THE ULTIMATE TO DO LIST AUSTRALIA | NEW ZEALAND | FIJI | 2018-2019
Welcome... In 2001 we set out to do something different: to offer travelers to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific vacation experiences that were far from ordinary. Vacations that are indulgent, hip, cool – even sexy. Designing unique, personal itineraries is an art form we relish. Along with experience and know-how, it takes an artistic flare, an intriguing digression from the beaten path, and an ending with flourish. We’re inspired to create unique, sophisticated escapes. Springboard Vacations custom designs extraordinary travel experiences. ‘10 Sexiest Places’, ‘Hip Places & Cool Adventures’ and ‘Cool Capers with Kids’ are just part of Springboard’s product range. Springboard Vacations is a decidedly different company. Our commitment to deliver authentic experiences, value and service for our clients drives our success. We’re proud to have won 18 national and international awards. Our vacations have been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Islands Magazine and the New York Times. And viewers of Good Morning America voted one of our vacations the “Ultimate Family Vacation”. Our staff are passionate about our destinations and delivering for our clients! Every Travel Designer at Springboard Vacations visits at least one of our destinations every year to ensure that our product knowledge is first hand. We take our responsibility for creating your perfect trip very seriously. From all the Team at Springboard Vacations and Ruth & Warren Grau
Contents Australia 04
New Zealand
Coastal 06 Australia’s Nature Coast 08 Great Barrier Reef 12 Luxury Island Resorts 16 Iconic Landscapes 18 Sydney Harbour 20 Unique Coastal Experiences 22 Tropical Rainforest 24 Unique Island Hideaways 26 Explorations 28 Air Safaris 30 Australia’s Accessible Outback 32 Australia’s Remote North West 34 Exclusive Touring 36 Tranquil Times 38 Wilderness and Wildlife Encounters 40 Indulgence 42 City Chic Collection 44 Country Food, Wine and Spa Stays 48 Golf and Gourmet Indulgence 50 Heritage, Arts and Design 52 Creative Style and Interiors 54 Landscapes 56 Uluru and The Red Centre 58 Unique Locations 60 People 62 Aboriginal Country 64 Aussie Rural Life 66 Vibrant Inner City Living 68 Winery Trails 70
Explorations 74 Venture Out into the Blue 76 Wildlife and Wilderness Encounters 78 Indulgence 80 Luxury Lodges 82 Escape to the Country 86 Food, Wine and Golf 88 Landscapes 90 Unique Places to Stay 92 Glacier and Alpine Adventures 94 Volcanic, Thermal and Spa 96 People 98 Maori and Modern Culture 100
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Fiji 102 Luxury Fiji Exotic Fiji Family Fiji
106 108 110
Bamaga
Timor Sea
Darwin
Milingimbi
Aurukun Arhnhem Land
e at
Katherine
Kalumburu
Lockhart River
Gr
Kakadu NP
Gulf of Carpentaria
Ba
Kununurra
Mission Beach
er Airlie Beach
Whitsundays
ef
Port Hedland
Townsville
Northern Territory
Re
Fitzroy Crossing Broome
rri
Normanton
Australia
Coral Sea
Cooktown Daintree & Cape Tribulation Port Douglas Palm Cove Cairns
Mount Isa
Mackay
Goldsworthy Longreach Alice Springs Kings Canyon
Exmouth
Western Australia
Coral Bay
Rockhampton
Queensland
Uluru
Fraser island Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Denham
Monkey Mia
South Australia
Meekatharra
Byron Bay
Coober Pedy
New South Wales rli
Flinders Range
Da
Head of Bight
ng
Broken Hill
Port Augusta
Perth Margaret River
Barossa Valley
Great Australian Bight Fremantle
Hunter Valley Newcastle Blue Mountains
Murray
Mildura
Sydney
Adelaide
Esperance Kangaroo Island Albany
Great Ocean Road
Port Macquarie Lord Howe Island
Dubbo
Whyalla Norseman
Coffs Harbour
Tamworth
Victoria Bendigo
Murray
Yarra Valley
Geelong
Canberra
A.C.T.
Bega
Melbourne
Tasman Sea
Mornington Peninsula
Bass Strait
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.
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Devonport Cradle Mountain
Launceston Freycinet
Hobart
Tasmania
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.
yourself in Adelaide’s 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 unique 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 onsite.
For the urban adventurer, Australia’s cosmopolitan cities are unparalleled places to relax, indulge and let loose. Attend an avant-garde play in sophisticated Melbourne. Shop for designer fashions in Sydney. Immerse
City or country. Mountain or island. Rainforest or vineyard. Spa or trail. The diversity of uniquely Australian places is endless – and with luxurious options abounding, there’s never been a better time to visit.
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 a representative of ACROSS’s team 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 for your seaplane tour. Join Sydney Seaplanes for your four-hour tour to Palm Beach and enjoy lunch at Jonah’s. Perched high on the 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. Return to Sydney on a glorious afternoon seaplane flight back to Rose Bay, with a Sydney Harbour circuit of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
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 private views of the sun rising and setting over Uluru.
Venture to Uluru and Kata Tjuta and you are exposed to an expansive living cultural landscape, which very few are able to experience.
Day 6 Enjoy a full day at Ayers Rock today with luxury touring to the world’s largest monolith. Rising 1142 feet above the desert floor with a circumference of five miles, 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. 25 miles 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 to Cairns. You will be met on arrival at Cairns and transferred to the Daintree Rainforest (two nights) to stay at Silky Oaks Lodge. On the edge of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, Silky Oaks is an oasis with 45 treehouses and riverhouses just 30 minutes from Port Douglas. 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, one of Australia’s premium resorts 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 in 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. AUSTRALIA/ 05
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C Coastal
Fraser Island, Fraser Coast
Rainbow Beach, Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Sunshine Coast
Noosa, Sunshine Coast
Lake Mackenzie, Fraser Coast
Lady Elliot Island Fraser Island Hervey Bay Hervey Bay Airport
Australia’s Nature Coast
Maryborough
Great Sandy Strait
Inskip Point Rainbow Beach Great Sandy National Park Gympie
Sunshine Coast Noosa Everglades Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads Noosaville
Sunshine Coast Airport
Montville Maleny Glass House Mountains
Mooloolaba
This is your naturally abundant destination for bushwalking, food trails, horseback riding, markets, national parks, snorkeling, diving, fun filled attractions, water sports and whale watching! Spanning the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast, Australia's Nature Coast represents the best of Queensland's natural attractions and experiences. This includes two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, Lady Elliot Island, 47 state and national parks, over 125 miles of pristine beaches, rivers and waterways, and an abundance of diverse flora and fauna. Just one hour’s drive north of Brisbane Airport, lies the naturally refreshing paradise of the Sunshine Coast. The region is also accessible by direct flight into Sunshine Coast Airport from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide, with seasonal flights from Auckland. From the majestic Glass House Mountains in the south to the colored sands of Rainbow Beach in the north, the Sunshine Coast boasts a myriad of natural wonders, beachside culture, fresh local food and immersive encounters. Experience the thrill of driving on a sand highway via the Great Beach Drive, learning to surf in stylish Noosa, splashing at family friendly beaches in Caloundra, gliding through the verdant Noosa Everglades or sampling succulent local seafood fresh from the boat in Mooloolaba.
Travel just 25 minutes from the coast to character filled hinterland hamlets where you will find a rich diversity of walking trails, rainforests, waterfalls, an abundance of national parks and botanic gardens and local produce markets. Hike the iconic Glass House Mountains or paddle a canoe in the Mary Valley. Further north, just three hours’ drive or a 45-minute flight from Brisbane, Fraser Coast is where nature comes alive! Even the most experienced traveller will be inspired by Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island known as K’Gari by the local Butchulla people, which is celebrating 25 years of World Heritage Listing. You’ll never forget the wonder you feel when you spy the blue hues in Lake McKenzie, gaze up at the ancient trees and walk up the boardwalk beside Eli Creek then float back down. Discover why Hervey Bay is one of the best places in the world to enjoy incredible humpback whale encounters where you can make eye contact with the gentle giants and swim with them. Also enjoy the delights offered by Hervey Bay’s safe beaches and indigenous-led marine tours. Uncover the wonders of the southern Great Barrier Reef on Lady Elliot Island – an unrivalled reef experience a short flight from Hervey Bay. And stroll through the heritage-rich streets of Maryborough to uncover its fascinating stories and distinguished military history.
Caloundra Pumicestone Passage
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Australia’s Nature Coast Australia’s Nature Coast crosses some of Australia’s pristine coastline from Sunshine to the Fraser Coast. Experience some of the world’s most diverse and untouched national parks, rainforests and waterways. Australia's Nature Coast offers naturally abundant experiences which will stay with you for a life time. With attractions such as bushwalking and hiking, farm experiences, fishing charters, food trails, horseback riding, markets and gardens, snorkeling and diving, tours and cruises, watersports, and whale watching. Relax in some of Australia’s premier beach front properties or hinterland retreats, from the Great Sandy Straight to the legendary Fraser Island you’ll be left with a longing to return to this magnificent part of Australia.
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Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas Discover Noosa Living at its very best If you’re looking for accommodation in Noosa that offers you a blend of luxury, location and lifestyle, then Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas has it all here for you. Nestled in the serenity of Noosa National Park and with Noosa’s famous beach, restaurants and shops less than a third of a mile away, you’re close to everything you need for a holiday you’ll never forget! Designed for indulgence, romance and serenity, the spacious and beautifully appointed rooms, apartments and penthouses are the perfect choices when staying in Queensland’s most stylish holiday destination – Noosa.
Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is a must-see on any east coast holiday itinerary It is the world’s largest sand island, has the world’s largest dune lakes and is the only place on earth where rainforest grows in the sand at 655-foot elevations. One of Australia's leading ecotourism resorts is the perfect base for exploring the amazing natural environment of Fraser Island. Kingfisher Bay Resort is surrounded by native bushland and overlooks the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait, offering the choice of accommodation from resort hotel rooms or two- and three-bedroom self-contained villas featuring private decks. Resort services include three restaurants, bars, general store, swimming pools, Island Day Spa and tennis courts. Join a ranger-guided tour to explore the island, with fascinating bird and animals abound in lush rainforests. Incredible freshwater lakes are ringed by white sands, while ocean beaches stretch beyond the horizon. Ask about the Fraser Island Adventure package, including two nights' accommodation, return ferry transfers, breakfast, and full-day Beauty Spots Tour.
Rumba Beach Resort Caloundra is fast becoming known as the Sunshine Coast’s most relaxing and natural beach destination Rumba Beach Resort is Caloundra’s most awarded five-star beachfront resort. Luxury self-contained one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments enjoy a CBD location in the heart of Caloundra’s waterfront dining precinct. Rumba’s Garden Terrace and popular 26 degrees bar + venue bring a Hamptons feel to the resort’s expansive pool and leisure deck. Day and night, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Rumba Resort provides an all hours check-in service and express check-out. All suites offer free Wi-Fi, king cloud beds, espresso machines and home theater. Spa ensuites, breezy balconies, free parking and daily servicing as standard.
Oceans Mooloolaba Beach
Fairshore Noosa Resort
The Sunshine Coast and Mooloolaba have evolved from sleepy surfing locales to internationally acclaimed destinations
Luxury beachfront accommodation edged on the sands of one of the world’s most desired beaches
Oceans Mooloolaba offers an exclusive collection of two- to four-bedroom suites and penthouses, some with private pools and all with amazing 180-degree views of the ocean and coastline from horizon-wide windows and large outdoor entertaining balconies.
Fairshore’s absolute beachfront first class apartments boast one of the truly idyllic locations fronting the sands of Noosa’s main beach, offering endless ocean views from all rooms. The apartments are luxuriously appointed, daily serviced, fully air-conditioned, full kitchen, and over-sized balconies.
This beautiful five-star property is centrally located on Mooloolaba Esplanade, surrounded by cafés, restaurants and boutique shopping. Oceans offers guests a large outdoor pool with sauna, steam room and gym, secure parking, free Wi-Fi, tour desk plus an onsite cinema.
This superlative resort, located within the much sought after Hastings Street precinct, is complimented with a magnificent beachside pool including deck chairs to relax on plus full resort facilities such as gym, games room, spa, BBQ areas and security basement parking.
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1. Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island 2. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas 3. Rumba Beach Resort 4. Oceans Mooloolaba Beach 5. Fairshore Noosa Resort
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Great Barrier Reef One of the world’s seven natural wonders, spread over 115,830 square miles, the Great Barrier Reef is an ecosystem of unsurpassed beauty and diversity. Dive, snorkel or cruise the reef from a state-of-the-art touring vessel, visiting more reef destinations with fewer people. Revel in astonishingly clear waters alive with colorful coral and marine animals. Or gain a unique perspective of the reef with a heli flight over its vast azure expanse, and feel your cares melt away in the warmth of the tropical sun. However you discover Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one thing is certain: you will never forget. At night, unwind in a secluded, five-star resort where you'll hear the whispering waves in your dreams.
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Silversonic Dive & Snorkel Adventure
Ocean Spirit Michaelmas Cay Cruise
Get set for an exhilarating day of fun, discovery and adventure in the natural wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef
Sail, relax, snorkel and dive the unique and pristine reef environment of Michaelmas Cay
Step aboard the luxury 95-foot dive and snorkel catamaran Silversonic and spend five hours visiting three spectacular sites at the renowned Agincourt Reef with each site chosen for visual and ecological diversity.
Departing daily from Cairns, set sail aboard Ocean Spirit, a beautiful 32-metre sailing catamaran. Encircled by fringing reef teeming with colorful marine life including sea turtles and giant clams, Michaelmas Cay is also an important protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds. Access to the cay is restricted to preserve this special environment.
Enjoy unlimited snorkeling and the option of introductory diving for firsttime divers and up to three certified dives to explore spectacular coral formations and underwater gardens awash with vibrantly colored marine creatures. Learn from an expert crew with briefs at each site and an included guided snorkel tour. Silversonic is an ideal day for the adventure-minded and those confident in the water, providing a balance of exciting activities and comfort. The vessel features a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey, submerged platform for easy water access, sun decks, change rooms, airconditioned lounges, freshwater showers and even a licensed bar. Your day also includes morning and afternoon teas and a delicious hot and cold buffet lunch, perfect for hungry adventurers.
Snorkel from the beach in the shallow waters, cruise in the semi-sub for a diver’s view of the reef, watch the fish feeding presentation and observe the island birdlife. For the more adventurous, there's the option to experience the underwater delights of the reef with an exciting introductory scuba dive or join the marine biologist for a guided snorkel tour. Or, if you prefer, just relax and enjoy a leisurely day on the Great Barrier Reef. Homeward bound, enjoy a complimentary sparkling wine under the sails. An informative marine biologist presentation, hot and cold buffet lunch, morning and afternoon teas are included in your day.
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Enterprise Charters Richard Attenborough recently described to Baraka Obama that he rated the Great Barrier Reef as the most significant nature experience of his lifetime Beneath the surface of the water is a world of incredible beauty, a remarkable ecology of aquatic life that you will find as memorising as did Attenborough. Discover this sanctuary for yourself with the experienced team of Enterprise Charters. With a variety of reef and island locations available, Enterprise’s super luxury vessel provides comfort, safety and fast access where you can experience the reef at its most outstanding. The crew knows the reef’s best keep secrets and their exceptional knowledge and attention will elevate your appreciate and memories of your unique life event on the Great Barrier Reef.
Whatever level of encounter you desire, diving, snorkeling, exploring in the jet tender or simply just relaxing, it’s all delivered in style. Our onboard chef caters for all tastes and occasions with our fully licensed bar supplying a fine selection of quality Australian wines. The majestic lines of Enterprise conceal a wild heart and potential to thrill, her elegant profile transforms into a sleek blur on the water. Snorkel, cruise, scuba dive, explore or simply just relax. This 68’ Squadron Fairline combines both power and sophistication to deliver you into the world of ultimate luxury cruising. Enterprise is at your command.
1. Silversonic Dive & Snorkel Adventure 2. Ocean Spirit Michaelmas Cay Cruise 3. Enterprise Charters
Trips can be as short as a half-day through to multi-day reef safaris sleeping up to six persons in five-star comfort. Your captain, Rod Sherlock, Master 4, MED1 has 25 years of custodianship on the reef, and his exceptional knowledge of the micro life cycle of this marine environment will open your appreciation and provide life-long education and brilliant memories. AUSTRALIA/ 13
Great Barrier Reef
Cod Hole & Coral Sea Dive Expeditions
Helicopter the Great Barrier Reef
Dive head first into an experience of a lifetime
Go above and beyond, and change your perspective
Spirit of Freedom offers scuba diving experiences along the remote far northern coast of Queensland and into the oceanic wilderness of Australia’s Coral Sea. Live-aboard expeditions of three to seven days duration travel to the world-renowned dive destinations of the Cod Hole, Ribbons Reefs, and Osprey Reef. Here you can encounter sharks, manta-rays, potato cod and an incredible range of other tropical marine life.
Every day, GBR Helicopters delights holiday-makers by flying them over the vast reefs that form the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Combine your flight with a cruise, use your flight to transfer to your luxury accommodation or have an experience tailored especially for you.
During the months of June and July, you can swim with dwarf minke whales. Abundant coral reefs range from the picturesque shallow gardens of the Ribbon Reefs to the 3,800-foot walls of the volcanic atolls of the Coral Sea. Often cited as Australia’s largest and most comfortably appointed dive vessel, the 121-foot cruiser offers spacious guest accommodations, the latest navigation and scuba technology, gourmet meals and exceptional service. Low-level flights on selected tours provide an aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef. Locally owned and operated in Cairns, the company has been providing dive experiences for nearly 30 years.
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The Great Barrier Reef is an amazing spectacle, but it's not just about what’s under the water. Gain a unique perspective of the reef as you fly in a smooth and comfortable helicopter. You'll see beautiful reef seascapes with stunning colors and you may be lucky enough to spot turtles, huge rays and even whales frolicking in this pristine environment. Alternatively, try a specialty flight. As you fly over the Great Barrier Reef, you will be one of the few to witness the morning sun shining over the reef from your helicopter before you touch down on your private, pristine coral cay. There, you will savour a tropical brunch, along with Australian sparkling wine and juices.
Coconut Grove Port Douglas
Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa
Tropical North Queensland’s newest and most impressive interpretation of luxurious Port Douglas accommodation
Explore Tropical North Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef from this impressive luxury resort
In cosmopolitan Macrossan Street, just 460 feet from magnificent Four Mile Beach, you can enjoy divine views of rainforest mountains in absolute privacy from a choice of 33 glamorous holiday apartments. Each comes complete with its own outdoor entertaining area, extending seamlessly from the sophisticated living area. It's so self-contained, you will never want to leave.
Located on beachfront at the southern end of Palm Cove, Pullman Palm Cove offers an amazing selection of Asian-inspired, beautifully detailed studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with the upgrade option of a luxurious private plunge pool or rooftop terrace.
The ultimate indulgence awaits when you opt for a rooftop or level-one apartment incorporating its very own plunge pool, spa, and outdoor entertaining facilities.
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Resort guests enjoy access to the award winning Vie 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 taking a sunset walk on the beachfront. Here is the serenity you've been looking for in a paradise you will love.
1. Cod Hole & Coral Sea Dive Expeditions 2. Helicopter the Great Barrier Reef 3. Coconut Grove Port Douglas 4. Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa
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Luxury Island Resorts Run away from the mundane world to an idyllic setting of turquoise waters and sugarsand 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 luscious cuisine created by skilled chefs. At these amazing island resorts, few dreams are impossible.
Situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, qualia is nestled in the most pristine and secluded position on Hamilton island
No sensory experience would be complete without the opportunity to sample the fresh and innovative. qualia’s two exclusive restaurants, Pebble Beach and the Long Pavilion, provide the ideal stage upon which the Executive Chef delivers exceptional culinary talents.
