Need some sugar n spice in your life? Lost your zing? Get some black gold into you! No, not crude oil, but the re-energising elixirs that are coffee, tea and chocolate. Find out the secrets behind the perfect cuppa, indulge in quality chocolate and pick your pinkie up for high tea with these Aussie caffeine caper holidays and hotel hotspots. Read more »

Tickets for the Australian Open 2010 have just been released for sale through Ticketek.  The Grand Slam event for the Asia/Pacific region will be held in Melbourne between 18th and 31st January 2010.  

With record crowds anticipated again for 2010, plans have been revealed which will double the spectator space available at the event with the introduction of Grand Slam Oval.  There will be 11,000 square metres on Grand Slam Oval area which will be located between Hisense Arena and Rod Laver Arena.   Planned facilities include wine bar; beer garden; two giant screens; live bands; DJ’s; and a range of other free entertainment.  To beat the heat, the Evian Spa will offer ice massages and the ANZ Ice Cube will be a great place to ‘chill out’ and relax!

Families should head to Garden Square for family fun and entertainment including big screen; roving entertainment; tennis activites and watching the Wilson racquet stringers at work.   If the kids would rather play tennis than watch they can head to the MLC Fan Zone; meet players at MLC Autograph Island or rate their serve against the champions at the Express Post Speed Serve.  Retail outlets will offer brand name tennis from Lacoste and the Andy Roddick tennis range plus a variety of  Australian Open souvenirs such as beach towels,  giant tennis balls, caps and t-shirts.

There is something at the Australian Open 2010 for any kind of tennis fan – from the diehard face painter grabbing a spot on a show court to adults enjoying the outdoor entertainment and families looking for a great day out during the holidays.  Ticket prices start from AUD$29 for a ground pass which gives access to all the outdoor courts plus free entertainment and activities on Grand Slam Oval and Garden Square.

If you have purchased a series ticket, or plan to visit several days in a row then why not stay the night?  There are a range of hotels in Melbourne offering great deals.  Due to the large number of tourists combined with school holidays and a public holiday long weekend, rooms will book out quickly.

The Hilton on the Park Melbourne is located directly opposite the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Park and a short walk to Rod Laver Arena.   The hotel is next to the Fitzroy Gardens and offers picturesque views to the city.   Relieve sore legs from a day at the tennis by relaxing by the outdoor heated pool, working out in the gym or book a massage at the Hilton Day Spa.  Enjoy evening cocktails and bar snacks in the Park Lounge or dine in the Gallery Restaurant.   

Recently refurbished, the traditional styled Hilton Guest Rooms are decorated in rich warm tones and feature large panoramic windows.  Work at the desk, surf the internet with wi-fi access, chill-out with on demand movies, relax in the large armchair with ottoman or re-energise in the marble bathroom.    If you enjoy the privacy of your own whirlpool spa, upgrade to a Relaxation Suite with separate lounge/dining area and large screen TV.

If you dont want to pay your own way, enter our Australian Open Tennis 2010  Battle of the WAGS competition.     The winner will receive two adult tickets to the Australian Open Tennis Championships for the Men’s Semi Finals on Friday 29th January 2010 at 3pm PLUS two nights accommodation a the Hilton on the Park Melbourne in a Relaxation Suite from 29th to 31st January 2010.  Total value of the prize is AUD$1689.80.  GOOD LUCK!

Culture vultures be on the alert!  The Melbourne International Arts Festival will be held from 9th October through to 24th October 2009.  This is Melbourne’s premier cultural event, featuring visual arts displays and performances by local and international artists.  Originally staged in Melbourne back in 1986 as the third Spoleto Festival (behind Spoleto Italy and Charleston USA), this unique festival celebrates its international roots. Read more »

Melbourne Botanic Gardens: Cookaa via Wikimedia Commons |

Is it time to put some Spring back in your step? Enjoy the outdoors, see exquisite gardens and learn the tricks to transforming boring backyards into verdant vistas that will make the neighbours green with envy on our Australian flower and garden holidays. Read more »

Kaleidoscope: H. Pellikka via Wikimedia Commons | Glass beads: Pschemp via Wikimedia Commons

Tea cosies, doilies, lavender potpourri… boring! There’s more to art and craft than moth-balled wool. Spin yourself into elegant embroidery, gorgeous glasswork or picturesque portraits on one of our creative hobby holidays of Australia. Read more »