Between The Sheets | Quickbeds

Tangalooma – Slide and Save Package

Lyndon Barnett — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:08 +0000

Although the temperatures may have dipped slightly, the cute dolphins continue to maintain their regular routine of visiting the Tangalooma Island Resort every night – to the delight of eager enthusiasts waiting to feed them tasty fish.

And now is the perfect time to visit this beautiful Island in Moreton Bay with our terrific “Slide and Save” package – exclusive to Quickbeds. Holiday-makers will receive a comfortable Run of House accommodation and a Desert Safari Tour that includes zooming down the sand on a sand toboggan. Of course, you’ll also be able to feed those cute marine mammals on one night of your stay as well.

Tangalooma is a great destination for the families, couples, groups of friends etc and has loads of other activities to enjoy including snorkelling, kayaking and hiking.

The deal is valid for a stay at Tangalooma until June 30 2012 and is priced at $185 per night with a minimum of a two night stay.

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Australian Lighthouses – Be Guided by the Light

Lyndon Barnett — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:00:29 +0000

As a beacon of hope for centuries, lighthouses safely guide ships into port and prevent them from an untimely disaster. Here at Quickbeds, we think that lighthouses are incredible monuments and should be treated as attractions in their own right. Most are historic, dating to the nineteenth century and many remain in operation today.

Here are our top five favourite Australian lighthouses.

Cape Byron Light – New South Wales
Located near the most easterly point of the country, the Cape Byron Lighthouse is Australia’s most powerful lighthouse. The iconic structure was formally unveiled in 1901 by the then Premier, John See who made the journey from Sydney. The event was relatively significant with guests travelling from Lismore and Murwillumbah to enjoy a special banquet. Today, the lighthouse attracts around 500,000 visitors every year.

Old Caloundra Light – Queensland
The Old Caloundra Lighthouse was constructed in 1896 and served as a guiding light until 1968. Today it’s the oldest surviving building in this beautiful Sunshine Coast destination. Interestingly, after it was decommissioned, the tower was relocated to nearby Woorim Park but returned in 1999 to its original position on Canberra Terrace.

Cape Borda Lighthouse – South Australia
The Cape Borda Lighthouse was first lit in 1858 to guide ships travelling along the Roaring Forties trade route towards Port Adelaide. The striking square design is the only one of its kind in South Australia and is located on the west coast of beautiful Kangaroo Island.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse – Tasmania
With construction beginning in 1836 and formally operational in 1838, the Cape Bruny Lighthouse is Australia’s second oldest lighthouse and the longest lighthouse in the continual operation. The distinctive conical structure was built with convict labor using locally sourced dolerite.

Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse – Victoria
Constructed using convict labor between 1853 and 1859, the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse, made from local granite, continues to guide ships through Bass Strait. This is the southernmost lighthouse on mainland Australia and offers terrific views of Bass Strait.

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Rendezvous Grand Hotel – Iconic

Lyndon Barnett — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:00:37 +0000

One of Melbourne’s landmarks, the Rendezvous Grand Hotel is celebrating its centenary this year. Invoking an era of refinement and sophistication, the Rendezvous, which was originally built in 1912, has recently been restored – paying particular attention to its historic roots while at the same time presenting modern luxuries and conveniences. Interesting the stunning hotel vestibule was designed by the same architect who designed the ballroom of the Titanic.

The General Manager of the Hotel, Alexander Billing said the refurbishment restored the building to its original glory, without loss of character or its boutique ambience.

“The design aspect will not only highlight the iconic heritage of the building, but improve the overall level of guest comfort, satisfaction and experience in a superb established location,” said Mr Billing.

The hotel has 340 rooms – each offering high speed broadband access and special French Connection amenities. There is also a pillow menu to select the perfect rest for your head – choose from a hypo-allergenic, micro soft or a feather and down. For an extra special experience, book a room on the heritage floor and enjoy Edwardian design, ornate ceilings and leadlight windows. Alternatively, spread out in a Suite, which has a generous master bedroom and a separate lounge area.

After exploring the sights of the nearby Southbank cultural precinct, return to the Rendezvous for a delicious meal in the Grill Restaurant before retiring to The Bar for an après-dinner aperitif. Other facilities include a fitness centre, business centre and valet parking.

