Surfing the Menu in Margaret River

Margaret River in Western Australia’s south west has long been a mecca for the surfing community and from April 7 until April 13, will host the World Qualifying Series Six Star surf event, the Drug Aware Pro.

In addition to watching the world class surfing action provided by the likes of Sunny Garcia, Jake Paterson and Bethany Hamilton, guests to the region will also be able to surf the menu at some of Australia’s most respected restaurants and wineries.

Cape Lodge Lakeside Restaurant was recently voted number four in the World for food by Conde Naste Traveller, and it’s easy to see why with Executive Chef Tony Howell changing the menu daily and using only the best produce the region has to offer.

“I love sourcing the freshest, finest, local produce imaginable and creating a memorable dining experience for patrons,” Mr Howell said.

“I love the fact that I have the flexibility to create something new every night depending on what produce I source – it keeps the menu fresh and exciting.”

Mr Howell is an avid surfer himself, so he is excited at the possibility of cooking for some of the world’s best surfers.

“One of the biggest reasons I live in Margaret River is the amazing surf – so I really enjoy the Drug Aware Pro.

“In the past some of the surfers have enjoyed dinner at our restaurant, so hopefully this year I’ll be able to exchange cooking secrets for surfing tips with some of my idols,” Mr Howell said.

The thirsty traveller is spoilt for choice as well, with more than 220 local grape growers or wine producers in the region and 100 with cellar doors open to the public.

Margaret River is home to some of Australia’s finest vineyards (many of which have fantastic dining facilities), including Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, Pierro, Cullen, Amberley, Madfish, Moss Wood and Voyager Estate. While the region produces only 3% of Australia's wine, it accounts for 20% of its premium wine.

For more information visit www.westernaustralia.com or www.margaretriver.com

Get fit now: Take a walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens

With health experts encouraging people to walk for over an hour a day, a lovely way to get moving is to take a guided walk through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Botanic Gardens Trust Executive Director, Dr Tim Entwisle said there are free guided walks daily or specialty walks on the 3rd Thursday of each month that cost $11 per person.

“On the free walks our experienced volunteer guides provide information about our wonderful native and exotic plant collection along with a range of topics including the Cadigal - the traditional indigenous custodians of this area; early settlement; the dinosaur tree; and much more,” Dr Entwisle said.

“The free walks take around an hour to an hour-and-a-half. Experts say with a healthy diet coupled with walking around 10,000 steps a day (about an hour and twenty minutes) it’s easier to maintain a healthy weight.

“What better way is there to get fit than take a guided walk through the Gardens check-out spectacular views of the harbour and learn about the heritage of places like the Palm Grove,” he said.

Free guided walks take place daily from 10.30am and from 1pm Monday to Friday from March to December. No walks on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Volunteer guides put months of effort into researching topics for the Specialty Talks/Walks. They get underway on the third Thursday of each month from 10am until 12.30pm from the Maiden Theatre (unless otherwise specified). They cost $11 per person and include refreshments (Friends of the Gardens discount applies). Booking and enquiries: 9231 8134 or 9231 9304.

A Moonlight Drive to Uber-Luxury in Australia

Visitors to Australia can now arrive at The Great Ocean Road even faster with Moonlight Head Private Lodge's new 'Moonlight Drive' package, an all inclusive luxury drive and stay experience.

Located three hours from Melbourne on the mid-point of the Great Ocean Road, the Lodge is a dream drive destination. After collecting the car at Geelong or Melbourne International Airport guests indulge in life behind the wheel of an extensive choice of luxury cars that includes a Maserati, Porsche Boxter or Mercedes SLK 350 along Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Curling past attractions including the acclaimed surf of Bells Beach, and quaint sea-side villages leading on to the 12 Apostles, one begins to see for themselves why this is one of the world's most scenic drives.

Then upon arriving at Moonlight Head Private Lodge, the next stage of the journey begins. With privacy at the top of the agenda for five-star travellers – according to the recent International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes – the Lodge is tucked away in a semi-wilderness environment on 40 hectares. Glenn's Murcutt's architectural masterpiece is one of Australia's finest accommodation experiences, and sleeps up to eight people. 

