Jetsettersblog

qualia (www.qualia.com.au) has launched a new spa concept and comprehensive treatment menu at Spa qualia to complement the much-lauded Australian look and feel of the resort.

“The new spa menu is inspired by Australia,” says Jason Friedman, qualia’s General Manager. “It captures its people, lifestyle, landscapes and indigenous traditions. Every detail has been considered to offer guests a timeless and personal experience.

“When we were creating the new concept, the spa team drew upon its collective experience to create a spa menu which focused on using the best Australian products available. Sodashi and Li’tya now form an integral part of Spa qualia as both products embody our ethos… to provide an eco-chic Australian experience which focuses on the health and wellbeing of each client.”

Located on the northernmost tip of Hamilton Island, qualia has received praise for its architecture, landscaping and food and beverage offerings – all of which reflect a genuine Australian style.

Spa qualia’s guests will now be able to continue that theme as they indulge in a luxurious and authentic Australian journey through contemporary, yet traditional and indigenous spa treatments and rituals.

SPA QUALIA PRODUCTS

Sodashi – meaning wholeness, purity and radiance – is a perfect choice for Spa qualia due to its exclusivity and eco-friendly policies.

Made using the highest quality plant essences and natural ingredients, Sodashi products are formulated to emulate the knowledge and wisdom of natural healing traditions.

Li’tya – meaning ‘of the earth’ – is Australian in every way. It embraces the indigenous healing traditions of the Aboriginal people by using native plants and botanicals.

Li’tya’s ‘tread light’ philosophy complements Spa qualia’s environmental values and was a crucial consideration when selecting the new product range.

SPA QUALIA TREATMENTS

Everything about Spa qualia’s new concept has been meticulously designed to incorporate the meaning of the resort’s name: qualia – ‘a deeper sensory experience’. The new treatments balance the synergy between body and mind to capture the essence of Australia.

The spa menu allows guests to create their own individual experience. By offering individual Smoothing Scrubs, Comforting Cocoons, Quintessential Massages, Sublime Facials and Additional Indulgences, guests can personalise their experience by choosing one or more treatments and which products they would like to use. Alternatively, the experienced team of spa therapists can create a personal journey tailored to their particular needs.

The highlight of the menu is the unique collection of four rituals aptly named ‘Signature Ceremonies’. Each ceremony includes body silking – a contemporary approach to using colour and the tactile sensation of silk to help clear past energies and place one in the present moment.

The Kumali Poultice Ceremony epitomises all that is Australian within a muslin bag.

A steaming ball of native herbs and spices is dipped in macadamia oil and massaged, pressed and rolled over the entire body.

“When developing Signature Ceremonies, I wanted one profound ritual to truly represent the ‘qualia effect’ and believe this ritual captures exactly that,” said Friedman.

The three other ceremonies – Seasonal Ceremony, Heart Reef Ritual and White Haven – embrace the colourful hues of the Great Barrier Reef, its seasonal diversities and the resonating effect that each has on our wellbeing.

In addition to Signature Ceremonies, Spa qualia has an array of distinctive treatments including:

‘Indigenous Offerings’ – a collection of four Li’tya treatments inspired by the Aboriginal dreamtime.

‘Romantic Getaways’ – two luxurious treatments for couples including the popular ‘Wine Lovers’ treatment which pampers with a burgundy bath soak, vinotherapie body scrub, pinot noir mask and chardonnay massage.

‘It’s a Man’s World’ – inspired by the Australian man, particularly the type who is likely to spend time sailing or playing golf.

‘Wild Oats’ – named after the iconic yacht owned by the Oatley family who also own qualia – is proving to be very popular, as is the signature mud and stone treatment, ‘Earthly Encounters’.

‘Mind, Body and Soul’ – a collection of alternative principles including yoga, meditation, nutrition, personal training, naturopathy, reflexology, reiki and esoteric ideologies completes the Spa qualia journey.

