New South Wales CANBERRA LORD HOWE ISLAND NORFOLK ISLAND 2010/11

Transcription

1 New South Wales LORD HOWE ISLAND NORFOLK ISLAND 2010/11

2 Welcome to NSW Holidays New South Wales New South Wales Holidays has been offering the very best in holidays to New South Wales for over 14 years and today, our team of over 250 are here to create the most wonderful New South Wales experiences for you. New South Wales Holidays has been specialising in New South Wales holidays since 1996 and has been a part of The AOT Group since In partnership with our 4,000+ travel agency partners in Australia and New Zealand, we are here to create and deliver your perfect holiday experience. Our Sydney and New South Wales brochures cover Sydney, regional New South Wales, Canberra, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. We can craft your New South Wales Holiday from over 260 hotels, apartments, resorts and lodges and more than 30 tour operators. Hot air ballooning, jet boat rides, cruising, hiking, 4WD adventures you name it and we not only know it but we know the best people to do it with! This brochure features New South Wales favourite holiday destinations, from Kingscliff and Byron Bay in the north to Batemans Bay and the Snowy Mountains in the south. Explore the scenic Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley Wine Country, or discover hidden gems dotted throughout country New South Wales. Canberra has fantastic attractions for the whole family and the beautiful islands of Norfolk and Lord Howe are a little piece of paradise. So have a great time on your New South Wales Holiday and thank you for letting us create the perfect holiday for you. Andrew Burnes CEO New South Wales Holidays Byron Bay

3 Canberra Discover a sparkling coastline, fascinating outback landscapes, World Heritage Listed national parks and alpine country. New South Wales has it all! South Coast Hunter Valley Kanangra Falls, Blue Mountains Port Stephens Tilpa Pub Contents PLANNING YOUR NEW SOUTH WALES HOLIDAY. NEW SOUTH WALES OUR FAVOURITE EXPERIENCES TRAVEL TIPS HOLIDAY PACKAGES SELF DRIVE HOLIDAYS TWEED COAST BYRON BAY AND SURROUNDS NORTH COAST CENTRAL COAST HUNTER VALLEY BLUE MOUNTAINS SOUTH COAST AND SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS SNOWY MOUNTAINS AND COUNTRY NEW SOUTH WALES LORD HOWE ISLAND NORFOLK ISLAND EXPLORING NEW SOUTH WALES Car Hire Campervan Hire Accommodation Pass IMPORTANT BOOKING CONDITIONS First Edition Valid 1 April March Cover Photo: Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains Norfolk Island

4 Planning your New South Wales Holiday Whether you are holidaying in New South Wales for the first time or have visited before, it s important to know your travel planner will go to great lengths to create your dream holiday. Here are just a few reasons to entrust your holiday plans to the experts at NSW Holidays. 100% Australian Owned NSW Holidays is operated by AOT Holidays, a division of The AOT Group, one of Australia s largest travel companies. The AOT Group has been in the travel business for over 21 years and is proudly Australian owned with offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The New South Wales Specialists NSW Holidays has been specialising in holidays to New South Wales for over 14 years. Our product team is based in Sydney and regularly travel to the destinations we feature in our brochure range searching for new products and the best deals available. We have the largest range of New South Wales holiday options and our knowledgeable team will provide expert advice to ensure your holiday is a memorable one. NSW Holidays Bonus Offers At NSW Holidays we are passionate about offering you value for money. Throughout this brochure, you ll find hotels and tours with bonus offers ranging from free nights to free room upgrades. Just look for the NSW Holidays Bonus box. NSW Holidays Exclusive Offers NSW Holidays Exclusives are deals we have negotiated especially for NSW Holidays customers. Just look for the NSW Holidays symbol. NSW Holidays Packages We ve taken the hard work out of planning your holiday by putting together a range of packages which partner the must do activities in the region with a choice