Boutique Limes Hotel

A stylish boutique hotel complete with rooftop bar and cinema has opened in Brisbane’s cosmopolitan inner-city Fortitude Valley. Designed by award-winning designer Alexander Lotersztain, The Limes Hotel offers 21 rooms and is located in the Valley’s Constance Street. While it doesn’t offer traditional hotel services like turn down and valet parking, guests will enjoy complimentary wireless and broadband internet, Dello Mano brownies on arrival, L’Occitane toiletries and passes to Valley Metro Fitness First, as well as daily continental breakfast served on the roof top. The Limes’ open air roof top bar will be both open to the public and available for private parties. The roof top cinema screens modern movie classics. Visit www.limeshotel.com.au

The Elandra opens in Mission Beach.

The quiet coastal town of Mission Beach in Tropical North Queensland is quickly becoming a hot destination in its own right with the opening of The Elandra. Situated 90 minutes’ drive south from Cairns, The Elandra officially opened on June 28. Previously known as ‘The Horizon’, ‘Elandra’ (translates as an Aboriginal name for home by the sea) houses 52 individually designed rooms. Features of the resort include a swimming pool, fine dining restaurant, cocktail bar, chill out lounge areas, conference facilities, private dining rooms and fantastic views across to Dunk and Bedarra Islands. Visit www.elandraresorts.com and

Outback Airboat takes flight

Cruise up the mighty Thomson River on a new airboating tour, then relax and refuel at the new Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill in Longreach. Outback Airboat Tours can take up to seven passengers on their air-powered boats which traverse easily over water and land. The two-hour tours include a running commentary, via electronic earmuffs, on the waterways, flora, fauna and history of the Thomson River and its surrounds. Stop for a smoko and a fresh billy tea, enjoy a spot of fishing and check the crayfish pots, and experience all of the high speed thrills along this river in the Outback. Tours depart Mondays to Saturdays at 9.30am and 2.30pm. Visit www.outbackairboattours.com.au

Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame

Longreach’s famous Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame has opened The Cattlemen’s Bar & Grill - a 120 seat restaurant set in the surrounds of the RM Williams Cottage. www.stockmanshalloffame.com.au

Hamptons-style retreat for Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the new Montville Village Bed and Breakfast is ready to spoil guests. The elegant Hamptons-style house is located a short stroll from Montville’s galleries, cafes and restaurants and offers sweeping views of the coast and mountain ranges. Guestrooms feature luxurious bathrooms and French doors opening to private verandahs. Guests have exclusive use of a lounge room with gas log fire plus a sitting room and kitchen. Relax and unwind by the fire, and enjoy access to satellite TV, plus in-room CD and DVD players. The tariff includes a generous breakfast of local produce served either on the deck, under the pergola or by the fire on cooler days. Visit www.montvillebnb.com.au

Whitsundays welcome Blue Horizon Resort Apartments

The newest Whitsundays’ accommodation is Blue Horizon Airlie Beach - luxurious apartments on the edge of the Coral Sea. The resort offers a mix of one, two and three bedroom contemporary Balinese-inspired apartments, all with spacious balconies with views over the Coral Sea. Three and four bedroom penthouse apartments cater to larger groups or guests seeking the ultimate in luxury and privacy. Guest facilities include a tour desk, swimming pool and spa, wading pool, outdoor dining area and fully-equipped gymnasium. Blue Horizon Airlie Beach is located at 3 Hermitage Drive, Airlie Beach. Visit www.bluehorizonairlie.com.au

M on Mary apartment hotel

Brisbane has a new four-and-a-half star serviced apartment hotel, M on Mary. Conveniently located in the heart of the CBD, the 43 level complex offers 200 beautifully-appointed one and three bedroom apartments. The one bedrooms all have separate studies, while the three bedroom apartments include two bathrooms and a spa bath. All feature fully-equipped kitchens, complimentary Foxtel, CD/DVD player and access to wireless high speed internet. Guests can relax in the outdoor lap pool and sun deck, BBQ entertainment area or the gymnasium and sauna. Queen Street Mall is a five minutes stroll, and there are dozens of restaurants and cafes nearby. Visit www.monmary.com.au

The Frog House

A new frog-shaped B&B overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains at the Sunshine Coast. Resembling a wooden and glass frog, the aptly-named The Frog House B&B at Maleny features an eco-friendly design with triangular rooms to minimise heat loss and maximise stunning views. The best spot at sunset is on the roof deck with its 360 degree views, and the tariff includes a five-star fully-cooked breakfast. Visit www.thefroghouse.com.au

