Deals of the week, November 28: New Zealand, NCL, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth
Walk up an appetite on a gourmet tour of central Victoria or take a train buff’s dream holiday in New Zealand.
Count the ways
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 12-day voyage from Sydney to New Zealand has a host of inclusions such as specialty dining, beverage packages and Wi-Fi. New ship Norwegian Spirit departs in December next year, visiting Eden, NSW, Burnie in Tasmania and Melbourne before crossing the ditch. From $3495 a person, twin-share.
Desert delights
Spend three nights at the recently refreshed Voyages Sails in the Desert resort at Uluru and enjoy a three-course Sounds of Silence dinner and visit to Bruce Munro’s stunning Field of Light installation. Accommodation is in a superior room for travel from January 1 to February 28 next year; from $599 a person. Guests have the option of adding an Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta tour from $149.
Green and gold
Gardening enthusiasts should thrive during an eight-night cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, sailing from Sydney to horticultural hotspots. Visits to Kangaroo, Lord Howe and Norfolk islands and the Melbourne Flower Show are among the highlights, along with tours of private gardens. Hosts on the Botanica World Discoveries trip are TV gardener Jamie Durie and horticulturalists Sarah Hamilton and Steve Falcioni. Departs December 13 next year; from $6995 a person, twin-share, including one night in a Sydney hotel.
Rooms to move
IHG Hotels and Resorts is offering 45-50 per cent off two-night minimum stays at 32 of the group’s properties across Australia. The deal applies to online bookings by Wednesday for travel to June 30, with the larger discount given to loyalty club members. Hotels covered include the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.
Walk up an appetite
Hedonistic Hiking has several new tours in its 2021 line-up that will appeal to foodies. A six-day Highlights of the Goldfields Track in central Victoria combines a guided 92km trek with fine dining and comfortable lodgings. Explore the history of the gold rush with stops at Daylesford and the mineral springs at Hepburn. Dinner at the renowned Lake House restaurant tops off the journey. Departures in March, May, June and November; $3425 a person, twin-share.
Make tracks
Couples save $1200 when they book Travelmarvel’s 15-day New Zealand rail adventure from Auckland to Christchurch by May 31 next year. The TranzAlpine train, the Taieri Gorge Railway and the Glenbrook vintage steam train will have rail buffs in their element. For travel from next February to March 2022; from $5495 a person, twin-share.
Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au.
OUT + ABOUT
Qantas and Jetstar will operate more than 250 return flights a week between Sydney and Queensland destinations from December 1, when the border with NSW reopens. A surge in flights from Melbourne to the Sunshine State is also likely. By Christmas, Virgin Australia will be operating 16 daily services between Sydney and QLD.
Baillie Lodges, which includes Longitude 131 at Uluru and Capella on Lord Howe Island in its portfolio, has acquired Canadian camp Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. The property, the group’s first international asset, comprises 24 luxurious tents on Vancouver Island.
Just in time for Christmas and the summer holidays, Lizard Island Resort will reopen to guests on December 14. The resort, with its 40 suites, is on the northernmost island on the Great Barrier Reef and offers access to 20 beaches.
Queensland has launched a Vine and Shine Trail that connects more than 70 wineries across the state. The self-drive trail is spread over six regions, from the Granite belt, out west to St George and the coastal hinterlands.
Captain Cook Cruises has released tickets for its Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve outings to see the fireworks. Three vessels will depart King Street Wharf at 8.30pm with a variety of food and beverage options. From $599 a person.