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Last minute luxury - Australia & New Zealand

HAYMAN
Great Barrier Reef, Qld
The vibe The big blue.
The deal Sitting pretty in the Coral Sea, this privately owned island is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. This year its Festive Escape includes twin-share accommodation with a daily buffet breakfast and use of the extensive leisure and sporting facilities, from the gym and tennis courts to catamarans and paddleskis. There’ll be Christmas carols by candlelight on the beach and a Christmas Day service, and for New Year’s a Roaring 40s Midnight Swing party culminating in a fireworks spectacular.
Cost $425 per person per night twin share, based on a minimum two-night stay. Book a third night and receive a $150 dining voucher per person twin share.
1800 075 175, www.hayman.com.au

GREAT OCEAN WALK
Melbourne, Vic
The vibe Fresh air and fun.
The deal You’ll have plenty of excuses for a second serving of Christmas pud with the knowledge you’ll be burning it off on this three- or four-day walk. Lace up your walking boots at Apollo Bay, climb the 106 stairs to the Cape Otway Lightstation and put your face into the wind at Ryan’s Den. You only have to carry a day-pack on this luxury guided walk that takes in Bothfeet’s brand-new, exclusive, eco-friendly walking lodge. The four-day trek kicks off on 27 December and the three-day on 28 December.
Cost From $1395 for three days.
1300 767 416, bothfeet.com.au

ORPHEUS ISLAND
Great Barrier Reef, Qld
The vibe Paradise found.
The deal Functioning like a little black book of travel secrets, Outback Encounter custom designs trips to many off-the-beaten-track destinations. The company is offering a five-night package for Gourmet readers at the coral-fringed Orpheus Island; including accommodation and free return seaplane flights to Townsville, and all meals including a seven-course degustation dinner in the evenings.
Cost $3625 per person.
Reader offer For the rate above, quote the package code ‘AGT FFF’ when booking your trip.
(08) 8354 4405, outbackencounter.com

PAIHIA BEACH RESORT & SPA
Bay of Islands, NZ
The vibe Bright and breezy.
The deal Just across from the stunning Bay of Islands in the North Island, Paihia Beach Resort & Spa reopened in September after a multimillion-dollar refurb that’s all whites, creams and timber. Book into a Deluxe Studio and receive a complimentary four-course tasting menu at Pure Tastes restaurant, a cooked breakfast each day and steam or sauna session, plus a 10 per cent discount at the resort’s award-winning La Spa Naturale.
Cost $473 per couple per room per night.
Reader offer Pay for four nights, get the fifth night free.
+64 9 402 0111, paihiabeach.co.nz

MERRINDIE MOUNTAIN RETREAT
High country, Vic
The vibe Man from Snowy River.
The deal Four-wheel drive tours, gourmet hamper lunches and a horse ride into the high country are all inclusive in this three-day/two-night mountain retreat package. The lodge itself rests at 800 metres on the ranges, making for stunning views of the rolling hills. The package for Gourmet readers with Merrindie Mountain Retreat and Watson’s Mountain Country Trail Rides can be booked through Outback Encounters. All meals and selected beverages, Melbourne transfers and a complimentary massage are included.
Cost $9185 for two people or $13,330 for four people.
Reader offer For the special deal, quote the package code ‘AGT MMR’ when booking. (08) 8354 4405, outbackencounter.com

ALTITUDEONE40
Mission Beach, Qld
The vibe Coastal cool.
The deal The name comes from this property’s position 140 metres above sea level, from where you can watch whales travel past in the winter months. In summer you’ll have to settle for the extensive natural rainforest, a view to Dunk Island and the Great Barrier Reef. Try a guided rainforest walk, swim in the 18-metre lap pool or just relax in your open-plan room with views to Mission Beach.
Cost Rent the house for $600 per night for two, with each additional room $100 per night (up to a maximum of eight people). Pay for three nights, get the fourth for free.
Reader offer A free continental breakfast on the first day, including yoghurt and cheese from local producers.
(07) 4068 7777, altitudeone40.com.au

STAFFORD VILLA
Auckland, NZ
The vibe English eccentricity.
The deal Auckland’s Birkenhead Point is a green oasis of harbour walks, gardens, boutiques, antiques and heritage buildings, of which Stafford Villa is one. It’s a place of rose gardens, Persian carpets and colonial cane furniture. You’ll get afternoon tea on arrival, breakfasts, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, one gourmet dinner picnic hamper with a bottle of wine and two complimentary tickets to the New Zealand National Maritime Museum. Don’t forget to pick from the pillow menu – there are six different kinds to choose from.
Cost $390 per couple per room per night.
Reader offer Pay for four nights, get the fifth night free.
+64 9 418 3022, staffordvilla.co.nz

