whether it's a short scenic flight or a multi-day safari. Back on the ground, you'll discover an Australia few ever see: pristine waterfalls, rowdy mining towns, isolated parks alive with wildlife. Fly away from the everyday into the heart of Australia.

Slingair Heliwork WA Charters - The rugged Kimberley challenges you to discover it, yet guards its secrets well—unless you take to the air Multi-award-winning Slingair Heliwork WA is the specialist when it comes to Kimberley aviation. With scenic flights, charters, air safaris, spectacular helicopter flights and fly/drive tours, it offers you many opportunities to experience the best of the Kimberley.

Encounter the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle Range, spot crocodiles along the Ord River, view the expanse of Lake Argyle and the Argyle Diamond Mine, and take in the cascading waterfalls of the Mitchell Plateau.

Australia

Great Ocean Road Scenic Flight If you only have a couple of hours to spare in Melbourne, then this private charter scenic flight is the ultimate way to see the very best of the dramatic Great Ocean Road in style.

Fly from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road and Shipwreck Coast as your pilot points out famous Bells Beach, Loch Ard Gorge, the Twelve Apostles and the Bay of Islands.

Broome Scenic Flights Take a bird’s-eye look at the spectacular colours of Broome. Multi-award-winning Slingair Heliwork WA offers luxury Cable Beach helicopter flights, heli-fishing and tailored helicopter itineraries to spectacular remote places near Broome. Experience the awesome Horizontal Waterfalls, tour Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm or join a Jarlmadangah Dreamtime Tour.

Private and small group heli-tours are available.

Alice Springs Helicopters

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This is a jaw-dropping way to see Sydney Harbour. The tailored flights showcase famous attractions, including the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and, further afield, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley. Choose from a variety of lengths and routes to see the city and surrounds from above on an exclusive adventure—the experience of a lifetime.

Be whisked away by helicopter on a thrilling journey over waterholes, plunging gorges and the ancient mountain ranges of Alice Springs.

View some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery in style from your hotel pickup to the Red Centre sky. The ochre landscapes of Alice’s Red Centre are captivating when viewed from your superior vantage point. Select from scenic flights or explore further afield by private charter.

Chinta Tours - Personal itineraries for taking to the skies of the Australian outback Imagine your ideal outback adventure—your dream destinations—and realise your dreams with Chinta Tours. With superior knowledge of the outback, Chinta Tours creates itineraries that combine stunning scenery with excellent accommodations and touring. Enjoy an air safari of a lifetime.

Accommodations are first class—perhaps a luxury safari tent, a cliff-top ecolodge, an award-winning eco-villa, or an outback station homestead where you are beside the owners. At each location, 4WD touring with knowledgeable local guides showcases native wildlife and outback stories.

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Great Barrier Reef Helicopters - Sparkling sapphire waters stretch endlessly below as you soar high on adrenalin over one of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef Every day, Great Barrier Reef Helicopters delights holidaymakers by flying them over the vast reefs that form the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. The flight will become, quite simply, one of the best things you have ever experienced. Combine your flight with a cruise, use your flight to transfer to your luxury accommodations, or have an experience tailored to you. Great Barrier Reef Helicopters is one of Far North Queensland’s largest and premier helicopter companies.

For one of the most compelling ways to see the Great Barrier Reef, fly from Cairns, Port Douglas or another landing pad to arrive at a Great Barrier Reef pontoon. From the pontoon, take a shorter scenic flight, looking out for marine life from your spotter position, all the while communicating with your pilot and companions. These flights occur only from the heart of the reefs themselves, providing you with a view of the reef that few ever see. You can’t get a perspective like this from the water.

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Alternatively, try a speciality flight. As you fly over the Great Barrier Reef to your private, pristine coral cay, you will be one of the few to witness the morning sun shining over the reef from your helicopter before touching down on the coral cay. There you will be served a delicious tropical brunch, complemented by Australian sparkling wine and juices.

To explore further afield, make the most of your time in the tropics with a flight over the rugged, remote wet tropics rainforest. See the vast expanse of untouched rainforest canopy, and relax in crystal-clear waters while your pilot sets up a gourmet picnic lunch at your secret tropical rainforest waterfall location.

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Slingair Heliworks WA Charters

2. Broome Scenic Flights 3. Alice Springs Helicopters 4. Syndey HeliTours 5. Great Ocean Road Scenic Flight 6. Chinta Tours 7.

Great Barrier Reef Helicopters

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Iconic Landscapes Just because you're escaping to some of Australia's most iconic destinations—world-famous spots like the Blue Mountains and Uluru (Ayers Rock)—doesn't mean you can't also revel in luxury. Whether you spend your day walking breathtaking mountain trails, delighting in a 4WD wildlife safari or exploring the outback by camel, a restful retreat awaits you in these intimate resorts.

Indulge in a spa treatment, savour a sumptuous gourmet meal or linger over fine wines as the sun stains rugged peaks and hidden valleys in countless shades of ochre and gold. Delight in thoughtful service.

Then sink into a richly comfortable bed...before waking up to delight in it all again the next day.

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Spicers Peak Lodge

Longitude 131°

- A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, Spicers Peak Lodge—1,130 metres above sea level—is Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge retreat

- Awake to a private view of the sunrise over Uluru with Longitude 131º, a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia

Just 90 minutes southwest of Brisbane, this award-winning mountain retreat is situated atop a 9,000-acre working cattle farm. It is enveloped by the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park—one of Australia’s most scenic wilderness areas—and the Great Dividing Range. The lodge has been created with its natural environment in mind. With only ten luxurious suites and two private lodges, the property serves as an intimate abode in its spectacular surrounds.

Activities include guided bush walking, mountain biking, horse riding and 4WD. Enjoy the surrounds and spot iconic Australian animals such as koalas, kookaburras, wild brumby, possums, gliders, kangaroos and wallabies, or take some time out at the Spa Anise Day Spa. By night, enjoy nature walks, star gazing from the viewing deck, and gourmet food and wine by the fire.

Luxurious, eco-sensitive and romantic, Longitude 131º offers immersion in the wilderness, mystery and spirituality of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

This award-winning luxury wilderness camp in one of Australia’s most iconic landscapes has achieved new heights in global eco-tourism.

Longitude 131º is a deluxe camping experience with meticulously designed palatial ‘tents’ offering privacy and rejuvenation. Above their sweeping canopies floats the greater cover of a starry night sky, and in the crisp, white linen of a king-sized bed, you will find the serene, silent sleep of the desert before a day of touring. An exclusive touring program showcases the spectacular geography and biodiversity of Central Australia, as well as the ancient culture of the Anangu Aboriginal people of Uluru, who have traversed the land for thousands of years.

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Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa - Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, offers a rare opportunity to experience true luxury in a spectacular bush setting This Emirates-owned property borders the iconic Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage wilderness region, just three hours by road from Sydney.

Nestled between two national parks and spread out at the foot of towering cliffs, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is set within its own private conservation and wildlife reserve, and is one of the first internationally accredited carbon-neutral resorts in the world.

The resort itself occupies just two per cent of the total land area of 4,000 acres, and its design reflects a timeless appeal and a natural sense of place in the vast and dramatic landscape of the Wolgan Valley. Each of the 40 individual suites has its own private deck and indoor/outdoor swimming pool, while the main homestead provides distinctive dining and luxury facilities.

The stand-alone Timeless Spa offers a range of signature treatments. To ensure a complete well-being experience, you will enjoy complimentary use of the gym, sauna, steam room, 25-metre swimming pool and tennis courts.

The seclusion of the Wolgan Valley creates a natural sanctuary where guests can relax and explore in unsurpassed luxurious comfort. This is the quintessential luxury Australian bush experience—a unique blend of wildlife, dramatic natural beauty, conservation and heritage in a spectacular setting, which you can explore through a range of activities, including 4WDs, heritage tours, wildlife spotting and horse riding.

All meals are included, and the chef focuses strongly on regional and seasonal produce, using organic ingredients where possible. Also included are all nonalcoholic beverages, a range of selected wines and beer with lunch and dinner, and two nature-based activities per person per day.

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Spicers Peak Lodge

2. Longitude 131° 3. Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

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Unique Environments There's just something about wild places. Set apart from the ordinary, they are treasured havens for people and animals alike. That makes them the perfect spots for both pristine national parks and eco-friendly luxury hideaways. Escape to Kangaroo Island or Tasmania and enter an unspoiled world. Kayak through wetlands rich with bird life.

Bushwalk along trails where you may not see another soul. And renew your spirits at a resort sensitively designed to help preserve these natural enclaves. Delight in stunning views from floor-to-ceiling windows.

Luxuriate in a king-sized bed as you listen to your favourite music on your private sound system. Spa treatments, fine dining and more await you.

Saffire Freycinet - Saffire Freycinet, Australia’s new luxury coastal sanctuary on Tasmania’s east coast, delivers sophisticated and intimate style and an inspirational experience Discreetly positioned overlooking the Hazards Mountains, the Freycinet Peninsula and the pristine waters of Great Oyster Bay, Saffire blends mankind and nature with breathtaking beauty.

Featuring 20 luxurious suites, and an exclusive day spa, restaurant, guest lounge and bar, this new experience is a celebration of the art of service, internal and external well-being, local culinary delights, ancient landscapes, and abundant wildlife.

12 Australia

In the Palate restaurant, the head chef has ensured innovative dining does not compromise the true flavours of the freshest local produce. From breakfast through to a gourmet degustation or à la carte dinner, you can customise your dining experiences to suit your tastes and schedule.

Restore your well-being in the premium spa facilities and on-site gym. Soothe your busy mind and refresh your soul with a luxurious treatment in one of Spa

Saffire’s three retreat rooms, overlooking the inspiring landscape and reflective pools. Treatments have been designed exclusively for Saffire by celebrity facialist Marionne De Candia and Dr Jean Laing, doctor of chiropractic and bodywork therapies.

Saffire's Schouten Island Signature Experience has been designed exclusively to deepen your east coast discovery. There’s a world of deserted islands, wild bushland and secluded beaches to explore. Saffire Freycinet is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia

Southern Ocean Lodge - Southern Ocean Lodge is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, an ambassador of luxe and an icon of luxury experiential travel Exclusive and award-winning, Southern Ocean Lodge is a stylish base from which to explore Australia’s Galapagos, Kangaroo Island. Just a short hop from Adelaide, the island is an arc. Wild things could be reason enough to come, but the lodge is a further enticement. From its crowning cliff-top expanse, the globally celebrated retreat offers superb luxury in a famed Australian environment.

Blending seamlessly with the pristine landscape, overlooking limestone cliffs and white-sand beaches, the lodge commands spectacular panoramic vistas.

At the heart of the lodge, the expansive Great Room offers cinematic ocean views; guests enjoy island-inspired dining in the Restaurant or a relaxed drink at the convivial open bar with an exclusively South Australian wine selection.

With a passion for providing a sense of place, the lodge offers guests a true gastronomic journey, with produce from the region showcased in every menu.

Guests are invited to treat the lodge as their luxe island home. Twenty-one superbly appointed suites cascade along the coastline; vast blue panoramas of

sky and sea fill the view from each. A dramatic glass-walled bathroom, plush bespoke furnishings and a sunken lounge evoke an elegant, Bond-style cocoon, complete with an in-suite bar filled with premium beverages and gourmet treats for the taking.

Exceptional guided adventures allow guests to experience abundant wildlife first hand (a walk amongst the sea lions is one of the island’s many privileges), whilst the secluded Southern Spa features signature treatments with Kangaroo Island botanicals to relax and rejuvenate. A generous all-inclusive tariff, firstname service and personalised experiential itinerary combine to offer the quintessential Kangaroo Island encounter.

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Saffire Freycinet

2. Southern Ocean Lodge

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Whalesong Cruises Whalesong Cruises leads the way when it comes to Fraser Island whale and dolphin watching and eco-tourism. The company has been especially recognised by Ecotourism Australia. Small groups enjoy a new vessel featuring advanced technology and decks with great spectator spots for all. You’ll be right where the action is at the water-level viewing area. Whalesong Cruises also provides gourmet catering on board.

Wilderness and Wildlife Encounters Astonishingly, 80% of Australia's mammals, reptiles and flowering plants are found nowhere else on earth. Echidnas and emus, kangaroos and koalas, wallabies and Tasmanian devils, and countless other creatures will delight you. Snorkel through crystalline waters. Explore the outback on a 4WD safari. Paddle along hidden rivers or walk isolated trails. Knowledgeable guides will help you spot whales breaching the ocean's surface or cockatoos flitting through the lush forest. Listen closely to discern the calls of exotic creatures. Discover unique wild spaces unlike any you have seen before, where humans still live in balance with nature and stars glitter brightly in the dark velvet night sky.

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Bruny Island Coastal Wilderness Cruise - Robert Pennicott’s Bruny Island Charters prides itself on its multi-award-winning, three-hour wilderness and wildlife eco-adventure cruise

Exceptional Kangaroo Island - The Exceptional Kangaroo Island experience can include accommodation at a homestead, private villa or the luxe Southern Ocean Lodge South Australia’s Kangaroo Island is home to sea lions, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, platypus, goannas, 253 bird species, possums, bandicoots and even whales, which pass through in winter. But it’s not all about wildlife. Farmers run sheep and cattle and produce quality food, whilst grape growers contribute elegant wines. A stay promises good food, good wine and wildlife.

The combination of wildlife, farmland, rugged coast and friendly locals gives visitors a real sense of being in Australia. Former wildlife ranger and Exceptional Kangaroo Island founder Craig Wickham has assembled a team of dedicated, sharp-eyed outdoor enthusiasts who combine the roles of naturalist, historian, driver, guide and storyteller. They share their knowledge of the island’s plants, animals and emerging arts culture.

Cruise the coast of Bruny Island, in the wilds of Southern Tasmania. Drive yourself to the island or take a full-day tour from Hobart that includes a return tour to Bruny Island, morning tea and lunch.

The adventure starts as you board a custom-designed eco-cruiser. Travelling along Bruny Island’s rugged coast, your guide will search for the abundant sea and coastal wildlife. Look out for seals, dolphins, whales and birds of prey as you take in your spectacular wilderness surrounds.

Ningaloo Reef Dreaming Ningaloo Reef is spectacular year round, but each year between March and July is your opportunity to swim with the awesome whale shark. Admire the beauty of these gentle giants gliding through pristine waters. On this tour, a spotter plane finds the whale sharks, so guests spend longer in the water with them—and, perhaps, manta rays and turtles, too.

Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris - Outback to the Sea showcases an amazing diversity and profusion of wildlife rarely seen elsewhere in Australia The Gawler Ranges region of South Australia is wildly beautiful outback country boasting contrasting colours of red sands and rocky gorges, blue skies and the glistening white of massive Lake Gairdner.

This is also one of the few places where three large species of macropods can be seen together. Emus are common and 140 species of birds inhabit the area, while spring is brilliant with wildflowers. With wild koalas at Mikkira Station, and sea lions and dolphins at Baird Bay, almost all Australian wildlife is covered.

Wildlife Walkabout

Pepper Bush Adventures - Enjoy Tasmanian wilderness, wildlife and wonderful bush tucker, on tours ranging from state-wide customised itineraries to remote wilderness experiences Hosts Craig and Janine Williams of Pepper Bush Adventures provide nothing short of a genuine Tasmanian experience combining the finest accommodation, natural environments and gourmet food. The customised journeys feature comfortable 4WD vehicles, a selection of Tasmania’s finest luxury accommodations and the best dining experiences, including meals prepared by high-profile Tasmanian chefs. Your tastebuds will be indulged with the multiple bush tucker courses prepared on a Pepper Bush Adventure.

Visit iconic areas like Cradle Mountain and Freycinet national parks, travel country roads, stand amongst Tasmania’s ancient forests and giant trees, climb dolerite mountain peaks, and be pleasantly surprised by close encounters with Tasmania’s wildlife species.

Enjoy a four-day journey to wilderness forests and remote coastlines—home to kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, gliding possums, cockatoos, lyrebirds, fairy wrens and water dragons. Visit magnificent stands of giant eucalypt forest, and walk along untouched ocean beaches and beside secluded waterways.

This unique tour from Melbourne includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and three nights at a friendly, homestead-style B&B.

Wildman Wilderness Lodge Located in the majestic Mary River National Park wetlands of the Northern Territory, Wildman Wilderness Lodge is open between March and November each year. Staying here is an unforgettable experience. The teeming wildlife and unique tours exist in a world far removed from your own, yet you'll find all the modern comforts of great accommodation, delicious meals and wine to enjoy at the end of each day.

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Exceptional Kangaroo Island

2. Whalesong Cruises 3. Bruny Island Coastal Wilderness Cruise 4. Ningaloo Reef Dreaming 5. Pepper Bush Adventures 6. Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris 7.

Wildlife Walkabout

8. Wildman Wilderness Lodge

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The Maria Island Walk This outstanding multi-award-winning walk combines gentle walking, elegant accommodation and dining, convict heritage, and rare wildlife found nowhere else on earth.

Experience beautiful World Heritage-listed Maria Island, with its population of just two national park rangers and one car. Departing from Hobart between October and April with a maximum of eight guests, this four-day walk is led by two friendly guides.

Walking and Trekking Experience the unique satisfactions of exploring Australia at a human pace. Take a short stroll along a secluded Tasmanian river, keeping your eyes peeled for wombats. Spot ancient Aboriginal rock carvings on a day hike near Sydney. Spend four days on a popular path with spectacular views of the Bass Strait. Or challenge yourself to complete the rugged 139-mile Larapinta Trail in the untamed Northern Territory. Whether you enjoy gentle walks or once-ina-lifetime expeditions, these are just a few of the unforgettable routes you can explore on foot.

Multi-day packages include a well-deserved rest each night, perhaps in a rustic camp, a heritage home or a richly appointed hotel.

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Sydney's Royal Coast Walks - Private, customisable coastal walks in the world's second oldest national park, less than one hour from Sydney

The Larapinta Trail - One of the world’s most spectacular and inspiring walks, amid the rugged beauty of the Red Centre Trekking sections of the Larapinta Trail, one of the most popular wilderness walks in Australia, you will cover up to 11 miles of graded trail per day. Discover the magic and mysteries concealed within this ancient environment and be swept away by the dreamtime of the area.

Central Australia is home to the tallest peaks in the Northern Territory; one of Australia's oldest and most dramatic landscapes, full of ravines, escarpments and sensational water holes; and, above all, a truly great wilderness experience that will remove you to a place filled with peace and tranquillity.

Highlights include the Ormiston Pound Circuit, traversing Glen Helen Gorge to Redbank Gorge, and ascending Mt Sonder at sunrise. Fully guided and fully supported by a ground crew, walkers carry day packs only, with the ground crew taking care of the rest.

Explore secluded beaches, ancient Aboriginal rock engravings and Depressionera hermit caves. Admire dramatic coastal views from atop sandstone cliffs, and learn about the unique flora and fauna that thrive where the bush meets the sea.

Delight in whale watching between June and October. Discover Royal National Park’s awe-inspiring coastline on a half-, full- or multi-day guided hike.

These year-round walking tours are fully catered, with a support team preparing a comfortable campsite for your arrival.

Spicers Private Walks Just 90 minutes from Brisbane, enjoy an exceptional walk through the pristine wilderness and historic trails of Main Range National Park in the Scenic Rim. Departing Spicers Canopy with an engaging bushman guide, these one-, two-, three- and four-day options feature stays en route at Spicers Canopy and luxurious Spicers Peak Lodge. Luggage is pre-delivered and all drinks and meals are prepared by a personal chef.

Bothfeet Great Ocean Walk - Combining tranquil lodge luxury with world-class hiking along Victoria's stunning Great Ocean Walk Departing from Melbourne with a maximum of 10 guests, these four-, six- and seven-day walking tours are led by experienced guides. Think only of the crashing waves, rainforest canopies, wonderful beaches and soaring ocean views as your guide takes care of the rest.

Experienced walkers, outdoors lovers, flora and fauna enthusiasts, and qualified in wilderness first aid, your guides will carry the things you will probably never need. A luxury sustainable lodge set in a rainforest amphitheatre offers fabulous regional food and wine each evening.

Bay of Fires Lodge Walk

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge - Set in the World Heritage Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park surrounded by walking trails Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge has 86 unique guest cabins that offer a luxury retreat surrounded by ancient towering forests, sheltered by breathtaking mountains, perfected by clean glacial lakes and streams, and networked with more than 20 trails catering to every fitness level. It is generally agreed that one of the best ways to appreciate the World Heritage-listed environment at Cradle Mountain is by taking a scenic walk, and a host of walks leave directly from the grounds.

Wildlife abounds, with a Tasmanian devil sanctuary nearby and wallabies in the bushland on site. Retreat to the comfort of the lodge for fireside drinks by night and enjoy two acclaimed restaurants. If you want to rest those weary legs, you will be pleased to know that the lodge is also home to a spectacular wilderness spa.

At the edge of Tasmania’s Mount William National Park, along the magnificent coastline of the Bay of Fires, a lucky few experience unusual and dramatic landscapes, ecology and wildlife. Departing from Launceston between May and October with a maximum of 10 guests, this four-day walking experience is led by two experienced guides. Stay overnight at Forester Beach Camp and the award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge.

Cradle Mountain Huts Walk Discover the rare beauty and extraordinary diversity of Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park on a walk following the famous Overland Track.

Departing from Launceston between October and May with a maximum of 10 guests, this sixday (or shorter four-day) walking experience is led by two experienced guides. Private twinroom hut accommodation with basic facilities en route.

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The Larapinta Trail

2. The Maria Island Walk 3. Sydney’s Royal Coast Walks 4. Spicers Private Walks 5. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge 6. Bothfeet Great Ocean Walk 7.

Bay of Fires Lodge Walk

8. Cradle Mountain Huts Walk

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Wild Bush Luxury Immerse yourself in your own wild bush story. Share Australia’s most inspirational and spectacular landscapes with just a privileged few. Explore these timeless places in the company of seasoned guides. Experience a deep, lasting connection with Australia’s natural environment that will challenge your every sense. As the evening of each unforgettable day draws to a close, be pampered with superb service in exclusive bush camps, along with a supremely comfortable bed, quality linen, en-suite bathrooms, and delicious food and wine. Stay where natural and understated luxury is in tune with the surrounding environment, and let the magic of Australia's unspoiled bush unfold.

The Arkaba Walk - An immersion in the story of a land with 600 million years of history Traverse the ancient lines of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges on a private conservation sanctuary and experience the scale and size of the outback and its remarkable wildlife.

Leading a group of no more than eight walkers, Arkaba’s guides have a passion for conservation that gives guests an understanding of the bush that enriches, informs and shapes minds. Visit secret spots in the ranges to hear stories of the people—indigenous inhabitants, explorers and settlers—who have created its human history. At night, experience the signature star bed.

Bamurru Plains - Telling a story of the Top End’s six seasons, Bamurru Plains is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia Glide by airboat through fields of lotus lilies and enchanting paperbark forests.

View buffalo, wallabies, crocodiles and abundant bird life in one of Australia’s most diverse wildlife areas, Bamurru Plains. Embrace the unique wild bush environment, and the wildlife and bird life for whom it is home.