It's a truly special place where everything has been meticulously considered to relax the mind yet completely spoil the senses. The resort immerses you in a tranquil atmosphere, offering personalised and intuitive service.
With a direct flight taking only 2-3 hours from international gateway cities on Australia’s east coast, qualia truly is a world-class destination without the journey.
qualia, Hamilton Island
qualia’s sun-drenched northern aspect provides the ideal location to appreciate the passing beauty of each day, with a choice of 60 individual pavilions, some incorporating private plunge pools. Or, experience the uncompromising luxury and privacy of the Beach House with its own guest pavilion. Inside qualia, feel time unravel however you choose. Facilities include two serene pools, a library, private dining room, two bars and restaurants and a fitness centre. And for a truly memorable experience step inside Spa qualia, which offers an extensive range of luxurious local and international treatments. Guests also have access to their own golf buggy, allowing the rest of the island to be explored at a leisurely pace.
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Orpheus Island Lodge
Lizard Island Resort
Located amidst the magical waters of the Great Barrier Reef
Consistently ranked as one of the best luxury resorts in the world, Lizard Island draws a privileged few
Orpheus is a secluded island hideaway accommodating just 28 indulged guests. Access is either via a 30-minute helicopter journey from Townsville or a 90-minute journey from Cairns. Orpheus showcases a plethora of once in a lifetime experiences. Its principal dive sites boast 1,100 of the 1,500 species of fish on the reef; the turquoise local waters are a fisherman's playground and home to the most soughtafter reef fish species in the world. Guests can take the helm of a motorized dingy, complete with a gourmet picnic hamper and discover the many pristine coves that fringe Orpheus or they can succumb to a unique indigenous-inspired treatment at the Gwandalan Day Spa. Not to be missed is the signature 'Dining with the Tides' experience, an intimate degustation dinner for two under a starlit canopy on the island’s jetty. Accommodation rates include all gourmet meals, a selection of Australian wines and beers, a daily Orpheus experience (snorkeling, fishing, island cruise) and use of the water based equipment.
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's reef awaits adventurers.
1. qualia, Hamilton Island 2. Orpheus Island Lodge 3. Lizard Island Resort
Seeking 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 Essentia Day 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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Iconic Landscapes Escaping to some of Australia's most iconic destinations – such as South East Queensland, the Blue Mountains and Uluru (Ayers Rock) – should not mean skipping luxury. Whether you spend your day walking breathtaking mountain trails, on a 4WD wildlife safari or exploring the Outback by camel, a restful retreat awaits you at these intimate resorts. Indulge in a relaxing spa treatment or savour a delicious gourmet meal and enjoy a glass of local wine as the sun stains rugged peaks and hidden valleys. Australia's undeniable natural beauty and uniqueness will leave you in awe and be wishing your trip would never end.
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Spicers Peak Lodge
Scenic Rim Trail
A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, Spicers Peak Lodge – at 3,700 feet above sea level – is Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge retreat
Discover the natural wonders of South East Queensland High Country and relax in luxury
Just two hours southwest of Brisbane, this award-winning mountain retreat is situated on a 8,895-acre working cattle farm in Queensland High Country. 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 offers an intimate abode in spectacular surrounds. Activities include guided nature walks, guided mountain biking, 4WD tours, and scenic helicopter flights. 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 Spa Anise. By night, enjoy nature walks, stargazing from the viewing deck, and gourmet food and wine by the fire. Spicers Peak Lodge is an intimately unique Australian lodge experience.
Scenic Rim Trail showcases a region of cultural richness and vast natural beauty, and the two or four-day guided walk, with transfers to and from Brisbane, indulges walkers with luxury accommodation and gourmet food and wine en route. Explore a wonderland of lush rainforests, mountains, escarpments, forests and ancient volcanic plateaus, in a group of up to ten walkers. The trail requires a reasonable level of fitness and includes varying terrain and some ascents, but the challenges of the day are well rewarded. Your accommodation one or two nights at Canopy Eco Lodge, consisting of ten luxury safari tents and offering gourmet food and wine served by dedicated hosts. On the third evening, you will be pampered at Spicers Peak Lodge, Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge and a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia. This spectacular property includes a day spa, large lodge suites, infinity pool and heated spa, and a hatted restaurant serving a five-course tasting menu. Return transfers to and from Brisbane included.
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Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa
Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Combining absolute luxury with a quintessentially Australian bush experience
World Heritage Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is an ultra-luxury conservation-based resort, located 2.5 hours’ drive from Sydney (118 miles) in the World Heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains region, and set on 7,000 acres of carbonneutral conservation and wildlife reserve. Occupying just one per cent of the total land area, the resort features 40 elegantly appointed villas reminiscent of the Federation period, each with its own heated swimming pool, double-sided fireplace, and private verandah. The resort’s food philosophy is based on seasonal, regional and where possible, organic produce from within a 100-mile radius, with various ingredients incorporated from the resort’s very own kitchen garden. The vast property can be explored through a range of activities, including mountain biking, 4WD tours, heritage tours, wildlife spotting and horseback riding. All meals are included, as well as non-alcoholic beverages, a range of local wines and beer with lunch and dinner, and two nature-based activities per person each day from the schedule of complimentary inclusions.
Nestled in 143 acres of native forest on a secluded beach, family-owned Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a deluxe ecotourism resort located 15 minutes south of Port Douglas. Sitting spectacularly atop a headland with breathtaking vistas, Thala Beach provides a relaxed island-style vacation on the mainland. The lodge is well placed for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Elevated on stilts, 83 eco-designed timber bungalows are discreetly concealed within the forest canopy, blending in with the natural environment and feature ocean, mountain or forest views. Panoramic views are enjoyed from open-sided Ospreys Restaurant across the forest canopy and beyond to the Coral Sea. Guests dine amongst birds in the surrounding treetops, whilst enjoying modern Australian cuisine with friendly and attentive service.
1. Spicers Peak Lodge 2. Scenic Rim Trail 3. Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa 4. Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Guests also enjoy complimentary guided onsite nature tours led by passionate and informative rangers including a unique coconut odyssey, beach combing, stargazing at an outdoor observatory, wildlife walks, and bird watching tours. AUSTRALIA/ 19
BridgeClimb Sydney
Sydney Harbour 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. 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.
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This signature Sydney experience offers spectacular guided climbs to the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, 443 feet above the city's stunning harbour and beyond. Climbs range from 1.5-3.5 hours with your professional climb leader, all providing magnificent views across the harbour and beyond. Departures at Dawn (limited), Day, Twilight and Night.
Opera Australia A visit to Sydney Opera House is worth more than just a photo outside. Sydney Opera House was built for opera, so prepare for the most impressive night you've ever had. Have a glass of champagne overlooking the harbour, and enjoy a performance in the Sydney Opera House or on Sydney Harbour. No matter what kind of entertainment you're in the mood for, there's always an opera to fit the bill.
Park Hyatt Sydney Contemporary harbourside luxury in prime position on Sydney Harbour With a coveted location on the harbour, between the world-famous Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Park Hyatt Sydney is a luxurious yet intimate, residential-style hotel showcasing architecture, design and art that tastefully reflects 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 signature restaurant, The Dining Room, takes in spectacular views of the harbour through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Cruise Like a Local
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Treat yourself to Sydney Harbour's most sensational Cruise Like a Local luncheon cruise
Be swept away by the panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
A unique, four-hour cruise experience. Enjoy the company of a small group aboard a 52-foot motor yacht. Your personal captain and host will share the rich history of Sydney Harbour and its foreshore as you take in the sites of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the bays and coves of Sydney Harbour.
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney combines a prime location in the historic Rocks area with luxurious, well-appointed rooms, dining at Pei Modern, an intimate bar in Grain, personalised spa treatments and service that anticipates your every request.
Enjoy a three-course BBQ lunch with regional wines, local beers and fivestar service. Immerse yourself in all the activities that a private vessel offers including, swimming, fishing and kayaking/row the tender – or sit back, relax on the expansive sunbed and do nothing at all.
Only a short walk from the city’s shopping and business centres, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney is vibrant and elegant with dramatic harbourfront views. The hotel features a well-equipped fitness area as well as Sydney’s largest heated outdoor hotel pool.
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InterContinental Sydney
Spicers Potts Point
Uncover your piece of history inside one of Sydney’s greatest icons, InterContinental Sydney
Located in the vibrant inner city village of Potts Point, our newest Spicers Retreat places the best of Sydney at your doorstep
Perched above the world’s most stunning harbour and just moments from Sydney’s coveted attractions, you’ll discover exclusive boutiques and city explorations as well as Sydney’s Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens and Circular Quay all moments away.
Just a short walk to trendy cafés, Sydney city and harbour and set amongst a mix of historic art deco and modern architecture, Spicers Potts Point exudes an effortless blend of classic Sydney heritage character with a fresh contemporary feel.
Built around the Treasury Building’s sandstone façades 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. Beyond your room, unlock the hotel's world-class facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, gym, spa and meeting rooms. With a philosophy of culinary excellence, from seasonally-inspired cuisine to decadent high tea, InterContinental Sydney offers four acclaimed restaurants – Café Opera, The Cortile, 117 Dining and Meat & Wine Co.
Spicers Potts Point is comprised of 20 guest rooms housed within the 1880s Victorian Terrace House with a textured laneway outlook. These former Sydney townhouses are surrounded by fashionable shops, cafés and restaurants and offer convenient access to Sydney’s world class attractions. Although the retreat features muted and calming tones, splashes of rich green and ocean blue, inspired by Martine Emdur’s artworks depicting underwater swimmers exhibited throughout the retreat, act as a tribute to the colors of Australia.
For the ultimate experience, upgrade to a Club InterContinental room where you will have access to Sydney’s only rooftop lounge, with uninterrupted views sweeping from Sydney Harbour to the coast.
The hotel has a private club feel that peacefully envelopes you once inside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Design your own Sydney adventure and experience this charismatic part of one of Australia’s most iconic cities.
1. BridgeClimb Sydney 2. Opera Australia 3. Cruise Like a Local 4. Park Hyatt Sydney 5. Four Seasons Hotel Sydney 6. InterContinental Sydney 7. Spicers Potts Point
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Unique Coastal Experiences Unparalleled coastal experiences await you on the east coast of Australia. Visit Jervis Bay and Byron Bay to witness whales on their annual migration. You’ll be captivated by the perfect beaches, hidden lagoons and creeks – perfect for swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, paddle-boarding and surfing. The coastal town of Airlie Beach is the vibrant hub of the Whitsundays and the ideal mainland base for activities on the water and in the lush, green rainforest of the Whitsunday Coast. These easy-going east coast seaside towns have vibrant local produce markets, boutique shops, art galleries delicious cafés and restaurants and burgeoning music scenes. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and instantly tune into holiday mode.
Bondi Local Tour
The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa
Join your friendly local Bondi Surf Instructor and experience Australia's most beautiful beach...the way the locals do!
The perfect place to truly relax and rejuvenate
Enjoy a half day Bondi Beach group tour that includes hotel transfers, surf lifesaving club tour, a surf or bodyboard lesson and a casual beach-side lunch with five-star views across Bondi. There are awesome sight-seeing and photo opportunities and all equipment is included. These tours depart daily and will pick you up from your city accommodation at 10am and drop you home around 2pm. You're never a tourist when you're cruising Bondi with us! Heading to Byron Bay? Check out our half day tours there too! See why both Bondi Beach and Byron Bay create such a buzz with visitors from around the world.
Cocooned in a lush, private 45-acre rainforest setting, yet only minutes to the iconic town of Byron Bay and a short walk to Tallow Beach, this multiaward-winning resort provides an idyllic escape in a tranquil atmosphere. Take a stroll along wooden boardwalks through the rainforest or take some time out to indulge yourself with a special treatment at the resort’s luxurious day spa. Relax with complimentary daily yoga classes, or enjoy the serenity with a swim in the infinity pool. Discover the finest local produce while dining al fresco surrounded by the lush rainforest canopy. Wake up to the sounds of the forest as the ocean breeze reaches you in your spacious, one-bedroom suite. Each suite featuring a deep soak bath, galley kitchen, lounge and dining area and two open-air balconies to really be at one with nature. The Byron at Byron offers the ideal environment to allow your body to cleanse, regenerate and renew.
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Paperbark Camp
Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays
Architect-designed, sustainable, luxury tented camp offering a true escape from modern life
Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays is an iconic landmark in luxury, boutique, upscale accommodation in the Whitsundays
Paperbark Camp is located near the pristine waters and white-sand beaches of Jervis Bay, just over two hours’ drive south of Sydney. The area boasts award-winning national and marine parks and is home to spectacular coastal scenery, deserted beaches with crystal-clear water and amazing marine life.
Hunt Design Architects have captured the essence of a tropical Queenslander with an impeccable design that is elegant and timeless. High pitched roofs, spacious verandahs, together with the timber cladding and exquisite detailing, deliver a stunning façade on all elevations. This highly articulated building is visually striking and evocative of a style of architecture that has stood the test of time, reminiscent of early gracious Queensland homes.
The African-inspired safari-style tents provide a cozy retreat, nestled among soaring gum trees in pristine hand-cleared bushland. Canoes, kayaks, and bikes are provided for exploring. A highlight of any stay is a candlelit dinner in the Gunyah, a treetop dining room featuring modern menus and excellent local produce. This is also the perfect place to spot resident possums and sugar gliders. Combining unique luxury tented accommodation with wonderful food and warm hospitality, Paperbark Camp is a peaceful bush retreat in beautiful Jervis Bay – think camping for grownups!
Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays features an unrivalled location, literally in the heart of the cosmopolitan seaside resort village of Airlie Beach. The hotel features thoughtfully decorated designer rooms, complimenting upper level club floor rooms and modern elegant suites. The Deck Restaurant and lounge bar are casual, yet glamorous and sophisticated, featuring locally inspired food and beverage.
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1. Bondi Local Tour 2. The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa 3. Paperbark Camp 4. Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by our gracious team of guest service agents who offer highly personalised intuitive service. AUSTRALIA/ 23
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 oasis, where crocodiles snooze in cool rivers and electricblue 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 amid the splendour in an airy room, bungalow or treehouse in an eco-friendly resort designed to help preserve a treasured wilderness.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Immerse yourself in a fascinating journey of discovery that takes you over and through Australia's World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest with Skyrail Glide just feet above the pristine rainforest canopy and enjoy stunning 360 degree views of unspoiled rainforest, the sparkling Coral Sea and rugged Barron Gorge. Descend to the forest floor at the Red Peak and Barron Falls rainforest stations where you can unlock the secrets of this ancient environment via ranger-guided boardwalk tours, the Interpretation Centre and numerous lookouts. This unforgettable rainforest experience offers the unrivalled opportunity to discover and explore Australia’s ‘Living Museum’ – a museum that provides something different daily.
Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa Spectacularly situated on the Mossman Gorge River, Silky Oaks Lodge is the region's premier destination from which to explore Tropical North Queensland A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, Silky Oaks blends casual and contemporary design with a choice of Treehouse accomodations in the most tranquil tropical gardens and lush rainforest, with some overlooking the magnificent Mossman River. The open-sided main lodge – which perches high above the surrounding rainforest and river – is an exquisite experience. Sit amongst the rainforest canopy and enjoy a refreshing cocktail at the bar before dining on the freshest of Australian produce from innovative seasonal menus. Or come and experience our signature treatments in our award-winning Healing Waters Spa.
Flames of the Forest Dining Experience Australia’s only rainforest dining experience, Flames is an spectacular evening not to be missed Featuring a tropics inspired menu accompanied by quality beverages set amidst the candle lit rainforest under a black silk canopy, this is a cultural and culinary experience for the soul. Entwined with an Indigenous cultural performance featuring traditional storytelling, didgeridoo and song. Flames of the Forest transports you into a world beyond your imagination so relaxing and uplifting for your soul you will never want to leave. Join us for completely natural evening offering you a once in a lifetime feast for your senses.
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Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat Explore tropical highland rainforest, its creeks and five miles of walking tracks Rose Gums is perched on 230 acres of tropical rainforest bordering the World Heritage listed Wooroonooran National Park. Nearby you'll find volcanic crater lakes and abundant wildlife, including the unique platypus and more than 160 bird species and, come evening, dine in the tree canopy restaurant "LEAF".
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Retreat to your private pole-and-timber treehouse, featuring a large spa bath, cozy fireplace and balcony with stunning rainforest views. This cool tropical mountain retreat offers peace, relaxation and a genuine family welcome.
Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours The tour takes you into the beating heart of the Daintree Rainforest on a guided zipline and tree platform tour through all levels of the rainforest canopy This is Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Rainforest, only a few hours’ drive north from Port Douglas and Cairns. A living museum where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed areas collide, creating nature’s own spectacular, highdefinition live stream, and Jungle Surfing is the best way to explore it from every angle. Our guides are with you every step of the way, offering interpretation on every platform and controlling your flight throughout the tour, so there’s no experience necessary, and the tour suits all ages from three to 103. The platforms range from 16 to 64 feet above the ground and each one reveals a different level of the rainforest ecosystem with spectacular views into the canopy, over the treetops, down to cascading streams and out to the reef. Tours run in all weathers and we guarantee at least one hour up in the canopy.
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
1. Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa
Combining nature, nurture and culture in the rainforest
2. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa offers quality accommodation, stunning cuisine with a native twist, authentic Aboriginal culture and a world acclaimed day and wellness spa. Declared the ‘most pampering Eco Lodge in the world', the lodge boasts 15 quality bayans, nestled amongst the world’s oldest living rainforest, the Daintree World Heritage Rainforest. This unique tree house accommodation certainly make you feel like you are at one with nature, whilst enjoying all the comforts you would expect of a boutique retreat. The Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa is an ideal haven to relax and to explore the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Daintree River and Cape Tribulation areas.
3. Flames of the Forest Dining Experience 4. Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours 5. Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat 6. Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
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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 stops 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 tranquility by the warmth of the sun and gentle sea winds.
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Christmas Island Nature's playground as you’ve never seen it before Christmas Island is one of nature's most impressive feats, an island full of natural wonders: from the unique annual red crab migration to rare and unusual birds to incredible snorkeling and diving and beaches where the only footprints in the sand are those made by nesting turtles. With so many endemic species and two-thirds of the Island classified as a National Park, the island is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. Yet it also displays a curious amalgam of cultures, history, and industry, all merging as a place where these elements create a truly unusual travel experience.
Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island Surrender to barefoot luxury at idyllic Capella, Lord Howe's premium escape and a close-kept secret among stylish insiders
Cocos Keeling Islands Australia's island getaway located in the remote Indian Ocean, offering a true paradise experience The Cocos Keeling Islands an unspoiled paradise, lying in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, kissed by the sun and caressed by fragrant trade winds. Offering spectacular snorkeling, world-class diving, excellent fishing and the adrenalin-rush of kitesurfing, the Cocos Keeling Islands are also a deeply tranquil holiday location. Relax on empty beaches, visit uninhabited islands by canoe, watch spectacular birdlife or catch the ferry to Home Island and discover the culture and traditions of the Cocos Malay people. Only two of the 27 islands are inhabited – the rest are waiting for you to explore them.
Bordered by a reef-fringed lagoon, Lord Howe Island is a World Heritagelisted site boasting an abundance of rare birds, plants and marine life. Celebrated as the pinnacle of luxury on this enchanting sanctuary, Capella rests above romantic Lovers Bay and at the foot of the towering mountain twins. An inspired architectural design welcomes spectacular views of the ocean and volcanic peaks and a feeling of relaxed sophistication prevails throughout. A short flight from Australia’s east coast transports guests to a fantasy island where recreations span palm forest walks, relaxing on white-sand beaches and exploring the world’s southernmost coral reef. Capella’s nine island-style suites are contemporary and light-filled and dining showcases fresh regional produce. Inspired by the carefree spirit of the authentic Australian beach house, yet offering unforgettable 'firstname' service, Capella is a paradise to be treasured.