THE ISLINGTON & THE PRIORY COUNTRY LODGE
Tasmania
The vibe To the manor born.
The deal These sister properties are owned by the Van Diemen Hotel Group and both have the sensibility of an English country guesthouse. In this deal, you’ll get to try both. Take a helicopter for a grand aerial tour of Hobart and have lunch at a local winery followed by a beauty treatment at the Islington. Included in the cost are private transfers and a tour of the Nant Whiskey Distillery.
Cost $5500 per couple.
Reader offer Pay for four nights and get the fifth for free.
thepriorycountrylodge.com.au; islingtonhotel.com

PALAZZO VERSACE
Gold Coast, Qld
The vibe Glitz and glam.
The deal To almost nowhere is Donatella Versace’s flamboyant style better suited than the Gold Coast. Immerse yourself in the extensive and ornate Salus per Aquum spa, embark on a private yacht or seaplane charter, head offshore for some deep-sea fishing or explore the hinterland, aka ‘the green behind the gold’. Valid Sunday to Thursday until 25 December, the hotel is offering a special nightly rate including buffet breakfast for two.
Cost $385 per room per night.
Reader offer Special rate, as above.
1800 098 000, reservations@palazzoversace.com

SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE
Kangaroo Island, SA
The vibe Salty air, sweeping vistas.
The deal Atop a secluded cliff on a rugged stretch of Kangaroo Island coast, this luxury lodge is offering a special rate after 3 January, including all meals, beverages and guided experiences. Its 21 suites, complete with sunken lounges, polished and contemporary bespoke furnishings in creams, donkey-greys and white, afford mesmerising views of the Southern Ocean. The package includes a complimentary night upgraded to a deluxe suite (stay four, pay for three), $100 Southern Spa voucher and a bottle of Bollinger on arrival.
Cost From $2700 for four nights, twin share, in a Flinders Suite, with an upgrade to an Ocean Retreat.
(02) 9918 4355, southernoceanlodge.com.au

MILLBROOK RESORT
Queenstown, NZ
The vibe Ready for action.
The deal In the foothills of the Remarkables just outside historic Arrowtown, Millbrook is a magnet for golf enthusiasts, with an 18-hole championship course and golf school. There’s a focus on fitness here: tennis courts, mountain bikes, personal training and a fully equipped gym with classes. Fuel your activities at one of four dining venues and iron out aching muscles in the day spa. Book into a Village Inn room for two nights to receive the special deal below.
Cost $995 per package for two.
Reader offer Two nights in a Village Inn room, full buffet breakfast for two, three-course meal for two, a bottle of bubbly and chocolates on arrival, a one-hour Aroma Luxe Massage plus pre-steam for two.
+64 3 441 7000, millbrook.co.nz

CRADLE MOUNTAIN LODGE
Tasmania
The vibe Into the wild.
The deal Head into this World Heritage-listed national park, just two hours’ drive from Launceston. Well-appointed timber cabins, open fires and spa facilities are also part of the scenery – when you’re not walking the trails, fly-fishing or exploring the landscape on horseback. Book three nights or more in a Pencil Pine Cabin with a buffet breakfast to save 15 per cent.
Cost From $366 per person twin share.
cradlemountainlodge.com.au/3-night-package

SILKY OAKS LODGE
Daintree, Qld
The vibe River and rainforest.
The deal Sit among the treetops and spoon cream and jam onto fresh scones. Fifty treehouses and riverhouses offer wide verandas and spa baths, and the ideal base for exploring the Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation. Book a minimum three-night stay in a treehouse room for 50 per cent off the nightly rate. Includes a full buffet breakfast and courtesy scheduled transfers from Port Douglas.
Cost From $149 per person per night twin-share.
voyages.com.au/silky

THE LANGHAM
Melbourne, Vic
The vibe Five-star city.
The deal It’s the exclusive address that will have you angling for this three-night deal at The Langham. With its expansive views of the Yarra River and the city skyline, you’ll be able to map your route to the iconic Federation Square and the Arts Centre from your room.
Cost $495 per person per night for a three-night package (mention Gourmet).
Reader offer Complimentary breakfast and evening drinks in the club lounge, a free 30-minute massage and a special rate for a three-night package (see above).
langhamhotelmelbourne.com.au

BURRAWANG WEST STATION
Central NSW
The vibe Australia, the movie.
The deal Make like Nicole Kidman in her latest role at this fully operational sheep stud and cattle station. Despite the outback activities on offer, including whip-cracking lessons and yarn spinning, you certainly won’t be roughing it in these luxurious lodgings.
Cost $880 per person per night includes all meals, beverages (including alcohol), on-site retreat and station-based activities, and ground transfers to and from Parkes airport.
Reader offer A Burrawang gift pack of locally made olive oil products and two bottles of wine from the Orange region.
(02) 6897 5277, burrawangwest.com.au

