Hamilton Island has opened the first phase of its newly refurbished Premium Palm Bungalows. Currently undergoing a $4 million refurbishment, 30 percent of the new bungalows are now available to guests, with 60 percent to be completed by the spring and the remainder in 2013. The freestanding bungalows are designed to provide a luxurious yet affordable romantic or family getaway, and feature a king-sized bed, air conditioning, kitchenette and fully furnished private balcony with a hammock. For more information please contact Joanne Wilkinson – jwilkinson@hamiltonisland.com.au

Kiwi celebrity reveals why there’s nothing like the Whitsundays

Clakre with koala 'Baby Oprah' at Hamilton Island

The Whitsundays could be in for an influx of New Zealand tourists after being featured in a new Kiwi travel series showcasing some of Australia’s best kept holiday secrets.
Tourism Australia has teamed up with Imagination Television, the makers of Masterchef New Zealand and Animal Rescue, to create a ten episode television series called My Kind of Place – Australia, which is currently airing on Television New Zealand’s TV1.
The new series features a diverse range of Australian holiday experiences through the eyes of well-known Kiwi celebrities who will each showcase ‘their kind of place’. Each week a different celebrity host will journey beyond the traditional gateways and inspire New Zealanders to delve a little deeper into their number one holiday destination – Australia.
New Zealand music show presenter Clarke Gayford (More FM, C4, Treasure Island) will recall his own holiday memories of the Whitsundays, in an episode which airs on Saturday 20 August. During his visit, Clarke visits  the Great Barrier Reef as well as Hamilton and Lindeman Islands, and enjoys water sports activities, a scenic helicopter ride over the islands and a visit to Reef World.
Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said showing Kiwis amazing Aussie experiences through the eyes of their favourite celebrity hosts, which range from well known actors and actresses to sports stars and broadcast personalities, delivers on Tourism Australia’s successful advocacy strategy.
“With just over a million Kiwis visiting Australia each year and 92 per cent returning for more of their favourite holiday destination, My Kind of Place goes a long way to satisfying this appetite for Aussie experiences that are unique, authentic and accessible. Getting well known New Zealanders like Clarke Gayford to share why there is nothing like an Australian holiday will hopefully encourage more Kiwis to explore regional Australia and stay a little longer,” Mr McEvoy said.
Other New Zealand presenters in the series include respected broadcaster Judy Bailey, actresses Lisa Chappell and Robyn Malcolm, former All Blacks Josh Kronfeld and Frank Bunce and MasterChef New Zealand judge, Josh Emett.
The 30 minute episodes will be broadcast during prime time to an estimated audience of up to 800,00 viewers; 225,000 of whom are aged between 25 and 64 years, which is Tourism Australia’s target market for New Zealand.
“My Kind of Place will engage with our best prospect audience – sophisticated leisure travellers between 25 and 64 years, with no dependents and a propensity to travel beyond Australia’s East Coast gateways. Each experience captures the essence of key Tourism Australia messages around nature, adventure, coastal journeys, food and wine, all of which resonate strongly with the New Zealand audience,” Mr McEvoy said.
The series will incorporate Tourism Australia’s global brand campaign message, There’s Nothing like Australia, encouraging viewers to visit Australia.com where they will find dedicated content about each region featured, and details of how to make a booking.
In creating the series, Tourism Australia has engaged industry participation by working with Tourism Queensland and New Zealand’s national airline, Air New Zealand.
The shows will also be promoted using TVNZ’s website and Tourism Australia’s social media channels such as Facebook and YouTube. My Kind of Place will air on TVNZ from 16 July 2011 until 17 September, the key booking time for New Zealanders to Australia.
New Zealand is Australia’s largest inbound market for visitor arrivals. 1,161,800 Kiwis visited Australia during 2010 (up 5% on 2009), spending more than $2 billion. Tourism Australia believes that the New Zealand market has the potential to grow to between $3.4 billion and $4.2 billion in total expenditure by 2020.

Camping out under the southern stars is a relaxing and affordable way to see Australia. Whether you pitch your tent at a campsite, pull into a caravan park, or take a cabin in a holiday or tourist park, Australia has a wealth of possibilities in sensational locations.

Camp on a tropical island. Sail through the 74 islands of the Whitsundays and camp on a different national park island each night. You’ll spend nights in pristine wilderness under the stars, while the home comforts on board your boat are just metres away. Or sail out from the mainland and camp on Magnetic Island off Townsville or on Lady Elliott Island.

It’s one of Australia’s most famous – and cuddly – critters, but did you know the koala also makes a great breakfast companion? At the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park, you can enjoy a meal at our in-house cafe with koalas right next door. You can even play with them when you’re finished eating! That’s right – the Hamilton is one of the only places in the world where you can get hands-on with koalas!

