Following the creation of the Four Seasons Tented Camp and Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand and his own Bensley Collection tented camp in Cambodia, Bill Bensley is currently designing his most ambitious and innovative wildlife conservation concept to date, Worldwild China, or as it has become known, the Human Zoo.
This animals-first concept will prioritise animal welfare while developing unique conservation-conscious learning experience for guests and visitors.
For the animals, it will be a place for Respect, Refuge and Rehabilitation, while for humans, it is being created for Education, Excitement and Experiences.
Set in 2000 acres in southern China’s Guangdong province, the wildlife sanctuary and reserve will have seven luxury hotels with a total of 2000 rooms, scheduled to open in 2022.
Visit www.bensley.com.
Le Commandant Charcot: will take 270 guests to far-flung polar destinations.
Despite cruising being largely on pause for the moment, Ponant has been busy on completing Le Commandant Charcot, the compamy’s future high-polar exploration ship.
The luxurious vessel is sceduled to be be delivered in April next year.
In its inaugural season, Le Commandant Charcot will take 270 guests to far-flung polar destinations — the Geographic North Pole, and the far reaches of the Antarctic, much of which still remains practically unexplored.
It’s an exceptional ship designed to minimise its environmental impact and will be able to access remote areas that were previously difficult for scientists to reach.
Visit au.ponant.com.
A Queensland koala joey: an exciting arrival.
Just as Austalians have started emerging from lockdown, some of the first Queensland koala joeys of the season have started to show their noses as they begin to explore the outside world for the first time after spending the last few months growing in their mothers’ pouches.
Keepers at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, near Brisbane, are celebrating the exciting arrival of their first koala joey of the season after spotting a little head and black nose popping out from the pouch.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is not the only one celebrating a new addition, with Cooberie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, near Yeppoon, also welcoming a new joey.
“We’re not quite sure if it’s a boy or a girl, however, we’ve chosen Kudos as its name,” Cooberrie Park Ranger Kieron Smedley said.
Visit www.queensland.com.
Quintessential Outback scenery: the Larapinta Trail.
With travel restrictions likely to be lifted in coming months, World Expeditions, has announced enhancements to its operating procedures and practices, designed to ensure travellers’ safety and minimise the risk of spreading covid-19.
The new protocols, which build on World Expeditions’ existing safety and risk mitigation strategy, will be adopted initially by the company’s domestic brands, Australian Walking Holidays and Tasmanian Expeditions, as well as its New Zealand brands, Adventure South and Trail Journeys.
The new covid-19-specific measures include new screening procedures for clients pre-departure as well as new operational procedures, such as having all passengers equipped with a mask when travelling on short-distance transfers to trail heads or camps.
World Expeditions offers a range of self-guided and guided walking adventures as well as multi-activity active adventures in every state in Australia and in the Northern Territory, including nine different ways to experience quintessential Outback scenery along the Larapinta Trail in the Red Centre.
Visit www.worldexpeditions.com.
The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium: has reopened its doors.
In line with the Victorian Government’s recent move to ease covid-19 restrictions, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has reopened its doors (from June 1).
Guests can discover the marine magic of the aquarium knowing there are additional health and safety measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of all visitors, team members and animals.
The reopening of the whole aquarium — including the new Ocean Invaders exhibit featuring thousands of mesmerising jellyfish — has given families the opportunity to experience a much-needed outing.
The venue is moving forward with a cashless approach and is requesting all visitors pre-book their tickets online to guarantee entry, and the daily capacity has been reduced to allow for social distancing and the best possible guest experience.
Visit www.melbourneaquarium.com.au.
Tasmania’s Ship Inn Stanley: seven luxurious suites.
Longing for a change of scene, far away from the rat race, or lets face it, the same four walls of your lounge room?
Tasmania’s Ship Inn Stanley has seven luxurious suites nestled in a heritage-listed seaside inn built as a pub in the 1840s and oozing chic style, charm and history.
Lose yourself in the evocative local stories each suite showcases, from tales of sea merchants and prime ministers to local shipwrecks and colonial struggles.
Backing onto the remnants of an extinct volcano and gazing out to sea, each suite has stunning views.
Explore the mighty Nut, the empty beaches, the nearby rainforests and waterfalls, and watch the little penguins come in.
Contact Ship Inn direct to take advantage of three nights for the price of two for stays up to October 31.
Visit shipinnstanley.com.au.
NOTE: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.
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