New Grampians tourism campaign: Space to breathe
A new Tourism Victoria campaign launched by Minister for Tourism and Major Events Tim Holding at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre (Halls Gap) in late April is urging couples and families to escape the pressures of modern life and reinvigorate their minds, spirits and relationships with a break in the beautiful Grampians region.
The campaign’s slogan, Space to breathe, conveys the region’s wide open spaces as a perfect destination to regain perspective and balance, surrounded by spectacular natural beauty.
Tourism Victoria’s Marketing Director Don Richter explained that the new advertisements feature imagery of the Grampians’ stunning natural attractions to capture would-be visitors’ imaginations.
“The region’s rich aboriginal culture, majestic scenery and its wide open spaces give the Grampians a powerful sense of spirituality and purity,” he said.
“It is a special place that is not over-commercialised where couples and families can re-connect and enjoy the wonder of natural rather than man-made attractions and experiences.
“The Grampians region has so much to offer – whether you’re looking for extreme adventure or a romantic, cultural, wilderness or family-friendly experience.”
As well as highlighting the magnificent National Park and surrounding State Parks, the tourism campaign also encourages visitors to explore the villages of Halls Gap, Dunkeld, Wartook, Pomonol, Hamilton, Horsham, Stawell and Ararat.
For more information about the Grampians, go to visitvictoria.com/grampians
For Space to breathe campaign images, go to Tourism Victoria’s online image library (at visionsofvictoria.com), select ‘mini collections’, then ‘media access’ and select ‘Grampians space to breathe’ from the drop-down menu.
Media contact: Karen Strahan, Tourism Victoria, on (03) 9653 9745 or email karen.strahan@tourism.vic.gov.au
Victorians vote on favourite tourism experiences
RACV, supported by Tourism Victoria, is on a quest to uncover Victorias' top 101 tourism experiences.
Victorians are being encouraged to vote online for their favourite destination, attraction, accommodation, activity, tour or food and wine experience. Voters have the chance to win a $1,000 travel voucher.
The campaign aims to highlight to Victorians the many attractions of their own state. It will be promoted over three months through various media, culminating in a one-hour Postcards TV special (on channel nine), sponsored by Tourism Victoria and RACV.
Visit www.101victoria.com.au to nominate your favourite tourism experience, or vote for one that’s already been nominated. You’ll also be able to see which attractions are in the daily top 10 and write a blog about your must-do experience.
All aboard the Bio Bus
Few bus tours could claim green credentials, but Melbourne’s new Bio Bus Tours takes pride in offering sightseeing that’s both entertaining and sustainable.
Tour operator Scott Lever converted a small seven-seat touring van to run on bio-diesel, a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. The conversion vastly limits the tour bus’ environmental impact, as bio-diesel emits about 78% less greenhouse gas. Bio Bus also offsets any carbon it does produce.
Bio Bus Tours’ half-day Experience Melbourne Tour takes in all the city highlights, including the café, restaurant and shopping strips of Lygon, Brunswick, Acland and Chapel streets, as well as world-famous sporting venues, museums, galleries and gardens.
The tour commentary opens a window to Melbourne’s history as well as contemporary culture to give visitors a real insight into life in the city and what makes the locals tick.
Tours cost $38 for adults and $33 for concession.
More information: visit www.biobustours.com.au
Media contact: call Scott Lever on 0428 646 532 or email scott@biobustours.com.au
Flying high in Melbourne
Ever wondered what it feels like to take the pilot’s seats and land a commercial airliner? At Melbourne’s newest experience, Flight Experience, you can do just that.
Based at the QV shopping precinct in the heart of the city, Flight Experience offers a range of flight simulator packages that will have you taking off in no time. Captain a 737 800 as it flies from Melbourne to Bangkok and land amidst real-life conditions including reduced visibility or a sudden crosswind.
Flights follow real-world procedures and participants can select extra-challenging landings such as Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak airport, or Bhutan’s Paro airport, nestled in a tight valley between 17,000ft Himalayan peaks.
The simulator provides realistic 180-degree views from the cockpit, 24,000 airports to choose from, countless flight paths and the ability to see landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House.
Experiences a 30 minute session for $175; 60 minute session for $275 or a 90 minute session for $375.