Refurbished Maison Noosa

Beachfront luxury, boutique resort Maison Noosa has recently reopened following a complete refurbishment. Nestled between the beachfront of Noosa’s Main Beach and cosmopolitan Hastings Street, the resort offers luxuriously appointed one, two and three bedroom apartments. Guests can relax by the large heated resort size pool, heated spa, barbecue, fully equipped gymnasium. Visit www.maisonnoosa.com.au

A new day trip to the Great Barrier Reef – from Cairns

Reef Experience is the newest way for day trippers to discover the Great Barrier Reef. The all inclusive tour departs Cairns daily aboard a beautifully refurbished $1.5 million vessel. Reef Experience is one of the fastest catamarans departing Cairns, allowing guests more time on and under the water. Guests enjoy exclusive access to two different Outer Reef locations with limited numbers to ensure a personalised experience. Enjoy a guided snorkelling tour, an introductory or certified dive, or a glass bottom boat tour, in between relaxing on the oversized sundeck or in the air conditioned saloon. Guests feast on chef-prepared cuisine throughout the day, with a tropical breakfast served on the way out to the reef, then morning tea, smorgasbord lunch and wine and fruit/cheese platters on return. For the ultimate indulgence, guests can upgrade to the Top Deck Club to be pampered from the minute they step onboard by a personal valet and dive/snorkel guide. Visit www.reeftrip.com

Pure luxury at Mali Mali retreat

The newest Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef addition to the exclusive Executive Retreats portfolio is the peaceful Balinese-themed Mali Mali. An indigenous word for butterfly, Mali Mali takes a commanding 40 acre hilltop site with 360 degree views over the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and sparkling blue of the Pacific Ocean. The retreat features a tranquil open plan design of tropical pavilions surrounded by cascading water gardens. There are three king-size bedrooms with ensuites, furnishings from Jimmy Possum and Miele applicances. Mali Mali’s facilities include a heli pad, world-class tennis court, infinity pool, media room, gourmet kitchen and massage pavilion. Mali Mali is located on top of Mt Somerset, 15 minutes’ drive north of Port Douglas and five minutes north of Mossman. The retreat caters for a maximum eight guests. Executive Retreats offers more than 70 exclusive private retreats within the Tropical North Queensland region. Visit www.executiveretreats.com.au

A walk through the trees with Ma:Mu

Walk high in a tropical rainforest on the spectacular Ma:Mu Canopy Walkway near Innisfail in Tropical North Queensland. Located on Ma:Mu traditional land within the Wooroonooran National Park, about an hour and a half drive south of Cairns, the elevated walkway will officially open at the end of August 2008 after 15 years of planning. Visitors to the walkway will enjoy spectacular sweeping views of highland rainforest, wild rivers, mountains, gorges and rapids - all within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area setting. The 1.5km circuit includes a 1.1km forest floor walk, 400 metres of elevated walkway, and a 38 metre high observation tower. Ma:Mu is set in the lush rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, the lesser known but no less impressive sister park to the Daintree National Park, and has cultural significance for the Ma:Mu Aboriginal people. Wooroonooran Rainforest Safaris is one of the first tour operators in the region to offer a day trip incorporating the Ma:Mu Canopy Walkway. Visit www.epa.qld.gov.au/mamu and www.wooroonooran-safaris.com.au

See the Numbinah Valley by ATV

A new quad biking adventure is presenting the Gold Coast hinterland to visitors in a new perspective – all terrain style! Gold Coast ATV Adventures offers tag-a-long ATV Tours of the Numinbah Valley located alongside Binna Burra and the World Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park. The vehicles are late model, fully automatic all terrain vehicles and guests can choose from single rider quad bikes and two seat utility ATVs. The rides follow a range of different trails and also tackle a river. All safety gear is provided and a safety briefing is held before each tour. Gold Coast ATV Adventures runs up to two ATV tours per day, each approximately two hours long. Pickup is available from accommodation and the tours run in most conditions including wet weather. Visit www.atvadventures.com.au

Australian Muster Experience

New experience at Peppers Hidden Vale – Southern Queensland. Visitors can saddle up for the Dinner Camp Muster - a full day experience including riding with a musterer and bringing in cattle, morning “smoko” of billy tea and damper, camp oven lunch and stockyard cattle activities such as whip cracking, roping and horsemanship demonstrations, bottle feeding a poddy calf and more. For something of more “epic” proportions, guests can extend the muster into an evening ride on the Razor Back range offering spectacular views of the station then enjoy an Overnight Rustic Cabins experience including an overnight stay in comfortable bush cabins with ring campfire for relaxing under the stars, evening entertainment listening to yarns by the bush poet and singer and hearty barbecue breakfast before bringing the cattle back to the stockyards the following morning. hiddenvale@peppers.com.au; www.peppers.com.au

