The Fly Free Stay 7 Pay 6 package is valid in conjunction with a seven night stay in relaxed luxury in any suite at Capella 28 July – 30 September 2012 inclusive. There’s never been a better time or reason to explore Lord Howe this cool season.

Lord Howe is a sub-tropical ‘treasure island’ lost in time, a short flight from Australia’s east coast. The gentle season from end July – September offers visitors a chance to reinvigorate as the spring season approaches and witness great activity as rare sea birds arrive to nest on this island paradise, home from their adventures overseas.

With Capella as a luxe base camp, guests re-energise on treks with breathtaking views to the horizon along magnificent ridges and clifftops with hidden caves, or explore fascinating walking tracks through tranquil palm forests and beneath the mysterious canopy of ancient spreading figs.

The world’s southernmost coral reef beckons, with the chance of an unforgettable encounter with a Green Sea Turtle, to explore an abundant submarine life by snorkel or glass-bottom boat.

Guests might make an easy friend of the large kingfish who swim thrillingly amongst knees and calves in order to grab a proffered snack.

Return to Capella to enjoy fine wine and world-class cuisine in great company.

The Fly Free Stay 7 Pay 6 Cool Capella Deal offers a sky-high saving of up to $4,400 per couple including one bonus night’s accommodation and two return Qantaslink flights from Sydney or Brisbane. A week’s stay at Capella from just $3,900 per person twin share with flights booked for guests makes a Lord Howe getaway so easy! Conditions apply as below*.

Take off to Capella Lodge this season; fly free and take it easy!

*Fly Free Conditions

• Offer available for new bookings only, subject to availability.
• Booking must be prepaid at time of reservation. This is then fully non refundable.
• Payment must be made by credit card and incurs a 2.5% surcharge.
• Return airfares are included on a single or twin share basis; free airfare offer does not apply to additional persons.
• Flights to Lord Howe Island are operated by QantasLink from Sydney or Brisbane (direct flights only on a Sunday).
• Pro rata fare surcharge applies from other ports.
• Fly free offer is based on seat class availability; an additional surcharge may apply for travel on certain flights.

We recommend travel insurance.

Reservations: T (61) 2 9918 4355 | E reserve@baillielodges.com.au | W capellalodge.com.au

Media Enquiries: E media@baillielodges.com.au | W baillielodges.com.au/media.asp

Images: A selection of Capella Lodge images is free for download

Editors Notes:
Baillie Lodges is a collection of intimate luxury lodges in unique wilderness destinations. Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island launched the portfolio and continues to capture guests in its magic. Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s first true luxury

Now six years in the running, the Awards are designed to recognise outstanding destinations and operators, those dedicated to showcasing Australia’s best tourism assets.
Baillie Lodges is thrilled that Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island has been selected as a finalist award nominee for the third year running in the Awards’ Best Resort/Lodge Category.

Last year over 25,000 readers voted in the GT Travel Awards, please join in (again!) this year to see Southern Ocean Lodge hit its stride as one of the nation’s finest luxury lodges.

The subtropical beauty of Lord Howe Island, home to sister property Capella Lodge has been nominated in the Getaway Best Family Experience, so Baillie Lodges is excited to be represented in two major GT Award categories again for 2012.

Nominees for each award are selected by an esteemed panel of travel writers, reviewers and industry experts, and the baton is now passed to you, our Lodge friends to get the winners across the line! There are great prizes for voters, including the chance to win an exotic trip for two to Shanghai, staying at The PuLi Hotel and Spa! It’s easy to vote here online for Southern Ocean Lodge to reclaim the ‘Best Lodge’ title for 2012 and here for Capella Lodge/Lord Howe Island.

Voting is live now and ends at midnight, Sunday 6 May 2012, with the winners announced in the June edition of Gourmet Traveller. Do vote now for your favourite Lodge…or two!

Thank you for your generous support,

James and Hayley Baillie & the Baillie Lodges team

We had a visitor to the lodge this morning. A beautiful Sacred Kingfisher, its azure blue feathers matching the subtropical Lord Howe lagoon called into visit, thinking the reflection in the lodge’s floor-to-ceiling windows meant more blue skies and ocean stretching out before him. Though tempted by the luxurious surrounds, he took a moment to recover before flying back to join the abundant birdlife on the island.

Big Music Australia, Sydney’s leading one-stop music shop today announced it’s taking enough professional audio equipment, musicians, bands, crew and music teachers across the Tasman Sea to provide a weeklong rockfest of music and entertainment for the Lord Howe Island community in late March 2012.

“Lord Howe Island is excited to play host to Rockfest in March. Due to our remote location and logistical issues we often lack cultural opportunities otherwise available on the mainland. We are grateful to Big Music Australia for their generous level of support for the event as it will provide a unique opportunity for islanders to participate in a special musical experience,” said Stephen Wills, CEO Lord Howe Island Board.

Receiving enormous support from the locals, the Big Music ‘Lord Howe Island Rockfest 2012’ is a FREE event and runs from 25-31 March 2012. Open to the entire community, the Rockfest comprises a week of live Rock ‘n’ Roll concerts and popular music at a variety of locations on the Island, including an outdoor concert on the main street on 25^th March, and another on the LHI Golf Course on 30^th March. Between the main concerts, there will be smaller acoustic shows at Island cafes and resorts, including The Anchorage Restaurant on 27^th and 28^th March.

Entertainment includes live music from Dave ‘The Balladier’ Bonnin, Rock Bottom (playing covers, Beatles, Eagles, Stones and Classic Gold Hits), The Lounge Sweets, and the B!G House Band.