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Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island Encapsulating the very essence of Lord Howe Island, offering guests a haven of tranquillity and peace Renowned for its warm and friendly service and laid back ambiance, Arajilla Retreat is perfectly positioned on the northern sheltered end of the Island’s lagoon just behind Old Settlement Beach. Meandering pathways lead through native gardens to the beach, to the serene Ayurvedic Spa, to Arajilla’s luxurious suites and to the renowned restaurant. Explore the extraordinary scenery and wildlife of World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island. Walk bush trails, climb mountains, swim, surf, snorkel, fish, bicycle around the island, take a moonlit beach walk, share a romantic dinner or private picnic, play golf beneath the mountains, take it easy on a deserted beach, enjoy a massage or treatment, savour fine food and wine. And it’s all less than a two-hour flight from Sydney or Brisbane.
1. Christmas Island 2. Cocos Keeling Islands 3. Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island 4. Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island
Invigorate yourself in tranquil natural beauty and restore your mind, body and spirit with a visit to ‘Australia’s most beautiful island’.
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E Explorations
Star Beds
Air Safaris Turquoise seas shimmering above the world-famous and expansive Great Barrier Reef. Endless sandy beaches shaded by gently swaying palm trees and lapped by foaming surf. The untamed Outback, where sun-baked landscapes stretch to a distant horizon, punctuated occasionally by a remote station. Discover these wonders on a thrilling trip by helicopter or bush plane – whether it’s a short scenic flight or a multiday safari including luxury accommodation. Be amazed by pristine waterfalls and isolated parks alive with native wildlife. Fly away into the heart of Australia and be astonished by its unique beauty and colorful landscapes.
HeliSpirit Australia’s Kimberley region is like no other place on earth Rugged, romantic and breathtakingly beautiful, she hides her secrets well until you take to the air. HeliSpirit can show you close up views of remote places inaccessible by any other means than by helicopter. Explore Lake Argyle, Kununurra, the Bungle Bungle, Mitchell Falls, the Kimberley Coast and Katherine Gorge. Some flights include landings to view the sun setting over vast red cliffs, to fish in wild rivers or swim in secret springs. Indulge in a private luxury helicopter safari of six days duration; exploring waterfalls, galleries of rock art, in stunning Kimberley landscapes, with accommodation in luxury lodges.
Australia like a Rock Star A 14-night adventure around Australia fit for a Rockstar! This hand-crafted journey offers the ultimate Australian experience traversing across the continent aboard a brand new private Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, a masterpiece of Swiss craftsmanship. Travelling in this aircraft you will find nothing but comfort and class, this is more than just a plane, this is innovative travel. Enjoy sophisticated Sydney, the beauty of alpine Queensland and the grandeur of the Great Barrier Reef. Continue through outback Queensland, awake to iconic views of Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the heart of Australia’s red centre and discover the ancient raw landscape of the Flinders Ranges. Explore Kangaroo Island’s rugged coastline beauty, staying at Southern Ocean Lodge with the opportunity to view some of Australia’s amazing wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, and sea lions. Experience all of this and much more traveling in luxury and style! Once again The Tailor is setting the standards for luxury and experiential travel within Australia utilising the brand new sleek and sophisticated PC-12 plane.
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Chinta Air Tours Personal itineraries take you into the skies of the Australian Chinta Air Tours specialize in tailor-made air safaris. Travel in light aircraft to unique destinations throughout Australia where you can enjoy a taste of outback lifestyle. Accommodation is first-class – perhaps a luxury safari tent, a cliff-top eco-lodge, an award-winning eco-villa, or an outback station homestead where you live beside the owners. At each location, 4WD tours with knowledgeable local guides introduce you to native wildlife roaming free, and to stories of the Outback. Superb meals feature tempting local produce. Each day, enjoy the view and reduce your travel time with scenic flights. Travel with the Outback Air Safari Specialists.
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Independent Aviation
Nautilus Aviation
Arrive in style and class on a private charter
Take in the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, the contrast of Australia’s rugged Outback, or the beauty of the world’s oldest living rainforest with a luxury aviation experience
Independent Aviation has an enviable reputation for providing prompt, reliable and innovative solutions in aircraft procurement for discerning travellers throughout Australasia for more than 27 years. Specializing in Luxury Lodge, Private Yacht, and Island Resort transfers, we look after every detail with discreet professionalism, so that you can enjoy the ultimate experience. If you require an extended multi-destination itinerary or an individual sector to put a plan back on track, we will find the right aircraft for you.From helicopters and light twins to private jets, we arrange hundreds of aircraft charters every month. Our 24-hour 'Flight Desk' backs up every charter with detailed management to ensure a successful flight and your satisfaction. As Independent brokers, we will coordinate everything, returning promptly with genuine quotes on a range of aircraft and a recommendation on a suitable provider. Honeymoon, VIP, family groups, and individuals, or that special holiday adventure. For expert advice contact the ‘Air Charter Professionals’ to organize your next flight.
With bases in Cairns, Townsville, Darwin and Horn Island, Nautilus Aviation is perfectly positioned to offer the ultimate holiday adventure, private charter or transfer to any destination regardless of how far off the beaten track. Take in remote and exclusive tropical islands such as Haggerstone and Lizard, or heli-fishing and hunting tours. There are also nine different options to explore the Great Barrier Reef including secluded cays as well as cruising, diving and flying tours. Flying from Charles Darwin National Park in the Northern Territory, there is also a range of scenic flight packages.
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1. Australia like a Rock Star 2. HeliSpirit 3. Chinta Air Tours 4. Independent Aviation 5. Nautilus Aviation
Visit the Daintree Rainforest for a traditional Indigenous experience, the Australian Outback including the now historical Tyrconnell gold mine and homestead of Mt Mulligan Station, or one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most exclusive locations – Orpheus Island. Our friendly and highly trained pilots have a wealth of knowledge and experience, ensuring your journey will be one to remember. AUSTRALIA/ 31
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 travel from Adelaide to the Red Centre or Darwin aboard The Ghan – stopping en route for any number of whistlestop tours.
Gawler Ranges "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 colors 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 macropod marsupials 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.
The Ghan Expedition An all-inclusive rail experience through the magnificent Red Centre The Ghan Expedition departs every Wednesday from May to October from Darwin to Adelaide, showcasing some of Australia’s major icons over 4 days/3 nights. This all-inclusive journey is as much about off the train as it is on. Guests enjoy all meals and beverages included in their choice of either classic Gold Service or the modern luxuries of Platinum Service. It’s the exploration opportunities along the way that really whet your appetite however. Cruise Nitmiluk Gorge, or have an inclusive tour of the Alice. Choose to upgrade your excursion to a scenic flight and base tour of Uluru. All guests enjoy an Outback Pioneer Dinner under the stars in Alice Springs before returning to The Ghan. The extended touring doesn’t stop there as guests disembark at Manguri for a full day of touring the unique Opal mining town of Coober Pedy. Then travelling northbound, the regular Ghan service allows guests to also travel in reverse from Adelaide to Alice Springs or Alice Springs to Darwin. Either way, all journeys are fully inclusive of regionally-inspired meals, beverages and a range of Off Train Experiences.
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Angorichina Station Stretching north from Port Augusta, the Flinders Ranges is one of Australia’s most inspiring outback locations Angorichina Station is located 6 miles east of small outback town, Blinman in outback South Australia’s Flinders Ranges and 310 miles north of Adelaide. Your hosts are the Fargher family, owners of Angorichina Station. The original part of the homestead dates from the 1860’s, when pioneering graziers first drove their flocks into the Flinders Ranges. The Fargher's welcome discerning travellers all year round on an all inclusive basis. They are warm people who genuinely enjoy spending time with their guests. There are no set menus at Angorichina, but guests can expect homestead cooking with a touch of sophistication.
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary Discover a 235 sq mile sanctuary so special it is protected by its own Act of Parliament. An area unique in its breathtaking scenery, geology, fauna and flora, this is a true outback Australian wilderness in a class of its own. Don't miss the Ridgetop Tour where you will experience stunning uninterrupted views of the colorful landscapes as the track winds its way skyward over extreme terrain.
El Questro Wilderness Park Combining the intrigue of a 700,000-acre working cattle station with comfortable accommodation, the park offers a truly quintessential Kimberley experience. Staying at El Questro has something for everyone, whether you choose a luxurious stay at El Questro Homestead, a room by the river, a tented cabin nestled in the wilderness or a night under canvas at El Questro Station.
Apollo Trailfinder Discover your own Australia in an Apollo Trailfinder Experience Australia’s vast and dramatic landscapes from behind the wheel of an Apollo Trailfinder. Ideal for adventurous couples seeking the ease of a compact vehicle, the Trailfinder has been built to handle Australia’s tough outback conditions. The Trailfinder has a comfortable and spacious driver’s cabin, internal fridge and freezer and one cozy double bed as well as a lower single bed. Featuring a large slide-out outdoor kitchen, a pop top roof for extra space and ventilation, as well as an awning, you will find it easy to enjoy that great Aussie Outback experience.
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1. The Ghan Expedition
In RM’s Footsteps
Rawnsley Park Station, Flinders Ranges
Experience the ultimate tribute to a legend of the Australian Outback; R.M. Williams
These Eco–villas and the Homestead provide the perfect base for exploring South Australia's rugged Flinders Ranges
3. Angorichina Station
In RM’s Footsteps begins in Adelaide visiting the factory and the original workshop in Percy Street where the great man launched his clothing empire. The visit includes a tour of the boot room, factory, and museum, plus guests will receive a complimentary pair of Craftsman Boots.
Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia offers the ultimate Australian outback experience. The spectacular scenery, luxury accommodation and good food and wine, will motivate an appreciation of the immense space of the Australian outback. The brilliant red earth and rock of the Flinders Ranges have inspired awe in generations of visitors.
5. El Questro Wilderness Park
This amazing trip offers guests a rare opportunity to explore several magnificent Outback destinations, such as the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre. Travel in ultimate luxury aboard a Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. Numbers are strictly limited to no more than 8 passengers, plus a private guide, to ensure that each trip is truly memorable.
The Rawnsley Eco-villas are set on a secluded, elevated site that offers 360° views of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding ranges. Stylish and contemporary, the bedrooms have retractable fabric ceilings and roof skylights, enabling you to lie in bed and gaze at the stars overhead.
2. Gawler Ranges 4. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary 6. In RM’s Footsteps 7. Apollo Trailfinder 8. Rawnsley Park Station, Flinders Ranges
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Australia's Remote North West Discover an ancient landscape of breathtaking contrasts covering billions of years in history and over 386,000 square miles. This is Australia at its most vast and truly remote, where coastal cruising unfolds rivers, waterfalls and tides of extreme nature. Rich in natural history and indigenous lifestyle, the longer you stay, the more you become part of the landscape. Climb aboard your luxurious live-aboard cruise hosted by knowledgeable crew and a world-class chef who prepare the day's catch into succulent feast. By day, gently cruise the calm bays and tributaries; or explore remote rivers in an excursion tender; and shower underneath waterfalls such as the King Cascade.
Kimberley Quest A multi-award-winning luxury Kimberley cruise company operating extended wilderness expeditions along the stunning Kimberley coast, cruising between Broome and Wyndham The Kimberley Quest II is a 82-foot vessel that has been designed with relaxation in mind, and for exploring the Kimberley coastline in style. Its custom design allows us to visit areas many other Kimberley cruises simply cannot reach. Whilst on board, guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor alfresco areas, a refreshing dip in the spa and gourmet cuisine prepared by the onboard chef. Cruising with a maximum of 18 guests, personalised service and attention to detail means guests can enjoy the amazing surrounds in complete comfort and luxury. Kimberley Quest operate Kimberley tours ranging from 8, 10 and 14 days in length, all with daily cruise adventures featuring a myriad of activities. Leaving the mothership in custom-built tender vessels, guests set out exploring the untouched river systems, viewing ancient Aboriginal rock art and fishing the tidal creeks as well as discovering the in-depth history of the area, viewing the rugged cliffs, caves, waterfalls and gorges, spotting wildlife, taking refreshing dips in secluded waterholes and much more!
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Also available is the opportunity to charter the vessel exclusively, which means the itinerary and daily excursions can be tailored to suit your group's preferences whether it be wildlife, walking, fishing, Aboriginal art, or a combination of all of these. The possibilities are endless when you have the most extraordinary location at your fingertips! The Kimberley is prolific with islands, inlets, extensive waterfalls, pristine beaches and unforgettable scenery that will take your breath away. The team at Kimberley Quest will convey their passion for this ancient land, forging the sights and sounds of the Kimberley into your memory forever.
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Great Escape Cruising Small group luxury adventure cruises along the Kimberley coast and Rowley Shoals Journey through one of the world’s last great wildernesses and indulge in a truly relaxed voyage in style with just 14 privileged guests. Embark on a fascinating journey of discovery and adventure with a welcoming and passionate crew committed to creating exceptional experiences, prioritising personalised service while ensuring your safety and comfort. On the Kimberley coast cruises, owners and captains Chris and Jeremy Tucker guide guests to remarkable landscapes of spectacular waterfalls, towering gorges and secret fishing spots. Activities include mud-crabbing, bushwalking, touring ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries and harvesting oysters. There are countless opportunities for intimate encounters with Australian wildlife along the way.
high-speed drift channels and sheer outer reef walls – this is one of the most exclusive and revered diving experiences in the world. MV Great Escape is a 85-foot adventure catamaran. It has seven staterooms with queen-size beds, private ensuites and flat-screen real-time TVs with DVD players. The vessel has a spacious lounge area, indoor and outdoor dining, a cascading front deck with an eight-person spa, a sprawling back deck and an upper deck. Three tenders transport guests on daily land excursions and optional helicopter tours are also available. Gourmet cuisine freshly prepared on board by an award-winning chef showcases the flavours of the Kimberley.
1. Kimberley Quest 2. Great Escape Cruising
Alternatively, choose a Rowley Shoals snorkeling and diving cruise. The Rowley Shoals is a pristine and protected collection of coral atolls west of Broome rising 1,444 feet from the ocean floor. Home to a mesmerising 688 species of tropical fish and 233 varieties of coral decorating a diverse array of diving environments – including lagoons canyons, coral gardens, thrilling AUSTRALIA/ 35
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, 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.
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AEA Luxury Tours
Premier Travel Tasmania
Spend time in first-class luxury with AEA Luxury Tours
Tasmania has abundance of native wildlife and wilderness areas to explore
For over 27 years, AEA Luxury Tours has been providing complete luxury small group touring packages across Sydney and New South Wales, continually setting the benchmark for first-class itineraries, guides, and vehicle comfort. Whether it is visiting the major icons of Sydney city, escaping to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains or sampling the finest wine and food in Australia’s oldest wine region, the Hunter Valley, you can be sure of seeing the best that New South Wales has to offer.
Tasmania’s UNESCO World Heritage Listed Wilderness provides a perfect place for touring away from urban hustle and bustle, with rugged mountains, temperate rainforests and pristine white sandy beaches. The Premier Travel Tasmania team consists of local guides who know Tasmania intimately and are able to provide interpretation and share stories in a meaningful way.
Not only do guests benefit from a highly personalised service, travelling in smaller vehicles also enables visits to the more remote destinations.
Guests may join like-minded travelers on a privately guided experience tailored to personal preferences or join a premium small group tour with options including a 5 day ‘Icons’ tour or an 8 day Tasmanian wildlife and wilderness encounter.
Private Great Ocean Road Tour
Exceptional Kangaroo Island Insider Access
Your private tour of the spectacular Great Ocean Road allows you time to take in the natural wonders of this majestic drive
This full-day share tour explores at leisure the beautiful Flinders Chase National Park
You'll enjoy personalised interactions with your very own guide and plenty of time to take in the scenery and take photos. You can take a stroll along the wild beaches and stop for a coffee at the Split Point Lighthouse. You will visit the quaint town of Apollo Bay for a traditional pub lunch.
Spot a range of wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, goannas, echidnas, koalas and many birds. Visit Remarkable Rocks, huge granite rocks carved from the wind, rain and salt from the Southern Ocean. See Admirals Arch, a spectacular rock arch and the fur seals lazing on the rocks below. Enjoy an elegant picnic lunch in the bush featuring local produce.
Oceania provides you with exclusive access to the Great Ocean Ecolodge where you can get up close with koalas and kangaroos and support the important conservation work. Finish this magical day with a visit to the iconic Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. We can run this tour for you in English, German, Spanish or Italian.
End the day learning about the pioneering heritage of the Island at "Grassdale" the former home of Lucy Edwards. Grassdale now forms part of the national parks estate and provides excellent viewing opportunities of the Island's namesake – the Kangaroo Island kangaroo.
Hidden Secrets Private Tours With a private tour, your itinerary can be finalized on location and changed on a whim Enjoy the laneways of inner Melbourne, visit wonderful local restaurants and hear of life today and before. A half-day tour can include tram rides where needed to ensure you see the best of the city centre. No bookings are made before you are met on the day so that you enjoy a truly bespoke tour. A shorter personalised overview is ideal for those who are keen to explore more themselves. Insider knowledge cannot get simpler than this. Enjoy a tour as well as the expertise of personal concierge. Hotel meet and greet is included, and drinks, special offers and seasonal information is all included – choose from one- through to four-hour options.
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Luxury Outback Tours Western Australia’s ultimate small group luxury 4WD eco tours Experience the magnificent Kimberley scenery on our Authentic Kimberley Adventure Tour, drive on the famous Gibb River Road, visit the spectacular Bungle Bungles and swim with the Whale Sharks on our amazing Pilbara Ningaloo Broome Tour. Stay on remote station homesteads to experience outback life, take a helicopter flight over otherwise inaccessible scenery, walk along beautiful isolated beaches and enjoy sensational sunsets over the red dirt of the Pilbara. We also offer overnight and day tours to iconic places such as Margaret River and Esperance, as well as seasonal wild flower tours. Tailored tours are our speciality and we can cater to your particular interests, taking you to some very special places, off the beaten track, with local experts, so you can see and experience more of Western Australia.
1. AEA Luxury Tours 2. Private Great Ocean Road Tour 3. Premier Travel Tasmania 4. Exceptional Kangaroo Island Insider Access 5. Luxury Outback Tours 6. Hidden Secrets Private Tours
All this whilst travelling in a luxury 4WD vehicle, with a maximum of six likeminded travellers, staying in top quality comfortable accommodation.
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Tranquil Times Escape from the hectic pace and distraction of daily life without forgoing comforts or indulgences. The best accommodations effortlessly meld wilderness with luxury and service. Greet the sunrise from an exclusive tent amid the dunes edging one of the world’s most printine reefs. Awake in a private guesthouse high on an escarpment nestled into Bouddi National Park with views to the sparkling Brisbane waters. Sip your morning coffee cocooned by the natural serenity of the Blue Mountains. Finish a day’s trekking with dinner under a blanket of stars in Karijini National Park. Staying at remote places allows you to put everything in perspective again – you’re guaranteed not to miss the ‘real world’ in the least.
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Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Pretty Beach House
Where the Outback Meets the Reef
The epitome of relaxed luxury, privacy and the ultimate example of elegance
Sal Salis is an exclusive bush camp offering comfort and style in the Cape Range National Park, overlooking the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. There are just sixteen spacious tents, each with eco-bathroom. Drinks from the bar and chef-prepared meals are served in the main lodge. The focus of your stay is the environment and a team of passionate guides are on hand to show you the reef on guided snorkel and kayak expeditions and guided gorge walks in the Ranges. Swim with whale sharks (April to July) and humpback whales (August to October) from cruises aboard Sal Salis’ motor launch. At night lie out on the beach to stare up at the Milky Way and a canopy of stars stretching across the southern night skies.
