Save on your next escape: Tasmania, Great Barrier Reef, hotel stays
Explore Tasmania’s wild side on a cruise around the state or take a luxury tour to outback Queensland and the reef.
Winter warmer
Southwest Victoria
The award-winning Drift House in the fishing village of Port Fairy has a new Winter Escape package. The deal covers daily a la carte breakfast featuring local ingredients, including the six-suite property’s popular spiced porridge. Owners John and Colleen say the firewood is ready and the honesty bar “bursting” with a new batch of local reds.
Fine print $345 a night per suite; available June 6 to August 31, excluding Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend; minimum three-night stay.
City break
Sydney
The 182-room West Hotel Sydney, a member of the design-driven Curio Collection by Hilton, has a new Park, Stay, Explore deal aimed at the staycation set. Its Sussex Street location is close to major city attractions but the package includes a choice of Curious Sydney itinerary suggestions such as helicopter flights and cultural touring.
Fine print From $250 a night for two; includes 24-hour self-parking, early check-in and late check-out. Valid to December.
Turf and surf
North Queensland
Travel by charter aircraft, 4WD and helicopter on a luxurious private seven-day journey from the outback to the Great Barrier Reef. Abercrombie & Kent’s package for a maximum 10 guests includes two nights at the rustic-luxe Mount Mulligan Lodge, a visit to Horn Island off Cape York, two nights at Lizard Island Resort and two nights at Riley hotel in Cairns.
Fine print $12,500 a person, twin-share; departs August 8, September 5 and October 8.
State of play
Tasmania
Explore Tasmania by land and sea on a 14-day circumnavigation of the state. Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer ship will visit Bruny, Flinders and Maria islands on the voyage, with opportunities to hike, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, spot wildlife and head out on Zodiac tours. Also on the agenda is the wild Maatsuyker island group (pictured) off the south coast.
Fine print From $15,996 a person, twin-share; departs Hobart on November 21.
In the news
Think Hot August Nights when the Darwin Festival shakes up the Top End from August 5 to 22. It opens with a free concert celebrating the music and culture of Gurrumul and the people of northeast Arnhem Land in a performance of the artist’s final album, Djarimirri, by Yolngu dancers and songmen and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.
The latest must-see on the Gold Coast is the new $60.5m gallery at the Home of the Arts cultural precinct. Spanning six levels, HOTA Gallery is the largest public art institution outside a capital city. Its launch exhibition is Solid Gold: Artists from Paradise, until July 4.
Alice Springs Helicopters is introducing a heli-mountain biking experience for riders around the remote Northern Territory town. Groups of two to four riders can take to the skies in a chopper equipped with bike racks. They have the option of five landing sites to access a network of mostly blue trails, with a few green and black runs. From $385 a person.
alicespringshelicopters.com.au
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas’s new CrocArena opens next month, offering visitors a Swim with the Salties experience, shows and an underwater viewing area.