Here's Cheers to the First Queensland Beer Week

If the flashing red neon XXXX sign atop Castlemaine Brewery isn’t proof enough that Queenslanders love their beer, the state is now bracing for its own beer bash with the inaugural Queensland Beer Week from July 16- 22.

The collective ‘clink’ of beer bottles will be heard across Queensland as breweries, bottle shops and iconic pubs team up to showcase the very best of beer culture, while beer-lovers also attempt a world record for the most people brewing at one time.

And the timing couldn’t be more perfect with Queensland’s favourite brew, XXXX Gold recently taking the crown for the nation's most popular beer and flattening the bubbles out of long-time title holder, Victoria Bitter.

Raise your glass and celebrate with the 10 best beer experiences in Queensland. 

1. Take a tour with a tipple

Get inside the head, the heart and the history of Queensland’s amber elixir with a tour through the XXXX Ale House in Brisbane’s inner-west. Tours of the 130-year-old icon run daily and visitors can see how the beer is made and taste the final product. www.xxxxbrewerytour.com.au

2. Bavarian beer in the bush

If the clink of a beer stein and the image of an honest Aussie farmer in a good pair of lederhosen appeals, then head west for the world’s most remoteOutback Oktoberfest in Jundah. You won’t go hungry or thirsty with Beer Wenches catering to your every whim, whether it be a big juicy bratwurst or stein of authentic Erdinger beer specially imported from Germany. www.outbackoktoberfest.com.au

3. Get crafty on the coast

You can’t rush a good thing, according to the Gold Coast’s only craft brewery, Burleigh Brewing Company. It takes around a month to perfect a Burleigh brew; the onsite team does absolutely everything by hand, from carefully selecting the malted barley, yeast and hops to bottling the finished product, boxing it up and lovingly placing it in the cold room. Clearly they’re doing something right - their HEF beer was recently judged the Best German Wheat Beer at the World Beer Cup 2012. Wunderbar! www.burleighbrewing.com.au

4. A match made in heaven

It’s an unlikely pairing, but beer and cheese go together like Queen Elizabeth and her corgies. Explore the hinterland town of Mount Tamborine and match the cheese at Witches Chase Cheese with award-winning beer samples from Mount Tamborine Brewery next door. www.mtbeer.com

5. Beers and bull riding

Crack a coldie at the iconic Great Western Hotel in Rockhampton, the home of great steak, beer and rodeos. This 116-year-old pub plays host to major national rodeos and features a huge undercover rodeo arena for 1,000 people that attracts champion riders from near and far.www.greatwesternhotel.com.au

6. BYO (Brew Your Own) beer
Be your own brew master for a day at Brew 4 U in Brisbane - Queensland’s first brew-on-premises microbrewery. Visit the brewery and choose a beer from their list of over 200 different styles. Measure out the ingredients, mix them together and transfer it to the fermenter where your brew will bubble for 2-4 weeks. At the end of the process, take home 50 litres of your very own freshly brewed and bottled beer. www.bru4u.com

7. Archive of ales

Beer-aficionados won’t go thirsty at Archive Beer Boutique in Brisbane’s West End, with more than 400 different bottled beers and 14 draught beers to choose from. Currently on tap is Burleigh HEF, White Rabbit White Ale and Two Birds Sunset Red Ale. But if the reserve selection is more to your taste, for $175 you can try a bottle of Brewdog’s Tactical Nuclear Penguin. With 32 per cent alcohol it’s the world’s strongest beer and should be enjoyed like a fine whisky. www.archivebeerboutique.com.au

8. Sky’s the limit

The tropical climate of North Queensland has always been associated with cold, thirst-quenching beer. Enter Blue Sky Brewery. Situated in the heart of Cairns, the brewery produces 10 preservative-free, full-flavoured beers including lagers, ales and ciders. Enjoy guided tours from Monday to Thursday where you can sample their stable of beers including FNQ Lager, FNQ Gold, Cairns Gold and Blue Sky Pilsner. Blue Sky is also serious about being green with 95 per cent of its spent grain and yeast used for cattle feed.  www.blueskybrewery.com.au

