Q1 Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

The Q Deck is the perfect place to watch the sunset. Have a quiet drink and chill out at the Q1 Tourist resort and spa. Have a spa and relax on your holiday of your life. A top chef will serve you some of the best food that you have ever eaten. It is first class from the very top down to the very bottom. The Q1 is at the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia. It costs about eighty dollars to get to the Gold Coast from Sydney - for example.

Hunter Valley Health Resort.

Australia has a wide diversity of sights to see. If you don’t want to ride a horse in the outback get on a quad bike and thrash it around the bush to where you want to go. Or you could rejuvenate those tired muscles in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. The Golden Door Health Resort has a friendly atmosphere where you can practice Tai Chi or have an aquarobics class. It is complete regeneration for the soul. The food is prepared by gourmet chefs who prepare low fat meals for every time. There is a blissfull massage waiting for you after your mud bath. There are beautiful views of the Hunter Valley to soothe your jangled nerves from the fast pace of city life.

Farm Stays

At any farm stay in the Australian bush you can learn to make damper the traditional way. Make the dough and put it in a camp oven. You can cook fish in paperbark and have a bush breakfast by the fire. Port Douglas is a slice of heaven and close to the Barrier Reef. At Mornington Peninsula you can play golf or go for drives in the country or walk along the beach. The Mornington Peninsula is just an hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria, Australia.

Rottnest Island, Western Australia.

Go fishing off Rottnest Island in Western Australia and catch some big fish from the boat. Rottnest Island is just off Perth and is easily accessed by boat from Fremantle. If you like you can put the fish back in the water if you are not hungry for a feed of fish. Samson Fish are an awesome fish and very strong fighting fish. 

Bait presentation is very important for fishing. The fish try and swallow from the head and you have to present your bait accordingly. Thread the hook through the fish and chuck her in the water. You will be sure to hook a big one that will fight you all the way to the boat. Make sure that you have a good rod to use when you are going fishing. Stingrays can be very dangerous so watch out for the tails which can go through a calf muscle if they get you.

Snowy Start to July! 
  
The second big dump for the season has arrived in time for the NSW school holidays! 15 cm of snow has fallen since 10am Monday morning, carpeting the ground with a white and fluffy layer. Low overnight temperatures allowed 78 snowmaking guns to fire up across Perisher Valley Blue Cow and Smiggin Holes, assisting Mother Nature and and leaving the slopes ready for some riding action! We should see snowfalls down to 900 metres above sea level today, and forecasters say the flakes will continue falling until at least Friday! 

Night Skiing Tonight!

The Village Eight Express will operate daily from 8.30am to 7 pm until Thursday this week and will be open for night skiing to 9.30 pm, tonight, Tuesday 8 July.     
Amazing vistas in the Snowy Mountains!
Super Winter Escapes! 
  
Perisher Blue’s 2,5 & 7 day Super Winter Escape packages are the perfect getaway holiday option. Valid from 20 to 26 July ONLY, this is your chance to stay in deluxe on-snow accommodation at the Perisher Valley Hotel, which is synonymous with pure indulgence and exemplary service. Located at the base of the lifts in Perisher Valley, the Hotel offers ski-in, ski-out access, gourmet cuisine and dedicated staff who will ensure you have a fabulous stay in Perisher Blue. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. 
 
 
New! Fun and Games with Professor Nugget 
  
  Hanging out with Professor Nugget and his friends has never been so much fun!  
 Kidzone on the Perisher Blue website has recently been updated. After a day on the slopes why not grab the kids, a cup of hot chocolate and log onto the site so you can spend time, hanging out with Professor Nugget and his friends! Race Warren to see who can build a snowman the fastest, learn all about the Kidz Snow Rulz, put a puzzle together or check out Nugget Vision and get to know your way around the Resort. It’s great fun for the whole family!
 