Arrive by air or road from Darwin to nine freestanding safari bungalows and 116 square miles of country accessible to a maximum of only 18 guests. Located on the coastal floodplains of the Mary River delta, just west of Kakadu National Park, the lodge offers varied guided activities, including wetland airboat trips, river cruises, guided bushwalks and open-top safari drives. Many consider Bamurru Plains to be the most exclusive lodge experience in the Top End of Australia.

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Arkaba Station - Take in the sheer scale of South Australia’s outback at Arkaba Station, a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia Set in the ancient landscape of the Flinders Ranges, the 60,000 acres of Arkaba’s outback sheep station are home to an extraordinary variety of bird life and wildlife. An escape to Arkaba’s five-bedroom heritage homestead, which has been lovingly restored, is akin to staying with friends in the country.

Wild Bush Luxury field guides bring to life the incredible natural and pastoral heritage of a land moulded by hundreds of millions of years of geological activity. Enjoy expert guiding by day and return to classic comfort by night.

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Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

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- This exclusive wilderness camp—located where the outback meets the reef—is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia Hidden amongst the dunes on the edge of one of the most pristine reef systems in the world, Sal Salis safari camp accommodates a maximum of 18 guests in nine spacious en-suite wilderness tents on raised platforms. Sensitively designed, your accommodation is just 50 metres from the water's edge—and not just any water, but the spectacular Ningaloo Reef Marine Park.

Snorkel on Australia’s greatest fringing reef just metres from your tent. From March to July, swim with whale sharks. Turtle watching, bird watching, guided walks into Cape Range National Park and seasonal humpback whale watching all delight discerning and adventurous guests. By night, bush cuisine, with a hint of native produce, is prepared by the resident chef and accompanied by a selection of premium wines, savoured under wild bush starry skies.

Kuri Bay - Experience the hidden story of Australia’s last frontier in this harshly beautiful Kimberley coastal bay Kuri Bay oozes history and character, and your stay will be utterly exclusive and rustically chic. Staying on one of Australia’s first South Sea pearl farms connects you to country. Spend your days exploring the coastline, and learning both the natural and human stories of the region: tales of seven-foot-tall Aboriginal people; the heroics and tragedy of the 1864 Settlement; Camden Sound, one of the world’s great humpback whale sanctuaries; Montgomery Reef and cascading tidal waterfalls; and the famed yet secretive pearling industry.

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Bamurru Plains

2. The Arkaba Walk 3. Arkaba Station 4. Sal Salis Nigaloo Reef 5. Blue Mountains Private Safaris 6. Kuri Bay

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Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia

Australia's Accessible Outback Australia's magnificent outback is closer than you might think. A direct flight from Perth takes you to the Kimberley, a vast expanse of thundering waterfalls, diamond mines, eerie rock formations...and golden beaches. A half-day's drive north of Adelaide brings you to the Flinders Ranges, where you can cycle along hundreds of miles of mountain trails or take a 4WD desert safari. Canoe, hike, camp or fish in Nitmiluk National Park, famed for its magnificent gorges and fascinating Aboriginal heritage.

Or get a taste of the wilderness on the Gold Coast at the Australian Outback Spectacular, an attraction that brings the outback to life—thundering hooves, barbecued steak and all.

Pinctada Kimberley Grande

Pinctada Cable Beach Resort and Spa

- In a timeless land of majestic outback vistas, visit a resort that captures the Kimberley’s sense of place and space

- Personal moments; endless horizons on the edge of the outback

Just a three-hour flight from Perth, Kununurra is the gateway to landscape on a grand scale. Off-road tracks lead past gorges, waterfalls and cattle stations the size of small European countries. Visit Purnululu National Park, Lake Argyle, Mitchell Plateau and Ord River.

Pinctada Cable Beach Resort and Spa is Broome’s newest full-service spa resort.

It captures the essence of this exotic, remote and yet accessible destination, reflecting Broome’s unique beauty, contrasts, culture and climate.

Designed on the premise that where you stay is as much a part of your journey as the landscape you pass through, Pinctada Kimberley Grande offers luxurious spa suites and graciously sized guest rooms where the colours and textures of the landscape are reflected in the décor, furnishings and original artwork.

The experience includes a range of dining and tour options, and a 25-metre swimming pool with spa. Relax in a homestead-style haven where those in the know start and end each day of their Kimberley stay.

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Inspired by Pinctada maxima, the shell that nurtures the world’s most beautiful pearl, Broome’s new spa resort is an experience created to nurture you. The 72room resort has a boutique feel, with rooms nestled around the Maxima Pool and the serene Meditative Garden. Whether your quest is serenity or adventure, sophistication or lounging, here you’ll find luxury accommodation in a range of hotel studios, suites and villas, along with time and space, understated elegance and around-the-clock attention. Take your daily exercise in the fitness room or the 25-metre lap lane, or simply lounge on the sun beds and enjoy attentive service from the staff from the Brizo Pool Bar.

Rawnsley Park Station

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

Rawnsley Park Station's eco-villas provide the perfect base for exploring South Australia's rugged Flinders Ranges. The one- and twobedroom eco-villas, accessed by road or air, are set on a secluded, elevated site with 360-degree views of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding ranges, within easy reach of the station's facilities. Stylish and contemporary, the bedrooms have retractable fabric ceilings and roof skylights.

- Where the outback meets the ocean—a fabulous resort in Broome located on spectacular Cable Beach Delight in one of Australia’s most alluring and idyllic escapes, and an unusual blend of cultural influences and architecture. Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa features luxurious villas, suites, and deluxe rooms with tropical garden, pool or ocean views. Fittings are quintessentially Australian, with polished timber floors and original artworks.

Relax in the resort's restaurants, bars, lagoon-style pools and gymnasium. Enjoy tennis courts, mini golf, a resort shop, and the luxurious Chahoya Spa and Salon at this multi-award-winning resort.

El Questro Wilderness Park and Homestead - A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, the uncompromising luxury of El Questro Homestead sits in stark contrast to the rugged Kimberley landscape

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Found on the eastern perimeter of the Kimberley region and easily accessed by air or road, El Questro Wilderness Park’s almost one million acres showcase a phenomenal diversity of landscape, from broad tidal flats and rugged sandstone gorges to rainforest pockets.

Australian Outback Spectacular - Spirit of the Horse is an exciting Gold Coast dramatization of one of Australia’s most legendary outback stories Celebrate a tribute to Phar Lap, 'Hero to a Nation!' His story is retold as Australian Outback Spectacular celebrates the courageous spirit of the famed horse and commemorates the legend that is Phar Lap. Featuring a highly skilled cast of larger-than-life characters, magnificent animals—including the Australian stockhorse—and stunning special effects, this night to remember is Australia's newest live show with three-course dinner, proudly presented by R.M. Williams.

El Questro Homestead’s accommodation is open between April and October, hosts a maximum of 18 guests, and provides the highest standards of service and cuisine. Wherever you decide to dine, it will almost always be under a spectacular canopy of stars.

Nitmiluk Chalets, Katherine Gorge Nitmiluk Gorge near Katherine in the Top End is a spectacular maze of waterways sculpted from sandstone over countless millennia. Uniquely positioned right at the entrance to the gorge and just metres from the departure point for touring vessels, Nitmiluk chalets provide basic self-contained overnight accommodation. See wildlife from your balcony and cool off in the pool after your days of outback adventure.

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Pinctada Cable Beach Resort and Spa

2. Pinctada Kimberley Grande 3. Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa 4. Australian Outback Spectacular 5. Rawnsley Park Station 6. El Questro Wilderness Park and Homestead 7.

Nitmiluk Chalets, Katherine Gorge

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Aussie Rural Life Explore a seemingly endless rural station on horseback. Learn to rope cattle or shear a sheep. And raise a glass of fine wine to a sunset like none you've ever seen before. This is the authentic outback, and you have the privilege to share this worldfamous countryside with some of the hardy, welcoming people who have made it their home for generations.

Enjoy warm, luxurious hospitality on an Australian homestead, along with hearty meals prepared from the produce of the land. Experience the simple pleasures of rural life: bushwalk ancient trails, cast your fishing line into a glittering river or cool off in a natural swimming hole. Or survey the vast landscape on a sightseeing flight.

Bullo River Station

Spicers Hidden Vale

- A Top End cattle station in the classic mould

- Set on a 12,000-acre working farm amongst rolling hills and lush bushland

On the East Kimberley’s hot, thirsty plains, with half a million acres and 8,000 Brahman-cross cattle, this is a place where rivers are home to lurking crocodiles, rugged hills are inscribed with Aboriginal rock art, wild buffalo roam free and stock skills are still very much alive.

There is no such thing as a typical day at Bullo River Station. The friendly and capable team customises guests’ activities each day. Enjoy fishing for the famous barramundi, horse riding, 4WD tours, quad biking, cattle mustering and helicopter tours. Relax at the homestead and retire to purposebuilt accommodation.

Just one hour southwest of Brisbane, Spicers Hidden Vale is a unique Australian getaway. The historic early 1900s property is centred on the grand old homestead, which has a storied history and features Cotton's Restaurant, a classic fine dining experience specialising in Australian fare.

Choose a peaceful escape or action-packed adventure. Enjoy yourself in the great outdoors with everything from bush walking, mountain biking, archery and horse riding to a half-day 4WD adventure. Native flora and fauna are some of the property's greatest attractions.

Angorichina Station - Become completely absorbed into the life of a working station and the real experience of the Australian outback Covering 214 square miles, Angorichina is a working outback sheep station set in the stunning Flinders Ranges, one of Australia’s most impressive landscapes, remote yet easily accessible.

Hosts Ian and Di Fargher are the fourth generation to run the family-owned station and welcome guests exclusively, one booking at a time. This is your opportunity to enjoy the thrills of scenic flights, rugged 4WD tours, outback walking and wildlife spotting. Experience classic Australian country hospitality, including shared riverside barbecues and accomplished cooking.

Home Valley Station Homestead - Station life on an enormous 3.5 million acres of untamed Kimberley wilderness Home Valley Station, just off the Gibb River Road, is an outback adventure playground. Explore a breathtaking combination of towering gorges, sparkling waterholes, ever-flowing rivers, untouched beaches, billabongs, waterfalls, and stunning ancient landforms and ranges.

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Tour with knowledgeable guides, and engage in gentle gorge walks, relaxing boating or fishing, adventurous horse treks, and—of course—cattle mustering.

Arrive by air or road (April to October). For the most luxe accommodation option, choose a spacious Grass Castle.

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Prairie Hotel Parachilna - Parachilna has an official population of just two (seasonally adjusted), but its remoteness is one of the endearing aspects of this memorable hotel The Prairie Hotel Parachilna is truly an oasis on the edge of the outback and the famous Flinders Ranges, surrounded by some of the most ancient and fascinating rock formations on Earth. From the hotel, you can enjoy magnificent views of both the ranges and the vast red desert plains sweeping toward Lake Torrens. Inside the hotel, you’ll find great character, charm and creature comforts, topped off with superb cuisine and astounding artwork. All of this is still only 30 minutes' drive from the famous Parachilna and Brachina gorges of Flinders Ranges National Park.

First licensed in 1876, the front of the hotel was completed in 1906. Jane and Ross Fargher took sole ownership of the property in 1994 and have merged the old with the new to create a stunning new dimension to outback hospitality.

The Farghers are one of the original pastoral families in the area and also own the neighbouring Nilpena Station, a full-on cattle station. Fargher Air flies from

the front door of the hotel, providing guests with bird's-eye views of scenic ranges, magnificent sand dunes and the vast Lake Torrens, with options to fly to Lake Eyre and beyond. Or simply sit back and chill, watch the light play on the ranges and the plains, then perhaps enjoy a Fargher lager on the verandah while watching a Parachilna sunset.

While traversing the countryside, trace the footsteps of Australia’s pioneers, visit nearby copper mines and local stone ruins, and gain insights into the lives of the local Aboriginal people. Meet the local characters who make the outback their home. Try the legendary feral foods, native cuisine and retro country fare with a twist that have made the hotel distinctive.

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Bullo River Station

2. Angorichina Station 3. Spicers Hidden Vale 4. Home Valley Station Homestead 5. Prairie Hotel Parachilna

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Aboriginal Country Immerse yourself in the oldest continuous culture on the planet, dating back up to 150,000 years, by discovering the art, dance and music of Australia's Aboriginal people.

Sample bush tucker—indigenous foods like kangaroo, bush tomatoes and pencil yams—cooked over an outdoor fire, as elders mesmerize visitors with traditional creation stories. Tour remote rock art sites with an Aboriginal guide who can explain every brushstroke and symbol. Visit sacred places such as Uluru and learn their ancient histories. For an unforgettable experience, stay in an Aboriginal-owned resort, where opportunities to meet and learn from your hosts abound. Discover the authentic soul of this timeless land.

Cicada Lodge

Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris

- The Jawoyn people invite you to experience the history, beauty and culture of one of Australia’s most spectacular destinations

- Access a very special, protected and highly restricted indigenous land via honorary custodian status bestowed by traditional owners

Cicada Lodge overlooks the Katherine River in Nitmiluk National Park, south of Darwin. The luxury lodge has been designed for the discerning traveller seeking authenticity of culture and place.

Discover a rarely visited land of rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs—a stunningly beautiful wilderness and a cultural map to the Aboriginal owners.

Explore wild places teeming with barramundi, crocodiles and bird life. See valley caves that have been occupied for over 50,000 years.

Enjoy gorge cruises, canoe trips, picnic lunches and private dining. Immerse yourself in ancient surrounds, visiting rock art sites rarely open to the public and swimming in private waterholes accessible only by helicopter, then return to the luxury of Cicada Lodge. Open year round from 2013.

Nabilil Dinner Cruise - In Jawoyn country, choose the jewel in the crown of cruises in Nitmiluk Gorge Near Katherine lies the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge. Sit back and relax as the tranquil surroundings transport you into a spiritual world of Jawoyn culture and history, as the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people unfold. Travel against the magnificent backdrop of the Nitmiluk Gorge, as its cliff face changes colour with the setting sun.

Bama Way Discovery Tour - Tour World Heritage-listed rainforest, pristine beaches and sweeping outback landscapes, in the company of Aboriginal guides The Bama Way Discovery Tour combines three Aboriginal tours into a fascinating three-day journey presented by a leading Aboriginal tour specialist, Adventure North Australia. Small groups travel in 4WD vehicles through Tropical North Queensland from Cairns or Port Douglas to Cooktown.

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Drive or fly from Darwin to the remote and exclusively leased Davidson’s Arnhemland Safari Lodge on 270 square miles at Mt Borradaile, a registered sacred site in Arnhemland, and begin your exclusive adventure.

Walking in the footsteps of three ancient Aboriginal clans, learn traditional hunting and survival techniques, taste bush tucker, and gain insights into these varied cultures through storytelling and ancient rock art.

Experience the spectacular beauty of the gorge by candlelight whilst enjoying delicious Australian cuisine. Cruise slowly through the gorge as the day dies and the beauty of the Northern Territory night skies takes over.

Kimberley Dreamtime Adventure Tours Are you keen for an adventure trip to one of the Kimberley’s best-kept secrets? This tour includes a camel safari and a visit to a cultural centre, where you will see traditional weapons, tools and artwork. See an ancient living site, hear dreamtime stories, and enjoy billy tea and fresh-cooked damper. The day is filled with interaction, history, culture, adventure, nature, wildlife and excitement.

Red Centre Culture and Country Safari - A traditional Aboriginal cultural experience Journey to Central Australian Aboriginal outback communities and hear local creation stories, and learn about indigenous art, wildlife, bush tucker, medicines, artefacts, utensils and weaponry.

Experience the raw Australian outback—exclusive bush tracks, remote bush camping, campfire cooking and sleeping under the clearest southern skies, with experienced guides whose bush skills will keep you safe and comfortable.

From Alice Springs, this fascinating journey reveals the secrets of the Red Centre, the day-to-day lives of local Aboriginal people, their land and their deep connection to it.

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Uluru Highlights and Bushtucker - Unique small group journeys throughout Central Australia embracing the spirit of the traditional owners

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Feel the spirit of the traditional ancestors and the history of the pioneers.

Experience the emotion of the outback as you undertake your journey. Feed your intellect with highly knowledgeable and professional guides, who educate you at each step with information on the flora, fauna, environment, culture and history of the outback.

Central Australian Photographic Tour - Visit and photograph the Red Centre, where the local Anangu Aboriginal people’s belief system is intertwined with the landscape This six-day photographic tour showcases the beauty, natural wonders and sacred timelessness of some of the most special locations in Central Australia.

In the heart of the Australian desert, receive tips and tuition from one of Australia’s most highly regarded photographers, Grenville Turner. Enjoy myriad opportunities to photograph awesome and symbolic scenery and wildlife.

Learn about light and composition, and discover how to create photographic opportunities as you travel in extraordinary locations.

With a maximum of 12 guests on these small group tours, passionate guides provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience showcasing the adventure, culture and iconic environment of the Red Centre.

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Cicada Eco Lodge

2. Bama Way Discovery Tour

Daintree Dreaming The Kubirri Warra brothers guide your short coastal and mangrove walk north of Port Douglas, teaching hunting and gathering skills, and searching for bush tucker like fish, mud crab and mussels. Enjoy homemade damper on the balcony of the family home, lunch in the rainforest at Silky Oaks Lodge, a swim and a guided rainforest walk at Niau Waterfall.

Discover the Daintree through the eyes of its traditional custodians.

3. Davidsons Arnhemland Safaris 4. Nabilil Dinner Cruise 5. Red Centre Culture and Country Safari 6. Central Australian Photographic Tour 7.

Kimberley Dreamtime Adventure Tours

8. Uluru Highlights and Bush Tucker 9.

Daintree Dreaming

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Exclusive Touring Your holiday is never as long as you would like, so why waste a moment of it wrestling with maps, flipping through guidebooks and trying to guess which sights to see?

Leave all that to knowledgeable local guides and you'll have more time to enjoy the rich diversity of Australia—whether you're interested in the cosmopolitan delights of Sydney, the captivating little penguins of Phillip Island, boutique wineries or wilderness enclaves.

Join a small group tour—limited to just a few lucky guests—or arrange a private, tailor-made trip for your party alone. Either way, your expert guide will take you off the beaten path to visit local treasures and hidden spots few tourists ever see.

The Daintree Unwrapped Luxury Escapes - Tropical North Queensland small group and private touring Australian Luxury Escapes offers a consistency of expertise across Australia.

Travel with a highly qualified and knowledgeable guide, privately or as part of a small group, from your Tropical North Queensland accommodations. Meander north to the idyllic village of Daintree, unlocking the secrets of the amazing ecosystem that is the tropical rainforest. Swim in a water hole under a majestic waterfall, enjoy the tranquillity of the natural environment and spot crocodiles by private boat on the Daintree River. Visit Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge, where your guide will interpret the area.

Ultimate Sydney Sailing Private Experience - Charter your private Sydney land and harbour adventure Australian Luxury Escapes offers a wealth of fantastic itineraries throughout Australia—fully guided and intimate experiences created just for you. Whether you are a family, a honeymoon couple, a group of friends or just someone wanting a private experience, this is an excellent way to personalise your Sydney visit.

Enjoy innovative itineraries, superb food and wine, and the insights of highly experienced guides.

Just one of many itinerary suggestions—which you can modify, of course—is the Ultimate Sydney Sailing Private Experience. After greeting you at your hotel, your guide will offer an enlightening walk around the historic city to Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House. Meet your luxury vehicle under the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge for a drive to the city’s upscale suburbs. Savour Doyle’s famous fish and chips before boarding your yacht or luxury cruiser for a cruise around Sydney Harbour with afternoon tea.

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Penguins, Koalas and Wildlife Private Experience - Arrange a private charter for a memorable wildlife experience Australian Luxury Escapes offers small group and private charter touring across Australia, including many sample itineraries from Melbourne. The Penguins, Koalas and Wildlife Private Experience takes you first to a protected koala colony, where you will walk with your guide through bushland and wetlands, watching for wallabies and a range of birds. Then it's time for the main attraction: the little penguins. Coming ashore each evening at dusk, the colony makes its way across the beach in groups, ‘talking’ loudly as they waddle to their nests. Private guests enjoy the best views.

Premier Travel Tasmania - Refined encounters with nature Tasmania’s specialist, award-winning tour operator, Premier Travel, offers premium private charter and small group tours throughout Australia’s island state. Join a scheduled tour, book a private trip, or have a private charter journey designed around your interests, from history to wildlife, mountains, coastlines, bush walking, or food and wine.

From the alpine areas of Cradle Mountain to the wetlands and plains of Narawntapu National Park, creative itineraries showcase Tasmania’s diverse natural setting, unique wildlife and rich history, as local expert guides bring Tasmania’s stories to life.

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Blue Mountains Deluxe Experience

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- Small group and private touring of the magnificent Blue Mountains from Sydney With more than 20 years’ experience, Australian Luxury Escapes has evolved to cater to guests visiting Australia year after year, each time requesting new and innovative ways of exploring this great land. With no fewer than 25 sample tour itineraries featuring the Blue Mountains, you have no shortage of options to use as starting points for planning your journey. Travel as part of a small group on an existing itinerary, or arrange a private charter for your day or overnight stay.

Highly trained and experienced guides lead a variety of tours, including the Blue Mountains Deluxe Experience. Travel by luxury vehicle through a natural wonderland of untamed bush, spectacular rock formations and native wildlife.

Visit uncrowded lookouts where you can sit alone with nature. Enjoy a bush walk with your guide by your side, interpreting your surroundings. For the ultimate tour, fly by plane or helicopter.

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Boutique Bespoke Tours - Private, tailored, luxury touring, in and around Sydney Sydney, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, offers many diverse and unexpected charms, so the ideal day is a different experience for everyone.

From visits to classic Sydney icons to experiences beyond the city fringe, Boutique Bespoke Tours are individually created so you can enjoy a truly private touring experience. Travel with your own guide and vehicle, whether you're a couple looking for a romantic adventure or a family group seeking something to keep everyone engaged. Varied itineraries featuring fabulous experiences are tailored to suit you.

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Ultimate Sydney Sailing Private Experience

2. The Daintree Unwrapped 3. Penguins, Koalas and Wildlife Private Experience 4. Blue Mountains Deluxe Experience 5. Premier Travel Tasmania 6. Boutique Bespoke Tours

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Great Barrier Reef One of the world’s seven natural wonders, spread over 115,800 square miles (an area larger than the UK, Holland and Switzerland combined), the Great Barrier Reef is an ecosystem of unsurpassed diversity. Dive, snorkel or cruise the reef and revel in astonishingly clear azure waters alive with colourful coral and marine animals. Gasp in awe as playful clownfish, brilliantly hued butterfly fish and schools of tiny damselfish dart around your toes as you swim. Feel your cares melt away in the warmth of the tropical sun. At night, let the gentle waves lull you to sleep aboard a spacious boat or unwind in a secluded, fivestar resort where you'll hear the whispering surf even in your dreams.

Angsana Great Barrier Reef Resort

Spirit of Freedom

- Retreat to an ecological paradise

- Luxury live-aboard dive cruising to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and remote Coral Sea reefs

A beachfront resort in Palm Cove village, Angsana Great Barrier Reef Resort is picture-postcard gorgeous. Nestled amongst majestic palm trees and only steps from the golden sands of Palm Cove Beach, this is a beautiful base for exploring the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.

