Grand Pacific destination just got grander

One of the most prestigious addresses in the Pacific has reopened its doors. 

After a 15‑month "restoration and transformation", the Grand Hotel & Casino has officially reopened its doors overlooking Port Vila harbour in Vanuatu. 

The eight‑level landmark - originally built in 2003 - has a new look and a new vibe after being closed since the December 2024 earthquake. 

Led by Melbourne‑based owners Zagame Corporation, the hotel is known as Vanuatu’s most recognisable waterfront destination.

“This is more than a venue,” said Robert A Zagame, director of Zagame Corporation. “The Grand represents our future vision in the Pacific. Grounded in timeless values, delivered with modern execution, and shaped by our deep belief in Vanuatu’s future.”

Mark Stanford, Chief Operating Officer of the Grand Hotel & Casino, said the reopening marks a proud moment for the team and the community.

“Every part of this journey has been driven by resilience and optimism,” he said. 

“Retaining our full team throughout the redevelopment was non‑negotiable. They are the heart of the Grand. We’re thrilled to welcome guests back to a hotel that feels familiar yet completely renewed, and to play our part in Port Vila’s continued growth.”

Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru, said the organisation is delighted to see the property re-open and welcome guests again as visitation to the destination continues to grow post-earthquake.

The 74‑room hotel’s transformation has been delivered in collaboration with Lukas Design, a boutique Australian interior architecture studio, and Vancorp Construction. 

Guest rooms and suites feature new furnishings, luxurious European marble en suite bathrooms, improved lighting, workspaces and modern technology including HD televisions with Chromecast.

Panorama Rooms and Level Six suites offer minibars, coffee pod machines, yoga mats, luxury amenities including bath salts, and private balconies capturing harbour sunsets.

The hotel also features a swimming pool, on‑site day spa and sauna, two new guest elevators, revitalised public areas and upgraded conference facilities. 

Room rates start from $340 in Australian dollars per room per night. Bookings can be made at www.grandvanuatu.com

St Regis to make its New Zealand debut in Queenstown

 

Global luxury hotel brand St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is to make its New Zealand debut in Queenstown. 

Marriott International this week announced a signed agreement with PHC Queenstown Limited with the property due to open late next year. 

The hotel is set to be located on a prominent corner site in central Queenstown, with views to The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu. 

Expected to feature 145 rooms, the new-build luxury hotel is set to be Marriott’s inaugural foothold in Queenstown as the first St. Regis hotel in New Zealand. 

"Securing a luxury presence in Queenstown has been a strategic priority for Marriott, and we’re thrilled to soon establish the iconic St. Regis brand in such an exceptional destination," said Richard Crawford, vice president for Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific for Marriott International. 

"Founded on New York’s 5th Avenue more than 120 years ago, St. Regis is a globally revered name in luxury that is sought after by discerning travellers worldwide. 

"Queenstown attracts more than two million visitors annually, making it ideal for a world-class luxury hotel.

“This latest signing is another example of Marriott’s leadership as the world’s largest operator of luxury hotels, a rapidly growing segment in the industry. The St. Regis Queenstown is set to be undeniably the destination’s finest hotel offering and will further elevate Queenstown’s status as a must-visit destination.”

The St. Regis Queenstown is expected to feature an all-day dining venue and an event space. 

St. Regis’ butler service has been a signature offering of the brand for over a century, and will offer guests personalised service that ensure their preferences are understood and realised," the media release says. 

It will also offer a hydrothermal facilities zone and a relaxation and wellness lounge, complemented by the hotel’s indoor heated pool and fitness centre.

The St. Regis portfolio now consists of more than 65 properties globally. It will also open a property on the Gold Coast in Australia in 2027. See marriottbonvoy.com.

Bloodsuckers poised to descend on Sydney

It's about to get bloody in Sydney.

Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires, an award-winning exhibition, will open at the Australian Museum in time for the autumn school holidays with the curtain dropping on Thursday, April 2.

The immersive exhibition features more than 100 objects, specimens, large-scale models, digital interactives and installations, combining science, pop culture and curiosity.

The exhibition was developed by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada.

Kim McKay, director and CEO of the Australian Museum, said the exhibition would bring visitors face to face with some of nature’s most sophisticated micro-predators, but with a new appreciation.

“Some of nature's most extraordinary survivors often give people the creeps, but this new exhibition, Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires, showcases just how astonishing these species are," she said.

