Jetsettersblog

Australian Business Traveller (www.AusBT.com.au) is is a recently-launched website dedicated to the estimated 2.5 million Australians fly interstate or internationally for business each year, and it’s looking for a journalist to join the editorial team.

Editor David Flynn – a former editor and journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald and ACP Magazines – explains that as a frequent business traveller himself, he saw the need for an editorially-based site with news, reviews and information to serve the largely ignored large non-leisure segment of the Australian travel market.

“Australia has 2.5 million business travellers who fly interstate or internationally each year, according to Roy Morgan Research, and their needs are often very different to holiday tourists”, Flynn explains.

“But there’s no way to reach them because all the current travel publications and Web sites target the leisure or holiday market. Australian Business Traveller fills that gap.” Australian Business Traveller (www.AusBT.com.au) is an independent venture with no ties to any airline or travel booking company.

The site’s content includes news and features on domestic and international flights, hotels and travel technology plus tips, strategies and insight for business travellers.

Journalist position open
Australian Business Traveller is seeking a mid-level journalist to work on news, features and developing the site’s online community.

The role is a full-time position with salary, superannuation and annual leave, and as a work-from-home position the successful applicant could be based anywhere in Australia or even New Zealand.

Further details on the position can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/ausbtjourno.

Editorial commentary available for media
Australian Business Traveller is also available to assist print, radio and TV journalists seeking independent comment on the business travel market, airlines, hotels, frequent flyer schemes and other related areas.

This can range from comment on topical news issues through to real-world advice and tips for features.

Fourteen of Australia’s leading independent ECO tourism properties have joined a new marketing group, Eco Lodges of Australia which was launched recently at the Global ECO Asia Pacific Conference in Noosa.

As a founding member, Paperbark Camp is proud to have joined this collection of independent ECO lodges and camps offering the ECO conscious traveller responsible, ethical and sustainable ECO experiences in Australia’s most inspiring and extraordinary natural locations.

ECO lodges of Australia is made up of Advanced Ecotourism certified accommodation providers in Australia, managed by Ecotourism Australia.

“Paperbark Camp is delighted to join ECO lodges of Australia” said Camilla Hutchings of Paperbark Camp. “As part of this marketing consortium, we’re dedicating ourselves to raising awareness of the environmentally responsible and properly credited accommodation operators around Australia.”

“We are thrilled that Paperbark Camp is a foundation member of our new marketing consortium, ECO lodges of Australia. More and more travellers are looking to make responsible choices in the places they choose to stay and we have a responsibility to help them identify the most environmentally friendly accommodation options,” said Kym Cheatham, CEO, Ecotourism Australia. “We look forward to working with Paperbark Camp to help market ECO lodges of Australia and educate the traveller so that they do not get confused by the various ‘green claims’ in the marketplace.”

ECO lodges of Australia is made up of various styles of accommodation throughout Australia who have achieved Advanced Ecotourism certification.

The 14 founding members of ECO lodges of Australia are:
* Amarant Yarra Valley Victoria
* Corinna Wilderness Experience Tasmania
* Freycinet Eco Retreat Tasmania
* Great Ocean Ecolodge Victoria
* Jabiru Safari Lodge Queensland
* Karijini Eco Retreat Western Australia
* Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Queensland
* Lane Cove River Tourist Park New South Wales
* O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Queensland
* Paperbark Camp New South Wales
* Rawnsley Park Eco-Villas South Australia
* Silky Oaks Lodge Queensland
* Thala Beach Lodge Queensland
* Venus Bay Eco Retreat Victoria

For more information about Ecotourism Australia, please visit www.ecotourism.org.au

About Ecotourism Australia
The Ecotourism Australia vision: “To be leaders in assisting ecotourism and other committed tourism operations to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially and culturally responsible”.

Ecotourism Australia’s ECO certification program was a world first. It provides objective monitoring and auditing of organisations’ ecotourism claims and provides travel agents and tourists with an assurance of best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and quality ecotourism experiences.

