Cruise along the beautiful Blackwood River in WA’s South-West with the new guided Augusta River Tours.
The tours depart daily at 2pm from Ellis Street Jetty in the picturesque coastal town of Augusta.
The Dolphin Discoverer vessel is a safe, comfortable, all-ßweather, purpose-built vessel licensed for 29 passengers, and takes guests on a gentle cruise past the shallow waters, sandbanks and river islands of the Blackwood River — where more than 60 species of birds can be found, as well a pod of resident dolphins.
Burnham Beeches … transformed by the Melbourne street artist known as Rone.
As historic 1930s Burnham Beeches gets set for its transformation into a luxury hotel, the Melbourne street artist known as Rone has been working hard to add a level of decay to the project.
The property, in the heart of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, has had a colourful history, some of it as a much-admired art-deco-style hotel with guests including the Prince and Princess of Wales in the 1980s.
Having laid dormant for the best part of 25 years, it fell into disrepair, before purchase by celebrity chef Shannon Bennett and his partner Adam Garrison Garrison, who had plans for an emu farm, piggery, trufferie and restaurants, brewery, shop, cafe, a spa, cooking school, group accommodation, and outdoor cinema/concert facilities.
Rone, aka Tyrone Wright, is known for his art works found in and around the urban streets of Melbourne’s inner-north, and in abandoned houses and venues — as well as his works on the Silo Art Trail. The artworks depict haunting, stylised portraits of women’s faces and are aimed at finding the friction between beauty and decay.
Each room of Burnham Beeches evokes a different feeling, with Rone’s muse for the project actor Lily Sullivan, from Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Lake Wabby … one of Fraser’s most breathtaking swimming spots.
The ‘Lakes of Fraser’ tour offers travellers the chance to get off the beaten track at two of Fraser Island’s most secluded but spectacular spots.
As one of the 40 freshwater perched dune lakes on the island, Lake Birrabeen has a serene ambiance, with gently glimmering depths encircled by pristine-white high-silica sand.
Wander along the sandy shores, relax under the dappled shade of the paperbark trees, or explore the crystal clear depths by stand-up paddleboard.
The journey continues as tourists discover the island’s ancient shifting sands, making the 45-minute trek across the desert-like Hammerstone Sandblow.
Nestled at the base of a steep dune descent, they’ll arrive at Lake Wabby, one of the island’s most breathtaking swimming spots.
The ‘Lakes of Fraser’ tour departs Kingfisher Bay Resort every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Visit www.kingfisherbay.com.
Kings Canyon Resort … a new glamping product
Kings Canyon Resort, in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, will have a fresh look this cool season as with a new glamping product.
Set to open on June 1, six homestead-style tents will be designed to blend with the Northern Territory landscape while offering hotel comforts for guests.
The new glamping tents feature canvas sides and large windows to welcome in the views, as well as king beds with premium linens, modern lounge and dining area, split air-conditioning and private en-suite stocked with Australian spa-care products.
Outdoors, generous verandas offer cool lounging space.
Three tents have been designed for couples, while three family tents feature a king bed plus two king single beds.
Rates in the new glamping tents start at $390 per person per night and include breakfast.
Children twelve years of age and under stay free.
Visit www.kingscanyonresort.com.au.
Sunshine Coast luxury … Sir Richard Branson’s Makepeace Island.
Makepeace Island, Sir Richard Branson’s heart-shaped home on the Sunshine Coast, has reopened its doors to the public after an extensive makeover to the resort’s facilities.
The private island on Noosa River offers a fusion of luxury and wilderness, creating an ultimate escape just minutes from Noosa.
Visit www.makepeaceisland.com.
In Hittisau … Austria’s only women’s museum.
Away from the well-trodden path of Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck, tourists can experience the raw culture of the Alps or the charming day-to-day life in the towns and villages.
If a ranking of the most significant architectural regions in the world were to be drawn up, Vorarlberg would be in the top 10.
This community of villages in western Austria thrives off artisanship and local tradition.
