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Monday 14 May 2018

Taronga Zoo Sydney shines a light on endangered animals for Vivid Sydney

#visitnsw #sydney




Vivid Sydney's wildest precinct returns as Taronga Zoo Sydney shines an even bolder, brighter spotlight on conservation and endangered wildlife with a family friendly spectacular display of giant animal light sculptures from 25 May to 16 June.

As the Zoo's permanent residents retire for the evening, Lights For the Wild will burst into colourful life to introduce visitors to fierce, friendly and quirky creatures on a journey through fragile habitats, from the ocean, to the jungle and the Australian bush.

Festival favourites, the giant multimedia light sculptures return with old friends including the majestic Sumatran Tiger and giant Bilby joined by a new mob of endearing species, from an epic Goanna to a school of Blue Devil Fish.

Guests will step through a marine world to meet some of NSW's most endangered aquatic species and emerge from the mouth of a Port Jackson Shark as it splashes through the façade of Taronga's heritage entrance. Tread quietly through the Sumatran jungle to encounter endangered yet ferocious animals along the way before stepping into our Taronga Centenary Theatre to behold a multi-award winning animated film, presented here as a 270° cinematic experience. Pause a while and rest beneath a canopy of stars and glowing planet earth as imagined by children, before a final journey through an illuminated Australian bushscape takes everyone all the way home again.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall said, "Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo is a unique experience that shines a light on conservation in the most incredible way. Come 25 May visitors will be able to walk among the spellbinding display of magnificent creatures and discover the illuminating stories of these endangered species."

Vivid Sydney Creative Director, Ignatius Jones said, "Taronga Zoo is a much-loved family favourite which brings out the child in all of us. Where else can you take a stroll through a PJ shark's mouth or come face to face with a giant ferocious Sumatran tiger while holding mum or dad's hand!"

What: Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradley's Head Rd, Mosman. Entry only via the main upper entrance on Bradley's Head Road.
When: Friday 25 May to Saturday 16 June
Session start times: 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm (approx. 2 hour experience)
Tickets: Pre-purchase tickets at taronga.org.au/vivid

Mon-Thurs (excluding public holiday):
Adult - $23.95
Child (4-15 years) - $17.95
Concession - $21.56
Under 4 - free

Fri-Sun and Mon 11 June public holiday:
Adult - $26.95
Child (4-15 years) - $18.95
Concession - $24.26
Under 4 – free

Note: Last entry at 8.30pm, zoo closes at 9.30pm.
Taronga Zoo is not for profit. All ticket proceeds go directly back to work in conservation and wildlife care. 




About Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney is the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas and now the largest event in Australia. For 23 days - from 25 May to 16 June 2018 – the event places a spotlight on Sydney and reinforces its position as the home of light, creativity, cutting edge music, engaging conversations and the exchange of new ideas. The festival is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency. In 2017 Vivid Sydney attracted a record 2.33 million attendees and injected over $143 million into NSW's visitor economy. For more information visit www.vividsydney.com

Kids Go Free to Kangaroo Island when family travels with SeaLink






Save up to $100 per family when travelling to Kangaroo Island with SeaLink's 'Kids Go Free to Kangaroo Island' deal. The deal offers free return SeaLink ferry travel for up to two kids when travelling with one or two adults and their car. The deal is on sale until 22 September 2018.

Kangaroo Island, Australia's third largest Island, is only a short 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis and with hundreds of kilometres of quiet roads and adventure to discover, it is made for a self-drive family holiday.

Adults and kids alike will love the amazing wildlife, spectacular coastal scenery, beautiful beaches, adventure activities, scenic landscapes and fantastic National Parks.

Raptor Domain is a must see for families. Enjoy the "Birds of Prey" show and meet an array of birds including Jedda, the majestic Wedge Tailed Eagle and Casper the friendly Barn Owl. A quick stop at Clifford's Honey Farm is also essential, not just to see how honey is made but to try their famous Honey ice-cream.