South Australians and other wine lovers are set to “check-in” at winery cellar doors around the State in a new, interactive social-media driven campaign that rewards participants for sharing their experiences.

Launched today, The Great South Australian Wine Adventure initially focuses on Adelaide Hills’ cellar doors with other South Australian wine regions being rolled out shortly.

Participants who register on the innovative GSAWA website and then check-in at participating cellar doors will receive instant rewards, such as a free glass of wine or cheese plate, and will go into the draw to win one of three “Ultimate SA Wine Adventure” holidays.

Developed by “Scruffy Gen X wine geeks” The Qwoff Boys in conjunction with the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Adventure’s website (www.greatwineadventure.com) integrates the hottest social mobile platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Gowalla – providing a platform where users can check-in with their smart phone, iPad or a cellar door computer to leave comments, photos and videos of their experience.

Andre Eikmeier from Qwoff says the project is a groundbreaking mix of social technology and real wine experience. “This is the most comprehensive and exciting marketing application of what is fast becoming the hottest trend in consumer behaviour – “checking in” – and we’re proud to be showcasing what South Australia has to offer to the world as a wine destination,” Mr Eikmeier says.

“Every person who shares their experience becomes an ambassador for the place, the region and this big beautiful wine State of South Australia, and the viral nature of this technology will allow these endorsements to reach an audience of hundreds of thousands, even millions, around the world.

“Those endorsements are then shared across the Adventure website – pushed out via social media channels, the Qwoff website, www.southaustralia.com, regional tourism websites and the websites of the individual wineries involved – providing a phenomenal reach for South Australia’s cellar door message.”

Steve Kernaghan, Executive General Manager Marketing and Sales, South Australian Tourism Commission, says the concept will drive wine loving travellers to further explore South Australia’s famous wine regions, also enhancing their stay while here.

“South Australia’s wine country is a standout tourism draw card and a key element of our ongoing domestic tourism marketing campaign, as showcased in activities including the highly successful “Cellar Door” television commercial,” Mr Kernaghan says.

“This new concept helps spread the word about South Australia’s wine regions in a way that visitors find engaging and trustworthy, giving them valuable shared interactions with other visitors.”

Participating Adelaide Hills cellar doors include: The Lane; Longview; Shaw & Smith; Golding; Hahndorf Hill Winery; Petaluma; Nepenthe; Chain of Ponds; Howard; Deviation Road; and Barrister’s Block.

The Adventure will be rolled out into the Barossa and McLaren Vale before Christmas, with other regions including the Coonawarra/Limestone Coast, Riverland and Clare Valley to follow.

For more information visit: www.greatwineadventure.com
“The Ultimate SA Wine Adventure” prizes will be drawn in late April, 2011.

Australia’s premier island resort, Hayman, is set to offer a selection of exclusive properties for purchase for the first time as part of ongoing strategic investment by owner, Mulpha Australia Limited.

These residences represent the first private ownership opportunity ever offered at Hayman.

Hayman is planning a staged roll out of ultra-luxury Hayman Private Residences and Hayman Marina Residences which form part of an exciting period of reinvestment for this acclaimed Great Barrier Reef tourism destination.

Following an exclusive opportunity for selected Hayman clients and guests, which has generated a number of sales, the first Hayman Private Residence will be delivered this month.

The residence has an estimated value of A$18 million, making it one of the highest prices paid for a property in Queensland this year. Details of the purchaser remain confidential.

Lloyd Donaldson, Head of Hotel Investment for Mulpha Australia and Managing Director of Hayman, said today the decision to offer premium residential property on the island was due to longstanding interest from frequent visitors.

The release of the Hayman Private Residences and Hayman Marina Residences by Mulpha, represents a significant part of the island’s ongoing strategic planning and will set the course for the resort into the future.

The Hayman Private Residences, situated on the eastern hillside of the island offering breathtaking views of the Great Barrier Reef, will include some of the most spectacular residences developed in Australia.

They are being designed by renowned international resort architect Kerry Hill, who has been acclaimed for his work on leading hotel brand Amanresorts.

Mulpha has also announced a pre-release of six Hayman Marina Residences to selected Hayman clientele.