"They have mastered the art of survival in ways that are impressive, demonstrating the power of evolution in action, playing critical roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

“By bringing this exhibition to Sydney, we're inviting people to look beyond the misconceptions and engage with the science that shapes our world. Inspiring curiosity and deepening visitors’ understanding of biodiversity is at the heart of the Australian Museum’s mission.”

The exhibition features vampire bats, black flies, candiru catfish and medicinal leeches, while exploring bloodsuckers’ impact on literature, mythology and popular culture.

Check out australian.museum/exhibition/bloodsuckers/ General public tickets go on sale on March 18.

Fly to the Philippines for $213 - but be quick

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, leading Philippines airline Cebu Pacific has launched a month-long campaign of anniversary offers, kicking off with one of its biggest international seat sales of the year.

Until March 11, travellers from Australia can book flights to the Philippines from $213 all-in, with travel available from November 2026 1 – March 31, 2027. 

Once in Manila, travellers can easily connect across the country through the airline’s extensive domestic network.

With 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East, Cebu Pacific offers connections through hubs including Manila, Clark, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao.

Just a two-hour drive from Manila, Clark serves as a gateway to some of the Philippines’ top island destinations, including Boracay, known for its powdery white sand beaches, and Palawan, with famous renowned limestone cliffs and scenic lagoons.

Cebu Pacific operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East and offers various payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets. 

See www.cebupacificair.com or book directly via the Cebu Pacific app. 

Hobart festival aims to push the boundaries

From garlic to folk music, Tasmania is home to dozens of quirky festivals.

One of the zaniest, the Beaker Street Festival, returns to Hobart from August 6-17 marking its 10th year with the theme:The Second Act.

Over the past decade, the festival has grown from a niche science experiment into a nationally recognised cultural event, drawing interstate audiences for immersive, ideas-led programming set against Tasmania’s winter landscape.

The 2026 edition consolidates into two focused weekends, anchored by distinct precincts and experiences. 

The festival continues to blend hard science with social experience, positioning Hobart as a winter meeting place for thinkers, travellers and curious audiences nationwide.

Antarctica will be a key focus with Hobart showcasing its gateway-to-Antarctica status. 

Tickets are on sale now for the Festival's first event, VAST: Where Sound Meets the Cosmos.

This immersive work is an Australian-exclusive premiere aiming to transform Hobart’s oldest theatre, the Theatre Royal (above), into a 360° soundscape, combining performers, instrumentalists and spatial audio for "a journey into the universe". 

Full program details are still under embargo but you can find more info here:  https://www.beakerstreet.com.au/

Festival shines a light on Indigenous culture

Parrtjima, the annual award-winning Aboriginal-led light festival, returns to Alice Springs from April 10-19 for its 11th instalment, showcasing the world’s oldest living culture through large-scale light installations and a program of workshops, demonstrations, music and storytelling.

The festival will offer an expanded program this year under the theme Language, featuring new light installations, more workshops and interactive experiences and new masterclasses. 

The Indigenous-driven festival will also offer a new outdoor space called Dome, designed as a dedicated space for attendees to “pause, watch, and reflect on culture through film and animation”. 

There will also be a series of optional ticketed events beyond the main festival site, including watercolour masterclasses with artists from Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre, and a Merne Mwerre bushfood experience. 

The evet will showcase the work of more than 36 First Nations artists, as well as over 50 performers and guests across live music, dance, workshops and talks.

“This year invites us to come together at Parrtjima, where language and culture continue to illuminate age‑old traditions in new and powerful ways," says said Tourism and Events NT advisory board chairperson Paul Ah Chee.

"This program echoes the enduring legacy of Country and the stories that connect us across generations.

“We welcome everyone to come stand on the red earth, feel its heartbeat beneath your feet, and look up as Arrernte Country comes alive across the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.” 

The popular markets return during the opening weekend, and much-loved festival favourites Grounded and the iconic Ranges Light Show will run over 10 nights, reimagined by Artists in Motion.

The music programming includes Electric Fields, 3%, BARKAA, Drifting Clouds and Emma Donovan.

* Parrtjima is delivered by Tourism and Events NT in partnership with We Are Gather.

Check out parrtjima.com.au, where visitors can also explore itineraries, travel packages and planning tools. 

Images: Supplied