Whitsundays to play starring role in global campaign

Local operators in the Whitsundays will benefit from the starring role the region will play in the next phase of Tourism Australia’s There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign.

It’s one of 12 destinations along with Gold Coast, Sydney, Uluru, Arnhem Land, Kakadu, Tasmania and others to feature in a series of print advertisements for publication globally including UK,USA and Japan.

Highlight is a new interactive online map of Australia showcasing over 30,000 images and stories from everyday Australians about their extraordinary tourism experiences we have to offer the world.

Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson said visitors can view images and read stories about the Whitsundays and also book their trip on the spot.

The campaign gives small operators the chance to promote their well known destinations, as well as their hidden gems.

The interactive may will equip international visitors with local knowledge about the Whitsundays, with local attractions, accommodation and places to eat and shop.

 

New flights between Townsville and Mount Isa

Regional Express (Rex) will operate new non-stop return flights between the two cities on Fridays and Sundays;  departing Townsville 12.20pm arriving Mount Isa at 2.20pm.  From Mount Isa the new flights will depart at 2.50 pm, arriving in Townsville at 4.50 pm.

Rex GM Network Strategy and Sales, Mr Warrick Lodge said they are pleased with the support received since operating non-stop flights since February; have reviewed routes performance, listened to feedback and these changes reflect the company’s growing commitment to the Townsville to Mount Isa route.

“The additional flights will be a huge bonus for business travellers in particular those needing to travel on Friday afternoon,” he said.

 Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of morethan 40 Saab 340 aircraft on 1300 weekly flights to 35 destinations.

New flights between Townsville and Mount Isa

Regional Express (Rex) will operate new non-stop return flights between the two cities on Fridays and Sundays;  departing Townsville 12.20pm arriving Mount Isa at 2.20pm.  From Mount Isa the new flights will depart at 2.50 pm, arriving in Townsville at 4.50 pm.

Rex GM Network Strategy and Sales, Mr Warrick Lodge said they are pleased with the support received since operating non-stop flights since February; have reviewed routes performance, listened to feedback and these changes reflect the company’s growing commitment to the Townsville to Mount Isa route.

“The additional flights will be a huge bonus for business travellers in particular those needing to travel on Friday afternoon,” he said.

 Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of morethan 40 Saab 340 aircraft on 1300 weekly flights to 35 destinations.

Captain Cook’s Endeavour coming to Gladstone

Australian Maritime Museum’s magnificent replica of HM Bark Endeavour will pay a nine day visit to Gladstone next May.

On six of the days it will be open for inspection and Gladstone adventure holiday-makers will have the chance to join the sailing action. The Endeavour will be taking on “voyage crew”, experienced and not so experienced sailors who will learn the ropes and help sail the vessel to its next port of call.

The Maritime Museum keeps Endeavour on display at its wharf on Sydney’s Darling Harbour. The visit to Gladstone is part of an epic circumnavigation of Australia by the three-masted, square-rigged sailing ship maintained in peak condition and ready for ocean voyages.

It departs Sydney next April 15,  and it will be the first time Endeavour has sailed right around the Australian coast, calling into 18 ports on the way. When open for inspection it will be in museum mode, just as if Cook and crew had just stepped ashore leaving charts on the table, a meal half-eaten on the mess deck tables and bunks ready for the night.

 Applications to join the crew are open now for each leg of the voyage where they will undergo safety training, learn to set the sails, steer the vessel and navigate using sextants and charts just as they did on

Cook’s historic voyage.

Information from the Endeavour Office at the National Maritime Museum 1800 720 577

Theme Parks unveil new attractions

Village Roadshow Theme Parks unveiled new attractions ready for the September school holidays at Wet’n’Wild and Sea World on the Gold Coast.

AquaLoop  features four looping slides, the first in Australia with a gut-wrenching, heart-pounding and gravity defying ride which takes you to speeds of up to 60kms per hour. Thrill rating out of four is four!

