V Australia and Emirates join forces, learn to do movie stunts Matrix-style at the Gold Coast, the world’s longest golf course opens and the 2010 Magic Millions program announced.
V Australia and Emirates join forces
Emirates and
V Australia have entered into a new code share agreement, building on its reciprocal frequent flyer partnership, by offering code share services between New Zealand, Australia and the United States. The code share partnership will come into effect from 25 October, 2009 on trans-Tasman routes and is Emirates’ first code share agreement with an Australian carrier. The new agreement will provide V Australia guests with seamless and quick transit times from the airline’s international flights arriving in Sydney to New Zealand. V Australia has also confirmed it will launch flights to Phuket from Brisbane and Melbourne from November 2009 following the delivery of the airline’s fourth brand new 777-300 aircraft, while flights from Melbourne to Johannesburg will take off in March 2010.
Pata Negra opens in Perth
Perth’s newest culinary hotspot, Pata Negra, has opened in Nedlands in the city’s southwest. This tapas bar is the new project of Perth food royalty, David Coomer, famed for his creativity at his bistro Star Anise. Coomer’s Pata Negra is a Spanish-style Tapas Bar which is divided into two areas, one for casual drop-in style meals and another for a more formal shared dining experience. The menu boasts traditional Spanish cuisine, but with a Middle Eastern twist and the extensive tapas list includes gems like white anchovies with piquillo peppers, and fig with cabra and honey. ‘Pata Negra’ translates to ‘black foot’ which is a nod to the black-hoofed pigs used to make famous ‘Jamon’ Spanish Ham. Fittingly, an entire section of the menu is dedicated to Jamon dishes.
Blanco provides Med-inspired fare in Gaudi-inspired setting
Blanco restaurant has recently opened as part of the newly-completed Durbach Block Building at Kings Cross in Sydney. The modernist building, which is owned by Damien Pignolet and Ron White of Paddington restaurant Bistro Moncur, strongly references the style of Spanish artist and architect Antoni Gaudi with its curved white concrete walls and prominent use of tiles. While the outside of the building is Gaudi-inspired, inside the restaurant is sleek and relaxing, furnished simply under the eye of the restaurant directors, Scott Mason and Brendon Vallejo, also most recently of Bistro Moncur. The Mediterranean-inspired menu features fun interpretations of classic dishes and is complemented by a creative cocktail and wine list. Some of the specialities include the roasted boneless Barossa chicken with asparagus, eggplant, and mint and the Spanish caramel and sultana custard.
Arkaba Station on track to open in November
The refurbishment of the historic Arkaba Station homestead in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia is nearing completion, in time for opening on 1 November. The Arkaba is the latest addition to the Wild Bush Luxury portfolio of properties which include sister properties, Bamurru Plains, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef and Blue Mountains Private Safaris. The Arkaba Station is a 60,000-acre working sheep station, located on the edge of geological amphitheatre, Wilpena Pound, and the Flinders Ranges National Park. The Arkaba Homestead dates back to 1851 and is a classic Flinders building, with thick stone walls, deep shady verandahs and corrugated roofing. Four traditional-style bedrooms are located in the homestead, each with an ensuite bathroom. All guests are hosted by owners Pat and Sally Kent who ensure a friendly and informal level of attention and can organise a range of station activities including 4WD trips, wildlife viewing, overland walks and mountain biking.
Learn to do movie stunts at the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast’s newest adrenalin-charged attraction is the Movie Stunt Experience which gives guests the opportunity to act out their own action movie making stunts. Located 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise at Nerang, Stunt Park includes a purpose-built obstacle course and abseil tower. Hollywood-trained instructors teach participants movie stunts including harness acrobatics like those used in the Wolverine and Matrix movies. One of the most exciting features of the stunt-making experience is that guests can pair up with a stunt performer and have their fight scene professionally filmed, edited with sound effects, and presented on a DVD. Guests can choose to theme their stunt sequence, with some of the most popular themes including James Bond, Rocky and Rambo, and Ninja fights. A wide range of stunt equipment can be used to create the stunt sequences including weapons, high wires, mats, airbags, air rams, rigging, and harnesses.
World’s longest gold course to open
Nullabor Links, the world’s longest golf course is opening on 22 October, 2009. The Nullarbor Links is a unique, 18-hole, par 72 golf course which spans close to 1400 kilometres starting in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and stretching along the Eyre Highway to Ceduna in South Australia. The 18 holes which are dotted along the highway provide a uniquely Australian golfing challenge. Each hole includes a green and a natural terrain fairway and the course should take four days to complete, though players can choose the pace they wish to play the course. The Nullabor Links will be christened by the BP Australia Opening Tournament starting on 22 October with participants teeing off simultaneously from the Ceduna Golf Club in South Australia and the Kalgoorlie Golf Club in Western Australia.
2010 Magic Millions program announced
Top horses and high glamour will combine to make the 2010 Magic Millions Racing Carnival one the most iconic events on the Australian racing calendar. Held on the Gold Coast, the carnival boasts some 40 events over an 18-day program starting on 1 January. The Magic Millions sale attracts some of the biggest buyers from across the globe and the yearling catalogue has a track record of producing very fine gallopers. The Magic Millions race day will be held on 9 January, 2010, with prizemoney surpassing $2 million, while the yearling sales will run throughout the carnival. A highlight of the Magic Millions race day is the highly competitive Fashions on the Field where the awards on offer include a prize pool of more than $80,000 in pearls, fashion, cars, luxury goods, and holidays.