Return to luxury after a day on the water. The resort features spacious all-suite accommodation, comprehensive resort services, a beachfront restaurant and the multi-award-winning Angsana Spa. Offering views of azure tropical water and a magnificent stretch of golden beach, this resort is pure indulgence.

Take your lifetime dream of diving the Great Barrier Reef a step further, and join Spirit of Freedom to dive some of the world’s most famous, remote and spectacular sites. Multi-day expeditions promise amazing diversity, from the picturesque coral gardens of the Ribbon Reefs to the enormous Potato Cod at The Cod Hole, the incredible shark dive and 1,000-metre walls of the Coral Sea reefs.

The Spirit of Freedom provides spacious cabins for 26 guests, gourmet meals, and the latest in navigation and scuba technology.

Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove - Explore Tropical North Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef from this impressive deluxe resort Located on beachfront on the southern end of Palm Cove, Sea Temple offers an amazing selection of Asian-inspired, beautifully detailed studio rooms, or apartments with the option of a luxurious private plunge pool or rooftop terrace.

Resort guests enjoy a first-class day spa, so you can drift into bliss, and restore and revive yourself. Soak up the lifestyle by enjoying a cocktail overlooking the central lagoon pool before a sunset walk on the beachfront. Here is the serenity you've been looking for in a paradise you will love.

Reef House Boutique Resort & Spa - Sophisticated yet relaxed in the heart of Palm Cove village Distinctly different from other hotels, this luxurious boutique resort reflects a rich traditional history throughout. Nestled amongst tropical gardens and towering melaleuca trees, the colonial-style resort features three swimming pools, two spas, a waterfall, an honour lounge, and spacious rooms and suites, each with its own private verandah.

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An exquisite award-winning beachside restaurant with superb cuisine and exceptional service is a gourmand’s delight. Dine overlooking the magical Coral Sea, under whose sparkling surface tomorrow’s Great Barrier Reef adventure awaits.

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DescaradA Luxury Charters

Silversonic Dive & Snorkel Adventure

- Explore the Great Barrier Reef waters of the beautiful Whitsunday Islands in absolute luxury

- An exhilarating day of fun and adventure aboard the ultra-modern dive and snorkel catamaran Silversonic

DescaradA2, a world-class luxury cruise vessel, departs from Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. At 33 metres in length, the vessel boasts a spacious top deck and four elegant en-suite cabins: a king double, a double, a triple and a family cabin. Enjoy a dreamy island escape, cruising crystal-clear waters and experiencing the pure white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, Nara Inlet, Manta Ray Bay and Blue Pearl Bay.

Enjoy your precious time on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef in superb style and comfort. Designed for small groups, adventure snorkelers and divers (including beginning divers), the ultra-modern 29-metre catamaran Silversonic departs daily from Port Douglas, with pickups in Cairns and Palm Cove. A balance of adventure, comfort and style, the vessel features expansive sun decks, change rooms, air-conditioned lounges, a licensed bar and hot freshwater showers.

With a maximum of 12 guests on board and a permanent crew of four, threenight pre-scheduled cruises depart twice a week, whilst private charters are prebooked on a request basis. The attentive crew looks after guests’ every need, with a lavish selection of food and beverages available. Activities en route include jet skiing, kayaking, snorkelling, fishing and bush walking. Those booking a private charter may also choose to scuba dive.

As you cruise speedily to the reef, Silversonic’s state-of-the-art ride control helps to ensure that your trip is smooth, even at speeds of up to 32 knots. Enjoy over five hours to explore three spectacular Outer Reef sites at the renowned Agincourt Reef. Each site has been chosen for its visual and ecological diversity.

Learn from expert crew members and guides during a snorkel brief at each site and an included guided snorkel tour.

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Angsana Great Barrrier Reef Resort

2. Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove 3. Reef House Boutique Resort & Spa 4. Spirit of Freedom 5. DescaradA Luxury Charters 6. Silversonic Dive & Snorkel Adventures

31 www.travelbag.co.uk

Luxury Island Resorts Run away from the mundane world to an idyllic setting of turquoise waters and sugar-sand beaches, where thoughtful hoteliers have created luxurious escapes to cater to your every holiday whim. Enjoy a soothing massage on a floating bed in a tranquil cove. Paddle a sea kayak or cut a glittering arc across the water on a wakeboard. Polish your culinary skills with a cooking class, or simply enjoy the luscious cuisine created by superbly skilled chefs. At these amazing island resorts, few dreams are impossible. Savour a private catered picnic, take a sunset cruise or fly by helicopter to a stunning golf course. Sail, snorkel or scuba dive along the Great Barrier Reef.

The choices are almost endless.

qualia, Great Barrier Reef - A true sanctuary where everything has been meticulously considered to relax the mind, yet completely spoil the senses qualia is nestled neatly into the northern tip of Hamilton Island, surrounded by the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Its distinctive Australian style, secluded location and intuitive service combine to make it a world-class luxury resort.

Each of the 60 pavilions boasts postcard views of the Whitsundays, and some have plunge pools. The qualia Beach House—with its generous space, private lap pool and secluded location—is the ultimate hideaway.

Within qualia, two exclusive restaurants serve exquisitely fresh local produce.

For a more casual dining experience, jump in your own two-seater golf buggy and explore the rest of the island’s restaurants.

You can also find peace in your favourite pastime. Go for a bush walk, refresh in one of the two serene pools, read a book in the library or sip a cocktail by the bar.

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Spa qualia offers rejuvenating anti-stress, anti-aging, detoxifying and cleansing treatments. It also features a Swiss shower, sunken Roman baths, a steam room, and a yoga and meditation pavilion.

Yet more dimensions of the Hamilton Island experience are the new Hamilton Island Golf Club and Hamilton Island Yacht Club. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the 18-hole championship golf course is on par with Australia’s top golfing destinations for its design, location and facilities. It features jaw-dropping views of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.

The state-of-the-art Yacht Club is the new focal point for fine dining on Hamilton Island, featuring modern Australian cuisine and the outdoor Bommie Deck, with stunning views of the Hamilton Island Marina and Dent Passage. qualia is easily accessible, with direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

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Hayman - Hayman, Australasia’s highly lauded luxury nature resort, is a private island of astonishing natural beauty and refinement: romantic, pristine and exotic Arrive by luxury launch transfer, seaplane or helicopter to a place of restoration, adventure and indulgence, with a front-row seat to the Great Barrier Reef.

Within Hayman, stylish elegance reflects the harmonious freshness of the tranquil surrounds. Hide away in your own superb haven—guest room, suite, penthouse, villa or beach house—each offering stunning appointments and peaceful garden, lagoon, pool, beach or sea vistas, making the most of the magnificent surrounds.

Hayman’s wonderful reef location provides the perfect setting to savour the magnificence of the World Heritage-listed paradise that surrounds the island.

Enjoy catamaran sailing, paddle skiing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, water skiing, PADI diving, snorkelling, fishing, beach drops to secluded locations, reef cruises, yacht charters, and helicopter and seaplane adventures.

Within the resort, relax in the solitude of the Hayman health and spa facility, work out in the gym, play tennis or squash, practise your golf drive or putt, join

a culinary class, or head off on a fascinating island walk, taking in the beautiful botanic garden and rugged bushland surrounds.

Hayman’s chefs present innovative and traditional menus in the resort’s superb restaurants, which showcase contemporary Australian and international cuisine, and in an array of other indoor and outdoor settings. Hayman is a longstanding member of the prestigious organisation The Leading Hotels of the World.

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qualia, Great Barrier Reef

2. Hayman

33 www.travelbag.co.uk

Unique Island Hideaways Dotted along Australia’s seemingly endless coastline are islands that offer sweet indulgence and a respite from everyday cares. Feel your shoulders relax and your mind stop racing when you first discover a beach that is yours alone. On an island, life slows down, leaving you time to take a deep breath and enjoy the paradise that surrounds you. Marvel at the wildlife in these secluded places, from sea turtles and wallabies to koalas and whales.

Spend your days frolicking in the world’s greatest marine park. On land, cycle quiet roads, go bird-watching or play a leisurely game of tennis.

Or simply sunbathe, sleep and read, lulled into tranquillity by the warmth of the sun and gentle sea winds.

Wilson Island - A divine sweep of caster sugar sands that is home to turtles and birds Wilson Island is a tiny coral cay located just 40 minutes from Heron Island, both part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it. The pristine waters lapping at the sands host an unimaginable variety of marine life, including colourful coral and fish. Some of the best snorkelling you can experience is just off the beach.

Offering designer-inspired accommodation, Wilson Island hosts just 12 guests. The sensitively constructed private hideaways give you direct access to magnificent reef and beach environments, including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds.

Lizard Island - Consistently ranked as one of the best luxury resorts in the world, Lizard Island draws a privileged few

Peppers Blue on Blue Resort - Set in tropical landscaped surrounds with beautiful marina and mountain views Peppers Blue on Blue redefines the essence of island holidays on Queensland’s magical Magnetic Island. It's positioned on the water's edge in the heart of a new waterfront precinct with its own marina, where you can soak up a supremely nautical atmosphere.

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Accommodation includes contemporary yet timelessly designed guest rooms, including resort-style suites and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Fully embracing its waterfront location, the resort's sleekly decorated suites have sundrenched balconies, and some feature private plunge pools.

Fly from Cairns to Lizard Island. Your surrounds are 24 powdery white sand beaches and a glimmering turquoise sea teeming with marine life. Step off the beach onto the Great Barrier Reef, one of the wonders of the world. Internationally renowned for its scuba diving, including the famous Cod Hole, and some of the best game fishing in the world, the tropical north reef awaits adventurers. At a slower pace, enjoy yourself equally with a gourmet picnic for two on one of the island’s many secluded beaches or an indulgent treatment in the award-winning Azure Spa. With world-class dining included, refined accommodation and impeccable service, Lizard Island is a luxurious getaway rivalled by few places on earth.

As the resort has only 40 rooms and suites, privacy and intimacy are assured.

Lizard Island is the island of choice for those in the know. A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

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Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island

Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island

- Capella Lodge is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, representing a new era of Australian luxury experiential travel

- Nestled under kentias and banyan trees on Lord Howe Island, where mountain pastures meet Old Settlement Beach

Celebrated as the pinnacle of luxury on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, Capella Lodge rests atop romantic Lovers Bay. An inspired architectural design offers spectacular views of the ocean, reef and mountains.

A feeling of relaxed sophistication prevails throughout, attracting the discerning experiential traveller or guests seeking a civilised sub-tropical island escape.

A short flight from Australia’s east coast transports you to a treasure island.

Take palm forest walks and explore the world’s southernmost coral reef.

Capella’s nine island-style suites are designed to complement Lord Howe’s pristine natural environment. Dining showcases fresh regional produce.

Inspired by the carefree spirit of the authentic Australian beach house, yet offering unforgettable ‘first-name’ service, this is barefoot luxury at its best.

Lie on a secluded beach, savour fine food and wine, and sit back and rediscover the art of fine conversation as island life settles your soul. Family-owned and -managed Arajilla offers 12 beautifully appointed one- and two-bedroom suites.

It promotes an all-inclusive experience, including transfers, nightly turndowns, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-dinner drinks and three-course dining with daily-changing menus.

The relaxing guest lounge and the island's renowned Arajilla Restaurant are popular retreats, as is the award-winning Day Spa specialising in Ayurveda therapies and treatments. The resort provides bicycles, snorkelling and light fishing gear, beach towels, and backpacks for guest use. Play golf, or go bushwalking, swimming, diving, fishing, or cycling around the island from your luxurious base.

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Wilson Island

2. Peppers Blue on Blue Resort 3. Lizard Island 4. Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island 5. Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island

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Flames of the Forest Flames of the Forest has to be felt. Ignite your senses during this spellbinding dining experience beneath the canopy of the oldest rainforest in the world, only ten minutes from Port Douglas. Feel the wonder of this legendary place, and explore the mysteries of time, Aboriginal culture and stunning cuisine in the candlelit drama that is the enchanted rainforest.

Tropical Rainforest As dawn breaks over one of the world's oldest rainforests, a symphony of birdsong swells. Parrots, lorikeets, fruit doves and catbirds may add their voices to the chorus. That's just the beginning of a day in a nature-lover's paradise, where crocodiles snooze in cool rivers and electric blue Ulysses butterflies flit below a sun-dappled canopy of tulip oaks and umbrella trees. Explore the rainforest by day on foot, by train or by cable car.

Inhale deeply of the scent of dew-wet ginger, jasmine and gardenias. Dine by night in a romantic open-air tent.

Sleep amidst the splendour in an airy room, bungalow or treehouse in an eco-friendly resort, designed to help preserve this treasured wilderness.

Kuranda Scenic Railway - A journey of spectacular views of World Heritage-listed rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls The Kuranda Scenic Railway travels within Barron Gorge National Park. This famous railway winds its way through 15 hand-carved tunnels, across the giant bridge over Stoney Creek Falls, past the spectacular Barron Falls and on to Kuranda, the village in the rainforest.

Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class offers passengers a little touch of luxury, including club-style seating, refreshments and an exclusive gift pack. Your Gold Class Attendant will look after your every need, adding an extra touch of romance to your journey.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - A unique rainforest experience taking you on an unforgettable journey over and through Australia’s World Heritage-protected tropical rainforest Glide just metres above the canopy in Skyrail’s comfortable six-person gondola cabins, enjoying spectacular views of the rainforest, tropical Cairns and the Coral Sea. Travel over five miles of ancient flora with a bird’s-eye view of the lush landscape. Alight at two mid-stations—Red Peak and Barron Falls—to learn about this botanically fascinating and diverse region. Explore the rainforest through ranger-guided boardwalk tours and the Rainforest Interpretation Centre.

Winner of the 2008 and 2009 Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, Skyrail is regarded by many as the world’s most beautiful rainforest experience. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is 15 minutes from Cairns and 50 minutes from Port Douglas. Enjoy it as a half- or full-day experience.

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Barron Falls

Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa

Bloomfield Lodge

- An oasis of elegance and ease amidst the one of the oldest living rainforests on earth

- A multi-award-winning remote rainforest retreat, Bloomfield Lodge is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Overlooking the Mossman River, on the edge of the Daintree National park, Silky Oaks Lodge combines luxury with the oldest living rainforest. There are 45 contemporarily designed stand alone, River and Treehouses which connect with mother nature, each designed to offer privacy and maximum comfort.

The award winning Healing Waters Spa using the mineral rich waters from the Mossman river combined with an extensive range of spa treatments. Silky Oaks Lodge invites guests to enjoy luxury design and service whilst completely in touch with nature.

Awaken your sense of adventure on a spectacular flight from Cairns over the Coral Sea to the heart of the rainforest and the enchanting seclusion of Bloomfield Lodge. Private timber retreats, recently refurbished, nestle almost unseen in World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and provide stunning reef sea views.

This luxury accommodation goes hand in hand with gourmet dining featuring fresh local ingredients, which perfectly complements tropical days of relaxation and adventure in the heart of the rainforest.

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Thala Beach Lodge - On a private beach in 145 acres of native forest, enjoy a family-owned nature resort near Port Douglas Sitting spectacularly atop a headland with breathtaking vistas, Thala Beach Lodge provides an island-feel holiday—with no need to leave the mainland.

Paths meander through rainforest onto private sandy beaches. Deluxe timber bungalows built high on stilts nestle in the forest canopy, and feature ocean or forest views.

Dine among the birds in the surrounding treetops, and enjoy coastal and mountain vistas. The experience also includes guided onsite tours, such as stargazing, nature and bird-watching walks.

Rose Gums

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Flames of the Forest

2. Kuranda Scenic Railway

- Explore pristine rainforest streams and seemingly endless walking tracks

3. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Rose Gums is advanced eco-tourism accredited and perched on 230 acres of tropical rainforest near Lake Eacham, bordering the World Heritage-listed Wooroonooran National Park. There is abundant wildlife, with over 130 species recorded, and guided bird watching is a popular guest pursuit.

5. Thala Beach Lodge

Rose Gum's pole-and-timber treehouses are totally private and feature large spa baths, cosy fireplaces and verandahs with stunning mountain views. This cool tropical mountain retreat offers peace, relaxation and a genuine family welcome from your friendly hosts, Jon and Peta.

4. Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa 6. Bloomfield Lodge 7.

Rose Gums

37 www.travelbag.co.uk

Luxury Cruising Aboard an intimate cruise ship catering to—at most—just a few dozen privileged guests, you will discover secret corners of Australia that few travellers ever see. Cruise along spectacular gorges and through the spray of secluded waterfalls. Hunt for oysters, go mud-crabbing, or cast your line for barramundi or sailfish.

Dive or snorkel in crystalline waters undiscovered by another boat, where the slap of waves against your hull is the only sound breaking the silence.

Go bushwalking on shore or take a sightseeing trip by helicopter.

At sunset, sip a cool drink on deck and share tales of the day with your fellow adventurers before enjoying a sensational meal—perhaps featuring seafood you caught that day.

North Star Cruises Australia - Luxury adventure cruises around the Australian coastline aboard the yacht True North Explore the magnificent Kimberley coast on the flagship ‘Kimberley Wilderness Cruise’ and savour a panorama of rugged mountains, spectacular gorges and majestic waterfalls, or discover the west coast on the ‘West Coast Explorer’ visiting the Abrolhos Islands and pristine Ningaloo Reef. Other cruise options include ‘Coral Atoll’ cruises to the awe-inspiring Rowley Shoals, ‘Sydney Rocks’ – an opportunity to discover wilderness on the doorstep of Australia’s largest city, and the ‘Southern Safari’, a seafood safari across the Great Australian Bight.

The True North is purpose-built to access wilderness areas that are beyond the reach of larger ships. Cruise in luxury accommodation more akin to one of the world’s most exclusive hotels. Spacious cabins offer modern decor, en-suites, satellite telephones and in-cabin entertainment. Guest numbers are limited to 36 and an Australian crew of 20 uniquely chaperones your every experience.

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Dining on board is a casual yet sumptuous affair. Signature meals include freshly caught barramundi - a revered sport fish possibly caught with your very own hands. Or perhaps try aged Angus or delicate Wagyu beef, or exquisite

Australian lamb. The ‘heli-picnics’ are an unforgettable way to enjoy the quintessential Australian barbeque featuring a wide variety of seafood including freshly caught reef fish, local king prawns, squid, pearl meat and smoked salmon.

Extended periods at sea are intentionally avoided and carefully crafted itineraries provide the ultimate opportunity for guests to experience the destination. Daily activities can include walks, fishing, snorkelling, diving, picnics, natural history and cultural events. The luxury vessel carries six dedicated expedition boats and most itineraries feature a ship’s helicopter. Experience the Australian wilderness in comfort and style. A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

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Great Escape Cruising - Small group and exclusive charter cruising on the Kimberley and Rowley Shoals aboard MV Great Escape Journey through one of the world’s last great wildernesses and enjoy a truly relaxed atmosphere in style and luxury. The welcoming and passionate crew is committed to creating the most memorable adventure holiday of your life in personalised comfort and safety. With over 25 years of experience exploring the Kimberley Coast, Captain Chris Tucker and his brother Jeremy will guide you to spectacular waterfalls, towering gorges and secret fishing spots. Enjoy mud-crabbing, bushwalking, touring ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries and harvesting oysters. Thrill to countless intimate encounters with Australia’s most remarkable landscapes and wildlife.

The Rowley Shoals is a pristine and protected collection of coral atolls west of Broome rising 440 metres from the ocean floor. Home to a mesmerizing 688 species of tropical fish and 233 varieties of coral decorating a diverse array of diving environments—including lagoons, canyons, coral gardens, thrilling highspeed drift channels and sheer outer reef walls—the Rowley Shoals is one of the most exclusive and revered diving experiences in the world.

MV Great Escape is a 26-metre adventure catamaran designed for a small group of 14 guests. Featuring seven staterooms with queen-size beds, private en-suites, personal fridges, flat-screen televisions with DVD players and realtime TV, the vessel also has a spacious lounge area, indoor and outdoor dining, a cascading front deck with an eight-person spa, and sprawling back deck and upper deck. Three tenders transport you to daily land excursions, and an onboard helicopter provides optional heli-fishing, heli-picnics, and access to rare and remote indigenous art sites. Gourmet cuisine freshly prepared on board by an award-winning chef showcases the flavours of the Kimberley.

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North Star Cruises Australia

2. Great Escape Cruising

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Adventures on Water Australians love to be on the water.

So if there's a way to have fun on an ocean, lake or river, rest assured that they have discovered it. Surfing on world-famous Bondi Beach. Whitewater kayaking on rivers accessible only by helicopter. Cruising in an opulent houseboat, where you can watch the sunset while enjoying fresh-grilled fish on your spacious deck. Spotting seals, eagles and dolphins from a sightseeing vessel.

Exploring Hobart Harbour by kayak.

Or flying by seaplane from bustling Sydney to a secluded restaurant perched on the water's edge.

However you discover Australia's sun-drenched beaches, scenic rivers and beautiful islands, one thing is certain: you will never forget them.

Tasman Island Wilderness Cruises

Let's Go Surfing

- Distinctive yellow boats with superb manoeuvrability are purpose built for the rugged coast of southern Tasmania

- Do what the locals do and experience adventure on water at Sydney’s world-famous Bondi Beach

These multi-award-winning cruises along the unspoilt coastline of Tasman National Park travel between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck in southern Tasmania from Hobart.

Catch the wave of your dreams with a dedicated team of local surf instructors by your side. Many visitors are surprised at how easy, safe and enjoyable learning to surf can be with Let's Go Surfing.

Sit at the foot of some of the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere.

See the spectacular dolerite cliffs at Cape Pillar, and the towering sea stacks at Cathedral Rock, the Totem Pole and Candlestick. Glide through sea caves, see Tasman Island, and choose to visit the Port Arthur Historic Site or Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park.

With group, private and family lessons, there are plenty of options for you. Lessons are tailored specifically to meet your needs and include all the equipment to get you up and riding. To really experience Bondi like a local, take the full tour from your hotel to the beach. See why Bondi creates such a buzz with visitors from around the world.

The Hobart Paddle - Step off the street and pick up a paddle in maritime Hobart for serenity, fun, and fish and chips Experience adventurous off-road touring and get a gorgeous perspective of one of the world’s most beautiful harbour cities on this relaxed, two-hour tour.

Gliding across the waters of the Derwent Estuary, kayakers follow Hobart’s shoreline to historic Battery Point, vibrant Salamanca and the bustling docks of the city’s waterfront. Learn about Tasmania’s historic capital from your guide as you weave among tall ships, working fishing boats, sleek yachts and modern cruisers.

The Freycinet Paddle - Glide through sparkling waters in a kayak, and see one of Australia’s most spectacular natural settings at sea level This relaxed, guided sea kayak tour is a fantastic way to experience Freycinet National Park and has been recognised as number four on the list of ‘Things to Try Before You Die’ in Australia.

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The contrasts are stunning—soaring pink granite mountains, pristine sandy beaches and blue waters so clear you feel you can touch the marine life below.

This award-winning tour enables you to experience this breathtaking coastline and rich wildlife ‘up close and personal’. This tour is suitable for all ages and no experience is necessary.