A visit to Little Sahara! will guarantee hours of family fun as everyone enjoys the thrills and spills of sandboarding or tobogganing down the massive white sand dunes and see Australian sea lions in their natural environment as they sleep, play and swim on a guided beach tour at Seal Bay Conservation Park.

Experience the magic of swimming with the dolphins on an Island Explorer Tour with KI Marine Adventures and KI Ocean Safaris. From the tour vessel see dolphins in their natural environment and relaxation areas, as pods of bottle nose dolphins swim by. The more adventurous families can grab a wetsuit and snorkel gear and swim with these beautiful mammals.

The kids will love discovering the 'hidden' beach at Stokes Bay and getting up close and personal with kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and other nocturnal wildlife at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.

A holiday to Kangaroo Island is not complete without a visit to Flinders Chase National Park home to nature's wonders, the breathtaking Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

A range of family accommodation across the island is available, ranging from holiday homes, cabins and caravan parks to motels and hotels with family apartments. Most accommodation properties offer amazing deals and bonuses during May to August including stay five nights for the price of four, four nights for the price of three and three nights for the price of two.

SeaLink's 'Kids Go Free to Kangaroo Island' deal is on sale from 12 May until 22 September 2018 and valid for travel between 22 May to 22 September 2018.

The deal offers free return ferry travel for up to two kids when travelling with one or two adults and one vehicle.

For ferry, car and accommodation bookings visit: www.sealink.com.au

For Further information and bookings please contact: T: 13 13 01 from within Australia or +61 8 8202 8688 from Overseas, Email: bookings@sealink.com.au or Visit:www.sealink.com.au

Thursday 10 May 2018

Oz Comic-Con returns to Melbourne


Get Set To Go Geeks Galore

Oz Comic-Con is back in Melbourne June 9-10, at the Convention & Exhibition Centre, providing Victoria’s yearly, ultimate celebration of pop-culture.

Oz Comic-Con Melbourne is an exciting culmination of multi-genre content, from across the spectrum, with a lot of everything, for everyone – appearances by film and television stars, comic book artists and voice actors; gaming demonstrations and cosplay competitions; creative workshops and master classes; and hard-to-find, exclusive merchandise from vendors that’ll leave convention goers totally geeking out.



Kids can try their hand at comic art, at the kids’ comic artists workshops, or even get into cosplay for the Kids Cosplay Parade. Comic collectors can head over to the comic grading area, and to the main stage for guest panel discussions. Anime fans will have their knowledge tested with trivia, and die-hard cosplayers can kick off their journey to take home the international title, in Melbourne’s Championship of Cosplay heat. Gamers will be getting a work-out too, with Couch Warriors, putting their skills to the test in daily tournaments of new and classic titles. And this is only a preview of what’s on offer!

Jono Whyman, Event Manager of ReedPOP says: “This is the biggest Oz Comic-Con to hit Melbourne. We’re proud to be supporting great, local Victorian businesses and talent at this year’s expo and in Artist Alley. It’s going to be an awesome showcase of all things pop-culture, from original and fan art, to comic books, art prints, novels, jewellery, clothing and homewares. If you’re looking to buy the next closest thing to Thor’s mighty hammer, this is where you’ll find it!”. 



WHEN: June 9th (Saturday) - 10th (Sunday) from 9am - 6pm, daily.
WHERE: The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006.

TICKET INFO: Advance tickets are now on sale – save 24% with General Admission Single Day Passes and 16% with Weekend Passes! General Admission tickets will be $42.50 at the door, children under 12 are free. There’s also a variety of online exclusive tickets on-sale, while allocations last.

For tickets and additional information visit www.ozcomiccon.com
Follow Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @OzComicCon for guest announcements and show updates.