Pretty Beach House is a rare find for those looking for a luxurious getaway with the perfect balance of intimacy, privacy and personalised service. A serene escape nestled within the heart of the NSW Bouddi National Park, this fine hotel is set high on the escarpment above Pretty Beach, just 90-minute drive or exhilarating 20-minute seaplane/heli flight from Sydney city. All dining, snacks and selected beverage is included as part of the hospitality at Pretty Beach House. Also included is an Indigenous smoking ceremony and mountain bike hire.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat Treat yourself and immerse your senses Cocooned by the natural serenity of the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, just an hour from Sydney, you’ll find Spicers Sangoma Retreat. Aptly named after the Zulu word for healer, Sangoma is a place where you’ll discover complete rejuvenation and true reconnection, set amongst the Australian bush. The retreat offers an all-inclusive experience, with menus featuring local produce from farmers and producers within the community. As an eco-certified retreat, Spicers Sangoma Retreat features sauna facilities, infinity lap pool, open plan lounge and eight suites that capture the beauty of the natural surrounds, making it an ideal setting for a luxurious Australian nature escape.
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Karijini Eco Retreat Eco tents, eco cabins, campsites and outback dining in the heart of the world-class Karijini National Park Designed with the environment in mind – guests at the Karijini Eco Retreat in Western Australia embrace a ‘greener’ style of accommodation. The semipermanent deluxe eco tents, cabins, campground and facilities incorporate eco-friendly practices which ensure environmentally sustainable management of the natural and cultural values of one of the most ancient landscapes on earth. A short trail walk leads directly from the Retreat into Joffre Gorge. Stand at the top and you will find yourself overwhelmed by this powerful creation of nature which has been sculptured and shaped over a period of about 2,500 million years. Guided tours (coach, adventure, gorges, mine sites) can be booked at reception.
1. Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef 2. Pretty Beach House 3. Spicers Sangoma Retreat 4. Karijini Eco Retreat
An outback-style licensed alfresco restaurant adds glamorous flair to a ‘gorgeous’ day of trekking, whilst the sunset slowly merges with an endless blanket of stars that seem to reflect the timelessness of this place.
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Wilderness & Wildlife Encounters Amazingly, 80 per cent of Australia's flora and fauna are found nowhere else on earth. Echidnas and emus; kangaroos and koalas, wallabies, Tasmanian devils and countless other creatures will delight you. Trail blaze the Victorian high country by horseback. 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 forest. Listen closely to discern the calls of exotic creatures. Discover unique wild spaces and see Australia's remarkable wildlife in their natural habitat, where humans still live in balance with nature and stars glitter brightly in the dark velvet night sky.
Bamurru Plains
Kangaroo Island Overnight Wildlife Experience
Australia’s answer to the Okavango Delta
Discover one of the world’s most pristine, pure places
Located just west of Kakadu National Park on the Mary River floodplains, Bamurru invites guests to share in one of Australia's richest wildlife experiences. Our expert field guides are the keys to unlocking Bamurru’s wild secrets. Explore the wetlands by airboat, as magpie geese take flight, and enjoy crocodile-spotting river cruises. On guided walks, quad bike adventures and open-top safari drives search for brumbies, buffalo, dingos and wallabies or pause to consider an intriguing reptile or the adaptations of a particular insect.
A perfect introduction to an unspoiled and natural wildlife haven, on this one-day/one-night tour, you will soon see why Kangaroo Island is one of Australia’s iconic nature-based destinations. On arrival, your local Kangaroo Island Odysseys guide will take you on a personalised 4WD tour to see Australian sea lions, kangaroos, koalas and native Australian birds in their pristine wildlife settings.
A full day Kakadu experience immerses you in one of the greatest strongholds of Aboriginal rock art and culture in Australia. Spend time with an indigenous guide on the East Alligator River after deciphering rock art galleries in Ubirr. Retire to one of just 10 safari bungalows built on stilts with mesh screen walls. You will hear, see and almost touch the wilderness around you, waking to the call of magpie geese as the orange light of dawn spreads across the floodplain. Or why not sleep out in the new ‘Hide’, 20 feet high in the treetops.
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At the spectacular Seal Bay Conservation Park, you will be escorted on a memorable walk along the beach. This bay is home to a healthy Australian sea lion colony, and you can walk among them as they bask on the beach or rest in the sand dunes after their extensive fishing expedition. With your guide, you are able to stand at a safe distance to these wonderful endangered creatures and hear them sigh and watch them at play. This truly is an unforgettable experience – one you will treasure forever. Overnight accommodation including breakfast, gourmet picnic lunch with wine, all entrance fees, and special permits are included.
7 & 8 Day Tasmanian Wildlife Encounter Australia’s island state provides a rare opportunity to experience an abundance of native wildlife The Tasmanian devil heads the extensive list of animals that will be observed on this small group tour. Also discover quolls, kangaroo, wallabies, wombats and other marsupials, as well as birdlife such as little penguins, forest ravens, currawongs and wedge-tailed eagles. Premier Travel Tasmania’s local expert guides lead this comprehensive tour combining iconic sights with off the beaten track destinations focusing on close encounters with Tasmania’s unique and fascinating wildlife.
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4 Day Flinders Ranges Outback Tour Experience true outback hospitality and Aussie station experiences with this small-group tour This new tour by Flinders Ranges Odysseys departs Adelaide in airconditioned Mercedes Benz vehicles with two nights at the award-winning Rawnsley Park Station and one night at the famous Prairie Hotel. Rawnsley Park Station will be a highlight on this tour with your hosts providing true outback hospitality and Aussie station experiences. Stay in luxurious Eco Villas, all with commanding views of the surrounding landscape. Touring includes the spectacular and rugged scenery of Wilpena Pound and the magnificent Flinders Ranges region with its wealth of wildlife, geology and ancient history. At Nilpena Station, take a fascinating station and Ediacaran fossil tour, and enjoy outback food and hospitality at the famous Prairie Hotel in Parachilna. Finally, travel through the stunning Clare Valley wine region for some wine tasting and lunch before returning to Adelaide. Accommodation, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners, all entrance fees, and special permits are included.
Exceptional Kangaroo Island Join one of Australia's leading nature-based tourism operators and enjoy good food, good wine, and wildlife. Kangaroo Island offers a unique combination of dramatic coastline productive farmland, deserted beaches and a diverse habitat for wildlife such as sea lions, fur seals, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, platypus, goannas, many bird species and even whales, which pass through in winter.
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1. Bamurru Plains 2. Kangaroo Island Overnight Wildlife Experience
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
3. 4 Day Flinders Ranges Outback Tour
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is a unique wilderness experience, set right on the edge of the spectacular World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. At Cradle Mountain, you'll soon discover that fine food and wine are an unavoidable part of this rustic holiday. The Lodge itself is warm and inviting with open fires and cozy spots, perfect for enjoying the postcard views.
4. 7 & 8 Day Tasmanian Wildlife Encounter 5. Exceptional Kangaroo Island 6. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
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I Indulgence
City Chic Collection Sophisticated Australia offers endless amusements during the day, from superb spas and hidden cafés to world-class shopping. But at night, it takes on a whole new gloss, with of-the-moment bars, pumping nightclubs and a high-rolling casino. The Crown Entertainment Complexes are at the heart of the action and features not one, but six, 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 Melbourne The Crown Entertainment Complex is set alongside the Yarra River in Melbourne’s vibrant Southbank precinct The unrivalled location connects you to the best of Melbourne’s shopping, dining, sporting and cultural precincts, including the Melbourne Arts Centre, Concert Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, National Gallery of Victoria, the Malthouse Theatre, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and the Maritime Museum. Crown is home to three iconic award-winning hotels surrounded by restaurants, shopping, entertainment and day spas. The entertainment complex is the hub of Melbourne city life and includes a world-class casino, luxury retail precinct, Melbourne’s grandest theaters, event and performance spaces, cinemas, high-end spas with leading fitness clubs and dining options from fine cuisine to cafés and fast food offerings showcasing an array of international cuisines, including Bistro Guillaume, Rockpool Bar & Grill and Nobu. Renowned as one of the world’s finest hotels, Crown Towers offers an atmosphere of unmatched elegance and sophistication. With its extensive outdoor terrace featuring stunning views of Melbourne’s CBD, the Crystal Club is an inviting and exclusive haven in a secluded setting.
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Located within the opulent Crown Towers, Crown Spa is a tranquil retreat for the ultimate in private pampering, delivering a luxury retreat for those who appreciate the finer things. For the ultimate Crown Spa experience, immerse yourself in the private Jacuzzi, steam room and Swiss shower before your treatment begins. Bask in the benefits of our lavish Aqua Retreat including vitality pool, hammam, private lounge area and 82-foot lap pool. Redefine style at Melbourne’s most striking and sophisticated hotel – Crown Metropol. This luxury urban oasis features 658 designer-inspired guestrooms. Indulge yourself at the signature restaurant, Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar or be captivated by the luminous cityscape from 28 Skybar Lounge, the exclusive club lounge. No visit to Crown Metropol is complete without indulging at ISIKA day spa. The ultimate cosmopolitan retreat, ISIKA is an oasis for the soul in the midst of the city, offering luxurious spa and relaxation areas, a stunning indoor pool and an unparalleled range of stateof-the-art equipment in its studio with panoramic views.
1. Crown Melbourne
Stylish, modern and relaxed, Crown Promenade offers contemporary accommodation featuring natural light, earthy tones with wood and stone finishes. To unwind after a busy day, Mesh restaurant and Tonic bar are conveniently on site or use the air bridge to connect to Crown’s exciting restaurants, bars and entertainment. For wellbeing, The Deck pool and fitness centre is a cool retreat to nurture mind, body and spirit. AUSTRALIA/ 45
City Chic Collection
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Crown Towers Perth The epitome of luxury, guest rooms and suites at Crown Towers Perth command magnificent views Intelligently designed with the latest technology, guests have the opportunity to experience a hotel property unlike any other. Crown Towers Perth is the pinnacle of luxury and the largest hotel in Western Australia with 500 guest rooms, the award-winning Crown Spa, acclaimed restaurants and expansive resort pools. Showcasing Michael Fiebrich interior design, the guest rooms feature a timeless and modern aesthetic both elegantly styled and richly furnished with marble bathrooms and spacious living areas. The exclusive Crystal Club Lounge, located on level 15 of Crown Towers boasts an expansive open terrace highlighting the unimpeded views of the city skyline. The exclusive lounge has a dedicated private check-in service and concierge facilities for Crystal Club guests. After checking in, guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, light snacks, evening canapés and Wi-Fi. Crown Towers Perth features 66,736 square feet of resort pool area including the Enclave, a secluded retreat with luxurious private cabanas surrounding a circular infinity pool and chic bar overlooking the Swan River. Featuring poolside dining and attentive wait staff, the leisure facilities set a new benchmark for resort living.
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Crown Spa caters to guests’ health and fitness needs. A selection of premium La Prairie and Subtle Energies packages, sumptuous treatment rooms and wet areas provide the perfect antidote for the weary traveller. The 24-hour Fitness Centre offers leading edge equipment. Crown Ballroom is Perth’s newest and most prestigious event space, when only the very best will do. Opulence flows throughout this pillarless ballroom with its magnificent custom designed carpets, high ceilings, elegant cream panelling and superbly appointed crystal chandeliers.
1. Crown Towers Perth
Crown Perth boasts a variety of unique culinary restaurants including the acclaimed Nobu, Bistro Guillaume, Rockpool Bar & Grill and Silks. At Epicurean, Crown Towers Perth signature restaurant, guests will be able to enjoy an array of international cuisine with a series of different culinary stations. Diners can choose from seafood, sushi and salads or indulge in Asian dim sum and noodles. Epicurean also boasts a Western hot food station, a tandoori oven for authentic flavours of India and a dessert station featuring an amazing chocolate fountain. The stylish interiors by RED Design feature a spacious outdoor dining area that opens out onto the resort pool. Crown Towers Perth set spectacular standards in design and luxury within easy access of the city centre and domestic and international airports. AUSTRALIA/ 47
Country Food, Wine & Spa Stays 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: mountain views and vineyards, seascapes and misty lakes. 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. Then let the fresh air and wind through the trees usher you into a restful, dreamless sleep.
Spicers Vineyards Estate
Bells at Killcare
Relax in a private vineyard in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
A boutique hotel, restaurant and day spa located just 90 minutes' drive north of Sydney city
Picture a luxuriously appointed estate set amongst rolling vineyards and native bushland just two hours’ drive from Sydney. With views of the stunning Brokenback Mountains, this spectacular wine country retreat is nestled between a private eight-acre vineyard and natural bushland. Twelve suites and a private four-bedroom house offer an intimate and relaxing escape – your own personal haven after a day of exploring the region. Nestled between the property’s private, eight-acre vineyard and natural bushland, every one of our luxurious guest suites include an ensuite spa and open, wood-burning fireplace. The four-bedroom house features a large living area, private pool, firepit and outdoor dining. A perfect haven to relax, unwind and enjoy the region. The estate is also home to Restaurant Botanica showcasing garden-to-plate dining and with good food, great wine and every opportunity for pure indulgence, staying at the estate is an unforgettable experience in itself. Unwind at the end of the day at Spa Anise Day Spa, or simply appreciate the latest vintage in front of a crackling fire.
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Located in the beautiful seaside hamlet of Killcare Heights, this property is surrounded by untouched national park, secluded beaches and tranquil bays – perfect for nature lovers and keen bushwalkers. Created in a style reminiscent of the seaside cottages of The Hampton’s, accommodation at Bells is a seamless blend of relaxed luxury, elegance and sophistication. 25 adults-only cottages sprawl over ten acres and feature designer furnishings throughout. An award-winning restaurant serving authentic Italian inspired cuisine is a delightful gastronomic experience for food and wine lovers. The lap pool and luxurious day spa offer guests spa treatments for total relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether its a quick city escape or an indulgent week break, Bells at Killcare is an oasis of privacy and seclusion for discerning travellers and foodies alike.
Cape Lodge, Margaret River Sitting in its own vineyard in the heart of the Margaret River wine country is one of Australia’s finest gourmet establishments A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, Cape Lodge features 22 luxury rooms and a four-bedroom private residence spread throughout 40 acres of manicured parkland, along with an all-weather tennis court, a beautiful free-form swimming pool, a mini-spa, multi-award-winning restaurant and seven-acre vineyard. A small, sophisticated vineyard retreat with a focus on food, wine and indulgence, Cape Lodge offers you the chance to relax and rejuvenate in exclusive luxury.
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Spicers Clovelly Estate Old World charm in a contemporary setting Succumb to the romanticism of Spicers Clovelly Estate. Set on 22 acres of lush countryside in the tranquil Sunshine Coast Hinterland, just 60 minutes north of Brisbane, the property’s stately grounds and French Provincial architecture create an elegant sense of arrival. Stay in a three-bedroom cottage or one of ten suites at this gourmet’s paradise. The estate is home to the Long Apron restaurant, specializing in innovative, European-inspired menus featuring produce from the garden, as well as the best local ingredients from the hinterland. Unwind the European way at Spa Anise at Clovelly Estate. Featuring a spacious treatment room with marble and timber flooring, a large corner spa and private courtyard, the spa provides the perfect tonic for tired bodies after a day spent exploring the natural beauty of your surrounds. Designed with luxurious comfort as the first priority, the Estate is the perfect place to relax and explore the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland region.
Prairie on O'Connell
1. Spicers Vineyards Estate 2. Bells at Killcare
Tucked amid lively cafés and restaurants in North Adelaide
3. Spicers Clovelly Estate
The O'Connell Inn is a first-class boutique property consisting of 24 spacious guest suites bringing the warm country hospitality of the celebrated Flinders Ranges' Prairie Hotel to North Adelaide.
4. Cape Lodge, Margaret River
The hotel is well located for easy access to Adelaide's premier cultural and entertainment precincts, sports venues and shopping. The beach and airport are a 20-minute drive away, while the internationally renowned wine and food regions of Barossa, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale are within an easy distance. Enjoy South Australian sourced produce and wines in the friendly ambiance of the Prairie on O'Connell Café/Gallery. Bed and Breakfast packages available.
5. Prairie on O’Connell
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Golf and Gourmet Indulgence Whether you play golf as an occasional escape or for frequent pleasure, on a beautiful day, a golf course can seem like the perfect setting. Immaculately kept fairways, sparkling water hazards and well-pruned greenery set against mountains, lakes and even the ocean make a golf course a wonderful place to experience nature. Couple this with a nice breeze and some sunshine, and it’s is a great way to spend time outdoors. After your game, come inside and indulge your tastebuds with a fine dining experience, where exceptional beef, lamb and seafood, and the freshest fruits and vegetables, underpin a progressive culinary scene. Accent your meal with a globally recognised Australian wine. Explore the finer side of life on one of Australia’s championship golf courses.
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Hamilton Island Golf Club
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa
On the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, this club offers some of the world's most stunning golf-course views
Set on a private stretch of sand on secluded Four Mile Beach
Designed by champion golfer Peter Thomson, this par-71 course features a golf pro shop and is located on Dent Island. Accessible by boat transfer, this is the only 18-hole championship golf course on its own island in Australia. With its fantastic views of the Whitsundays and holes laid across dramatic ridges steep valleys like green gems on a necklace, the course has been designed to challenge all levels of golf enthusiast. The Hamilton Island Golf Club Clubhouse offers fine food and wine and is perched high on the island, where it catches the soft sea breezes.
A luxurious base for your Tropical North Queensland and Great Barrier Reef experience, this property comprises beautifully appointed studio rooms, elegant apartments, and villas with exclusive plunge pools and luxury swim-out apartments and penthouses with rooftop Jacuzzis. Crafted by internationally acclaimed architects, the adjacent championship “links” 18-hole golf course boasts rainforest wetland, rich undulating fairways, and spectacular mountain views. The sophisticated hospitality, casual dining, and a 32,292 square foot lagoon-style pool together encourage abandon. Meanwhile, Vie Spa features couples rooms and a range of relaxing treatments.
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Great Golf Courses of Australia Australia is a golfer’s dream holiday destination, with worldclass courses in some of the world’s most spectacular locations Perfect your swing on the wild coastline of north-east Tasmania, alongside the sandstone sea cliffs of southern Sydney or on a tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef. Australia is a large and environmentally diverse continent. Its golf courses are just as diverse, offering spectacular world-class layouts amidst jaw-dropping scenery, accompanied by typical Australian hospitality. Great Golf Courses of Australia showcases and facilitates access to Australia’s greatest courses and private clubs, including the courses in the World Top 100; Barnbougle Dunes, Barnbougle Lost Farm, Kingston Heath, New South Wales, Royal Melbourne, Royal Adelaide and Victoria Golf Club, The National Golf Club's 'Old Course'.
Feel the warmth of the sun on your back, smell the waft of the ocean on the afternoon breeze and see the native Australian wildlife that abounds the courses as you play your way over sand dunes, through woodlands and beside rugged cliff tops. From New South Wales to South Australia, Queensland to Tasmania, let us take you on a voyage down the fairways of some of the world’s greatest golf tracks. The course layouts will challenge your golf skills; the landscapes will take your breath away; the journey will be unforgettable. For details of the courses covered by our program please check our website www.greatgolfaustralia.com.au
1. Hamilton Island Golf Club 2. Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa
Boasting a rich golf heritage, Australia’s collection of spectacular golf tracks include works by acclaimed golf architects, including Dr Alister MacKenzie, Tom Doak, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
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Heritage, Arts and Design 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 heritagelisted buildings and discover a fascinating colonial history. If you’re not content to merely observe Australia’s architectural and artistic heritage, you can enjoy it from the inside with some of Australia’s finest restaurants. Savour a dining experience on fine china in a rambling country house with period features or enjoy modern handcrafted cuisine in an elegant urban setting. Relax by the waterfront or enjoy a magnificent art collection in a landmark hotel. Wherever you go in Australia, there is sure to be something to delight the senses and feed the soul.
