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FEATURE AUSTRALIA


wild outer reefs of the Coral Sea to the tangled mangrove and steaming rainforest of the shoreline. Along the way he discovered some amazing creatures and experienced the reef at its most intriguing; capturing its immense scale and intimate details. Tailor Made Travel has partnered


with Queensland Tourism to try and capitalise on the interest generated by the programme and is offering a series of six exclusive itineraries specifically designed to include time exploring the reef and the surrounding areas. It is priced from £1735pp for six days. The appearance of pop legend Kylie Minogue at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras (Feb12-March 4) has helped cement the city’s popularity with gay tourists. The event coincided with Kylie’s 25th anniversary in the entertainment industry and her attendance helped event organisers position it as the ‘world’s premier celebration of diversity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,


Above: Glitteirng Sydney Harbour; and below fab food experiences in Melbourne


queer and intersex communities’. Destination NSW research has suggested that Sydney Mardi Gras attracts more than 20,000 overseas and interstate visitors each year, who come specifically for the event, injecting around $30 million in new money to the state.


What's New Sydney is building on the popularity of its Opera House with a new event running March 24 to April 15 which will give audiences the chance to view La Traviata performed on a floating stage over Sydney Harbour. A 3,000-seat grandstand will be set up on the foreshores of the Royal Botanic Gardens overlooking the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline with the unusual stage design dominated by a giant Swarovski crystal chandelier suspended from a 26-metre crane! Tickets are priced from around £56pp. The Museum of Contemporary Art


(MCA) in Sydney will re-open on March 31 as an expanded museum, following a major redevelopment.


In Melbourne the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with 20 days of eating and drinking-themed special events (March 2-21) at locations all over the city. The festival showcases


over 250 gourmet events, including free tastings and masterclasses from both international and local chefs. Melbourne has also seen the


recent opening of the Australian Shark and Ray Centre in Dandenong. Located just 20 minutes from the city centre en route to Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula, the centre offers the world’s largest combined shark and ray feeding experience. Visitors can don a wetsuit to swim with the species of sharks and stingray, paddle in one of the shallow pools, or opt to watch the action from one of the viewing bridges. For the first time visitors to Australia’s Red Centre are now able to take a hot


UP CLOSE & PERSONAL


“Holidaymakers prefer to follow their dreams rather than look at fi nancial practicalities”


BY KIRSTY HICKS ˝Climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge in the morning made my Christmas Day very different! Climb options are available: a two-hour Express Climb and the longer 3.5-hour Bridge Climb or Discovery Climb. I chose the Bridge Climb, with prices starting at $188 for an adult ($212 on a weekend). My group was briefed, kitted out in a jumpsuit and safety equipment and had a try on the indoor bridge section before being led out onto the real thing. Once the initial nerves subsided and safe in the knowledge I was connected to the bridge at all times, I started to appreciate this incredible structure up close and enjoy the most amazing views of the city while listening to our guide's commentary through headphones. Reaching the top I felt a mixture of exhaustion, pride and exhilaration. As we made our way back down the bridge it felt like I’d really earned my Christmas lunch for once!˝


C M Y CM MY CY CMY K


Fly direct to the Geographe Bay & Margaret River Wine Region!


Skywest (XR) / Virgin Australia (DJ) now operate regular commercial flights between Perth (PER) and Busselton Regional Airport (BQB).


Flight duration is only 50 minutes making it easier than ever to access our pristine slice of Western Australia!


To request your copy of our 2012 Travel Guide email Shannon@geographebay.com or see www.geographebay.com


©TOURISM AUSTRALIA


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