Still no date for Southern Star wheel’s re-opening

Melbourne’s $100 million observation wheel remains shut almost three weeks after cracks developed in a bracing member during a heatwave.Engineers from Japan have been assessing the damage, noticed on January 30, and considering the best ways to repair the 120-metre-tall ferris wheel.”Following completion of this investigation, rectification works will be undertaken to repair affected areas,” [...]

Vietnam to drum up tourism in Australia

VietNamNet Bridge – Tourism authorities and travel agencies in HCMC and other provinces will head for the Australian city of Melbourne to promote the ongoing national tourism program as well as their own tourism products and services.La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told the Daily that the [...]

Family fly in from Australia for memorial servcie

RELATIVES of a Northern Ireland woman who tragically died while visiting them in Australia are flying over for a memorial service in her local church in Portrush.Georgie Hart, who was 74, died suddenly in December while on her annual visit to Australia to see her daughter Daphne and her family who live in Sydney.A former [...]

Bondi shark attack will hit tourism: commerce chief

Business leaders fear a shark attack on a surfer at Sydney’s Bondi Beach will hurt the tourist trade.The surfer was savaged last night, a day after a navy clearance diver was mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour.Bondi Chamber of Commerce vice-president Max Siano said news of the Bondi attack would reverberate around the world, [...]

Despite crisis, Australia still the world’s favourite destination

Australia has been voted the most coveted destination by travellers in a global survey that also showed two-thirds of people were reviewing their holiday plans because of the global economic crisis.Asia Pacific was named the number-one region for those intending to travel overseas this year and next in the survey, commissioned by credit card firm [...]

Western Australia Overview

Western Australia is by far the largest state in Australia, covering nearly one-third of the contintent. It is also, sadly, the least visited by US Tourists visiting the country, though one might argue it has the most to offer tourists: the rugged Outback, forests, plentiful wildlife, coral reefs and stunning beaches.Although it is a huge [...]

Sydney to Canberra in 50 minutes: fast tracking second airport

A high speed train link that shuttles passengers between Sydney and Canberra in as little as 50 minutes could turn the national capital’s airport into a viable second airport option for Sydney.Canberra Airport today released its 2009 preliminary draft master plan, which outlines its plans over the next 20 years.The airport says it is better [...]

Sydney to Host Dreamtime 2009 in October

Sydney has been selected as the host city for the incentive travel trade event, Dreamtime, which aims to generate future business for Australia’s high yielding business events sector.The seven day event, organised by Tourism Australia, is expected to attract around 100 business events decision makers (buyers) and 20 international media from Australia’s key markets of [...]

‘Spend your bonus in Queensland … please’

Premier Anna Bligh may have jumped the gun, but she is standing by her latest catch-cry: “Take a bonus break in Queensland … please.”In a bid to rescue the state’s flagging tourism industry, the State Government will encourage Melbourne and Sydney residents to spend the Commonwealth stimulus bonus on a holiday in Queensland, complete with [...]

Officials nab traveler with pigeons in his pants

An Australian traveler was caught with two live pigeons stuffed in his pants following a trip to the Middle East, customs officials said Tuesday.The 23-year-old man was searched after authorities discovered two eggs in a vitamin container in his luggage, said Richard Janeczko, national investigations manager for the Customs Service.They found the pigeons wrapped in [...]