Aa production presentation sep09

Destination New Zealand

Presented by Peter Mundell, Lynne Oldfield, Stephen Ecclestone, Celine Barbier

Australia

Australia in Brief

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world. It’s about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50% larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world – only 2 people per square kilometre. The iconic symbols of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayers Rock) are world renowned but with its 7,000 beaches, unique fauna, diverse flora and landscapes, successful wine industry and rich cultural history there is something for all travellers.

General Information

National Language: EnglishMulticultural CountryOfficial Currency: Australian DollarGeneral Business Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday Seasons in Australia:

> Spring (September to November) > Summer (December to February) > Autumn (March to May)> Winter (June to August)

Australia is the driest continent on earth so it is relatively dry all year round

Food and Wine

Australia's growing reputation as a haven for food is due to a mix of Indigenous and multicultural influences

Australian Games Dishes: Kangaroo, Emu, Crocodile, Buffalo & Bush TuckerAussie BBQ, Billy Tea and Dampers

Award Winning Wines from Margaret River -Western Australia, Yarra Valley - Victoria, Hunter Valley - New South Wales and Barossa Valley - South Australia.

Visa and Customs

All visitors to Australia need a valid passport and an Australian visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). For further information, please visit www.immi.gov.au

Australian Customs enforces strict controls. You must declare all animal and plant material, herbal medicines, food, eggs, seeds and wood at Customs on arrival. Coral, shell, reptile and whale products are banned.

Map of Australia

Major Destinations in Australia

Sydney Peak season : November – March especially Christmas & New year periodMajor Events: Rugby Games - Bledisloe Cup & State of OriginClimate:Summer: December to February Autumn: March to May Winter: June to August Spring: September to November

Click here for Sydney City Map

Sydney Show Boat

Sydney Opera House

Bondi Beach

Hotels - Sydney

Aarons – 3 Star

Chinatown location, close to shopping

Family rooms available

Exclusive bed and breakfast rate

Menzies by Accor – 4 Star

CBD location surrounded by shopping

Adjacent to train station and walking distance to Darling Harbour

Exclusive bed and breakfast rates

Radisson Plaza – 4 Star

CBD location surrounded by shopping, adjacent to train station, walking distance to Darling Harbour

Official hotel for the Indian Cricket Team

Exclusive bed and breakfast rate

Westin – 5 Star

Deluxe 5 star, superior service

Heritage listed building, CBD location surrounded by shopping

Exclusive bed and breakfast rate

Day excursions from Sydney

The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is a 90 minutes drive west of Sydney.A string of townships make up this region: Lithgow, Hartley, Mount Victoria,

Blackheath, Oberon, Megalong Valley, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls.

Jenolan Caves

Scenic Railway

Three Sisters

Hunter Valley & Port Stephens

Hunter Valley: 2 hours drive north of Sydney. Famous for its award-winning wines, cheeses and historic towns. Main city: Pokolbin

Please Click here to see the Hunter Region Clip

Port Stephens: 2.5 hours drive north of Sydney. Famous as the dolphin capital of Australia. 26 Unspoilt beaches, beautiful bays, lakes and National Parks

Main city: Nelson Bay

Canberra – Australia’s Capital

Canberra 3.5 drive from Sydney. Highlights: Parliament House, Royal Australian Mint, Australian War Memorial, & Cockington Green

Melbourne

Peak season: November to MarchMajor Events :• Australian Open – January• Grand Prix – February / March• AFL Grand Final – September • Motorcycle Grand Prix – October• Melbourne Cup Carnival – November

Please click here for Melbourne City Map

Southgate

Rod Laver Arena

Hotels - Melbourne

Mercure Welcome – 3 Star

Very central location

Low Bed and Breakfast rates

Guaranteed availability for FIT business

Large brand (Accor)

