Jetsettersblog

On 1 March 2011, Hong Kong-based Morgan Parker and Simon Lock will embark on a 100 day enduro-adventure, travelling 20,000 kilometres through ten countries starting from Hong Kong, all in the name of charity.

Parker and Lock, who are successful corporate entrepreneurs, represent Wheel2Wheel, an independent non-profit foundation that aims to shed light on relatively unknown grassroots charities throughout the region.

The first expedition sees Parker and Lock (with film crew following), riding BMW F800GS enduro motorbikes, tackle some of the world’s most challenging terrain, dangerous territories and harsh climatic conditions as they pass through Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Australia.

“The idea of spending 100 days riding a motorbike through some of the world’s most diverse landscapes is thrilling, but to be able to introduce to the world these ten truly inspiring organisations means everything to me” said Morgan Parker.

Similar in length and format to Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s popular television series, “The Long Way Round”, the main difference for Wheel2Wheel is their carefully selected local charities they will visit along the way.

Wheel2Wheel has spent the last 12 months carefully selecting one small organisation in each of the ten countries that is successfully addressing one of that country’s most pressing issues. This strategic philanthropic jigsaw puzzle includes 10 amazing stories embracing critical environmental, social and humanitarian topics.

100% of the money raised by Wheel2Wheel will be passed directly to the ten selected charities.

“In today’s super-connected world, our ability to harness multiple media distribution avenues creates an effective platform for the charities, sponsors and donors to benefit from the expedition” said Simon Lock.

To prepare for what will be an epic mental and physical challenge; Parker and Lock have already begun a comprehensive health and fitness regime spending two hours every day either in the gym, running, cycling, swimming, rowing or hiking and to ensure they are prepared for whatever might happen during the expedition, they are undertaking combat training, orienteering, first aid, photography and mechanical education courses.

Wheel2Wheel combines adventure, self-discovery, philanthropy and entertainment in a never-seen-before way. It heralds a new era in social activism and networking and will showcase natural wonders and human endeavour, bridging cultures, extending recognition to champions of charity and hopefully provide a lasting influence to motivate others.

To feed your curiosity please visit www.wheel2wheel.tv

More about Morgan Parker & Simon Lock
During Morgan’s 15 years in big-time Asian real estate development and investment banking he has worked for Morgan Stanley, Macquarie Bank, Lend Lease and most recently as President of US-listed real estate company Taubman in Asia. His corporate achievements have propelled him to Board positions with numerous industry bodies and to become one of the region’s highest profile real estate figures.

Simon’s private company The Lock Group has developed some of the regions biggest fashion events and marketing campaigns through his companies Spin, Australian Fashion Innovators (AFI), Tropfest and Propeller Productions. He was the founder of Australian Fashion Week and has been festival director of the Singapore Fashion Festival and Hong Kong Luxury Week. Most recently he has been the Managing Director of IMG Fashion & Models for Asia Pacific.

More about The Journey
On 1 March 2011, Morgan Parker and Simon Lock will embark on a 100 day expedition through some of the most beautiful and at times most inhospitable terrain in the world. The ride starts from Morgan and Simon’s home base of Hong Kong, continuing into China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor Leste and finally, Australia. Morgan will finish in his hometown of Brisbane while Simon carries on to Sydney.

Along the way, Morgan and Simon will be visiting each of the ten carefully selected charities supported by Wheel2Wheel. The guys will meet and film the principals and beneficiaries of each organisation. They will discuss the challenges and opportunities for the future, whilst gathering more knowledge on the issues.

Morgan and Simon will be riding the incredible looking BMW F800GS enduro motorbikes. While completely set up to be self sufficient there will also be a support vehicle travelling with them.

The journey will fill the senses: from the chaos of crowded, polluted urban metropolises, the desolation of obscure dirt roads, the thrill and grandeur of mountain terrain, the serenity of coastal vistas, and the vastness of the Australian Outback. The guys will travel past and through national monuments, sacred sites, precious rainforests and natural disaster areas – from cities of millions to fishing villages of a few.

