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living in new zealand auckland city beaches islands of aotearoa wildlife & marine encounters fishing & hunting rivers, fiords, lakes & sounds adventure glacier & alpine maori - people of the land rural lifestyle private villas unique places to stay spa & thermal golf food & wine out & about self drive & private touring trekking new zealand
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AUCKLAND
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When your initial travel arrangements are made through an American Express Travel Services location or through our Web site, you have the advantage of Worldwide Customer Care. Our service doesn’t stop once your trip begins. In fact, we’re there for you with over 2,200* locations around the world in more than 140 countries and territories. So, if something unexpected comes up, feel comfortable knowing we will be there to assist you with travel services.
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New Plymoth
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Visit any travel network location and as part of our commitment, we’ll provide these services free of office charges.
Napier
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Reconfirmation of airline tickets** Sightseeing arrangements Hotel and car rental reservations Airline flight rescheduling
Distance by air Origin
Destination
kms
hours
Auckland
Christchurch
743
1.2
Auckland
Queenstown
1023
1.5
Auckland
Wellington
479
1
Christchurch
Queenstown
348
1
Christchurch
Rotorua
676
1.4
Christchurch
Wellington
303
0.5
Queenstown
Rotorua
992
2.35
03 19
04 13
07
WELLINGTON
Nelson
11
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*Comprises Travel Service locations of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., its affiliates and Representatives worldwide. Representative travel offices are independently owned and operated. Not all services are available at all travel service locations and are subject to local laws and cash availability.
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06 **Service free of charge to customers who have purchased an air ticket, cruise or tour package from any American Express Travel Services location. All of these services are subject to local laws and regulations; all customers are responsible for any charges imposed by travel suppliers and any cost of required long distance telephone calls and messenger courier services.
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CHRISTCHURCH
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For more information contact your American Express Travel Service Network office
Distance by land (kms)
17 09 13
South Island
Queenstown 07 08 09 11 12 13 16 17 07
Dunedin 05 18
Christchurch
Dunedin
Invercargil
Nelson
Picton
Queenstown
487
281
189
850
837
Picton
350
711
928
113
1016
Nelson
417
799
Invercargil
578
217
Dunedin
361
50 experiences to challenge your travel aspirations australia, new zealand & fiji
North Island
Invercargill 04
Auckland
Hamilton
Napier
New Plymouth
Paihia
Palmerstone Nth
Rotorua
Taupo
Wellington
658
532
323
355
898
145
406
308
Taupo
280
153
143
296
518
259
80
339
Rotorua
234
107
225
299
474
Palmerston North
537
411
178
234
777
597
Paihia
241
368
661
New Plymouth
357
231
412
Napier
423
296
Hamilton
127
the ultimate to do list
www.theultimatetodolist.com.au
Aspirations
to long for, to aim or seek ambitiously, be eagerly desirous for something great or lofty‌..
You have achieved so much but there is so much more to do. So reward yourself with life’s rare and enriching experiences. Blend your zest for life with the endless opportunities for enrichment in untouched Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Be uplifted Play, Grow, Think and Learn
This is the ultimate list.
Australia Wide Open Spaces
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. Roughly equivalent to the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, yet has the lowest population density in the world – with just two people per square kilometre.
Abundant Beaches Australia boasts over 10,000 beaches - more than any other nation.
Kangaroo
The kangaroo is unique to Australia and one of its most easily recognised mammals. Kangaroo numbers are now greater than when Australia was first settled. Estimates suggest around 40 million.
Heritage
For more than 60,000 thousand years, Australia’s indigenous people have lived and thrived amongst a unique and challenging natural environment. Australia’s rich vegetation and native wildlife helped them establish their presence on the land.Today Australia’s aboriginals are believed to be the world’s oldest civilisation.
Unique Wonders
Opera House, Blue Mountains, 12 Apostles, Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Fraser Island, Uluru, Kangaroo Island, Tasmanian Wilderness, Kakadu, Bungle Bungles to name a few.
Climate
With the reverse seasons of the northern hemisphere, Australia enjoys a largely temperate climate. Most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year or a wonderful 70 per cent of the total possible hours. Grab a hat, sunscreen and enjoy the delightful climate!
Native Animals
Australia’s landmass separated from the other continents over 50 million years ago, with indigenous animals developing a range of individual and unusual characteristics to survive and prosper in a unique habitat. The result wealth of wildlife is not found anywhere else in the world.
Lifestyle
Australians are renowned for their love of life and enjoyment of the great outdoors. Aussie culture is articulated through their food, wine and lifestyle. Wherever you go in Australia, you’ll find a passion for getting the most out of life.
New Zealand Sweeping Contrasts
New Zealand’s stunning landscape includes vast mountain ranges, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, inspirational fiords and lush rainforests. Whilst equivalent in size to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million - making it one of the world’s least populated countries.
Climate
The south of New Zealand is temperate and the north subtropical. The warmer months are December, January and February and the cooler, June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC.
Heritage
The Maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud - arriving 1000 years ago and they now make up 15 percent of the population.
Native Animals
New Zealand’s separation from other land masses about 100 million years ago allowed many ancient plants and animals to survive and evolve in isolation. A land of unique birds, the most well known being the flightless Kiwi, New Zealand’s unofficial national symbol.
Lifestyle
NewZealandersenjoyarelaxed,easygoing,outdoororientatedlifestylethatcelebratesalandblessed with exceptional natural beauty.
Fiji The Fiji Islands in the South Pacific are an archipelago of over 330 islands packed with attractions that can be found no where else. The population has been voted as the world’s friendliest. Fijians will hail you with “Bula” (Fijian for Hello) on the streets of Nadi and Suva or towns and villages in between, they will invite you to their native villages and welcome you to their churches where song and music ring out. Fiji is still very much untouched by the outside world and in places, life has changed very little for centuries.
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It’s your collection Amazing memories of life enhancing experiences Each time creating a new identity Not by somebody waiting on you But by you doing something to transform yourself Your aspirations Our experiences We are the makers Privacy, exclusivity and uniquely for you.
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ingredients
T
he right proportions at the right time make up your perfect recipe. Fuse your travel aspirations with the ultimate flavours of our experiences.
Australia
living in australia 01
Pages 8 & 9
sydney 02
Pages 10 & 11
life’s a beach 03
Pages 12 & 13
islands in the sun 04
Pages 14 & 15
the great barrier reef 05
Pages 16 & 17
marine encounters 06
Pages 18 & 19
plenty of fish in the sea 07
Pages 20 & 21
luxury superyacht charter 08
Page 22
small ship cruising 08
Page 23
whitsundays blue 09
Pages 24 & 25
tasmania wilderness 10
Pages 26 & 27
rainforest 11
Pages 28 & 29
uluru 12
Pages 30 & 31
self drive sand tracks 13
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self drive desert tracks 13
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air charter 14
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air safaris 14
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safaris 15
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aboriginal culture 16 6
Pages 38 & 39
wildlife conservation
fishing & hunting
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remote
rivers, fiords, lakes and sounds
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north west australia
adventure
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outback life
glacier & alpine
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private villas 21
Pages 48 & 49
unique places to stay 22
Pages 50 & 51
indulgence 23
Pages 52 & 53
golf 24
Pages 54 & 55
cuisine 25
Pages 56 & 57
wine 26
Pages 58 & 59
melbourne - the big events 27
Pages 60 & 61
perth lifestyle 28
Pages 62 & 63
trekking 29
Page 64
Pages 82 & 83
maori - people of the land 10
Pages 84 & 85
rural lifestyle 11
Pages 86 & 87
private villas 12
Pages 88 & 89
unique places to stay 13
Pages 90 & 91
spa & thermal 14
Pages 92 & 93
golf 15
Pages 94 & 95
food & wine 16
Pages 96 & 97
out & about 17
Pages 98 & 99
self drive & private touring 18
Pages 100 & 101
trekking
New Zealand
living in new zealand 01
Pages 66 & 67
auckland city 02
Pages 68 & 69
beaches 03
Pages 70 & 71
islands of aotearoa 04
Pages 72 & 73
wildlife & marine encounters 05
Pages 74 & 75
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Fiji
adventure 01
Pages 102 & 103
island resorts 02
Pages 104 & 105
unique places to stay 03
Pages 106 & 107
carefree days The following is a sampling of an ultimate Australian experience. Day 1; Arrive Sydney and transfer to Hotel Interconential, Dinner at Forty One. Day 2; Early morning private tour of Sydney, Scenic Flight over Sydney with Lunch at Cottage Point, Dinner at Catalina and a Opera House Show. Day 3; Helicopter transfer to Hunter Valley with a private Winery Tour, Overnight at Tower Lodge. Day 4; Charter flight to Burrawang Station and join in daily activities of the station. Day 5; Daily activities at Burrawang Station. Day 6; Charter Flight to Sydney, Fly to Hayman Island for overnight stay. Day 7; Private charter to Great Barrier Reef returning to Hayman Island; Day 8; Free day to explore Hayman Island. Day 9; Return home.
Experiences 02 sydney 25 cuisine Day 6 - 8
20 outback life 14 air charter 26 wine
Day 4 - 5 Day 3
04 islands in the sun
Day 1 - 2
05 the great barrier reef
days that dissolve from one to the next The following is a sampling of an ultimate New Zealand experience. Day 1; Arrive Christchurch and private transfer to The George, Dinner at Pescatore. Day 2; Scenic tour Christchurch / Mount Cook / Wanaka, Scenic helicopter flight with Over The Top and transfer to Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet. Day 3; Siberia Experience Tour returning to Whare Kea. Day 4; Helicopter flight Wanaka to Manapouri to join Doubtful Sound cruise. Day 5; Scenic tour Manapouri to Queenstown, Dinner at The Bunker. Overnight Azur Lodge. Day 6; Full day Queenstown winery tour accompanied by local wine expert returning to Azur Lodge. Day 7; Day free in Queenstown with overnight at Azur Lodge. Day 8; Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour including lunch, Dinner at Wai Waterfront Restaurant and overnight at Azur Lodge. Day 9; Return home.
Experiences 16 food & wine 09 glacier & alpine 08 adventure 07 rivers, fiords, lakes & sounds 12 private villas Day 1
18 private touring Day 2 - 3
Day 4 Day 5 - 8
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living in australia
MORE INFORMATION
Australia offers lifestyle choices that are the envy of the rest of the world. With a predominantly dry, temperate climate, the prevailing weather lends itself to a love of the outdoor life. Such conditions are matched with vibrant, modern, cosmopolitan cities that are safe and easy to get around. Typically relaxed and friendly, urban Australian’s live, eat, work and play around a much celebrated coastline, whilst rural Australia unfolds with unparalleled environmental diversity and a rich cultural heritage. Come experience this wonderful life.
Quay West Suites Sydney Set in the heart of Sydney’s historical Rocks, Quay West Suites Sydney offer the ultimate home away from home in glorious surrounds, a new benchmark for five star luxury. The superb all-suite accommodation affords spectacular uninterrupted views across Sydney’s spectacular Bridge, Harbour and Opera House or city skyline. Every beautiful suite has separate bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry, living area and opening windows.The restaurant’s cuisine is of course prepared by internationally recognized chefs. The complete range of facilities is all the world traveller expects, whilst this much celebrated city and its world famous lifestyle are at your doorstep.
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australia living in australia
Sydney Private Villas / Mansions & Butlers
Visit our website for more photos and information foralltheproperties,toursandexperiencesfeatured. MAP KEY Verve Beachside
Sea Temple Palm Cove
Sydney Private Villas / Mansions & Butlers
Palazzo Versace
You just gotta love this town! It is with good reason that Sydney has been voted ‘world’s best city’ for an astonishing eight times over the past ten years, by readers of U.S. travel magazine Travel and Leisure. It is a city that celebrates life, through a multi-cultural makeup that has grownandenrichedthe‘harbourcity’enormouslyoverthe past 50 years. Sydney boasts a warm, temperate climate, which complements a lifestyle heavily skewed to the‘great outdoors’,withitsmagnificentbeaches,parksandharbour. Make no mistake, this city is blessed with perhaps the finest stretch of coastal landscape on the planet, stretching from Cronulla in the south to Palm Beach in the north. It is along this stunning expanse that you will find some breathtaking real estate, offering the chance to gain a real ‘taste’ of living in Australia’s greatest city. Sydney Private Villas/Mansions, specialize in placing the discerning traveller in some of Sydney’s finest residences. This proud company are acknowledged as the property placement experts, with an excellent array of real estate covering the very best this wonderful city has to offer.
Quay West Suites Sydney
Verve Beachside Mornington Peninsula Indulge in some of the finest living experiences across Australia, with Verve Beachside, the ultimate luxury property management group. Verve specializes in a premium collection of beachside accommodation, serviced apartments and leisure travel on the Mornington Peninsula, (Melbourne) plus an exclusive collection of high quality homes and cliff top mansions at some of Australia’s top holiday destinations. Relax with a spa treatment in your home, linger over lunch prepared by a team of renowned in-house chefs or enjoy a day with a golf pro at one of Australia’s leading courses, where you will undergo a full swing analysis. Verve ‘Concierge’ is on call to make your stay unique and memorable. You name it, they can arrange it - everything to cosset you in the quintessential Australian holiday experience.
Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove
With its splendid beach front location and close proximity to peaceful Palm Cove, the Sea Temple Resort and Spa is designed for those guests with absolute indulgence in mind. Sea Temple fuses exotic Asian style with contemporary simplicity, with innovative facilities producing an easy living ambience. Many of the apartments swim directly out into the huge central swimming lagoon – one of three resort pools. The cuisine is outstanding, international and in varied locations from the relaxed to the sophisticated. The tranquil and soul-restoring Sea Temple Spa, with its extensive range of therapeutic treatments and facilities, many of them unique, is the equal of all the wonderful features of the resort. If you can tear yourself away, you are right amongst the reef, islands, rainforest and outback experiences of tropical North Queensland – day, evening and night.
Palazzo Versace Gold Coast
Australia’s Gold Coast and Palazzo Versace have come together to offer the world’s first Versace hotel. Versace has taken its hallmark of beauty, luxury and opulence and brought it to this breathtaking waterfront resort. Donatella Versace has gathered inspirations and influences from around the globe – past and present classical and contemporary. The resulting simpatico is eye-opening, with a renaissance palace now adorning the shoreline of the glorious Broadwater. The classically elegant rooms, condominiums and the private marina are the ideal base to enjoy Gold Coast life offering 5 star service in true Versace style.
australia living in australia
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sydney “We arrived in Port Jackson early in the afternoon”, wrote Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788 , “and had the satisfaction of finding the finest harbour in the world.” … Today Sydney is still blessed with stunning natural beauty and is consistently ranked worlds best city by discerning readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Lesisure. Vibrant, dynamic, and accessible, Australia’s unofficial ‘capital’ shines all year round. A living, buzzing, working metropolis, masquerading as part seaside resort with divine beaches, grand harbour front real estate, waterside dining, wonderfully hedonistic nightlife, world class shopping and a calendar of international events. With a melting pot of over 140 different cultures, its no wonder Sydney’s food scene, like the city itself, has something for everyone.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Challenge yourself to reach the peak of the mighty Sydney Harbour Bridge. Bridge climb offers a breathtaking 360 degreepanoramaofSydneywithanunforgettable3.5hour climb to the summit, be it dawn, dusk or in between. Bridge Climb’s team of enthusiastic, fun, professionals mean you climb this icon of considerable international standing in absolute safety.The exhilaration and personal satisfaction achieved with Bridge Climb is unforgettable. Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa is the only luxury resort in the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. The “historically listed” residence with lavish Victorian themed interiors enjoys a prime cliff top position and breathtaking scenery, just a five minute stroll to the famous Three Sisters. Boasting a plethora of national and international awards this grand mountain resort combines stylish living and fine dining with the pampering delights of a magnificent spa and health club.
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australia sydney
The Rocks Discovery Museum Tour Take a walk through time at Sydney’s newest attraction. Housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, The Rocks Discovery Museum is home to a unique collection of images and archeological artifacts, offering a fascinating interactive tour adventure, where you will be guided through the story of The Rocks, from pre-European days to the present. Learn about the areas traditional landowners, the establishment of an English colony and the time when sailors, whalers and traders made the area their home, to the present day.
Sydney Foreshore Technical Insight Tour An inside look at Sydney’s premier waterfront destinations with Sydney Foreshore Technical Insight Tours. Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority owns more than four hundred hectares of prime waterfront land around the world’s most beautiful harbour, as well as managing a number of other properties on behalf of various New South Wales Government agencies. Tours are tailor-made to suit your interests and cover the complete spectrum, from tourism promotion, marketing and branding, precinct and place management, and heritage maintenance to waterfront development and much more.
The Hotel Intercontinental
Take your box seat to the best views and hotel service in Sydney at the Hotel Intercontinental. Simply open your curtains to breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Royal Botanic Gardens, all framed by blue water. A harmonious marriage of Sydney’s stately landmark Treasury building, with a luxurious modern tower, sits in Sydney’s dress location and has recently emerged from a major refurbishment to the highest standards of five-star quality, space and comfort. The Rocks Pub Tour The Rocks Pub Tour is a fascinating way of discovering Sydney’s history. Join one of these tour’s and be engaged by a highly informed guide as you are lead through the historic cobblestone lanes to some of Sydney’s earliest watering holes. At the tour’s conclusion, select your favourite pub and settle in for a tasty meal, taking advantage of one of the tour’s special dinner offers.
Opera Australia A night at the opera is the ultimate escape. Grand in scale - encompassing music, singing, drama and dance - it ignites all the senses and engages you in an overwhelming experience. Opera Australia (the world’s third busiest opera company) epitomises its nation’s spirit with performances filled with passion and energy, featuring world-renowned artists and a strong Australian ensemble. What could be more glamorous than an evening at the truly iconic Sydney Opera House, where the stars shine on stage as well as over the harbour.
Sailcorp A recent study to map every beach in Sydney Harbour could not be completed! The golden sandy pockets that dot the 350 kms of foreshore proved too numerous for those responsible, yet for the serious old salt or romantics looking for an afternoon/overnight afloat, such pockets become a playground. These nooks and cranny’s that dot the 350 kms of harbour, feature some of Sydney’s best kept and most beautiful secrets. Sydney yacht chartering specialists Sailcorp has an intimate knowledge of the harbour and every possible requirement to make your Sydney sailing experience the experience of a lifetime.
Westfield Bondi Junction
Minus 5 BBBRRR… Sydney’s coolest attraction has arrived - Minus5 “the coolest experience”, where everything is chiselled from ice. The walls surrounding you, the seats, the amazing hand crafted sculptures, even the glasses from which to sip their sensational vodka based cocktails. (No, your tongue doesn’t stick to the glass.) With overcoats, gloves and boots provided, patrons are invited to play Eskimo in this amazing igloo that just happens to overlook Sydney Harbour!
Sydney is a hip city that takes its fashion seriously and there is no better shopping experience than at the brand new Westfield Bondi Junction. This fashion mecca has raised the bar, delivering a gorgeous world-leading facility offering all a shopper could possibly wish for, with cinemas, restaurants and the best fashion names from Australia and overseas. Plus, experience Westfield Bondi Junction’s ever-fashionable services including Handsfree ShoppingTM, Valet Parking and Fashion Stylists who will make you feel and look a million dollars (without spending it).
Blue Mountains Helicopter & 4WD Tour
Finding your feet in Sydney Sydney is a big, beautiful, sprawling metropolis. Now through this unique introductory tour, it may not be so daunting – ‘Finding your Feet in Sydney’. Here is the ideal starting point for first time visitors and those looking for a fantastic head start on all things Sydney and its people, packaged into a ninety minute tour of Sydney’s historic precinct, The Rocks and its marvellous surrounds. Learn how the locals speak with Aussie ‘slang’ language, learn about local food, events, transport and great things to do in Sydney. Guests receive an orientation pack that will further help you find your feet in Sydney.
Venture off the beaten track and really, truly, experience the Blue Mountains. After flying over Sydney Harbour then heading west into the Blue Mountains National Park, your pilot will land at Katoomba Airfield in the heart of the bush. Your driver guide will lead you along back country tracks to Anvil Rock & Twin Falls, a spectacular viewpoint over the Grose Valley - Australia’s “Grand Canyon”. Short walks in the wildernessaccentuateyourinterpretativeecologicalexperience on an advanced ecotourism accredited tour. You will see fantasticpanoramaescarpments,uniquerockformations,deep canyons with ancient rainforest and occasionally kangaroo’s in the Megalong Valley. After being served lunch in a cave or the rainforest, it’s back in the 4WD, crossing over the Blue Mountains’rugged wilderness before commencing the return helicopter flight back to Sydney. There is absolutely no better way to see this incredible part of Australia, so why not treat yourself to a day you’ll never forget?
The Observatory Hotel Superbly positioned near Sydney’s historic Rocks and central business district, The Observatory Hotel, one of the most luxurious in Sydney, is the ideal base for exploring Australia’s most vibrant city. This prestigious hotel, which has won almost every celebrated domestic and international award, offers impeccable service, lavishly appointed rooms and suites, exceptional fine dining plus a magnificent day spa featuring their world famous caviar firming facial!
Sydney Seaplanes Lunch Cottage Point Inn Restaurant
Switch your senses into overdrive on this romantic indulgence with a breathtaking flight over Sydney’s beautifulHarbour,ruggedcoastlineandNorthernBeaches aboardtherenownedDeHavillandBeaverseaplanebound for lunch on the Hawkesbury River at the award-winning Cottage Point Inn Restaurant. Surrounded by spectacular views of national parkland, lunching in this charming spot is unequalled in Sydney. Experience the tranquil setting of this delightful restaurant where nature lends a harmonious balance to culinary and service excellence surrounded by spectacular views of national parkland.
australia sydney
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lifes a beach Close your eyes, take a deep breath and picture your favourite beach. The vision ushers in happiness, with sun, sand, surf and so much more. The beach is central to Australian culture, a lifestyle, a holiday and a cool surf culture that exists around a stunning coastline. It is a nation that takes its beach going seriously. It is living - restaurants, cafes and leisure pursuits located by glorious sandy shores.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties, tours and experiences featured. MAP KEY Paperbark Camp Quay West Bunker Bay
Paperbark Camp Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay, in the temperate climate of the southeast of New South Wales, is home to some of the nation’s prettiest coastal bushland, deserted white sandy beaches and amazing marine life including dolphins and whales. Nestled amongst this pristine setting sits the amazing Paperbark Camp. Cleared by hand to ensure the delicate eco-system’s natural flora and fauna’s preservation, this architect designed, luxuriously tented camp, represents the ultimate chance to unwind and bring it all back to nature. And in the chic dining room – behind you an award-winning chef enthusiastically preparing the finest local produce and seafood – in front of you, resident sugar-gliders against the bushy backdrop. This one, of so many features, says it all.
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australia life is a beach
Sebel Palm Cove Seabreeze 1770 Beach Villa No 5
Quay West Resort Bunker Bay
Quay West Resort Bunker Bay is a pristine paradise, in the magnificent Margaret River Wine Region. The resort is absolute beach front - the glorious white sands and crystal clear waters of Bunker Bay and the dazzling Indian Ocean, with boardwalks through 35 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds and complementing native bush, featuring villas in contemporary Australian architectural style. As if these spectacular natural attractions and leisure pursuits are not enough, you are on hand to first class restaurants and a plethora of many internationally recognized vineyards offering friendly cellar door boutiques, with tasting and selling of their top-notch wines.
Regency Beach Club Imagine being able to combine absolute beach front living with one of the great wine regions of the world in Western Australia’s Margaret River. Regency Beach Club offers this rare and remarkable experiencewithstunninglydesignedholidayhomes located right on the shore of Geographe Bay in Dunsborough.With the very best in resort facilities, just a short drive to Margaret River, the Regency Beach Club offers location, luxury and space for the ultimate ‘Coast meets The Vine’ experience.
Sebel Reef House & Spa Palm Cove
Lets Go Surfing Surfing is a way of life, nurturing spiritual and athletic growth from absolute beginner to professionals alike. Surfing is one of Australia’s great past times and there is no finer surfing school on the planet than at world-famous Bondi Beach. Lets Go Surfing has been helping people realize their surfing dreams for over a decade now, at this iconic stretch of water just seven kilometers from Sydney’s CBD. Lets Go Surfing’s highly respected award-winning team has introduced thousands of people to the joy of surfing and take pleasure in sharing the joy of this artful sport.
Renowned for its beautiful tropical beach, the idyllic village of Palm Cove is home to The Sebel Reef House and Spa.This romantic beachfront resort of whitewashed walls, calming surrounds and lush private gardens offers utter tranquility and relaxation, capturing the essence of Australia’s tropical lifestyle. Here, personal service and attention to detail take on a new meaning. With the relaxed feel of a small and sophisticated hotel, this 5-star resort is proud of its history and character. The tradition of guests helping themselves to drinks, and signing chits on an honesty system, is still maintained in the Brigidier’s Bar. Superb dining and the awardwinning Reef House Spa complement this as the complete place to experience this regions natural gems.
Seabreeze 1770
Beachside Retreat West Inlet Imagine a secluded beach on Tasmania’s north west coastline, renowned for wild oysters, swimming,fishingorlongleisurelybeachcombing walks; an absolute bird watchers paradise, teaming with wildlife. Equally breathtaking are the unique, award-winning eco-cabins perched on the sand dunes, with uninterrupted views of this magnificent beach. The contemporary architecture is mesmerizing with huge porthole windows framing Stanley’s famous icon, the Nut. For a bird’s eye view, experience a helicopter flight, over this amazing location from the private helipad; a highlight of your Tasmanian visit.
Perched atop an escarpment of ocean front land within a 1600-acre nature reserve, Seabreeze has an undeniable spirituality offering a unique sense of inner peace and contentedness. Nestled amongst lush Queensland bushland, overlooking the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean, Seabreeze is an exclusive self-contained holiday home, a true hideaway, offering the ultimate in style, within an eco-friendly and sustainable natural environment. The property also features a superb barbeque and dining area, stunning wet edge pool and expansive deck area. For surfers the beach has some of the best waves on the east coast or take a yacht out to the reef for snorkeling and diving, staying overnight if you wish.
Beach Villa #5 Port Douglas
Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, this beautiful beach front Queensland property, minutes from the heart of Port Douglas village, is a beach lovers dream. A coconut throw from the high tide mark on Four Mile Beach, Villa #5 has something very special, with a lovingly coordinated interior design and thoughtful furnishings complementing natural light and free flowing tropical ambience. Magnificent outdoor dining on the elevated poolside deck is the perfect place for barbequing after long, lazy, beachside days. The cosmopolitan village of Port Douglas covers your dining, shopping and entertainment requirements with a fantastic range of restaurants, cafes, pubs and boutique shops, making this the ultimate beachside holiday destination.
australia life is a beach
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islands in the sun Australia’s island experience is seclusive and utterly luxurious. A classical environmental backdrop of idyllic deserted beaches in the world’s greatest marine-park. Where activity or ease is your choice. Diving, snorkelling, swimming, sailing, cruising, fishing or sunbaking, indulging, sleeping, reading. In a perfect climate. Even more unique is the Robinson Crusoe alternative on the inspirational Haggerstone Island.
Capella Lodge
LordHoweIslandoffersextraordinarycontrastsofrugged, longextinctvolcanicpeaks, lush forests and serene, crystal clear lagoons. Enriched by the southern-most coral reef in the world, this sub-tropical precious paradise, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1982. Here bird and marine life abound. Capella Lodge, stylish, sophisticated and favoured by the discerning is the island’s premium boutique accommodation, commanding glorious ocean and mountain views. Capella’scontemporarycuisine,fromdecadentbreakfasts to exceptional dinners and the indulgent Capella Spa, plus first name service and intimate surrounds combine to deliver this exclusive Lord Howe Island experience – all the hallmarks of beach side living with indulgence.
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australia islands in the sun
Hayman Island
Hayman Island, situated in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, the closest of theWhitsundays to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, consistently rates amongst the finest luxury island resorts in the world. Offering a genuinely unique private island experience and unsurpassed natural beauty, Hayman’s luxuries range from the don’t-lift-a-finger variety to the most energetic, in the best of all possible worlds. Guests can relax and enjoy Hayman’s superb salt and fresh water pools or stroll to the island’s idyllic deserted beaches for sunbathing and lazy snorkelling. For the energetic, Hayman’s range of activities pretty much covers the spectrum, from parasailing through yachting, tennis, golf on a championship course and sail boarding to scuba diving with 5-star Dive Centre to name a few from the extensive top class list. The dining choice is broad, from a romantic candle-lit dinner on your own balcony, to superb restaurants offering the finest in Australian, Oriental, Mediterranean and French cuisine. The island has recently unveiled the very pinnacle of spas – the prestigious Spa Charkra Hayman – the ultimate spa design to restorewellnessandbalance.
Haggerstone Island
This is true escapism. Haggerstone Island is an incredibly private, remote and unspoiled Robinson Crusoe retreat, situated 600 kilometres north of Cairns, lying within the northern reaches of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, alongside a wild stretch of Cape York Peninsula. Lovingly created by hosts Roy and Anna Turner, who have made it their home since 1986, the Haggerstone experience revolves around its pristine wilderness setting. Fishing, snorkelling, diving and beachcombing are world class and safe all year round with two clear water lagoons just off the islands beach putting beautiful coral gardens right on your doorstep. Accommodation is classical island romance fantasy, with marvelous beach huts and treehouse quarters sure to stir the heart of every guest.
Hamilton Island Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island in the beautiful Whitsundays, just off the Queensland coast at the edge of the world’s largest marine park, The Great Barrier Reef. With direct flights daily, a wide range of restaurants, an amazing range of activities, excellent shopping and regular daily tours to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven beach there can be little doubt as to whyHamiltonremainsafavouriteislandexperience. See Whitsundays Blue for more information.
Voyages Bedarra Island
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Imagine a place where time is measured exclusively by the passage of the Sun. Where you can do as you wish, when you wish. That place is Bedarra Island, Great Barrier Reef, an exclusive luxurious haven catering for those who desire a more civilized escape. Your Villa is one of sixteen hidden in the rainforest. The view of the sunlight dancing across the water from your balcony is almost hypnotic. The food is simply exquisite, a standard of which their guests demand, with a team of chef’s preparing a new menu daily. The seafood is always fresh, in fact chances are it’s just been caught. The Bedarra reef experience is the reef experience of a lifetime.
Bedarra Island
Lizard Island
Wilson / Heron Island
Capella Lodge
Hayman Island
Haggerstone Island
Voyages Heron & Wilson Island Resorts
Hamilton Island
Heron and Wilson islands are two spectacular resorts located right on stunning coral cays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by pristine reef and white silken sandy beach environs, including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds, both resorts present wonderful opportunities for world’s best reef diving.These exclusive resorts offer a relaxed island lifestyle with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, where no building’s height exceeds that of the trees. Great pride is taken on providing the highest levels of food and service. For those who don’t wish to be immersed in utter unspoiled relaxation, there is also an emphasis with both Heron and Wilson on exploring and discovering the natural attractions that have made these two resorts famous.
Voyages Lizard Island
Lizard Island is one of a kind – a work of nature’s art. The Great Barrier Reef, a private paradise with 24 white silken sandy beaches. Lizard Island is quite out of the ordinary, with its unique northern position, right on the reef offering both an inner and outer reef experience, helping to make it one of Australia’s premier resorts. Here you can snorkel off a secluded beach to discover a garden of giant clams, many a metre long and some reputed to be 120 years old. The absolute luxury accommodation, facilities and activities are all the discerning guest would expect from a world-class resort. At Lizard, healthy appetites are rewarded with superb dining – fresh local produce prepared with European and Asian influence.
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the great barrier reef
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The Great Barrier Reef is an eco-system of unsurpassed marine diversity. One of the world’s seven natural wonders, clearly visible from space and spread over 300,000 square kilometres, (an area larger than the UK, Holland and Switzerland combined) it is quite simply, another world.To dive, snorkel or cruise the Great Barrier Reef is to see astonishingly clear waters that are home to an incredible 3000 coral reef formations and ranging in size from 1 hectare to over 10,000 hectares in area. Australia’s Far North is the gateway to this phenomenal marine park, the most animated underwater colour show on the planet.
Enterprise Charters
Enterprise is the choice for those seeking cruising comfort and ultimate style. The sumptuous interior of this sleek cruiser embodies all the imaginable requirements for relaxation and pleasure. With a highly professional crew of three - Skipper, Chef and Hostess, the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef will come alive with a day of snorkelling and exploring the inner or outer reef aboard this magnificent craft. Specializing in day and overnight excursions, exceptional guest relations management, will ensure your entire Great Barrier Reef experience has been fully customized, making your trip aboard the Enterprise unforgettable.
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Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas
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Learn To Dive - Tusa Dive
ReefOpulence
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas
Spirit Of Freedom
DownUnderHelicopters
If there is one first class luxurious resort that is the ideal base from which to explore the greatest natural underwater show on the planet, then it is Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. This stunning, absolute beach front tropical paradise has an incomparable five acre water show of its own. Roll out of bed and swim any part of this magnificent salt-water lagoon before a gourmet breakfast and your opportunity to experience another world – the Great Barrier Reef. The Big Kahuna of lifetime experiences is literally at your doorstep. Nowhere else can the seamless move from luxuriant surrounds to the mind blowing colour show that characterises this colossal experience be made so effortlessly.
Down Under Helicopters
There is just one feeling better than sitting in a helicopter admiring the Great Barrier Reef and all that Tropical North Queensland has to offer, and that of course is being at the controls yourself. Down Under Helicopters is able to offer this once in a lifetime experience, flying top of the line aircraft alongside a dedicated team of first class instructors. In fact, this dynamic company prides itself on being able to meet the demands of individual preferences and budgets, all whilst adhering to the strictest of safety standards, without compromising on superior customer service. So what are you waiting for? Go fly a chopper!
Moana Fishing Charters What do you get when you cross world’s best diving with world’s best fishing? A sensational experience aboard Moana Charters, the pride of the Cairns based fleet. This brand new state of the art fishing/dive vessel, is captained by the experienced and highly knowledgeable Daniel McCarthy with his young, energetic and professional crew. Available for charter to explore the super rich waters off Cairns- the giant Black Marlin capital of the world and also home to the greatest array of wonders that the Great Barrier Reef offers. A tailor-made charter combining these two spectacular experiences will charge the senses and create lifelong memories.
Reef Opulence
Take your VIP pass and prepare to go back stage and mingle with the biggest cast ever assembled for the greatest show on the planet! Catering for a privileged few, Reef Opulence provides luxury helicopter access to your own private retreat on the true ‘Outer Edge’ of the world’s greatest marine park, the Great Barrier Reef. Inflame the senses from the second you lift off, be it early morning or mid-afternoon, with an uninterrupted coastal panorama granting a unique perspective of Cairn’s breathtaking tropical landscape. Follow coastal rainforest fringed beaches over stunning tropical islands, pristine sand cays and the magical turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. Touch down a la James Bond onto your own floating heli-pad with exclusive use of Marine World’s sensational pontoon facility where a gourmet breakfast or afternoon tea and the greatest of the world’s seven natural wonders await you. Experience the amazing colours and tropical sea life that will create lifelong memories through this absolutely indulgent adventure.
Exclusive Learn to Dive Tusa Dive
Based in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, the MV Tusa IV, is a twenty-two metre custom built dive craft available for private charter to world’s best diving destinations; Australia’s Far North Eastern Coast. Leading tour operator Tusa Dive combine their localprofessionalexpertise,experiencedcrew,andsuperior dive vessel to customize a dive charter to suit the special requirements of your dive group.With more than six years experience of live-aboard dive charters,Tusa’s skipper has extensiveknowledgeoftheregionmeaningyoudiveboth famous and secret sites! Enjoy the luxury and flexibility of your own charter, whilst Tusa’s professional crew will ensure the best service both in and out of the water.
Spirit Of Freedom Live Aboard Diving
To experience the Great Barrier Reef is to accomplish a lifetime curiosity. The world’s largest coral reef consists of more than 3000 individual reefs spread over 300 000 square kilometres. It is an ecosystem of unsurpassed marine diversity and is clearly visible from outer space. However, it is not until you enter the reef’s brilliantly clear waters that you appreciate its exquisite beauty and discover this underwater city.‘Spirit of Freedom’provides access to the Great Barrier Reef’s most extraordinary sites, including the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea. At 120 feet she is Australia’s largest live-aboard dive vessel – three decks of luxurious electronically stabilized comfort.
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marine encounters Australian waters are home to the greatest variety of marine life on the planet. Immerse your mind and body into the waters that are their home. Snorkel along side the majestic 18 metre whale shark, surround yourself with playfuldolphinsandbegreetedbytheendangeredandendearingAustralian Sea Lion, all of whom have intelligent, inquisitive yet gentle natures. View migrating Southern Humpback whales, eccentric Dugongs, and countless colours of life on the abundant coral reefs. Thrill to the encounter of the Great White Shark - from the safety of a diver’s cage, of course!
Undersea Explorer Minke Whales & Reef Research
Undersea Explorer are the consummate professionals, offering world class marine interpretation through an amazing experience of in-water marine life encounters unparalleled in the world today. With a highly experienced and passionate crew, you will be exposed to the very best diving that the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. Undersea has been researching the great creatures and marine eco-systems of the deep for over a decade, resulting in an awesome live-aboard touring programme, specializing in whale, shark and coral encounters of the highest order. Undersea take this experience to the next level through a fascinating world first ‘on-deck research debrief ’ conducted after each dive, adding a stimulating atmosphere of discovery to all expeditions. With Undersea the opportunity exists to see large schools of sharks including Grey Whalers and Hammerheads. Get up close and personal with schooling pelagics, Manta Rays, Minke Whales and rare Deep Sea Nautilus.
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Coral Bay Adventures
Spend an incredible day snorkelling with the largest fish in the ocean, the majestic whale shark. Coral Bay Adventures are the Ningaloo Reef marine life interactive specialists, offering a variety of tours for the experienced diver, through to the non-snorkeller.With an experienced, sincere and knowledgeable crew, this company focuses on giving all guests a unique, informative and very intimate marine encounter on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Ningaloo Reef is the only place in the world where the harmless whale sharks, measuring up to eighteen metres in length, are known to visit on an annual basis, in large numbers. This is a full day tour, that incorporates cruising the reef’s waters, swimming with graceful, harmless manta rays, as they “dance through the water” (all year round), searching for turtles, dolphins and dugongs. Coral Bay take pride in showing guests this magical environment. Either on one of their boats or from the air, there is a tour for everyone.
