Tag: Australia
Fremantle WA’s favourite entertainment venue
October 14 (TravelAndy): Fremantle is WA’s favourite inner-city entertainment precinct, according to research commissioned by Tourism WA.
The Perth Entertainment Precincts report rates Perth CBD, Fremantle, Elizabeth Quay, Northbridge, Scarborough, Beaufort Street, Subiaco, Victoria Park and Leederville according to safety, vibrancy, range of venues and activities, and accessibility by public transport.The report also looks at why people visited these precincts, the types of venues they frequented, how often they travelled to these areas and who accompanied them.
Perth CBD was the most visited precinct while Subiaco was considered the safest. Northbridge was viewed as the most vibrant area and most people said they visited at night rather than during the day. Continue reading Fremantle WA’s favourite entertainment venue
Tourism boost funds for Monkey Mia
October 14 (TravelAndy): Monkey Mia in Western Australia will benefit from $40,000 in Federal Government funding to help develop world-class visitor facilities, experiences and tourism infrastructure.
The funding is a partnership between the Federal and State governments as part of the Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) program.
The program provides $43 million over four years to States and Territories for key infrastructure projects that will drive tourism growth. Western Australia received $5.063 million in funding over four years, managed by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia. Continue reading Tourism boost funds for Monkey Mia
Foreign tourists to Western Australia up by 8.8%
September 15 (TravelAndy): The latest International Visitor Survey (IVS), released by Tourism Research Australia, shows 965,900 people visited WA from overseas in the year ending June 2017 – an increase of 8.8 per cent on the previous year.
The report identified a rise in the leisure sector, with the number of international visitors holidaying in WA increasing by 14.4 per cent.
Strong growth was also seen in the education segment, increasing 16.1 per cent to 51,300 international visitors and a growth in spending of 34.3 per cent, to $698 million. However spend for business and the ‘other’ segment (which includes employment) dropped by 21.9 and 15.8 per cent respectively. Continue reading Foreign tourists to Western Australia up by 8.8%
Fly high at Australia’s ballooning championships
September 1 (TravelAndy): The 2017 National Ballooning Championships will ‘kick-off’ with a Community Festival in the Town of Northam tomorrow, incorporating a spectacular Balloon Night Glow and science demonstration workshops, including model balloons.
The National Ballooning Championships will be based at the Northam Airfield and consist of a number of competitive hot air balloon tasks, including five days of early morning and late afternoon competitive flights, providing the stunning spectacle of 25 to 30 colourful balloons taking to the air. Continue reading Fly high at Australia’s ballooning championships
Qantas switches on free in-flight Wi-Fi
April 14 (TravelAndy): Australian flagship carrier Qantas has switched on inflight Wi-Fi for customers travelling on board its internet-capable Boeing 737-800, offering fast, free connectivity on Australian domestic flights.
Following months of performance testing, Wi-Fi will now operate in beta mode on a single Boeing 737 aircraft, so customers can test it out for themselves on selected flights while Qantas continues to fine-tune the system.
Testing is expected to be complete by mid-year, and from there installation of the technology is expected to begin on Qantas’ domestic fleet of Airbus 330s and Boeing 737s. The roll-out across 80 aircraft will be completed at the end of 2018. Continue reading Qantas switches on free in-flight Wi-Fi
Australia travel advisory against India
November 3 (TravelAndy): Australia has recently issued a travel advisory against travelling to India, following a similar advisory issued by the US, on November 1.
“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India because of the high threat of terrorist activity, civil unrest and crime, and the high rate of vehicle accidents,” said the advisory.
“We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks in India, including in regions frequented by Westerners. We assess that attacks could occur anywhere at any time with little or no warning, including in locations frequented by Australians,” it added. Continue reading Australia travel advisory against India
Australia issues travel advisory against Bali
June 23 (TravelAndy): Australia has issued a latest travel advisory that urges its citizens to exercise caution before travelling to Indonesia’s Bali, which has recently been designated as a Zika prone area.
The government advisory says, “Indonesia is experiencing sporadic transmission of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. We advise all travellers to protect themselves from mosquito bites”.
“Given the possibility that Zika virus can cause severe malformations in unborn babies, and taking a very cautious approach, pregnant women should discuss any travel plans with the travel doctor and consider postponing travel to Indonesia,” added the advisory. Continue reading Australia issues travel advisory against Bali
Hong Kong-Gold Coast direct flights from Jan
August 1 (TravelAndy): Hong Kong Airlines will start direct flights between Hong Kong and Australia’s Gold Coast from January 8, 2016. This will mark the airline’s first Australian destination.
Thrice-a-week flights will operate on the Hong Kong-Gold Coast route on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The return flight, which will have a stopover at Cairns, will fly on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
“The route is designed to cater to the growing demand for tourism in Gold Coast and Cairns,” Li Dianchun, commercial director of Hong Kong Airlines, said. Continue reading Hong Kong-Gold Coast direct flights from Jan
How travel teaches you perspective
If you’re a regular reader, you would know that earlier this year, I went on a three-week road trip with a stranger in Western Australia.
Significantly, she was not just any stranger, but someone from different country. Kat is German, but had been staying in Australia for seven months when we met and immediately headed out on our trip.
It was funny how we saw the same things from very different perspectives.
Australia: Jetstar popularity growing
May 2 (TravelAndy): Low-cost airline Jetstar has been consistently attracting more passengers, reports quoting Qantas said.
Jetstar is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qantas, Australia’s flag carrier airline.
Till March, Jetstar’s domestic passengers went up by 5.3 per cent and Jetstar International’s by 2.4 per cent. During the same time, Qantas domestic services witnessed a decline of passenger boarding by 1.2 per cent; Qantas International by 0.9 per cent.
“The service levels that are being provided by the likes of Jetstar are not low cost,” News.com.au quoted Neil Hansford, an aviation expert, as saying.
Ten reasons to go to Western Australia
Western Australia amazed me, detoxed me and inspired me.
It is difficult to put into words the kind of experience this place has to offer. All I can say is, if you are thinking of going to Australia, think beyond the Gold Coast. And do consider the amazing west. It will blow your mind away.
Here are ten reasons to go to Western Australia. Continue reading Ten reasons to go to Western Australia
Ten pictures to inspire you to visit Western Australia
Western Australia floored me with its beauty and here are ten pictures that I hope will inspire you to consider planning to trip to this awesome place.
The incredible landscapes, the animals and the lack of humanity detoxes you and makes you one with nature. Continue reading Ten pictures to inspire you to visit Western Australia