Whilst the route has been designed to include all the must-sees, along with the ten charities, a day on the road for Morgan and Simon will be built around opportunity and spontaneity. Accommodation will be whatever fits right, from sleeping under the stars to the comfort and security of 5 stars.

The logistics of the journey are enormous from visas to carnets, border crossings in communist countries, water crossings from island to island, bike servicing and break downs, security concerns not too mention the physical and mental challenge of being in the saddle for 100 days.

A WHOLE fourteen nights being indulged aboard one of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships as you sail from Hong Kong to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Singapore is the centre-piece of a value-priced 16-nights luxury package through ecruising.travel in February and March next year.

Included in the price that’s been discounted from $9179 to as low as $6439pp twin-share are return air and taxes from mainland capitals, fourteen nights on the 5-star Seabourn Sojourn that was launched earlier this year and has been described as “amongst the most luxurious in the world,” a night pre-cruise in the Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong and another post-cruise at Raffles Hotel Singapore (with transfers included in Singapore.)

Guests will embark Seabourn Sojourn in Hong Kong on February 26 for a night on board, and sail next day for Cai Lan (Hanoi,) Ho Chi Minh City with an overnight in port, Sihanoukville, Laem Chabang (Bangkok,) and Singapore.

For full details phone toll-free 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

Dining options range from 5-star avant garde to casual on deck in a choice of four open-seating dining venues – or meals can be taken in-suite – there are six lounges and bars, a two-deck high health spa and salon, gym, saunas, two outdoor pools and six whirlpools, watersports marina, nightly stage shows, and a casino.

There’s also an indoor Thalassotherapy pool, sports deck and sun terrace, shops, a vast library and a computer centre.

Most Australians know Singapore for its iconic Raffles Hotel, Singapore Slings, Chili Crab and Changi Airport.

But dig a little deeper – or ‘Scratch more than the Surface’ – and you will find an amazing concentration of sights, sounds, tastes, cultures and attractions all packed into a compact, user-friendly island city.

During the past couple of years a whole gamut of new and exciting things have popped up including the truly amazing new restaurant, casino, hotel and retail complex that is Marina Bay Sands which houses Tetsuya’s wonderful Waku Ghin restaurant. And everyone’s talking about Marina Bay Sands’ impressive rooftop infinity pool and Ku De Ta bar too.

The younger and the young at heart can laugh and scream their way around 24 attractions at Universal Studios Singapore, or take a breather and relax as you ride the new seven-star Swarovski cable car between Mount Faber and Sentosa.

With all the new additions to Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board Area Director Oceania, Sandra Leong, says now there is so much more to do than what can be packed into just one day.

“The city has gone through such a transformation during the past two to three years and there is now so much more to enjoy you need at least 96 hours or more to take it all in,” Ms Leong said. “We’d like visitors to make Singapore their own by scratching beyond the surface of what they know about Singapore to discover the things they may not know.”

Aside from the many new offerings, Singapore’s favourites – the shopping, the hawker stalls and the Changi Chapel & Museum to name a few are also present, adding to the special vibe that is the essence of this exciting place.

To Scratch More than the Surface and start planning your very own Singapore holiday, go to www.YourSingapore.com where you can pick and choose what you like to create your personal itinerary which can be printed out, folded and taken along when you go!

Dilmah Tea’s Ceylon Tea Trails has been invited to become a member of Relais & Châteaux, as recognition of its unique character, gourmet cuisine and outstanding service. The Tea Trails is currently the only Sri Lankan property to belong to this prestigious association.

Situated a four hour scenic drive from Colombo and 4,000ft above sea level, Tea Trails features four colonial plantation bungalows built between 1890 and 1939 with turn of the century period furniture.

Each bungalow has its own manager, chef and butler offering round the clock service. Guests can take part in activities such as hiking, mountain biking, croquet, tennis, spa treatments and of course high tea.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be invited to join Relais & Château; it truly is testament to Tea Trails gourmet cuisine and outstanding, award-winning service,” said Malik J. Fernando, Director, Ceylon Tea Trails.

