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australia
easy access to top wine regions (the Barossa and Clare Valleys) as well as to Kangaroo Island for top-class wildlife experiences. Don’t forget the city has its own beach at Glenelg (linked to the centre by historic tram) and other well- established seaside towns further afi eld. For outback experiences and adventure check out The Flinders Ranges and rail journeys aboard The Ghan, which start or end in Adelaide.
What’s new: Four new touring routes showcase the best of South Australia by theme. The Epicurean Way (Adelaide Hills and wineries); the Seafood Frontier (Adelaide to Eyre Peninsula); the Mighty Murray Way (Renmark to the Mouth) and the Southern Ocean Drive (Mt Gambier to Adelaide via Kangaroo Island) are routes to complement the existing Explorer’s Way (Adelaide to Darwin via the Flinders Ranges) (
southaustralia.com). • Great Southern Rail (
greatsouthernrail.com. au) has a new four-day three-night Ghan journey which adds time in opal-mining outback town, Coober Pedy; optional Uluru scenic fl ights; or dinner under the stars in the MacDonnell Ranges (May 23-Aug 22). • Ibis has opened its fi rst new-build in Australia since 2008. The 311-room Ibis Adelaide (
ibis.com) has a contemporary feel and specially-commissioned works by graffi ti artist ‘Ghostpatrol’. Prices start from AU$122 per night.
Queensland The Great Barrier Reef is bound to be on most itineraries, and rightly so, but remember Queensland’s coast stretches over 4000 miles and it also has huge hinterland appeal too. Australia’s Nature Coast, north of Brisbane, is actively working with seven UK partners including Austravel and Travel 2 this month, to encourage visitors to stay longer around Noosa and Fraser Island. For itinerary ideas visit: (
australiasnaturecoast.com)
What’s new: Queensland’s Down Under Tours (
downundertours.com) is now part-owned by AAT Kings. The connection extends the operator’s Cairns/Tropical North expertise and options. • OAKS Hotels and Resorts (
oakshotelsresorts.com) specialises in self-catering and has 41 properties across Australia (primiarily on the east coast). Part of the Minor Group, it reports good growth out of the
UK market and says the longer-stay Brit welcomes the opportunity to better budget via self-catering accommoda- tion. Operators featuring these properties include Travel 2 (
travel2.com) and Gold Medal Travel (
goldmedal.co.uk).
Western Australia Perth’s location means world-class wineries, beaches and natural bushland are all within a half-hour drive of the urban vibe, but as Australia’s largest state there is a whole lot more too. The incredible landscapes of The Pinnacles and Wave Rock are within reach for a day trip while Monkey Mia (famed for the wild dolphins) and the seaside town of Broome reward those willing to head north. For real adventure, Kununurra puts them at the heart of the East Kimberleys for helicopter fl ights and 4WDs over or through the Bungle Bungle Range. For marine experiences to rival the Great Barrier Reef recommend Ningaloo Reef out of Exmouth.
What’s new: Western Australia Tourism’s ceo Stephanie Buckland was recently in the UK to report visitor numbers were up 11%. She sees the trade as key to a goal of doubling the value of tourism to $12 billion by 2020 and has hosted training for over 260 agents. Three agent famils will run over the next six months (
westernaustralia.com). • Over 2,000 new hotel rooms will open in Perth in the next fi ve years – an addition of 28%. New brands include Westin, Ritz Carlton and Crown Towers and some individually-owned fi ve-star properties. • The Swan Valley has a new winery. The Mandoon Estate (
mandoonestate.com.au) is a former 1907 homestead overlooking the Swan River, 25 minutes from the city centre. It offers private underground wine- tasting cellar, à la carte restaurant and a craft brewery.
Top left: Jumping for joy on the Great Ocean Road; Top right: Spot a Boyds forest dragon in Queensland’s tropical north Bottom image: King George Falls, Western Australia
Tasmania Hobart hits the headlines every year when it hosts the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The race starts in Sydney on Boxing Day and fi nishes in Hobart, Tasmania. The capital buzzes at this time of year and is a cool combo of heritage attractions and foodie experiences year round but venture further and the island state offers incredible wilderness experiences and lush wine tours The
sellingtravel.co.uk
wineries are largely grouped around the Tamar Valley near Launceston with its Cataract Gorge.
What’s new: The fi shing town of Strahan has launched a free App to help visitors explore. It is gateway to the World Heritage West Coast Wilderness where a 190-mile drive from Hobart crosses several eco zones. • Tasmanian Odyssey (
tasmanianodysey.com) offers help and advice on selling the state’s accommodation and tours including wine and food tours.
New South Wales Sydney has magnetic appeal but be sure visitors go beyond the harbour. The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is just a couple of hours away or suggest a cooking class or wine- tasting course in the Hunter Valley, Mudgee or the Southern Highlands. With 1590km of coastline, time on one of the 892 beaches makes sense too with Byron Bay a classic choice for those en route to Queensland.
What’s new: British Airways has packages which include six nights in Sydney from £1,009 pp (
ba.com/visitsoon) • Sydney’s newest fi ve-star property is the 140-room Intercontinental (
ihg.com) with a rooftop pool. • One&Only Resorts is to manage the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa (
wolganvalley.com) in the Blue Mountains. • AAT Kings (
www.aatkings.com), is revolutionising Sydney sightseeing with Australia’s fi rst double-decker, see- through roof coach on its Sydney Day Tours programme.
Northern Territory Uluru is the obvious draw and Alice Springs a favourite but add in Katherine Gorge or time at Litchfi eld or Kakadu National Park for stunning scenery and indigenous insights. Tourism NT has teamed up with the South Australian Tourism Commission to promote ocean/outback combos.
What’s new: Austravel (
austravel.com) and Singapore Airlines are pushing the Ocean and Outback itineraries covering culture, nature and wildlife, adventure and urban attractions. • AAT Kings features a range of tours across the territory: its morning tour to see Uluru at Sunrise and other indigenous tourism products are among its rising stars in terms of popularity.
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