Sydney comes alive during winter

Sydney, Australia's liveliest city, does not rest during winter with late May and early June seeing the city spark into full colour during the Vivid Festival. 

Over 23 nights, from Friday, May 26, to Saturday, June 17, the city will be bathed in the brilliance of 90 installations and projections, created by more than 180 Australian and international artists, across seven precincts including for the first time, recently opened Barangaroo (South).

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the unveiling of Vivid Sydney's biggest and best-ever festival was just around the corner and Sydney is preparing to play host to a huge influx of visitors.

“As we countdown to opening night, preparations are in their final stages, with special effects being tested, kilometres of cable and fibre optics being rolled out, thousands of lights ready to be installed and Vivid themed-menus being finessed by Sydney's top chefs and restaurateurs,” Marshall said.

The expanded 2017 Vivid Sydney line-up includes more than 400 Vivid Music events, up from 190 in 2016, across 40 venues. There will also be more than 260 Vivid Ideas sessions, up from 183 in 2016, featuring 370 speakers from 12 countries across 67 venues.

“Vivid Sydney's biggest-ever program follows last year's record-breaking festival, which saw more than 2.31 million attendees, including more than 184,000 overnight domestic and international visitors (17,000 from China alone), contribute more than $110 million in visitor spend to the NSW economy,” Marshall said.

“As Vivid Sydney grows in scale and stature, it also grows in importance to the state's visitor economy, driving tourism for Sydney and rural and regional NSW, and reinforcing Sydney's reputation as a leading creative industries hub in the Asia Pacific region.

“Now is the perfect time for visitors to start planning their trip, and the best way to experience Vivid Sydney is to explore several precincts over different nights to take in all the lights and the sights.”

Getting up close and personal with Canada's icebergs

Newfoundland holds a special place in my heart. 

It was the birthplace of my late father, home to several cousins and one of the quirkiest places on the planet. 

Newfoundland also has many things in common with Tasmania, where I now live, including the fact that both islands have long, cold winters. 

Newfoundland and Labrador have one tourism edge over Tasmania, however: the many icebergs to be found along the famous Iceberg Alley.

The huge iceberg that parked itself off the coast of the tiny seaside town of Ferryland over the Easter weekend was just the beginning of what is shaping as a bumper 'berg season.

The International Ice Patrol (IPP) suggests the increase in icebergs in Newfoundland may be the result of storms earlier in the year, causing more Greenland ice to break off than normal, with strong winds drawing the icebergs south.

Fans of these colossal ice mountains flock to Newfoundland off Canada's north-east between May and August to witness an extraordinary parade. This year, however, the season may well be extended with at least 700 icebergs expected to make their way as far as St John's in southern Newfoundland.

On a sunny day, these 10,000-year-old glacial giants can be viewed along the northern and eastern coasts, with colours ranging from snow-white to deep aquamarine. 

Visitors can get up close with these icy goliaths on a boat tour, or paddle alongside them in a sea kayak.

As the sun sets, they can head back to St John's and sip on Iceberg Vodka, made from what is promoted as "the purest water on the planet" - although Tasmania may dispute that. 

Iceberg hunters harvest the ancient ice, comprised of water frozen long before industrial pollution, creating a uniquely smooth, quintessential Canadian vodka.

Air Canada flies daily to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane with connecting flights through to St John's in Newfoundland and Labrador via Toronto. It's a long trip, but it's worth it. Visit www.keepexploring.com.au

Visitors just can't get enough of Bangkok

Tourists' ongoing love affair with Bangkok continues apace.

The Thai capital has retained its place as the top destination in terms of visitor numbers out of 171 destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the latest figures from the influential Mastercard Asia-Pacific Destinations Index 2017, Traveloscopy reports.



Bangkok welcomed 19.3 million international overnight arrivals in 2016 of the 339.2 million visits made to the 171 Asia-Pacific destinations on the Mastercard list.

This it well above second-placed Singapore, which attracted 13.1 million visitors. Thai destinations Phuket and Pattaya also placed in the top 10 on the report, with 9.1 million and 8.1 million overnight visits, respectively.

The Mastercard Asia-Pacific Destinations Index 2017 ranks 171 destinations in 22 countries. These include resorts, towns and cities and are ranked in terms of the total number of international overnight arrivals, cross-border spending, and the total number of nights spent at each destination.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: "This shows how attractive the city is to tourists and business travellers who visit knowing they'll find a city that will impress and meet their needs.

"Whether they are just passing through or want to explore the amazing shopping, food scene, history and entertainment, visitors find that in this most exciting of destinations, there's something for everyone."

Bangkok also topped the list of total nights stayed with 87.6 million nights, showing that visitors to Asia-Pacific destinations are travelling for longer periods. In 2016, visitors to the region stayed for 1,768.7 million nights, compared with 1,023.1 million nights in 2009, representing an 8.1% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).

The Mastercard Asia-Pacific Destinations Index is an off-shoot of the annual Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index and reflects the increasing importance of the Asia-Pacific region for tourism. In 2016, five of the 10 most visited cities in the world were in the Asia-Pacific region.

Elementary! Join Sherlock Holmes in Sydney

A lot of us would like to believe we are capable of being a daring detective or super sleuth - but do we have what it takes to be the next Sherlock Holmes? 

Answer that question at The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes, which will open at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on June 1, and will feature a range of forensic crimes and conundrums. 

If intriguing puzzles fascinate you, the exhibition will be making its first tour outside North America and visitors will be transported back to Holmes’ Victorian London to help solve a captivating mystery. Among the highlights is a chance to crack a case by conducting their own experiments.

Visitors will have the opportunity to glimpse into the genius of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the mastermind behind one of the most famous detectives ever. 