Hamilton Island expands its collection of luxury holiday villas

Hamilton Island has increased the number of privately-owned Yacht Club Villas available as luxury holiday properties. Set over three or four levels, the Villas capture spectacular views of Dent Passage towards the Whitsunday Islands. Designed by pre-eminent Australian architect Walter Barda, the Villas are exclusively linked to the iconic new Hamilton Island Yacht Club with access to a range of facilities. more info on http://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/

Copyright: Whitsunday ~ Hamilton Island - Images may be used providing credit is given to http://WhitsundayHamiltonIsland.com.au.

Hamilton Island – swimming pool surrounded by landscaped gardens

CHECKING IN? CHECK-OUT THE LATEST OPTIONS AND DODGE THE QUEUES

LENGTHY airport queues could soon be a relic of the past as the aviationindustry moves to overhaul check-in systems and requirements.Airlines throughout the world have turned their attention to the humbleairport check-in counter to deliver time-saving new benefits to travellersand, in some instances, to shift customers from face-to-face to onlineservices.Flight Centre Limited executive general manager of marketing Colin Bowmansaid innovations like self service kiosks were now common place at majorairports and a host of other innovations were on the way.“Major changes have taken place in recent years to streamline the check-inprocess and there’s no sign of any slowdown in the future,” Mr Bowman said.“While some changes are designed to encourage travellers to do itthemselves, others are geared towards improving service, eliminating queuesand fast-tracking what can be a time consuming process.“For example, today you can dodge airport queues by checking in for flightsat Caribbean resorts, Las Vegas casinos, via facebook or simply bydisplaying your smart phone or swiping your Qantas card.”To help travellers understand the new airport order, Flight Centre haschecked-out 10 of the latest developments in airport check-in …

1) Smart phones Airlines have been quick to capitalize on the popularity of smart phones,with many now allowing travellers to access boarding passes fromblackberries, I-phones and other similar devices.

2) Paid airport check-in Face-to-face service at the airport check-incounter can now come at a price. Some low cost carriers have introducedcharges for airport check-in, including Tiger Airways and Jetstar inAustralia.  Tiger charges domestic passengers $12.50 if they pre-pay onlineor $30 if they take the traditional route of simply turning up at thecounter before their flight.

3) Facebook Early this year, Malaysia Airlines launched its MHbuddyapplication. The application, accessed from Malaysia Airlines’ Facebookpage, allows users to check-in for flights while sharing trip details withtheir social network.
4) Curbside Check-in In many airports, particularly in the United States,there’s no need to lug your luggage through a packed terminal. You cansimply pull up curbside, hand the required documents and your bags todedicated airline check-in staff (also known as Skycaps) at the front of theterminal and proceed “luggage-less” to the security areas. Delta Airlines’Skycaps service is now available at some 100 US locations.

5) Nextgeneration check-in Qantas has pioneered a new check-in system thateliminates the need for printed documents.
New Qantas cards with intelligent Q chips have just been sent to theairline’s Platinum, Gold and Silver Frequent Flyer members. To check-in,travellers simply touch the cards at Q Card Readers.
6) City check-in
Etihad is one of several airlines that now allows passengers to check-in inthe heart of the city before travelling to the airport.
Etihad passengers can check-in at dedicated city facilities in Abu Dhabi orDubai up to 24 hours before departure.
Passengers leave bags at the facilities for transfer to the airport, collectboarding passes and make the most of their free time in the city, ratherthan at the airport.
Travellers can also check-in at various rail stations throughout the world,including Hong Kong, Kowloon and London’s Paddington stations.
7) Hit the jackpot with casino check-in
Virgin Atlantic passengers can take advantage of “off airport” services inLas Vegas.The service allows travellers to check-in at six central locations,including the plush Luxor, Venetian, MGM Grand and Palazzo hotels.According to Virgin, the service is “just like checking in for a flight atthe airport, but without the airport”. “The next time you will see yourluggage is when you arrive at London Gatwick so you can have more time totry and win your fortune, relax by the pool or even get married”!

Beach check-in
Virgin Atlantic also allows guests to check-in at some Caribbean resorts.
The beach check-in facilities allow travellers to drop off luggage, receiveboarding passes and then relax by the pool, before proceeding to the airportjust prior to departure.
9) Check-in lounges

Malaysia Airlines has just launched its Frontend Check-in Lounge, a premiumcheck-in facility at KL International Airport.
The lounge service is available to first and business class passengers,frequent flyers and members of the Enrich Platinum Loyalty program andallows airline staff and travellers “to interact in a classier, friendlierand cosier atmosphere”.
10) Twilight check-in
Sick of the early morning rush to the airport with suitcases in tow?
Virgin Atlantic allows travellers flying from London’s Gatwick Airport tocheck-in between noon and 9pm the day before departure.
This option allows passengers to make their way to security the followingday with a minimum of hassle and is ideal for those leaving on early morningflights.

Media release below from Flight CentreJune 10, 2011