Australian Accommodation

For a luxury holiday with a difference, the Northern Territory is one vacation you will not want to miss. With its fabulous scenery and outback characters, there is something for everyone with some of Australia’s best 5 star resorts to help you relax and unwind.

The iconic landscapes of the truly Australian outback begins with Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it was formerly known. Longitude 131 Degrees is one of Australia’s best luxury hotel resorts. Here you will stay in one of fifteen luxury tents, all elevated off the ground to capture the best views of this most outstanding region. Indulge yourself with your own private viewing platform where you can take in the panorama of the Rock, and surrounding mulga and spinifex. The price includes all beverages, including those from the self service open bar, meals and transfers. You can even enjoy a cooling swim in the pool at the end of a hot day.

Take a tour from this luxury resort to learn about the local bush tucker and Aboriginal dot painting. Explore forty thousand year old stories found in the cave paintings. Capture the moment to moment changing of the colours at sunset over Uluru or meet the sunrise at the sandstone domes of Kata Tjuta, previously called The Olgas. For a unique adventure, a four hour tour in the four wheel drive will take you through superb desert country to Cave Hill in South Australia.

Another spectacular region not to be missed is the Kakadu National Park which has five star hotels and resorts for you to choose from. Peppers Seven Spirit Bay is perched on the edge of the Arafua Sea at the top end of Australia, and offers lashings of luxuries. Sip champagne while you watch the local dolphins frolic in the glorious sunset from your very own secluded room, or habitat. Revel in the silence, with only the birds and sea for company. Try your luck with some fabulous deep sea fishing, enjoy a massage or take a wildlife safari to get up close and personal with the local wildlife.

Catering for those twelve and over, this luxury resort offers privacy and peace to ensure you replenish yourself. With only 23 habitats, there are 6 premium ones built with their own private balcony to luxuriate in while watching the sunrise over Coral Bay. With two queen size beds, plenty of lounging space and the bathroom in the garden, this luxury resort will help you unwind in no time. A perfect place to spend that luxury honeymoon!

One of the most stunning luxury trips you could take in Australia is to climb on board the Princess Cruises Oceanic Discoverer. Over ten nights, you will live in luxury while discovering the amazing wilderness of the Kimberlies. Check out the magnificent waterfall on the King George River using one of the inflatable zodiacs. Explore the natural gorges of this remote region of Australia. Return to your own air conditioned suite with balcony to relax. At the end, explore the exciting city of Broome where you may go deep sea fishing.

Another luxury tour that starts in the Northern Territory is the Southern Spirit Rail Cruise. This truly luxurious journey will take your through the outback as no other luxury tour can do. Stay at five star hotels along the way and enjoy the deluxe excursions such as dining in fine style at an underground restaurant in Coober Pedy. Rivalling the worlds best rail travel, the luxurious cabins are the equal of any luxury resort with one of the world’s best views right outside your window.

By: Karen Cooke

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Australia is blessed to have so many wonderful cultural events, festivals and celebrations throughout the year. If you would like to incorporate some of these exciting events into your luxurious travel experiences, we’ve made it easy for you with a run-down of 12 months of cultural festivals around Australia:

January

Hobart Comedy Festival – some of Australia’s biggest names in comedy head to Hobart for the annual comedy festival.

Sydney Festival – this is a superb showcase of Australian and international visual arts and performing arts and takes place across the city.

Tour Down Under, Adelaide ? the Tour Down Under is a cycling race that has become popular with Australian and international cyclists.

February

Adelaide Film Festival – held annually, this film festival is an ideal way to keep up with the happenings in the film world, along with special advanced previews and discussion panels.

ANZ Ladies Masters Golf, Gold Coast – this annual Golf Championship is held at the Royal Pines Golf Course, attracting golfing enthusiasts from all over the world.

Launceston Cup Carnival – one of Australia’s most prestigious horse-racing events, this has become a major date in the Tasmanian social calendar.

National Multicultural Festival, Canberra – this festival celebrates the differences and similarities of the many varied cultures that make up ‘Australia’.

Perth Festival – a leading cultural event in Western Australia, this popular festival showcases various artistic mediums for almost an entire month.

Royal Canberra Show – come along to the annual Canberra show to see local wares, agriculture, livestock and produce, and experience great entertainment and food.

Tamworth Country Music Festival – Australia’s leading country music festival, with visitors travelling from across the state and internationally.