of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. These packages represent excellent value for money. Refer to the Holiday Packages section starting on page 10. Ask Our Product Manager Our Product Managers are passionate about travel and have visited the destinations they look after many times. Throughout this brochure, Robyne, our New South Wales Product Manager, shares her favourite experiences. Check out her Insider Tips on page 9. Tailor Made Holidays This brochure provides you with a wide range of holiday options including accommodation, day tours, car hire and more. We believe we have the most comprehensive range of New South Wales product, however, it s what you want that matters. So if you are looking for something that isn t in this brochure, just ask us and we ll find it for you. We will also book all the extras such as limousine transfers and tours. We ll even organise charter flights to get to those out of the way destinations. Use this brochure for inspiration, then let us help you create your own adventure. Customer Care Helpline We know your holiday experience doesn t end until you are safely home. That s why our Customer Care Team is only a phone call away should you require any assistance during your New South Wales holiday. All the necessary information will be provided with your travel documentation and you can contact the team at any time during your holiday. More Holiday Ideas AOT Holidays has a fantastic range of products covering Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea. Ask your travel agent for one of our many brochures. 4

5 The information on the following pages is designed to help you plan your perfect New South Wales getaway. Check out how to use this brochure, find out where to stay and where to go on pages 6 and 7, then get in the know with Our Favourite Experiences on page 8. There s more insider tips on page 9 as well as other Travel Tips for planning your holiday to New South Wales. Pricing Guide Prices featured in accommodation listings are per room for the period specified unless otherwise stated. The from price in the property heading has been calculated using the cheapest nightly rate available, ie. in the leadin room type, in off-peak season using the longest stay (eg. 7 nights). If a free night offer is available, even if for part of a season, this has been included when calculating the from price. A minimum stay is generally required. Where prices for more than a one night stay are featured, the prices refer to stays of consecutive nights. We are always sourcing great deals throughout the year, so we recommend you use the prices in this brochure as a guide only and ask your travel agent for the best available deal for your travel period. School Holidays Queensland 2 11 April 26 June 11 July 18 September 3 October 11 December January 11 Victoria 27 March 11 April 26 June 11 July 18 September 3 October 18 December January 11 New South Wales 2 18 April 3 18 July 25 September 10 October 18 December January 11 ACT April 3 18 July 25 September 10 October 18 December 10 3 February 11 South Australia 2 18 April 3 18 July 25 September 10 October 11 December January 11 Western Australia 2 18 April 3 18 July 25 September 10 October 17 December 10 1 February 11 Northern Territory 2 11 April 19 June 19 July 25 September 3 October 11 December January 11 Tasmania 2 11 April 29 May 14 June 4 19 September 17 December February 11 Accommodation Ratings STAR and Diamond ratings are used throughout the brochure to describe the standard of accommodation. STAR RATINGS Properties bearing the STAR symbols are independently assessed by AAA Tourism, the national tourism body of the Australian Auto Clubs. The STARS and the STAR Rating Scheme are a Registered Trademark of AAA Tourism Pty Ltd. New South Wales Holidays has no input into the assessment process. DIAMOND RATINGS Properties bearing Diamond symbols do not participate in a recognised rating scheme. The rating is supplied by the individual property based on their own assessment. We therefore recommend they be used as a guide only. Comfortable standard of accommodation High standard of accommodation and facilities Superior standard of accommodation and facilities