Mr Donaldson said the residences are part of ongoing development and delivery of a carefully crafted plan for Hayman which is being implemented by Mulpha to retain Hayman’s mantle as one of the world’s leading private island destinations,” said Mr Donaldson.

“We are taking Hayman from its current strong position and focussing on how we can deliver an even better experience for our guests in the years to come.

“Our goal is to protect and enhance the Hayman positioning and enduring reputation for delivering world-class facilities and services.”

Hayman Private Residences will feature a series of three and four-bedroom residences (500sqm to 750sqm) on elevated oceanfront sites averaging 4000sqm.

Owners and their guests will have full access to Hayman facilities and services.

“Sales recorded through the exclusive release underpin the desirability of this unique opportunity to own a piece of Hayman and we understand the prices are some of the highest achieved on a private Australian island,” said Mr Donaldson.

“Results can be viewed in the context of Hayman’s international reputation and the exclusivity of these private offerings.”

“The official release of these first residences marks a significant milestone for the island and we are receiving considerable interest from Australian and international clientele.

In addition to the residential project, Hayman will unveil eight magnificent Kerry Hill designed Beach Villas on the shores of Hayman as part of its extensive array of resort accommodation next month and is undertaking ongoing work throughout the resort to enhance the guest experience and bolster Australia’s luxury tourism credentials.

This has included a refreshment this year of the Hayman Pool surrounds and a major upgrade which is now underway for Hayman’s magnificent fleet of white launches.

Mr Donaldson said the Beach Villas would bring a new level of luxury to the Australian resort, focussing on the privacy and exclusivity that is synonymous with the Hayman brand.

Mulpha is committed to ensuring Hayman remains a benchmark in resort and tourism excellence.

Hayman continues to be Australia’s most awarded tourism destination and is regularly recognised internationally with prestigious accolades.

Mulpha Australia purchased Hayman in 2004. The company’s primary asset portfolio also includes Sanctuary Cove, Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, InterContinental Sydney, Hilton Melbourne Airport, The Hotel School Sydney, Norwest Business Park, 99 Macquarie Street, Salzburg Apartments and Bimbadgen Estate Wines. Mulpha is also the largest security holder in ASX-listed FKP Property Group, the leading retirement group in Australasia.

Mulpha Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mulpha International (Bhd), which has significant operations in investments in Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, The People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.
Hayman is owned by Mulpha Australia Limited and is a member of the prestigious organisation, The Leading Hotels of the World.

Let’s face it, those 5 minutes climbing up the stairs to the ancient citadel aren’t going to cut it. Staggering from wine bar to wine bar doesn’t count as exercise! Anyone suffering from a love affair with the gastronomic delights of their holiday destination, risks coming home with more than they bargained for. And we’re not talking luggage here!

Luckily there is a way around it. Gourmet walking holidays are on the up. Combine hiking during the day with a strong focus on local cuisine at night and you’ve got a perfect partnership. Pay your dues during the day, enjoying the vistas while ‘toiling’ through the countryside, work up that appetite and burn those calories. In the evening it’s time to yield the rewards and indulge in the local fare. Another glass of wine? Yes of course, I’ve been good today!

Australia’s own Food and Wine Travel is now offering gourmet walking holidays for the European summer season (April – September 2011).

A cross section of active walking holidays with plenty of room for wining and dining:

* Walking and fine dining in Suffolk, UK
* Volterra and the Marema – Secret Tuscany
* Italy – Mont Blanc & Alpine Meadows – Gran Paradiso Val D’Aosta
* Parma, Tuscany & Cinque Terre Coast – Prosciutto and Parmesan, Pilgrims and Poets
* The Jewels of Piedmont – A Celebration of Slow Food
* Tuscany & Umbria – In the Footsteps of Francis of Assisi
* A week in Tuscany – Chianti, Castles and Tuscan cooking

For more information on these itineraries contact Karen Ridge at Food and Wine Travel Karen@foodandwinetravel.com.au and visit www.foodandwinetravel.com.au

Four of South Australia’s best tourism businesses have been inducted into the State’s Tourism Hall of Fame at the 2010 South Australian Tourism Awards.

Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre, UniSA’s School of Management and Unforgettable Houseboats all received the prestigious inductions at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Thursday night after winning their respective categories for the third year in a row.

Chief Executive of the Houseboat Hirers Association, Peter Tucker, was also honoured for his role in tourism, receiving the award for an Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.

With a passion for the houseboating industry, Peter is dedicated to promoting the Murray River as Australia’s most iconic waterway and unifying the industry with cooperative marketing.

More than 620 people attended the black tie event, where 26 awards were presented to businesses and individuals judged to be the most outstanding in each category.

A further 76 entrants who achieved a high standard in their category were recognised with a gold, silver or bronze medal.

South Australian Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Ward Tilbrook says a record 184 entries were received this year, highlighting the power a Tourism Awards win can have for a tourism business.

“The standard of entries was extremely high, which underlines the commitment our operators have towards this important industry,” Mr Tilbrook says.

“It has been inspiring to see the commitment that tourism businesses have given to reviewing their goals and achievements through the awards process and showcasing their success to the industry.

“The Tourism Industry Council aims to present the South Australian tourism industry as professional and high quality, and tonight we have seen some of the State’s finest tourism businesses rewarded for excellence.”

The South Australian Tourism Awards are the pinnacle of excellence within the tourism industry; they reward innovation and foster best business practices by setting benchmarks for all tourism operators to aspire to.

The awards are judged in accordance with a strict set of rules and criteria, and winners will represent the State at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in March 2011, to be held in Perth. 
2010 South Australian Tourism Awards

Category 1 – Major Tourist Attractions – Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre*
Category 2 – Tourist Attractions – Lyndoch Lavender Farm & Cafe
Category 3 – Major Festivals & Events – Santos Tour Down Under
Category 4 – Festivals & Events – Special Olympics Australia IX National Games
Category 5 – Ecotourism – Rawnsley Park Station Eco-Villas
Category 6 – Heritage & Cultural Tourism – Innamincka Hotel
Category 7 – Indigenous Tourism – Aboriginal Cultural Tours – Adjahdura Land, Yorke Peninsula
Category 8 – Specialised Tourism Services – Getaways Reservation Service
Category 9 – Visitor Information & Services – Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information Centre
Category 10 – Meetings & Business Tourism – Adelaide Convention Centre*
Category 12 – Tour &/or Transport Operators – Endeavour Tours
Category 13 – Adventure Tourism – Adventure Bay Charters
Category 14 – Tourism Marketing – Adelaide Convention Bureau – New Brand Development and Associated Initiatives
Category 15 – Tourism Education & Training – School of Management – UniSA*
Category 16 – Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services – Jacob’s Restaurant @Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre
Category 17 – Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries – Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre
Category 18 – Tourist & Caravan Parks – BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park
Category 19 – Backpacker Accommodation – Adelaide Central YHA
Category 20 – Hosted Accommodation – Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage
Category 21 – Unique Accommodation – Unforgettable Houseboats*
Category 22 – Standard Accommodation – Woodhouse Activity Centre
Category 23 – Deluxe Accommodation – Adelaide Shores Resort
Category 24 – Luxury Accommodation – The Sebel Playford Adelaide
Category 25 – New Tourism Development – Crowne Plaza Adelaide
Category 26 – Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism – Sinclair’s Gully
Category 27 – Outstanding Contribution by an Individual supported by Qantas Airways – Peter Tucker

* Hall of Fame recipients

Note: No winner was presented in Category 11 – Major Tour &/or Transport Operators

Western Australia’s extraordinary and vastly diverse regions provide the perfect opportunity for visitors to embark on their own eat, pray, love journey.

Eat your way through Margaret River, Pray in New Norcia and Love in the tropical coastal town of Broome.

In the South West of Western Australia you will discover Margaret River – an easy three hour drive south from capital city Perth. Chosen as one of the top ten regions in the world in 2010 by Lonely Planet, Margaret River is the perfect location to indulge your culinary senses with locally produced sweet treats including chocolate, fudge and ice cream to tantalise your tastebuds.