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The Henry Jones Art Hotel The Henry Jones Art Hotel is a fusion of history and modernity, art and design, indulgence and discovery A row of historic warehouses and a former jam factory on Hobart’s harbour have been transformed into one of Australia’s first dedicated art hotels, merging one of Tasmania’s most significant industrial heritage sites with modern design and contemporary art to create a luxurious accommodation experience. Most suites provide waterfront views, and with more than 300 artworks, the award-winning hotel is a fusion of culture, heritage, and tradition. 56 rooms and suites feature glass and stainless steel bathrooms and magnificent sandstone walls.
The Star Sydney Located in the heart of Pyrmont and Darling Harbour, Sydney's premier entertainment precinct, and a mere stroll from the heart of the city centre A luxury boutique hotel, all 171 rooms and suites are sumptuously appointed, many offering breathtaking views of the city skyline and Sydney Harbour. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms with rain shower head, innovated integrated control system, dual iPod dock, Nespresso machines and luxury amenities. Relax in the 82-foot custom designed pool or pay a visit to the stunning The Darling Spa.
Villa Howden
The Darling proudly features Sokyo, a hatted contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar. Being part of The Star, Sydney's premier integrated entertainment resort, guests have a choice of 20 restaurants, three of which have been awarded chefs hats, bars, cafés, theater, a luxury retail collection and a casino right at their doorstep.
Villa Howden features magnificent views over the water, manicured gardens and natural serenity providing a picturesque backdrop to the ten luxury suites located throughout the property. Enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool, complimentary on-site parking and Wi-Fi, evening drinks in the piano bar, and open log fireplaces.
A sip of sparkling. A dozen freshly shucked oysters. Crisp white sheets and red carpet. Diamonds and spades. Designer brands and gastronomy. The day begins with luxury – where it ends is up to you.
The 'French Provincial' estate also boasts the award-winning Bruni's restaurant, where guests savour the tastes of the region. Experience delicious cuisine, from exquisite evening meals, gourmet picnics to weekend high tea. Villa Howden is the perfect recipe of a romantic escape.
Situated on the tranquil shores of North West Bay on the edge of the Huon Valley tourist route just 15 minutes south of Hobart
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Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel
Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise
Enjoy sweeping views across heritage gardens and the Yarra Valley at this exclusive and refined hotel
Showcasing spectacular views from every angle, Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise is a truly stunning icon of contemporary style
In less than one hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD, you can unwind in a Heritage-listed Victorian mansion beside the Yarra River, among lush gardens dating back to 1854.
Located in the centre of the multi-million-dollar foreshore redevelopment, the new Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise is a haven of elegant sophistication.
Combining history, sophistication and luxury in one of Australia’s finest wine-growing regions, Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel in Victoria’s Yarra Valley represents true indulgence. Featuring elegant period fittings throughout, the hotel offers luxury accommodation, appeasing service and award-winning dining. Situated on 250 acres, the iconic Chateau Yering Hotel was reborn in 1997 as a magnificent five-star property offering 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.
Surfers Paradise is one of the world’s most idyllic coastal locations, with its white sand, turquoise ocean, tropical climate and sunny skies. Enjoy a romantic weekend with views of the crystal waters of the foreshore, a family holiday with every comfort, or a luxury escape in one of our Signature Collection Sub-Penthouses. The spectacular 77-level tower houses elegantly appointed one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments, as well as sub-penthouses all boasting uninterrupted ocean views. The décor features sleek modern furniture in restful neutral shades, punctuated by hints of bright color and pattern.
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1. The Star Sydney 2. The Henry Jones Art Hotel 3. Villa Howden 4. Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel 5. Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise
Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise is also home to the award-winning Seaduction Restaurant and Bar, and offers other superb property facilities including a luxurious spa, gym and spectacular swimming podium with striking beach views. AUSTRALIA/ 53
Creative Style 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, a retro lounge or penthouse apartments with private spas, 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 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 cutting-edge style. The country is bursting at the seams with creativity. You just have to know where to look and stay.
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Art Series Hotel Group Experience a stay out of the ordinary with Art Series Hotels Launched in 2009, the Australian owned and operated, Art Series Hotel Group is an internationally recognized, multi-award-winning collection of four- and five-star hotels. Inspired by and dedicated to Australian contemporary artists, Art Series Hotel Group offers an hotel experience that is a little extraordinary. Located in the hottest art and cultural hubs, the boutique hotels are found in Melbourne, Bendigo, and Adelaide and are the destination of choice for business or leisure. Creativity and innovation abound in Australia, you just have to know where to look – and stay. Each of the six properties takes design inspiration from the namesake artists, infusing their works and personality throughout the hotel to create a truly art-inspired experience. The celebration of the artist and their work is complete with dedicated art channels, art libraries, art tours and art utensils on hand for guests to embrace their creative side. Combining personalised service and sophisticated style, Art Series Hotel Group properties transcend the traditional hotel experience. All suites are appointed with the latest comforts and technology with Art Series signature bedding to ensure the sweetest of sleep. Glass bottomed pools, private outdoor decking areas, state of the art gym, massive communal spaces and boutique conference and events spaces complete the picture.
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THE OLSEN — South Yarra, Melbourne: Elegant five-star suites infused with the lyrical works of revered Australian artist Dr. John Olsen. THE CULLEN — Prahran, Melbourne: Daring and unique, The Cullen is inspired by and features artwork by Australian contemporary artist Adam Cullen. THE BLACKMAN — St Kilda Road, Melbourne: This contemporary, boutique St Kilda Road accommodation is just a stone’s throw from Melbourne’s CBD. THE WATSON — Walkerville, Adelaide: Set amongst the tree tops of leafy Walkerville and overlooking the majestic Adelaide Hills, The Watson draws inspiration from Indigenous artist Yannima Pirkarli Tommy Watson. THE LARWILL STUDIO — Parkville, Melbourne: A stroll from Melbourne CBD and dedicated to the lovable Australian artist David Larwill, the boutique hotel draws inspiration from his bright and playful artworks. THE SCHALLER STUDIO — Bendigo, Regional Victoria: Drawing from the art and cultural overtones of Bendigo, The Schaller Studio is inspired by Mark Schaller’s working studio.
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Uluru and The Red Centre The Red Centre is an astounding landscape of desert plains, weathered mountain ranges, rocky gorges and some of Aboriginal Australia’s most sacred sites, including Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Float in an outback waterhole, dine under a starry sky while being serenaded by didgeridoo, hear a Dreamtime story told by a traditional custodian of the land and watch the world’s most famous rock change colors at dawn and dusk. The Red Centre provides a wealth of extraordinary only-in-Australia experiences.
Longitude 131°
Sails in the Desert and Tali Wiru
Longitude 131°, the luxury desert basecamp at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, offers an essential experience of Australia's heartland
Experience unique dining and accommodation at magical Uluru (Ayers Rock)
The lodge fans out from the cool sanctuary of the Dune House, site of lounging, cocktails and Rock gazing. Dine overlooking the nation's spiritual heart whilst savouring cuisine combined with native flavours for a unique taste of Australia.
Complement your visit to Uluru in Australia's Red Centre with dinner at Tali Wiru. Limited to an intimate group of 20 people, the Tali Wiru experience begins with champagne and canapés and progresses to a dune top for a four-course dinner, matched with premium Australian wines, all while watching the sunset at Uluru.
Central to a stay is discovery of the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta encountered on a series of signature guided experiences and enhanced by connection with the creation stories of the traditional custodians. In the spirit of the original pioneers, relax after a day’s exploring in a canopied pavilion. Unparalleled views of Uluru’s changing lights play out from the end of the bed, or on balconies from the warmth of a luxury swag unfurled under a blanket of stars. Retreat to Spa Kinara for a healing treatment, relax poolside or drink in the sweeping desert views from the dune-top bar – best observed from the deck or submerged in the plunge pool. Camping certainly doesn’t come more glamorous nor the view from the ‘tent’ more spectacular than this. 58 /AUSTRALIA
When dinner is finished, guests can relax to the sound of the Didgeridoo and the natural environment before being regaled by stories of history, culture, spirituality and the land by an Aboriginal storyteller. In the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, Sails in the Desert hotel beautifully contrasts Uluru’s raw natural beauty with a decidedly luxurious outback holiday experience. During your stay at Sails in the Desert Hotel, make time to explore the styles and stories of Indigenous art at the Mulgara Gallery and surrender to your choice of Red Ochre Spa's treatments.
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SEIT Uluru and beyond Travel off the beaten tourist track with a professional SEIT Outback Australia guide on a customised private charter and experience the real Australian outback Travel in a luxury 4WD vehicle to Aboriginal homelands and explore this extraordinary environment with Sammy Wilson, the Traditional Owner of Uluru itself. Alternatively have Sammy join you as your personal Aboriginal guide as you walk the base of Uluru and learn the important Tjukurpa (Creation stories) of this amazing monolith.
1. Longitude 131° 2. Sails in the Desert and Tali Wiru 3. SEIT Uluru and beyond
Our journeys can take you beyond the boundaries of the National Park to locations exclusively available to us. Travel the open road to Curtin Springs, a vast cattle station, to marvel at Mt Conner, the third large rock formation in the region. You can even take a helicopter flight to the top of Mt Conner and let us serve you lunch with panoramic views of the surrounding desert. Drive in/fly out or fly in/fly out to Cave Hill, the largest Aboriginal rock art site in central Australia and learn the Seven Sisters Tjukurpa from the Traditional Owners themselves.
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Unique Locations There is something special about wild places. They are treasured havens for people and animals alike, making them the perfect spots for both pristine national parks and eco-friendly luxury hideaways. Escape to Kangaroo Island off the mainland of South Australia or the Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania and enter an unspoiled world. Kayak through wetlands rich with bird life. Bushwalk along trails where you may not see another soul. Renew your spirits at a resort designed to help preserve these remote and natural enclaves, delighting in stunning views from the floor-toceiling windows.
Southern Ocean Lodge It’s hard to imagine a more sympathetic tribute to the wild beauty of Kangaroo Island than Southern Ocean Lodge Sensitively designed to blend seamlessly with the rugged landscape, the luxury lodge appears to float along its cliff top setting. The expansive Great Room lies at the helm, forming the hub of the lodging experience – guests dine decadently in the restaurant, lounge with a book and a drink or plan a great day ahead. Dining at Southern Ocean Lodge is designed to reflect its unique surrounds. The chefs work closely with the island’s providores to source ingredients, creating menus with a proudly local flavour. A generous ‘at-home’ feel flows throughout with a convivial open bar and a walk-in cellar featuring South Australian wines completes an exclusive epicurean adventure. Twenty-one contemporary suites cantilever along the curve of the limestone cliffs, each with unbroken views of the Southern Ocean and dramatic coastal wilderness. Favouring refined comfort over ostentation, myriad thoughtful details from custom furnishings to warm limestone underfoot create a feeling of relaxed luxury.
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Graced with sweeping horizons of pristine wilderness, Kangaroo Island is renowned as Australia’s Galapágos. Kangaroos, koalas, seals, dolphins and whales frolic to everyone’s delight in this ‘zoo without fences’. A tailor-made itinerary of guided experiences offers guests a first-hand encounter with abundant wildlife, roaming freely in its natural environment. With the oxygen-charged ocean pounding below, the Southern Spa opens to infinite views of sky and sea. A rejuvenating menu of treatments features Kangaroo Island’s own natural beauty products, Ligurian honey, lavender and hand-gathered mineral salts. Warm, first-name service lends to the overall sense of being at home, of easy, relaxed luxury, of seemingly effortless attention to detail. To find a retreat this exceptional in a location this remote only adds to the wonder.
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Saffire Freycinet A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, this luxury coastal sanctuary on Tasmania’s east coast delivers inspiring experiences in intimate and sophisticated style Discreetly positioned overlooking The Hazards Mountains and the pristine waters of Great Oyster Bay, Saffire Freycinet fosters encounters between mankind and nature in an environment of breathtaking beauty. Architectural inspiration for the project was derived from the colors of the peninsula – the pink granite of the Hazards mountains, the white beaches, the sapphire waters and the grey-green of the native bushland. Inside, stone and timber reflect the landscape, as colors, hues and textures connect the interior to the great outdoors. Featuring 20 luxurious suites, an exclusive day spa, a restaurant, a guest lounge, and a bar, this property is a celebration of local culinary delights, the art of service, internal and external wellbeing, ancient landscapes and abundant wildlife. In the Palate restaurant, head chef Hugh Whitehouse has ensured innovative dishes do not compromise the true flavours of the freshest local produce. From breakfast through to a gourmet degustation or à la carte dinner, customise your dining experiences to suit your tastes and schedule.
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Restore your well-being at the premium spa facilities and an on-site gym, and soothe your mind and rejuvenate your soul with luxurious treatments in one of Spa Saffire’s three retreat rooms, overlooking the inspiring landscape and reflective pools. The Tasmanian Devil Experience offers guests the rare opportunity to encounter Tasmanian devils in a natural setting and to participate in the quest to save this endangered species from extinction. Select from ‘complimentary experiences’ and additional ‘signature experiences’. Explore with Saffire's Schouten Island Signature Experience, which has been designed exclusively to deepen your east coast discovery. This unique tour will introduce you to a world of deserted islands, wild bushland and secluded beaches and is highly recommended.
1. Southern Ocean Lodge 2. Saffire Freycinet
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P People
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, crocodile, emu, bush tomatoes, lemon myrtle and pencil yams. Experience a traditional campfire meal, as elders mesmerize you with traditional creation stories. Tour remote rock art sites with a local Aboriginal guide who can explain every brushstroke and symbol. Visit sacred places such as the Uluru and learn their ancient histories. Discover the authentic soul of this timeless and beautiful land.
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Cicada Lodge
1 Day Daintree Dreaming Tour
A unique opportunity to discover and encounter the ancient wonders of Australia's Top End
Combine an Aboriginal cultural experience with the pristine beauty of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park
Cicada Lodge is located in Nitmiluk National Park, 198 miles south of Darwin. The Lodge is 100% owned by traditional owners of the region, the Jawoyn People. The resort brings a new element of quality and service to this part of Australia, remote but accessible. Choose from a variety of experiences to explore the natural wonders of Nitmiluk National Park. Experience the highest standards of non-intrusive, world-class service in modern architectdesigned, fully air-conditioned accommodation. Each guest room is elegantly furnished in a contemporary style that blends modern Australian, and Indigenous design elements.
Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours will guide you on a cultural coastalmangrove walk on Cooya Beach. This special place is a traditional fishing ground of the Kuku Yalanji people where you will learn to hunt and gather in a traditional way. Learn about plants and medicines before feasting on your catch of the day. You will be greeted with a traditional smoking ceremony at Mossman Gorge which is conducted by Aboriginal people with specialized cultural knowledge. Take a guided walk into the lush tropical rainforest before a delicious lunch infused with local flavours enjoyed by the edge of the rainforest.
Nitmiluk Chalets, Katherine Enjoy Nitmiluk Gorge in the Top End, a spectacular maze of waterways sculpted from sandstone over countless millennia. Uniquely positioned close to the entrance to the Gorge and the departure point for touring vessels, relax in your comfortable, self-contained oneor two-bedroom chalet. See wildlife from your balcony and cool off in the pool after your days of outback adventure.
Nabilil Dreaming Cruise Experience this iconic sunset dinner cruise on Nitmiluk Gorge just 186 miles south of Darwin. Watch as the cliff faces change color with the setting sun and the beauty of the Northern Territory's night skies take over. Listen to the ancient stories of creation and enjoy the serenity of the gorge by candlelight whilst enjoying a delicious three-course dinner featuring local cuisine.
2 Day Cooktown & Rainbow Serpent Rock Art Tour Explore Tropical North Queensland's rich history and culture Travel the Great Barrier Reef Drive, from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, along spectacular coastline hugging two World Heritage-listed areas. Immerse yourself in the world's oldest living rainforest as you journey along the 4WD-only Bloomfield Track. Visit a quirky Australian Bush pub and discover the unique history of Cooktown, one of Australia's most significant towns. Walk with Nugal-warra Elder, Willie Gordon, on the Rainbow Serpent Rock Art Tour. Willie shares the stories that the rock art depicts and explains how the paintings speak of the essence of life. The return journey is along the Mulligan Hwy, experiencing vast open spaces which are the Outback of North Queensland.
Wula Guda Nyinda Adventures
WAITOC
Explore the cultural ties of the Nhanda and Malgana Aboriginal People to Gutharraguda (Shark Bay). From Red Sand to White Sand Country and the pristine Blue Waters, there are kayaking, 4WD and other eco-tour options, each with a hands-on approach and unique adventure component, where no stone is left unturned in exploring hidden secrets of this remarkable World Heritage Region.
Authentic Aboriginal experiences from one of the world’s oldest living cultures
Koomal Dreaming
There is a wealth and diversity of authentic Aboriginal tourism experiences becoming increasingly accessible for visitors to Western Australia. Opportunities to interact and learn about this fascinating culture can include 4WD adventure, camping, cultural guided walks, bush foods and medicine, mud crabbing, spear fishing, visits to Aboriginal communities, sacred sites, rock art, galleries and cultural centres. WAITOC – Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council represents over 100 Aboriginal Tourism Operators in Western Australia. For more information, visit www.waitoc.com
Josh (Koomal) Whiteland offers a range of cultural based tours, extending visitors an opportunity to experience traditional Wadandi and Bibbulman country in the iconic Margaret River region. Interactive experiences include tasting bush tucker (foods), learning about bush medicine and meeting the animals, plants and Dreaming spirits that have enriched the lives of our people.
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Wandjina Tours
Kooljaman at Cape Leveque
Stay on country with the Worrorra people at Freshwater Cove (Wijingarra Bard Bard), in the Kimberley – the place we have called home since Lalai (creation time). This is where you'll experience a unique blend of Ecotourism and Aboriginal cultural knowledge. Join us as we guide you to our amazing rock art and cultural sites, go whale watching, fishing, see spectacular wildlife, waterfalls and seascapes.
Welcome to Bardi Jawi Country – nestled on the stunning coastline at the northern tip of the Dampier Peninsula, this unique Wilderness Camp offers a variety of accommodation and camping options and a diverse range of nature based activities, including whale watching, photography, learning about bush tucker, snorkeling, fishing, boat tours, cultural tours and alfresco dining with stunning views.
Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures
Go Cultural Tours
6. WAITOC
Our award winning Uptuyu Adventures are staged in the Kimberley Region – one of the world's last pristine wilderness frontiers. We are passionate about sharing an insight into our Aboriginal Kimberley in a remote and intimate setting. Tour options include selfdrive wilderness camp packages, one day and extended tours in small groups of up to five guests and for larger groups by arrangement.
The land where Perth now stands is regarded as 'Mother' by the local Nyungar people, whose ancestors lived in harmony with the eco system of the Swan coastal wetlands for thousands of years. Your Nyungar guide, Aboriginal elder Walter McGuire, will lead you along traditional tracks and Dreamtime legends – immersing you in a unique perspective of ancient and modern day Perth.
8. Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures
1. Cicada Lodge 2. Nitmiluk Chalets, Katherine 3. Nabilil Dreaming Cruise 4. Daintree Dreaming Tour 5. Cooktown & Rainbow Serpent Rock Art Tour 7. Wandjina Tours 9. Wula Guda Nyinda Adventures 10. Koomal Dreaming 11. Kooljaman at Cape Leveque 12. Go Cultural Tours
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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 of sharing 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 fresh produce of the land.