Sydney Seaplanes Switch your senses into overdrive on this romantic indulgence with a breathtaking seaplane flight over Sydney’s beautiful harbour, rugged coastline and northern beaches.

Enjoy lunch on the Hawkesbury River at the award-winning Cottage Point Inn Restaurant.

Surrounded by spectacular views of national parkland, this charming spot is a delightful place to lunch in Sydney.

Heli-Kayaking Escape

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- Private charter touring in some of the most remote nature destinations in the Northern Territory

Parachilna Sunset, Murray River Houseboat - Spoil yourself aboard this luxurious vessel, a bold statement in style and comfort Parachilna Sunset provides a luxury houseboat experience specifically designed to appeal to executives, couples and honeymooners. Moored with the experienced Unforgettable Houseboats, Mannum, Parachilna Sunset resembles a floating inner-city apartment. Its innovative open design and contemporary interior ooze Prairie style.

Full-length panoramic windows give uninterrupted river views and a sense of total connection with the Murray River. Bi-fold café doors open to a spacious rear sundeck with a sunken spa, while a retractable canopy opens so you can easily view the amazing night skies. Two queen-sized bedrooms feature timberframed sliding doors that open to generous en-suite bathrooms.

Relax, fish, laze in the sun or enjoy water sports from the swim deck with inset V for towing a boat or personal watercraft. A ski boat and driver are available for hire as optional extras.

From Darwin or Katherine, see this vast and beautiful region—the entrancing expanses, Nitmiluk Gorge—from above. Arrive in style by helicopter at a secluded riverside beach, where Gecko canoeing and trekking guides await you with all the equipment you need.

Floating gently by kayak past unassuming wildlife and fluttering birds, pass through exhilarating surrounds. Fully catered, this trip guides you safely through this remote environment to some of the most relaxing and pristine campsites you may ever encounter, for one- or two-night stays.

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Tasman Island Wilderness Cruises

2. The Hobart Paddle Australian Surf Lifesaver

3. Let’s Go Surfing 4. The Freycinet Paddle 5. Parachilna Sunset, Murray River Houseboat 6. Sydney Seaplanes 7.

Heli-Kayaking Escape

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Twilight Beach, Esperance, Western Australia

Beaches and Bays With over 15,500 miles of coastline, Australia offers a beach for every taste. Sunbathe on the sandy edges of Fraser Island, a treasured World Heritage site off Queensland's north coast. Kick back with an oceanfront barbecue on the stylish Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. See and be seen in the seaside cafés and clubs of the glittering Gold Coast. Visit the iconic lighthouse near Byron Bay, or mingle with Sydneysiders on a weekend getaway in Port Stephens.

On the west coast, sip fine local vintages while overlooking the Indian Ocean in Margaret River.

No matter where you go, an array of luxurious oceanfront hotels awaits to cater to your every beach need.

Surf. Swim. Sail. Or simply snooze.

Sea Temple Surfers Paradise - Commanding spectacular views from every angle, the new Sea Temple brings another level of luxury to Surfers Paradise With its white sand, turquoise ocean, tropical climate and cloudless skies, Surfers Paradise is one of the world’s most idyllic coastal locations.

Located in the centre of the multimillion-dollar foreshore redevelopment, Sea Temple is a haven of elegant sophistication. The décor features sleek modern furniture in restful neutral shades, punctuated by hits of bright colour and pattern. The spectacular 77-level tower houses elegantly appointed two- and three-bedroom apartments, all boasting spectacular uninterrupted ocean views.

Palazzo Versace Gold Coast - Palazzo Versace is a jewel unveiled, shining at the heart of a captivating destination The only one of its kind in the world, Palazzo Versace reflects the beauty, the luxury and the opulence for which the name Versace is famous. From your arrival in the grand foyer—filled with marble, mosaics and Italian craftsmanship rarely seen in a hotel—you will be swept into another world. Through the lobby's floor-to-ceiling glass, you will gaze out at the sparkling blue of the Broadwater.

In your room, Versace furniture, linens and bath products will complete your immersion in the ultimate lifestyle.

Two stylish yet relaxed restaurants, Il Barocco and Vie, feature contemporary and classical dishes. At the premier restaurant, Vanitas, a cellar of rare quality complements innovative cuisine.

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For relaxation and indulgence, guests enjoy the Spa, Salus per Aquum, where treatments are designed to soothe the mind and body, and renew the spirit.

Peppers Broadbeach - Soaring high above the city skyline, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Gold Coast hinterland Peppers Broadbeach redefines the essence of luxury accommodation with a fusion of city sophistication and coastal relaxation. Accommodation includes one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, and three-bedroom sky homes.

Peppers Broadbeach offers various ways to unwind, from the calming surrounds of the Zen gardens and tai chi lawns to the exclusive private cinema.

Prepare your own meal on the teppanyaki barbecues, immerse yourself in the cooling waters of one of the three pools, or soothe your muscles in the steam rooms and saunas.

The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa

Oceans Mooloolaba Beach

Be inspired by nature at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa. Set just back from Tallow Beach at Byron Bay, within a stunning 45-acre subtropical rainforest, this multi-award-winning resort offers a gentle pace of life with a relaxed yet invigorating atmosphere. Enjoy the warm welcome and exceptional service, optional yoga classes, fine dining, and poolside drinks. At the end of the day, retreat to an idyllic hideaway.

- The Sunshine Coast's Mooloolaba has transformed itself from a sleepy surfing locality to an internationally acclaimed destination Oceans Mooloolaba Beach is directly opposite the beach and in the centre of Mooloolaba Esplanade. Walk out the door to dozens of great restaurants and boutique shops.

The 46 exquisite, self-contained two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments and penthouses feature state-of-the-art facilities, smart technology and modern design details. All suites have stunning ocean views and private balconies.

The penthouses have additional private rooftops with a heated spa or lap pool and barbecue.

Quay West Resort Bunker Bay - Bunker Bay is sheltered and pristine, with secluded soft white sands and waves gently lapping over crystal waters Here, one of the few north-facing beaches in Western Australia is crowned by the Quay West Resort Bunker Bay. Close to Margaret River, the deluxe beachfront resort offers luxurious villa accommodations set amongst 35 acres of immaculately landscaped native gardens.

Peppers Anchorage - Just two-and-a-half hours' drive from Sydney, discover the Peppers Anchorage luxury seaside experience Nestled between rugged bushland and built in the style of a cosy fishing village, this is a boutique resort offering in the beautiful New South Wales region of Nelson Bay, Port Stephens.

All 80 rooms and suites have private balconies, and most have views of the sea and the resort’s own 90-berth marina. Guests enjoy an extensive range of recreational facilities, as well as relaxing massage and beauty treatments.

Indulge in a spa treatment or tempt your tastebuds with a delicious feast of fresh local seafood at the award-winning Merretts.

Villas have opulent bathrooms, a private courtyard or deck, and a choice of lake or garden views. The resort also features a restaurant and bar overlooking the ocean, an award-winning day spa, an infinity pool, a tennis court and a gymnasium.

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Palazzo Versace Gold Coast

2. Sea Temple Surfers Paradise

Kingfisher Bay Resort Life's a beach on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, and one of Australia's leading eco-tourism resorts is the perfect base for exploring this amazing natural environment. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers hotel and villa accommodations, a choice of three restaurants, a cafĂŠ, five bars, ranger-guided 4WD touring, cruises, nature walks and talks, tennis, swimming, fishing, a beauty salon, bushwalking and 4WD hire.

3. Peppers Broadbeach 4. Oceans Mooloolaba Beach 5. Peppers Anchorage 6. The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa 7.

Quay West Resort Bunker Bay

8. Kingfisher Bay Resort

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Sydney Opera House Red Carpet Feel like a star and experience the ultimate evening at the Sydney Opera House. Friendly staff will welcome you and take you on a special Sydney Opera House Tour at dusk. This epic night also includes a three-course meal at either Guillaume at Bennelong or ARIA, both world-renowned restaurants. For the finale, enjoy a Sydney Opera House performance of your choice with an interval drink. Nothing has been overlooked.

Sydney Harbour From the soaring arch of the Harbour Bridge to the shell-like silhouette of the Opera House, Sydney's waterfront is one of the most photographed vistas on Earth. Stay in an opulent hotel overlooking the water and find yourself in the centre of a dynamic, ever-changing metropolis. Tour the fascinating Opera House and the Sydney Aquarium, two of Australia's top attractions. Step aboard a motor yacht and cruise sparkling waters dotted with snapping white sails.

Sample cuisine from more than 140 cultures, or shop till you drop in myriad fashionable boutiques.

Sip a cocktail in a penthouse bar overlooking the harbour at midnight.

Revel in the cosmopolitan delights of one of the world's great cities.

Cruise Like a Local - A first-class experience of Sydney Harbour—cruise like a local living the high life Experience Sydney Harbour and its surrounds with a small-group cruising specialist, aboard Calypso, a 52-foot luxurious motor yacht. Cruise the foreshores of Sydney Harbour past the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House before dropping anchor in a secluded cove.

BLUE Sydney, A Taj Hotel

Relax with a drink or two and friendly conversation as you cruise, then enjoy a gourmet barbecue lunch after an optional dip. Swim or kayak, or simply relax on the expansive sunbed, soaking up the Sydney sunshine with a minimum of two and a maximum of 12 passengers.

- Chic and sexy, BLUE Sydney, A Taj Hotel, is located in Sydney's famous and luxurious marina complex at Woolloomooloo Built in the early 20th century, Woolloomooloo Wharf now has lively appeal.

Featuring exceptional waterside restaurants, it is within walking distance of the city centre.

BLUE has a well-established reputation for blending the intimacy of a boutique hotel with the facilities of a deluxe experience. The hotel offers 100 guest rooms with stylish interiors, charming characteristics of the original heritage-listed wharf, modern dĂŠcor, and views of either the city or Sydney Harbour foreshores.

Quay Grand Suites Sydney - Stunning views over the harbour, and proximity to the Rocks and city centre In an enviable position on East Circular Quay, this all-suite hotel offers deluxe self-contained apartments, each comprising a spacious open-plan living and dining area, a choice of one or two bedrooms, a stylish, fully appointed bathroom with spa, and a meticulously equipped gourmet kitchen with private balcony.

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With stunning suites and impressive design, Quay Grand is designed to take maximum advantage of the spectacular views and to offer an exceptional Sydney Harbour hotel experience that will become your home away from home.

Sydney Harbour

Park Hyatt Sydney - Emerging from a dramatic transformation, the redesigned Park Hyatt Sydney brings a new level of contemporary luxury to Sydney Harbour With a coveted location on the harbour, between the world-famous Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Park Hyatt Sydney is an intimate, residentialstyle hotel with architecture, design and art that reflect the Australian landscape.

A dedicated team of butlers provides a memorable guest experience, with around-the-clock, discreet, personalised service for all hotel guests. The hotel’s premier restaurant, The Dining Room, takes in spectacular views of the harbour through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

InterContinental Sydney

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- Positioned on one of the world’s most stunning harbours, InterContinental Sydney is just moments from Sydney's famous attractions InterContinental Sydney is a unique base for exploring the city, with the Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Circular Quay and exclusive shops close by. Built around the restored Treasury Building of 1851, the hotel’s 509 contemporary guest rooms, each with a picture-frame view, include 28 suites that have been home to world leaders and celebrities from across the globe.

Beyond your room, discover the hotel's outstanding facilities, including an indoor heated swimming pool and gymnasium. A bold redesign, new French-inspired menu and theatrical buffet concept mark the reinvention of InterContinental Sydney’s Café Opera, whilst Etch serves modern European cuisine.

For the ultimate experience, upgrade to a Club InterContinental room, where you will have access to Sydney’s only rooftop Club InterContinental, with panoramic views across Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Attractions VIP Tours

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Sydney Opera House Red Carpet

- Private tours of Sydney’s harbour attractions, led by experienced guides, offer behind-the-scenes encounters

2. BLUE Sydney, A Tai Hotel

Get a glimpse of the outback, seeing koalas in ‘Gum Tree Valley’ and crocodiles in ‘Kakadu Gorge’, at WILD LIFE Sydney. The tour includes an explanation of nine unique habitats, from a tropical rainforest to the Red Centre, and a photo with a koala.

5. InterContinental Sydney

Or choose to tour Sydney Aquarium with an aquarist who will take you ‘around Australia’s coastline’, from the freshwater rivers of the south to the tropical waters of the north. Enjoy exclusive access to behind-the-scenes areas, including animal holding and breeding tanks.

3. Cruise Like a Local 4. Quay Grand Suites Sydney 6. Park Hyatt Sydney 7.

Sydney Attractions VIP Tours

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Heritage, Arts and Architecture Australia may be a young country, but it has a complex history peopled with daring artists and visionaries.

Delve into these traditions at museums and galleries. Stroll through The Rocks, the atmospheric neighbourhood on the edge of Sydney Harbour where the city was born. Walking tours throughout Australia bring the country's captivating past—as well as its most notable modern structures and artworks—to vivid life. And if you're not content to merely observe Australia's architectural and artistic heritage, you can enjoy it from the 'inside'. Savour classic high tea on fine china in a rambling country house or elegant urban setting, or enjoy a magnificent art collection in a landmark hotel.

The Langham, Sydney

Art & Design Walks

- A multi-award-winning boutique hotel, superbly positioned near Sydney’s historic Rocks

- Visit hidden artistic corners of Melbourne that visitors rarely see—and unveil the soul of the city

One of the most luxurious properties in Sydney, The Langham, Sydney (formerly The Observatory Hotel) is the ideal base for exploring this vibrant city. When you’ve finished touring, return ‘home’ to swim a few laps in the star-lit indoor pool or savour a decadent afternoon tea.

Melbourne is one of Australia’s true hubs of creativity. Join local guides who have a real enthusiasm for art, design and, of course, Melbourne. Over two hours you’ll visit unique art galleries, spectacular architecture and public installations.

Wander down lanes emblazoned with commissioned murals created by famous street artists. See sculpture, stencils, interiors, designer spaces and more. Explore the rich vein of self-expression that adds so much to Melbourne’s intriguing character. Finish with a complimentary drink and a chance to chat.

This prestigious hotel offers impeccable personalised service, lavishly appointed rooms and suites, exceptional fine dining, and Sydney’s most-awarded day spa.

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto - Blending contemporary and heritage elements into a stunning 253-room luxury hotel Beautifully appointed, the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto is in the heart of the city's financial district, close to Melbourne's leisure attractions.

Featuring the contemporary Market Lane Bar, The Rialto Bluestone Wine Bar and a modern Australian dining experience at Alluvial Restaurant, the hotel has an understated elegance enhanced by its 19th-century façade. The property puts a modern, eclectic twist on old materials, such as bluestone, to create a bold style in its public areas. Rooms blend the latest technologies with luxurious fittings and furnishings.

Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel - Unwind in a heritage-listed Victorian mansion beside the Yarra River, among lush gardens dating back to 1854 Combining history, sophistication and luxury in one of Australia’s finest winegrowing regions, Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel in Victoria’s Yarra Valley represents true indulgence.

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Just one hour’s drive from Melbourne, and situated on 250 acres of land, this magnificent property offers 32 luxury suites. It has hushed, stately rooms in which to enjoy a pre-dinner drink or relax with a good book, as well as two award-winning restaurants—Eleonore’s fine dining restaurant for dinner, and Sweetwater Café for breakfast and lunch.

The Henry Jones Art Hotel A row of historic warehouses and a former jam factory have been transformed into one of Australia’s first dedicated art hotels on the edge of Hobart’s waterfront. Most suites feature close waterfront views. Rated Australia’s Best Hotel on the Gold List 2010 by Condé Nast Traveller, the hotel is a fusion of art, heritage and tradition.

Lindenderry at Red Hill - Set in a magnificent estate amid gardens, lawns and vineyard Lindenderry at Red Hill is a secluded retreat in the heart of Victoria's beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Each room reveals its own view of private courtyards or of the exquisite gardens and vineyards surrounding the estate.

Throughout the exquisitely designed property, you'll discover a grand and eclectic collection of artworks, antiques, artefacts and sculpture. The Linden Tree restaurant—with its flower-filled dining courtyard overlooking the gardens and a welcoming cellar door serving antipasto and cheese platters—provides you with multiple picturesque dining options.

North Adelaide Heritage Accommodation - Make yourself at home in 20 beautiful, self-contained heritage properties situated in prestigious Adelaide precincts and offering boutique B&B experiences All properties are spacious, with romantic bedrooms, beautiful drawing rooms and fully equipped kitchens, and all are furnished with Australian antiques.

Properties include the Bishop’s Garden and Residency Penthouse, the Fire Station Inn, Buxton Manor and the Friendly Meeting Chapel. Buxton Manor (built circa 1909) is surrounded by a large garden with sweeping lawns. It features four spacious apartments and a cottage, all with opulent antiques.

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Built in 1847 in the Regency style, Islington—a luxe Hobart hotel—commands breathtaking views of Mt Wellington. Inside, the Library, the Conservatory, and the Morning and Rose rooms offer the perfect places to relax and meet other guests. Custom-made Angel Islington beds, locally grown produce used in bespoke menus, and original artworks and antiques all add to Islington's character and individuality.

The Rocks, Sydney Harbour

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Islington, Hobart

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The Observatory Hotel

2. InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto 3. Art & Design Walks 4. Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel 5. Lindenderry at Red Hill 6. The Henry Jones Art Hotel 7.

North Adelaide Heritage Accommodation

8. Islington, Hobart

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Café Culture Walk

City Chic Living Glossy rooftop bars overlooking glittering skylines. Hidden cafés serving fabulous espresso. Tiny boutiques proffering cutting-edge fashions, quirky jewellery and oneof-a-kind shoes. Sophisticated hotels with a confident sense of style. If these are the touchstones you seek when you travel, you will be in your element in Australia. Tour the secret arcades of Melbourne with a local guide, then repair to a chic hotel on the Southbank promenade or in trendy South Yarra. Stay in an intimate retreat replete with sleek modern touches in Brisbane or Perth. Delight in fine linens and luxurious bathrooms. Just steps from your front door, discover the delights of urban living— restaurants, clubs, theatre and more.

The Richardson Hotel & Spa - A sleek urban hotel, within easy reach of Perth’s exquisite Kings Park and Botanical Gardens Conveniently located in Perth, The Richardson Hotel & Spa is just a short stroll from the central business district and the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Subiaco.

Revel in all that this upscale neighbourhood offers: theatre, cafés, sleek fashion boutiques and more.

The contemporary décor of the hotel’s 74 guestrooms and suites has been designed with the modern traveller in mind, and most rooms feature private balconies. The luxurious atmosphere continues into The Spa, an urban haven and one of the few places in Australia where you can delight in ESPA treatments.

Australia

Spicers Balfour Hotel - Never judge a book by its cover Positioned in the cosmopolitan Brisbane suburb of New Farm, just minutes from the city centre, this new hotel puts you in the centre of a vibrant shopping and dining scene. From the outside, it resembles many of the classic Queenslander homes found in the neighbourhood. Yet inside, the property offers you an intimate inner-city sanctuary with a level of sophistication more commonly reserved for Europe’s most fashionable boutique hotels.

Nine guest rooms, each with its own unique design, come together in an eclectic contemporary design: chic yet comforting, modern yet warm, and stylish yet quirky.

Quay West Suites Melbourne - A hotel as vibrant as the city it overlooks This deluxe apartment-style hotel is superbly located on the picturesque Southbank promenade overlooking the Yarra River, minutes from Melbourne’s city centre. Excellent shops and nightlife are on your doorstep.

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Melbourne’s laneways are breeding grounds for cafés and tiny coffee shops, if you know where to look. This unique small group guided tour is perfect for any caffeine fiend—wander through the locals’ streets, savour sensational coffees, indulge in the foodie scene and meet the people who are setting Melbourne city abuzz.

What better way to get to know Melbourne like a local?

Each stylish suite features a spacious sitting room, fully appointed bathroom, professionally stocked kitchen and laundry. The 15-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and well-equipped gymnasium ensure you stay relaxed and energised, while the Jarrah Restaurant & Bar offers contemporary cuisine and an exceptional view of the city skyline. There’s even a terrace and umbrellas for alfresco dining.

Lanes & Arcades Walking Tour Join passionate local guides on a three-hour walking tour of mesmerizing Melbourne.

Meander through beautiful lanes and arcades to discover local designers, quirky galleries and specialty retailers. Learn a little about the city’s history while seeing well-kept secrets that even many locals don’t know about. On these small group tours, no stone is left unturned when it comes to showcasing Melbourne’s food, art and fashion.

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Lyall Hotel and Spa - Grand hotel services and facilities on a more intimate and personal scale Situated in the heart of the fashionable Melbourne district of South Yarra, The Lyall Hotel is just a short stroll from dozens of Australia’s top designer fashion stores and world-class restaurants. Small, and privately owned and operated

by Melbourne couple Peter and Rowina Thomas, the Lyall offers a club-like ambience. It attracts guests who appreciate personal recognition and discreet attention to their individual needs.

The Lyall’s suite accommodations are of a deluxe standard. Choose from oneand two-bedroom configurations, including grand suites and stunning rooftop suites with fabulous views. Beautifully textured finishes and opulent fabrics create a contemporary Asian mood. All suites enjoy the added luxury of fresh air: enjoy a furnished balcony and windows that open. The Lyall pays close attention to the smaller details, including mist-free mirrors, bathroom underfloor heating, king-sized beds and a mini-bar with a difference. As most suites include kitchen facilities, you can easily keep to your own regime, should you so desire.

A distinctive feature of the Lyall is its series of mini art galleries on each floor, where guests can lounge in front of the fire and appreciate the original art. Bistro Lyall provides an elegant yet relaxed setting in which to dine.

Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner inside or alfresco on the terrace. The menu offers contemporary, seasonal cuisine that captures Melbourne’s multicultural influences.

The Lyall Spa is the embodiment of a relaxed and revitalising environment for men and women. The program of services features a variety of therapies for the face, body and mind, incorporating natural products and personalised, one-onone service to provide an unforgettable wellness experience.

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1. The Richardson Hotel & Spa 2. Quay West Suites Melbourne 3. Café Culture Walk 4. Spicers Balfour Hotel 5. Lanes & Arcades Walking Tour 6. Lyall Hotel and Spa

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Cosmopolitan Collection Sophisticated Melbourne offers endless amusements during the day, from superb spas and hidden cafĂŠs to world-class shopping. But at night, the town takes on a whole new gloss, with of-the-moment bars, pumping nightclubs and a high-rolling casino.

The Crown Entertainment Complex is at the heart of the action and features not one, but three, sensational urban hotels. Start your evening with an unforgettable meal at a fine dining restaurant, dance the night away in an exclusive club, then try your luck at the glittering casino...which never closes. It's just a few steps back to your elegant room, where you can catch a bit of sleep—before doing it all again the next night.

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Crown - With its award-winning combination of luxurious hotels, state-of-the-art facilities, world-class entertainment and superior service, Crown offers an unforgettable Melbourne experience Crown features three absolute jewels of hotel luxury, all strategically located on the banks of the Yarra River and within easy reach of the city centre, arts and leisure precincts.

rooms, including 34 studio-style rooms, 12 residential spa rooms and 32 loftstyle suites. Guests staying at Crown Metropol can enjoy a range of memorable experiences. Indulge yourself at the signature restaurant, Mr Hive Kitchen + Bar. Be spoilt at ISIKA, an urban day spa and retreat, or relax at 28, the exclusive club sky bar and lounge with spectacular city views.