Banksia Adventures Kangaroo Island Fly & 4WD
Spectacular coastlines, amazing wildlife and pristine beaches - Banksia Adventures present all this and more with Kangaroo Island two day fly and 4WD tour. Kangaroo Island is one of the world’s last unspoilt wilderness areas, just thirty minutes flying from Adelaide, with four hundred and fifty kilometres of breathtaking, unspoilt coastline. The National and Conservation Parks, which make up over a third of the Island, are teeming with wildlife, hemmed in by splendid white sandy beaches, famous for their Seal, Sea Lion and Penguin colonies. If you have ever harboured a desire to get close to nature, then seize this opportunity. Spend the days exploring, feasting your senses over landscapes and seascapes ranging from thick bushland, dramatic cliffs to sand dunes and sheltered beaches. The interpretive tour at Seal Bay amidst rare, endangered sea lions, in the world’s only accessible colony, may well be the highlight of your entire Australian experience.
Bay Connections - Wildlife Coast Cruises Be enchanted as you drift within metres of thousands of wild fur seals. Bay Connections Wildlife Coast Cruises are Australia’s east coast wildlife watching experts. View rugged coastlines, untouched islands, amazing rock formations and spectacular wildlife areas, accessible only by boat. Wildlife cruises specialize in personalized charters and fully catered, luxury cruises on board the modern catamaran cruiser ‘Casey Lee’ to a variety of breathtaking locations, including Seal Rocks which boasts an amazing colony of Australian fur seals, (over 12,000) whilst Hervey Bay holds a marvelous opportunity to see migrating Southern Humpback Whales.
Rodney Fox Great White Shark Dive
So then, did you catch that movie called ‘Jaws’? Well, here’s the guy whose expertise Spielberg called in for the live sequences! If you are talking Great Whites, you talk to Rodney Fox. This live-aboard tour is offered through Rodney Fox Great White Shark Expeditions, around the pristine islands of South Australia. To see a Great White Shark in the wild is a very special and rare experience, but to come face to face with this magnificent example of evolution, underwater, is the ultimate experience available to divers today. Rodney’s incredible adventures depart from Port Lincoln and journey out into the clear blue waters of the Southern Ocean bound for the Neptune Islands, home to an amazing array of wildlife, including many bird species and dolphins, thousands of fur seals, plus the beautiful and rare Australian Sea Lion. Here is the natural feeding ground of the Great White Shark! Bring it on!
Baird Bay Charters & Eco Tours Baird Bay is a remote and isolated fishing village located on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. The Baird Bay Eco Ocean experience presents a range of experiences such as swimming with Sea Lions and Dolphins, beach, boat or rock fishing, bush walking, bird watching and beachcombing deserted beaches. Choose from extensive day tours or take advantage of new accommodationunitsandprolongthismagicalexperience.Unique to Australia, endangered and endearing, the Sea Lions will welcome you into their own home where they will capture your attention with their intelligent, inquisitive and gentle nature. Take the time and delight in the antics of a truly great Australian mariner.
Dirk Hartog Island
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Dirk Hartog Island Rodney Fox Great White Shark Dive
Captain Dirk Hartog was the first recorded European to have stepped ashore on Australian soil in 1616. He would be proud this island carries his name. Located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Listed area, off the West Australian coast, Dirk Hartog Island is one of Australia’s unique and most remote holiday destinations. Holidays here may be tailored to suit guest’s wants – from diving and snorkelling to special picnics and 4wdriving. The island’s pristine eco-system is home to some of the most amazing animals and scenery that Australia, indeed the world, has to offer, whilst the surrounding waters boast an amazing variety of marine life. These waters hold ancient fossilizedcoralreefs,thebiggestloggerheadturtlenesting ground in the South East Indian basin and one eighth of the world’s Dugong population. The fishing cannot be bettered, and the diving is world class. Accommodation is in the original limestone shearer’s quarters built over a century ago. The Dirk Hartog experience is about a pristine environment, great food and exceptional service.
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plenty of fish in the sea Australian waters are the ultimate fisherman’s dream. Explore freshwater streams in Tasmania for magnificent trout and then head to Northern Australia to the rivers offering an adrenaline filled fight to land the mighty Barramundi. The deep waters off the Great Barrier Reef are home to the king “Black Marlin” and associated reefs teaming with varieties of fishing challenges. Hook up with the local experts to discover the vast coastal wilderness coastline and their favourite fishing spots. Australia will make your fishing dreams come true.
Top End Expeditions
Top End Fishing Expeditions specializes in exclusive, remote fishing expeditions in one of Australia’s most isolated regions. From the comfort of a luxury 17 metre steel hulled cruiser, Auriga Bay II. Top End will let you experience the islands that surround the township of Nhulunbuy in tropical North East Arnhemland, which are virtually untouched by Europeans and surrounded by rich waters that provide some of the best fishing in the world. When you fish in these waters you will feel privileged to have taken the opportunity and carry with you memories that will last a lifetime. Fishing Information September - Decemeber (Gove)
February - May (Gove)
Spanish Mackerel Giant Trevally Coral Trout Sailfish Black Marlin Barramundi
Spanish Mackerel Giant Trevally Coral Trout Golden Snapper Red Emperor Barramundi
May - September (Darwin) Spanish Mackerel Queenfish Coral Trout Sea Perch Cod Mangrove Jack
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australia plenty of fish in the sea
Cannon Charters
Offshore from Australia’s Top End (as the locals call it) is one of the most prolific fishing waters in the world. The M.V. Cannon is a 75ft luxury mother ship purpose built for the ultimate fishing experience, catering for smaller more personalized groups – 8 guests to 6 crew members, including a gourmet chef - in the Top End around to the untouched Kimberley Region. State of the art 4.6 metre boats each with a highly experienced professional crew, explore the huge stretch of vast wilderness coastline loaded with fishing hot spots, including ocean, reef and river, boasting a myriad of species featuring the Barramundi, Queenfish, Jewfish and Giant Trevally. Fishing Information Kimberley Region
West Coast
Trevally Tuna Queenfish Boldchin Groper Mud Crabs Mangrove Jack Barramundi
Blue Salmon Trevally Mackerel Mud Crabs Golden Snapper Barramundi
Bathurst & Melville Islands Catfish Fingermark Jewfish Barramundi Golden Snapper Mangrove Jack
MAP KEY Top End Expeditions
Cannon Charters
Mackerel Island
Moana Fishing Charters
The Lodge at Tarraleah
Mackerel Island
Can’t quite decide on where to go to meet your aquatic interests? Try escaping to the Mackerel Islands, a water sports paradise just 22 kilometres offshore from the West Australian coast. Renowned for its world class fishing, diving, turtle and bird watching, Mackerel Islands management cater for those wishing to immerse themselves in all or any of these exploits. Most popular are the ‘Seafaris’, led by boating and fishing experts, which place anglers of all ability on the front line of sports fishing. The other activities are equally expertly catered for, across a vast range of individual enjoyment. This is a magnificent eco-system, offering multiple, world class experiences, literally at your doorstep. Fishing Information Black Marlin Snapper Sailfish Red & Spangled Emperor Mangrove Jack Cobia Tarwhine
Yellowfin Tuna Coral Trout Golden Trevally Cod Spanish Mackerel Queenfish Turrum
Moana Fishing Charters
In the waters off Cairns, giant Black Marlin school each year. Nowhere else in the world is there such a huge aggregation of large game fish. Daniel McCarthy: Passionate fisherman, Skipper, Moana Fishing Charters - “Clients have got to have a great time every time they go fishing and anything else simply won’t do”. So whether you are chasing giant Black Marlin, light tackle fishing for Mackerel or sports fishing for Barramundi, Daniel and his professional crew will always go that little bit extra to make sure this is the fishing experience of a lifetime! When thinking about remote expeditions and adventures in Australia’s Far North, Moana will customize the fishing trip of your dreams. This outfit is highly flexible, motivated and will work with you in creating the perfect charter.
The Lodge at Tarraleah Trout Fishing Tasmania
Perched on a high plateau on the edge of World Heritage Wilderness is the boutique luxury Lodge at Tarraleah. Combining art deco origins with contemporary elegance, the lodge is the perfect base from which to explore Tasmania’s stunning Central Highlands. Catch the world’s purest trout in surrounding lakes, streams and wild rivers. Wade, walk or boat, fly fish, spin or troll where spectacular scenery is the backdrop to screaming reels. Find secret locations with world renowned guide Ken Orr and his team who offer angling for professionals and novices alike. Tarraleah’s 300-acre estate includes a dedicated fishing supply store, Loomis rod room, activities centre, restaurant, cafe and cliff top hot tubs to soak up the views.Tasmania’s isolation and abundance of perfect conditions make fishing here a dream location.
Fishing Information August - January
March - September
September - March
Giant Black Marlin
Marlin Sailfish Spanish Mackerel Tuna
Marlin Sailfish Wahoo Yellowfin Tuna
December - March Big Blue Marlin
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luxury superyacht charter Privacy, flexibility, indulgence… What better way to explore Australia’s magnificent shores than by private luxury yacht? Whether you are planning a relaxing family vacation amid the turquoise wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef, a vibrant social gathering on Sydney Harbour or an adventure cruise along the rugged Kimberley coast, Australia’s most superlative selection of luxury yachts await. With the services of an attentive, professional crew and the freedom to land wherever, whenever, the possibilities are endless…
Buckingham Yachts International
Taking charter of your own private superyacht is, without question, one of life’s finest experiences. Such an indulgence provides all the prestige and privacy of a country mansion, yet the freedom to explore an ever-changing horizon. Buckingham Yachts International is a luxury yachting company for the elite traveller, combining the finest private yachts in existence with the world’s most remote and exotic destinations. The expert staff at Buckingham Yachts pour decades of their own extensive field experience into each unique itinerary design and a highly-personalized approach allows guests to customize every aspect of their experience, down to the finest detail - no two charters are ever the same. Whether a private or corporate affair, Buckingham Yachts International provides the yachting connoisseur with an inspirational, tailor-made journey of both substance and style.
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australia luxury superyacht charter
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the cruises, tours and experiences featured. MAP KEY Orion Cruises True North
Coral Princess
Coral Princess
Uncover the secrets of The Great Barrier Reef, where an incredible worldhidesjustbeneaththesurface.CoralPrincessCruisespioneered the whole concept of small ship expedition cruising commencing with their Kimberley program 11 years ago. Their dream is to share the great beauty, diverse cultures, dramatic landscapes and the remote coastlines of Australia and New Zealand, and to explore pristine islands, reefs and atolls of Melanesia and Papua New Guinea. The Coral Princess fleet has been purpose built to provide all the comforts of larger ships, yet small enough to grant access to reef and island sites inaccessible to other vessels, meaning all 72 guests can land and explore anywhere nature or curiosity dictates.
True North
Go wild in style! True North allows discerning adventurers to experience wilderness in surroundings more akin to an exclusive hotel. The True North is one of the finest adventure cruise ships in the world, having been purpose built to explore the upper reaches of shallow river systems - passengers need only step out of their cabins to experience wilderness. Multiple expedition boats, plus a helicopter allow passengers to do what they want, when they want. This multi award-winning company specializes in the remote, glorious and diverse Kimberley region, offering a suite of itineraries especiallydesignedforthediscerningadventurer.
small ship cruising Explore in style. The timeless exotic ocean, coastline and rivers of Australia and New Zealand offer a genuine opportunity for expeditions in relaxed and casual elegance. Luxury small ship cruising is the ultimate in discovery with a limited number of guests, highly skilled, informative staff and small craft to access the path less travelled. Join one of the finest adventure cruise ships in the world, where one needs only step out of the cabin to experience pristine wilderness.
Orion Expedition Cruises
Orion Expedition Cruises is Australia’s only luxury expedition cruise line. Orion is a purpose designed custom built expeditionary mega yacht. You will find just 50 couples enjoying the attentive service of 75 crew specially selected for their experience and customer service. Orion offers a range of included and optional shoreside expeditions designed to enhance the destination exploration for their guests. There are 10 heavy-duty zodiacs and 10 inflatable sea kayaks to facilitate your expedition experience. So whether you are snorkelling over pristine coral formations or stepping ashore on the Antarctic continent and walking in the footsteps of men like Shackleton, Scott and Mawson, there are many unique opportunities for guests to visit areas of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Antarctica that very few others will see. A journey with Orion is an opportunity to take the path less travelled.
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whitsundays blue In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, emerging from the rich blue tropical waters lies an archipelago of green islands and sandy atolls. The Whitsunday’s are one of Australia’s most enticing destinations, blessed with heavenly colour, a climate to match, 74 different islands and ‘the No.1 beach to see before you die’ - Whitehaven Beach (as voted by the BBC).
Hamilton Island
Perfectly situated off the Queensland Coast, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and nestled among the 74 enchanting islands of the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island offers an experience like no other. In this quintessential aquatic wonderland, you can revel in the very best of everything that’s great about Australia: glorious weather, azure waters, brilliant white beaches, awe-inspiring coral reefs, fascinating flora and fauna, fine food and wines, laid back luxury and activities almost too numerous to mention. It is the ultimate Great Barrier Reef holiday destination, a perfect gateway to explore the unique tropical environment such as Whitehaven Beach (BBC voted No. 1 beach to see before you die) and the wonder of infamous Heart Reef. Hamilton Island is a picturesque, self-contained destination with the Great Barrier Reef Airport, a shopping village, commercial marina, wide variety of restaurants (from Asian to Italian, Seafood to Steaks), bars, takeaways and a sports complex. You can fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Cairns, plus enjoy easy connections from other mainland cities with no additional transfer time once you arrive. Providing a range of accommodation styles, the ultimate indulgence of which is the Beach Club, Hamilton Island’s luxurious five star boutique hotel. With sophisticated, yet casual elegance, the Beach Club offers an intimate holiday experience for couples. With some of the finest personal service the Great Barrier Reef has to offer, it’s the perfect place to relax and renew your appetite for life. An absolute beachfront location and private balcony/terraces offer uninterrupted views of the spectacular Coral Sea. With VIP transport, 24hr in room dining, an exclusive infinity pool, lounge and a la carte restaurant, plus free use of non-motorized watersports, you have everything on hand. Alongside easy access to everything else the island has to offer. For those who prefer more independence, a luxury self-contained property may be preferable. Hamilton Island boasts a vast range of self-contained properties with the “Luxury Collection” offering the very best of style and amenities as well as your own private golf buggy to allow easy exploration.
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australia whitsundays blue
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information foralltheproperties,toursandexperiencesfeatured. MAP KEY Hamilton Island
Fantasea Cruises Reefsleep
Take the time and enjoy the unique solitude and tranquillity of the Great Barrier Reef with Fantasea Cruises, exclusive Reefsleep – limited to six guests. Grasp the opportunity to enjoy the unique facilities offered through Reefsleep’s two-day reef adventure and spend a night sleeping over the world’s greatest marine park. After a day spent surrounded by a pristine environment of corals and sea life, with diving or snorkelling, pop the champagne and wonder at the spectacular transformation as the reef comes alive at sunset or view the nocturnal activities of the reefs marine life from the safety and comfort of the underwater viewing chamber. Be pampered by your own personal deck steward, as drinks are served at dusk, followed by dinner beneath a canopy of stars that will redefine your memory of a ‘starry night’. The whole Reefsleep experience is unique to Fantasea and their spacious platform Reefworld, offering a chance to explore the reef without the crowds. This is an exclusive and highly individual way of sharing the magic of the Great Barrier Reef.
Aviation Tourism Australia
In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, emerging from out of the rich blue tropical waters lies an archipelago of green islands and sandy atolls. The Whitsundays are one of Australia’s most enticing destinations, where one can fulfil a lifetime of dreams, because here in this tropical paradise, amazing things happen. Multi award-winning Aviation Tourism Australia has the Whitsunday touring experience covered with a breathtaking range of tours and transfers that showcase the best of these stunning islands. Just one such tour is the Whitehaven Champagne Picnic Flight, which lets you spend one and a half hours on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Flying by state of the art helicopter to Whitehaven beach and on the way take in the breathtaking view of the surrounding Whitsunday Islands and fringe reef. Whilst enjoying the white silken sand and sapphire blue water of Whitehaven, indulge in some complimentary champagne and contemplate life from this magical isle.
Sundancer
Cruising the Whitsunday’s and Great Barrier Reef aboard Sydney Sundancer may well be the most fascinating, exciting and relaxing holiday of a lifetime. Built to the highest standards for luxury yachting, Sydney Sundancer is more like a floating private hotel. There is an amazingly large foredeck to laze away tropical days, whilst the huge aft deck is perfect to enjoy technicolour sunsets and gourmet dining. Below decks you are greeted by the richnessandgentlehueoftraditionalseafarer’s teak. Lavishly furnished double staterooms and superbly appointed galley complete this unique yacht. Each cruise is personally hosted by friendly owners Lynne & John Boyce who hold a special“roving permit”, granting access to some unique locations afforded only to the privilegedfew.Theypersonallyguideeachdays activities ranging from exploration of deserted islands and reef walking to sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving so that your expectations for the holiday of a lifetime are exceeded.
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tasmania wilderness
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Mother Nature’s finest tapestry... Tasmania’s rugged beauty holds some truly inspirational wilderness, thankfully much of it world heritage listed. Stroll through some of the world’s last remaining temperate rainforest, where one can view massive 2000-year old Huon Pine. Cruise the pristine waters of Macquarie Harbour and Gordon River, gliding past waterfalls, pristine coastline, lakes and untouched waterways. Behold Cradle Mountain with its soaring peak. Discover Freycinet’s pink granite mountains, white sand beaches, grey-green casuarinas and seawater as blue as sapphire.
Gordon River Cruises
As you cruise through Hell’s Gates aboard the purpose built, luxurious Lady Jane Franklin and into the beautiful water of Maquarie Harbour, spare a thought for the hundreds of convicts who so aptly named this treacherous pass in reference to the hellish conditions on the Sarah Island penal colony, where their fate awaited and where you shall also visit. Walk among the ruins as your guide brings the past alive with astonishing convict stories and of their ship building prowess, using ancient Huon Pine. Glide past waterfalls and the magnificent mirrored reflections of the Gordon River before stepping ashore at Heritage Landing. Here you can stroll comfortably through some of the world’s last remaining temperate rainforest, featuring a giant 2000-year-old fallen Huon Pine that even now, continues to support new life, in the form of saplings. There’s a lot more to this cruise than World Heritage listed wilderness; it is a fantastic overview, both historical and environmental.
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australia tasmania wilderness
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West Coast Wilderness Railway
Gordon River Cruises West Coast Wilderness Railway Cradle Mountain Chateau Freycinet Lodge Strahan Village Voyages Cradle Mountain Lodge
Through the boom years of West Coast mining, steam locomotives hauled a fortune in pure copper from Queenstown’s Mt Lyell mine, through the rugged King River Gorge and down to the Maquarie Harbour port of Strahan. From 1896 to 1963 steam billowed through the rainforest as the German designed Abt West Coast rack railway dragged the train, cog by cog, up the steep 1:16 slope to Rinadeena. Now after forty years the West Coast Wilderness Railway is running again. In a marriage combining the romance of steam with one of the worlds last pristine wilderness areas, this fascinating journey crosses forty bridges and several wild rivers, climbing some two hundred metres travelling from Queenstown to Strahan. You will also have the opportunity to visit an old gold mining settlement, explore the mine by candlelight and pan for gold in the river.
Cradle Mountain Chateau
In a serene alpine woodland setting on the edge of Tasmania’s World Heritage listed wilderness area lies Cradle Mountain Chateau, your base for exploring this wondrous and unique environment. During the day enjoy fully guided interpretive walks to ancient forests and mountain lakes, climb to ice-carved peaks that will reinvigorate your soul or take some time to experience some of the greatest trout fishing in the world today. In the evening return to the luxurious chateau, with its welcoming log fires and fine restaurants that source the best produce from this pristine land, delivering sumptuous gourmet meals to worthy appetites. The chateau houses an acclaimed Wilderness Gallery, which boasts one of the finest collections of nature photography in the world today. Cradle Mountain Chateau is a wilderness experience of the highest order, showcasing the very best of Tasmanian flora and fauna.
J Boag & Son In the 1880’s James Boag founded a tradition of brewing excellence on the banks of the Esk River in Launceston, Tasmania. He was committed to brewing only the finest quality beer, using the freshest possible ingredients and employing brewing standards of the highest distinction, a tradition that continues today. The Boag’s Centre for Beer Lovers, located in the historic Tamar Hotel, conducts brewery tours weekdayswherevisitorscandiscoverwhy J. Boag & Son is geniuely considered ‘Australia’s Premium Brewer’.
Freycinet Lodge
Henry Jones Art Hotel Standing in historic Hobart, the Henry Jones Art Hotel is Australia’s first and only dedicated Art Hotel. The Hotel is itself a fusion of art, heritage, technology and 200 year tradition. The hotel’s facade has been delicately transformed by award-winning architects from a row of colonial warehouses and jam factory, into an engaging a 5 star experience on the edge of Hobart’s waterfront. The old contrasting new is a constant theme throughout the hotel with all suites, foyers, bars, restaurants and atrium showcasinganextensiveanddiversearray ofthefinestlocalcontemporaryartpieces and paintings available in Australia.
Pink granite mountains, white sand beaches, greygreen casuarinas, sea water blue as sapphire – these are the colours of Freycinet. Here is a world of hidden comfort; with Freycinet Lodge being living proof that communing with nature does not have to mean roughing it. Boasting a spectacular waterfront location at the foot of the Hazards mountain range, luxurious Freycinet Lodge is a superb base for exploring the peninsula. Stunning wineglass bay is an easy walk and has been voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches. You can climb a crag, discover history, paddle a kayak, hook your dinner, tour an oyster farm, cruise to an island, visit a winery, watch the wildlife or slip into an underwater world. Tasmania’s Freycinet is a unique Australian experience.
Island Cycle Tours Tasmania’s rugged ancient beauty and picturesque scenery blend to offer one of the world’s great cycling adventures. Island Cycle Tours have a range of cycle tours to meet the needs of all cycling adventurers, from the novice to the genuine enthusiast, from 3 hours to 10 days. Tours combine the best locations with the best adventure; great people, great food and that spectacular scenery. Island Cycle Tours have optional extra activities – hiking, sea kayaking and jet boat riding, just to name three.
Strahan Village
Freycinet Adventures Exploring the coastline of Freycinet National Park by sea kayak is one of Tasmania’s most unforgettable natural adventures. The contrasts are stunning - pink granite mountains, pristine sandy beaches and blue waters so clear you feel you can touch the marine life below. Unearth the secrets of Freycinet - pass quietly by wildlife such as majestic sea eagles and be inspired by tales of shipwrecked whalers and the ancient culture of the Oyster Bay tribe. Join the refreshing morning tour or experience the atmosphere of a sunset paddle.
The picturesque west coast fishing village of Strahan holds a specialwarmthandcharmthatwasrecognizedbytheChicago Tribune rating it as ‘the best little town in the world’. A magical combination of unique wilderness and a fascinating history anchored in Australia’s penal and pioneering past, blankets this town with a remarkable aura. Strahan Village Waterfront Cottages offer a delectable choice of individual spacottages,executivespasuitesandterraceaccommodation. Set right on the esplanade, overlooking beautiful Maquarie Harbour, these superb 4 to 4.5 star cottages capture the easy ambience, which separates Strahan from other quaint seaside towns. Unlike Freycinet’s sunny coastlines and Cradle Mountain’s rugged alpine peaks, Strahan’s landscapes are wild and elemental – waves, weather and (World Heritage) wilderness are the hallmark of this truly unique experience. Strahan Village is your west coast base for exploration – offeringwarmwelcomesaftereachdayofwildernessdiscovery.
Platypus House See the world’s strangest animal live - up close and personal. Platypus House Tasmania is a living world experience at your fingertips. This is a unique attraction, being the only venue where visitors may watch Tasmanian platypuses andTasmanian echidnas in an indoor state of the art viewing facility. Learn all about these beautiful, industrious egglaying mammals, which you are guaranteed to see during your visit. A visit to Platypus House both helps science and raises community awareness about the threats posed to these unique Australian mammals.
Voyages Cradle Mountain Lodge
Walking into Cradle Mountain Lodge, one is immediately put at ease by a warm protective ambience. It is a lodge that makes one feel better for just being inside. Nestled high in the Tasmanian wilderness, on the edge of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain / Lake St Clair National Park, the lodge is a superb escape featuring cosy cabins, fine food, wine and breathtaking wilderness. Here you see the face of creation all around you in the mirror lakes plus rugged mountain peaks. One doesn’t have to be an environmental champion to be humbled by the towering presence of a King Billy pine – over one thousand years old and yet still a relative newcomer to these ancient forests. And when the snow falls, as it can even in the summer months at Cradle, there is nothing cosier than being in your cabin enjoying a glass of red over and an open fire. One thing is certain, summer or winter, the beauty of Cradle Mountain is an inspiration that will stay with you long after you leave. australia tasmania wilderness
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rainforest Australia’s rainforest takes up just one thousandth of the land area, but is home to the greatest variety of plants and animals. The statistics are impressive, one third of the country’s marsupials, one fifth of the birds, one quarter of the reptiles and a third of the bats make this haven their home amongst two fifths of the plants! Discovery only comes through interpretation and appreciation, so a day spent with a “local expert” is enriching, as every sense comes under delicious assault of verdant aromas, a cacophony of bird, frog, insect calls and a glimpse of the unique wildlife living in paradise.
Walker Sisters
This educational and most entertaining tour brings the traditional land owners and their jet setting guests face to face. Francis and Agnes Walker are the hosts on this fantastic rainforest walk that takes tourists from Bloomfield Lodge into the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. The tour provides a wonderful insight into the Aboriginal connectivity with this pristine ecosystem. Casual and engaging, the Walkers pass on a lifetime of knowledge with commentary ranging from ‘bush tucker’ and natural medicines, to moving glimpses of the past provided by the ladies’ cousin Eileen.
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Bloomfield Lodge
RnR White Water Rafting Feel your heartbeat start to race as the helicopter touches down in a remote World Heritage listed area, with the only way out being a raft. Welcome to RnR White Water Rafting, tropical North Queensland, home to some of the worlds most spectacular rapids. Experience the majesty of Australia’s Wet Tropic’s Region, with an inspirational surge through remote World Heritage listed rainforests. From sedate grade one ‘armchair’ rides, right up to grade five adrenalin pumping white knuckle stuff. RnR will give you the whole experience.
Discover peace, tranquillity and solitude at magnificent Bloomfield Lodge, Far North Queensland, offering a unique and relaxing rainforest experience on the shores of the Coral Sea. Hugging this spectacular coastline is the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, the largest stretch of tropical rainforest in Australia. Nestling almost unseen within this pristine ecosystem, boasting stunning views over Weary Bay is Bloomfield Lodge. Imagine a hideaway free from the stresses and strains of everyday life where luxury accommodation goes hand in hand with gourmet dining, perfectly complementing tropical days of relaxation and adventure. A special place to rejuvenate body and soul.
Cardwell Air Charter Cardwell is surrounded by some of the most spectacularsceneryonearth,includingseveral National Parks and two World Heritage regions; the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics. Most of it is inaccessible, except by air. Cardwell Air Charter are now into their tenth year, offering spectacular scenic flights over this breathtaking region. A broad range of tours, with individually tailored itineraries as a further option, are your choice with this outstanding charter company.
Rainforest Untouched
Down Under’s By Appointment Rainforest Untouched tour encapsulates these high standards and includes some of this region’s true icons. At Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, a Wildlife Keeper will guide you through the park, explaining the uniqueness of the Australian flora & fauna and give you the opportunity to handle a baby crocodile. Take to the water on an exclusive wildlife spotting boat cruise, before a sumptuous lunch including samples of wild Australian game. Upon arrival at Skyrail you will be greeted by your Ranger and given the opportunity to participate in a World Heritage corridor regeneration program. Your ranger will then join you on your journey to Red Peak Station for an informative guided boardwalk tour. After a short break in Kuranda, your next highlight is seeing the transformation from sclerophyll forest to dense World Heritage Rainforest. View termite mounds, giant strangler figs and creek crossings before arriving at picturesque Lake Morris for a delicious afternoon tea. All of this in your own luxury appointed 4WD.
AJ Hackett This is an incredibly positive experience, giving people an opportunity to feel a totally uncensored rush of physical and emotional energy. A J Hackett pioneered this adrenalin charged activity and are acknowledged globally as absolute consummate professionals. The Cairns Bunjy operation lies at the foothills of Saddle Mountain between The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Enjoy panoramic views of Green Island and Great Barrier Reef coastline from a spectacular rainforest setting.
Hot Air Cairns & Port Douglas Imagine flying over the Australian outback, wild kangaroos watching you float above, rainforest in the far distance & just on the horizon, the blue of the Great Barrier Reef. Ballooning with Hot Air from Cairns, Port Douglas or Palm Cove is definitely the best way to start your day in the tropics. Experience the silence, wonder & romance of ballooning with the Southern Hemisphere’s premier ballooning specialists, in one of the world’s best climates. It’s so good, Hot Air guarantee the weather. Connect after ballooning to Quicksilver, Airport or all other local tours.
Flames Of The Forest
Have you ever dined in the rainforest…? Ignite your senses with a mystical journey, beneath the canopy of this ancient rainforest, as you experience a spellbinding candle-liteveningoftheatre,tropicaldiningandauthentic Aboriginal culture, explored through storytelling and music.Flames ofthe Forest is something different, unusual and provocative, being unique to the Tropical North, and unlike anything you may have encountered before. MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information foralltheproperties,toursandexperiencesfeatured. MAP KEY Walker Sisters
Flames Of The Forest
RainforestUntouched
Silky Oaks Lodge
BloomfieldLodge
Cockatoo Hill Retreat
Kuranda Scenic Railway Blood, sweat and toil. The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a triumph of the pioneering spirit common to the early settlers of Far North Queensland. This famousRailwayexperienceisanabsolute must when visiting Cairns and the Far North. Kuranda Scenic Railway is an enchanting 90 minute rail adventure that is both delightful and spectacular, taking you from Cairns through dense tropical rainforest, past deep gorges and stunning waterfalls to the charming village of Kuranda, with its myriad of cultural and natural attractions.
Cockatoo Hill Retreat
Pethers Rainforest Retreat Easily accessed from the Gold Coast or Brisbane’s international airport, Pethers Rainforest Retreat is the perfect romantic escape to the Gold Coast Hinterland. A chance to return to nature, totally unwind and revitalize within a beautiful environment.Exploretheregionsnatural wonders, dine in fabulous restaurants, shop the many boutiques stores, then retire to your Treehouse to enjoy an open fire or soak in your private spa bath overlooking the rainforest. At Pethers Rainforest Retreat, its all about you - a great escape to indulge yourself.
Taste inspiration as you feel the spirit of World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, estimated to be the world’s oldest, at one hundred and thirty five million years! Welcome to Cockatoo Hill Retreat, the Daintree’s most beautiful boutique resort, a secret paradise. The four exclusive tree lodges, your private temporary home, amidst rich and rare wildlife, are perched between Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas, on a rainforest ridge boasting a breathtaking panorama over the rainforest to the coral sea and a drop-edge freshwater pool that is amongst the world’s finest. Passionate owners Carmen and Gilles’ native French charm is overlaid with the best of Australian hospitality.
Down Under Heli “In two hectares of Daintree Rainforest there are more species of trees than you would find in the whole of North America or Europe.”…This is the world’s oldest living rainforest, having existed continuously for one hundred and ten million years. Cairns-based Down Under Helicopters offer the chance to explore this world heritage listed ancient wonder, plus Cairns City and surrounds, from their fleet of state of the art flying machines. Only by helicopter can the scale of the Daintree’s pristine beauty be fully appreciated.The memory of this flight will last forever!
Voyages Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa
Experienceanoasisofeleganceandeaseamidsttheoldest living Rainforest on earth at Silky Oaks Lodge in the heart ofTropical North Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest. Nestled on the edge of the Mossman Gorge, this is one of the Daintree’s finest resorts. Silky Oaks Lodge is in harmony with its lush surrounds, every chalet under delicious assault from verdant aromas and the gentle cacophony of bird and frog calls. The celebrated Healing Waters Spa draws rest and rejuvenation from the mineralrich waters of the Mossman River. The magic of the rainforest at your fingertips will tempt you not to leave.
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uluru This mysterious red monolith is the peak of a buried mountain range, rising 430 metres over a perimeter of 9 kilometres in Australia’s flat dry red centre. Reflecting countless colours, Uluru dazzles with its fabled light show, as its sandstone takes on various hues of red, yellow, orange, purple and grey. Encounter wilderness, mystery and spirituality as you absorb not only the natural beauty, but the cultural significance and sense of place that holds Uluru at the centre of the Aboriginal Anangu people’s heart.
Voyages Longitude 131
Awake to your own private view of the sun rising over Uluru. Reflecting countless colours, Uluru drenches you with its fabled light. Luxurious, ecosensitive and romantic, Longitude 131 offers immersion in the wilderness, mystery and spirituality of Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. This awardwinning luxury wilderness camp in Australia’s Red Centre, has achieved new heights in eco-tourism the world over. Longitude 131 is a deluxe camping experience like no other, set atop an isolated sand dune where you will find unprecedented solitude and serenity. Meticulous design of the palatial‘tents’, ensure it is a private place to rest, relax and refresh. This is a special experience which nurtures your body, stimulates your mind and liberates your spirit!
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MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information foralltheproperties,toursandexperiencesfeatured.
Discovery Ecotours Australia
Discovery Ecotours Australia is a unique, small group tour operator providing expert guided tours throughout the NorthernTerritory, delivering a quality product focusing on the natural environment and indigenous cultural heritage. Offering day, extended tours and charters at Uluru, Alice Springs and throughout the Red Centre, Darwin and the Top End, the tours are all of an experiential nature, with highly skilled guides complementing these ancient eco-systems. On all their trips, travellers will be given time to absorb not only the natural beauty, but the cultural significance and sense of place that characterises these remarkable destinations. Guests will be rewarded with a special blend of personalised service and professional, interpretive guiding.
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self drive sand tracks Feel the freedom to explore vast open beaches and coastal tracks in new territory all to yourself. Experience the challenge of driving along virgin beaches tackling mighty sand hills, edging through towering rainforests, the home to abundant wildlife. The choice is yours where to stop, relax and picnic, knowing you are far from the crowds and stresses of modern day living with an endless opportunity to enjoy stunning, natural environments.
Fraser Island Kingfisher Bay Resort
Australia’s World Heritage listed Fraser Island, the largest sand island on earth, is home to award-winning Kingfisher Bay Resort. Set amongst a web of untouched eco-systems that include a spectacular golden sandy beach stretching for some seventy five miles, towering rainforest, beautiful fresh water lakes, abundant wildlife and Pacific Ocean blue. This acclaimed resort is an adventurer’s paradise which extends to modern self-contained two and three bedroom villas, boasting private decks with sea or bush views.The extensive range of activities includes eco-tours and marine cruises (or ranger-guided canoe paddles) to see whales, dolphins, dugong and sea birds. Famous for the astonishing variety of four wheel driving, the island can be explored by self driving or guided tours.
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Cape York Motorcycle Adventures
With Cape York Motorcycle Adventures you will experience ‘complete escape’. CYMCA have been operating off-road tours from Cairns to Cape York for over 18 years. When touring with the acknowledged master, Roy Kunda, you will see the very best of Australia’s far northern frontier, accessing National Parks, private properties, secluded swimming holes, secret fishing spots and much more. Roy’s team of passionate, expert guides, offer a complete range of tours from one to eight days, that are designed to challenge each rider and guarantee all guests will end the day pleasantly exhausted. Camp under the stars, feasting on the catch of the day and ponder an inspirational days riding with a handful of kindred spirits. The ride features dense Daintree rainforest tracks, dusty outback trails, termite mounds,savannahgrasslands,abandonedgoldminesandghost towns, World War II relics, plus a spectacular assortment of immensely fishable crystal clear creeks and wild virgin beaches. As motorcycle experiences go, this is absolutely world class.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information foralltheproperties,toursandexperiencesfeatured. MAP KEY Fraser Island Kingfisher Bay Resort Odyssey Tours & Safaris Banksia Adventures
self drive desert tracks Experience long remote distances where it is all about the journey, and the lingering thought of making it through! Put your trust in the hardy vehicles that take the punishments from this harsh terrain, the rubber on rocks, ridges and red dust. Tackle your choice of The Gunbarrel Highway, Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks and the great desert trails that splinter the offen harsh Australian interior.
Cape York Motorcycle Adventures
Banksia Adventures Tag Along Tours
Go way beyond your expectations… Cross the Simpson Desert traversing over five hundred sand hills or travel ‘Sturts Stony Desert’ to wonderful outback waterholes, home to the brolga, a beautiful large native waterbird and thousands of other birds. Banksia Adventures presentTag-AlongTours, for those intrepid souls, who would like to see this awesome country and remain behind the wheel, so as to maximize the experience. Tag along with an experienced, passionate owner-operator, with all the organizing done for you. Challenge your own driving capability, secure in the knowledge a Banksia adventuring expert is leading you.Whether it be an arduous desert crossing to the picturesque and ever-changing high country of the rugged Flinders ranges or striking beach and coastal drives, Banksia can match a memorable tour to suit any driver competency or lead an adventure of your own making, with suitable vehicles. Banksia’s touring expertise means you only concentrate on the road and enjoy the surrounds, leaving all the logistics to the experts.
Odyssey Tours & Safaris
Northern Australia is a vast expanse of stunning environmental diversity, rich in wildlife, striking colours and landforms, plus Aboriginal heritage. There truly is so much to see and enjoy. To gain an even more personal encounter with the Top End, Odyssey Tours & Safaris, offer private tours and safaris, where they will personally tailor the trip to suit the specific needs and desires of your group. Odyssey know this land intimately and will put their knowledge at your disposal. With permission to enter special areas of Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, The Kimberley, Litchfield National Park and Manyallaluk Aboriginal lands, you will venture far from the crowds, into wilderness where stresses of everyday living simply melt away. Odyssey provide comfortable, air-conditioned, four wheel drive travel, quality tented accommodation (with hotel or lodges optional) and the fabulous experience of dining under the stars.
