News from the world of travel
The AJN takes you around Australia and the world to see what’s new in travel.
Capturing the beauty of Antarctica
FOR photographer Kay Fochtmann, it was a dream come true to spend to spend months sailing on HX Hurtigruten Expeditions to Antarctica snapping the spectacular beauty of the landscape and wildlife. Fochtmann, 42, joined the team of scientists and expedition experts as the cruise photographer aboard HX’s battery-hybrid expedition ships.
“The Antarctic landscape itself is breath-taking. It feels truly otherworldly, and no photo can truly do it justice,” said Fochtmann.
“The human eye and mind are not used to seeing a desert of ice and icebergs the height of high-rises on a day-to-day basis, so we have no comparison. During my first voyage as an onboard photographer, I felt what many guests felt; gratitude to the point of tears. Everything was so unbelievably beautiful,” he said.
Among his favourite memories is photographing spectacular icebergs in Neko Harbour.
“When the light is right in Antarctica it offers a spectacular view to what lies underneath the water surface,” he said.
“The part of an iceberg above the water level is usually only 10 per cent of its complete size!”
Adding to the mix in Antarctica is a range of wildlife including Leopard Seals, Gentoo Penguins and Humpback Whales.
“It is a true paradise for wildlife photographers with many species that can only be observed in Antarctica.”
Enquiries: travelHX.com
The Reef House goes adults only
THE luxury colonial style property, The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa, overlooking the beach at Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland, has undergone a change in style with the wellness retreat being rebranded as The Reef House Adults Retreat.
Wayne Harris, who has been general manager at The Reef House for the past nine years, is overseeing the changes following feedback from guests including the move to adults only.
Last year the resort launched its Sleep Easy program to help guests improve the quality of their sleep. Following this comes the appointment in June of Sabine Christelli as director of sleep and rejuvenation.
Her role includes delivering weekly educational sessions and private consultations to guests seeking to optimise their sleep and wellbeing.
This follows The Reef House’s success at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards held in Darwin in March where the property won the title of the best five-star luxury accommodation in Australia.
The Reef House directors Malcolm Bean and David Horbelt said it was a great honour for the boutique hotel to win a national award.
Bean said: “The secret to our success is a new model for hotel business with a high staff to guest ratio that makes every guest feel like a VIP while they are on holiday.”
Horbelt added that The Reef House provided great value with more than 21 inclusions for guests including cocktail making classes, beachfront yoga, a pool butler serving sorbet by the pool and evening canapés and punch with the GM.
Enquiries: The Reef House
Million-dollar refurb at Uluru’s Longitude 131
LUXURY outback camp Longitude 131 at Uluru has undergone a $2.5 million makeover as part of an upgrade to cater for high-end experiential travellers from Australia and around the world .
The refurbishment comes as owner Baillie Lodges marked 10 years of operating Longitude 131, having taken over its management in November 2013.
The resort has 15 tented pavilions, each constructed on a solid base with luxury touches including air-conditioning, king-size bed, lounge chairs and floor-to ceiling windows looking out onto Uluru and the surrounding World Heritage listed Kata Tjuta National Park.
Longitude 131 was closed to guests during February to allow the refurbishment of all the tents, as well as the main Dune House – the resort’s relaxation area which includes the restaurant and open bar – that also overlooks Uluru.
Inside the tents are new joinery in Tasmanian Blackwood for the built-in Baillie bed, robe and in-suite bar, Tretford custom made floor rugs and stylish new Amelia tub leather chairs.
All meals are included in the tariff, along with a program of signature outback experiences.
Enquiries: longitude131.com.au
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