Tourism Australia believes the dramatic US Masters victory by 'Friends of Australia' tourism ambassador Adam Scott will act as a fillip to the promotion of Australian golf tourism on the international stage.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said that Scott's Masters win was not only an incredible personal achievement, but had the potential to help position Australia as one of the world's leading golf tourism destinations.

 "As a 'Friend of Australia', Adam Scott has long been a passionate advocate for golf tourism to our country. Like the rest of Australia, we were delighted to see him hold his nerve so impressively in the play-off.

 "With such great advocates as Adam Scott, and helped by our recent partnership with the Great Golf Courses of Australia, we're well positioned to take advantage of the lucrative global golf tourism market -  internationally savvy golf enthusiasts seeking world class experiences. And with six of the world's top 100 golf course, Australia is primed to welcome them," said Mr McEvoy.

 Boasting a rich golf heritage, Australia's collection of spectacular golf tracks include works by acclaimed golf architects Dr. Alister McKenzie, Tom Doak, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

 The partnership with Great Golf Courses of Australia showcases and, for the first time, provides international access to Australia's greatest courses and private clubs, including the six courses featured by US Golf Magazine in its 'Top 100' courses of the world: Barnbougle Dunes, Barnbougle Lost Farm, Kingston Heath, New South Wales, Royal Melbourne and Royal Adelaide.

 Tourism Australia's 'Friends of Australia' program is a network of influential people who advocate Australia and Australian tourism at home and overseas.  Scott hopes his Masters victory will help inspire more international visitors to travel Down Under and build golf experiences into their holiday itinerary.

 Scott lists his own favourite golf holidays in Australia as:

Melbourne. If you're able to organise it, play at Royal Melbourne & Kingston Heath golf courses, two of the best in the world. Classic designed courses with great tournament history and a treat to play. Do the trip in January and take in the Australian Open tennis at the same time! Have a great steak at Vlados in Richmond, and take in The Stokehouse at St Kilda Beach for a meal with a view.....
Sunshine Coast. A fantastic part of the world, great beaches, cafes and restaurants at Noosa, Eumundi market is around the corner and the Hinterland areas are a great drive and just beautiful. Golf at Hyatt Coolum, Twin waters and Peregian Springs, in the morning, surf in the afternoon, nice al fresco eatery for dinner....
Barnbougle, Tasmania.  Two classic links golf courses not to be missed. They are as good as anything in the world. The new course at Lost Farm has great accommodation, spa and the like. Down the road to try some wonderful Tasmanian wines, perhaps some lovely vintage Kreglinger champagne?
Gold Coast. Golf courses everywhere, every imaginable style of accommodation, shopping centres, beaches and a casino. Pretty easy to find plenty to do after or before a round of golf. Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island are good courses to play, stay at the Hyatt Sanctuary Cove and enjoy the village and marina a short walk away. Hire a car to drive to the casino to lose the money you won on the golf course!
 
Note to editors:
Great Golf Courses of Australia is a marketing collaboration between Australia's premier golf courses, Tourism Australia, State Tourism Offices and the PGA of Australia aimed at tapping into the tourism potential of golf in Australia.

 It provides a comprehensive and centralised resource from which golfers and media from around the world can access information on Australia's leading golf courses and iconic Australian golf experiences.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Leo Seaton
Lseaton@tourism.australia.com
0447463197

QT PORT DOUGLAS OPENS LATEST spaQ OUTPOST

QT Port Douglas, the sister property to QT Sydney and QT Gold Coast situated in one of Australia’s hottest coastal towns, has opened the latest outpost of spaQ, the cutting-edge spa concept that has taken Sydney and the Gold Coast by storm.

The facilities at the new spaQ Port Douglas include five spacious treatment rooms, with one dedicated exclusively to couples; a reception and retail area; full-service male and female changing rooms; and a relaxation lounge. The menu features four different massages, a variety of facials and body treatments by USpa, an “Accessories” section with a creative range of 30-minute add-on treatments, organic sunless tanning and four ‘Signature’ packages - including “The Weekend Warrior” and “The Plush Princess.”

spaQ Port Douglas joins Gold Coast and Sydney in bringing the brand’s signature “Like your mind, your body isn’t static” philosophy to the chic, beachside resort.  Rather than insisting on a pre-selection of treatments, spaQ encourages guests to reserve a block of time and not make a treatment selection until they’ve partnered with a knowledgeable therapist to determine the best treatments for their individual needs.