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air charter
Skysafari Experience diversity! There is simply no better way to experience this huge, compelling continent, than by air with Skysafari. Reef then rainforest’s in the opening hour, followed by sunburnt outback the next. Skysafari provides guests with a range of personalised, premium excursions within Tropical North Queensland, incorporating unique locations with interpretive local knowledge. Fly in safe, state of the art aircraft in an adventure that aims to exceed your expectations, by offering you superior access to an exclusive journey of a life time. Welcome to Skysafari.
This vast continent demands many hours of travelling time. Private air charter makes the inaccessible accessible and offers style, sophistication and perfect efficiency. Structure your own itinerary to match your interests at your own pace. Enjoy the unique canvass of unimaginable shades of reds, orange and crimson 10,000ft below as inland Australia unfolds. Best enjoyed with champagne!
ExecuJet
In today’s dynamic and competitive air charter environment, it is more important than ever to choose a business aviation partner that understands your needs. A partner that takes a serious, multi-faceted approach to business aviation. The ExecuJet Aviation Group has over fifteen years aviation expertise and is a global company that can source charter aircraft from over five continents. With a modern and versatile fleet, ExecuJet can offer aircraft to suit any type of mission requirement, from the light jet to the wide body, meeting the highest levels of professionalism, integrity and discretion. Professionally trained staff are on call 24 / 7 worldwide, providing cost effective solutions. No request is too big or too small for this operator who takes great pride in tailoring a discreet, safe, comfortable and time-efficient journey.
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Red Baron
Aerial acrobatics... There is absolutely nothing like it! Let the Red Baron treat you to the neck-numbing, adrenalin inducing, roller coaster of thrills 2000ft above Sydney, as your pilot gives you a taste of the G-forces Baron Manfred von Richtoffen himself experienced during combat. Prepare yourself for the ride of your life, flying with the Red Baron over the most spectacular harbour in the world, Sydney’s stunning Northern Beaches and beyond or the magical Blue Mountains. Red Baron can now indulge your childhood fantasy by giving you control of the Robin 2160 aerobatic trainer. With the ‘hands on’ aerobatic flight, your instructor will empower you to take the controls and maneuver this magnificent flying machine through level flight, a loop and a roll!
Direct Air Tours
Australia is an immense continent, with roughly the same land mass as the USA. Direct Air Tours customizes itineraries aimed at the unique touring experience. Matching panoramic aerial views with quality walk-in close-ups, Direct’s broad range of tours allow guests to immerse themselves in some of Australia’s iconic attractions in the shortest possible time. From individuals through to groups over one hundred, Direct Air understands the special skills required to enhance the experience, helping create memories that will last a lifetime.
Australia By Air Australia by Air’s Full Day Air Safari begins in Sydney with a scenic flight over the spectacular Blue Mountains - there is no better way to appreciate the grandeur of this World Heritage wilderness. Landing at a typical Australian sheep and cattle station, your very welcoming hosts provide a genuine insight into their life on the land. A 4WD tour showcases the Australian bush and some of its unique wildlife. After a delicious BBQ lunch, a short flight lands amongst the Hunter Valley vineyards for private touring and tastings. The day culminates in a coastal scenic flight, with stunning views over Sydney Harbour as the city lights appear. All touring is conducted in immaculately maintained twin-engine aircraft, with all guests enjoying a window seat and headset to follow the pilot’s engaging commentary. No other Sydney day tour provides such a diversity of genuine Australian experiences and landscapes.
Discovery Air Tours (DC3) Encounter Australia’s vast continent flying in the legendary and eloquent DC3. Discovery Australia Air Tours will take you on an exhilarating visual journey over and into some of the most spectacular landscapes in Australia. The DC3 is an absolute twentieth century classic, having literally changed the world as a tourist aircraft. It is able to fly safely and comfortably at lower altitudes and at a speed that allows you to fully enjoy the view. Discovery Australia Air Tours completes Australia’s touring with the ultimate in nostalgic air travel.
Broome Helicopter Services
Antartica Flights
Broome Helicopter Services can provide you with a trip to Eden. Located between the idyllic waters of the North West Australian Archipelago and the awe-inspiring world renowned Kimberley region. Swim in waterholes of crystal clear water surrounded by the cliffs of brilliant gorges one day and stay on beaches of pure white sand under a billion stars the next, either of which may never have been visited before. Visit coral reefs or vast desert beauty.Broome’sexperiencedcrewwillescortyouinsafety throughsomeoftheworldslastuntouchedcountry,eyeing unique native Australian wildlife through the perspective of the gods. See rock art older than the pyramids and share what has been called a “spiritual experience”. Taste the foods of the Australian bush. Fish in some of the worldsrichestwaters.Broomewillmeetyourexpectations whether they be 5 star or camping under 5 million stars.
Australia is often regarded as the great southern land, yet just a little further south lies the world’s highest, driest, coldest and windiest continent – Antarctica. Breathtaking Antarctica sightseeing flights operated by multi award-winning Croyden Travel, in conjunction with Australian Pacific Touring and Qantas have taken over 25,000 people to experience the worlds last ‘great white wilderness’. Flying the 747-400 aircraft, your on-board experience is further enhanced by their panel of experts, including world accredited Antarctic scientists, glaciologists, explorers, adventurers, mountaineers and of course Qantas’s legendary in-flight service.
air safaris Experience diversity. There is simply no better way to experience this vast, compelling continent, than by air. Given the sheer size of Australia, choosing to fly presents a terrific opportunity to cover huge distances and amazing destinations in a relatively short time. Tailor an exhilarating charter, in consultation with expert air charter companies, over and into some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. This will cover the sights and regions that most appeal to you.
Cape York Helicopters
Picture yourself on a safari deep into Far North Australia, fishing remote jungle streams and hunting the open savannah plains for huge wild boar with Australia’s renowned adventurer, Captain Dennis “Brazakka” Wallace and Cape York Helicopters. If rough roads, dust and a lack of time deter you from experiencing Australia’s beautiful Cape York Peninsula, here is the answer. With individually tailored safaris, Cape York’s flexibility allows you to plan a trip which will accommodate both your time and your interests. This is the ultimate wilderness adventure, from the eyes of an eagle.
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safaris On safari… discover total five star service in the hands of an expert, whose sole purpose is to foster your encounter with the great Australian bush. Imagine touring remarkable landscapes in state of the art 4wds pausing to encounter wildlife, unique coloured landforms and unbridled wilderness. Swim in cool pandanus fringed waterholes, view spectacular gorges and ancient Aboriginal rock art. At the end of the day camp in style, with delicious cuisine, quality wines and great conversation, under a canopy of constellations, planets and shooting stars.
Odyssey Tours & Safaris
The broad northern sweep of the Australian continent is a spectacular area, encompassing some of the most wildly scenic, unusual and richly bestowed natural environments to be found anywhere in the world. With Odyssey Tours & Safaris, you will travel in comfortable 4WDs and stay in quality permanent tented accommodation, specially designed for the tropics. Odyssey specialise in tailoring an adventure from the splendour of the Kimberley, to the deep Katherine River snaking through its sandstone gorge to the floodplains of Kakadu National Park. The continuous home of Aboriginal inhabitants for more than forty thousand years, the region is host to the world’s oldest rock art, providing an invaluable insight to the region’s strong Aboriginal heritage. This wilderness experience captures the essence of Australia’s top end, with its abundance of rare flora and fauna, brilliant swimming holes and strangely beautiful rock formations that are as varied and exciting as anything you will ever encounter.
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Connections Safaris
As the dry season progresses, Kakadu’s birds and reptiles are crammed into ever shrinking wetlands, transforming Yellow Waters Lagoon into a spectacular open air zoo, packed with frogs, birds, snakes and the park’s wildlife drawcard – crocodiles. Here is just one example of the magnificent diversity encountered with Connections Safaris Three Day Kakadu Experience. Adventuring with passionate expert guides, staying in picturesque permanent tented sites, has helped cement award-winning Connections Safaris reputation as the Top End professionals. Connections Safaris expertise will take you as close as possible to Kakadu’s amazing attractions, including 30,000 year old rock art, with its rich culture of legends and dreams plus the breathtaking beauty of Jim Jim and Twin Falls, with their spectacular rock pools and lush surrounds.
Banskia Adventures Fly The Flinders
The Flinders Ranges is one of the most extraordinary regions in Australia, combining breathtaking scenery with an abundance of unique wildlife and native plants. It is also a region steeped rich in history, from its proud indigenous culture, to the first European pioneers and the amazing rare fossils found amongst this ancient terrain. Banksia Adventures offer a two-day ‘Fly to the Flinders’ tour, taking in the very best of this fascinating region. The scenery from the air is awe-inspiring. This is a land of enormous environmental diversity - rugged peaks towering above outback plains, where cool creeks and mysterious waterholes sparkle within jagged gorges, forming a very special backdrop for the myriad of Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Emus that live here. To really experience the majesty of this region, Banksia fly you over ancient Aboriginal land and the Gammon Ranges National Park to discover the geological wonderland that is the Northern Flinders Ranges. Remote, rugged, real Australia – you won’t get better than this.
Sacred Earth Safaris The Northern Territory, Kakadu and the Kimberley are the last frontiers of Australia, with ancient landscapes,spectacularwaterfalls,pristinerockpools andmagnificentgorges.SacredEarthprovidessmall group tours, with no more than 6 people, from 2 to 13 days or charters tailored for special interests and time frames – bird watching, photography, ancient Aboriginal rock art and culture, wildlife, fishing and many others. Travelling in luxury 4WDs with knowledgeable and highly professional guides, withcomfortablecampingandaccommodation,see this special part of the world in all its splendour.
Lords Safaris
Hawk Dreaming With special permission from the traditional aboriginal custodians, Aussie Adventure Holidays offer Kakadu Hawk Dreaming Safari Camp. Tour this diverse landscape of rich colours and pristine wildernesswithexpertguides,ponderingAboriginal Dreamtime, swimming in beautiful waterholes, walking ochre coloured gorges, discovering native plant and wildlife, and draw inspiration from the greatest canopy of stars on earth.
Kakadu and Arnhemland are lands of unparalleled richness and diversity, with Kakadu alone home to more than 75 species of reptiles and more than a third of all Australian bird species, with bias towards the large and exotic. Lords Kakadu and Arnhemland Safaris is your ticket for the ultimate Australian Top End experience. Sab Lord and his team enjoy an intimacy with local Aboriginals that few others can match, resulting in privileged access to some of the regions best kept secrets, including ancient rock art sites, waterholes and wildlife treasures that are strictly off limits to all but a fortunate few. This multiple award-winning company specializes in small, personalized groups of two or more. All tours are flexible, large charters are available to meet client requirements providing an intimate experience across this World Heritage listed wonderland.
Wilderness Challenge
Queensland’s Far North boasts some unforgettable wilderness experiences - the majesty of World Heritage listed rainforest, the seclusion of CapeYork, the continent’s northernmost reach, renowned wildlife of The Iron Range and sacred Quinkan rock art. Wilderness Challenge’s specialist guides will show you a wondrous corner of the continent through a personal bush experience.You’ll discover your own splendid isolation with this multi award-winning operator. Swim in a crystal-clear springfed creek and marvel at carnivorous plants. Catch an eagle’s eye view from a helicopter, sweeping over a turquoise Torres Strait. Touch your creative heart dabbling with paint and canvas. Brace yourself for the Telegraph Track’s four wheel drive challenges and beauty. Enjoy some of the best fishing in Australia with a local expert. Search for pythons and rare mammals by night, and wake to the morning bird chorus. Camp alongside a wilderness stream or by a pristine beach and relive the day’s adventures with bush poetry around the campfire. You’ll enjoy a high level of comfort and freedom using a luxurious camper-trailer with queen-size bed and bathroom facilities, and gourmet bush meals.Wilderness resorts are also available. Immerse yourself in the landscapes surrounding you, and truly discover Australia.
Bamurru Plains
Experience wild bush luxury at Bamurru Plains - an extraordinary wilderness on the coastal floodplains of the Mary River delta in the Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory. Situated just west of Kakadu National Park, Bamurru Plains is utterly exclusive, rustically chic and in total simpatico with the surrounding country. A style of accommodation more akin to some of the safari camps in Africa, but new to Australia, Bamurru Plains’ attraction lies in the wonderful diversity and sheer volume of bird, reptile and wildlife of the surrounding floodplains and savannah woodland. Bamurru appreciate that while an exclusive bush experience doesn’t need to be five-star in thetraditionalsense,therearekeyelementstoanexclusive stay in the bush: supreme bedding, quality linen, great bathrooms, superb food and wine, plus excellent guiding.
australia safaris
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aboriginal culture Immerse yourself in the oldest, continuous culture on the planet, dating back from between 60 to 150,000 years. Australian aboriginal civilization is anchored to its land, not through ownership, but rather by belonging. Aboriginal people share their insights into this ancient land through art, story telling, dance, music and actively living off the land. Modern culture has evolved embracing the past teaching and ways of life and is fascinating for the outsider to absorb.
Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
Mount Borradaile Safari Camp in the Arnhemland is the gateway to a vast tropical Australian savannah hosting a myriad of unique eco-systems abundant with wildlife. Max and Phillipa Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris have a long historical connection with the Aboriginal people who occupy this pristine wilderness and through their personal relationship offer a genuine and uplifting Australian experience. The incredibly knowledgeable Max Davidson, former jackaroo, farmer and buffalo hunter,nowmasterbushman,istheperfectsafarioperator with 30 years as a specialist nature guide. Balanced with the astonishing variety of wildlife and the thrill of catching a huge barramundi, are some of the world’s oldest, most profuse and exceptional indigenous rock art. No wonder guests come back time and again.
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Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
Undoubtedly Australia’s best example of experiential travel. Nature - best ecotourism Australia. Culture - best authentic Aboriginal culture. Nurture - best spa retreat Australia. All are entwined into every aspect of the experience at the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa. This multiaward-winning Lodge, set in the world’s oldest rainforest, is also renowned for its 15 treehouse villas, superb cuisine with a native twist and authentic Aboriginal experiences. UniquespatreatmentsandmassagescombineAboriginal techniques passed down through millennium of years of learned wisdom to incorporate “Wawu-Karrba” (the healing spirit). Interpretive rainforest walks with the Lodge’s Kuku Yalanji guides, dot art creating and story telling are available in relaxed, interactive and noncontrived experiences. Continually rasing the bar in the world spa industry, the Lodge now offers an entirely new experience that is as far removed from daily life as you can imagine. The ultimate spa experience, unique in the world, takes place deep in the rainforest, on a large timber deck cantilevered over the rocks and valley, with the property’s pristine waterfall as the dramatic backdrop.
Tiwi Island The happy, ultra hospitable Tiwi Islanders have been welcoming tourists for over twenty years. If you are looking for genuine Aboriginal cultural exchange, this is it. Aussie Adventures, a small group holiday specialist, offer an eye opening one and two day Aboriginal experience. The proud strongly knit community have successfully combined modern living with their cherished ancient ways, laws and traditions. Their art is magnificent. Those who want to really immerse themselves in this experience, may camp overnight in a pristine part of the island and participate in traditional, still expert, food hunting and gathering.
Aurukun Wetland Charters
Enjoy the pristine wetlands, rivers and country of the Aurukun artists from Western Cape York in Queenslands tropical north. Indulge in a spot of croc watching and harvest honey from native sting-less bees or fish these rich tropical waters for lunch or dinner. For an enchanting experience in one of the last truly remote areas of Australia, cruise aboard the MV Pikkuw and interact with the traditional owners of the Aurukun area. Their intimate relationship with the land and the water will make this experience unforgettable. The Aurukun wetlands are ideally suited to eco-tours, featuring a wide range of birdlife, flora and fauna and relaxing river cruising. This wetland charter provides a unique way to explore an untouched world, with interpretation and insight from indigenous Wik and Wik Way people.
Bangabaoui Aboriginal Cultural Cruise Initially targeting Australian High School Students, it soon became apparent that this tremendous initiative had a much broader appeal. Now The Bangabaoui Aboriginal Cultural Harbour Cruise is available to all those who wish to explore the environment and history of Sydney Harbour from an indigenous perspective. This is an enthralling and eye-opening cruise, whatever one’s culture.
The Great Green Way Ecotours – Bush tucker Magnetic Island Warren Whitfield is a trained botanist and an expert in traditional Aboriginal culture. He’ll open your eyes to a range of traditional tastes in the natural bushland on Magnetic Island. From the tangy, citric taste of the green ant to the acrid, but vitamin enriched “rotten cheese”fruit – your eyes will be opened to the many uses Australia’s Indigenous population had for the country’s native flora and fauna. Warren will reveal the culinary and medicinal purposes contained in just about every plant and animal on Magnetic Island.
Quinkan Regional Cultural Centre Laura
Poruma Island
Famous for its rock art, Quinkan Country in North Queensland contains a large and dramatic body of prehistoric rock paintings. The aboriginal managed, World Heritage listed Quinkan Reserves are among the top 10 rock art areas on the planet. The Quinkan and Regional Cultural Centre showcases all aspects of area including aboriginal and nonaboriginal heritage plus the natural environment. A fascinating insight into the history of settlement in this remote outback environment paints the true story of Australian pioneering heritage. Guided tours to all of the regions rock art sites, are offered here, as well as information on other regional attractions, in addition to those around Cape York Peninsula. And it’s not all culture; the Centre has something of interest for everyone from the keen fisherman to young families.
Aboriginal & Rainforest Heritage The World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, holds a very special significance to the Aboriginal Kuku Yalanji people and now with Down Under by Appointment, the opportunity to be exclusively guided through this inspiring rainforest by a member of this very tribe exists. Depending on the seasons, gather food, throw spears and experience traditional hunting in the mudflats, mangroves and beach habitats. This is a wonderful journey of discovery, woven together by the Tropical North’s most experienced, luxury-conscious professionals.
Located between Australia and Papua New Guinea are the Torres Strait Islands, some of the most untouched islands in the world, home to a welcoming and friendly people and ancient culture – like a large and infectiously happy family. The luxuriously appointed thatched guest suites on Poruma Island cleverly combine the original island style with absolute modern comfort. There’s once in a lifetime fishing (from handline to deep sea gamefishing) and world class snorkelling and diving. The locals will teach you their hereditary crafts and traditional fishing techniques. Or you can be dropped off at your very own deserted island where the only other tracks on the beach are those of the turtles who have clambered ashore to lay eggs. Then after the spectacular sunset, turn to the mouthwatering seafood and local produce. Here is the ultimate island getaway.
Guurrbi Tours Willie Gordon
Willie Gordon, a Nugal-Warra elder and Guugu Yimithir speaker is passionate about his culture and spirituality. This highly regarded, dramatically articulate and very generous individual, shares a fascinating introduction to Aboriginal culture and society, as well as traditional survival techniques of his people. He is the host, guide and raconteur on this tour that visits rock art sites including the Great Emu Cave and other places of significance to his people, ancient, treasured and located where only his know-how can lead you. Behind the art lies the story of the Nugal-Warra people.“This art reminds us who we are and renews our historical and spiritual links to the land.”
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY DaintreeEcoLodge
AurukunWetland Charters
PorumaIsland
Davidson’sArnhemlandSafaris
Willie Gordon
Quinkan Regional Cultural Centre Laura australia aboriginal culture
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wildlife conservation Australia is ‘mega diverse’. One of only 17 countries recognised as supporting a significant proportion of the world’s biodiversity. A staggering 80% of all mammals, reptiles and flowering plants are unique to Australia, a wonderful prospect for wildlife enthusiasts to explore and engage. Conservation, through understanding and cooperation, is achieved by research and education in a range of wilderness camps, sanctuaries, modern resorts and vast natural habitats where wildlife flourishes.
Lifetime Private Retreats Kangaroo Island
Stay at Lifetime Private Retreats and discover wildness, vitality, laughter and the total joy of being you, in one of the world’s great island hideaways. Choose from just three secluded, beautiful homes amid one hundred pristine acres on Australia’s undiscovered natural sanctuary, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Nature’s drama is played out here – rugged cliffs, empty beaches – a place where dolphins often frolic in the bay, whilst ospreys soar above the waves. Go fly a kite, talk to the kangaroos, plunge into the surf, roam the cliffs and return to find your personal chef has created a private lunch with famous local Kangaroo Island produce rivaling the world’s best, but quietly kept here by and for those in-the-know. Later when the stars come out, dine exclusively with them too!
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Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa
Opening early 2008. Bounded by the Blue Mountains World Heritage site, secreted in Australia’s Great Dividing Range, less than three hours from Sydney, sits Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa. Formed when the Grand Canyon was a narrow stream, the Blue Mountain’s wide valleys, sandstone cliffs, deep canyons and rivulets have justifiably earned it the reputation as one of the most breathtaking places in Australia. You can’t believe you are so close to the metropolis of Sydney! The seclusion of Emirates Wolgan Valley gives travellers the opportunity to experience a haven of wildlife, natural beauty and relaxation. Here guests can soak up the rich heritage of the region while experiencing the Australian wilderness in unsurpassed luxurious comfort.
Mornington Wilderness Camp
With just over 180 bird species, including the endangered Gouldian Finch, plus spectacular canoeing, bushwalking and guided tours, Mornington Wilderness Camp showcases a natural paradise. When the not-for-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy bought over 800,000 acres of a former cattle ranch for biodiversity conservation it created an ecological jewel. Featuring amazing gorges and tropical savannah, it now attracts visitors and scientists from all over the world. The camp’s safari style tents each have an ensuite and private balcony overlooking picturesque Annie Creek along with a beautiful open air restaurant and bar. For the adventurous traveller, this is a unique opportunity to experience one of Australia’s leading wilderness camps,whilealsohelpingtosaveAustralia’sendangeredwildlife.
MAP KEY Wolgan Valley
Meringa Springs
CampChivaree
Mornington Wilderness Camp
Lifetime Private Retreats
Camp Chivaree Mapoon Cape York Turtle
Welcome to Cape York Turtle Rescue. Perched at the tropical top of Australia, here research into these critically endangered species is carried out in a truly unique region of Far North Queensland – just 200 kilometres from the tip, on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula. Working alongside the traditional aboriginal owners, join in playing an active role in saving a species that first appeared over 100 million years ago. Accommodation is at Camp Chivaree with waterfront quality modern bush campfacilities.AremoteAustralianwildernessexperience for those who wish to make a difference, being different.
Healesville Sanctuary Aussies rave about it! Healesville Sanctuary, Australia’s premier wildlife park, is nestled in the heart of Victoria’s beautiful Yarra Valley. Koalas, dingoes, kangaroos and the unique platypus are just a few of the 200 species of Australian wildlife flourishing in a beautiful bushlandenvironmentoftoweringgumtrees and lush tree ferns. Renowned as the best place in the world to see Australian animals in their natural habitats, management pride themselves on structuring presentations to enrich your Australian wildlife experience.
Exceptional Kangaroo Island Imagine yourself quietly moving through the bush, when your guide points - however you can’t see anything. Suddenly a small grey animal hops across the track. Your guide whispers, “Tammar Wallaby”, now extinct on the mainland. Exceptional Kangaroo Island are a small enthusiastic team specializing in deluxe wildlife tours since 1986. This island’s diverse landscapes provides habitat for over 250 bird species, fur seals, endemic kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypus and whales, to name but a few. Travel as part of a small group or charter your own private adventure, enjoy excellent food and wine and seek out wildlife in its own natural habitat. The experience with Exceptional Kangaroo Island is unforgetable.
Rainforest Habitat The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife park of the future and a world leader in mixed immersion exhibits. Situated in Port Douglas, tropical North Queensland, on eight acres of land that has been recreated to provide window after window into our natural environment. Visitors can wander through three different unique environments thatdepictoveronehundredandeightyspecies of the surrounding rainforest, wetlands and grasses. Indulge in a superb Breakfast with the Birds whilst wildlife roams freely around you. Informative guided tours, experiential displays and immersion exhibits provide an exhilarating andeducationalexperiencefoundnowhereelse.
Meringa Springs Grampians National Park
Set in the heart of country Victoria’s majestic Grampians National Park, is Meringa Springs Luxury Lodge. This exclusive oasis of privacy and peace overlooks stunning rural scenery that boasts massive rock outcrops, deep gorges, waterfalls and wild flowers,betweendeepcoversofeucalyptforestandafascinating range of Australian wildlife. On summer evenings, enjoy predinner drinks whilst kangaroos frolic in front of the bar. The Lodge offers sophistication with high ceilings, rich timber finishesandstylishdecormatchedwithhighstandardsofservice and exceptional modern Australian cuisine. Meringa Springs is the perfect base to explore and discover this bountiful region.
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remote
MORE INFORMATION
Mobile phones don’t ring, email un-downloadable, television blank… escape to the peace of remote Australia. Answer the call of the wild, the messengers of nature, the seasons, flora and fauna. Explore the ancient and diverse landforms of earth, take your seat in the comfy couch of Mother Nature, enjoying a stage show like no other. Vast red desert plains, rugged red ochre stained gorges, fascinating indigenous rock art, waterfalls and inviting rock pools. Network the vital social and cultural fabric that remote pubs provide, as people meet, sharing news, ideas and the obligatory ice-cold beer.
Peppers Seven Spirit Bay
Peppers Seven Spirit Bay is the Northern Territory’s first flora and fauna reserve, secluded within a National Park on traditional Aboriginal-owned land and surrounded by stunning marine park waters. The lodge, Australia’s most northerly on the mainland, is superbly and harmoniously sited, a few metres from the sea in virtually untouched forest. Accessible only by plane, here is an opportunity to experience absolute wilderness and environmental diversity that is quite extraordinary, with a wide variety of activities to match – including sport fishing in their vessels, safaris and cruises. Or, simply relax and let it all sink in. Overlooking sapphire blue waters and monsoonal rainforest, capped by spectacular Top End sunsets overlooking the Arafura Sea, this enchanting land will touch your soul and inspire your sense of adventure.
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The Prairie Hotel
Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Peppers Seven Spirit Bay
North Bundaleer
Kimberley Coast Camp
The Prairie Hotel
Great Aussie Outback Pub Crawl
ElQuestroHomestead
Welcome to Australia’s most awarded outback hotel - the Prairie Hotel. As far as Australian outback hotels (pub) go, this is about as fair dinkum (genuine) as it gets! The Prairie Hotel perfectly blends outback adventure with a slice of city luxury – and a lot of style. The township of Parachilna has a population of just seven, however this remoteness adds to the pleasurable allure of its one and only hotel. The Prairie Hotel is truly an oasis on the plains of the Flinders Ranges, one of the most ancient and diverse environments on earth. The hotel affords breathtaking views of the ranges and the vast red desert plains sweeping toward Lake Torrens, whilst inside you will find great character, charm and creature comforts – topped off with superb cuisine. The Prairie takes the best ingredients of the Australian outback and turns them into something delightful.
Kimberley Coastal Camp
It doesn’t get any more remote than this! Kimberley Coastal Camp is a unique permanent camp on the remote and pristine shores of Admiralty Gulf in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The Camp is the ultimate retreat from the hectic lifestyle of city living, combining an exciting wilderness escape with a stunning luxury campsite, affording guests spacious private rooms, magic views, swimming pool and exquisite gourmet food. The tremendous fishing opportunities of the Northern Kimberley’s untouched waters are a feature of Kimberley Coastal Camp, providing expert guides, equipment and a state of the art sports fishing boat to give you the fishing experience of a lifetime. Camp is an ideal base for bird watchers, naturalists, beachcombers and hikers, whilst boasting one the richest repositories of indigenous rock art in the world – the unrivalled remote Australian experience.
Outback Ballooning With Outback Ballooning, the adventure has begun some one and a half hours in the pre-dawn, ensuring these colourful tranquil ships of the sky greet a spectacular MacDonnell Ranges sunrise full of life. Whilst floating gently in the air, appreciate the vast remoteness and scenery of classical Australian outback. See big red kangaroos, spinifex grasses and cattle stations as these majestic wonders combine the romance of yesteryear with a stunning outback experience.
Voyages El Questro Homestead
El Questro Homestead and Wilderness Park, The Kimberley, is unquestionably one of the world’s unique holiday destinations. The homestead setting is heavenly. Amid a cool oasis shaded by palm trees and tropical greenery, it sits atop an escarpment that plummets into the Chamberlain River – one of the property’s four major river systems. Animal, fish and bird life congregate in the waters. A working cattle station spread over one million incredibly diverse acres, ranging from rugged gorges through spectacular waterfalls and lush rainforest pockets, to tidal flats, El Questro provides a quintessential Australian holiday experience on the eastern perimeter of the Kimberley Range, one of the last true, unspoilt frontiers.
North Bundaleer
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventure APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures have established Australia’s most extensive network of permanent wilderness camps, with the Mitchell Plateau being no exception. As part of a long standing partnership with APT, the ‘Top End’ experts and the Aboriginal traditional owners – theWunambai people - welcome you to explore their land. Located in the Northern Kimberley, the Mitchell Plateau is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is wild and remote. APT’s dedicated team are well placed to show this area of significant Aboriginal heritage, being home to the striking Livistona eastoni palm, the beautiful Mitchell River and stunning Merton Falls.
Situated on 400 acres of native bushland and farmland, North Bundaleer was completed in 1901, one of the last grand pastoral homesteads built in South Australia. This oasis of opulence and eccentricity is a magnificent hosted rural retreat, in the Clare Valley region on the way to the Flinders Ranges and on the edge of the outback. Although the surroundings may be grand, the atmosphere is decidedly relaxed and informal, the perfect environment in which to relax, unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of life – a good meal, fresh air and good company. Visit the historic mining towns of Burra and Mintaro, bush walking along the Heyson and Mawson trails that traverse the stunning Bundaleer Forest or if you can’t be bothered stay in to be discreetly spoiled by your devoted hosts. This is a remote Australian country experience that has it all.
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventure El-Questro Station and Wilderness Park is a working cattle station of one million acres, representing one of the most picturesque and memorable Kimberley destinations. With a herd of over 5000, the wilderness park opened its gates to travellers and APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures so their guests may enjoy the impressive gorges, waterways, thermal pools, wildlife and Aboriginal rock art it has to offer. Whatever your level of activity or interest, El Questro has it all. Cruise the Chamberlain Gorge, taking a guided bush walk viewing Bradshaw rock art, soaking in Zebedee Springs, then relaxing in camp watching the sunset turn the Cockburn Ranges into a stunning fiery backdrop. What a place! What a day!
Great Aussie Outback Pub Crawl
Banksia Adventures present the mother of all pub crawls. The Great Aussie Outback Pub Crawl is more than just a tour of the Flinders Ranges and the extremes of the Australian outback. It takes one of the country’s great cultural traditions, ‘the pub-crawl’ and translates it into a journey through the folklore and history of remote Australia. Fly over Australia’s largest salt lake, Lake Eyre and the Channel country, before an overnight stay at one of the oldest, perhaps most iconic Aussie outback hotels - the Birdsville Hotel in Western Queensland. Discover Australia’s astonishing flora and fauna, whilst walking over some of the oldest landforms on earth. Visit a ghost town and a rare form of opal mining. Fly to the township of Innamincka, which is nestled near the banks of Cooper’s Creek for a true Aussie lunch and enjoy a refreshing cold ale or two. Spectacular scenery, historic towns and buildings, rarely seen by the average tourist, but here, often viewed from a unique vantage point in a sight-studded five days.
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north west australia - the last frontier North Western Australia is the last frontier... An ancient, inspirational land of enormous environmental diversity, with vast cattle stations, deep gorges, glittering waterways, remote coastline and fascinating indigenous history. Unknown to Europeans until the mid 1980’s, the Bungle Bungle’s enormous orange black striped rock formations, is this region’s heart. The pearling township of Broome its soul. The North West - endless vistas and big skies.
Spirit of Broome Hovercraft
Discover the most biodiverse bay in the world - Broome’s Roebuck Bay which is accessible only by hovercraft. Alight on a secluded beach and stand in 120 million year old dinosaur footprints. Explore the old Broome jetty. See remains of the flying boats strafed during WWII. Gain an insight into the huge impact of the pearling industry. All this on a fast paced, highly energetic journey, where the tides, the world’s fourth largest, are ideal for hovercraft. Toursareundertakenatlowertidestoaccentuatetheeffect of flying over unusual shoreline and the ocean. All flights are accompanied by witty and educational commentary. Be amazed at the history that hides on the ocean floor.
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McAlpine House
What we have here is very special. Step back in time with modern luxury at McAlpine House, catering to special guests from the four corners of the globe. This beautifully renovated authentic pearler’s home built in 1910, is now a magnificent boutique hotel of only nine rooms, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and populated by exotic birds. This graceful heritage listed property gives a sense of that greatest of luxuries – time. With easy access to shops, restaurants, museums and galleries, McAlpine’s personal service, outstanding facilities, combined with a wonderful ambience and old world charm come together ensuring McAlpine House is the ideal base for travelers who seek a tranquil and memorable Broome holiday base.
Broome Helicopter Services
The Kimberley is a land of wild treasures, where our creative Father has weaved some of his finest tapestry, yet so much of this beauty will only ever be seen by a privileged few. With a wide range of itineraries – 10 minutes to one week - Broome Helicopter Services offer scenic flights, fishing charters, cultural aboriginal tours and individually tailored charters for the adventure of a lifetime. Broome’s pilots have an intimate knowledge and genuine love of the Kimberley region making them perfect leaders for such an experience. This company’s main aim is to exceed passenger expectations with each and every flight and with the long range state of the art Bell JetRanger granting access to some of Australia’s most amazing sites, they certainly meet their aim.
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures Torrential wet season rains, an abundance of waterways and FatherTime have combined to carve some of Northern Australia’s most impressive gorges through the Kimberley. APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures have pieced together an enterprising assortment of touring packages, covering each of these striking works of nature. Comfortable, purpose-built 4WD vehicles take small groups, in the hands of expert, passionate guides, viewing rugged granite ranges and an ancient barrier reef, housing spectacular gorges that are the centrepiece of the region. A fine example is Bell Gorge boasting a spectacular waterway of cascading pools, cliffs and ledges. Explore the range, wander the gorge or simply relax in the pools and ponder life.
Captain Kennedys Soak up the relaxing surrounds of Old Broome from Captain Kennedy’s House and Cottage. Beautifully established tropical gardens set the tone for an easy ambience that flows throughout this superb five-bedroom property, which boasts its own fully self-contained cottage and stunning pool. Ideally situated in the centre of town and a short stroll to Town Beach, this luxurious master pearling residence offers guests a special hideaway from which to enjoy the delights of this magical region.
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures Nestled in the sweep of the Ord River Valley is the newly listed World Heritage Bungle Bungle (Purnululu) National Park. This area of incredible beauty and fascination was only discovered by the outside world in the early 1980’s. The Bungle Bungle sandstone massif dates back some 380 million years, with the striking bee-hive domes having protected aboriginal rock art, sacred sites and rare vegetation for centuries. APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures offer an extensive range of touring options granting access to these fragile treasures. Exclusive to APT is their Bungle Bungle wilderness camp in the heart of the park, presenting a prefect base from which to explore the grandest of the distinctive Kimberley formations.
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured.
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures has been operating four wheel drive safari tours throughout the Kimberley for more than twelve years and are recognized as the touring specialists in the region. This multiple award-winning company pride themselves on an ever increasing range of touring options that will enrich and enhance your‘Top End’ life experience. APT offer a diverse range of travel styles, each one committed to exceeding guest expectation and delivering the ultimate holiday experience.The Kimberley is one of those rare destinations that captures the imagination of the visitor with its sweeping ranges, glittering waterways and fascinating indigenous history. Bordered by the great flat deserts to the south and the sparkling Indian Ocean expanse to the north, the sheer beauty and magical scenery of the regions geological formations will place this experience right up there with the very best.
Sling Air When it comes to discovering the East Kimberley region in Western Australia Sling Air are the experts with twenty-two years experience. The Kimberley is famous for its awe-inspiring scenery, amazing mountain ranges, deep gorges and canyons, mighty rivers and breathtaking coastlines. With scenic air tours, charters, air safaris and spectacular helicopter flights, Sling Air have this experience covered boasting a fleet of over 50 aircraft. This multi awardwinning company specializes in touring the most remote areas of the striking Kimberley region - the last frontier.
Faraway Bay
It’s remote and it’s just a little rugged... Perched on a clifftop on the tip of Western Australia. The Bush Camp at Faraway Bay lies hidden from the world, waiting to show you a kaleidoscope of nature with those little luxury items, that help match this experience with your dreams.Tumbling rocks have formedawesomecliffsofrainbowcolours,ever-changinginthe harshsoftnessofthisagelessland.Soaringeagles,jumpingfish and shooting stars mingle with the 12 guests who have chosen to experience The Bush Camp Faraway Bay. A very mixed experience. Cruise on the Diamond Lass to the King George Falls, magnificent after the rains season, dramatic when they are dry. Some casual fishing in the bay as the sky becomes a collage of colours. Freshly caught fish compliments fresh bakedbread.Orperhapstrysomeothertastyfoodpreparedby the Faraway Bay hostess. Sleep soundly in secure cabins.Wake to panoramic views and watch the morning sunrise. Listen to the birds or laze in the pool and contemplate a swing in the hammock. There is so much you can do at Faraway Bay. australia the last frontier
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outback life Experience the smell of saddle leather and dust, rub shoulders with hardened stockmen, share a cold beer after a day of action filled cattle mustering. This is station life. Enjoy three hearty meals a day, the produce of the land, perhaps the finest beef you will ever taste, served in a classical Australian homestead. Outback life is full of history; stories of the people who strove to open up this inhospitable land and the original aboriginal dwellers whose link to the land contrasts those of the station. It is an experience of real people living a life so different...