SPA QUALIA’S FACILITIES

Spa qualia is privately nestled in the heart of the resort. It has six deluxe treatment rooms – two of which are private dual spa suites with their own bathroom, change room, sunken Roman bath, outdoor shower and relaxation area.

The remaining four treatment rooms are single suites, two of which feature private outdoor showers.

There are extensive facilities located in the relaxation area including a steam room, outdoor tropical Vichy shower and change rooms.

The Meditation Pavilion is beautifully positioned to capture the tranquil views of the Whitsundays and is an ideal place to unwind and reflect.

Spa qualia’s retail outlet is located in the elegant reception area and has a superb selection of Australian skincare, bath and home products for sale.

“I believe Spa qualia has all the right elements in place and is now exceptionally well-positioned to be considered amongst the best international spa destinations,” says Jason.

“There are some exciting projects in the pipeline and guests can look forward to the incorporation of health retreat weekends and refreshingly nutritious spa cuisine in the near future,” he concludes.

When Celebrity Cruises’ newest Solstice-class ship, the 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox, sets sail for the first time this summer, her exterior and interior design won’t be the only features raising eyebrows among cruise and travel enthusiasts.

Playing off the success of the launch of her sister ship, Celebrity Solstice, the newest vessel in Celebrity’s fleet will also offer AquaClass staterooms designed to offer a soothing, spa-focused ambiance, as well as several indulgent new offerings in the onboard spa.

Celebrity’s AquaClass veranda staterooms, introduced as a Solstice-class exclusive feature last year, are located in close proximity to the ships’ two-story spa, known as “AquaSpa by Elemis.” AquaClass is the only stateroom category in Celebrity’s fleet that offers no third and fourth guest berthing, making the area quieter and more exclusive for guests wishing to relax in an utterly serene environment. Guests in Celebrity’s AquaClass can enjoy a host of spa-inspired amenities and perks.

All guests on Celebrity Equinox are welcome to treat themselves to indulge in the ship’s AquaSpa by Elemis, which will offer its standard line-up of revitalizing, restorative experiences for individuals and couples. Renowned for its exotic therapies focused on beauty and wellness, Celebrity’s AquaSpa – offering full service on all ships except the 92-guest mega-yacht, Celebrity Xpedition, which offers limited options – will offer new treatments on Celebrity Equinox, including an opulent, restorative new treatment: “24-Karat Gold Facial.”

The treatment, which uses an alchemy of expert touch, medicinal plants, Rose Quartz and a pure 24-karat gold leaf mask, speeds up cell renewal and results in a rebalanced, nourished, brighter and more clarified skin texture and complexion. The new ship will offer “red carpet make-up” application after every facial in its line-up, featuring a natural touch of Colorscience mineral powder and lip gloss to keep skin and lips glowing.

Guests who experience the 24-Karat Gold Facial on Celebrity Equinox will also be able to enjoy a special cocktail inspired by the treatment itself. The “Golden Kiss Martini” will feature Golden Supreme vodka, cucumber juice, agave syrup and lemon juice, muddled with fresh mint.

Celebrity Equinox will also offer a “lash and brow bar,” where guests can add glamour to their look by selecting from a variety of eyelash enhancements, offered in three styles: Natural Lashes, Evening Eyes or Ultra Glam, which features a sparkling touch of glitter. Brow sculpting will be offered by expert aestheticians who carefully shape and define the eyebrows to give the face an instant lift and a polished appearance.

Brow tinting, which can cover gray hairs or enhance one’s natural look, will be available in various shades. Lash tinting, ideal for guests whose eyelashes are light in color, will also be available.

Celebrity also presents a comprehensive slate of “medi-spa” offerings onboard. As the first cruise line to offer onboard acupuncture, Celebrity will continue to offer this popular treatment on Celebrity Equinox, in a space located within the AquaSpa. Celebrity Equinox will also offer BOTOX Cosmetic treatments, which soften fine lines and wrinkles to result in a more youthful appearance; Restylane and Perlane treatments, Elemis Oxydermy facials and teeth whitening.

