TravelOnline News

If you’ve visited our website recently, you will have noticed a few changes around the place. Apart from looking much nicer and sporting a contemporary new layout, the website is now much more user friendly, contains lots of updated and new information and best of all we’ve added a few new features.

Our brand new Destination Guide gives you the low down on all of our holiday destinations, from attractions, culture and weather to accommodation, tours and activities. Rather than having to search our pages for the information, simply select where you’re interested in travelling to and everything you need to know is right at your fingertips.

You can now also quote from everything you need for your holiday from the very first page of our website ensuring that the process is quick and easy if you know what you’re looking for. Just select your desired destination, accommodation and travel dates and our quote wizard will do the rest for you.

Another of the added benefits to the new site is the ability to compare Bali villas. As the villa accommodation capital, Bali offers a wide range of villa accommodation across the islands. With so many options, it’s important to make sure your villa accommodation is right for you. Some villa resorts enjoy superior facilities, specialise in honeymoons or do not permit children to stay. By introducing the ability to compare Bali villas, we’ve made choosing your accommodation easy.

These are just some of the user advantages to the site but there are plenty more hidden gems so why not visit the site and play around with the new features. You’ll be surprised how simple to navigate it is and you never know, you might just stumble across a deal that’s just too good to pass up!

The 7 day weather forecast for the Sunshine Coast is sunny with top temperatures of 20 degrees – everyday! Not too shabby for ‘winter’ weather I’d say! I guess it’s easy to see why it’s earned its name and these cheap Sunshine Coast holiday specials will have you enjoying the warm sunny weather in no time!

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has over 200 km of coastline and beaches, meaning much of the accommodation enjoys beachfront and water views. As such a popular holiday destination, the Sunshine Coast has hundreds of accommodation options ranging from luxurious resorts to holiday apartments, family friendly hotels and budget motels. From Noosa’s Main Beach and Hastings Street to Caloundra and Maroochydore, these cheap Sunshine Coast holiday specials have something for everyone.

You can even get package deals combining accommodation, flights, meals, tours, activities and more designed to save you money. Booking one of these cheap Sunshine Coast holiday specials also means you get loads of extras for the same price including free nights, free transfers, included breakfasts and more.

After spending the last 12 months slaving away, it’s only fair that you spend your tax return on a little something to spoil yourself and with these cheap Sunshine Coast holiday specials you can take some time out and still have some money left over!

The Hard Rock Hotel Bali has just undergone a refurbishment and revitalisation project over the last 8 months and we’re pleased to announce it is now fully complete! Just when you thought this iconic resort couldn’t get any better, everything is now all shiny and new for you to come and enjoy.

Located on the shores of Kuta Beach, Hard Rock Hotel Bali is renowned for its distinctive tribute to Rock ‘n’ Roll. Set right in the heart of Bali’s shopping and entertainment precinct, Hard Rock Hotel Bali pays homage to the last 40 years of Rock ‘n’ Roll with images, memorabilia and icons of rock.

There are 418 tribute rooms and suites in total that provide a fun and unique atmosphere. 6 individual accommodation wings make up the resort, each featuring their own distinct style. Choose from Rock ‘n’ Roll, Reggae, Blues, Psychedelic, Pop and Alternative depending on your taste. All rooms are appointed with comfortable and contemporary furnishings and the full range of amenities to complete your stay.

With facilities as unique and luxurious as the rooms themselves, staying at the Hard Rock Hotel Bali will make you feel like rock royalty. Enjoy Bali’s largest free form swimming pool, a sunken bar, kids club, spa and health centre, live entertainment, a main bar as well as Centrestage, the live rock venue and museum.

Live like a rock star on your next Bali holiday and choose Hard Rock Hotel Bali for all your Kuta accommodation needs.

On the West Coast of Phuket lays a secluded cove of lush gardens, pristine beaches and the crystal waters of the Andaman Sea. It is here you’ll find some of the most popular accommodation in Phuket, if not Thailand, Le Meridien Phuket Resort. Escape the bustle of daily life and indulge in the sheer luxury of this island paradise.

With a choice of over 400 rooms and suites, Le Meridien Phuket Resort blends charming and elegant traditional Thai architecture with influences from the natural landscape that surrounds it to create a pleasant harmony with the organic environment. Featuring their own private balcony, your accommodation affords priceless views over the tropical gardens, lagoon-style swimming pool and Andaman Sea.