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Famous Mothers

Lyndon Barnett — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:00:02 +0000

As we prepare to shower our mothers with love, we thought we’d highlight ten mothers who’ve played an important role in our history.

Mother Teresa – Skopje, Macedonia
Although famous for her work in Calcutta, Mother Teresa was born in the Macedonian capital of Skopje. She never had any children of her own but so many millions refer to her as mother.

Queen Victoria – London, England
Queen Victoria has the nickname as the Grandmother of Europe, because many of her 26 grandchildren married into royal families across Europe. As such at the time of World War I, King George V of England, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia were first cousins. She was born in London’s Kensington Palace.

Mary – Nazareth, Israel
Although many believe that she had an immaculate conception – as the mother of Jesus – Mary is an important addition to this famous historical mother selection. Her birthplace is not known however she lived much of her life in Nazareth in Israel’s Galilee region.

Necessity – Athens, Greece
Widely acknowledged as the mother of invention, Necessity was first identified by Plato, an ancient Athenian Philosopher. However, later scholars believe that Necessity actually came to prominence in medieval England. Either way, this is an essential addition to the list.

Carol Brady – Los Angeles, USA
The archetypal television Mum, Carol Brady had three children of her own, which of course became a complete family with Mike Brady’s three sons. The family lived in Los Angeles.

Cleopatra – Alexandria, Egypt
While Cleopatra’s beauty is well documented and her affair with Mark Antony common knowledge, many people don’t realise that she was also a devoted mother to five children. She was born in Alexandria on the Egyptian coast in 69 BCE.

Maria Von Trapp – Vienna, Austria
Made famous by the film The Sound of Music, Maria Von Trapp was born in Vienna in 1905. The movie doesn’t explore the fact that Maria and her husband Georg had three children together, Rosmarie, Eleonore and Johannes.

Moira Gillard – Cwmgwrach, Wales
Our Prime Minister’s mother, Moira Gillard is from the Welsh village of Cwmgwrach, around an hour’s drive northwest of Cardiff. Her parents relocated with Julia and her sister Allison to Adelaide in 1966.

Gaia – Milky Way (suspected)
More commonly known as Mother Earth, Gaia was considered by the ancient Greeks as the mother of everything and had many children of her own. It is not really known where Gaia was born but it was most likely not on one particular planet.

Maria Theresa – Vienna, Austria
The only female ruler of the Habsburg empire, Maria Theresa had 16 children including Marie Antoinette who would be famously beheaded during the French revolution. Maria Theresa was born in the beautiful Hofburg Palace in Vienna in 1717.

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Sheraton Mirage Resort Port Douglas – Simply Beautiful

Lyndon Barnett — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:00:46 +0000

For absolute luxury in tropical north Queensland, slide into the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. This is one of Australia’s great destination hotels. On offer are 294 immaculately appointed rooms, three opulent suites and 90 split-level villas that enable apartment-style living. The resort is beautifully set within lush tropical gardens that are easily appreciated from your room – some rooms boast a private balcony and Jacuzzi.

To keep guests entertained there’s a range of recreational options on-site including a famed 18-hole golf course, an outdoor pool, fitness centre and spa services. Adventurous holiday-makers who can draw themselves away from the relaxing surrounds of the resort will appreciate driving north to Cape Tribulation. Along the way, you can explore the Daintree Rainforest, spot the crocs on the Daintree River and admire the scenic Mossman Gorge. On the other hand, don a mask and snorkel to admire the mesmerising marine life on the Great Barrier Reef.

After a busy day’s sight-seeing or doing absolutely nothing but relaxing, enjoy a delicious Australian-inspired meal at the Il Pescatore Restaurant or the Lagoons Restaurant that serves a range of International dishes. After dinner relax into the Ocean Breeze Bar idyllically situated beside the pool.

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Retrace the Titanic

Lyndon Barnett — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:00:10 +0000

The collision of the unsinkable Titanic with an ice berg on that ill-fated journey in April 1912 has captured our imagination and continues to amaze. With the blockbuster James Cameron film being released in 3D, here at Quickbeds we thought we’d explore destinations around the world connected to this famous cruise ship.