Like its siblings, spaQ Port Douglas cleverly uses design, color and quirky features to mirror the vibrant beach-chic personality of Port Douglas. Adding to the relaxation experience, spaQ Port Douglas will serve La Gaia teas, including an exclusive spaQ blend, served in quirky, mismatched cups. Snug sheepskin rugs adorn the relaxation lounge chairs and the team is decked out in bright yellow-and-red, bamboo-print uniforms.

 “The look of the spa is definitely light-hearted and fun—so, it was very important to fill the space with a quality guest experience and to deliver that in a fresh way,” says Naomi Gregory, spaQ Development & Operations.  “We played up the designer concept by including an ‘Accessories’ section on the menu and introduced a consultative and personalized approach with the ‘freshly picked’ spa experience.”

For more information about the new spaQ Port Douglas, along with its sister properties in Sydney and the Gold Coast, please visit: https://www.spa-q.com.au/.  For more about QT Hotels, visit: http://www.qthotels.com.au/.

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Hot Air Balloon Cairns is please to announce their live feed from 6am EST (UTC+10) live from a fleet of Hot Air Balloons high above.  11 Hot Air balloons will be floating up to see the total solar eclipse, the Koala, Kangaroo and other balloons will look like giant lanterns in the sky to a height of 1000 to 3000 feet above ground level, (plus 900 feet above sea level).

On-board they have visitors from all over Australia, USA, Korea, Germany, China, the UK and Japan.
See the Eclipse live streamed at www.hotair.com.au

Compass Expeditions is excitied to announce that Charley Boorman and his good friend, and manager, Billy Ward will be leading two motorcycle tours within Australia in February and March 2013.

Both tours are of 10 days in length; one ride will start in Sydney and travel via the Blue Mountains, Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges and the Great Ocean Road before culminating in Melbourne. The second ride will begin in Melbourne and cross to Tasmania before crossing back to Melbourne and riding the spectacular Victorian High Country and the Snowy Mountains.

“We are very excited to have Charley lead for both these rides” says Compass Expeditions co-founder Mick McDonald, “Both Charley and Billy are great personable guys that are good fun to be around and to have them leading some rides for us is very exciting, it will be a fantastic experience for all involved” continues Mick.

For more info on both rides please visit
http://www.compassexpeditions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=197&Itemid
&
http://www.compassexpeditions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=198&Itemid

For further info please contact 1300 887 327 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 1300 887 327 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (within Australia) or +61 3 5368 2113 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE +61 3 5368 2113 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (outside Australia) info@compassexpeditions.com  or visit www.compassexpeditions.com

About Charley Boorman
Actor, father, motorbike fanatic: Charley Boorman epitomises the modern day adventurer in pursuit of fresh challenges away from the success of his personal life.

Choosing two wheels as his preferred mode of transport, Charley harnessed the challenges of a 'round the world trip with friend and fellow actor, Ewan McGregor in 2004 and since then has conquered some of the world's harshest challenges on two wheels including desert extremes in the Lisbon-Dakar Rally.  For news on his latest adventures, www.charleyboorman.com

As part of Compass Expeditions’ expansion of its Australian program, the international motorcycle touring company is proud to launch its new, three day, Australia’s Great Ocean Ride departing Melbourne every Tuesday effective November 2012 to March 2013.

On board a luxury, BMW motorbike, tour participants will discover one of Australia’s most spectacular road ways –the Great Ocean Road - famous for its rugged cliffs, limestone formations and the 12 Apostles.  Other highlights of this three day ride include koala spotting at Kennett River, visiting the seaside resort village of Port Campbell, riding through the 400 million year old Grampians National Park, visiting Sovereign Hill in Ballarat and the charming town of Daylesford.

“With an average distance of 220 kilometres covered each day, the total journey of 722 kilometres covers a variety of terrain, landscapes and many iconic attractions to offer tour goers a thrilling and exhilarating way of seeing Victoria.  I urge both experienced riders and keen beginners to consider this tour as an introduction to the joys of motorbike touring that just happens to showcase one of our most special parts of Australia,” said Mick McDonald, managing director of Compass Expeditions.

Inclusive of motorcycle rental (choice of BMW motorbikes available), fuel, tolls, accommodation in Port Campbell and Halls Gap, meals, tour leader and support driver, entry to attractions and all pre-departure material and route maps, the tour starts at $2220 per person.  Co riders (pillion) are at an additional cost of $1710 per person.

