A room with a Sydney view � The Diamant Penthouse Suite, NSW The Diamant Hotel Sydney, located in the heart of the Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Potts Point triangle, unveiled its magnificent Penthouse Suite last month (July). Overlooking the city�s skyline and harbour, the Penthouse comes with balconies offering panoramic views, a stunning gourmet kitchen and dining-living space, master bedroom complete with walk in wardrobe, powder room, exquisite ensuite with spa bath and two guest rooms each featuring private bathrooms. The new opening tops off the contemporary boutique hotel�s rock-star style and exclusive luxury living option. The Penthouse also comes with a butler service on request... as is the price. www.diamant.com.au (Price on request)

New - McLaren Vale Studios, South Australia Six new self-contained cottages are now available in the heart of McLaren Vale. McLaren Vale Studios are each �sponsored� by a distinguished local winery which provides guests with a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival; so check into The Syn Apartment courtesy of Leconfield Wines, or The Laughing Magpie by d�Arenberg. Each apartment boasts luxury spa bathrooms and fully functional kitchen, as well as outside decks with barbecues, the perfect place to enjoy an Aussie barby. The studios each sleep up to six guests and cost from A$215 per apartment per night (approx �100). www.mvsa.com.au

Melbourne announced as Qatar Airways� first Australian destination, Victoria Melbourne has been announced as Qatar Airways� first destination in Australia. Flights to Melbourne will launch on 6 December 2009. The airline will begin operating three flights per week from its hub in Doha, which will become daily early in 2010. The new route will connect travellers from the UK to Australia with a one-stop service and a planned one-hour connection time in Doha. Melbourne is already enjoying an increased international airline capacity over the last few months: Etihad Airways started serving the city in March; Emirates added a third daily flight in February and Air Asia X began flying to Melbourne at the end of 2008. www.qatarairways.com

The MONA Pavilions to open, Tasmania Due to open on 1 November 2009, the new MONA Pavilions are located on the edge of the Derwent River, just 15 minutes� drive from Hobart, on the edge of the Moorilla vineyard. The pavilions share their name with the A$150 million MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) - Australia�s largest private museum - which will open on the Moorilla Estate in late 2010. The four new pavilions have been created by one of Australia�s most innovative architects Fender Katsalidis and consist of three translucent glass and steel cubes that appear suspended on their apex, while the fourth pavilion is a diamond-shaped three-storey building enclosed in silver metallic. Guests can choose from one- or two-bedrooms and each self-contained pavilion is completely private, with access to an enclosed, heated lap-pool, sauna and gymnasium. Owner, David Walsh, has chosen works from his private collection for each pavilion. Guests will also have access to their choice of online imagery streamed from the MONA collection once the Museum opens. Guests will find their in-room Moorilla wine collection stored in two-temperature zone wine cellars, as well as a 24 hour personal butler to open them. Rates from A$450 to A$1,000 per night (approx �225 - �500). www.moorilla.com.au

ARIA to open in Brisbane, Queensland The new buzz in Brisbane is all about the long awaited opening of Aria Brisbane which takes place this week on 17 August. Located at the old Pier Nine Site Matt Moran has announced the opening of ARIA Restaurant in Brisbane on Monday 17 August 2009. The restaurant boasts stunning views of the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge, and will incorporate the freshest Australian produce. Matt Moran has already had acclaim for his Sydney Aria venture and will transfer signature dishes, such as Peking duck consomm� with duck dumplings, shaved abalone and mushrooms, as well as including seasonal local produce from some of the great Queensland suppliers and a range of over 400 wines showcasing many of the great Australian wine styles and some locally produced wines from the emerging wine district, the Granite Belt region of Queensland. www.ariarestaurant.com

Enjoy �roos in your backyard at the new Alice Station B&B, Northern Territory Some Australians really do have kangaroos in their backyard, and at Alice Station B&B visitors can experience just that. The newly opened Alice Station B&B is located in the heart of Alice Springs, and offers small, personalised accommodation so visitors can really appreciate the Aussie welcome. Surrounded by stunning rocky outcrops, the gardens are a haven for wildlife, including wild kangaroos and native birds, after which the rooms are names. The property is constructed from recycled Ghan railway sleepers, giving the property a stylish and outback feel, and is the perfect place from which to explore the Red Centre. Rates from A$190 (approx �100) for a double room based on two people sharing with breakfast included. www.alicestation.com

Sydney International Food Festival to take place, NSW Sixteen of the world's best chefs will be congregating in Sydney in October for the �World Chef Showcase� weekend, part of the inaugural Sydney International Food Festival (SIFF). Sebastien Bras from world number seven and three-michelin starred restaurant Bras in France and Michel Bras Toya in Japan, plus former El Bulli chef Sergi Arola from Gastro in Spain, will cook, taste and discuss the world of food. Ranier Becker from Zuma in London, Istanbul, Hong Kong and Dubai will also be in town. The theme of the Festival is Asian flavours and will also involve a number of local chefs such as Neil Perry, Kylie Kwong and Brent Savage. Previously known as the Good Food Month, the new SIFF will include dinners, cooking classes and the popular Night Noodle markets. www.siff.com.au

Bed Boom Broome, Western Australia A$100million worth of new properties have recently opened in Broome in response to the town�s rising popularity. In April 2009, Pinctada Cable Beach became the first new luxury hotel resort in Broome for nearly 20 years. Designed in the style of a historic pearler residence, it offers five-star accommodation on the edge of the famous Cable Beach. In May, Amsara opened its doors � a luxury retreat and two private apartments overlooking Cable Beach with stunning views over the Indian Ocean. The property offers an exclusive eco-friendly retreat accommodating no more than six guests at any one time. Minimum two night stay costs A$2,400 (approx �1,200) for two sharing including airport transfers, accommodation and all meals. And last but not least, Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat, set on the stunning and untouched coastline in the Kimberley, opened in July. The retreat offers guests a perfect combination of beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort; guests can choose from self-sustaining eco villas or luxurious safari style eco tents for a glamorous wilderness experience. Prices range from A$185 (approx �90) for a garden view eco tent to A$750 (approx �340) for an ocean front eco villa per night; both based on two sharing. www.pinctadacablebeach.com.au / www.amsara.com.au / www.ecobeach.com.au

For more information about Australia visit www.australia.com

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For further press information/images please contact the Tourism Australia PR team: Sarah Barnett, Andy Parkinson, Annabel Handley or Emma Humphreys Press line: 020 7438 4659 Email: sbarnett@tourism.australia.com