New Queensland Tourism December 2014

Wrap up the jolly season with a stocking full of new tourism products including baby nemos and dolphins, new skydiving tours and scenic flights, a wine tasting tour and a new heritage-listed Visitor Information Centre in Brisbane. 2014 was traveltastic and we wish everyone safe travels through to 2015.

Baby 'nemos' hatch on Daydream Island

Six pairs of clownfish living the dream in the Nemoville Lagoon at Daydream Island's iconic Living Reef have released their first batch of eggs just in time for Christmas kids to discover the colourful marine life of the Whitsundays. Clownfish are monogamous – choosing one partner for life – and the new babies will join more than 140 species of colourful marine fish, 82 species of coral and 15 species of invertebrates that call Daydream Island Resort and Spa's Living reef home.
Further information:
W: www.daydreamisland.com

Tangalooma welcomes a new baby dolphin

A 10-year-old female dolphin called Silhouette has produced the first fourth-generation calf to be born into the Tangalooma Island wild dolphin family. The healthy baby dolphin joins a family of 10 that comes to the popular Brisbane bayside resort for nightly feeds. To celebrate the occasion Tangalooma Island Resort has launched a competition to name the new dolphin; jump on their website for a chance to name the new dolphin and win prizes. Competition closes December 11, 2014.
Further information:
W: www.tangalooma.com

Yeppoon jumping with skydiving tourists

Adrenalin junkies will be able to freefall fast and then waft slowly before landing on the long, white beaches of Yeppoon thanks to the recent launch of Skydive Capricorn. Each jump includes a 30 minute safety briefing, a 15-minute flight and - once the plane reaches a choice of 10,000 or 12,000 ft – a tandem jump with expert instructors. With perfect conditions almost all year round, skydivers who keep their eyes open will revel in views of the Keppel Bay Islands and the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

$4 million luxury chopper for Cairns

Nautilus Aviation located in Cairns has expanded its fleet of helicopters following the addition of a new custom-built Airbus EC130T2, which offers passengers a luxurious scenic tour experience. The $4,000,000 French-built helicopter, the first of its kind in Queensland and one of only four in Australia, took seven months to build and is considered the “Rolls Royce” of the flying industry. The state-of-the-art aircraft will provide the quietest, coolest and smoothest flight over the Great Barrier Reef and beyond.
Further information: The new airbus can accommodate six passengers plus the pilot. Scenic flights start from $386 per person
W: www.nautilusaviation.com.au

Largest apartment hotel opens in Rockhampton

Opening on December 22, Empire Apartment Hotel is Rockhampton's newest and largest apartment hotel located on a riverfront site in the Cultural Hub of Rockhampton. Empire's 120 sophisticated guest rooms – includes studio hotel rooms, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments – and offers a panoramic view of the CBD and Fitzroy Riverfront Precinct. Guests have a choice of three restaurants overlooking the riverfront, including indoor or alfresco dining at Pacino's Italian Restaurant, Ribs & Rumps and The Coffee Club.
Further information: One-bedroom apartments start from $225.00 per night.
W: http://empirerockhampton.com.au/

New Japanese restaurant at Jupiters

Jupiters Hotel & Casino will open its doors to Kiyomi, a 120-seat Japanese restaurant and bar designed by Luchetti Krelle, the team behind Fat Noodle in Brisbane and Momofuku Seiobo in Sydney's Star Casino. The new venue features a nine-metre long sushi bar serving Japanese whiskey and shochu cocktails and will serve a modern Japanese menu created by internationally recognised Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima of Nobu fame. The restaurant is part of the first phase of the $345 million transformation of the Jupiters Hotel & Casino.
Further information:
W: www.jupitersgoldcoast.com.au

Wine tasting with a Tamborine view

One for foodies, vino lovers, or anyone who loves a good day out with friends, Tash Maree Travel has launched a Deluxe Wine Tasting Tour in the scenic Mt Tamborine. The tour, which includes door-to-door pick-up and drop-off service, a gourmet two-course meal and tasting platters visits a world-renowned distillery, three wineries and Mt Tambourine Brewery & Cheese Factory – and all with a glass of drink in hand.
Further information: The Deluxe Wine Tasting Tour is $120 per person and starts from 10 am and ends at 5pm.
W: www.tashmareetravel.com

Heritage-listed Visitor Information Centre for Brisbane

Brisbane's iconic 85-year old heritage-listed picture-perfect palace, The Regent, re-opens its doors to the public as it becomes the new home of the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre. Located in the Queen Street mall, The Regent is a much-loved historic icon of Brisbane seeping in classic 1920s architecture. Furnished with swanky new technology and a wealth of tourist information this new centre is a one-stop centre for all visitors in Brisbane.
Further information:
W: www.visitbrisbane.com.au