Prince William to visit Australia, Adelaide Zoo welcomes giant pandas, Sydney Harbour YHA opens and 2010 truffle festivals announced.
Prince William to visit Australia in JanuaryHis Royal Highness Prince William will visit Australia from 19 - 21 January 2010, travelling to Sydney and Melbourne. This will be the Prince's first visit to Australia as an adult. His previous visit to Australia was with Prince Charles and Princess Diana a year after his birth in 1983. During this visit, Prince William’s primary focus will be on supporting servicemen and women, and investigating sustainable development options in light of climate change. The Prince will also use the visit to learn more about local Indigenous issues and visit the bushfire-affected areas in Victoria.
Shocking wins Melbourne Cup
Over 100,000 local and international visitors gathered at Flemington to watch the Mark Kavanagh-trained horse Shocking win the 2009 Melbourne Cup. Shocking was slated as a 10-1 chance prior to the race and sat three wide for most of the 3200m Melbourne Cup journey before powering down the straight to defeat the second-placed Crime Scene. Melbourne will host another high-profile sporting event next week with Tiger Woods arriving to play in the Australian Masters Golf tournament.
Adelaide welcomes giant pandas
Two giant pandas Funi and Wang Wang from China have arrived in Adelaide. The pandas will get to settle in to their new environs before their zoo enclosure becomes open to public on 13 December 2009. A big screen TV will be positioned in front of their $8 million exhibit to allow Adelaide Zoo visitors to see the city's newest stars from every angle. The pair will live in the Adelaide Zoo for 10 years with the hope that they will start breeding in 2012.
Now open: Sydney Harbour YHA
The new Sydney Harbour YHA in The Rocks has opened offering quality budget accommodation in an outstanding harbour side location. Budget travellers can stay in the heart of Sydney’s premier tourist precinct and enjoy its many attractions and Sydney Harbour views. The Rocks’ offers museums, restaurants and great shopping. Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, BridgeClimb and the Museum of Contemporary Art are within walking distance. The hostel is located at 110 Cumberland St, The Rocks and is a 5 minute walk from Circular Quay train station. A shuttle bus will operate between Sydney Airport and Sydney Harbour YHA.
Arkaba Station opens
Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges, the newest property in the Wild Bush Luxury portfolio has opened. The original five-bedroom heritage homestead, built in 1851, has been refurbished using an outback inspired colour scheme and features a library, deep verandah and swimming pool. The 60,000-acre working sheep station is located on the edge of the world-famous geological amphitheatre Wilpena Pound and guided activities are conducted on the property and in the neighbouring national park.
Swissôtel Sydney voted best hotel in Australasia
After 52,000 votes and 2,800 nominations, Swissôtel Sydney has been awarded the HotelClub Awards premier accolade as one of the Top 3 Hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands at the Hotel Awards ceremony held recently in Sydney. Swissôtel Sydney also walked away with the Best Hotel in Oceania award. Presented by leading consumer-driven global accommodation website operator HotelClub.com, the HotelClub Awards 2009 reflects demands of the industry, recognising Best Hotels and Resorts in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands region, as well as top hotels in each Australian state and territory.
Banksia Adventures buy Casablanca aircraft
South Australia-based scenic flight operator Banksia Adventures have made a number of new aircraft purchases, buying an ex-military warbird aircraft which will be used for adventure flights and the vintage aircraft that was used in the classic film Casablanca which will be used for scenic flights over Kangaroo Island. Flights depart from the Vivonne Bay airstrip and venture over Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and the Casaurina Islets. There are 30, 45 or 95 minute flights available and bookings can be made on the spot at the airstrip.
Beachside Ormeggio restaurant opens in Sydney
Italian chef Allessandro Pavoni has opened Ormeggio restaurant at The Spit in Sydney. Ormeggio, which means mooring in Italian, is a fitting name for the seaside restaurant which is within close reach of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Pavoni hails from Brescia in northern Italy, and for the past four years has headed up a team of 30 chefs at the Park Hyatt’s HarbourKitchenBar. He is now bringing his Northern Italian fare to the North Shore including his Brescian Spit Roast. Ormeggio also houses a kiosk for casual take-away eating with picnic hampers for picnickers lunching in the new park running alongside the marina.
Charcoal Lane showcases native Australian flavours
Charcoal Lane is a newly opened Melbourne restaurant that focuses on using native Australian flavours. The restaurant occupies a Victorian building built in 1854 whose previous incarnations include housing a bank and a meeting place for Melbourne's Indigenous community. In the spirit of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Melbourne, Charcoal Lane also provides career opportunities for Aboriginal and disadvantaged young people, with students undertaking an apprentice course to gain new skills. Some of the restaurant specialties include lemon myrtle fish bites, shallot and bush tomato tart and native peppered kangaroo fillet.
Canberra and Mundaring announce 2010 truffle festivals
Australia is offering not one but two truffle festivals in 2010. The Canberra Truffle Festival will commence in June 2010, while the Mundaring Truffle Festival in Western Australia will take place on 7-8 August 2010. The Truffle Festival in Canberra will feature hunts, tastings, truffle-grading workshops and dinners showcasing the diversity of the black gold. The Mundaring Truffle Festival, just 45 minutes’ drive from the centre of Perth, offers the opportunity to taste, buy and learn about fresh black truffles and participate in the Truffle Masterclass Series with high-profile chefs and growers.