A new set of interactive online maps that pulls together the arts and cultural experiences in Central NSW has been launched, covering over 400 cultural gems from Bathurst and Orange to Parkes and Condobolin.
Included are the public art at Forbes’ Somewhere Down the Lachlan sculpture trail; Bathurst’s new Rail Museum; Parkes’ The Dish telescope; bushranger history and tours in Eugowra, Canowindra and Forbes; Orange’s booming art galleries and artisan shops; the huge silo art murals in Portland and Grenfell; Cowra Voices history told through a mobile app; and places to connect with Aboriginal culture like the Wiradjuri Study Centre in Condobolin.
The new resource was launched by Arts OutWest, Central NSW Joint Organisation of Councils and Regional Development Australia Central West.
Culture Maps Central NSW uses maps and pop-up images to pinpoint museums, heritage sites and trails; galleries and artist studios; places to shop for handmade things; and Aboriginal cultural places and experiences.
Go to www.centralnsw.com.
The d’Arenberg Cube: nestled amongst the mourvèdre vineyards
Discover some of the best food, wine, gin and beer in South Australia’s picturesque McLaren Vale and visit the spectacular d’Arenberg Cube on Adelaide Sightseeing’s new one-day ‘McLaren Vale & The Cube Experience’.
The tour is hosted on a air-conditioned coach, with expert commentary provided by a local driver/guide.
The first stop is the Stump Hill Cafe for morning tea and an opportunity to sample wines from some of the region’s smaller wineries that do not have their own cellar door. There is also a gift shop and produce store to explore.
Then it is onto the d’Arenberg Cube. Nestled amongst the mourvèdre vineyards, this five-storey multi-functional ‘Rubik’s cube’ has been designed to give the optical illusion of floating in a vineyard, with each level overlooking the magnificent rolling hills of Willunga.
Then discover the beautiful 70-acre working vineyard of Beresford Estate Wines, for a choice of one of three tastings in their elegant Tasting Pavilion.
The final cellar door is the newly renovated and stunning Wirra Wirra Vineyards located amongst the gum trees. Enjoy a short tour of the historic ironstone cellars before being guided through a structured tasting of their quality wines.
Finish the day by exploring the main street of McLaren Vale.
Visit the many shops and galleries including the famous Almond Train and Menz Fruchocs Shop before heading back to Adelaide.
The coach tour is priced at $189 per adult and $98 per child and includes morning pick-up and evening set-down at selected Adelaide hotels.
Visit www.adelaidesightseeing.com.au.
Sage Hotel Adelaide: sip though a range of fine wines.
Sage Hotel Adelaide is offering guests the opportunity to sip, savour and settle in to enjoy a well-deserved mid-week or weekend staycation while indulging in some of Adelaide’s finest offerings.
Guests who book the ‘Sip and Stay’ package will receive a $50 voucher to spend at The Local Wine Co.
In addition, they can also enjoy breakfast for two, complimentary car parking and late checkout.
Located on South Terrace opposite acres of parklands, Sage Hotel Adelaide is brimming with local experiences.
Guests can catch a free tram to local attractions such as Rundle Mall Shopping Precinct and the Adelaide Central Market.
Phone (08) 8223 2800 or visit www.nexthotels.com.
Peter Kuruvita: will prepare a seafood dinner at Bay of Fires Bush Retreat.
World Expeditions has launched a 10-day boutique culinary adventure in Tasmania, to be escorted by chef and television personality, Peter Kuruvita.
On this itinerary, participants will have a chance to go ‘behind the scenes’ to explore the rich variety of produce on offer and meet the people involved ranging from a sustainable bee keeper, a salmon farm, an oyster farmer at Coles Bay near Freycinet National Park, as well as enjoying visits to boutique vineyards, breweries and a tasting experience with a master cheesemaker.
Other tour highlights include an exclusive seafood seduction tour, cooking demonstrations by Peter and local chefs and a local seafood dinner prepared by Peter at Bay of Fires Bush Retreat.
The 10-day ‘Peter Kuruvita: Tastes of Tasmania Gourmet Experience’, which departs Launceston on March 18 and costs $7890 per person twin-share, includes hotel and lodge-style accommodation, all breakfasts, dinners and most lunches, a Gordon River Cruise, private transport, all national park fees and all experiences as listed in itinerary.
Visit www.worldexpeditions.com or phone1300 720 000.
Burgundy: more than grapevines.
Two five-star river ships will take Australians on back-to-back river cruises through the north and south of France in 2021 as part of a new combo package that includes free return flights to France if booked by the end of 2020.
The 16-night ‘All About France’ package is offered by a European river cruise operator, Riviera Travel River Cruises.
The package showcases famous wine regions, terraced vineyards, sun-baked hills, rugged gorges and medieval towns in Burgundy and Provence and also the D-Day beaches of Normandy and the renowned garden of Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, in Giverny in the north of France,
The holiday begins with a free flight from Australia to the world’s gourmet food capital of Lyon for an included one night’s stay before guests board Riviera Travel River Cruises’ five-star river ship, William Shakespeare.
From Avignon, guests will be transferred to Marseille on the French Riviera for a flight to Paris for a one-night stay in the world’s most romantic city.
Guest then board Riviera Travel River Cruises’ five-star ship, Jane Austen, for a seven-night return cruise from Paris along the Seine River.
After the second cruise, guests fly home to Australia.
Visit www.rivieratravel.com.au.
‘Grand Sounds of America’: a 20-night package.
Cruise Traveller has launched a package with the American Queen Steamboat Company, with free flights to the US and savings of $7750 per couple on a double river cruise that celebrates the roots of American music.
The ‘Grand Sounds of America’ is paddle-wheeler cruise up the legendary Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland Rivers from New Orleans to Memphis and Nashville in a grand celebration of the musical genres which the rivers gave birth to, including jazz, country, rock’ n’ roll, blue grass and the blues.
Available in Australian dollars, the 20-night package begins on November 27, 2021, with a free flight to Los Angeles for a night’s stay and a flight on to the jazz and blues city of New Orleans for another night’s accommodation.
Guests then board the 166-guest American Duchess, for a 14-night, double-cruise itinerary stretching from New Orleans to Memphis and Nashville.
Fares are from $6995 per person twin-share.
The savings and free flights to America from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth are valid for bookings made before this December 31.
Phone 1300 680 374 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au.
NOTE: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.
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