To book, contact 1300887327 or email: info@compassexpeditions.com For more information, visit the website: www.compassexpeditions.com

The hip boutique design hotel, QT Sydney, throws open its doors today. As Sydney’s first new-build property to grace the city in a decade, QT insiders guarantee you won’t have seen anything quite like it.

QT Sydney is a highly curated fusion of cutting-edge art, bold interior design and historical architecture that melds two of the city’s most majestic historical buildings, Gowings and The State Theatre, offering a new way to experience a design-led hotel.  The hotel is built on the city’s fabric, embracing Sydney’s cool set in its showcase of electronic art forms and exuberant design.

The eccentricity of the hotel is off-set by the historical features of the building, resulting in a distinctive space that celebrates an eclectic mix of unique artefacts, bespoke furniture and a daring use of colour and art. All with different quirks and nuances the hotel brings alive an exciting sense of intrigue to 200 guest rooms.

With new drinking and dining establishments QT Sydney becomes a destination not only for residents but visitors as well. On the ground level, Parlour Lane Roasters connects the hotel entrance to bustling Market Street and transforms into an aperitvo wine bar in the late afternoon. Gowings Bar & Grill on level 1 brings an innovative but unpretentious dining experience to the city and above that is Gilt Lounge, a cocktail bar catering to Sydney’s late-night party scene.

The flipside to QT’s energetic bar and dining scene is SpaQ, a sanctuary for relaxation offering a host of spa treatments and packages. The spa’s contemporary concept incorporates a retro-style barber shop which offers a traditional cut-throat shave.

Retaining original timber floors, the rooms in the Gowings Building are bright and airy with eccentric touches and embellishments. The adjacent State Theatre rooms boast exclusively designed carpets and rugs which offer a lush embracing feel, brought together with kooky cool, lights lamps and room accessories.

QT Hotels and Resorts is the concept of AHL, one of Australia’s premier entertainment, hospitality, tourism and leisure companies. Other properties currently in the portfolio for QT Hotels and Resorts include the Gold Coast and Port Douglas resorts with other hotels flagged to open in the next 2 years.

QT Sydney
George & Market Streets, Sydney NSW 2000
www.qthotels.com.au

To heighten efforts in generating business from Australia’s burgeoning Chinese tourism market,  the managing director of Parker Travel Collection, Todd Parker is pleased to announce the opening of a sales office in Shanghai.  This latest opening gives the  company a total of eight offices across the world in Australia’s key tourism markets.
 
“In expanding our China presence that currently includes Parker Collection’s Guangzhou based design studio and sales office, we have appointed Harry Wu as the Shanghai office sales manager. 

Harry will be working closely with our head office sales team in Australia as well as Anthony Teng who is the general manager of Greater China – based in Guangzhou.

“Harry’s past experience with Seawalker and the travel industry is well suited to help us grow new retail campaigns in China whilst having a regular presence in Shanghai - Eastern China and Beijing - Northern China,” he said.

According to Mr Parker his team is very focussed on developing an independent, deluxe style of travel collection that directly targets the retail market via  multiple wholesalers.

Parker Travel Collection’s Shanghai office is now up and running after being officially opened last week. “We believe our timing has been perfect following the recent spate of announcements highlighting Australia’s increasing aviation services from China. We now have to work hard and make sure that these flights sell well and the flights continue and are sustainable,” said Todd Parker

Just weeks after celebrating the launch of its daily direct flight service between Toowoomba and Sydney, Skytrans, in conjunction with Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise and Destination NSW, hosted a meeting of key business leaders from both ports in Sydney today.

This event, entitled, Toowoomba Meets Sydney was organised to put Toowoomba’s key business leaders in touch with potential business partners and investors from NSW.  It also served to highlight Skytrans new flight by providing a daily return service to those attending from the Darling Downs.

The program comprised presentations by Toowoomba’s Mayor, Paul Antonio, Skytrans Managing Director, Simon Wild and Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise’s Shane Charles as well as Sandra Chipchase, CEO, Destination NSW.  All 40 guests then enjoyed lunch with a harbour view at The Waterfront, Circular Quay west.

Skytrans Managing Director, Simon Wild said the event was truly worthwhile and served to open doors to new business possibilities that are now a reality with the airline’s new direct service.

Skytrans is a Queensland owned company with 20 years of operating history and a fleet of Dash-8 aircraft flying to 24 ports around Queensland and now New South Wales on scheduled and charter services.  All flights feature full in-flight service, movies, and quality catering.

From left, Paul Antonio, Mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council, John McVeigh, Member of Toowoomba South and Skytrans Managing Director, Simon Wild.