Tropfest – this is the largest short film festival in the world, with in excess of 150,000 visitors each year.

UWA Perth International Arts Festival – this long-standing arts celebration brings together a fine blend of music, theatre, literature, film and visual and street arts. Visitors can enjoy a mix of paid and free community events.

March

Melbourne Fashion Festival – this week-long celebration showcases some of the country’s leading fashion designers and up-and-coming designers along with the very latest in fashion trends.

Moomba Waterfest, Melbourne – this event has been a Victorian favourite for over 50 years, providing a range of free entertainment and celebrations along Melbourne’s waterfront.

Sydney Royal Easter Show – offers a solid mix of sideshows, competitions, parades, food, entertainment, rodeos and loads of fun.

April

Fremantle Street Arts Festival – this unique festival of top international buskers is one of the best festivals in Western Australia, with more than 100,000 attendees each year.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival – comedians from all over the world converge on Melbourne to provide three weeks of laughs and entertainment.

May

Canberra International Music Festival – join in the festivities as national and international musicians gather to entertain the crowds.

Hunter Valley Harvest Festival – local producers display their exquisite wines, olives and cheeses.

Settlers Cove Noosa Food and Wine Festival – celebrate the diversity of tantalising food and wines in Australia with some of the country’s best chefs and winemakers, along with food and wine critics. Spend three days enjoying a sample of first-class food and wine along with a variety of entertainment.

June

Gympie Stampede – for three entire days, join in the fun as Gympie entertains crowds with traditional country music, country gospel and talented poets.

Melbourne International Film Festival – one of the country’s largest annual film festivals, this winter festival combines film screenings with other events and celebrations over almost three weeks.

Sydney Film Festival – celebrate the joys of film, special screenings and reviews of Australian and international films.

July

Brisbane International Film Festival – if you enjoy watching movies and short films, you will enjoy the Brisbane Film Festival which showcases some of the most outstanding films from around the world.

August

Bangalow Music Festival, Byron Bay hinterland – this infamous weekend of music celebrations attracts visitors and musicians from around Australia and the world.

Barossa Gourmet Weekend – this is a wonderful event where visitors can indulge in tasty food and impressive wines from the Barossa Valley region, all while being kept entertained with a range of activities for everyone.

Hamilton Island Race Week – a world class yachting regatta that has been running for more than 25 years.

Melbourne Writer’s Festival – for ten days, visitors get to meet authors and discover the secrets to good books and getting published.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week – for six days, celebrate the start of the new season’s fashions with fashion parades, events and parties by leading local, national and international designers.

QANTAS Darwin Turf Club Gala Ball – this amazing social dinner and entertainment event is held outdoors, beneath the stars.

Taste of Gold Coast – for two weeks you get to sample some of the deliciously fresh produce from around the Gold Coast region while celebrating the joy of good food and wine.

The Darwin Festival – this exciting festival lasts for two and a half weeks and is a celebration of the multi-cultural mix that makes Darwin so special.

September

Brisbane Festival – a three-week festival to celebrate the arts scene, with international artists, fireworks and a host of community events.

Canberra Floriade – the annual festival of flowers to celebrate the commencement of spring.

Cronulla Spring Festival – one of the largest outdoor festivals in Sydney, this is a celebration spring.

Noosa Jazz Festival, Noosa – this exciting jazz festival attracts performers from around the world, celebrating jazz music from the traditional styles through to more modern melodies.

Perth Fashion Festival – this annual festival displays latest season’s fashions while showcasing some of the state’s up-and-coming designers alongside the more established leading designers.

Royal Adelaide Show – one of the largest events held in Adelaide each year. Organised by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, this is a huge display of local produce, agriculture and livestock, along with having a host of fun rides, entertainment and activities for all to enjoy.

Valley Fiesta, Brisbane – this annual three-day celebration is often referred to as the city’s ‘biggest street party’, with various forms of entertainment centred on Brisbane’s food, dance, fashion, music and art.

October

AFL Masters National Carnival – held over eight days, this is a major national event for AFL players. This Carnival is held in a different Australian city each year.

Bathurst 1000 – a premier event of Australian motor sports as V8 Supercar drivers race around Mt Panorama.

Brisbane Cabaret Festival – four nights of activities combining great food and wine with excellent music and fun for all.

Launceston Blues Festival – let your hair down and soak up the fun at this three day blues and roots festival.