The 122,000-gross-registered-tons Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to enter service July 31 from Southampton, England, on an eight-night cruise through the Norwegian Fjords, followed by a series of Mediterranean sailings from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, beginning Aug. 8.

The Mustique Company forged a partnership with Grenadine Airways which will provide direct flights in and out of Mustique, exclusively for villa owners and guests of the island.

This new enterprise, a first for the island, will improve the flight service to Mustique on a variety of levels: it will serve to increase seat availability, diminish the “island hopping” of some flights and ultimately enhance service for the Mustique traveler.

With this new service, the regularly scheduled flights twice daily in and out of Mustique from Barbados will remain the same.

However, island guests arriving in both Barbados and St. Lucia will now have more scheduling flexibility as the need to add extra flights arises.

Scheduled flight times can also be altered based on arriving international flights. In addition, all Grenadine Airways reservations can be arranged by the Mustique Villa Rentals Department, which now has direct access to the GAW online booking system, allowing them to check availability and make flight reservations for island guests.

The flights pay 6 percent commission to travel agents with roundtrip costs for air transfers between Mustique and Barbados at $495 including all taxes and fuel surcharge.

In addition to the new flight services, the Mustique Company is fully refurbishing their two Twin Otter aircrafts this summer in accordance with international ICAO regulations. Operated by Grenadine Airways, the 18-seat Twin Otters are versatile and reliable aircraft.

For more information, call 784-488-8000, email villarentals@mustique.vc or visit www.mustique-island.com

An agreement between California and Nevada to extend the California High-Speed Rail Corridor from the Los Angeles area to Las Vegas was announced last week by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, as well as key members of the Nevada labor community, business leaders and other elected officials.

“The extension of the California corridor is another great example of regional cooperation, which will be critical to transforming travel in America and the creation of a national system of high-speed rail lines,” LaHood said.

“We will continue to encourage new and innovative partnerships like this one. We believe that the development of regional high-speed passenger rail systems will create jobs, spur economic development and provide positive environmental benefits for all Americans.”

“Today we’ve taken a giant step towards strengthening Nevada’s economy,” Reid said. “High-speed rail not only provides a much needed means of transportation that will reduce congestion on I-15, but it will create jobs at a time when Nevada needs them the most, increase tourism and reduce our reliance on foreign oil.”
In April, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and LaHood announced the effort to transform the nation’s transportation system by developing rail infrastructure and launching high-speed passenger rail services in 100- to 600-mile corridors that connect U.S. communities.

The Obama Administration is moving fast to put in place this agenda. Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which included an $8 billion High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) grant program.

Obama has proposed a continuing $1 billion annual investment in high-speed rail. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a strategic plan for high-speed rail and recently announced guidelines for states and groups of states to apply for the economic recovery funds. The DOT expects to announce the first round of merit-based grants in the fall.

For more information, visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov  or www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/31

Volaris Airlines, Mexico’s leading low-fare air carrier, has launched its first international service at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with daily non-stop service to Toluca and Guadalajara, Mexico, with flights operating from Terminal 2. Using a modern fleet of Airbus A320s, Volaris offers air travelers an on-time and baggage policy, more service options and value for travel to Mexico.

Since its inception three years ago, Volaris has transported more than 8 million customers to 21 cities in Mexico and has received awards for its high customer satisfaction and on-board services. The Volaris aircraft average only 2.5 years old.

For more information, visit www.volaris.com.mx

Maya Island Air is introducing Maya Island Air Regional linking Belize, Cancun, Guatemala City and San Pedro Sula. Starting July 8, Maya Island Air Regional will offer daily roundtrip flights between Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport, San Pedro Sula, and Guatemala City and two daily return flights between Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport and Cancun, Mexico.

Maya Island Air is a Belizean airline, which has been servicing 10 destinations in Belize for the past 49 years using a fleet of Norman Islanders, Cessna Caravans, 182s and Air Vans.

The fleet has now been expanded to include three ATR 72s.