With world class facilities, Le Meridien Phuket Resort is sure to keep you entertained with 2 lagoon-style swimming pools, 4 tennis courts, air conditioned squash courts, 10 restaurants and bars, a kids club and day spa – no coincidence that these two go together oh so well!

Ideally located, Le Meridien Phuket Resort is just minutes from some of the best that Phuket has to offer. Must see (and do) attractions include the vibrant restaurant and dining precinct of Patong, the 29 elaborate temples that are scattered throughout the island, hiking trails that lead through ancient limestone caverns and scuba diving in the brilliant waters of the Andaman Sea.

For a comfortable and convenient place to base yourself on your next Thailand holiday, you can’t go past Le Meridien Phuket Resort.

With a $3.4 M safety upgrade on the Captain Cook Highway announced, getting to Palm Cove has never been easier!

Nestled on Queensland’s north coast between Cairns and Port Douglas, Palm Cove is a relaxed coastal town and tourist hot spot comprising of 1.5 km of tropical beachfront, the majestic mountains of the Great Dividing Range and the cool calm waters of the Coral Sea.

Palm Cove accommodation is designed with style and comfort in mind within easy access of all the attractions that bring so many visitors to Palm Cove each year. Not far from the Great Barrier Reef, it’s also just a short drive to the Daintree Rainforest not to mention all the fantastic shopping at the fashion boutiques.

Often referred to as a ‘resort community’, Palm Cove accommodation offers guests all of the creature comforts in a casual beach environment as well as some luxury extras including day spas and private boat charters.

There are numerous golf courses as well as ATV quad biking tours, bushland horse riding tours, sky diving, scenic helicopter flights, 4WD rainforest tours and white water rafting on the Tully, Baron and Russell Rivers.

The area is also renowned for its fishing, especially from the Palm Cove jetty where tours for the Great Barrier Reef depart. From here you can also see Double Island, Haycock Island and Green Island on a clear day.

It doesn’t matter if you want to relax in the sun or experience a bit more adventure, Palm Cover has something for everyone.

In conjunction with Tourism Australia, two well-known French lifestyle bloggers visited Victoria in March. Seen as trend setters in France, they have already generated a fair bit of coverage with many positive comments from other French bloggers. Of course a trip to Victoria isn’t complete without visiting the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.

Known for its style and sophistication, Melbourne holidays allow you to experience the distinct bohemian vibe of the city. One of the major drawcards is the thriving underground scene that feeds the cultural hub Melbourne is famous for.

Melbourne’s signature is its glamorous events and huge range of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and wineries that host the chic clientele that frequent the area. Melbourne holidays are a lifestyle experience that offers plenty of photo opportunities to capture the beautiful old buildings and stunning modern architecture as well as the amazing shopping precincts and variety of galleries, shows and exhibitions.

Getting around on your Melbourne holiday is easy with its excellent public transport system and constant stream of trams which are a novelty to travel on for those unfamiliar with this mode of transport.

The city is a cultural melting pot of more than 90 cultures and has created a vast strip of cafes and restaurants. Italian, Greek, Asian, Middle Eastern, African and leading Australian chefs are just some of those providing an eclectic and delicious mix of cuisine.

Richmond’s Swan Street and Bridge Road are known as the ‘ritzy’ suburbs and are home to some of Australia’s finest young designers as well as trendy clothing outlets, nightclubs, bars and cafes. South Yarra and Toorak have a slightly more relaxed vibe with plenty of boutiques, jewellery stores, tailors and home ware outlets.

Fitzroy is the home of diverse restaurants along an avant-garde avenue, retro cafes and the thriving live music scene where many legends have been born.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), last year was a record year for outbound travel in Australia. Despite the unstable weather conditions throughout the world, this year is still shaping up well for international travel, especially with the strong Aussie dollar.

A great way to take advantage of this while staying comfortably close to home is to visit Vanuatu. Steeped in a rich, ancient history and with some of the most amazing natural beauty on Earth, Vanuatu is a magical island of volcanoes, underwater shipwrecks, ancient art and dance, cascading waterfalls and a myriad of hidden bays and beaches.

All Vanuatu accommodation is ideally positioned to make the most of the lush tropical islands, warm turquoise waters, friendly colourful culture and fantastic food. The resorts and hotels are scattered across the island with accommodation to suit all types of travellers and budgets. The facilities available at each hotel and resort vary as much as the island itself. Whatever your needs, you can enjoy access to day spas, fully equipped gyms and huge lagoon style pools. While some accommodation is aimed for the more budget conscious traveller, all accommodation is of a high standard and is a lovely place to retire for a peaceful night’s sleep after a day of adventure spent exploring the island.

