Let’s go cruising
Bow to the Coral Princess
Princess Cruises’ Medallion Class ship Coral Princess will be sashaying into the new Brisbane cruise port on June 16 for her first season in Australia. Coral Princess will operate itineraries from three to 12 days between June and August, with six short cruises from both Brisbane and Sydney, seven-day trips to Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach, and a new seven-day round cruise from Brisbane heading south to Eden, Sydney and Newcastle. The 2000-passenger ship will also offer a new 12-day voyage visiting the Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea. The ship will cross the Coral Sea to visit these remote islands, boasting turquoise waters, white sands and amazing sea life. Visit princesscruises.com
On tour
Aw shucks! oyster tour
In the calm waters of the Hawkesbury River, just north of Sydney, you can do an in-water oyster experience with Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, which is the first of its kind in New South Wales. Don waders and board the boat for a guided tour of the oyster farm with third-generation oyster farmers, learn to shuck an oyster, then stop for a white-tablecloth-in-water extravaganza tasting oysters plucked from the water in which they were grown. You can even BYO an alcoholic bevy to celebrate. Visit sydneyoystertours.com
Wines and wildlife
The Great Southern train will be back this summer with a new 10-night Southern Wines and Wildlife package. It includes the spectacular three nights onboard the Great Southern from Brisbane to Adelaide, with off-train tours in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley and regional Victoria, as well as five nights in Adelaide, tours in the Barossa, and a two-night tour of Kangaroo Island. Visit journeybeyondrail.com.au
Take Kevin Costner in your car
When you’re road tripping in the US, there is a cool new app called HearHere that uses geolocation technology to play stories about the cities, towns and landmarks nearby. There are more than 8900 stories voiced by some of our favourite voices, including Kevin Costner – who is co-founder of the business – John Lithgow and Phil Jackson. For a free trial, download HearHere on the App Store. For more info, visit HearHere.com
Hot hotels
Voco not loco
voco Melbourne Central opened late April in Lonsdale Street, with eye-candy laneways at ground level and bird’s-eye views of the city from way, way up above. The 252 rooms are elegantly styled and cleverly designed to take advantage of the city views outside. In a nod to voco Melbourne Central’s historic location as the home of the Cobb & Co stables, the restaurant has been aptly named Blacksmith Brasserie & Bar. Visit vocohotels.com/Melbourne
Soak up the view
Another new hotel opened in Melbourne in mid-May – the AC by Marriott Melbourne Southbank. This is the first AC by Marriott-branded hotel in Australia, joining 175 other properties worldwide. The rooftop infinity pool has wow factor, as do the views from Sorolla restaurant. Visit ac-hotels.marriott.com