9. Something’s a-brewing

One of Australia’s premier boutique breweries, the Townsville Brewing Company has been brewing six regular beers plus various seasonal releases since opening in 2001. Steeped in history, the brewery is housed within the town’s original post office building, flanked by an impressive clock tower. Brewery tours aren’t available but they do offer tutored tastings.  www.townsvillebrewery.com.au

10. No bitter aftertaste

Cleverly named beer bistro Bitter Suite is one of New Farm’s trendy new kids on the block and becoming a fast favourite for weekend afternoon drinks. The friendly owners living out their dream offer patrons hearty fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But it’s their grazing menu begging to be washed down with a choice of seven local craft beers on tap, plus 55 (mostly) Australian bottles that’s winning over locals. www.bittersuite.com.au

(Source: travmedia.com)

Brisbane to Host Spanish Exclusive

In yet another Australian coup, Brisbane prepares to host ‘Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado’, an exhibition of more than 100 masterpieces from Madrid’s Museo Nacional del Prado, to be shown exclusively at the Queensland Art Gallery from July 21 to November 4.

The Museo Nacional del Prado, Spain’s national art museum, holds one of the most significant collections of European painting in the world. ‘Portrait of Spain’ is the first exhibition from the Prado ever to be shown in Australia, and represents the largest group of works the museum has ever lent to a foreign museum.

Curated by Javier Portús Pérez, Head of the Department of Spanish Painting (to 1700), Museo Nacional del Prado, this extensive exhibition will explore the history of painting in Spain over three and a half centuries, highlighting the internal and external factors that influenced the evolution of Spanish painting between 1550 and 1900.

Presented as various chapters of Spain’s history, the exhibition will include magnificent Royal portraits, large scale history paintings, religious pictures, mythological scenes and intimate still lifes.

‘Portrait of Spain’ will bring to Australia work by artists who played central roles in the history of European painting, including Spanish, Italian, Flemish and French artists who worked for the Spanish Royal Court.

The exhibition will explore the political and cultural forces that have influenced the development of modern Spain, and reveal how modern Spanish identity was formulated over 350 years.

Artists represented include EL GRECO, Vecellio di Gregorio TIZIANO (TITIAN), Peter Paul RUBENS, Michel-Ange HOUASSE, Anton Rafael MENGS, Francisco de ZURBARÁN, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y VELÁZQUEZ, Bartolomé Esteban MURILLO, Juan CARREÑO DE MIRANDA, Luis MELÉNDEZ, Francisco de GOYA Y LUCIENTES, Federico de MADRAZO Y KUNTZ, Mariano FORTUNY MARSAL and Joaquín SOROLLA Y BASTIDA.

The exhibition is presented by the Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia, in partnership with the Museo Nacional Del Prado. 

(Source: Brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Brisbane Hosts Global Sensation Jersey Boys

Brisbane will join New York’s Broadway, London, Las Vegas, and the U.S. National tours as the world-wide smash hit production of Jersey Boys opens at QPAC this July.

Jersey Boys – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is the story of how four blue collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop sensations of all time.

Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi joined forces and became The Four Seasons, writing their own hits to sell over 175 million records before they were 30!

Over 1 million people have seen the show in Melbourne and Sydney and over 14 million around the world.

Broadway Producer, Michael David, from Dodger Theatricals is thrilled to bring Jersey Boys to Brisbane.

“The show is chock full of classic Four Seasons show stopping songs and a story that is all the more riveting because it’s true,” he said.

“With an extraordinary cast, we believe Jersey Boys will engage theatregoers and send them dancing out of the Lyric Theatre!”

Jersey Boys features 20 Four Seasons hit songs including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Rag Doll, Oh What a Night and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

Jersey Boys – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons has proven to be a world-wide sensation, winning four 2006 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2009.

In Australia Jersey Boys won two Helpmann Awards being Best Musical and Best Music Direction of a Musical and seven Victorian Green Room Awards.