Enjoy a meal at one of Margaret River’s award winning wineries where the flavours of the freshest local produce are perfectly paired with some of the world’s most outstanding wines. After sampling the delicious delights of Australia’s South West, make your way up to Australia’s only monastic town, New Norcia.

Just a two hour drive north east of Perth, New Norcia is a tranquil and spiritual town reflecting monastic, Aboriginal and European heritage.

Join a town tour to get a look inside the 160 year old monastery or share in the daily rhythms and routines of the Benedictine monks by staying at the Monastery Guesthouse. Complete your eat, pray journey by falling in love in (or with) the beautiful coastal pearling town of Broome, in Australia’s North West.

Watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean from the pristine white sand of Cable Beach, catch a leisurely ride on a camel or go for a dip in the turquoise blue sea.

Visit westernaustralia.com for destination, accommodation and restaurant information to help plan your own unique eat, pray, love journey.

Sure to be a talking point around the Christmas tree, the calendar features 12 colour images of roadkill around Australia.

“It’s quirky, but not too gruesome,” says Australian naturalist Len Zell, who wrote the popular glove-box guide book Australian Wildlife Roadkill, on which the calendar is based.

“Here’s a chance to hang something really different on the back of your toilet door, in the shed, or wherever you choose – we expect that the kitchen won’t be the most favoured choice for most people.”

While the calendar is a novelty, the issue of roadkill is a serious one, especially as many Australians prepare for holiday road-trips over the summer. Zell’s book outlines how to avoid, deal with, and identify roadkill.

The calendar features images collected over many years travelling throughout Australia, from a Wedge-tailed Eagle in Western Australia to a wombat in New South Wales, a Tasmanian Devil, and the cover shot of a Red Kangaroo on the Birdsville Development Road.

Images can be viewed, and calendars ordered online at www.wilddiscoveryguides.com. The calendar is priced at $14.95 (plus $2 postage in Australia, or $5 overseas). It is A4 size, spiral bound, with a large square format.

The book retails for $19.95, and a book/calendar package is available for $30 including postage.

Wild Discovery Guides is a small, independent Australian publishing company founded in 2000 by Len Zell to publish quality travel guides aimed at travellers with a keen interest in learning more about the natural world in the destinations they visit. It also has an online magazine dedicated to nature-based travel and wildlife and environmental issues, www.wilddiscoveryguides.com

Melbourne’s Hotel Windsor celebrated another milestone this morning by pouring the first glasses of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau in Australia – and possibly the world.

At 10:01am this morning an Aston Martin suddenly appeared at the front door of Australia’s grand hotel delivering a case of 2010 Beaujolais Nouveau to the amazement of guests in the hotel’s lobby who were soon being served a glass of the chilled young red before anyone else had the opportunity in Europe by one of the hotel’s waiters, Damien Lipp, who was dressed for the occasion.

Hotel CEO and general manager, David Perry, smiled when a guest commented that helicopters, motor bikes and super cars would be departing the wineries in Bordeaux at this very moment and when asked “how did the Windsor do it?” discretion, as always, prevailed.

The fruity light red wine was served in the hotel’s Cricketer’s Bar at $12 for a glass or $55 for a bottle. A complimentary bowl of pommes frites was provided with each bottle, and the hotel’s French executive chef, Jerôme Trémoulet, created special dishes to compliment the wine.

Beaujolais wine producers release their “new Beaujolais” – Beaujolais Nouveau – each year on the third Thursday in November, in accordance with French law. Over the last 30 years it has become a hugely popular and widely publicized race to get the first bottles to Paris and then to other countries in Europe, North America and now to the Asia Pacific region.

“An advantage of being one of the first countries to welcome the sunrise on the third Thursday of November is the opportunity to pour the first glass of Beaujolais,” Hotel Windsor CEO and general manager David Perry said. “We’ve used all our contacts and pulled every string possible to be able to participate in this annual worldwide race and be the first venue in Australia, and probably the world, to serve this year’s new wine of the French harvest.”

