Do the Nile in style, let Versace bags you a pool lounger on the Gold Coast or shop it up in Melbourne and Malaysia.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Yes, there are bargains to be had on the crazy Perth
hotel scene, creating a great excuse to go west and throw yourself into the
city’s delicious food scene, led by the newly crowned top eatery in town,
Fraser’s in Kings Park. Save 40 per cent on room rates at the Mantra on Murray
until March 31, 2013 when you stay on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights. Costs
from $169 a night in a queen studio. 131 517, mantra.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mount Lofty House lives up to its name, with panoramic
views over Adelaide and out to sea, yet it’s only 15 minutes from town. Stay at
the boutique country hotel and save up to 50 per cent with its ‘Discover the
Adelaide Hills’ package which includes overnight accommodation, breakfast for
two and one of three activities in the Hills: lunch for two at The Locavore in
Stirling, wine tasting at Shaw & Smith cellar door and winery, or a round
of golf for two at Mt Lofty golf club. Costs from $249 a room.  (08) 8339 6777, mtloftyhouse.com.au. 

VICTORIA

One of Melbourne’s best shopping hotels, the Novotel
Melbourne on Collins, is 20 years old in October, and marks the occasion with a
$7 million make-over. Stay two nights until November 11 and get 20 per cent off
the best available rate, pay only $20 for breakfast (normally $29), $20 for
valet parking (normally $35) and $20 for internet (normally $27.95 a day).
There’s also a $20 deal on antipasto tasting platters and 20th birthday
cocktails. Costs from $412 a room, two nights. (03) 9667 5800, novotelmelbourne.com.au.

NEW SOUTH WALES 

The
recently renovated Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley’s new midweek
‘Polynesian Stay & Spa’ package with a Polynesian inspired spa treatment at
its Villa Thalgo day spa. An hour from the CBD in Windsor, the 4.5-star hotel
spa’s deal includes overnight accommodation for two in a deluxe spa room,
breakfast, $50 to spend at the restaurant and two hours of body scrubbing,
lagoon water bath and a Mahana massage. Normally $499, costs $289 a night,
Monday to Friday until December 28. 131 515, sebelhawkesburyvalley.com.au.

QUEENSLAND

There’s no need for
bagsing your poolside lounger at dawn at the Palazzo Versace: the staff will do
it for you. In fact, you don’t know poolside lounging till you’ve lounged by
the lagoon at the Gold Coast’s most luxe address. We’re talking private
cabanas, chilled face sprays, platters of summer fruits, PV’s own sunscreen, a bottle
of sparkling wine and two nights in a superior room. Save up to $910, costs
from $938 for two people, for two nights. (07) 5509 8000,
palazzoversace.com.au/packages.

TRANS-AUSTRALIA

Traverse the country, from the chasms of the Blue
Mountains, across golden hay plains and the vast interior desert on a train
journey across Australia. Save 30 per cent on all journeys in Gold Service  from Sydney to Perth, aboard The Indian
Pacific when you book by December 24 for travel until March 31, 2013. Save
$630, costs from $1584 a person, twin share. 132 447, greatsouthernrail.com.au

MALAYSIA

One of the best shopping destinations in Asia, Kuala
Lumpur is easy to get around, and Malaysians love a bargain, from the five-star
malls to Chinatown knock-offs. Bargain hunters will also love the 25 per cent
saving on the four-star aparthotel Swiss Gardens Residences. The recently
refurbished hotel between Chinatown and the main shopping strip, Bukit Bintang,
and has a free shuttle bus. Book by 14 days in advance until December 15,
travel by December 30. Costs from $103 a night.  1800 846 835, hotels.com.

Soak up the magic at California’s Disneyland, staying at the Disney Paradise Pier hotel, which gets you in an hour earlier than the general masses. Kids stay free with the Disneyland Resort Magic package, which includes four nights’ accommodation, a three-day Park Hopper Bonus ticket, dining with Disney characters and airport transfers. Book until October 31, travel January 2 – February 14, 2013 (excluding January 18-19). Costs from $1009 adults, $325 kids, twin share, four nights. 1300 747 400, creativeholidays.com.

NEW ZEALAND

Stay four nights or more at The Rees Hotel Queenstown and
receive a NZD$100 voucher to spend in hotel’s True South dining room, as well
as complimentary wi-fi internet, free parking and a late check-out. Offer valid
for stays from October 7 – December 20. Email reservations@therees.co.nz with
“Booking Code SHD” in the subject line.  Costs
from $390 a person, twin share. +64 (0)3 450 1100, therees.co.nz.

VIETNAM

Be one of the first to stay at the new Banyan
Tree Lăng Cô hotel in central Vietnam, which opens 1 November. Expect pool
villas, fabulous spas and an 18-hole championship golf course. Normally
USD850++ a night, its opening specials cost from USD735 a night (two night
minimum) plus USD765 worth of hotel credits to spend at the bar or the spa. Or
stay three nights, add round-trip transfers as well. Book now for stays from
November 1 – March 31, 2012. Costs from USD1470++ a room for two nights. +84 54 3695 888,
banyantree.com.

EGYPT

Cruise the Nile with 11 of your best friends on a private
dahibaya, an elegant, 19th-century style riverboat, and save up to $21,300. The
boat has six cabins and a plunge pool and includes all meals, drinks, entrance
fees and an Egyptologist to explain the region’s rich treasures. Valid on
departures until February 23. Normally, $44,300 costs from $26,780 for 12
people for seven nights. 1300 851 800,
abercrombiekent.com.au.

TOURWATCH

In November and December, Melbourne resonates to one of
the great operatic events, Wagner’s four-opera Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle). Directed by Australia’s Neil Armfield and
conducted by Richard Mills, three cycles of the epic will be performed at the
Arts Centre Melbourne. The package includes eight nights at the Sofitel
Melbourne in a superior king room, daily breakfast, airport transfers, four
performances and transport to the Arts Centre. It also includes three small
group touring experiences in between the operas, including a tour of
Melbourne’s fantastic alleyways and arcades, a full day on the Great Ocean Road
and a day on the Mornington Peninsula, lunching and wining. From November 18 –
December 13. Costs from $5760 a person, twin share. (02) 9957 4511,
maryrossitravel.com. 

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald newspaper