The Jersey Boys Original Cast Recording also received a 2006 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Show Album.

This is a theatrical event not to be missed.

(Source: brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Brisbane Kicks Off Winter Festival Season

The City is set to play host to Australia’s largest winter entertainment event, The Winter Festival, from 8 June – 1 July.

Featuring an expanded programme of food, music, nightlife and family fun, and supported by key sponsor Lipton Chai Latte, the festival is set to be even more popular in 2012.

The major celebrations in in King George Square add to The Cities biggest winter calendar of events. Over the winter months, people can warm up with Fete de la Musique, the delectable Brisbane Food Festival, a visit from the Qantas Wallabies and the London Olympic celebrations.

The Winter Festival will make its Australian debut in Brisbane before moving on the other states. And due to the huge success of last year’s event and by popular demand, the program will be extended an additional week – with the third week taking place in the school holidays.

One of the highlights of the festival will be Australia’s largest open air ice skating rink.

The Winter Festival is part of a wider program of events being held to encourage Brisbanites to Warm up in The City. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said The City will be alive with activity this winter.

“While other states may shun the winter months, Queenslanders will celebrate the outdoors during the months of June and July,” Cr Quirk said.

“The City will mark the season with special food and retail offers. Plus an entertainment program which includes ice skating with Brisbane City Hall as a backdrop, it’s certainly a unique experience,” he said.

As the temperatures drop, The Winter Festivals nationally are estimated to entice 500,000 people outdoors both day and night to enjoy a unique winter experience throughout the June/July school holidays.

Director of The Winter Festival, Justin Ricketts said the program will be launched on Thursday June 7.

“Last year the Winter Festival was truly embraced by the Brisbane community, and the atmosphere and vibe during the festival was amazing. This year we wanted to thank all of those who attended, and extend an extra week for those that missed out. We look forward again to a great festival in 2012, and getting our skates on with the Brisbane community,” Mr Ricketts said.

There will be an enhanced range of activities for children throughout the day including special family discounts, school holiday programs, special guest visits from their favourite kids characters and facilities for children’s birthday parties.

There’s plenty for the adults too with a ski-themed lodge aimed at young revellers complete with roaring fireplaces, specialty European alpine cuisine & dining, licensed bars, live music and entertainment.

Those keen for a winter's night out will be rewarded with high-quality hearty comfort food and Glühwein - a type of mulled wine, rarely seen on Australian shores.

The Lipton Chai Latte lodge will return for the 2012 Winter Festivals, offering a warm space to relax after a skate, and a free delicious Lipton Chai Latte.

Marketing Manager of Lipton Chai Latte Natalie Cassar said they’re excited to be continuing their relationship with the Winter Festivals in 2012.

“We look forward to welcoming Brisbane visitors to take a break in the Lipton Chai Latte Lounge and enjoy a free exotic and indulgent cup of Lipton Chai Latte,” Ms Cassar said.

With Nova 106.9 as launch media partners, the Lipton Chai Latte Winter Festivals is again set to gain both domestic and international media coverage.

Entry to the Lipton Chai Latte Winter Festivals is free and is open from 12 noon – 10pm during weekdays and 10am – 10pm on weekends.  Skate hire and rink access tickets start from $12 for kids and $17 for adults with group and family discounts available.

Brisbane, King George Square  (8th June – 1st July)

(Source: Brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Cirque Du Soleil Prepares for Mass Insect Migration From Portland to Brisbane

The countdown to OVO is on!

Who would have thought that relocating a cast of butterflies, crickets, spiders, ants, scarab beetles, fireflies, fleas, a ladybug and a blue fly would take a military-style international operation worthy of a Mission Impossiblescript?

But these are no ordinary insects. They are the stunning cast of the critically-acclaimed family-fun packed OVOby Cirque du Soleil, set to have its Australian premiere in Brisbane on July 14 with a limited season under the trademark blue-and-yellow Big Top at Northshore Hamilton. (amazing images and cool interviews available on request!)

