Travel deals 26 August 2012



Masai Mara tribe, Kenya

Meet the Masai, the 12 Apostles or the hamlets of the Nullabor Plains on an epic trans-Australian journey.

QUEENSLAND
Pay $111 a night - a discount of 33 per cent - when you book three nights at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast until December 20. Located close to beaches and popular attractions like Australia Zoo and Aussie World, the resort also provides free catamarans, kayaks, bikes and mini putt putt golf, plus a water trampoline on the resort’s man-made lagoon. Kids’ Club and babysitting services are available. 1800 072 277, novoteltwinwatersresort.com.au.

VICTORIA
For many, the highlight of Victoria’s beloved Great Ocean Road are the 12 Apostles near Apollo Bay. For others, it’s the local waterfalls and rainforest walks. Check into the YHA and grab a winter special: stay three nights, pay for two, saving $95. Costs $190 a double/twin room for three night stays before September 20. (03) 5237 7899, yha.com.au.

NSW
Tootle down to Merimbula, on the south coast, to rediscover what holidays used to be like when you were a kid. Cute villages, broad sweeps of empty beach, jetties for dropping a line off and dolphins and whales cruising by. Book two nights in an apartment or townhouse at the 4.5-star Coast Resort before September 21 and save almost 50 per cent. Facilities include heated pools, tennis courts and big balconies. Costs from $360 for two nights. 1300 130 483, travel.com.au.  

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Quay West Resort, Bunker Bay

Trade your Weet-Bix and morning news for views of Bunker Bay, three hours south of Perth in the Margaret River region. The vista from the terrace of the Quay West Resort is of the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, and brekky is drawn from local produce, with a splash of sparkling wine, as befits the locale. Save $65 on bookings before September 30. Costs from $478 for two nights for two people, midweek (Sun-Thurs), includes breakfast for two. 13 15 15, quaywestresortbunkerbay.com.

TRANS-AUSTRALIA

Cross the continent in four days, from Perth to Sydney on The Ghan, stopping at historic crossroads and watching the scenery of desert, mountains and the Nullarbor Plain pass your window. Red Sleeper cabins sleep two, with beds that fold into day lounges, and the trains feature newly refurbished Matilda Cafés and new Red Gum lounges. Take a friend for free when booking Perth to Sydney in a Red Sleeper before October 31. Costs $1510 for two people, 132 147, greatsouthernrail.com.au.

TASMANIA

One of the country’s top lodges, Saffire Freycinet, on the Freycinet peninsula, comprises just 20 beautiful suites looking out to the Hazards Mountains. Book a deluxe suite for four nights, pay for three and get all meals and dinner drinks, activities including guided walks, fishing,  golf, wine tasting, canoeing, cooking demos and learn to mix the perfect cocktail.  The deal also includes $100 to spend in the spa until end September. Costs $5400 a suite, 1800 723 347, saffire-freycinet.com.au.




Slick and sweet: Eurostar

FRANCE
It’s easy to slip a little ski weekend in on your British adventures – the Eurostar runs from London to over 40 ski resorts in the French Alps, including Courchevel, Tignes, and Les Arcs. Book now for travel between December 21, 2012 – April 13, 2013. Costs from $123 a person (standard class) or $190 (standard premium class). Travel agents or raileurope.com.au. 

THAILAND

Stay eight nights, pay for just four at the Kata Palm Resort & Spa, in southern Phuket, down past Karon Beach, and you’ll also get breakfast daily, return airport transfers, one dinner and a 30 minute traditional Thai massage for each person. The deal runs until October 31, in a superior pool view room. Costs from $245 a person, twin share. 1300 138 755, travelindochina.com.au. 

FIJI

You deserve sun: specifically, you deserve Fijian sun. Book five nights at The Westin Resort & Spa and save up to 50 per cent. Includes return flights with Air Pacific, airport transfers and daily breakfast. Book by September 28, stay between November 1-December 27 and January 6-March 31. Costs from $1169 a person for five nights, twin share, including flights. 1300 358 382, coralseas.com.au.

ENGLAND

Though the Olympics are now over, London will always have Wimbledon, from June 24, 2013. Book before November 30 and get 5 per cent off three-night packages, which include a reserved seat for two days at The Championships on Centre and No. 1 court, three nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, London Travel cards, programs, admission into the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and lunch at The Wimbledon Experience Club. Costs from $2049 a person, twin share, 1300 730 023, keithprowse.com.au

SOUTHERN AFRICA
Wildebeest migrating across the Masai Mara, flamingos on Lake Nakuru, sunrise over Mt Kilimanjaro. Scenic Tours’ ultimate African small group tours spend 31 days on a Grand African Adventure, from Cape Town to Jo’berg via Tanzania and Kenya. Save up to $1600 a couple on 2013 tours when booked by December 31. Costs from $15,695 a person, twin share. 1300 723 642, scenictours.com.au.

TOURWATCH: TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY ADVENTURE
High on many people’s hit list, the Trans-Siberian railway crosses from Vladivostok, in Russia’s far east, to the capital, Moscow, over 15 days. The Golden Eagle is a luxury train that covers the epic 10,600-kilometer journey, its highlights including the onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, in remote Siberia. Forget rough sleepers – cabins have underfloor heating, DVD players, power showers and there’s fine dining in the restaurant. The package includes $700 air credit per person, two nights’ accommodation before the trip, tour guides in nine stops, all meals, transfers and tipping. Costs from Book before November 30, 2012 for travel on February 24, 2013. $14,495 a person, twin share. 1800 044 066, www.travel-associates.com.au.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald