High-rollers visit Australia to shoot wombats

Wombats are iconic furry animals native to Australia.

They are fun-looking and cause few problems. They are found in forested, mountainous, and heaths of south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania.  Tourism authorities use images of wombats to entice visitors Down Under.

Wombats are considered by some farmers as a nuisance due primarily to their burrowing behaviour - and high-rollers at Crown Casino in Melbourne are being offered the chance to shoot and kill defenceless wombats at a "luxury" rural property.

Wombats are protected in every other state in Australia except Victoria, where 193 districts allow them to be hunted.

Gamblers are being invited to hunt and kill wombats at a "hunting" lodge on an 809-hectare property backing on to Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, in the state’s north-east.

It is alleged the property is run by a Chinese businessman who is a Crown casino partner with alleged crime links.

I'm sure the Victorian Government would love to hear from the international community about their feelings. Shooting a wombat would be about as challenging as shooting fish in a barrel.  

From a trickle to a flood: celebrity booze endorsements

From UFC fighter Conor McGregor to actor Sarah Jessica Parker, there is an avalanche of celebrities releasing their "own" wines, beers and spirits.

From Bob Dylan bourbon to Ron Jeremy rum, I call "enough". 

I care not one jot for Justin Timberlake's tequila. 

Making wine or distilling booze needs both time and expertise, something these celebs do not have. What they do have is a name to help sell product.

Yet the public lap it up - literally.

The Drinks Business reported this week that McGregor's Irish whiskey label has become a brand powerhouse just months after launching in the US and is now available in Canada.

"We have now delivered our delicious blend of golden grain and single malt; this is pure liquid gold aged four years in bourbon barrels,” said McGregor, a man known more for his thugishness than aesthetic sensibilities.

Proper No. Twelve is produced by Eire Born Spirits and is a blended whiskey made by former Bushmills distiller David Elderman.

McGregor is the majority shareholder, CEO and chairman of the brand.

Meanwhile, the first bottles of Marlborough sauvignon blanc from former Sex and the City star Parker - labelled Invivo X - will go on sale next month. 

Parker designed the label and used the same trendy teal as one of her favourite pairs of shoes in her SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker shoe collection. So chic.

The wines are being made in collaboration with dynamic New Zealand brand Invivo, founded by Rob Cameron and Tim Lightbourne.

The publicity blurb says Parker "is involved in all aspects of the creation of the wines, from the label design to choosing the final blend". She is also a shareholder in the company.

The second release from her Invivo X brand will be a rosé from Southern France.  

And so it continues. 

A luxury destination in the Australian outback

Think Qualia on Hamilton Island, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island or Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania. All are among Australia's most exclusive travel destinations and all are members of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection. 

Now this collection of "special occasion" destinations has new member: Mt Mulligan Lodge in Queensland, which offers a quintessential outback experience with lashings of luxury.

"Guests can immerse themselves in the Queensland outback in a captivating landscape steeped in indigenous significance and rich in pioneering heritage," says the blurb. 

Located on a private 28,000 hectare outback property, Mt Mulligan Lodge accommodates just 16 indulged guests at any one time. 

If offers three different room types, a main pavilion for guest meals and relaxation, an infinity pool and sunset bar. Each guest room is also assigned its own electric buggy to explore the sprawling property with ease.

A range of experiences have been designed to fit in with the rugged outback territory. 

Mt Mulligan Lodge offers guided tours of the goldfields including a demonstration of Australia’s oldest operating gold crusher at Tyrconnell, exploration of the historic Mount Mulligan coal mine and abandoned township, ATV adventures discovering the region, chef-prepared gourmet picnic hampers, wildlife spotting, sunset drinks overlooking the escarpment, stargazing, hikes, barramundi fishing in the weir and the chance to experience the day-to-day operations of a working cattle station.

Helicopter tours are also available for those with the fattest wallets. 

Located 150 kilometres north-west of Cairns, Mt Mulligan Lodge is accessible via a 35-minute scenic helicopter flight from Cairns or a 2.5-hour 4WD adventure from Cairns.

All stays include three gourmet meals daily, unlimited Australian wine, beer and soft drinks and daily group activities. 

My invitation appears to have been lost in the post. 

For details see https://luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au/lodges/

Meet the $15 shiraz that could win you a trip around the world

Meet the rather delicious $15-a-bottle shiraz that could win you and a friend a trip around the world. 

The new 2017 Penley Estate I LOVE SHZ launched a couple of weeks ago on www.vinomofo.com.

First up, it's a bit of bargain, a vibrant medium-bodied Coonawarra red with blueberry flavours and nice fruit-oak balance. 

It's made by the very talented Kate Goodman, one of Australia's most talented winemakers, and opens up when given air it blossoms into a delightful drink. 

The shiraz can be picked up for $15 per bottle and each case purchase ($180) will also see wine lovers go in the draw to win a round-the-world trip to the value of $6000 for them and a friend.