The bands performing on the Island are a mix of talented music teachers, professional artists and accomplished student musicians – all from the Big Music Band Program – an initiative that teaches people who can play an instrument, how to apply their musical skills and perform in a band. For the talented students performing ‘live’ with professional musicians, to an appreciative audience, at a location as idyllic as Lord Howe, is an experience that will make their lifelong musical dream a reality.

Nicky Scali from Nick Scali Furniture, and advanced guitarist in the Big Music Band Program said: “The Rockfest is such a fantastic initiative. I’m 100% behind this event and look forward to sharing my dream and performing at one of the concerts on the Island,” Mr Scali added.

The Rockfest also brings music to school children on the Island who do not have access to a music teacher. Lord Howe Island Central School students will be treated to free music tuition, as well as lessons in percussion, ukulele and singing by Big Music’s qualified music teachers. Later in the week, they will participate in the final Rockfest concert, supported by a professional band, and sing a popular song for everyone on the Island to join in and enjoy.

“The generosity of Big Music to bring their music, tuition and expertise to our school, will add enormous value and support to our student cohort who really love music. This is a positive experience for all students, and an offering beyond our capabilities. We are very grateful for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to facilitating further music programs from this experience into the future,” said Julian Mostert, Principal of Lord Howe Island Central School.

Big Music is about making musical dreams come true. It’s committed to increasing music participation in the Australian community, including sub-tropical Islands such as Lord Howe.

Big Music is the ultimate music destination. It gives everyday people the opportunity to fulfil their musical dreams and “do it for real”. Big Music brings music lovers’ dreams to life – more  www.bigmusic.com.au

Lord Howe’s own naturalist, fisherman and self-confessed bird man, Jack Shick has taken this beautiful picture of the Plumed Whistling Duck, discovered on one of Jack’s island mountain walks. This beautiful duck is a welcome first time visitor to Lord Howe, read about other Lord Howe locals on Jack’s new informative website www.lordhoweislandbirds.com

Lord Howe Island this week proved a perfect trans-Tasman pitstop for a Grumman Avenger WW2 Torpedo Bomber. The impressive plane stopped off for fuel on its way to the War Birds over Wanaka Show in NZ. Its noisy arrival created lots of interest amongst our lodge guests, Lord Howe Island locals and of course the island’s school children.

Terrific conservation news from Lord Howe: A young Loggerhead Turtle released by Taronga Zoo staff off Lord Howe Island in January will assist researchers understand the mysterious migration habits of this endangered species.

Loggerhead turtles leave their nesting grounds in Queensland as tiny hatchlings and don’t return until they are breeding adults at over 30 years old.

No-one knows where they go in between! The 12.5Kg turtle has been fitted with a satellite tracker that will log its journey.

What better place to swim free than Lord Howe Island?!

For more, see the Taronga Zoo news release at http://taronga.org.au/news/2012-01-20/endangered-loggerhead-set-unlock-turtles-lost-years

THE SEALINK KANGAROO ISLAND SEAFOOD FEAST-IVAL

27th April – 2 May 2012

There’s lots to be excited about this autumn, with the fine producers and chefs on Kangaroo Island coming together with an itinerary of nine great dining events around the island, with a common theme: fabulous, singing-fresh seafood!

In a series of events at idyllic seaside settings around the island, feasters can choose between fine dining tasting menus, campfire cooking and seafood barbeques by the sea. Other dining events include master class demonstrations and exclusive dinners with celebrity chefs such as Pete Evans from My Kitchen Rules and Simon Bryant from The Cook and The Chef.

This is an island festival that connects visitors to the Kangaroo Island community through the celebration of fine seafood, local produce, location and conversation.

Southern Ocean Lodge has some exciting food events as part of the Feastival:

Sunday 29th

Luxury Accommodation Package; SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE FEASTIVAL

PACKAGE DATES: 29th April – 1st May 2012

An exclusive opportunity to enjoy a weekend of luxury at the Southern Ocean Lodge; guests enjoy an exclusive pass to dinner with Simon Bryant at the KI Seafood Feastival down at the historic Kangaroo Island Jetty.

Includes:

Two nights luxury accommodation
All lodge dining, open bar with premium wines and spirits
In-suite bar
Signature Lodge Experiences and island airport transfers
Special KI Seafood Feastival dinner with Simon Bryant from the TV series the Cook and the Chef

From $1,980 per person – two nights all inclusive (excluding air)
Children from 6 yrs – $350 per child per night
Capacity 8 suites only

For more, please call DIRECT 02 99184355

Then, on Monday 30th…

A SOUTHERN OCEAN DEGUSTATION
Lunch 12.30pm – 4.30pm

This is a  rare opportunity to dine at Southern Ocean Lodge. Experience a true gastronomic journey of Kangaroo Island; the ‘produce to plate’ approach is a real passion for Chef Tim Bourke and his team.

TICKET PRICE: $125 per head, sit down formal lunch and beverage package.
No children under 18 sorry.
ALL BOOKINGS – Please call DIRECT 02 9918 4355

Capacity 60 – hurry to reserve your place!

See you at the first-ever Kangaroo Island Seafood Feastival!

Some summertime rain on Lord Howe has offered up some incredible images. The first three were taken this morning after an incredible 180mm of rain over the last 24 hours. The southern end of the island was flooded with all roads blocked. The up side was both Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird were covered with waterfalls. Many of our guest are hiking up to the lower falls as I write this. The other photos show how quickly things change here- only the waterfalls remain

There are also two photos which show the coral spawn which fills the shallows
around the island today. The yearly mass spawning happened last night so there
is a decidedly fishy smell in the air today! The pink line you see in the
shallows along the shore is the coral spawn- billions of tiny pink eggs!