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Virgin’s new plane “Mindil Beach” touches down
Virgin Australia’s newest aircraft “Mindil Beach” touched down in Darwin last week, marking the airline’s first daily flight from Sydney to Darwin.
Virgin Australia’s expanded services will bring an additional 1000 seats a week for Territorians. The new flight builds on a significant investment by Virgin in recent years including bringing the Silk Air alliance to the Territory, and plans to establish a passengers’ lounge at Darwin Airport.
Virgin CEO John Borghetti has also accepted the Territory Government’s invitation to bring the entire Virgin Australia Board here to see first hand the opportunities on offer. As part of the visit, the Virgin Board will be provided with a full briefing on the Top End’s growing resources industry, the Darwin Airport terminal expansion as well as tourism developments like SkyCity, the Waterfront and eco-wilderness resorts.
To leverage off the new flights, an advertising campaign is being run interstate. Darwin will be promoted as a must see destination through eye catching outdoor advertising in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane backed up by large colour ads in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Sunday Mail.
What’s happening in Adelaide?
Australian Luxury stays have some exciting news! We have recently expanded our portfolio with four new luxury properties. 1)
Villa Victoria
2) Regatta- Henley Beach. Overlooking the beach and Henley Square this elegantly decorated apartment can sleep 6. Completed in 2012, Regatta offers a luxury beach holiday close to shops, restaurants and of course the Sun, Sand and Sea. Experience the new luxury apartment complex for yourself!
Regatta
3) Bax on Sussex- North Adelaide. Located on the timelessly beautiful Sussex Street, Bax on Sussex is a contemporary, modern and stylishly chic. Featuring three bedrooms,
Bax on Sussex
4) Parkview- Adelaide CBD. In the heart of the city, walk everywhere from this gorgeous townhome! Located directly opposite Victoria Park racecourse, Parkview sleeps up to 6 and provides the perfect base for a corporate traveller. Featuring 3 bedrooms a formal lounge and family room you really have the whole of Adelaide at your fingertips, you
ParkView
The Clipsal 500 is coming to Adelaide!
The Clipsal 500 is coming to Adelaide! Look out, it’s Australia’s largest domestic motor sport event! Held at Victoria Park Racecourse, this event is truly one that brings Adelaide’s CBD to life. Racing isn’t your thing? Well we’ve got good news for you! The race is extremely close to the ultra-chic Rundle Street shopping and entertainment district, there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, the wine and dine type or into live music this is the perfect time to getaway to Adelaide.
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Come and see for yourself!
The Adelaide Fringe began as an alternative to the Adelaide Festival and has become an inspirational, dynamic, enormously popular event that embraces local and small scale artists as well as experimental, risk taking performers. Anyone with ideas and enthusiasm can register to be a part of the program that is widely embraced by the public.
During Fringe time the Adelaide CBD comes alive, with hundreds of thousands of people experiencing special free events such as the Opening Night Fringe Parade, the Adelaide Fringe Street Theatre Festival, Spirit Festival, art exhibitions and more. Artist and audiences travel from all over the world to experience the unique summer fun of Adelaide Fringe – the festival that literally takes over the city. Most of the Fringe action takes place at night, so your days are free to explore the ‘festival state’.
The festival runs over 24 days and nights in from the 24th of February to the 18th of March. With hundreds of cabaret, comedy, dance, theatre, music, film and visual arts events on offer, the city is completely overtaken by a festive vibe. Adelaide’s every nook and cranny is appropriated by artists, turning the city into one eclectic performance space, complete with balmy summer nights.
The event is renowned for fresh ideas, risk, imagination, spontaneity and fun. Artists from across the globe participate alongside home-grown talent, in all art forms. It provides audiences with a chance to see unpredictable, unusual and completely new performances.
More than a million people attend the free and ticketed events at the festival, which features 3,000 artists and more than 500 events at 260 venues. The opening night party alone attracts more than 80,000 people.
Come and see for yourself! Click Here to view some of the many acts performing at the 2012 Adelaide Fringe.
