Australasia

Scottish chef takes the helm at Great Barrier Reef's Qualia

Alastair Waddell, a Scot, has taken the helm at qualia, Australia's award winning Great Barrier Reef resort. The new executive chef brings a refreshingly Celtic twist to this fabulous Whitsunday destination and, as a proud Scotsman, has introduced black pudding to the menu, already one of the resort's most popular main courses.

Experience the jungle first hand in Australia’s playground

Got the post-celebrity reality show blues? Wondering what to do now Dougie, Mark, Fatima and the gang have all packed up their backpacks and hitched their way back to the UK? How about exploring it for yourself?

Walkers in Tarkine rainforest enlisted in bid to save Tasmanian devil

Guests on guided, multi-day walks in Tasmania's remote Tarkine rainforest wilderness in 2012 are among the first people to monitor and view groundbreaking new research designed to save Tasmania's most iconic creature - the Tasmanian devil - with encouraging results so far.

Top fly-drive holiday destinations

With January blues now in full swing, over a million Brits will book their next break in the sun this month and, according to independent car hire price comparison website carhiremarket.com, it looks like most will be jetting off to Spain and Portugal come Springtime.

On track for a romantic Australian honeymoon

Train journeys are one of the most romantic ways to travel and for honeymoon couples looking for the romantic journey of a lifetime, Great Southern Rail's The Southern Spirit is just the ticket.

Enjoy panoramic views of Ayers Rock from a hot air balloon

For the first time ever, visitors to Australia's Red Centre will be able to enjoy panoramic views of iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) at dawn from the comfort of a hot air balloon. The first service with Outback Ballooning will take to the skies in March 2012.

Maui offers up to 35% off New Zealand motorhome hire

Heading to New Zealand for some sun, sand and surf but still haven’t booked your accommodation or car hire? Then why not combine the two and take advantage of Maui Motorhomes ‘late specials’ with up to 35% discount off its two berth Ultima and 30% off the six berth Spirit or Platinum River vehicles when booked by 31 January 2012 for seven days or more for travel until 31 March 2012.

Dive into aquatic adventures on the Great Barrier Reef

Audiences inspired by the Sunday night BBC documentary, Great Barrier Reef, should escape for their own close encounters with this most spectacular natural wonder with a reef-freshing break on Hamilton Island.

Save on Australian icons from the Reef to the Harbour Bridge

Qantas Holidays is kick-starting the New Year with the following Australian icon packages - including a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, star of the Sunday night BBC documentary of the same name - incorporating a raft of extras and special offers.

Google top slot for Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef has come out on top as the 'most popular travel destination' in Google Australia's newly published annual 2011 Zeitgeist list. This category also included international destinations making 'Hamilton Island' the top international travel destination search term used by Australians.

Escaping to Australia's Heron Island just got even easier

Virgin Australia’s new twice-daily service from Brisbane to Gladstone, Mondays to Fridays, allows visitors to Australia even easier access to the tropical paradise of Heron Island from as little as £56* (A$88) one-way.

Oceania Cruises’ new winter collection

Oceania Cruises has launched its 2012/13 winter collection of worldwide cruises from September 2012 to May 2013 on board its four mid-sized luxury cruise ships, the 1250 guest new cruise ship `Marina’, her sister ship `Riviera’ (launching April 2012), and the two 650 guest ships `Regatta’ and `Nautica’.