Jetsettersblog

As the birthplace of Putt Putt Golf into Australia, the Gold Coast will celebrate 40 years of the recreational activity in 2009. Since first opening its doors on 19 September, 1969 at a venue in Hanlan Street Surfers Paradise, Putt Putt Golf has grown to establish 32 courses throughout Australia and New Zealand. After witnessing Putt Putt’s success overseas,

Tom Wykoff was the mastermind behind establishing and building all Putt Putt courses in Australia and is the current owner of Putt Putt Golf Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast, plus the West Ryde course in Sydney.

For a totally wild time on the Gold Coast this winter take a safari on Jungle Trail, meet colourful characters on Fun Run or enjoy a game by the water with cascading waterfalls and lush tropical gardens on the Waterways Course at this iconic tourist attraction in Mermaid Beach. Visit www.puttputtgolf.com.au

Australia’s biggest playground, Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, has sharpened its pencil on the issue of childhood obesity and sun safety by launching a hands-on educational program aimed at raising awareness of healthy habits among adolescent school children.

The Dreamkids – Healthy Habit Attack! is a self-directed half day program that encourages school students between Years 5 and 9 to traverse the 37 hectare theme parks and analyse three key areas of health:

Fitness, Sun Safety and Healthy Food Habits. Students will investigate how their well-being is influenced by personal, social, cultural and environmental factors through a series of fun and practical activities.

They will be tasked with calculating the amount of energy expended walking from one thrill ride to another, the number of steps to climb to burn popular foods, and how to design a day in park to avoid the harshest UV rays.

Using foods available on the theme park menu boards, they will also develop meals for different dietary and cultural requirements and learn how to recognise healthier options from occasional treats.

The Dreamworld Healthy Habit Attack program will appeal to all schools. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 07 5588 1184 or emailing: education@dreamworld.com.au

Conrad Jupiters is bringing a taste of Ireland to the Gold Coast announcing details of their next international stage show spectacular at Jupiters Theatre.

The hotel casino will roll out the red carpet for Dance of Desire, direct from Dublin for its Australian premiere as part of their ongoing commitment to deliver high profile, world-class entertainment offerings on the Gold Coast.

Twenty-five of the world’s best dancers and musicians will take to the stage in what has become Ireland’s hottest export.

Hot on the heels of the ‘Michael Flatley revolution’, Dance of Desire promises to evoke an incredible feeling of energy and emotion as Ireland’s passion pounds the stage in a spellbinding tale that has brought overseas audiences to their feet.

The show is filled with exotic costumes, innovative choreography and original score and is a breathtaking blend of traditional and modern Irish Dance, jazz, Arabian, ballet and tango. www.conradjupiters.com.au

The all new Level One, Marina Mirage is “the” address for International and Australian designer fashion.

And it is “the” address for eclectic collections ranging from innovative cutting edge design, classic iconic styles and the very latest in one off couture.

Fashion luminaries Hermes, Lisa Ho, Charlie Brown and Janine Edwards have forged a name for Level One over generations and now they are being joined by Australian designers Tim O’Connor and sister duo Zimmermann, international designer Gail Elliott with her sassy Little Joe label, accessories leader Mimco, luxury fashion stockist Christensen Copenhagen and the ever popular Max & Co. George Gross and Harry Who, another Marina Mirage favourite, has revealed a stunning new store and still to arrive on Level One during June is a revamp for iconic Carla Zampatti and DeLisle Children’s Imports.

While the lauded new look for Emporio Guardi is set to be revealed soon. New stores soon to arrive on Level One include Jigsaw, Via La Moda and Harry’s Imports.

The addition of parking on level one makes access easy. Just a quick dart up the ramp off Seaworld Drive and you will be discovering for yourself shopping on Level One at Marina Mirage really is in a class all of it’s own. www.marinamirage.com.au

Backpacking the Land Down Under has never been cheaper or easier for those on a budget thanks to Greyhound Australia’s new offering. The company has launched Greyhound Adventures, giving visitors the chance to see the best of the country, including Australia’s Gold Coast.

