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Wild Bush Luxury is providing a complimentary air safari over Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre for Arkaba Conservancy guests during May, June and July.

Heavy summer rains in Queensland have created a rare opportunity for Wild Bush Luxury guests to witness the normally dry salt pans and ephemeral water source of South Australia’s desert country, and to experience a precious water flow that has trickled over 1000 kilometres south through the Diamantina System.

The six-hour air safari represents a saving of $2600 per couple and will ascend north from Parachilna Gorge, before traversing the open-cut coal fields of Leigh Creek, the outback township of Marree and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.

Guests will enjoy lunch at the iconic William Creek Hotel, set in one of Australia’s smallest townships, with local seasonal produce and South Australian wines.

Phone 1300 790 561
or visit www.wildbushluxury.com.

The Calile … newly opened Brisbane luxury. Image: Sean Fennessy.

Restore, replenish and rejuvenate at The Goodnight Co’s sleep retreat at Brisbane’s new Calile Hotel from June 7-9.

This retreat has been specifically designed for the corporate and high-frequency travellers who spend their lives in hotels and need to find that important balance between work and sleep.

Guests will hear from a group of facilitators and learn how to set themselves up for a good night’s sleep no matter where they are.

Prices start from $2500 for two nights in a single poolside room, including workshops, yoga and meditation, five nutritious meals, a welcome pack valued at over $300 and massage on arrival.

Visit www.retreat.thegoodnightco.com.au.

 Cooinda’s new glamping set-up … one solid wall, a glass front door and a deck with outdoor furniture.

One of Kakadu’s longest-established tourism accommodation operators, Cooinda Lodge & Camping, is marking the fortieth anniversary of Kakadu National Park by unveiling a complete refurbishment of its Lodge rooms, as well as the launch in June of the new glamping village, Dreaming@Home Billabong.

Cooinda is in the heart of Kakadu National Park, and incorporates prime tourism attractions such as Yellow Water Cruises and Warradjan Cultural Centre as well as Spirit of Kakadu 4WD Adventure Tours.

It is also very conveniently located to the Nourlangie rock art site, and well positioned for tours to Jim Jim, Twin Falls and the Maguk and Gunlom waterfalls and rock pools.

Dreaming@HomeBillabong, featuring 20 permanent upmarket tents supplied by Eco Structures Australia, will make its debut in June after the success of three previous seasonal pop-up Flash Camp villages.

The new glamping tents are being built on wooden platforms to ensure year-round usability and minimal environmental impact. The canvas tents will have one solid wall, a glass front door and a deck with outdoor furniture.

The tents will have electric lighting, air-conditioning, fan and bar fridge, along with cabinetry and occasional chairs.

Rates for the glamping tents will start at $149 per night.

Visit www.kakadutourism.com.

 The Ghan … 90 days of birthday surprises.

The Ghan celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and to celebrate is offering 90 days of birthday surprises.

Among the offers is a bonus three nights’ hotel stay in Adelaide or Darwin with a Gold Service fare in June, July, August, October and November.

Prices are from $2359 per person and the offer is available until June 2.

Phone 132 147 or visit www.journeybeyond.com.

 East Arnhem Land … Lirrwi’s day tours have been developed by the local Yolngu people.

Indigenous tourism operator Lirrwi Tourism is offering two new full-day adventures in East Arnhem Land in 2019, to provide a perfect chance for visitors to the Northern Territory to be introduced to the Yolngu people, their homelands and their culture in one unforgettable day.

Lirrwi’s day tours have been developed by Yolngu people to offer visitors an incredible cultural adventure in the community’s remote homelands and surrounding regions.

The day tours operate from Nhulunbuy (Gove) and include the ‘Gove Gululu Day Tour’.

Gululu means ‘Welcome to our Country’ and indeed that’s what this full-day tour is.

Yolngu are the traditional owners of Miwatj region across both sea and land.

Visitors learn about Yolngu culture, and spend time sitting and walking together with a local Yolngu guide.

Visitors are introduced to places of cultural significance including Daliwoi Bay, Maccassans Beach, and beautiful Turtle Beach, known as Little Bondi.

The price of $330 per person fare includes morning tea, lunch, Buku-Larrnggay Mulka (Arts) Centre activities, all permits and the company of a Yolngu tour guide.

Visit www.lirrwitourism.com.au.

 Sofitel Sydney Wentworth … a major technology overhaul.