Castaway Bay at Sea World is an amazing multi-million dollar adventure precinct, catering to kids and adults. These are the major features: Battle Sails (boat ride) with a shipwreck theme; Sky Fortress (tree house) on five different levels, rope bridges and tunnels; 

 Penguin Encounter also at Sea World is an amazing frozen world, home to the world’s largest penguin species, the King Penguin as well a the agile Gentoo penguin with distinctive bright red bill and long tail. The exhibit has icy rock formations and crystal clear pool with both elevated and underwater viewing areas.

Dreamworld’s Tower re-opens with terrifying twist

After 14 years of thrills and more than eight million screaming passengers, the iconic Tower Of Terror at Dreamworld re-opens for the September school holidays after being shut for the mother of all modifications.

It has been …reversed!

Unlike the original, adrenalin junkies will be harnessed into the deepest depths of the Tower’s lair, facing nothing but a dark void. An eerie silence lasts for milliseconds before the car blasts backwards rocketing you out of a 206m tunnel at rapid speed, hitting up to 161 km/h in seven seconds.

Dreamworld CEO Noel Dempsey said it incorporates three major fears – high speeds, falling from great heights and dark confined spaces.

“The Tower of Terror has been a rite of passage for many teenagers and the re-launched ride will build on that terror factor,” he said.

Kids’ eye view of Brisbane

Education disguised as fun – every Mum and Dad’s dream. Here’s some ways to keep the kids amused and informed.

The Corner – State Library of Queensland is a creative hands-on and minds-on place for children under 8. They’ll be happily distrated by artworks, artist-led activities, great books, fun and educational toys;  online activities – a playful journey of discovery. Stanley Place, South Brisbane.

Queensland Museum – With dinosaurs, dung beetles, antique fire engines, artefacts, fascinating exhibitions and big and strange animals to keep their eyes wide open.  Try it, move it, use it, spin the planets, create a current or make waves at the Science Centre with hours of interactive, science-based fun for kids of all ages (including big kids) Cnr Grey and Melbourne Sts, South Brisbane.

St Thomas Brisbane Planetarium – will amaze the kids with a must-see recreation of Brisbane’s night sky in the Cosmic Skydome.  They’ll marvel at the interesting artefacts and displays, including fragments of asteroids and spacecraft models plus images from the Hubble Space Telescope.

 Talk to the animals – Alma Park Zoo is home to Australian, exotic and endangered animals.  Keeper presentations throughout the day ensure an up close and personal experience for everyone.  Free BBQ facilities and picnic lawns are set in tranquil rainforest gardens – you can even hand feed some of Australia’s favourite animals.  Alma Road, Dakibin (exit 138 off Bruce Highway) 

Don’t forget to cuddle a koala at Lone Pine Sanctuary, a favourite for many decades for locals and visitors to our State’s capital.

 

 

Valentino Retrospective exclusive to Brisbane

Retrospective exhibition of the house of Valentino will show exclusively at the Gallery of Modern Art, GoMA in Brisbane until November 14.

Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said it incorporates a stunning array of Valentino Garavani’s haute couture designs from the late 1950s through to his final collection in 2008.  Valentino was the first couture house outside of Paris to be officially recognised by the French Government.

The exhibition explores his techniques and recurring motifs such as ornamentation, use of geometric and animal prints, frills, folds and pleats as well as the creative possibilities of volume, surface and line.

 Garment worn by big stars and high society figures such as Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor will be displayed along with the stunning black and white gown worn by Julia Roberts at the Academy Awards in 2001.

 The exhibition is designed and realised by Les Arts Decoratifs, Paris with the assistance of the Valentino fashion house.  Organised in Australia by the Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia.

What’s On in Brisbane?

Wretch (The Things we do for Love and the things we do despite it) – Brisbane Powerhouse, September 14 to 18 (matinee on the Sat) Troubling and brilliant piece aout a mother visiting her teenage son in prison, trying to tell him of her cancer; reveals a twisted relationship, subversive, complex, confronting. Phone 3358 8600

 

Ballet Nacional de Cuba – Don Quixote,  September 24 to October 3, Lyric Theatre QPAC featuring Queensland Symphony Orchestra. This is exclusive to Brisbane with bookings on 136 246.