Tourists can buy kilometres to use on its coaches to any one of the 1,100 destinations it travels to around the country as well as exchange some of the kilometres for a wide variety of tours, day trips and adventure experiences. Greyhound Adventures gives travellers total flexibility, meaning they are no longer bound by set itineraries offered by traditional tour packages.

If backpackers come across an experience they are interested in they can just add it into their schedule by exchanging kilometres or paying cash. All people need to do is purchase a Kilometre Pass and then book their travel either online at www.greyhoundadvenuteres, visit a Greyhound terminal or call 1300 473 946.

Tall Ship Sailing Cruises, McLarens Landing Tropical Island Paradise & Whale Watching Gold Coast are happy to confirm all businesses have officially gained Eco Tourism certification.

To celebrate this distinction a winter special offer of a full day Whale and Island experience package for the price of a half day is now available. Visit www.tallship.com.au

Kayaking, snorkeling, dolphins, Aboriginal culture; introducing the greatest natural adventure on the Gold Coast. Balunjali’s half and full day kayaking adventures enable guests’ hands on participation in the Aboriginal Culture.

Guests journey by kayak with their guide across the tranquil blue waters encountering wildlife: dolphins, turtles, stingrays and native birds. Then it’s time to immerse in the warm waters, snorkel, feed the colourful sub-tropical fish or soak up the sun from the golden shoreline.

On South Stradbroke island, Balunjali guests encounter the Golden Swamp wallabies (unique to this island) as they participate with their guide in the journey from past to present, gaining a deeper understanding of the Aboriginal’s cultural history as caretakers of the land. To book please visit www.balunjali.com.au

Dreamworld’s Alien versus Predator versus You combative experience drops its guests in the heat of battle against the backdrop of the cult sci-fi film, Alien vs. Predator. Humans are the bait and their mission is to survive. Taking place in an intelligent arena that fights back, combatants earn points by engaging multi-layered targets with a Delta Strike phaser that triggers both shotgun and rifle-effect beams and comes with LCD screens and speakers to provide real-time game play information. www.dreamworld.com.au

Dreamworld is also offering a special deal for a limited time where kids play free of charge following the purchase of two Adult two-day World Passes. (valid only for Queensland and New South Wales residents). Visitors also have another value for money opportunity whereby with every purchase of a 2-day World Pass to Dreamworld and White Water World you gain an extra 12 days free of charge.

The 2 Day World Pass offers double the thrills and double the fun in one convenient location and is available until August 31, 2009 for adults at $102.00, children (4 to 13 inclusive)/pensioners at $68.00 and Families & Friends (2 adults + 2 children) at $306.00. www.dreamworld.com.au

Enjoy a little luxury and treat yourself to your very own Audrey Hepburn style makeover when you book the My Fair Lady package at Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach.

Commence your makeover experience with luxury overnight accommodation, signature cocktails for two at the award winning Room81 Bar, a bottle of chilled Moët on arrival, buffet breakfast for two at On3 poolside restaurant and valet car parking.

Once you’ve checked in it’s time to visit Pacific Fair Shopping Centre for your makeover finale. Indulge with a hair treatment, head massage and blow wave from Michael Dib, hand spa treatment from L’Occitane, a mini makeover and eyebrow shape from FIX Hair & Beauty Salon and a one hour personal styling session for two with a Pacific Fair stylist! The My Fair Lady package will have you feeling and looking like a new and revitalised person in no time.

Packages start from just $250* per person, twin share. For reservations, +61 (07) 5592 2250 www.sofitelgoldocast.com.au

Draculas Cabaret Restaurant promises to blast all previous productions out of the water this winter with their new “thrillertainment” – Vampirates.

Dracula’s new show takes the plunge into the high-camp world of Vampire Pirates in this fast-paced comedy voyage of the damned.