Denotes additional half rating Apartment Style Accommodation In general, self catering apartments feature cooking facilities with a minimum of microwave, hot plates, saucepans, crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils. Laundry facilities will be located either in the apartment, or in a guest laundry within the property. Most apartments are serviced every 7 days and do not provide hotel facilities such as porterage, room service or mini bars. Most apartments provide an initial supply of items such as tea, coffee, soap and toilet paper. What the Symbols mean Kids Club facilities are available. Check listings for details. Day spa facilities are available. The property has one or more rooms providing wheelchair access with assistance. A bonus is available if you are celebrating a special occasion (eg. honeymoon). Advise your travel agent when booking. The definition of special occasion and type of bonus offered is at each property s discretion. Conditions may apply. Eco-Friendly STAR Accreditation certified by AAA Tourism to properties that have met key criteria in areas of energy efficiency, waste management and water minimisation. Product that has been accredited under the second level of the national Ecotourism Certification scheme. Product that has been awarded the highest level of the national Ecotourism Certification scheme. 5

6 New South Wales North Coast Stretching from the Tweed Coast to Port Stephens, the North Coast is a cut above your everyday beach destination. Surf or lie out on the sand whatever you re after, there s a beach for everyone. While the uncrowded beaches of the Tweed Coast and Byron Bay are perfect for a peaceful afternoon, surf spots Lennox Head and Ballina provide the waves. Families love the seaside villages of Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Port Stephens. The nearby national parks and villages of the hinterland are a world away. Work your way down from the Tweed Coast and its stunning Mount Warning National Park, to Port Stephens north of Sydney and the rainforest of Tomaree National Park. On the way, stop over at Dorrigo National Park west of Coffs Harbour. Sydney Surrounds Fancy a getaway packed with gourmet indulgences and breathtaking views? Escape to beaches, national parks and mountain retreats all within two and a half hours of Sydney. The Blue Mountains is just the ticket for bushwalks and spectacular views. Stop for renowned wines, handmade cheeses and chocolates in the Hunter Valley. Back on the Central Coast, Newcastle has the best of the city and beach culture to offer, before you head to the seaside towns from The Entrance to Ettalong. There are surf and swimming beaches and tranquil waterways perfect for fishing all along this picturesque stretch of coastline. South Coast and Southern Highlands Wollongong is just an hour and a half south of Sydney but you could easily take a full day to get there. Bordered by green hills and a sparkling coastline, this contemporary city is a popular surfing spot and is fast becoming a foodie haven. Families love Kiama and Batemans Bay for the beaches and casual atmosphere, while Jervis Bay is perfect for total relaxation with silica white sands, crystal clear water, bushwalking and charming cafés. For more amazing scenery, take the inland road to the beautiful Southern Highlands for quaint cottage gardens, antique shopping and bushwalks. Follow the Food and Wine Trail to cellar doors and food stalls. Snowy Mountains and Country New South Wales They might be famous for their cold weather offerings, but the Snowy Mountains are always in season. Get amongst the outdoors with fishing, hiking and all sorts of outdoor activities. Delight your senses with fresh local produce in the aptly-named Orange, take a paddle steamer cruise along the famous Murray River at Albury, get a little bit country in Tamworth or head to the outback and be fascinated by the unusual scenery around Broken Hill. Canberra Australia s capital is bursting with impressive museums and galleries that are just the start of what the city has to offer. Wander extensive trails around the picturesque lakes and sights, or visit free national attractions and keep an eye out for