Australia Uncovered

and welcome to the latest edition of Australia Uncovered. Well it’s the end of daylight savings and summer is well and truly over here in New Zealand, but there is still plenty of G’day, beach time to be had in Australia. For this month’s Destination pristine beaches and historical upcoming events. To book any Profile on page two, we decided to towns. Best of all, it’s just a four of the suggested products or share a special spot in Australia’s hour drive from Brisbane. events please contact your local sun-loving state Queensland. We also have some new and wholesaler. For more unique New Exhibition The Southern Great Barrier Reef unique product ideas from around Aussie holiday ideas to share with at Melbourne region boasts tropical islands, Australia as well as a snapshot of your clients visit Australia.com. Museum Ozwest Airlines Launch in W.A The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia exhibition at Ozwest Airlines have launched in Western Australia Melbourne Museum will catering for groups with limited time to visit the state’s explore an era of extraordinary major attractions with options including scenic flights invention and innovation, the to Margaret River, Monkey Mia, Rottnest Island and impact of which is still shaping more. our lives thousands of years Ozwest’s small, 8-seater aircrafts with high wings later. and large panoramic windows allow for an enhanced It will feature over 170 viewing experience of the spectacular Western Australian landscapes including the outback and coastline. artefacts from the world Ozwest offer a range of scenic charter flights and are also available for custom designed touring and famous Middle East collection adventure flights to remote destinations that can incorporate overnight stays and guided ground tours. of The British Museum. From massive carved stone reliefs A Guided Taste South Australia is coming to a depicting scenes of battles and hunting to stunning gold of Tasmania town near you! jewellery. The South Australian Tourism Commission and ten South Australian This exhibition focuses on Tourism Operators will travel from Christchurch to Auckland from three of the great centres of 28 Apr-4 May, showcasing what the state has to offer. ancient civilisation; Sumer, Assyria and Babylon – bringing Visitors can take a unique The nationwide roadshow and Zealand and everyone that their rich history to life through Herbaceous Tour through the travel expo is a great opportunity attends will go in the draw to objects and multimedia. farm gate to meet a diverse for agents and consumers to talk WIN a 10 day holiday to South Themes in the exhibition group of farmers, providers and directly with the experts and Australia. include palaces and royal producers of fine Tasmanian find out more about what there For more information on power, religious beliefs and food and wines. is to see and do in Adelaide and dates and locations visit rituals, burial practices and Tour goers can taste the South Australia. nz.southaustralia.com or to royal tombs, and the myths delicious produce and learn how The roadshow will visit 9 register your attendance email and legends that surround it is lovingly provided and get destinations around New [email protected]. ancient Mesopotamia. to know makers and growers of; cheese, saffron, honey, mushrooms, olives, organic beef, Nocturnal wonders in Manly fruit wines, olive oil, ice-cream After Dark Nature Tours offer sunset and nocturnal tours of and more. Most of the facilities Harbour National Park departing from Shelly Beach in Manly. For visited are working farms or the more adventurous, the Night Wonders tour uses the latest factories that do not normally night vision technology to enable participants to interact with cater for visitors, making these local wildlife such as possums, echidnas, bandicoots and owls. tours a rare insight into growing The tour also provides a snapshot of the area’s Aboriginal and top-quality produce Tasmania is European history and the respective cultures’ interactions with well known for. each other and the natural environment.

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Travel Today, Thursday 05 April 2012 Page 5 Australia Uncovered

Profile On: Southern Great Barrier Reef The southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef boasts 140 kilometres of unspoiled coastline, several national parks and coral cays. Visitors can also enjoy the Capricorn region featuring great hospitality of the region’s dozens of isolated beaches as Lady Elliot Island towns including Bundaberg, well as historic towns and a Rockhampton and Gladstone range of inland natural wonders Heavenly beaches, a declared opportunity to truly interact and each offering a range of unique including cave systems, Marine National Park and connect with the underwater experiences and activities. rainforests, National Parks and luxurious eco accommodation world, with world class The area also incorporates the ancient Aboriginal rock art.. combine to make Lady Elliot snorkelling and diving including Island a dream holiday the opportunity to get up close destination. with turtles and manta rays. Bundaberg Rum Distillery Lady Elliot Island provides the As well as swimming with Bundaberg is the heart of Queensland’s these special creatures, visitors sugar country and produces the famous 1770 LARC Tours can also witness green and Bundaberg Rum. loggerhead turtles as they return The Bundaberg Rum Distillery offers a to the island each year between fascinating guided tour where visitors can November and February to start see, smell and taste their way through the a new life cycle. When the sun rum production process and learn about goes down, they clamber up the the history of Bundaberg Rum which was beach to dig deep pits and lay established in 1888. their eggs. After being guided through each step of 1770 LARC Tours provide truly At the end of the nesting season the run making process, the tour concludes unique, multi award winning, from February to April, visitors in the onsite bar where guests can enjoy a amphibian adventures. The can watch as hundreds of baby refreshing sample with a variety of Bundy tours depart from the town turtles hatch and make their mixes and rum liqueur based drinks. of 1770 and take guests on way to the water. a thrilling journey in a bright pink boat with wheels along Getting There Capricorn Caves the coastlines of Eurimbula Brisbane airport is the closest Capricorn Caves are located north of Rockhampton and are a National Park and the international airport to the unique system of above-ground caves in a limestone ridge. There waterways of Bustard Bay. Southern Great Barrier Reef. is a range of guided tours available ranging from easy walking Highlights of the tours Self-drive is the best way tours to adventurous caving tours where visitors can squeeze, include a visit to Queensland’s to access and experience climb and explore their way through the caves and tunnels. There oldest lighthouse and the this region and it takes is even a Family Adventure Caving tour so children can experience opportunity to have a go at approximately four hours the thrill of caving too. sand boarding or fishing. to reach Bundaberg from Capricorn Caves also offer abseiling with both easy and Along the journey guests can Brisbane. Alternatively, there hard decent options down a natural rock face into the cave enjoy the spectacular scenery are domestic flights, trains environment below. and may even catch a glimpse and buses from Brisbane to of the local wildlife including the Southern Great Barrier kangaroos, sea eagles, turtles, Reef region. dolphins and stingrays. Lady Elliot Island can be 1770 LARC Tours also operate accessed on a 30 minute customised tours and one scenic flight from Bundaberg hour joy rides so there is and from a number of other something to suit everybody. regional airports.

