Travel agenda: Australia

Blue mountains, Leeuwin Winery, Phillip Island's birds, Ashes app and Melbourne's Artwalk

Friday 20 September 2013 13:30 BST
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Mountain high

The Hydro Majestic is a heritage-listed hotel that extends over more than a kilometre across the Blue Mountains, pictured, of New South Wales. Known for its idiosyncratic blend of architectural styles and for serving as a spa hotel in the 19th century, it's currently undergoing a renovation. The first wave will be finished early next year, following cosmetic work to the building's historic areas, with 140 guestrooms to follow (hydromajestic.com.au).

Show time

If this Australia special whets your appetite, consider a trip to the TNT Travel Show next Saturday. The free event sees tour operators gather to provide advice on the Antipodes (bit.ly/TNTFree).

Vine time

Heston Blumenthal and Rick Stein headline the Margaret River Gourmet Escape at the Leeuwin Winery from 22-24 November. Fringe events include farm-to-table feasts and beach BBQs (gourmetescape.com.au).

Gourmet getaway

Rich Keam from Brighton beat 90,000 applicants to become Western Australia's Taste Master this year. He will blog about bars, restaurants and wineries at TasteWesternAustralia.com

Wing it

Phillip Island, home to more than 200 bird species, has started a day-long tour led by expert rangers A$200/£125 (penguins.org.au).

Appy travel

The free "Go Ashes" app gives cricket fans heading Down Under for the new series ideas of things to do in each host city, with match news, stats and live scores (bit.ly/AshesApp).

Culture show

Melbourne's Artwalk initiative connects the city's creative institutions with guided jaunts through colourful districts. You can join a weekly tour from Wednesday to Sunday, or check the website for details of the next Night Walk, which takes in private gallery viewings after dark (artwalkmelbourne.com).

2,375

The length, in kilometres, of the Murray River. On 29 November or 6 December, you can take a week-long cruise along the waterway aboard the Murray Princess, a luxury paddle-steamer. It costs A$1,799/£1,124pp (captaincook.com.au).

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