Crown Promenade Hotel is the perfect mix of relaxed and modern styling, offering a host of exceptional leisure facilities. Contemporary and stylish rooms with city and bay views are complemented by Mesh restaurant, Tonic bar and The Deck—an extensive leisure centre with a 25-metre infinity indoor pool and two sun decks.

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Crown Towers

2. Crown Metropol 3. Crown Promenade Hotel

The Crown Entertainment Complex features more than 40 restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs. The Palms at Crown, Village Gold Class Cinemas and, of course, the 24-hour world-class Crown Casino all provide guests with a wealth of entertainment options during their stay.

Designed with sophisticated opulence, Crown Towers offers spacious guest rooms, elegant suites and exclusive villas. Guests may also choose to relax at the Crown Spa, or experience the privileges of Crystal Club.

Crown Metropol, the newest of Crown’s hotels, officially opened its doors at the end of April 2010. The hotel features 658 designer-inspired accommodation

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Style, Design and Interiors Every so often, you come across a hotel that is more than just a place to rest your head. Whether they offer one-of-a-kind artworks, an outdoor cinema, a retro lounge or penthouse apartments with private pools, these hotels are light years away from ordinary. In fact, they are destinations in themselves. Delight in the imagination and verve these hoteliers have employed to create spaces that are unique, unorthodox and truly memorable. You may even come home with some ideas you can incorporate into your own home!

Let your hotel be an unforgettable introduction to Australia's cuttingedge style. The country is bursting at the seams with creativity. You just have to know where to look… and stay.

Art Series Hotels - Experience a stay that's a little extraordinary at one of the three Art Series Hotels—The Cullen, The Olsen and The Blackman are turning heads Three years in the making and three art-inspired boutique hotels later, Melbourne’s Art Series Hotels have become an internationally recognised multiaward-winning luxury hotel group.

Each hotel is inspired by and dedicated to a contemporary Australian artist— Adam Cullen, John Olsen or Charles Blackman—and embodies the artist’s style and characteristics. And with the announcement of a new Art Series Hotel, The Watson, opening in Adelaide in 2013, the trend is on the move.

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The Cullen sits boldly in bohemian and eclectic Commercial Road Prahran, featuring lashings of edgy colour and spunk. Recently added Street Art Suites have markings left behind by renowned street artists (and previous guests) Blek Le Rat, Swoon and D*Face. In true Adam Cullen style, stay and play at The Cullen, then enjoy a sleep in and a Bloody Mary the next morning.

The Olsen is set on Melbourne’s premier shopping strip, Chapel Street, the quintessence of the city’s good life. Enjoy a day spa, an elegant glass-bottomed pool, bars and fine dining, including the recently opened Spoonbill Restaurant & Bar. When the day is done, retire in Art Series signature bedding—the perfect place for weary heads.

The Blackman, on St Kilda Road, is in Melbourne’s sporting and cultural epicentre, just a short walk from the city centre. Most known for his Alice in Wonderland series, Charles Blackman articulates life with dream-like poetry.

Dream a little Blackman dream with an enchanting sleepover in one of The Blackman’s spacious suites, featuring designer furnishings.

QT Gold Coast

Hotel Lindrum

- Nostalgic surfer chic meets Miami catwalk cool in this brand-new Gold Coast hotel

- A boutique-style hotel combining modern design, contemporary facilities and personalised service

If food, wine, music, design, fashion and art are your thing, QT Gold Coast is the place for you. On arrival at this Surfers Paradise property, be welcomed by an inspiring, airy setting with beautiful artist-crafted features and bold custom lighting.

Hotel Lindrum is ideally located in cosmopolitan Melbourne, close to countless fashion, dining, cultural and sporting venues.

Dine at BAZAAR restaurant, or the teppanyaki and sushi restaurant Yamagen, and indulge at the spaQ designer spa. The 297 spacious guest rooms, with ocean views or mountain and river views, offer dazzling views of the coast’s famous scenery. The hotel is right outside Australia’s party playground.

The stylish guestrooms and impressive suites feature hardwood accents, rich carpets, flat-screen televisions, and CD and DVD players, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The décor of muted earth tones will relax your weary mind. For breakfast and dinner, delight in the warm ambience of Felt Restaurant. Unwind in front of the indulgent open fireplace in the Back Bar, or enjoy a game of snooker in the Billiard Room, with its heritage billiard table.

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QT Port Douglas - All you need are your bikinis or board shorts at QT Port Douglas, new in April 2012

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A new experience in Port Douglas, this vibrant resort with its fun and quirky design is injecting new personality into Tropical North Queensland. The resort offers contemporary chic accommodations ranging from hotel resort rooms to spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with new QT beds, and handsourced, stylish fabrics and finishes.

Coconut Grove Port Douglas - Luxurious three-bedroom apartments, calming water features and a lush tropical setting will satisfy the most discerning holidaymaker

Unwind in the interactive market-style restaurant and hip cocktail bar. Between June and September, take in the balmy nights in a custom cinematic experience, the Moonlight Cinema, open exclusively to resort guests.

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Art Series Hotels

2. QT Gold Coast 3. Coconut Grove Port Douglas 4. Hotel Lindrum 5. QT Port Douglas

From its idyllic Macrossan Street location, Coconut Grove Port Douglas is just 140 metres from Four Mile Beach and a short stroll to the colourful strip of restaurants and boutiques.

The property’s terrace and penthouse apartments include outdoor entertaining terraces, complete with their own barbecue area, and a private plunge pool and spa. Taking a cue from pale marine hues, the tranquil interiors feature natural stone, satin-finished bench tops and metallic artworks.

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Unique Places to Stay Australia boasts an endlessly varied landscape: sunny ocean shores, great mountain ranges, verdant rainforests, deep red gorges and sweeping stretches of outback. Is it surprising, then, that it also offers travellers an almost infinite variety of unique places to stay? Follow your imagination and see where it takes you. You might find yourself in a luxury tent, an historic home, a romantic bungalow or villa, or a two-level penthouse. Intimate, secluded and special: those are just three of the words that describe these uncommon places to unwind.

Each is located in a setting just as remarkable as the property itself. Your holiday is precious. Why not treat yourself to something extraordinary?

Pinctada McAlpine House

Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel, Port Fairy

- Immerse yourself in Broome's past in this century-old former master pearler’s home

- Boutique accommodation along the Great Ocean Road

Nurturing the feeling that you are part of a continuum, Pinctada McAlpine House has been named one of the most romantic destinations in Australia. This award-winning boutique lodge blends timelessness and space with a feeling of intimacy and an atmosphere of elegant serenity.

Find your own intimate nook by the pool, on the lattice verandahs, or under the canopy of tamarind and mango trees after a day of sightseeing in Western Australia's northwest. The intimate lodge or the secluded five-bedroom villa is your gateway to total seclusion.

Fewer than 186 scenic miles from Melbourne, Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel in Port Fairy offers lovely Moyne River frontage and is near all of Port Fairy’s many attractions.

The boutique style of Oscars is French Provincial, with interesting pieces of furniture in the grand drawing room and breakfast room. Multiple lounging areas provide many places to relax. Oscars offers one suite and a range of individually decorated king-sized rooms, all with stunning views.

Peppers Beach Club & Spa - Intimate, tropical accommodations overlooking the palm-fringed beach at Palm Cove near Cairns Peppers Beach Club & Spa is an idyllic beachfront destination in Tropical North Queensland offering the perfect place to indulge in tropical relaxation. The resort has 134 elegant spa rooms and suites, from private one-bedroom suites to luxurious two-bedroom penthouses whose rooftop terraces have a lounge, barbecue, and private pool or heated Jacuzzi. Suites also feature beachfront or lagoon views and kitchens.

A large lagoon pool is the centrepiece, and guests enjoy the swim-up pool bar and relaxed dining at one of four restaurants.

Peppers Beach Club - A characterful resort of Tropical North Queensland design at Port Douglas, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, combines beautifully appointed accommodations and luxury facilities, only moments from Four Mile Beach.

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The resort boasts an inviting, open-air design and premium accommodations designed for the discerning traveller, with intimate, romantic spa suites and one- to three-bedroom suites, perfect for friends or family. Many suites feature a plunge pool or barbecue terrace, and tranquil views of the lagoon or gardens. Swim-up pool decks outside some suites provide access to the resort’s stunning lagoon.

Paperbark Camp - This architect-designed, luxury tented camp represents unusual and natural accommodation at its best Jervis Bay, just over two hours south of Sydney, is home to spectacular coastal and bushland scenery, deserted white beaches with crystal-clear water, and amazing marine life. Nestled in this pristine setting amongst towering gum trees is the amazing Paperbark Camp, whose grounds were hand cleared to preserve the delicate ecosystem.

The finest local produce and seafood are served in the chic treetop dining room—the perfect spot to spot resident possums and sugar gliders against the bushy backdrop.

Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa - A secluded hideaway in picturesque Tropical North Queensland, set on 30 acres of lush landscaped rainforest gardens This private boutique beachfront property provides a unique Australian holiday experience. Focusing on environmental sensitivity, superb cuisine and worldclass service, Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa boasts extensive botanical gardens with detached secluded suites and spacious private bungalows.

Unwind and listen to the chorus of local bird life. The resort is cleverly designed to blend into the natural rainforest. This wonderfully romantic hideaway has become a firm favourite with honeymooners and nature lovers the world over.

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Peppers Ruffles Lodge & Spa - The height of style and luxury is yours to enjoy at this heavenly retreat

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Perched high on a ridge in the magnificent Gold Coast hinterland, just 30 minutes' drive from the Gold Coast, the architecturally stunning Peppers Ruffles Lodge & Spa offers a unique ambience. Eight beautifully appointed villas and one exclusive executive suite all echo the natural environment through the use of natural timbers and warm interiors.

Spicers Canopy - Escape city life, swap camping for ‘glamping’, and enjoy luxury beneath the stars at a remarkable safari-style retreat In the heart of the spectacular Scenic Rim region, just 90 minutes southwest of Brisbane, this property offers luxurious adventure for a select few. This is far from ‘roughing it’—your airy tent features a king-sized bed, fine linens and polished floorboards.

A rich eco-tourism experience, your stay will be about the simple pleasures of Australian living— walking through the bush to the song of native birds, seeing a curious Australian wallaby and exploring one of Australia’s most delightful private nature refuges.

Brave nearby Surfers Paradise, busy with tourists, or remain in the Gold Coast hinterland, home to amazing national parks and nature reserves, quaint towns and picturesque wineries, all yours to explore.

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Pinctada McAlpine House

2. Peppers Beach Club & Spa 3. Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel, Port Fairy 4. Peppers Beach Club 5. Paperbark Camp 6. Spicers Canopy 7.

Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa

8. Peppers Ruffles Lodge & Spa

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Private Retreats Savour that first cup of coffee on your private terrace...in your pyjamas.

Soak up a breathtaking view or stroll through a sumptuous garden redolent with the scents of exotic flowers. Linger over dinner with your family or close friends at your own dining table...with no need to hurry. Staying in a private villa is just like being home...but much, much better. These lavish retreats from the everyday world feature perks like gleaming commercial kitchens, home theatres and private boats. You may not even have to lift a finger to make lunch, if catering is included.

Set in locales of unparalleled beauty, these exclusive lodgings promise relaxation, rejuvenation and the ultimate in privacy.

Maitraya

Pretty Beach House

- In Western Australia's southwest, rising from a hill overlooking the Southern Ocean, Maitraya offers spectacular beauty, complete seclusion and serenity

- A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, representing a new era of Australian luxury experiential travel

Arrive via the private airstrip or helicopter pad, or drive from Perth. This private mansion for the exclusive use of up to 16 guests is set in 500 acres of bushland where the air is fresh, the beaches pristine and the views spectacular.

Delight in this extraordinary, quintessentially Australian, super-sophisticated guesthouse, perched high on the escarpment at Pretty Beach, just 62 miles north of Sydney. Enjoy designer pavilion-style accommodations with all-inclusive rates and around-the-clock butler service.

This luxury residence has eight spacious bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. Enjoy the indoor heated pool, spa, sauna and gymnasium, as well as the outdoor tennis court, cricket net, and small cricket and football ground. Sporting equipment includes boards and windsurfers.

Three private pavilions each feature king-sized beds, private plunge pools, outdoor day beds and beautifully appointed lounge areas. You'll experience exceptional dining with one of Australia’s most iconic and celebrated chefs, Italian-born Stefano Manfredi.

Sejala Beach House - Luxurious accommodation for up to six people in a secluded beachfront setting Under the coconut trees on the foreshore of legendary Mission Beach and only a few minutes' stroll to the village, this tastefully renovated old timber house has a large tropical garden and flagged terraces.

Overhead fans, lazy hammocks, day beds and fragrant frangipani all combine to create the elegance and understated luxury so typical of the tropics. A designer kitchen, Italian king-sized beds, gorgeous linen and a fabulous private glasstiled pool complete your stay.

Makepeace Island - A private hideaway a few minutes downstream from Noosa Heads, owned by Sir Richard Branson and Brett Godfrey This heart-shaped island is Sir Richard's Australian home and has been created to luxuriously accommodate and entertain up to 22 castaways in exclusive seclusion.

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Complete with its own riverboat to transfer guests, the island has a substantial two-storey open-air Balinese wantilan for relaxing or for gathering friends and family. Additional property features include a lagoon pool, a full-sized tennis court and pavilion, office facilities and an expansive indoor bar designed for entertaining on a grand scale.

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Molori Great Barrier Reef - Designed to feel like a luxurious second home, Molori Great Barrier Reef is an ultra-exclusive, high-design, five-suite retreat in Port Douglas Accommodating up to ten guests on an exclusive-use basis, in a superb location between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this tropical haven captivates and inspires as it immerses you in the splendour of an unforgettable experience.

Molori, meaning ‘to dream’, is a bespoke lifestyle brand consistently delivering the exceptional whilst enabling you to live out the reality of your dreams, your way. With the creation of Molori Great Barrier Reef, Molori Private Retreats has defined a new category of hospitality: ‘private retreats for exclusive use’. This is a ‘beyond villa’ experience. With a full-time Molori team comprising personal chefs, housekeeping staff, butlers and concierges, Molori Great Barrier Reef offers you an exceptional experience, in your own private ‘boutique hotel’.

Catering to the well-heeled, discerning traveller in search of absolute relaxation, with an ‘as you wish, when you wish’ philosophy, Molori Great Barrier Reef is

about every need being anticipated. Guests who have experienced much and expect the very best will find in Molori Great Barrier Reef a retreat without pretence—one whose essence stems from personalized service, style, comfort and extraordinary natural surroundings.

From the moment a Molori staff member greets you, to the time Molori arranges once-in-a-lifetime, off-the-beaten-path experiences—a scuba in the reef with renowned instructors, perhaps, or a private dinner with a tribal leader set up underneath the stars within the world’s oldest rainforest—Molori Great Barrier Reef creates everlasting, life-altering memories. Live out the reality of your dreams, your way, at Molori Great Barrier Reef.

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Maitraya

2. Sejala Beach House 3. Pretty Beach House 4. Makepeace Island 5. Molori Great Barrier Reef

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Country Food, Wine and Spa Retreats Run away to the country and discover a world of sophisticated pleasures. Indulge your five senses in a multitude of ways. Let the touch of a skilled masseuse soothe your tired feet. Inhale the energizing scents of essential oils during a full-body signature spa treatment. Rejoice in unspoiled vistas: seascapes and vineyards, misty lakes and tumbling waterfalls. Delight your palate with gourmet dishes prepared with fine cheeses, fresh produce, sweet butter and superb meats from surrounding farms. Sample exquisite vintages from boutique wineries, each redolent of its particular terroir. Then let the whispering of surf on the beach or wind in the trees usher you into a restful, dreamless sleep.

Lake House

Spicers Tamarind Retreat

- Nestled on the shores of idyllic Lake Daylesford in Victoria

- Intimate, private and romantic, 12 villas form a perfect retreat

Lake House boasts one of Australia’s top restaurants, with the Australian cuisine paying homage to the region’s excellent seasonal produce. The dining room offers stunning views of Lake Daylesford. Salus Spa at Lake House is a sanctuary of indulgence, utilising seasonal fragrances found locally and premium Elemis products.

With 33 rooms and suites—24 with picturesque waterfront views—Lake House was noted in Condé Nast Traveller magazine as one of the top hotels in the world and has featured as Australia’s Best Boutique Hotel on the Luxury Travel Magazine Gold List. A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

Next to Gardner’s Waterfall in a stunning rainforest in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Maleny, Spicers Tamarind Retreat is a distinctive property where Asian style meets the tranquillity of the Australian bush.

In the creative heart of the Sunshine Coast, immerse yourself in relaxation and nature. Explore lush bush-walking trails in Kondalilla Falls National Park.

Rejuvenate at the Retreat’s Spa Anise. Polish your culinary skills at the Asian cooking school, and savour fine wines paired with Thai cuisine at the property's acclaimed restaurant.

Spicers Vineyards Estate - Relax in a private vineyard in Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley, with views of the stunning Brokenback Mountains This spectacular guesthouse is nestled between a private eight-acre vineyard and natural bushland. The eight suites offer an intimate and romantic escape— your own personal haven after a day of exploring. Unwind with a complimentary bottle of local bubbly in front of your own wood-burning fireplace or in your personal spa bath.

Offering good food, great wine and pure indulgence, Spicers Vineyards Estate is much more than a luxury guesthouse in the heart of the Hunter Valley. It is a private, unforgettable wine country retreat.

Peppers Seaport Hotel - A stylish hotel within walking distance of the thriving Old Seaport wharf strip’s gourmet eateries Tasmania is a wine lover's and foodie's paradise, and Launceston Tamar Valley is the state’s premier food and wine location.

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Located where the North and South Esk rivers meet to become the Tamar River, Peppers Seaport Hotel is built in the shape of a ship on the site of an old dry dock. It boasts a contemporary design with a distinct nautical feel, and the 60 deluxe rooms and suites offer marina or town views.

The Mud Bar and Restaurant features tantalising local cuisine and wines. You can also dine nearby at the popular Silt @ Seaport.

The Louise & Appellation - Set atop a gentle hill, The Louise Barossa Valley is surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines The on-site restaurant, Appellation, is a world-class destination for dining in South Australia, with food that unashamedly reflects the local growing seasons.

Executive chef Mark McNamara and his team are passionate advocates for freshness, seasonality and regionalism.

Spicers Clovelly Estate - A three-bedroom cottage and ten suites offer Old World charm in a contemporary setting

The 15 suites offer absolute luxury, inspired design and extensive private guest space with individual terraces overlooking the surrounding vineyards.

Highlights include contemporary furnishings, espresso makers, king beds with crisp linens, and spacious en-suites with dual rain showers and spa tubs.

A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

Succumb to the romanticism of Spicers Clovelly Estate, a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia. Set on nine hectares of lush countryside in the tranquil Sunshine Coast hinterland, the property’s stately grounds—including a driveway lined with liquid ambers—and French provincial architecture create an elegant sense of arrival.

A gourmet’s paradise, the estate is home to the Long Apron restaurant. It specialises in innovative, European-inspired menus utilising fresh, local ingredients, also featured in the French and Italian cooking school on site.

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Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa

Sails and Tali Wiru

- This luxury coastal retreat is beautifully set in the seaside village of Killcare, a short drive north of Sydney

- Unique dining and accommodation at Uluru (Ayers Rock)

A boutique hotel, restaurant and spa, Bells at Killcare is a 90-minute drive north of Sydney. Set high in Killcare Heights, it is surrounded by untouched national parkland and secluded picturesque beaches.

Private coastal-style accommodations, a 20-metre lap pool, a luxurious day spa and an award-winning restaurant featuring the authentic cuisine of renowned Italian-born chef Stefano Manfredi are all part of the experience here. This is a special place of privacy and seclusion for the most discerning adults.

Complement your visit to Uluru in Red Centre country with dinner at Tali Wiru.

'Tali Wiru', meaning ‘beautiful dune’ in the local Anangu language, offers the magic of fine dining under the Southern Desert sky. Limited to an intimate group of 20 people, the Tali Wiru experience begins with French champagne and canapés around a fire pit and progresses to the dune top for a table d'hôte four-course dinner, matched with premium Australian wines, all whilst watching sunset at Uluru. Complete your adventure with a stay at Sails in the Desert Hotel, named after the soaring white sails that crown its roof. A visit to the new Red Ochre Spa at the property is also highly recommended.

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Lake House

2. Spicers Vineyards Estate 3. Spicers Tamarind Retreat 4. Peppers Seaport Hotel 5. Spicers Clovelly Estate 6. Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa 7.

The Louise & Appellation

8. Sails and Tali Wiru

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Golf, Gourmet and Spa Indulgence You've spent all year honing your swing or practising your putt, but when you see Australia's jawdropping golf courses, your mind may not be on the game at all. From the windswept dunes of Tasmania to the island-dotted waters of the Whitsundays, and from rolling hills to lush rainforests, the views from the fairways are some of the best in the world. And when it's time for some post-game fun, the options are equally enticing. Ease tired muscles with a relaxing massage or a soak in the spa. Relish incomparable cuisine paired with fine Australian wines.

And delight in exclusive hotels where the superb service, amenities and recreational facilities are ample rewards for a game well played.

Château Élan at The Vintage, Hunter Valley - In the Hunter Valley, just two hours from Sydney, Château Élan is one of Australia’s finest golf and spa resorts A luxury escape for up to 200 guests, the resort comprises a spa with 17 treatment rooms, 20 super-luxury spa suites and a series of private lifestyle villas.

At the heart of The Vintage community is the Greg Norman-designed golf course.

This championship course is ranked number two in the state. Tony Maher is your executive chef, heading up the Château Élan kitchens, and designing menus to bring the very best of Australian produce and local wines to your table.

Great Golf Courses of Australia - Great Golf Courses of Australia is a collaboration showcasing Australia's premier golf courses Offering spectacular layouts amidst jaw-dropping scenery, complemented by typical Australian hospitality, Australia is a world-class destination for the golf enthusiast. The Great Golf Courses of Australia collaboration can now help you get access to some of the most prestigious, exclusive and previously inaccessible golf courses in the country.

Australia’s World Top 100 courses are Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, NSW Golf Club, Royal Adelaide, Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm. They stretch from the acclaimed Melbourne Sandbelt, the island of Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef to South Australia with its vineyards and the harbourside city of Sydney. Australia boasts a vast collection of exceptional golf experiences that can be combined with some of the best luxury travel experiences.

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Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas - Located on the secluded beachfront of Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, and blending seamlessly with its landscape Sea Temple Golf & Country Club’s 18-hole, par-71 course is designed to challenge the professional and novice alike. The sophisticated hospitality, casual dining and facilities of the clubhouse are exemplary. The Day Spa includes couples rooms and Vichy shower treatments.

The resort is a luxurious base for your Tropical North Queensland and Great Barrier Reef experience, comprising beautifully appointed studio rooms; elegant apartments and villas with exclusive plunge pools; luxury swim-out apartments; and penthouses with rooftop Jacuzzis.

