FROM just $1849 per person, quad share

6 Days | Grading: Easy | Fully Guided

Starting and finishing in lovely , this 6-day gourmet Cycling Tour explores the Barossa, Clare Valley & McLaren Vale regions. Ride the Rail Trails and discover the incredible food and wine of South Australia.

Soak up the knowledge of your local guide whilst discovering South Australia’s best rail trails including the Riesling Rail Trail in the Clare Vally, The Barossa Trail & the Coast to Vines Rail Trail in McLaren Vale.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Lunch at the acclaimed Skillogalee Restaurant in the Clare Valley
• Cycling the Barossa Trail and visiting iconic Maggie Beers, Penfolds, Seppeltsfield & more
• Experiencing the world class wines and gourmet food of South Australia
• Cycling the Riesling Rail Trail in the Clare Valley via historic cellar doors
• Visiting McLaren Vale overlooking the Southern Ocean & the downhill cycle to the vineyards

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• 5 nights accommodation including 2 nights in 4.5 star in Adelaide (Playford or Mayfair hotel)
• Driver and experienced local ‘ride with’ guide throughout
• Vehicle support & luggage transfers
• Full breakfasts (x 5) throughout
• 4 x gourmet winery lunches with wine tastings (including Skillogallee in Clare)
• 4 x 2 course restaurant dinners
• All wine tastings and produce stops (eg: Maggie Beers in Barossa)
• Exclusive wine making & tasting tutorial at Wirra Wirra Wines in McLaren Vale
• Environmentally friendly cycling water bottle
• Lightweight fair trade cycling t-shirt

BIKES

You are welcome to bring your own bike on this tour.

Many guests hire from Tour de Vines’ quality fleet including hybrid style bikes complete with 27 gears, rear rack and bag, water bottle holders and soft saddles. These can be hired when making your booking.

Regular hybrid style bikes or hardtail mountain bikes are ideal as there are some sections on hard packed gravel.

E-bikes are also available and make for a great fun tour if you are in any doubt about your cycling abilities or don’t want the stress of feeling like you need to keep up with others.

To book or for more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post RAIL TRAILS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA – GUIDED CYCLE TOUR appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

The island enjoys an average year-round temperature of 27° C.

The resort has implemented the necessary restrictions across some activities and experiences to align with its COVID Safe Plan and the requirements imposed by the QLD Government and local dive authorities.

Luxurious Lizard Island Resort is the northernmost resort on the Great Barrier Reef.

ALL INCLUSIVE LUXURY

Along with luxury accommodation and outstanding service, all stays are packaged with complimentary offerings that include:

• Gourmet meals daily
• Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages
• A fine selection of wine, beer, and spirits
• Your own in-room mini bar, restocked daily
• Deluxe picnic hampers for private beach outings
• Access to your own private motorised dinghy
• Unlimited use of stand-up paddleboards
• Unlimited use of clear view sea kayaks
• Guided tours and walks
• Snorkelling gear for the duration of your stay

Please note that WIFI is available in common guest areas, around the pool and lounge, as well as in The Pavilion and The Villa. Mobile phone coverage, however, is not available on Lizard Island.

ROOMS & SUITES

Lizard Island’s elegant, yet understated, villas and suites have been designed to be harmonious with the island’s natural beauty and surrounding sea.

Floor to ceiling windows allow the outdoor vistas and natural light to stream inside.

Beachfront Suite

Garden view Rooms

GROUP DINING VENUES

Salt Water Restaurant – Up to 80 guests

Simple and relaxed with an emphasis on fresh local produce and the flavours of modern Australian cuisine, this idyllic setting takes full advantage of its sea views.

Salt Water Restaurant

Beachside Dining – Up to 80 guests

Beachside dining sets up in the sand on Anchor Bay so guests enjoy a ‘bare foot’ dining experience with gas flares scattered around the beach.

Marlin Bar – Up to 80 guests

With a casual feel, a giant marlin and fully functional kitchen, this is a true fisherman’s bar. Marlin Bar can cater for a-la-carte and buffet style service, and a large plasma TV is available for presentations.

Beachside Pavilions – Up to 16 guests

Perfect for watching the sunset while enjoying quality F&B, each of the two Beachside Pavilions can accommodate up to 8 guests.

Arrival Gazebo – Up to 20 guests

This venue is located next to the resort’s Driftwood Bar at one end of Salt Water Restaurant. Gas flares are scattered for ambiance.

Poolside – Up to 100 guests

This stand-up cocktail venue includes dispense bar, gas flares and neon pool lighting for ambiance.