More information: www.flightexperience.com.au
Media contact: phone 03 9650 0737 or email melbourne@flightexperience.com.au
New St Kilda Road hotel: Seasons Heritage Melbourne
Seasons Heritage Melbourne is a brand new apartment style hotel located at 572 St Kilda Road - across from Wesley College and Belgian Beer Café and walking distance to Albert Park Lake.
The hotel combines the old world charm of a restored heritage listed mansion with a modern contemporary apartment wing. Guests have a choice of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom fully self-contained apartments (kitchenette in studio rooms).
In the historic mansion, there are also three large one-bedroom apartments ideally suited for weddings, romantic weekends away or celebrating a special event.
Seasons Heritage Melbourne also offers the full facilities of a 4.5 star hotel – 24 hour room service, bar, restaurant, on-site car parking, gym, broadband in all accommodation rooms and wireless in public areas.
More information: www.seasonsheritagemelbourne.com.au
Media contact: Amanda Balaam, Seasons Heritage Melbourne, on (03) 9685 2916 or via email at amanda@sahg.com.au
Rediscover the beauty of Mungo
Explore the wonders of World Heritage listed Mungo National Park from the comfort of revamped Mungo Lodge. Re-launched last month after a multi-million dollar redevelopment, the lodge now boasts: 17 accommodation units rated 4½ stars; a quality restaurant; and a booking service for a range of exciting tours into the national park.
Best accessed from the vibrant foodie town of Mildura on the Murray River, Mungo Lodge is situated 2km from the entrance to the national park. As part of a renewed sustainability focus, all units have been redesigned and refitted with the environment in mind and refurbished for the luxury traveller. Mungo Lodge already operates solely on collected rainwater and treats waste water for use in irrigation of the property.
The revamped restaurant and bar boasts a menu which focuses predominantly on quality regional food and wine, including use of some native produce. Future plans include full moon dinners, dining under the stars, and gourmet sunrise and sunset picnics.
Tours available from the lodge include specialist geology tours to explain the striking rock formations and landscapes, and cultural heritage tours run by local Aboriginal guides.
Mungo National Park is part of the Willandra Lakes area and has a unique cultural and archaeological history, having been continuously inhabited by Aboriginal people for up to 60,000 years. Ancient middens, burial sites, artefacts, stone tools and animal bones can be seen in the park, as well as the impressive 33km-long Walls of China formations.
More information: www.mungolodge.com.au
Media contact: Peta Cooper on 0439 246 183 or email bpcoops@bigpond.com
New restaurant, bar and facelift for Rydges Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne located in the city’s theatre precinct and adjacent to Chinatown has recently completed its multi-million dollar ground floor refurbishment.
As well as updating the hotel façade and lobby, Rydges has replaced its former CBD bar with a chic new restaurant and bar named Locanda (which is Italian for ‘The Inn’).
Locanda is in the capable hands of venue manager Andrew DiMattina whose other successful restaurants include Society, Blue Train, Il Gambero, DiMattina’s, Alto and Mario’s.
Head chef Matthew English (formerly of Café Di Stasio, Il Solito Posto, Sud, Nostro Barretto and Italy I) has designed a menu of traditional, peasant style Italian dishes with a modern twist.
Locanda features warm and welcoming décor, a sexy red circular bar and floor-to-ceiling wine racks – making it the perfect place for a drink, snack or meal for hotel guests, theatre-goers and city dwellers.
In other news from the Rydges chain, a new hotel – the Rydges Bell City complex – in the inner northern suburb of Preston is scheduled to open in August 2008.
The $120 million development, with a 924-bed capacity, will be Rydges’ largest property in Australia.
More information: Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. Website: www.rydges.com/melbourne
Media contact: Belinda Lee, Rydges Melbourne on (03) 9635 1269 or email belinda_lee@rydges.com
Get set for a High Country adventure
Specifically targeting independent travellers and backpackers, BB's Adventures offer new small-group tours from Melbourne to Victoria’s High Country.
The two- and three-day tours take in breathtaking scenery, various adventure activities, delicious local food and wine and a fun and inclusive travel experience.