Understated European chic is key to the décor and each room is filled with a sanctuary of style: B&B Italia pieces, B&O audio system, Phillipe Starck, Antonio Citterio and art by Karl Maughan - collected by Cate Blanchett amongst others.

Mark Banning-Taylor, CEO, said: "The Great Ocean Road and its attractions are iconic in Australia and Moonlight Head is beautifully positioned right next to it. These luxurious cars are synonymous with the experience at the Lodge - they can be collected and returned to either Melbourne or Geelong's airports providing a door to door experience - and offer a chance to explore the spectacular local scenery."

The two day and two night 'Moonlight Drive' package includes car hire; accommodation; breakfast and dinner daily with your own personal chef; a selection of beverages; your own concierge; and a housekeeper. Prices start from AU$9,500 for a Mercedes SLK 350, AU$12,000 for a Maserati and AU $10,000 for a Porsche Boxter based on two people sharing for two nights.

The 'Moonlight Drive' package is available throughout the year. For more information and bookings visit www.moonlighthead.com or Tel: +61 (0) 2 9363 8870.

The Lodge is acclaimed internationally by the leading private jet magazine Elite Traveler as one of the world's most decadent places to stay, and by Britain's Tatler magazine as one of the "101 Best Hotels" in the world in the 2008 Travel Guide listing.

By night, enjoy views of the Southern night sky's twinkling stars through glass ceilings in the saw-toothed roof. By day, an abundance of sunshine is spread throughout the Lodge, highlighting contemporary furnishings and designer artefacts. The Lodge is world-class in its eco-design and responsibility towards the environment in all aspects of its operation.

Moonlight Head is an experience as much as a destination. Set in over 40 hectares of Australian bush and farmland against a backdrop of the Southern ocean, Moonlight offers a range of special interest activities from an expert team that include:

Horse-riding from half to multiple days exploring the Great Otway National Park and coastline, a unique adventure only available to clients of Moonlight Head
A private lecture with Australia's leading architect historian and critic Philip Drew on the work of Pritzker Prize winners Glenn Murcutt and Jorn Utzon, also available as weekends away
Access to five great links golf courses along the coastline
Ornithological tours, for an opportunity to see over 160 birds native to the region
Ecology discussions and dinner with Dr Tonia Cochran, on issues effecting native fauna and flora
A one-on-one tutorial and talk with renowned wildlife photographers including Peter Merritt, to learn his unique techniques of capturing subjects in their natural habitat
Experience the Otway fly, an elevated rainforest walk
Ramble along the Great Ocean Walk with an ecologist or historian for a day discussing the coastline
Other activities include whale and seal  watching, deep sea or fly-fishing, mountain-bike riding or wreck-diving

As a founding member of Healing Hotels of the World, Moonlight Head Private Lodge is the perfect refuge to soothe your soul, refresh the body and contemplate new beginnings. This is a place where the needs of your mind and body are closely matched with a range of treatments to secure equilibrium. 

Just you and the kangaroos….

Millbrook Voted Among Best Overseas Golf Resorts

Queenstown’s five-star Millbrook resort has been named among the world’s best golf resorts in a prestigious Australian travel magazine.

The Luxury Travel and Style magazine has placed Millbrook 4^th in its list of best overseas golf resorts, behind the likes of Scotland’s legendary St Andrews course, Pebble Beach in California and the Banyan Tree in Phuket, Thailand.

In the fourth year of the annual results, the magazine says its Gold List 2008 – asking its discerning, travel-loving readers to vote on their favourite destinations – is the most comprehensive luxury travel survey ever undertaken by an Australian magazine.

Tens of thousands of magazine subscribers and clients of Virtuoso, the world’s most exclusive travel agents, completed the survey.