“These aspects, in combination with the ambience of original colonial planter’s bungalows and the surroundings of Sri Lanka’s lush tea country, serve to position Ceylon Tea Trails as one of the world’s most unique holiday experiences, providing an unforgettable feast for the senses,” added Fernando.

The Tea Trails Bungalows are an ideal base for climbing the Adam’s Peak holy mountain as well as visiting Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.

Rates at Ceylon Tea Trails are inclusive of meals and drinks including spirits and wine, and the special Tea Experience with the in-house tea planter. Guests can indulge in dishes from western fare to traditional Sri Lankan classics, and tea inspired dishes such as Earl Grey tea infused cured Atlantic salmon.

Established in France in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is the hallmark authority when it comes to selecting luxury and unique establishments around the world. Its mission is to spread its unique ‘art de vivre’ across the globe by selecting and representing outstanding properties with a truly unique character, vision, gourmet cuisine and outstanding service.

For further information and to book log onto www.teatrails.com

Enjoy your summer holiday in luxury this year without breaking the bank. Stamford’s Sizzling Summer Specials offer rates starting as low as AUS$110 per night, with the option to include a full buffet breakfast for only AUS$1, complimentary parking or a AUS$20 food and beverage credit.*

Sizzling Summer Specials: From AUS$110* per night

Sir Stamford at Circular Quay From AUS$229.00
Stamford Grand North Ryde From AUS$110.00
Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport From AUS$170.00
Stamford Plaza Melbourne From AUS$200.00
Stamford Plaza Brisbane From AUS$225.00
Stamford Plaza Adelaide From AUS$165.00
Stamford Grand Adelaide From AUS$195.00
Stamford Plaza Auckland From NZ$179.00

For reservations and enquiries within Australia call 1300 301 391, within NZ 0508 658 888, or email reservations@stamford.com.au For further information, please visit www.stamford.com.au

Terms and Conditions:
Sizzling Summer
*Conditions apply. Rates include overnight accommodation; AUS$1 buffet breakfast per person applies to a maximum of two people per room. Rates are quoted in local currency and may vary by arrival date; include local GST, are valid for a standard room, per night, twin or double occupancy only, additional bedding charges may apply for additional persons in rooms. Please confirm with the relevant hotel at time of booking. Offer is subject to availability from 01 December 2010 – 31 January 2011. Offer is not available for all hotels on the 31st December 2010. Complimentary parking at Stamford Grand North Ryde, Stamford Plaza Melbourne, Stamford Grand Adelaide, Stamford Plaza Adelaide and Stamford Plaza Auckland, Stamford Plaza Brisbane and Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport only offer self parking not Valet under this offer. Complimentary AUS$20 Food and Beverage credit is available at Sir Stamford at Circular Quay. Rates are not valid public holidays and special event periods. Self Car Parking is subject to availability and subject to the terms of use of the car park as displayed on entry. $20 credit is available for the current stay only, and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash, or used on future visits. Any unused portion of the $20 credit is forfeit on departure. Limited rooms are available at these special rates. AU$110 rate is based on the Stamford Grand North Ryde.

Stamford Hotels and Resorts is one of the largest owner/operators of premium quality hotels in Australia and New Zealand with over 2000 rooms, 2000 employees and residential assets. The Group operates eight hotels in the 5 and 4.5 star market segments with a unique portfolio of landmark premium and luxury hotels in key geographic locations – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland. It was formed in 1995 by its parent company, Stamford Land Corporation Ltd (formerly known as Hai Sun Hup Group Ltd), one of Singapore’s best-known public companies

Pinctada Cable Beach, Broome’s new award-winning 5-star spa resort, today announced two summer escape experiences – one for couples and another for family and friends.

Marilynne Paspaley AM, Managing Director of Pinctada Hotels & Resorts, said the summer escapes have been designed for people to experience Broome during the wet season.