Belfast
With a proud maritime history, the Titanic was built on Queen’s Island, now known as the Titanic Quarter in Belfast by the famed shipbuilders Harland and Wolff. Enthusiasts can take a dedicated Titanic Boat Tour of the boat yards to learn more about the construction of the ship. As a tribute to the ship, the city recently opened one of the largest museums in the world devoted to the Titanic.

Southampton
The Titanic departed from Southampton in southeast England on April 10, 1912. The city itself has proud association with luxury cruising, which began in the mid nineteenth century – a tradition that continues today. Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and the Cunard Line are based in Southampton. The city itself is pleasant enough to explore – take a stroll on Southampton Common before admiring the historic town walls.

Cherbourg
After leaving Southampton, the ship crossed the English Channel and docked in French town of Cherbourg to collect 274 additional passengers. Today, Cherbourg continues to operate as a significant maritime city with boats departing for regular crossings to England and the Channel Islands.

Cork
The final European port of call – and indeed the Titanic’s final dock – was Cork Harbour. There were 120 passengers who joined the ship in Cork on what they presumably believed would be a journey of a lifetime. This Irish city maintains its strong sea roots, with commercial connections to Swansea, Wales and Roscoff, France.

New York City
Had it not been for an iceberg, the Titanic would have docked in New York City completing its trans-Atlantic expedition in style and ease. Indeed it was the RMS Carpathia, the ship to rescue the survivors from the tragedy that docked in New York three days after leaving the collusion site. Today, New York needs very little introduction – this is a city that features a magnetic pulse as a result of all the cultures who chose to relocate to the Big Apple.

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The Brisbane Hilton – An Amazing Makeover

Lyndon Barnett — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:00:09 +0000

The Quickbeds team recently headed down to check out the Brisbane Hilton – and can we say it looks amazing after its makeover. The property was entirely redeveloped for its 25^th anniversary at a cost of $14 million. The hotel was originally designed by famed architect Harry Seidler and boasts the largest atrium in Australia – a staggering 83 metres in height. The feature dome gives an impression of openness and spaciousness. In the re-design, the expert team have created a further sense of tranquillity and opulence in the foyer while the individual rooms fulfil their mandate of delivering “unpretentious luxury.”

Travellers have the choice of several room styles including the Twin Hilton Guestroom, King Hilton Suite and Executive Rooms.

Within the complex, the Vintaged Bar and Grill is a destination restaurant in its own right. This is a chic, contemporary fine-dining experience for those who appreciate the best ingredients prepared with thought and consideration. Consider making your visit extra special by requesting a seat at the coveted chef’s table, where you can watch cooking magic before your eyes. Additionally, complement your meal with your choice of one of the finest Australian wines on the market.

The facilities throughout the Hilton are impressive. Business travellers will appreciate the business centre, video conferencing and express mail. There’s also a tennis court, fitness centre and pool. Additionally the babysitting service, children’s activities and high chairs are perfect for families.

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Pay Your Respects

Lyndon Barnett — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:00:44 +0000

As Australia pauses to remember our baptism of fire on the beaches of Gallipoli in 1915, we thought we’d survey other significant locations around the world established as memorials to fallen soldiers, which ultimately facilitate a greater understanding of conflict.

Here’s our selection of memorial sights around the world.

Great Ocean Road, Australia
While the scenery might be spectacular, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road between Torquay and Warrnambool was constructed by diggers who had returned from World War I and dedicated as a memorial to those who’d fallen. At around 243 kilometres long, it’s the largest war memorial in the world.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church & Neue Synagogue, Berlin
Originally built in the 1890s, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin was hit during an allied bombing raid in 1943. Rather than restoring the spire, the structure has been left in a damaged state as a reminder of the destruction of war. Remarkably the Neue Synagogue, the primary place of worship for the Berlin Jews survived the war mostly intact. Today the synagogue is used as a place of worship and there’s also a museum for travellers who wish to learn about German Jewry.

River Kwai Bridge, Thailand
Made famous by the film of the same name, the bridge on the River Kwai has come to symbolise the struggle to liberate Japanese occupied South-east Asia during World War II. The construction was part of the POW effort to build a railway network between Burma and Thailand. Today, interested parties can visit the location on a day trip from Bangkok.