“It is especially rewarding to have been recognised by the readers and subscribers of Luxury Travel and Style magazine, people who travel widely and have chosen to list us among the best of the best, ” said Millbrook General Manager Jan Hunt.

In July last year, the Queenstown resort was named for the third year among the top 25 hotels in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, one of only four New Zealand properties to make the list in the prestigious Travel & Leisure annual World’s Best reader’s poll.

In late November, Millbrook was also official hotel for the hugely successful Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open, an arrangement that will continue for a further two years.

Long regarded as one of New Zealand’s top golf courses, the 18-hole Sir Bob Charles-designed championship course at Millbrook resort has been on the receiving end of an extensive upgrade and modification programme.

‘Strategic bunkering’ is now the name of the game at the five-star resort, where the introduction of twenty-eight new bunkers, the remodeling of another seventeen and the removal of sixteen existing traps (all in the opening 14 holes) have made life just that little more interesting for players.

The bunker upgrades are stage one of a million dollar golf course modification and come off the back of significant recent resort investment including a $10 million villa interiors refurbishment, the refurbishment of the popular Hole In One café, the establishment of a new world class driving range facility, and work starting on a half billion dollar, 200-plus home housing development and additional nine-hole golf course.

CC Africa Embarks on a Global Expansion and the Company Changes its Name

Luxury safari company CC Africa (Conservation Corporation Africa) today changed its name, embarked on the second phase of its global expansion programme and launched an exciting new global website. The company’s new name is &BEYOND.

“We believe that our new name more appropriately reflects where and how we operate, and plan to operate,’ said Nicky Fitzgerald, &BEYOND Group Marketing Director

“The decision to change the name of the company was based on the fact that the previous name, CC Africa, was far from ideal. “Africa” no longer accurately reflected the company’s operating regions; research indicated that while “Conservation” was an important value it was not a primary motivator for first time guests, and the word “Corporation” was somewhat of a dampener because no one wanted to go on holiday with a corporation! “

On the expansion front, &BEYOND with joint venture partners Taj Hotels Palaces and Resorts, and Cigen, will open two new lodges in India in December: Banjaar Tola adjacent to Kahna National Park and Pashan Garh near Panna National Park, both in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.This will bring to four the number of lodges they own in India. The group is considering other sites in India as well for further developments

The company’s expansion rollout also includes new luxury lodges in northern Kenya and southern Tanzania, and a move into Central and South America. In addition, &BEYOND is in discussions with the Madagascan Government about the construction and management of luxury lodges in that country’s national parks. In August the company opened two new lodges in Botswana: &BEYOND Xudum and &BEYOND Xaranna in the Okavango Delta.

The new website encompasses both the lodge and travel components of &BEYOND’s business, the URL for the site being www.andbeyond.com

The site went live at one minute after midnight South African time on Thursday October 30, 2008 (GMT+2 hours). Internet users who log on to www.ccafrica.com or www.ccafricasafaris.com will link through to the new site.

Features on www.andbeyond.com include the use of maps to create a context for the user - the location of &BEYOND lodges as well as destination experiences; a photo gallery featuring more than 2 300 images; and videos of each lodge accompanied by narration.

“Delighting guests to make a difference is at the core of what we do and now we will be doing so in more of the world’s most beautiful natural places under the banner of a very apt new name,” concluded Fitzgerald

Philippines - Australians discover a new playground

With its diverse geography of stunning natural wonders, variety of cultural influences and easy accessibility from Australia, the Philippines is fast becoming the destination of choice for holiday makers.

An archipelago of over 7107 islands, the Philippines has volcanoes alongside some of the world's best beaches, rainforests next to mountains and 500 years of Spanish history entwined with multi-faceted indigenous Filipino culture. All of which have combined to make the Philippines a unique destination.

The varied coastline offer visitors a plethora of options for a relaxing beach holiday. One of the highlights is Cebu – the oldest city in the Philippines –which boasts an expanse of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and near constant sunshine, all set against the fascinating architectural and cultural remnants of Spanish rule.