Arkaba
Spicers Hidden Vale
Arkaba by Wild Bush Luxury
Combine the style and comfort of a luxury retreat with the warmest of country welcomes on a 12,000-acre working farm
We invite you to discover one of the most exclusive stays in Australia – Arkaba Conservancy in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia. Just ten guests at a time share this remote 60,000-acre private wildlife conservancy dedicated to the conservation of Australia’s unique wildlife and birds. Mobs of kangaroos, emus and other abundant wildlife will delight you on safaris through spectacular ancient landscapes, where expert field guides will immerse you in the story of the bush. Five individually restored 1850s' guestrooms each have their own unique character, with ensuites bathroom that opens to a shaded verandah. Arkaba’s team of expert field guides live and breathe the bush. Explore the varying terrains, get a hands-on look into conservation and take in some massive vistas from ridge-top views in the best light of the day through a combination of 4WD safaris and guided walks. Arkaba through Adnyamathanha eyes provides the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the first nation’s people and learn the stories of those who inhabited this region for tens of thousands of years and continue to do so.
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Just one hour south-west of Brisbane, Spicers Hidden Vale offers a quintessential outback Australian farm experience amid rolling hills and lush bushland. The early 1900s property is centred on the charming original homestead, which has a storied history. The on-site restaurant, Homage, offers a fine dining experience specialising in Australian country fare. It offers an intimate, relaxing atmosphere and an innovative, award-winning menu with a superior wine list. The retreat's sommelier works with the chef to ensure that the food and wine complement one another to create an unforgettable dining experience. Elsewhere on the property, choose a peaceful escape or an action-packed adventure. Take part in some of the many activities on offer, including 4WD tours, bush walking, mountain biking, archery, or participate in a tour of the wildlife research centre. You can even hang out with a chicken, goose, or piglet in the animal nursery, or spot a local kangaroo. Seeking something more opulent? Enjoy a professional massage, facial or body treatment at the on-site day spa.
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Prairie Hotel Parachilna
Bullo River Station
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
Within the Australian context the words ‘cattle station’ conjure a very special image
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 will 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 ownership of the property in 1991 and have merged the old with the new to create a stunning new dimension of outback hospitality. Sit back and relax, watching the light play on the ranges and plains, then perhaps enjoy a Fargher Lager on the verandah while watching a Parachilna sunset and meet the local characters who make the Outback their home. Try the legendary feral foods and native cuisine that have made the hotel distinctive.
It involves hot thirsty plains, teeming wildlife, strong bronzed rivers, a vast sky and dusty stock camps, where horses and stock skills are very much alive – and Bullo River Station fits like a glove. Bullo River Station is 500,000 acres of privately owned countryside and working cattle station encircled by the coffee colored waters of the Victoria River and rugged hills inscribed with Aboriginal rock art. This vast property is not only home to around 9,000 Brahman-cross cattle, but also a stunning variety of local fauna species including wallabies, dingoes, wild buffalo, a myriad of native and migratory birds, fish and the omnipresent crocodile.
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1. Arkaba 2. Spicers Hidden Vale 3. Prairie Hotel Parachilna 4. Bullo River Station
Bullo River Station offers unrivalled five-star experiences to discerning guests, including; cattle related activity, fishing, horseback riding, Aboriginal rock art viewing, gorge cruises, swimming in waterholes, quad biking and daily guided activities.
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Quay West Suites Melbourne
Vibrant Inner City Living Glossy rooftop bars overlooking glittering skylines. Hidden cafés serving fabulous espresso. Secret arcades with unique treasures. Tiny boutiques proffering cutting-edge fashions, quirky jewellery, and one-of-akind shoes. Sophisticated hotels with a confident sense of style, showcasing soem of Australia’s best food and wines. Just steps from your front door, discover urban living – restaurants, clubs, and theater. If these are the touchstones you seek when you travel, you will be in your element in Australia.
This deluxe apartment-style hotel is located on the picturesque Southbank promenade overlooking the Yarra River and Melbourne city. Each stylish suite features a spacious living room, bedroom, full kitchen and balconies to enjoy the views. The 50-foot lap pool, spa, steam room and gym ensure you stay relaxed and energized, while the Jarrah Restaurant and Bar offers contemporary cuisine.
Café Culture Walk Melbourne’s laneways are breeding grounds for cafés and tiny coffee shops if you know where to look. This small group guided tour is perfect for caffeine fiends and more. Wander through the locals’ corners, delight in local tea, coffee and chocolate as you indulge in the 'foodie' café scene and meet the people who are setting the city abuzz. What better way to get to know Melbourne like a local?
Grand Hyatt Melbourne Experience true luxury when you discover this Melbourne icon in the heart of the dynamic city Grand Hyatt Melbourne is a five-star, award-winning hotel located within walking distance of Melbourne’s shopping, dining, theater and restaurant precinct. It is close to Treasury Gardens, Yarra River, and Wellington Park. Grand Hyatt Melbourne provides 550 spacious, individually decorated rooms that are furnished with Hyatt custom-made beds and Egyptian cotton linen. Also included are LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi and daily newspaper. The contemporary interior design features floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms, showcasing breathtaking views over Melbourne city, and original works of art by Australian artists. The hotel boasts grand lobbies and a variety of facilities that include a tennis court, sauna, indoor swimming pool, an open-show kitchen in our restaurant Collins Kitchen, our bar Ru-Co, as well as our City Club Fitness centre open 24-hours.
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Morning Lanes and Arcades Tour Join passionate local guides on a three-hour small group walking tour of mesmerising Melbourne Meander through beautiful laneways and arcades to discover local coffee spots, quirky galleries and speciality retailers. Learn a little about the city’s history while seeing well-kept secrets that even many locals still have not discovered. On this insightful tour, no stone is left unturned when it comes to showcasing Melbourne’s food, art and fashion. Attention to amazing architecture, along with a drink stop and chocolate tasting as well as contemporary history creates a perfect mix for anyone as a first day in Melbourne tour and then return to those you like best in the afternoon. Make a day of it in marvellous Melbourne.
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Progressive Degustation Walking Tour
Lyall Hotel and Spa
With countless fantastic restaurants and a world-class wine region on its doorstep, Melbourne has so much to offer
Capturing the essence of its stylish address, The Lyall offers grand hotel services and facilities on a more intimate scale
With Hidden Secrets, you can experience three of the city’s favourite restaurants all in one night. Savour the city with short walks between venues and enjoy a total of nine exclusive wine tastings and nine divine seasonal dish examples carefully chosen to enhance the wines. Mostly local wines with amazing savoury produce are all included, as your host joins you and creates an immersive Melbourne outing.
Situated in the heart of Australia’s most fashionable and cosmopolitan district of South Yarra, The Lyall is just steps from Melbourne's top designer fashion stores and world-class restaurants. Small, privately-owned and operated by Melbourne couple Peter and Rowina Thomas, it offers grand hotel services and facilities on an intimate and personal scale.
Architectural gems, and historical spaces, secret doorways and even some public art will be encountered on this innovative meander. As an early evening casual walk, this guided walk is a wonderful way to see the city, learn of its culture, and have a food and wine matched experience. No decisions need to be made, just enjoy the diversity of what Melbourne city has to offer, with your passionate local host.
The Lyall’s warm ambience attracts guests who appreciate personal recognition and attention to their individual needs. Each suite has a separate living room, kitchen, luxurious bathroom and outdoor terrace. A gourmet personal bar, 24-hour room service, a pillow menu and complimentary WiFi access are standard at The Lyall.
1. Grand Hyatt Melbourne 2. Quay West Suites Melbourne 3. Cafe Culture Walk 4. Morning Lanes and Arcades Tour 5. Progressive Degustation Walking Tour 6. Lyall Hotel and Spa
Within the hotel is a restaurant and champagne bar and mini art gallery on each floor featuring the original artworks of local French artist Thierry B. The Lyall Spa is an urban oasis offering an exotic menu of spa rituals and beauty treatments, along with a state of the art gym.
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Winery Trails Australia is one of the world’s most exciting wine destinations. With everything from the biggest names such as Penfolds and Jacobs Creek to the smallest of cellar doors, spectacular wine regions produce more than 100 different grape varieties and wow visitors with their hospitality and gourmet delights. Today's wines express the diversity of the people who craft them and the unique regional characteristics they embody. Discover variety and quality by embarking on an ultimate winery trail of your own.
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Discover the diversity and quality of Australia’s incredible wine regions by going beyond the cellar door at some of the country’s most acclaimed wineries Take a behind the scenes tour… at Fowles Wine in Victoria’s rugged Strathbogie Ranges on the Heritage Farm Tour, or in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales where the team at Audrey Wilkinson are ready to guide you through their Behind the Scenes Winery Tour. Improve your wine knowledge… at Brown Brothers' Gourmet Discovery Day in Victoria’s King Valley, or become a winemaker for the day at d’Arenberg’s Blending Bench in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Discover Western Australia’s excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay varieties on the Voyager Estate Heroes of Margaret River experience. Visit the famous Penfolds Magill Estate and see where it all began on the Penfolds Iconic Experience or travel back in time at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley, where you can taste a Tawny Port from the year you were born in the famous Centennial Cellar. In Victoria, Tahbilk Winery is home to some of the world’s oldest vines. Take a tour through history on A Day at Tahbilk. Discover unique local produce… in South Australia, visit the Adelaide Hills and find out why this area has become known for its indulgences with The Lane’s 360° Hilltop Experience. In Margaret River learn more about the region’s remarkable food and wine at the Vasse Felix Epicurean Experience. The breathtaking Mornington Peninsula in Victoria is surrounded on three sides by water. Take a tour through Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove and discover how the maritime climate enhances the quality and abundance of fresh local produce on their Estate to Plate Gourmet Indulgence. Hone your skills with a Cooking Class at Jacob’s Creek in the Barossa Valley or, in the Australian home of Italian wine varieties, the King Valley, learn from the experts during an Overnight Wine and Food Escape at Pizzini Wines. Combine your love of wine with a cultural experience… at the magnificent Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River where a visit to the onsite Art Gallery reveals the inspiration behind the Leeuwin Art Series wine labels. Combine it with a tasting and lunch at the Leeuwin Degustation Experience. Travel to Tasmania and expand your mind at the world-renowned Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) in Hobart on the Moorilla Estate Wine Meets Art Tour.
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1. Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia
Or outdoor adventure… in the Yarra Valley on the De Bortoli Wine and Wildlife Experience, combining a morning at the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary with a winery tour and lunch, or in the Hunter Valley with a Picnic Among the Vines, where wine and a picnic lunch are enjoyed in the vineyard. Perhaps try a new hobby in the picturesque scenery surrounding Josef Chromy Wines in Tasmania with their Learn to Fly Fish experience. AUSTRALIA/ 71
Bay of Islands Paihia Whangarei
New Zealand
Coromandel
Auckland
North Island
Hamilton Rotorua
Tauranga
Tasman Sea New Plymouth
Taupo
Gisborne
Napier Hastings Palmerston North
Westport
South Island
Nelson
Picton
Blenheim
Wellington
Greymouth Hokitika Franz Josef Fox Glacier Haast
Mt Cook
Christchurch
Milford Sound Wanaka
Kaikoura
Timaru
Queenstown Te Anau Oamaru
Invercargill
Dunedin
Stewart Island
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 will be itching to explore. 72 /NEW ZEALAND
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 will receive a warm Kiwi welcome – or, as they say in Maori: “kia ora”.
Ultimate New Zealand A Custom Itinerary in Exploring New Zealand Day 1 Arrive Auckland. Your representative will meet and assist you to your charter light aircraft, which will take you to Waiheke Island. On arrival you will be transferred to the Boatshed (two nights). This intimate island-style hotel is one of New Zealand’s best-loved small hotels.
Day 2 Spend a day at leisure on Waiheke Island, an eclectic mix of vineyards, alfresco restaurants, artists’ studios and galleries and golden sand beaches. 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 waters of Lake Rotorua, Peppers on the Point offers guests the opportunity to experience the 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.
Day 5 Transfer To Rotorua Airport And Fly To Christchurch. On arrival you’ll be transferred to the George Hotel (one night), and in the evening dine at Pescatore. Pescatore has a long-standing reputation as one of New Zealand’s best 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.
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.
Day 11 Spend a full day relaxing in Queenstown. Try 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, and excursions to Glenorchy. 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. NEW ZEALAND/ 73
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E Explorations
Venture Out into the Blue Succumb to the call of open waters and the allure of the clear blue sky. Deep within Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most stunning natural attraction. With its magical combination of mountain peaks, ink-blue waters and superb dramatic forest-clad cliffs, it must be seen to be believed. Embark on a multi-day voyage through some of the most isolated and beautiful regions of New Zealand. Or step into an ultramodern helicopter and fly through an azure sky to pristine mountain peaks and secret lakes even the locals may not know about.
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise The ultimate dinner, bed and breakfast experience Luxuriant rainforest clings to sheer rock walls washed with waterfalls. In the foreground stands Mitre Peak, dominating the skyline. Overnighting on the Milford Mariner is a truly immersive Milford Sound experience – wake up to the dawn of a new day in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Cruise the full length of the fiord to the open sea with a nature guide on hand to highlight points of interest and wildlife, then anchor in sheltered Harrison Cove. Kayak and explore by small boat followed by a sumptuous three-course dinner. The following morning, enjoy breakfast before returning to Milford Wharf.
Queenstown Scenic Flights with Over The Top Explore New Zealand’s remote and otherwise inaccessible places with a helicopter experience of a lifetime!
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Experience the unspoiled and remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound by staying overnight on board the Fiordland Navigator World Heritage-listed Doubtful Sound is an overwhelming environment. Three times longer than Milford Sound, with a surface area ten times larger, it is a place of towering peaks and bush-clad islands; of twisting, hidden arms and sheltered coves. As it is renowned for its fantastic marine life, you are likely to see seals and dolphins during this cruise.
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The Fiordland Navigator offers private cabins, spacious viewing decks, a comfortable dining saloon for dinner and breakfast and the opportunity to kayak or explore in a tender boat with an expert nature guide. It is truly a special experience.
Discovering New Zealand’s spectacular alpine landscape tops many visitors’ wish lists but few gain the superb access to the impressive expanse it offers. The diversity of pure and unspoiled 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? Visiting Queenstown, Milford and the fiords of southern New Zealand – areas rich with alpine glaciers and remote lakes – Over The Top specializes 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 that stretches to the outer edges of your imagination. Escape the every day on secluded beaches, remote lakes, and isolated mountain peaks.
Abel Tasman Sailing Tours Reputedly the best way to enjoy the Abel Tasman Sail glittering waters, stroll beautiful sands, swim in crystal-clear lagoons and delight in the antics of playful fur seals. Experience the highlights of Abel Tasman National Park on a scenic sailing catamaran as you cruise along the coastline. The skipper is your guide as you discover the delights of this spectacular natural area featuring secluded islands. Drop anchor and enjoy a picnic on a golden beach. You can 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 or overnight tour or request a custom-designed tour be devised especially for you.
NZONE Skydive It takes a certain kind of person to jump from an aircraft into the thin air. The personal challenge is immense! You step out of that aircraft door and for some 60 seconds you freefall at 125 miles/hour. It takes courage, but it’s worth it! Tandem skydive with NZONE Skydive in Queenstown and see some of the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand, from 15,000 feet.
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1. Milford Sound Overnight Cruise 2. Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise 3. Queenstown Scenic Flights with Over The Top 4. Abel Tasman Sailing Tours 5. NZONE Skydive
NZONE Skydive was New Zealand's first tandem skydive operation, starting out in 1990 and has now jumped over 300,000 tandem customers. With world leading skydive facilities and a range of outstanding photo and video options NZONE Skydive is the place to Skydive. NEW ZEALAND/ 77
Wildlife & Wilderness Encounters Immerse yourself in nature, along thousands 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 Kaikoura or the Otago Peninsulas, hike through coastal forests or visit a seal colony, you will marvel at New Zealand’s natural wonders.
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Rotorua Canopy Tours Experience the thrill of flying high above untraversed native forest valleys in this three-hour zip-line adventure Your tour will be guided by two of our classic Kiwi guides who love sharing the joys of the forest and its inhabitants, and even help you hand feed wild native birds. We will guide you through this magical place on a .7 mile network of 6 ziplines, swingbridges and treetop platforms up to 72 feet high in the canopy. We are small, personal and authentic – each tour has no more than 10 people and you’ll all be friends within minutes. With a portion of each ticket invested into conservation, everyone is part of the forest restoration story. Ranked #1 Outdoor Activity in New Zealand on TripAdvisor, and described as an ‘Adventure activity with a brain’.
Elm Wildlife Tours Experience encounters with sea lions, penguins, seals and rare birds on a multi-award-winning tour of the Otago Peninsula and Southern Coast Whether you join a small group on a half-day 'Peninsula Encounters' tour or arrange a custom-tailored exclusive 'Wild Coast Explorer' experience, you will leave in awe of the animals and landscape of this fascinating part of the world. One of the first reasons many people visit New Zealand is to experience the pristine nature of the country. Seeing the crashing sea, lush rainforests, towering peaks, glaciers, caves, and beaches is usually easy to do, but seeing wildlife can be a challenge. Allow Elm Wildlife Tours to introduce a fascinating perspective to 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 within Elm's exclusive conservation area. In addition to the marine mammals, guests generally spot 30 to 40 bird species on these tours – a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. Tour incomes help fund conservation.
Whale Watch Kaikoura New Zealand's ultimate year-round marine experience Kaikoura’s semi-resident sperm whales share their unique world with a host of the other whale and dolphin species, seals and albatross – all regular sightings aboard Whale Watch tours. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. Modern purpose-built catamarans are designed especially for whale watching and feature outside decks for great viewing and photo opportunities. Spacious air-conditioned interiors are fitted with comfortable seating while large plasma screens display our award-winning marine wildlife animations.
Boutique Guided Walks
Kiwi Dundee Adventures
Wilderness Guides offers an extensive range of guided and independent hiking packages along the Queen Charlotte Track
Share an unforgettable nature experience with one of New Zealand’s premier guiding companies
We live, work and play in this fantastic region – your guides are local people, have grown up here and call this area home. Our passion for this place is obvious and our commitment to our unique environment genuine. Consider the popular boutique guided walk, acclaimed by National Geographic Adventure magazine. Learn about the flora and fauna of the Marlborough Sounds from experienced local guides.
Choose from a variety of deluxe, private customized tours on the Coromandel Peninsula and throughout New Zealand. A paradise of native forests, spectacular mountains and national parks, horticulture and farming, coastal scenery, glowworms, unique culture, and friendly people, New Zealand is just wating to be explored!
Unwind each night at an exclusive boutique lodge. This is New Zealand hiking at its most luxurious with small lodges, fine food and wine and personalised service.
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Our passionate, knowledgeable and experienced guides invite you to learn about our heritage, and enjoy the opportunity to feel in touch with nature and the environment. 1
1. Elm Wildlife Tours 2. Rotorua Canopy Tours 3. Whale Watch Kaikoura 4. Boutique Guided Walks 5. Kiwi Dundee Adventures
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I Indulgence
Luxury Lodges New Zealand offers a stunning array of lodge-style accommodation, special by virtue of their remoteness, unique location and charm. Whether you dream of a location nestled amongst the trees of an ancient forest, or overlooking a picturesque vineyard, or a sparkling lakeside mountain stay; you will be sure to find what you’re looking for. Spend your days relaxing with a forest walk, a game of golf, a kayak on a lake, fishing or simply enjoying massage or perhaps a glass of wine by the fire. With each lodge located in a setting just as remarkable as the property itself, your holiday will be nothing short of extraordinary.
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Stonefly Lodge Nestled in a private forest on the banks of the Motueka River Just a 50-minute drive from Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park, Stonefly Lodge provides luxury accommodation and an ideal base from which to explore this fascinating part of the South Island. Architecturally designed and built from local stone and timber, the lodge is centrally located between three spectacular national parks. Four guest rooms with ensuites, feature private balconies overlooking the river and surrounding mountains. Activities available near the lodge include fly fishing, helicopter scenic flights, sea kayaking, guided and unguided hiking tours, wine tasting, white water rafting, horseback riding and exploring the many art and craft studios in the region.