Accomodation, Events in South Australia, South Australia, Travel Tips, Uncategorized
It’s Christmas time in the city.
Are you thinking of getting away from it all this holiday season?Are you travelling to visit family and friends in Darwin?
Now is a terrific time to plan your Christmas or New Years holiday to the Northern Territory. The wet season has set in which means rates are great and crowds are few and far between. Read more about travelling to Darwin during the wet season here.
As that post notes, Darwin is one of the few places one can travel on low season rates over Christmas. If that weren’t reason enough to book your holiday today, consider that visiting a region, particularly a quiet reason, during the holiday allows a unique perspective into local traditions.
Visit the shops and markets for insight into holiday culinary treats and take advantage of a crowd-free trip by speaking with locals and enquiring about festivities and regional customs.
Darwin plays host to a number of seasonal celebrations that you won’t want to miss when you’re visiting this year.
Christmas Craft Fair In late November, people from all over the territory flock to Darwin to admire and sell wares at this large handicrafts fair. Held in the museum grounds, the fair features workshops and demonstrations for adults and children of all ages.
Carols by Candlelight This early December tradition features evening Christmas carols at the Amphitheatre in Darwin’s George Brown Botanical Gardens. Our Gardens Hill properties Jesicca, Kidman and Pearl are just a short walk from the botanical gardens and would make an excellent base for those interested in this great event.
New Year’s Eve on the Wharf Ring in the New Year with live entertainment, the lights on the water and a spectacular firework display at midnight. The wharf is certainly the place to be when the clock strike twelve!
Whether you’re yearning to get away this Christmas or if Darwin is where it’s at for you this holiday season, book your accommodation today. Our portfolio offers affordable, comfortable luxury for your stay. Each property is self contained, features a gourmet kitchen and plenty of privacy.
Events in Northern Territory, Links, Luxury Homes, Luxury Travel, Northern Territory
Spring Festivals in Adelaide, SA
With the footy coming quickly to a close in Australia, the city of festivals is set to make up for a bit of lost time before Christmas is upon us. February and March are known as peak festival months in the city but there are some excellent weekend and week-long festivals in October and November that are worth mentioning and considering when scheduling your time in South Australia.
The Port Festival provides an excellent opportunity to get to know Port Adelaide. Falling on the 8 – 9 October weekend, the festival features a variety of experiences from arts and cultural delights, sea faring and heritage experiences and great events for the school holidays.
Did you know that Port Adelaide is South Australia’s maritime centre? The festival focuses on this heritage with educational exhibitions, culinary treats and free admission to some of the state’s best museums. Not only are the Maritime, Railway and Aviation Museums free but there are complimentary children’s activities all weekend long. Pick up your copy of the festival’s program here.
The Adelaide Festival of Ideas takes place over the same weekend as The Port Festival. We think there are plenty of ways that you can fit both of these festivals into your weekend plans but if boating isn’t your thing, you may prefer this gathering of minds.
This year’s theme is “Planning for Uncertainty” and sessions begin as early as 6pm on Wednesday, 5 October. From the festival website, “The 2011 Adelaide Festival of Ideas is devoted to the proposition that we can plan with reasonable probability to shape the improbabilities that confront us as individuals or a community. We can have better debates – then therefore build better cities, cultures, democracies, products, and environments. We can confront the future intelligently, imperfectly – learning and adapting as we go.” The 2011 programme can be found here.
Feast Festival is Adelaide’s lesbian and gay culture festival and is scheduled from 12 – 17 November this year. Two weeks of theatre, cabaret, literature, film, visual arts, forums and community events are featured at this multi-cultural and dynamic festival.
Feast is one of the three major queer festivals in Australia and it takes place all over the city. New this year, the festival will show silent films in a free outdoor cinema. Exhibition space has been created for six high profile queer art shows and local DJs and up and coming musicians will play every night! The feast program is comprehensive and exciting. Get yours here.
There is lots to be seen, heard and enjoyed this Spring in South Australia. These are just three of Adelaide’s great and varied festivals. Happy festing!
