Oaks offers 30% off two-day stays

 

Feel the need to get away for a few days?

Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites is running a deal this month across its full portfolio of properties with Up to 30% off Oaks Hotels stays.

So think solo days by the pool, golf trips with the crew, or a spontaneous long weekend to recharge.

The properties on offer include tropical tranquility at Oaks Port Douglas Resort, a wine-country escape at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort in the Hunter Valley, or a chic city break at Oaks Melbourne on Collins Suites.

The offer: Save 30% when you book 2 nights at Oaks Hotels properties until February 23, including Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort and Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort.

Image: Oaks Gold Coast Calypso Suites.  

In the pink: Love takes flight with Emirates this Valentine’s Day

 

You don't even have to be a lovebird to enjoy some romance onboard Emirates flights this Valentine’s Day.

Flyers will be treated to Valentine’s-themed cakes and chocolates onboard, as well as a range of pink desserts in Emirates lounges, rosé Champagne, and mood-setting movies and music.

Every customer flying in economy and premium economy on Saturday will receive a mini gift box with a raspberry chocolate brownie, while soft red mood lighting will illuminate the aircraft.

First and business class customers will also be gifted chocolate brownies and mini raspberry ganache tarts adorned with hearts. The A380 onboard lounge will be serving a selection of sweet treats, from lemon and raspberry cupcakes to profiteroles and mini tarts.

Emirates first class customers will be welcomed onboard with a glass of Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009. Business class customers will be offered Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial.

In the Emirates Lounges in Dubai from February 13-15, à la carte and buffet appetisers and main courses will be on offer while first class customers can indulge in crafted desserts, including raspberry vanilla cake, pistachio strawberry cake, and red velvet cake, alongside an array of mocktails and cocktails.

Across Emirates Lounges worldwide, customers will be greeted with Valentine’s-themed dishes and drinks, from heart-shaped ravioli in Rome to Valentine’s cupcakes in Cairo and chocolate-dipped strawberries in Sri Lanka.

Tasmania to get a new east coast resort

Tasmania’s spectacular east coast will gain a new luxury accommodation and vineyard experience later this year. 

Wineglass Bay Estate and its on-site vineyard Kitty’s Mistake are scheduled to open on June 10, the owner said in a press release. 

On the fringes of Freycinet National Park, the new property will feature a collection of retreats set along the edge of Moulting Lagoon with guests enjoying access to Kitty’s Mistake, a boutique, cool-climate vineyard within the property planted with young pinot noir vines. 

The new property is aimed at travellers "seeking meaningful experiences and the opportunity to engage with the surrounding landscape and local producers".

“The intention was to create a stay that sits quietly within its environment, offering the comfort and considered detail of a five-star hotel, with the privacy and space more often associated with a private stay,” said Kim Alfeldi, the owner of Wineglass Bay Estate. 

Wineglass Bay Estate has been developed with a deliberate focus on quality over scale, the release says. 

Guests will be encouraged to engage with the surrounding landscape, local producers and seasonal rhythms of the region. 

Accommodation retreats will all face front and centre overlooking the water, each designed to offer uninterrupted water views. 

Each retreat will have a king bed, en-suite bathroom, and spacious deck. 

Wineglass Bay Estate is about 2 hours from either Launceston or Hobart. 

See https://wineglassbayestate.com.au/ and stay tuned for more info. 

Bless the baby cheeses - and wines

 

Calling all lovers of cheeses and wines. 

Mould x Pinot Palooza returns this year with its largest food and wine tour yet, visiting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. Hobart again misses out. 

The festival boasts its brings "friends, fromages and fermentation" under one roof for one of Australia’s biggest food and wine celebrations.

Mould (established in 2017) will showcase 50+ varieties of Australian artisan cheeses, drawing producers from around the country. 

Pinot Palooza, which began in 2012, showcases 50+ expressions of pinot noir from Australia, New Zealand and beyond. 

Sydney returns after an 18-month hiatus dropping in at the Hordern Pavilion, while the Melbourne event moves to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC). 