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate De Bortoli captures the elegance of cool-climate Yarra Valley wines. Discover them at the cellar door. Savour delicious Italian-inspired dishes in the restaurant or indulge in matured cheeses in the cheese room. The cellar door and cheese room are open daily. The restaurant is open Thursday to Monday for lunch, and Saturday for dinner.

Cape Lodge, Margaret River - A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, representing a new era of Australian luxury experiential travel Sitting in its own vineyard in the heart of the Margaret River wine country is one of Australia’s finest new-generation gourmet establishments. Cape Lodge features 22 luxury rooms and suites spread throughout 40 acres of manicured park land, an all-weather tennis court, a beautiful free-form swimming pool, a mini spa, a multi-award-winning restaurant and an eight-acre vineyard.

A small sophisticated boutique hotel with a focus on food, wine and indulgence, relax and rejuvenate in exclusive luxury at Cape Lodge.

The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley Nestled amidst the superb Yarra Valley vineyard countryside, this deluxe hotel embodies the essence of an elegant boutique hotel and a true country club. It is a wonderful place to combine relaxation at the Heritage Retreat Spa with a round of golf at the only private Jack Nicklaus signature course in Australia or at Henley, the second 18-hole championship links course.

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Yarra Valley Wine Experience

Hamilton Island Golf Club - On the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, offering some of the world's most spectacular golf course views Designed by champion golfer Peter Thomson, this par-71 course on Dent Island, accessible by boat transfer, is the only 18-hole championship golf course on its own island in Australia.

Featuring a golf pro shop and clubhouse offering fine food and wine, the course has been designed to challenge all levels of golf enthusiast, from novice to professional. With its fantastic views of the Whitsundays, and holes laid across dramatic ridges and across steep valleys like green gems on a necklace, this course makes it hard to keep your eye on the ball.

The extremely well-received Yarra Valley Wine Experience provides a fantastic social group tour environment that is fun, entertaining and educational. Learn how to sniff, swirl and slurp your way through one of Australia's premier wine regions. If you enjoy food and wine and like to socialise with new friends, you will love this day out visiting four wineries. All tastings and lunch are part of the experience.

Sommeliers City Walk With so many fantastic restaurants and a worldclass wine region on its doorstep, Melbourne has so much to offer. With Hidden Secret Tours, you can experience three of the city’s leading restaurants, all in one night. Savour three elite venues, three exclusive wine tastings and three divine seasonal dishes carefully chosen to enhance the wine selections. Venues vary and private group bookings are possible.

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Great Golf Courses of Australia

2. Château Élan at The Vintage, Hunter Valley 3. Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas 4. Cape Lodge, Margaret River 5. Hamilton Island Golf Club 6. De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate 7.

The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley

8. Yarra Valley Wine Experience 9.

Sommeliers City Walk

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New Zealand

Paihia Whangarei

Coromandel

Auckland North Island Hamilton Rotorua

Ta s m a n S e a New Plymouth

Tauranga

Taupo

Gisborne

Napier Hastings Palmerston North

South Island

Westport Greymouth Hokitika

Franz Josef Fox Glacier Haast

Mt Cook

Wellington

Kaikoura

Timaru

Queenstown Te Anau

Invercargill

Picton

Blenheim

Christchurch

Milford Sound Wanaka

Nelson

Oamaru

Dunedin

Stewart Island

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If New Zealand’s landscape were a Hollywood starlet, it would undoubtedly be a drama queen. From snowcapped mountains and rocky coasts to lush rainforests and active volcanoes, almost every eye-popping landscape imaginable is packed into a country roughly the size of the U.S. state of Colorado. From the moment you get off the plane, you’ll be itching to explore.

Bring your cycling shorts, your hiking boots, your skis and your sense of adventure. Tramp the world-famous Milford Track through glacial valleys and fields of alpine wildflowers. Cycle past the rolling vineyards of Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough. Gasp as you dive headfirst off a bridge, tethered only by a super-strong bungee cord. Surge through churning waters on a jet boat, soar above jagged peaks in a sightseeing plane or meander along quiet rural byways in a campervan. At day’s end, relax with a long soak in a natural geothermal pool, followed by a glass of fruity sauvignon blanc. Then drift to sleep beneath crisp linens in a luxurious country inn, lulled by crashing surf and whispering winds.

New Zealand is also home to the Maori, whose influence is visible in everything from musical place names to the sinuous carvings that embellish many public buildings. Thrill to a traditional welcome ceremony at a Maori cultural village and share in a ‘hangi’ feast of chicken and sweet potatoes.

That’s not the only spectacular meal you will enjoy in New Zealand. Savour the country’s world-famous lamb, fine cheeses and luscious produce in a sleek restaurant in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. Explore the gentle charms of these human-scaled cities. At your hotel, revel in attentive service and superb amenities. Throughout this friendly island nation, you’ll receive a warm Kiwi welcome—or, as they say in Maori: ‘kia ora’.

Day 5 Transfer To Rotorua Airport And Fly To Christchurch. On arrival you’ll be transferred to the George Hotel (one night), and this evening enjoy dinner at Pescatore. Pescatore has a long-standing reputation as one of New Zealand’s best contemporary dining experiences. Andrew Brown and his award-winning chefs create fine Pacific Rim cuisine with a special emphasis on seafood.

Day 6 Transfer Today By Private Car To Wanaka. Travelling via the alpine village of Mount Cook, you’ll arrive at Tiritiri Lodge, Wanaka (two nights). Tiritiri Lodge is a sumptuous alpine retreat of elegant environmental design with superb views of the mountains and lake. Enjoy every luxury, wonderful food and the warm hospitality.

Day 7 Today enjoy a half-day Siberia Experience tour with Southern Alps Air. Your experience starts with a 25-minute scenic flight before landing in the Siberia Valley. Tramping down the valley you enter the native beech forest for a two and a half hour self-guided trek. The marked track leads you to Kerin Forks in the Wilkin Valley where the jet boat is waiting to skim you back to Makarora – a 30-minute ride.

Ultimate New Zealand – A Custom Itinerary in Exploring New Zealand Day 1 Arrive Auckland. Your New Zealand representative will meet you on arrival and assist you to your charter light aircraft, which will take you to Waiheke Island. On arrival on Waiheke, you will be transferred by courtesy vehicle to the Boatshed (two nights). This intimate island-style hotel started its life as a small holiday cottage, which has realised a perfectly executed transformation to what is now one of New Zealand’s best-loved small hotels.

Day 2 Spend a day at leisure on Waiheke Island, an eclectic mix of vineyards, sophisticated and alfresco restaurants, artists’ studios and galleries, holiday homes and golden sand beaches for swimming and seaside adventures. The Boatshed is just a five-minute stroll to the local Oneroa shopping and markets and three minutes to the beach.

Day 3 Fly To Rotorua Airport. You will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation at Peppers on the Point (two nights). Surrounded by the sparkling waters of Lake Rotorua, Peppers on the Point is an exclusive retreat offering guests the opportunity to experience the rich New Zealand culture and geothermal springs of Rotorua.

Day 4 Today you will be collected from Peppers on the Point by Helipro for your White Island Helicopter flight. The unique lunar landscape of White Island islocated 32 miles off the Bay of Plenty coastline. Land on the island and enjoy a guided tour before flying back to your lodge.

Auckland Rotorua

Day 8 A scenic helicopter flight to Manapouri then depart on your Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise aboard the ‘Fiordland Navigator’. Enjoy the stunning views and to discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound.

Day 9 You will be transferred by private vehicle to Azur Lodge in Queenstown (four nights). Azur is one of New Zealand’s finest luxury hotels. Don’t just see the world, feel it at Azur.

DAY 10 Today enjoy a small, personalised full-day guided tour including superb scenery, gourmet food and the finest wine. Your wine tour is planned so there’s time to enjoy every aspect of each visit, with wine as the perfect accompaniment.

Christchurch Wanaka Queenstown

DAY 11 Spend a full day relaxing in Queenstown today. For thrill-seekers Queenstown has it all. You might like to go bungy jumping, white water rafting, jet boating, mountain biking, horse riding or parachuting. Leisurely favourites include the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship, Walter Peak Station, the Skyline Gondola, walks and excursions to Glenorchy. For golfing enthusiasts, a Bob Charles designed course is nearby Millbrook Resort.

DAY 12 This morning enjoy a private half-day Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour.

Visitors to this area never fail to be amazed by the manmade and natural features of this unusual landscape. Following the Shotover River Valley the Skippers Road (which was hacked by hand through solid rock) clings to sheer cliff sides with breath-taking drops into the river gorge below. On the return journey enjoy a thrilling Shotover Jetboat ride.

Day 13 Transfer to Queenstown Airport today by private vehicle for your departing flight.

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Glacier and Alpine Adventures Soar high above jagged peaks in helicopter. Ski or snowboard through challenging runs of pristine powder.

Hike dramatic cliff paths or bask beside a secluded alpine lake. Don high-tech equipment to explore an ancient glacier in the company of an experienced guide. Inhale deep breaths of crisp, clear air. Whatever your dream of alpine perfection, New Zealand’s iconic Southern Alps embody it. And however you choose to spend your days, you can spend your nights in comfort in an opulent alpine lodge. Unwind before a roaring fire with a singlemalt scotch. Linger over a gourmet dinner. Relax as a skilled spa therapist works magic on your tired muscles and the unspoiled surroundings work magic on your soul.

Milford Ultimate with Over The Top - Encounter areas of spectacular alpine beauty in World Heritage areas with Over The Top Stroll on an uninhabited beach, soar amongst mountains or dine overlooking a remote alpine lake suspended above Fiordland. Learn of age-old glaciers and prehistoric rainforests in a habitat seldom disturbed by man.

In a relaxed and unhurried expedition to Fiordland, Over The Top gives the discerning visitor the opportunity to experience a New Zealand that few ever see. Over The Top is one of New Zealand’s premier helicopter companies, combining the highest standards of service, product quality and safety, whilst offering excellent passenger comfort.

Millennium Hotel Queenstown - The secret is out! Queenstown is one totally hip, chic alpine playground Millennium Hotel Queenstown is beautifully positioned, just a short stroll from the central shopping, entertainment and gastronomic delights that unfold regularly in this vibrant little town. The sophisticated hotel is an inspiring combination of modern floor-to-ceiling glass and robust concrete with glorious views. It offers a warm and welcoming haven in this year-round resort. Its Observatory Restaurant is one of Queenstown’s finest dining experiences, specialising in contemporary New Zealand cuisine and offering a superb selection of New Zealand wines.

When not exploring the town centre, choose from four ski fields to suit all abilities, an extraordinary network of hiking trails through the surrounding mountains and a huge variety of adventure tourism activities, from jet boating to bungee jumping.

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Peppers Beacon Queenstown - Situated on the pristine shores of Lake Wakatipu, with superb lake and alpine mountain views The stylish Peppers Beacon is located on New Zealand’s South Island, just a tenminute drive from Queenstown Airport and a five-minute walk from the heart of Queenstown.

Choose from four luxury accommodation styles, including lovely hotel rooms, two- and three-bedroom suites, and a deluxe penthouse suite offering picturesque views of the lake and Remarkables Mountains. Prepare your own barbecue lunch or dinner in the manicured hotel courtyard, or choose from more than 100 fine dining and casual restaurants, cafés and bars in Queenstown.

Fox Glacier Walk

Millbrook Resort - Golf, ski, snowboard or relax in the spa, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks On the 45th parallel on the South Island of New Zealand, nestled within the Southern Alps and framed by the aptly named Remarkables Mountains, are the 500 acres of lush green fairways, rolling hills and babbling streams of Millbrook Resort.

The décor of the beautifully appointed rooms, suites and villas complements the style of the region. Facilities include three restaurants and a bar/café with open fires, a championship 27hole golf course, health & fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, hot pools, and a world class day spa. Complimentary shuttle service between the resort and Queenstown/Arrowtown.

Enjoy a breathtaking guided trip on one of the West Coast’s longest and least-crowded glaciers with a thoroughly experienced glacier guiding company. To ensure your safety, guides are trained through the internationally recognised New Zealand Mountain Guides Association.

Choose from trips designed to suit all fitness levels. Enjoy exceptional customer service and stunning views of the eight-mile glacier.

Scenic Helicopter Flights & Snow Landings Thrill to a scenic helicopter flight and snow landing above the Franz Josef or Fox glacier.

Departures 364 days of the year, subject to suitable weather conditions. For over 25 years, Fox and Franz Josef Heliservices has flown in Westland National Park. Trust them to take you on the experience of a lifetime. Soar among some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery and frolic in the snow thousands of feet above sea level.

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Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet

Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier

- Choose a private retreat on the shore of glacial Lake Wanaka or an exclusive hideaway in the Southern Alps

- A stunning, lodge-style hotel, surrounded by native rainforest on New Zealand’s beautiful West Coast

Whare Kea Lodge, a six-room lakeside lodge on New Zealand's South Island, offers an appealing combination of expansive views and small-scale intimacy, sophistication and informality, matched with fresh, innovative cuisine and superb service.

Nestled between the mountains and the sea, with Franz Josef Glacier just minutes away, this exclusive, newly developed retreat offers guest rooms that have been designed with both comfort and environmental preservation top of mind. As well as providing a quiet, cosy ambiance, the rooms offer exceptional amenities. Choose from a personal pillow menu and drift off to sleep on natural wool mattress underlays. The lodge also includes Canopy Restaurant, whose renowned five-course degustation menu features fresh West Coast and South Island ingredients.

Whare Kea Chalet, meanwhile, is a distinctive alpine getaway accessible only by helicopter. Even 1,750 metres above sea level, your two-bedroom chalet provides superlative comforts: solar electricity, hot running water, sumptuous beds, divine cuisine, a chalet host and a mountain guide.

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Millennium Hotel Queenstown

2. Milford Ultimate with Over The Top 3. Peppers Beacon Queenstown 4. Millbrook Resort 5. Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet 6. Fox Glacier Walk 7.

Scenic Helicopter Flights & Snow Landings

8. Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier

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Spa at the Pullman Stroll five minutes from inner-city Auckland and you will find Spa at the Pullman: a sanctuary for anyone seeking respite from the ordinary. It’s an ideal place to rejuvenate your tired muscles and mind before returning to the outside world with renewed zest. Experience numerous body and facial therapies, along with a fully equipped gym, 25-metre heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa pool and sun terrace.

Volcanic, Thermal and Spa New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most indulgent spas.

Given the thermal activity of the land and the healing properties of the local flora, in fact, it sometimes seems as though New Zealand is Mother Nature’s private spa. Absorb the unique healing properties of mineral-rich volcanic mud. Soak in geothermal hot springs and savour the therapeutic touch of traditional Maori techniques. Pamper yourself— and restore your sense of balance and calm—with soothing facials and relaxing massages. Once you’re feeling rejuvenated, explore New Zealand’s fascinating geothermal sites. Tour steaming geysers in the company of knowledgeable experts, and stand awed before the untamed power of the Earth.

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White Island - Mount Tarawera Helicopter Tour Experience an unforgettable flight. Exclusive to HELIPRO, fly and land on the active crater floor of White Island volcano. Marvel at its lunar landscape, active volcanic vents, steaming Crater Lake and desolate mining ruins. Next, land on the awe-inspiring summit of Mt Tarawera, site of the largest eruption in New Zealand’s recent history, in 1886. These spectacular tours depart from Rotorua or Taupo.

Te Puia - Thermal Valley Te Whakarewarewa - Personally encounter the Maori people and culture in a living thermal village Explore Te Puia with a guide or on your own. The experience includes an enthralling 45-minute cultural performance. Enjoy warmth and hospitality (Manaakitanga), and the best of Maori performing arts. Discover stories of the arrival and settlement of the Maori in Rotorua, and explore their customs and traditions. See New Zealand’s iconic flightless bird in a specially lit Kiwi house with specialist guides. Visit the unique geothermal reserve, which includes boiling mud pools and the world-famous, 30-metre Pohutu geyser, which erupts up to 20 times a day.

Volcanic Air Safaris

Polynesian Spa

- Volcanic Air Safaris provides you with a flight experience far beyond the ordinary

- Relax and unwind in the hot mineral pools of Polynesian Spa, overlooking Lake Rotorua

Be whisked away from your accommodation and fly over some of the most dramatic geothermal and volcanic landscapes on the central Bay of Plenty.

Enjoy a bird's-eye view of Mt Tarawera, a dormant volcano that erupted in 1886, leaving an five-mile crater scar.

Two types of hot mineral water, each with its own therapeutic properties, feed into these famed thermal pools. Reflect on the tranquil volcanic landscape as clouds of steam arise from the lake from springs deep below the water’s surface.

Indulge in a spa treatment incorporating Rotorua thermal mud, New Zealand manuka honey or other natural ingredients. Admire heritage buildings dating back to the 1930s and stroll beautiful grounds blooming with native flora.

Centrally located in Rotorua and open daily from 8am to 11pm.

Visit the Hidden Valley of Orakei Korako, home to hot springs, gushing geysers and fascinating silica terraces. Experience White Island, New Zealand’s most active volcano, with its ever-changing crater floor. Or create your own personalised itinerary, comprising cruising, fishing, hunting or golf.

Select Braemar Lodge & Spa - A stellar spa destination in Hanmer Springs, ringed by stunning mountains and thermal pools Select Braemar Lodge and Spa offers 23 airy suites, the Altitude Bar and Restaurant, and Spa Braemar. Your suite is a peaceful retreat: switch on your gas fireplace, queue up a free movie on your flat-screen TV or dock your iPod into the sound system, then snuggle into your Californian super-king bed under a fluffy duvet. Or unwind in your marbled bathroom, with its double spa bath and double shower.

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But that’s just the beginning of your escape. At Spa Braemar, indulge in an aroma bliss massage or delight your skin with a pure collagen velvet facial.

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Millennium Hotel Rotorua - Restore your equilibrium in a luxurious spa hotel in New Zealand’s celebrated geothermal destination Rotorua has long been recognised as a spa destination of choice, mainly due to the healing properties of its mineral-rich geothermal bathing pools.

The Millennium Hotel Rotorua, one of the district’s largest deluxe hotels, is perfectly situated in the heart of the city, next to Lake Rotorua and the acclaimed Polynesian Spa. Start your day with an alfresco breakfast beside the hotel’s geothermal pool. Then escape from the everyday in the Millennium's delightful spa. Treat yourself to indulgent beauty and body treatments featuring natural skincare products that will both nourish your skin and nurture your soul. Don’t miss the chance to try a Rotorua mud wrap.

In the evening, linger over fine fare like peppered venison carpaccio in the hotel’s Restaurant Nikau. Bar Zazu, with its dramatic contemporary décor, is the perfect spot to bring a wonderful day to close with a festive nightcap.

The Spa at Millbrook

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Spa at The Pullman

2. White Island - Mt Tarawera

- Immerse your spirit in the beauty of Millbrook’s landscape and your body in the peaceful Spa at Millbrook

3. Volcanic Air Safaris

Just a short walk from your room or reception, The Spa at Millbrook offers a tranquil haven. Carefully angled windows provide stunning views from every room. Voted one of the top ten hotel spas in the world by Gayot.com in 2009, the spa offers a complete range of therapeutic and beauty treatments for men and women, including massage therapies, body wraps, facials, skin care and hairstyling.

5. Polynesian Spa

Day packages for individuals, couples and groups are available. Ask the professional Millbrook therapists to help you select the best options.

4. Te Puia - Thermal Valley Te Whakarewarewa 6. Millennium Hotel Rotorua 7.

Select Braemar Lodge & Spa

8. The Spa at Millbrook

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Wilderness and Wildlife Encounters Immerse yourself nature at its purest, along hundreds of miles of pristine shoreline, in lively seas, in rich rainforests and along stunning alpine trails. Keep your camera handy to capture photos of breaching whales.

Splash in sparkling waters with wild dolphins. Delight in a wide range of bird life, from majestic albatrosses to the ever-popular penguins. New Zealand’s wilderness tour operators cherish hospitality and the natural world in equal measure, so you will travel in first-class comfort while leaving a light footprint. Whether you cruise the Bay of Islands or Otago Peninsula, hike through coastal forests or visit a seal colony, you will marvel at New Zealand’s natural wonders.

Swim with the Dolphins

Boutique Guided Walks

- Frolic with playful sea mammals in a setting of incredible beauty

- Trek through lush coastal beech forests, visit a sanctuary for rare birds and stay in sumptuous country inns

Delight in a dolphin eco-adventure! Step aboard a purpose-built high-speed catamaran, one of the most comfortable swim-with-the-dolphins vessels in the Bay of Islands. Cruise among 144 islands and spot sea mammals in their natural environment. Once the ship encounters dolphins, the crew will assess their behaviour and age. If conditions and government regulations permit, you can swim with them. Don a mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit, and slip into the warmest waters in New Zealand. (Swimming is optional; you can also get a wonderful view from the ship's observation decks.)

Wilderness Guides offers an extensive range of guided and independent hiking packages along the Queen Charlotte Track. Consider the boutique guided walk, which National Geographic Adventure magazine rated as one of the 25 Best New Trips in the World 2008.

Kiwi Dundee Adventures One of New Zealand’s premier guiding companies, Kiwi Dundee Adventures invites you to share an unforgettable nature experience.

Choose from a variety of deluxe, private customised tours on the Coromandel Peninsula and throughout New Zealand. Passionate, knowledgeable guides will lead you through a paradise of forests, mountains, national parks, horticulture, farming, coastal scenery, unique culture and friendly people.

Canterbury Trails

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Learn about the flora and fauna of the Marlborough Sounds from experienced local guides. Unwind each night at a luxurious boutique lodge, including the famed No Road Inn. This premier guided walk package puts the emphasis squarely on fine food and wine, and superior accommodation.

Join Canterbury Trails on a day tour to Arthur’s Pass, Akaroa or Kaikoura, and enjoy the diverse and stunning scenery of Canterbury.

Alternatively, discover the hidden corners of the South Island with a tailor-made tour. They specialise in small group guided tours that give inquisitive, discerning travellers an opportunity to enjoy wildlife, nature and stunning landscapes. Discover the real New Zealand.

Kaikoura Wilderness Walks and Shearwater Lodge - Experience the wilderness walk of a lifetime through internationally renowned Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve This wilderness encounter is holistic in the true sense of the word and offers a very different experience. Enjoy an exclusive two- or three-day private guided walk through some of the highest privately owned land in New Zealand.

After a day of unforgettable sights and sounds, relax at Shearwater Lodge, nestled at the bush edge 1,000 metres above a spectacular alpine valley. This eco-friendly lodge is the ultimate retreat, offering private en-suite rooms and private balconies. Walk, relax and rejuvenate in a stunning alpine environment.

Doubtful Sound Fiordland Navigator Overnight Cruise - Cruise one of southern New Zealand’s most spectacular and pristine fiords World Heritage-listed Doubtful Sound is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and fantastic marine life. his is the more tranquil of the Sounds and attracts the most wildlife, so you are most likely to see seals and dolphins during this cruise.

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Purpose built for these waters, the Fiordland Navigator offers private cabins, spacious viewing decks, a comfortable dining salon for dinner and breakfast, and the opportunity to launch kayaks or explore in tenders with an expert nature guide. Setting sail in this isolated wilderness, far from the urban bustle, is sure to touch your soul.