D-Day Beaches, Normandy
In 1944 American troops launched a successful campaign to gain a foothold in occupied France – a move that would signal the end of the war in Europe. The beaches of Normandy including Omaha, which were recently made famous by the film Saving Private Ryan, can be explored either independently or on a guided tour. The allied war cemeteries in the region are also extremely humbling.

Australian War Memorial, Australia
The national war memorial in Canberra is much more than an impressive facade. Within the complex are interactive exhibits that compressively examine every conflict Australia has been involved with.

Abu Simbel, Egypt
Not so much a memorial, but a celebration of victory, the monumental Abu Simbel was constructed after the Battle of Kadesh by Pharoah Ramesses II in 1264BCE. Interested tourists can explore the temples as a day trip from Aswan.

Pearl Harbour, Hawaii
History was forever changed when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the American naval fleet based at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii in 1941. The USS Arizona, which famously sunk within minutes of being hit, is today a memorial site around 15km from Honolulu’s centre. Also on the island of Oahu, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum features a preserved World War II submarine and gives a fascinating insight into life aboard the vessel. Additionally, the Battleship Missouri Memorial features the battleship where the Japanese surrendered to the allies.

Westminster Abbey, London
While the majority of people buried within Westminster Abbey in London died of natural causes, just inside the Great West Door is the tomb of the Unknown Warrior – an unidentified British soldier who was killed during World War I and therefore symbolises all allies who gave their lives. The soldier was buried in 1920 and custom prohibits visitors from stepping on his grave.

India Gate, Mumbai
The iconic India Gate on the Mumbai promenade overlooking the harbour was originally built to remember the Indian soldiers who gave their lives fighting for the British. When India gained independence, an unknown soldier was position underneath the arch together with a flame.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Dedicated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum contains the point at which the atomic bomb detonated over the city killing 70,000 people instantly and another 70,000 from radiation poisoning. Due to downward pressure, the dome of the building survived and today is a symbol of the destruction of war and a must see destination when visiting Hiroshima.

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Noosa – The Perfect Romantic Destination

Lyndon Barnett — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:00:40 +0000

The exclusive enclave of Noosa on Queensland’s sunshine coast is a particularly romantic destination for couples seeking some quality time together. Here’s our top five suggestions for activities perfect for couples to try while holidaying in Noosa.

Kayak
Hire a kayak for two and row in tandem on the serene everglades. The waterways just outside the heart of Noosa are particularly beautiful.

Bush Walk
The paths are just wide enough to walk hand-in-hand through the National Parks. Hopefully you’ll spot Koalas sitting effortlessly in the Eucalypt trees.

Kite Surf
Learn to kite surf and master a new sport as a shared experience. Noosa is noted for its prevailing winds, which makes it the ideal location to kite surf.

Exquisite Dining
Reserve a table for two at an exclusive fine-dining restaurant and enjoy a divine gourmet meal prepared by skilled chefs. Compliment the meal with a great wine produced locally.

Relax on the Beach
Find your perfect spot on the beautiful Noosa beach and relax together with matching towels.

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Boats and Bedzzz Houseboat Stays

Lyndon Barnett — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:00:39 +0000

For a unique holiday and accommodation experience rolled into one – consider a houseboat. At Quickbeds, we’re thrilled to announce that we now offer houseboats for rent. The unique “hotels on the water” are moored at Renmark, South Australia, around 250 kilometres from Adelaide.

Boats and Bedzzz have both moored and driveable boats. The Murray Dream is a nine berth houseboat that remains moored, allowing holiday-makers to relax and unwind on the river. On the other hand, adventure seekers will appreciate Moving Waters is a 10 berth boat that glides effortlessly along the water, allowing you to admire the scenery along the way. All boating stays present a plethora of activities including swimming, kayaking and fishing.

The waterways near the New South Wales border, including the Murray River and into the Murtho Forest Reserve, are extremely scenic – so there really is no better way to explore the region, than on your own boat.

Once you’ve enjoyed your river experience, consider exploring the other towns in the Riverland region. Enjoy some wine tasting in the local vineyards, take a hike in the national parks, shop for antiques or hit a round of golf. On the other hand, admire the beautiful roses at Ruston’s Rose Garden, enjoy a play at the Chaffey Theatre or savour the local produce at the Riverland Farmers Market.

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