Bregenzerwald Umgang guides visitors through 12 picturesque villages and shows their diverse creativity — from bus stops designed by internationally renowned designers in Krumbach to Austria’s only women’s museum, in Hittisau, and secret cheese cellars in Lindengau.
Visit www.bregenzerwald.at/en.
A once-in-a-lifetime event … a total eclipse over Chile.
To capture the once-in-a-lifetime event of a total solar eclipse, Wendy Wu Tours has released three ‘Chile Eclipse’ tours departing in late June this year.
The tours include an exclusive total-eclipse viewing experience with guests transported via private charter plane into the heart of La Serena in the Elqui Valley to a reserved viewing area for optimal star-gazing.
Here they will sip on premium South American wine as they are guided through this unforgettable celestial viewing by an eclipse expert, Dr Stuart Clark, astronomer and BBC presenter.
The itineraries range from seven to 18 days, with the shortest priced from $6980 per person twin-share, including international and charter flights, accommodation and sightseeing.
Phone 1300 727 998 or visit www.wendywutours.com.au/chile.
The Gobi Desert … a highlight of the little known country of Mongolia.
Travel through steppe, mountain and the Gobi Desert, exploring the nature and culture of the little known country of Mongolia.
And save $200, paying $4305 for Exodus Travels’ 13-day ‘Mongolia: Steppes, Deserts & Nomads’ adventure departing July 22.
The price includes all accommodation, all transport and listed activities, plus all breakfasts, lunch and dinners.
Venture into the dramatic and arid Gobi Desert, the largest desert region in Asia; explore the ‘singing dunes’ of the Khongorrin Els stretch; visit the Yolyn Am region which is home to diverse wildlife and endangered species such as khulan, ibex, argali and elusive snow leopards; and spend nine nights in a traditional ger camp, allowing yourself to absorb the fascinating nomadic culture.
Phone 1300 131 564 or visit www.exodustravels.com/au.
A suite on Oceania Cruises’ Insignia … potential home for a 180-day world cruise.
Oceania Cruises’ epic 2021 voyage ‘Around the World in 180 Days’, aboard Insignia, takes in three oceans and 44 seas, while visiting 100 ports of call in 44 countries on six continents.
Highlights include visits to 125 UNESCO world-heritage sites, and three days in each of Yangon and Istanbul.
There are also overnight stays planned in Bora Bora, Cairns, Hong Kong, Saigon, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai, Dubai, Luxor, Jerusalem, Venice, Lisbon, Seville and Bordeaux.
The cruise includes five exclusive shore events, such as being feted in Hilo’s Makahimi Games at the Umauma Falls Nature Center.
Here, Hawaii’s rich heritage will be on display as athletes compete in spirited spear-hurling competitions during a haka moa fight.
Inclusions include choice of choice of 70 free shore excursions, free beverage package or US$7000 shipboard credit, free pre-cruise hotel stay, free onboard laundry services, free internet, and free medical care.
Phone 1300 355 200 or visit www.oceaniacruises.com.
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi … offers safari-style tented villas.
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has launched safari-style tented villas that offer experiences of outdoor living under the stars — outdoor rain showers, roll-top tubs and locally sourced rustic interiors offering complete seclusion.
Built with wooden frames, amber-toned interiors and walls swathed in white canvas, the indoor and outdoor areas offer a spacious lounge space complete with handmade wooden furniture, bathing facilities and swimming pool.
For film aficionados, private pop-up cinema screenings can be set up, showcasing cult classics and blockbusters under the stars, while the adventurers can set sail to a nearby deserted island for a castaway picnic. Gourmands can head out to sea for a sunrise fishing trip and learn the art of Maldivian line fishing, before heading back to their jungle abode for a private jungle BBQ.
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is located at Shaviyani Atoll, in the North Maldives, and is accessible by domestic flight in 50 minutes from Male International Airport followed by speedboat from Hanimaadhoo Airport to the resort.
Visit www.fairmont-maldives.
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