The ATR 72s have been configured for comfort with 68 seats.

The ATR 72 is a twin-engine turbo prop aircraft which has served commuter routes all over the world with an excellent safety record.

For more information, visit www.mayaislandair.com

JetBlue Airways has enhanced its 36-channel lineup of DirecTV programming.

The following channels now are available to JetBlue customers on their individual seat-back in-flight entertainment systems:

24-hour news channel MSNBC;

GolTV, the first U.S. network dedicated fully to soccer with both Spanish and English programming;

and SPEED, a racing channel for auto enthusiasts.

In addition, TV Land will broadcast Setanta Sports every Saturday from 5 a.m. to Monday at 5 a.m.

Channel 37, regularly broadcasting TV Land with Setanta Sports programming, will offer special events coverage from time to time, providing customers with live coverage of major events.

Coverage of the Tour de France will air live 24 hours per day on Channel 37 during the month of July.

JetBlue’s live in-flight entertainment system boasts 36 channels of free DirectTV programming and more than 100 channels of free XM Satellite Radio at every comfortable leather seat.

More and more international travellers are choosing to rent Redspot cars for great value, service and the opportunity to rent from a local Australian owned company.

Red Spot is the alternative to the multinational companies on airports and in cities across Australia.

Redspot challenges car rental industry practices with its unique products and services. Redspot is the first company in Australia to take the initiative of offering a zero accident excess for rental car damage to its hirers.

It has introduced the only truly all inclusive no more to pay car rental deal, Drive-Away. Customers can enjoy new vehicles with $0 damage excess and no hidden extras.

By renting with Red Spot customers are able to enjoy their car rental experience without a concern that a minor bumper scratch is going to cost them more than the hire fee, accommodation and airfares combined.

Drive-Away strips away the numerous fees and charges such as airport fees, vehicle registration recovery fees, airport location fees and damage liability reduction fees to ensure there are no nasty surprises at the end. Redspot is the only car rental company that charges the same rate for airport rentals as it does from its downtown locations.

The all-inclusive rate also offers great benefits to the travel industry. With greater customer satisfaction and less customer complaints (no excess) and higher earnings for agents with commission and net rates based on all-inclusive rates instead of base, time and kilometers.

Redspot continues to expand its network. Redspot’s latest on-airport opening in Melbourne Airport together with its imminent opening in Hobart Airport compliments its established on-airport locations at Cairns, Mackay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Perth and Launceston airports and its off-airport in Adelaide.

A network of downtown branches includes Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

For further information about Redspot Car Rentals visit www.redspotcars.com.au

Redspot’s website offers 24 hour access to vehicle availability, rates and booking confirmations.

When it comes to memorable holiday photos, it’s hard to beat the “dogs on logs” at the South Burnett’s Old Boyneside farmstay, writes Sue Fuller.

A line up of 28 working cattle dogs posing obediently on logs behind us, provided the perfect backdrop for our family photo. And it wasn’t only the two-year-olds in our group who were completely smitten by the 25 kelpie crosses, two pure bred kelpies and one lovable staffie/Jack Russell cross, Molly who’ve been so meticulously trained by Old Boyneside owner Peter Curtain.

In the 21 years Peter and his wife Moira have been running their popular farmstay, there’s hardly been a visitor who hasn’t jumped at the chance to have their photograph taken with the dogs outside the homestead, which is located a three hour drive north-west from Brisbane.

Peter and his son Tom breed the working dogs as a sideline on the 2,500 hectare property which has been in his wife Moira’s family since the 1920s.

The Curtains are true farmstay pioneers, opening up Old Boyneside for its first farmstay visitors in 1988. Since then, they have hosted thousands of guests from all over the world who come for a taste of authentic life on a working property and warm country hospitality. And after years of experience, it’s a mix that hosts Peter and Moira have got just right.

Peter is a wonderful host as he lets us share some of the day to day jobs and experiences on the property, patiently fielding the two year olds’ excited questions and making the adults laugh with a dry aside.