The wine is part of Vinomofo's Women in Wine collection and Goodman has worked at Punt Road in the Yarra Valley, as well as at Wirra Wirra, Tim Knappstein and Seppelt. 

She says she's aiming for “life and lightness” in her wines, respecting the quality of the fruit. 

Buying online is becoming an increasingly popular way of purchasing wine and Vinomofo are among the industry leaders. I'd suggest this wine is well worth a look, particularly if you have a trip in mind. 

The best time for sports lovers to visit New York City

New York City is one of the world's sporting capitals and there us no better time for sports lovers to visit the Big Apple than autumn, or fall as our American friends call the season. 

From August through November, New York offers an unmatched portfolio of sporting events across many of the City’s multicultural neighbourhoods.

From the US Open tennis championships and the New York City Marathon to the city’s professional baseball, soccer, football, hockey and basketball teams, New York City’s sports scene is particularly dynamic during this time. 

“The late summer and autumn in New York City present a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the sports capital of the world,” NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon says.

“With storied franchises competing as major events take place across the five boroughs, this time of year offers unforgettable experiences and easy access to some of the most authentic neighbourhoods and attractions throughout NYC.”

Here's what to look out for: 

US Open Tennis Championships

In the last week of August, the most attended annual sporting event in the world returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.

Stars like Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Sloane Stephens and Rafael Nadal will compete for the last grand slam championship of 2019 in front of more than 700,000 fans from August 26 to September 8, 2019. 

Major League Baseball

Yankee Stadium and Citi Field will attract tens of thousands of fans to watch the two local franchises compete through the end of summer and into the fall. The first-place Yankees play their last regular-season game in the Bronx on September 22 but are sure to compete in the playoffs as the favourites to win the World Series. Over at Citifield in Queens, the Mets play their last regular-season game at home on September 29.

Major League Soccer

Choose between watching New York City FC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, and the New York Red Bulls across the Hudson River at Harrison, New Jersey, with regular-season games ending in October. 

National Football League Football

New York City’s Jets and Giants look play their first home games of 2019 on September 8 and 15, respectively. Both teams play at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just 8 miles from NYC.

National Hockey League Hockey

The New York Rangers play their home games at Madison Square Garden from October 3, while the New York Islanders open at the Barclays Center on October 6 after an exciting playoff run last season.

National Basketball Association Basketball

In late October, two of the most famous NBA teams will begin their 2019 basketball seasons. The Nets have welcomed superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to Brooklyn, while the Knicks will play at Madison Square Garden with a team full of young and promising players.

New York City Marathon

The marathon will attract runners and running enthusiasts from around the world to all five boroughs on November 3. The iconic Tour de five boroughs begins in Staten Island and winds through each borough before finishing in Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

For more information about sports attractions in NYC, visit www.NYCGo.com/Sports

Melbourne flights open up the remote Kimberley region

Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region has become much more more accessible as tickets for direct flights between Melbourne and Kununurra are released for sale today.

Ord River: Tourism WA 

The new flights provide a valuable link between the east coast of Australia and the East Kimberley, home to some of the world’s most extraordinary natural attractions.

The first-ever scheduled air service between the destinations will commence May 15, 2020 with tickets on sale from as low as $399 all-inclusive each way for economy class, with business class seats also available on each flight.

The flights are timed to offer seamless connections in Melbourne across the Virgin Australia network and will open up access for both domestic and international travellers to destinations such as the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle), Mitchell River National Park, Lake Argyle and the Ord River (above), the famous Gibb River Road, El Questro, Home Valley Station and the northern Kimberley coastline.

The Kimberley is one of the world’s last true wilderness areas, rich in Aboriginal culture and this new service will be ideal for those looking for a short break with many options available for quality accommodation, car rental and tour packages.

A number of the available seats have already been pre-purchased by major tour operator, APT, who will be using the seats to cater to their Kimberley cruise and land touring passengers.

The flights have been made possible by the extended planning and research undertaken by East Kimberley Marketing Group, and the financial support of the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, the tourism and business community, the Kimberley Development Commission and Tourism Western Australia.

East Kimberley Marketing Group chair Michael McConachy said: “It is an exciting time for tourism in the Kimberley, with the direct flights opening up the region to the eastern states in a way which has never been possible before. 

"The direct air service will offer a time and cost-efficient option for travellers to the region and is the culmination of three years hard work by the stakeholders.”

Shire president David Menzel said: “This new air access into Kununurra and the East Kimberley is something that the Community can be very proud of.  The air service is likely to create a new market of fly-in visitors to the region whilst making Kununurra an even better place to live.”

The service will be operated by Alliance Airlines Fokker 70 aircraft, with seats sold via Virgin Australia. 

The aircraft seats eight passengers in business class and 65 in economy class. Flights will run three-times weekly between May and August 2020, departing Melbourne on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and departing Kununurra on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. 

This period captures the tourism season in the Kimberley.

Tickets are now available through the Virgin Australia website or via travel agents.