New Zealand is so close. A typical flight from the Australian East Coast takes only 3 hours. With seven international airports throughout New Zealand –it’s so easy. Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Wellington airports service the North Island; with Queenstown, Christchurch and Dunedin in the South.

For Australians it’s also very attractive because air travel to New Zealand is now so affordable.  Air New Zealand have direct flights from Sydney to Queenstown for an incredible $136 each way. This deal on their ‘Works package’ includes carry on baggage allowance, 1 x checked bag up to 23kg, Meal and drinks, entertainment including movies and seat request.

From its early beginnings, New Zealand tourism has thrived on innovation and adventure. Some of the best known contributions to the tourism industry have been kiwi inventions such as the ski-plane, the jetboat and bungy jumping. The first country in the world to have a government ministry for tourism, Tourism New Zealand celebrated its centenary in 2001.

In the 21st century, New Zealand is leading the way in sustainable tourism. The focus is on nature and green initiatives that will protect the natural environment for future generations, and telling New Zealand’s stories through authentic encounters with local culture and people.

New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests and amazing wildlife make it a haven for so many outdoor activities and a great place to unwind. A diverse, sophisticated and multicultural society awaits you. The honesty, friendliness and openness of Kiwis will impress you. It’s an enviable destination.

TO BOOK ACCOMMODATION IN NEW ZEALAND’S SOUTH ISLAND OR NORTH ISLAND

Located just south of the equator, Bali is blessed with incredible beauty, beaches and a culture that pervades into all corners of life. The beaches may be the magnet that draws us to this island of the gods, but the culture is what brings us back for more.

Here are some of my favourite places that encompass all that is good about Bali and its island neighbours.

Head to the hills of Ubud. It’s cool up here and the streets teem with culture. A great way to see it all is by bicycle. Artistic villages, stone sculptures, temples, health retreats, rice paddies, museums, spas, great cuisine all mixed in with the traditional village way of life. It’s also flavour of the month due to the impending release of the Julia Roberts movie ‘Eat, Pray, Love’.

Nusa Lembongan lies approximately 12 miles from south east Bali. Transfers to this tropical isle are from Benoa Harbour daily. With a tiny population of about 5,000 people living in their two traditional villages, the main income is derived from seaweed farming. Quiet, white sandy beaches, simple rooms right on the beach and incredible sunsets. Here is the Bali that many only dream about.

Lovina Beach. Located in the north of Bali, Lovina offers a beautiful coconut fringed panorama. The sea is calm all year round. Dolphin watching on an outrigger canoe is a highlight. Close by is the amazing Git Git waterfall. If you like what Kuta offers but don’t like the crowds, Lovina Beach is for you.

Senggigi Beach, Lombok – a place very close to my heart. Senggigi was my honeymoon spot just over sixteen years ago. Superbly positioned Senggigi is Lombok’s main beach resort. Accommodation here is generally excellent value for money. West facing Senggigi has blood red sunsets that can be enjoyed for free each evening and to the north hidden coves provide a beach to yourselves bar the occasional local fisherman.

Gili Islands. Just off the northwestern coast of Lombok lie three tiny coral-fringed islands. With white sandy beaches and clear water teeming with reef fish the islands of Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trewangan offer excellent diving. A variety of luxury villas bungalows and simple huts are available for rent. Daily boats depart from Senggigi to the Gili Islands.

TO BOOK ACCOMMODATION IN BALI

Driving holidays are part of Australia’s culture. First it was the yearly pilgrimage to the favourite camping spot or caravan park. Then came holiday flats or even building your own holiday home. Same spot each year. Life was simple.

Nowadays of course, roads are much improved and driving times between destinations have shortened considerably. Hence, the choice of destinations and experiences is immense.  All gamut of accommodation is available. From unique holiday houses, boutique hotels and guesthouses, lighthouse accommodation, B&Bs to name a few.

To help independent travellers make their choices four Regional Tourist Organisations have banded together with a great tourism marketing initiative called The Legendary Pacific Coast. This collaboration between Central Coast Tourism, Hunter Tourism, Mid North Coast Tourism and Northern Rivers Tourism will promote road journeys between Sydney and Brisbane.