The costumes are lavish, the comedy is jet black and the acts are a feast for the senses– all set to a rockin’ song list that will have you stomping your peg leg. Prepare yourself for mind-bending optical illusions, fleshy comedy, loads of puppets, mime, magic and rock music productions that “Aaarrrrr amazing!”

Vampirates, featuring every talented member of the current cast including their live jazz trio, serve up a fast paced swashbuckling screamfest with a side order of insanity. Vampirates is the first new show to open since Dracula’s spectacular $5 million revamp. Advance booking is highly recommended.

Contact 5575 1000 or check out www.draculas.com.au  for more information.

Regarded as one of the Gold Coast’s most popular attractions, QDeck has become a must see attraction for locals and visitors alike.

Situated on the 77th floor of the World’s Tallest Residential Tower Q1, QDeck provides stunning 360 degree panoramic views that stretch from the surf to the hinterland and beyond.

Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, QDeck is the only beachside observation tower in Australia, where visitors can experience the shimmering Gold Coast skyline at night or take in views from Brisbane to Byron Bay during the day.

The observation deck has fast become synonymous with the Gold Coast, much like the Eiffel Tower is to Paris and the Empire State Building to New York. Visit www.QDeck.com.au

For many guests winter is synonymous with a stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat – with walking in the World Heritage listed rainforest at its comfortable best and with the comfort food you crave at its most tempting, (after all you’ve probably walked it off already).

This year a winter escape to O’Reilly’s also offers the chance to indulge in some serious pampering at O’Reilly’s new world-class Lost World Spa which takes relaxation and rejuvenation to new heights – 1km above sea level! www.oreillys.com.au

As the winter season sets in and temperatures continue to drop, Australian owned mobile day spa Ripple Massage and Beauty is vowing to keep its clients warm with the luxurious Hot Stone Massage.

Incorporating volcanic rocks with divine aromatherapy oils, this massage is designed to gently press out the tension in your body while stimulating the muscles.

The hydrating essential oils used by Ripple Massage and Beauty also help to fight the symptoms of winter and soothe dry and wind damage skin.

Ripple has also recently introduced a decadent Chocolate Massage that leaves the calories at the door. The massage uses warmed chocolate oil from head to toe to melt away stress and relax muscles, providing the ultimate in decadence without the guilty afterthought. For more information on Ripple or to make a booking please phone 0438 567 906 or visit www.ripplemassage.com.au

Taking the choices of things to do at the Gold Coast, to new heights, Balloon HOT AIR Gold Coast has announced a new schedule of daily door to door transfers from all Broadbeach, Ashmore and Main Beach apartments and hotels, in addition to their daily Surfers Paradise service. Seeing the Gold Coast skyline, Mt Tamborine & Lamington National Park from a whole new perspective, passengers can hop onboard one of the “bright balloon buses” to travel to the Gold Coast hinterland to board a hot air balloon and float gently over the Scenic Rim.

Afterwards there’s a delicious hot breakfast at O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead and Vineyard before an air conditioned coach return to your apartment doorstep.

Costing just $220p/p all inclusive, for bookings or Instant vouchers online visit www.hotair.com.au/goldcoast  or call 1300 766 887.

Sea World Cruises have recently launched daytime and evening calm water cruises throughout the Gold Coast’s spectacular Broadwater aboard an impressive $3.4 million luxury catamaran.

The vessel features three levels of superior viewing decks and with the natural environment in mind runs on engines that comply with international emission standards and produce minimal underwater noise.

A one and a half hour sunset cruise experience includes a welcoming glass of sparkling wine as guests view the stunning Gold Coast skyline by night. See www.myfun.com.au

Throughout this month Q1 Flight Experience is offering a recession busting 25% off all internet orders. Flight Experience Q1 offers you the opportunity to buy the ultimate flight simulator experience gift for a friend or partner. Flight Experience and Q1Spa packages are also very popular with the ladies and there are now two special spa packages at the famous Q1 spa which you can use while your partner is flying.

Visit www.goldcoastflightsimulators.com.au