“There’s a perception that Broome is a destination to be visited from May to September but Australia’s northwest is equally beautiful and exciting during summer,” Marilynne said. “During the wet season the Kimberley landscape rejuvenates with native flora bursting into colour. The flowers and fruit trees are in full bloom and the mango trees, full of fruit, are particularly beautiful. Mango season is always a celebration and the related festivities are a special part of summer in Broome. The wet season also brings other wonders of nature such as spectacular sunsets and amazing storms which pass as quickly as they come allowing visitors to enjoy the refreshed landscape.” The summer escape experiences are also designed for guests to rejuvenate. Pinctada Cable Beach, named Australia’s Best Resort Style Accommodation at the 2010 National AHA Awards for Excellence, offers a world class day spa and an intimate, environment that reflects Broome’s unique beauty, heritage and culture.

The Pinctada Summer Escape for couples offers three nights’ accommodation at Pinctada Cable Beach with full breakfast daily, a bottle of fine Australian or French sparkling wine, a Pinctada Spa gift voucher valued at $100 and Mercedes airport transfers in Broome. The cost is just $838 per couple.

The Pinctada Family and Friends Summer Escape offers 2 nights’ accommodation at Pinctada Cable Beach in two adjacent rooms, full breakfast daily for four, two bottles of fine Australian wine, welcome drinks on arrival and Mercedes airport transfers in Broome. The cost is just $840 for two couples or four people.

Both Pinctada summer escapes are valid to 31 March 2011 and bookings can be made by visiting www.pinctada.com.au  or phoning 1800 PINCTADA or 1800 746 282.

Multi-award winning Pinctada Cable Beach, which opened in August 2009, was honoured with another accolade at last night’s AHA WA Aon Hotel Awards for Excellence, named Western Australia’s best Marketed Accommodation Hotel. Marilynne Paspaley accepted the award at last night’s gala presentation at Perth’s Burswood Entertainment Complex.

“To be named Western Australia’s best marketed accommodation hotel is a great honour and recognition of the resources, effort and thought that we have devoted to marketing since Pinctada Cable Beach opened just over a year ago,” Marilynne said. “Our marketing is largely based on how our hotel reflects and respects the Kimberley destination and we have attended trade shows in the United Kingdom, Europe and America during the past year to generate interest in the Kimberley and our hotels. Our commitment to global trade shows and our other forms of marketing is ongoing.”

At last night’s awards, Pinctada Cable Beach was also a finalist in the categories for Best Resort Style Accommodation, Best Deluxe Accommodation and Best Accommodation Hotel Wine List while Pinctada Kimberley Grande, Kununurra, was a finalist in the Superior Accommodation Award. Paspaley Beach Polo, co-founded by Marilynne Paspaley AM, was a finalist in the Best Tourism Initiative Award category.

Passed on for generations like a precious jewel, Falaknuma Palace or ‘Mirror of the Sky’ was the royal residence of Nizam Mehboob Ali Khan. After ten years of extensive and sensitive restoration, The Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has infused new life into the Falaknuma Palace which was the sole preserve of visiting royalty like King Edward VIII and the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II. With this, the Palace is ready to resume its status as Hyderabad’s most exclusive address to offer its guests a glimpse of the regal lifestyle of the Nizams who governed the legendry city of Hyderabad.

Mr. Raymond Bickson, Managing Director & C.E.O, Indian Hotels Company Limited, says, “Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces have established a legacy of being the first hospitality chain to acquire a host of authentic and magnificent palaces as part of our rich and esteemed collection. We are proud to have added another splendid and historic palace to our portfolio – one of the last of the Grand Palaces – The Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad. It has been lovingly restored and enhanced and so effortlessly fuses the old with the new and tradition with modernity to create a state of art luxury hotel”.

Taj Falaknuma Palace has opened on the 1st of November, 2010. An architectural gem, nestled amidst verdant and unique themed gardens, The Palace offers a choice of 60 unique and exquisite rooms and suites including a Grand Presidential Suite, 2 restaurants (Celeste – serves Italian & Mediterranean cuisine & Adaa – Indian fine dining), an outdoor pool and the signature Jiva Spa spread across 32 acres of manicured gardens. These resplendent suites, which were once the private chambers of the Nizam, royal family and state guests, are beautifully detailed and complete with every modern comfort, from state of the art amenities to a personal butler.

