Holiday savings: Cunard; Tasmania; Brisbane and Perth hotels
Take advantage of some great local hotel packages or enjoy savings of up to 20 per cent on Cunard voyages.
Private island
Tasmania
Crooked Compass has a seven-night tour from Hobart to Launceston for just six people. Ideal for a group of friends, the itinerary requires moderate fitness and includes private aircraft travel, glamping and wilderness lodge accommodation, nature walks and seafood feasts, exploration of southwest and northeast national parks and Indigenous cultural experiences.
Fine print Untamed Tasmania in Classe from $13,700 a person twin-share; departures March 6 and November 13, 2022.
Stay and save
Perth
Among a raft of Australian city hotel deals, Flight Centre is offering savings of up to 21 per cent for two-night stays at the four-star DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Northbridge plus buffet breakfasts, bonus extras such as sparkling wine on arrival, food and beverage voucher, complimentary Wi-Fi and a half-day Swan Valley tour.
Fine print From $299 a person twin-share for two nights; book by September 10 for stays to December 23.
Ooh la la
Brisbane
If a flight to France is but a fantasy, consider a Bon Weekend package with Parisian savoir-faire at the five-star Sofitel Brisbane Central, a member of French hospitality brand Accor. Overnight accommodation for two in a Superior or Luxury category guestroom, breakfast and self-parking, plus the CBD location means easy access to the Queensland capital’s best shopping precincts, dining and city attractions.
Fine print Valid to December 21; $294 a night, a $70 saving on regular rates.
Sail away
Afloat
Available to book until November 20, Cunard’s Annual Savings Event has discounts up to 20 per cent on 2022-23 voyages in regions including Australia, NZ, Europe, Alaska and Asia. Sample sailings include a 28-night Australian circumnavigation from Sydney from $6999 a person, a discount of $2300. Among myriad options are 13-night trans-Atlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2.
Fine print Lowest fares quoted are per person for a twin-share inside cabin.
In the news
Fully vaccinated guests will receive a complimentary upgrade at any Crystalbrook Collection properties for stays before December 20. The portfolio includes Crystalbrook Flynn, Riley and Bailey in Cairns and the new Kingsley in Newcastle. Book by October 31.
The annual Tulip Time at key locations such as Corbett Gardens in the NSW Southern Highlands will be a virtual event this year but online video viewings from September 17 to October 4 still promise a floral spectacle as 75,000 mass-planted tulips, cherry blossoms and flowering magnolias spread colour and cheer to celebrate the event’s 60th anniversary.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced Vignette Collection as its new luxury and lifestyle brand. Among the launch properties are Hotel X in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and Pattaya Aquatique in Thailand; ultra-cool art, community connections and distinctive design are all hallmarks.
Hurtigruten Expeditions has added its third battery-hybrid powered ship. MS Otto Sverdrup set off from Hamburg on its maiden round-trip journey to the Norwegian coast on August 24.