Deals of the week, December 19: Shangri-La, Tasmania, Japan, Perth
Stay in the lap of luxury in Sydney or take the Indian Pacific across the Nullarbor.
Stay and play
Three-night breaks at Sydney’s five-star Shangri-La Hotel are discounted by up to 43 per cent on select travel dates to December 28 next year. Accommodation is in an Executive Sydney Harbour Room and guests are treated to a $100 food and beverage credit, harbour outing with Captain Cook Cruises, daily breakfast, 12pm checkout and ferry pass.
Cook’s tour
Insight Vacations’ nine-day gourmet tour of Tasmania is hosted by Anneka Manning, founder of Sydney baking school BakeClub. Called Uncovering the Flavours of Tasmania, the trip ventures to Hobart, the Huon Valley, Freycinet Peninsula and Launceston, with input from renowned chef Analiese Gregory, Rodney Dunn of the Agrarian Kitchen and the owners of Fat Pig Farm, among others. Departs March 7; $5975 a person, twin-share.
Cabin fever
Book a 2021 or 2022 cruise with Holland America Line before February 28 to take advantage of savings of up to $US3800 ($5040) a stateroom. Cabin upgrades, beverage packages, specialty dining, discounted shore excursions and reduced children’s fares are all part of the View & Verandah package, along with a 50 per cent reduction in deposit.
New ports
Luxury cruise ship Scenic Eclipse will make its inaugural visit to Japan in mid-2023. The 12-day itinerary from Otaru in Sapporo down the west coast and around to Osaka spans ancient ruins, World War II history and natural beauty. Highlights include the 17th-century Uwajima Castle and the art of Naoshima Island. From $18,859 a person, twin-share; departs June 21, 2023.
More, not less
Also in Japan, Wendy Wu has savings of up to $900 on its 14-day Offbeat Japan offering. Visits to the snow monkeys of Yudanaka and the foot of Mount Fuji, and dining at Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant are on the agenda. From $9640 a person, twin-share, including international flights; departs May 9, 2022.
Make tracks
Globus guests can cross the Nullarbor from Adelaide to Perth via the Indian Pacific on a 10-day adventure. The journey starts in the Barossa Valley and on Kangaroo Island and ends with excursions to Margaret River, Rottnest Island and Busselton. From $6325 a person, twin-share. Departures from April 20 next year.
Best in the west
A two-night package centred on Perth’s elegant State Buildings includes accommodation in a Heritage Room at COMO The Treasury, choice of two dinner venues (Long Chim or Wildflower) with wine, breakfast at Post or Petition, afternoon tea with bubbles, aperitifs and nibbles at Wine Merchant, valet parking and a gift box. From $1495 for two. Available for bookings and stays to June 30 next year.
Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au.
OUT + ABOUT
Holiday-makers in Byron Bay seeking a distraction from the recent bad weather can head to the new Eleme Day Spa at the Crystalbrook Collection resort Byron at Byron. The facility, which has seven treatment rooms and is available to day and resort guests, opened on Wednesday.
Pinetrees Lodge on NSW’s Lord Howe Island has become the first hotel in Australia to obtain a carbon neutral certification under the federal government-backed Climate Active Program. The property obtained the certificate by investing in a biodiversity project in Indonesian Borneo and the Tasmanian Native Forest Protection Program.
Jetstar will begin direct flights between Melbourne and Busselton, gateway to Western Australia’s Margaret River region, on February 1. The airline originally intended to launch the service in March. It will operate the route three times a week; from $99 one way as part of the airline’s Christmas sale until midnight Saturday.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium has launched a Junior Keeper activity for young visitors during the school holidays. Kids have the chance to learn how staff care for the likes of penguins, sharks, rays and Pinjarra, the 5.5m-long saltwater crocodile. Participants receive a certificate after completing the supplied activity sheet.