 

Petula Clark – You and I – An Intimate Evening.  October 7, Concert Hall QPAC. The beautifully British superstar takes you back with all her famous numbers – I Know A Place, Downtown, Don’t Sleep In The Subway – who can forget Petula Clark, see her live;  bookings 136 246.

 

Aida by Opera Queensland – October 16 – 30. Lyric Theatre QPAC. Sung in Italian with projected English translation, featuring the QSO.

 

Andre Rieu with The Seekers – October 26, 27. Brisbane Entertainment Centre with Johann Strauss Orchestra. Australia’s own fab four are delighted and honoured to join Andre with their biggest hits and own favourites. This is one not to miss.

 

West Side Story – November 3 for four weeks. Lyric Theatre QPAC, bookings 136246.

 

Crowded House – November 9. Brisbane Convention Centre,bookings 132849.

 

Gorillaz –  Escape to Plastic Beach Tour December 19, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, an A B & Zombie Production, bookings 132849

 

Wicked – Broadway Musical. January 16, Lyric Theatre QPAC. “So much happened before Dorothy dropped in”. The untold story of the Witches of Oz. Premium tickets, dining and hotel packages, group bookings save. Tickets are on sale now. Information phone 3840 7466

Valentino Retrospective exclusive to Brisbane

Retrospective exhibition of the house of Valentino will show exclusively at the Gallery of Modern Art, GoMA in Brisbane until November 14.

Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said it incorporates a stunning array of Valentino Garavani’s haute couture designs from the late 1950s through to his final collection in 2008.  Valentino was the first couture house outside of Paris to be officially recognised by the French Government.

The exhibition explores his techniques and recurring motifs such as ornamentation, use of geometric and animal prints, frills, folds and pleats as well as the creative possibilities of volume, surface and line.

Garment worn by big stars and high society figures such as Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor will be displayed along with the stunning black and white gown worn by Julia Roberts at the Academy Awards in 2001.

The exhibition is designed and realised by Les Arts Decoratifs, Paris with the assistance of the Valentino fashion house.  Organised in Australia by the Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia.

 

 

 

My Town …….Boulia, Outback Queensland

Hi, my name is Shelley Norton and welcome to my hometown Boulia, situated on the edge of the Simpson Desert in Outback Queensland.  We are the Capital of the Channel Country and home to the famous Min Min Light, a mysterious light that chooses when, where and who to appear to, which has never been explained. (but not for lack of trying).

I am the 4th generation of my family to grow up here in Boulia and there’s no better place I’d rather be.  People ask me why I live here? What is so great to make you want to stay?  Well, I say why not?  Boulia has everything I need here.  I have great family, friends, a great job and heaps of events to keep me occupied.

This year I’m the first entrant in 20 years for Boulia in the RFDS Spirit of Queensland Awards.  My mother was the last entrant back in 1991. She always told me how she received such wonderful support from our community and I’m so proud to say our community support is still strong.

My fund-raising events include a Fancy Dress Night where everyone came dressed in something starting with the letters RFDS.  We had fridges, fairies, doctors, saloon girls – the list went on and it was great to see what everyone came up with. Others include a fishing comp, Old Time Wool Shed Dance and Diamonds and Dust Ball  on 23rd  October. (Shelley will face the finals in November)  and Back to Boulia  9th and 10th Oct .

I’ve been told by many I’m a very passionate person about my hometown which is true, and does come in handy as I am the Tourism Officer for Boulia Shire Council.  I’m in charge of the day to day running of the Min Min Encounter which is a 40 minute sound and light show dedicated to keeping the history and mystery of the Min Min light alive.

If you want to know more or want to head on out to the land of the Min Min Light, forward any enquiries to Min Min Encounter on 4746 3386 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it