Ranjit Phillipose, General Manager, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, states, “For over 10 years, we have worked on preserving the priceless art and artifacts. We are very proud today to welcome our guests to the Taj Falaknuma Palace – restored, renewed and reinstated to its former glory. Guests can live enchanted moments of luxury while experiencing and reliving chapters from the lives of the Nizams.”

Extensive restoration was carried out under the guidance of Princess Esra Jah, to bring it back to its original magnificence, encapsulating a slice of history, legend & romance. The ornate inlaid furniture, the finest collection of Jade, the rich handcrafted tapestries and brocades from France, and intricate frescos with English as well as Indian influences, together give the Palace its distinct Baroque style. The palace boasts a bouquet of many firsts, amongst which are a petrol pump for fuelling a fleet of the finest vintage cars, original refrigerators by GE which have withstood the tests of time. A custom designed 2 ton musical orchestreone stands majestically beneath a dramatic cantilevered staircase ready to envelope the palace in its mellifluous tunes!

Situated on the banks of the Musi river, the 400 year old city of Hyderabad, which is now a burgeoning IT hub, was once governed by the legendary Nizams of India. The city of Hyderabad offers a fascinating panorama of the past, with a rich mix of cultural and historical tradition. This Hyderabadi ‘tehzeeb’ or hospitality and its resultant idiosyncrasies spring from four hundred years of rich Old World charm. This refined way of living, today mingles effortlessly with the more recently acquired cosmopolitan flavour of the city.

Rediscover the lost charm and allure of an era gone by and relive the history of Hyderabad and its Nizams in this heritage hotel which is an exceptional addition to the Taj’s extraordinary collection of Palace hotels. Abounding with flowering trees, sprawling lawns, authenticity and heritage in abundance, every moment spent here is reminiscent of a life you wished you had.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 67 hotels in 42 locations across India with an additional 16 international hotels in the Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Grand Palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India’s premier business house.

Cool down this summer by visiting picturesque Thredbo in the heart of Australia’s beautiful Snowy Mountains, staying at the coolest place in town – The Denman Hotel & Spa.

In Thredbo, at an altitude of 1400 metres, summer temperatures are an average 10ºC cooler than Sydney or Canberra – offering the perfect escape from oppressive summer heat. Ed Denny, The Denman Hotel & Spa’s proprietor states: “Many of our guests enjoy the peace and quiet of Thredbo in summer away from beach crowds, high humidity and sizzling heat. It’s always cool on the roof of Australia!”

Here are 10 cool reasons to stay at Australia’s coolest destination this summer:

1. Walk amongst cool-climate wildflowers whilst trekking to Mount Kosciuszko, the roof of Australia, marvelling at Kosciuszko National Park’s spectacular wilderness scenery.

2. Discover some amazing cool picnic spots and water holes by car or on foot. The Denman Hotel provides guests with their Kosciuszko Picnic Map to help find the coolest spots to enjoy their Denman Gourmet Picnic hamper.

3. Relax with coffee and cake at Eagles Nest, Australia’s highest café at 1900 metres, enjoying cool, fresh mountain air and a majestic panorama.

4. Have a cool game of tennis or round of golf in beautiful alpine surroundings.

5. Venture out for some cool stream fly-fishing for rainbow and brown trout.

6. Be pampered by a refreshing Cold Marine Facial at The Denman Thalgo Spa.

7. Laze on The Denman veranda under a shady umbrella enjoying a cool drink and even the coolest ice cream sunday.

8. Savour Australia’s coolest cuisine at the Terrace Restaurant. Executive Chef Hayden Ellerton’s modern Australian fine dining uses local alpine produce and is gaining rave reviews, being just awarded “Australia’s Alpine Restaurant of the Year”.

9. Sip a cool cocktail or Veuve Clicquot Champagne in the ‘Snowy’s’ coolest nightspot – The Denman’s Après Bar.

10. Take an after-dinner stroll through picturesque Thredbo village in the quiet cool of the evening.

So this year The Denman Hotel & Spa, in association with guiding company K7 Adventures, has created “The Coolest Summer Packages” to entice those seeking a really cool holiday. “The only thing that is sizzling is our summer rates, significantly lower in our summer season”, comments Ed Denny.