EXPERIENCES

Lizard Island offers a wide range of activities that provide opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the natural attractions of the island and surrounding Great Barrier Reef.

Complimentary experiences include:

• Explore Anchor and Watson’s bay on a stand up paddle board or clear sea view kayaks
• Motorised dinghies
• Snorkelling equipment and lessons
• Tennis – day and night with all equipment supplied
• Picnic hampers for romantic and secluded beachside lunches
• Stand up paddle board
• Nature slide presentations
• Gymnasium
• Self-Guided nature walks
• Naturalist guided Island walks

Private Vessel Charters

The resort offers private charters for fishing, scenic tours, exploring the reef with snorkelling and dive excursions or spending the day relaxing on the water.

Charter itineraries can be tailored to suit your preferences and offer a premium experience that best caters for the weather and tides on the day.

Light snacks and refreshments, lunch with full day charters, and complimentary gear hire, are included.

A range of guided island and reef snorkelling, kayak snorkelling and Scuba dive experiences are also available. Be sure to contact us for pricing and to discuss your preferred requirements.

On-Island Experiences

Lizard Island Resort offers a suite of walking experiences of varying levels of difficulty around the island. From bird watching, and a sunset nature walk, to the 3-hour hike up to Cook’s Look, there’s something to suit everyone here.

There’s also a Research Station tour, as well as Star Gazing experiences and yoga, stretch and balance sessions.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post VENUE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: LIZARD ISLAND appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

This hands-on-tongs experience will see you preparing a meal under the tutelage of an expert Weber ‘Grill Specialist’, learning the local produce story and understanding the history of Weber and the Australian way of Barbecuing a little better.

“The Grill Academy by Weber is a brilliant way to give your group or business event some serious sizzle. What could be more fun than getting tongs-a-snapping at a line-up of Weber barbecues, enjoying a glass or two of something nice in a gorgeous setting, and then sitting down to enjoy the fruits of your expert grilling?”, says Sharon Levingston, General Manager Events at The Events Authority.

The Academy opened in November 2020, is ideal for corporate events, and we can tailor a package to your specific requirements. There’s even a delicious vegetarian-vegan academy curriculum that showcases grilled, smoked and roasted plant-based dishes.

Activating in a private space with floor-to-ceiling glass and a large weather-proof balcony overlooking East Adelaide Park-lands and the CBD, a variety of room set-ups are available.

No wonder it’s on the Hot 5 Adelaide to do list for 2020/2021.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post WEBER’S GRILL ACADEMY – YOUR LICENCE TO GRILL! appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

ON SALE until 31 March 2021
FOR STAYS until 31 March 2021

Experience nature at its best on Heron Island, world famous for its spectacular coral reef and a sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of marine life. This natural coral cay provides a genuine eco-experience and the unique opportunity to witness the magic of the world’s largest coral reef.

Take advantage of our Turtle Package to view the turtles in the water, through an underwater window or with a glass of wine in your hand. The choice is yours!

Your Turtle Package Includes:

• FOUR nights accommodation in a Turtle room
• Full breakfast daily
• Snorkelling equipment (snorkel, fins and mask)
• A $100 Marine Centre Voucher*
• Turtle Tours with qualified naturalist guides
• Evening Turtle Presentations

*Voucher can be used towards a tour of your choice including a Snorkel Tour, I-Spy Semi-Submersible Tour or Sunset Cruise.

We strongly recommended that you pre-book your activities prior to arrival. Inclusions that are not used during your stay can not be refunded.

Family packages are also available. Please call us to check availability and pricing, so we can help you plan your perfect Heron Island getaway.

Turtle Rooms are located close to North Beach and set amongst Heron Island’s ancient Pisonia Forest, which comes alive with hundreds of thousands of seabirds during nesting season from October through March.

Comfortable and compact, these ground-level rooms are appointed with an en-suite with shower and feature a delightful timber deck and outdoor area.

Turtle Rooms are 22.79 sqm in size and accommodate up to two guests.

Turtle Rooms feature:

• Queen-sized bed
• En-suite bathroom with hairdryers
• Ceiling fans
• Extra pillows and blankets
• Beach towels
• Tea/Coffee making facilities
• Refrigerator
• A balcony or terrace with umbrella

BONUS: Your package includes return Gladstone Marina to Herron Island ferry transfers!

Scroll down for terms and conditions.