Known as the Legendary Pacific Coast Project, the campaign began earlier in the year, supported by $570,000 in government funding. It seeks to create a new ‘brand’ for the road as a place where personal memories and legendary experiences are waiting to be created by today’s travellers. The aim is to encourage and help the travelling public to get on that road and to bring their dollars with them. The theme will be see where it takes you.

The Legendary Pacific Coast is one of Australia’s greatest drive holidays. With the combination of magnificent coastline and spectacular hinterland on either side of the Pacific Highway from Sydney to Brisbane, this route is full of all the good things in life. It’s a touring destination that embraces the open road and freedom.

See Where It Takes You.

TO BOOK NSW ACCOMMODATION

The Old Melbourne Gaol is serving up this unique dinner on the 130th anniversary of Ned’s last night in the Gaol – to commemorate his last meal. Dinner includes ‘Such a Life’ an impressive performance that takes you inside the life and legend of Ned Kelly and the people who influenced his life.  Date: November 10, from 6.00pm to 9.30pm

For details of this unique dinner and a whole load of other experiences they are serving up entitled ‘Ned Kelly – 130 years later’ from late October to mid November go to www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au or telephone 03 8663 7228
Old Melbourne Gaol
377 Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria.
FOR MELBOURNE ACCOMMODATION OR VICTORIAN ACCOMMODATION

Communities throughout Te Tau Ihu – the northern half of New Zealand’s South Island – have been invited to gather on Tahunahui Beach, Nelson, to perform the famous ‘Ka mate, Ka mate’ haka.

Haka organiser Mike Elkington says that local iwi / Māori tribe has formed a group to ensure that they break the current world record – which was set by 3,264 people in Ngaruawahia, in the North Island, on 16 February, 2008.

As the September 11 date also commemorates the anniversary of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre, there will be a minute’s silence before the haka to acknowledge American manuhiri / visitors to New Zealand, and remember the victims of the attacks.

The world’s biggest haka attempt will be a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand to share its Māori culture with a wider global audience, Mike Elkington says.

“The haka is our way of gathering our energy to welcome the world, readying ourselves for all that we are going to offer the world. We want everyone coming to the ‘land of the long white cloud’ next year for the World Cup to hear our combined voices, welcoming them as they prepare to journey to New Zealand.”
Perched on the northwest corner of the South Island, Nelson is one of the Top 10 destinations in New Zealand and proudly claims to be the nation’s sunniest spot.

To book Nelson accommodation

HOT OFF THE PRESS HOT OFF THE PRESS HOT OFF THE PRESS
New Zealand’s Tasman Glacier cracks up and puts on a spectacular show -
Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, South Island NZ

Millions of tonnes of glacial icebergs are providing a rare spectacle on the Tasman Glacier terminal lake, in New Zealand’s South Island.

Spring melt over the last few days has seen 30 – 50 million tonnes of ice crash off the Tasman Glacier’s terminal face – a massive ‘calving’ that has produced 20 significant icebergs which are now floating in the terminal lake.

Local tourism operator Glacier Explorers, which takes passengers on cruises on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake, will resume seasonal operations next week (3.09.2010) – one month ahead of schedule to take advantage of the magnificent new icebergs.
Passengers this year are likely to get a trip of a lifetime as a result of the calving.
Visitors could look forward to the most spectacular iceberg and glacier cruising season yet, according to Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village tourism manager, Denis Callesen.

“The scale of what’s happening here is just enormous. The biggest ‘berg is about 300m by 200m and 40m high – and that’s only the 10 per cent of the berg that we can see. Ninety per cent is below the waterline.”

Callesen said the icebergs were “nature in action” and had taken on a life of their own “flipping, turning and moving as natural forces take action.”
The current calving will give us ice to study for the next two seasons at least.”

Iceberg cruising on Lake Tasman is a ‘must-do’ activity for visitors to Aoraki Mount Cook. Apart from the icebergs, there are also spectacular alpine views and some of the best photographic opportunities in the national park.

Glacier Explorers 75-minute voyage offers a close up and personal view as the boat moves between the constantly moving icebergs. www.glacierexplorers.com

To book New Zealand accommodation

See the spectacular Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk transformed into a giant sculpture park of over 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world.