Events in South Australia, Links, South Australia, Travel Tips
Wet Season Travel in Darwin, NT
October marks the end of Australian Luxury Stays’ “Peak Season” in Darwin.As the dry season comes to a close, tourism in the Northern Territory is slowing down but that doesn’t mean you can’t still make the most of a fabulous Northern Territory holiday!
Warm weather is virtually guaranteed this time of year and with a decrease in the number of travellers to the state, you’ll find fewer lines and more room at the beach for you and your family.
Don’t rule out wet season travel until you’ve considered the following:
Budget: Affordable luxury has never been more attainable. The rates for some of Australian Luxury Stays’ finest properties are lower than ever this season. Take advantage of off-peak travel and book one of our beautiful properties today. Kakadu, Jessica and The Cottage Retreat are just three homes in our portfolio that offer per-bedroom rates; ideal for couples and small families that may only need one or two bedrooms in the unit!
You will also find admission prices lower in the so-called-off-season. Hotels and accommodation proprietors aren’t the only ones who discount heavily during Darwin’s wet season. If you’re on a budget, you can stretch your dollar by travelling when others are not! That fishing trip or city tour will cost less and you’ll get more out of it!
Say good-bye to crowds! Tourism seasons are classified depending on the number of visitors to a particular area or region. In Darwin, the majority of guests arrive in the dry season. By travelling between October and April, you’ll miss the crowds and have the opportunity to experience the Northern Territory as the locals do. What could be better than that?
Not all city highlights will be open, so make sure you call ahead and plan your trip carefully so not to be disappointed. But the sites you see will yours to enjoy without the headache that comes from crowds and busyness.
Holiday Travel: The Northern Territory is one of a few places in Australia where you can travel over the Christmas holidays without paying holiday rates. Our rates don’t increase over the holidays so you can enjoy Christmas away and New Years Eve on the beach and still have money left over for champagne.
Check out some of our amazing Darwin properties and book your “low season” holiday, today!
Luxury Homes, Luxury Travel, Northern Territory, Travel Tips
Let’s go to the Show!
September marks the beginning of Spring in South Australia and locals know that means that the Royal Adelaide Show is upon us. For one week, visitors flock to the city showgrounds for bright lights, late nights and a taste of the country side.
If you find yourself fortunate enough to be planning a holiday or even a business trip to Adelaide during the show, consider making a trip to check things out. An excellent balance between agriculture and side show exhibitions, the Royal Adelaide Show has a little something for everyone.
Get there early in the morning and have a look at the day’s schedule. Make a plan or take things as they come and go where your eyes (or nose!) tempt you.
In the morning, visit the produce, garden and baking pavilion and take in a show on the main stage while you enjoy a bit of tea and sample fresh apples and oranges. Next up, why not visit the cats and dogs and do a bit of your own judging before lunch?
You will find plenty of options for a variety of taste buds when it comes time for lunch. You may prefer to snack on fair food throughout the day but if it’s “real” food you’re after, there are a few cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the grounds.
Of course, there’s plenty of sampling to be had in the IGA pavilion and you’ll find lots of gourmet fare on hand. My favourite stop is the dairy pavilion where the King Island Dairy stand takes the prize for most luxurious show bag of the season.
In the afternoon, you’ll want to meander through the agriculture barns and get up close and personal with a pig or two. There are lots of shows and competitions in the main arena. What better place to rest your feet for a while?
After dinner, the side show and carnival come alive as dusk falls upon the show. Make sure to take a ride on the ferris wheel and treat your child within to a bag of fluffy pink fairy floss. The Show’s closing fireworks are the ultimate reward for a day well spent.
Not in town this year? Think about booking a Spring trip to South Australia in 2012 and book your accommodation with us today. After a long and eventful day at the Royal Adelaide Show, you’ll need a day of rest and our luxury homes are just the place to recover!
Accomodation, Events in South Australia, Links, South Australia, Travel Tips
Tour the Markets of South Australia and the Northern Territory
Some of our best travelling memories are of neighbourhood markets. Becoming familiar with local produce is an excellent way to experience a city, region or a new country.� Often, the man selling mushrooms and the couple who run the organic fruit stand are true locals.� They have stories and insider knowledge to share and a true appreciation for the land you�re visiting.
