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The Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 2009 Traveller Awards has recently been published and you’ll find some outstanding attractions. The panel of travel experts comes up with a shortlist of nominations in each category then voting is open to Gourmet Traveller’s readers. An enthusiastic 33000 readers voted this year. We can offer you the best deals so please feel free to contact us : info@australiantravel.us

 

 

Here are the Winners and Runners-up;

 

Readers Choice Awards:

Best Eco-tourism experience:

Winner: Wilson Island in Queensland.

 

Runners up: Freycinet Experience Walk and Maria Island Walk in Tasmania.

Best Family Experience:

Winner: Sea World Resort and Water

Park, Gold Coast

Runners-up: Sovereign Hill, (Melbourne) and Australia Zoo ( Brisbane)

Best Small Luxury Hotel:

Winner: Emporium Hotel, Brisbane

Runners-up: Islington, Hobart and Lake

House, Daylesford.

Best Adventure Tourism:

Winner: Orion Expedition Cruises

Runners-up: Cradle

Mountain Walk in Tasmania and

Aurora Expeditions.

Best hosted accommodation ( B & B )

Winner: Hunter Valley Cooperage (

Sydney)

Runners-up: Cotterville, Victoria  and Ooraminna Station Homestead.

Best indigenous tourism experience:

Winner: Anangu Waai, Northern Territory

Runners-up: Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, Western Australia and Guurbi Tours in Queensland.

Best Lodge:

Winner: Cradle Mountain Lodge,

Tasmania

Runners-up: Silky Oaks Lodge ( Cairns) and Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Isl.

Best Resort Accommodation:

Winner: Qualia, Hamilton

Island

Runners-up: Emma Gorge Resort and El Questro  in Western Australia.

Best Health/Spa Retreat

Winner: Salus Spa,Lake House, Daylesford

Runners-up: Qualia on Hamilton Island and Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, VIC.

Best Large Luxury Hotel:

Winner: Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast

Runners-up: The Langham, Melbourne and Park Hyatt, Sydney.

Best new Hotel/Resort/Lodge

Winner: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island.

Runners-up: A tie for second place between Qualia on Hamilton Island and Emporium Hotel in

Brisbane.

Best Eco Tourism:

Winner: Wild Bush Luxury

Runners-up: Maria Island Walk in Tasmania and

Montague

Island in NSW.

 

Discover the secrets of Sydney and it’s harbour on a spectacular 2 night weekend escape cruise with million dollars views .MV Captain Cook’s Explorer takes you off the beaten track to places only the locals know and up close to some of the most beautiful and famous aspects of Sydney Harbour. Regular shore visits include street markets, beautiful gardens and beachside Watsons Bay. The views are worth the journey alone - a breathtaking sunset over the sails of the Sydney Opera House to a sparkling dawn on the cliffs of the north shore. Evenings on board are a blend of top class food and wine, spectacular harbour sights, getting to know new friends and enjoying great entertainment .

Friday - Our friendly crew welcomes you at the  King Street Wharf at
Darling Harbour.

As the city lights begin to shine we depart for our dinner cruise. Tonight we anchor in Farm Cove by the shores of the Botanic Gardens, close to the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Saturday - Active types can board our tender for a quick trip to Man o’ War Steps beside the Opera House and a cool morning stroll through the Botanic Gardens. Once back on board, healthy appetites tuck-in to a hot buffet breakfast before we head for the upper reaches of the Parramatta and Lane

Cove

Rivers. See foreshores and bay sides packed with historic sites, trophy homes and prestige residential developments while your on-board commentator shares stories galore from the past and present. The afternoon brings us back to town for an on-shore exploration of

Sydney’s historic Rocks district. Among immaculately preserved colonial architecture, you will find fabulous market and retail shopping, corner pubs, top art galleries and plenty of busking talent. Then we set sail across the harbour and anchor off the northern foreshore for the Captain’s Dinner and an evening of live music and dancing.

Sunday - The early morning crew is out again, this time for a walk through the bush and the old artillery emplacements on Bradley’s Head. The hike is well worth it for the glorious harbour views from the headland. The mid-morning’s cruise takes us into the territory of

Sydney’s rich and famous – the eastern suburbs. Your commentator lays out their history and relates intriguing anecdotes as we sail past huge homes and glamorous yachts bobbing at closely-packed moorings. At beachside Watson’s Bay we head ashore to explore the charming old fishing village and historic naval establishments which make up this exclusive suburb. You can take a guided walk to The Gap, an optional sea kayak tour around the picturesque bays, or relax in the waterside pub. Once again on board, lunch is served al fresco on the top deck and we cruise back to

Darling

Harbour. Every cruise includes two nights cabin accommodation, all meals, use of all onboard facilities, 24 hour self service coffee bar, welcome fruit cocktail, guided foreshore walks, nightly entertainment and Australian GST at 10%. Price: AUD 590.00 per person in a twin outside cabin. If you prefer a double bed there is a 50 dollars surcharge  Prices exclude drinks, personal purchases, onboard charges and / or fuel surcharges. 

Orion Cruises

 

Best Adventure Tourism – Orion Expedition Cruises.  

“Orion Cruises make the inaccessible accessible and they do it in

supreme comfort.” Winner of the Gourmet Traveller award in

2007.

 

“Until Orion commenced cruising in 2004, it was almost inconceivable that you could explore the fascinating but remote Kimberley coastline without your own yacht and a sense of adventure.

Similarly, the Torres Strait

Islands and Papua New

Guinea used to

be off-limits to all but the most courageous travellers; now it’s possible to explore these demanding destinations with Champagne

in hand and expert commentary on tap. Zodiac excursions, sea-plane flights and outback sightseeing by 4WD offer further opportunities to experience areas off-limits to most visitors.

 

Onboard Orion’s custom-built craft, ocean views and internet access are standard in all suites, as are flat-screen televisions, gym and sauna, and ample staff to cater to the needs of a maximum

100 cruisers. With menus created by Sydney chef Serge Dansereau and five-star facilities at their disposal, the true explorer never had it so easy. “

 

Runners-up:  Overland Track/Cradle Mountain Huts in Tasmania and diving with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

 

Credit: Australian Gourmet Traveller, June issue 2007.

 

For the best deal in Orion Cruises and pre- post accommodation and tours please contact our experts.

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