Wednesday 9 May 2018

Discover Bali’s Surfing Hot Spots with Anantara Uluwatu Resort




Bali is world-renowned as a surfing paradise and the hot spots around Uluwatu boast some of the greatest breaks. Combining spectacular surfing with luxury resort pleasures, Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort invites surfers of every level to find their ultimate wave with a special Uluwatu Surf Break package for two persons.

Cascading down Uluwatu's dramatic cliff-side, Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort's contemporary luxury reveals sensational ocean views – providing the perfect sanctuary for discerning surfers. The Uluwatu Surf Break package offers an energising stay of three nights or more, including a gourmet daily breakfast buffet, overlooking rushing surf.

Offering fascinating activities per stay, guests can have remarkable experiences. An unforgettable three-hour surf session includes return transfers to nearby surfing hot spots and surf equipment of a safe soft board, rash shirt, board shorts, safety helmet, certificate and insurance. Delighting both beginners and pros, Uluwatu boasts an incredible range of famous surfing destinations – from the world-renowned Impossible Beach right in front of the resort, to Bingin's perfect barrels, Padang Padang's challenging swells, Nusa Dua's popular breaks, the gentler fun waves of Dreamland and Balangan, and Green Ball's flourishing marine life. Another addition, guests will relish a day of wellness and splurging. A private yoga class can be enjoyed in vibrant gardens, underneath the iconic cliff-edge chapel or in the comfort of the guest's room, before heading out to explore the boutique shopping allures of trendy Seminyak.

Winding down is a sensual pleasure. In the heavenly sanctum of Anantara Spa, one 60-minute Anantara Signature Massage per stay blends revered eastern and western techniques with a healing oil blend to melt muscle tension and enhance vital energy flow. Bringing a night of romantic privacy, one Dining by Design experience per stay spoils guests with sumptuous Asian flavours in a choice of intimate settings.




Escape to some of the world's greatest breaks with the Uluwatu Surf Break package. With rates starting from THB10,534++ per night the package includes:
  • Three-night stay or more in luxury accommodation
  • Surfing for 2-3 hours including return transfers to nearby surf hotspots and surf equipment of a safe soft board, rash shirt, board shorts, safety helmet, certificate and insurance for two people.
  • Seminyak shopping trip (6 hours in total)
  • One romantic Dine By Design for two people
  • One 60 minute Anantara Signature Massage treatment for 2 people
  • Daily breakfast for two people

Valid until 31st December 2018

For reservations and more information, please contact uluwatu@anantara.com or +62 361 8957555

Tuesday 8 May 2018

Win the Best Wine Holiday Ever

 

Are you in need of a holiday and a wine? Chances are, if you're human the answer will be yes.

Vinomofo and Intrepid Travel know the importance of a getaway and a good glass of vino and have joined forces to giveaway the most ultimate prize pack of all time; A trip for two to Northern Spain for an epic wine adventure.

Yep, that's return flights and one specially curated journey through one of Europe's most rewarding food and wine regions. The tour starts in Barcelona and finishes up in Santiago stopping at eight amazing places along the way to eat, drink and get your adventure on.

I bet you're wondering, 'How will I retain all the amazing wine info I'm learning while simultaneously eating and drinking my way through the 10 day journey?' Well fear not, as well as the Intrepid Leader, you'll have the added bonus of a wine specialist from Vinomofo coming along on the trip. That means vino advice, tips and tricks around the clock.

You can enter via: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/vinomofo-spain-competition?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=competition with entries closing on 29th June, 2018.

 


Monday 7 May 2018

Family cruising with Norwegian Jewel

 


With activities for all ages and a diverse mix of destinations, cruising is the ideal platform to plan a multi-generational family getaway

 With the freedom and flexibility to enjoy an unrivalled choice of dining, entertainment, accommodation and activity options for all ages, Norwegian Cruise Line is a firm favourite with families looking for new, unforgettable experiences.

