TRAVEL DEALS 3 June 2012

AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Tee off on the championship 18-hole golf course, then dine on local crayfish: that’s sooo Victor Harbour. Top it off with a stay at the McCracken Country Club for just $99 a couple for one night to complete a great break. Stay two nights and get a bottle of wine and free dinner, stay three nights and get your green fees thrown in as well. Book until June 24, stay until August 31, (08) 8551 0200, countryclubs.com.au/wintersale

VICTORIA

Winter’s coming so it’s time to rug up and break out the fortified wines. Go back to the heartland, Rutherglen, where it all began in Australia, which holds its annual Winery Walkabout next weekend. All winter, Tuileries Rutherglen is offering a two-night midweek package that includes cooked breakfast, cocktails and a three-course dinner for two. Save $160 until August 31, costs $415 a couple, two nights, (02) 6032 9033, tuileriesrutherglen.com.au

Sea World

QUEENSLAND

Check out -TRex and mates at Sea World’s new Dinosaur Island, on the glittering Gold Coast. Linked by monorail to the fun park, the 4.5-star Sea World Resort & Water has a day spa and two lagoon pools. Stay until June 29 and save up to 65 percent, with unlimited entry to Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild Water World.  Stay two nights and get free tickets to Sea World’s dolphin show. Costs $139 for two adults, $10 for each kid, 1800 074 448, myfun.com.au

TASMANIA

It may be a small island, but seven days in Tassie and you’ll be on your feet to see the island’s icons, including serene Lake St Clair, a cruise on the Gordon River, cheese tasting and Launceston’s fabulous Cataract Gorge. Book the Western Icons Best Buys Guided Tour six months in advance and save $170 per couple. Tours run from September 18 to August 31 2013. Costs from $1615 a person, twin share (land only), 1300 228 546, aatkings.com.au

NSW

The larder’s full of the best of the Hunter: Peterson Champagne House Sparkling Cuvee, the Smelly Cheese Shop’s cheese platter, Margan wine and sweets from the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company. Save $110 on a three-night midweek getaway at the adults-only retreat, Somewhere Unique, set amongst the bushland in Wollombi. Also included is a brekky hamper and bikes to work it all off, until August 31. Costs $798 a couple, three nights, (02) 4998 3257, quote “Midweek Winter Getaway”, somewhereunique.com.au

TRANS-AUSTRALIA

Go for Gold! We don’t mean become an Olympian, we mean travel Gold Service on the Indian-Pacific, and save $525 on the iconic trans-Australian crossing from Perth to Sydney. Gold class gets you a cosy sleeper with ensuite, a steward to fluff pillows and bring you a morning cuppa, journey commentary, all meals, tea and coffee.  Book before June 30, travel until August 31. Costs $1653 one-way, 132 147.

The Sarojin, Thailand

INTERNATIONAL

THAILAND

Wine lovers in Asia are on first-name basis with The Sarojin’s sommelier, Dawid Koegelenberg, four-time winner of the Wine Spectator’s award of excellence and darling of the London A-list for serious wine dinners. Get one night free for every night you stay at the hotel, an hour north of Phuket, until October 31 – which means stay three nights, get three nights free, with free breakfast and sparkling wine. Costs from $412 a night, a room, 02 9211 6590, sarojin.com

VIETNAM

There are parts of the world that tell you just to stop, smell the roses, the jasmine, the sandalwood and the champagne; to wit Vietnam’s Nam Hai hotel. Set on Hoi An beach, your bed for the night is a pool villa, with never-ending champagne on the breakfast buffet,  butler service, a spa treatment, lunch, afternoon tea, snacks in the villa and mini-bar a-go. Book two nights before 30 June for travel before March 31, get another night free, from $1803 a person for three nights, 1300 320 795, adventureworld.com.au

Pines Lodge, Beaver Creek

USA
Rated North America’s top ski resort, Colorado’s Beaver Creek has its fair share of celebrity fans (think Tom Hanks, Tiger Woods), yet you can still find a bargain in town: save 35 percent, that’s $247, at the ski-in Pines Lodge. Stay seven nights, get a six-day lift pass valid at Beaver Creek, Vaile, Breckenridge and Keystone resorts. Book before October 1, travel November 21 – December 14. Costs $829 a person, twin share, 1800 335 724, mogulski.com.au

INDONESIA

You know you deserve a personal assistant, and COMO Shambhala’s people excel at the job: let them lead you to a yoga class, to your wellness consultation, to your massage…  Book a fully inclusive seven-night wellness programme at the breathtaking Ubud retreat which includes full board and they’ll add three massages, transfers, all meals and activities, until March 31st 2013. Costs $5,180 for two people, +61 361 978 888, comoshambhala.como.bz

Canada's Rocky Mountaineer

 CANADA

Be nurtured by nature as you roll through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, spotting bears, eagles and majestic deer while nursing a drink. This eight-day tour includes two nights on the Rocky Mountaineer in RedLeaf  class, seven night’s accommodation, tours of Vancouver, Jasper and Banff, a helicopter tour and a bonus $550 credit to spend on meals, hotel or cabin upgrades. Costs from $2899 a person, twin share, 1800 044 066, travel-associates.com.au

TOURWATCH

See and capture the beauty of Turkey through the eyes of Lonely Planet photographer Richard I’Anson, author of a swathe of take-me-there coffee table travel photography and guidebooks. And what’s more, he’ll help you snap the shutter on your own amazing photographs of one of the world’s most fascinating countries. Split between East and West, Turkey straddles two continents and the stops on this tour, which include Antalya, Cappadocia, Istanbul and Fethiye, give plenty of unique subject matter, from cave towns to whirling dervishes, ancient markets and classic Mediterranean seaside beauty. The tour includes boutique four-star accommodation, transport and entrance fees. Departs August 19, costs $3999 a person, land only, 1300 720 000, worldexpeditions.com