OVO finished playing in Portland, Oregon, USA on Sunday. Before the 12-month Australian tour can commence, the cast, crew, big top and its surrounding village must be transported all the way from Portland to Brisbane.

“The Australian tour is the first time OVO has traveled outside North America, and it’s a mammoth logistical operation, one which is planned and managed internationally by Cirque du Soleil’s Tour Logistics Department,” said OVO Production Operation Manager Derrin Brown.

The complex operational plan will ensure that the big top, sets and costumes – some 1200 tons of equipment - are pulled down, packed up and shipped to Australia in time for the first performance in Brisbane on Saturday 14 July.

“Transport of the equipment takes place over a two month period, which began in early May. Making co-ordination even more complicated is the fact that equipment for the Australian tour is originating from different countries – Canada, the UK and Germany, with the main portion coming from Portland in the United States. The Portland equipment will sail to Australia out of the Port of Seattle,” said Brown. “Approximately 78 containers will be transported, with all equipment travelling by boat.

“To ensure Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services requirements are fully met, all the equipment – down to the ‘nails’ that hold the tents down - must be washed before being placed in the containers.   It’s a huge operation, but all equipment should be safe and sound in Brisbane by early July.”

Then there’s the cast and crew. Over 60 bicycles and 410 suitcases will be transported to help make Australia their home for the next year. The cast of OVO features 54 performing artists from 16 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of the show is the stunning Flying Act in which a group of scarab beetles soar high above the stage, from both edges to the middle landing on a platform. This breathtaking act combines many circus disciplines: banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair.

Since its world premiere in 2009, OVO has visited more than 15 cities in Canada, United States and Mexico, delighting over 2 million spectators.  OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. 

Cirque du Soleil

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment.

The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - OVO - 2012/2013 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Brisbane - From July 14 2012, Northshore Hamilton
Sydney - From September 13 2012, Showring at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Adelaide - From December 6 2012, Location to be advised
Melbourne - From January 17 2013, Melbourne Docklands
Perth - From April 14 2013, Langley Park

(Source: etravelblackboard.com)

Cirque Du Soleil Prepares for Mass Insect Migration From Portland to Brisbane

June Events in Queensland

 

There's something about "Maryborough" and listings for other events across Queensland such as Jumpers and Jazz Festival, the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival and many more for June.

Please note, this listing is based on events supported by Events Queensland and is not an exhaustive list of events for this period.)

For more events during this period please refer to www.queenslandholidays.com.au/events

MAJOR EVENT: Cairns Airport Adventure Festival
27 May - 4 June 2012
Where: Cairns
Phone: 07 3868 2444
Web: www.cairnsadventurefestival.com.au

Set in one of the world's most iconic tropical locations, the 2012 Cairns Airport Adventure Festival features 10 jam-packed days of events for people of all ages and abilities including: Urban Hotel Group Ironman 70.3; Coral Coast Triathlon, RRR Mountain Bike Challenge, Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge, Quicksilver Reef Swim - Green Island, The Cairns Post Run for Cairns and Challenge Junior - a triathlon designed especially for kids! Plus there's plenty of entertainment with a free community concert.

The pinnacle event of the festival is 'Cairns Airport Ironman Cains' a gruelling iron-distance triathlon that features a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike leg that travels one of the most scenic coastal roads in Australia towards Port Douglas and a 42.2km run that includes the Cairns Esplanade before finishing in the heart of Cairns.

Classic Country Music Stampede
8 - 10 June 2012
Where: Maryborough
Web: www.classiccountrymusicstampede.com.au

The Classic Country Music Stampede is a great weekend of classic country music with some of Australia's finest artists performing live. Artists who have confirmed their attendance for the 2012 festival include: Craig Giles, Kinta, Ian B Macleod, Reg Poole, Laura Downing, Peter Pratt and Lindsay Waddington, Sandy Atkinson Pedal Steel Guitar, Phil and Chris Coad, The Band Just Jack. Camping is available at the showgrounds.

