Archive for the ‘Accommodation’ Category
El Questro Homestead Special Offer
Save 20% on accommodation at The Homestead, inclusive of all dining and beverages, selected touring and El Questro Wilderness Park Permit for two adults. Minimum 4 night stay, prices start from $1,559 AUD per night, twin share. For travel 29 March to 27 October 2013. Contact Luxury Adventures for further information and availability.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Neil Perry Italian Cooking and Wines
Famous restaurateur and Australian native Chef Neil Perry joins The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs to share his latest passion of Italian cooking. Neil will win you over with his favorite delicious dishes from his latest Melbourne restaurant, Rosetta. A relaxed and food-filled weekend, there will be plenty of time to enjoy the spa, golf on the award winning course and enjoy the Italian food prepared by Chef Neil Perry.
Saturday 27th July at the special event rate of NZ$800.00 + 15% GST per person per night based on double or twin occupancy*
*Tariff includes accommodation in a suite with pre-dinner drinks and canapés, dinner by Chef Neil Perry on Saturday night which will be matched with Italian wine, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excludes liquor and wine) and use of lodge facilities including your choice of either a day of unlimited green fees OR a 50 minute massage per person during your stay.
We would encourage guests to take advantage of this opportunity to extend their reservation and enjoy the whole weekend at Kauri Cliffs. Additional nights are available at the special NZ$600.00 + 15% GST per person per night (includes pre-dinner drinks, dinner, and breakfast; rate does not include wine with dinner, spa or golf and this exclusive rate is only available to those participating in the special event). For single occupancy add NZ$400.00 + 15% GST per night to the event tariff.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Eichardts Champagne Bollinger Offer
If you are in Queenstown this month (May 2013) and looking for a warming lunch, you can’t go past Eichardt’s legendary Seafood Chowder. Monday to Fridays this month we are offering a complimentary glass of Champagne Bollinger with every lunchtime Eichardt’s Legendary Seafood Chowder.
Eichardt’s is the only bar in Queenstown that serves Bollinger by the glass which is a feat in itself, so this is an offer that is tough to beat. It has been very popular at just $24!
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Luxury in Outback Australia
Luxury Adventures are conducting a series of interviews with some of our key suppliers looking at the different aspects of their lives and how these influence the experiences they offer. El Questro Wilderness Park & Homestead is near the town of Kununurra in the Northern part of Western Australia and is operated by Delaware North Parks & Resorts.
Tell us more about the unique location of El Questro Homestead, how would you describe the experience? At the heart of El Questro Wilderness Park lies The Homestead. Perched atop a cliff with vistas of the Chamberlain River, The Homestead is a boutique oasis, catering for a maximum of 18 guests. The Homestead is renowned for serving premium cuisine in dramatic locations.
- Privacy and exclusivity nestled in a unique landscape
- Appreciate the untamed beauty of the Kimberley in absolute luxury
- A culinary adventure: The Homestead’s vibrant dining is as inspired as your imagination
- Personalised and intimate touring experiences
What are the transfer options to reach the property? Regular flights are available from all major Australian capital cities to Kununurra via Darwin, Broome and Perth with Qantas, Air North or Skywest. Guests travelling from the Eastern States are encouraged to fly through Darwin as opposed to Perth. This enables arrival in time for lunch at El Questro Homestead and makes the most of your time with us. Aeroplane charters are available directly to the El Questro airstrips from Kununurra, Darwin, Broome, Uluru and Alice Springs. Private VIP jet service is also available from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth direct to Kununurra. Helicopter charters and scenic aeroplane flights are available between Kununurra and the Homestead.
What are the top three on site activities that you recommend to quests at the homestead?
Miri Miri Waterfall: Our most popular tours are the Miri Miri Waterfall tour by helicopter where you will enjoy a scenic helicopter flight, land at Miri Miri Waterfall and enjoy a beautiful gourmet picnic lunch enjoying a swim in the waterhole of the waterfall. The serenity of this beautiful setting offers an unparalleled romantic excursion for a select few.
Zebedee Thermal Springs: Every afternoon beautiful Zebedee Springs closes for exclusive use for El Questro Homestead guests. This is a beautiful Oasis where our guests can enjoy a series of thermal pools and small waterfalls. Set amongst a back drop of sheer cliffs and Livistonia palms, Zebedee Springs is a magical place to relax and rejuvenate.
Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout: This tour has an informative 4WD journey to Explosion Gorge and enjoys a 45 minute cruise along the beautiful Gorge. The tour then continues on to Branco’s lookout for you to enjoy the magnificent sunset whilst enjoying cheese and champagne.
What other activities or experiences can be found in the region that you can recommend? El Questro tours and activities form an integral part of every visit to the property. The Homestead offers a wide range of excursions that provide opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the natural attractions of the Wilderness Park. The majority are exclusive to Homestead guests, facilitating engagement between the small group and their guide. El Questro’s enthusiastic rangers are adept at personalising the experience to individual tastes. Activities range from helicopter tours, boating and fishing, horse riding, spectacular gorge walks, and exploring further afield the Bungle Bungle Range, Argyle Diamond Mine and Mitchell Falls.
How long do you recommend guests stay at El Questro to fully experience what the property offers? A minimum of 4 nights is recommended.
Tell us about some of the private dining opportunities at El Questro?
Breakfast: The Homestead comes alive early each morning as staff and guests alike take pleasure in this most exceptional hour of the day. The intense Kimberley sun bathes the nearby ranges in a soft pink glow, appearing to light them up from within. A myriad of birds take delight in the cool morning dew, either to put a gleam on their feathers or find their own breakfast feast. Guests enjoy their breakfast in true country style on the wide, sweeping verandah with views of the range as it casts perfect reflections in river below. Arrive early before going on a guided walk or nature tour; come later after your bird watching or horse riding adventure. Or perhaps breakfast on the lookout at sunrise is your morning activity. Whatever the time, you can expect beautifully prepared fresh, seasonal ingredients. Local Ord Valley treasures include giant red paw paw, ripe fragrant melons and hand squeezed pink grapefruit juice. Breads are hand made by our chef and feature a different sour dough variety each day. An old fashioned butcher crafts double smoked spec bacon, herb sausages and even black pudding to exacting standards. From farther a field, Scottish Kippers and Canadian maple syrup represent Chef’s dual roots, providing familiar comfort to visiting travelers. The beginning of your day is as inspired as your imagination.
Lunch: Lunch at the Homestead is as much a social event as the time for sating appetites after an active morning. A welcoming long table transforms guests into knowledgeable tour guides as they compare details of their morning excursions and offer advice to new comers freshly arrived from the morning flight. The outdoor setting is kept cool under a shady awning and offers opportunity to spot wallabies and goannas claiming their patch of lush Homestead lawn. Savour two cool courses accompanied by artisan bread and olive oil and a perfect glass of Western Australian white wine. Perennial favourites include Mangrove Jack or free range chicken on a Nicoise salad that showcases the fine local produce. Or chef’s sophisticated version of the Ploughman’s lunch. Refreshing sorbets and ice cream feature in desserts that few can resist. Picnics are also a much loved indulgence. Guests take delight in the basket of surprise treats presented. One may find country pate with rosella flower chutney or Exmouth prawns and green mango dressing. Revitalise with cuisine that embraces the spirit of endless summer. Stars of the Margaret River region feature prominently on the wine menu, beside up and coming Western Australian ingénues and iconic labels from Australia’s Eastern states. This ever changing culinary adventure is outdone only by the dramatic, ever changing views from the outdoor dining tables. 1,000,000 acres is your restaurant.
Dinner: The evening begins at the convivial bar as guests are drawn in to sample hors deouvres and regale each other with tales of the day’s adventures. Over a glass of Champagne or a signature cocktail, the trophy Barramundi is suddenly 1 ½ metres and the birds spotted number more than 40! The Homestead has long been renowned for providing a choice of dramatic dining locations. While the dinner party beneath the stars comes alive, tables set on the cliff side may beckon romantic couples to share a moment. That is if they aren’t distracted by the crocodiles floating in the gorge below. The three course menu changes nightly, offering a perfectly balanced selection that won’t be duplicated throughout your stay. Exceptional Western Australian lamb and beef or wild Cambridge Gulf Barramundi follow glazed quail or local fresh water scampi. Desserts reveal our chef’s talent for precise techniques that deliver vibrant flavours. A surprising array of carefully chosen cheese may be served by the open fireplace for all to share. Or perhaps the evening will conclude on your private verandah watching the night sky mirrored in the river beneath your suite. Culinary artistry always in harmony with breathtaking landscapes.
