Discover the hidden bars of Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne is justly famous for its stylish and eclectic bar scene – but how do you find the coolest of them, hidden as they are down secret stairwells, laneways and behind velvet curtains? Hidden Bars of Melbourne has the answer. Local residents Gath Adams and Kym Anderson take groups of party-goers through Melbourne’s labyrinth of alleys and laneways to uncover some of the city’s most exciting and exclusive bars.
Run every Thursday night, the bars on the tour change weekly. The tour lasts four hours and costs AUD $35 (approx £15) per person, which includes two complimentary drinks and tapas. Hiddenbarsofmelbourne.com
More news from Oz . . . .
New Mountain Villas at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Queensland
The 48 new Mountain Villas and day spa are due to open at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in October this year. The AUD $34 million project ensures each villa enjoys stunning rainforest or valley views – ideal for relaxing in the fresh mountain air or watching a famous Lamington sunset. The Mountain Villas have been designed to subtly resemble birds perched high amidst the trees and are built from natural materials. Oreillys.com.au
Go Birding! Victoria
Uncover the magical sights and sounds of the Geelong Otway Region on a new eco tour that focuses on the diverse and remarkable birdlife of the area. Catering for small groups, Go Birding Tours offers a variety of day tours enabling people to experience the widely diverse habitats of the area home to the Great Ocean Road. More than 300 different bird species have been recorded in this region, which is just one hour’s drive south west of Melbourne. Gobirding.com.au
The Remarkable Six Star Lodge, Tasmania
One of the most southerly points in the Southern Hemisphere, the Tasman Peninsula, is due to become the home to a spectacular six star eco-lodge. Remarkable Lodge is being planned by James Baillie, the man originally behind the development of exclusive resorts Bedarra and Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Lodge will feature 20 luxury suites, a spa and various nature-based activities in an idyllic location just south of the Port Arthur Historic Site. When it opens in early 2009 it is set to become Tasmania’s leading wilderness property. Baillielodges.com.au/remarkable-lodge.asp
Panasonic World Solar Challenge, Northern Territory & South Australia
The Panasonic World Solar Challenge participants will traverse more than 3000km across Australia, from tropical Darwin to balmy Adelaide, in cars powered by nothing more than the sun. The challenge to design and build a car capable of crossing Australia on the power of daylight attracts teams and individuals from corporations and universities all over the world. Wsc.org.au
Most Brilliant Blend, South Australia
Combine a stay at Peppers The Louise in the Barossa Valley with Penfold’s Make Your Own Blend tour together with a Signature Tasting Menu at Appellation, the hotel’s award-winning fine dining restaurant. Make Your Own Blend is an interactive, two hour winemaking experience where visitors can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Penfold’s winery followed by the hands-on task of blending their own wine in the lab. As proof, the budding vintners take away their own hand crafted Penfold’s wine with their name on the label as Assistant Winemaker.
On taking the wine back to Appellation, the restaurant’s Executive Chef, British-born Mark McNamara, will prepare a dish to compliment the created wine. Prices start from AUD $1,367 (approx £570) for two nights accommodation in the Vineyard Suite, includes daily breakfast, Make Your Own Blend experience for two people and the Appellation Signature Tasting Dinner Menu for two with wine pairing. Peppers.com.au/thelouise
Beer Nuts Tours, Western Australia
If wine tours aren’t your thing then maybe a beer tour would suit you better. For over 100 years Western Australia's Swan Valley near Perth has produced premium wines. Now, the Valley is also home to some of Australia's sensational new boutique breweries. The Beer Nuts Tour takes serious beer drinkers around some of the Swan Valley’s best microbreweries, including Elmar’s, Mash, Ironbark, Feral and Duckstein.
Tour options can include lunch and prices start from AUD $45 (approx £20) per person. By the end of the tour you are sure to have become a veritable beer connoisseur! Beernuts.com.au
Little Kickerbell Lavender Farm & Guest House, New South Wales
Enjoy great country meals and hospitality in this beautifully restored country homestead, 20 minutes west of Quirindi, in the Tamworth region of New South Wales. Built in 1856, the historic homestead has charming guest rooms, serviced by rambling verandas and glorious gardens, but its biggest draw is the kitchen which is always stocked with homemade treats for guests’ enjoyment! Littlekickerbell.com
Sydney Opera House gains World Heritage Status, New South Wales
The Opera House has become only the second piece of Australian architecture to make the UNESCO World Heritage list, after Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens were added in 2004. Australia now has 17 sites listed, including the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park and Uluru. Sydneyoperahouse.com
Aiyana Retreat brings new style to Denmark, Western Australia
Aiyana Retreat is a brand new luxury holiday accommodation in the heart of Denmark’s unique natural environment, surrounded by natural bush reserve. This charming retreat provides both one- and two-bedroom self contained accommodation which have been designed, built and decorated by some of local Denmark's finest artists and craftsmen, using local timber, stained glass windows, and handmade tiles and mosaics. Aiyanaretreat.com.au
For more information about Australia visit Australia.com.