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Travel Today, Thursday 05 April 2012 Page 5 Events and Festivals Check out these fantastic events and festivals across Australia that will take place over the coming months. For a comprehensive database of Australian events go to www.australia.com/events.

Targa Tasmania 17-22 Apr Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster 25 May-3 Jun It’s the thrill of exotic fast cars competing under the toughest con- Now in its twelfth year, the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster ditions. Over six days of Targa Tasmania, the world’s best touring, will feature an outstanding line-up of concerts and events for the sports and GT cars compete in competitive stages on the island’s entertainment of Kimberley residents and visitors from across the toughest roads. globe that the region attracts at this time of the year. targatasmania.com.au ordvalleymuster.com.au

Sydney Comedy Festival 24 Apr-12 May 25 May-11 June This year’s features big name internation- Vivid Sydney brings together large scale light installations and pro- al and local comedians who will be performing at venues across jections, music performances, creative ideas, stimulating discus- Sydney, including Charlie Murphy, , Stephen K Amos, sions and debates, showcasing Sydney as a major creative hub. Danny Bhoy and Jason Byrne. vividsydney.com sydneycomedyfest.com.au Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival 28-29 May From France to Freycinet Festival 4-13 May A fantastic festival held in Exmouth to mark the beginning of the A biennial event celebrating French history on Tasmania’s East whale shark season. The festival comprises of a family day of fun Coast. The event is a celebration of the region’s rich natural history, with live music and entertainment, educational displays and of magnificent natural beauty, abundant marine life, delicious fresh course, the opportunity to view the whale sharks. seafood and award winning wines. ningaloowhalesharkfestival.com fromfrancetofreycinet.com.au Melbourne Winter Masterpieces - Napoleon: Narooma Oyster Festival, Narooma 5-6 May Revolution to Empire 2 Jun-7 Oct An annual event of high-class feasting, culture and entertainment Napoleon: Revolution to Empire is a panoramic exhibition at the surrounded by the pristine natural environment of the New South National Gallery of Victoria examining French art, culture and life Wales South Coast. narooma.org.au/oysterfestival from the 1770s to the 1820s. ngv.vic.gov.au

The Noosa International Food and Wine Festival Surfers Paradise Festival 20 Jun-14 Jul 17-20 May An annual community celebration of music, food, fashion, film and One of Australia’s premier Food and Wine events, boasting over 180 art. Across the four weekends of the festival, the Surfers Paradise leading international and national chefs, winemakers, media and precinct becomes a dynamic, inclusive and interactive event space restaurateurs. and a hub of Gold Coast creativity. surfersparadise.com noosafoodandwine.com.au Avon Decent 4-5 Aug High Country Harvest 18-27 May One of Western Australia’s premier sporting events that attracts Food lovers are invited to feast and forage their way around Victo- competitors and spectators from around the globe. Competitors ria’s bountiful High Country over 10 delectable days in May at the challenge the Avon and Swan Rivers in a variety of paddle and region-wide High Country Harvest, featuring more than 40 events. power craft in an exciting two-day time trail across 134 gruelling highcountryharvest.com.au kilometres. avondescent.com.au

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend 19-20 May NAB Barossa Gourmet Weekend 18-19 Aug Wineries partner with restaurants and entertainment to provide The leading winery cellar doors of the region pull out all the stops the ultimate experience of elegant wine and fantastic food in South to showcase Barossa hospitality, a range of outstanding wines Australia’s Clare Valley, just 90 minute’s drive north of Adelaide. matched with delicious food and musical entertainment. clarevalleygourmet.com.au nz.southaustralia.com

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