Destination Diaries Australia

Destination:	Singleton
Flights:	Direct to Newcastle
Date:	7-9 April
	2008 Great Escapade Singleton The Great Escapade is so much more than a bike ride. It is an adventure, a journey, a holiday. It is about exploring new places with your friends, discovering the eats and treats of cafes and vineyards and in 2008 you can choose your own adventure from a 13 day journey in two bite sized options. Whichever adventure you choose, you are about to start the escapade of your life!
Phone:	1800 639 634
Email:	bicyclevic@bv.com.au
Website:	www.greatescapade.com.au

Destination:	Parkes
Flights:	Direct to Canberra
Date:	12 April
	Canberra Balloon Fiesta The event will be held principally from the Lawns of Old Parliament House. Be sure to arrive before dawn to see the Balloon Teams prepare for flight. As Australia's iconic hot air ballooning event marks its 24th year, the 2008 Balloon Fiesta Night time Spectacular at Manuka Oval promises to be even bigger and better.
Phone:	04 3870 9545
Email:	info@balloonfiesta.com.au
Website:	www.balloonfiesta.com.au

Destination:	Darling Harbour
Flights:	Direct to Sydney
Date:	1-4 May
	Sydney Mind Body Spirit Festival Visit and enjoy Australia's largest event for personal growth, natural therapies, alternative healing, self development, spiritual awareness and much more. See, try and buy hundreds of products and services for your total wellbeing: physical, mental and spiritual. The festival includes 300 exhibition stands, both international and local presenters and performers, demonstrations, lectures and workshops each day.
Phone:	02 8923 8313
Email:	mbsfestival@eea.net.au
Website:	www.mbsfestival.com.au

Destination:	The Rocks
Flights:	Direct to Sydney
Date:	6 July
	The Rocks Aroma Festival The Rocks Aroma Coffee Festival is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. With Australians consuming an average of 2.4kg of coffee per person per year, it is no wonder a celebration of coffee is one of the biggest events on the Sydney calendar. Coffee roasters from around Australia offer their specialty brews for as little as $1 per cup. With a backdrop of entertainment and supporting products, Aroma Coffee Festival offers all coffee drinkers an opportunity to taste Australia’s best. Highlights include free live entertainment on several stages, a display of the latest domestic coffee equipment and workshops by Australia’s leading baristas and industry experts.
Phone:	02 9240 8788
Email:	visitorinformation@shfa.nsw.gov.au
Website:	www.therocks.com

Destination:	Federation Square
Flights:	Direct to Melbourne
Date:	17 - 27 July
	Melbourne Design Festival Presented by the National Design Centre, the Melbourne Design Festival will include over 40 mainly free events developed by designers for the general community to celebrate design and promote the further understanding of design across all its disciplines. The Festival provides a flood of diverse design programs, enough to whet the appetite of any designer or anyone interested in design. Events include exhibitions, forums, design shows, workshops, a design market, competitions, installations amongst others during the 10 days of the Festival.
Phone:	03 9654 6335
Email:	info@nationaldesigncentre.com
Website:	www.nationaldesigncentre.com

Destination:	Rymill Park
Flights:	Direct to Adelaide
Date:	4 - 31 August
	Tulipomania During the four weeks of August there will be a massive, breathtaking, and unique, display of tulips in the heart of Adelaide. It will include floral designs and colours of many varieties. Foods, wines, beverages will be available, and performances like dance, music, and other forms of entertainment will take place on stage, in the middle of the lake. Souvenirs, flowering pot-plants, bulbs and associated products, will also be available for purchase. A playground for kids, passage of view for elders, a place for everyone.
Phone:	0411 084 449
Email:	tulipomania11@yahoo.com.au
Website:	www.tulipomania.com.au

Destination:	Denman
Flights:	Direct to Newcastle
Date:	31 August
	Junket and Jazz at James Estate Great Wine - Fine Food - Exciting Jazz - Glorious Scenery. Held at the James Estate Winery at Baerami in the magnificent Goulburn River Valley, enjoy a relaxing three-course lunch (wine included) with music by the famous Allan Ward Jazz band from Newcastle - plus a heap of other entertainment. Bookings are essential.
Phone:	02 6547 5168
Email:	porr@winenational.com.au
Website:	www.jamesestatewines.com.au