Markets around the world are popular destinations for holiday makers.� Families can buy in bulk and add education to their trip. Couples after just two apples and a small wedge of cheese can customise a picnic.� Even if you are only interested in setting up the perfect market photograph, there�s something for everyone.
In Barcelona, Spain, La Boqueria is a mecca for fruits, vegetables and confectionery.� Seattle�s Pike Place Market in the United States is popular amongst seafood and coffee enthusiasts. Well known for its service minded atmosphere, it inspired the FISH! Philosophy.� Every year, travellers plan European holidays around German Christmas markets and photographs of floating markets in Bangkok have been enticing tourists to Thailand for years.
There are many great markets to add to your holiday plans and it just so happens that South Australia and the Northern Territory feature some of our favourites.
The Adelaide Central Market (above right) has been a culinary hub in Adelaide, SA since 1869 and it still lights up the city’s south five days a week.� Take part in a morning market tour and enjoy delicious samples, meet traders and discover the history of the market.� Just a short drive from all of our South Australian properties, the market makes an excellent morning pit stop before jetting off to enjoy the area or spend day at the beach.
A variety of market experiences are at your doorstep in Darwin, NT.� Parap Village (left) offers visitors boutique shops, art galleries and a variety of eateries. It also hosts a popular Saturday market featuring an impressive range of multicultural cuisine in a relaxed, Northern Territory atmosphere.
The Mindil Beach Sunset Market (below) is an evening experience that runs throughout the dry-season in Darwin. The market is situated on a road that runs parallel to the beach.� The grassy area that separates the stalls from the sand is perfect for an alfresco dinner or simply soaking up the atmosphere. Here’s an insider scoop from the Australian Luxury Stays team: Mindil Beach Market is BYO! Bring your beverage of choice for watching the sunset.
However you choose to enjoy the markets, our cottages, apartments and executive properties make the ideal home base. Combine fresh shopping with a holiday rental property and you can prepare a delicious feast on any budget. Groups travelling together will enjoy the economics of a home cooked meal and those longing for gourmet dinner parties have luxury resources at their finger tips.
Whether you�re travelling for months at a time or enjoying a weekend getaway you’ll have the best tools at your disposal and plenty of space to make the most of your market discoveries.
Darwin festival 2011, highlights and accommodation
Enjoy art, culture and fantastic dry season weather at Australia’s only tropical arts festival. Darwin Festival runs for 18 days from 11-28 August 2011.
With strong Indigenous and multicultural populations, the festival showcases serious talent from Australia and overseas.
Events include outdoor concerts, theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, film, visual arts and workshops. It’s a great time to tour the top end. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer.
US comedian Arj Barker performs his stand-up show Eleven, tackling that same number of controversial topics ranging from 3D movies to Google Maps to prawns.
Take the family to the Australian Central Savings & Loans Teddy Bears Picnic at the Botanic Gardens. Entry is free, and there’s plenty to do with face-painting, live music and craft activities.
Take in a night of Territory inspired dance with Tracks Dance Companys latest performance Crocodile Man, Pineapple Woman, on regularly during the festival and located near the bustling Darwin Markets.
Enter the dark and risque world that is Cantina, a circus and cabaret spectacular that has toured Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne to rave reviews.
Take off your shoes for Dancing in the Sand. Learn a range of dance moves from Conogolese, Burmese, Indian, Greek, Brazilian and Pacific Island and Northern Territory.
Experience the story of the Rainbow Serpent Gorrdondolmi in an interactive storytelling performance for the whole family.
Browse the Darwin Festival Program for the full range of events on offer and online bookings.
If you’re travelling to Darwin for the festival, we have plenty of luxury houses and apartments available for rent. Large, spacious and completely self-contained, they make a stunning and relaxing base to explore the festival from.
Book in quick, as this is a busy time of year. View our range to find a place that’s right for you.