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY AngorichinaStation Bullo River Station Wrotham Park Lodge Burrawang West Station The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2007
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australia outback life
Angorichina Station
“The outback breeds a special kind of Australian and meeting them on home ground is one of the greatest experiences Australia has to offer.” With Ian and Di Fargher as your hosts, Angorichina Station represents the chance to become absorbed into the life of a working outback sheep station, that has been in this family’s hands for four generations. Deep in the heart of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, an ancient seabed has been sculptured by millions of years of rain into a fractured oasis of deep gullies covered with casuarinas and cypress pines. Here is Angorichina Station - roses and lavender hedges, green lawnsandshade,indeedanentreeintoaremarkableworld.
Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge
Wrotham Park Lodge is a premium cattle station of 600,000 hectares, providing an unparalleled outback experience offering wilderness, wildlife and complete luxury. Wrotham Park Lodge provides guests with a unique opportunity to engage with Australia’s heartland, to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of vast landscapes and wide skies, whilst engaging in activities that showcase legendary outback life and the experiences of the outback stockman. A total of 10 premium guest quarters, with touches inspired by the traditions of the landed gentry, are on a spectacular escarpment high above the banks of the Mitchell River. The “outback”; experiences are complemented by a range of activities from the relaxing to the exhilarating. Top-drawer quality in the real heart of Australia.
Arkaba Station Set deep in the heart of South Australia’s magnificent Flinders Ranges is the working sheep station of Arkaba. Here lies an opportunity to explore 100 square miles of incredibly diverse, beautiful landscape, ranging from craggy sandstone mountains to dry creek beds lined with River Red gum trees. Arkaba is a haven for geologists, bird watchers, photographers and painters, as well as those who simply wish to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the Australian outback. To stay with Dean and Lizzie Rasheed is an Australian outback experience never to be forgotten.
Burrawang West Station
Nestled within rich pastures and wide skies is a magnificent country estate, Burrawang West Station retreat. Steeped in history, this quintessential Australian station, operating since the mid 1800’s, produces some of Australia’s finest quality beef whilst offering a classical Australian outback experience in stylish luxury. The traditional homestead exteriors of the boutique lodges conceal sumptuously appointed interiors and the outstanding cuisine is accompanied by an impressive wine cellar. Kayak through peaceful billabongs, be serenaded by amazing bird life, whilst taking ‘billy tea’ under the river gums. Take to the air in a hot air balloon or fill the air with the throb of your aboriginal didgeridoo lesson. The rejuvenating activities will satisfy the most discerning guest.
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2007
500 head of cattle. 390 kilometres of desert track. And a swag of adventure stories along one of the most evocative desert trails in Australia - South Australia’s Oodnadatta Track. Here you have the rare opportunity to ride with some of Australia’s finest horsemen and relive a very real part of Australian history, the droving of cattle by horseback through the outback. From 5 May to 10 June 2007 you can join one of seven tours each with its own distinct highlights and camp village. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, you’ll be matched with a horse to suit your abilities. Enjoy the superb catering and unwind each evening alongside a roaring campfire beneath a canopy of desert stars. Saddle up for 2007 and be part of the ultimate outback experience.
Bullo River Station
Encircled by the coffee coloured waters of the Victoria River and rugged hills inscribed with aboriginal rock art, near the Western Australian and Northern Territory’s border is Bullo River Station. Immerse yourself in undoubtedly one of Australia’s premier hosted outback experiences, spread over half a million acres where nine thousand Brahman cross cattle share the land with a stunning variety of domestic fauna. This experience covers cattle mustering, fishing, guided aboriginal cultural insight, bird watching, helicopter sightseeing, exceptional cuisine and stunning scenery – a ‘hands-on’ outback experience, where people lead bigger, more adventurous lives.
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private villas Australia’s private villas are to be found in some of the worlds most idyllic locations. For example would you be tempted to take up residence at an address that simply says “somewhere in the rainforest”? Settle into your home, with the luxury and service you desire. Discover peaceful locations and the benefits they offer to the ideal holiday of relaxation, rejuvenation, entertainment, privacy and all at your own pace.
Bali Hai
So private the address reads“somewhere in the rainforest”. Bali Hai is an idyllic Daintree rainforest hideaway, where every room looks up into the Daintree mountains with breathtaking views of Mt Demi. Here your senses are stimulated, luxury surrounds you and time stands still. Every day pleasures float in easily in this unworried ambience, with your own fruit trees and herb gardens to wander through, your only neighbours being butterflies and birds. This award-winning architecturally designed boutique tropical retreat revolves around water, from the stunning wet edge pool and sunken baths to the pristine swimming holes and gentle rapids gurgling on the property’s edge. Relax, rejuvenate and be inspired at this wonderful Far North Queensland escape.
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australia private villas
Woodwark Bay
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Bali Hai
Kazangula
Woodwark Bay
Villa Empat Puluh Dua
Crown Towers
A retreat so private that even most Aussies don’t know about it. More than 4000 acres of spectacular exclusive property – to be enjoyed by no one but you. In the midst of the world-famous Whitsunday Islands beside the Great Barrier Reef there is a jewel – containing exquisitely appointedaccommodationforupto14guests,offeringover 100 kilometres of private roads to be explored, a private lake to be water-skied, jet-skied and fished on, waterfalls and picnic huts, plus a private beach where dolphins and turtles often come to play. All this surrounded by 50,000 acres of uninterrupted and untracked national parkland.
Kazangula
Wake to the sounds of native birds and rolling surf from this magnificent Noosa Beach split level home. Kazangula is a magical private paradise, spacious and beautifully appointed with art and collectables from around the world.With three double bedrooms, gourmet kitchen, several balconies and wonderful position, this luxurious residence, complements both the compact but cosmopolitan beachside of Noosa, at your doorstep, its glorious hinterland just a stone’s throw away. Its own microcosm of holiday Australia within easy reach from the stylish and urbane to the natural and pristine.
Villa Empat Puluh Dua
Perched high amongst tropical North Queensland’s beautiful flora on the shores of the Coral Sea, this villa offers breathtaking views of Port Douglas’s Four Mile beach, the surrounding rainforest and mountains. Inspired by Balinese architecture, with multiple decks and a stunning drop edge pool. Be soothed by the sound of birdsong, calling water and breaking waves. You can have the Villa all to yourself in total privacy (with daily maid and breakfast service) or have absolutely everything done for you, including a chef service. Or if you wish, the seven large bedrooms accommodate up to 14 people. The Villa has every imaginable luxury, sitting in perfect harmony with its tranquil surrounds and is the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and explore all this beautiful region has on offer.
Crown Towers, Melbourne
Beautifully located on the southern bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne, Crown Towers sets the benchmark for luxury hotels in Australia. Lavishly appointed and offeringanimpeccablestandardofserviceandattentionto detail, Crown Hotel is a hotel that truly understands the meaning of opulence. For the ultimate in luxury Crown Towers offers sumptuous villas from levels 32 to 39. Like elegant penthouse residences, the Villas feature an entry hall,powderroom,generouslivinganddiningareas,study or study alcove, and butler kitchen. Beautiful bathrooms display panoramic views of the city or of Port Phillip Bay. Levels 38 and 39 are dedicated whole floor villas that exceed any premium guest facilities in the world.
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unique places to stay Australia is a land of sheer contrasts. Endless ocean shores, great mountain ranges, a vast inhospitable inland and a fabled red centre. This has inspired the rise of an astonishing variety of unique places to stay and the opportunity to sample the wideranging lifestyle complementing each region. Exceptional vision and architecture has created inspired lodgings that share a splendid simpatico with their natural surroundings. They nourish the soul with hospitality at its best.
Moondance Lodge
Indulge in the spirit of Moondance... In a peaceful part of theworldwherenaturalbeautyaboundsandthestunning West Australian coastline meets the rolling vine-clad hills of Margaret River’s wine region, you’ll find multiple award-winning Moondance Lodge. Harmoniously set in 33acresofgloriousnaturalbushandgardens,Moondance is a sanctuary within nature, where guests can come and just be. Discover the true meaning of the words ‘Luxury Retreat’, through this boutique hideaway’s beautiful location, magnificent main lodge and eight uniquely furnished suites, boasting a thoroughly indulgent design that’s sure to nourish the soul and let your spirit soar.
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australia unique places to stay
Eagles Nest Retreat
Built in the finest Tasmanian Oak, Huon Pine and Blackwood timbers with magnificent floor to ceiling windows, Eagles Nest Retreat boast’s breathtaking 360 degree views of no fewer than eleven different mountain ranges, including dominant Mt Roland and the beautiful Cradle Mountain, only 1 hours drive away. The gateway to some ofTasmania’s finest wilderness, Eagles Nest offers unsurpassed indulgent accommodation in a world class destination. As the London Times said, “Were James Bond intent on seduction while undercover in Tasmania, he would undoubtedly use Eagles Nest Retreat”.
Moonlight Head Lodge
Be still, listen to your heartbeat, exhale, what do you hear? Nothing but the sound of the wilderness, with the rhythmic pulse of the surf as a backdrop. What do you see? The Southern Ocean, the never ending palette of greens of the Australian bush, kangaroos, kookaburras, parakeets sweeping past the windows, resplendent in their jewel colours and a night sky you never knew existed. Moonlight Head Lodge will touch a part of your mind you had long forgotten. This inspirational lodge designed by world-renowned Australian architects Glen Murcutt and Wendy Lewin is a balance in space, structure, form and harmony. It is truly a delight, working with the land at every turn, letting one become completely and utterly immersed in wonderful Australian coastal wilderness. Moonlight Head tempts sensory overload with every sight, sound and smell of stunning Australian bushland so delicious they envelope the body and refresh the mind. With a plethora of outdoor activities exposing guests to the best of The Great Ocean Road’s enticing coastline, Moonlight Head is a retreat to give back, what your life has taken out.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY MoondanceLodge Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge
Eagles Nest Retreat Moonlight Head Lodge Hidden Valley Forest Retreat
Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge
Take in fresh mountain air from this inspired high country setting. Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge is a luxurious boutique retreat, literally set on a mountain top, offering an intimate and relaxing experience in one of South East Queensland’s most beautiful wilderness areas. Drawing inspiration from the unspoilt surrounds, the lodge sits in perfect sympatico with this special environment, presenting stunning views of the region and is the perfect romantic or indulgent escape. This spacious getaway has just 10 stylish suites and is an unforgettable dining experience, with both meals and alcohol all inclusive. Watch the sunset and wait to take in the brilliance of a starry night in clear mountain skies.
Waterholes Guest House Well worth the drive. The Waterholes experience allows guests to refresh themselves through nature and beauty, presenting an opportunity for travellers on the Sydney to Melbourne touring route. There is a sense of discovery, a really special Australian experience unfolding, as you travel through lightfilled Eucalyptus forest, you may see a lyrebird scoot acrossthetrackorpauseasawombatwobblesalongin front of you, then the forest suddenly opens to reveal a magical secluded valley – and you have arrived. Waterholes natural surrounds are a convergence of forest, grassland, wetland and river environs, all within the immediate surrounds of the guesthouse, making this place truly special for both people and wildlife. With superb cuisine – much of it sourced locally–andboutiqueluxuryaccommodationdrawing its inspiration from the easily accessed surrounding wilderness, Waterholes is a chance to share paradise.
Clarendon Forest Retreat Clarendon Forest Retreat is a thousand acre luxury hideaway in the lush hinterland of the New South Wales mid North Coast; just three hours drive north from Sydney, nestled in the Kiwarrak State Forest and National Park. This private award-winning retreat boasts a wonderful selection of six unique, self-contained luxury cottages all with their own individual charm and country ambience, yet remains just a short drive to one of Australia’s great coastal stretches, with endless beaches of white silica sands, stretching as far as the eye can see. The Clarendon is a truly romantic escape, offering one hundred year old shade trees ofTurpentine andTallowwood perfect for lazy days, picnics and favourite books or perhaps try one of the many activities - horse riding on magical forest trails a specialty or try one of the pampering day spa treatments in the privacy of your cottage.
Hidden Valley Forest Retreat
Hidden Valley Forest Retreat is the ultimate destination for that secluded getaway. Nestled in the heart of the world renowned wine region of Perth’s Margaret River. On 110 acres, this multiaward-winning retreat provides unique, world class accommodation, in an incredibly diverse and pristine pocket of bushland in this celebrated region. There is a choice of five separate palatial retreats for two, each reflecting a contemporary statement about innovation, design, texture, shape and colour, which, when fused with the surrounding environment, creates an amazing feeling of inner calm and well being for guests. Experience the harmony of living with nature, in the total privacy and luxury of everything a grown-up getaway demands.
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indulgence
MORE INFORMATION
Inhale. Replenish your senses, renew your thoughts, relax your breath, revive your essence, and restore your balance. Spa treatments are one of life’s most pleasant experiences. Choose from a full selection of treatments, many reflecting Australia’s life giving abundance, from the healing powers of the rainforest, to the natural spring waters of Hepburn. Treat yourself to rejuvenating massage, absorbing essential oils blended for your own betterment. Relax and unwind. Exhale.
Empire Retreat
Escape to a world of luxury and seclusion like no other. Replenish your senses, renew your thoughts, relax your breath, revive your essence, and restore your being. At award-winning Empire Retreat, the primary focus is to restore and enhance your physical, emotional and spiritual health. Offering luxury hosted accommodation, with 10 suites designed to ensure complete privacy. The Empire Retreat of 265 tranquil acres is set amongst the breathtaking scenery of the Margaret River wine region of South Western Australia, where the glorious local beaches, internationally acclaimed wineries and world class art galleries are as near or as far as you desire them to be. Empire Spa treatments encompass the ancient theory of the elements of fire, wood, earth and metal through a healing journey of sight, sound, sense, touch and taste. Let time stand still whilst you relax and be rejuvenated by the sumptuous style of Empire Retreat.
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Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY EmpireRetreats
The Byron At Byron
LakeHouse
Angsana Resort & Spa
CrownTowers
Peppers Hepburn Springs
DaintreeEcoLodge
Cyress Lakes Resort
The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa
“Natural Luxury”, set beside the tranquil beauty of a Byron Bay rainforest is The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa. Welcome to a world of natural healing and relaxation. Byron Bay is situated on Australia’s most easterly point, in northern New South Wales and is an area of unparalleled beauty, boasting some of the world’s prettiest beaches, hot surf breaks, stunning hinterland and a relaxed, sophisticated township. This magnificent 92 room resort mirrors these qualities, within a dramatic forty-five acre lush rainforest setting, just moments from magical Tallow Beach, the golf club and five minutes from Byron Bay township. The Spa and Wellness Centre within The Byron at Byron offers the perfect opportunity to let go of accumulated stress and a chance to restore the body’s natural balance, in a soothing environment characterized by graceful movements and hushed tones. The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa offers a truly unique world-class resort and spa experience!
Peppers Springs Retreat Hepburn Springs
Could it be that life was meant to be this simple? So why not relax and let yourself be pampered at the award-winning Peppers Springs Retreat Hepburn Springs. Located in the hub of spa country, the Retreat makes an ideal base for all the area’s attractions including our companion – The Springs Retreat Mineral Spa. Packages are individually tailored to suit the desires of each guest, so as to maximize your time spent in this luxurious retreat. From intimate fine dining, to a round of golf at Hepburn Springs Golf Club, to treatments in the exclusive European style spa house. Newly constructed and unsurpassed in Australia, the extensive range of treatments includes a unique steam room, hydrotherapy baths, weightlesslytranquiltreatmentbedsand ancientChinesedetoxifyingtechniques. Let the essential elements of life merge harmoniously at The Springs Retreat.
Lake House
Historian Siegfried Gideon observed, “The role that bathing plays within a culture reveals that culture’s attitude towards human relaxation”... At Lake House Salus Spa their belief in the efficacy of hydrotherapy is thoroughly realised. Here the ritual of bathing and taking the waters can be indulged at many levels. The state of the art Salus Spa is surrounded by waterfall-fed streams, with nine treatment areas from idyllic hot water mineral tubs to private tree houses. This handsome, multi award-winning small luxury hotel, is surrounded by several acres of beautiful manicured gardens, waterfalls and streams, just an hour from Melbourne, in the heart of Victorian Spa country. A myriadofbushwalkingtracksmeanderthroughstunningcountryside, whilst nearby boating facilities, local wineries, artist studios and galleries, plus an eighteen-hole golf course complete with kangaroos, make Lake House an ideal retreat to recharge in the fresh air.
Angsana Resort & Spa
Nestled snugly amongst majestic palm trees in the beautiful village of Palm Cove, Angsana Resort and Spa is picture postcard beachfront, offering azure tropical water and a magnificent stretch of golden sandy beach. This multi award-winning resort and spa, is a slice of Far North tropical paradise. Relax, unwind and let yourself go, beneath the palms with Angsana’s quality team of renowned therapists and beauticians. An extensive range of holistic treatments and massage, using only the very best products, accompanied by superb cuisine, gallery and recreational facilities, caters for the most discerning of guests in this luxuriant world-class facility.
Cypress Lakes Resort
Crown Towers, Melbourne
Crown Spa is one of Australia’s most beautifully designed day spas located in the benchmark Crown Towers luxury hotel. Sumptuously calming Crown Spa, offers the ultimate pampering and rejuvenating spa experience. The spacious, sensitively designed treatment areas are an oasis of marble surfaces, soaring ceilings, filtered light and hushed ambience, where you are attended to by professional staff, skilled in an extensive range of international beauty and health therapies. Treatments are carefully selected to deliver tangible results to your look and feel. This beautiful facility, offering expert service and quality products provides a relaxing and rejuvenating experience to help you feel truly beautiful, inside and out.
Situated in the heart of the lush Hunter Valley wine country, looking out at the Brokenback mountain range, is Cypress Lakes Resort, the premier resort in NSW. Escape … sipping the flavours of a winemaker’s craft, swinging the club to conquer the fairways, slipping into a trance after a spa treatment. Cypress is a fully integrated Resort offering a unique combination of luxurious villa accommodation and first-class facilities, including an eighteen-hole championship golf course and The Golden Door Spa. From the moment you arrive, you will be guided and cared for – an amazing experience with sensational results. Cypress is the ultimate place to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
Recipient of the prestigious Crystal Award for “Best Spa on the Continent” at the USA SpaFinder World Spa Awards... Immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings, listen to the birds and the natural sounds of the Daintree rainforest,indulgingintreatmentsthataretherapeuticand restorative for your total well being. The Lodge combines nature, culture and nurtures both into all aspects of the experience. Continually raising the bar in the world spa industry, multi award-winning Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, now offers an entirely new experience that is as far removed from daily life as you can imagine. “WawuKarrba” (the healing spirit) is incorporated into unique massagesandspatreatmentsusingAboriginaltechniques passed down through millenia of years of learned wisdom.
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golf
Queensland
Australia is a golfers paradise with over 1600 courses and 5 in the World’s Top 100 according to the respected Golf Magazine. The game here is internationally well regarded with an enviable record in major tournaments and a host of home grownchampionmaleandfemalegolferswhocontinuetohave success abroad. Some of the courses are in particularly dramatic settings; New South Wales, Royal Melbourne, Joondalup, LagunaQuays,BrookwaterandNationalMoonahtonameafew.
The Sebel Heritage
Nestled amidst the superb Yarra Valley vineyard countryside, The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley, embodies the essence of a relaxed elegant boutique hotel and is a true country club in the style of those found in the USA and Asia. It is a wonderful place to combine relaxation at the state of the art holistic haven, the Heritage Retreat Spa and play golf at the only private Jack Nicklaus signature course in Australia. Nicklaus, arguably the most influential player in golfing history has drawn on all of his experience in designing the spectacular parkland St John golf course. Henley, the second 18 hole championship links course designed by Tony Cashmore compliments this wonderful experience. A degustation dinner in the Bella Restaurant will make your stay truly memorable.
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australia golf
Joondalup Resort
The Grand Golf Club Laguna Quays Resort, Turtle Point Golf Course The Glades Golf Club Brookwater Golf Club Hope Island Golf Club Hyatt Regency Coolum Golf Club Pelican Waters Golf Club Sanctuary Cove Resort, Pines Course Sheraton Golf Course, Port Douglas Lakelands Golf Club Capricorn International Golf Resort, New Course Novotel Twin Waters Resort Golf Course Sea Temple Golf Club, Port Douglas The Kooralbyn Resort Golf Club Royal Queensland Golf Club
Welcometo oneof thefinest resort hotelgolfingexperiences you are ever likely to enjoy. Joondalup Resort, Perth, offers world-class accommodation, with 70 luxury rooms and suites, set amongst the emerald green fairways of a magnificent 27-hole championship golf course that is amongst the best in the world. Designed by the internationally renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr, the course is set in natural bushland just 25 minutes north of Perth city. Joondalup is a tough uncompromising layout, featuring great variation in setting and style. The spectacular course sweepsacrossdensebushland,cutsthroughsteeplimestone quarries and skirts picturesque lakes, to present surprises and challenges at every turn. One minute you’re playing an approach shot beneath a thirty-metre limestone cliff, the next you’re adapting to the fresh ocean breeze on an undulating links style fairway, with a watchful gallery of kangaroos. The Resort’s setting and facilities make it a delight for golfers and non-golfers alike. “Australia’s No.1 Resort Golf Course” 2003 / 04 & 2005 / 06.
New South Wales and The Australian Capital Territory Newcastle Golf Club The Royal Sydney Golf Club Royal Canberra Golf Club The Lakes Golf Club The Australian Golf Club Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club The Vintage Golf Club Terrey Hills Golf and Country Club Concord Golf Club Bonville International Golf Resort Camden Lakeside Country Club Horizons Golf Resort Forster-Tuncurry Golf Club, Great Lakes Tuncurry Course Narooma Golf Club New South Wales Golf Club Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club
MAP KEY The Sebel Heritage
Sea Temple Port Douglas
Joondalup Resort
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas
Country Club Tasmania
Victoria
Victoria cont.
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
The Melbourne Sandbelt
The Bellarine Peninsula
Kooyonga Golf Club The Links Lady Bay The Grange Golf Club, West Course Glenelg Golf Club Royal Adelaide Golf Club
Lake Karrinyup Country Club Joondalup Resort The Vines Golf and Country Club, Lakes Course Meadow Springs Golf and Country Club Secret Harbour Golf Links Mt Lawley Golf Club Albany Golf Club Araluen Country Club Golf Club Kennedy Bay
Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links Country Club Tasmania Tasmania Golf Club Hobart
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club The Victoria Golf Club The Metropolitan Golf Club Commonwealth Golf Club Woodlands Golf Club Yarra Yarra Golf Club The Peninsula Country Golf Club Kingston Heath Golf Club Capital Golf Club
Thirteenth Beach Golf Link Barwon Heads Golf Club
Other Victorian Golf Courses
The Huntingdale Golf Club The Heritage Golf and Country Club Amstel Golf Club, Ranfurlie Course Port Fairy Golf Club
The Mornington Peninsula
The National Golf Club, Old Course Portsea Golf Club The National Golf Club, Ocean Course Moonah Links, Open Courses
Sea Temple Golf and Country Club Port Douglas
Sea Temple Golf and Country Club is undeniably a long way from St Andrews, Scotland, the home of Golf, yet this award-winning Links style 18 hole championship Golf course would put a smile on the face of many a traditionalist. Nestled in an area of exquisite natural beauty with the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage listed Daintree rainforest on its doorstep, Sea Temple Resort and Spa is five star temptation at its very best. Located in beautiful Port Douglas, the gateway to tropical North Queensland, Sea Temple Golf and Country Club offers an opportunity for golfers of all standards to relax and enjoy the magnificent rainforest backdrops with the traditional game of golf. The course has been voted in the top fifty public access courses in Australia, as well as being ranked in the top 6 Links-style golf courses in the land.With unspoilt beaches, magnificent tropical gardens, lush rainforests and an indulgent Day Spa, this resort delivers the ultimate in indulgence.
Country Club Tasmania
Beautifully positioned amongst the rolling hills and natural bushland setting of Prospect Vale just outside Launceston in Tasmania’s north, is the picturesque Country Club Tasmania. With architectural style and interior design modeled on the stately homes of the American South, the Club boasts a championship 18-hole golf course. Established in 1982 and designed by world famous golfers and course architects, Peter Thomson and Michael Wolveridge, the par 71 links style championship course features numerous lakes and hazards, fairway and greenside bunkering, lush undulating fairways and green surrounds, with fast expansive greens typical of Thomson/Wolveridge. First class accommodation offers an exceptional experience including 88 superior rooms and 16 superbly appointed manor suites, each having golf course, lake or courtyard views. Launceston is an attractive riverside city with fine heritage buildings, stunning local parks, vibrant cultural scene and as the gateway to the Tamar Valley and northern Tasmanian wine region, sits in perfect harmony with a golfing experience of the highest order.
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas
As resort golf courses go, it simply does not get any better than this. Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas presents a golfing paradise within paradise. Golfers be warned - the bordering azure blue waters of the Coral Sea and the lush green panoramic mountain hinterland may well provide further challenges to this 18-hole international standard championship golf course. Recently voted as Australia’s leading golf resort – World Travel Awards 2005 – this spectacular course was designed by renowned golf architect Peter Thomson. It combines six par threes, six par fours and six par fives with nine tennis courts, gymnasium and 25 metre lap pool. Set against Australia’s finest beachfrontandnestledamongst130hectaresofglorious tropical gardens and two hectares of magnificent swimmable lagoons. Situated betweenWorld Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef and the Worlds oldest living rainforest – the Daintree, here is a slice of heaven.
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cuisine
Food Lovers Restaurant Guide
Australian cuisine today has been heavily influenced by the country’s south East Asian neighbours and by the early waves of Greek, Lebanese and Italian immigrants. The trend today, helped by plentiful year round fresh produce, is toward low-salt, lowfat, healthy cuisine, incorporating lean meat, plentiful seafood and lightly cooked colourful steamed and stir-fried vegetables. All of this coupled to indigenous foods such as lemon myrtle, native spinach, bush tomato, mountain pepper and seed varieties adds up to a unique taste and style. The restaurants and chefs throughout Australia are well known for quality and innovation and are exporting their techniques throughout the world.
Forty One
Multi award-winning Forty One restaurant has long been recognized as Sydney’s most revered fine dining experience, gaining international recognition for the innovative, modern Australian cuisine of its brilliant chef, Dietmar Sawere. Boasting a 360 degree panorama of Sydney that includes The Royal Botanical Gardens, Opera House and of course Sydney’s stunning harbour, this contemporary designed restaurant is quite simply in a class of it’s own.
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Catalina
Catalina Rose Bay goes a long way towards capturing the complete Sydney waterfront restaurant experience. Perched outside over the harbour or inside as the weather rarely demands, there are few establishments that come close to this iconic dining location. Sourcing the best of Australian produce from the sea and farm, along with an impeccable wine list, sit back, relax and enjoy front row seats for the Sydney Harbour colour show.
Sydney
Melbourne
Tasmania
Buon Ricordo Catalina Claude’s Est. Forty One Guillaume at Bennelong Pier Quay Rockpool Tetsuya’s Salt Marque
Becco Café Di Stasio Circa, The Prince Donovan’s Ezard at Adelphi Flower Drum The Botanical Grossi Florentino Taxi Pearl Vue de monde Mo Mo
Lebrina Franklin Manor Fee + Me Stillwater River Café Lickerish
Epicurean Tours
Epicurean Tours provide private luxury small group tours travelling throughout Victoria’s worldrenowned Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. Providing a first class service with a tour to suit the true connoisseur or wine enthusiast, each guest experiencesatrulymemorableday. Epicurean’s professional guides have extensive knowledge of both the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. From Yarra Valley Food and Wine Journeys to Twilight Gastronomic Journeys, each Epicurean journey allows you to sit back, relax in your custom vehicle,enjoyingstunningscenery, wonderful wines and produce.
On the Inlet
On the Inlet Seafood Restaurant presents the quintessential Tropical North Queensland dining experience. This multi award winner has an outdoor dining deck suspended over the water in Port Douglas and offers spectacular sunset views sweeping across the Coral Sea to distant Cape Tribulation. Watch the boats sail by as you enjoy superb seafood, with outstanding Australian and imported wines. On The Inlet Seafood Restaurant is the ultimate sensory experience with stunning views and superb cuisine.
2 Fish Seafood Restaurant
Experience the refreshing combination of flavours, presentation, ambience and friendly service that has put both 2 Fish Seafood Restaurants at the forefront of modern Australian seafood dining. Located on the boardwalk at the Pier shopping complex in Cairns, the other in Port Douglas with stunning views out over the water.
Port Douglas / Cairns
Brisbane / Gold Coast
Darwin
Adelaide
Perth
On The Inlet Far Horizon Nautilus Restaurant Nu Nu 2 Fish Seafood Restaurant Reef House Spice Market Tamara’s at the Beach Zai
Vanitas Vie Restaurant Ristorante Fellini Bruno’s Tables E’cco Gianni Isis Brasserie Pier Nine Restaurant II Cha Cha Char
Hanuman Sonsie Pee Wee’s Beachfront Cafe EVOO The Argentine Grill Sari Rasa
The Grange Bridgewater Mill Enoteca Cucina Magill Estate The Manse Melting Pot To Relish Cibo Martini Café Botanic Café
Altos Balthazar Cream Duende Eminem Frasers The Red Herring No 44 King Street Star Bistro
Food Trail Tours
Gain an appreciation of the regions diversity on the Mareeba Food Trail Tour. This food and wine tasting tour visits the Cairns Highlands, exploring the tropical flavours of Australia. Off the highways and away from the crowds, you meet farmers and tour private farms on this unique, fully guided, interactive, touring experience. Your day includes a tropical fruit tree walk, macadamia and coffee plantation tours, tropical fruit wine tasting, plus superb 100% natural, home made, tropical fruit ice creams. All farm tours, tasting and a Barramundi lunch are included. This day tour operates from Cairns daily, Monday to Saturday.
Nautilus Restaurant
A Nautilus Restaurant dining experience has been labelled a “must do” by many of Australia’s leading gourmet and travel publications. This Port Douglas dining icon recently celebrated 50 fabulous years of operation from this very same mystical spot, that captures the very essence of Tropical North Queensland. Offering modern Australian cuisine with a delicate Asian twist, over two distinct dining areas, this is a dining experience not to be missed.
Bushtucker Woman
Eat, drink and be merry on this fantastic winery and gourmet food tour of beautiful Margaret River, Western Australia with awardwinning Bushtucker tours. Put your palate to the test with personalized, accredited guides specializing in wine, food and forest experiences, choosing between a Margaret River cruise or head overland and straight into wine country. Visiting five great wineries before a gourmet lunch that boasts some marvellous wild foods including marinated emu, turkey and kangaroo, all of which are cholesterol free. Also sample 20 other assorted dishes, all of which are sourced from the region.
Frasers
Fraser’s Restaurant places Perth at your feet, its elegance, location and award-winning cuisine, make it one of the definitive dining experiences in Western Australia. Taste the best in Australian seafood and indulge in some premium West Australian beef, along with the finest local produce and impeccable Australian wine, all coming with the professional yet friendly service that has won widespread applause. The contemporary atmosphere and King’s Park surrounds, with panoramic views of the Swan River and Perth city, cement Fraser’s reputation for dining excellence. australia cuisine
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wine Wine is very much a part of Australian life. It is closely associated with both business and leisure and often linked to the country’s outdoor orientated lifestyle, via the many wine festivals. An international reputation for quality and value has exposed many visitors to Australia’s best wines. Shiraz is the most produced variety followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Riesling, Merlot and Pinot Noir.
Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel
Experiencetheeleganceandrefinedgrandeurofthisstunning Victorian Country House Hotel. Current owners Len and Elly Milner realized their dream and have transformed Chateau Yering into one of the finest examples of a luxury rural hotels imaginable. Situated on 250 acres of land, this hotel grants a spectacular panorama across the Yarra Valley to the Great Dividing Range. Superb heritage listed gardens surround this magnificent property, complete with cafe and one of the Yarra Valley’s finest restaurants. A beauty salon, crochet and pentaque, swimming pool, tennis court and winery are all just a short stroll through manicured gardens. This is the complete wine experience. MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and location information on all the properties featured. MAP KEY Akuna Station
Cape Lodge
Tower Lodge
De Bortoli Winery & Restaurant
Chateau Yerring Historic House Hotel
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australia wine
Kiltynane Estate In the heart of the picturesque Yarra Valley, just 1 hour from Melbourne, is Kiltynane Estate, producing unique Pinot Noir. Owner and wine maker Kate Kirkhope’sphilosophyofnon-interventionsyncswith the cool climate to create this ultimate wine. Ensure the indulgence lasts by retreating to the delightful vineyard cottage on the Estate, a wonderful base from which to explore the region. And don’t forget to reserve a private tour, to learn what makes these wines so unique and highly regarded.
Peppers The Louise Peppers The Louise (formerly known as The Hermitage) is a luxury vineyard retreat surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines overlooking the world renowned Barossa Valley. Just fifteen suites offer absolute luxury and inspired design with private terraces,softcontemporaryfurnishingsandspacious ensuites.Acclaimedon-siterestaurant,Appellation, offers seasonal cuisine nightly for casually elegant dining under the guidance of Executive Chef Mark McNamara. Appellation’s extensive wine list presents the best of the Barossa, the rest of Australia and iconic wines of the world. Peppers The Louise is Australia’s premier vineyard retreat combined with a world class destination dining experience.
Ellender Estate The pretty little village of Glenlyon, in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria, presents a wonderful wine encounter at Ellender Estate (just a little off the beaten track, not far out of town and well worth the effort!) The estate is an isolated pocket of viticulture, spread over four hectares in lovely hills. With an assortmentoftheregion’sfinestproduce,thatincludes biscuits, pickles, jams, olive oil, goat’s cheese, honey, chocolates, salami, prosciutto and bread from the wood-fired oven, Graham and Jenny Ellender present their award-winning wines at their cellar door.
Akuna Station
Enjoy a glass of Akuna wine while pelicans glide by on the sun setting over Australia’s famous Murray River. Akuna Station is one of the most picturesque pieces of river front in South Australia. This award-winning property of three hundred and fifty hectares, with 2.5 kilometres of magnificent Murray River frontage, boasts a six hectare wetland lagoon, high cliff tops, bush walking trails, pristine scrublands, dry-land farming and premium vineyards. To date, their wines have won more than 60 medals in Australia. Luxury accommodation is provided aboard a beautifully restored 1875 paddleboat, the Akuna Amphibious, where a unique combination of old world Huck Finn charm meets Star Wars. Alternatively the original homestead cottage, also lovingly refurbished, with views across rolling manicured lawns and gorgeous rose gardens complements this wonderful escape.
Peppers Convent This former Brigidene Order of Nun’s Convent, is now a romantic retreat set amongst beautiful gardens and vineyards in Australia’s world famous Hunter Valley wine region. The charming heritage and character of Peppers Convent makes it the automatic choice for discerning visitors to this marvelous region. Thoroughly luxuriant, Peppers Convent, is the ideal base for those wishing to pamper themselves in the region’s legendary wine experience.
Abundance Eagle Bay Abundance Eagle Bay, south west Australia, is a truly special place offering the chance to enjoy a little luxury and absorb some of the natural beauty and tranquility of this enchanting area. Abundance is a stone and timber residence constructed from the earth which it resides on. Walk along a creek line to world class Eagle Bay Beach, when in season catch a salmon, see migrating whales, all just a short drive from the famous Margaret River wine region. With two adult-only suites, this unique experience balances the best of the coast with the best of the vine.
De Bortoli Winery & Restaurant
Established in 1928 by Vittorio and Guiseppina De Bortoli, this enterprising family operation has grown into one of the Australian wine industry’s great success stories. In 2005 De Bortoli was named Wine Company of the Year by Australia’s oldest, wine publication, Winestate magazine. For more than 75 years the tradition of sharing great wine, great food, and great times with family and friends remains unchanged and unspoiled. The De Bortoli wine and restaurant experience unfolds amongst 400 acres of the picturesque Yarra Valley. It is a superb location with breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyard and matched by wines which have won acclaim in international competition.
Ainsworth Estate Set in the scenic Yarra Valley, Ainsworth Estate is an award-winning winery and country retreat. Having only opened in 2001, Ainsworth Estate has already won numerous awards and cemented a fine reputation for producing premium quality cool climate wines. The Estate is also renowned for the highest quality cuisine and accommodation presenting an opportunity to indulge the senses in fine wine, succulent cuisine and first class apartments, with panoramic views of the Yarra Valley. Ainsworth Estate is a jewel of the Yarra Valley.
Cape Lodge
Marble Lodge Marble Lodge, with national and state heritage listing, is perhaps the most beautiful, fully self-contained luxurious bed and breakfast Lodge in Australia. Immerse yourself in plush furnishings, antiques, intricately carved French polished furniture, tranquil surrounds and absolute privacy, whilst sampling the delights of South Australia’s magnificent Barossa Valley. The attention to detail has created an elegance and comfort of a bygone era, catering to those whom appreciate a truly unique experience.
Sitting in its own vineyard in the heart of Margaret River wine country, you will find one of Australia’s finest private boutique hotels. With a classical picture postcard setting on the banks of its own private lake, Cape Lodge is an intimate country estate, recently rated in Conde Nast Gold Travellers List “World’s Best 100 Hotels” and fourth in the world in “Best for Food” category. With its superb new restaurant featuring a 14,000 bottle, temperature controlled cellar stocked with premium back vintage Margaret River wines, Cape Lodge has gained numerous international accolades. Positioned in the epicentre of this magnificent viticultural region, its neighbours include the great wineries of Vasse Felix, Moss Wood, Pierro and Cullen. The extraordinary beauty of the area is striking, from its majestic Karri Forests and pristine beaches, to the rural mosaic of vineyards and dairy farming. Cape Lodge welcomesjustfortyguestsintotheestate,attractingthose whoareseekingaprivate,stylishandsophisticatedretreat.
Wine & Truffle Company The Wine & Truffle Co. is one of the most unique tourist attractions in the Pemberton wine region, producing fine wines and the gourmet French black truffle. An attractive, modern cafe and cellar door facility offers wine tasting, a variety of gourmet and truffle food products and as part of its wine and truffle tourism package, will provide truffle information and seasonal truffle hunting sessions by appointment.