SEASON OF SAILING: Etchells Australian Winter Championship
7 - 10 June 2012
Where: Mooloolaba
Web: www.mooetchells.yachting.org.au

Enjoy world-class sailing held close to the shores of Mooloolaba Beach with Olympic, World Champion and America's Cup sailors competing in the three-day international competition.

Jandowae Timbertown Festival
8-11 June 2012
Where: Jandowae
Web: www.jandowaetimbertown.org.au/

The Jandowae Timbertown Festival is a biannual community festival which has been held since 2001 and celebrates the contribution that the timber industry and workers have made to the heritage and economy of Jandowae. The festival is also a celebration of the thriving local agricultural and manufacturing industries that sustain Jandowae, and of the many talented and proactive community groups that make it such a great place to live, work and play.

Boyne Tannum Hookup
8 - 10 June 2012
Where: Tannum Sands
Web: www.boynetannumhookup.com.au/

Separated by the Boyne River the towns of Boyne and Tannum have united to host one of Australia's best fishing competitions. It features not only a great contest, with boats and camping trailers up for grabs, but entertainment from Dave Hodge (the barefoot fisherman) and top musicians as well as the tag fish tank and excellent fishing and boating displays. The Hookup is also a charity event with all proceeds from the competition and merchandise going to the Bushfire Brigade.

Cooktown Discovery Festival
8 - 11 June 2012
Where: Cooktown
Web: www.cooktowndiscoveryfestival.com.au

The Cooktown Discovery Festival is an annual event held in Cooktown, Far North Queensland, to celebrate the landing of Lt. James Cook at the Endeavour River in 1770 and his meeting with the local Guugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanji people. For 50 years, the people of Cooktown have come together every June to celebrate this historic event by staging a fully costumed re-enactment of Cooks landing and his time spent in this tropical paradise with the local Bama (aboriginal people).

Tour of Toowoomba 201214-17 June 2012
Where: Toowoomba
Web: www.touroftoowoomba.com/

If you're into cycling, then Toowoomba is the place to be for the FKG Tour of Toowoomba. You'll have the opportunity to be part of an action packed weekend of cycling. The choice is yours - either enter the Endeavour Challenge, a sport open to all recreational cyclists, or be there to see the top teams in Australia compete in the grueling three day FK Gardner and Sons Construction Tour of Toowoomba. Other highlights include a Sports Dinner. This National Road Series three day event is an initiative of the Toowoomba Cycling Club and supported by both Cycling Queensland and Cycling Australia.

Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge
16 June 2012
Where: Hughenden
Web: www.porcupinegorgechallenge.com.au

Some call it Queensland's Grand Canyon but it's better known as Porcupine Gorge. This event is not only to challenge serious competitors but to give the opportunity for locals and adjoining communities to enjoy the wonderful natural attraction of the gorge whilst walking with friends.

Competitors travel from vast distances to compete in the 8 kilometer event; some who camp at the Gorge for the weekend enjoy more than just the challenge. Categories include Open Men's, Ladies and Under 16 and Under 12 section for boys and girls, with the overall winner taking pride of place on the perpetual trophy. A special perpetual trophy is also awarded to the first local Flinders Shire resident past the post.

Surfers Paradise Festival
20 June - 14 July 2012
Where: Surfers Paradise
Web: http://www.surfersparadisefestival.com

Surfers Paradise Festival is an annual community celebration of music, food, fashion, film and art and a key driver of the Gold Coast's long-term cultural development. Across the four weekends of the festival, the Surfers Paradise precinct becomes a dynamic, inclusive and interactive event space and a hub of Gold Coast creativity.

The free event platforms local and international talent within the streets and venues of Surfers Paradise, across an accessible mix of family events, exhibitions, live music, street markets and short film screenings.

Mackay Tinnie & Tackle Show
23 -24 June 2012
Where: Mackay
Web: http://www.mackaymarinefestival.com.au/

Fishing, big and small boats, engines, jet ski's, ski boats and getting on the water... what more could a family want? At Mackay's ultimate marine event - The Mackay Marine Festival - you will find all this and more.

