Brisbane Tourism Gears up Ahead of G20

Brisbane’s tourism industry is getting a major boost ahead of this year’s G20 Summit which takes place in the Australian city later in the year.

Before 4,000 G20 delegates arrive on 15-16 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, seven new hotels will have opened, a raft of restaurants will hang out the welcome sign, and there is a variety of new ways to tour the city.

In addition to five hotel openings earlier in the year, Hotels NEXT and TRYP are set to open within the next two months.

Located on the old Brisbane Buffalo Club site, Wyndham Worldwide’s 65-room TRYP Fortitude Valley Hotel will rival sister properties in Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Lisbon, and New York. The hotel will also be home to UP, Brisbane’s newest rooftop bar with a capacity for 240 people cocktail style, and a lobby-level restaurant, Chur.

On 1 October, SilverNeedle Hospitality opens the world’s first NEXT hotel. This is a 304-room upscale hotel, equipped with Club Lounge, Executive Studios for meetings, and a rooftop pool that overlooks the mall.

The new properties come on the back of five other hotel openings this year, including the 18-story Alpha Mosaic Hotel in Fortitude Valley, the 68-room boutique Gambaro Hotel, the 246-room Four Points by Sheraton, the 81-storey Infinity Apartments, and the 234 one- and two-bedroom M&A Apartments.

In addition to a host of new bars and nightclubs, Brisbane’s dining scene is also dishing up a new menu of restaurants and bars, such as Jamie’s Italian, a mid-priced eatery under Britain’s celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. For a flavour of the Far East, Madame Wu, serves dishes from southern China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

New tour options are also available to help visitors take in the sights. Tours on Xwing, offer mini Segway tours of the city’s South Bank area. Alternatively, visitors can pick-up a Discover South Bank Combo Pass, which offers a trifecta of activities including a 90-minute River City Cruise, a spin on the Brisbane Wheel, and an Australian style lunch.

Also new to Brisbane’s list of activities are new fishing tours launched in June. The two-hour boat trips navigate the Brisbane River on a catch-and-release fish-off for bream, catfish, salmon and even the odd bull shark.

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AFC Asian Cup Coming To Australia 2015

The AFC Asian Cup, Asia’s biggest football tournament, is coming to Australia in January 2015.

Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane will host 32 world class football matches over 23 days, culminating with a Final played in Sydney on 31 January 2015.

It will never have been easier for families to go to the football than when the biggest tournament in Asia rolls into town in 2015.

The AFC Asian Cup organising committee has announced “family friendly” ticket packages for the tournament next summer, with kids tickets starting at $5 and families (four) from $40.

The tournament, which kicks off on January 9, will take place in five host cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle. Supporters even have the option of buying “venue packs” - tickets for all the matches at each stadium.

Tickets go on sale on May 7 for the football family, starting with the venue packs, before going on sale to the general public on  June 3.

Tickets for the tournament will go on sale in two phases, the first on May 7 and the second on June 3.

The most expensive Category One tickets are $149 for the final in Sydney on January 31 and $149 for the opening match between the Socceroos and Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9. Those prices also include the opening and closing ceremonies.

“This will be a festival of football never seen before in Australia, featuring our own Socceroos battling the best 16 teams in Asia, including Asia’s three other World Cup finalists in Japan, South Korea and Iran.

“We have deliberately kept prices affordable for families and those in multicultural communities who will be keen to attend multiple matches.”

VENUE PACK TICKETS:  This is the ultimate ticket for the passionate football fan wanting the best seat in the house. The Venue Pack is your chance to secure a place at every AFC Asian Cup fixture in your city, with savings of up to 20%. Witness seven matches live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Canberra and four games in Newcastle with your very own seat at each game: http://tickets.afcasiancup.com/venue-pricing/

INDIVIDUAL MATCH TICKETS:  Group Match tickets start from just $15.29 (Adult) and $5.10 (Children). Or secure a ticket to a Socceroos match from only $49.96 (Adult) and $24.98 (Children): http://tickets.afcasiancup.com/individual-prices/

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/asian-cup/afc-asian-cup-ticket-packages-announced-for-2015-tournament-in-australia/story-e6frf4fu-1226872359128?nk=0b37bee270a89676325370d660377fa0


Need accommodation close to the Asian Cup tournaments? 
Metro Hotels have hotels and serviced apartments in most major cities throughout Australia:

Sydney Hotels & Apartments (NSW):

• Metro Hotel Sydney Central
• Metro Hotel on Pitt
• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour
• Aspire Hotel Sydney

Melbourne Apartments (VIC):

• Metro Apartments on Bank Place

Brisbane Hotels (QLD):

• Metro Hotel Tower Mill

2 Night Stay Package @ Apartments G60 Gladstone - Managed by Metro Hotels

Book your stay at Apartments G60 Gladstone - offering stylish and comfortable two bedroom apartments conveniently located in the heart of Gladstone. For a limited time, stay two nights or more and you'll save up to $20 per night!

