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September travel news

LIFE'S A BEACH
The man behind the Bamurru Plains luxury retreat in the Northern Territory will open a new tented camp at WA’s exquisite Ningaloo Reef next month. Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, in the heart of the Cape Range National Park, has five individual luxury wilderness tents set among sand dunes on a deserted beach. Previously known as Ningaloo Reef Retreat, the camp was extensively refurbished by Charles Carlow of Bamurru Plains and his partners. “Ningaloo Reef is a pristine wilderness destination that has been crying out for high-quality experiential accommodation to support the area’s natural attractions,“ Carlow said. “We are privileged to be operating in one of the world’s most extraordinary environments and are ensuring that Sal Salis is one of Australia’s most ecologically sound properties.” All of the camp’s power is solar-generated and plans are under way to turn the camp into a carbon-neutral operation. Tents are $685 per person per night for twin share, minimum two-night stay, and includes all meals, selected alcohol and many excursions. Meanwhile, Carlow has also launched a new ‘Wild Bush Luxury Camp’ in the Blue Mountains. For details call 1300 790 561 or visit salsalis.com.au; bluemountainsprivatesafaris.com.

NEW PRODUCTS
Try Estèe Lauder’s new Super Flight Creme for face and eyes on those longer-haul journeys. The twin creams are conveniently packaged in a travel-friendly clear cosmetics bag, helping you to speed through those airport security checks. $75, for stockists call 1800 733 000. Sukin Organic Skincare also has a travel pack with moisturiser, cleanser, toner, shampoo and conditioner for $24.95, sukinorganics.com.au.

FORWARD-THINKING FASHION
Organic chic just became less of an oxymoron with the opening of Fred Segal Green. The feted department store has added a stylish new wing to its Santa Monica store that’s filled to the rafters with unique eco-friendly and fair trade objects plucked from around the world. Adding further to its green credentials, the building in which the store is housed is entirely sustainable. “The space has been created with solely green materials: reclaimed, recycled, formaldehyde-free, non-toxic, organic and all natural,” says Deborah Guyer Green of store designer epOxyGreen. We’re particularly partial to Kazuhiko Tomita’s rattan chair and Simbl’s amazing sculptural cushions made from silk and wool. 500 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA, +1 310 395 5699. GEORGE EPAMINONDAS

JUMBO REHABILITATION
Own an elephant for a day and help save these majestic creatures from an uncertain future at Chiang Mai’s Patara Elephant Farm. The Thai breeding and conservation farm rescues elephants from unsuitable work conditions and now one of Chiang Mai’s premier resorts, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is encouraging its younger guests to do their bit to help. Under the hotel’s Jumbo Keeper program, families can adopt an elephant for a day – riding it, cleaning it, feeding it and learning about its behaviour. Of the elephants that have been rescued through this initiative, one was chained as a tourist attraction in Bangkok, while another still has scars on her chest from hauling logs. Somehow she still has a twinkle in her eye. Visit mandarinoriental.com or pataraelephantfarm.com. LISA FEATHERBY

ARE YOU GAME?
Conservation Corporation Africa has opened two new luxury safari lodges in Botswana, with a focus on treading lightly on the local landscape. Xaranna Tented Camp and Xudum Delta Lodge, accommodating 18 guests each, have been built on stilted structures with no useof concrete, so they can be removed from the site if necessary. No trees were cleared or moved during the construction process and each lodge has a ‘Green Team’ on site to drive environmental initiatives. Set on a 50,000-hectare private concession, guests can explore the Okavango in safari vehicles, boats, dug-out canoes and guided walks. Xudum Delta Lodge is located on its own island with nine private suites built from rough-hewn timber, while Xaranna Tented Camp offers nine ensuite safari tents, private plunge pools and salas and great Delta views. Prices are from $595 per person per night, including meals and twice-daily game drives. ccafrica.com

WILDERNESS WARRIOR
Twenty-five years after the Franklin Dam issue helped bring down a federal government, environmentalist Geoff Law – who has worked on saving Tasmania’s wilderness and forests for more than two decades – recounts the famous campaign to save the Franklin River, as well as other stories of his wilderness travels. The River Runs Free (Viking, $32.95, pbk) is out now.