More than a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau leave from the villages and towns of the Beaujolais region at midnight on the third Thursday of each November to Paris for shipment around the world. Much of the wine is consumed within days, with wine-lovers savouring the unique and light flavours of a wine that only weeks before was a cluster of grapes in a grower’s vineyard.

The Hotel Windsor is pleased to be serving on this historic day Beaujolais Nouveau from the Patriarche winery and it is exclusive to the hotel in Australia. Beaujolais Nouveau is made from the Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc grape. It is harvested by hand and the must is pressed after only three days to give an easy-to-drink fruity wine.

The 180-room Hotel Windsor was built in 1883, pre-dating some of the world’s leading grand hotels including the Savoy in London, which was built in 1889, the Waldorf Astoria in New York which dates back to 1893, and the Ritz Paris which opened in 1898

While some MD’s can reel off seat pitch and others their wine list of preference for various airlines, the colourful layers of immigration stamps in Sarina Bratton’s battered passport hint at adventures behind business trips of a different nature, to places where frequent flyer points are unheard of.

In preparation for inaugural visits in 2011 by the expedition cruise ship Orion II, Sarina Bratton, Founder and Managing Director of Orion Expedition Cruises, recently returned from a scouting expedition to Borneo. Accompanied by Expedition Leader Mick Fogg, Sarina spent days trekking, researching and exploring parts of Borneo to finalise bespoke shore activities that Orion’s guests will experience in August and September next year.

One such exploration, in one of the oldest jungle eco-systems remaining on earth, involves venturing in local boats up the Kinabatangan River. This is the ideal way to view an impressive eco system at work – river system abutted by thick rainforest and extensive wildlife all interlinked. Home to orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, crocodiles and endangered Bornean pygmy elephants, this Rudyard Kipling-esque setting is one of just two places on the planet where you can see 10 species of primate.

“This visit to Borneo exceeded all my expectations on every level” enthused Sarina. “The wildlife is quite simply amazing – orangutans, sun bears, proboscis monkeys are just the beginning. Unfortunately much of the natural habitat has been impacted by logging, plantations, even poaching, so part of the reason behind my visit was to open discussions with a number of wildlife rehabilitation organizations at Camp Leakey, Samboja Lestari and Sepilok to see how we can meaningfully assist with rehabilitating orangutans and other endangered wildlife. I am confident that our guests will want to embrace the programs we initiate, and that the awareness we create will assist these NGOs with improved outcomes for the animals in their care”.

“Beyond the wildlife experiences and National Parks we will visit, our guests will also have the chance to stay overnight in a rainforest lodge retreat, snorkel with manta rays, scuba dive, see historically important World War II sites at Labuan and Sandakan and enjoy cultural interaction with the wonderful, gentle, locals with their longhouses and ancient traditions”.

“We have released four separate expedition itineraries featuring Borneo in 2011 – each offering something out of the ordinary in this remarkable and rarely visited destination. I am very excited to be able to take Orion’s guests there in a responsible, controlled manner, to help contribute to the local tourism industry in a sustainable way”.

Background information
Nestled in the heart of the Malay Archipelago, Borneo is the third largest Island in the world. The southern two-thirds of the island is divided into the four provinces of West, Central, South and East Kalimantan. The northern coast is divided into the states of Sarawak and Sabah. The tiny nation of Brunei is wedged between these two Malaysian states. Borneo is home to the world’s oldest tropical rainforests which, until recently, covered the entire island. Since 1950 almost 50% of the Island has been cleared to satisfy the western world’s appetite for cheap timber and palm oil.

Borneo is amongst the planet’s most biologically diverse ecosystems with 15,000 plants (400 only recently discovered), 222 species of mammals, 420 resident birds, 100 amphibians and 394 species of fish. Borneo falls within the “Coral Triangle’, with 500 species of reef building corals, a global epicentre of marine biodiversity – the WWF has put this region on the top of its list for marine conservation.

Orion II 10 night voyages to Borneo in 2011;
Rajahs, Riches & Rainforests – Voyage of Discovery
2011 Departures – August 21 & 31- Kota Kinabalu / Singapore and v.v.

