Dear Escape Club Member,

Welcome to the June edition of Escape Club News - the easiest way to keep up to date with specials and developments within the Constellation Hotel Group.

Winter is now upon us and it is time to organise your next break  - whether you prefer to enjoy the delights of a warm fire and Christmas in July celebration, or to escape to more sunny climates, Constellation has the ideal getaway for you!

In this edition we visit the beautiful region of the Tamar Valley near Launceston in Tasmania and also the many attractions of the Penrith and the Nepean in New South Wales.

Our newest property Chifley Eastern Creek is proving very popular with its exciting location opposite Eastern Creek International Raceway.  With no need to drive home you can enjoy a full day at the track followed by a cold beer at the bar or a swim in the indoor pool!  Major events can be viewed on the calendar so you can get a group of friends together for a fun weekend away.

Click here to view more Hot Deals and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

Regards,

The Escape Club Team

Constellation Hotel Group welcomed Melbourne to its Sundowner portfolio this month with the signing of Sundowner Jika International Motel.

The 4 star motel is conveniently located just six kilometres North East of the Melbourne CBD, in Fairfield, and just a short stroll from the Yarra River.

With a diverse mix of 50 fully refurbished guest rooms ranging from Standard to Deluxe Spa Suites, Sundowner Jika International Motel has accommodation options and facilities to appeal to both leisure and business travellers.

Separated from the mainland of Australia by the 240km stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart - a place of wild and beautiful landscapes, friendly welcoming people, a pleasant temperate climate, wonderful wine and food, a rich history including some of Australia's earliest settlements, and a relaxed island lifestyle.

Launceston and its river valley blend history, scenery, creativity, adventure, entertainment and superb flavours of fine food and wine. Set on the Tamar River, Launceston is the centre of Tasmania's north and its second oldest city which has developed into a thriving commercial hub.

Country Comfort Launceston is situated 5 minutes walk from the Launceston CBD. Close to cinemas, hospitals, local attractions, gardens, the football and basketball stadiums and ideally located to take advantage of all Launceston has to offer. The exhilarating Tamar Valley, golf courses, professional and manufacturing hubs of Launceston are all easily accessible.

Here are some ideas to help you enjoy the surrounding area:  

Tamar Valley Wine Route

Spend a full day discovering the award-winning pinot noirs, chardonnays, rieslings and sauvignon blancs from the cool-climate vineyards of the Tamar Valley. Follow the Tamar Valley Wine Route northward from Launceston on both banks of the Tamar and eastward to the vineyards of the Pipers River area. Pause to taste the region’s acclaimed Tasmanian wines and sample the best of fresh local Tasmanian produce in the vineyard restaurants along the way. Meet the growers and winemakers as they explain the wine-making process, and stop and enjoy the majestic views over the vineyards and across the Tamar River to the mountains beyond. Don’t miss the other highlights of the Tamar Valley – Seahorse World and Platypus World at Beauty Point and the Hillwood Strawberry Farm, where you can pick your own sweet summer fruit.

 Barnbougle Dunes Golf Club

With its impressive and spectacular setting among the 20m dunes that border the broad expanse of Anderson Bay east of Bridport, this exciting new golfing development on Tasmania's north-east coast has already won worldwide acclaim. A true seaside links in the Scottish style, allowing Barnbougle Dunes to offer keen golfers an experience unlike any other in Australia. Described by the prestigious Golf World Magazine as a classic in the making and a genuine challenger for the nation’s best layout, every hole has its own unique challenges. Excellent greens with undulations and tiers, emerald fairways through a maze of towering sand dunes, elevated views of sea and sky, surf crashing on the beach – these are some of the highlights of a round at Barnbougle Dunes.

Targa Tasmania
 
Experience Targa Tasmania, the six day, 2,000km competitive stage tarmac rally across Tasmania with 300 of the world's finest cars competing under the toughest conditions. In 2009, Targa Tasmania, presented by Pure Tasmania, will be celebrating its 18th anniversary, hallmarking the historic staging of what has become one of the ‘must do’ tarmac rallies on the world’s motor sport calendar.Over six days of Targa Tasmania, the world's best touring, sports and GT cars compete in competitive stages on the island's toughest roads. They travel more than 2,000km (1200 miles) to challenge the best in their category. Each year up to 300 of the world's finest cars and drivers compete on Tasmania's scenic routes and mountain passes. It's your chance to get close to Ferrari F40 and Testarossa, Maserarti Barchetta, Lamborghini Diablo VT, Lotus Espirit S4, Porsche 911, 356, 928 and BMW, along with some of the classic and historic vehicles such as Lancia Aurelia, Jaguar SS100, Lagonda Rapide, Delage D6/70, Bugati Type 35B, Hispano Suiza, Invicta 'S' Type, Locomobile Speedster, Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, and Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spider.
 
Contact the friendly team at Central Reservations and Rewards on 1300 650 464 to make a booking at any Constellation hotel or resort.

Going back to those old beach holidays of yore Sally Macmillan discovers a classic Aussie holiday gem on the NSW mid North Coast.

It's just like the beach shack holiday of yore: kids ... running free; zooming round on bikes and scooters; cozzied and flip-flopped up, towels over shoulder and with zinc-creamed noses, threading their way through the resort village to beach or pool; instantly making new friends to play cricket on improvised pitches. Parents ... taking turns at beach and pool supervision; a communal lunch barbie poolside or inviting the neighbours to an evening one on their deck. Welcome to Australis Diamond Beach near Forster- a reinvention of the great Aussie family beach holiday where kids cavort safely and Mum and Dad, Grandinum and Grandpop can truly chill out.

Cellar Door Pass for NSW and VIC is now 40% off!

A Cellar Door Pass is an essential when exploring the wine regions of VIC and NSW, giving you a host of benefits including VIP access to the Hunter Valley, Mudgee NSW & Geelong & Bellarine Pennisula, Bendigo & Heathcote, Yarra VIC best wineries, the opportunity to taste and take home some of the best iconic and boutique wines in the country, and great value - add to your wine collection - all with the flexibility and convenience of lasting for 12 months! “The gift which keeps on giving”

** Included in the Cellar Door Pass is 6 free bottles of boutique wine.

Buy online now RRP $99.00 BUY NOW for only $59.00

Visit: www.cellardoorpass.com – select BUY NOW - choose either NSW or VIC enter coupon code  Escape 40

As part of Western Sydney, the Penrith Valley is alive with tourism offering excitement for the whole family. Chifley Penrith Panthers is the ideal base for your break and has recently undergone a full refurbishment. The newly appointed rooms have stylish decor and state of the art facilities so you can be rest assured that your stay will be both comfortable and relaxing.

Experience all that the city has to offer from the foothills of the Blue Mountains to the outskirts of the Hawkesbury Valley.

The spectacular Nepean River at Penrith is one of the region’s primary natural attractions. It is not surprising to discover that water based recreation is a key focus within the area. The Nepean River is also a great place for fishing, swimming or simply enjoying a relaxing picnic on the river bank with family and friends.

One of the region’s icons is the Nepean Belle, an old style paddle steamer which can regularly be seen touring the river. The Nepean Belle offers lunches, dinners, morning and afternoon teas as you cruise along the stunning Nepean Gorge.

 With so many water recreation areas, it’s no wonder that Penrith was awarded as the host city for the Sydney 2000 Olympics rowing and canoeing. Sydney 2000 Olympic events were held at the new Sydney International Regatta Centre north of Penrith just four kilometres along Castlereagh Road. The centre is open to the public daily with many picnic locations, walks a well as a cycling track around the rowing lake.