The 4km Bondi to Tamarama coast walk takes in Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte where beachside parks offer picnic shelters, barbeques, play areas and other facilities. South of Bronte, a new boardwalk follows the coastline past historic Waverley Cemetery, with platforms providing seating and breathtaking views. Now Australia’s most famous beach, Bondi, the Park was created in 1882, but ‘sea bathing’ remained illegal until 1902.
What: Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi
When: Thursday 28 October – Sunday 14 November, 2010
Where: Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk
Cost: Free
Enquiries: info@sculpturebythesea.com or phone +61 2 8399 0233
http://sculpturebythesea.com/bondi/index.html
Getting there:  Catch the bus from the City, Central or Bondi Junction.

To book Sydney accommodation

Also featured at the festival is the Cassowary Coast Short Film competition and stills photography exhibition.  www.missionbeachfilmfestival.com.au

The who, what, when and where of Mission Beach.

Spring is the perfect time to visit Mission Beach – a natural mid way point between Townsville and Cairns. Mission Beach is made up of four beach villages linked by 14 kilometres of wide golden beach set in an unspoilt natural environment. A blend of sophisticated eateries, boutiques and art galleries nestle against lush tropical rainforest. Mission Beach reminds us of how beautiful little beachside towns can be, blending vibrant art and culture with unique tourism attractions.
It’s just under two hours south from Cairns to Mission Beach.  Dunk Island and Bedarra Island lie less than 5 kilometres offshore from Mission Beach.

The four villages of Mission Beach – South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, North Mission Beach and Bingil Bay offer an excellent array of accommodation, from luxury resorts and holiday homes to secluded rainforest retreats and superbly appointed B & Bs. Romantic getaways, family holidays, birdwatchers, backpackers, adventure travellers, campers and caravanners are all catered for. Mission Beach also offers activities ranging from eco-friendly and environmental tours to extreme sports such as tandem skydiving and white water rafting for adrenaline junkies.  Enjoy golf, kayaking, cassowary spotting, reef and estuary fishing, rainforest hikes, jet skiing, crocodile spotting, picnicking on one of the surrounding Islands, bird watching, market shopping, bike riding, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.

To book Mission Beach accommodation

Heathcote’s ancient Cambrian soils have earned it a reputation as one of the finest shiraz-producing areas in the world. Many well known producers located both inside and outside the region, such as Wild Duck Creek, Jasper Hill, Tyrrells, Brown Brothers, Shelmerdine, Hanging Rock and Seppelts, have attained national and international acclaim with their Heathcote Shiraz wines.

The Heathcote Wine and Food Festival is a showcase of wines produced from grapes grown only in the Heathcote wine region. It celebrates all the grape growers and winemakers who have helped to make Heathcote a name associated with some of Australia’s finest wines, in particular Shiraz for which Heathcote is internationally renowned. However, Shiraz is not the only variety to perform in the region; increasingly we are seeing other varieties coming to the fore – Sangiovese, Marsanne, Viognier, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. On cooler sites Riesling and Chardonnay can perform exceptionally well too.
The Festival is the ideal opportunity to taste these wines; this year the Festival will have over 50 wineries presenting around 200 wines available for tasting and purchase throughout the weekend.

All this tasting is supported by a range of serious and not so serious food and produce. Combine this with Free Tasting Seminars, Laid-back live music all weekend including The Davidson Brothers and ABC774’s Derek Guille and his ‘Ugly Uncles’ band. www.heathcotewinegrowers.com.au/festival

Heathcote is a small town nestled at the foot of the McIvor and McHarg Ranges. Once a bustling gold mining and logging town, people were drawn from many different cultures and nationalities, with hopes of making a gold fortune. To the north of the town, those immigrants disillusioned with mining struck a new type of gold, with the development of land for grazing, cropping and vines. Here the first vineyards were planted and today there are around 40 wineries, and 70 vineyards in the Heathcote region, including descendants of those early settlers, once again growing grapes on the range overlooking Colbinabbin.

 Getting there:  From Melbourne it is only about 1.5 to 2 hours to Heathcote.

To book Heathcote and Goldfields accommodation