regular events ideal for family fun. Head out to a restaurant or café to soak up the local culture, while sensational wineries are just 30 minutes out of town. Lord Howe Island This magic isle in the Tasman Sea is less than two hours flight from Sydney, but you ll feel a world away once you step onto this relaxed island of unspoilt beauty. You re one of no more than 400 guests on the island at a time, making it easy for you to find your little piece of paradise. Heritage listed for its geology and wildlife, the island is surrounded by coral reef and home to a huge array of rare birds and plants. Norfolk Island Unwind in a place that ll have you hooked from the moment you get off the plane. Discover the best fishing, relaxing walks and natural beauty among the island s signature Norfolk Pine trees. See elegant convict built Georgian buildings still in use today, tour the local coffee plantation, discover museums steeped in history and swim in crystal clear waters. Experience the friendliness of the locals and indulge in the freshest produce from cafés to restaurants the menu makes the most of seasonal local produce. Get there from Australia in around two and half hours, or under two hours from New Zealand. Calendar of Events APRIL Byron Bay Bluesfest F.O.O.D. Week, Orange MAY Lovedale Long Lunch, Hunter Valley JUNE Yulefest, Blue Mountains Katoomba Winter Magic Festival, Blue Mountains JULY Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay AUGUST Byron Bay Writers Festival Dubbo Jazz Festival Bellingen Jazz and Blues Festival SEPTEMBER Floriade, Canberra Bowral Tulip Time, Southern Highlands OCTOBER Leura Gardens Festival Bathurst 1000 Jazz in the Vines, Hunter Valley NOVEMBER Cowra Food and Wine Festival JANUARY Tamworth Country Music Festival TBC Dates for this event were yet to be confirmed at the time of printing. 1st-5th 9th-18th 15th-16th 1st Jun-31st Aug 19th 30th Jul-1st Aug 6th-8th 7th-9th 14th-16th 11th Sep-10th Oct 21st Sep-4th Oct 2nd-10th 7th-10th 30th TBC 14th-23rd 6

7 BRISBANE TWEED COAST QUEENSLAND DARWIN TOWNSVILLE AUSTRALIA PERTH ADELAIDE Page 14 COOLANGATTA TWEED HEADS CAIRNS KINGSCLIFF N BRISBANE LENNOX HEAD BYRON BAY AND SURROUNDS Page 17 SYDNEY MELBOURNE HOBART BYRON BAY BALLINA YAMBA GRAFTON TO NORFOLK ISLAND 2 HR 30 MIN FLIGHT FROM SYDNEY NORTH COAST COFFS HARBOUR Page 22 NORFOLK ISLAND Dorrigo National Park Page 59 TAMWORTH PORT MACQUARIE HUNTER VALLEY Page 35 GLOUCESTER DUBBO TO LORD HOWE ISLAND 1 HR 50 MIN FLIGHT FROM SYDNEY LORD HOWE ISLAND Page 58 TAREE FORSTER TUNCURRY MUDGEE SINGLETON MAITLAND PORT STEPHENS CESSNOCK NEWCASTLE LAKE MACQUARIE ORANGE BATHURST LITHGOW Blue Mountains National Park BLUE MOUNTAINS GOSFORD KATOOMBA CENTRAL COAST SYDNEY Page 40 Page 31 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS BOWRAL WOLLONGONG KANGAROO KIAMA GOULBURN VALLEY YASS SNOWY MOUNTAINS & COUNTRY NSW Page 50 WAGGA WAGGA JERVIS BAY ULLADULLA A.C.T. SOUTH COAST & SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS BATEMANS BAY Kosciuszko National Park ALBURY Page 45 COOMA MT KOSCIUSZKO JINDABYNE THREDBO BEGA VICTORIA MERIMBULA EDEN Page 54 MELBOURNE DISTANCES BY ROAD FROM SYDNEY CITY TO (KM): INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS REGIONAL AIRPORTS NATIONAL PARKS RAIL MAIN ROADS BLUE MOUNTAINS BRISBANE BROKEN HILL HUNTER VALLEY MELBOURNE NEWCASTLE 159 BYRON BAY PORT MACQUARIE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS 118 COFFS HARBOUR 533 WOLLONGONG 85 Distances should be used as a guide only. 7

8 Our Favourite Experiences The Classics Whatever your ideal beach holiday, you ll find it in New South Wales. Just a 15 minute drive from Gold Coast Airport, the seemingly endless stretch of pristine, uncrowded beaches from the Tweed Coast to Kingscliff and on to Cabarita is heaven for beach lovers. Byron Bay is the ultimate Aussie beach spot, or take a thrill ride on the bay at Port Stephens. On a scale of one to fabulous, you ll find 26 local beaches that are all right up there. Catch a wave at Newcastle harbour or head south to Nobbys Reef and Caves Beach. The Central Coast has more than 30 beaches to suit your style. Whether it s swimming, surfing, fishing or just relaxing you ll find it