Azur Lodge Awaken to a glorious mountain sunrise over Lake Wakatipu in a private, open-plan villa
Breckenridge Lodge Relax in an ambiance of romantic comfort The luxurious Breckenridge Lodge is nestled in the picturesque valley of Omarunui in the heart of Hawkes Bay Wine Country and Napier – the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Each elegant and private guest bedroom with ensuite has a spectacular view overlooking a beautiful vineyard and expansive rural landscape. If superb kiwi hospitality, a peaceful location and gourmet food and wine are among your pleasures in life, then you will be in your element. Your host, internationally experienced chef Malcolm Redmond, is passionate about creating an unforgettable gourmet experience and uses only the freshest seasonal produce from his organic garden and local markets.
On par with the finest luxury lodges in New Zealand, offering impeccable and fine hospitality, Azur justifiably bills itself as a total experience. For the friendly, capable staff, nothing is too much trouble. Set among 2.5 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 is a fabulous place to relax and contemplate the expansive view or enjoy a book from the library. As evening draws near, the Azur team can assist with making dinner reservations at one of Queenstown's world-class restaurants and offer doorto-door transfers or arrange for you to dine privately in your villa any night during your stay. 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 pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Azur is only five minutes from the town centre by complimentary transfer.
Acacia Cliffs Lodge Evoking a very special New Zealand experience with a sense of stylish luxury, privacy, and comfort
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With stunning lake and mountain views and a simply spectacular Lake Taupo location, architecturally designed Acacia Cliffs Lodge offers modern boutique accommodation in four luxury guest suites each with its own private deck or courtyard. Spectacular views and private yet central location combine to create the perfect base from which to explore this unique volcanic region.
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World-class golf, fishing, lake and alpine walks, geothermal and volcanic wonders, rivers and lake and so much more all on your doorstep. Relaxed luxury, superb cuisine, and genuine NZ hospitality... all yours to enjoy!
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Treetops Lodge & Estate Nestled in 2,500 acres of 800 year-old native forest, this awardwinning luxury lodge is an uniquely New Zealand experience
Pen-y-bryn Lodge Relax in one of New Zealand’s premier heritage luxury lodges, offering gourmet dining and warm hospitality Five charming guest rooms, each with its own character, have been appointed to the highest standard. The rooms in the main lodge building are decorated in period-style providing a chance to experience the splendour of a grand Victorian manor house, while the spacious suites in the Annex offer private sitting areas and king-size beds. Gourmet dining is a highlight, with meals prepared using lodge-grown ingredients, and menus crafted for each set of guests. The wine list includes some of New Zealand’s finest vintages, including some you are unlikely to encounter elsewhere.
Treetops is a sanctuary and retreat of breathtaking terrain, offering the ultimate in world-class accommodation and adventure. Located outside Rotorua, the Maori heartland and trout fishing capital of the world, Treetops offer seven streams, on-site trout fishing, four lakes and over 35 miles of adventure trails. Family adventures include helicopter adventures to live volcanoes, mountain biking, horseback riding, geocaching hunts and for the smaller guests a five-star kids' club. New are the complimentary daily 2-3 hour Treetops Signature Experiences; ‘Estate to Plate’ Safari, Wild Food Cooking School, and the Indigenous Food and Heritage Trail – offering unequalled personal interaction with native heritage and wilderness.
1. Stonefly Lodge 2. Breckenridge Lodge 3. Azur Lodge 4. Acacia Cliffs Lodge 5. Pen-y-bryn Lodge 6. Treetops Lodge & Estate
Our dedicated spa offers unique health-giving Maori rituals and traditional treatments, or for golfers, a personal invitation to sister lodge, The Kinloch Club which boasts the 18 hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf course.
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Luxury Lodges
Tongariro Lodge
Wharekauhau
Enjoy the outdoors, and some of the best New Zealand trout fishing, in style at this iconic lodge
Luxury, peace, and tranquility are yours when you stay at Wharekauhau Lodge
Zane Grey made it famous, the Queen Mother stalked trout in it, US President Jimmy Carter found solitude beside it. Tongariro Lodge is situated in park-like grounds on the southern shores of Lake Taupo on the banks of the Tongariro river. Guests can enjoy some of the best trout fishing in the world. Close by is the Tongariro World Heritage National Park, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, heli-hiking, scenic flights and snow skiing in winter. Lodge guests can also enjoy white water rafting, the country's top golf courses, and numerous other world-class outdoor activities.
With 13 cottages, ranging from the Wharepapa family cottage to the expansive 4,520sq ft Owners Cottage, opulence abounds. Set amidst the rugged, unspoiled coastline of Palliser Bay and with a backdrop of more than 5,500 acres of native bushland to discover.
Experienced resident fly fishing and outdoor guides are provided. The lodge provides a unique fishing lodge atmosphere with comfortable lounges, open fires, friendly and efficient staff and the best of food and wine. Guests have 22 acres of grounds to explore. Relax in the separate and private wellappointed villas. The lodge also offers a spa pool, tennis court and heli-pad.
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For the active, try clay target shooting, horseback riding, archery, ATV quad bikes and surfcasting, bike riding or bushwalking. Food is an important part of Wharekauhau and the lodge has award-winning chef Marc Soper to create some of the most mouth-watering dishes using local produce, some of which comes from the lodge’s own farm. Wash it down with some of the region’s finest Pinot Noir, recognized as being among the best in the world. Wharekauhau region is home to more than 25 boutique wineries and tours are available. The lodge hosts cooking classes which will allow you to return home and share a taste of Wharekauhau with friends and family. If that is all too hectic, relax, be pampered at the day spa which uses a range of local products to soothe and rejuvenate your mind, body, soul.
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1. Tongariro Lodge 2. Wharekauhau
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Huka Lodge
Escape to the Country Take a break from city life and get away to a country retreat. On the sun-splashed patio of your private villa, relish delicious meals prepared by an awardwinning chef from fresh local produce, complemented by fine New Zealand wines. Or enjoy a leisurely dinner in the elegant dining room of a country estate. Revel in thoughtful 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-to-earth nature of those you meet are guaranteed to refresh your spirits.
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This legendary award-winning lodge lies within 17 acres of manicured grounds beside the hypnotic turquoise green waters of the Waikato River in Taupo. Famed for its unrivalled location and generous hospitality since the 1920s, Huka Lodge offers 18 luxurious Junior Lodge Suites, one expansive Lodge Suite, the exclusive Owner’s Cottage and elegant Alan Pye Cottage.
Peppers Bluewater Resort A scenic three-hour drive from Christchurch or Queenstown, Peppers Bluewater Resort offers accommodation ranging from hotel rooms to one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. Looking out to the breathtaking Lake Tekapo, the Resort offers architectural design combined with exceptional facilities and services. A restful retreat and base for exploring the region’s natural wonders.
Peppers Parehua Your heart will tell you this is somewhere special, a place that truly romances the soul
Eagles Nest Set within a 74-acre estate overlooking the spectacular Bay of Islands, Eagles Nest is a world-class retreat just two minutes from the historic and romantic village of Russell Four of its five luxury villas offer their own private heated horizon edged lap pool and all boast private Jacuzzis, original artworks, home theater systems and fully equipped gourmet kitchens. Talented resident chefs prepare cuisine featuring regional delicacies in true Pacific Rim style matched with New Zealand wines. The retreat also offers the services of its own resident personal trainer and spa therapists to ensure the most indulgent of stays. Eagles Nest – somewhere between seven stars and heaven.
Little more than an hour by road from Wellington, over rolling hills and past scenic vineyard vistas, is the charming historic village of Martinborough. On its outskirts, you will find the grand estate of Peppers Parehua Martinborough, with its great tree-lined lawns and sweeping views. A complete destination in its own right, Peppers Parehua takes you on a journey where the region’s best food and wine takes centre stage in The Pavilion restaurant. Set amongst the vineyards, with sweeping gardens and panoramic views, your accommodation in Martinborough is charming; individually styled and delightfully detailed. Explore the vineyards with a picnic in hand. Walk the coastal track and tour some great wineries on horseback or bicycle, explore National Parks, or simply relax with a soothing massage. Indulge in a private escape only an hour from Wellington yet a million miles away... this is a place that truly romances the soul.
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Grasmere Lodge, Southern Alps Stunning alpine scenery surrounds this gracious lodge, set in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps
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A working farm since 1858, Grasmere allows guests to enjoy all the region has to offer or simply revel in the space and serenity. Just 90 minutes from Christchurch airport, Grasmere is tucked into a mountain landscape that will leave you with lasting memories. The 1858 limestone house has been retained within the homestead, featuring beautiful rooms such as the library, lounge, bar and evening dining rooms. Arthur’s Pass National Park, with its many lakes and rivers, borders Grasmere and offers a range of activities. Relax beside the heated swimming pool or in the spa studio, or turn your energies to kayaking or mountain biking.
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Edenhouse Nestled in a serene valley in the heart of rural Nelson
Otahuna Lodge Set in pastoral surroundings against the fluted cone of an ancient volcano, this lodge is New Zealand at its finest Set in pastoral surroundings against the fluted cone of an ancient volcano, Otahuna Lodge is a beguiling Victorian mansion that offers its guests a unique sense of wonder and discovery. New Zealand's largest private historic residence has been revitalized with luxury accommodation, glorious gardens, and sophisticated cuisine. In its patrician sense of calm, the grace and charm of its grounds and its refined, yet personable service, Otahuna combines the romance of the past with the cosmopolitan pleasures of the present – the very best of both worlds.
Edenhouse is an overdue reminder of the genuine meaning of luxury. This prestigious lodge is situated within 46 acres of private grounds and internationally acclaimed gardens and is perfectly positioned between Nelson and The Abel Tasman National Park. The highly regarded Robb Report included Edenhouse in its list of ‘The world’s top 100 resorts’ featuring ‘Earth’s most exclusive retreats’. It described Edenhouse as “Discreet intimate luxury at its best”. This is the country the world knows for its trout-fishing rivers, wild mountains, pristine countryside, cerulean bays and the golden, postcard beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park. Artisan food producers, a thriving arts and crafts community, and internationally reputed wineries are all within easy range of Edenhouse. The Abel Tasman National Park consistently ranks as one of the five top tourist attractions in New Zealand.
1. Huka Lodge 2. Peppers Bluewater Resort 3. Eagles Nest 4. Peppers Parehua 5. Grasmere Lodge, Southern Alps 6. Otahuna Lodge 7. Edenhouse
Guests have a choice of staying in two luxurious suites in the main lodge or the beautifully appointed and very private two-bedroom, two-bathroom garden cottage. NEW ZEALAND/ 87
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 progressive culinary scene. Accent your meal with one of the local wines that are gaining global recognition. Continue to explore the finer side of life with a few rounds on some of the country’s championship golf courses. Blessed with mountains, seashores, cliffs, forests and hills, New Zealand offers golfers some of the most breathtaking settings on Earth.
Over The Top Golf A must do experience for all golfers Over The Top, the helicopter company in association with Golf Warehouse bring you New Zealand’s most picturesque golf hole. Nestled at 4,500 feet in the Southern Alps, this unique par 3 golf experience overlooking Queenstown has four tee boxes for the altitude golfer to attempt their hole in one. With Over The Top helicopter access only, players fly in, drive, chip and putt out on the top. Nearest to Pin, Longest Putt, Hole in One, Longest Drive. Choose your challenge, your choice of 2 tees. Allow 1.5 hours. Altitude Golf, Lift aloft with a caddy and time to play at leisure. Priced by helicopter type. Allow 2-3 hours with 10 balls and refreshments.
The George Hotel Discerning travellers receive individual attention in an intimate atmosphere at this five-star boutique Christchurch hotel
Hilton Auckland Hotel Famous Viaduct Harbour views and luxury city living Located 984 feet out to sea, this recently renovated boutique hotel offers well-appointed rooms in an idyllic location at the end of Princes Wharf. All rooms feature contemporary decor, wireless internet access, a work area and a private balcony with outdoor seating. Some rooms offer views over Auckland’s waterfront.
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Renowned for expertly prepared seafood, the onsite restaurant boasts a menu designed by New Zealand celebrity chef, Gareth Stewart. Sip a signature drink at the architecturally designed cocktail bar, keep fit in the 24-hour fitness centre or marvel at waterfront views from the underwater viewing window of the outdoor lap pool.
To stay at The George is to experience the essence of supreme comfort. Its spacious rooms have been designed with an eye for stylish detail and with an equal staff-to-guest ratio, impeccable service is assured. 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. Meanwhile, ‘50 Bistro’, 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, the art gallery, cafés and boutique shopping. The hotel has been recognised for 10 years as New Zealand’s leading boutique hotel at the World Travel Awards.
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Peppers Carrington Resort
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
A place where leisure meets nature, where luxury meets authenticity
A perfect setting for honeymoons and romantic getaways
This world-class beachside escape is a million miles from the everyday, and a unique resort in New Zealand This luxury Northland estate boasts 2.5 breathtaking miles of secluded white-sand coastline, an 18-hole championship golf course, and the awardwinning Karikari Estate winery and vineyard. Guests stay in spacious lodge rooms or self-contained three-bedroom villas with stunning views of the ocean, golf course or native bush and vineyard. The region is rich in produce, something the inspired fine dining team is eager to share with you at Carrington Restaurant. Relax in the lounge or spa, swim in the infinity pool, enjoy a friendly game of tennis, go marlin fishing off the coast, or simply enjoy the spectacular views stretching out across intense green hills to the blue, island-dotted waters in the distance. Explore a truly remarkable part of the world.
Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pastureland in Hawke’s Bay, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The Farm offers 22 suites, and an Owner’s Cottage. Each suite has a bedroom with sitting area, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom boasting views over the farm, golf course and Pacific Ocean. The common areas of our lodge offer numerous welcoming and comfortable spaces in which to relax; including the intimate snug, stylish lounges complete with open fires and outdoor conservatory areas, you can enjoy the picturesque landscape from wherever you are in the lodge.
1. Over The Top Golf 2. Hilton Auckland Hotel 3. The George Hotel 4. Peppers Carrington Resort 5. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
The property features a championship golf course and Club House, heated infinity swimming pool with Jacuzzi and cabana, spa facility and fully equipped gym, offering yoga, pilates, golf specific fitness and personal training by appointment. Cape Kidnappers boasts some of the most inspiring trails in the North Island. Explore a variety of terrain, from moderate forest walks to ocean-side hikes along the cliffs. Backpacks, blankets, picnics and directions are always available. NEW ZEALAND/ 89
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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? Admire the stars from a slipper bath tucked into a country garden or from a hotel’s private observatory. Awake to birdsong in a treehouse 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 comfort; top-notch service ensures a holiday to remember.
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Bay of Many Coves Resort Where lush green hills kiss azure waters, a sanctuary awaits 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. Or there's the exclusive Kereru Suite where you have your own private oasis, with breathtaking views. 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. This exclusive picture-postcard retreat is an extraordinary playground for sailing, fishing, walking and kayaking in an unspoiled natural environment.
The Beach House on Kawau Island Choose a table outside under the palm trees with a stunning view over the beach
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses Nestled 32 feet above the ground in a stylish luxury treehouse, just north of the prime eco-destination of Kaikoura Architecturally-designed Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses lies between the Kaikoura Seaward Mountains and famed Mangamaunu Bay, overlooking a deer stud farm and olive grove. Stay in the contemporary country lodge or the Olive House owners cottage. For something truly unique, try one of five luxury tree houses built into the canopy of a native Kanuka grove, where huge windows bring the outdoors in. All accommodations are accented by stunning, locally made wooden furniture. On-site facilities include an world renowned restaurant using ingredients grown on site and sourced locally, an outdoor lap pool, spa, sauna, and onsite spa services.
Kawau Beach House is a unique lodge nestled on the edge of the crystalclear waters of Vivian Bay on beautiful Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf, located just a 45-minute drive from Auckland city and a short ferry trip across Kawau Bay. Step ashore and stroll across the beach to this boutique lodge offering boutique beachfront, courtyard and bush cottage accommodation in a quintessential New Zealand setting of native bush, birds, and pristine beaches. Kick off your shoes, feel the sand between your toes, relax and unwind. Kayak out onto the sheltered bays, go snorkeling, paddle-boarding, dive for shellfish, catch a fish, bushwalk or simply relax with a book and unwind. Enjoy dining alfresco under the stars or indoors by a roaring fire on a cooler evening. Hear the calls of New Zealand's native birds and as night falls and the skies open to showcase the stars. No light pollution, no roads, and no cars – just exquisite décor, stunning ocean views, and exceptional cuisine. Simply – relaxing.
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The Boatshed
Huntaway Lodge
One of New Zealand’s best loved small luxury hotels
A truly individual and luxury boutique hotel experience
Chic luxury Waiheke accommodation, sitting just above the sun-drenched bay and white sandy beaches of Oneroa, with its casual and elegant atmosphere working in perfect harmony with its seaside location.
This contemporary lodge offers breathtaking views to a panorama of golden beaches, rocky promintories, and the Pacific Ocean. Located near Kerikeri in Northland, Huntaway Lodge acommodates up to 10 guests in 5 bright and modern ensuite rooms, all featuring a walk-in shower. The Lodge has three bedrooms, and a spacious guest living area with soaring ceilings – a perfect place for guests to relax and dine. The Retreat features two bedrooms, both with infinity bathtubs. Large decks open off all living areas and bedrooms providing guests with stunning sea vistas and places to just relax.
An eclectic mix of different spaces and room types have been created with a high level of design detail. Seven beautifully appointed suites, each offering privacy, sea views, open fires and the highest level of design detail – the beach holiday of your dreams. The Owner’s Cottage offers another level of privacy with its spacious interior and adjacent Cabana, together with a private pool. And the Water Tower features its own roof garden with outdoor bathing and stunning views. Relax on teak sun loungers, be pampered, walk or read a book on the beach. There is private all-day dining exclusive to hotel guests which uses fresh organic produce sourced from the Boatshed’s extensive kitchen gardens, along with succulent seafood and gourmet meat cuts. Pair your meal with a New Zealand wine. The Boatshed's spa entices guests to completely unwind – the ultimate sensory journey.
Have a Jacuzzi, take a picnic lunch to a local beach, hike around the rocks, play golf, go fishing or take the kayaks out on the bay. Complimentary Wi-Fi and gourmet breakfast included.
1. Bay of Many Coves Resort 2. Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses 3. The Beach House on Kawau Island 4. The Boatshed 5. Huntaway Lodge
Whether it's your weekend getaway, a special honeymoon, or you are visiting from another country. Feel the difference at Huntaway Lodge; a unique place to reflect upon the beauty of Northland, to dive into the culinary world of New Zealand and experience unique moments with your loved ones. NEW ZEALAND/ 93
Glacier and Alpine Adventures Soar high above jagged peaks in a helicopter. Ski or snowboard through challenging runs of pristine powder. Hike dramatic cliff paths or bask beside an 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 mountain perfection, New Zealand’s iconic Southern Alps embody it. Spend your nights in comfort in an opulent lodge, unwinding before a roaring fire with a single-malt 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.
Helicopter Line
Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier
Tailor-made itineraries to suit your every need
Foray into New Zealand's pristine wilderness, and stay at this stunning five-star hotel
The Helicopter Line is New Zealand’s leading helicopter company operating with a fleet of modern jet helicopters based at Mount Cook, Twizel, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and Queenstown. At Queenstown, The Helicopter Line operates from Queenstown Airport offering incredible close-up views on scenic flights to explore and discover the Wakatipu Basin and beyond to the Fiordland National Park. Our experienced and professional helicopter pilots will share their local knowledge with you. Exclusive charters, designed to client requirements, are our specialty.
All focus has been on creating a healthy, environmentally safe habitat to maximise guests’ wellbeing. With a natural, earthy ambience and attentive service, there’s no better place to take a deep breath.
Scenic Helicopter Flights
Milford Ultimate with Over The Top Spectacular alpine beauty in World Heritage-listed areas Stroll on an uninhabited beach, soar among 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 helicopter 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, meeting the highest standards of service, product quality, and safety whilst offering excellent passenger comfort and exceptional experiences.