Location: 55 Central Lane, Gladstone QLD 4680 Australia
Phone: 07 4972 4711
Details & to book:  http://www.gladstone-apartmentsg60.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/index.site.packages.package.784.html



About the hotel:
Apartments G60 Gladstone is located in Gladstone’s city centre, and just minutes away from local bars, restaurants, shops and the central business district.

Ideal for company relocation and long stay accommodation, these new contemporary and spacious apartments offer all the conveniences you need while away from home, including fully equipped kitchen and laundry, WIFI, large balconies and air-conditioning and a BBQ area.

Complimentary undercover car parking is also available.

Reception for the G60 Apartments is located at Metro Hotel & Apartments and 200m away at 22-24 Roseberry Street, Gladstone. Guests are also welcome to use all of the facilities at the Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone including swimming pool and Rocksalt restaurant.

Only two minutes away from Heron Island departure point and railway/bus depots, this hotel is your gateway to exploring Capricorn Coast’s Great Barrier Reef and numerous National Parks.

Visit our website for more information: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/queensland/apartments-g60-gladstone

Hotel facilities:
• Brand new two bedroom apartments
• Complimentary undercover off-street car parking
• BBQ Area
• Lift

Bonus WiFi Hotel Deal @ Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone

Metro Hotel and Apartments Gladstone is offering this fantastic hotel special: from $131.00 per night when you book your accommodation with us. This great price includes complimentary WiFi and car parking*.

Location: 22-24 Roseberry Street, Gladstone QLD 4680 Australia
Phone: 07 4972 4711
Details & to book:  www.metro-hotel-apartments-gladstone.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/index.site.packages.package.815.html

About the hotel:
Metro Hotel and Apartments Gladstone is located in the heart of Gladstone. This smoke-free hotel is perfect for a short or long stays as it offers fully serviced apartments with laundry services.

Property facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, BBQ and licensed restaurant Rocksalt on site.

The one bedroom family apartment can cater up to five guests and the one bedroom apartment a maximum of four guests.

Room facilities include a separate lounge, fully equipped kitchen, private balcony, washing machine & dryer, WIFI and secure on-site parking.

Only two minutes away from Heron Island departure point and railway/bus depots, this Hotel is your gateway to exploring Capricorn Coast’s Great Barrier Reef and numerous National Parks.

Visit our website for more information: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/queensland/metro-hotel-apartments-gladstone

Hotel facilities:
• 50 Newly refurbished one bedroom apartments
• RockSalt – Licensed a-la-carte Restaurant and Bar
• Restaurant for hire for small functions or weddings
• Room service
• Laundry/dry-cleaning services
• BBQ facilities and Outdoor swimming pool

Robbie Williams | The Swing Tour Live

Rumours of a return tour have been running hot since the release of his latest studio offering late last year, and now Chugg Entertainment can proudly confirm that the rumours are true. Few artists can boast that they’ve sold 55 million albums globally, but Robbie can.

One of Britain’s premier pop superstars, known for his cheeky wit as much as his hit-studded albums, the one and only Robbie Williams will be making his long overdue return to Australia for a national run of dates this September, bringing his incredible swing album, Swings Both Ways.

It’s been nearly eight years since the British superstar treated Australian audiences to his myriad talents on the live stage. In December 2006 Williams undertook a stadium tour of monumental proportion across Australia.

Williams' love for Australia has been well documented over the years, with a slew of tours and special performances (including the 2009 ARIA awards), he can also boast his most well known collaborations being with Australians; Kids, a duet with pop star Kylie Minogue and a cover of Frank & Nancy Sinatra's Somethin' Stupid with Nicole Kidman. Add to this that 2.6 million Robbie Williams albums have been sold in Australia to date – making that 1 in 10 Australians who own a Robbie album – it’s a certainty that the love affair continues.