Norwegian Cruise Line has a range of family-friendly itineraries to choose from for your next holiday, including destinations in Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and more. If you're looking for something closer to home, Norwegian Jewel's forthcoming Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific sailing season is also not to be missed, providing an excellent opportunity to discover the local region and celebrate the festive season with the whole family during the school holidays.

Returning to local waters fresh from a bow-to-stern refurbishment in December, Norwegian Jewel's 16-Day Australia & New Zealand itinerary, departing from Sydney on 20 December 2018, sees her explore the beauty of destinations including Eden, Burnie, Napier and Auckland. Or, if an island getaway is more your speed, Norwegian Jewel's 13-Day South Pacific sailing from Sydney, departing on 5 January 2019 and taking in the sights of Noumea, the Isle of Pines, Cairns and Airlie Beach is just the cruise for you.

Looking to travel a little further afield this Christmas? Why not take in the breathtaking sights of Hawaii from on board Pride of America, the only cruise ship that sails round-trip from Honolulu year-round. With Norwegian's unique 7-day Hawaii itineraries, you can stay overnight in both Maui and Kauai as well as visiting Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii.

"Whether it's to celebrate Christmas or New Year with the whole family, or just to escape the daily grind and re-connect during the school holidays, we're seeing a surge in families taking advantage of a holiday that can include everyone from the grandchildren to great-great-grandparents," explained Steve Odell, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Asia Pacific of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

It's Pie Time you visited NSW Southern Highlands




David Ellis

PIE EATERS unite – June's around the corner and that means it's time again for Australia's biggest celebration of everything pies in NSW's Southern Highlands… that becomes the Southern Pie-lands for all of June.

Based on the towns of Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale and the many picturesque little mountain villages around them, the Southern Highlands have more pie bakeries and pie outlets per capita than any other region in Australia and is arguably the unofficial Pie Capital of the country.

Last year's inaugural Southern Highlands' Pie Time drew thousands of pie-lovers to the Highlands through the month of June who, with enthusiastic locals, chomped their way through just over 100,000 pies – and which helped win Pie Time a major award in the 2017 Qantas Tourism Awards for best Destination Marketing Campaigns.

And last year's Southern Highlands Best Pie Competition has been expanded this year to become the NSW and ACT Best Pie Competition, with five categories of pies both savoury and sweet and with the winning pies being available for visitors to search out and chomp into.

Plus Pie Time's month-long celebrations will culminate in a two-day "Pie Fest" on the weekend of June 23 and 24 that showcases all things pies and their best accompanying wines, beers, ciders and spirits made in the Southern Highlands, and further afield, will this year be held at the vast Bong Bong Picnic Racecourse just outside Bowral to accommodate a greater number of stallholders and activities – and with plenty of visitor parking as last year over 4000 attended the weekend.

Organisers suggest pie-lovers interested in visiting this year's Pie Time book any accommodation needs early, and can do this and get any further information, by phoning Destination Southern Highlands on 1300 657 559 or visiting www.visitsouthernhighlands.com.au

And ask also about Pie Time's Pinot and Pie Tours, Pie Trike Tours and the Pie-cycle for cycling enthusiasts to enjoy their sport and a pie or three along the way.


PHOTO:

[] JUNE – and its Pie Time in NSW's Southern Highlands that's everything pies both savoury and sweet, plus the best of local wines, beers, ciders and spirits to go with them. (Image: Destination Southern Highlands)


Wednesday 2 May 2018

Travel inspiration and tips: Wander Love



Wander Love
April | Hardie Grant Travel
AUD$35.00 | NZ$39.99

Wander Love will help you gear up for your next holiday or travel adventure. Featuring amazing photographs from locations around the world, there’s also practical information and advice including how to pack your bag, how to travel solo and how to barter like a boss. You’ll also find destination guides to cities from six different continents. Be inspired to climb that mountain, learn that language, write that blog – anything that you’ve been wanting to do.

Book Your Travel with Wego