LAKE HOUSE
Daylesford, Vic
The vibe Ladylike on the lake.
The deal Head to the elegant Lake House for a refined retreat that also encompasses high-end dining and the award-winning Salus Spa. A three-night package including breakfast, Christmas dinner and one additional dinner in the award-winning restaurant is on offer, as well as a three-night New Year’s deal including accommodation, breakfast daily, an à la carte dinner and a degustation dinner with matched wines on the eve of ‘09.
Cost $774 for the Christmas package and $842 for the New Year’s deal, per person.
(03) 5348 3329, lakehouse.com.au

THE LODGE AT TARRALEAH
Tasmania
The vibe Highland life.
The deal The Art Deco lodge was built in the 1930s to house the cream of Tassie’s hydroelectricity engineers and was fully refurbished in 2006. Soak in the clifftop hot tub or make friends with the highland cattle on a long walk through the property. Try your hand at golf or fly-fishing at what is ranked one of the world’s top destinations for the sport. Private balconies and spa baths, Molton Brown toiletries, soft mohair throws and custom-made king-size beds.
Cost $395 per person per night, or $6950 for a whole-house booking, for up to 18 guests (mention Gourmet). The price includes a private chef, butler and wildlife guide.
Reader offer A picnic hamper for two, including a bottle of bubbly, with any two-night booking.
tarraleahlodge.com

TIRITIRI LODGE
Wanaka, NZ
The vibe Views of Middle Earth.
The deal On the eastern shore of Lake Wanaka, an hour’s drive from Queenstown,Tiritiri encompasses five rooms and one suite, all with spectacular panoramas of the surrounding alpine scenery. It’s stone-fruit season, so pick your own cherries and apricots and then learn how to make raspberry shortcake with chef Tiffany Firth, formerly of Sydney’s Bills 2. A special package includes three nights in a deluxe king room, a full cooked breakfast and pre-dinner drinks and appetisers. Book for the three nights and receive a complimentary three-course dinner plus wines.
Cost $1665 per person for three nights.
+64 3 443 2433, tiritirilodge.com

THE PENINSULA
Tasmania
The vibe Splendid isolation.
The deal This 1900s property has been fully renovated along luxe modern lines to provide an exclusive, secluded retreat for up to three couples. Set on 250 acres at Esperance Point, home to a host of wildlife including bandicoots, wallabies, echidnas, wombats and the endangered Tassie devil. When you’re not out spotting one of 70 local bird species, turn your eye to the restaurant’s 300 cellared wines and 200 malt whiskies.
Cost $1215 package for two nights.
Reader offer Pay for four nights and get the fifth for free. Package for two for two nights includes accommodation and exclusive use of house, handmade chocolates, a bottle of bubbly and breakfast.
peninsulatas.com

KIRKETON & DIAMANT HOTELS
Sydney, NSW
The vibe Hip hotel.
The deal Two little gems owned by Eight Hotels Australia, the Kirketon and the Diamant are set in the fashionable centres of Darlinghurst and Potts Point, respectively. After its grand refurbishment, which ousted minimalism in favour of something reminiscent of a Parisian boutique hotel, the 40-room Kirketon re-opened in September. At the more contemporary Diamant, meanwhile, you can get a room with a view and watch the Harbour City sparkle below.
Cost $510 for three nights at the Kirketon and $750 for three nights at the Diamant (mention Gourmet).
Reader offer Free bottle of bubbly on arrival and free internet access throughout your stay.
(02) 9295 8800, eighthotels.com

FIORDLAND LODGE
Te Anau, NZ
The vibe Natural wonder.
The deal The jaw-dropping scenery around Fiordland Lodge includes the magnificent Milford Sound, as well as the lesser-known Doubtful Sound and the expansive Fiordland National Park. High ceilings, full trunk pillars and a massive riverstone fireplace make for the perfect roost from which to observe the surrounding natural beauty. Three nights accommodation for two people includes dinner and breakfast, and two-day tours to Milford and Doubtful Sounds with a picnic lunch provided.
Cost Executive Suite $3500, Lodge Room $3000, Log Cabin $2400, all based on a three-night stay, twin share.
Reader offer Complimentary bottle of Central Otago pinot noir.
fiordlandlodge.co.nz

THE BYRON AT BYRON RESORT AND SPA
Byron Bay, NSW
The vibe Oasis of calm.
The deal Start the day with yoga on the beach and end it overlooking the rainforest and dining on fresh local produce from nearby farmers’ markets. Set deep amid the trees just moments from Tallows Beach, The Byron comprises 92 suites but is renowned for its warm welcome. Each suite contains a kitchen, two enclosed balconies and free-standing baths.
Cost From $360 per Superior Suite per night (15-23 December); from $500 per Superior Suite per night (24 December to 12 January).
Reader offer One bottle of chilled Australian sparkling and one box of Wildbite Byron Bay cookies per room booking.
(02) 6639 2000, thebyronatbyron.com.au

EDITED BY EMMA VENTURA ADDITIONAL REPORTING KATE GIBBS

This article appeared in the December 2008 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.