Tower Lodge
Tower Lodge tops every wine lover’s list for quality. At Pokolbin in the centre of the Hunter Valley, whose legendary wine industry was established in the 1890’s, the Lodge offers sublime food, wine and accommodation, set in a vineyard that form part of the renownedTower Estate. Luxuriously intimate and distinctively styled, the estate was the brainchild of Australia’s pre-eminent ambassador of wine and Tower chairman, Len Evans. Entrance by the impressive 100 year old French coach house doors sets the tone of this ultimate retreat for discerning guests. The spaces within the Lodge are furnished, as you would expect of an exclusive house or chateau, with antiques, treasures and collectables. Twelve extraordinary guest rooms link to a guests-only sumptuous dining room, with two award-winning restaurants on the estate. For those who prefer activity to indulgent relaxation, the Lodge’s own top-drawer recreational facilities are numerous, as is its immediate proximity to the Hunter Valley’s famous recreational activities and over 80 vineyard sales outlets.
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melbourne the big events Melbourne is stylish, handsome, vibrant and deliciously diverse, a fitting home to Australia’s biggest events. The exhilarating Formula One Grand Prix, Australian Open Tennis and international sporting facilities that welcome some of the worlds finest athletes in competition.The Melbourne Cup, the horse race that stops a nation, brings to Melbourne the world’s top thoroughbreds, celebrating racing, trackside fashion, and socialising fun. With more than 3,000 restaurants, cafes and bars, representing over 75 different ethnic cuisines, Melbourne is at the forefront of food fashion. Fantastic nightlife and renowned shopping, compliment a superb arts and theatre precinct, making Melbourne the total crowd pleaser.
Balloon Sunrise
Who would believe that a simple wicker basket, the whoosh of hot air burners and 200 years of history could leave such a spell on you, be it floating over the Melbourne City sky, the lovely patchwork wine region of the Yarra Valley or one of many picturesque locations in Victoria. Balloon Sunrise is Australia’s oldest professional hot air ballooning company. Carrying 60,000 people over the past 20 years has enabled Ballon Sunrise to assemble a dedicated team ensuring the best ballooning experience available today. These majestic aircraft hark back to an unhurried era; yet offer the safest and most memorable sightseeing in today’s world.
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Great Ocean Road Helicopters Experience the rugged splendour of the Shipwreck Coast and magnificent Port Campbell National Park from the air with Great Ocean Road Helicopters. Join the consummate flying professionals, for an unrivalled view of Australia’s most spectacular coastline, in the comfort and safety of Great Ocean’s state of the art helicopter fleet. Highly experienced pilots will provide a fascinating historical commentary, whilst you indulge unparalleled photographic opportunities and enjoy the majesty of stunning sea and landscapes unfold before you.
Adelphi Hotel Occupying a converted warehouse, the Adelphi is a small, discreet Hotel in the heart of Melbourne’s art and business precinct. Clearly minimalist and calm in design, this awardwinning architectural icon of Melbourne represents a classical urban renewal experience of the highest order. The Adelphi commands international respect for its vision, yet it’s the feel of space, of personalized attention combined with the intimacy of belonging to a private club that makes the Adelphi one of the worlds most distinctive designer hotels. This is a great base to explore all this wonderful city has to offer.
Crown Towers
Perfectly positioned on the Yarra River’s southern bank, Crown Towers has raised the bar for luxurious hotels in Australia.Lavishappointments,coupledwithanimpeccable standard of service and attention to detail gives Crown Towers true opulence. Each of Crowns 482 luxuriously appointed rooms boasts spectacular views of the city and Port Phillip Bay, featuring a truly unique level of comfort and finish. If there is one hotel that can match the vibrancy and spectacular events that regularly dot Melbourne’s calendar then it is Crown. Superb signature restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs, bars, shopping, indoor entertainment theme park and the world renowned Crown casino provide a marvellous backdrop to all that Melbourne has to offer.
The Hotel Windsor Widely regarded as an icon hotel in Melbourne, the rooms and suites at The Hotel Windsor set the tone for an unmistakable Melbourne experience, with suites more reminiscent of private stately homes. This elegant jewel is Australia’s only remaining grand hotel, combining the classic beauty and culture of Victorian architecture with outstanding service, comforts and facilities of an exceptional modern five star hotel. Located in the city’s dress circle, this multi award-winning hotel, is perfectly positioned to take advantage of Melbourne’s renowned shopping, restaurants, bars, business district, attractions and activities.
Langham Hotel
Melbourne Aquarium Experience the huge adrenalin rush of diving with sharks - the most feared creatures of the sea. Take the plunge inside Melbourne Aquarium’s spectacular 2.2 million-litre Oceanarium...if you dare! Alternatively, experience the wonders from a different angle by taking a VIP Behind the Scenes tour, which includes a glass bottom boat ride allowing you to get up close and personal with sharks, stingrays, turtles and over three thousand fish of the Southern Ocean. Melbourne Aquarium is a state of the art facility, offering a comprehensive range of interactive experiences, that re-define the Aquarium experience.
As the iconic and luxurious centrepiece of the city’s arts, leisure and business district, on the banks of the Yarra River, The Langham Hotel Melbourne is a five star deluxe hotel surrounded by a vibrant blend of culture, shopping, alfresco restaurants, cafes and bars. Located only steps away from Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square, Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria, makes this Leading Hotel of the World the most exclusive address in the city. Enjoy spectacular, awardwinning dining at Melba from breakfast to supper time. Indulge in delicious afternoon tea, classic cocktails and artisan wines at Aria. Relax or invigorate at Chuan Spa Melbourne’s most innovative spa and health club.
Royce Hotel Royce Hotel is one of Melbourne’s finest 5 star designerboutiquehotelssituatedonMelbourne’s famous boulevard next to the Royal Botanic Gardens. The hotel is synonymous with style, elegance and a warm inviting ambience. All 100 rooms and suites are spacious and beautifully appointedwithmoderncontemporaryfurnishings, some with bath spas or balconies or two storey loft suites. Experience the renowned awardwinning restaurant “dish” and the stylish lounge bar “amberoom”. The hotel is ideally located for access to the fashionable shopping precincts and some of Melbourne’s major sporting complexes.
Melbourne Best Tours Imagine a road, which hugs the side of sheer cliffs, where the native bushland meets the blue waters of Australia’s most spectacular coastline. This is one of Melbourne’s Best day tours, where you will experience the splendour of gigantic rainforest trees, witness breathtaking rock formations and hear fascinating commentary from professional guides, all in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. Eleven other day tours of the widest variety offer the complete Victorian touring experience. Melbourne’s Best personal service, smaller coach fleet, four wheel drive and customized touring options make this a special touring company.
The Lyall Hotel & Spa
Multi award-winning Lyall Hotel, is a luxury lifestyle hotel with a unique combination of five-star city hotel facilities and services, complemented by the lifestyle features and personal attention usually only experienced at an exclusive resort. The Lyall Hotel is already renowned for its wonderful staff and exceptional concierge desk, which would be delighted to assist you in planning your stay in Melbourne with restaurant reservations, theatre reservations and sporting tickets.The Lyall offers spacious suite accommodation at an elegant residential address in South Yarra, featuring superb bistro fare that captures Melbourne’s multicultural influences, champagne bar and rejuvenating day spa to name a few of its top-drawer attractions. Situated in the heart of one of the worlds most fashionableandcosmopolitandestinations, with nearby Toorak Road and Chapel Street being home to dozens of designer stores and world-class restaurants, plus the arts precinct and major sporting venues, makes the Lyall well placed to enjoy all of Melbourne’s big event’s.
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perth lifestyle Perth is booming! Western Australia’s huge natural resources and mining wealth has contributed significately to this. The city and surroundings are engaging, featuring open parklands, wide rivers, golden beaches and a CBD that basks in the glow of an Indian Ocean sunset. The city is home to diverse restaurants, cosmopolitan shopping and contemporary living, making it the ultimate in outdoors lifestyle. Ideally situated by the coast and blessed with a year-long summer, it is a food and wine lover’s centrepiece. The nearby Swan, Peel and Margaret River vineyards are synonymous with the region.
Must Wine Bar
One of the first things you’ll notice when you walk into Must Winebar is the over abundance of wine. Bottles line the walls at every possible point and an enormous suspended wine rack separates a buzzing bistro on one side, from a very happening bar on the other. Chef Russell Blaikie’s daily specials ensure that your dining experience is unsurpassed. Blaikie’s menu uses French bistro fare as its foundation – the type of food that a French housewife might serve. The bar has a breathtaking array of liquor for creating all manner of concoctions, plus sherries, brandies, armagnacs, absinthe, vodkas, rums and anything else you might care to ask for. The bar team know their stuff and apart from Must’s multi award-winning wine lists (600 on the Master List and 40 by the glass) there’s a cocktail list that is worth working your way through. With an excellent selection of bar snacks and freshly shucked oysters, you can get very comfortably stuck here for hours. Australian Gourmet Traveller just rated Must Winebar in its ten favourite bars in Australia and it is not hard to see why.
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The Busselton Jetty The Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory is perhapsWesternAustralia’smostpopulareco-tourism icon. This magical experience allows you to descend eight meters below sea level within an observation chamber, to view an amazing marine world of schooling fish and tropical coral. This 141 year old jetty, measured at 1841 metres, is the longest wooden pier in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 300 individual marine species, playing host to an awe inspiring underwater forest of vividly coloured corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates. Described as Australia’s greatest artificial reef, just two and a half hours from Perth, this is an ideal starting point to experience Western Australia’s South West Capes.
InterContinental Burswood Resort Perth
Nestled on the banks of Perth’s picturesque Swan River sits InterContinental Burswood Resort Perth - one of the world’s most beautiful resort developments, in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. This multiple award-winning resort is surrounded by one hundred hectares of superbly landscaped gardens and parklands, creating a magical and relaxing escape. This 413 room resort has a tremendous array of worldclass entertainment and recreational facilities. The InterContinental experience features an eighteen-hole golf course, beautiful lagoon style swimming pool, fitness centre, day spa, jogging tracks and the picturesque heritage trail, not to mention Club InterContinental. InterContinental Burswood is a true holiday paradise, combining the ultimate in leisure and entertainment.
Perth Mint
Llama Bar Located in fashionable Subiaco is the very hip Llama Bar. Popular with locals and visitors alike the Llama Bar holds a deserved place amongst the very best bars in the west. Drawing a stylish crowd, it is packed much of the time with a large undercover courtyard that’s perfect for parties, the regulars coming for DJs, live music and exquisite drinks, that have the critics reaching for superlatives. Lama Bar has an excellent kitchen helping to make this a thoroughly engaging Perth experience.
Step back in time, to a world resembling something out of a Charles Dickens novel and into an original melthouse, where the ‘Gold Pour’ allows visitors to witness 200oz of 99.99% of pure molten gold being transformed into a solid gold bar in a matter of minutes. Housed in one of Australia’s most elegant late 19th century heritage buildings, The Perth Mint is the nation’s oldest operating mint and one of very few in the world today still producing coins from its original premises. This is a fascinating tour: wanderthroughdramaticGoldexhibitsandareconstructed 19th century prospectors camp or perhaps mint your own medallion with a personalized message. With over 120,000 visitors a year, this award-winning attraction represents a fascinating insight into Australia’s capitalist roots.
The Richardson Hotel, Suites & Spa
Conveniently located in West Perth, The Richardson Hotel, Suites & Spa, is just a short stroll away from exquisite King’s Park and Botanical Gardens, the CBD and the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Perth’s fashionable Subiaco. Renowned English architect SirTerrence Farrell, has created a genuinely impressive five-star landmark of sixteen rooms and fifty-eight suites spread over nine levels, all equipped with every conceivable amenity to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay. Elegant and contemporary, all rooms and suites have been furnished to create an ambience of warm familiarity, accentuated through the extensive use of beechwood, blended with the vibrant colours of original art works in each room. Superb dining, cocktail bar, sensational indoor pool and gymnasium, plus an entire floor devoted to the spa, complete an extraordinary urban oasis of calm and rejuvenation.
The Outram Small Luxury Hotel
So you heard the one about the American fellow who was so impressed with his shaver that…he bought the company! Well, along similar lines, Pauline and Malcome Tew were so delighted with the Hotel they were staying at in Paris, they decided to emulate it in Perth. The end result was The Outram Small Luxury Hotel, with Perth and the guests being the winner. Located in Perth’s dress circle near both Government House and arguably the most exotic Botanical Gardens anywhere,thisprojecthasexceededallexpectations.TheFrench townhouse chic concept has been successfully interwoven with the familiar comforts of home, only a tad more luxurious. To be based here, is to experience Perth in all its glory.
Rendezvous Observation City Hotel Perth
Rendezvous Observation City Perth, is the only 5 star beachside resort hotel located at popular Scarborough Beach, just 15 minutes from downtown Perth and a world away from the trials of city life. The hotel is ideally positioned as a gateway to the beautiful Port City of Fremantle, Hillary’s boat harbour, Rottnest Island, popular shopping destinations and championship golf courses. Indulge all your food fantasies with the choice of two fine dining restaurants, boasting spectacular panoramic ocean views, providing the ultimate spot to watch an absolutely breathtaking West Australian sunset at days end. There is no better way to experience life in the West.
Subiaco Hotel
The Subiaco Hotel is in the absolute heart of the city’s cosmopolitan restaurant, bar and shopping precinct. This hotel has a deserved reputation as the happening place in Perth, where upon taking a window seat in the multi award-winning restaurant you can enjoy the best of contemporary Australian food and the parade of style-setters drifting by. In Perth, with its all year round summer, eating al fresco has been welcomed into the hearts of the city’s people. Combine entertainment with the best of local produce and exciting flavours and you have the reason Perthites flock to the Subiaco Hotel. Part of its appeal is a slick modern restaurant and bars wrapped in the old world charm of an historic building. Party-goers may prefer the front bar with live bands or a sophisticated cocktail in the cocktail lounge. Like the easygoing Aussie, the hotel is sophisticated yet welcoming.
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trekking Easy journeys with a touch of luxury can be found throughout Australia and New Zealand. Explore fragile rainforests, private bush tracks and magnificent coastlines on these guided and accommodated walks. Follow your feet to discovery, good food, good company and memories that will last a lifetime.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY BothFeet HinchinbrookIsland Maria Island Walk Bay of Fires Walk
Bothfeet
Take life by the bootlaces and put both feet on the trail of discovery. Slow down and re-engage with the here and now, with Bothfeet. The innovative Bothfeet, have developed a selection of stunning yet comfortable, fully catered, guided walks that immerse you in the Australian bush and the Victorian landscape. Bothfeet walking journeys have been created as a mini-antidote to stresses of the everyday, where guests forget about mobile phones, work, traffic and appointments, instead discovering remote beaches and spectacular coastal cliffs. Scheduled trips vary from three to seven days, with customized journeys also available. Dip below the surface of places you think you know; allow yourself a second helping at dinner and relax as professional eco-guides unpack wonderful stories, delivering you back to normal life more informed, with both feet firmly on the ground!
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Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge & Retreat
To come to Hinchinbrook Island is to be transported to paradise on earth. Here is Australia’s largest island National Park, surrounded by the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the world’s oldest rainforest. There is one hideaway, one oasis within paradise: Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge. Romantic, intimate and completely refreshing, this is the perfect base to experience all this pristine wilderness has to offer. Take a walk through virgin rainforest to isolated ocean beaches, drawing breath from source, this is nature at its finest. If you want splendid isolation, peace and tranquility, then a visit to Hinchinbrook is a must!
MAP KEY Hollyford Track Abel Tasman National Park Kiwi Dundee
Maria Island Walk
The Maria Island Walk will captivate you from the first step. With its pristine, white silken sand beaches and breathtaking coastal scenery, Maria Island is a delightful blend of convict heritage, abundant wildlife and elegant accommodation, set in one of Australia’s most picturesque, tranquil island national parks. Reclaim your sense of wonder on this four-day island walk like no other, as you feel the pulse of an island teeming with life, walking in the midst of a wildlife haven, where unique mammals, birds and marine creatures are only a heartbeat away. Trace history from the convict era back to the ancient super-continent of Gondwana, as friendly, expert guides show you how to unlock Maria’s mystery. Follow a magnificent coastline carved by sea and storm and walk through the Worlds largest Tasmanian blue gum forests exploring Maria’s fascinating convict sites. Rough it by day, then relax at night with the indulgence of fine food and wine, comfortable beachfront tent camps and on the final night a banquet and accommodation in the National Trust listed Bernacchi House.
Kiwi Dundee Adventures Discover the real New Zealand…NZ is a paradise of native forests, spectacular mountains, national parks, horticulture and farming, coastal scenery, glowworms, unique culture and friendly people. Award-winning Kiwi Dundee Adventures, invite you to share a unique and unforgettable nature experience. Internationally recognized as one of NZ’s premier guiding companies, Kiwi Dundee offers guests a variety of deluxe, small group or private customized tours and walks in the inspirational Coromandel Peninsula and New Zealand wide. Dundee’s smallteamofpassionateandhighlyknowledgableguides, are dedicated to sharing their wisdom of the flora and fauna, local history and pristine environment with you.
Bay of Fires Walk
At the edge of Mt William National Park, the breathtaking wilderness coastline known as the Bay of Fires, invites you to experience its dramatic landscape, ecology and fantastic wildlife. Led by well-informed, young Tasmanian guides, small groups can explore both the fascinating beach environment and the rich diversity of the nearby woodlands, whilst the Bay of Fires Lodge provides solitude and luxury, in this near unknown wilderness paradise. Wombats and Wallabies abound, with the Forester Kangaroo maintaining a stronghold.The Mount William National Park is bountiful with bird life, the smaller species being attracted by the abundance of wild flowers in spring and the raptors – the wedge-tailed eagles, sea eagles and peregrine falcons – find plenty of sustenance from the surrounds and the coastal area. Many sites of significance to the Aboriginal community can be found, whilst the final two days based at the lodge, provide world-class snorkelling, kayaking and fishing.
Abel Tasman National Park AbelTasman National Park is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, sapphire bays, as well as its world famous coastal track. Abel Tasman’s Wilson’s Experience offers some of New Zealand’s finest guided walking tours, from one to five days, with unguided options, exploring this pristine eco-system. Walking tours can be combined with sea-kayaking, which is also a Wilson’s Experience specialty. The Wilson family, have a strong affinity with this area, being direct descendents of the first 1841 European settlers and employ only passionate, knowledgeable guides with a deep understanding of the region’s delicate ecology, flora, fauna, history and cultural heritage. Wilson’s guests stay a night at each of the exclusive beachfront lodges. And – no carrying! Wilson’s Experience transports your overnight luggage.
Hollyford Track
The Hollyford Track is an amazing ‘memories last a lifetime’ 3 Day/2 Night all inclusive Guided Wilderness Experience. Located in Fiordland National Park (World Heritage Area), Hollyford Track is a very special place and a very special adventure. It’s a walk from the heart of New Zealand - the Southern Alps, to its western boundary - the Tasman Sea. Imagine walking into a world that has remained largely unchanged since the age of the dinosaur. You’ll travel through scenery that is geologically spectacular and ever changing - snow capped mountains, glaciers, rainforests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, sand dunes, reefs and surf. The diversity of landforms, vegetation and wildlife within this one valley is unequalled. The experiences are just as diverse, it’s a walk that includes hiking through World Heritage wilderness, wildlife interaction, a captivating Jet Boat ride, exploring historical sights and culminates in a stunning scenic flight to Milford Sound. Small groups (16 max) mean it’s a personal and intimate experience far removed from sharing the outdoors with hundreds of others. Your guides, experts in local flora, fauna, history and geology, are there to share their knowledge and passion for the area with you. It’s a wonderful way to explore the very essence of New Zealand’s wilderness. australia & new zealand trekking
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living in new zealand Two Islands, uniting one captivating land of breathtaking vistas, incredible diversity and natural charm. Encounter countless pockets of peace, seclusion and majesty, balanced with vibrant, friendly, cosmopolitan cities. This is quintessential New Zealand, matching stunning surrounds, fantastic outdoor pursuits, comfort and hospitality, with cuisine based on the freshest local produce and finest regional vintages.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Eagles Nest Luxury Villa Waiheke Landing Pukeko Landing Hamurana Country Estate Huka Lodge
Eagles Nest Luxury Villa
Nestled on the ridge line of a private peninsula lies a place of serenity, beauty, healing and harmony. A secluded, boutique retreat in the breathtakingly beautiful Bay of Islands, where the pressures of life have never existed. Where the body, mind and soul find nourishment. This is Eagles Nest – four luxury villas, a team of chefs, a wine vault, an infinity pool and spa – the lists goes on. Walk through pristine, native bush to a private beach. Meditate to the sounds of nature wherever you are, whilst at night lie beneath a sweep of stars that will amaze you. At Eagles Nest simple elegance and the healing energy of this sacred land co-exist in an incomparable setting. In this place, you will be warmed by the sun, invigorated by the changing seasons, and catered to by gracious Kiwi hospitality!
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Waiheke Landing
Replenish your soul in the secret surrounds of your own island cove. Architecturally-designed Waiheke Landing embraces the ocean, with a stunning panorama of shimmering waters framed by majestic pohutukawa trees. Guests enjoy exclusive use of this private haven on Waiheke Island, in Auckland’s treasured marine park, just a 10 minute scenic helicopter ride or 35 minutes by ferry from the city. Step down through coastal foliage to test the waters of your secluded inlet, relax on your own private landing at one with the sea and linger in the sunset with leisurely alfresco dining. Waiheke is an island of eclectic treats, award-winning wineries and cafes, sandy beaches, artist’s studios, coastal and rainforest walks. Ply the waters, feel the breeze discover islands of the Hauraki Gulf, whilst cruising or sailing with your choice of classic boat charter. Indulge yourself and you will forever cherish the memories.
Lodge @ 199 The Lodge @ 199 presents an elegant sanctuary, set against the inspirational backdrop of Lake Tarawera. This superb, award-winning, luxury boutique hotel – Rotoroua’s newest five-star - boasts a spectacular 360degree panorama featuring the entirety of the lake and its unspoiled bush clad hinterland. In keeping with Lodge @ 199’swonderfullyrelaxedambience,guestsareaddressed by their first names only and are never asked what they do or their position in life. Here, one can catch a trophy sized trout, relax in a natural hot thermal pool, enjoying a glass of fine New Zealand wine, whilst your catch is roasting in the thermal sands of this untouched native wonderland.
Pukeko Landing
Accolades Overlooking Lake Rotorua in the heart of New Zealand’s renowned thermal region is the magnificent Accolades Boutique Hotel. This luxurious retreat enjoys a magical position with breathtaking views and is Rotorua’s latest five-star boutique property, offering an outstanding, welcoming haven, where guests enjoy the highest standards of comfort and award-winning hospitality. As soon as you enter these stunning surrounds, you will be transported to another world that will re-engage the senses. Accolades, is warm, intimate and serene – an altogether extraordinary experience that has redefined the best this beautiful region has to offer.
Revitalise your spirit in the serenity of your own private haven. Pukeko Landing offers breathtaking views, abundant bird-life and a secluded lake edge lawn and jetty. Overlooking the Otumutu lagoon, this quintessential NZ holiday home is a short drive along the rainforest-fringed road from the geothermal and cultural hot-spot of Rotorua. Immerse yourself in the surrounding tranquil beauty and be drawn to the lake, swim, row-boat or take a private cruise to secluded bays where hot water bubbles up through the sands. Trout fill the depths of this volcanic lake, cast a line and cook your catch in the hot sands whilst sampling the rainforest scents. Complete the day soaking in the master bath while the sunsets or sip a classic NZ wine amidst the aromas of dinner being prepared by your private chef. Reflect on adventure, culture and nature.
Huka Lodge
Considered to be one of the world’s top retreats, this property is nestled within seven hectares of beautiful grounds on the banks of the magnificent Waikato River. The hypnotic deep turquoise waters flow by on their way to the mighty Huka Falls, downstream from Huka Lodge. With just 20 beautifully appointed Lodge Rooms and the exclusive Owner’s Cottage, with its four luxurious suites, guests can experience seclusion, privacy and true quiet. Guests gather in the main Lodge for meals, pre-dinner drinks and to relax and enjoy the hospitality Huka Lodge is so famous for. Dining is sublime and deliberately romantic – choose from the Wine Cellar, the Terrace, the Orchard, the Tea House, the Trophy Room and many more venues. Venture forth for the trophy-size Rainbow and Brown trout, golf, guided walks, helicopter trips, horse trekking, kayaking and other adventures. Or simply stay at the Lodge and play tennis, petanque and croquet or indulge in a relaxing facial or massage. Huka Lodge is a welcoming haven of elegance, comfort and luxury, set in a landscape of great natural beauty.
Hamurana Country Estate
Hamurana Country Estate is a boutique country hotel where guests can enjoy the grandeur of the manor house, its gardens and lifestyle farm, along with warm personal service and fine food. A long, tree-lined driveway sets the scene for a perfect welcome to the 5-star Qualmarkrated manor house. After a personal greeting from the young Kiwi owner hosts and a tour of the luxurious amenities, guests can refresh in their room - one of 12 individually decorated ensuite guest rooms. A fullylicensed bar is available for pre-dinner drinks before dining in the exclusive à la carte restaurant, awarded the 2006 New Zealand Beef and Lamb Hallmark of Excellence. Sunrise is a moment of beauty at Hamurana, as early-risers will discover. Watch as the sun creeps gently over Lake Rotorua. A nature walk to Hamurana Springs, the hidden jewel of the area, creates a divine moment of peace and tranquillity. Surrounded by huge redwood trees, the springs are both beautiful and spiritually rejuvenating. Located an easy 15-minute drive from the centre of Rotorua, HCE is the perfect option for discerning travellers looking for something more personal than a hotel, more upmarket than the average B&B, and less formal than many lodges. new zealand living in new zealand
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auckland city The City of Sails…This vibrant sea side metropolis is both easy going and sophisticated. An inviting culinary landscape has spoilt locals for years and has now earned deserved international recognition. Be part of a sporting culture, enjoying international rugby, cricket, golf and horse racing, staged at first class venues. Enjoy festivals, a bustling shopping district and chic waterfront bars. Accessible forest trails, beautiful parkland and superb beaches complete this thoroughly engaging experience.
Aachen House
Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the marble floored conservatory, which opens to tranquil gardens at this award-winning, luxurious, boutique hotel. The grand building, once a residence, is now acknowledged as Auckland’s most popular, premier boutique hotel. Aachen House has been lovingly restored with all modern amenities, yet preserving the historic atmosphere and ambience of yesteryear. Aachen’s superb environment promotes conversation and contemplation, at the same time being close to the CBD, shopping areas and all major attractions and facilities. The attention to detail and presentation is without equal. An extraordinary antique collection, amassed from two decades of scouring Europe and Asia, presents both a showcase of treasures for the discerning traveller and a boutique hotel without peer!
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Skyjump
Release the hounds….plus a few thousand endorphins, and jump start your Kiwi adventure, by leaping from Auckland’s spectacular Sky Tower – the tallest building in the southern hemisphere! Take the leap and free fall at 75mph for around 16 seconds before slowing in the last few metres to land like a feather. Adrenalin junkies rate this heart stopper over bungy, declaring the ‘ground rush’ to be unbeatable, as there is no hanging upside down or bouncing around, Sky Jump is a whole new way of falling off things, with full body harness, “flying suit”, clipped to cable by professional jump masters, effectively riding on a cushion of air. One simply falls, fast and furious, for 192 metres!
Viaduct Landing
Refresh your senses in this unique, nautical haven, which boasts a remarkable 200sq metres of outdoor living with stunning wrap-around sea and city vistas. “A decadent secret in Auckland’s heartland” blending the tranquility of an inner city oasis with the vibrancy of the Viaduct Basin. Whether discovering this hub of the Pacific or simply seeking solace from an exhaustive travel timetable, Viaduct Landing answers the call. Exclusive use of this spacious apartment, offers a secure private environment. Luxuriously appointed with modern amenities, the apartment showcases art from the Pacific Rim. Indulge with food or fashion, sailing or cruising, returning to sip cocktails at sunset or soak in the spa under the stars and city lights. Embracing the very essence of waterfront living in the heart of the city of sails, guests discover this stay as the stand-out accommodation experience of their New Zealand visit.
Umoya Lodge
Drawing its name from the Zulu word ‘Umoja’ meaning soul, spirit and breath, is Umoya Lodge. True to its name, this remote and idyllic luxury lodge, set atop Mt Rataroa, is a place of absolute tranquility, breathtaking scenery and luxurious escapism. Surrounded by 35 acres of native bush, this lodge’s elevated position affords both stunning sea views to the Coramandel and magical vistas of rustic Kiwi farmland as far as the eye can see. The lodge’s architecture is spacious and sophisticated, allowing guests the choice to relax in the main lodge or their own suite, in detached, luxuriant seclusion. With truly memorable, seasonal New Zealand cuisine, and a host of outdoor activities, Umoya Lodge captures a complete New Zealand experience!
Auckland Bridge Climb
Auckland Bridge Climb is an unforgettable adventure that takes climbers under, around, up and over the historic Auckland Harbour Bridge. This is the only Bridge Climb in New Zealand complete with tour guide, full commentary and great photo opportunity at the summit.The suspended span bridge, with an original superstructure started in 1955, was the last of it’s kind to be built in the world. It stretches over the Westhaven Marina – the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, with 3000 berths, and offers unparalleled views of Auckland City, Port, Rangitoto, Whangaparoa Peninsula, Devonport, and the Waitakere Ranges. Custom-engineered walkways provide a safe, enjoyable and easy-going experience while showcasing the incredible sights, sounds and activity of Auckland, the city of sails. Only Auckland Bridge Climb can offer you this exhilarating experience, to be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels. Be prepared for the ultimate ‘high’.
Explore NZ - Sail NZ
Dennis Conner, eat your heart out! Sailing on America’s Cup yachts is usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, Sail NZ onboard NZL 40 and NZL 41 offer the ultimate America’s Cup experience, giving all of us the once in a life time opportunity to sail or even race on these grand prix aquatic machines.This multi award-winning company was established in 2000 and is now the largest sailing operator in New Zealand with an impressive fleet of high performance yachts including the prestigious America’s Cup Class yachts. Suitable for everyone, from those who have never sailed, through to experienced old salts, this is a unique, world-class sailing experience where passengers become captain and crew.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY
Explore NZ - Auckland’s Dolphin and Whale Safari
Experience the dolphin and whale safari of a lifetime, in Auckland’s beautiful Hauraki Gulf, widely considered to be one of the most biologically and geographically diverse marine parks in the world. With Auckland’s Dolphin and Whale Safari’s luxury twenty-metre purpose-built catamaran Dolphin Explorer, this really is an exclusive safari, venturing into one of the world’s richest habitats for marine animals, where over 22 species of dolphins and whales are regularly seen.You may see small pods of dolphins playing round the boat or be spellbound by the spectacle of a feeding frenzy involving seabirds, dolphins and whales. For a great fun day out, join the morning departure with lunch included or for something uniquely Auckland, the afternoon and evening trip with BBQ dinner included.
Hyatt Regency Auckland
The Hyatt, Auckland, offers elegant apartment style living with panoramic views of Auckland’s harbour and city. This luxurious hotel, with resident penthouses and superb apartments, being so much more spacious than suites, is a great place for guests wanting to have a temporary five star “home” in Auckland, with all the services they have come to expectfromaninternationalhotel.Prepareyourfavouritemeal whilst enjoying spectacular harbour and city-parkland vistas. The city of sails is a thriving metropolis presenting a vibrant spectrumofgastronomicdelights,fromfinediningexperiences of the highest order, with superb New Zealand wines, to a wonderful cafe scene that is fast gaining recognition among locals and international visitors alike. Entertainment, fashion and fun complement any visit to this beautiful city. With the Hyatt enjoying a premium address, just a few minutes walk from the city centre and so many other attractions, it is the perfect base from which to experience Auckland. new zealand auckland city
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beaches From the black sands of the Auckland west coast to the golden sands of the Abel Tasman National Park, the beaches of New Zealand are magnificent. Lose yourself in discovering the rugged coastal landscapes where laid back locals live for the beach. Surf, beach comb, picnic or dig your own spa at the crazy Hot Beach, this is the idyllic and natural New Zealand that we all imagine.
Paihia Beach Resort & Spa
Location, location, location… Paihia Beach Resort & Spa holds a superb beach position overlooking the Bay of Islands, granting glorious ocean views from every balcony and patio. This multi-award winner was recently voted New Zealand’s leading resort in the highly coveted World Travel Awards, with votes cast by travel agents in over twohundredcountries.Threestylesofaccommodationare available, all spacious and stylishly furnished, featuring those stunning floor to ceiling panoramic ocean views. This exclusive five star resort also features the “top ten in Australasia” La Spa Naturale, a twenty metre heated salt water pool, a large Jacuzzi and private steam and sauna rooms, whilst the poolside sea view restaurant “Pure Tastes” offers some of New Zealand’s finest gourmet delights. With Paihia Beach Resort & Spa’s location, this is an unforgettable Bay of Islands experience.
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MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Paihia Beach Resort & Spa Abel Tasman National Park Gannet Safaris Waipoua Lodge
Waipoua Lodge
Situated on the Kauri Coast on the northernmost boundary of the Waipoua Forest, Waipoua Lodge offers luxury accommodation in a historic setting. Built from kauri timber 120 years ago, the sensitively restored lodge is owned and hosted by New Zealanders and features many mementoes from the era when kauri milling was at its pinnacle. Separate to the main lodge which houses the guest lounge, dining room, sunroom with library and bar, there are four, self-contained apartments uniquely decorated with plush furnishings. Situated amongst four acres of beautiful, landscaped gardens, the apartments and main lodge enjoy panoramic views over the majestic Waipoua Forest, as far as the eye can see. The beauty of the property’s location is its proximity to the local natural wonders such as the crystal clear fresh water Kai Iwi Lakes, Trounson Kauri Park and the endless sandy beaches. In fact you may be the only people on the beach!
Fullers Cape Reinga Wanderer A Cape Reinga tour for those who wish to spend time enjoying the stunning natural wonders of the North. You will be over-awed by the grandeur of the mighty Kauri trees, the expanse of Ninety Mile Beach and the mystique of Cape Reinga. There are numerous stops for you to take in the scenic highlights and activities. The tour starts with an easy twenty minute boardwalk through the Puketi Kauri Forest. Thunder along Ninety Mile Beach to the top of New Zealand and wander out to the lighthouse. Ride their sand sledges if you dare! Take a swim and dig for shellfish. See the picturesque village of Mangonui. Your Coach Captain’s local knowledge and informative commentary will make this trip one to remember.
Abel Tasman National Park
Opou A Country House At Opou A Country House, there is a strong emphasis on privacy, comfort and style with outstanding food and wine with unrivalled hospitality. A luxuriant ambience flows effortlessly throughout this historic 120 year old mansion, set amongst twelve acres of magnificent parklike grounds. In winter sit before a roaring fire on a comfortable sofa or in summer throw open the French doors and let the smell of roses float in! Opou – in the Gisborne regions, one of the warmest in New Zealand - is set in the heartland of an ancient and compelling Maori culture, wonderful white sandy beaches, award-winning vineyards, farmlands, forests and the arts.
So you want more…? Abel Tasman National Park is much more than sapphire bays and protected golden beaches fringed by lush native forest. History comes alive with Abel Tasman Wilson’s Experiences, offering the chance to sea-kayak, walk or take a scenic boat cruise with this passionate, multi award-winning company, showcasing this glorious eco-system of 23,000 hectares and different aspects of the fascinating European history of the coast. The knowledge and empathy of the guides is a strong feature of the Wilson’s trips, granting guests a deep understanding of the region’s delicate ecology, flora and fauna, history and cultural heritage, bringing an infectious delight to each tour. Choose from day excursions to the three and five day experience, offering a night at each of the Wilson’s exclusive lodges, with walking and kayaking aplenty or simply lazing on the beautiful beaches.
Explore NZ - Sail NZ At seventy-two feet long and a mast standing at over one hundred feet tall, ‘On the Edge’ is the fastestandlargestcommerciallyoperatedcatamaran in New Zealand and is guaranteed to excite like no other cat! Capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots, ‘On the Edge’offers an exciting but comfortable day suitable for absolutely everyone, this is one helluva boat, sure to beat your expectations. Operating in the Bay of Islands, Sail NZ’s ‘On the Edge’ offers the ultimate day sail exploring these stunning islands and their marvellous beaches. When conditions permit, visit the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, stopover for lunch on one of the beautiful islands, enjoy kayaking, snorkelling and pure relaxation or get involved with some of the best sailing ever.
Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort Majestically situated on a mountainside on the lower eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula at Pauanui Beach is Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort. This prestigious hideaway offers luxury and seclusion by the sea with fortyeight, tastefully decorated individual chalets set amongst 25 acres of native New Zealand bush. Within a 10 minute drive from Puka Park Resort take a round of golf at the 18-hole international Lakes Resort golf course. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the golden sands of beautiful Pauanui Beach before cooling off in the surf. The Coromandel is an area steeped in history and heritage, making this a complete New Zealand experience!
Gannet Safaris
Award-winning Gannet Safaris, through their Cape Kidnappers Safari experience takes you to Hawke’s Bay Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony – the world’s largest, most accessible nesting place. It’s the only way of being taken right to within a few feet of these remarkable birds – NO WALKING! The 20,000 gannets at the Cape are members of the booby family, with distinctive black eye markings and a pale gold crown. Get up close and personal with these amazing birds, as they take to the air, swooping and diving as they utilize a six-foot (two metre) wing span to bring back fish. The birds can be seen from September to early May. Gannett Safaris have been guiding visitors over Cape Kidnappers for over thirty-five years, now offering state of the art 4x4 safari vehicles, a unique helicopter safari and a fantastic guided walk, to enjoy not only the Gannets, but also one of Hawke’s Bays most picturesque working sheep and cattle stations. Cape Kidnappers Station is a rugged coastal property of over 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) with spectacular ocean boundaries on two sides. new zealand beaches
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islands of aotearoa Retreat to your Island. Each a magical diverse sanctuary open for your immersion. Marry your desires with a platter of options available on the diverse range of islands throughout New Zealand. Sympathetic avant garde lodgings and wonderful local hospitality transcend your relationship with these beautiful and unspoiled environs.
