Posted by Patrick Woolmer on Fri 15th August 2008 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Travel News
One of my favourite drives in the world is along the amazing Great Ocean road which skirts the southern coast of Australia. Truly wonderful and great surfing to boot - Bells Beach et al....
However, now a new and unique driving experience allows visitors to coastal Victoria to explore Australia’s Great Ocean Road by Porsche, Lamborghini and Aston Martin - or even a mini cooper! Moonlight Head Private Lodges offer the ‘Let’s Drive’ packages, which include two nights’ stay at the luxury eco retreats, all meals and beverages, airport transfers and a top of range car with an allowance of 1,000 km.
Located at the mid point of one of the world’s most scenic roads, a stay at Moonlight Head is the ultimate in decadence: there is a personal butler to draw your bath, your own chef preparing organic meals and a masseuse and yoga teacher on stand-by. Private guides can take you horse back riding out across the coastal dunes and down to the beaches to picnic at the Twelve Apostles, ecologists are on hand to escort you through the bush and introduce you to the unique Australian wildlife or you can spend the evening with a wine connoisseur for a fine wine tasting.
The lodges are world-class in eco-design and responsibility towards the environment in all aspects of operation and each enjoy uninterrupted and panoramic views of the Southern Ocean.
Confusing directions and a lack of signs meant we arrived at The Big Chill feeling, well, The Big Stress. However, proximity of parking to the festival and helpful stewards meant that we began to relax as soon as we got there, and our 3 and 5 year olds didn’t complain about the walk.
The glorious Malvern Hills provides a perfect festival backdrop. The lakes in the centre of the site add to the atmosphere of tranquillity.
The family camping was the best I’ve seen at a festival, with plenty of space, toilets and access to drinking water. The number of families there meant kids had a great time running in and out of each other’s tents- oh, and there was a festival to go to as well.
Unfortunately, the children’s entertainment didn’t start until 12pm, that’s a long wait when the kids wake up at 6am. Thank goodness for the bubble shop, no wonder they had a sign up declaring “Babysitting- £50 per hour”.
Read more...
Posted by Ruth Miller on Wed 13th August 2008 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Travel News
Melbourne has retained its Formula One Grand Prix for seven more years, until 2015. The city has been hosting the race every year since 1996.
As part of the new agreement, a later timeslot has been taken into consideration in order to accommodate European television audiences: next year’s race will start at 5pm on Sunday 29 March 2009.
The Formula One Grand Prix is one of the jewels in Melbourne’s high-profile events calendar. Last year’s race attracted more than 300,000 spectators to the inner-city Lake Albert street circuit, one of the best-attended races on the calendar.
Posted by Ruth Miller on Mon 11th August 2008 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Travel News
Melbourne’s Base St Kilda has been selected as one of the ‘Top Ten Luxury Hostels of the World’ by the popular online publication, The Travel Magazine. It was the only Australian hostel to make the list.
The Travel Magazine quoted that backpacking had entered a new era, where chic and modern facilities attracted a new breed of fashion conscious young travellers. Behind its striking red façade, Base St Kilda offers state-of-the-art facilities, a travel agency, Internet centre and a funky bar.
Female guests are treated to Aveda beauty products and can choose to stay in the luxurious and innovative girl’s only Sanctuary, with some including indoor mineral spas, pool bars and even a cup of tea served in bed.
Base St Kilda has previously been listed as one of the ‘Top Ten Hippest Hostels Worldwide’ in Lonely Planet’s Blue List. In total, there are 10 Base hostels to choose from in Australia and New Zealand.
The Troy, Chopper and Munich star Eric Bana has taken on the role of ambassador for this month’s Melbourne International Film Festival. The Melburnian actor leads a list of celebrities being signed to glam up the festival, which has Oscar-, Golden Globe-, BAFTA- and Emmy-winning actor Geoffrey Rush as its patron.
Eric Bana has been reported to be thrilled about the honour as “it’s my home town’s film festival and it’s much closer than Cannes, Toronto or Sundance!”
The organisers describe the selection of the films featured in this year’s 400-movie marathon as “bold” and “audacious”. The festival, which takes place from 25 July – 10 August, will include 10 world premieres.
Last year, Melbourne International Film Festival drew more than 180,000 people.
Melbourne has to be one of my favourite cities in Australia and linking up with the film festival, grand prix and Gordon Ramsay’s new restaurant might well be worthwhile......