Q resorts – Coolum @ The Beach – a tropical oasis in the heart of Coolum

Q Resorts Hotels & Apartments introduce Sunshine Coast’s newest luxury holiday resort, Coolum @ The Beach. This brand new resort adds to Q Resort group’s growing portfolio of corporate and leisure properties in Brisbane, Cairns and Airlie Beach with a touch of luxury and a myriad accommodation options. The new resort offers brand new luxury 1, 2 and 3 bedroom self contained apartments and 3 & 4 bedroom luxury villas along with conference facilities. Resort facilities feature 4 swimming pools including, a kids’ pool, a plunge pool, a lap pool, a resort-style large relaxation pool, BBQ facility and entertainment area, pool side bar, tour desk, internet lounge and gymnasium. www.qresorts.com.au

Fraser Island Experience

A Fraser Experience Hummer Tour is designed for the discerning adventurer who enjoys the best. There simply is no better way to relax and soak up the natural and timeless beauty of the island in style and comfort. With a maximum of four guests per vehicle, tourists are assured plenty of personal attention and quality time with the company’s expert guides. The day trip will include pickup and drop off from accommodation venues, morning tea, personal gourmet lunch packs and a special afternoon surprise. Visit: www.fraserexperience.com

Whitsundays welcome new charter operator

DescaradA - the former Hervey Bay-based small luxury cruising ship are now based at Abel Point Marina in Airlie Beach. Catering for a maximum eight guests, DescaradA is available for private charters and regular tours of the spectacular Whitsundays, world renowned for its idyllic boating conditions. The sleek 70 luxury cruiser will visit spectacular spots in the Whitsundays including Whitehaven Beach, consistently voted the World’s Best Beach; the Aboriginal caves near Nara Inlet and spectacular South Molle Island. www.descarada.com.au

Hot Air now at the Gold Coast

Soaring the heights - Balloon Hot Air Gold Coast’s daily flights over the glorious Gold Coast Hinterland are followed by a delicious champagne breakfast at O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead and Vineyard. Visit www.hotair.com.au

Another Mantra

Mantra Sierra Grand, Broadbeach, offers luxury apartment accommodation with panoramic views and is within easy walking distance of beaches, and the local dining and shopping precincts. Visit www.mantraresorts.com.au

New Waterplay

Sea World Resort’s new $1 million “Waterplay” aqua playground is for the exclusive use of resort guests. The 320 square metre colourful children's play centre includes an array of spray nozzles, jets, water guns and a giant water-filled tipping bucket. Visit http://seaworld.myfun.com.au/

New spa at Gwinganna

The award-winning Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Gold Coast Hinterland opened a new 33 room spa this year. One of the largest spas in the southern hemisphere, it features a relaxation lounge, Crystal Steam Room and spacious couples’ suites. Visit www.gwinganna.com.au Qualia Resort will open an additional 33 new Leeward pavilions in early August to complement the 27 Windward pavilions. Each are around four times the size of an average hotel room with a private plunge pool on the expansive deck. This luxury six-star boutique resort is perched on the secluded northern point of Hamilton Island. Visit www.qualia.com.au

Carbon neutral eco lodge

Hidden Valley Cabins, Australia’s first fully carbon neutral resort offers accommodation in Solar Eco Cabins, is not on grid power and has decreased reliance on generator power without compromising guest comfort and facilities. The resort generates all of its own renewable energy, saves 78 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year and purchases carbon offsets for any carbon emissions. Visit www.hiddenvalleycabins.com.au

Brewing blue skies

The Blue Sky Brewery in the heart of the Cairns CBD is an on-site microbrewery complete with bar, restaurant, function rooms and a comprehensive wine cellar. Using only the purest ingredients with the purest water from the crystal cascades, 6 Premium handcrafted beers will be brewed onsite giving you a full flavoured, preservative free, naturally brewed 100% Cairns beer. Guests can take a tour of the brewery and sample the ales. Visit www.blueskybrewery.com.au

Genuine tours

Outback Aussie Tours’ new 30 seat luxury 4-wheel-drive adventure wagon will take tourists off road on the desert runs around Birdsville and up to Lawn Hill National Park. Owner Alan Smith, known as “Smithie”, offers real outback adventures and experiences including visits to Longreach, home of Qantas Founders Museum, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, R.M. Williams Heritage Gardens, School of the Air; and Winton where you learn of the legend behind the song “Waltzing Matilda” and see Lark Quarry’s dinosaur stampede. Visit www.oat.net.au.

The Greyhound Kilometre Pass

has expanded options now where customers can exchange their kilometres in return for additional experiences including visits to the Outback, skydiving in Cairns, Cape Tribulation Tour, Great Barrier Reef Cruise, Whitsunday sailing and so on. Visit www.greyhound.com.au