Another option is Boracay, acclaimed as the world's best beach with a more adventurous reputation. Popular water-sports include wind surfing, snorkelling and kite surfing though it is the diving – with the Philippines recently being voted one of the top three diving destinations in the world – that is the major draw.

For a cultural experience, the capital Manila is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city of international status. Set against a fascinating historical backdrop, Manila has an exciting mix of museums, art galleries, shopping destinations, buzzing nightlife and international restaurants.

For more historical context, Bohol with its medieval forts, cathedrals and lighthouses left over from the Spanish reign, is another highlight.

With so much on offer, the Philippines are increasingly a destination of choice for Australians looking to explore new horizons within Asia.

For further information call 1300 736 584 or visit www.discoverasia.com.au

Turon Gates: Time Out Under The Gum Trees

Leave the city life behind you, reenergise, refresh, unwind and rediscover nature in the beautiful bushland setting of Turon Gates.

Located just 2.5 hours by car from Sydney, Turon Gates offers an idyllic weekend or midweek escape in the Australian bush.

Enjoy Trout fishing in the crystal clear Turon River, bush walking in 6,000 acres of untouched bushland. Swim in wonderful deep bush swimming holes against a shear cliff backdrop. Canoe along the 8km river, horse ride across the hillside and rocky mountain streams, try your luck panning for gold, or simply relax in a hammock under a gum tree and enjoy the sounds of nature. At Turon Gates, you can do everything or nothing at all.

The accommodation is matched perfectly to the natural setting, seven rustic log cabins situated along 15km of crystal clear trout stream and 8 mountain retreat cottages with sensational views each accommodating up to 8 people in a cosy and private surroundings. There are tables and chairs under the gum trees with outdoor woodfired BBQ’s providing the perfect end to a day of adventure or relaxation.

Each cabin offers a unique experience, offering everything from Mountain Vista’s to river side relaxation. With a range of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom cabins, there are a total of 120 beds at Turon (not that you would know it), which makes it a great location for group holidays.

For a complete escape delicious home cooked meals are available, as well as a wide range of pampering beauty treatments.

You only have to ask any one who has been there to find out how fabulous the place is!

Fact sheet

- Turon Gates is a unique bush hideaway set in unspoilt Australian wilderness, located just 2.5hrs drive from Sydney CBD. An ideal place to escape city life and rediscover nature for a weekend or midweek break. It’s approximately 30 mins from Lithgow.

- With over 6,000 acres of wondrous bushland and surrounding hills covered with towering pines and magnificent gums, Turon Gates is designed to offer a quiet and inexpensive country get away.

- Featuring 7 rustic log cabins situated along 15kms of crystal clear trout stream and 8 cottages with sensational mountain views. Fully self contained they offer everything needed for a comfortable and enjoyable stay for up to 8 people. There is a total number of 120 beds at Turon! There are some cabins grouped and some very remote.

- Rediscover nature with endless activities including trout fishing, horse riding, bushwalking, canoeing, swimming, gold panning and mountain biking. Do everything or relax in a hammock under the gum trees and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

- Enjoy Kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and goannas in their natural habitat. Plus farm animals in the main homestead. A wonderful child friendly environment.

- Turon Gates welcomes pets, it’s tick free.

- Turon Gates is eco friendly using only gas and solar energy.

- Visit nearby wine region of Mudgee and enjoy specialty local food and wine, or explore the gold towns of Sofala and Hill End.

- Prices range from $360 for a 3 night weekend in the river cabins to $480 for the mountain cabins. (3 adults or 2 adults / 2 children). Midweek rates start at $110 per night.

- Camping is available, with no booking required for $22 per car and $6 per trailer per night. Off road 4wd driving is not permitted.

- All cabins are fully self contained each with its own unique character. All you need to bring is food and linen. (linen can be provided for a small additional charge)….and may be tissues, insect repellent, candles, torch, matches, camera!

- Delicious home cooked meals and pampering beauty treatments are available. Phone Sarah on 63590098 to pre book.

