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We have trawled through our information and found the best spots to spend your holiday break, whether it is in your home town or across the country, these beach side destinations are sure to entice even those who have an aversion to sand! If you plan to work, play or relax the choice is yours on how to do this. Plenty of activities are available in each of the destinations and of course there is the trusty beach where you can set up camp for the day. For those who don’t like to fly, it’s time to rent out the kombi van you always wished you had and drive to your closest stop! Whether you are single, in a relationship or have six kids, these destinations are perfect for everyone.  Spicers Peak Lodge Perched on the mountaintop of Queensland’s Scenic Rim, Spicers Peak Lodge is the epitome of a stunning location. Situated 1,100 metres above sea level, the hotel is Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge. Located under two hours from either Brisbane or the Gold Coast, the drive there is a scenic one. Pass through national parks, world heritage listed rainforests, native wildlife and local markets to reach the Spicers Peak Lodge. Surrounded by a rim of ancient volcanic mountain ranges that date back millions of years, the region is naturally a hotspot for outdoor lovers.  Mantra Twin Towns Located on the Queensland-New South Wales border, Twin Towns is just 5 minute’s drive from Gold Coast Airport. It is the Southern Gold Coast where the vibe is calm and relaxed and the people are friendly and welcoming. Enjoy an early morning stroll or a swim to kickstart the day before your conference or event and later head down to the Club or resort that are just metres from the white sandy beaches of Coolangatta and Greenmount. Twin Towns has an unparalleled reputation for innovation, quality, service and professionalism in its delivery of revolutionary events, five star dining, and more.  Destination... Queenstown Tucked away in the South of New Zealand is one of the world’s best holiday destinations, Queenstown. Surrounded by mountains and right on the shores of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the perfect setting for exploration, relaxation or adventure. The centre of Queenstown is located just 15 minutes from the International airport and there are plenty of public transport options! Known for its four distinct seasons, there are an infinite number of activities to be enjoyed year round. Wintertime sees this scenic destination transform into a winter wonderland with snow capped mountains and crisp blue skies. Operating throughout the entire year are adventure activities that are sure to get your adrenalin pumping. Sky dive over the town or paraglide off a mountain, jetboat along Lake Wakatipu or bungy jump over Nevis River. If you are wanting more of a relaxing trip take in some of the beautiful hiking trails that range from 1 kilometre to multiple days. Queenstown is also home to some of the best restaurants, spas and golf courses in the southern hemisphere. Queenstown has plenty of options for conferences and events. To read more about the opportunities and the reasons for visiting, click here...  A quick word with BRA Recently we held a lunch with a group of our clients at the Atlantic Group’s Mama Rumaan in Melbourne’s South Wharf. The lunch was also hosted by the Group’s new partner Doltone House, who have a number of spectacular venues in Sydney. We were treated to a roaming entree style tour of the different event spaces within the Atlantic Group’s family. Each room greeted us with a different canapé to showcase the different styles of each space and the quality of food that is delivered during the events. The afternoon finished with lunch at Mama Rumaan, the Atlantic Group's new Middle Eastern canteen. We’ve also had an opportunity to showcase the Werribee Mansion to a small group of our clients with a dinner and overnight stay. If you're visiting The Mansion for your next event or privately please make sure to take a stroll around the stunning gardens that surround this historic hotel. As Christmas time is approaching, the weather starts getting warmer and our tans getting darker. It’s now time for us in the Southern Hemisphere to start the days by the beach and warm nights around the BBQ. We hope you have a fantastic Christmas and look forward to celebrating the New Year with you!  Book review by Katarina Cobain
If you haven’t already read Jasper Jones then make sure you put it on your must read list. This is the perfect summer read; engaging, captivating, inspiring, sad, tragic, honest and Australian. I could go on with superlatives. The book has been referred to on many occasions as “an Australian 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'” and I believe that this comment is well deserved, as well as the awards that the book has attracted. It is beautifully written with subtle but profound messages on how to live with dignity through challenges, twists and turns that are thrown at us along the way. The story is set in a small mining town in Western Australia where a young boy becomes part of sudden and dramatic events that are outside of his control. The boy goes through mixed emotions; pain, shock, sadness and many obstacles. All the while protecting his friend and others around him by keeping a BIG secret. At the same time he’s growing up and learning how to respect what he stands for and also others around him. The narrator, the boy who tells the story, is not Jasper Jones. To find out who Jasper Jones is you will have to read the book. The only part of the book that I struggled with are highly intelligent conversations between the boy and his best friend. Maybe my idea of young boys at 13 years of age is not moving with the times. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did! Comments are closed.
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