Holiday packages: Brisbane opera; The Frames, Riverland; Kakadu; Tarkine
See Wagner’s epic Ring cycle during an immersive stay in Brisbane or enjoy two nights in luxury overlooking the Murray River.
Ring masters
Queensland and NSW
Enjoy premium seats for the highly anticipated performance of Wagner’s Ring cycle in Brisbane, the centrepiece of a nine-day package with Renaissance Tours. Pre-show talks on the epic opera will enhance the experience. Also included are a visit to the Glass House Mountains, Tweed Regional Gallery and the Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah. Accommodation is at the five-star Emporium Hotel.
Fine print $7950 a person, twin-share; single supplement $1150; November 5-13.
Into the wild
Tasmania
Eco retreat Corinna Wilderness Experience, nestled in the cool temperate rainforest of the Tarkine region, is offering three-night stays that include daily breakfast packs plus morning coffee to kickstart the day. Guests also receive one dinner pack for preparation in their quarters plus a bottle of local sauvignon blanc or pinot noir. That’s plenty of fuel for walks, river kayaking and a spot of birdwatching.
Fine print $700 a couple; book by September 1.
Coo-ee Kakadu
Northern Territory
Admire magnificent Kakadu National Park from the air on a 30-minute scenic flight as part of a special deal with Cooinda Lodge. A two-hour cruise on Yellow Water Billabong and buffet breakfast for two are also on the agenda. Owned by the Indigenous community, Cooinda Lodge has motel-style rooms and airconditioned glamping tents, and is within easy reach of spectacular waterfalls and rock art sites.
Fine print From $499 a night, twin-share; extra night from $249; for travel in August.
River retreat
South Australia
Looking out over the mighty Murray River, The Frames delivers luxury and indulgence in its adults-only villas. Pick of the bunch is the two-bedroom Collage Retreat, which has a barbecue terrace and heated lap pool plus an indoor Jacuzzi. A two-night package includes daily e-bike hire, a tour of 23rd Street Distillery in Renmark, a tasting at the riverside Woolshed Brewery in Murtho and breakfast provisions.
Fine print From $1749 for Collage Retreat, twin-share; book by August 31 for travel by July 11, 2022.
In the news
Golden Horizon, the 272-passenger sailing ship that was due to conduct 14 voyages around Australia from December, has postponed its season to 2022-23. British cruise line Tradewind Voyages cited a lack of clarity from the federal government on the resumption of cruising as the reason for cancelling. Guests have the option of refunds or moving bookings. The ship embarked on its maiden voyage this week in England.
There’s more of the same from Cunard, which has rescheduled the departure of its inaugural gardening cruise from Melbourne to February 2023. The seven-day sailing on Queen Elizabeth to Adelaide, Hobart and Port Arthur had been expected to depart this December.
New-build hotel Holiday Inn Werribee has opened on the outskirts of Melbourne. The 150-guestroom property, which offers easy access to Werribee’s zoo, rose garden and heritage-listed mansion, has all-day dining and a lobby-lounge designed for business and pleasure. Book by August 31 for opening specials from $110 a night.
Tasmania’s Great Eastern Wine Weekend has become an 11-day festival, running from September 3 to 13, with 50 events across the region.
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