Quality Batmans Hill – 3 Star

Great location near Southern Cross Station

Very knowledgeable about Indian Market – Indian Market orientated

Can do traditional Indian meals for Groups

Variety of room types

Bayview on the Park – 4 Star

Nice location nearby Albert Park Lake, 10mins by train to city centre

Great BBT rate for STD room – new room type & new low BBT rate

Great for Indian Market

Caters for Indian Conference business

Grand Chancellor – 4 Star

Excellent central location

Long term GTA friendly

Excellent service

Heated rooftop swimming pool

Day excursion from Melbourne - Phillip Island

Phillip Island is a popular getaway for its beautiful coastal scenery, sheltered bay beaches on the northern side of the Island and wild surf beaches on the south coast. Every day at dusk Phillip Island hosts Australia’s most popular wildlife event – a parade of little penguins that emerge from the sea and make their way to their burrows in the sand dunes.

Please click here for Penguin Parade time table

Click here to see the little Penguins

Great Ocean Road

With spectacular vistas from start to finish,and the famous Twelve Apostles along theway, the Great Ocean Road region hassome of Australia’s most impressive coastal scenery in Australia. Recognised as one ofthe world’s most scenic drives the GreatOcean Road follows the stunning coastlineof Victoria’s south west.

Yarra Valley Wine Region

Yarra Valley is recognised as one of the world’s great wine growing regions, and Australia’s finest region for pinot noir and sparkling wines. Under an hours drive from Melbourne,it is also one of Victoria’s most accessible wine regions and a popular day trip from the city. The Yarra Valley is the birthplace of the Victorian wine industry, and isnow home to over 90 wineries. Tucked into the foothills of the Yarra Valley is the Healesville Sanctuary wildlife park,home to more than 200 native species of Australian wildlife.Here you can experience close-up encounters with some of Australia’s most unique and captivating wildlife.

Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges are under an hour from Melbourne. Take a ride on Puffing Billy, Australia’s oldest steam railway, through thick forests, fern-filled gullies and past gorgeous villages.

Gold Coast

Peak Season : 2. Christmas and New Year

period (Dec/Jan)3. Summer School holidays (Jan)4. Easter Holiday (Mar)Major Events:6. Indy (Oct) / Schoolies (Nov)

Climate: Warm to hot summers and mild winters are what you can generally expect in this subtropical region.

Please click here to see the Gold Coast clipClick here for Gold Coast Map

Hotels – Gold Coast

Islander Resort - 3 Star

Great location in the centre of Surfers Paradise

5 minute walk to the beach, close to the restaurants

Good budget option

Courtyard - 4 star

In the heart of Surfers Paradise, walking distance to beach & restaurants

Very low rates to 31st March 2010

Plenty of availability

Mantra Legends – 4 Star

Very central Surfers Paradise hotel, near beach, shops & restaurants

Walking distance to restaurants including Indian restaurants

Loads of availability

Palazzo Versace – 5 Star

5* European luxury with the Versace touch

3km north of Surfers Paradise, 100m to the beach

Low rates – rooms and condos available

Gold Coast Theme Parks

Family favourites such as Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild and WhiteWaterWorld are sure to please the whole family and Warners Bros.Movie World Australia’sonly movie related Theme Park and very popular the Australian Outback SpectacularShow and Dinner provide their own unique feel.

Cairns

Peak Season:April to September Climate: The Tropical North has two distinct seasons, the green and the dry. The green season begins with the first monsoonal rains, usually around November,with most rainfall in Jan & Feb, and ends around May. Average temperatures rangefrom 24-33C, everywhere is lush and green,with rivers and waterfalls at their peak. The dry season is less humid, with temperatures from 14-26C and more clear, sunny days,

Click here for Cairns City MapClick here to see Cairns Video Clip

Hotels - Cairns

Queens Court – 3 Star

Located in the city centre, 10 mins walk to the Wharf

Small hotel offering budget accommodation

Complimentary continental breakfast

Palm Royale – 4 Star

Located 6km from city centre

Mediterranean architecture, recently refurbished

Exclusive Indian Market rate

Colonial Club – 3.5 Star

Set in 11 acres of tropical gardens

Courtesy airport transfers & Cairns city shuttle service

Exclusive Indian Market rates

Sebel – 5 Star

In the centre of the city of Cairns

Well appointed harbour or mountain view rooms

Exclusive Indian Market rates

Full day excursion tours from Cairns

Cairns is the main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, with hundreds of cruises, tours and adventure departing the city daily. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef, stretching more than 2,000km along the Queensland coast and covering 35 million hectares. In this marine wonderland teeming withmarine life and colour visitors can experience the thousands of species of fish, flora and fauna and 400 types of coral.