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Elm Wildlife Tours - Peninsula Encounters

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- Watch for sea lions, seals and rare birds on tours of the Otago Peninsula and Southern Coast

Monarch Wildlife Cruise

Whether you join a small group on a half-day Peninsula Encounters tour or arrange a custom-tailored Wild Coast Explorer tour, you will be in awe of the animals and landscape. Both tours offer unforgettably close wildlife experiences.

- Discover the Otago Peninsula and its attractions with three-time New Zealand Tourism Award winners Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours

One of the top reasons many people visit New Zealand is to experience the pristine nature of the country: the crashing sea, lush rainforests, towering peaks, glaciers, caves and beaches. That is usually easy to do, but seeing wildlife can be a challenge.

Spot northern royal and other albatross species, seals, penguins, and up to 20 species of bird and marine life, in a natural and otherwise inaccessible environment around Taiaroa Head. Expand your adventure with guided tours of Larnach Castle, the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve and the Royal Albatross Centre. Experienced guides, interactive commentary, information sheets, binoculars and jackets all enhance your experience. Complimentary refreshments and transfers are included.

Let Elm Wildlife Tours give you a fascinating perspective on the habitats and behaviours of internationally significant wildlife, particularly royal albatrosses, yellow-eyed and blue penguins, New Zealand sea lions, and fur seals. Observe animals from viewing hides in the company’s exclusive conservation area.

Generally, guests spot 30 to 40 bird species on these tours. It’s a wildlife enthusiast’s dream!

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Swim with the Dolphins

2. Kiwi Dundee Adventures 3. Canterbury Trails 4. Boutique Guided Walks 5. Kaikoura Wilderness Walks and Shearwater Lodge 6. Doubtful Sound Fiordland Navigator Overnight 7.

Monarch Wildlife Cruise

8. Elm Wildlife Tours - Peninsula Encounters

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Exploring New Zealand Succumb to the call of the open road and the allure of the clear blue sky. With scenic highways winding along dramatic coastlines, across rolling hills, and through pastures of sheep and picturesque country towns, New Zealand beckons the adventurous traveller in myriad ways. Settle behind the wheel of a luxurious campervan and go where your whims take you. Put yourself in the expert hands of a seasoned driver-guide and discover hidden corners of this fascinating country.

Or clamber into an ultra-modern helicopter and fly off to pristine mountain peaks and secret lakes even the locals don’t know about.

However you explore New Zealand and wherever you go, astonishing beauty awaits around every corner.

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- Experience the excellence that is United Campervans— choose a luxury Mercedes-Benz motorhome and discover the wonders of New Zealand in style Do you enjoy exploring new worlds spontaneously—choosing what you want to do and when? Do you dream of discovering the true heart and soul of New Zealand and its people? Do you prefer to travel in style? Then you need a United Campervan.

Specialist New Zealand operator United Campervans offers freedom with style and comfort in luxuriously appointed, fully equipped Mercedes-Benz motorhomes. Whether you select a compact two+one or two-berth vehicle, or one of the larger four- or six-berth motorhomes, you’ll enjoy the comfort of spacious living areas. Automatic transmission in all models ensures easy driving, and standard in every motorhome are a fully equipped kitchen, large comfortable beds and bedding, and a bathroom with a shower and toilet.

United is one of the few New Zealand motorhome operators offering bicycles and bicycle racks for hire with every model. Explore New Zealand’s countryside Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

even more intimately. With the freedom to plan each day’s itinerary as the mood takes you, your holiday will become an unforgettable memory. Forget about accommodation worries as you seamlessly experience beautiful New Zealand.

The first motorhome company to achieve New Zealand Tourism’s prestigious Qualmark endorsement, United Campervans is now one of the only New Zealand motorhome operators to have received both Qualmark Enviro Gold and EarthCheck Gold endorsements, recognizing United’s ongoing commitment to the global environment.

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Queenstown Scenic Flights with Over The Top

New Zealand Luxury Escapes

- A unique opportunity to explore New Zealand’s remote—and normally inaccessible—areas

- Explore New Zealand by luxury vehicle with an expert guide in a small group or by private charter

Exploring New Zealand’s spectacular alpine landscape tops many visitors’ wish lists, but few gain superb access to this impressive expanse. The diversity of pure and unspoilt terrain within a compact area makes southern New Zealand well suited to the helicopter, from both a visual and safety perspective. What better way to reach New Zealand’s soaring peaks than from the sky?

If you are seeking the luxury of a helicopter flight along a rugged coastline or a day among ancient alpine beech forests, you can also enjoy the ultimate luxuries of choice and flexibility. Fully guided experiences ensure you are worry free, and tailor-made itineraries are designed with only you in mind. New Zealand Luxury Escapes, a family-owned and -operated company, provides clients with a genuinely elite experience.

Visiting Queenstown, Milford and the fiords of southern New Zealand— areas rich with alpine glaciers and remote lakes—Over The Top specialises in accessing the extraordinary. Using the latest helicopters, the company offers a range of interpretive excursions. Choose a shared experience or an exclusive private flight. Modify a popular tour to your requirements, or create an itinerary limited only by your imagination. Escape the everyday on secluded beaches, remote lakes and isolated mountain peaks.

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Queenstown Scenic Flights with Over The Top

2. New Zealand Luxury Escapes

Travel by luxury vehicle. Visit breathtakingly picturesque locations and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the New Zealand alpine wilderness. Enjoy a helicopter flight or a cruise aboard a luxury yacht. Access exclusive hideaways only visited by the privileged few. Relax with pre-arranged theatre tickets, special wines and delicious cuisine in award-winning restaurants. See New Zealand in spectacular style.

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Mountain Biking, Queenstown, New Zealand

Luxury Lakeside Living New Zealand offers an astonishing range of lakeside escapes, whether you dream of running away to a geothermal spa, a luxuriously rustic mountain retreat or a country idyll in an historic inn surrounded by formal English gardens. Savour a cup of freshly brewed coffee on your private verandah as dawn dapples the lake with colour. Then spend the day revelling in all the fun of lakeside living: paddle a kayak, fish for trout, enjoy a leisurely swim or bask on the shore with a good book.

Or try something more adventurous— perhaps a helicopter flight over the stunning landscape? As dusk steals over the lake at the end of a supremely relaxing day, delight in the restorative power of being by water.

Peppers On The Point - Experience Rotorua’s rich culture and dynamic geothermal environment in a spectacular setting Surrounded by the sparkling waters of Lake Rotorua, Peppers on the Point is an exclusive lakeside retreat. Just five minutes from the heart of Rotorua City, on Kawaha Point Road, the property features an exquisitely furnished, converted 1930s mansion. Accommodation within the retreat includes nine spacious, luxurious suites, with most featuring stunning lake views. Peppers on the Point is in the heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture, set amidst a landscape of erupting geysers, hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools.

Huka Lodge - Providing an extraordinary hospitality experience for the world’s most discerning travellers, since the 1920s

Solitaire Lodge - Opulent comfort on a private peninsula overlooking the still waters of legendary Lake Tarawera Solitaire Lodge Rotorua, one of the first New Zealand luxury lodges, offers secluded accommodation in a stellar lakeside location. The lodge’s ten luxurious suites feature 180-degree views of the glassy lake and magnificent volcano, Mt Tarawera.

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Feeling adventurous? Embark on a scenic helicopter ride, skim across the lake in a kayak or enjoy world-class trout fishing. The lodge is also the perfect setting to simply relax, indulge and rejuvenate. Leave all the arrangements in the able hands of your warm, friendly Kiwi hosts.

This iconic retreat is consistently ranked amongst the very finest properties in the world. Within 17 acres of manicured grounds, the lodge enjoys a breathtaking location of great natural beauty. The 18 junior lodge suites, one double lodge suite and two exclusive cottages all nestle on the banks of the Waikato River, Taupo, and enjoy views of its turquoise-green waters.

Service is both solicitous and seamless, and every last facet of guest comfort has been considered. Fine cuisine is one of the lodge’s hallmarks – savour an intimate dinner in one of over 20 private dining venues, including the jetty pavilion, the wine cellar and beside an outdoor fireplace on the river terrace.

The Owner’s Cottage and its companion, the Alan Pye Cottage, are two of the world’s most exclusive private hideaways. They offer the best of both worlds: total independence and privacy, as well as access to all of the lodge’s amenities.

Lake Timara Lodge - Overlooking a private lake, 25 acres of English-style gardens and Marlborough vineyards Nestled in a peaceful country setting, Timara Lodge is, quite simply, a perfect spot to unwind. Choose from four charming rooms, tastefully furnished with fine art and antiques, each with spectacular views of the grounds, adjacent lake or surrounding hills. Within the spacious grounds, you’ll find an in-ground pool, a tennis court and extensive gardens. Experience the gourmet pleasures of Louis Schindler, the property’s internationally renowned and Michelinexperienced chef. Enjoy an impressive menu matched perfectly with worldfamous Marlborough wines.

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Azur Lodge

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- Awaken to a glorious mountain sunrise over Lake Wakatipu in a private, open-plan villa

Matakauri Lodge - Spectacularly situated on Lake Wakatipu, offering stunning views of the lake and mountain ranges Just seven minutes from Queenstown, this lakeside retreat is nestled in one of the world’s most beautiful alpine landscapes. Choose from 11 luxurious suites—eight situated in outlying cottages and three in the main lodge. All were recently refurbished in warm, inviting colours and fabrics. Every suite offers a private porch, bedroom with sitting area, fireplace, walk-in wardrobe, and views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. Relax completely at the spa, where each treatment room has its own shower, changing room and deck fringed with native flora.

On par with the finest luxury lodges in New Zealand, offering impeccable service and fine hospitality, Azur justifiably bills itself as a total experience. For the friendly, capable staff, nothing is too much trouble—whether you’d like an in-room spa treatment or a personalised driving itinerary for the day.

Set amongst 3.5 acres of native bushland, Azur features a magnificent lodge and nine villas, all offering superb lake and mountain views. Each villa has been constructed with materials that reflect the Queenstown environment. The main lodge building is a fabulous place to contemplate the expansive view or enjoy a book from the library.

All rates include personal airport transfers, full breakfasts to be enjoyed either in the lodge or in the privacy of your villa, homemade afternoon tea, and predinner drinks and canapés. Azur is only five minutes from the town centre by complimentary transfer.

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Peppers On The Point

2. Solitaire Lodge 3. Huka Lodge 4. Lake Timara Lodge 5. Matakauri Lodge 6. Azur Lodge

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White Island Tours Cruise across the pristine waters of the Bay of Plenty to White Island—one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes. After donning a hard hat and gas mask, follow your guide on an exploration of the crater. Experience roaring fumaroles, sparkling sulphur chimneys, bubbling pools of mud and the spectacular crater lake. The return journey often provides the opportunity for dolphin or whale watching.

Adventures on Water You may have sailed or cruised in other places, but you’ve never experienced life on the water the way you will in New Zealand. As an island nation also blessed with countless lakes, New Zealand is an incomparable water paradise. And Kiwis have devised countless ways to enjoy it! Delight in the snap of the wind in the sails of an opulent yacht. Cruise into quiet coves to spot seals and penguins at play.

Gasp as dolphins trace graceful arcs from the water to the sky. Cruise to a lakeside volcano. Get soaked on a thrilling jetboat ride through towering canyons. To complete your water-lover’s vacation, stay in a luxurious waterfront resort, where the wonders of lake and sea unfurl themselves on your doorstep.

Pure Cruise New Zealand - Feel the breeze in your hair with an exclusive eco-sailing experience on Tiua, a 53-foot luxury catamaran

America’s Cup Sailing Experience - A rare opportunity to participate as crew on an actual America’s Cup yacht on a two-hour sail Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders, or simply sit back and enjoy the action as you sail beautiful Waitemata Harbour, with Auckland’s skyline as a backdrop.

The America’s Cup is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophies, and a famed yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, these America’s Cup yachts give you an uncommon chance to help sail a grand-prix racing machine.

Japan raced the NZL 41 vessel in 1995 and came second to Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton Challenge. The NZL 68 vessel was originally commissioned in Germany in 2003; Team New Zealand acquired and used her as a trial boat before their 2007 America’s Cup campaign.

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The America’s Cup took place in these very waters in 2000 and 2003. No trip is complete without experiencing Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’, from the sea. No experience necessary!

Cruising the sparkling waters of Lake Rotoiti with Pure Cruise introduces you to some of the best of Rotorua: a pristine environment, natural thermal bathing pools, trout fishing and rich Maori history.

Take the helm, trim the sails, swim off the boat, or just relax and savour the scenic splendour, complemented by fine New Zealand cuisine, quality beverages and unsurpassed service. For the ultimate Rotorua experience, add a HELiPRO helicopter, mountain bike, kayak or floatplane component to your sailing adventure.

Black Cat Cruises Join the award-winning Black Cat Cruises on a stunning two-hour harbour and nature discovery cruise in Akaroa, a 90-minute scenic drive from Christchurch. Keep an eye out for rare Hector’s dolphins—found only in New Zealand—as well as little blue penguins and seals. Learn about the area’s fascinating history from your skipper’s entertaining and informative commentary. Cruises depart daily, all year round.

Shotover Jet World famous as the ultimate jet boat experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over three million people since 1970. Now it’s your turn!

Take ‘The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride’ with the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.

Shoot past steep rock walls and hold tight for exhilarating full 360-degree spins. Just ten minutes’ drive from central Queenstown.

Peppers Clearwater Resort - A stunning resort set within beautiful grounds, surrounded by the shimmering lakes and waterways from which it gets its name Just a 15-minute drive from the city centre of Christchurch, this elegant hotel’s accommodation includes a variety of modern rooms, suites and villas, all offering opportunities for privacy and relaxation. Built in a contemporary boathouse design, all apartments feature the premium facilities and services.

Accommodations offer marvellous lake or fairway views, while the spacious two-bedroom apartment boasts a cosy fireplace. Try a spot of fly-fishing or play the championship golf course.

Dart River Safaris Enjoy a superb combination of breathtaking World Heritage scenery, exciting wilderness jetboating, Maori heritage and inspiring adventure—in short, everything that makes New Zealand an exceptional destination. Explore this spectacular area on the half-day Wilderness Safari—including jetboating, a guided nature walk and a back-country 4WD bus tour—or the full-day FunYak Safari, paddling downriver in inflatable kayaks.

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America’s Cup Sailing Experience

Abel Tasman Sailing

Peppers Bluewater Resort

- Sail glittering waters, stroll beautiful sands, swim in crystal-clear lagoons and delight in the antics of playful fur seals

- Ideally placed for adventure and leisure near the shores of dazzling Lake Tekapo, surrounded by the spectacular Southern Alps

2. White Island Tours

Experience the highlights of Abel Tasman National Park with a scenic sailing catamaran cruise along the coastline. The skipper is your guide as you discover the delights of this spectacular natural area. Cruise by secluded islands. Picnic on a golden beach. Get involved in the sailing or sit back and relax, enjoying the warm sun on your face and the salty sea air. Take a day trip, sign up for a multiday tour or have a personalised tour custom designed for you.

A scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive from both Christchurch and Queenstown, Peppers Bluewater Resort offers accommodations ranging from hotel rooms to one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. With a colour scheme inspired by the lake’s characteristic turquoise hues and surrounding earthy tones, the resort exudes a tranquil ambiance. Enjoy exceptional facilities and thoughtful service. Kayak on Lake Tekapo, or fish for brown or rainbow trout. This restful retreat is a perfect base for exploring the region's natural wonders.

6. Abel Tasman Sailing

3. Pure Cruise New Zealand 4. Black Cat Cruises 5. Peppers Clearwater Resort 7.

Shotover Jet

8. Dart River Safaris 9.

Peppers Bluewater Resort

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Tiki Tiki Ora

Maori and Modern Culture Explore New Zealand’s spectacular landscape and experience the culture that shapes its people. Discover the fascinating traditions of the Maori, the indigenous people of the land they call Aotearoa. Gain insights into native artworks, see tattooed warriors re-enact the fierce dances that once terrified their enemies—and delight at the songs that followed, once the two sides had come to terms. The country’s global cultural footprint is illuminated through a plethora of experiences. From Maori culture to movie culture—marvel again as you stroll through the real life rolling hills and gentle valleys that play the role of Middle-earth in The Hobbit prequel to the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings shot in New Zealand.

TIME Unlimited Tours - Travel with a multi-award-winning tour operator, recently recognized for excellence by the United Nations TIME Unlimited Tours ('To Integrate Maori Experiences') offers a wide range of high-quality experiences in the Auckland region. Choose from Auckland tours, Auckland Maori tours, guided wilderness walks, cruise excursions, and kite fishing and kayak fishing trips, among others.

Or reserve a private luxury tour around Auckland and to such world-famous destinations as Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Taupo and the Bay of Islands. TIME Unlimited Tours has received many awards, including Qualmark Enviro GOLD, for its eco-friendly approach.

Gain insights into Maori culture through explanations of traditional customs, weaponry and song. Begin with a traditional powhiri (Maori welcoming ceremony), a warrior’s challenge and an enthralling kapa haka (Maori performing arts) concert.

Overnight Marae Stay Nestled into the fringes of an ancient tawa forest lie two intricately carved sleeping houses (wharemoe). These will be your overnight home.

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Te Puia - Te Po - Delight in an indigenous evening experience—an unforgettable feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Maori cuisine

- Spend the night in the heart of the Tamaki Maori Village

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This exclusive owner-operated bed and breakfast in the Bay of Islands offers three luxuriously appointed en-suite rooms, complete with wraparound terraces and magnificent mountain and sea views. Enjoy the plentiful sunshine, spectacular sunsets and awesome night skies with no light pollution. Delight in complimentary cocktails and canapés on arrival. Ample off-street and covered parking is available.

On the first afternoon, enjoy an intimate Maori welcome and afternoon tea.

Immerse yourself in traditional protocols and hear stories of Maori history.

Learn the words and actions to a traditional Maori song before experiencing the evening pre-European Maori village tour, cultural performance and traditional hangi feast. Relax around the campfire under the stars, as your Maori guide shares stories and answers your questions.

Enjoy the unique taste of meats and vegetables cooked in an underground hangi oven, as well as sumptuous seafood, salad and dessert buffets. Complete this magical evening with a hot chocolate under the stars alongside the worldfamous Pohutu geyser.

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A slice of the real Middle-earth - Middle-earth, glowworms, caves, whitewater rafting and more await you in the heart of New Zealand’s spectacularly scenic North Island The Hamilton and Waikato region offers something for every visitor, from Hamilton city’s urban attractions to the black sand surf beaches of Raglan, and the rolling hills and ancient bush-clad mountains. It’s no wonder, then, that when scouting for settings for his epic movie adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, director Peter Jackson found just what he was looking for in the green paddocks just outside Matamata.

Experience the real Middle-earth and visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire in the The Lord of the Rings films. Start with a drive through the picturesque farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you through the 10-acre site, recounting fascinating details of how it was created. See the Hobbit Holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill, gardens and other structures, and learn how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire. After your tour, return to The Shires Rest, where you can enjoy a meal in the café or shop in The Shire Store.

Below ground, delight in the magic of the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, as experienced guides share the rich history of the area. Highlights include the cathedral—a huge cavern with fantastic natural acoustics—and a boat ride through the caves under thousands of twinkling glowworms. Equally awe-inspiring is a visit to Ruakuri Cave with its spectacular spiral entrance, or Aranui Cave with its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Feeling adventurous?

Weave, jump and float your way through a labyrinth of subterranean streams with The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. In Waitomo, visit the iconic Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre with its innovative sky roof, gift shop and restaurant.

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TIME Unlimited Tours

2. Overnight Marae Stay 3. Tiki Tiki Ora 4. Te Puia - Te Po 5. A Slice of the Real Middle-Earth

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Private Retreats and Country Estates On the sun-splashed patio of your private villa, relish delicious meals prepared by an award-winning chef from fresh local produce, complemented by fine New Zealand wines. Or enjoy a leisurely dinner in the elegant dining room of an intimate country estate. Revel in thoughtful service and legendary Kiwi hospitality, in properties as luxurious as the settings are spectacular. Fill your days with outdoor pleasures: kayak a secluded lake, cast a fishing line, or play a game of tennis. Cycle peaceful side roads and trek scenic trails. Ride horses through endless farmlands.

Everywhere you go, the rural New Zealand lifestyle and down-toearth nature of those you meet are guaranteed to refresh your spirits.

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The Point Villas - Two luxurious villas near Taupo, recognized

by Condé Nast Traveller magazine These spectacular villas on exclusive Whakamoenga Point overlook a beautiful bay on Lake Taupo, 10 minutes from Taupo village. Each villa features two beautiful bedrooms with en-suites, a well-equipped designer kitchen, laundry, a large living/dining area and a mineralised swimming pool. Off the deck of Villa One, enjoy a 12-metre heated lap pool. Choose from flexible levels of service— self-cater, enjoy the services of a first-class chef or indulge in an all-inclusive luxurious lodge experience. Facilities include kayaks, tennis courts, petanque and bush walks.

Eagles Nest - Immerse yourself in the extraordinary treasure of your own slice of heaven and sea We all dream of enjoying the luxury and inspiration of the ocean, and the five villas at Eagles Nest fulfill these dreams. Constantly changing skies and ocean, boats, wildlife, sunrises and sunsets re-attune you to the essence of life, nature and serenity.

This glorious maritime playground is an ever-changing backdrop against which a gracious Kiwi staff caters to your every whim. Revel in fabulous in-villa dining experiences created by your personal chef. Spa treatments, a resident personal trainer and every water sport known to man—including some of the best fishing in New Zealand—complete the dream.

Expansive glass doors open to the sea and subtropical landscapes, seamlessly connecting interiors to generous outdoor spaces with luxurious hot tubs and heated horizon-edged pools—all just two minutes from the romantic town of Russell. Eagles Nest truly is somewhere between seven stars and heaven.

Glen Aros Country Estate Offering a unique combination of location, facilities and quiet seclusion Glen Aros is the perfect base for guests looking for an exclusive property with full service from which to explore Hawke’s Bay. Leave the bustle of city life behind you and enter a luxury retreat where locally sourced, gourmet food complements the high standard of accommodation and facilities.

There are six super-king luxury rooms all with modern en-suite bathroom, 24 hour concierge and in-house Michelin standard chef. Extensive recreational facilities include heated swimming pool and spa, billiard table, gym, petanque and expansive gardens. Enjoy complimentary unlimited golf at the nearby Hastings Golf Club or visit the world renowned Cape Kidnappers Golf course.

The French Country House

Sherwood Lodge

Unwind in a romantic country house that combines luxury antiques with modern facilities. Curl up with your favourite book and a glass of wine in front of the Great Room’s fireplace. Retire to romantic bedrooms, with king-sized beds draped in Italian linen, honeyed timber floors and elegant en-suites with bathtubs made for two. The property is renowned for its excellent cuisine accompanied by fine New Zealand wines.

Join us in this gracious historic home for a taste of ‘high country’ style, with spacious, relaxed accommodation, regional food, and ever-changing mountain views. It’s a perfect place from which to explore the marine playground of Kaikoura, the thermal spa area of Hanmer Springs and Waipara’s wineries.

Near the lodge, enjoy horse riding, fishing, farm tours and golf. An easy two-hour drive from Christchurch airport.

