What is thought by many to be Kakadu’s most-established tourist centre, Cooinda, has opened its Outback Retreat glamping tents for the first time since March.
Cooinda Lodge has been operating a scaled-back range of accommodation as a result of reduced interstate travel as a result of the impact of covid-19, but with an increase in interest in the destination as well as the prospect of greater accessibility from interstate markets, it was decided to reopen the glamping accommodation.
The glamping tents add to Cooinda Lodge’s hotel-style rooms and extensive camping-ground facilities.
Cooinda is the base for Yellow Water Cruises, one of Kakadu’s most popular attractions and a central focus of Kakadu Bird Week activities.
Outback Retreat tents are available from $199 per night.
Visit www.kakadutourism.com
Fairmont Port Douglas: the luxury Fairmont brand is coming to Australia for the first time.
Accor will bring the luxury Fairmont brand to Australia for the first time, with the announcement that the Fairmont Port Douglas is set to open in Far North Queensland in 2023.
The hotel is set on the edge of two UNESCO World Heritage sites — the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Fairmont Port Douglas will boast 253 rooms, several restaurants and bars, a decadent day spa, a treetop walk and panoramic conference and wedding facilities, all designed around resort-style pools.
There will be butterfly nets above the children’s swimming pool, an intimate lobby inspired by birds’ nests and tropical gardens.
Visit www.all.accor.com
Murray Princess: food is a highlight of the cruise.
Welcome in 2021 on a five-night Murray Princess New Year’s Eve cruise on the Murray River departing Mannum on December 30.
This one-off cruise has been designed to celebrate New Year’s Eve and will incorporate a five-night cruise itinerary.
Visit historic Swan Reach and discover the fascinating town on a guided walking tour before touring Swan Reach Museum (gold-coin donation).
Experience cruising through Lock 1, one of thirteen along the river, at Blanchetown, and enjoy a cellar door tasting and tour of the vineyard at Burk Salter Boutique Winery.
Learn about Aboriginal history at the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve — one of Australia’s most significant archaeological sites — and take part in a guided boardwalk tour of ancient rock carvings.
Food is a highlight of the cruise.
Indulge in a hot breakfast each morning, a delicious two-course lunch each day and a three-course dinner each evening.
The cruise also includes an Aussie-style barbecue dinner and bush dance on the riverbank, New Year’s Eve Dinner and celebrations, and a complimentary pre-dinner drinks with officers on the final night.
Fares start from $1622 per person twin-share.
Visit www.murrayprincess.com.au.
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures: discover the unique beauty of the Otways.
In line with the Victorian Government’s recent move to ease covid-19 restrictions in regional Victoria, Otway Fly Treetop Adventures has reopened to the public.
Guests can discover the unique beauty of the Otways from the elevated walkway, knowing there are additional health and safety measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of all visitors and team members.
Management asks that all guests please pre-book their tickets online in advance so we can carefully manage the number of people on the Treetop Walk and inside the visitor centre.
Located 20 minutes from the Great Ocean Road, Otway Fly Treetop Adventures gives people of all ages the opportunity to reconnect with nature and immerse themselves in a serene outdoor environment.
Guests can discover some of Australia’s best rainforest scenery from the 25m-high Treetop Walk and the 45m-tall Spiral Tower.
Visit www.otwayfly.com.au.
Reflections Holiday Parks: some the state’s best beaches.
Stay and save up to $300 on all cabin accommodation with Reflections Holiday Parks on the NSW Far North Coast December 15.
Take a road trip to the NSW Far North Coast to take in some the state’s best beaches, coastal towns, lush rainforest and winding rivers.
Spot celebrities chilling out at Byron Bay, surf the famous Lennox Head right-hand point break or enjoy the peaceful calm of Brunswick Heads.
The longer you stay, the more you save on all cabin accommodation at Evans Head, Ballina, Shaws Bay, Lennox Head, Clarkes Beach, Massy Greene, Ferry Reserve and Terrace Reserve.
Visit www.reflectionsholidayparks.com.au.
You don’t know what you’ll come across on a walk through a forest.
Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine is celebrating its centennial with the theme ‘Celebrate-Pray-Create’ and proving that a celebration can be “a walk in the park” or, in this case, a walk through a forest.
The shrine is presenting a multi-faceted festival of arts and culture.
The festival will help visitors to reconsider the relationship between Japanese arts, culture and nature and introduce a uniquely Japanese aesthetic to the world.
With an overarching theme of “tradition and innovation” the festival has a program of events taking place throughout 2020 and into 2021.
Highlights include outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the serene natural surroundings of the forest, art shows and contemporary culture programs.
Running parallel to these events there are also programs to support promotion and revitalization activities for regional disaster struck areas.
Visit www.japan-guide.com.
NOTE: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.
.jpg){kind=tracking}