'Tis the season for the Australian Society of Travel Writers' final lunches of 2017 in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, sponsored by Tourism New Zealand. Enjoy a New Zealand inspired lunch and discover the top 18 reasons to visit New Zealand in 2018. Book now to avoid missing your place at these sought-after events.

Tourism New Zealand will showcase the 'top 18 reasons to visit in 2018' – from glaciers on the West Coast of the South Island to luxury holiday escapes in Northland. Guests will enjoy a New Zealand inspired two-course lunch paired with quality wines from New Zealand Winegrowers. In Sydney, highly acclaimed Kiwi Chef Justin North will be plating up some of NZ's finest produce and sharing his top reasons to visit New Zealand. 

There will be live entertainment from New Zealand musician, Brendon Hui and the chance to win one of two amazing holidays in New Zealand.

Tourism New Zealand General Manager, Tony Saunders said the ASTW lunches are an invaluable way to engage and inspire  journalists and freelance writers who work with Tourism New Zealand every. 

“Australia is New Zealand's largest international tourism market, with nearly half of all international visitors coming from this market, and we're thrilled to be able to work with so many talented Australian journalists to tell New Zealand's story”.

New Zealand Winegrowers Manager, Natalie Corkery said “New Zealand's wineries and vineyards has become a huge draw card for visitors with 24% of international holiday makers now including it on their itinerary. We're looking forward to sharing a stunning line up of wines from across the country with the ASTW guests and bringing New Zealand to the glass.”

Event Details:

Brisbane: Monday, 4 December
Watt Restaurant & Bar
119 Lamington Street, New Farm  

Sydney: Wednesday, 6 December
Hotel Centennial
88 Oxford Street, Woollahra

Melbourne: Thursday, 7 December
Middletown Cafe 
229 High Street, Prahran

Time: 12:00pm-2:30pm

Cost: $40 per member
         $55 per guest (Melbourne and Brisbane lunches only)

Book by 20 November (subject to availability) at astw.org.au/events.

For the latest New Zealand story ideas, news, events, images and videos visit http://media.newzealand.com/en/

For more information about the ASTW, please visit our website or contact Secretariat Justine White on secretariat@astw.org.au

About the ASTW

The ASTW is a 300-strong group of travel writers, editors, radio and television broadcasters, bloggers, guide book authors and photographers (as well as travel industry public relations and marketing professionals) whose work appears regularly in major newspapers, magazines, airwaves and websites across Australia and the world. All ASTW members must satisfy strict criteria to join and are obligated to substantiate their membership annually by providing details of their published output or industry participation.