Stewart Island Lodge
Your hosts, Doug and Margaret Wright, invite you to enjoy the unspoiled charm of New Zealand’s‘third island’ from the comfort of their luxury retreat - Stewart Island Lodge. This unspoiled island retreat, nestled amongst a pristine bush setting with breathtaking views over Halfmoon Bay and surrounding hills, is in perfect balance with its tranquil surrounds. Dining is a seafood lovers delight, with salmon, oysters and crayfish all sourced locally. This island experience is all about the amazing variety of birdlife, viewed right from the lodge’s terrace or take advantage of Stewart Island boasting the largest accessible population of native birds, including the native Brown Kiwi at the only place in the world to be seen in its natural habitat. Yet Stewart Island is not only natural beauty – its abundant attractions will fulfil every taste.
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White Island with HELiPRO
Experience the amazing contrast of New Zealand’s two most extreme volcanoes, White Island and Mount Tarawera. Join them for the tour of a lifetime walking on the crater floor of an active island volcano, White Island, before landing on the rugged and exposed peak of Mount Tarawera. White Island is renowned as their only active offshore volcano and the opportunity to walk across the active crater floor is truly unique. Pass steaming volcanic vents (fumaroles) and bubbling hot streams before standing on the edge of the active Crater Lake. The lunar landscape, volcanic activity and incredible history behind the island all combine to create an impression that has to be experienced to be believed. Departing the island to track over the Pacific Ocean and fly inland to Mount Tarawera the site of the largest eruption in New Zealand’s living memory. The contrast couldn’t be more complete, from the lunar landscape of White Island, to the exposed and rugged peak of Mount Tarawera, some 3680 feet above sea level. These two incredible scenic highlights offer some of the most unique and stunning scenery that New Zealand has to offer.
Earthsong Lodge
As you venture under the canopy of native forest veiling the driveway to Earthsong Lodge, the senses are engaged, fairly salivating with anticipation, knowing a special experience has begun. Set on Great Barrier Island, the lodge is a luxurious retreat of tranquility and beauty, where the rustle of trees and the music of birdsong help to soothe and relax. Earthsong is a magnificent sub-tropical environment,providingyouaquiethavenwithpanoramic views of Hauraki Gulf, pristine Tryphena Beaches, and a lovely olive grove. Hospitality and ambience are bywords at Earthsong, where white silken sands, rugged wilderness, virgin forest plus rare plant and bird life are combinedwithhostsTrevorandCarol’sexceptionalservice and seasonally inspired food, that really ought to qualify for a Michelin rating. Beauty, luxury and close attention to the environment merge seamlessly, in a way that has drawn acclaim from travelers all around the globe. An exclusive retreat, pampering only six guests at one time.
Bush & Beach A thirty minute flight by light plane over the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf brings us to majestic Great Barrier Island. After breakfast, take an easy walk past giant Nikau palms and rare native flora and fauna to the Kaitoke natural thermal springs. The adventure continues on the drive past native bush and rugged peaks to the secluded Port Fitzroy for a picnic lunch. A short drive takes you to a sweeping stretch of pristine white sand. There is time here for a swim or a meander along the beach. Visit the only working cattle and sheep farm on the island. At a nearby stream, monster eels come when called and can be fed – if you dare! This unforgettable day is rounded off with a climb to the top of Windy Canyon. The flight back returns you to Auckland Airport.
Kapiti Island Alive
Visit Kapiti Island and discover some of the world’s rarest birds with Kapiti Island Alive. This unspoiled island nature reserve and bird sanctuary, is just five kilometres from the mainland and has been a protected environment since 1897, ensuring this untouched island remains a bird-watching paradise of the highest order. There are no introduced predators or pests. The island is much as it was over a century ago. View rare Saddlebacks, Stitch birds, Red Crowned Parakeets plus a host of others. En route to the island you will pass through the Kapiti Marine Reserve, where you may see passing whales, dolphins and a variety of gulls, gannets, penguins, terns and shearwaters. Only 50 visitor permits a day are issued. Stay overnight for your opportunity to see the very rare Little Spotted Kiwi in it’s natural environment. Famous past visitors include Sir David Attenborough – say no more! This fully guided tour is a must not only for bird lovers, but also for naturalists of all persuasions.
Patio Bay Lodge
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Stewart Island Lodge
EarthsongLodge
Patio Bay Lodge
Kapiti Island Alive
HELiPRO
The Boatshed Located above a sun-drenched bay on the island of Waiheke – New Zealand’s nautical playground in Auckland’s spectacular Hauraki Gulf – is perhaps the ultimate, boutique, seaside hotel. This exclusive hotel has five designer suites, each with private panoramicviews.Rediscoverthesimplepleasures,strollamongst aneclecticmixofaward-winningvineyards,sophisticatedalfresco restaurants, holiday homes, artists’ studios and galleries with golden, sandy beaches for swimming and adventures. Revel in an ambience drawing heavily from nautical heritage, featuring old rowing oars, ships’ lanterns and charts. How about a facial before joining other guests for a memorable Mediterranean feast, a private seafood platter for two on the balcony or some old fashioned comfort food in front of the fire. Whichever you choose expect fine hospitality and exceptional service.
Stroll across beautifully manicured green lawns and onto the private golden sandy beach, fringed with Pohutukawa and Flame Trees, before taking a swim in the dreamlike, picture postcard setting that is Patio Bay Lodge. This purpose built, luxury lodge offers absolute beach front accommodation for six adults, in a secluded bay on the east coast of Waiheke Island. The fabulous gourmet kitchen is sure to draw out the best culinary attributes from serious foodies and wannabes alike or alternatively a professional chef is available. With a floodlit championship tennis court, chip’n putt golf and beautiful swimming pool, here is an inspirational holiday lodge that’s packing a lot of holiday indeed!
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wildlife & marine encounters Witness natural energy along thousands of kilometres of pristine shoreline in nutrient rich seas. The home to extraordinary wildlife and marine mammals. Get up close and personal with wild dolphins, whales and a myriad of bird life. Here the twin values of hospitality and reverence for the natural world are cherished.
Elm Wildlife Tours
Go eyeball to eyeball with a yellow-eyed penguin, plus some of the world’s rarest wildlife with Elm Wildlife Tours, recipient of New Zealand Tourism Award “Best Leisure Activity 2005”. These consummate professionals have been benchmarked by the Green Globe system to the highest environmental standards. Elm offer exceptional small group guided wildlife experiences on the picturesque Otago Peninsula and the south eastern coast of NZ, including exclusive private charters from their base in Dunedin. Guests are shown some of the most spectacular wildlife spots in the area including a private sanctuary conservation area, where excellent close-up viewing of some of the world’s rarest wildlife is available. A long list of happy customers count an Elm Wildlife Tour as the highlight of their trip to New Zealand.
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Mokoia Island with HELiPRO Mokoia Island wildlife sanctuary is not only home to some of New Zealand’s rarest and endangered birdlife but also basks in the culture and history that define Rotorua as New Zealand’s cultural heartland. Join Helipro to enjoy up close some of their rarest native birds, thermal activity and native flora. Informative commentary about the island history, geology and unique cultural past, define this excursion.
Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World
Become a Shark Survivor! Take the plunge and dive with the sharks... Your thrilling underwater guided tour will bring you face to face with the Bronze Whaler Shark, Sevengill and Wobbegong sharks, giant stingrays and a variety of other fish. Fully qualified instructors will ensure that your dive is a never to be forgotten experience - whether you are a first time diver or a certified diver. As a non-diver you will have a full day at Kelly Tarlton’s, starting with a Discover Scuba introductory lesson to teach you the basics, enabling you to dive with the sharks with no protective caging on your first ever dive! Not only that, but your Discover Scuba lesson provides you with a recognised certificate that counts towards the international PADI Dive Certificate. Their instructors will ensure that you are in safe hands at all times and guide you through the crystal clear waters of the shark’s lair.
Coral Princess Cruises Coral Princess Cruises has launched a range of new five-night voyages exploring the highlights of New Zealand’s North Island. The voyage will visit Tiri Tiri, one of only two scientific reserves in New Zealand, the historic Kawau Island, Port Fitzroy, Whangaroa Harbour and the Bay of Islands. Passengers will have the chance to observe rare native birds and wildlife, enjoy guided walks and explore secret alcoves on the purpose-built excursion vessel, ‘Xplorer’ and fleet of inflatable Zodiacs. Oceanic Princess is an expedition-style cruise ship carrying just 72 passengers, the ship is large enough to provide all the comfort and facilities of larger cruise ships, yet small enough to enable access to reef and island sites inaccessible to other vessels.
Explore NZ - Dolphin Discoveries
Swimming with dolphins in their world is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Dolphin Discoveries presents the ultimate Bay of Islands and marine mammal experience. This experience takes in the abundance of marine animals and wildlife the Bay is famous for, including whales, seabirdsandpenguins,whicharefrequentlyencountered in this pristine marine environment, on-board purposebuilt luxury vessels. Dolphin Discoveries is the original dolphin and whale watching and swimming company in the Bay of Islands. They employ only the most experienced guides who will educate you and ensure you get the most out of this enthralling adventure. With a success rate of over 95% for sighting marine mammals, Dolphin Discoveries is one of very few companies guaranteeing dolphin viewings on all trips, all year round and conditions permitting, will get you into the water to swim with these captivating mammals in their natural environment. This experience will take your breath away.
Explore NZ - Discover The Bay ‘Discover The Bay’, is the ultimate Bay of Islands experience, touring some of the beautiful one hundred and forty four islands, that make up the Bay, over a morning or afternoon cruise, on board the luxurious Discovery IV. Learn about the rich culture and history this region is renowned for, visiting the spectacular Hole in the Rock, passing through this awesome natural feature and viewing marine mammals and wildlife in their unspoilt environments. This wonderful tour includes an engaging commentary,alongwithunderwatercameras for a complete interactive experience. Dolphin Discoveries, ‘Discover the Bay’ is the only trip to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ to guarantee dolphin sightings.
Whale Watch® Kaikoura
Kaikoura Helicopters Let Kaikoura helicopters introduce you to a world of whales. Flying by helicopter is a magical sensation, and Kaikoura Helicopters offers New Zealand’s only helicopter whale watching experience. In just a few minutes Kaikoura can have you out in the whale watching area. World renowned for whale watching, the picturesque seaside town of Kaikoura is nestled on a rugged peninsula on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Blessed with many natural wonders, Kaikoura is privileged to have spectacular scenery as a backdrop to its wonderful marine and sea bird environment.
How about sharing sunrise with sea monsters? Whale Watch Kaikoura is New Zealand’s only marine-based whale watching company operating year round, offering guests an exciting up-close encounter with the giant sperm whale, with a phenomenal 95% success rate. Kaikoura’s semi-resident Sperm Whales are the largest living carnivore, being equivalent in size to 4 elephants. Every whale watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales, are the star of the show however, depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Designed specifically for whale watching, Kaikoura’s modern catamarans emit very little engine noise and toilets that never pollute the sea. As a Maori-owned company,Whale Watch cherishes the twin values of hospitality to visitors and reverence for the natural world. It is committed to providing a quality whale watching experience, while carefully managing the use of a rare natural resource.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises - Dunedin No visit to Dunedin is complete without a visit to the beautiful Otago Peninsula and spectacular Taiaroa Head to view the Northern Royal Albatross, and wildlife that abounds......and who better to share this experience with than Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours (Finalist 2006 NZ Tourism Awards). Experience unrivalled viewing of Albatross, Penguins, seals and other marine mammals, and over 20 species of birds on the headlands and many inlets and bays that form part of the Otago Peninsula. Take their premier tour to see all this and more. This beautiful part of the world has picture postcard scenery, and is a wildlife watchers dream.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the tours and properties featured. MAP KEY Elm Wildlife Tours Explore NZ - Dolphin Discoveries Hapuku Lodge Whale Watch Kaikoura Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World
Hapuku Lodge
The philosophy behind Hapuku Lodge is simple - to give guests a great night’s sleep in one of the most beautiful places in the world. They have succeeded. Luxurious and distinctive, Hapuku Lodge holds a magical position between the mountains and the ocean, on a deer stud and olive farm. Designed as a contemporary country inn, with six lodge rooms, five elevated Tree Houses and a self-containedluxuryapartment.HapukuLodgepositions guests to take full advantage of the Kaikoura wildlife and marine safari experience. Kaikoura is a very special part of New Zealand, imbued with a dramatic natural energy and anamazingabundanceofmarinelifeincludingyear-round residents, the culturally significant giant Sperm Whale. Kaikoura is one of New Zealand’s leading nature tourism destinations, with New Zealand Geographic calling it “a marine Serengeti”. The town itself is one of historical and cultural significance and a must for seafood lovers.
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fishing & hunting Satisfaction guaranteed… fly-fish or hunt in pristine wilderness, where streams, rivers and lakes teem with trout and remote mountains are home to deer, pigs and the elusive tar. Join the local expert by horse, 4WD, quad bikes or helicopter to the sweet spots of success. At the days end share your tales with like minded souls in fine accommodation enjoying hearty cuisine and premium beverages.
Maruia River Lodge
Dare to dream an inspirational riverside retreat, and chances are Maruia River Lodge may just eclipse your imagination! Superlatives struggle to match the sheer beauty of this breathtaking setting. This stunning retreat combines stylish comfort, privacy, fine food and wine with the best fly fishing in New Zealand. The team at Maruia River Lodge, led by Steve and Penny Bicknell are dedicated to creating the experience of a lifetime. Seven luxurious, private cottages, each with a covered balcony right on the banks of the Maruia river, one of the most famous Brown Trout rivers in the world, come together making this an altogether outstanding riverside experience.
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Poronui Ranch
Poronui Ranch is a luxury fly-fishing lodge nestled in the Taharua valley south-east of Taupo on New Zealand’s spectacular North Island, offering guests the opportunity to catch legendary fish in stunning and pristine surroundings. The 16,000 acre property is arguably New Zealand’s finest fishing lodge, having long been a favoured fishing and hunting ground - for both ancient Maori and early European settlers. Today the trout fishing and hunting on Poronui Ranch are considered absolutely world class. Here guests fish in isolated and pristine wilderness,discoveringuncrowdedstreamsthatarehome to incredibly large, and wily, brown and rainbow trout, with opportunities to suit every preference or ability. The main lodge and guest cabins have evolved from what was once a rustic fishing camp, to one of the world’s finest fishing lodge holiday destinations, combining elements of modern luxury and wonderful style.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Maruia River Lodge Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo Poronui Ranch Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours
Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo
In a country famous for its trout fishing, the Lake Taupo region, in the centre of the North Island, is considered to be the best of the best. Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo is a Mediterranean style resort that enjoys a magnificent location right on the shores of Lake Taupo, only minutes away from Taupo airport and township. Step onto the beach or private balcony from your luxurious accommodation, as you take in unsurpassed views of the lake and mountains. Make no mistake, the trout here are big; legendary for their size, condition and attitude. The Taupo experience would not be complete without hiring a guide and exploring some of the crystal clear streams and rivers of the region, then retire to the resort and watch the sun set over the lake while enjoying drinks in the lounge bar or on the beach.
Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours Hunting Tours
Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours is a premium touring company, specializing in tailoring customized hunting tours that capture the very best New Zealand has to offer. Kiwi Kulture take great pride in piecing together the finest itineraries, liaising closely with guests in order not only to meet their wants and needs, but to then exceed their expectations. Luxurious accommodation is sought through only the finest lodges or five star hotels, as the location or guest preference determines. Kiwi Kulture hunt a variety of game, including Red deer, Wapiti (Elk), Chamois, Thar and Sika deer as well as wild pigs, in a range of styles using either helicopters, four wheel drive, quad bikes or horse back. If the ladies are with their husbands or partners and don’t wish to accompany them, Kiwi Kulture can arrange for alternative activities such as spa and beauty treatments, sight-seeing, soft adventure or sky-diving.
Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours Fishing Tours
Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours is a premium touring company, specialising in tailoring customized fishing tours that capture the very best New Zealand has to offer. Experience the incredible adrenalin rush of landing big game fish in these rich waters, with fish caught including Striped Marlin, Black Marlin, Mako Sharks, plus Blue and Yellow fin Tuna. Luxurious, well-appointed and equipped live-aboard boats, have hospitable, professional crew and experienced, knowledgeable skippers, who really know their game. Boats range in size from 35 to 60ft, depending on the location and length of tour. Of course, no New Zealand fishing experience would be complete without immersing yourself in some world’s best trout fishing. The awesome scenic beauty of this magical land is brought to life through the inspirational union of fly-fishing and pristine wilderness. The North and South Islands offer unsurpassed opportunities through this country’s myriad of rivers, lakes and streams and with Kiwi Kulture’s passionate understanding of this diverse land, your first step towards landing large, wily brown and rainbow trout, has already been taken. If the ladies are with their husbands or partners and don’t wish to accompany them, alternative activities such as spa and beauty treatments, sightseeing, soft adventure or sky-diving can be arranged. new zealand fishing & hunting
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rivers, fiords, lakes & sounds Awesome unbridled grandeur, billions of years in the making.This striking pocket celebrates creation, in all its glory. Witness natures stunning power, from waterfalls plummeting hundreds of metres into forested valleys, ancient fiords brooding under mountains and endless stretches of shimmering lakes and granite peaks.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and tours featured. MAP KEY Bay Of Many Coves Resort Over The Top Blanket Bay Real Journeys Cougar Line
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Bay of Many Coves Resort
Cougar Line
There is a place in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand’s famous wine growing region, where lush green hills kiss azure blue waters, where a uniquely tranquil and restful sanctuary awaits. Bay of Many Coves Resort is a luxurious five star retreat offering spacious hillside apartments, with an uninterrupted vista of coastline and native bush-clad hills. The restaurant’s irresistible cuisine reflects the regions finest harvest, from succulent seafood to delicious olives and fruits, and naturally, the very best of hand selected wines. This exclusivepicturepostcardretreatpresentsanextraordinary playground for sailing, fishing, walking and kayaking, in an unspoilt natural environment that is absolutely world class–anexceptionaldestinationforexceptionaltravellers.
A day in your life... most are ordinary, some you will never forget. Prepare to experience the stunning beauty and solitude of one of New Zealand’s natural wonders. You will remember this trip forever. For those who love to combine walking with their holiday experience. You can capture the historic and natural world of the famous Queen Charlotte Track, in just one day. From 1hr to 8hr walks, Cougar Line have it covered. There is a walk to suit all fitness levels and ages. Departing from Picton, the one hour journey by stylish catamaran is one of the highlights of the outing. The Marlborough Sounds are an eco-marine haven, boasting dolphins, seals, gannets and penguins in this tranquil world of sheltered coves and bays. Step ashore in the footsteps of Captain Cook for their most popular day walk. Through magnificent virgin forest you will emerge at the ridgeline to breathtaking views of Cook Straight and Resolution Bay, before a gradual descent leads to the sheltered waters of Endeavour Inlet. Cougar Line crew and staff are experienced, knowledgeable and passionate about the area they choose to live and play in. Bring your camera, snack, drink bottle and smile and Cougar Line will take care of the rest. It doesn’t get much better than this!
new zealand rivers, fiords, lakes & sounds
Shotover Jet You can’t beat the thrill and excitement of Shotover Jet, it’s an amazing ride. From the moment the accelerator hits the floor your adrenaline hits the roof, as you speed along the famous Shotover River and deep into the Shotover River Canyons. As the rocky Canyon walls tower over you, your driver skilfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders. Experience the ‘trademark’ Shotover Jet 360° spin aboard Shotover Jet, the ‘world’s most exciting jet boat ride’ and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.
Dart River Safaris Dart River Safaris operate in one of the world’s great wild and scenic landscapes – a priceless remnant of the flora and fauna that once were abundant in the ancient super continent of Gondwanaland. The Dart River crew, professional, friendly, fun loving Kiwis offer two amazing experiences - one a jet boat, the other, kayaking (funyaking). The first will jetboat you deep into unbridled wilderness, up a stunning aquamarine braided glacial river, beneath magnificent snow capped mountain peaks, letting one walk amongst ancient beach forest! This is an absolutely colossal, endorphin charged experience framed by World Heritage listed South West New Zealand.
Mt Tarawera with HELiPRO Fly with HELiPRO to Mount Tarawera the site of the largest eruption in New Zealand’s living memory, here try to comprehend the earth forces which created this awe inspiring volcanic icon. Standing on the summit offers unobstructed views of the volcano’s awesome craters, domes and the Lakes district – complemented with informative commentary, this is more than a flight, it is an experience to remember.
Over The Top
Blanket Bay
Real Journeys
Land, shut down, and immerse yourself in silence. Experience a spectacular glacial fiord surrounded by towering mountains, waterfalls and pristine rainforest. Only thirty minutes flight time from Queenstown, your Over The Top helicopter and Milford Ultimate Tour, will transport you from the tussock landscape of central Otago, over the breathtaking Southern Alps, through the glacial carved valleys, down to the ancient fiords. Discover a labyrinth of valleys and mountains as you fly west over the Southern Alps main divide, viewing Lake Te Anau, following the Milford track past the Sutherland Falls on this extensive tour to Milford Sound. Your knowledgeable pilot will narrate regional history, how the land was formed, to some unique secrets of the fiords.You will learn about the flora and fauna, plus the whys and wherefores of an extreme rainfall in an untouched world.
Blanket Bay is an elegant yet rustic alpine lodge framed by a crystal clear lake and majestic mountains, offering a haven of comfort and a gateway to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. The Lodge is a peaceful sanctuary,sittingamongstsprawlinggroundsonthebushclad fringes of Lake Wakatipu and is built in the grand style of the finest alpine lodges, using fine New Zealand timbers and stone. Blanket Bay can provide you with endless ways to help restore your physical and spiritual well being in this enchanting corner of New Zealand. From a stroll along the lakefront to a four day hike in Mt Aspiring National Park with charming and exceptionally knowledgeable guides, the options are limitless for walking and adventure enthusiasts alike. Extraordinary fishing, skiing, horse riding and water sports, complement world class dining, helping Blanket Bay Lodge set a new standard in New Zealand nature experiences.
Cruising amidst Doubtful Sound’s towering peaks and bushclad islands is awe-inspiring. All around, sheer mountainsides soar upwards from dark waters, punching holes in the brooding sky. One of southern New Zealand’s most spectacular and pristine fiords – World Heritage listed Doubtful Sound is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and fantastic marine life. Choose from a day excursion or indulge in an overnight cruise onboard the Fiordland Navigator, purpose built for these waters, offering luxurious cabins, spacious viewing decks, comfortable dining salon and observation lounge.The sense of isolation and wilderness is so compelling, it takes a while for the ears to adjust and then you hear it - the sound of silence! Then there is the opportunity to launch kayaks or explore in a tender craft with an expert nature guide. Waterfalls tumble into the fiord, birdsong filters down from the towering slopes above, as you pause to observe a pod of dolphins frolicking nearby and examine seals basking in the morning sun. This overnight cruise is sure to touch the soul, creating a wondrous basket of lifelong memories. new zealand rivers, fiords, lakes & sounds
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adventure
MORE INFORMATION
Calling all adrenalin addicts… this is the adventure fix you’ve been craving. Here lies a plethora of confronting extremes guaranteeing to put you over the edge every time, your supply sourced from the most diverse, unspoilt terrain on Earth. Take the combination of surfing Tasman swells in the morning, then wind up to an afternoon of heli-skiing or drop down deep into a cave and then scale the clouds mountaineering.
West Coast Glaciers & Waterways
The South Island of New Zealand boasts some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. An almost insane diversity, matched by a depth of beauty that speaks a thousand stories. This amazing 5 day tour of some of the best west coast experiences presents the chance to get directly involved. Adventure doesn’t need to mean roughing it - but if you want to, there is even the chance to experience an overnight in a comfortable mountain hut perched high above the Fox Glacier complete with gourmet meals!. This trip has it all, - luxury lodges, thrilling jetboats, amazing helicopter flights, stable double kayaks and inland water ways, spectacular glacier walks - or just watching the sunset on the Tasman Ocean. Christchurch to Queenstown via the West coast - and a collection of its most memorable experiences.
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Over The Top
Visit our website for more photos and information for all the tours and experiences featured. MAP KEY StBenedict’sCaverns
Lost World 7hour Epic
Over The Top
Haggas Honking Holes
West Coast Glaciers & Waterways
Tumu Tumu Toobing
How about skiing four ski fields in one day? New Zealand’s adventure capital and leading winter resort destination, Queenstown and Over The Top - New Zealand’s premier helicopter touring company make this experience possible. For those who are undecided on a ski field or want a once in a lifetime experience, this is an unforgettable adventure, to ski four mountains in the one day. It is achievable with your own helicopter and personal guide, taking you to Coronet Peak, Treble Cone, Cardrona and the Remarkables ski fields. Enjoy queue priority and the best runs on each field, with your instructor and guide - well travelled, sophisticated and socially confident. Over the Tops team are adept to ensure each guest’s experience is extraordinary, memorable and unique.
St Benedict’s Caverns
St Benedict’s Caverns are widely regarded as the prettiest piece of known cave in New Zealand. Because of the technical difficulties in accessing the cave and its relative remoteness, only a few hardy cavers have been able to enjoy it to date. Now after several years in the making, WaitomoAdventuresLtdpresentStBenedict’sAdventure, making it possible for ordinary people to experience and enjoy what truly must be one of New Zealand’s special places... “Suddenly, just on the right-hand corner, the whole scene changed from the turmoil and confusion of the rockfall, to the peace and serenity that is bestowed on the underground scene by a covering of pure white calcite. By this time our vocabulary of superlatives had just about run out and yet with every step nature provided even more beauty on which to feast our eyes.”- John Hobson, explorer,NewZealandSpeleologicalSociety.StBenedict’s is a timeless world of unprecedented natural beauty.
Abel Tasman Sailing The Abel Tasman National Park coastline offers some of the finest sailing in New Zealand. Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures have become the main Yacht Charter Company in the region, offering the most comprehensive range of sailing adventure activities in the South Island, specializing in exclusivechartersonlargecomfortablecatamarans, for discerning guests who expect the very best. Owners Jason and Brenda Brownlie operate modern, safe and well-equipped boats, skippered by passionate, knowledgeable yachties, who bring this special part of the world to life.
Lost World 7hour Epic
Fancy a bite to eat in the middle of the earth? The Lost World All Day Epic Adventure offers an inspirational combination that includes not only an incredible underground lunch, but also walking, swimming and climbing through Cathedral-sized vaults, after abseiling some 100 metres into the ‘Lost World’, before taking the wet way out! This is undoubtedly the most dramatic abseil of its kind in the world. This amazing descent takes some ten to fifteen minutes and can only be described as awesome. The two cheerful, professional guides for each small group, make the journey (swimming under waterfalls, sliding down wet rock tracks, grinning through the streamway) a sparkling, exhilarating epic of wild fun. The scenery is as diverse as it is beautiful, with waterfalls, fossil oysters and whalebones, as well as untold glowworms, making this an unforgettable experience.
Millbrook Resort Millbrook Resort offers luxurious accommodation in majestic Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, with outstanding facilities to create a unique and inviting destination. Millbrook is designed to embody the relaxed New Zealand country lifestyle and to make the most of its setting among some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. It is a year round recreational paradise – each season featuring its own character, colours and leisure pursuits. The resort boasts its own championship golf course, swimming, tennis, mountain biking, gymnasium and hiking, whilst Queenstown quite literally has it all, from incredible skiing, fishing, water and adventure sports to sightseeing excursions that will blow you away.
Haggas Honking Holes
Haggas Honking Holes is a fast paced, highly exciting adventure, that crams about as much action into four hours as is humanly possible. This adventure packs not one, but three abseils down waterfalls into one of New Zealand’s most expansive, underground cave systems – Indiana Jones goes caving in a wetsuit! This is quality fun, in an amazing environment, that literally has the power to hold one transfixed, at every turn, marvelling at Mother Nature’s incredible diversity. Participants must be fit and of strong will. However, no previous experience is necessary. As Ian Sharp said in the Air New Zealand magazine, “My whole body turned to jelly – only the wetsuit held it together”.
Mount Tarawera Volcano Heli-Bike with HELiPRO This has to be the adrenaline junkies ultimate half day out. Let their pilots and guides lead you through 4 hours of unimaginable beauty, mind blowing history and of course pure exhilarating thrills! Combine an awesome scenic flight to Mount Tarawera with HELiPRO with a unique downhill ‘scree-run’through the volcanoes main crater with Mt Tarawera New Zealand plus an exhilarating 10km downhill mountain bike ride with multi day adventures for the experience of a lifetime.
Tumu Tumu Toobing
Leave it to our Kiwi friends to take the previously sedate inner tyre tube ride and turn it into “Tumu Tumu Toobing”. This is a heart pounding ripper of a trip, combining the best elements of blackwater rafting with walking, swimming and climbing through dry sections of the spectacular Tumu Tumu Cave. The magnificent cave formationscontainsomeoftheworld’sbeststalactitesand rock sculptures, as well as New Zealand’s famous glow worms, in their multitude. If you enjoy pristine nature on her terms, if you want a challenging experience, both unique and rewarding, plus a few good belly laughs, then this award-winning Waitomo adventure is a must!
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glacier & alpine Sir Edmund Hillary’s playground…The most spectacular and inviting in this stunning country is the Alpine region. The Southern Alps are home to the superb Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, incredible slow moving ice slabs oozing down from the peaks and finding their resting place in turquoise lakes. Realize your mountaineering dreams in this cool wonderland, exploring pristine snowfields, deep blue ice caves and mountain lakes, while flanked by breathtaking mountain ranges and distant valleys.
Over The Top
Imagine skimming above the blue ice-falls of an ageold glacier! This majestic helicopter flight will land you amongst the jewels of the Southern Alps, where one can take a little time out , on top of the world. Touch down in secret places and delight in the mountain serenity. Be enchanted! Over the Top, is Queenstown’s only locally owned and operated helicopter touring company started by Louisa (Choppy) Patterson in 1976. Over The Top’s motto reads -“Your itinerary is limited only by your imagination” - meaning this company provides unique experiences, specializing in exclusive and customized helicopter tours, providing friendly, personalized service. With extensive experience covering both Queenstown and Milford scenic options, Over The Top will match your imagination with inspirational scenery!
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MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Over The Top
MillenniumQueenstown
Southern Alps Air Siberia Experience
Grand Mercure St Moritz
Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet
Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet
Located on sixty acres of picturesque, private farmland on the shores of Lake Wanaka, is the magnificent Whare Kea Lodge. This inspiring building captures the full beauty and grandeur of its lake-side setting and alpine views, whilst providing the ultimateinsophisticatedaccommodationforguests.Designed to capture the setting’s unique feeling of space and light, award-winning Whare Kea appears to float above the water, allowing guests to enjoy this stunning location in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Lake Wanaka celebrates four distinct seasons, with a plethora of activities, including heliskiing, attractionsanduniquewildernessareas,readytomeeteventhe mostenergeticandadventurousofsouls.Centrallypositioned in the Southern Lakes district, guests are well placed to access the Mount Aspiring, Fiordland, Mount Cook and Westland National Parks and the vast rural landscapes in between. For the ultimate indulgence, experience an overnight stay at Whare Kea Chalet - Luxury accommodation high in the Buchanan mountain range. Accessible by helicopter only.
Nevis Snowmobile Adventures Combine the excitement of a helicopter flight over the Remarkables, with the rush of a snowmobile trip in spectacular winter wilderness. Landing at base camp on the Old Women Range, behold a remote and spellbinding world – an exciting vastness of snow and magnificent vistas. Join a Nevis Snowmobile Adventure and drive your own, easy to operate snowmobile into a unique, rarely visited part of New Zealand’s alpine environment. Nevis’s team of expert guides will lead you on a journey like no other, with breathtaking 360 degree vistas of southern South Island, as you explore this pristine snowfield, flanked by breathtaking mountain ranges and distant valleys.
Millennium Queenstown
The secret is out! Queenstown New Zealand is one totally hip, chic, alpine playground that ranks right up there, with the very best this planet can offer. Millennium Hotel Queenstown is beautifully positioned, just a short stroll from the central shopping, entertainment and gastronomic delights that unfold regularly in this vibrant little town. The hotel is an inspiring combination of modern floor to ceiling glass and robust concrete with glorious views, international elegance and sophistication, yet presenting a warm and welcoming haven to enjoy this year-round resort. When not hanging out in the town centre, choose from four ski fields to suit all abilities, as well as an extraordinary network of hiking trails through the surrounding mountains, plus a huge variety of adventure tourism activities - bungy jumping, horse trekking, jet-boating, mountain biking, river surfing, white water rafting, hang gliding, heli-skiing and kayaking to name just some. Millennium and Queenstown present a thoroughly engaging, unique New Zealand adventure not to be missed.
Fox Glacier Guiding Climb the mighty Fox! The Fox Glacier is the largest and longest of the inspiring West Coast glaciers. Enjoy a breathtaking guided walk onto the world famous Fox glacier with New Zealand’s most experienced glacier guiding company, offering a complete range of hiking tours and ice adventures to suit all levels of fitness. Fox’s friendly and professional guides will educate, entertain, and safely guide you onto this brilliant glacier, part of the Westland National Park, a World Heritage Listed area – the trip of a lifetime!
Southern Alps Air Siberia Experience
Send your spirit soaring as high as the altimeter, with the ultimate New Zealand adventure package. Southern Alps Siberia Experience captures the rugged beauty of New Zealand’s Mount Aspiring World Heritage National Park, with breathtaking scenic flight affording views of glaciers, ice, snow, mountain lakes, hanging valleys and vast rain forests to land in the centre of this unspoilt Alpine Park. Then set off on a 3 hour nature walk through river valleys and native forest, past waterfalls and mountain streams on an easily followed track. Rendezvous in the Wilkin Valley at the end of your walk for a uniquely scenic 30 minute river safari by jet boat, back to your departure point of Makarora - 1.5 hours from Queenstown / 45 minutes from Wanaka. Glacier Flights available from Wanaka to Milford Sound including cruising 4 hours of spectacular scenery. Window seats for all.
Millbrook Resort Set amongst an awe-inspiring 360-degree alpine panorama, featuring the spectacular Remarkables Mountain Range, Millbrook Resort allows easy access to the whole of the Southern Lakes Alpine playground, with 4 ski-fields located close-by, experience Heli-skiing from your back doorstep. Millbrook is close enough for you to enjoy the cosmopolitan buzz of Queenstown, yet far enough away to enjoy the tranquility and splendour of the alpine countryside, not to mention the resort’s spectacular championship golf course. The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is a short drive away as are award-winning tourist attractions and the outdoor activities that not only reflect the unique character of the region, but have made Queenstown world famous.
Grand Mercure St Moritz
Nestled on a hillside with dramatic lake and mountain vistas, the alpine lodge style design of Grand Mercure St Moritz truly embraces its alpine setting. From the sweeping entrance with its enormous stone fireplace, to the contemporary art works on every floor, Grand Mercure St Moritz, Queenstown, epitomizes style and glamour in a wonderfully understated way. Judged best hotel in New Zealand for three consecutive years, and holder of the prestigious Distinction Award, St Moritz has become Queenstown’s premier hotel. Superbly located, only two minutes walk from the town’s vibrant dining and shopping precinct, yet with unrivalled serenity, the hotel is close by skiing tours, jet boating, golf course, Lake Wakatipu cruises and numerous adventure activities. Here is the complete Queenstown experience in luxury!
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maori - people of the land The Maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa. Maori culture, history and ancient beliefs permeate every facet of New Zealand life. Spectacular land and seascapes are the backdrop to guided Maori tours, affording a fascinating insight into amazing Maori heritage and continuing powerful links to the environment.
Ultimud Package Hells Gate
Hell’s Gate Wai Ora Spa Ultimud Package, is three and a half hours of the most luxurious indulgences of this legendary part of the earth. At their heart are the healing properties of the geothermal water and mineral-enriched muds of Hell’s Gate, for relaxation and reinvigoration of the body, mind and soul. This award-winning treatment incorporates ancient and traditional techniques of Maori massage, with mud and spa exposure, whilst retelling the stories and legends that bind the indigenous Maori people with this extraordinary environment. A private mineral enriched mud bath is used to exfoliate, detoxify and moisturize the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. Then a pure sulphur spa sanitizes and tones the skin, leaving it refreshed and revitalized. This is followed by a one hour Wai Ora traditional massage, undertaken by trained Maori therapists, skilled in the art of energy re-balancing, joint manipulation, mobility, relaxation and therapeutic massage – therapists with seven centuries of instinctive and cultural sensitivity. Unique to this massage is the ‘Manuka Oil’, used because of its high saturation quality, readily absorbed by the skin, leaving it soft and hydrated. This is really, truly, the ultimate geothermal experience.
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new zealand maori - people of the land
Maori Treasures in Wellington With Flat Earth NZ Experiences, the discerning traveller may experience a unique and unforgettable day, immersed in the different aspects of Maori culture and heritage. Guests will experience Myths and legends of the Whanganui–a–tara (Wellington Harbour). Travel along Wellington’s beautiful waterfrontandhearlegendsofseamonsters,Maoriwarriorsand fearsome storms. Take a private, hosted tour of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, showcasing New Zealand’s rich arts, culture and natural history, providing guests with a unique, fascinating and interactive insight into New Zealand. Lunch in style at one of Wellington’s leading eateries. Discover a treasured Maori tradition that spans three centuries and five generations of well-known Maori Artists. Cap off the day with fantastic views from a landmark peak right in the city.
Maori Tours Kaikoura
According to ancient Maori legend, Marokura, a God, shaped the wonderful diversity that characterizes Kaikoura landscape, with a magical sword. Situated on a peninsula jutting out seaward from the Kaikoura ranges, this is an area of immense natural beauty, framed by the coast and often snow capped mountains, which serve as a dramatic backdrop for this picturesque township. This is a place where a person can feel insignificant in the presence of nature’s wonder’s. Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine life that inhabits its coastline. Kaikoura Maori Tours offer a personal and natural experience, that gives a rare insight into modern day Maori ways and links to the environment. With Maori occupation dating back some 900 years, here is a wonderful opportunity to share in the unique culture, location and history, in a natural and intimate way.