What is the best time to visit El Questro? The best time to visit the region is between May – August.
There must be some very interesting wildlife to been seen in the region, can you expand on this? The mighty Barramundi are the main attraction at El Questro. In addition, resident Rock Wallabies, Johnston Crocodiles and the always cheeky Archer Fish are familiar inhabitants of the gorge. The park attracts over 100 different bird species including Rainbow Bee Eaters, dancing Brolgas and even the once near extinct Gouldian Finch.
Tell us more about the history of El Questro Wilderness park. When Will Burrell and Celia Shelmerdine saw the property in 1991, trees had fallen over the roads, and rocks protruded through the wheel ruts. The original homestead uninhabited for three years, was derelict. The Homestead with its spectacular location on the Chamberlain River required 20,000 cubic metres of sand to level the land, and 12 tonnes of grass seeded soil was sown at a cost of around $70,000. The Homestead, furnished with antiques from Indonesia and Australia, was opened in October 1992. In 1995, El Questro took out the coveted Sir David Brand award for the premier tourist attraction in Western Australia and received further recognition for its contribution to tourism in 1997 when it again won Western Australia’s top tourism award. In 1998, Western Australia tourism awards went to the Homestead in the luxury category. Will and Celia Burrell reluctantly sold El Questro to General Property Trust in 2005. General Property Trust onsold the Wilderness Park to Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts in March 2010.
We understand El Questro has been enjoyed by celebrity guests in the past, are you able to divulge some of the names? Our guests privacy is paramount and we would never divulge their travel details. We have Royalty, celebrities and millionaires that all enjoy our beautiful resort.
The Homestead would be a unique wedding location, is it possible to hold weddings there, if so please tell us more about the options? Yes. You and your partner stand on a private cliff top to exchange vows, as an intimate group of friends and family share your special moment. After the ceremony, relax with guests, as you sip Champagne on the rambling verandahs of this exclusive retreat, cantilevered over the magnificent Chamberlain River. Experience the ultimate in hospitality and luxury in the midst of the rugged Kimberley in far North Western Australia, surrounded by one million of the most spectacularly remote acres in the world. El Questro Homestead offers you and your wedding party a superb base from which to explore the wonders of this breathtaking region.
Apart from weddings El Questro is also a great location for conferences and incentives, are you able to describe the options available? The Homestead is available on an exclusive use basis for an event, special occasion or unique family holiday. Imagine yourself and seventeen of your closest friends or family having the run of the ultimate holiday house. Homestead staff will ensure that every moment is an experience by tailoring meals, tours and activities to your personal tastes. A company sponsored incentive at the Homestead says thank you in a manner that cannot be duplicated. Regardless of the reason, exclusive use of the Homestead is an experience you should have at least once in your life time.
How many guests can stay at El Questro at any one time? 18 people
The inclusive tariff includes a personalised itinerary and guided tours within the El Questro Valley, can you give more detail on a typical itinerary and the options available?
3 Night – Taste of El Questro:
Day 1 – Arrive Homestead at noon, Lunch. Chamberlain Gorge Cruise 3:00-5:00
Day 2 – Spectacular Guided Gorge Walk 8:00-11:00 Gourmet Picnic Lunch to Miri Miri Waterfall by Helicopter 12:00-2:00 Zebedee Thermal Springs 2:30-5:00
Day 3 – History, Nature and Bush Culture Tour 8:00-11:30, Lunch Bungle Bungles Scenic Flight 2:30-4:30
Day 4 – Bird Watching Tour 6:00-8:00; Departure
3 Night – For the Adventurous:
Day 1 – Arrive via a Scenic Flight over the Bungle Bungles 11:30, Lunch Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout 2:30-6:00
Day 2 – Spectacular Guided Gorge Walk 8:00-11:00, Lunch Chamberlain Gorge Cruise 3:00-5:00
Day 3 – Lost City Cave Tour and Miri Miri Waterfall by Helicopter 6:45-10:30 Self Drive Boat/Fishing in the Homestead Billabong, Lunch Zebedee Thermal Springs 2:30-5:00
Day 4 – Horse Riding 6:30-9:30; Departure
4 Night – El Questro Highlights:
Day 1 – Arrive Homestead at noon, Lunch Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout 2:30-6:00
Day 2 – History, Nature and Bush Culture Tour 8:00-11:30, Lunch Zebedee Springs 2:30-5:00
Day 3 – Spectacular Guided Gorge Walk 8:00-11:00 Gourmet Picnic Lunch to Miri Miri Waterfall by Helicopter 12:00-2:00 Chamberlain Gorge Cruise 3:00-5:00
Day 4 – El Questro’s Big Day Out 7:30-5:00
Day 5 – Bird Watching 6:00-8:00. Depart via Helicopter Charter; Departure
4 Night – Waterfalls, Gorges and Lookouts:
Day 1 – Arrive Homestead at noon, Lunch Zebedee Thermal Springs 2:30-5:00
Day 2 – Spectacular Guided Gorge Walk 8:00-11:00, Lunch Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout 2:30-6:00
Day 3 – Mitchell Falls and Kimberley Coast Tour 7:00-3:00
Day 4 – Champagne Springs Walk returning by Helicopter 7:00-11:00, Lunch Chamberlain Gorge Cruise 3:00-5:00
Day 5 – Sunrise Breakfast alternate location of Pigeon Lookout 4:45-7:00; Departure
4 Night – For the Very Active:
Day 1 – Arrive Homestead at noon, Lunch Chamberlain Gorge Cruise 3:00-5:00
Day 2 – Spectacular Guided Gorge Walk 8:00-11:00, Lunch Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout 2:30-6:00
Day 3 – 4WD Fishing Tour to the Pentecost 4:45-10:00 Gourmet Picnic Lunch to Amaroo Falls by Helicopter 11:30-2:00 Zebedee Thermal Springs 2:30-5:00
Day 4 – Bungle Bungles Full Day Tour Fly / Drive/Walk 9:00-4:30
Day 5 – Horse Riding 6:30-9:30; Departure
5 Night – The Relaxing Experience:
Day 1 – Arrive via Scenic Flight over the Bungle Bungles 11:30, Lunch Chamberlain Gorge Cruise 3:00-5:00
Day 2 – Spectacular Guided Gorge Walk 8:00-11:00. Relaxation or take out Homestead Boat, Lunch Zebedee Springs 2:30-5:00
Day 3 – Helifishing 5:45-11:00. Lunch. Free Afternoon; Sunset Views from the Homestead of the Chamberlain River
Day 4 – El Questro’s Big Day Out 7:30-5:00
Day 5 – Amaroo Falls by Helicopter 8:00-10:30. Easy Morning; Lunch Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout 2:30-6:00
Day 6 – Bird Watching 6:00-8:00; Departure
Are there any current special offers or packages we can tell our clients about? We offer a special 20% discount off accommodation for all stays of 4 nights or more.
Carolyn Pike is a Luxury Specialist at El Questro Homestead & Wilderness Park.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Bastille Weekend with Nic Poeleart & Louis Roederer Champagne
Nic Poeleart trained in France under Michelin starred chef Alain Gelle and has worked at the likes of Michel Bras at the 3-starred Michelin Restaurant Bras in the South of France. Nic’s fabulous French degustation dinner will be paired with exquisite French wines from Louis Roederer and Maison Joseph Drouhin at a special French dinner on Saturday night July 13.
For generations Louis Roederer have maintained and enriched the Roederer tradition to create some of the most prestigious champagnes in the world. Along with Louis Roederer champagne, Maison Joseph Drouhin will be showcasing their prestigious wine collection. With attention to detail, passion for excellence and a never-ending search for quality, the Joseph Drouhin wines will not disappoint. Brett Newell has visited both houses and will share his deep knowledge and passion for these fine wines at a pre-dinner champagne tasting and between courses during the dinner. For guests who choose to make a weekend of it and arrive on Friday night, Chef Nic Poelaert will share his Gallic cooking techniques at a special Saturday morning cooking demonstration. Come and join The Farm at Cape Kidnappers for one of the most indulgent Food + Wine events of the season! Vive le France!