 
New! Perisher Blue YouTube Snow Reports
  
Check out Perisher Blue’s new video snow reports, hosted on YouTube where you can keep track of all the latest Perisher Blue news, weather and snow conditions. This initiative is proving to be very popular, with the number of viewers increasing rapidly each day. The first YouTube hosted snowreport, which was uploaded on the 19 June, averaged 1,200 views. Since then the number of viewers has increased significantly, with up to 10, 000 people checking the report daily, making it the second most viewed video on YouTube in Australia! Help us get to number one by watching the report today! 
Finding the groove! Jumping and jiving in the Fusion Park on Front Valley.
 
 
New Free Perisher Village Shuttle Service! 
 
Operating 6pm to midnight every Tuesday evening until 9 September, allowing guests free access to restaurants, bars and other lodges in the resort.
 

Out of the Blue 4 July 

Feelin’ the BIG Chill! 
 
 Holidaymakers and snow lovers alike are feeling the thrill of the BIG chill as winter hits Perisher Blue. The snowfalls arrived in spectacular fashion with close to 40cm falling in the Resort this week, just in time for the NSW school holidays, completely transforming the Resort.

The forecast is for more snow next week. Fusion team rider Davina Williams finds some fresh! (3 July 2008)
Save $ with a Perisher Card!
 
 The Perisher Card offers loyal guests the chance to save on day passes. Designed specifically to provide greater value and flexibility to ensure that you get the most out of your snow holiday. It is the perfect option for those who fall short of spending enough time in the resort to purchase a Season Pass, the Perisher Card can be purchased for $45 from all Perisher Blue ticket outlets. Go to PB for more information.
 
 
Bargain! Winter Escape at the Perisher Valley Hotel
 
 Enjoy luxury accommodation for a bargain.
 Don’t miss out! For July 20-29 ONLY the Perisher Valley Hotel is offering you the chance to stay in deluxe on-snow accommodation for $478 per person. The Perisher Valley Hotel, located at the base of the lifts in Perisher Valley, offers ski-in, ski-out access, gourmet cuisine and exemplary service. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. The Winter Escape package includes; 2 nights accommodation, wine or hot chocolate on arrival, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Conditions do apply, call 1300 655 811 to book now. 
Go to perisher blue website to find out about Christmas in July at Snow Gums, the Perisher Valley Hotel’s signature Restaurant.
 
 
Night Skiing! The sun has gone, but you’re still out riding… 
 
Night Skiing started on Tuesday this week and it looks like it will be a regular event from now until the end of the season! With the extra snow cover it proved very popular with visitors. Many guests made a night of it and enjoyed dinner at JAX Bar and Chargrill, located right in front of the slopes. “Riding under lights is great fun and visibility is often better as the contours and the texture of the snow are more pronounced,” says Mick Rowson, Perisher Blue Sales and Guest Experience Manager. Weather permitting the Village Eight Express will be open for night skiing every Tuesday night until 9:30pm.  Lights, camera and action…night skiing on Front Valley. (1 July 2008) 
 
 
Special! $381 for 2 nights at The Station Resort 
 
 Stay at The Station Resort for just $381.00, including 2 nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts and 2 days skiing at Perisher Blue. Book now, call 1300369 909.
 
 
 
 

34cm of Fresh Snow and it is Still Falling! 
 
  The long awaited snowfalls finally arrived and in a big way! The falls began at 2.30pm, Monday 30 June and have continued throughout the early part of this week. 34cm of natural snowfalls have been added to the slopes in the past 48 hours and it has brought smiles to the faces of snow lovers around the resort. Further snowfalls, down to 1200 metres, are expected over the next couple of days. 

Night Skiing made it’s season debut last night.
 
Snowfalls left the Village looking wintry and white (Front Valley on Tuesday morning). 
 
 
July Entertainment!

Find Out What’s On Over the School Holidays.
 
 
Queensland School holidays are in full swing, with plenty of events and entertainment going on around the resort to suit the whole family!  Perisher Postcards! Holiday pics and how to place an order. 
 
 

Smiling big for Perisher Postcards!

 Forgot to bring your camera? Or maybe you noticed one of Perisher Blue’s friendly staff members taking photos around the resort and were wondering what they were up too! Most likely they were taking a Nikon Coolpix Postcard Pic for the Perisher Blue website.
 
