Walk, run and cycle your way through October with a new running tour from Noosa, a revamped Riverwalk in Brisbane and additional campgrounds in conjunction with a new platypus walk in Eungella National Park. Meanwhile, say hello to another Mantra hotel in Brisbane and sign on for Australia's first coffee massage.
Walk this way
The highly-anticipated New Farm Riverwalk connecting New Farm and the Brisbane CBD opened to the public on 21 September 2014. The $72 million 900-metre long floating walkway caters to cyclists, pedestrians and runners and features a segregated pedestrian and cycle path as well as shaded rest and viewing areas.
Tourists and locals can feast on panoramic views of The Story Bridge and the city skyline as a backdrop for their walk.
Further information:
W: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Fitspirations from new running tour
Combine exercise and exploration with Noosa Running Tours, a locally-operated eco-business that provides guided walks and runs through the headland section of Noosa National Park - exploring the beaches, parks, rivers, trails, boardwalks and coastal surroundings of Noosa.
Fitness gurus can enjoy daily sunrise or sunset tours covering distances of 6km, 10km and 12km while learning fun facts about Noosa from the tour guide. Personalised, corporate, private group and kids' tours are also available.
Further information:
Rates: Daily sunrise and sunset tours start from $30 per person for 45 minutes and approximately 6km. The maximum group size is six people.
W: www.noosarunningtours.com.au
New platypus friendly campgrounds
Nature lovers can now bring their tents and swags to a new campground next to the platypus viewing area at Broken River in Eungella National Park, 80km west of Mackay. Opened to the public on 19 September 2014, the new grounds include 10 bush camping sites suitable for family-sized groups and two campsites to accommodate larger groups and vehicles.
The opening of the campsite coincides with the completion of the first stage of the $600,000 Platypus Walk project featuring new walkways and platypus viewing areas. The second stage will be completed by June 2015.
Further information:
Rates: Camping sites are $5.75 per person per night or $23 per family group per night. Bookings are essential.
W: www.nprsr.qld.gov.au
New lifestyle precinct in Townsville
Property Developer Lancini Group recently launched City Arcade, a lifestyle precinct and the newest retail destination in Townsville located next to the cosmopolitan entertainment hub and sister development, City Lane.
City Arcade stretches across Stuart and Flinders Street in the CBD and currently houses local retailers such as Melk, Hello Handmade and Sublime Hair, with many more to come.
Further information:
W: www.cityarcade.citylane.com.au
Brisbane opens its doors to a new Mantra
On 6 October 2014, Brisbane will welcome Mantra on Edward, a full-serviced apartment hotel and sibling property to the Mantra South Bank. Located on the corner of Wickham and Edward Street, the 24-storey Mantra has emerged following a radical transformation of the former residential Observatory Tower into 114 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
The hotel also features facilities such as a large lap pool overlooking the streetscape of Brisbane and a fully equipped gymnasium, spa and sauna. Fifty apartments have been refurbished, with the remaining scheduled for completion by March 2015.
Further information:
Rates start from $189 per night for a one-bedroom apartment.
W: www.mantra.com.au
Massage in the mountains
Travellers, spa-enthusiasts and coffee drinkers can now relish in an activity that blends their three favourite elements into one. Ripple Massage, a mobile day spa that provides spa treatments throughout Queensland, recently developed Australia's first coffee massage in conjunction with two Queensland companies.
The Ripple Coffee Massage uses premium beans from Queensland's own Merlo Coffee in a treatment package that can also take place in one of the state's prettiest mountain retreats, Witches Falls Cottages. The massage starts with warm coffee oil and includes a full body coffee scrub and a coffee hydrating face mask. To extend the “perks”, clients get to take home a gift box with coffee candle, handmade coffee soap and Merlo chocolate coated coffee beans.
Further information:
Rates: The two-hour Ripple Coffee Massage Package costs $195 per person, while a private cottage at Witches Falls Cottages costs $270 per night (mid-week rate) inclusive of a choice of BBQ breakfast or Gourmet Breakfast Hamper. Witches Falls Cottages only caters to adults.
W: www.ripplemassage.com.au
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