13 July, 2013 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Special event rate of NZ$800.00 + 15% GST per person per night based on double or twin occupancy*
*Tariff includes accommodation in a suite with pre-dinner drinks and canapés, dinner by Chef Nic Poelaert on Saturday night which will be matched with selected French wines, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excludes liquor and wine) and use of lodge facilities. This package also includes your choice of either a day of unlimited green fees OR a 50 minute massage per person during your stay.
We would encourage guests to take advantage of the opportunity to extend their reservation and add an additional night to enjoy the whole weekend at Cape Kidnappers. Additional nights are available at the special NZ$600.00 + 15% GST per person per night and include pre-dinner drinks, dinner (wine with dinner, golf and spa not included), breakfast, and a one hour cooking demo on Saturday morning, if staying on Friday night. This special rate is only available to guests participating in the special event. For single occupancy add NZ$400.00 + 15% GST per night to the event tariff.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Front Row Seat to the Great Barrier Reef
Luxury Adventures are conducting a series of interviews with some of our key suppliers looking at the different aspects of their lives and how these influence the experiences they offer. Hayman Island is the northernmost island in the Whitsunday Passage on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia.
Tell us about the location of Hayman Resort, and what else is on offer to guests outside of the resort. The Resort is located in the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, and the northernmost island in the Whitsunday Passage. It is the closest island in the Whitsundays to the Outer Barrier Reef. On the west side of the island is the famous Blue Pearl Bay which offers spectacular snorkelling and is home to around about 1500 species of fishes and 400 kinds of hard and soft corals. Blue Pearl Bay is just 10 minutes from the Marina by boat. Less than two nautical miles off the shore of Hayman, resting in the middle of the Coral Sea is Langford Island. This strip of sand offers spectacular views, swimming and snorkelling and is a great place to enjoy a gourmet picnic for lunch. Langford Island is also popular location for spotting turtles. Whitehaven Beach is considered one of the world’s most famous and beautiful beaches, which stretches over 7 kilometres along the eastern shore of Whitsunday Island. This piece of paradise boasts white silica sand and is accessible by air or water. Hayman boasts a premier location within the Great Barrier Reef and offers direct access to the Outer Reef for guests to experience some of the most spectacular dive and snorkelling activities in the world. Access to the Outer Reef is by both seaplane and helicopter.
Hayman has been consistently recognised as a world leading resort, can you tell us about some of the awards that mean the most to you? Hayman continues to head the charge for Australia with prestigious awards and accolades and is an inductee in the Hall of Fame for the Australian Tourism Awards, Queensland Tourism Awards, Luxury Travel & Style Magazine Gold List and National Travel Industry Awards and has been included in lists adjudged by readers of Travel + Leisure US, Conde Nast Traveler US, Conde Nast Traveller UK and Tatler UK acknowledging outstanding guest, dining, spa and adventure experiences. There is one special award which we have won recently that is very special to us. This is the 2013 Luxury Travel & Style Magazine Gold List award of ‘Best Australian Family Resort’ (which we have won for the second consecutive year in a row). One of the reasons this award is so special because it is voted by an exclusive selection of experienced travel agents who have seen and experienced the best of the best. This accolade also highlights our consistent impeccable standards and emphasises the scope of fantastic experiences and facilities we have to suit guests of all ages and which is not often something you find with 5-star luxury destinations of our calibre.
We understand the journey to Hayman is all part of the experience, explain to our guests about the options available for transfer to and from Hamilton Island. The journey here is certainly a journey to remember. The main transfer option is from the Great Barrier Reef Airport or Shute Harbour is via one of Hayman’s stunning luxury launches. Guests will enjoy refreshments and island views as the launch cruises through the spectacular Whitsunday Passage. All check-in formalities are completed on board to make arrival as smooth and relaxing as possible. Resort activities, dining experiences, and reef adventures may also be booked while on board. Upon arrival at the resort, guests are escorted to their room, and their luggage is delivered shortly after. The other two transfer options are via Helicopter or Seaplane. Guests that chose one of these forms of transport will arrive in ultimate 5-star style by air, and will also be able soak in the spectacular views of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef along the way.
Hayman has several accommodation options within the resort, can you expand on these? Hayman Resort offers elegant living in beautifully appointed rooms, suites and penthouses nestled in the lush rainforests and sun kissed vistas of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef. There are 4 main accommodation options throughout the resort – Pool, Lagoon, Beach and Penthouses.
Hayman Pool
The scene of many iconic Australian travel images, Hayman Pool features fun, classic-style accommodation perched over one of Australia’s largest pools and only minutes from the sea. A perfect base for outdoor, active guests and families who are seeking easy and convenient access to the famous Hayman Pool and Pool Bar. Within this wing there are Pool Rooms, Pool Access Rooms (with direct access to the pool from a private balcony), Pool Deluxe Rooms and Pool Suites.
Hayman Lagoon
Offering stylish elegance immersed in the sensory beauty of nature and located on the tranquil eastern side of the resort, all Lagoon Rooms and Suites have been created with a substance and style that is uniquely Hayman. Generously spacious and set within a lush landscape, Hayman Lagoon is simply moments from the Coral Sea, bars and restaurants.
Hayman Beach
Hayman Beach offers a completely unique hideaway and is the ultimate beachside Great Barrier Reef experience. The Beach accommodation sits away from the main resort, allowing beach guests an even more involved and sensory experience of the breathtaking scenery, its beaches and the Whitsunday Islands. This accommodation collection features 8 Beach Villas, a private Beach House and tranquil Retreat Rooms.
Hayman Penthouses
Experience the ultimate accommodation experience in one of the luxurious Penthouses. The Penthouses are located on the top floor of the Lagoon accommodation and enjoy unsurpassed interior appointments. Each of the Penthouses is uniquely designed and furnished featuring large sun-drenched balconies. There are 3 Lagoon Penthouses, a DVF Penthouse designed by world-renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and the Owner’s Penthouse, which is the premium accommodation offering on the island.
Can you tell us more about the butler service offered to Hayman guests? The team is proud to provide attentive, yet unintrusive service during your stay on the island. Our Concierge team will assist with any request throughout your experience. Guests staying in the Beach Villas and the Beach House will have access to the Beach Butler service, a team of butlers dedicated to assisting with all of your needs. For those guests staying in the DVF Penthouse and the Owners Penthouse, a dedicated and personalised butler service is available.
Hayman Resort is a perfect place to relax and do nothing at all, however there are also many adventures and activities available. Can you tell me which of these you recommend, is there a “must do” activity? A must do activity whilst staying is the Island Escapade. Take a speedboat to one of the beautiful beaches surrounding Hayman including Langford Island or Blue Pearl Bay and enjoy relaxing in the sun and spectacular snorkelling. In Room Dining can organise a Gourmet Picnic Hamper for you to enjoy whilst on your escapade.
Hayman is a great place for honeymooners and families alike. Is there a typical Hayman guest? The island provides the perfect setting for weddings, honeymooners, romantic escapes and family holidays. The typical guest is anyone looking for a luxurious experience in an iconic Australian destination where they can experience the Great Barrier Reef with authentic Australian service. Lovers of fine dining, fun activities and exploring nature always gravitate towards this iconic resort.
Do you have any events at Hayman Island or the surrounding area that are worth timing your visit for? One particular upcoming event that we are very excited about is our Wine + Dine Weekend hosted by acclaimed wine expert, Peter Bourne. Hayman is partnering with Gourmet Traveller WINE for a second year in a row to present this special three-night weekend which will take place from the 19-22 July 2013. Featuring gourmet dining experiences, a Shiraz Syrah MasterClass hosted by Peter Bourne and luxurious accommodation, this weekend will provide the ultimate escape for any foodie or wine lover!
Tell us about the dining options available at Hayman, in particular The Chefs Table? The restaurants are as diverse as its accommodations, with four unique concepts centrally located within the resort, as well as additional dining options throughout the property.
Azure
Azure is the resort’s beachfront restaurant, serving Australian cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood. The stunning location, overlooking Hayman Beach offers captivating views of the Whitsunday waters and is a natural complement to the spectacular food. The restaurant serves a bountiful buffet breakfast, made with local ingredients. Azure is also open selected evenings for dinner indoors or on the outdoor deck.
La Trattoria
For an authentic Italian dining experience in a charming al fresco, indoor and outdoor setting, La Trattoria is a superb choice. Serving al fresco Italian specialties, La Trattoria is finished with rustic local timber, magnificent chandeliers, hanging vines, and terracotta tiles, and offers guests a taste of Italy in the midst of the Coral Sea. Among the many offerings on the menu are the famous antipasti, a selection of gourmet pizzas, as well as sumptuous regionally sourced meat, seafood, and pasta entrées.