Important Charges:

An environmental management charge (EMC) of $7.00 (ex GST) per person per day (for guests 5 years and older) to a maximum of $21.00 per person per stay will be charged direct to guests. Price is subject to change.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

Terms and Conditions
Minimum of 2 night stay required. Pricing is based on 2 adults travelling together. Subject to availability. Package inclusions are not interchangeable or redeemable for cash and any unused portion cannot be refunded. 1 x $100 Marine Centre Voucher is included in the package and excludes; dive courses, Discovery Program and merchandise available at the Marine Centre store. Tours are subject to weather restrictions and will not be refunded if cancelled due to bad weather. Further conditions may apply. Available until Mar 31, 2021.

The post HERON ISLAND TURTLE PACKAGE! appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

Aboard a privately chartered aircraft, take to the skies to experience bird’s eye views of iconic natural wonders.

Less Travel, More Exploration

Fly across vast distances in a fraction of the time it would take for traditional touring. This means more time on the ground to explore each incredible destination.

APT’s privately chartered jets have been selected for customised air touring, to optimise passenger comfort whilst meeting local airport requirements.

SAMPLE ITINERARIES from Sydney

Wonders of Tasmania 

• 5 Days from $5195 per person, twin share.
• Departs 17 November 2021, and 08 December 2021.

Inclusions

• Visits to 4 destinations
• 4 nights in hand-picked accommodation
• Explore King Island and savour its gastronomic delights
• Discover Cradle Mountain
• Travel aboard a privately chartered aircraft escorted by an APT Tour Director
• Locally-sourced dining – a total of 9 meals
• Take in the unique displays at MONA
• Peruse the local stalls at Salamanca Market in Hobart

Queensland Outback and Tropics

• 9 Days from $8995 per person, twin share.
• 2021 Departures: 16 May | 06 June | 20 June | 12 July | 24 July | 22 August | 05 September.

Inclusions

• Travel aboard a private jet, escorted by an APT Tour Director.
• Locally-inspired dining – a total of 17 meals.
• Visit a working cattle property, the Qantas Founders Museum and enjoy Luminescent Longreach—an incredible sound and light show.
• Stay on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and walk to the ‘tip of Australia’ on the Cape York Peninsula.
• 8-nights in premium Outback accommodation and luxurious tropical resorts.
  Scenic flying over the vast Outback, Cape York, Great Barrier Reef,
• Islands and rainforest-fringed shores.
• Discover the underground riches of Mount Isa.
• Relax in luxury tropical resorts in Port Douglas and Hamilton Island.

Perfect Stays

When on the ground, you’ll stay in hand-picked properties in ideal locations from which to explore your destination.

Locally Inspired Dining

Some of Australia’s finest foodie experiences that celebrate the most outstanding produce from regions you’re visiting are waiting for you. Yum!

Personalised Service

No matter where your private jet takes you, your APT tour director will be with you to ensure the entire journey runs smoothly.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post PRIVATE JET AIR TOURS OF AUSTRALIA appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

The fund is designed to encourage, and support exciting business events for regional NSW and to support new business event initiatives enriched by the opportunities offered by towns and regions.

“This is an exciting program,” says Sharon Levingston, General Manager Events at The Events Authority.

“It provides funding for events and meetings in New South Wales’ gorgeous regions—perfect for a corporate retreats and conferences that meet the program’s criteria,” adds Levingston.

The program has 4 streams:

• CREATION OF A NEW BUSINESS EVENT
  Encouraging towns and regions to create their own new conferences and business events.
• ATTRACTION OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS EVENT
  To assist rural and regional NSW attract conferences, business events and major expos from capital cities, interstate or overseas.
• SUPPORT FOR AN EXISTING BUSINESS EVENT
  To support events that are held in regional NSW and may rotate between locations.
• SUPPORT FOR A BUSINESS EVENT PROJECT
  To assist in the implementation of business event initiatives that drive growth in regional NSW’S visitor economy. This could be a business event series or roadshow; or a satellite element of a capital city or interstate business event.

So how much funding is available?

The funding pool is $500,000, and will be offered until 30 April 2021 or until the pool of funds available has been expended.

You can apply for funding at the following levels:

• Up to $15,000 for a business event with projected attendance up to 150 delegates.
• Up to $30,000 for a business event with projected attendance over 150 delegates.

“We encourage you to act now to give yourself the best chance of accessing some of that funding. We’re here to help, too. We’d love to collaborate and help you through the application process,” says Levingston.

The program will be administered by Destination NSW, and applications will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis until the funds have been expended.

Funding is to be matched dollar-for-dollar by local communities, councils, entrepreneurs, associations, corporations, professional conference organisers or grants received by other Local, State and Federal Government Departments.