here. Be captivated by pure white sand and clear blue waters of Jervis Bay on the South Coast, where walking tracks take you from beachfront to forests. From the beaches to rainforest-clad mountains and islands teeming with marine life, Mother Nature turns it on in New South Wales. On the Tweed Coast in the north, catch the morning s first light from the summit in Mt Warning National Park. Wander the forest floor or in the treetops of the Dorrigo National Park on the North Coast. Spot wildlife in the Barrington Tops National Park in the Hunter region, and be amazed at the scenery in the Blue Mountains. Head outback to Mungo National Park, where the formations known as the Walls of China are an impressive sight. Action and Adventure Choose your own adventure as you explore New South Wales. From water sports to rainforest walks and outback experiences, get ready for action. Whatever sets your pulse racing, you re sure to find it on the coast from surfing lessons and kayak tours at Byron Bay to dolphin cruises and jet ski adventures in Nelson Bay on the North Coast. Inland, bushwalk the Heritage Listed national parks or wander treetops on an elevated platform. Climbers, conquer a mountain you ve got your choice of a few. Take a hot air balloon over mountains, waterfalls, or the Hunter Valley vineyards. Family Fun You ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to fun family holidays. The coastal towns of Yamba, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Wollongong and Kiama tick all the boxes for family fun, providing idyllic conditions for a seaside holiday. Visit giant landmarks, from Coffs Harbour s Big Banana to the Big Avocado in the Tweed Valley, or see Tamworth s giant Golden Guitar. Canberra offers more than museums and history to kids. They ll love Questacon, be amazed seeing the world in miniature at Cockington Green, and thrill at the chance to spot sports stars training at the Australian Institute of Sport. See them all with a 3infun pass and score a return visit to one of the attractions for free. Relaxation and Rejuvenation If you re holiday is all about relaxation, you ll find the perfect setting amongst the rainforest of the North Coast, surrounded by serene landscapes in the Blue Mountains, or just basking on your pick of pristine beaches. Or perhaps play a round of golf to restore a sense of calm the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and Coffs Harbour all deliver acclaimed courses. For the ultimate rejuvenation, spend time at a peaceful retreat in the Byron hinterland or Blue Mountains. Indulge in a treatment at the famed Golden Door Spa on the Tweed Coast, one of the largest spas in the country and perfect for all-day pampering. Book a massage amongst the rainforest at Byron Bay and after a decadent day of food and wine, find a soothing spa extravagance in the Hunter Valley. Wining and Dining There s a multitude of fabulous food and wine experiences to be had throughout New South Wales, here are just a few of our favourites: Harvest in the Byron Bay countryside makes the most of local produce Dine by the water on the Central Coast where seafood is a highlight Release your inner gourmet in the Hunter Valley with more than 120 wineries and cellar doors and locally made delicacies Esca Bimbadgen in the Hunter has amazing vineyard views Visit Solitary in the Blue Mountains for delicious food and fantastic views in a country setting The Southern Highlands is a food lover s paradise with vineyards, orchards and olive groves and roadside stalls Don t miss the famous sodas, milkshakes and spiders at Bells Milk Bar in Broken Hill Must See & Do Explore MOUNT WARNING NATIONAL PARK in the Northern Rivers region, where the sun first shines on the Australian continent Walk to CAPE BYRON LIGHTHOUSE, Australia s most easterly point page 17 Discover the STOCKTON SAND DUNES near Port Stephens on the North Coast with a quad bike safari Enjoy a scenic sunrise BALLOON FLIGHT over the Hunter Valley vineyards page 39 Stroll the amazing HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS page 35 Bushwalk through one of the state s many NATIONAL PARKS View the legendary THREE SISTERS rock formation at Katoomba, Blue