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Best Eco-Tourism -  Maria

When visitors depart Triabunna on Tasmania’s east coast, bound for the former penal settlement of

Fashioned as a modern-day Noah’s Ark, Maria is a national park and sanctuary for

at all times. Their consideration is rewarded not only with extraordinary wildlife experiences and gorgeous landscapes (the beaches are some of Tasmania’s loveliest), but with an understanding of the island’s prehistory, it’s fascinating French connections, and its troubled past as a convict settlement.

Guests stay in upmarket camps on the beach, as well as a restored colonial building, eating deftly cooked Tasmanian produce and quaffing fine local wines. A one-day tour, once upon Maria has also been introduced.

Runners up – Cape Otway Centre for Conservation  Ecology in Victoria and the Freycinet Experience in

The Gourmet Traveller Magazine in

So, for all our clients world wide here is a list for 2007 according to Gourmet

Traveller.

Best Outback Accommodation – Longitude 131,  Ayers Rock 

Since opening in 2002 Longitude 131 has redefined the central Australian Experience by offering a sophisticated oasis in the midst of the endless Desert . Only 30 people at a time can enjoy the pampered luxury of Longitude’s Upmarket “tents” with catering and amenities pitched at the most discerning

Travellers.

Ayers Rock is only about 10 kilometers away from the resort , and the Rock is Central to the experience here – you can join sunrise or sunset tours to marvel at the monolith or simply admire it from your suite through windows angled to provide every guest with a bulls-eye view of the national icon.

Visitors learn about the ecology and the environment of this remote region as well as its significance to the local Anangu people. And at night they can dine decadently beneath the brilliant desert sky at white clothed tables set on an isolated dune. A heavenly experience.

Judge’s comment – “ An excellent example of how to bring a new concept to an old product – cool and sleek permanent safari tents right  out on the red dirt floor near Uluru . Great fun!”

Runners up: Wrotham Park in

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

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.

Email: info@australiantravel.us  www.australiantravel.us

The Observatory Hotel in Sydney

The Australian Gourmet Traveler award was recently bestowed on The Observatory Hotel in Sydney. I am sure this will be of interest to our clients at www.australiantravel.us so here it is;

Best Five-Star Hotel - The Observatory Hotel in Sydney

“When the Orient-Express Hotel group first put down roots in

Millers Point to build its 100-room hotel.

It started with one of the city’s first – and arguably still its most indulgent – day spas, then added three floors of five-star comfort, with interiors modelled on the grand 19^th century colonial mansions of

And they named it The Observatory, in honour of its grand

neighbour, the 105-year old Sydney Observatory.

But spas, sumptuous rooms and memorable dining at Galileo restaurant aside, the hotel’s reputation has been built on service. This is a five-star hotel that will coddle you with soups when you’re sick or tailor unique experiences to suit any whim. “

Runners-up:  Park Hyatt Sydney and Palazzo Versace on

the Gold Coast.

All of these hotels and many more are available through Australian Travel Services which specialize in upmarket itineraries.

Longitude 131

The Gourmet Traveller Magazine in

So, here is the first one, the others to follow.

Best Outback Accommodation – Longitude 131 NT.  

Since opening in 2002 Longitude 131 has redefined the central Australian

experience by offering a sophisticated oasis in the midst of the endless

desert . Only 30 people at a time can enjoy the pampered luxury of Longitude’s

upmarket “tents” with catering and amenities pitched at the most discerning

travellers.

Ayers Rock is only about 10 kilometers away from the resort , and the Rock is

central to the experience here – you can join sunrise or sunset tours to marvel

at the monolith or simply admire it from your suite through windows angled

to provide every guest with a bulls-eye view of the national icon.

Visitors learn about the ecology and the environment of this remote region as

well as its significance to the local Anangu people. And at night they can dine

decadently beneath the brilliant desert sky at white clothed tables set on an

isolated dune. A heavenly experience.

Runners up were

Park in