- Horse riding is available with hourly or half day rates. ( helmets must be worn and are available there).

- The crystal clear Turon River is a freshwater trout stream and perfect for all dedicated fly fishermen. The season extends from the October to June long weekends. Please bring your own fishing gear and license.

- How to get there - Turon Gates is about a 2.5 hour drive from the Sydney CBD. Take the M4 Freeway (through Penrith and Katoomba) or M2/M7 Motorway (exit Richmond Road and turn right) to Lithgow. Drive through/past Lithgow and follow the signs to Mudgee until you come to a small village called Capertee (approximately 25 mins from Lithgow). Continue through Capertee for about 1.5 kms and you will see a sign for Turon Gates on the left.

Its 4-6 kms to the mountain cottages (depending which one!) and 12 kms to the river cottages - follow the signs and cattle grids.

Website: www.turongates.com

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Aussies let loose on love while overseas

A trip abroad is all you need to spice up your love life, according to a new travel survey from online travel agency ZUJI.com.au

It’s official: travel is truly a passion starter. In a recent relationship survey* of over 1,000 respondents conducted by ZUJI, Aussies admit to using trips abroad to find true love or enjoy a casual fling.

While a massive 76% of respondents admitted they are more likely to be flirtatious while on an overseas holiday, and 66% said they look to find or rekindle love while away, the survey also revealed that Aussies are not entirely faithful when travelling abroad.

A whopping 66% of men and 55% of women admitted they would consider ‘extra-curricular activity’ while away from home and 56% of respondents admitted to having had ‘a fling’ during previous travels.

Surprisingly, almost half (48%) of female respondents (as opposed to only 39% of male respondents) said that they would actively pursue an overseas affair, which might explain the trend towards more women than men (29% vs. 17%) opting to travel alone these days!

When it comes to the states, Queenslanders are the trustworthiest bunch with only 35% admitting to an overseas affair. More dubious characters can be found in the ACT where a huge 75% have admitted to a holiday fling. The other states were also relatively naughty with NSW 60%, SA 64%, VIC 63%, TAS 66% and WA 52%.

Thankfully, not all Australian’s are fickle in their relationships with more than half (55%) of respondents finding themselves in a long distance relationship as a result of their overseas escapades - and more than half of those unions lasting despite the distance.

As perhaps expected, Europe has firm passion-potential for Australians, with 64% of women and 43% of men nominating it as their most ‘desired destination’. Asia came in second for 21% of men.

With 77,000 hotels available on ZUJI, as well as experiences, flights, cruises and car hire it is the perfect place to search for your next romantic rendezvous.

* Survey undertaken by SurveyMonkey on behalf of ZUJI from May - June 2007

Shop til you drop in Taiwan

Taiwan recently joined the ranks of mega shopping complexes with the recent inauguration of the nine-storey Kaohsiung Dream Mall, located in the Kaohsiung Multifunctional Commerce and Trade Park.

As the largest shopping centre in Taiwan, sixth largest in Asia and the 11th largest in the world, the Dream Mall covers 399,399 square metres of floor space. It is approximately 6.5 times the size of the Kaohsiung Hanshin Department Store and 2 times the size of the Taipei Living Mall. The Dream Mall has become a new landmark in Kaohsiung and is the first large scale international shopping centre in Asia.

Combining diverse leisure and entertainment facilities, the venue offers designer clothing, lifestyle products, food outlets, bookstores, cinema house, wholesale warehouses, amusement centres, and others, providing the ultimate shopping environment. Products from more than 500 specialty stores, 800 businesses and 1000 brands are offered inside the mall, including stores such as the British institution Marks and Spencer and Japan's Hankyu Department Store Nitori.

The spatial design of the complex integrates nature and marine concepts and is divided into two architectural areas: a fish-shaped building and the main building. The complex features wide indoor streets between buildings that have an atmosphere similar to that of Fifth Avenue in New York.