Oriental
The aptly named Oriental restaurant showcases an adventurous mix of Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian dishes—all prepared with innovative flair. The outdoor dining experience here includes views of the lush gardens, a beautiful ceremonial tea house, and a tranquil rock pool.
Fontaine
Fontaine restaurant offers guests a taste of contemporary Australian cuisine inspired by locally sourced produce. At Fontaine, guests are able to pair any number of the à la carte menu items, or enjoy a tailored seasonal tasting menu.
Chef’s Table and Chef’s Bench
For guests looking for a more personalised food experience, the weekly Chef’s Table welcomes guests into the Main Kitchen for a six-course dinner with matching wines. Fontaine Bench offers a 12-course tasting menu for two guests. Both experiences include a tour of the Wine Cellar and a visit to the famous Hayman Chocolate Room.
What makes Hayman the perfect place for a wedding? Hayman is the perfect choice to celebrate your wedding or renewal of vows. We offer a genuine island experience of tranquility and natural beauty as well as romance, adventure and relaxation all in the beautiful setting of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. The island presents stunning locations with breathtaking views for ceremonies and receptions across the resort.
Is there a special “signature” spa treatment which is a favourite for Hayman guests? The ultimate sensorial Hayman Spa signature experience in the most beautiful of settings is the Ocean massage; let yourself drift away to a world of total relaxation and comfort in tranquil waters surrounded by gentle tides and tropical fish in the warm Whitsunday sun.
We understand Hayman has an interesting history, tell us more about that? Hayman was named in 1866 by Vice-Admiral, Sir George Strong Nares of the Salamander in honour of his navigator, Thomas Hayman, Master RN. The Salamander provisioned and protected early settlements along Australia’s North Queensland coast. A biological research laboratory was established on the island in 1933 by amateur scientist, Edwin Embury. Local fishermen, Bob and Bert Hallam established the Great Barrier Reef Game Fish Angling Club on the island in 1935, attracting local and international game fishing enthusiasts. Among those big game fishermen was American novelist and filmmaker Zane Grey, who chose Hayman as the idyllic tropical setting for his 1936 comedy drama, White Death. In 1947, Australian aviation pioneer Reginald Ansett acquired the island and built the Royal Hayman Hotel, which opened in 1950. Hayman soon earned the reputation as Australia’s foremost leisure and honeymoon destination and attracted widespread international recognition. Hayman contributed to Australian popular culture in 1969 with the classic television series, Barrier Reef, introducing a generation of Australians to the excitement of exploration and underwater adventure. Sylvia Cook and John Fairfax became part of the islands adventuring history in 1972, as the first to row unaided across the Pacific, landed here after an astonishing 361 days at sea. In 1985, an A$300 million project commenced to transform the island into a true luxury lifestyle destination. In 1987 the resort was invited to join The Leading Hotels of the World. In 2004, Mulpha Australia Limited acquired the resort and, after careful planning, design and environmental consultations, has commenced a strategically planned revitalisation and refreshment of the iconic destination. The next stage in Hayman’s evolution as one of the world’s premier destinations is well underway as the story continues.
Gina Levy is the Digital Marketing Executive at Hayman Island Resort.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Winter Cooking Lessons at Otahuna 2013
Ever wanted to take the stress out of hosting a dinner party? Building upon the popularity of Otahuna’s past cooking lessons, the 2013 series will focus entirely on how students can plan the ultimate soirées for their guests with each lesson featuring different styles of cuisine. Expect to learn recipes which will impress your guests as well as tips that will best allow you to prepare before the event so that you can concentrate instead on hosting.
These lessons – limited to a maximum of only ten guests each – will offer participants the chance to learn first-hand cooking secrets and practical techniques from Executive Chef Jimmy McIntyre, who has been profiled in Cuisine, Dish, Delicious, Gourmet Traveller and many other publications. Jimmy’s “potager to plate” philosophy utilises the freshest local ingredients, drawing upon the year-round selection from Otahuna’s exquisite, organic potager garden.
Seafood Feast
Saturday, 25 May: 3PM
Tuesday, 28 May: 10AM
The seafood lover will swoon over the simple pleasures of fresh New Zealand fish and crustaceans. Taking care to let the delicate flavours speak for themselves, Jimmy will prepare soups, entrees and main courses cooked simply yet with sophistication. The menu will be organised around the freshest seafood available on the day. The Saturday, 25 May lesson is an afternoon lesson followed by dinner with participants having the option to stay overnight at Otahuna at the preferential rate of $500 including breakfast.
La Scuola Italiana
Friday, 23 August: 10AM
Sunday, 25 August: 10AM
This class will focus on both the sophisticated and rustic flavours of northern Italy, which is the home of our Sous Chef Filippo Moriggi. The class will feature a variety of pastas alongside lighter Italian staples such as panzanella (Tuscan bread salad). Jimmy and Filippo will also show insider tricks to preparing your own cured meats such as coppa at home. The lesson will end with favourite Italian desserts such as homemade gelato and pannacotta.
A Taste of Asia
Friday, 13 September: 10AM
Sunday, 15 September: 10AM
The melting pot of cuisines represented by the nations of South and Southeast Asia offer colours, textures and flavours which can’t be found in any other part of the world. The class will present an entirely new menu of aromatic curries, popular street foods, and a range of dishes featuring exotic spices and herbs including ones grown on the Otahuna estate such as galangal, wasabi, Myoga ginger, Vietnamese mint and Kaffir lime.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
South Pacific Honeymoon
If you plan your honeymoon or wedding with Luxury Adventures, to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific you will begin your married life in one of the most beautiful and romantic parts of the world. Let our team take all the stress out of planning your big day and or honeymoon – we can arrange something special and unique such as a heli wedding in a stunning alpine or beach location, quaint lake side chapels, dramatic, stunning and scenic locations – the South Pacific has it all! Our team can arrange the ceremony, accommodation for you and your guests, everything from the celebrant to the cake and photos. More information on New Zealand weddings can be found on our recent weddings blog specifically written for anyone wanting to elope, or contact our team directly.
Whether you choose to get married at home or overseas; the South Pacific is a perfect place for a honeymoon and a New Zealand honeymoon is a unique experience thats filled with everlasting memories to begin your married life. With everything to offer from adventure to spa treatments, stunning scenery, fresh food and world class wine, mountains, lakes and beaches. The Luxury Adventures team can create the perfect honeymoon that will keep the bride and groom happy!
Arranging a wedding can be stressful and take up a lot of a couples time, a honeymoon is a once in a lifetime trip so its important you get it exactly right and this is where we come in… We’ll ensure you arrive at a honeymoon that ticks all the boxes. All we need to know is a little about you as a couple, what are the types of things you enjoy doing together and individually. We can either discuss this over the phone which is preferred or via email which is useful to have as well for reference. Below is a sample of the types of information we like to obtain from our clients.
- How long do you have for your honeymoon (we recommend at least two weeks)?
- Where would you like to spend your time, or perhaps the bias of your time as its sometimes difficult to know exactly until you have a rough itinerary mapped out? Figure out your must visit locations/destinations and go from there. Sometimes after speaking with us people change their minds when they find out the must see destination they had in mind wasn’t going to offer them what they first envisaged due to time of year, season or other factors.
- Whats your travel budget (our article on travel budgets will help you with this)? This not surprisingly is the ultimate decider of not so much where you’ll go but certainly where you decide to stay and what experiences you end up selecting.
- What type of accommodation would you like to stay in? Hotel, luxury lodge, boutique property, private villa? Or you may have already narrowed it down to particular properties or brands which is even more helpful for us. Again we can advise and make suggestions based on your brief and expectations. Once we have this information we can begin planning a tailored itinerary for you - remember our staff have stayed in quite a few of the properties we offer so often speak from personal experience.
- Many couples like to mix things up a bit, spend half their honeymoon with the things they enjoy as a couple, perhaps hiking, wine tours, horseback riding, sailing, massages, private picnics, romantic dinners, almost anything is possible to create everlasting memories; or something more adventurous and unique to New Zealand or Australia such as a bungy, jet boat ride, heli-skiing or exclusive mountain helicopter trip. Its important to let us know what you would like to experience not solely for the enjoyment of your honeymoon but the activites you choose can also have a major influence over the locations you end up visiting. Your imagination is the only limitation here – let us know what you’ve always dreamed about experiencing down under! Having done a reasonable amont of private guiding in the early days of the business I have first hand experiences of many of the activities and along with the other luxury travel specialists here its quite possible we’ve personally tried many of the activities we’ll offer you.