Wai Ora Special Combo Hells Gate The Wai Ora Special Combination, combines the Wai Ora Mud Bath, the Wai Ora Sulphur Spa and the fascinating Geothermal Reserve Walk. The silky smooth detoxifying and purifying geothermal mud in combination with the sulphurous geothermal water opens the skin’s pores allowing the active ingredients to gently exfoliate and treat the skin, leaving it scrupulously clean and gentle to touch. The spa, with its private hot water falls, gives a truly unique, relaxing and revitalizing treatment.The reserve walk affords an unsurpassed cultural, historic and natural appreciation of this astounding region and its proud Maori inhabitants – the complete “Ring of Fire” experience.
Footprints - Waipoua
Body Scrub & Mask Treatment Hells Gate Experience total cleansing and beauty treatment of the skin, using mineral enriched geothermal muds, which balance and neutralize the skin’s pH levels. Culturally instinctive Maori hands liberally smooth the Mud Body Scrub over one’s body, to cleanse, purify and refresh the skin. This process reduces oils, dissolving unwanted skin residue, before the Mud Body Mask provides a gentle exfoliation, refreshing the skin, leaving it full of vitality. This enormously relaxing treatment is completed with the absolutely unique “Alite” body lotion’s highly concentrated rejuvenating moisturizer, that leaves the skin feeling smooth, hydrated and refreshed, with a delicate scent.
For centuries they have stood, silently witnessing the passingofages…LocatedonNorthland’sruggedwestcoast stands New Zealand’s largest kauri forest – Waipoua. Let the descendents of Kupe, (New Zealand’s first discoverer) take you on a fascinating journey into this magical forest, introducing you to their relationship with Mother Nature, both spiritually and culturally. Footprints Waipoua is a locally owned and operated venture, in association with Copthorne Hotel and Resort Hokianga, providing visitors with an opportunity to connect, view, listen and learn about the oldest and largest kauri trees in the world - trees of myth and legend. Friendly, experienced local Maori guides share their knowledge, stories, song and musical instruments bringing this tranquil and spiritual forest to life. These giants leave everlasting impressions as huge as the shadows they cast. Footprints Waipoua offer a wide range of tours, including their signature four hour night walk, ‘Twilight Encounter’, allowing guests the fabulous opportunity of entering the Waipoua forest at a unique time, a time experienced by a fortunate few, a time when listening prevails over seeing and a time when the clouds and sun are replaced by stars and the moon. A magical time.
Mud Facial Treatment Hells Gate The unique geothermal-muds and waters at Hell’s Gate and Wai Ora Spa are renowned for their curative and invigorative properties.The utterly indulgent 45 minute facial massage is applied by loving Maori hands – hands steeped in seven centuries of inherited technique. The special qualities offered through the unique silkmuds and special waters of Hell’s Gate have seen numerous medically certified cures being documented. Theses qualities include a very strong affinity to moisture in the skin, making it perfect for the promotion of regenerative skin cells, thus slowing down the ageing process!The process further revitalizes the skin through its gentle exfoliating and wonderful detoxifying action, leaving your skin glowing with a healthy vitality.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Hells Gate Maori Tours Kaikoura Footprints - Waipoua Eight Beating Hearts
One Hour Wai Ora Traditional Massage Hells Gate Prepare for battle! Indulge in a traditional one hour Wai Ora Massage and experience the same special techniques that were used hundreds of years ago to prepare Maori warriors for battle. This relaxing full body massage incorporates elements of Miri Miri, which is the traditional Maori massage regime, instilled over seven centuries, involving energy balancing, joint manipulation,mobility,relaxationandtherapeutic massage. Starting with the soles of your feet, your specially trained Maori therapist will massage every inch of your body, before finishing with a glorioushead,chestandfacemassage.Experience total relaxation for the mind, body and soul.
Eight Beating Hearts
For over 150 years Te Arawa (local Maori) have welcomed visitors from around the world. It is a tradition called ‘manaakitanga’. Today this legacy continues through the Maori in Tourism Rotorua - your one-stop contact for personal and interactive cultural experiences. Explore the stories of their past, region, and living culture. Eight Beating Hearts incorporate some of the regions best cultural experiences, including active geothermal reserves, sites of importance to New Zealand & Maori history, authentic living villages, traditional and contemporary indigenous foods, health and wellbeing, natural landscapes, arts and crafts, song and dance as well as adventure thrills. Eight Beating Hearts tours are tailored to suit. It is special because your tour enables you to see it through the eyes of the indigenous local guides, called Te Arawa Ambassadors. Eight Beating Hearts is ideal for travellers seeking a better understanding about the people, land and culture. An additional highlight is the opportunity to share a meal or an overnight with your indigenous hosts. To know them is to share time with their families - come as visitors, leave as friends.
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rural lifestyle Clean air and wide skies conspire to bring your senses alive. Be touched by the strong community spirit of rural New Zealand, attributable to its early isolation and pioneering history, now underpinning legendary Kiwi hospitality. Be stimulated by rolling countryside, towering rainforests, turbulent rivers and pristine lakes. Involve yourself in sheep station life or simply indulge in splendid luxury, irresistible cuisine and superb local wines.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY NomadSafaris WharekauhauCountryEstate TheAgrodome GrasmereLodge
Wharekauhau Country Estate
Wharekauhau Country Estate is based on a five thousand acre working sheep station, overlooking the spectacular Palliser Bay. This world class, internationally renowned, multi award-winning lodge of impeccable pedigree, enables guests to choose from a veritable smorgasbord of outdoor activities or simply indulge in splendid luxury, superb local wines and irresistible cuisine. Each perfect day ends in your own sumptuous cottage, enjoying breathtaking ocean views. Wharekauhau is an intensely New Zealand experience of the highest order, with private native forest, spectacular beaches, rivers, lakes and wetlands. This estate is an utterly magnificent example of rural New Zealand, sure to stir the hearts of those seeking a refined country experience!
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Nomad Safaris
Many years before Queenstown’s reputation spread as an adventure playground, the lure of gold and the rugged alpine beauty of the country drew early settlers to this region. Even today a great deal of this mountainous land remains unspoilt and uninhabited. Nomad Safaris provide the opportunity to see outback New Zealand as it was when the first pioneers found it, operating a full range of tours, covering the very best of this dramatic landscape. Operating state of the art, fully automated ATV quad bikes and Land Rover 4WDs, Nomad Safaris passionate guides offer complete experiences by putting you in the hot seat, to really find out what these machines can do in this spectacular environment. Nomad have over eighteen years experience, earning both QualMark and Greenglobe 21 certification, catering to the most discerning travellers and can tailor a charter for a family or group of friends delivering meaningful and unforgettable memories of this breathtaking region.
Takaro Lodge Aah, peace! Set in a remote New Zealand river valley, surrounded by over 3 million acres of world heritage forest and bordered by the Kepler mountain range, multi award-winning, luxurious Takaro may well be the most peaceful place on earth. Famous for its menu of over 40 awardwinningmassagesandbodytreatments,including the totally unique ‘Ten Hand’ massage, Takaro is a place to immerse yourself in pristine, untouched wilderness where one can take a guided forest hike where no human has previously stepped.The more adventurous will enjoy quad bike safaris to stunning locations from the Lord of Rings trilogy.
The Agrodome
Claremont Claremont Country Estate provides an ambience of peace, privacy and comfort. Set amongst two and a half acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with magnificent mountains as a backdrop, Claremont is the perfect rural retreat. Situated in the very heart of internationally-acclaimed vineyards,qualityrestaurants,boutiqueshopping and numerous outdoor pursuits, hosts Rosie and Richard pride themselves on the highest levels of service, providing everything one needs for a memorable stay.Whether you choose to relax and unwind in the beautiful gardens or venture out on the Land Rover Safari taking in the spectacular geological features and natural wonders found on the property, a stay at Claremont is both a voyage of discovery and an oasis of tranquillity.
The Agrodome is a 160-hectare working sheep and cattle station, with 1200 sheep and 120 head of cattle. This unique, educational and highly entertaining insight into New Zealand farming life, offers a genuine hands on live experience of farming and a total interaction with commercially farmed animals, such as sheep, goats, cattle and deer. The Agrodome sheep show is a fast paced guide to New Zealand agriculture, starring a presenter, nineteen breeds of sheep, cows, dogs, lambs and the audience, who can join in a sheep auction, hand milk a cow, feed the lambs and take photo opportunities with the animals. New Zealand farming is always changing and the Agrodome changes with it. Recently, new animals, such as alpacas, ostriches and emus have been introduced, reflecting broaderchangesacrossthecountry’sfarminglandscape.Enjoy a one-hour tour of a pure New Zealand working and organic farm, featuring Romney sheep, beef, cattle and deer, before travelling through a 15-acre organic orchard, with kiwi fruit, apples, mandarins, feijoas and olives. Finish this fascinating insight with a glass of the Agrodomes famous kiwi fruit wine.
Wapiti Park Experience the tranquillity and comfort of a South Island homestead. Wapiti Park has evolved into a small, intimate, luxury lodge offering a welcoming haven to those seeking privacy, superior comfort and traditional warm hospitality in a relaxed and informal environment. The homestead enjoys a terrific reputation for the food that graces its table and its extensive wine list. Set amidst awardwinning gardens, the homestead overlooks its own deerfarm,specialisingin breedingRockyMountain Elk (Wapiti). The delightful, landscaped gardens attract a wide range of native birds. Be captivated by dramatic landscapes, accessible glaciers, rugged mountains, vast rainforests, pristine lakes, turbulent rivers and untamed coastline.
Sherwood Lodge Located in the foothills of two mountain ranges and surrounded by high country sheep stations, Sherwood Lodge is a unique retreat in a unique location. Having been built in 1910, this historic homestead has been transformed into a luxurious, warm and welcoming lodge. Superb food and wine are central to the Sherwood experience, with only the best seasonal produce being sourced, all matched to outstanding New Zealand wines. Whether you wish to be lazy or active, from lying in the hammock, to a round of golf or horse trekking through the high country (among many other things) Craig and Phillippa, resident owners, together with Pete, your butler, ensure that spoiling you is part of the experience of this scion of golden age of farming in New Zealand.
Grasmere Lodge
Grasmere Lodge is a multi award-winning boutique high country retreat, where luxury and natural splendour come together in the heart of the Southern Alps, to form another world of peacefulness and serenity. By virtue of its dramatic location, its ever-changing climate and an unashamed emphasis on quality and quiet comfort, Grasmere, will always be an unparalleled experience. The clean air and wide skies of the South Island high country conspire to bring your senses alive again and Grasmere offers the chance to complete the process, revitalizing mind, body and spirit with a pampering or therapeutic treatment from Mountain Spa. Trained by the internationally acclaimed French beauty institute of Sothy’s, Joanna Scowen combines highly advanced products with an inspired range of professional treatments, resulting in a focus on harmony between body and spirit, in a nurturing, holistic environment.
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private villas New Zealand’s Best Addresses. Luxurious havens of comfort, style and award-winning architecture provide the ideal base for exploration. Hypnotic views are presented through the open window. Lock in your chef for exceptional dining, fine wines and grand Kiwi hospitality. Restore your joie de vivre through a vast range of outdoor pursuits in the wild and sublime environmental settings.
Azur
Awaken to the stunning mountain sunrise in your private luxury retreat at Azur Queenstown. On par with the finest luxury lodges in New Zealand, this inspirational boutique hotel lets one dive into the heart-stopping adventure that put Queenstown on the map. Hit the slopes, jump off a bridge, ride the rapids or just lose yourself in the view. With an attention to detail, impeccable service and fine hospitality, Azur justifiably bills itself as a total experience. Clever use of glass, beechwood and stone, effortlessly tempt nature inside contemporary villas of classical understated luxury, promoting inner feelings of warmth matched by the open fire! Azur successfully mirrors this pristine alpine environment, offering a rare experience indeed.
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The Spire Urban Hotel
The Spire Queenstown, is a thoroughly modern, luxurious, urban escape in thriving Queenstown, for the style-conscious traveller seeking a cutting edge design experience. Just ten spacious guest rooms, featuring stone-clad fire places, large balconies, and outstanding designer furniture, accompany a sophisticated bar and an exclusive, seriously refined restaurant called Inspire, offering a truly memorable culinary journey. The Spire successfully integrates the perfect union of technology and urban textures, tempered with a warm human element. Action packed adventures abound on the ski slopes, on water and in the air or simply drink in the invigorating mountain air and stunning scenery. Here is an oasis with today’s style and timeless hospitality in the heart of New Zealand’s adventure capital!
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Azur Te Kowhai Landing The Spire Okareka Lake House
Te Kowhai Landing
Renew your energy on the shores of Lake Taupo. Te Kowhai Landing is an award-winning, high-tech, architectural haven with intimate lake views from every room. Just ten steps from the water’s edge you feel as if you can dip your toes in the lake as you climb out of bed. Exclusive use of the entire property for guest stays ensures a romantic retreat or true escape for friends and families. Enjoy the privacy of the courtyard for alfresco dining, be a foodie in the gourmet kitchen or utilise the designer chef. Choose tailored menus, wellness options, personal yoga instruction or ayurvedic programmes. Refresh in the lake, soak in the heated pool or revive undertheoutdoorshower.Taupohassomethingtempting for all, the tranquillity of fly-fishing or world-class golf, the adrenaline of sky-diving or jet boating and rich Maori culture amidst geothermal landscapes.
Okareka Lake House
Come and share the pleasure! Nestled on a secluded peninsula and almost surrounded by water, Okareka Lake House offers luxury accommodation for those who want to get away from it all. This magnificent lake edge residence boasts breathtaking views of picturesque Lake Okareka from each of the five bedrooms and is only ten minutes’ drive from Rotorua, the geothermal and cultural capital of New Zealand. Literally fish from the edge of the property or troll from a boat all year round. The private beach is perfect for safe swimming, whilst the water feature, boathouse and private jetty are a natural complement to the local rocks and native flora and fauna featured prominently in Okareka’s stunning landscaped grounds and gardens. Here the experience lets you unwind or kickstart your adrenalin. With Lake Okareka and nearby Rotorua – home to some of the world’s most amazing earth forces – there is truly something for everyone. new zealand private villas
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unique places to stay
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This country is truly remarkable, like a pocket edition of the world’s best, resplendent with unique lodging experiences. The vision for each demonstrates simpatico, ambience, views, ultimate comfort and genuine Kiwi hospitality. Striking harmony with backdrops as diverse as they are beautiful.
Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY The Ranch Palliser House Cranmer House Fyffe Country Lodge Lime Tree Lodge Millbrook Resort
The Ranch
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch … Enjoying a spectacular position high above the Kapiti coast on 65 acres of native bushland is The Maungakotukutuku Ranch. Looking westward to Kapiti Island, boasting amazing coastal views stretching from the top of the South Island to the slopes of Mt Taranaki, The Ranch has the power to hold one spellbound for hours at a time. This fabulous, four double bedroom, two storey, cedar ranch-style house, offers an almost bewildering range of on-site recreational facilities, including a golf green for putting and chipping practice, swimming pool, spa pool, tennis court, games area and two barbeques. Two spacious living areas with stone fireplaces open onto a large entertainment deck, whilst the dining area with its eighteenth century French provincial dining seats, adjoins a modern gourmet kitchen, making this an entertainer’s delight. Completing this experience, just minutes from the house are two golf courses, the Kapiti coast beaches, a host of outdoor adventures and the Tararua National Park.
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Millbrook Resort
Queenstown is widely regarded as New Zealand’s, if not the world’s, great adventure capital. Millbrook Resort is set in the heart of this alpine playground, offeringluxuriousaccommodation, combiningamajestic location with outstanding facilities to create a unique and inviting destination. For the best in sophisticated luxury, Millbrook offer their superb Fairway Homes. These exclusive, architecturally designed, three and four bedroom, fully equipped homes, have stunning fairway and mountain views, set amidst the beautiful seclusion of Millbrooks grounds. Sporting an inspiring 18 hole championship golf course, lap pool and tennis courts, on their beautiful grounds, it is a year round recreational paradise - each season featuring its own character, colours and leisure pursuits, such as skiing, fishing, water and a host of adventure sports, plus the outdoor activities that have made Queenstown world famous.
Palliser House
Views, views, views! Located above Oriental Bay, with superb panoramic views of Wellington Harbour and the capital city is Palliser House. This restored 1904 Victorian villa showcasing superb native timbers and many original design features, is nestled amongst an acre of magnificent established gardens, where native birds, superb sculpture and spectacular vistas can be enjoyed from these private, tranquil surrounds. Palliser House is essentially laid out on one level, holding three double bedrooms, with the living area featuring a classical Victorian fireplace, adjoining an enclosed balcony, also with stunning views over the city and its harbour. Situated in the city’s green belt, just minutes from the heart of the city, the villa is ideally located to experience the best of New Zealand’s cultural and political capital, plus the National Museum, regional sports stadium, entertainment, theatre and restaurant district.
Huntley House Let the rural, old world charm of Christchurch’s historic, boutique, luxury hotel Huntley House wash over you. The natural presence and charm of this fine colonial house places it in perfect harmony with its most beautiful, mature and tranquil setting.The manicured lawns and park-like gardens, which are fringed with towering trees and ample shrubbery, belie its location just minutes from Christchurch city centre. Christchurch and the province of Canterbury, which are steeped in pioneering history and places of natural beauty and interest, provide a plethora of activities.
Cranmer House
Kapitea Ridge Experience the sounds of birdsong and crashing waves, the sights of breathtaking sunsets, clear night skies and occasional wild coastal storms at luxurious Kapitea Ridge. Hosts Trixie and Murray have created an ambience of comfort, privacy and sophistication that is in tune with the lodge’s dramatic natural setting on 22 hectares, an ambience that is reflected in the decor and design of the six ensuite guest rooms. Enjoy the solitude of a walk along the beach, take a relaxing soak in the garden jacuzzi, admire the dramatic seascape from the privacy of one’s balcony or induldge in a pampering body scrub.
Immerse yourself in this superb piece of history. Cranmer House is sophistication personified. Covering three floors of a marvelous 1870s historic stone townhouse, Cranmer can comfortably accommodate six people in absolute luxury. This heritage listed property includes generous entertaining and dining areas, beautiful private courtyard gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, plus second kitchen and dining rooms with optional sleeping for two in the formal library. However, it is the forty foot grand chamber to which one is drawn upon entering, that is Cranmer’s heart and soul.This impressive chamber boasts comfortable couches, sound system and a wonderful collection of fine, decorative arts. Situated in the heart of Christchurch, the garden city, Cranmer is ideally placed to take advantage of all this vibrant city offers.
Fyffe Country Lodge
298 Oriental Bay 298 Oriental Bay is a superb slice of Parisian chic, overlooking one of Wellington’s prettiest bays, enjoying extraordinary harbour and inner city views! Classically furnished throughout, with exquisite bay windows and a private sunny courtyard, this Parisian styled townhouse, built in 1928, boasts a separate‘summer house’and‘forgetme-not room’ which are absolutely delightful. Perfectly positioned just three minutes from the city centre, this luxurious Bed and Breakfast accommodation includes gourmet breakfast, wine and hors d’oeuvres, 298 Oriental Bay is simply an altogethercharmingandunforgettableexperience.
Indulge in sheer luxury, surrounded by million dollar views at Fyffe Country Lodge. This Kaikoura luxury boutiquehostedlodgeoffersaccommodationstraightfrom the pages of a romantic storybook, with superb gourmet award-winning food, set amongst beautifully manicured English gardens, that behold stunning mountain and coastal vistas. In a country that boasts many fine lodges, Fyffe remains exceptional due to its spellbinding rustic charm. The lodge is constructed from rammed earth, whilst the roof features Canadian cedar shakes and native timbers to create the old world charm and timeless ambience that flows throughout. This is the perfect place to unwind, enjoy the stunning mountain and coastal scenery of Mt Fyffe and magnificent Kaikoura Peninsula and sample some of the best Marlborough and other famous New Zealand wines, not to mention indulging in the regional delicacies of crayfish and abalone.
The Dairy The Dairy, Queenstown, is a private luxury hotel that exudes a contemporary, timeless elegance in a property that takes its name from the original corner store. With an excellent location just one minute’s walk to some very happeningcafes,restaurants,bars,andshopping, plus adventures galore, here is the perfect refuge boasting extraordinary comfort, inviting ambience, and unobtrusive Kiwi hospitality. Outstanding facilities more akin to a larger five star hotel, include a comfortable lounge area with stylish, generous couches, warmed by a roaring fire. This is a classical environment in which to unwind and to drop back a few gears after releasing those endorphins!
Lime Tree Lodge
Here is an opportunity to abandon the stresses and strains of the outside world behind, as you immerse yourself in the sublime surroundings of Lime Tree Lodge, deep in the heart of the magnificent Lake Wanaka area. Set on a 10 acre estate, with stunning 360 degree uninterrupted mountain views, the lodge features a five hole pitch and putt golf course, swimming pool, landscaped gardens, luxurious accommodation and on-site helipad. Renowned for their attentive service and exceptional home made gourmet cuisine, sourcing only the finest regional produce, matched with outstanding Central Otago wines, hosts Sally and Rebecca provide special touches to make your stay relaxed and memorable. At the foothills of the spectacular Southern Alps, just minutes from Lake Wanaka resort, and a short drive from some of New Zealand’s finest vineyards, Lime Tree Lodge is perfectly positioned to take advantage of all this diverse alpine region has to offer!
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spa & thermal Seven centuries of healing awaits you... Absorb the unique healing properties of mineral rich volcanic mud, soak in geothermal hot springs and savour the therapeutic touch of instinctive and traditional Maori techniques. Utterly indulgent facials and massage exemplifies connectivity between the nourishing qualities of nature and our physical and spiritual well-being.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Ora Ora Resort Millennium Rotorua Hyatt Auckland WaimanguVolcanicValley
Ora Ora Resort
Ora Ora stands for zest, health and contentment. So named is this luxurious, wellness and health retreat, nestled in the historic Kerikeri, Northland Bay of Islands, on the banks of the Kerikeri river, in the midst of New Zealand’s cradle of Maori and European civilization. Magnificent subtropical gardens, hold six luxurious villas, surrounded by 11 hectares of nature reserve, creating a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, with a clear focus on mind, body and spirit rejuvenation. Ora Ora provides personalized health assessments and treatments, plus a delicious menu, which though centered around organic foods and drinks, will effortlessly deviate to provide some of the worlds best lamb and beef, suitably accompanied with outstanding wines!
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Millennium Hotel Rotorua
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, is the district’s largest four-star deluxe hotel and is perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua, with the internationally acclaimed and multi award-winning Polynesian Spa a brief walk across the road. The Spa features a choice of thirty-one hot mineral bathing pools and an extensive range of therapies, many unique to this inspiring region. The warm style of this impressive award-winning hotel invites guests to linger and enjoy timeless surroundings, wonderful lake vistas, in a world-class environment. The Millennium Rotorua shares the warm, hospitable spirit of this stunning region and its people through a nightly traditional New Zealand Maori concert and superb dinner, completing an extraordinary Rotorua/Spa experience.
White Island with HELiPRO Words cannot express the experience that is walking on the active crater floor of this unique lunar landscape, part of the Pacific ring of fire. Located 52kms off the Bay of Plenty Coastline the Islands active Volcanic vents, steaming Crater Lake, bubbling hot streams and desolate mining ruins combine to create a surreal experience. When present, the sighting of Dolphins in the Pacific Ocean over which we fly contrast to create an inspiring excursion.
Hyatt Auckland
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa The natural place to unwind - a world class spa experience set in a unique alpine environment just 90 minutes drive from Christchurch. Set in a breathtaking, natural landscape, surrounded by forests and mountains, the multi awardwinning thermal pools and spa offer visitors a wide range of experiences. Those seeking to relax can soak in one of fourteen open-air pools where temperatures range from 33-42 degrees Celsius or enjoy there own private pool, sauna or steam room. Their new Spa will specialise in luxurious skin, body and massage therapies, ranging from specialist Vichy massage treatments to deep tissue and relaxation massage, to detoxifying body wraps, facials, pedicures and manicures.
With its stunning views of the Auckland Harbour and parks, the Hyatt Regency Auckland is situated just a few minutes walk from the city centre. Located within the Hyatt Regency Auckland, Spa at the Hyatt, is Auckland’s only full service day spa. Based on holistic therapy, the spa offers a super range of rejuvenating treatments, which are personally prescribed, according to individual client requirements, by highly experienced and attentive staff. One such treatment that may be of benefit to guests after a little too much partying or a lack of sleep includes a ‘float’ in the dry flotation tank, with as little as thirty minutes being as effective as three hours deep sleep! Body treatments are a further highlight, with each spa therapy beginning with ‘The Welcome Touch’ using a warm aromatic compress on your feet - a cleansing ritual to remove the urban environment, focus your senses and centre your thoughts.
Millbrook Resort As the embrace of the mountain landscape and the stunning surrounds of Millbrook work their calming magic, you will feel yourself slipping into a relaxed frame of mind the minute you arrive at the Resort. The Spa at Millbrook is the very essence of relaxation, with leading edge treatments designed for head to toe restoration. You’ll encounter the latest therapies for skin detoxification, hydrotherapy, advanced skin care, personal grooming, massage and facial therapies. Immerse your spirit in the beauty of Millbrook’s landscape and your body in the soothing, unadulterated luxury of Millbrook Spa and enjoy the quintessential New Zealand Spa experience.
Paihia Beach Resort & Spa Located in a superb beach position overlooking the Bay of Islands, Paihia Beach Resort & Spa, which incorporates the award-winning La Spa Naturale, offers the chance to revitalise body and soul, with breathtaking sea views from the resort as well as the Bay of Islands on the doorstep. Three styles of accommodation are available, all spaciously and stylishly furnished, featuring stunning floor to ceiling panoramic ocean views and private balconies. The resort is located within walking distance from the Paihia Wharf, the departure point to discover the Bay of Islands, whilst dolphin watching, sailing, diving, big game fishing and visits to the local islands are popular options.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the complete volcanic experience. In 1886, Mt Tarawera in Rotorua erupted, opening up the earth along a seventeen kilometre line, splitting the mountain in two, exploding Lake Rotomahana, leaving it twenty times its original size and forming the seven craters that make up this unique, truly incredible valley. Today, on the Waimangu Round Trip, you can learn the stories of the 1886 eruption and of Waimangu, exploring Rotorua’s social, cultural and natural history. Walk through the craters of Waimangu and take a boat cruise on crater Lake Rotomahana, viewing the amazing geothermal activity and highly important botany. Internationally significant features include the world’s largest hot water spring, sinter terraces and the natural inter-relationship between two huge hot springs in Inferno Crater and Echo Crater. Several endangered plants exist beside the geothermal activity, together with a host of thermally adapted plants. This is one of the newest eco-systems in the world and is protected today as a scenic reserve and wildlife refuge. Make no mistake; this is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful environments. new zealand spa & thermal
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golf New Zealand has 3 of the World top 100 courses – Kauri Cliffs, Paraparaumu Beach and Cape Kidnappers. No country in the world can match the variety, accessibility and scenery of New Zealand’s 400 golf courses. From ocean views to spectacular snow-covered mountain backdrops, there are courses in all cities and rural communities throughout the country. Many recognized golfers such as Charles, Nobilo, Waite, Turner, Long, Campbell, Alker and Tautarangi have honed their skills in a country where green fees average $NZ40 a round!
Wairakei Resort
At last, a marriage made in heaven for all golfers! Wairakei Resort presents the healing waters and therapeutic properties of world-renowned Wairakei Thermal Valley, with not only its own fun and challenging 9-hole course, but the internationally acclaimed Wairakei International Golf Course, located just a kilometre away. One hundred and twenty years of hosting travellers drawn by these geothermal wonders has seen Wairakei Resort grow into a superb four-star international paradise with 169 acres of landscaped gardens, holding a great selection of dining, recreation and leisure facilities. US Golf digest has ratedWairakei International in the top twenty courses outside the US, significantly enhancing its reputation. However, it is the tremendous natural beauty and sheer experience of the property that makes Warakei a must for all golf lovers. Wairakei Resort puts forth a compelling case to unwind, soak in healing waters, indulge a little and play the game of golf until your heart is content.
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Outrigger at Clearwater Resort
Fresh, evolving, contemporary. Just 7 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes to the city it is the perfect place to relax and unwind.Setwithin465acresofmanicuredlandscapeClearwater has something for everyone. Stay in supreme comfort in chic rooms with private jetties, luxury suites designed in the style of a boathouse, with decks built over the water or spacious terrace apartments all with serene lake views. Centrepiece to the resort is the par 72 championship 18 hole golf course, home of the prestigious NZPGA. Designed in conjunction with New Zealand golfing legend, Sir Bob Charles, it is a testament to the excellent reputation this course holds throughout the golfing world. The course combines elements of links golf, inspired by great Scottish courses, with parklands golf more reminiscent of Florida. Playable year round, it enjoys beautiful views of the Southern Alps. Enjoy award-winning Lakes Restaurant , the Sprig Bar and a myriad of leisure activities including tennis, petanque, extensive walking / jogging tracks, all purpose sports field, mountain biking and on-site fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout.
Millbrook Resort Millbrook Resort is an exceptional Golf Resort in breathtaking surroundings. Set in a natural, alpine amphitheatre against the backdrop of The Remarkables mountain range, the golf course at Millbrook exploits the dramatic terrain perfectly, delivering a unique, worldclass golfing experience. The 18 hole, par 72 championship course was designed by renowned professional and master golfer, Sir Bob Charles, featuring four staggered tee positions to promote enjoyment across all levels of playing expertise. This is New Zealand golf at its best.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Wairakei Resort Outrigger at Clearwater Resort Kauri Cliffs Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours Terrace Downs
Kauri Cliffs
As golfing experiences go, it simply doesn’t get any better than Kauri Cliffs. Set on six thousand picturesque coastal acres near Matauri Bay, Northland, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. Kauri Cliffs accommodation is impeccable, with suites having their own private porch and open fire place. Luxurious cottages are nestled on the edge of a native forest affording breathtaking ocean and golf course views. Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. Measuring 7,119 yards/6,510metres, this magnificent par 72 championship golf course offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs, which plunge into the sea, whilst the beautiful inland holes, wind through marsh, forest and farmland. “David Harman sensibly let nature run its course through these 800 otherworldly acres … the most picturesque outing in all New Zealand” – Travel Plus Leisure Golf. This is a world class golfing complex, with every conceivable amenity provided to make Kauri Cliffs high on the agenda of golfing enthusiast’s the world over.
Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours
Fancy a round of golf at some of the best courses New Zealand has to offer? Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours is a premium touring outfit, who specialize in personalised, relaxed nationwide tours customised to meet the needs of the discerning traveller. From the eye-popping coastal beauty of Kauri Cliffs, named 49th best golf course in the world by Golf magazine, at the top of the North Island, to Millbrook Resort near Queenstown with its amazing Alpine backdrop, at the bottom of the South Island and all the top courses in between, Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours bring the very best of New Zealand golf alive. Guests are transported by luxury Mercedes vehicles, helicopter, fixed wing or Lear jet, according to their preference, whilst accommodation is provided at the very best lodges or five-star hotels. Their specialty is giving you what you want – by listening to you, asking questions and offering intelligent, knowledgeable suggestions - making this an unforgettable way to see, play and stay in New Zealand.
Terrace Downs
Situated at the base of Mt Hutt overlooking the magnificent Rakaia Gorge, Terrace Downs is a unique High Country experience only 50 minutes from Christchurch International Airport. Whilst the outside environment is wild and rugged and the alpine air crisp and pure, twenty first century comforts have not been compromised. The Resort’s unique design carefully mirrors the surrounding scenery, while at the same time provides guests with a luxurious and private environment in which to relax and unwind. The Resort features deluxe accommodation, spectacular dining areas, offering signature High Country cuisine, an 18-hole championship golf course and endless outdoor and leisure activities. Whether the purpose of your visit is work or pleasure, Terrace Downs offers facilities to suit the most discerning guests. You are invited to experience the natural beauty, style and unique quality that is Terrace Downs High Country Resort.
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food & wine Be part of the New Zealand food and wine revolution. Over 25 years, the combination of best producersandchefshasevolvedapeakgastronomic landscape, now world-renowned. Exceptional beef, lamb, seafood and the freshest fruits and vegetables underpins a splendidly progressive cuisine scene, matched with wines, crisp and clean like the weather. After the revolution comes the new generation of innovative, savvy chefs fusing international ethnicity stamping New Zealand as a food and wine lovers ultimate desire.
The George
To stay at The George is to experience the essence of supreme comfort. Its spacious rooms are designed with a stylish eye for detail, complete with luxury amenities and with an equal staff to guest ratio, impeccable service is assured. Recognition in 2005 as one of only two “best hotels” in New Zealand, by Travel and Leisure magazine, follows a previous award for service from the same magazine. Discerning travellers are afforded individual attention in an intimate ambience that is second to none. Inspirational cuisine, for the ultimate dining experience is offered through the hotel’s awardwinning signature restaurant Pescatore. Located in the central city opposite Hagley Park, The George is an ideal base from which to explore the relaxed pace and intoxicating charm that is Christchurch!
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Elmtree House Take pre-dinner drinks and hors d’oeuvres in theconservatoryorthegardenatmagnificent, 5-star Elm Tree House. This may well be picturesque Christchurch’s finest bed and breakfast accommodation with its elegant 1920s setting. Ideally located just two kilometres from the town centre in the stylish suburb of Merivale, this luxurious colonial home is just minutes from a number of popular restaurants. Passionate Kiwi hosts Allen and Karen Scott love welcoming guests into their home, which is reflected in the relaxed and welcoming ambience. Karen’s breakfasts are also a huge hit, with everything on the menu home made or sourced locally from Canterbury’s abundant ‘larder’.
Bay of Islands Lodge If you enjoy seclusion, luxury and panoramic views of stunning scenery, then Bay of Islands Lodge is for you. This two level, cedar-clad, luxury lodge has been custom built to showcase its stunning surrounds and to create a relaxing environment for guests.Thecontemporarydesignincludesan infinity pool which provides uninterrupted views over native bush to the sea beyond. An integral part of the experience is sampling fine wines and outstanding locally sourced seafood. The Bay of Islands, renowned as a fisherman’s paradise, offers big game and recreational fishing and a host of other water-based activities.
Millennium Christchurch
MAP KEY The George
Zest Food Tours
MillenniumChristchurch
Peppers Martinborough Hotel
Over The Top
Appellation Central Wine Tours Far from the adrenalin seeking activities Queenstown is so well known for, Appellation Central Wine Tours take guests to the quieter pockets of Central Otago, immersing them in another culture – the culture of wine, food and the beautiful open spaces that people so often miss on a short visit to Queenstown. Appellation offer a fantastic range of limited numbered, expert guided, interactive tours, designed to ensure an appreciation of the region’s scenery and culture. The journey includes unforgettable views and fascinating pioneer history, along with the smooth sophistication of award-winning gourmet food and wines among Central Otago’s soothing backdrop of tussock and thyme.
Centrally located in picturesque Cathedral Square in the heart of the city, only moments from some of New Zealand’s finest restaurants, vibrant cafes and bars, is the Millenium Hotel Christchurch. The hotel offers the largest premium rooms in Christchurch, each luxuriously appointed, with charming city and Cathedral Square views. Christchurch’s food and wine is nothing short of sensational, with much of the produce sourced from the farms, vineyards and coast of the legendary Canterbury region. Famous for its gourmet cuisine, there are ample dining options, to please even the most discerning of palates in a refreshing laid back city environment. With the hotel’s own award-winning Piko Piko restaurant and Bar Sante tempting guests, this Christchurch experience captures all this delightful city has to offer.
Greenhill The Lodge Greenhill The Lodge, is a retreat of imposing grandeur and outstanding pedigree, located in the heart of Hawke’s Bay wine country. In 1958 the Queen Mother chose to stay here whilst touring New Zealand. Everything about Greenhill is gracious and elegant, from the wood panelled billiard room to the extraordinary viewing tower. Set amongst 30 acres of picturesque, park-like grounds, Greenhill enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and access to over 40 wineries within a 30 minute drive of the property. Your hosts will help you to experience the delights of this sunny wine growing region and to enjoy the opulence and tranquillity this luxury lodge affords!
Stafford Villa Stafford Villa embodies as fine an example of colonial history as you will find anywhere in the North Island. A delightful blend of past and present, permeates this heritage-listed villa, originally built in the early twentieth century. Full verandas are a feature and glorious Kauri pine is prevalent throughout. Guestrooms are exquisitely furnished, complementing the beautiful gardens, resplendent with tropical trees and shrubs. Spa treatments can be arranged, alternatively there is an array of activities available within walking distance of the property. This is an outstanding Bed and Breakfast, a clear head’n’shoulders above most, and superbly located just one step over the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Peppers Martinborough Hotel Martinborough Wine Village - the only wine village in Australasia - is known internationally for its outstanding wines, most of which are grown and made within walking distance of Peppers Martinborough Hotel. With an outstanding pedigree, this sixteen room hotel is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of late nineteenth century colonial architecture to grace New Zealand, combining character, comfort and old style personal attention. All of the rooms are individually designed, with traditional European elegance and a touch of the Orient. This indulgent escape is all about exceptional local wines and produce featuring tender Wairarapa lamb and delicious Martinborough Pinot Noir.
Zest Food Tours
Cotter House Escape, discover, indulge, relax and enjoy! Situated in Remuera in Auckland, Cotter House is a delightful, boutique hotel and inner city heritage luxury retreat, which surrounds guests with the relaxed ambience of times gone by. Exquisitely restored with Regency architecture intact, this romantic hideaway, complete with swimming pool, themed rooms, antiques and impressive works of art, offers a rare cultural and historical experience. Gourmet food, in the French tradition of ‘table d’hôte’, along with personalized health and spa treatments, make Cotter House the perfect base from which to discover Auckland.
Attentionpassionatefoodies!Hereisafantasticopportunity to explore the very best of Wellington’s favourite food places, on a leisurely stroll through the “café capital”. Zest Food Tours of New Zealand offer a fun-filled treat for all the senses; a riot of colour, smells, tastes, information and laughter. Unite with fellow food lovers through Zest and a shared love of fine food, coffee and wine as you try a little something at many of Wellington’s finest specialist food stores. Zest’s guides are not just passionate and dedicated followers of gourmet, they are warm-hearted, walking encyclopedias on the food and wine of Wellington and the surrounding Martinborough region. Zest is very well connected, allowing a unique opportunity to meet owners, baristas and chefs, as you journey by foot, with a handful of kindred spirits, behind the scenes, sharing their passion for great food and hospitality, culminating in a delicious light three course tasting lunch, with matched New Zealand wines, in one of Wellington’s finest restaurants.
Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours DiscoverNewZealand’sfinewines,foods,flavours and breathtaking scenery with Kiwi Kulture Luxury Tours. This premium tour company specialize in customized tours to all parts of the nation, suiting the exacting standards of today’s discerning traveler – in privacy, five-star luxury, flexibility and style. Vineyards throughout this magical land are producing varieties with characteristics that reflect the unique environment from which they come, as do the country’s restaurants and picturesque gardens. The tours have the inside track to sample the best of New Zealand wine and food, couched in fantastic scenery and warm Kiwi hospitality.
Over The Top
In keeping with the distinctive high standards Over The Top holds, across all tours and charters, Wine by Invitation presents the ultimate wine tour. Drop in and collect the patriarch of Otago’s pinot noir from his private vineyard,thenreapthebenefitofhisextensiveknowledge, with an engaging personal commentary covering local history, the soil, the vines, the climate and grape variety. Over The Top boast a well connected, sophisticated and socially confident team who will structure a personalized tour, covering a selection of top local vineyards. Taste award-winning wines, at a leisurely pace, whilst enjoying the stunning beauty of Otago’s much celebrated wine district. As befits a tour which is absolutely unique, re-board the helicopter and allow your pilot to host a gourmet picnic lunch, high in the mountains, reflecting on all this magnificent region has to offer.
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out & about Maslow said that a human’s highest need is Self Actualisation. New Zealand’s outdoors elevate self actualisation, presenting a landscape of challenges for any pursuit. With the freshest air to breathe, many mountains to climb, forests to discover and rivers to master, you choose your pursuit. It’s about the journey not the destination, so enjoy the view and smell the roses along the way!
Treetops Lodge & Estate
Nestled amidst 800 year old native forests and valleys, multi award-winning Treetops Lodge & Estate is a life long dream realized by owner and passionate naturalist, John Sax. This uniquely New Zealand experience is a sanctuary and retreat of breathtaking terrain, offering the ultimate in world class accommodation, located in the heart of the trout fishing capital of the world and famed therapeutic thermal region, Rotorua. The Lodge’s elegant architectural style was derived from this country’s pioneering past, with timber and stone finishes echoing the natural beauty and simplicity of the great outdoors. On-site activities include seven trout streams, four lakes, over 70 kilometres of hiking trails, mountain bike riding and horse riding. Treetops is unforgetable.
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MAP KEY Treetops Lodge & Estate Bayview Chateau Tongario Minaret Lodge Over The Top Peppers On The Point
Chateau Eiger Enter the peaceful haven of Chalet Eiger and leave the outside world behind. This magnificent five star luxury lodge situated at the edge of Lake Taupo, has a special tranquillity with stunning views over the lake to Mount Tauhara and Taupo town. Perfectly situated for easy access to the many activities in this inspiring area, this is one of New Zealand’s recreational, cultural and sightseeing hotspots. Local activities include some of the world’s best trout fishing, world class skiing, hiking and other adventure sports in the World Heritage listed Tongariro National Park.
Bayview Chateau Tongariro
Wake up, enjoy a gourmet breakfast and still be the first on the slopes! The Mount Ruapehu Bayview Chateau Tongariro, built in 1929, is one of New Zealand’s most luxurious hotels and remains the country’s only hotel located in a world heritage listed area. Famously elegant and utterly unique, Chateau Tongariro occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of New Zealanders and visitors from across the globe. Lavish decor and sublime cuisine await those enjoying the all-seasons activities of one of nature’s finest playgrounds, literally at your doorstep. Whether you are here to ski Mt Ruapehu or to enjoy fully guided walks through the dual listed World Heritage Tongariro National Park or try the world’s finest wild trout fishing, just three of the fantastic activities available here, this grand Georgian styled luxury accommodation is the perfect resort hotel!
Maungatautari Lodge Maungatautari Lodge is a finely crafted, purpose built, small luxury hotel that breaks the conventional mould. Located on the edge of Lake Karapiro near Cambridge, the ‘Kentucky’ of New Zealand, the lodge enjoys panoramic views over thelakeandsurroundingcountryside.Guestsmay choose to take a dip in the infinity pool, bordered with formal rose and lavender gardens, engage in a variety of gentle sports, explore the grounds with a farm tour or indulge in a massage or beauty treatment. Cambridge and the surrounding area boast a wide array of activities, including hiking, fishing, ballooning, boating and caving, thus catering to all tastes and inclinations.
Minaret Lodge
Remarkables Lodge “A great inn makes you feel you’re at a friend’s home for the weekend, with the full run of the place. Remarkables Lodge does this superbly.” - Conde Nast. Remarkables epitomizes the luxury lodge experience, with all the facilities of a small luxury hotel, but with the intimacy and ambience of a small country home. Superbly positioned on the sunny side of Queenstown by Lake Wakatipu, outstanding adventure awaits you at every turn. Milford Sound is a must, the Dart River is stunning, local fly fishing is unforgettable, skiing is fantastic and the local wineries memorable.
Named after the spectacular Minaret Mountains, Minaret Lodge is a sanctuary, set amongst two acres of magnificentgardens,providingluxuryaccommodationin Wanaka, New Zealand. With a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery, set in landscaped grounds, with its well established Oak, Silver birch and Larch trees, this luxury retreat is a refuge of tranquility. The five star boutique bed and breakfast lodge is just a short stroll to the lake and perfectly positioned to take in the spectacular sights of the Lake Wanaka region, including the majestic Mount Aspiring National Park, with its pristine glaciers. Fish for trout or salmon, play golf, ski cross country, downhill or snowboard at one of Wanaka’s world-class ski resorts – Cardrona, Treble Cone or Wairau. Hike or mountain bike awesome trails. This inspirational region has something for everyone in its four fantastic seasons. So take a deep breath of fresh mountain air and get amongst it!
Over The Top
Kawaha Point Lodge Here is a superb example of classical lakeside living. Multi award-winning Kawaha Point Lodge offers beautifully appointed, luxurious accommodation, right on the edge of Lake Rotorua. Originally built as an outstanding lake-edge villa for several of Auckland’s premier families, today it presents the discerning visitor with an opportunity to experience exquisite comfort and hospitality in a hosted, exclusive and intimate environment. Set amongst verdant rose gardens and lush manicured lawns, with spectacular views of Lake Rotorua, the love and attention to detail lavished on this Lodge is unmistakable. Add menus created by resident Michelin-trained chef Silvio Sakrzewski and this New Zealand experience becomes irresistible!
Hike under the grandeur of Mount Earnslaw’s hanging glaciers, lunch at a remote Alpine Lake, fly over Fiordland’s famous walking tracks, before descending to a deserted beach, where you can leave your shoes in the helicopter and your footprints on the beach. OverTheTop appreciate some guests will want to explore the Queenstown region, whilst others will want to see the world famous Milford Sound, remote sandy beaches and crystal clear Alpine Lakes. Your itinerary is limited only by your imagination. Every guest will have their own imaginings and desires, identifying and realising such dreams is the passion motivating Over the Top. For instance, when was the last time you did something for the first time? With award-winning Over The Top Helicopter’s, you can join an instructor pilot, in a dual controlhelicopter,fortheadventureexperienceofalifetime, where you take control and fly these fantastic machines.This incredible experience includes pre-flight, flight and debrief. Post flight bragging rights are, of course, complimentary.
Secrets of Bungy Tour - Queenstown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - BUNGY! The rushing air silencing your every fear. Endorphins flooding your body and washing you with waves of delight. Until now if you wanted find out what Bungy was all about you had to jump. Located in Queenstown, the Kawarau Bungy Centre, World Home of Bungy, presents Secrets of Bungy Tour, an upclose and personallookintowhathappensbehindthescenes of one of New Zealand’s most iconic activities. Designed for those wishing to have fun and learn more about the magic of Bungy without taking the leap. Through the tour you will be able to discover the origins and history of Bungy, learn how a Bungy cord is made & gain exclusive access to the Bungy viewing deck to watch jumpers.
Peppers On The Point
Surrounded by the sparkling waters of Lake Rotorua, Peppers On The Point, offers guests the opportunity to experience rich New Zealand culture and the geothermal springs of Rotorua or simply relax and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful lodge, with its stunning location and panoramic views. The luxury Lodge retreat is a converted 1930’s mansion, filled with beautiful antiques and a choice of nine spacious, exquisitely furnished suites, most with breathtaking views of the lake. With renowned gourmet New Zealand food and wine, pampering massage, wonderful hospitality, fly fishing from the private beach, watersports and a host of other activities, holidaying at On The Point, is like staying at an immensely wealthy friend’s house!
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self drive & private touring Get lost in astonishing beauty. Hit the open road, and discover at your pace, a rolling scenery which Peter Jackson took to his Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Your journey will transcend the different worlds that are thepaletteofNewZealand’sbackdrop–uncrowded,remoteandalways breathtaking. Independent spirits will find themselves drawn to their ultimate inspiration, and will delight in navigating back to the track.
United Campervans
It’s summer time and the living is easy. A gentle breeze ruffles the waters of a secluded bay. The table is set for an alfresco dinner. The salad is made, the fish is sizzling in the pan and in the background your favourite CD is playing. Opening the fridge you select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc from one of New Zealand’s world-renowned wine regions and fill two glasses. Together, you and your partner step outside to enjoy the tranquility of your surrounds. While the waves lap at the sand you toast the end of another perfect day. What better way to see New Zealand, than through the picture windows of your home away from home, a luxuriously appointed motorhome from United Campervans? Large, comfortable beds, fully equipped kitchen and living areas, a shower and toilet, everything at hand to help you live the easy life - you want for nothing. Especially as you made your choices from the optional extras offered by United when you booked your vehicle; extras ranging from a full entertainment centre (including a television set and DVD player) to top of
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the range bicycles. All of this ensures that you travel New Zealand in independent comfort. With the freedom to plan each day’s itinerary as the mood takes you, your holiday becomes an unforgettable memory that will continue to call you back to New Zealand. Take the time to travel leisurely from the North to the South Island; enjoy the spectacular scenery from the inter-island ferry as you and your motorhome cross Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton, through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. Forget about accommodation worries as you seamlessly carry on to the next stage of your journey. Experience beautiful New Zealand the best way possible: in the comfort and security of a vehicle from United Campervans, the first motorhome company to achieve New Zealand Tourism’s prestigious Qualmark endorsement. Know that you chose a company which shows its concern for New Zealand’senvironmentandendangeredspeciesbyanannual contribution of 30,000 trees towards the reforestation of predator-free Motuora Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.
Luxury Chauffeurs
Luxury touring at its best... For a unique, once in a life time experience, turn back the clock with Luxury Chauffeurs. A Rolls Royce or Bentley chauffeurs guests to Mandeville, for a nostalgic flight in a surviving 1936 Dragonfly Bi-plane (one of only two left in the world). Luxury Chauffeurs feature an extensive fleet of classic cars, offering personalised tours of Dunedin Heritage, Central Otago, the Southern Lakes or Fiordland. Other options include golfing tours, Central Otago Wine trail, a journey through the world’s southernmost vineyards or perhaps a visit to the Moeraki Boulders featuring some of the South island’s most scenic coastal driving. Be chauffeured through the highways and byways of the South Island to destinations of your choice, in a Rolls Royce Corniche two door coupe. And for that Ultimate experience try their Great Coast to Coast Adventure Tour.
InteractNZ InteractNZ.com is more than just a coach charter operation. Developed specifically for those travellers who like that feeling of independence but enjoy the company of others in a small and more personal setting, interactNZ.com takes comfort and service standardstonewandverycontemporaryheights.Their luxury coaches carry a maximum of 19 passengers, so the journey is more intimate and flexible. It’s the perfect way for groups of friends, extended families, sporting or business groups and individuals to enjoy their unique impression of New Zealand. Yes, its coach travel. But, most certainly, not as you know it.
Rest NZ Tours - 4x4 Luxury Self Drive
New Zealand is a country defined by jagged coastlines, sweeping beaches, primeval forests, snow-capped alpine peaks, bubbling volcanic pools, swift flowing rivers and glacier fed lakes – all largely free from the crowds you find elsewhere. Of course it also has vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. However, New Zealand is the perfect place to get off the beaten track and discover the best of this country, independently, by four-wheel drive. Rest New Zealand Tours offer a range of tours using late model 4x4 vehicles and pre-booked accommodation taking guests into the less explored regions of the country without missing out on the established highlights. No four wheel drive experience is necessary and an extremely detailed “tour manual” with maps and instructions is supplied. Independent and alternative adventurers who do not want to waste time sourcing the best routes and accommodation will love this option.
Rest NZ Tours - Sky Safari
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the tours and experiences featured. MAP KEY
Discover New Zealand from above and on the ground, with the New Zealand Sky Safari. The Sky Safari is for those travellers with a yearning for a personalized aviation adventure, with a thirst to experience as much as possible of this fascinating country, with all of its adventure sports. Flying from one experience to the next, within New Zealand’s diverse landscape and being carried away by the exciting ground activities on the way, are the ingredients of this adrenalin-charged experience. Tours are aimed at guests who want to fly themselves or want to use the tour as an introduction to flying or simply wish to be flown around this beautiful country. In each case, the New Zealand flight instructor accompanies guests throughout the tour. This twelve-day escorted self-fly package starts and finishes in Christchurch, with an average of just two hours flying per day, leaving plenty of time to explore this majestic land on terra firma, creating memories that will last forever.
United Campervans Luxury Chauffeurs Rest NZ Tours Motorcycles NZ
Motorcycles New Zealand
Hit the open road and get amongst some of the world’s most spectacular scenery with Motorcycles New Zealand. This professional and highly regarded outfit, based in Christchurch, specialise in providing ‘all inclusive’ motorcycle rentals and escorted motorcycle tours for visitors to NZ. What better place is there to experience the sheer exhilaration and freedom of riding a motorcycle than on the uncrowded roads of New Zealand’s South Island, set amongst scenery so magnificent that you could have otherwise only dreamed about it? Each tour is personally tailored to suit the wants and needs of the individual, from half a day upwards, offering a selection of the best motorcycles for touring both the North and South Island, so as to maximize this incredible experience – be it on the highways or the byways.
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adventure If there is adventure in your soul, then Fiji is the place to indulge it. This idyllic South Pacific island nation, with the friendiest people in the world, presents endless opportunities for active travelers looking to get off the beaten path and experience the real Fiji. Explore hidden rainforests. Cruise deserted beaches. Surf classic reef breaks. Dive wondrous tropical reefs. Take to the sky. Follow your heart and detach from the everyday, doing what you’ve always said you would.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Quest Charters Pacific Crown Aviation The Pearl South Pacific Resort Tui Tai Adventure Cruises Sunair Flying School
Sunair Flying School
There are some nice places to learn to fly and then there’s Fiji. Learn to fly in the uncrowded skies of this Pacific paradise. Nadi, Fiji has the best of both worlds – no queues at the holding point, yet all the facilities of a major international airport. The Pacific Flying School offers commercial pilot training for local and overseas students. The Pacific Flying School is an affiliate of Sun Air, (one of Fiji’s two national airlines) with a fleet of three Cessna aircraft, a flight simulator and a staff of dedicated instructors. Many of the pilots who gained their commercial licence through The Pacific Flying School have progressed to larger aircraft, gaining positions with international carriers, after experience in the domestic flying market. The international carrier Air Pacific preferentially employs local pilots, typically those who have completed training at The Pacific Flying School in Nadi and thengainedexperienceandcommandflighthoursonthesmall aircraft of domestic airlines, Sun Air and Air Fiji. All this in the legendary, hospitable, tropical island nation of Fiji.
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Quest Charters
The “Yasawa Islands”, meaning “Heaven” to many Fijians are a series of isolated islands. Featuring picturesque coastal cliffs towering over turquoise waters, sapphire bays, white sandy beaches and dozens of tiny islets, they are yours to explore aboard Quest II, a 71ft luxury cruiser based at Port Denarau, in the Fijian Islands. With her Italian heritage, Quest II is the embodiment of style and grace, helping the discerning guest detach from the everyday, unwind, relax and loosen up. Whether it be a daycruisearoundtheMamanucawatersandislandresorts or a longer trip that takes you to the Yasawa Islands, cruising aboard Quest II is a sensational life experience. Enjoy the relaxed ambience of superb al fresco dining, take advantage of some fantastic water activities or simply cruise to another magical, deserted beach. Day trip comfortably with twelve guests or design your own itinerary of three to five night cruises for up to six guests. Quest II will better your expectations every time.
The Pearl South Pacific Resort
The Pearl South Pacific offers guests the majesty of a tropical island setting, simply designed suites inviting the outside in, exceptional service, superb cuisine, plus Fiji’s only championship golf course. With six magnificent, individually appointed penthouses, enjoying absolute beachfront that stretches for miles and a winding junglelike river that runs through the property, the Pearl is an absolute paradise. This modern, European style resort, set amongst a wealth of Fijian cultural options, is home to an outstanding, championship golf course, designed by world renowned RobertTrent Jones Jr. Positioned amongst tropical rainforests and winding canals, this stunning, par-72 course will challenge the keenest of golfers with its 66 bunkers and multiple water hazards. The Pearl Spa and Gymnasium, features the best treatments in the Fijian archipelago.With a myriad of world-class aquatic activities, including an incredible left handed reef break for surfers, snorkelling, scuba diving, white water rafting, kayaking, jet skis, windsurfing, plus beach volleyball, tennis and bike riding, the Pearl is truly a unique holiday destination.
Pacific Crown Aviation
Experience the thrill of flying in Fiji’s premier helicopter service, over the shimmering waters of this South Pacific wonderland. Island Hoppers have been operating in Fiji for over thirty years and is family owned and run. Island Hoppers will take you to your resort in breathtaking style or join them for an unforgettable aerial tour of the islands and highlands to see Fiji as only the birds can. With so many stunning island resorts spread throughout the Fijian archipelago, Island Hoppers are the natural choice when seeking fast, convenient, transfers from Nadi airport, Denaru Island and the vast majority of other islands. Island Hoppers are available for charter or choose from a range of sensational sightseeing trips over lush rainforest, spectacular waterfalls, awe inspiring gorges of the Mt Evans Ranges, plus the incredibly beautiful islands and reefs of the Mamanuca Islands, taking in isolated coral cays and palm fringed white sandy beaches. Experience the beauty of the Fiji islands and see more on one tour than most people during their entire Fiji stay.
Tui Tai Adventure Cruises
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow-lines, sail away from the safe harbour and catch the tradewinds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover” - Mark Twain. The multi award-winning Tui Tai Adventure Cruise is a unique holiday designed for active travellers looking to get off the beaten path and experience the complete Fiji. This expedition combines tropical adventure and a chance to be immersed in the culture of Fiji, visiting places that are reached only by sea. During your adventure, you will kayak, mountain bike, hike through rainforests and waterfalls, snorkel along pristine, vibrant reefs, scuba dive world class dive sites, visit local villages and a whole lot more. The A/S Tui Tai is a splendid one hundred and forty foot sailing schooner based in Savusavu. The ship boasts private airconditionedaccommodationfortwodozenkindredspirits, an on board massage spa, a full scuba diving operation, Perception kayaks, Kona mountain bikes, sixteen Fijian officers, sailors, guides and hospitality staff to ensure the safetyanduntoldenjoymentofadventureseekingguests. fiji adventure
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island resorts Special time, special space – white silken sands meet deep sea dreams… Fiji is a 300 plus Pacific island archipelago, of incredible beauty, offering the ultimate tropical escape. Enjoy secluded luxury, fine food and legendary Fijian hospitality. Spend your days swimming, snorkeling or diving. Go fishing or laze beneath a shady palm. Do everything or do nothing. Marvel at spectacular sunrises and sunsets in undisturbed true island paradise.
Nukubati Island Resort
For lovers of seclusion, nature and authenticity, this exclusive, eco-sensitive resort has no parallels and is Fiji’s hidden gem. At any one time just seven couples are pampered by over 40 genuinely friendly Fijian staff, who pride themselves in anticipating your every need. Staff here, learn your favourite cocktail and remember it on your next visit! Traditional South Pacific cuisine made from locally grown, organic produce and accompanied by the finest of Australian and New Zealand wines. On Nukubati you set the agenda. Meals can be enjoyed at any time and any location, in the pavilion, on the beach, in the privacy of your own room or on your own private sand bar, sipping your favourite cocktail. Still the only resort giving you direct access to the Great Sea Reef, the world’s third largest barrier reef, you can choose to dive or snorkel amongst the corals, dolphins, manta rays and fish, discover fisherman’s paradise or sail above them on a catamaran. Or you could simply grab a book and gaze out at the sea from the beach. You choose the level of activity – or inactivity – that suits you.
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Fiji Beach Resort & Spa
Immerse yourself in the effortless luxury and sophistication of Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, managed by Hilton. Tucked away on the Denarau Peninsula on the western side of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, the resort is home to the island’s longest stretch of beach with 1.5 kilometres of uninterrupted beachfront and ocean views. In July 2006, the first stage of this 5 star resort was unveiled, featuring 219 luxury beachfront rooms, some allowing one to step straight from the front door of the villa into a plunge pool which leads directlydownontothebeachfrontandexperiencethebarefoot indulgence that is Denarau Island. Everything you need to enjoy the ultimate and indulgent getaway is right at your doorstep. Chill out by one of five ocean front pools and eight accompanying plunge pools; experience the exquisite fusion of international and local cuisines at Nuku restaurant, get involved in an absolute smorgassboard of water sports, spa andgymnasiumortakeadvantageofnextdoor’sDenarauGolf and Racquet Club. Hilton International have delivered a new level of guest experience for Fiji that is exclusively personal.
Royal Davui
Bula Vinaka – “welcome” - to Royal Davui Fiji. A romantic island retreat where a privileged few can enjoy the solitude of a secluded paradise in total luxury and comfort. This exclusive island escape, sheltered on a remote lush island hideaway, atop a living barrier reef, fringed by white sand beaches and sapphire waters, combines a dreamy location, world class aquatic activities, superb cuisine and heavenly accommodation – with incredibly warm, attentive Fijian service. Each Honeymoon Suite Davui represents unparalleled attention to detail. Opening this gateway reveals a hidden paradise. An indoor garden welcomes you and leads your gaze outward toward the azure blue lagoon beyond. A path slopes gently down towards a deck and your large plunge pool, whilst your lounge room offers the best vantage point on the island. Nowhere else in the Pacific is graced with the friendliness that radiates naturally and effortlessly from the Fijian people. Here one can really let go and disconnect from the world, slow down, place life’s engine into neutral and relax.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Yasawa Island
Vomo Island
Royal Davui
Nukubati Island Resort
Fiji Beach Resort & Spa
Vomo Island
Bula – “welcome”. If you have ever imagined an island paradise so perfect and private that the only footprints you’ll see in the sand are your own, then look no further. Fiji’s Vomo Island, is one of the luxury Sofitel Collection’s stand-out resorts. Only fifteen minutes flying from Nadi, Vomo Island Resort, is a secluded paradise nestled just below Fijis stunning Yasawa group of islands. It is an uncrowded place of rich simplicity and relaxation, with an abundance of recreational activities to choose from. From the moment you arrive to choruses of “Bula Malea” and fragrant frangipani leis, you will be immersed in a dreamlike environment to make you feel like the king or queen of your own divine tropical island. Choose from one of 29 luxurious villas, resting either between the palms and frangipani trees or tucked quietly away into the hillside with stunning panoramic ocean views. Secluded beaches give you the chance to wind down at your own pace, whilst the entire island is bordered with colourful reefs, teeming with an incredible array of coral and tropical fish, perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling. You won’t want to say “Mace” – goodbye!
Yasawa Island
Slip below the surface of Yasawa’s pristine waters and you will find a world as seductive as the island above. Recipient of Conde Nast’s 2005 Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway, Yasawa Island Resort, presents splendid isolation in the most unspoilt reaches of the Fijian archipelago. Tucked amongst the palms on this remote island are just eighteen thatched bures, offering complete solitude and absolute luxury. There are no other resorts, no television and just the whisper of the waves and sea breeze to break the glorious silence. The azure waters of Yasawa are yours to explore with the resort’s accredited Padi diving centre. Do as much or as little as you like at this island paradise. Take a picnic on one of eleven deserted beaches, try game fishing on the resort’s purposebuilt boat, sail a catamaran or a sailboard, experience the local culture, with a visit to the local villages, hit the tennis court or succumb to loving Fijian hands with a relaxing massage at the “Bavari Spa”, Fiji’s first spa right on the beach.
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unique places to stay Discrete Fijian retreats unveil superb architecture, set in idyllic locales. Surrender to nature’s free flowing ambience. Behold brilliant blues and lush tropical greens amidst undeniable luxury. Wake to the smell of frangipani and hibiscus blooms. Deliberate over an exquisite menu, after exploring magical underwater worlds. Rejuvenate in paradise, where the pace of the day is yours alone to determine.
Myola Plantation Villa
Ian and Karen Hoskinson had a unique vision of creating a private, boutique retreat of extraordinary beauty, luxury, style and distinction. Preserving the serene spirit and breathtaking beauty of this spectacular location, they have createdoneofthemostexquisiteplacesonearth,surpassing the expectations of even the most discerning travellers. Experience the magic of Fiji in a truly relaxed and private setting - a contemporary interpretation of the Fijian lifestyle. The concept is simple and breezy, yet lavishes style and absolute luxury, with two master suites perched high on the edge of a dramatic cliff, boasting spectacular views of a pristine tropical reef. Explore ten acres of lush gardens, rainforest and citrus plantations, before splashing into your own tropical, horizon pool, seemingly stretching into the jungle and beach below. The cuisine, a tempting fusion of Fijian and western, is of the highest standard.
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Vatulele Island Resort
Nestled beside the sapphire waters of a magnificent lagoon and massive white silken sand beach, is the multi award-winning, Vatulele Island Resort. This exclusive island hideaway, accommodating just nineteen couples, combines a unique architectural style, alongside a pristine tropical island setting, offering the essence of Vatulele – romantic, exotic and ingeniously designed, with special ‘barefoot elegance’, ideally suited to a perfect South Pacific honeymoon escape. The resort revels in its oft-described ‘barefoot chic’ tag, boasting two superb villas – a grand honeymoon bure called Vale Viqi, and the resort’s piece de résistance and arguably the finest resort villa in the South Pacific, The Point. Both feature plunge pools and a dedicated butler service. The Point is a delightful splitlevel residence, with a breathtaking drop edge freshwater pool.Vatulele is a scuba diving paradise, with twenty-two spectacular sites within minutes of the main beach and is a Padi five-star Gold Palm facility with resident instructors.
Dolphin Island
Dolphin Island is a 13-acre private island retreat, just off the north-east coast of Viti Levu, Fiji. Deliberately unspoiled and rustic, it is designed to offer guests total peace, quiet and the luxury of staying on their own private island, for a maximum of just four guests, at any given time. Exclusive use of the island is guaranteed. Two Fijianstyle bures sit side-by-side. Built to catch the soft warm sea breezes and the South Pacific sunsets, they provide island-style accommodation and are air-conditioned. One of these is set up for dining and relaxing, while the other accommodates two simple bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Fijian hosts are there as little or as much as required and they ensure guests have everything they need – from cocktails, delicious meals, as well as local knowledge for snorkeling, swimming and any activities you wish to enjoy. The island is naturally romantic - little extras include a white, muslin-swathed day bed, that can be relocated at whim, and a fabulous sleep-out bure on the other side of the island – the perfect place to breakfast, on fresh tropical fruits, as the sun rises on another day in paradise.
MORE INFORMATION Visit our website for more photos and information for all the properties and experiences featured. MAP KEY Vatulele Island Resort Namale Resort & Spa Dolphin Island Myola Plantation Villa Wadigi Island
Namale Resort & Spa
Pinch yourself... you’re at Namale Resort and Spa, Fiji. The jewel that is Namale sits majestically on the edge of the Koro Sea. The magic of Namale lies in the combination of its lush and colourful landscape, luxurious accommodations and the utterly outstanding hospitality of its staff. Encompassing 325 pristine acres with only 14 fabulous bures, and two spectacularly opulent private grand villas, Namale, is the epitome of seclusion and privacy. Here, time is not measured by clocks. Days begin when the Lali drum marks the start of breakfast, then fill your time with as much or as little as you like, with an outstanding array of all-inclusive activities, unsurpassed anywhere in Fiji. Enjoy a horseback ride along the beach, snorkelling the island’s sapphire waters or relax to your hearts content on the beach, by the freshwater pools or on your private deck. Indulge in some pampering bliss, at award-winning Namale Spa and Sanctuary, to awaken and restore the natural balance of your mind, body and spirit. The succulent cuisine of world-class chefs, makes dining an unforgettable pleasure. To experience Namale, is to experience poetry without words.
Wadigi Island
“Why book a hotel room, when you can have your own private island”. Picture yourself and your loved one, on your own private island as the only guests or share this lifetime experience with family and friends. Wadigi Island is a unique, exclusive and absolutely unforgettable five star private island charter. Just a hop, skip and a swim from Nadi International airport, Wadigi combines luxurious cliff top villa accommodation, gourmet dining, glorious beaches and absolute privacy. Proud hosts Jim and Tracey Johnston, together with your own island staff of two gourmet chefs, hostess, maid and boat captain will ensure a wonderful stay. Wadigi Island will greet you with rejuvenating sunrises and breathtaking sunsets, as you relax in a magnificent infinity pool. Stroll and sun yourself on one of your two private beaches, before immersing yourself in the crystal clear lagoon and experience some world-class snorkelling and scuba diving or indulge in some sports fishing, seakayaking or sailboarding, plus a host of other water sports.
fiji unique places to stay
107
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fiji experiences adventure island resorts unique places to stay
01 02 03
W
E
Labasa
02
S
VANUA LEVU 01 03 02 01
Nabouwalu
Yasawa Islands
03
Rakiraki
02
Ba
02
03
01
VITI LEVU
NADI
03
Distance by air
Sigatoka
SUVA 01 02
03
Origin
Distance
hours
Nadi
Kadavu
0.55
Nadi
Labasa
1
Nadi
Malololailai
0.1
Nadi
Mana
10
Nadi
Rotuma
3.15
Nadi
Savusavu
1
Nadi
Suva
0.45 1.3
Nadi
Taveuni
Suva
Labasa
50
Suva
Rotuma
2.15
Taveuni
Labasa
0.25
Taveuni
Savusavu
0.25
Distance by land (kms) Lautoka
Nadi Airport
Nadi Town
Sigatoka
Korotonga
Korolevu
Pacific Hbr
Suva
221
197
183
127
120
96
49
Pacific Hbr
172
148
139
78
71
47
Korolevu
125
101
92
31
24
Korotonga
101
77
68
7
61
Sigatoka
94
70
Nadi Town
33
9
Nadi Airport
24
Photo Credits Sincere thanks to all the companies and photographic contributors whose support have made this publication possible. All information contained in this publication is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent from the owner. While every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors, changes or omissions. All images are copyright of their respective owners and cannot be produced without prior consent. Special thanks Tourism Australia, Tourism New South Wales, Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Western Australia, Tourism Tasmania, Tourism South Australia, Tourism Victoria, Uluru & Kata Tjuta Tourism Services, Tourism New Zealand & Tourism Queenstown. Tony Gordon, Whitelight Film, Haggerstone Island Stefan Gosatti, PhotoHQ, Must Wine Bar Craig Gillet, Craig Gillett Photography, Down Under Helicopters Ian Courtney, Down Under Helicopters Kerry Trapnell, Guurrbi Tours, Willie Gordon
Wayne Lawler, EcoPix.net, Australian Wildlife Conservancy David Scaletti, David Scaletti Photography, The Sebel Heritage Golf and Country Club Aaron Tait, Aaron Tait Photography, Wadigi Island Medina Design
This publication has been compiled by Koolivoo. We exclusively specializes in creating and implementing strategic alliances to target new evolving markets in tourism today. Koolivoo recognise the enormous contribution from all suppliers and distribution partners in the development of this programme. We also are grateful for the ongoing support by ATS Pacific Australia, New Zealand & Fiji. Managing Director : Matt McKinley Director of Sales and Marketing : Sarah Fraser Travel Journalist : Tony Moore Publications & Web Manager : Zann St Pierre Administration Support : Kim Dugmore www.koolivoo.com.au
new zealand experiences 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
N
living in new zealand auckland city beaches islands of aotearoa wildlife & marine encounters fishing & hunting rivers, fiords, lakes & sounds adventure glacier & alpine maori - people of the land rural lifestyle private villas unique places to stay spa & thermal golf food & wine out & about self drive & private touring trekking new zealand
W
14 01 03 15 05 03 Whangarei 10
E
04 18 14 05 02
S
19 01 04
AUCKLAND
01 04
When your initial travel arrangements are made through an American Express Travel Services location or through our Web site, you have the advantage of Worldwide Customer Care. Our service doesn’t stop once your trip begins. In fact, we’re there for you with over 2,200* locations around the world in more than 140 countries and territories. So, if something unexpected comes up, feel comfortable knowing we will be there to assist you with travel services.
Rotorua 01 10 11 12 14 17
08
15 06 12
New Plymoth
17
Visit any travel network location and as part of our commitment, we’ll provide these services free of office charges.
Napier
03
Reconfirmation of airline tickets** Sightseeing arrangements Hotel and car rental reservations Airline flight rescheduling
Distance by air Origin
Destination
kms
hours
Auckland
Christchurch
743
1.2
Auckland
Queenstown
1023
1.5
Auckland
Wellington
479
1
Christchurch
Queenstown
348
1
Christchurch
Rotorua
676
1.4
Christchurch
Wellington
303
0.5
Queenstown
Rotorua
992
2.35
03 19
04 13
07
WELLINGTON
Nelson
11
16
*Comprises Travel Service locations of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., its affiliates and Representatives worldwide. Representative travel offices are independently owned and operated. Not all services are available at all travel service locations and are subject to local laws and cash availability.
13 16
06 **Service free of charge to customers who have purchased an air ticket, cruise or tour package from any American Express Travel Services location. All of these services are subject to local laws and regulations; all customers are responsible for any charges imposed by travel suppliers and any cost of required long distance telephone calls and messenger courier services.
10 05 13 11
15
19
CHRISTCHURCH
08 13 15 16 18
For more information contact your American Express Travel Service Network office
Distance by land (kms)
17 09 13
South Island
Queenstown 07 08 09 11 12 13 16 17 07
Dunedin 05 18
Christchurch
Dunedin
Invercargil
Nelson
Picton
Queenstown
487
281
189
850
837
Picton
350
711
928
113
1016
Nelson
417
799
Invercargil
578
217
Dunedin
361
50 experiences to challenge your travel aspirations australia, new zealand & fiji
North Island
Invercargill 04
Auckland
Hamilton
Napier
New Plymouth
Paihia
Palmerstone Nth
Rotorua
Taupo
Wellington
658
532
323
355
898
145
406
308
Taupo
280
153
143
296
518
259
80
339
Rotorua
234
107
225
299
474
Palmerston North
537
411
178
234
777
597
Paihia
241
368
661
New Plymouth
357
231
412
Napier
423
296
Hamilton
127
the ultimate to do list
www.theultimatetodolist.com.au
new zealand experiences 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
N
living in new zealand auckland city beaches islands of aotearoa wildlife & marine encounters fishing & hunting rivers, fiords, lakes & sounds adventure glacier & alpine maori - people of the land rural lifestyle private villas unique places to stay spa & thermal golf food & wine out & about self drive & private touring trekking new zealand
W
14 01 03 15 05 03 Whangarei 10
E
04 18 14 05 02
S
19 01 04
AUCKLAND
01 04
When your initial travel arrangements are made through an American Express Travel Services location or through our Web site, you have the advantage of Worldwide Customer Care. Our service doesn’t stop once your trip begins. In fact, we’re there for you with over 2,200* locations around the world in more than 140 countries and territories. So, if something unexpected comes up, feel comfortable knowing we will be there to assist you with travel services.
Rotorua 01 10 11 12 14 17
08
15 06 12
New Plymoth
17
Visit any travel network location and as part of our commitment, we’ll provide these services free of office charges.
Napier
03
Reconfirmation of airline tickets** Sightseeing arrangements Hotel and car rental reservations Airline flight rescheduling
Distance by air Origin
Destination
kms
hours
Auckland
Christchurch
743
1.2
Auckland
Queenstown
1023
1.5
Auckland
Wellington
479
1
Christchurch
Queenstown
348
1
Christchurch
Rotorua
676
1.4
Christchurch
Wellington
303
0.5
Queenstown
Rotorua
992
2.35
03 19
04 13
07
WELLINGTON
Nelson
11
16
*Comprises Travel Service locations of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., its affiliates and Representatives worldwide. Representative travel offices are independently owned and operated. Not all services are available at all travel service locations and are subject to local laws and cash availability.
13 16
06 **Service free of charge to customers who have purchased an air ticket, cruise or tour package from any American Express Travel Services location. All of these services are subject to local laws and regulations; all customers are responsible for any charges imposed by travel suppliers and any cost of required long distance telephone calls and messenger courier services.
10 05 13 11
15
19
CHRISTCHURCH
08 13 15 16 18
For more information contact your American Express Travel Service Network office
Distance by land (kms)
17 09 13
South Island
Queenstown 07 08 09 11 12 13 16 17 07
Dunedin 05 18
Christchurch
Dunedin
Invercargil
Nelson
Picton
Queenstown
487
281
189
850
837
Picton
350
711
928
113
1016
Nelson
417
799
Invercargil
578
217
Dunedin
361
50 experiences to challenge your travel aspirations australia, new zealand & fiji
North Island
Invercargill 04
Auckland
Hamilton
Napier
New Plymouth
Paihia
Palmerstone Nth
Rotorua
Taupo
Wellington
658
532
323
355
898
145
406
308
Taupo
280
153
143
296
518
259
80
339
Rotorua
234
107
225
299
474
Palmerston North
537
411
178
234
777
597
Paihia
241
368
661
New Plymouth
357
231
412
Napier
423
296
Hamilton
127
the ultimate to do list
www.theultimatetodolist.com.au