Originally inhabited by people from Melanesia, Vanuatu was first settled by Europeans in the 19^th century. Called New Hebrides by the French and UK land claimants, it then became known as Vanuatu in 1980 during the island’s independence. Made up of 83 smaller islands, Vanuatu’s largest island is Espiritu Santo and it’s capital, Port Vila, is located on the island of Efate. Renowned for its non-threatening active volcanoes, the shoreline is characterised by rocky fringe reefs. Popular for its sub-tropical climate, Vanuatu experiences 9 months of hot weather followed by a few months of cooler, dry conditions.

As the rainy season draws to a close, we’re coming in to the ideal months to visit Bali so this week we have the spotlight on one of our recommended and very popular places to stay in Seminyak.

The Haven Seminyak, Bali is just a stone’s throw from the Bali’s famous surf beaches and the many cosmopolitan restaurants, bars, cafes and shopping precincts in the area, earning it a reputation as a chic ‘lifestyle’ resort.

There are 163 suites, villas and the renowned ‘Haven’ rooms, all featuring private balconies with views out over the lush gardens and beautifully landscaped pools.

The Haven Seminyak is a foodies heaven with the lounge and neighbouring library serving up tapas style snacks, heaps of breakfast options and a refreshing range of drinks. Sabeen Restaurant is also a popular choice for a fine dining experience with the talented culinary team cooking up a storm with freshest seasonal and organic ingredients.

With an onsite spa to pamper and refresh, The Haven Seminyak Bali is the ideal location to enjoy your next beach holiday.

Fiji is just one of those places that as soon as you hear the name you can’t help but imagine sun drenched white sandy beaches, crystal clear brilliant blue water, warm friendly locals and a lush green island oasis. That’s for good reason – as with little effort Fiji has become one of the most popular tourist destinations with Australians and indeed the world!

I guess life’s pretty easy if you’re a stunning island situated in some of the most serene waters in the ocean. Not much you have to go to get tourists and holiday makers flocking to see you except float along nicely with your fantastic year round weather. The locals are friendly because it’s hard to find something to stress about when you’re living in paradise and operating on island time means there’s always time to stop and offer visitors a smile and some help.

Fiji accommodation ranges to suit all types of visitors from the intrepid traveller, family vacation, romantic getaway or party safari. There are so many options to suit your needs and the areas of Fiji you wish to explore. The main accommodation areas include Denarau, Coral Coast, Suva, North Coast, Nadi, Pacific Harbour, Mamanuca Islands, Yasawa Islands, Vatulele Island, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu and the Lomaiviti Islands. Here you will find hotels, motels, resorts, apartments, suites and villas to be your home away from home in the South Pacific.

All resorts vary in star rating, size and facilities but all are high quality and close to all of your Fiji holiday needs. As with size, facilities and rating prices vary between resorts and room types but Fiji is known as an affordable holiday destination overall so whether you want to escape on a budget or splash out and completely spoil yourself, there’s Fiji accommodation to suit you.

Tourism Research Australia released figures this week showing that fewer Queenslanders holidayed at home in 2010. With all the terrible weather the state has copped this year, many people think that the state is still recovering and that some parts, particularly in northern Queensland are out of action. This is not so, in fact tourist trade is roaring to go and there are a number of tourism initiatives in place to try and get the industry back on track. One of these initiatives is the heavily discounted holiday packages that are being offered. There’s never been a better time to help support your state and take advantage of these cheap holidays!

Townsville holidays are a great way to see some of the state’s charming coastal towns and magnificent islands. With warm sunny weather year round, Townsville is a vibrant and family friendly holiday destination. It has loads of great natural attractions like The Strand, overlooked by spectacular Castle Hill it is North Queensland’s most impressive family playground. Stroll or skate along the wide promenade, take a dip in the rock pool or swim in the vast stretch of pristine beach.

Townsville is also home to some of Australia’s most beautiful islands. Magnetic Island has a reputation as a natural wonderland and it’s just a 20 minute ferry ride. Here you can swim, dive, snorkel, hike or hire a mountain bike to explore the many beaches and island sights. You’ll also love Magnetic Island’s beautiful Nelly Bay which features, for those who are so inclined, an unofficial nudist beach.