- How do you plan to travel around the country? You have a few different options here; apart from the longer legs where you can choose from a comercial airline, private plane or helicopter you will need to decide on private vehicle transfers vs self drive. You can read more about these options in the aforementioned article which goes into detail about this. As a general rule private transfers are considerably more expensive than self driving and comparable in price for both Australia and New Zealand.
Generally for a honeymoon couples spend a considerable amount of money (relative to the individuals), therefore its paramount you get it right and make it as perfect as possible. After all you want to get off on the right foot! Luxury Adventures have been creating honeymoons now for many years and have some really wonderful and unique ideas. Heres a few ideas to wet your appetite; We have some very special romantic accommodation options, for example the new five star luxury Marlborough Sounds retreat The Sounds Retreat is a perfect honeymoon location, you will have exclusive use of the property, with the hosts Tony and Anne creating wonderful and romantic meals, enjoy a private couples massage, soak up the amazing views simply relax and enjoy each other’s company. For something really unique a private luxury tent at Minaret Station, Wanaka which is only accessible by helicopter, here you can hike, fish, hunt, enjoy alpine picnics. A truly private and romantic alpine chalet experience at Whare Kea chalet, again the only access is by helicopter and we can arrange a chef to create a special and romantic dinner for you at the chalet. Relax in your own luxury private villa at Azur Lodge, Queenstown, have a private dining in your villa or let us recommend a romantic restaurant.
Previous honeymooners have enjoyed private dining in the wine cellar at Huka Lodge, private pink beach picnics at Kauri Cliffs, picnics on the lawn at Blanket Bay, Queenstown. We can arrange a champagne picnic for two on a mountain top or glacier, with a helicopter flight, a wonderfully romantic and serene hot air balloon ride. Take a 4WD into a high country station and be the only two people for miles, drink champagne and soak up the views. How about something really memorable like a tandem sky dive or bungee jump – nothing like mutual trepidation to create indelible memories! Other clients have chosen to spend their time hiking in the New Zealand wilderness, at one with nature, taking in all the splendour the New Zealand outdoors offers, just the two of you and a guide. We can arrange accommodation along the way in anything from tents, to ranger huts or luxury lodges. Perhaps take a kayak out to a secluded beach, with or without a private guide, see seals, penguins and other wildlife along the way, drop anchor at a secluded beach for picnic lunch, a swim and sunbathe. A guided hike to a quite secluded waterfall on a tropical island in Tahiti or Fiji, dive or snorkel with stingrays or sharks. Shop up a storm in Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland and wine & dine at a long list of word class restaurants, eateries and bars.
Depending on the time of year a great opportunity and one many honeymooners enjoy is to have a two destination honeymoon with a more active start in New Zealand or perhaps Australia with activities and tours, and spend the last part of your honeymoon relaxing on a South Pacific beach, either in New Zealand, Australia or one of the Islands such as Tahiti, Fiji or the Cook Islands. This does depend on the time of year and our team are happy to make recommendations. Hopefully the above gives you an understanding and some ideas about honeymooning in the South Pacific. As always Luxury Adventures are ready to assist.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Kauri Cliffs Dom Perignon Champagne Dinner
1 June 2013, Northland, New Zealand
We are excited to welcome this new event to the line-up in 2013! Dom Perignon’s reputation of excellence paired with Kauri Cliff’s award winning food will make an unforgettable experience. Enjoy Chef Barry Frith’s 5-course cuisine while tasting some of the world’s finest French champagne. Dom Perignon continues to uphold its reputation of vintage and prestigious champagne produced by Moët & Chandon. Dom Perignon would like to share its classic and new champagne with guests of Kauri Cliffs during this exclusive event.
We are delighted to share the vintages that will be showcased during the event:
Dom Pérignon Oenothèque 1996
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2002
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003
Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2000
Saturday 1st June at the special event rate of NZ$800.00 + 15% GST per person per night based on double or twin occupancy*
*Tariff includes accommodation in a suite with pre-dinner drinks and canapés, dinner by Kauri Cliffs Executive Chef Barry Frith on Saturday night which will be matched with Dom Perignon champagne, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excludes liquor and wine) and use of lodge facilities including your choice of either a day of unlimited green fees OR a 50 minute massage per person during your stay.
We would encourage guests to take advantage of this opportunity to extend their reservation and enjoy the whole weekend at Kauri Cliffs. Additional nights are available at the special NZ$600.00 + 15% GST per person per night (includes pre-dinner drinks, dinner, and breakfast; rate does not include wine with dinner, spa or golf and this exclusive rate is only available to those participating in the special event). For single occupancy add NZ$400.00 + 15% GST per night to the event tariff.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Pacific Resort Rarotonga & Aitutaki Stay Pay Deals
Stay7/Pay5 (PRR & PRA) 2013
- 7 or more nights receive 2 free nights
- NO F&B Credits
- Can be doubled, tripled
- Sales 15Apr-31Jul13
- Travel 15Apr13-31Mar14
Summer Special – Stay7/Pay4 (PRR) 2013
- 7 or more nights receive 3 free nights
- NO F&B credits
- Can be doubled, tripled
- Sales 15Apr-31Jul13
- Travel 01Nov13-31Mar14
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Longitude 131 Escape Offer
This offer is applicable for a minimum 3 night stay and represents a discount of 15% off the nightly rate and includes a complimentary 15 minute Uluru helicopter flight per person.
Sale Dates:
1 May 2013 – 30 Sep 2013
Travel Dates:
1 Jun 2013 – 30 Nov 2013
Rate:
From $1870.00 per room per night (twin share)
Minimum Night Stay:
3
Inclusions:
- 3 nights accommodation in a Luxury Tent including all meals, a selected range of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, an exceptional touring program, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park tickets and return Ayers Rock Airport transfers
- 15 minute Uluru helicopter flight, subject to availability and weather conditions (Minimum 2 passengers are required for Helicopter to operate)
- To qualify for this rate, guest must mention this offer at the time of booking
- Failure to advise the rate code will result in the Nightly Rate being applied and the omission of any package inclusions
- On early check-out the regular Nightly Rate will be charged
- Rates are quoted in Australian dollars
- This rate(s) is subject to availability at time of booking
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Orpheus Island stay 4 pay 3
To celebrate the new season, enjoy a complimentary night on us!
Package Inclusions:
• 4 nights beachfront accommodation, overlooking Hazard Bay
• Enjoy a complimentary night, on us!
• All gourmet meals, tailor-made to dietary requirements
• Complimentary inclusion of selected regional wines, beers and soft drinks
• Signature ‘Dining with the Tides’ experience one evening
• One nature-based experience each day – snorkelling, fishing, cruises
• Unlimited use of motorised dinghies, catamarans, kayaks, paddle boards
From $4,200 for two guests.
Valid for travel from 12th April to 31st July 2013. 4 night minimum stay applies.
Offer is subject to availability, valid for new bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or event, and doesn’t apply to group or exclusive use bookings. Package pricing doesn’t include return helicopter transfers between Townsville and Orpheus.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Lizard Island – a very special experience
Luxury Adventures are conducting a series of interviews with some of our key suppliers looking at the different aspects of their lives and how these influence the experiences they offer. Lizard Island is located on the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland, Australia.
What sets Lizard Island apart from the other Great Barrier Reef resorts, tell us in particular about the location of Lizard Island? Lizard Island is truly secluded from the rest of the world. Our Great Barrier Reef resort is the northern most resort located directly on the Barrier Reef, with 24 powdery-white beaches with just 40 luxurious suites.
Getting to Lizard Island is all part of the adventure and experience, what are the transfer options available? Lizard Island is accessed by a one hour scenic flight from Cairns. The only in-flight entertainment required is watching the Great Barrier Reef from above. Private charters are also available by light aircraft and helicopter.
Lizard Island has some world renowned diving and snorkelling sites, tell us more about the dive sites around the resort. The waters surrounding Lizard Island are a diving and snorkeling wonderland, featuring an array of outstanding sites such as North Point and Cobia Hole. With the island’s location less than one hour away from the outer and inner reefs, many more world class sites are easily accessible, including the world famous Cod Hole.