The team at The Events Authority is well-versed in all of the funding criteria, terms and conditions, and is ready to help you plan your regional business event and submit your funding application.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post FANCY A GRANT FOR REGIONAL MEETINGS & EVENTS? appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

DATES 23 December 2021 until 02 January 2022
CRUISING 11 Days & 10 Nights
FROM $8840 per person, twin share in a Deluxe Stateroom

Contact us for more pricing in all available staterooms and suites!

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site of Port Davey and Maria Island.
• Savour the gourmet produce of King Island.
• Enjoy some of the finest award-winning wines of the Tamar Valley.
• Experience Australia’s biggest and longest running Food and Wine festival.
• View the spectacular painted cliffs of Maria Island.
• Witness Australian fur seals in their natural environment.
• Delve into Tasmania’s colonial history.
• Experience the mining and Maritime History of Tasmania’s North West.
• View the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Constitution Dock.
• Gain an insight into the history, culture and incredible diversity of life from your expert expedition team.

YOUR STATEROOM

• Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds
• 24hr room service
• Minibar
• Flat screen satellite TV
• Video on demand
• Inclusive Internet access Wifi
• Bose Bluetooth speaker
• Individually-controlled airconditioning
• Desk with stationery
• Safe
• Hermès® bath products
• Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer
• Direct line telephone
• 110V American/220V European

YOUR SHIP – Ponant’s Le Lapérouse

Environmentally friendly, fitted with innovative equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, this new and intimately sized yacht offers a unique type of cruise experience.

On board, the Blue Eye, a multisensorial underwater lounge offers a unique experience unlike anything else in the world.

• Just 184 guests
• 92 staterooms and suites
• 112 crew members
• Spa
• Two restaurants

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post TASSIE FINE FOOD, WINE & YACHTING appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

The Events Authority recently completed a series of four global, virtual events across different time zones. It was challenging and satisfying, and one of the most common questions Sharon has been asked since is, “How does ‘virtual’ compare to working on an in-person event?”

Here are her five key comparisons:

1. Make it interactive and playful

Our brief was to bring the engagement of an in-person event to a virtual one. So, just as we would do when searching for the perfect venue, we researched a number of digital platforms, and worked with Remo for this program.

Remo has a low profile in the Australian market, but it is very intuitive. You can have fun with branding and room/floor layouts and, whilst it may not have the technical conferencing features of some of the more well know platforms, it makes up for it in spades with its interactive interface. We were literally able to have small table discussions with guests table-hopping for chats; we could pop guests up to the virtual stage easily for panel discussions; and it provided access to the senior business leaders in a casual and interactive forum.

By our fourth event, we became aware of serious competition unfolding between speakers vying to out-do each other in the best home-or-office-background objects (queue the gnomes!) stakes. It kept the interactions fun and human.

No boring or static Zoom Rooms for this event. No siree.

2. Invest HEAPS of time upfront making sure attendees can access the platform

Usually, we’d spend our time ensuring our guests arrived safely to the event venue. In this case, as we were deploying an unfamiliar virtual platform, we invested hours in ensuring our guests would be able to easily access it on the day.

We followed up registrations if they hadn’t accessed the platform, and tested their camera and microphone prior to the event.

We developed our own cheat sheets to explain how to troubleshoot common IT issues such as firewalls, cameras and microphones, even VPNs where required.

We sent videos showing how we created our own profiles and avatars—just simple clips shot on an iPhone in our office. In the end, we had only a handful of access issues—none that we couldn’t solve—from 500 attendees in 60 countries across four events.

A great result by any measure.

3. Uber Eats does NOT compare to a Five Star Hotel Nasi Goreng & Chardonnay

I spent an entire month gazing at multiple computer screens—often late into the night—connecting with key event stakeholders in their respective time zones. My meals were ‘al desko’ in the dull glow of those screens.

Anyone who works events will appreciate that long hours spent on-site can be countered by the thrill of an exciting venue or destination, fabulous hotel meals, a bit of local exploration, and bountiful breakfast buffets. Remember them?

Sadly, virtual events have few of the thrills and frills.

And you sleep in your own bed.

#Yawn

4. Rehearsal Times

The beauty of in-person events is that you can conduct your rehearsals on-site.

Working virtually across different time zones, however, means coordinating multiple rehearsal times with individual speakers and presenters, to ensure they can log in and out, rehearse and view their presentations and videos on shared screens. Not to mention lighting and background checks.