Mountains page 40 Follow the SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS FOOD AND WINE TRAIL to cellar doors and farmers markets Visit spectacular FITZROY FALLS in the Southern Highlands A must for cricket fans is the BRADMAN MUSEUM OF CRICKET in Bowral page 45 See animals from all over the world at the WESTERN PLAINS ZOO in Dubbo Journey to the Outback and visit the WALLS OF CHINA, a 30 kilometre crescent of dunes and earth formation, in Mungo National Park page 50 See Australian politics first hand at PARLIAMENT HOUSE in Canberra page 54 Shop for local arts and crafts at WEEKEND MARKETS held throughout the state 8

9 Travel Tips How to Get There BY AIR Virgin Blue, Qantas and Jetstar service Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast from most capital cities. Ballina and Coffs Harbour are serviced by either Virgin Blue or QantasLink from Melbourne and Sydney. Virgin Blue, QantasLink and Jetstar service Newcastle from most capital cites. Regional Express (REX) and QantasLink are the main regional airlines flying between Sydney and the major regional centres. Norfolk Air services Norfolk Island from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle. Air New Zealand operates flights from Auckland. QantasLink services Lord Howe Island from Sydney most days and Brisbane on weekends. BY CAR Take the time to explore and discover as you make your way through New South Wales by road. Whether it s getting there or getting around we recommend Avis car hire. See page 61 for details or ask your travel agent about the great specials Avis has to offer. New South Wales Holidays offers a selection of suggested driving itineraries, providing you with the freedom to discover some of the highlights of New South Wales at your own pace. Refer to the Self Drive Packages starting on page 12 for more details. FLIGHT DURATION FROM / TO SYDNEY GOLD COAST LORD HOWE NORFOLK ISLAND ISLAND Brisbane 1 hr 30 mins - 1 hr 35 mins 1 hr 45 mins 2 hrs 5 mins Sydney - 1 hr 20 mins 50 mins 1 hr 50 mins 2 hrs 30 mins Newcastle - 1 hr 5 mins hrs 30 mins Coffs Harbour1 hr 5 mins Melbourne 1 hr 20 mins 2 hrs 1 hr - 3 hrs 15 mins Adelaide 1 hr 55 mins 1 hr 45 mins 2 hrs 5 mins - - Perth 4 hrs 5 mins - 3 hrs 55 mins - - Hobart 1 hr 45 mins Darwin 4 hrs 20 mins The above table shows flight durations for direct flights only. Connecting flights from other destinations are also available. Times are a guide only and subject to change. DISTANCES BY ROAD (KM) SYDNEY ALBURY 502 BATEMANS BAY BATHURST BOWRAL BRISBANE BYRON BAY COFFS HARBOUR KATOOMBA MELBOURNE NEWCASTLE POKOLBIN PORT MACQUARIE TERRIGAL TWEED HEADS WAGGA WAGGA WOLLONGONG Distances should be used as a guide only. ROBYNE S HOT TIPS Sample some of the best regional cuisine at Lolli Redini in Orange, Grazing at Gunderoo half an hour from Canberra, ROCK Restaurant in the Hunter and Pacific Dining Room at Byron Bay. The best place to be in winter? In the Blue Mountains by a cosy fireplace, visit during July for Yulefest or visit the Southern Highlands for stunning landscapes, beautiful wineries and a touch of frost. See the work of famous Australian artists at The Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum in Faulconbridge near the Blue Mountains or The Pro Hart Gallery in Broken Hill. Weather Guide TEMPERATURE AVERAGE Coffs Harbour Hunter Valley Summer 19ºC to 27ºC Summer 16ºC to 32ºC Winter 7ºC to 19ºC Winter 2ºC to 16ºC Broken Hill Canberra Summer 18ºC to 32ºC Summer 12ºC to 27ºC Winter 5ºC to 16ºC Winter 0ºC to 12ºC School Leavers Celebrations Each year from mid November to mid December, school leavers head to Byron Bay and the North Coast for School Leavers Celebrations. During this period, bonds and conditions may apply to some properties. Check with your travel agent at time of booking. Beach Safety New South Wales has some of the world s best beaches, however care and caution should be exercised at all times. Please remember to swim between the red and yellow flags and listen to instructions from lifesavers and lifeguards. The perfect place to take the kids? Visit the Coffs Coast for the Big Banana, Butterfly House, Zip Circus and a wide range of family friendly activities throughout the year. 9