Grasmere Lodge, Southern Alps - A stunning lodge at the heart of an operational 6,000-hectare grand pastoral station/ranch, surrounded by glorious alpine scenery

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Grasmere Lodge has been a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World since 1995. The 150-year-old homestead’s character shines through in rooms such as the library, lounge, bar and evening dining rooms.

Bay of Many Coves Resort - Where lush green hills kiss azure waters, a uniquely tranquil and restful sanctuary awaits

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The 12 guest rooms—spread throughout the lodge, chalet and cottage—boast panoramic views of lakes, rivers or rugged mountains. From the lodge, explore the breathtaking landscape on horseback, on foot, or by kayak or mountain bike before returning to relax and rejuvenate in the Mountain Spa.

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Bay of Many Coves Resort is a luxurious retreat in the scenic Marlborough Sounds. Relax in a spacious one-, two- or three-bedroom hillside apartment with an uninterrupted vista of coastline and native bush-clad hills. The restaurant’s irresistible cuisine reflects the region’s superb harvests, from succulent seafood to delicious olives and fruit, complemented by excellent hand-selected wines.

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This exclusive picture-postcard retreat is an extraordinary playground for sailing, fishing, walking and kayaking in an unspoilt natural environment.

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Eagles Nest

2. The Point Villas

Pen-y-bryn Lodge Set in landscaped gardens, this historic, luxurious boutique hotel offers exclusive lodgestyle accommodation. Gather with other guests in the evening around the warmth of blazing log fires to savour first-class table d’hôte cuisine. Relax with a good book in the library, play billiards on the antique slate table or enjoy the local wildlife. Each of the five en-suite guest suites has its own individual character.

Touch of Spice Private Villa Collection The Touch of Spice Group offers an exclusive portfolio of luxury self-contained or fullyserviced villas throughout New Zealand.

Your every need is taken care of by their elite concierge services. In conjunction with these bespoke accommodation solutions they craft experiences which will give you a ‘back stage pass’ to New Zealand’s unique people, culture and landscape.

3. Glen Aros Country Estate 4. The French Country House 5. Bay of Many Coves Resort 6. Pen-y-bryn Lodge 7.

Sherwood Lodge

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Touch of Spice Private Villa Collecion

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Unique Places to Stay A holiday is an escape from the everyday. So why not choose a place to stay unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before? Admire the stars from a slipper bath tucked into a country garden or from a hotel’s private observatory. Awake to birdsong in a tree house high in the forest canopy. Settle into a sleek urban hotel where you can mingle over canapés with your fellow guests.

Curl up before a huge stone fireplace in a rural lodge built of logs. Delight in the clever conveniences of an ecofriendly resort that draws its power from the sun and its produce from organic gardens. To enjoy all this and more, you don’t have to give up a whit of comfort; top-notch service ensures a holiday to remember.

Bushland Park Lodge

Maison de la Mer

- Set in five acres of manicured, park-like grounds is a luxurious lodge limited to six fortunate guests

- The self-contained Boathouse provides the ultimate luxury with a nautical theme

Savour innovative cuisine prepared by a gregarious private chef. Delight in glow-worms and abundant birdlife in the lodge’s springwater grotto.

A secluded double slipper bath in the garden is the perfect spot for stargazing and relaxation.

Enjoy timeless elegance on the waterfront in Akaroa, in a private world just steps away from countless activities and restaurants. Maison de la Mer offers four sumptuous suites overlooking the harbour, with many luxurious extras.

Savour complimentary gourmet breakfasts and evening cocktails and canapés, and revel in attentive service.

Bush walks to the famous Wentworth Falls start at the doorstep, and glorious white-sand beaches are only a few minutes’ drive away. Try your luck at one of two nearby golf courses. Bushland Park Lodge is not just a stop along the way.

It’s a destination in its own right.

Selected by Trip Advisor in 2011 as one of the Top 10 to-die-for inns and B&Bs in the world. The Fleur de Lys and Provence Suites are like a trip to France, while the Petite Chambre offers all the luxuries in a smaller package.

Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses - Sleep ten metres above the ground in a stylish tree house, just north of the prime eco destination of Kaikoura Architect-designed Hapuku Lodge lies between the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range and famed Mangamaunu Bay, overlooking a deer stud and olive grove. Stay in the contemporary country lodge or the Olive House Suite.

For something unusual, try one of five luxury tree houses built into the canopy of a native manuka grove, where huge windows bring the outdoors in. All accommodations are accented by lovely, locally made wooden furniture. Onsite facilities include a restaurant, outdoor lap pool, guest change room, sauna and gymnasium.

Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel - Nineteen spacious rooms, all with designer touches, bring affordable luxury to the sophisticated traveller Delight in park-like surroundings and alpine views at this urban hotel, which offers luxury accommodations a short stroll from Queenstown’s cosmopolitan centre.

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Start your day with a delicious à la carte breakfast before heading off for adventure—anything from fishing and skiing to hang gliding and bungee jumping. Then enjoy complimentary pre-dinner canapés and wines from Central Otago in the stylish Remarkables Lounge, while your knowledgeable hosts provide specialised advice on local attractions.

Tiritiri Lodge - A modern luxury lodge of environmentally sensitive design, with outstanding lake and mountain views A warm welcome awaits you from your hosts, Denis and Stephanie, who are both knowledgeable and passionate about Wanaka.

The Rees Hotel Queenstown - Quiet, private and just a few minutes’ drive from Queenstown’s centre, The Rees epitomises southern hospitality

All rooms have stunning views, fine linens, under-floor solar heating, free wi-fi and many other luxuries. Enjoy wonderful food prepared by chef Tiffany from her home-grown organic produce, complemented by artisanal local wines.

Beyond the lodge, explore Mt Aspiring National Park, enjoy superb fly fishing and heli-skiing, visit the wineries of Central Otago, or take a scenic flight to Milford Sound or over the Southern Alps.

Superbly situated right on the lakefront, this luxurious and sophisticated hotel blends Queenstown’s culture and heritage with modern infrastructure and technology.

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Choose from a range of stylish accommodation options, including 60 hotel rooms and 90 spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, all with private balconies showcasing breathtaking views. The hotel boasts a finedining restaurant, award-winning chef, extensive

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Eichardt's Private Hotel

Fiordland Lodge

- In the heart of the Southern Alps on Queenstown’s prized Lake Wakatipu, Eichardt’s sets the standard for gracious, luxury accommodation

- Set in a World Heritage Area, Fiordland Lodge offers the discerning traveller comfort and privacy

Decorated by Virginia Fisher, Eichardt’s Private Hotel features five generously proportioned hotel suites, four delightful lakefront apartments, and the owner’s residence—all providing stunning lake and mountain views.

Eichardt’s Bar is distinguished by gorgeous sofas, mood lighting and a stunning fireplace. The menus are complemented by an extensive wine list featuring fine Central Otago vintages. And the Hotel Parlour offers guests the ideal setting to soak in the awe-inspiring views.

Breathtaking views of Lake Te Anau and Fiordland set off the splendour of this captivating lodge. High ceilings, Oregon logs and massive river-stone fireplaces provide a warm and spacious environment with a sense of solidity and style.

The lodge has ten guest rooms, including an Executive Suite, and two private log cabins separate from the lodge. All feature king-sized beds and are decorated in muted natural colours and textures. Situated just north of Te Anau, Fiordland Lodge is a perfect base for discovering Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

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Bushland Park Lodge

2. Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses 3. Maison de la Mer 4. Queensown Park Boutique Hotel 5. The Rees Hotel Queenstown 6. Eichardt’s Private Hotel 7.

Tiritiri Lodge

8. Fiordland Lodge

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Food, Wine and Golf Indulge your gourmet dreams in New Zealand, where exceptional beef, lamb and seafood, and the freshest fruits and vegetables, underpin a splendidly progressive culinary scene. Accent your meal with a bottle of crisp sauvignon blanc—the country’s signature wine and its calling card around the world—or one of the chardonnays, pinot noirs or cabernet sauvignon/ merlot blends that are gaining global recognition. And no exploration of the finer side of life in New Zealand would be complete without a few rounds on some of the country’s championship golf courses. Blessed with mountains, seashores, cliffs, forests and sinuous hills, New Zealand offers golfers some of the most breathtaking settings on Earth.

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

- Set on 6,000 acres near Matauri Bay, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs is built in the grand colonial style

- Stay on a luxurious 6,000-acre sheep and cattle farm with breathtaking views over the Pacific

Enjoy spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the world-class championship golf course. The par-72 course offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Fifteen holes overlook the ocean, while the inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in the renowned Hawke’s Bay wine region is one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. It is truly ‘farm luxe’, with 22 suites, a four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage, an award-winning golf course by Tom Doak, and a luxury spa and pool.

In the opulent lodge, living and dining rooms open onto covered verandahs offering dramatic views of the sea and surrounding countryside. With 22 outlying guest suites and a two-bedroom Owner’s Cottage, the lodge is also home to a fabulous spa nestled in a totara forest.

Enjoy an array of experiences within the grounds, such as Kiwi Discovery walks, gannet safaris and farm tours. And take advantage of everything Hawke’s Bay has to offer: superb wineries, Art Deco buildings, and local arts and crafts, all just 35 minutes’ drive away.

Capital Tastes Tour, Wellington

Peppers Parehua - Unwind at a sprawling country estate in wine country, amid sweeping gardens and panoramic views Just over an hour from Wellington, on the outskirts of the acclaimed boutique wine region of Martinborough, lies Parehua Country Estate. The property boasts a man-made lake with a secluded private jetty, a tennis court, an outdoor pool and a petanque court in five acres of native garden.

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Enjoy an excellent gourmet walking tour: three hours of Wellington culinary experiences.

Discover fresh tastes in New Zealand's café and culinary capital with this introduction to local tastes, products and people. With a personal guide to tell local stories, taste gourmet products such as coffee, chocolate, cheeses and other regional specialties. Receive bonus vouchers to enjoy in your own time at two top eateries.

Hire a bicycle and explore the beautiful wine region. Relax in one of the 28 individually designed cottages, accented with exquisite furnishings and local artisanal products. The Pavilion restaurant showcases fine local produce in delectable dishes.

Private Wine Trail Your tour begins when you are collected from your hotel in one of BLACK ZQN’s late-model luxury European vehicles. Travel in comfort with an experienced, personable guide and enjoy a half-day tour of three specially handpicked vineyards in the world-renowned ‘Valley of Vines’. Savour the journey itself as you travel in style along picturesque country roads and absorb breathtaking vistas.

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Millbrook Golf

The George, Christchurch

- Challenge yourself at the property voted Best Golf Resort in Australasia at the 2011 World Travel Awards

- Discerning travellers receive individual attention in an intimate ambience at this Christchurch boutique hotel

One of the most scenic golf courses in New Zealand, Millbrook is an unforgettable Queenstown golfing experience. With extraordinary photo opportunities at every turn, this championship course offers three fabulous ninehole courses, each named after local prominent landmarks: the Remarkables, the Arrow and the Coronet Nine.

To stay at The George is to experience the essence of supreme comfort. Its spacious rooms are designed with a stylish eye for detail. With an equal staff-to-guest ratio, impeccable service is assured. The George has been recognised many times as New Zealand’s leading boutique hotel at the World Travel Awards.

When you stay at the Millbrook Resort, you may play as many holes as you wish for preferential green fees, allowing you to fully experience all the course has to offer. You can also enjoy the lifestyle activities that set Millbrook apart, including one of New Zealand’s leading resort spas, four dining choices, and the superbly appointed health and fitness centre. Millbrook provides a variety of luxury accommodations to suit everyone, from rooms, suites, apartment-style villas and self-contained cottages to private multimillion-dollar fairway homes.

Savour inspirational cuisine in the George's signature restaurant, Pescatore, a modern space offering a minimalist approach to formal dining. Seasonal menus are matched with top vintages from Pescatore’s comprehensive wine list, honoured by Wine Spectator magazine as one of the world’s outstanding restaurant lists. 50 Bistro, meanwhile, serves inspired bistro food with excellent wines.

Located opposite Hagley Park, The George is in the heart of the arts district and just a short stroll from the museum, art gallery, cafés and boutique shopping.

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The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs

2. Peppers Parehua 3. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers 4. Capital Tastes Tour, Wellington 5. Private Wine Trail 6. Millbrook Golf 7.

The George, Christchurch

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Northern Division

Fiji

Labasa Nanuku Passage

Vanua Levu Yasawa Islands

Buca

Savusavu

Taveuni

Nabouwalu Bligh Waters

Koro

Rakiraki Ba

Mamanuca Islands

Eastern Division

Mana Malololailai

Western Division

Nadi

Viti Levu

Lakeba Passage

Suva

Sigatoka Korolevu Pacific Harbour Beqa

Central Division

Koro Sea

Vatulele

South Pacific Ocean

Kadavu Passage

Kadavu

Have you ever dreamed of being a castaway on a South Pacific island—an island where the drinks are icy cold, the spa treatments are hypnotically relaxing and your thatched-roof bungalow (bure) is stocked with luxurious amenities? Then welcome to Fiji. It’s the tropical paradise you’ve always imagined, scattered across 333 lush islands.

Welcome the dawn with a stroll along a sugar-sand beach, as a gentle breeze ruffles the fronds of the towering coconut palms fringing the shore. Linger over a leisurely breakfast served on the verandah of your private bure, admiring the delicate orchids blooming in the surrounding gardens. After breakfast, the choices of ways to indulge, unwind and rejuvenate are boundless.

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Scuba or snorkel through crystalline waters along a spectacular coral reef teeming with fish. Glide high above the archipelago in a hot air balloon. Hurtle

along a rushing inland river aboard a whitewater raft. Gasp as the air fills your parasail and whisks you high above the turquoise ocean.

Delight in the chatter of cuckoos, warblers and lorikeets on a bird-watching trek.

Swim in a sparkling pond beneath a jungle waterfall. Enjoy the warm hospitality of the Fijians, and learn more about the art, music and language of a fascinating culture that stretches back more than 3,000 years.

After your explorations, perhaps a sojourn by the pool with a good book is in order. Late in the day, raise a cocktail to the sun as it dips below the horizon in a fiery display of scarlet and gold. As the tropical dusk closes in, sample tantalizing fare from world-class restaurants, complemented by vintages from extensive wine lists. Stroll back to your bure, utterly pampered and utterly relaxed. If this is life as a castaway, you’ll never want to come back to the real world.

Mana Island, Fiji

Luxury Fiji Let Fiji’s fabulous resorts and yachts work their magic on your worldweary soul. Once ensconced beneath a swaying coconut palm, overlooking the glittering South Pacific, you’ll soon find it impossible to remember a life of deadlines and traffic jams, to-do lists and responsibilities. The superbly trained staff responds to your every wish, whether you yearn for breakfast in bed, a massage by the sea or a nightcap under the stars. Your days unfurl in a leisurely progression of amusements. On land, try yoga or tennis. At sea, dive along remote reefs. Whether you choose ship or shore, delectable cuisine, fine wines, sun-drenched beaches and luxurious accommodations await you. What are you waiting for?

Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji - Luxury in the heart of Fiji’s Coral Coast Just an hour’s drive from Nadi International Airport, this luxurious resort is set on a white sand beach, amongst 40 acres of tall palms and lush tropical gardens.

Leave your cares behind from the moment you arrive, when your butler will greet you with a complimentary drink, unpack your suitcase and make your restaurant reservations.

Choose one of of the 127 Deluxe Ocean View Rooms, or 47 traditional bures, whose vaulted ceilings are lined with exquisite hand-painted cloth. Enjoy the huge lagoon swimming pool, 24-hour gymnasium, five bars, four restaurants and Bebe Spa Sanctuary.

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa - Authentic Fijian style on a glorious palm-fringed, white sand beach Snorkel nearby reefs or hit the rolling surf. Located on picturesque Natadola Beach on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, the InterContinental is perfectly positioned to offer breath-taking views of the bay. The setting is so captivating that many couples choose to marry in the divine glass-walled chapel, set among frangipani-scented gardens and backlit by expansive views of the South Pacific.

Each lagoon and beachfront suite opens onto a double terrace, where you can relax on your day bed or in your private Cleopatra bath as the sun sets over Natadola Bay.

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Club InterContinental—55 suites set high in the hills with sweeping panoramic views of Natadola Bay—is your exclusive resort within a resort. Soak in your luxurious spa bath or take a quick dip in your own plunge pool. Savour a languorous afternoon tea, and complimentary beverages and snacks. Delight in personalised butler, turndown and valet services.

The Fiji Orchid - Bookend your trip with a pampering retreat A 15-minute drive from Nadi International Airport lies an exclusive sanctuary where you can relax and refresh at the beginning or end of your Fijian escape.

Nestled within five acres of tropical gardens in the foothills of the volcanic Nausori Highlands are just six private bures, along with a restaurant, bar and lounge area, boutique, and pool.

Enjoy mini spa treatments, complimentary private airport transfers and meticulous attention to detail. This is a sojourn for people who understand the art of travel: pausing at each step of a journey to savour the experience rather than rushing to catch a plane.

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Tui Tai Expedition Cruise - Step aboard a luxury adventure ship and get a remarkable look at three distinct cultures on three diverse islands in the Pacific Cultural Triangle Tui Tai Expeditions is one of the premier adventure ships in the South Pacific.

Escape to breathtaking locations across northern Fiji. Swim on remote beaches, snorkel over incredible reefs, kayak to local villages. Discover an unspoiled idyll.

When you’re enjoying a luxury adventure expedition aboard Tui Tai, you won’t have to worry about extra charges—because there aren’t any. Every service and activity is included. Once you board Tui Tai, your only responsibility is to have the experience of a lifetime.

Tui Tai provides a great variety of itineraries. Alternatively, you can opt for a private charter, where this luxury ship is under your control. Wherever you go, you have the flexibility to do as you please. Even on a secluded beach, or surrounded by the mist of a giant waterfall, you can still choose to have a massage—right there. You might be kayaking up a jungle river, but the support boat makes sure chilled beverages and snacks are waiting for you upstream.

Whatever your adventure, a new experience awaits around every corner.

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Accommodation ranges from comfortable Expedition Cabins with views over the sea to the luxurious Oversea Veranda Suite with its private rooftop cabana. If you stay in this suite, you will feel as if you are sailing on your own private yacht.

Spa Viram is the onboard relaxation and restoration centre, offering treatments designed to fit your active schedule. Some treatments focus on relaxation and restoration, using tropical ingredients and traditional Fijian bodyworking techniques.

Tui Tai Expeditions takes you to places you never imagined, to experience the natural beauty of Fiji, and the kindness and warmth of the Fijian people.

1. InterContinental Fiji Golf

Resort & Spa 2. Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji 3. The Fiji Orchid 4. Tui Tai Expedition Cruise

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Unique Island Hideaways As if Fiji itself weren’t secluded enough, an even greater level of privacy is available—on one of the many private islands dotting the turquoise waters just off ‘mainland’ Fiji’s shores. But just because you’ve left the bigger islands behind doesn’t mean that you have to rough it. Quite the contrary, in fact. On these delightful enclaves in the sea, hoteliers have created exquisite retreats for a savvy, privileged few. Decorated with Fijian fabrics and carvings, your serene bure seems miles from the ‘real’ world—yet the wine fridge is stocked with fine vintages, a tantalizing aroma is wafting from the kitchen and your favourite music is playing on a state-of-theart sound system. Pure island bliss.

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Nukubati Private Island, Great Sea Reef - An exclusive eco-sensitive resort for lovers of seclusion, nature and authenticity Nukubati Island is an idyllic private island resort surrounded by white sand, lush rainforests and crystalline coral reefs. Considered Fiji’s hidden gem, laidback yet luxurious Nukubati offers dive access to the Great Sea Reef, a vast underwater treasure off the north coast of Vanua Levu. Swim among manta rays, dolphins, turtles, whales and countless species of fish.

With just seven beachfront bures and suites, and 44 staff members, Nukubati is an authentic Fijian all-inclusive experience. Employees pride themselves on anticipating your every need.

Dolphin Island - A private 13-acre island paradise, just a 20-minute cruise off the Fijian mainland Surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters and caressed by warm sea breezes, Dolphin Island offers superb luxury accommodation for a maximum of eight guests, The whole island is reserved for your exclusive use. With perfumed candles, feather-filled couches and plush beach towels, the island’s charming bures are havens of romance and relaxation. Succumb to the magic of this truly private retreat.

Tadrai Island Resort - Fiji’s newest deluxe resort has been created exclusively for couples

Friendly Fijian staff cater to your every need. Relish papayas, mangoes and freshly caught fish. Sip chilled wine on the verandah. Go snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, diving or fishing. Or just relax. A standard bar, all delicious meals, travel to and from the island (including arrival by floatplane), and transfers to and from Nadi International Airport are all included.

Escape to the peace and tranquillity of your own private paradise. Imagine a thatched villa decorated with original artworks, nestled in a secluded palmfringed cove against a backdrop of spectacular sunsets. Unwind in your private plunge pool, then enjoy a refreshing outdoor shower. Everything is included on Tadrai—especially the memories.

Dolphin Island is a sister property of Huka Lodge in New Zealand, so expect the same stylish approach and exceptional hospitality.

100 square metre villas feature original artworks and decor reflecting Fiji’s historic past. Private plunge pools open directly on to elevated decks with panoramic ocean views. Luxury at its finest.

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Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort - An intimate, inclusive, multi-award-winning resort, acclaimed for its eco-sensitive and socially responsible culture Overlooking Savusavu Bay on the island of Vanua Levu, this resort is one of the gems of the South Pacific. It’s surrounded by a marine sanctuary, brilliantly coloured pristine reefs, secluded beaches, tropical gardens and magnificent ocean views.

Offering an authentic Fijian experience for discerning travellers of all ages, the resort combines culture, well-being, nature, relaxation and exceptional cuisine.

It’s unique for its ability to provide a romantic luxury experience—complete with an adult-only oceanfront infinity pool and adult-only dining areas—whilst also offering one of Fiji’s most comprehensive complimentary and responsible children’s programmes. Families have a separate area, the Bula Club, which features pools with waterslides. Children under six have an exclusive nanny, and six- to 12-year-olds have a Fijian buddy from 9am to 9pm.

Enjoy an exceptional variety of complimentary daily activities for all ages. Choose from boat snorkel trips with the resident marine biologist, yoga classes, sailing, kayaking, night snorkelling, tennis and much more. Complimentary off-site

excursions include trips to a local village and a Savusavu market, a rainforest and waterfall hike, and a bay cruise.

The 25 individual Fijian-style one- and two-bedroom bures exude tropical elegance. Made of local timbers, they feature rattan furnishings, ceiling fans, louvered windows and oversized bathrooms. The ultimate in luxury is the Villa, which includes a pool and sunken Jacuzzi.

Romantics can enjoy an intimate dinner on the jetty or a gourmet picnic on the magnificent private island. Explorers can learn to dive from world-famous Jean-Michel Cousteau L’Aventure. And couples can rejuvenate with a traditional nurturing massage in the Oceanfront Spa.

1. Dolphin Island 2. Nukubati Private Island,

Great Sea Reef

3. Tadrai Island Resort 4. Jean-Michel Cousteau

Fiji Islands Resort

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Palm Trees, Fiji

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