UPFRONT | NEWS

Freshly squeezed

QT Gold Coast is one of Australia’s newest and most exciting hotels with its funky, fresh and fun vibe. Its new spa follows a similar theme with its 60s-style citrus-hued décor, spicy and soothing treatments and smooth tunes. Rather than insisting on guests pre-selecting their treatments, spaQ encourages them to simply book a block of time so they can choose on the day with the help of their therapist. The spa boasts a hammam with ice fountain, a relaxation lounge and Gold Coast views. www.qtgoldcoast.com.au

Mackay is home to secluded beaches and elusive wildlife

Your troubles will melt away at spaQ in the Gold Coast

Plan a breathtaking walking tour of Tasmania’s capes for 2013

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must-dosMackay5

Bring out the birthday poppers, Mackay has just turned 150 and this mining mecca in Queensland has planned a year-long celebration to remember the city’s rich history. If you happen to be in Mackay, here are some must-do activities...

1. Check out the new art installations along the 19-kilometre-long Bluewater Art Trail, starting at the Botanic Gardens. www.artspacemackay.com.au

2. Mackay has 31 pristine beaches including Casuarina Beach, a 1.5 kilometre sandy stretch that’s proven popular with kangaroos at sunset.

3. Visit Eungella National Park, one of the most ecologically diverse parks in Queensland and home to the platypus. www.eungella.com.au

4. Take a short boat trip across the Whitsunday Passage to the secluded island of Keswick and enjoy beachcombing, swimming and bushwalking.

5. Fly through the rainforest canopy like Tarzan or Jane at Finch Hatton Gorge and spot a python or two as you go. www.forestflying.com

Make the connection

Royal Brunei Airlines is increasing its services and offering daily flights into Melbourne. The same-time daily services will also improve connections and journey options for passengers travelling between Melbourne and London. www.bruneiair.com

Walk the walk

An exciting new multi-day walking experience on the Tasman Peninsula is set to open in November 2013. The five-night, six-day journey will take in the spectacular three capes of southeast Tasmania’s Tasman National Park: Cape Huay, Cape Pillar, and Cape Raoul. The walk traverses rugged coastal scenery, tall eucalypt forests, sand beaches, and breathtaking sea-cliffs – amongst the highest in the world. The route is linked with a boat cruise, and there will be walkers’ cabins along the route. www.parks.tas.gov.au

There’s plenty to do and see in NZ’s colourful Arrowtown

COLOURFUL ARROWTOWN

Seeing Arrowtown in all its stunning autumn glory is a must and its annual celebration, the Arrowtown Autumn Festival, taking place from 20-29 April, provides an opportunity to enjoy the town’s relaxed pace and vibrant colours.

The festival celebrates the old goldmining town’s heritage with a community-based events programme that ranges from gold panning, guided historical walks and a vintage car rally to live music and theatre, an aerobatic display, and cooking demonstrations. Make time to explore tree-lined streets, old miners’ cottages, a restored Chinese Village and the Lakes District Museum, as well as award-winning restaurants and cafés, boutique breweries and diverse shops and galleries.

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