“Because we’ve done it for so long, we understand what each of our guests may be interested in,” said Peter. “We tailor-make the experiences for every person.”

Twice a day we pile in Peter’s blue ute while the 20-plus working dogs stretch their legs and run beside us. It’s a joyful exercise, with all of us shouting the names of the dogs we’re quickly getting to know. “Molly dog”, as she’s been dubbed by our boys William and Thomas, prefers to ride in the ute.

Our couple of days at Old Boyneside are filled with fresh air, fantastic cooking and new experiences for the little city boys, whose eyes boggle with amazement when Peter patiently shows them farm life.

He teaches them to milk Audrey the house cow – surprisingly successfully, and squirts milk straight into their mouths so they have no doubt where milk comes from.

Under Peter’s watchful eye, the boys feed the chickens, ducks and peacocks and enjoy a ride on the tractor-drawn wagon.

He saddles up a quiet pony for the boys to “ride” – but alas no takers. “I’ll ride a horse, one day soon,” says William. Thomas nods in agreement.

We taste peanuts plucked fresh from the rich red volcanic soil as Peter pulls a plant from the ground to show us its legume roots.

We stop for lunch under the shade of gum trees near the ramshackle one room homestead built on the property in the 20s or 30s. It’s easy to imagine how isolated life must have been back then, as even today the only sound is the wind rustling the leaves.

While we’re out and about with Peter, Moira whips up hearty meals of homemade soups, biscuits, delicious casseroles and freshly-baked scones.

After breakfast one morning, we gather around the slow combustion stove for an impromptu lesson on making scones.

“I once taught a Japanese lady to make scones and she was very keen to make them once she got home to Japan. Maybe the flour is a bit different over there but she emailed me with the message, ‘Oh no Moira – scones of steel’!” she laughed.

Old Boyneside is located on the Bunya Highway, Kumbia approximately three hours’ drive from Brisbane. Cost is $185 per adult per 24-hour period (children four to 12 years half price and children under three free), including all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea). All activities and tours are also included except horse riding ($50 per hour).

For bookings please call (07) 4164 4262 or visit www.ozfarmstay.com

For general South Burnett holiday information, visit www.southeastqueenslandcountry.com.au

Australia’s Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Explorer and Cool Dingo tour programs are designed to provide enjoyable nature-based tourism experiences on Fraser Island, while creating minimal impact on the environment. Interpretive expert rangers take guests to explore Fraser Island’s significant natural and geographical features and Aboriginal and European histories whilst the resort’s own grounds provide the basis of ranger-guided nature and eco walks.

Eurong Beach Resort, on the island’s eastern side, provides instant access to Fraser’s natural wonders and the Australian beach lifestyle.

EVERY PIECE OF AUSTRALIA’S ON FRASER

Whether you’re drawn to the brilliance of Fraser Island’s rainforest with its great, green canopies growing in sand; to the Aussie beach lifestyle and those 75 miles of beach riddled with coloured sands, desert-like sand blows and shipwrecks; to sparkling fresh water lakes perched in dunes or the prospect of exploring the world’s largest sand island by four-wheel-drive – Fraser Island delivers all of Australia in one action-packed destination.

This World Heritage-listed island lies off the Queensland coast, at the start of the Great Barrier Reef, and is a ‘must do’ on any Australian tour. And Kingfisher Bay Resort is just the place to combine breath-taking scenery and four-wheel-driving adventure with a holiday pampering.

The award-winning resort is a fully-integrated ecotourism getaway, designed to whet the appetite for natural adventures. Guests can take part in numerous island and resort based activities, all of which are based around the natural beauty of the destination and are generally hosted by Kingfisher’s interpretive rangers, and or they can just chill out by the pool or on the beach.

And when the day’s exploring is done, indulge in a great Australian food and wine experience with all the creature comforts.

Fraser is home to one of Queensland’s finest restaurants, Seabelle, which artfully combines natural bush food and local produce.