There’s a choice of packages: select from a 15 km trek to Mount Kosciuszko or, for the more sedentary, indulge with spa, champagne and picnic hamper in beautiful alpine surrounds. K7 Adventures Chief Guide Peter Cocker states: “Walking in the Australian alpine area is truly addictive with its cool temperatures and lofty altitudes with stunning views.”

The Denman’s coolest summer packages:

Coolest Summer Adventure Package
The Denman’s Coolest Summer Adventure package features a spectacular walk to Mt Kosciuszko. Your private K7 Adventure guide leads you on a scenic route to Mt Kosciuszko that offers a true appreciation of the region’s natural beauty and unique ecology.

The Denman’s Coolest Summer Adventure package includes 2 nights’ accommodation, continental breakfast daily, half-day mountain adventure walk through the Ramshead Tors to Mt Kosciuszko, gourmet picnic lunch, 2 full day lift access pass, and dinner for two in The Terrace Restaurant. Prices start from $317 per person.

Coolest Summer Indulgence Package
The Denman’s Coolest Summer Indulgence Package is designed for those that simply wish to unwind in cool surroundings, enjoying The Denman Hotel & Spa’s facilities and services and the natural surrounds of the Kosciuszko National Park.

The Denman’s Coolest Summer Indulgence Package includes 2 nights’ accommodation, continental breakfast daily, welcome drink on arrival, a 1-hour spa treatment, an easy alpine wildflower walk with gourmet picnic, French Champagne in room on arrival and dinner for two in The Terrace Restaurant. Prices start from $515 per person.

The Denman Hotel & Spa boasts a dress circle position at Terrace Diggings in the heart of Thredbo Village, just a few minutes walk to the Crackenback chairlifts. The Hotel offers 36 guest rooms with ensuites, with a wide range of room styles and sizes, compact to spacious, chalet to contemporary, with no two rooms the same. Room service, porterage and valet parking are included.

Floor to ceiling windows offer stunning daytime mountain views and set the stage for award winning dining at the Denman’s Terrace Restaurant. The Restaurant has just been named “Australia’s Alpine Restaurant of the Year” in the 10th Annual Skiwatch Awards and has been named as the ‘Restaurant of the Year’ for the Southern Region of NSW
 in the Restaurant & Caterers Association Awards for Excellence. Open in winter from 6 pm till late, guests enjoy a la carte dining as part of the Denman tariff and savour the modern Australian cuisine of Executive Chef Hayden Ellerton.

The Denman’s Après Bar is recognised as the Snowy Mountain’s most sophisticated nightspot. It’s a chic metropolitan style cocktail lounge with comfortable seating -ideal for either pre or post dinner.

The Denman Day Spa
The Denman Day Spa is the only full day spa in Thredbo and exclusively offers Thalgo treatments from aromatherapy to remedial sports massage. Guests can choose from indulgent spa packages, facial treatments, body treatments, hand and feet treatments, plus waxing and tinting.

K7 Adventures
K7 Adventures is an all-seasons specialist for Snowy Mountains’ adventure tours, offering trekking, climbing and abseiling in summer, and snowshoeing, ski touring or the freedom of nordic skiing through the Kosciuszko Cross Country Ski School in winter. K7 Adventure Guides are ‘mountain people’ who love where they live and live what they love. Its experienced team of guides and instructors spend winter after winter exploring the back country steeps, finding the sweetest lines and the purest untracked snow, the best views and most surprising angles that become a photographer’s delight. K7 Adventures prides itself on customer service and satisfaction.

Snowy Mountains National Park & Thredbo
Covering 690,000ha. the Snowy Mountains is the largest national park in NSW and one of the Australia’s most significant natural resources – with the highest mountains in Australia as well as the legendary snowy river. Besides having New South Wales’ major ski resorts and some of the best cross country skiing areas in the world, in summer this is the heart of alpine adventure with numerous walks on the roof of Australia, including Australia’s highest point – Mount Kosciuszko, plus great trout fishing, scenic drives and a multitude of other outdoor activities.