A few of our guests have enjoyed a private charter onboard ‘Fascination III’, tell us more about the vessel and what clients can expect from a private charter at Lizard Island? The 51ft Riviera Platinum Model Flybridge Cruiser, ‘Fascination III’ has a cruise speed of 20 knots and can take up to 10 passengers (including crew). Based at Lizard Island all year round, ‘Fascination III’ is available for private fishing, diving and snorkeling charters.
What is the best time of year to visit Lizard Island? The best time to visit Lizard Island is from May through to October.
It makes a difference having a Luxury Travel Specialist to work with, tell us more about your role and what it involves? Being a Luxury Specialist, my role is solely responsible for all guests travelling to Lizard Island and our sister luxury property El Questro Homestead. My role involves arranging all accommodation and experiences prior to guests arriving at the property. Agents can rest assured that I am able to answer any question their clients may have to help put the booking experience at ease.
Other than the obvious water based activities what other activities can you recommend? Lizard Island has its very own research station. Tours of the Research Station are conducted weekly and are available to all guests. I also recommend a guided interpretive walk to help guests understand the island environment on a more than aesthetic level. Our guides share secrets of the island’s flora, fauna and geographical features. On various walks you can learn about. Lizard Island’s original inhabitants and their ‘bush tucker’, follow in the footsteps of James Cook on a hike to the summit of Cook’s Look, or visit Watson’s Cottage to learn about LizardIsland’s first European inhabitants. We also offer helicopter touring options which include scenic photographic flights over the reef, Barramundi sport fishing, an Aboriginal experience tour and a Golf on the Cape tour.
What are the dining options at Lizard Island, is there signature dish that Lizards executive Chef, Anthony Healy offers? Simple and relaxed, Ospreys Restaurant is the idyllic setting to take full advantage of the views along the seascape for a special dining experience on Lizard Island. With an accent on fresh seafood and superb local produce, the daily changing menus draw on the flavours of modern Australian, Asian and European cuisine. Highly acclaimed Executive Chef, Anthony Healy has a culinary career spanning 10 years throughout the globe – working in top restaurants in London (Les Trois Garcons) and Paris (Demi chef de partie) as well as Australia. We also offer a Signature Private Beach Side Dining option for our guests to enjoy a private dinner together on the beach or celebrate that special occasion such as a wedding proposal, special birthday or anniversary. the details are as follows:
Signature Private Beach Dining: For a special Lizard Island dining experience, choose from two beautiful beach locations. Prior to dinner, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Chef to discuss your 7 course degustation menu and matching wine selection. Minimal service interruptions ensure the ultimate seclusion and privacy.
How long would you recommend spending at Lizard Island Resort? I recommend a 5 night stay to really appreciate and immerse oneself in the barefoot luxury.
Can you tell us more about the Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic? The waters surrounding Lizard Island boast some of the most exciting fishing in the world. Pre-booking is desirable, particularly during the popular Black Marlin fishing season (September to December). From September to December each year Black Marlin, some weighing a massive 1,000 pounds or more, are caught here. In fact, due to our tag and release policy operating for the past ten years, your chances of catching a legendary ‘GRANDER’ in these waters are probably better than anywhere else on earth! The famous Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic is held in October, for seven days.
A private picnic seems an idyllic and romantic choice for honeymooners, tell us more about this, for example where are the picnics set up, how can you ensure they are private? Delicious gourmet picnics on your own private beach are hard to surpass and are included in the tariff. All guests have to do is take a dinghy to a deserted beach and relax. Guests choose their gourmet picnic menu and beverage selection the night prior from the menu provided, and we will do the rest. All picnics include gourmet fresh food and produce created for beach dining by our team of chefs. As guests take their own motorised dinghy, if a beach is occupied, they simply move to the next available.
Tell us about some if the awards that Lizard Island have received. At Lizard Island we take pride in helping our guests to have an experience of a lifetime. So we are proud to be consistently ranked as one of the world’s best resorts.
2013
- Lizard Island ranks number 3 among top hotels in Travel + Leisure’s 2013 World’s Best Beach Hotels Awards
- Lizard Island has been ranked number 5 of the nation’s top 25 hotels in the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards
2012
- Lizard Island has been chosen as a Top 20 International Hideaways – Hotels and Resorts with 75 or fewer rooms in the 2012 Andrew Harper Readers’ Choice Award.
- Lizard Island has been chosen as one of the 10 Top Beach Resorts Around The World by Forbes
- Lizard Island ranks number 25 among top hotels in Travel + Leisure’s 2012 World’s Best Awards
- Lizard Island was named Best Resort/Lodge in Australia at the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Travel Awards
- Lizard Island’s Azure Spa has been chosen as a Top 10 spa in Conde Nast’s Readers’ Spa Awards 2012
Lizard Island has an on-site Spa, Azure, describe a signature spa treatment. Azure Spa offers a range of treatments inspired by nature to nurture the mind, body and spirit using LI’TYA products a high performance range of natural Australian spa care products that integrate the potent qualities of the Australian earth and spirit. These powerful spa treatments unlock the profound wisdom of ancient Aboriginal medicine and healing modalities that assists you to generate your own health and balance. Our signature treatment is the Coral Sea Dreaming, which lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. The pampering begins with an exotic body scrub before you are cocooned in warm Mapi Body Mud. Your mind will melt under the spell of a deep scalp massage and hair treatment. Your aches and pains are kneaded away with a back massage before you are treated to a Deep Ocean Renewal facial, leaving your skin visibly radiant. We also offer our Hibiscus private Beach treatment which is superb Hibiscus Private beach massage: For a special Lizard Island spa experience, you will be transferred to Hibiscus beach where our spa therapists will await you. You will enjoy a one hour couples Kodo massage on the beach. This rhythmic body massage is inspired by traditional Australian Aboriginal techniques which work to balance and re-align energy flow, enhancing mind and body wellness. After your treatment our therapists will depart leaving you to enjoy your gourmet hamper and champagne on your private beach for the day. The additional charge is $500 per couple.
Lizard Island would be a perfect location for a wedding, what wedding options are available, do you offer a wedding planner to assist with the arrangements? Surrounded by 24 powdery white beaches and 1,000 hectares of National Park, Lizard Island is the ultimate wedding destination. Here, guests can create the wedding of their dreams, limited only by their imagination. The initial enquiry about organising the wedding at Lizard Island can be made through the Lizard Island Wedding Department based in Melbourne. The Wedding Department will assist with any questions regarding organising the special day. They will assist in organising the wedding package and any guest requirements relating to accommodation, flights and transfers. Once the accommodation, wedding package and celebrant have been booked, the Wedding Coordinator at Lizard Island takes over for the finer details and arrangements regarding the ceremony and the special day. The island is also available for private and exclusive events – imagine you, a few friends, and the whole island at your disposal, catering for just two, or up to 80 guests. No matter what the size is of the event, guests will be offered personal service and attention to detail.
Are there any upcoming events or specials that we should know about? Neil Perry & Wolf Blass Gourmet Weekend 24-26 May 2013, we are excited to announce that one of Australia’s leading chefs Neil Perry and one of the most famous faces in the wine industry Wolf Blass are coming to Lizard Island! Embark on a weekend with living legends of food & wine, in the most dramatic setting on the Great Barrier Reef.
Most of our guests have 2 weeks to see Australia, other than the Great Barrier Reef what other destinations would you recommend? After seeing the best of the reef, I would recommend the best of the outback with a trip to The Kimberley region in Western Australia, particularly a stay at the stunning El Questro Homestead. Our beautiful Wilderness Park offers guests the best the Australian Outback has to offer with helicopter tours to remote waterfalls, Zebedee Thermal Springs for a beautiful afternoon of relaxation and numerous gorge walks to enjoy with a refreshing swim at the end in the numerous waterfalls and waterholes.
Explain in detail the room options at the resort?
Garden Rooms Located in a tropical garden setting with easy access to Anchor Bay and the beach, Garden Rooms have a private balcony. Interiors are compact but comfortable and include a Bose sound system with CD player and iPod connectivity. Bedding includes a King-size bed or 2 King Single beds (max 2 people).
Garden Suites Located in a tropical garden setting with easy access to Anchor Bay and the beach, Garden Suites have a private balcony. Interiors are compact but comfortable and include a Bose sound system with CD player and iPod connectivity. Garden Suites with two separate sleeping areas are also available. Bedding includes a king-size bed and a double sofa bed. Maximum 4 people.
