In this edition - Heron Island open as turtles begin to hatch, Brisbane river cruises are back to business, Faraway Bay set to stage first wellness retreat, The Great Gatsby featuring Leonardo DiCaprio to be filmed in Sydney and Noosa launches its own iApp.
Heron Island open as turtles begin to hatch
In recent weeks
Heron Island, situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, has been welcoming back hundreds of green turtles who come ashore to nest on the coral cay. Until Easter, Heron Island offers the opportunity for visitors to see thousands of baby turtles emerge from their sandy nests to make their scurry to the safety of the sea. With careful guidelines for viewing, families can immerse themselves in all the action on a casual walk around the island's beaches.
A French addition to Sydney’s Ash Street Laneway
Felix offers a decadent venue with a semi-circular oyster and crustacean bar and pewter bar top with the food consisting of modern twists on Parisian brasserie style fare. The Prawn cocktail, Steak tartare and crumbed rabbit served with carrot salad and piquant eschallot vinaigrette are all on the menu. Diners can wash these down with an impressive wine list dedicated to French chateaus and over 400 choices. The Ash Street Laneway is part of the Ivy complex on George St in the heart of the city.
Hayman opens new luxury beach villas but closes resort temporarily until August 2011
The luxury island resort of
Hayman has successfully opened their new beach villas. The beachfront accommodation has an abundance of natural light and superb views of the Coral Sea and Whitsundays. Features include a private open-air pool, beachfront terrace, outdoor shower and integrated technology throughout including Bose digital music system. Each villa is inclusive of a personalised butler service, daily breakfast and in-room bar. Following this announcement Hayman has unfortunately suspended bookings for the entire resort from 6 March to 31 July 2011 in order to repair damage caused by Tropical Cyclones Anthony and Yasi in early 2011.Whilst the damage was initially considered to be largely aesthetic, subsequent assessments have identified that the rectification works required will result in significant guest impact and the closure of the resort for a period of time.
Faraway Bay set to stage first wellness retreat
The East Kimberley’s award winning wilderness retreat,
Faraway Bay Bush Camp, is staging its first ever Wellness Retreat in April 2011. Guests will enjoy gentle massage, reflexology, acupuncture, ion foot spas, chiropractic manipulation, discussions about nutrition and more. The Faraway Bay Wellness Retreat will run 28 April to 2 May and is limited to 12 guests.
National Gallery of Australia announces Live at the Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Australia presents
Live at the Sculpture Garden on the evenings of the 11, 12, 18 and 19 March 2011. The events bring together superb art, great Australian comedy acts, award-winning cabaret artists and contemporary jazz in the stunning surrounds of the National Gallery of Australia’s Sculpture Garden. Visitors can also enjoy special guided tours every half hour in the Ballets Russes exhibition and live music in the Gallery spaces. An extensive menu featuring gourmet food and beverages will be available from the Sculpture Bar.
Brisbane river cruises are back to business
The Brisbane River has been re-opened for limited use to commercial vessels.
Mirimar Cruises,
Kookaburra River Queens,
River City Cruises and
Brisbane Star Cruises have all reopened after being closed following the floods. All Brisbane’s river cruises are using temporary pick up and drop off locations at North Quay, Brett’s Wharf or Manly.
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) announces its upcoming exhibition - Shaun Gladwell: Stereo Sequences
Opening 1 June until 14 August, 2011,
Shaun Gladwell: Stereo Sequences has been created for ACMI’s unique subterranean gallery and features a series of multi-screen video moving image works that explore concepts of duality, parallels and mirroring. Using filmic devices such as long pans and slow-motion to capture tightly choreographed, repetitive performances by classical ballerinas, helicopters, motorcycles, muscle cars, trial bike-riders and skateboarders, Gladwell’s latest offerings radiate a distinct Australian sensibility, inspired by the unique landscape and local film culture.
The Great Gatsby featuring Leonardo DiCaprio to be filmed in Sydney
Australian film maker Baz Luhrmann has cast Leonardo DiCaprio in the leading role of a new 3D version of The Great Gatsby to be filmed in Sydney later this year. Pre-production will start in March with 17 weeks of filming starting in August, followed by 30 weeks of post-production work. The film, based on the 1920s novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, will be the first live action film shot in NSW in 3D. Fox Studios in Moore Park will be the production base for the film.
Park Hyatt Sydney closed for renovations from April 2011
Commencing in April 2011,
The Park Hyatt Sydney is set to undertake the largest renovation in its 21 year history. The project involves a complete redesign of the hotel’s guest rooms, including architectural fixtures and finishes, custom designed contemporary lighting, new furniture and unique artwork by renowned Australian artists. The hotel’s new interiors will offer a natural feel with rich layers of chocolate, cream and beige hues. The hotel’s restaurants and bars, private dining rooms, day spa and recreational facilities will also be enhanced. Park Hyatt Sydney is due to re-open its doors in November 2011.
Sydney Shangri-La to undergo renovation
Sydney's Shangri-La hotel will start a $20 million room refurbishment program between May and September with 442 rooms throughout the hotel being revamped. The hotel is trumpeting its harbor-view window seats, with a new leather couch being fitted to each of the panoramic windows overlooking Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Business travellers will also be able to take advantage of custom-designed furniture, media hubs and docking stations for mobile devices.
Scenic helicopter flights now available at Bamurru Plains
Luxury lodge,
Bamurru Plains is now offering the thrill of a helicopter flight over the spectacular Mary River floodplains and coastline of Northern Australia. Magpie Geese, Egrets, Whistling Ducks and flocks of Corellas, as well as the saltwater crocodiles, provide a different and inspirational perspective of the floodplains, river systems and prolific wildlife of Australia’s north coast.
Noosa launches its own iApp
Tourism Noosa have launched a new
iApp that puts all your holiday information at your fingertips. The new tool contains endless holiday inspiration and once the app is downloaded the user will receive up to the minute tips on dining offers, accommodation deals, shopping sales, current events and entertainment and much more. Users can select their area of interest and turn the messaging on and off as they like.
Hunt for antiques and collectables in Canberra this Easter
Visit Canberra’s famed Old Bus Depot Markets this Easter long weekend for a hunt of a different kind at the special
Easter Portobello Road event. Portobello Road presents a huge variety of items including linens and lace, retro decorative arts, vintage clothing, fine silver, small antique furniture and restored pieces. This free annual event focuses on antiques and collectables, and offers a fun day out for those ready and willing to trawl the aisles, scan the stalls and pick through the curiosities.
Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art have re-opened
The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) have re-opened for business. ‘21st Century: Art in the First Decade’, which prior to closure had attracted more than 139,000 visitors, will re-open at GoMA with all works on display and continue until Tuesday 26 April.
Skydive the Beach launch tandem skydives at night
Launched this month and taking place under each monthly full moon,
Skydive the Beach are introducing guests into the delights of flying through the night’s sky. No experience is necessary as thrill seekers are tightly strapped to an instructor who guides guests gently down onto the sandy beach.