Recently in Australia Category

Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and thelobby.com's expert on Asia and Australia.

Crikey!  It's Bindi's Birthday. A visit to Australia's Sunshine Coast is not complete without taking the family to visit Australia Zoo - Home of The Crocodile Hunter - and given that it's Bindi's 12th birthday on Saturday, July 24th, it's a great excuse to take the kids and explore one of Australia's best attractions. Bindi is the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. The Australia Zoo has won many tourism awards and is a must-for-all visitors, both local and international. Enjoy an opportunity to cuddle koalas, feed elephants, and of course, watch the crocodile show in the Crocoseum! To celebrate Bindi's birthday, children will be admitted free on July 24th (up to 14 years old, when accompanied by a paying adult). Head to the Australia Zoo and celebrate with Bindi! Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa is a 30-minute drive from Australia Zoo, while the Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa, Gold Coast is a 90-minute drive.

Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and thelobby.com's expert on Asia and Australia.

On my last holiday to Australia, I spent a few days in paradise at Noosa. Located 90 minutes north of Brisbane, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, it proved to be a culinary adventure. While the local Eumundi Markets are famous, I explored something new, the Noosa Farmers Markets held every Sunday. There, I discovered The Noosa Lime Co. launched in September 2009 and their "Lime Cordial for Lime Lovers "is selling out every week. This zesty cordial, with a hint of ginger and kaffir lime leaves sells for just A$8 (US$7) a bottle. Their Tahitian limes are grown locally and hand-picked on the Sunshine Coast. Not only is their founder passionate about limes, but he knows how to mix a good cocktail. He suggested I head to Ricky's to try his product. Ricky's, in my opinion, is one of the best restaurants in this quaint seaside resort town! It serves a "Number 9" cocktail for just A$15 (US $14). Pour 30 ml chilled vodka into a high ball glass filled with crushed ice, add 15 ml of Lime Cordial for Lime Lovers and top up with San Pellegrino Mandarino and a splash of soda water. Sip while watching the sunset over the river. Cheers!

Noosa Farmers Markets are held every Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon, come rain, hail or shine at the Aussie Rules Football grounds Weyba Road, Noosaville . It is a short taxi ride from Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa while Ricky's River Bar & Restaurant is at Noosa Wharf, a brisk 15 minute walk from the hotel.

My tip: bring a few bottles home with you, a great gift to share with friends. The bottles travel well (I carried six in my luggage) and their nifty cap does not leak!

There's no faster motor sport than Formula 1 racing, where drivers take their cutting-edge vehicles around a track at speeds well over 200 mph. On March 25-28, 2010, the sport makes its way Down Under, where the Australian Grand Prix will draw thousands of racing fans to Melbourne for a dramatic spectacle of sight, sound, and speed. The world's most skilled drivers will drive 58 laps around the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park, with the winner hoisting the cup and basking in the glory that comes with victory in Australia's premier racing event. In addition to the big race, there are a number of supporting events designed to captivate any motoring enthusiast, including a V8 Supercar Challenge - with muscle-cars tearing up the Albert Park Street Circuit - and the Shannon's Historic Demonstration, which brings out the classic Italian racers of the early to mid-twentieth century. But I'm most curious about the MINI Challenge Series, in which drivers pilot identical cars around the track, highlighting the amazing skill and daring of the winner. It just might inspire you to join your local racing club. Guests at the Westin Melbourne might enjoy this high-octane extravaganza.

Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and thelobby.com's expert on Asia and Australia.

While there are many theme parks to choose from when visiting Australia's Gold Coast from Sea World to Dream World, it is good to learn something about the history of the country that you are visiting.  The Australian Outback Spectacular has recently debuted its second show, Heroes of the Light Horse.
 
The show depicts the true story of the Australian Light Horse Brigade of World War I.  The Light Horse was made up predominantly of 'boys from the bush' who volunteered along with their horses to join an Australian Mounted Infantry known as the Light Horse. This A$23 million ($20 million US) show includes songs composed by Australia's country music star, Lee Kernaghan, in collaboration with Garth Porter and Conrad Felfrich, and score performed by a 52-piece orchestra.  This one-and-a-half hour experience includes a three-course Aussie BBQ dinner served during the show, complete with Australian Damper (bread) and Pavlova for dessert. The Australian Outback Spectacular is a twenty minute drive from Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast.  My tip: Be sure to reserve an Ocean Premium room which offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and make time to visit the Golden Door Spa & Health Club located in the resort.