Camp out in festival style at the Deni Ute Muster, from 29-30 September in the NSW Riverina town of Deniliquin.
The muster is an iconic event played out on some of the largest, flattest plains on Earth.
It celebrates all things country, with features this year including camel rides, racing pigs, reptile displays, Brophy Bros Circus and country music stars such as Shannon Noll, Lee Kernaghan and The McClymonts.
And that’s not to mention the ute show-n shine-competition, the bullride spectacular, trade and catering stalls, the NSW Whip Cracking Championships, woodchop demonstrations, helicopter rides, AFL on the big screen, and a family centre.
Visit www.deniutemuster.com.au
Celebrate a unique Australian New Year’s Eve on the mighty Murray River, during a three-night, Murray Princess cruise departing Friday, December 29.
Prices start at $945 per person twin-share, including New Year’s Eve dinner, festivities and dancing, incorporated into the boat’s regular three-night itinerary.
Visit the town of Murray Bridge on a guided tour of its historic landmarks, spend a morning on a private Monarto Zoo Wildlife Tour (an extra $60 per head), enjoy a guided nature walk at Salt Bush Flat and learn about the thriving ecology of the river, and get up close to the river at River View Lodge.
Food on-board the Murray Princess is a highlight of the cruise. Guests will enjoy a hearty hot buffet breakfast each morning, a two-course or buffet lunch each day, and a three-course or buffet dinner each evening.
There is also a seven-night cruise, incorporating the New Year’s Eve cruise, with fares from $1902 per person twin-share.
Fares include accommodation, all meals, guided nature walks, eco-excursions, on-board presentations, on-board wi-fi, live entertainment and use of the sauna and spa.
Western Australia’s Rottnest Express has been awarded certification by Ecotourism Australia for each of its three tours — ‘Adventure Rottnest’, ‘Underwater Rottnest’ Tour and ‘Discover Rottnest’.
The program is designed to assure travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices and provision of high-quality nature-based tourism experiences.
Ecotourism certification was awarded to the Rottnest Express tours for: optimal use of resources; leaving minimal impact on the environment; offering interesting ways to learn about the environment; contributing to environmental conservation and helping the local community.
The 90-minute ‘Adventure Tour’, for instance, gives visitors the opportunity to view Rottnest’s rugged coastline and wildlife, circumnavigating the island in the purpose-built Eco Express, stopping for wildlife viewing and providing passengers with expert commentary along the way.
Sail to the Australian Open in Melbourne in style next year, on a five-night tennis cruise package now available from ecruising.travel.
The round-trip voyage aboard Pacific Eden departs Sydney on January 17, includes two full days in Melbourne and is priced from $899 per person twin-share. The package includes general admission tickets for two day sessions and a night session, as well as direct transfers between the ship and Melbourne Park.
No match will be missed during the sea days either, with all day and night sessions screened live on a big screen on board the ship.
Dining choices on board the Eden include its new dining concept The Pantry, Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill, and The Grill,
Phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel
One of the iconic shots of springtime in Tasmania is of the pretty rows of colourful tulips on Table Cape, in the state’s north-west.
The annual three-week Bloomin’ Tulips Festival celebrates the spectacle right across the Waratah-Wynyard region, culminating this year in the Bloomin’ Tulips Festival Day on October 14.
The three-week calendar of events includes market days, a cocktail party and the Mayoral Ball.
A highlight of the Bloomin’ Tulips Festival Day is the Colour Fun Run.
Visit www.bloomintulips.com.au