 
July Events! 
 
 The Travelplan Sydney Division Interschools & the Scots College Snowsports Championships.  

Come watch the junior champions go head-to-head during the Travelplan Sydney Division Interschools or join in the fun and take part in the Scots College Snowsports Championships, which is open to any person of any age from any school in the country! Go to the perisher valley web site for more information on the Scots College Snowsports Championships. 
 
The junior championships are a must see event.
 
 
Honeymoon At The Snow! 
 
 Perisher Blue has the ultimate options for honeymooners, providing them with the perfect place to relax and spend time with each other. A honeymoon is a special time, a romantic interlude that links the rush of excitement of the wedding day and the dreams of a future together.
 

Out of the Blue

27 June

A Fresh Dusting and More Snow Coming!
 
Things are starting to look promising at Perisher Blue. A front hit the NSW alpine regions early on Thursday morning, which left the resort looking white and wintry. The light dusting coupled with snowmaking means both Front Valley and areas of Blue Cow are open for snow lovers to enjoy. More snow is expected early next week. Come up and check out the Burton Demo Weekend from 28 to 29 June. This is your chance to demo a range of the latest and greatest Burton products. You may even pick up a Burton demo deal at Addiction Snowboards, Lower Level Perisher Centre.  
  A light dusting transformed the resort into a wintry   paradise, Front Valley Thursday 26 June 2008.
 
Entertainment Calendar
 
The on-line entertainment calendar is now live! Covering Bazil’s, Dini’s, JAX, The Man, Smiggins Hotel, Snow Gums, the Sundeck and on-Mountain in Perisher Valley as well as The Station Resort in Jindabyne, the Entertainment Calendar is a must to keep up with all the fun at Perisher Blue this winter. Don’t miss out on seeing your favourite acts, bands, competitions, meal deals and happenings. go to perisher valley website to check it out.
School Holiday! Things to Try
 

Kids will have a ’snow’ ball this school holidays .
 School Holidays are just around the corner and that long awaited vacation is on the horizon. Hopefully you’re all set for a relaxing time away, spending time in the outdoors and having fun! Click HERE to find out a few things you simply have to try these school holidays at Perisher Blue.
Perisher Packages from $625!
 

An Exclusive Perisher Blue Offer from   American Express.
Imagine escaping to Perisher Blue this September for as little as $625 per person. American Express has secured packages including accommodation, meals and other luxuries, available exclusively to you. Indulge yourself this ski season with this exhilarating offer from American Express Selected.
 
A mammoth snowmaking effort last night had Front Valley looking white and wintry, Friday 27 June 2008.
 

Mid-Year Sale! Jetstar.com

It’s that time of the year to celebrate Jetstar’s Mid-year Sale! With fares from $39 for Newcastle to Brisbane! JetSaver Light^ fare - Carry on baggage only.

Sale ends midnight (23:59 AEST), Monday 30 June 2008, unless sold out prior. Sale may be extended.

Here’s a sample of what’s on sale. Visit Jetstar.com for the full list of sale fares.

Brisbane to Newcastle  $39
Hamilton Island  $79
Cairns  $89

    
Sydney to:
Fraser Coast  $59
Launceston  $69
Melbourne (Avalon)  $75
Book button
Melbourne to
Hobart (departs Tullamarine)  $49
Gold Coast (departs Tullamarine)~  $79
Perth (departs Avalon)  $159

These sale fares are JetSaver Light^ fares for when you travel with carry on baggage only. If you choose a JetSaver fare for just $10 more, you’ll get 20kg checked baggage allowance.

For travel 23 July to 17 September 2008. All routes have limited availability over public holiday weekends.

~ Limited availability on Fridays and Sundays.

Important Information on Flights

^ JetSaver Light fares have no checked baggage allowance. Carry on baggage limits, including size restrictions, will be strictly applied. Passengers with more than the applicable carry on baggage allowance will need to check in baggage, and charges will apply. JetSaver fares, which include 20kg checked baggage allowance, can be booked for $10 more. More details on cabin baggage.