Visit some of the key destinations in Malaysian Borneo, from the famous Bako National Park to the remote islands of Palau Tiga. The Semengoh Wildlife centre for orangutans, near Kuching, provides an opportunity to view, first hand, one of our closest relatives. The national parks of Tanjung Datu, Bako and Similajau provide a snapshot of the diverse ecosystems that once covered the entire island, and now provide refuge for the abundant wildlife. In addition, a visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village, near Kuching, will expand our understanding of the people of Borneo, and our visit to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei highlights the diversity of cultures embedded through the island.

Secrets of Sabah – Voyage of Discovery
2011 Departure – September 10 – Kota Kinabalu / Tawau

Explore some seldom visited and very remote islands to take advantage of the marine diversity that exists in the heart of the coral triangle. Visit the key destinations of Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River. Described as Malaysia’s gift to the earth, the Kinabatangan is a wildlife mecca and we immerse ourselves deep within its beauty with an inclusive overnight stay in the rainforest lodges of Sukau. We have the chance to view, wild orangutans, Proboscis monkeys, macaques, Bornean pygmy elephants and countless bird species as we journey along the river. We will explore the tragic history of the WWII Sandakan Death Marches, where only 6 survived from the initial 6,000 participants.

Across the Wallace Line – Voyage of Discovery
2011 Departure – September 20- Tawau / Bali (Benoa)

From the clear tropical waters of the Derawan Islands to the remote Kutai National Park, our expedition will take us down the seldom visited eastern side of Borneo. Visit Samboja Lestari to view the reforestation projects and rehabilitation of the orangutans near Balikpapan. Cross the famous Wallace Line, named after the 19th century British naturalist, and take an overnight journey through Lore Lindu National Park, the Bada Valley and the ancient and mystical Toraja Land in Sulawesi. Finish the journey with an insight into the ancient Goan Kingdom and the more recent Dutch history of Makassar.

Camp Leakey – Faces in the Forest – Voyage of Discovery
2011 Departures – September 30 & December 29
2012 Departure – January 8 – Singapore / Bali (Benoa) and v.v.

Exciting destinations await as we voyage along the southern and western coastlines of Borneo. From isolated tropical islands to diverse National Parks, our itinerary will showcase some of Borneo’s undiscovered jewels. The landmark Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting National Park will be a highlight, allowing us the opportunity to view the rehabilitation of the ex-captive orangutans. Tanjung Puting is one of the great wonders of Borneo and is a wildlife mecca. We also visit Tanjung Datu, Gunung Palung and Bako National Parks to examine the complexity of ecosystems that once covered the entire Island.

PLEASE NOTE: some aspects of these itineraries may change as arrangements are finalised. Check for latest updates on www.orionexpeditions.com

Pricing onboard all Orion and Orion II voyages is in Australian dollars. Orion’s voyages to Borneo all start and finish in places with easy international flight access.

Fares Guide:
Early booking savings available

2011 Borneo Expedition 10 night fares begin from $8,150 per person for an Ocean View Suite/Category B. Junior Suites from $11,300 per person and Penthouse Suites with balcony are $16,400 per person

Expedition fares per person twin occupancy include accommodation, all meals, landings, port charges, gratuities and selected activities ashore.

About Orion Expedition Cruises;
Ranked #2 expedition cruise ship in the world in the current Berlitz Cruise Guide, Orion is the world’s latest purpose-built luxury expedition cruise ship, featuring an unmatched range of onboard facilities. With 75 crew and a maximum of just 106 passengers Orion offers the highest staff to guest ratio and guest to public space ratio of any ship based in Australian waters.

Orion Expedition Cruises’ itineraries for 2011 will include 49 voyages to 17 countries and more than 170 remote and exotic destinations stretching from Antarctica to the Russian Far East including Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and the Inland Sea of Japan (onboard Orion II) and Australia’s Kimberley coast and Arnhem Land, New Zealand and the Sub Antarctic islands and Papua New Guinea (onboard Orion).