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Bordered by a National Park and World Heritage Area, it offers easy access to the many natural wonders, mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes, coastline and native flora and fauna. Luxuriously appointed guest rooms, a complete culinary experience with fresh local produce and boutique New Zealand wines, Amaia Spa offering a relaxed and peaceful haven are just some hotel features that make Te Waonui Forest Retreat an ideal place to unwind.
Let Fox and Franz Heliservices take you to the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand. Scenic helicopter flight options include a snow landing above the Fox or Franz Josef glaciers with panoramic views of New Zealand's Southern Alps, operating 4- and 6-passenger helicopters. Other snow landing flight options also available with our sister company, Tekapo Helicopters.
Fox Glacier Walk Enjoy a breathtaking guided trip on the West Coast’s biggest and less crowded glacier. Fox Glacier Guiding has a long guiding history and through this experience and knowledge are dedicated to showcasing this constantly changing icescape. Join the popular heli-hike, tailor-made ice climbing, adventurous all day heli-hike, informative terminal face walk or in the mountains on a Chancellor heli-trek.
Hilton Queenstown Luxury overlooking famous waterfront and mountain views Situated directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the hotel boasts famous lakefront and mountain views. Each of the spacious rooms and fully equipped residence apartments offer a gas fireplace, separate lounge area, complimentary Wi-Fi and private balcony to satisfy your needs. Take the complimentary hotel shuttle bus into town, rejuvenate in the opulent onsite spa facility or simply relax by the 82-foot indoor heated pool with steam and sauna rooms. 1,3,4,5
The five bars and restaurants including the signature Wakatipu Grill provide sought-after dining options in magnificent settings to complete a truly memorable stay.
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Millennium Hotel Queenstown The secret is out! Queenstown is one totally unique, hip and chic alpine playground
Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel Experience the sophistication of Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, stylish five-star accommodation for all seasons A five-minute stroll from Queenstown’s centre and lakeside, this 19-room architecturally-designed hotel complements Queenstown’s majestic mountain backdrop to perfection. Relax with vistas up to the Skyline gondola or The Remarkables mountain range. Rooms have underfloor heating, air conditioning, opening to a courtyard or balcony. A delicious à la carte breakfast menu is available while kitchenettes in each room offer additional in-room catering options. Return in the evening to the Remarkables Lounge for complimentary pre-dinner canapés and wines, enjoying the personal attention and local knowledge provided by your hosts.
Millennium Hotel Queenstown is beautifully positioned, just a short stroll from the central shopping, entertainment and gastronomic delights of the vibrant little town of Queenstown. Offering a warm and welcoming haven in this year-round adventure destination, the sophisticated hotel is an inspiring combination of modern floor-to-ceiling glass and robust concrete, with glorious views. The property's Observatory Restaurant is one of Queenstown’s finest dining experiences, specializing 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.
1. Helicopter Line 2. Milford Ultimate with Over The Top 3. Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier 4. Scenic Helicopter Flights 5. Fox Glacier Walk 6. Hilton Queenstown 7. Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel 8. Millennium Hotel Queenstown
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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 flora, 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 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.
Volcanic Air A journey of a lifetime Experience some of New Zealand’s most dramatic and unique landscapes. Explore the permanently active volcano White Island trekking across the lunar-like crater floor to stand on the very edge of an amazing crater lake. Landing on Mount Tarawera, the dormant volcano offers a privileged view of spectacular craters and domes formed by the historic 1886 eruption. Exclusive permits allow you to experience and explore some of the most spectacular geothermal reserves and lakes by helicopter or floatplane, destinations otherwise hard to reach. Other tour options include wine, golf, fishing and cruising charters across the North Island.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua Restore your equilibrium in a luxurious spa hotel in New Zealand’s celebrated geothermal destination
Polynesian Spa Relax and unwind in the hot mineral pools of the famous Polynesian Spa, overlooking beautiful Lake Rotorua Channelling the geothermal marvels in its backyard, waters from two natural springs are fed into the 27 hot mineral pools at Polynesian Spa. The slightly acidic Priest Spring relieves tired muscles, aches and pains while the alkaline waters of the Rachel Spring nourish skin. Indulge in a spa treatment incorporating Rotorua thermal mud, New Zealand manuka honey or other natural ingredients. The Spa is centrally located in Rotorua and open daily from 8am to 11pm.
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Rotorua has long been recognized 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 al fresco breakfast beside the hotel’s geothermal pool. Then escape from the every day 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 such as 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 a close with a festive nightcap.
Peppers on the Point Surrounded by the waters of Lake Rotorua, Peppers on The Point is an exclusive lakeside retreat. Just five minutes from the heart of Rotorua city, the property offers nine spacious suites, most featuring stunning lake views. Peppers on The Point is in the heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture, set amid a landscape of erupting geysers, hot thermal springs, and bubbling mud pools. 5
White Island Tours
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Cruise across the pristine waters of the Bay of Plenty to White Island, New Zealand’s most active volcano. After donning a hard hat and gas mask, follow your guide on an exploration of the crater. Experience roaring fumaroles, sulphur chimneys, bubbling pools of mud and the spectacular main crater. Enjoy lunch before the return journey which often provides the opportunity for dolphin or whale watching.
Te Puia (admission including 90 minute tour) The Te Puia tradition of guiding in the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley extends back many generations See live kiwi birds, boiling mud pools, native bush and visit the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute as part of this fascinating experience. Exclusive dining options are available for families and small groups in the unique locations such as the Ngararatuatara cooking pool. Imagine being surrounded by native bush, overlooking your menu of New Zealand mussels, king prawns, and vegetables being cooked in flax woven baskets. Te Ra + Kai Ngawha includes a flax weaving workshop, guided tour and a perfectly steamed picnic-style lunch from a natural steam vent.
1. Volcanic Air 2. Polynesian Spa 3. Te Puia 4. Peppers on the Point 5. White Island Tours
Te Po is an evening feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment, and Maori cuisine. It is an in-depth experience starting with the traditional ‘powhiri’, or welcoming ceremony, a warrior’s challenge and a full ‘kapa haka’, performing arts concert. Your meal incorporates indigenous ingredients, meats, and vegetables that are cooked in a ‘hangi’, or earth oven, along with contemporary Maori dishes. The evening culminates with a hot chocolate under the stars next to Pohutu geyser. NEW ZEALAND/ 97
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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 dances that once terrified their enemies – and delight at the songs that followed in more peaceful times. Marvel as you stroll through the real-life rolling hills and gentle valleys that played the role of Middle-earth in ‘The Hobbit’, shot in New Zealand.
TIME Unlimited Tours Our New Zealand > Your Way With TIME Unlimited Tours you will experience the Maori culture, their generosity of spirit, and come to understand why protection of their people and places is so important to them. They take pride in sharing their culture, their heritage, and the unique and amazing places New Zealand has to offer. Share their knowledge and stories of New Zealand's people and places, and learn what it means to experience "Our New Zealand, Your Way". Recognised with multiple Global Tourism Awards including the National Geographic World Legacy Award 2016, TIME Unlimited Tours (where TIME stands for “To Integrate Maori Experiences”) is very passionate about Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Aotearoa (New Zealand) and offers an extensive range of luxury tours with highly-qualified guides in top-end Mercedes vehicles. Seeing Auckland on their highly-personal tours is a great way to discover many of the treasures that await you in the ‘City of Sails’, including places in Auckland and throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand region that only locals would know about! Their speciality is taking you to secret places away from the crowds, so you can experience some unforgettable and truly stunning scenery in style with them.
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Choose from Auckland City and West Coast Luxury Tours, Auckland Maori Tours, Auckland Maori Tours and Cultural Performance, as well as Auckland Guided Wilderness Walks. Their tours are perfect for the discerning traveller, couples and small groups. TIME Unlimited Tours offer an extensive range of Private Luxury Tours in the Auckland region and throughout New Zealand, providing unique experiences which include spectacular destinations such as Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Taupo, The Coromandel, The Bay of Islands, Napier, Queenstown and many other stunning locations throughout New Zealand on their One-Day, One-Way and Multi-Day Tours.
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Trilogy Experience This unique trilogy combines some of the best that the North Island has to offer in a self-drive and 'Seat on coach' combo Experience the Hobbiton Movie Set, the picturesque setting for the Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, directed by Sir Peter Jackson. Visit Te Puia, the home of Maori culture and cuisine. The kapa haka performance inside the carved meeting house instantly connects visitors with the traditions of the indigenous people. Be mesmerized by a starlit visit to the world-famous Pohutu geyser, following a delicious indigenous meal.
1. TIME Unlimited Tours 2. Trilogy Experience
Descend into the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves under a galaxy of glow worms and to ancient Ruakuri Cave, a spectacular place full of legends, tales, and magnificent natural formations. The new Supercharged version of the trilogy is a more active option. The Hobbiton Movie Set remains, however, the Waitomo experience includes tubing, walking and floating through the mysterious Ruakuri Cave (Black Labyrinth). The Steambox at Te Puia includes an extended guided tour and flax weaving workshop before enjoying a perfectly steamed picnic lunch overlooking Pohutu geyser. NEW ZEALAND/ 101
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I Island Life
Northern Division Labasa Nanuku Passage
Vanua Levu
Fiji
Buca
Savusavu
Yasawa Islands
Taveuni Nabouwalu Bligh Waters Koro
Rakiraki
Mamanuca Islands
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Eastern Division
Mana
Malololailai
Nadi
Viti Levu
Sigatoka
Western Division
Lakeba Passage
Suva
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? Welcome to Fiji. It’s the tropical paradise you’ve always imagined, scattered across 333 lush islands. Greet 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 veranda 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 Fijian people, and learn more about the art, music and language of a fascinating culture that stretches back more than 3000 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.
Luxury Fiji Let Fiji’s fabulous resorts and yachts work their magic on your weary soul. Once ensconced beneath a swaying coconut palm, you’ll soon find it impossible to remember a life of deadlines and responsibilities. The superbly trained staff respond to your every wish, whether you yearn for breakfast-in-bed, a massage by the sea or a nightcap under the stars. On land, try yoga or tennis. At sea, dive along remote reefs. Delectable cuisine, fine wines, sundrenched beaches, and luxurious accommodations await you.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort An intimate, inclusive, multi-award-winning resort acclaimed for its authentic luxury, hospitality, eco-sensitivity and socially responsible culture Overlooking secluded Savusavu Bay on the island of Vanua Levu, this resort is one of the gems of the South Pacific. It is surrounded by a marine sanctuary, brilliantly colored pristine reefs that are world-renowned, secluded beaches, tropical gardens and magnificent ocean views. Offering an authentic journey into Fijian culture, the resort allows discerning travellers of all ages to delight in a combination of culture, wellbeing, nature, relaxation and exceptional cuisine. Reminiscent of a Fijian village, this resort provides a romantic luxury experience – complete with adults-only pool and dining areas – whilst also offering one of Fiji’s most comprehensive and responsible children’s programs. Families have a separate area, The Bula Club, which features pools with water slides and much more. Each child under six has an exclusive nanny from 9am to 9pm, and six- to 12-year-olds have a Fijian buddy.
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Guests enjoy an exceptional variety of daily complimentary activities, boat snorkeling trips with the resident marine biologist, yoga classes, sailing,
kayaking, night snorkeling, eco-walks and more. Complimentary off-site excursions include a local village trip, a visit to the Savusavu market, a guided rainforest and waterfall hike, and an ecological tour with the marine biologist. The 25 individual, Fijian-style one- and two-bedroom bures exude tropical elegance. Designed in an environmentally friendly style, they feature contemporary décor, Wi-Fi, windows screened with timber louvers, and double vanity bathrooms. The ultimate in luxury is the villa, which includes a pool, four-poster bed, and sunken Jacuzzi. Romantics can take pleasure in an intimate lantern-lit pier dinner, a gourmet picnic on a deserted private island or a traditional nurturing massage in the oceanfront spa, while explorers can dive with Jean-Michel L’Aventure.
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Laucala Set upon over 3,500 exclusive acres Laucala private island resort is set amidst coconut plantations, sandy beaches, rich green mountains and breathtaking natural beauty True luxury is appreciated in the privacy of the resort’s villas widely spread on the northern tip of the island. No expense has been spared at this exclusive tropical hideaway, where 25 Fijian-styled villas are set amid coconut plantations, beside deserted beaches and atop the island’s volcanic mountains, overlooking fertile coral reefs and endless jungle. Regardless of their location, villas are designed with soft curves and free-flowing shapes, using natural materials in construction: thatch roofs made from the leaves of sago palms, local doga timber, bala bala fern stems, and a traditional coconut husk weave known as magi magi.
Laucala shows its most ethereal side in an iridescent kaleidoscope of sporting and cultural activities. Diving in a unique underwater world, rain forest tours, horseback riding, surfing, golfing on the 18-hole championship course, or meeting native artists. Whether you choose to dine in your villa or to visit one of Laucala’s five restaurants and bars, you enjoy dishes based on the freshest produce. The resort prides itself on an integral philosophy, incorporating elements of the entire island into each guest’s experience, and offering products and ingredients raised and grown on the island. Style and sustainability go hand in hand throughout, from the natural fibres and woods used in design to the wild orchids harvested in gardens and organic produce grown on island farms.
1. Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort 2. Laucala
Impeccably furnished bedroom and living areas open to private gardens, each with an infinity-edge pool lit by Tikki torches come dusk. Seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living creates an inspiringly relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere. Villas come with a buggy, so guests are free to explore the resort at their leisure. FIJI/ 107
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Exotic Fiji Just saying the word Fiji is enough to conjure images of beautiful white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and the most alluring, clear blue water. With stunning sunsets, lush green mountains, secluded islands, and coves, Fiji represents one of the last regions on Earth where you are assured peace and tranquility. Discover some of the most secret locations whilst experiencing the beautiful Fijian culture getting to know and love the local people. For an unforgettably luxurious paradise experience, discover exotic Fiji.
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa
Dolphin Island Fiji
There are 15 words in the Fijian language for heaven, and ‘yasawa’is the first
A private 14-acre island paradise, just a short cruise off Viti Levu, surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, fringed with palm trees and wafted by warm sea breezes
Yasawa Island Resort and Spa is an exclusive resort on one of the most remote and unspoiled islands of Fiji. Just 18 luxury beachfront bungalows are hidden among the palms, each just a few steps from a pristine white beach. Swim in crystal-clear waters, dive on vividly-colored corals, connect with an ancient culture or indulge in Fiji’s first beachfront spa. Whatever you choose to do at Yasawa, you’ll do it in complete seclusion. What makes Yasawa special and unique is access to 11 private beaches for romantic beach picnics; activities like the Blue Lagoon Caves visit and most importantly the Fijian authentic culture, the majority of staff come from the local villages and are truly excited to share their island and their culture with you. Visit the local school, meet the Village Chief, partake in the songs and dances of the local villagers. It is these moments that will stay with you long after you leave Yasawa’s sandy shores.
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The island offers superb accommodation for a maximum of eight guests on an exclusive charter basis. The main bure, with infinity pool, holds centre court, flanked by two pairs of thatched guest bures. Beautifully appointed for every guest comfort, the island offers tropical living at its very best. Perfect for multi-generational families or friends traveling together. Guests luxuriate in this nurturing haven of privacy and relaxation, where warm and friendly Fijian staff look after guests as little or as much as they require – as every day blends seamlessly into the next, guests experience all the romance of this truly superb retreat. Dolphin Island is surrounded by an aquatic playground and located within one of the finest diving regions in Fiji. Sea kayaks, a Hobie catamaran, paddle boards and snorkeling equipment are available for the use of guests seeking adventure.
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Blue Lagoon Cruises Cruise through the best of the South Pacific, in some of the most secret places off the coast of Fiji You’ll be treated to untouched natural beauty, stunning sunsets and can see the ‘real’ Fiji through the eyes of our Fijian crew and meeting Fijian locals. Our three, four and seven-night cruise takes you to both the Mamanuca and Yasawa Island groups, with a maximum of four hours cruising per day, you can spend more time exploring onshore or snorkeling amongst a myriad of fish. Visit remote island villages, discover the ancient Fijian culture, sit down to an island feast set on a breathtaking beach, swim with manta rays, learn how to cook traditional Fijian dishes and stop off at the Sacred Island and Sawa I Lau Caves.
The cabins are all air-conditioned and well-appointed. Each cabin has its own ensuite, ample storage space, vanity table, hairdryer, soft towels and fragrant soaps. All cabins are above the waterline and all decks feature large external windows with ocean views. Orchid Deck Cabins include a welcome fruit platter, complimentary daily stocked mini bar, Pure Fiji sun care pack, in cabin Nespresso coffee machine and tea making facilities. Cruises depart from Port Denarau Marina or transfers from selected Mamanuca Resorts can also be arranged for those wanting a resort and cruise experience. Our cruises are always personal, accommodating only 68 passengers, and with over 60 years experience cruising the islands of Fiji, Blue Lagoon Cruises know how to spoil you the whole time.
1. Yasawa Island Resort & Spa 2. Dolphin Island Fiji 3. Blue Lagoon Cruises
Our boutique ship, 'Fiji Princess' offers luxury, you can dine in the open air with views out over the sea to the rear of the vessel. During the day relax in the shaded sky deck bar and saloon bar or enjoy the sun loungers on the large upper sundeck and cool off by taking a dip in our splash pool. There is a spa on board offering a range of massage and beauty treatments as well as a library and in-room DVDs to help you completely unwind. Wi-Fi is available where reception allows too. FIJI/ 109
Family Fiji Fiji’s lush tropical islands, with white sandy beaches are home to some of the friendliest people your family could ever hope to meet. The local villagers provide the hospitality through their warm personalities and greet you with their upbeat ‘BULA”. This is the ultimate family adventure, where you and your kids can discover incredible diving and snorkeling, luxurious resorts with world-class children’s programs, a huge choice of action packed activities that give you a muchearned break. Take your family to Fiji to build memories that will bond your family forever.
Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji
Castaway Island Fiji
Luxury in the heart of Fiji’s Coral Coast
Welcome to an iconic private island resort surrounded by white sandy beaches and vibrant reefs, perfect for romantic couples with or without children
Just an hour’s drive from Nadi International Airport, this luxurious five-star resort is set on a white-sand beach, among 40 acres of tall palms and lush tropical gardens. Leave your cares behind you as we embrace you with a gracious Bula welcome in an exquisite seaside setting reminiscent of a timehonored Fijian village. We pamper you with your own Talai butler, who will serve you complimentary champagne and canapés each afternoon; can unpack and pack for you; and also make your restaurant reservations. We inspire you with sweeping views from hilltop Bebe Spa Fiji. And we delight your entire family with Meimei nannies, children and teen activities, a magnificent tropical lagoon pool, and our Kids Eat Free special. Enjoy the new adults-only private pool, 24-hour gym, five bars, five restaurants and spectacular Bebe Spa Sanctuary. Choose from 127 deluxe ocean-view rooms or 47 traditional Fijian bures, whose vaulted ceilings are lined with exquisite hand-painted cloth. We think there’s no better escape on earth for romance, family togetherness and authentic Fijian hospitality.
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Offering exceptional facilities and creative island cuisine, Castaway is one of Fiji’s most popular island resorts. The traditionally thatched air-conditioned bures with vaulted ‘tapa’-lined ceilings are stylish and spacious. There are plenty of activities to choose from including snorkeling off the beach, a PADI Five-Star Gold Palm dive centre, catamarans, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, jet ski safaris, hand line fishing, speedboat champagne island hops, two stunning swimming pools and more. This picture perfect Fijian resort setting is enhanced by the genuine warmth and hospitality of our family of staff who welcome guests back year after year to experience the magic that is Castaway.
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1. Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji 2. Castaway Island Fiji
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