Featuring over 350 objects, including original manuscripts and first editions and one of the world’s most accurate recreations of 221B Baker Street, it is claimed this is the most comprehensive display of Sherlock pop culture items since his creation 127 years ago.

“Sherlock Holmes is the most influential character in fiction, encouraging entire generations to demand truth through the use of science," said exhibition creator Geoffrey M. Curley. "These influences have brought many young inquisitive minds into the field of forensic science, and many more into all sciences, searching for clarity in our often foggy world.”

 

Tickets are on sale now and bookings are essential. The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes opens on the evening of Thursday, June 1 and runs through to Sunday, October 29, 2017 at the Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney.

www.maas.museum www.sherlockholmesexhibition.com.

General admission for adults is $27, concession $25, children $16, family pass $65.

New Sydney hotel has a fascinating story to tell

Sydney has a new international hotel which is offering visitors an opportunity to combine contemporary comfort with a two-night accommodation package that includes a historical discovery tour that traces the path of the city’s original life-source, the Tank Stream.

When the First Fleet arrived in 1788, the colony was meant to have been established at Botany Bay, but the lack of fresh water persuaded Captain Arthur Phillip to move the settlement 14km north to Sydney Cove, where his men had discovered a fresh water stream. 

The city of Sydney was 'born' on January 26, 1788, with a backdrop of the "finest harbour in the world", as Captain Phillip was to later describe Sydney Harbour.

The stream in those days was open, running from a swamp in Hyde Park, down through waterfalls across Bridge Street then out to what is now Circular Quay. Tanks were established to capture the water, leading to its name, the Tank Stream.

The Tank Stream is now fully covered (except for a fountain, below), but a Tank Stream & Hidden Laneways tour – conducted by small-group tour specialists Go Local Tours – provides visitors the opportunity to retrace its path covering the city’s infamous start as a penal colony, the beautiful sandstone architecture, and the colourful stories behind the laneways that lead from Martin Place down to Sydney Harbour.

The Winter Walk: The Tank Stream package includes two nights in a superior queen room at the Tank Stream Hotel, complimentary upgrade to next room type (subject to availability), breakfast for two at Le Petit Flot Restaurant, free wifi, in-room movies and non-alcoholic mini bar items, as well as a Tank Stream & Hidden Laneways Tour for two. 

The package is available from $479 (double/twin), a saving of 25% off full rates. Bookings via: www.tankstreamhotel.com (Promotional code Winterwalk17). The package is valid until August 31. 

The 4.5 star Tank Stream Hotel is located above the Tank Stream and is one of Sydney’s best located hotels, just a short walk from the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Hyde Park, The Rocks and Barangaroo. 

The hotel’s restaurant Le Petit Flot offers relaxed bistro-style dining with an emphasis on share plates and local produce, while the hotel can also arrange discounted access to nearby fitness centres and parking.

The Tank Stream Hotel is part of the international St Giles Premier Hotel collection, with the Sydney hotel joining other St Giles’ hotels in cities such as London, New York, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

Further information & reservations see: www.tankstreamhotel.com or phone (02) 8222 1211

Two unique jungle adventures for animal lovers

Wildlife lovers are being offered the chance to take part in two rare adventures in Indonesia that will help raise money to aid endangered wildlife. 

Both trips offer the chance to get up close and personal with some magnificent wildlife, while raising money for The Orangutan Project. 

The two challenging trips are the Last Place on Earth Challenge (August 19-September 5) and the Trans Borneo Challenge (November 1-22). 

Both expeditions will be guided by Orangutan Odysseys and will see travellers explore exquisite terrain while while raising money to support orangutan conservation and rain forest protection.

The Last Place on Earth Challenge 

This 18-day adventure will see travellers explore the critically endangered Leuser Ecosystem in Indonesia. From trekking in pristine jungle looking for wild orangutans and other amazing wildlife to rafting down river rapids and scaling 3,000+ metres to climb the third-highest mountain in Sumatra, this is the ultimate thrill-seeker adventure. 

This expedition will allow travellers to explore one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, including the last place on earth where Sumatran orangutans, elephants, tigers and rhinos still roam free side by side.  This guided expedition costs $4,450 per person, which includes a minimum $2,500 fund raising component which will be donated directly to The Orangutan Project to support their efforts in protecting this ecosystem. The cost is inclusive of return airfares from Jakarta, accommodation, meals, transfers, access/permits to all National Parks, as well as all tent, rafting and camping equipment.

Trans Borneo Challenge 

Now in its fifth year, this is a voyage of discovery that will see travellers explore the four regions of Kalimantan, in Borneo, Indonesia, from one side to the other. 

This year, the challenge will run from East to West and will start in Balikpapan in East Borneo through to Banjarmasin in South Borneo, onto to Palangkaraya and Pangkalan Bun in Central Borneo and finally to finish in Ketapang, West Borneo. 

Explorers will utilise a range of transportation from buses and private vehicles to river boats, canoes, bamboo rafting, walking and jungle trekking. 

The trip will begin and end at orangutan rescue centres, allowing travellers the chance to see these special creatures, as well as other exotic wildlife throughout a 22-day adventure.  

The cost of the trip is $4,520 per person, which includes a minimum $2,000 fund raising component to The Orangutan Project. The cost is inclusive of return airfares from Jakarta, accommodation, meals, transfers, access/permits to all National Parks, as well as guides. 

"These trips are more than just holidays, they are a unique opportunity to make a real difference to the animals whose livelihood depends on the preservation of these areas," says Leif Cocks, president and founder of the Orangutan Project. 

"We hope our travellers will encourage family and friends to donate and help us reach our target of $90,000." 

To book and for further information, including detailed trip itineraries, visit:

http://lastplaceonearthchallenge.com/ and http://transborneochallenge.com/