Sunset Point Villas Sunset Point Villas are set high on Sunset Ridge among native eucalyptus bush land. Providing filtered sea views over Anchor Bay or Sunset Beach, these Villas offer privacy and easy access to a string of secluded beaches. Each Villa has a private deck with comfortable Australian timber chairs and a hammock. Sunset Point Villas also feature a Bose sound system with CD player and iPod connectivity. The Sunset Point Villas were refurbished recently. Bedding includes a king-size bed. Maximum 3 people (roll-away bed provided for the third person).
Anchor Bay Suites Set in a broad sweeping arc along Anchor Bay, with easy access to the main Lodge, Anchor Bay Suites offer captivating sea views and each has a pathway leading directly to the beach. Seamlessly blending indoors and out in an elegant and spacious open plan design, a large veranda with daybed is one of the many comforts. Anchor Bay Suites also feature a Bose sound system with a CD player and iPod connectivity. The Anchor Bay Suites were refurbished recently. Bedding includes a king-size bed. Maximum 2 people. Anchor Bay Twin Suites include 2 king-size single beds. Maximum 2 people.
The Pavilion Perched high above the Coral Sea and set on the point of Sunset Ridge, The Pavilion combines complete privacy with a spectacular 270-degree panorama of Anchor Bay, Osprey Island and Sunset Beach.
An expansive decking area incorporates a private plunge pool, sun lounges and a daybed area, inviting guests to relax and take in the stunning views. Leaving the balcony to stroll down a private path, guests will discover another secluded area where chairs and a table have been perfectly positioned to make the most of sea breezes and the gorgeous views.
Inside, the Pavilion offers every comfort. A Bose sound system with CD player, iPod connectivity and a laptop computer for downloading and sending emails are among some of the special features. The Pavilion is the only suite at LizardIsland with Wi-Fi connectivity. Champagne and a deluxe fruit bowl greet guests on arrival. Bedding includes a king-size bed. Maximum 2 people.
All rooms have the following amenities and facilities:
- Air Conditioning
- Ceiling Fans
- Work Desk
- Guest Stationery
- Direct Dial ISD/STD Telephone
- Bose Sound System with CD Player and iPod Connectivity
- Aroma-therapy Oil Burner
- Feature Books
- Fully Stocked Mini Bar
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Bath Robes
- AESOP bath products
- Beach Towels
- Umbrellas
- Hair Dryers
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Private Deck
- Evening Turndown Service
- Safety Deposit Box
Carolyn Pike is the Luxury Specialist at Lizard Island Resort.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Family Time at Huka Lodge
With its park-like grounds and array of activities for all ages and interests, Huka Lodge is the perfect place for families to spend time together, uniting them for delicious feasts at night after days spent having fun trekking, whitewater rafting, horse-riding or just playing board games by the fire at the Lodge.
Now Huka Lodge has created a two-night Family Time package to make it even easier to take the family away, including entry to popular local tourist attractions and a romantic dinner date for parents on one of the nights, courtesy of the Lodge’s team of babysitters.
The package, priced at NZ$1,071.62 per adult, per night for a two night stay, is available for two adults and two children (between 5 and 10 years of age) travelling together. Accommodation is in a Junior Lodge Suite, with an adjoining Escort room, subject to availability, and the package is available from 1 May to 13 September 2013.
The program includes the following: -
• Day One: Fun educational activity gift on arrival for children, after which the family can settle in and then depart for a guided walk at Opepe Historical Native Bush Reserve. At 6.30pm the family will dine together in one of Huka Lodge’s unique dining venues. A children’s menu offers favourites for the youngsters, while parents are indulged with gourmet treats.
• Day Two: Following a generous country breakfast, visit Taupo’s famous Prawn Park, followed by a picnic lunch at popular tourist spot Liliput Farm where children can hand-feed over 25 different species of animals and birds. In the evening a babysitter will entertain the children for four hours, while parents enjoy pre-dinner drinks with fellow-guests followed by romantic private dining for two.
The package includes GST and entrance fees for the family to all outside activities and transfers to and from the same. This same package is also available for families who elect to stay in either of the Lodge’s exclusive cottages, the Owner’s Cottage (with four bedrooms) and the Alan Pye Cottage (with two bedrooms). For these, it is priced at NZ$2,284.87 per adult, per night, for a two-night stay.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Rick Stein Returns to Cape Kidnappers
CHEF RICK STEIN RETURNS TO CAPE KIDNAPPERS
22-24 August, 2013
Famous chef, restaurateur and television personality Rick Stein returns to The Farm at Cape Kidnappers for an exclusive Indian cuisine dinner. Back from a recent trip to India, Rick is excited to share his favourite authentic dishes and stories from his recent travels. Make sure to be a part of this intimate and exciting weekend at “The Farm” with Chef Rick Stein.
Rick Stein Event rate of NZ$1,600.00 + 15% GST per person based on double or twin occupancy for a two night stay*
*Tariff includes accommodation in a suite with pre-dinner drinks and canapés, dinner by Rick Stein on Saturday night which will be matched with wines, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excludes liquor and wine) and use of lodge facilities including your choice of either a day of unlimited green fees OR a 50 minute massage per person once during your stay.
We would encourage guests to take advantage of this opportunity to extend their reservation and enjoy the whole weekend at Cape Kidnappers. An additional 3rd night is available at the special NZ$600.00 + 15% GST per person per night (includes pre-dinner drinks, dinner, breakfast; rate does not include wine with dinner, spa or golf and is only available to those participating in the special event). For single occupancy add NZ$400.00 + 15% GST per night to the event tariff.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
KI Food Safari 2013
Following the sell-out success of the KI Food Safari in 2012, the event returns in 2013, once again with a star-studded foodie cast! The 6 night event kicks off at Southern Ocean Lodge 24-30 August 2013 and is a hands-on, muddy-boots paddock and vineyard discovery of Kangaroo Island’s best produce and its journey to the plates and glasses at the lauded Southern Ocean Lodge.
We are honoured to welcome the return of South Australia’s own Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant to interchange as KI Food Safari Leaders, joined by Sydney’s leading culinary legend Damien Pignolet. Each will guide excursions from farm to winery to choose the finest and freshest produce for the evening’s menu. Guests can expect star appearances throughout by local producers and food personalities. The Safari will travel across Kangaroo Island, a destination emerging globally as an island of exceptional food producers who operate on a mostly small scale, sustainable and personal basis. The Safari ‘troopers’ will meet producers, taste straight from the source and hear remarkable stories along the way.
The six night itinerary will include a working experience at the Sheep Milk Dairy, a visit to the green pastures of Southrock Lamb and the shady groves of KI Olive Oil. Guests might pluck marron and abalone from the farm and shuck oysters from the leases at Kangaroo Island Premium Oysters. Relax with good company and enjoy fine winery lunches, cooking demonstrations, Southern Ocean BBQs and sunset drinks at Remarkable Rocks. Finish with the day’s harvest celebrated in a spectacular menu enjoyed around the table at Southern Ocean Lodge.
Join the KI Food Safari from just $5,940 per person twin share including flights between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, itinerary of epicurean excursions such as visits to island producers, produce tastings, luxury accommodation, all dining and premium beverages. Seats on the KI Food Safari are limited, don’t delay to reserve your place and climb on board for an unforgettable food-lovers’ journey. For more information and bookings please contact Luxury Adventures.
Per person twin share
Flinders Suite $5,940
Ocean Retreat $7,200
Ocean Premium $8,400
Remarkable Suite $9,000
Osprey Pavilion $10,800
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Dolphin Island Pete Evans Cook School
Join Australian celebrity chef Pete Evans for a residential cook school on Dolphin Island, Fiji 22-27 June 2013. Enjoy all the expertise, fun and out-going personality of this chef while you explore exotic markets, catch and eat your own fish, shellfish etc on your own private island.
Located just 30 minutes by boat from shore, on the tip of Viti Levu, Dolphin Island nestles like a pre- cious jewel, surrounded by crystal-clear waters. Following arrival at Nadi International Airport, guests will enjoy a spectacular scenic flight by float plane to Dolphin Island.
Pete Evans is well-known as a chef and as a host of several Australian and American television series. His approach is engaging and inspirational for those seeking culinary knowledge and technique. He will be ably assisted by Sue Jenkins, the owner of Mosman’s highly respected cook school Accoutrement.
