Tourism Australia�s newsletter contains information about what�s new, different or of interest Down Under this month. Here is the newsletter for December 08.

Australia is coming Baz Luhrmann�s epic film Australia premieres in London this week (Wednesday 10th) and will open in UK cinemas on Boxing Day. This eagerly anticipated movie tells the story of an English aristocrat (played by Nicole Kidman), who travels to Australia where she meets a rough-hewn local (Hugh Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she has inherited. Together they embark on a transforming journey across the outback, only to face the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese forces in World War II. Shot on location in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, the epic showcases the stunning beauty of the country and the adventure and romance the characters experiences there. Tourism Australia PR Team: 020 7438 4659. www.australia.com

New rainforest walk, Queensland After fifteen years in the planning, Queensland�s new Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway opened in August. Ma:Mu is set in the lush World Heritage-listed rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, the lesser known but no less impressive sister park to the Daintree National Park. Visitors can now enjoy rainforest plants and animals, from the forest floor right up to the canopy, as well as sweeping vistas over the North Johnstone River gorge and beyond to rainforest-clad mountains, from a 40m-long cantilever and a 30m-high observation tower. The entire area has cultural significance for the Mamu and the walkway was constructed in partnership with the indigenous people. www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=264

Island with a view, Sydney, New South Wales Cockatoo Island, a Heritage-listed island in the middle of Sydney Harbour, has recently opened a waterfront campsite with spectacular views. Just 10 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay, visitors can bring their own camping gear or rent a full set of camping equipment for the night. Barbecues onsite allow visitors to cook their own food or use a barbecue hamper from the Muster Station Caf�, which also caters meals from breakfast to dinner. Visitors can hire a kayak, explore the island�s maritime and convict history with a new self-guided audio tour and enjoy views of Sydney Harbour Bridge. www.cockatooisland.gov.au

The Summer House in Winter, South Australia Recently completed in June 2008, The Summer House offers premium holiday accommodation. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, The Summer House is a great getaway for friends or family. Located in Port Elliot, South Australia, it�s the perfect place to relax and explore the local area by bike. The bike trail between Goolwa and Victor Harbor takes in all the best vantage points of the stunning coastline and visitors can easily cool off with a dip in the sea from one of the nearby beaches. A weekend rate for two costs A$137.50 (approx �60) per person. www.pebe.com.au

Kimberley cruise ship launches photographic workshop, Western Australia North Star Cruises Australia has launched the Kimberley Photographic Workshop with renowned photographer Christian Fletcher on board the True North cruise next year. The Kimberley Wilderness Cruise departs Broome on 29 August 2009, and will provide guests with exclusive photographic advice and tutorials. Fletcher said the Kimberley Photographic Workshop would be a great opportunity for anyone interested in photography to learn how to capture this vast landscape on camera. The cruise offers a �split cruise� format meaning guests can embark in Broome and remain onboard for the entire two week cruise disembarking in Wyndham, or embark/disembark mid-cruise in the Hunter River taking advantage of light aircraft/helicopter transfers from/to Kununurra (included). Prices start from $9,495 (approx �4,200) per person all inclusive. www.northstarcruises.com.au

Bothfeet open walking lodge on Great Ocean Road, Victoria The tour operator, bothfeet, offers a variety of Advanced Eco certified walking programmes, including the Great Ocean Walk. Founders, Dana and Gavin Ronan, have just opened a purpose-built walking lodge by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. The walking lodge is for the exclusive use of bothfeet clients and combines state of the art architecture and best practice sustainable design. Located about a kilometre from the coast in a serene, rainforest setting on ten acres, the lodge makes a perfect retreat for guests to relax after a day of hiking. The experience is enhanced by the fine regional food and wine on offer. Bothfeet produces lunches and snacks for walkers and, in the evenings, a local chef creates modern Australian dishes, accompanied by Victorian wine. www.bothfeet.com.au

Nude Food, Queensland Queensland's wine capital, the Granite Belt, has recently launched the Granite Belt Nude Food Trail. The trail map shows visitors how to find 20 local producers and highlights fresh produce, local meats, savoury staples, sweet moments and events, as well as a list of what produce is being harvested during spring, summer, autumn and winter. Keen foodies will love the 'wild things' and hunt out wild asparagus and wild fennel, saffron and truffles. www.nudefood.com.au

New look Quamby Homestead opens, Tasmania The new look Quamby homestead lodge, nearby to Launceston, opened its first rooms in the first week of October 08. Built in the 1830s, Quamby is owned by Anthology, the same company which owns the Bay of Fires Walk. Recently renovated, Quamby has reopened with five rooms available to guests while Tasmanian heritage architect David Denman and interior designers Pike Withers are working on the restoration of the homestead wings and out buildings. When complete in mid 2009, there will be 17 rooms at this luxury lodge. A double superior room costs A$125 (approx �55) per person per night (including breakfast). www.quambyestate.com

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