Robbie’s latest album Swings Both Ways is the follow up to his original 2001 swing release, Swing When You’re Winning, which spent six consecutive weeks at the top of the UK charts, and likewise garnered unprecedented success in Australia, going four times platinum and remaining his best selling album of all time. Swings Both Ways sees the reunion of Robbie’s collaboration with songwriter and producer Guy Chambers; the creative pairing responsible for some of Robbie’s biggest hits (Rock DJ, Feel, Millenium, Let Me Entertain You, Angels, Supreme).

The album debuted at #1 in the UK and #5 on the ARIA charts, and within the first 4 weeks of release, the album was certified Gold in Australia. This is his eleventh chart-topping album in the UK, which now means that he draws level with Elvis Presley as the male solo artist with the most number one albums.

Armed with an arsenal packed with ballads, pop songs and massive sing-along hits, Robbie returns to the swing genre for his tenth studio album and current world tour.

Tour Dates:

Ticketek is selling for the following venues only:

Thursday 11 September - Perth Arena
Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 September - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 September - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 September - Allphones Arena, Sydney

Bed & Breakfast Hot Deal at Metro Hotel Tower Mill - Brisbane

Metro Hotel Tower Mill is Located in Brisbane’s Central Business District (CBD) overlooking Wickham Park and walking distance to South Bank Parklands, Queen Street Mall and Brisbane River.

Metro Hotel Tower Mill is a favourite for guest’s seeking medical attention at the nearby private hospital and specialist medical centres. This is a smoke free hotel.

Hotel Facilities:

• Ground floor “The Mill Hotel Restaurant & Bar” 
• Laundry/dry-cleaning services & coin operated 
• facilities 
• Function facilities operated by The Mill Hotel 
• Car Parking – $10.00 per night. Subject to 
• availability. 
• Wireless Internet in all rooms and public areas 
• (charges apply) 
• ATM in reception area 
• Coin operated Internet terminal in Foyer 
• Distance to airport - 17 km Distance to CBD - 0.8 km

This Bed & Breakfast Hot Deal accommodation package includes a full buffet breakfast daily for up to 2 adults. Prices start from $149.

Book here: http://www.brisbane-metro-hotel-tower-mill.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/index.site.packages.package.1674.html

Brisbane Festival Announces 2014 Program

Brisbane Festival Announces 2014 Program

With his final festival program about to kick off, Artistic Director Noel Staunton has saved the best to last.

The full Brisbane Festival program was announced earlier this week, and organisers are promising an electrifying line up of music, theatre dance and family friendly entertainment.

Artistic Director Noel Staunton said that he expects hundreds of thousands of people to attend the 73 productions and 440 performances that will occur of the festival’s three-week duration. “The quality of artists and work means Brisbane is in for a very special September,” Mr Staunton said.

This year is Staunton’s final festival, and he will sign off with a bang when the Festival’s 16-tonne firework extravaganza Sunsuper Riverfire concludes the event at the end of September. 

“It has been an honour and a privilege to spend the last four years bringing everything that is great about the arts to Brisbane,” he said. “We have laid on some amazing festivals over the years but I believe we have saved the best until last.”

Having difficulty deciding which performances to attend? Limelight has picked six of the best:

The Perfect American

Concert Hall, QPAC

September 15-20

The latest opera from Philip Glass will make its Australian debut in Brisbane. Imagining the final months of Walt Disney’s life, the production is visually spectacular and features a stunning international cast.

Soap

The Courier, Mail Piazza

September 10-21

This saucy cabaret show has been touring for months, playing to packed houses around the world. From mop ballet to ariel trapeze, this splash-filled fusion has it all.

Kaput

The Cultural Forecourt, Telstra Spiegeltent

September 20-21

Tom Flanagan, energetic star of Tom Tom Crew and Circus Oz, returns with this chaotic mix of comedy and acrobatics.

Jazz on Sunday

Cultural Forecourt, Telstra Spiegeltent

September 7-21

Each Sunday, sit back and enjoy some hot food and cool jazz. A selection of local and national bands, as programmed by Jazz Queensland, are sure to get your toes tapping.

Ocean’s Skin

Whale Mall, Queensland Museum

September 23-27

Topology and one of America’s most acclaimed contemporary dance companies, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre, come together to immerse our senses in an exquisitely beautiful blend of music and movement.

Art from the Margins

Brisbane City Hall

September 11-14

This free showcase exhibition features artworks by artists living with physical or intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, homelessness, and other challenging life situations.

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