Brisbane returns to the John Reid Pavilion at the RNA Showgrounds, and Perth to the Silver Jubilee Pavilion at Claremont Showgrounds.

Building on the popularity of last year’s tour, the 2026 program will see four sessions run over three days, with Sundays now part of the line-up in every location.



Jess Audas, head of organisers Revel, said: “Cheese and pinot naturally belong together, and this format gives people the freedom to explore both at their own pace, talk directly with producers, and enjoy the experience without it feeling over-programmed or precious. 

"It’s about great produce, great people and having a genuinely good time.”

On sale now via mouldxpalooza.com, tickets are $59 + booking fee and include festival entry, unlimited cheese and pinot tastings, a complimentary cooler bag for cheese purchases, a stemless wine glass for tastings and a custom wine tote. 

Event Dates: 

BRISBANE: May 22-24, John Reid Pavilion, RNA Showgrounds

SYDNEY: June 12-14, The Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park

MELBOURNE: July 3-5, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 

PERTH: August 7-9, Silver Jubilee Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds

ADELAIDE: August28-30, The Queens Theatre 

Another Aussie wine business to shut up shop

Another Australian wine business is shutting up shop after a recent wave of closures and financial failures. 

Teakle Wines at Port Lincoln on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula will cease business at the end of next month. 

The business was founded by Peter Teakle, who died in 2024. His son Ben Teakle, made the closure announcement. 

“Over the past 10 years our amazing team has created something truly special -– serving incredible food and producing award-winning wine,” he said.  

“But now it’s time for this chapter to come to an end and we’re sad to share that our winery, cellar door and restaurant will close at the end of March.

 “Running a boutique vineyard and chef-hatted restaurant in a remote location takes an enormous commitment, especially when we’ve set ourselves such high standards. 

"Therefore, I’ve made the very hard decision to call time on Teakle Wines and Line & Label after a decade of achievement. 

“There’s nothing we would have done differently. I’m so proud of our team and the timing of this means we’re going out on a high. We recently won our seventh chef hat and it’s been a bumper summer. It’s just the right time.

“A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful staff, customers and suppliers for being a massive part of our success. People have always been at the heart of our story and we couldn’t have done it without you.”

The business will close on March 29 and vouchers and deposits will be refunded. 

A business closing with its head held high. 

Discover a special apartment deal in Melbourne's Docklands precinct

A fully-equipped holiday apartment in Melbourne's hip Docklands for $175 per night?

Sounds to good to be true, but Nesuto Docklands is celebrating three years of welcoming guests to Melbourne's waterfront precinct with a special birthday offer. 

Nesuto Docklands Apartment-Hotel is offering guests 30% off its best available rate from Monday,  February 16 to Sunday, February 22, alongside a competition to win a complimentary two-night stay. 

Nesuto is promoted as a flexible accommodation option for both short stays and extended visits, offering fully-equipped apartments and the convenience of hotel services.

“Three years of welcoming guests has been incredibly rewarding,” said general manager Damon Lunardello. 

“We've had the privilege of hosting everyone from families exploring Melbourne to professionals settling in for extended stays, and we're grateful to the Docklands community for embracing us as part of the neighbourhood.”

Nesuto Docklands offers 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with living areas and separate bedrooms, each equipped with a full kitchen. A Woolworths supermarket, East West Grocer, Dan Murphy's, and Chemist Warehouse are located downstairs in The District's Market Lane.

The apartments feature internal laundries, unlimited free wifi, Google Chromecast TV, and access to a guest gymnasium. 

Discounted third birthday rates start from $175 per room, per night subject to availability and excluding blackout dates. 

Nesuto offers s flexible cancellation policy, with free cancellations up until 6pm on the day of arrival.

Book online at www.nesuto.com/docklands or call (03) 9124 0500.

Guests can also enter a competition via Nesuto Docklands' social media channels for the chance to win a complimentary stay. Follow @nesutodocklands on social media.

Nesuto is owned by Japanese-based Daiwa Group.