For all payments by credit or charge card an additional $3 per passenger per domestic flight sector booked will apply.

Telephone bookings (13 15 38) attract an additional $15 per passenger, per domestic flight.

Fares are non-refundable and name changes are not permitted. Fares are one way, and are subject to availability (not available all flights or days).

To book, search in the relevant travel period and note that non-sale fares will also appear. Lower fares may be available.

All travel is subject to the Jetstar Conditions of Carriage. See Jetstar.com for more details.

Blue Cow is open! 
 
 Hoorahh! Blue Cow opened today for the first time this season. Revellers of all levels of ability have enjoyed schussing around the slopes. At Blue Cow two lifts are in operation including the Early Starter Double Chair and the Pony Ride Rope Tow. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecast for the Snowy Mountains is looking good. A cold front is expected to hit tomorrow with snow falling to 1500 metres. Hopefully this front will be the start of many more! There were snowboard and ski  Riders enjoying Blue Cow Mountain in June 2008 
 
 
Additional Activities!
  
Many snow lovers have  enjoyed building  snowmen on Front Valley. 
 Although we have not had the most ideal start to the season this year, there are a host of additional activities and special offers for guests to take advantage of in the resort including Guided Walks; Discounted Food and Drinks and Extra Lifts and extended opening hours.
 
Grooming Map! Check out our new feature
  
Check out the new feature on our website. The Grooming Map not only shows all the runs, but also which ones have been groomed each morning. It’s easy to find out if your favourite runs have been prepared to corduroy perfection. Click HERE to find out more. A new snowcam is soon to be installed in Tube Town to catch all the fun and excitement.  check out all the latest snowcam shots!
 
 
How convenient is it to travel via Skitube?
  

Skitube on route from Blue Cow Terminal to Perisher Valley, June 2008 
 Worried about finding parking? Try Skitube it is the safest and easiest travel option between Bullocks Flat, Perisher Valley and Blue Cow Terminal.

It’s easy to board and disembark and quick! It takes just 15 mins to travel up the mountain and trains depart every 20 mins during peak season. You can’t beat the convenience of travelling via Skitube! Click HERE for travel times and ticket prices.

Get all the stats and facts about Perisher Blue’s unique Skitube Alpine Railway.
 
What level are you? Take our quick Quiz 
 
  Curious to know what level skiers or boarder you are? It’s easy, to find out which lesson group to join take our simple quiz, there are only 6 questions. All you have to do is answer YES or NO. go to perisher blue web site to take the quiz.

Perisher Blue’s team of experienced instructors are waiting to introduce you to the wide range of products and services on offer. They are dedicated to providing you with professional instruction to take your skiing or boarding to the next level. To find out about lesson times and prices ring perisher blue. 
 

Merewether June 25th 2008

The swell was still hanging around today with the sets peaking up to about six foot. The wind was offshore from the north west at around twelve knots and it was a perfect winter’s day. There were not hordes of guys out and the waves were just coming through set after set. You did not have to wait long for a wave. In the morning it seemed like it was bigger with the lower tide. As the tide came in later in the morning it seemed to clean up a bit and break a bit more evenly. It also could have been a bit hollower with the higher tide coming in but i cannot say for sure.

I did not even have a look at NObbi’s or Newcastle Beach and went straight to Merewether today so I have no idea how the waves were at the town beaches. The forecast is for West to North West winds blowing from about fifteen to twenty five knots. The seas are expected to be from one to one point five meters and rising to two point five meters at times. The swell is expected to be approximately two meters from the South. The water temperature at the moment is around 17.4 degrees Celsius. So it is pretty chilly.

At this point in time the Wind is North west and blowing at seventeen knots according to Nobbys signal station. Low tide in the morning tomorrow will be after seven am with high tide at approximately two pm in the afternoon. The ground swell from the South is supposed to continue tomorrow but maybe drop a little to three to four foot waves. Winds will be from the west north west to the north west. It is perfect winter conditions and the surf is pumping so get out there and get some waves all for yourself.