Thredbo is the perfect base from which to explore the Snowy Mountains National Park. It is reminiscent of a European mountain retreat, with its town square and Village atmosphere. Summer leisure facilities include a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, indoor leisure centre with 25 m lap pool. Shops, cafés and a myriad of local attractions are all nearby.

The exquisite National Rose Garden in Longford, Tasmania will be celebrating its 11th anniversary this summer, and is inviting visitors to the estate to take in the stunning sight and scent of the extensive rose collection. Open from 21 November 2010 to 1 March 2011, The National Rose Garden has one of the finest collections of historic roses in the southern hemisphere, ranging from the earliest European and Chinese roses to 21st century varieties.

Over 500 different varieties of the fragrant blossoms can be found in a typically English setting, with vast green lawns, sculptured beds, white pebbled pathways and a rose arbour transporting guests to yesteryear. Entry to the Rose Garden costs $14 for adults, $5 for children aged five to fourteen, and $12 for concession holders. The National Rose Garden is situated within the grounds of the historic Woolmers Estate (1817 – 1850s), one of the most important colonial-era heritage properties of Australia.

Established by Thomas Archer in 1817, Woolmers Estate is one of five convict sites across Tasmania that were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 1 August 2010 as part of the Australian Convict Sites Inscription. The other Tasmanian sites include The Cascades Female Factory (1828 – 1856), The Port Arthur Historic Site (1830 – 1877), The Coal Mines Historic Site (1833 – 1848), and Darlington Probation Station (1825 – 1832; 1842 – 1850).

“The World Heritage Listing of the Cascades Female Factory, Port Arthur Historic Site, Coal Mines Historic Site, Darlington Probation Station and Woolmers and Brickendon Estate is a momentous milestone for Tasmania,” Felicia Marini, CEO of Tourism Tasmania said. “It is an indication of our rich convict history as a state and nation, and an irrefutable testament of the need to keep the sites preserved for future generations. I am proud of the tireless measures taken to conserve them, and the opportunities we have provided visitors and ancestors alike to walk in the footsteps of history, and gain an invaluable insight into the lives and conditions of families and convicts in the 1800s.”

The five World Heritage listed convict sites are as follows:

Brickendon and Woolmers Estates (1817 – 50s)
Consisting of two convict built properties established by two brothers, Thomas and William Archer, circa 1817, Woolmers Estate is the slightly grander of the two, is a convict built property and one of the most outstanding examples of 19th century rural settlements in Australia. It comprises more than 18 buildings over 13 hectares, including family houses, workers cottages, a former chapel, blacksmith’s shop, stables, bakehouse, pump house and gardener’s cottage.

Its neighbouring property, Brickendon (established in 1824) covers 420 hectares of farming land and 20 timber and brick buildings including the homestead and original farm village built with convict labour.

The two estates represent the convict experience of assignment where convicts both male and female, were assigned to private owners free as a labour source. Assignment was the most common experience, with 80% of all convicts being assigned to private owners and was key in settling the new colony, producing food and developing the economy. Combined the estates had an annual convict population of over 100, the second largest pool of convict labour in private hands in Van Diemen’s Land. W: www.woolmers.com.au; www.brickendon.com.au

The Cascades Female Factory (1828 – 56)
Operating from 1828 to 1856, the Cascades Female Factory housed female convicts in the colony, and was one of the first purpose built femal penal establishments in the world. The site included five yards around which cells, storerooms, workrooms and offices were built, and housed over 5,000 female convicts and their babies throughout its history. The women were employed at the factory to wash, sew, card, spin and assigned out as domestic labour, greatly offsetting the penal costs of the colony. Today, the Cascades Female Factory is one of the most intact surviving female convict sites in Australia. W: www.femalefactory.com.au

The Port Arthur Historic Site (1830 – 77)
Established in the 1830s, Port Arthur was built as a penal settlement and comprises over sixty buildings across 136 hectares including the Penitentiary (1843), Separate Prison (1850), Dockyard, Convict Church (1836 – 37), Hospital (1841 – 42) and historic houses where the Commanding and Civil Officers once lived. Most of the convicts here were employed in dangerous and hard labour including the felling of timber and the quarrying of sandstone. Convicts also worked at the dockyards, building boats for the government and private entities.