Explore the stunning, natural surrounds with a Fraser Island Adventure Package including a two-night bed and breakfast package at Kingfisher Bay Resort, catamaran transfer from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island, airport transfers from Hervey Bay Fraser Coast airport and a full-day Fraser Island tour. This popular package is brochured with most international wholesalers and can be easily booked with them or a local travel agent.

WHO PUT THE ROO IN THE STEW

Each day Kingfisher Bay Resort gardeners collect lemon myrtle, from a small native garden on Fraser Island, as indigenous Australians have done on the mainland for thousands of years.

Whilst Aboriginal people traditionally used lemon myrtle, both in cuisine and as a healing plant, Seabelle Chef Cort Assenheim serves his to resort guests with local crab meat in handmade pasta with warm saffron.

Kingfisher Bay’s chefs have long led the bush tucker charge – using native ingredients such as bunya nuts and pepperberries to great effect in their signature restaurant Seabelle.

They add wattle seeds to their jus and bush spices to couscous, garnish with nasturtiums, and serve barramundi baked in paperbark. Their white chocolate and lavender parfait with a crushed meringue and glazed strawberries is drizzled in rain berry syrup and is a real crowd pleaser.

After a short absence, less emissions-intensive low-fat meats such as kangaroo, emu and crocodile steaks are also back on the menu at Seabelle – providing a healthy, environmentally friendly meal for diners.

Bush foods are sourced from the resort’s native garden and herb farm in season and from wholesalers specializing in Australian bush foods.

The small, native garden also produces a selection of 16 herbs for Seabelle’s kitchen as well as native bush foods such as warrigal greens, lemon and aniseed myrtle. From the resort grounds sour currants, midjim berries, lilypillys, lemon tea tree, banksias and paperbark are used when in season.

Add this to the prodigious use of bush fruits and herbs and you have a uniquely Australian dining experience.

MAKE QUEENSLAND’S HIDDEN WONDERS A DRIVING AMBITION

Three of Southern Queensland’s most unique and idyllic holiday properties have joined forces to unlock the region’s Hidden Wonders to the quickly-accelerating drive tourism market.

Peppers Hidden Vale in South East Queensland Country, Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the Gold Coast Hinterland have created the ultimate package for travellers to experience the rare gems of this celebrated tourist area at their own pace.

Combining World Heritage wilderness, lush rainforest encounters, the natural paradise of the world’s largest sand island and a taste of the authentic Aussie outback, the six night adventure offers something fresh and new around every corner – all within three hours drive of the Queensland capital, Brisbane.

Priced from AUD $1221pp twin share, the package includes two nights accommodation at each property, breakfast daily and a range of exciting tours and extras such as Ranger-guided 4WD excursions; a rainforest canopy walk; mountain bike riding; Ranger-guided wilderness experiences and much more.

Kingfisher Bay Resort has also teamed up with O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Noosa Blue to produce a ‘Southern Gems of Queensland’ six-day self-drive tour.

KINGFISHER BAY TO LAUNCH NEW INTERNATIONAL WEBSITES

Watch this space! In the coming months Kingfisher Bay Resort will launch dedicated international websites in Japan and the UK.

WHALE OF A TIME

Kingfisher Bay has teamed up with the pioneers of whale watching in Hervey Bay – Brian and Jill Perry – to run Whale Watching tours out of the resort during the season. From August 1 guests will head out with Skipper Brian to watch as the Humpback’s rest and play in the warm, calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait.

ON THE BEACH AT EURONG BEACH RESORT – (SELF DRIVE)

For self-drivers Eurong Beach Resort’s absolute water front position on the eastern side of Fraser Island allows instant access to the island’s famous sand highway, is just a short drive from the island’s famous fresh-watering holes and is undoubtedly one of Queensland’s most scenic resort locations.

Set just a few metres back from Fraser’s golden beach, the resort’s beach-style motel and apartment style accommodation offers more than just rooms with great views – its casual, relaxed atmosphere is a draw card for the families, four-wheel-drivers, budget travellers, friends on safari and fishing enthusiasts who return World Heritage-listed Fraser year-upon-year.