WATER WORKS
Eco-activists have long railed against the evils of bottled waters, decrying the energy used to produce and transport them. Now a couple of thoughtful Miami restaurateurs are proposing a viable alternative. Pacific Time, the seafood eatery that recently relocated to the city’s Design District, and Fratelli Lyon, a new Italian trattoria in the same locale, are serving their own purified house water. Made using a triple-charcoal filtration system, it’s delicious, earth-friendly and costs patrons a fraction of the typical price. Pacific Time also offers biodegradable portable containers. Pacific Time, 35 NE 40th St, Miami, +1 305 722 7369; Fratelli Lyon, 4141 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, +1 305 572 2901.

HELL ON WATER
“You might have a tranche of halibut or turbot with citrus fruits with olive oil and a confit of lemon,” says Marco Pierre White from the deck of P&O Cruises World Voyages’ new ship Ventura. “I don’t think people on ships want thick cream sauces. Those days are over.” The man many consider to be one of the greatest living chefs, and certainly one of the most infamous, is talking about the menu at The White Room, the new restaurant he has opened at sea. Another, the bistro Café Bordeaux, opens aboard the cruiseliner Aurora from late 2008, and will offer Australians the first chance to taste White’s food on the water when the Aurora visits our shores in February as part of its 2009 world voyage. For details and bookings, visit pocruises.com.

RETREAT AND REJUVENATE
Combine a sustainable tourism experience with a chance to rejuvenate yourself at the Gaia Retreat & Spa, Olivia Newton-John’s picturesque escape in the hinterland near Bangalow in NSW. With a kitchen sourcing vegetables and herbs from its onsite garden and orchard, it’s easy to see why guests enthuse about the health-conscious menu, which includes the likes of tamarind-glazed salmon on sweet potato and daikon with wasabi yoghurt and wilted Asian greens, and Thai-spiced barbecue chicken breast. To give back to the environment, Gaia also runs a rainforest regeneration program in conjunction with Rainforest Rescue, and uses Australian-made Sodashi and Uspa organic products in its Amala Day Spa. Gourmet Traveller readers receive a 10 per cent discount on the $1660 cost of a Couples Weekend Revive package, including airport transfers, two nights’ accommodation, all meals, morning yoga, a second daily activity, a one-hour massage and spa gift, and more. gaiaretreat.com.au

AIRLINE NEWS
ROUTE OF CONSCIENCE
Jetstar’s Sydney-Ballina Byron route has raised the most money for its carbon offset program. This year, 24 per cent of passengers making web bookings for travel on this route opted to carbon-offset their flights. Jetstar’s carbon offset program has raised almost $600,000 to date.

CUTTING BACK THE BA WAY
British Airways reports it has improved the fuel efficiency of its fleet by 28 per cent since 1990, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60 million tonnes. The airline aims to improve fuel efficiency by 25 per cent by the year 2025. The first airline to offer carbon offsets to passengers, BA’s UN-certified emissions reductions helps to finance clean energy projects in developing countries, and rainforest protection in Brazil.

FUTURE FUEL OPTIONS
Air New Zealand expects to use at least one million barrels of environmentally sustainable fuel annually – about 10 per cent of its total annual needs – by 2013. A test flight using fuel sourced from the Jatropha plant is expected to take place in Auckland later this year, subject to approval.

OILS AIN'T OILS
Virgin Atlantic successfully flew a 747 from Heathrow to Amsterdam on biofuel – the first airline in the world to do so – in February. The fuel was made of babassu and coconut oil. Virgin boss Richard Branson said, “This will enable those serious about reducing carbon emissions to go on developing the fuels of the future.”

IN BRIEF
HIGH HOPES
A new walking lodge, built from a state-of-the-art lightweight modular system in sustainably- sourced materials, is due to open this month on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. The bothfeet walking lodge, for the exclusive use of bothfeet guests doing three, four or six-day walking programs along the Great Ocean Road, will have 10 bedrooms with ensuites set in 10 acres of rainforest, 1km from the coast. The structure, with solar hot water and heating, and water recycling facilities, will be semi-permanent so it can be dismantled if the site needs to be regenerated. bothfeet.com.au

ARTISTIC VISION
Your next purchase of winter woollens may make a big difference to someone else’s life. Ethica Accessories sells handicrafts made by Peruvian women with help from The Sisters of Saint Joseph project, which creates employment for poor local Peruvian communities.ethica.com.au

LONELY PLANET GOES GREEN
Lonely Planet has compiled a list of the country’s best eco-experiences in its latest Australian guidebook. Called the GreenDex, this quick reference index of sustainable, tours, accommodation and experiences helps travellers “leave as light a footprint as possible, while still being fun and elightening,” says senior commissioning editor Errol Hunt. Some of the listings are also certified by Ecotourism Australia. $47.95, lonelyplanet.com.au