We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Tourism Australia UK Media Website. For all releases, newsletters, factsheets and the latest info on Australia visit www.media.australia.com

Luxurious house for private hire... Queensland Ala Moana is the latest five-star accommodation to open on Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands. Suspended over the Pacific Ocean, the private residence which opened in July 2009 has been designed around its Coral Sea views and each of Ala Moana�s five satellite bedrooms has a view of the Great Barrier Reef or the surrounding tropical gardens. A discrete personal host is on hand in the kitchen to prepare meals with fresh produce and seafood, while a skipper and Ala Moana�s private 48ft motor yacht are both at hand to take guests out to explore the rest of the Whitsundays. A day on the yacht can include everything from game fishing, snorkelling, picnics at the famous Whitehaven Beach, or champagne and canap�s while cruising the coastline. Ala Moana is available from A$5,000 per night (approx �2,500) for a five night stay. www.alamoana.com.au

Hot metal restaurant opens in Melbourne, Victoria Dining out in Australia�s cities is a way of life, and Melbourne�s newest restaurant has just opened its doors. Andrew McConnell�s latest venture is Cutler & Co. Located in a former metalwork factory, the restaurant is filled with offbeat architectural elements in which McConnell, one of Australia�s best chefs, serves a menu of tuna on toast (actually toast on tuna) and roast suckling pig that melts in the mouth. Dinner for two costs A$200 (approx �100). www.cutlerandco.com.au

Where�s hot in Sydney, NSW Ever on top of the trends, Australia�s cities boast fantastic and exciting nights out. theclub in Kings Cross is one of Sydney�s latest hot spots and the place to see and be seen. It�s owned by the same Julian Tobias who created Sshh, the hot spot for the cr�me de la cr�me of Sydney's social scene and first secret club. Spot young actors, fashion types and those who like to get in to trouble! In addition, a new nightclub has opened in Bondi that is so exclusive you literally need a key to get in. White Revolver is located beneath the Swiss-Grand Hotel and entry is through a secret wall panel via an art gallery fa�ade. By day, the space functions as an art gallery and caf�, but after 9pm it�s transformed into Bondi�s only late-night nightclub. theclubsydney.com / whiterevolver.com for further information... or not!

Llewellin�s Guest House � now open in Margaret River, WA Nestled amongst 8.5 acres of native bushland and surrounded by peppermint trees and wildlife, Llewellin�s is Margaret River�s newest luxury guesthouse. The resident chef specialises in Australian-style gourmet breakfasts and dinners that guests can enjoy in the beautifully appointed house containing a hint of Parisian flair. The house is perfect for relaxing in after a hard day touring the local award-winning wineries or surfing at the local beaches. Prices start from A$160 (approx �80) for a Verandah Room, A$170 (approx �85) for a Garden View Room and A$180 (approx �90) for a Spa Room. Rates are per room per night including a welcome drink, gourmet breakfast and a complimentary bottle of red or white wine. www.llewellinsguesthouse.com.au

World Solar Challenge � Darwin to Adelaide With entrants from across the world, this sun powered challenge is a sight to behold as cars powered only by solar light will compete in a road race like no other! Taking place from 18-25 October, the space age vehicles, which travel at various speeds on the sun's radiation and human's ingenuity alone, give people an appreciation of a cleaner, better future using solar energy. The route takes participants and viewing crowds from Darwin�s Stuart Highway, through the Red Centre, culminating in the South Australian city of Adelaide. www.wsc.org.au

Enjoy a Rendezvous in Port Douglas...and a $1 brekkie! Queensland Rendezvous Reef Resort in Port Douglas has recently undergone an A$8 million facelift, making it the newest resort in this coastal town. Nestled in lush tropical gardens, Rendezvous Reef Resort offers spacious private two storey villas - a house for the price of a room! The self-contained villas are one, two or three bedroom with access to three lagoon-style swimming pools, a lap pool, tennis courts, bbq areas and a gym. Guests can also enjoy a full hot breakfast for $1 (per person per day) when booking a two bedroom Deluxe Villa. Port Douglas is ideally located from which to explore the only place on earth where two World Heritage-listed areas meet - the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Rates from A$183 (approx �90) per night for a deluxe two bedroom villa www.rendezvoushotels.com.au/port_douglas

Art Scout Boutique Art Tours launched, South Australia Eileen Lubiana has launched Art Scout Art Tours to help art enthusiasts discover some of Adelaide's smaller galleries and to expose the city's local and vibrant arts scene. The 6.5 hour tour includes visits to six galleries and one artist's studio with the featured artist showing off some of his or her techniques and works. The package also includes morning tea, lunch with wine and hotel transfers. Art Scout also offers regular art classes for adults and children, providing demonstrations in various mediums and guidance for students' individual projects. www.artscout.com.au

The Hydro Tasmania Wildwater World Cup From 24 October to 7 November, Tasmania will become a water-base of fun and adrenaline as six extreme whitewater races take place. The races will feature some of the world's best whitewater paddlers as they tackle Tasmania's wild rivers (Mersey, Meander, Brady's, Ringarooma and Cataract) in this extreme sporting event. Up to 26 nations will compete in the Hydro Tasmania Wildwater World Cup 2009 and this is only the second time the Cup has been held in the southern hemisphere. www.wildwatertasmania.canoe.org.au

For more information about Australia visit www.australia.com

-ends-

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 / www.media.australia.com