December travel news from Down Under
Tourism Australia’s newsletter contains information about what’s new, different or of interest Down Under this month. Here is the newsletter for December.Ho Ho Ho
Did you know ‘Christmas’ features in 241 official place names around Australia? These include towns (Christmas Pocket and Christmas Town), rivers, dams, mines (Christmas Gift Mine), reserves and landforms. There are two Christmas Islands, about 30 Christmas Wells and more than 40 Christmas Creeks. The Christmas theme can also be seen in places such as Shepherds Creek, Turkey Hill, Wisemans Ferry and Bells Beach, to name but a few.
Australia Day, 26 January 2008
Australia Day commemorates the arrival of European settlement to Australia on 26 January 1788. It’s an official public holiday in Australia and events take place across the nation. Whether it’s a barby on the beach, entering a lamington eating competition, or playing cricket in the park; Australia Day celebrates the people, the land and freedom. Australiaday.com.au
Neil Perry’s Rockpool (fish) opens, New South Wales
Rockpool (fish), located at The Rocks in Sydney, is the latest restaurant offering from Neil Perry. Formerly known as Rockpool, the new restaurant has recently opened as a seafood restaurant combining simple Mediterranean and Asian flavours with many Rockpool classics. Customers can design their own menu by choosing from a large variety of seafood, with as many as ten different preparations, entrees, salads and sides, as well as non seafood main plates – perfect for sharing a few dishes if you dare! It also features an extensive wine list of over 850 wines from Australia and around the world. Rockpool.com
A Rogue Adventure, Northern Territory
The much anticipated Australian movie thriller, Rogue is expected to be released in cinemas across the UK on 11 January 2008. From Greg McLean, the writer/director of Wolf Creek, Rogue is about a group of tourists who fall prey to a giant man-eating crocodile while touring in Australia… And the thrill doesn’t have to end at the roll of the final credits. You can have your own adventure in Australia and see crocodiles in the wild whilst cruising the Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park. Discover flora, fauna and resident crocodiles with a local Aboriginal guide on the East Alligator River and marvel at the ancient beauty of Katherine Gorge. Travelnt.com
A piece of paradise on Fitzroy Island, Queensland
Located just 4km from the mainland of Cairns, Fitzroy Island is a beautiful unspoilt oasis. Due to open in early 2008, Hunt Resort on Fitzroy Island will offer a selection of beachfront villas, ocean view apartments and rainforest view hotel suites. A range of activities will be on offer including exploring walking trails through the rainforest, sea kayaking, catamarans, fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. Huntgroup.com.au
Add whiskey to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria
An 80-year-old railway shed along the Great Ocean Road has been transformed, recently opening as the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery. It features a whisky distillery where visitors can sample tastings and observe the whiskey process. Created by the owners of Timboon Fine Ice Cream, the distillery makes single-malt whiskey, gin and vodka, as well as a strawberry schnapps (using local fruit) and Irish cream. All the Timboon brand spirits sold on-site are named after real-life characters who had a hand in the region’s illicit whiskey trade in the 1880s. Timboondistillery.com
Tour Down Under, South Australia
The Tour Down Under is Australia's premier international cycling race and in 2008 it will become the only ProTour event held outside Europe. Taking place from 20 – 27 January, the event attracts the world's cycling elite to South Australia each year, with starts and finishes in key locations throughout Adelaide and South Australia. For the first time in 2008, the event will be expanded to include two weekends of cycling action. Participants in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour on Friday 25 January 2008 can pedal the same 134-kilometre route between Mannum and Strathalbyn as the world's elite cyclists; a shorter ride option of 73.5km from Woodside to Strathalbyn is also available for those seeking a more leisurely ride…! Tourdownunder.com.au
Hey man, it’s a ‘Hippie Camper! Queensland
A budget-priced but stylish new campervan has hit Australian roads as Apollo Motorhomes releases the ‘Hippie Camper’. Designed to capture the Australian backpacker market, the former postie van has been repainted with a flamboyant flower power exterior and refurbished with an all new interior. It comes complete with a double bed, fridge, gas cooker and sink and is designed for the fun-loving and budget-conscious traveller. Also available is the Deluxe Hippie Camper which is built on a brand new Mitsubishi L300 Express Van and fitted out with all the necessities for a self drive holiday including a generous 37 litre fridge/freezer, two burner gas stove, stainless steel sink and a double bed. Hippie Campers are available to rent from Cairns and Brisbane and prices start from AU $68 per day. Hippiecamper.com
Perth International Arts Festival 2008, Western Australia
The 2008 Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) takes place from 8 February – 2 March 2008. The event will include local and international artists and feature extraordinary events never seen in Perth before, including floating films and Swan River performances as well as the new Beck’s Music Box. The Festival also includes an array of free and ticketed events from street theatre to dance, music, literature, visual and performing arts, and film. Perthfestival.com.au
Hobart’s new des-res address, Tasmania
The place to stay in Hobart is at 19 Hunter street – next door to the Henry Jones. The stylish two bedroom/two bathroom apartment is situated on the waterfront with Mount Wellington towering over the city as a backdrop. The bar at the Henry Jones is one of Hobart’s most fashionable watering holes, so visitors residing at 19 Hunter Street could not enjoy a more enviable location. Filled with original artworks and state of the art technology, the apartment costs from AU $290 per person per night. Tasvacations.com/19hunter.php
Time for Tennis, Victoria
The Australian Open tennis tournament is the biggest sporting event in the world to take place in January and will be staged from 14 – 27 January 2008. 500 of the world’s top tennis players will compete at the first grand slam event of the year, playing on a new surface and with a new trademarked ‘Australian Open True Blue’ court colour. Tennis fans should expect big things from the 2008 event, with the event tipped to be bigger and better than ever. Australianopen.com
For more information about Australia visit Australia.com.