Lexmark Indy 300, Gold Coast – the annual Indy Cart championship event held over four days, combined with parties and special events.

Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival – held during October and November, this is the highlight of the Victorian social calendar incorporating the ‘race that stops a nation’, the Melbourne Cup.

Royal Hobart Show – the annual show displays a range of local agricultural wares, livestock, produce and businesses, along with offering rides, entertainment, show bags and lots of great food.

November

Balmain Art & Craft Show, New South Wales – one of the most popular community events in Sydney.

Northern Territory Billfish Championship – spend four days catching and releasing mighty marlin while competing in one of the country’s best fishing competitions.

December

Australian PGA Championship, Sunshine Coast – this is the oldest golf championship in Australia, attracting golfing greats from across the world.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race – this famous race begins on Boxing Day and its completion is celebrated with parties galore.

The Hobart Summer Festival – Tasmania’s main summer event provides a range of celebrations scheduled around the Sullivans Cove area.

Woodford Folk Festival – one of the largest and most popular events on the calendar, with many people travelling from all over the country, and some from overseas, to join in the six days of festivities. Entertainment includes plenty of fine food, music, writers, forums and panel discussions and loads of fun.

By: Karen Cooke

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With an area greater than France, Spain and Italy combined there is plenty of territory here to explore. The hub is Darwin, yet apart from the state capital and Alice Springs there are no other significant urban centres.

The coastal areas of the state are quite flat but the land rises to nearly 5,000 feet in the MacDonnell Range of the interior. Otherwise the landscape is arid and characterised by shifting dunes. Tropical storms sweep down across the coast with some regularity. Indeed, Darwin was practically obliterated in a hurricane at the end of the nineteenth century.

Modern Darwin is home to over 110,000 inhabitants and is regarded by many Australians as the “gateway to Asia”. The city hosts the Arafura Games. This event is held every two years and is organised along similar lines to the Olympic Games, although on less grand a scale. Participants are all drawn from the Asia Pacific region. The next games are scheduled for May 2009.

There are a number of conventional tourist sights in the town. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory covers the natural history of the region besides housing an exhibition of indigenous artefacts. Aboriginal art can be purchased in many outlets in Darwin and this is not surprising since around a quarter of the population claim aboriginal descent. Cheap car hire in Australia is never a bother and there are a number of excellent National Parks relatively close to Darwin which are easily reachable by car.

A visit to Kakadu National park repays those cheap car hire costs. It is widely held to be one of the most attractive landscapes in Australia and is scarcely 150 miles east of Darwin. The site is recognised by UNESCO as precious not only in terms of its natural history but also in acknowledgement of the part this landscape plays in the creation story of the aboriginal peoples.

The Alligator River that flows through Kakadu is a misnomer: there are no alligators here. There are, however, two species of crocodile (the salt and fresh water varieties are quite abundant). Sixty species of mammal can be found in the park including various wallabies and kangaroos. Mostly these are nocturnal. Easier to spot are tropical birds: more than 280 species have been recorded in Kakadu. Furthermore there are in excess of 25 species of frog hopping about. The landscape in the south of the park is marked with numerous termite mounds: an alien sight for the European visitor but one which, with car hire, is not inaccessible.

By: Mark Lauterwein

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If you want to embark on an unforgettable road trip, a fly-drive holiday to Australia can be a fascinating journey and a great choice. As it goes, you drive on the left, the scenery is spectacular and you have the freedom to explore this vast landscape at your own pace. And, don’t forget to stop at the beach to ride the waves, explore the vibrant city life and discover the remote outback towns.

If you choose to begin your adventure from Sydney, then drive through Australia’s beautiful Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and New South Wales’ Central Coast. Alternatively, head further afield during your fly-drive holiday to Brisbane, Cairns or Melbourne.

Indeed, Australia’s sunshine state of Queensland offers must-see icons such as the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient rainforest of Cape Tribulation. Furthermore, drive through National Parks, and visit the world’s largest sand island, sun-drenched beaches and some lively but laid-back cities.

The Great Ocean Road offers one of Australia’s most scenic drives, with spectacular views at every turn. In addition, take time to explore Victoria’s breathtaking scenery, great food and wine, and pretty coastal villages – all an easy drive from Melbourne.

The northern tip of the Northern Territory is a fascinating region to explore during a fly-drive holiday, with Aboriginal communities, wetlands, deep gorges and the largest and most ancient collection of rock art in the world.

