In this edition – Ningaloo Coast added to World Heritage List, celebrity chef Peter Evans to host Bamurru Plains Food and Fishing Safari, Perth welcomes a new roof-top bar and Australia’s accommodation industry honoured at annual awards.
30 June 2011, Issue 20
Ningaloo Coast added to World Heritage List UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has announced the inclusion of the Ningaloo Coast on the World Heritage List, acknowledging it as one of the outstanding natural places in the world. The Ningaloo Coast is the 19th place in Australia to be recognised on the World Heritage List and is located on the easternmost point of the West Australian coast, covering more than 600,000 hectares and stretching for more than 200 kilometres. Its natural attractions feature lush and colourful underwater scenery contrasting with arid and rugged land, and the annual coral spawning at Ningaloo Reef attracts the largest number of the world’s largest fish – the whale shark – anywhere in the world. In March this year Ningaloo-Shark Bay was also announced as one of Australia’s National Landscapes, joining 11 other iconic locations of natural, cultural and spiritual significance which are part of the program. Celebrity chef Peter Evans hosts Bamurru Plains Food and Fishing Safari Celebrity chef Peter Evans’ passion is fish: catching it, cooking it and sharing it with friends – and that’s what he’ll be doing as host of an exclusive Food and Fishing Safari at Bamurru Plains luxury camp in the Northern Territory from 17-21 March 2012. The Safari will combine an exclusive wilderness experience with excellent fishing and great food in a beautiful setting. Peter will guide guests through an interactive fish cooking master class, where they’ll learn about preparation, cooking techniques and a range of fresh, simple recipes. He’ll also host a dinner party and a cocktail party, featuring fresh fish – recipes included. Ex-HMAS Adelaide Reserve Dive Site open The Ex-HMAS Adelaide was scuttled off the New South Wales Central Coast in April 2011, creating the state’s first artificial reef and internationally-acclaimed military dive site. The vessel lies 1.8 kilometres off Avoca Beach with access from Terrigal in 32 metres of water. Diving began in May this year and dive operators have already reported the artificial reef is developing well and is attracting plenty of marine life. New accommodation at Eco Beach in The Kimberley Eco Beach, a 90-minute drive from Broome in Western Australia’s North West, has launched its new Beach Houses, offering private, ocean-front escapes ideal for families and small groups. Set upon a cliff-top overlooking the Indian Ocean and Kimberley bushland, the two self-contained houses are linked by timber decks with a shared open-air living space. Each house sleeps six people with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Eco Beach offers guests a range of activities including daily yoga, massage, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, snorkelling and, from 1 July, whale-watching, when majestic Humpback Whales return to the area as part of their annual migration. Australia’s accommodation industry honoured at annual awards Australia’s top accommodation properties have been recognised at the 2011 Accommodation Association of Australia National Awards for Excellence, held on 27 June, 2011. The Scone Motor Inn & Conference Centre in NSW was named Property of the Year, while other major winners include: • Best 5-star or Premier Accommodation Hotel – Sofitel Sydney Wentworth (Sydney, NSW) • Best 4.5-star or Luxury Accommodation Motel – Hermitage Lodge (Pokolbin, NSW) • Best Hotel 4.5-star or Luxury Accommodation – Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique, QLD • Best Hotel 4-star or Deluxe Accommodation – Crowne Plaza Adelaide, SA • Best Hosted Accommodation 5-star or Premier Accommodation – Delderfield, VIC • Best Self-Contained 5-star or Premier Accommodation – Banjos Bushland Retreat (Vacy, NSW) • Chain of the Year – Accor Hotels For a full list of award recipients, please click here Migrants’ reflections on place at Immigration Museum A video installation featuring migrants and refugees who share their experiences of migration and travel will open at the Immigration Museumhttp://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/ on 10 July, 2011. Belonging: Reflections on Placewill incorporate a series of monitors featuring close ups of 30 people who speak about their experiences in migrating from place to place, revealing insightful details about their different emotions and senses of home and belonging. Aussie Walkabout exhibit open at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Taronga Western Plains Zoo in NSW has opened the newly refurbished Aussie Walkabout exhibit where visitors can now wander among wallabies, koalas and quokkas. Part of the improvements include the increased the number of keeper presentations in the zoo, plus a greater focus on the zoo’s key conservation programs such as the Tasmanian Devil, Black Rhinoceros and Przewalski’s Horse. A newly-painted Aboriginal mural by local artist Lewis Burns and Nathan Peckham is also featured in the walkthrough and tells the story of the Wiradjuri people, the history of the land and the natural environment. Perth welcomes new roof-top bar Sitting on top of Carnegie’s on Murray Street in Perth’s CBD, The Conservatory is an innovative new bar and restaurant. The venue features a luxurious fit-out and offers panoramic views of the city. A 14-metre retractable roof can be pulled back to take advantage of Perth’s sunshine and to also keep guests warm and dry in the winter months. The bar serves Tapas in addition to fresh, local produce served in a deluxe barbecue area where groups can choose cook their own barbecue meal while admiring the rooftop views. 8Hotels acquires Portal Hotel Brisbane 8Hotels has announced that it has acquired the Portal Hotel Brisbane, a near new 86-room boutique hotel in central Brisbane. The property will join the upper scale Diamant collection of properties currently located in Sydney and Canberra and will be re–branded Diamant Hotel Brisbane on 1 August this year. The second Brisbane hotel for 8Hotels, Diamant Hotel Brisbane will join the iconic Limes Hotel located in Fortitude Valley. Fly to the Flinders – Ultimate Weekend Escapes to Arkaba Station Luxury outback property Arkaba Station, bordering on the dramatic Wilpena Pound and encompassing the entire Elder Range in South Australia, is offering a choice of two exclusive ‘Fly to the Flinders’ weekend escape deals, available during four weekends in September. Each package includes return charter flights from Adelaide and either two nights staying in the understated luxury of historic Arkaba homestead or a two-night walking safari, swag-camping in style. The ‘Fly the Flinders’ weekend getaways depart on 2, 9, 16 and 23 September 2011.
Visiting the