The Heat Is On
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday November 4, 1993
DAY DREAMING
IT'S not often you get something free these days but that's exactly what's on offer from Daydream Island Resort and Ansett.
The two have teamed up this summer to offer a "seven nights for the price of five" deal from $839 a person, including your return air fare from Sydney. The cost includes your accommodation at Daydream, launch transfers, plus a range of free extras such as windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling, and daily child-minding.
The special offer is valid until December 17 and makes for the perfect summer break for couples or families before the Christmas and New Year rush begins.
Daydream has been transformed in recent years into a modern, comfortable resort specially designed for people who want to experience an island escape at an affordable price.
Lying in the superb Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Daydream is a tiny island with the resort accommodation at one end and a complex of swimming pools, bars, nightclub and restaurants at the other.
A boardwalk skirts the island from the resort and then turns into a nature walk up through the centre of the island, offering superb views of the mainland and surrounding islands.
While the resort offers the full complement of activities, most of them free except for motorised sports, the emphasis is on peaceful relaxation and the chance to escape the pressure of city life.
For details and bookings, see your travel agent or contact Ansett, 13 1344
BLUE BY YOU
CLOSER to home but no less of a great summer break, the Blue Mountains make for the perfect weekend escape or short break from Sydney.
The clear, fresh mountain air, rugged wilderness and outdoors activities will blow away the cobwebs without blowing your budget.
The NSW Tourism Commission last week launched its new multi-million-dollar advertising campaign with the theme Seven Wonders, of which the mountains are one.
Few major cities in the world can boast such beautiful scenery just an hour from the central business district, yet many Sydneysiders overlook the mountains in favour of more exotic locations.
Well, it's their loss. The Blue Mountains are spectacular, offer a pleasant summer climate - perfect for bracing bushwalks - and a gentle pace of life that's positively infectious.
The NSW Travel Centre is offering special deals at six properties - Jenolan Caves House, Leura Gardens Ibis Resort, Federation Gardens Lodge, Redleaf Lodge Motel, Fairmont Resort, and Where Waters Meet.
Prices range from $36.50 a person a night for a midweek getaway at Where Waters Meet up to $173 a person for a two-night summer break at Jenolan Caves House. Conditions apply, details 13 2077.
REEF ESCAPE
IF you really want to explore the Great Barrier Reef, the only way to do it is by boat. Captain Cook Cruises is offering cruises for three, four and seven nights, from Cairns each week, taking in the best of the reef.
The luxurious boat follows in the footsteps of Captain Cook, visiting Cooktown, Lizard Island, Ribbon and Hedley reefs, and the lush rainforests of Hinchinbrook and Dunk islands.
You'll cruise aboard the 1,200-tonne, 120-passenger cruiser Reef Escape, feasting on fine food and enjoying first-class accommodation.
Each day will bring new sights as the boat cruises around the most scenic parts of the reef, with plenty of time for sightseeing and reef-watch activities.
The boat also has its own swimming pool, sauna and spa, and is fully air-conditioned. Fly/cruise holidays start from $892 a person from Sydney(twin-share), valid until December 18. Details, (02) 206 1100, toll-free 008 221 080, or see your travel agent.
CITY LIMITS
SOMETIMES all you need are a couple of days away from home to recharge the batteries and give yourself a break.
Qantas, which last week merged with Australian Airlines, is offering three-night Daylight Saver packages to Melbourne from $316 a person, including your return air fare, three nights' hotel accommodation, breakfast, transfers and a 4 pm check-out.
The packages all depart at night, allowing you to make the most of your days away. The flight departs Sydney daily at 10.05 pm, and departs Melbourne daily on your return at 7.45 pm.
The hotels include the Sheraton, All Seasons, Novotel on Collins, and Le Meridien, and prices vary according to which hotel you choose. Extra nights are available from $43.
The offer is valid until March 31, 1994. Details and bookings, 13 1415 or see your travel agent.
ISLAND LIFE
ADMIT it. You need a break, and what better way to escape than to an island in the sun. An island with latitude, in fact.
Hamilton Island, basking in the warm waters of the Whitsundays, is the same latitude south of the equator as Honolulu is north. It claims to have the same climate and the same easygoing lifestyle.
The one difference is the flying time. Instead of the 10 hours it takes to reach Hawaii, Ansett will fly you to Hamilton in just over two hours and you won't need a passport to get in.
With eight freshwater pools, nine speciality restaurants and more than 26 sandy beaches to choose from, there is no shortage of things to do.
The island offers a variety of land activities and watersports and there are 24 boutiques and shops to spend some holiday money.
Away from the main resort, there's a port with its own restaurants, bars and shops, or you can dine in the comfort of your own hotel room, overlooking the magnificent Whitsunday islands.
Accommodation ranges from luxury apartments, villas, suites, beachside bungalows or standard hotel rooms, and the staff are friendly and efficient.
Ansett is offering a Latitude Adjuster package until December 17, costing from $753 a person (twin-share) from Sydney. The price includes your return economy air fare, five nights' accommodation and transfers.
The deal features bure (cottage) accommodation, daily continental breakfast, free non-motorised watersports and tennis. Details and bookings, 13 1344, or (02) 327 1899.
OCEAN WAVE
THERE are 200 good reasons to book a P&O cruise around the South Pacific this summer, and all of them can be measured in dollars.
Sail away on the Fairstar and P&O will give you $200 worth of extras -including an underwater camera, T-shirt, sun hat, beach towel, duty-free voucher, backpack, watch, sunscreen, and tour voucher - to add an extra sparkle to your holiday.
Fairstar's summer cruise itineraries start from $990 a person but you must book before December 17 to claim the $200 bonus credit.
On February 24, Fairstar sets sail for a nine-night cruise to Noumea, Vanuatu and Mystery Island, from $990. On March 5, a 14-night cruise takes in the six ports of Noumea, Mystery Island, Vanuatu, Champagne Bay, Yasawa Island and Suva in Fiji, priced from $1,490.
A similar 12-night cruise, departing Sydney on March 19, takes in the Isle of Pines and Amadee Island, as well as Noumea, Vila and Mystery Island. This cruise costs from $1,290 a person.
The Fairstar has been given a multi-million-dollar facelift and now boasts a casino, nightclub, cinema and nightly entertainment, as well as itineraries that cruise to some of the most scenic parts of the South Pacific. For details and bookings, 13 2469, or see your travel agent.
© 1993 Sydney Morning Herald