In central Australia, discover the mesmerising Uluru – Ayer’s Rock – and its changing colour throughout the day. If you manage to have use of a car on your travels then use your car to good effect and explore the other geological marvels of the Northern Territory, such as Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Kings Canyon.

It is important to understand that Tasmania is compact in comparison to the mainland states, and this, combined with its remarkably diverse landscape, makes it the perfect destination for a fly-drive holiday. So, take an enchanting journey through the Island State’s unique wilderness, heritage and scenery.

For those looking for freedom and a go-where-the-wind-takes-me experience, hire a motorhome and explore parts of Australia that are not visited by the hoards. With the added benefit of only having to unpack once, driving on the left, and a great range of depots; a motorhome could make an Australia fly-drive unforgettable.

An Australia fly-drive is an amazing way to explore this fascinating and spell-binding country. As such, you don’t want to miss out on what this amazing country fully has to offer, so hire a car or motorhome today and experience in what can only be described as a memorable driving holiday.

By: Adam Singleton

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There are few regions in Australia which combine ancient landscapes with ancient aboriginal history like the Flinders Ranges, just over 200km inland from Adelaide. If you are looking for the adventure of a lifetime, then look no further than this remote, diverse and breathtaking destination. There are plenty of sealed roads for the car hire traveller, and there is always a fantastic spot to set up and enjoy the scenery.

Port Augusta is known as the gateway to the Flinders Ranges. What is unusual about this city is that the main highways which enter South Australia from Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales all meet here, so it really is a central hub for more reasons that one. It is a perfect base to enjoy all that the city and surrounds has to offer.

A great attraction for the family is the Wadlata Outback Centre, offering interactive displays and a thorough history of the area, perfect for your pre Flinders experience. Before you leave, visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, an ideal place to understand more about the vegetation and animals in this region. It is great for a relaxing stroll with guided tours available.

North from Port Augusta is Quorn. It is the typical outback town and it is from here that you can visit Warren Gorge and the Dutchmans Stern Conservation park. The Pichi Richi Railway has been protected and is now open to tourists, a favourite with children. The incredible historical buildings are quite a contrast to the surrounding outback landscape, with art galleries and museums adding to the culture of this town. The Kanyaka Ruins are also worth a visit just out of town.

There are some walking trails to the south of Quorn which will take you on a number of walks to Devils Peak. There are panoramic views of the entire area from here, and you can often see the Waukarie Falls. Come prepared though, as you can choose from an eight hour or six hour trek to the peak and back.

One ‘must see’ town is Hawker, known as the most beautiful of the Flinders Ranges. You can access the Flinders Ranges National Park from north from here, so it is ideal as a base if you would prefer to be close to the shops and conveniences.

Once you have entered the park, you will discover Wilpena Pound. This is a tourist destination in itself, with plentiful wildlife including emus and kangaroos, and an extensive visitor centre which is worth a visit to learn more about the area.

Often indescribable, the Flinders Ranges National Park is simply breathtaking, with incredible mountainous scenery, vegetation and all types of animal species that will keep you captivated. There are walks for all fitness levels, including a walk to Rawnsley Bluff, and another to Wilpena Lookout. The trek to Ferntree Falls is just as beautiful as the destination, and if you are quiet enough you will come across some local wildlife, and hear a chorus of birdlife in the trees.

Although longer and more challenging, Wilcolo Creek bush walk, which take five hours, includes amazing scenery and take you on a circuit that will bring you to face to face with wildlife, panoramic views, winding creeks and undiscovered terrain.

For the more adventurous, the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail has been mapped out to trace the geological history of the region. These maps can be picked up at the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre. The Bunyeroo Gorge is a mild and enjoyable walk for the family and takes about two hours. If you take the creek through the Heysen Range you end up at waterholes and cliff faces that will take your breath away, and is also a great spot for a relaxing picnic.

This area is also the end of Australia’s longest bushwalking trail, which covers the beauty of the South Australian landscape close up. The Heyson Trail begins at Cape Jervis and ends at Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, and visitors come from all over the world to experience this walk of a lifetime.

What is most impressive about the Flinders Ranges is that it is so extensive, large and overwhelmingly magnificent. If you want to escape from the day to day pressures of life, start making plans to visit a place where time seems to stand still. It is easily accessible from Adelaide, yet you feel as though you are away from all civilization. Truly the perfect destination for those who love the outdoors and the extremes.

By: Jenny Brewer

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