Trips can incorporate horse riding, mountain biking and skiing (during winter) as well as bushwalking to waterfalls, cattlemen’s huts, old mining villages and picturesque riverbanks. A one-day tour departing from Mansfield also visits the cool-climate wineries of the High Country and includes a brewery tour and lunch.
Accommodation is at BB’s own Twin River Cabins in the tranquil town of Jamieson and each night guests are treated to a traditional Aussie campfire and a hearty meal.
More information: www.bbsadventures.com.au
Media contact: Jasmin Beekman on 03 5777 0582 or email enquiries@bbsadventures.com.au
A Great driving partner
Visitors to the spectacular Great Ocean Road can now take their own in-car travel guide to point out important landmarks and local history as their drive from Torquay to Warrnambool, thanks to a new ‘Drive’n’Hear’ CD.
The first two audio guides in the ‘Drive’n’Hear’ series follow Victoria’s Great Ocean Road – the world’s largest war memorial which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary – and the Shipwreck Coast.
The guides help visitors make the most of their trips and can be purchased from specialty retailers in the area, including Tourist Information Centres, or downloaded onto MP3 players via the Drive’n’Hear website (www.drivenhear.com).
More information: www.drivenhear.com or call 1300 66 25 77
New night-time course for shutterbugs
Due to popular demand, Melbourne’s Photography Made Easy has added two new workshops to its repertoire – an advanced three-hour practical session called ‘Follow Me. Follow Me’ and a night-time workshop called ‘Photography Made Easy at Night’ (also three hours’ duration).
The workshops are led by Martin Bonnici who has more than 15 years’ experience as a professional commercial photographer, specialising in travel photography, in both Australia and overseas.
‘Follow Me. Follow Me’ ($125) is designed for those who’ve completed the basic ‘Photography Made Easy’ workshop and want to practice their newly acquired skills behind the lens.
‘Photography Made Easy at Night’ ($125) runs throughout autumn, winter and early spring and explores the CBD’s best pictorial opportunities after sunset.
Group sizes are kept small to ensure personalised attention and a positive experience by participants.
More information: www.photographymadeeasy.com or call Martin Bonnici on 0411 041 948
Special Packages:
Pamper mum this Mother’s Day (Sunday 11 May) with the indulgent spa packages detailed below.
Aurora Spa Retreat - $225 per package*
Take mum to a place where tired spirits are renewed, fresh vigour gathered and life’s balance resorted. The luxurious Aurora Spa Retreat, located at the Prince Hotel in St Kilda, has put together an indulgent ‘night owl’ package for Mother’s Day that includes:
- a gift voucher for a one-hour treatment of your choice
- beautifully wrapped gift box of spa pyjamas created for Aurora by Peter Alexander
- ‘Better than Chocolate’ bedtime read.
*Offer valid Monday to Sunday, from 10am till late. Offer available until 11 May.
For more information: call 03 9536 1130 or visit www.aurorasparetreat.com
Natskin Spa Retreat at Balgownie Estate - $85 per person*
Situated in the beautiful Yarra Valley, Natskin Spa Retreat is nestled amongst the picturesque surrounding of Balgownie Estate. Relax and take in the superb views of the vineyard as you indulge in lunch and a private treatment at the Natskin Spa Retreat. Treat mum to the ultimate indulgence with the ‘Girls Get Away’ package that includes:
- two-course lunch with a glass of bubbles
- $60 spa voucher to put towards any Natskin treatment of your choice
- use of health club, pool and steam room
- girlie gift to take home.
*Offer valid Monday to Friday until 30 May. Bookings are essential.
For more information: call 03 9730 2866 or visit www.natskin.com
Peninsula Hot Springs, Rye - $175 per package*
Located a short one hour drive from Melbourne in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, Peninsula Hot Springs invites mums to bathe in the natural healing waters of mineral rich thermal pools. Treat mum to a ‘Natural Balance’ package that includes:
- a soak in the hot springs pools
- 30-minute indoor and outdoor private mineral bath
- one-hour full body Kodo massage or Mikiri facial.
*Conditions apply.
For more information: call 03 5950 8777 or visit www.peninsulahotsprings.com
Spa Dreamtime, St Kilda Beach – offer from $175*
Overlooking St Kilda Beach at the St Kilda Sea Baths, Spa Dreamtime is an indulgent bayside haven. Nourish mum with a Li’Tya Sapphire Sea Wrap that includes a marine body exfoliation, pearl and kelp mud wrap and hair and scalp treatment. Purchase a $175 gift voucher for this ultimate gift and receive a complimentary 30-minute upgrade.
