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Travellers to Western Australia’s favourite holiday island, Rottnest, will soon be able to experience a new level of comfort and style thanks to the acquisition of a new vessel by Rottnest Fast Ferries.

The new Harbour Master ferry, which will travel from Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth’s north to Rottnest, will have a significant positive impact on passenger numbers to the island.

It has multiple decks, three passenger levels, oversized windows for improved viewing, and a spacious cabin.

Owners believe the twin hull catamaran will provide the smoothest ride to Rottnest.

The vessel is currently being refitted and is scheduled to commence service from Boxing Day, with a capacity of 420 passengers per trip.

The operator has also announced a new daily Kids Travel Free offer — where two children per adult ferry fare can travel to Rottnest free any day of the week.

Visit www.rottnestisland.com.

 Intrepid Travel: 14 new Australian itineraries.

Intrepid Travel has introduced 14 new Australian itineraries to its growing collection of local tours.

Designed to support local communities and celebrate First Nations cultures and histories, the new tours mark a significant step in Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to developing trips closer to home, as state borders open across Australia and traveller confidence continues to grow.

As part of the new tours, travellers can expect more active and wellness itineraries, as well as trips that highlight local food and produce. After a year when many extended families have been separated by state border closures, or forced to spend extended time in lockdown, there are also new family adventures that will bring families closer and out of the house.

A five-day ‘Warrumbungles Dark Sky Adventure’, is priced from $2220.

Visit www.intrepidtravel.com.

 Sydney Brewery beers: a fresh marketing identity and packaging.

A facelift for Sydney Brewery’s branding shouldn’t be unexpected given its owner Dr Jerry Schwartz is a renowned cosmetic surgeon.

Famed for its line of Sydney-themed beers and ciders, such as Paddo Pale, Darlo Dark, Surry Hills Pils and Sydney Cider, Boldinc is working with the brewery team to best reflect Sydney Brewery’s DNA in their marketing identity and packaging.

Sydney Brewery marketing manager Richard Feyn stated: “While we have had our roots in Surry Hills since 2004, it became a little complicated when we expanded our production facilities to larger premises in Lovedale in the Hunter Valley in 2014.”

Sydney Brewery’s fresh new look, with their core range of beers and ciders, is due to be released in January 2021.

Visit www.sydneybrewery.com.au.

 The Sebel Melbourne Ringwood: offering an opening special.

A new premium hotel, The Sebel Melbourne Ringwood, is available for bookings in the burgeoning Ringwood region from 22 February.

The Sebel Melbourne Ringwood is providing guests with 50 per cent off the full rate for the second night when staying for two.

Located at the gateway to the Yarra Valley, just off the Eastlink freeway, The Sebel Melbourne Ringwood is well located for business and leisure activities throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The hotel has 103 rooms and apartments, with 15 having full kitchenettes.

Guests will have access to an on-site bar and restaurant, an ultra-modern fitness centre, four meeting spaces and an open-air terrace.

Visit www.all.accor.com.

World Expeditions’ Larapinta ‘In Comfort’: a boon for single travellers.

Single travellers joining any of World Expeditions’ Larapinta ‘In Comfort’ walks in 2021 can skip the single supplement and have the option of a double tent to themselves, with the company offering single accommodation as part of its covid-safe travel protocol.

Solo travellers will save $400 on both the six-day ‘Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort’ and the new seven-day ‘Larapinta, Kings Canyon and Uluru’ adventure and $200 on the three-day ‘Larapinta Experience in Comfort’.

With the majority of 2020 departures postponed, space is limited on 2021 departures, so now is the time to book a 2021 experience on the Larapinta Trail.

More information at www.worldexpeditions.com.

 Sustainability aplenty: One Canada’s many bears.

With the United Nations declaring 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, Canada’s western province of British Columbia continues to blaze a trail for prioritising environmental initiatives and inclusive economic growth and innovation.

Cities throughout British Columbia have introduced pioneering initiatives ranging from Canada’s first net zero multi-unit residential building to recognition as the first biosphere destination in the Americas.

Along the coast of British Columbia, for instance, lies one of the largest tracts of unspoiled temperate rainforest on Earth, the Great Bear Rainforest.

Local First Nations, government, environmental groups and forest companies have collaborated to maintain ecological integrity and human wellbeing of the 6.4-million-hectare ecosystem – an initiative that protects 85 per cent of the forest, while creating economic opportunities for indigenous communities and providing sustainable harvesting for forest companies.

Princess Royal Island in the Great Bear Rainforest is not only home to a healthy population of grizzlies, but also the rare kermode bear, a sub-species of black bear found only in this part of the world carrying a recessive gene that gives them a naturally white coat.

Companies operated by the local Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations people in the nearby village of Klemtu offer tours to view the bears, while two floating lodges in the vicinity, Knight Inlet Lodge and Great Bear Lodge, also offer grizzly bear-viewing tours from spring through autumn.

Visit www.keepexploring.com.au.

NOTE: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.