Now in its fifty-third year, one of the harbour city’s grand old dames, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, is ready to unveil a most stylish makeover, as it steps into 2019 with a major technology overhaul.

To celebrate, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth welcomes guests to experience the new facilities over the Easter break with rates starting from $613 per room based on a three-night stay, saving up to 25 per cent.

With a chic soft grey palate and muted tones throughout, the sophisticated guestrooms feature new upholstered bedheads, artworks, carpets and high-backed fabric armchairs with matching ottomans.

A major technology overhaul brings one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels up to speed, with the launch of IPTV including Chromecast on all guestroom TV’s together with a wi-fi upgrade.

Visit www.sofitelsydney.com.au.

Sanctuary Retreats’ Ananda … takes guests along the great rivers of Myanmar.

Imagine the romance of drifting down a river, past ancient monuments and intriguing villages; sailing through epic, timeless landscapes; exploring some of the most incredible cultural and historical sites in the world.

The biggest challenge for many travellers might simply be deciding which cruise to take.

Sanctuary Retreats offers cruises along the Nile in Egypt, the Three Gorges area of China’s Yangzi River, or the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers in Myanmar.

Its all-suite cruise ship Sanctuary Ananda, for instance, takes guests along the great rivers of Myanmar — on the majestic Irrawaddy from Bagan to Mandalay, visiting temples, pagodas, palaces and monasteries along the way, while journeys on its great tributary, the Chindwin, will go to places visitors rarely see, through the jungles of the north, forgotten villages and ancient towns, almost to the Indian border.

Three-night cruises are priced from US$1286 per couple, with rates inclusive of accommodation, meals, soft drinks and local beer throughout the day, wine with dinner and a full program of excursions and experiences.

Visit www.sanctuaryretreats.com. 

A restored Stanley Steamer … everyone wanted one in 1892.

Remember the blue Ford Anglia Police Car in the British TV series Heartbeat?

That little 1965 gem can still be seen parked in a village on the North York Moors.

Yes, the TV village of Aidensfield was actually Goathland in Yorkshire.

This is just one of the many unusual attractions that Toursgallery will show guests on a 22-day UK Tour in August.

In 1892 the car everyone wanted was the revolutionary Stanley Steamer, restored examples of which will also be seen.

The tour is priced at $13,880 per person twin-share.

Phone 1300 307 317 or visit www.toursgallery.com.

 Garden & Villas Resort … ideal base for visiting the world of My Brilliant Friend.

The volcanic island of Ischia, off the coast of southern Italy, is garnering much attention of late and not just for its spectacular scenery.

The ‘Green Island’, as nicknamed by locals, forms part of the backdrop for the acclaimed series My Brilliant Friend, based on the much-loved Elena Ferrante novel.

Fans will delight in the new ‘Places of Elena Ferrante’ package offered by guided tour of Ischia to discover the places of the novel when the resort reopens for summer this year.

Using Garden & Villas Resort as a base, this package will transport fans to the real-life locations of Ischia Porto, Ischia Ponte, the Maronti beach and Citara where the lives of characters Lila, Lenù, Dino and Donato Sarratore are forever changed.

Guests will also receive a full day pass to the Poseidon Gardens where they can dip their toe in the many thermal pools that give Ischia its moniker of ‘The thermal capital of Europe’.

Prices are from €390.00 per person, including a guided tour of Ischia by private car to discover the places of the novel.

Visit www.gardenvillasresort.it Pullman Nadi Bay Resort & Spa … bringing the brand to Fiji.

Accor’s Pullman brand is set to make its debut in Fiji this month with the launch of the Pullman Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, which sits on its own secluded corner of local-favourite, Wailoaloa Beach, a largely unexplored stretch of shore on Nadi Bay.

For guests, that means 180-degree uninterrupted ocean views and vistas of one of Fiji’s most recognised mountains, The Sleeping Giant.

A 10 minute-drive from Nadi International Airport and its commercial centre in one direction and an equally speedy 10 minutes to Port Denarau’s entertainment precinct makes it one of the most convenient resort addresses in the Fiji Islands.

A towering cathedral-style bure and striking art installations ensure an elegant arrival, but the sun-drenched piazza-style playground at the heart of the resort is where guests will really want to be.

Pullman’s palm-lined hub is designed around four pools — an adults-only pool, a separate children’s pool and two family pools.

Opening rates start at F$390 per room per night (including levies and taxes).

Visit www.pullmanhotels.com.