Just inland from the coast is the serene setting of the Cairns hinterlands, offering ancient rainforest, lakes and spectacular waterfalls. This fertile plateau rises up to 1,000 metres above sea level and provides great day-touring options. Kuranda Village, a picturesque mountain retreat is surrounded by World Heritage rainforest. This quaint village gives visitors access to Barron Gorge where local Aboriginals share their ancient knowledge of this tropical rainforest region and its cultural heritage.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

Snorkelling with a ‘local’ on the Great Barrier Reef

Uluru Ayers Rock

Peak season : April – September

Climate: The Red Centre has hot summer days from December to February and surprisingly cold nights from June to August. Spring and autumnare warm throughout the day and cool at night.

Nearest major town: Alice Spring (6 hours drive)

Uluru Ayers Rock is Australia's most recognisablenatural icon. The famous sandstone monolith stands 348 metres high and, like an iceberg, hasmost of its bulk below the surface. It is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. 40 kilometres to the west of Uluru/Ayers Rock is Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. This massive pile of rock domes dates back 500 million years. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great aboriginal cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners.

Hotels – Ayers Rock

Outback Pioneer – 3 Star

Most popular property

Different types of accommodation

Standard or Budget rooms

Cook your own BBQ facilities

Lost Camel – 3 Star

Boutique style property

Studio room with walk in bathroom (shower)

Mix of Aboriginal and Urban style

Surrounding a swimming pool and deck

Desert Garden – 4 Star

Great First class property

Standard rooms overlook Gardens, Superior rooms overlook Uluru

Rooms include either a balcony or courtyard

Nice contemporary look

Sails in the Desert – 4 Star

Premium hotel in Ayers Rock

Gallery in lobby showcasing the region

Meals served around the pool in season

Great service

Perth

Peak Season: Christmas & New Year period Major Events:Wildflower Season – Sep - Oct V8 Supercars - NovRed Bull Air Race – Apr 2010

Click here for Perth City Map

Hotels - Perth

Ambassador – 3 Star

Located in Perth City

Well presented room, good for FIT and tour groups

Silver Medallist 2008 WA Tourism Awards

Seasons of Perth – 4 Star

In the heart of Perth’s city centre

Close to shopping malls, restaurants, Northbridge & the Swan River

Good hotel for Leisure & Business travellers

Citigate – 4 Star

Located in the western end of the CBD

Just completed a multi million dollar refurbishment

Rooftop heated swimming pool, fitness room, business centre

Sheraton – 5 Star

Overlooking the Swan River & Foreshore Park

5 star hotel offering all modern conveniences

Very good hotel for Leisure & Business customers

Day excursions from Perth

Wave Rock is a 5 hours drive west of Perth and is one of Australia's most recognisable landforms. Rising 15 metres from the ground and more than 100 metres long, Wave Rock looks like a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite about to crash onto the bush below. It's believed this amazing formation was more than 2,700 million years in the making.

The Pinnacles is 3.5 hours drive north of Perth, these incredible limestone spiers rise eerily out of the sand, some several metres tall. You can get up close to the Pinnacles on a scenic drive and walk trail that includes an amazing lookout over the Nambung National Park. It's believed the Pinnacles were created millions of years ago as seashells were broken down into sand and then eroded by water and wind.

Wave Rock Pinnacle

Day excursions from Perth

Rottnest Island is just offshore from Perth, a short ferry trip takes you to where the locals go to swim at white-sand beaches, snorkel in turquoise water over coral gardens and shipwrecks, or go fishing. Rotto, as it's called locally, is a car-free zone, which adds to its relaxed feel. And with 63 sheltered beaches to choose from, the island is refreshingly uncrowded.