The Mackay Tinnie and Tackle Show is a fantastic showcase of everything the region's marine industry has to offer. There are also plenty of activities for the kids from Marine and Fishing Workshops through to face painting and rock climbing walls. Part of the Mackay Marine Festival, it's all happening at the Mackay Marina.

Sail Mooloolaba
23 -30 June 2012
Where: Mooloolaba
Web: www.sailmooloolaba.yachting.org.au

Sail Mooloolaba is an annual sailing event that brings together junior, youth and senior sailors from the east coast of Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand, across large and small dinghies, and monohull and multihull keel boats, to race in a two-day regatta on the beautiful waters off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride
24 - 30 June 2012
Where: Cairns
Web: www.ridefnq.com

Get outback! The Coast to Coast Bike Ride began through the Cairns School of Distance Education P&C Association in 1996/97 to initially address the need to build a multi-purpose activity centre for the school site in Cairns. The event is now a seven day Cairns to Karumba bike ride that will see bicyle riders travel through the outback towns of the iconic Savannah way. Riders can join the back along the way or travel the entire 780km ride.

Mary Poppins Festival
27 June - 1 July 2012
Where: Maryborough
Web: www.marypoppinsfestival.com.au

Mary Poppins mania hits Maryborough, the birthplace of author P.L. Travers, this June and July. Closet nannies emerge, vintage prams hit the streets, there is chalk art, music, a parade and fireworks. Here are a few little-known connections between Maryborough and the Mary Poppins novels (of which there were eight). Did you know that...

Travers' father was the bank manager in Maryborough just like her character Mr Banks The building where Travers lived is just a short stroll from Maryborough's majestic Queens Park, which bears strong resemblance to the park of the novels near the Banks' home, frequented by Mary Poppins and her young wards Travers' first Mary Poppins novel included a party at the zoo among the animals.

Queens Park once housed a zoo and an aviary In the novel and film Admiral Boom is a former naval officer who lived next door to the Banks family and fired his cannon to mark the hours. In Maryborough, during Travers' parents' time a cannon was fired every day at 1pm to let the workers in the cane fields know to come in for lunch

History aside - this is fabulous fun! Head to Maryborough in June and July and enjoy this wonderful family festival.

June Events in Queensland

Aussie Travel Tax Hike Slap in Face

The Australian Government’s decision to increase its passenger departure tax by 17% to AU$55 is a slap in the face for both countries’ tourism industries, says Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chairman Norm Thompson.

“The increase will be a barrier to the almost 1.2 million Australians who travel to New Zealand annually,” says Mr Thompson. “Australia is our largest and most valuable visitor market and our aim is to encourage travel here.”

He says the Australian Government’s recent budget announcement that it was increasing its passenger movement charge (PMC) from 1 July 2012 by A$8 to A$55 comes at a time when TIA and the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) have been lobbying for the tax to be cut.

“We have been pushing for a seamless border experience that will increase the flow of trans-Tasman travel, with streamlined border processing and ‘mates rates’ to halve the PMC for Kiwis and Australians. 

“Instead the Australian Government has imposed this hefty increase on a tax that is already high. A family of four Aussies holidaying in New Zealand will have to pay NZ$280 departure tax just to leave their country.”

Mr Thompson says he has briefed Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key on the potential impact of the PMC increase and says Mr Key has advised he will take it up with his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard.

“We are pleased the Australian government will roll out additional SmartGate automated passport control machines at its international airports. This is something TIA and TTF have been advocating for as it will make travel easier, but the negative impact of the PMC increase will far outweigh any benefits our tourism industries might derive from this.

“Kiwi and Australian holidaymakers will give the Australian government an additional NZ$23.8 million in 2012-13 as a result of the PMC increase. While they have said some of the money will go towards Tourism Australia, our experience with the UK’s airport departure tax shows unfair tax grabs such as this disappear into the government coffers.”  

Mr Thompson says increased travel flows between New Zealand and Australia would benefit both nations economically and TIA and TTF will fight the PMC increase.

 Aussie Travel Tax Hike Slap in Face