While Lakes McKenzie, Birrabeen, Basin, Allom and Boomanjin are just a short drive down Fraser’s sandy pistes,

Eurong is right on the action for some of the best beach fishing in the world, with surf gutters along the beach providing all-season angling.

And if the call of the wild appeals, a sun rise over 75-Mile Beach, just a short walk from the resort, with the chance to spot a migrating humpback on its migratory journey is one not too be ignored.

Several accommodation styles are on offer at Eurong Beach, from seaside units and one or two bedroom apartments. The spacious, self-contained motel or apartment units have double or twin beds and island or pool views that are second to none, whilst the aptly named Tradewinds wing offers south-east facing balconies overlooking the windswept dunes and down to the stunning 75-Mile Beach.

For holiday-makers wanting a holiday on the surf side of Fraser, Eurong Beach Resort’s On The Beach package offers value for money.

Return barge transfers via River Heads (just south of Hervey Bay) or Inskip Point, two night’s motel room accommodation as well as daily buffet breakfasts and dinners are included.

For more information visit www.eurong.com.

COOL DINGO TOUR NAMED “BEST EXPERIENCE” IN QUEENSLAND

For the second year running Fraser Island’s iconic Cool Dingo Tour has been named the Best Experience in Queensland by some of the toughest travellers on the island’s sand tracks – international and domestic backpackers.

The TNT Golden Backpack awards, announced late last year were, according to TNT Magazine, designed to reward those companies who work hardest to make backpacking around Australia and New Zealand that extra bit special.

Cool Dingo Tours scooped top honours in its category, the only Fraser Coast operator to take out a prize, after a national campaign saw consumers vote in more than 40 categories.

“Forget fidgety nights with tents and sleeping bags… our fully guided and all-inclusive Cool Dingo Tours promise a good night’s rest on Fraser Island, with comfy lodge accommodation, hearty buffet meals, 4WD tours and return catamaran transfers,” International Sales and Marketing Manager Stephanie Siebert said.

“These tours really are a great way to experience World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and to meet like-minded travellers from all over the globe.”

The Golden Backpacks are Australia and New Zealand’s only dedicated awards for the independent travel sector. For more information on Cool Dingo Tours visit www.cooldingotour.com

FRASER EXPLORER TOURS – FULLY GUIDED DAY AND TWO-DAY TOURS

Bring your camera and a sense of humour as you explore Fraser Island with an eco-accredited guide who lives and loves Fraser Island. On a Fraser Explorer two-day tour you’ll stay on Fraser Island’s famous 75-Mile Beach at Eurong Beach Resort and explore the island’s beauty spots including Wanggoolba Creek and the Teewah coloured sands in air-conditioned comfort.

Guided 4WD tours depart daily from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. Start in one location and end in the other if you are travelling along the coast. Day tours are available. Two and three-day tours include accommodation and meals. www.fraserexplorertours.com.au

FRASER ISLAND IS NOW MORE ACCESSIBLE

The Fraser Coast and Fraser Island are very accessible for international visitors heading to Queensland.

The launch of V Australia has seen a new major player offering services from LA to Brisbane, Qantas continues to offer direct LA to Brisbane flights and Delta Airlines will enter the market, with direct flights from LAX to Sydney air-marked to start soon – giving a huge capacity boost for the North American market. Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline amongst others continue to provide strong direct services.

Once travellers arrive in Australia, domestic access to Fraser Island is hassle-free, with Virgin Blue operating direct jet services daily from Sydney, with other major city connections.

QantasLink operate services daily from Brisbane to the Fraser Coast.

Regular road coach and shuttle services operate to Maryborough and Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast from Brisbane or from the north of the state and QR’s electric Tilt Train service is a comfortable four hour journey north from Brisbane to Maryborough West Station, with coach connections to Urangan Boat Harbour.

There’s also secure parking for self- conveniently located at the Urangan Harbour terminal.