Truthfully, I had underestimated the time that would be involved conducting rehearsals, and I also had to upskill myself on technical knowledge to be able to assist the speakers. The upside, however, was that I got to meet some amazing people, virtually in their own homes, and work directly with them to produce the content for the events.

Very satisfying, indeed.

5. Back-up in Multiple Locations

My event training has always meant having a backup plan on-site, knowing the venue safety procedures and key contacts in case of emergency both on the ground and the support team back home.  The virtual world is the same, but these back-up systems are a bit different.

For us, this meant the sharing full access to the event platform with our client in case of access blackout. That meant operating with multiple event manager logins on separate computers in our temporary studio (AKA The Travel Authority boardroom), and having key stakeholders sitting in different locations.

We connected with each other during the event by speaker-phone which worked a treat. Our back-end of the event was 100% virtual, meaning we could have run the event from anywhere if we needed to. COVID has decentralised our work habits, so Brisbane’s snap lockdown did not impact the running of the event in any way.

If anything, it enhanced and strengthened the planning processes.

The post A YEAR AGO I SAID I’D RATHER QUIT THAN RUN ONLINE EVENTS appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

Originally announced to open as Hotel Indigo Brisbane Fortitude Valley, the hotel evolved during its development to take on a more luxurious feel than initially anticipated. As such, the brand new IHG Hotels & Resorts affiliated property will open on 22nd February 2021 as Hotel X—”Brisbane’s newest 5-star hotel, dining, and lifestyle destination.”

“We’re always thrilled by new hotel and venue openings, and Hotel X looks certain to raise the bar (and a few eyebrows) in Brisbane’s events scene,” said Sharon Levingston—General Manager Events, The Events Authority.

“We very much look forward to seeing it open and operating in this exciting part of Brisbane,” added Levingston.

Showcasing extravagant interior design and premium amenities, a stunning rooftop pool and bar, the edgy hotel boasts an facade that projects vivid lighting displays onto lively Brunswick Street in the heart of Fortitude Valley.

The hotel offers spacious 146 rooms, ground floor restaurant and bar, expansive gymnasium, rooftop poolside restaurant and bar with panoramic city views, room service, concierge valet, and an event function space.

Hotel X is located at 458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane—just minutes from the bars of Howard Street Wharves the boutiques of James Street.

FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS

Hotel X’s versatile function room, Bisou X Y Z, offers 190m2 of uninterrupted space opens onto a 50m2 terrace overlooking bustling Brunswick Street.

The Bisou spaces cater for all kinds of get togethers – corporate conferences, big birthdays or show-stopping weddings.

For more casual celebrations, both in-house restaurants can also be hired exclusively.

As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hotel X is connected to the IHG system, reservations, marketing and loyalty program.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post BRISBANE’S NEWEST LUXURY HOTEL AND EVENTS VENUE – HOTEL X appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.

Here are THREE reasons why:

1. Flexibility boosted with unlimited flight date changes until at least January 2022 (!)
2. One million seats on sale from $99 one-way to 55 destinations
3. Complimentary beer and wine in Economy

We told you it was good.

FARES ARE ON SALE until 15 February for travel from Mid-March 2021.

“We’re thrilled by the built-in flexibility of unlimited date changes until at least January 2022,” says The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper.

“Knowing that flexibility is part of your Qantas airfare will be a great source of confidence for our clients. Now more than ever before, prospective travellers need that confidence. We hope more airlines follow suit,” adds Hosper.

The flight date can be changed to any available for sale at the time (up to 355 days in advance). Qantas will waive the change fee (a fare difference may apply).

Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully, said with international borders closed, the best way to drive tourism is by making it even easier for Australians to explore their own backyard.

“As the national carrier, we have an important role to play in helping the industry recover from COVID-19, and we know that given the right opportunity, people are keen to travel,” Ms Tully said.

PREMIUM SERVICE

This month, Qantas is also making further improvements to inflight food and beverage options in line with its premium full-service offering. This includes:

• Complimentary beer and wine for Economy passengers will continue to be available daily across domestic and regional flights (previously available for purchase on certain flights).
• New hot meal options in Economy, ranging from gourmet beef pies and roast vegetable quiches to beef and mushroom ragout and roasted chicken with tomato, garlic and lemon sauce.
• Qantas is the only domestic airline offering a full meal service including at breakfast and dinner, including key capital city routes between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. This will be rolled out to shorter flights in March.

The airline has also advised us that it has reopened the vast majority of its 35 Qantas Club and Business Lounges across Australia, and its Chairmans Lounges.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

The post QANTAS ONE MILLION SEATS SALE appeared first on The Travel Authority Group.