This five-night stay on Dolphin Island, including three-day cook school with Pete Evans, arrival by float plane, accommodation in a guest bure, all meals and standard bar for entire stay and road transfer in private vehicle to Nadi International Airport on day of departure is available for a tariff of NZ$79,200.00 inclusive of all taxes. For a maximum of eight guests, on a twin-share basis within four bures, the rate is NZ$9,900.00 per person however the event can be presented for a smaller number of guests with the per person rate varying according to the number of guests. Contact us for booking information.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Luxury Adventures March 2013 Newsletter
Here is a preview of our October 2012 newsletter which is out now. If its not in your inbox already then sign up. You can view the full newsletter here.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Matakauri Lodge Stay 3 Pay 2
When reserving a deluxe suite at Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, enjoy a complimentary 3rd night when staying 2 nights or more. Offer applies to New Zealand residents only. This offer is valid 1 May – 31 July 2013. This special package includes accommodation in a deluxe suite, pre-dinner drinks, gourmet dinner, full breakfast, complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar and use of all lodge facilities. Only valid for New Zealand residents, however please ask us about special offers for international guests.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Whats your Travel Budget?
What do we offer? The South Pacific is an extraordinary place to visit complete with varying types of terrain, climates, cultures, scenery and gastronomy. Whether its New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Fiji or The Cook Islands, Luxury Adventures can help plan your vacation, honeymoon or getaway. One important factor helping us tailor make the perfect trip for you is budget, often a tricky question, but very important to ensure we end up with an itinerary thats just right for you. With that in mind we thought we would talk about some of the associated costs you need to consider. Generally our services include the planning of the itinerary, preparation of quote or quotes, (often we work with a guest for weeks or months prior to travel perfecting the ideal itinerary for their needs). We usually include all ground arrangements, accommodation bookings, domestic flights, transfers, private guides, activity bookings and if required we can perform a concierge service at additional cost. Our team continue to work with our guests whilst they are on vacation, by forward checking bookings, performing weather checks for the activities, making any necessary changes securing restaurant reservations and generally being on hand to answer questions.
What are my accommodation options? We work in the luxury market and utilise a high standard of accommodation, which are handpicked by our team. The tariff for these properties generally start from around NZD350 per night and upwards of NZD2,000 per night. Of course budget is a consideration when we are choosing a property to meet a guests needs but there are other factors as well, such as location and type along with, cuisine, activity choices, logistics, expectations, desired experience etc. For example do you want to be in the city, by the sea, close to mountains or wineries, prefer boutique hotels, luxury lodges, contemporary or traditional properties, private homes, a name or brand, or a real ‘off the beaten track experience’? The tariff at the properties is often governed not only by the high standard of service offered but also inclusions, many if not all of the high end lodges include not only gourmet breakfast, but pre-dinner drinks, hosted evening meals, afternoon teas, some in room refreshments, and use of their facilities.
Budget no issue? If budget is not a consideration and you want to experience the finest on offer then there are a select handfiul of luxury properties that stand up to very best anywhere in the world. Examples of these properties are highly awarded and already well documented such as Huka Lodge in New Zealand, Southern Ocean Ocean Lodge in Australia to name a couple of the more well known choices. There are many more and also some you may not have heard of and thats where we come in. They may be new kids on the block or fly under the tourism radar for various reasons but offer exactly what you’re looking for and you may not have considered unless suggested (based on your brief) by one of our travel specialists. We’ve also experienced many of the properties and activities we offer so you can talk to us directly about this also.
Where to go? Accommodation tariffs do vary in each of the destinations Luxury Adventures offer, for example Tahiti tends to be more expensive than Fiji or the Cook Islands, especially the overwater bungalow option. Australia generally tends to command a higher price than New Zealand for a similar given product or experience (Accommodation, activities and flights) in our opinion. If budget is a consideration then The Cook Islands are certainly worth considering as a less expensive alternative to Tahiti, whilst they offer a very similar tropical beach experience as found in Tahiti and Fiji it is both less expensive and also easier to reach from New Zealand – ask our team for more information about the Cook Islands. Similarly in New Zealand and Australia value can be achieved by picking and choosing however if you wish to experience the very best in the world which we do have a number of the these properties then budget will become secondary.
How about getting around, what are my options? Another important consideration is domestic travel, both air and land arrangements. Australia for example is a vast continent and travel between cities or destinations can take several hours by air, We normally advise to see between 3 – 6 destinations in a 2 week vacation rather than try and see everything and spend a good deal of your time travelling and not really experiencing the country. Our team have a lot of local knowledge and are happy to offer advice on which destinations would work best within time and budget restraints. New Zealand may not be as vast as Australia, however there is a huge diversity of scenery and things to do, many travellers underestimate how long they need to see the country. Again budget can be a large part of the consideration when our team tailor an itinerary for a guest. We need to consider the number of flights required to travel between the destinations, for example for a guest with a lesser budget who has expressed a love of nature and great scenery we may suggest just the South Island with 2 or 3 destinations within driving distance to eliminate the need for flights that can be costly. Self-driving can also be a great way to see the country, and is a more cost effective option than a private guide/driver. A standard vehicle hire would cost (depending on the travel dates and car type) in the region of $60-$100 per day, whilst a driver guide can cost $1,000 – $1,750 per day (again dependent on type of vehicle, standard of guide and distances travelled). More information about private transfers vs self driving can be found in this article.
Activities and experiences - what can they cost? Most of our guests err towards busier itineraries activity wise, or at least to make the most of their time in the South Pacific. Our team are more than happy to plan as many or as little activities into an itinerary as our guests wish for, once again budget can be a deciding factor with this. For example a private tour can cost $500 – $1000 plus per day, with an english speaking guide, (foreign language speaking guides are sometimes more expensive), whilst it is sometimes an advantage to have a guide, often also is the case that with advice from our team some tours can be carried out at a lesser cost if guests are happy to self-guide. This is not appropriate in all cases and we advise based on a variety of factors. To give you a rough idea the activities we would offer generally start at approximately $150 per person and go up from there. A good example of where budget is a deciding factor is a Milford Sound flight in New Zealand. Milford Sound, Fiordland and or Doubtful Sound are one of the “Must see” activities whilst staying in the Central Otago region (Queenstown, Wanaka), and we believe the best way to experience this is by air. There are a couple of options with this, a shared fixed wing plane flying to and from Queenstown, including a cruise in the Milford Sound would be around $450 per person, where as a shared helicopter for the same experience would be $825 per person. For the less budget conscious you can choose an exclusive private helicopter experience where the costs would be in the region of $4000 to see Fiordland, Milford Sound, experience multiple landings with a private picnic in a remote location and perhaps a small walking competent if desired. You can read more about exploring this region via helicopter in this article about Fiordland Helicopter trips. Generally speaking any thing involving a helicopter will cost you considerably more than if you were to keep your feet on the ground.
To give an idea of what your budget may include, below are some of the frequently requested excursions and an indication of the costs. The costs are based in NZ dollars but tend to be similar in Australia not taking into account the exchange rate.
- Accommodation options offered by us generally range from $350 to upwards of $2000 per night
- Whale watching by helicopter $450 per person
- Wine tour, with a small group from $150 per person
- Wine tour private, from $500 for a couple, varying on the region, length of tour and experience
- Guided hike, with a small group $130 per person
- Private hike based on two people $500
- Hot Air Balloon, from $350 per person
- Bungy jumps, dependant on the experience $190 per person
- Dolphin watching from $95 per person
- Scenic helicopter or fixed wing flights vary on the location, length of flight, whether its shared or private but start from around $400 per person
We are often asked the cost of more incidental day to day items, below are a few ‘holiday items’ to give you an idea.
- Glass of wine $10.00 – $15.00
- Local Beer $8.00
- Imported Beer $10.00
- Lunch at an inexpensive restaurant $20 per person
- Dinner for 2 at an inexpensive restaurant (3 courses) $100 – $150
- Dinner for 2 at an high end restaurant (3 courses) $200 – $300+
- Bottle of water $3.00
- Petrol $2.20 per litre (at time of posting)
- Sun tan lotion $15
Tipping is discretionary, and usually offered if good service is received.
We hope this information is of use when planning a trip to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific. Remember the team at Luxury Adventures are always happy to answer any questions you may have, and work with you to create a bespoke itinerary that meets all your requirements budget or otherwise.
Tony Townley is a luxury lifestyle specialist and owner of Luxury Adventures. Talk to us about planning your next visit to New Zealand, Australia or the South Pacific Islands.
Latest Work