Busselton is a 3 hour drive south of Perth it is best known for its iconic two km long jetty and calm turquoise bays. The seaside town has a relaxed atmosphere and is a popular place. Originally built in 1865 the historic jetty is the longest wooden pier in the southern hemisphere. The Underwater Observatory at the jetty's end will take you up close to colourful fish and tropical coral. Descend eight metres below sea level and look through the observation chamber to see one of the country's best artificial reefs.

Rottnest Island Busselton Jetty

WA Tourist Attractions (minimum 1-2 night stay)

Cable Beach, Broome is 2173 kms from Perth (26hours drive), Monkey Mia is 853 kms from Perth (11 hours drive), Ningaloo is 1181 kms from Perth (15.5 hours drive) & Kalbarri National Park is 577 kms (8 hours drive)

Camel trek on Cable Beach Ningaloo Marine Park

Monkey Mia Kalbarri National Park

Adelaide

Peak Season : Feb – MarMajor Event: Clipsal V8 Supercars – Mar

Click here for City Map

Hotels - Adelaide

Holiday Inn Adelaide – 4 Star

Very centrally located

Close to shopping

Bed and breakfast rates

Mercure Grosvenor – 4 Star

Very central location opposite Casino & Convention Centre

Quad share rooms (2 double beds)

Bed and breakfast rates

Stamford Grand Glenelg – 4 Star

Preferred hotel at Glenelg as beachside location known for beautiful sunsets

Surrounded by restaurants and shopping

Numbers of restaurants and 2 bars in the hotel itself

Excursions from Adelaide

The Barossa, just an hour's drive from Adelaide is known throughout the world as one of Australia's leading wine regions, with more than 60 wineries, ranging from boutique cellar doors, to large international companies. The main red varieties grown here are Shiraz, Cabernet ,Sauvignon & Grenache, while the key white grape varieties are Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay. Shiraz has pride of place because this is the birthplace of one of the world's great wines- Penfolds Grange.

Kangaroo Island is one of Australia’s best places to see the widest range of Australian native animals in their natural habitats – platypus, echidnas, Tammar wallabies, small Kangaroo Island kangaroos, fur seals and koalas. Dramatic coastal scenery and secluded pristine beaches are also a feature, along with premium quality fresh seafood and other food products.

Barossa Valley Seal Bay - Kangaroo IslandRemarkable Rocks - Kangaroo Island

Hobart

Peak Season: Nov – MarMajor Event: Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Dec-Jan

Click here for City Map

Hotels - Hobart

Leisure Inn Macquarie – 3 Star

Renovated last year

Boutique style property

Good value for money

5min walk from city centre & Salamander Bay

Mercure Hobart – 4 Star

Central location

Guaranteed availability for FIT business (dynamic inventory & static allotment)

Large brand (ACCOR)

Nice contemporary restaurant

Grand Chancellor – 4 Star

Excellent central location by the port

Long term GTA friendly

Excellent service & flexibility

Bed and Breakfast rates year round

Old Woolstore Apartments – 4 Star

Close to Salamanca Markets

Choice of Studios & 1 and 2 bedroom apartments

Great Heritage building

Good for families, includes cooking facilities

Highlights of Hobart

Tasmania’s capital city & Australia’s second oldest city – Hobart is a blend of heritage charmand lifestyle, scenery and vibrant culture. Hobart is a maritime city, linked to river and sea, with the River Derwent at its heart and Mount Wellington rising above it. Rising to a height of1270 metres Mount Wellington is a spectacular and panoramic backdrop for the city andprovides a wilderness experience within a 20 minutes drive.

Port Arthur is a quaint village 90 minutes drive from Hobart, it is recognized for it’s well-preserved penal colony buildings at the Port Arthur Historic Site. Here you can discover the history that helped shape Australia.

Mount Wellington Port Arthur Historic Site