Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney has launched 477 newly refurbished guestrooms and suites, boasting modern oriental style and elegance through an Oriental Blossom theme. Designed to highlight the outstanding harbour views, which are a key feature of the all of the rooms, the refurbishments also include sophisticated enhancements such as an iHome dock, Bluetooth media hub and sensor lighting and air conditioning to reduce energy consumption.

Follow the Yellow Boat Road journey concludes in Sydney

Tasmanian tourism business owner Robert Pennicott, together with his crew have completed an epic circumnavigation of Australia to raise money for conservation and Polio eradication causes, arriving at Sydney’s Darling Harbour on 12 September. After more than three months at sea, they are the first to circumnavigate Australia and Tasmania in an outboard-driven boat, covering 12,000 miles in an anti-clockwise direction along the Australian coast and raising $195,687 for nominated causes.  Donations can still be made via the website and Rob’s daily video blogs canviewed here.

Angourie Beach in Yamba

You can do almost anything you choose in the area as there are activities including as kite surfing, abseiling, horse riding, golf, river cruising, 4WD and eco tours, rock climbing, gliding and beautiful coastal walking.

Newly opened is the four-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk through the Yuraygir National Park, the longest stretch of protected coastline in NSW adjoining the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

You follow emu footprint markers along the 65 kilometre route between the coastal villages of Angourie and Red Rock either completing the entire walk or choosing half and single day options. The track takes you along beautiful beaches, over headlands, heathland, rock platforms and beside clear creeks and lagoons, all through the traditional lands of the Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal peoples.

Fishing on Clarence River

Far enough off the highway to be readily accessible, yet still with the air of a hideaway location, Yamba is a traditional Australian fishing/surfing town at ease with its own new cosmopolitan edge.

This is the point where the vast Clarence River system meets the Pacific Ocean, creating a coastal playground with enticing beaches and exciting activities, a place to appreciate the best of the Australian east coast. It is remarkable that Yamba hasn’t become more developed than it is – locals and visitors love it all the more for that and you will, too.

Between Grafton and Tweed Heads, on the east coast of New South Wales, you turn off the main Pacific Highway (Highway 1) to drive to Yamba, crossing the coastal plain beside the river passing mangroves, islands, pontoons, boatsheds and oyster farms. If you enjoy seafood you won’t be surprised if your tastebuds start to tingle about now as Yamba is home to a large fishing fleet with the promise of fresh fish, oysters and Yamba prawns for which the area is famous.

As you reach town you’ll see fishing boats moored along the river and, perched on the hill, historic Clarence River Lighthouse and the grand old Pacific Hotel nearby with panoramic views of the ocean and the white sand sweep of Main Beach below.

The program for the 2011 Crave Sydney International Food Festival has been released. New to the event for 2011 is Breakfast on Bondi with Bill Granger and surf lifesaver/MasterChef star, Hayden Quinn and the Kids’ Crazy Island Tea Party on Goat Island. These events will be held alongside favourites such as the Night Noodle Markets, Barbecue Madness, 100-Mile Meals and the World Chef Showcase. This year’s event features a South American theme, visits by international chefs, as well as special dinners, lunches and one-off food experiences in Sydney and regional areas of New South Wales