Today, the management of the Port Arthur Historic Site continue to undertake ongoing heritage and conservation management listed ruins, working in tangent with a team of archaeologists, architects, engineers, conservation professionals and trades staff to ensure that the buildings are carefully conserved for future generations. W: www.portarthur.org.au

The Coal Mines Historic Site (1833 – 48)
Named after the discovery of coal at the site in 1833, The Coal Mines Historic Site has a 40 year history of convict excavation, producing around 60,000 tonnes of coal throughout its lifetime. At its peak, it held up to 500 convicts, who worked arduous eight-hour shifts in the mines’ appalling conditions. Other convicts were assigned to the building of infrastructures, quarrying of sandstone, brick-making and lime burning to extract lime for mortar and leather tanning. The Coal Mines were eventually closed on moral and economic grounds.

Today, the site comprises 25 buildings over 214 hectares, including the remnants of coal mining activities in the bushland. Ruins that once housed the stone prisoners’ barracks, punishment cells, a chapel, bakehouse, store and quarters for the commanding officer, surgeon and soldiers still stand, providing an insight into the significant role convicts played in the early colony’s economic development. W: www.portarthur.org.au

Darlington Probation Station (1825 – 32; 1842 – 50)
Built in 1825, Darlington Probation Station, on Maria Island off Tasmania’s East Coast, initially served as a convict station, later becoming a probation station for male convicts. It was established to reduce the pressures placed on the other penal settlements as a result of the increasing number of convicts, and fulfilled its purpose well as its geographic location made escape difficult.

Today, Darlington is the most representative and intact example of a probation station in Australia, with its 14 convict buildings and notable ruins illustrating the key features of a probation system during the colonial era. At its peak, Darlington housed 492 prisoners. It closed in 1850 following the cessation of the probation system.

Travel to Tasmania
Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Qantas, Tiger Airways or Rex Airlines, or take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Port Melbourne (VIC) to Devonport (TAS).

Tourism Tasmania is a Tasmanian Government agency whose role is to lead the industry in jointly delivering marketing and development programs that drive benefits for Tasmania from domestic and international tourism.

Part of the wider Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts, Tourism Tasmania links government and the private sector in marketing Tasmania’s unique assets.

Tourism Tasmania’s new strategic direction has been shaped by the recognition for the organisation to continue to change to meet the challenges of a new world in Tourism.

Digital technology has changed our media landscape, and the ability to work across multiple platforms is now prerequisite for many media workers.

The Walkley Foundation, the professional development arm of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, is dedicated to providing the expert knowledge and professional training journalists need to thrive in this new environment.

Supported by the Copyright Agency Limited, we are providing a series of new media training initiatives around Australia over the coming months, focusing on social media, digital media, and multimedia storytelling.

As well as continuing our highly successful course ‘The Wired Scribe: Telling Digital Stories’ – an introduction to online reporting and social media – we are running one and two-day courses on Blogging and Online Publishing, Online Audio and Podcasting, and Social Media for Journalists.

The series caters to multiple skill levels and follows a natural progression; so you can jump straight in the deep end or work your way up.

We are also offering a practical one-day workshop to arm PR professionals with solid online writing and social media skills.

More courses will be announced in the coming year.

For more information see our website: www.walkleys.com/training To register email: events@walkleys.com or call 1300 65 65 13 About the trainers:

Renee Barnes lectures in online journalism at RMIT University. She writes regularly for The Age and works in the ABC Radio Australia newsroom in both an online and broadcast capacity. Prior to joining RMIT, Renee worked as a journalist for a number of organisations including The Age Online, The Sunday Age, ABC Melbourne and Australian Associated Press.

Julie Posetti teaches journalism at the University of Canberra and freelances for a number of online publications and blogs, including Crikey, New Matilda and j-scribe. As an award-winning radio and television journalist with the ABC, Julie reported politics and social affairs at the national level. She now teaches journalism at the University of Canberra and freelances for online publications and blogs including Crikey, New Matilda and www.j-scribe.com