*Conditions apply.
For more information: call 03 9525 3288
Diary Notes
June 2008
Good Food and Wine Show, Melbourne, 1 - 3 June
The Good Food and Wine Show is Australia's largest consumer food and wine exhibition. Held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, the event showcases every aspect of cooking and entertaining, from food and wine to home wares and white goods and features some of the biggest name celebrity chefs from home and abroad.
For more information: call 13 61 00 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au for ticketing information or visit www.goodfoodshow.com.au
Woodend Winter Arts Festival, 6 - 9 June
The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is a celebration of music, literature and the visual arts. Lovers of the written word can enjoy workshops and discussions on a variety of Australian contemporary writing. Local artists will open their studios to visitors. The event will be held at St Ambrose Church and Hall and various venues around town. Local restaurants will celebrate with special menus.
For more information: visit www.woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au
National Celtic Festival, Portarlington, 6 - 9 June
Celts from around Australia will converge on Portarlington during the June long weekend for Australia's largest and most diverse celebration of Celtic culture. The National Celtic Festival celebrates and promotes Celtic culture through a vibrant and progressive festival incorporating music, dance, literature and drama. The three-day program is structured around a series of concerts, small acoustic performances, workshops including language workshops, a community stage, community dance, singing performances, dramatic performances, displays and street performances.
For more information:call the festival office on 03 5241 2499 or visit www.nationalcelticfestival.com
Winter Wine Weekend, Mornington Peninsula, 7 June
Enjoy great wine, tasty food, live music – a sample of what the idyllic region has to offer. The signature event is the Winter Wine Fest, held at the Red Hill Showgrounds between 11am and 4pm.
For more information: 03 5989 2377 or visit www.mpva.com.au
Rutherglen Winery Walkabout, 7- 8 June
This renowned festival in north-east Victoria will again delight wine-lovers from far and wide on the June long weekend. From sparkling shiraz and classic table wines to luscious vintage ports and mellow muscats, Rutherglen Winery Walkabout is a chance to compare, contrast and buy the magnificent wines.
For more information: call 1300 787 929 or visit www.rutherglenvic.com
The Australian Landmark Kelpie Muster, 7 - 9 June
Held annually over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, The Australian Kelpie Muster, incorporating the Casterton Kelpie Festival and Casterton Working Dog Auction, is a celebration of Casterton as the birthplace of the Kelpie. The festival takes a light-hearted look at the Kelpie’s vital role in rural life in Australia. On Sunday, the nationally-renowned Working Dog Auction is held, attracting a crowd of over 1,500.
For more information: call the Casterton Visitor Information Centre on 03 5581 2070
Brown Brothers Winter Festival, Milawa, 7 - 9 June
The Brown Brothers Winter Festival will be a fun-filled three days of great wine and food. Visitors will be entertained by live music and tempted by delicious gourmet food. The Epicurean Centre will be open daily for lunch between 11am and 3pm, serving up some great wine and food matches from its new winter menu. The cellar door is open from 9am to 5pm.
For more information: call 1800 001 515 or visit www.brown-brothers.com.au
Mt Buller Opening Weekend Celebrations, 7- 9 June
Mt Buller celebrates the start of the 2008 snow season with a fun-filled street party in the heart of the resort. The festivities kick off on Saturday 7 June in the Village Square, and include a wide array of live entertainment, musical acts and free family activities. Kids can enjoy face-painting, helium balloons and hot chocolate. Free Gluhwein (mulled wine) will be available for adults. A highlight will be a fashion parade hosted by Icebreaker of its new winter 2008 collection of 100% pure merino garments. The celebrations include a spectacular fireworks display.
For more information: call (03) 5777 6077 or visit www.mtbuller.com.au
Rugby Union, Australia versus Ireland, 14 June
The Qantas Wallabies are hoping that the luck of the Irish will run out when the team takes on Ireland at the Telstra Dome on 14 June in the Rugby Union Lansdowne Cup.
For more information: contact Grant Birse on 02 8005 5562