Take advantage of Jetstar’s Escape Overseas Sale!

With fares from $139 from Darwin to Singapore. JetSaver Light fare - Carry on baggage only. Sale ends 5:00pm (AEST), Monday 30 June 2008, unless sold out prior. Sale may be extended.

South East Asia!

Darwin to Singapore $139 
Melbourne to Singapore (via Darwin) $299 
 Melbourne to Bangkok $329 
 Melbourne (departs Avalon) to Phuket (via Sydney) $449
 Sydney to Phuket $369  
Adelaide to Phuket (via Sydney) $479
 Brisbane to Phuket (via Sydney) $499
 
 
 These sale fares are JetSaver Light^ fares for when you travel with carry on baggage only.  If you choose a JetSaver fare for just $20 more, you’ll get 20kg checked baggage allowance.

Flights to Singapore or Bangkok are for travel 23 July to 18 September 2008.
Flights to Phuket are for travel from 13 August to 18 September 2008.
Limited availability over public holiday weekends.

New Zealand from $149!
Sydney $149  
Gold Coast $149 
 Brisbane $149 
  Melbourne $169
 
For travel 23 July to 18 September 2008. Limited availability over public holiday weekends and during peak periods. Very limited availability between Sydney and Christchurch 25 to 30 July 2008.

Japan from $249!

Cairns to Osaka $249  
Cairns to Nagoya $249  
Brisbane to Osaka $349
Sydney to Osaka $349  
Sydney to Nagoya $399      
 

These sale fares are JetSaver fares and include 20kg of checked baggage allowance.

For travel 15 July to 07 August 2008 and 03 September 2008 to 30 September 2008. Limited availability over public holiday weekends.

Japan sale fares are only on flights JQ 15/16, JQ 17/18 and JQ 63/64. Some sectors may be operated by Qantas. Flights may not be direct. Cairns to Nagoya may be via Osaka. Brisbane to Osaka is via Sydney. Osaka to Sydney is via Brisbane. Sydney to Nagoya is via Cairns.

Important Information

^ JetSaver Light fares have no checked baggage allowance. Carry on baggage limits, including size restrictions, will be strictly applied. Passengers with more than the applicable carry on baggage allowance will need to check in baggage, and charges will apply. JetSaver fares, which include 20kg checked baggage allowance, can be booked for $20 more. More details on cabin baggage.

For all payments by credit or charge card an additional $5 per passenger per international flight and $3 per passenger per domestic flight sector booked will apply.

Telephone bookings (13 15 38) attract an additional $15 per passenger, per flight to/from Christchurch and Singapore, and an additional $25 per passenger, per flight to other international destinations.

Fares are non-refundable and name changes are not permitted. Fares are one way, and are subject to availability (not available all flights or days). Melbourne flights depart Tullamarine Airport, unless otherwise stated.

To book, search in the relevant travel period and note that non-sale fares will also appear. Lower fares may be available.

All travel is subject to the Jetstar Conditions of Carriage. See Jetstar.com for more details.

Before you book your international flight, and before you travel, check current Australian Government travel advisories at smartraveller.gov.au

The surf at Newcastle has been reasonable this weekend. There was waves on Friday at Flat Rock just off the Newcastle Baths. The wind was coming from the south west and the swell was about two to four foot. There were some really good surfers out on Friday and they were getting some amazing barrels.

Today, Sunday, the swell is still up and was about four to six foot on the biggest sets. There were a heap of guys out at Flat Rock and lots of guys were getting hammered on the take offs on the bigger sets. There were waves off the point at Merewether. High tide was at half past ten at 1.27 meters this morning. Low tide will be at a quarter to five this afternoon late. The water temperature is seventeen degrees Celsius and the wind was coming out of the south south west earlier this morning. Now it is coming directly out of the south at twenty four knots.

The outlook is for increasing south to south west winds up 30 knots offshore, with a swell of between two to three meters. There is a new southerly swell predicted for Tuesday which will be a reasonable size. I am not sure how big but it is looking good for mid week. The winds are predicted to be coming from the west which will be good.