A highlight is the rooftop Hello Kitty Ferris Wheel which rotates a full circle every 15 minutes and is decorated with hundreds of different neon lights in various colours. The view of a vibrant harbour city and international port can be seen from the wheel. Outside the mall is a hundred metre scenic boulevard along with an 824-inch projection screen, the largest in Asia.

The Trade Park is already home to IKEA, Carrefour, Kaohsiung Software Technology Park, and the headquarters for the ChinaSteel Corporation. The Dream Mall will also help attract hardware and software investments from other related businesses, creating more job opportunities.

The Dream Mall will not only head the consumer market in southern Taiwan, but also provide its visitors of Taiwan with a new recreational and entertainment choice.

For further information contact Taiwan Tourism on 1800 TAIWAN (82426) or visit www.taiwantourism.org

HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS’ TALLAWANTA LODGE GOES GRAND

Tallawanta Lodge to join Grand Mercure hotel collection

Tallawanta Lodge in the Hunter Valley Gardens complex is set to go ‘Grand’ following the announcement today that the hotel will join Accor’s Grand Mercure collection from 21 January, 2008.

The Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens, as it will be known following the rebranding, is a 72-room hotel that is part of the Hunter Valley Gardens development, one of the wine region’s premier tourist attractions.

Surrounded by stunning gardens, the Grand Mercure provides a range of accommodation styles including studio suites, garden studios, spa rooms, family rooms and suites.

The Presidential Suite has been individually designed and decorated with stylish antiques, tasteful art pieces, and features 15ft cathedral ceilings, a private dining room and spacious living area catering for up to six people. A private terrace overlooks the Mediterranean-style pool area and gardens. There is also a very stylish Library Suite, which features its own library, spa and fireplace as well as a wet bar and microwave, making it perfect for entertaining.

The hotel also provides a ‘one-stop’ conference and event destination, with modern meeting rooms including the Semillon Ballroom which can cater for up to 250 guests banquet-style and a range of indoor and outdoor spaces including the world-class gardens and Roche Wines vineyards.

Leisure facilities include tennis courts, a resort-style pool, sauna, spa, and Lodge Library, with the Hunter Valley Gardens Village – and all its attractions - right at the doorstep.

Accor’s Vice President Australia, Simon McGrath, said that with Accor’s experience in the Hunter Valley and its leading position in the meetings and conference sector, the group could build on the hotel’s already well established position in the Hunter’s hospitality and tourism market.

“We are very used to working in such integrated developments, having opened a Grand Mercure development at The Vintage in nearby Rothbury,” he said.

“The Hunter Valley is really working hard to build its tourism profile and attract larger number of conferences and incentive groups. The Hunter Valley Gardens complex is tailor-made for tourism and with Grand Mercure branding of Tallawanta Lodge we believe that we can attract an even wider market – interstate and international – to the Hunter to experience the region’s attractions.”

Nestled amongst the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges in the heart of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Gardens development includes the largest display garden in the country with thousands of plants across 12 stunning display gardens including the Storybook Garden which features timeless nursery characters for the children, an Italian grotto, Chinese Garden, Indian Mosaic Garden and more, all linked with pathways and walks.

Created by Bill Roche and owned by Roche Group, the Hunter Valley Gardens complex also includes popular Harrigans Irish Pub & Accommodation; Lazzarini’s fine dining restaurant; Hunter Valley Gardens Village with a range of boutiques and restaurants; Roche Wines cellar door; picnic areas and playgrounds plus a private chapel for weddings or christenings.

Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens will become the 20th Grand Mercure Hotel in Australia, joining an exclusive collection of distinctive deluxe hotels. The Grand Mercure name is also present in other premier wine-growing regions including the Grand Mercure Mt Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills; Grand Mercure Links Lady Bay on the Fleurieu Peninsula; and Grand Mercure Busselton near the Margaret River vineyards in Western Australia. Grand Mercure is one of the fastest-growing upmarket hotel brands in Australia.

Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 170,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:

* Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, All Seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing more than 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre.
* Services, with 23 million people in nearly 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in human resources, marketing services and expense management.