Australia has so many diverse and exhilarating experiences to offer, here’s a few of the latest on offer in the Northern Territory to whet your appetite. For those who haven’t arranged their summer holiday yet this area is at its best between May and September.

With the opening of Kuri Bay fast approaching, Wild Bush Luxury opens the next chapter in its collection of exclusive experiences in some of Australia’s most inspirational and exclusive natural places.

Although summer is nearly over in Australia there is still plenty going on in the upcoming months. Indeed from March to May there is a rich program of events on offer. Hot-air balloons float over our national monuments at the Canberra Balloon Fiesta, and revellers dance down Sydney’s Oxford St for the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Autumn is when Melbourne hosts its food and wine festival, fashion week and the Australian Grand Prix. On Australia’s west coast you can wine and dine at the Margaret River Wine Festival or head to Kununurra for the Ord Valley Muster. A 4WD adventure bash, diamond hunt, rough-riding rodeo and music concert on the Ord River are just some of the Muster’s 50 events.

Eight Australian hotels were included on Tatler magazine’s list of the ‘101 Best Hotels in the World’ for 2012.

We've just spotted this blog article on the Just Eat website - some light entertainment for a Friday afternoon!

Congratulations to Air New Zealand, well deserved winners of airline of the year at the ATW awards

Amusing piece from the Virgin Atlantic blog.

A new study has today revealed the literary works of Lord Alan Sugar, Paul Gascoigne and Katie Price were the most readily discarded reads at 35,000 feet.

Continue reading for the full list....

Although not set to be released for another year, Tolkien fans have this week been treated to a glimpse of the much anticipated film The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey with the release of an online trailer. As with the incredibly popular Lord of the Rings Trilogy the films (due to the length of the book it is to be split into two films) are being made in New Zealand and will once again showcase the stunning and diverse scenery found there.

If you want to avoid the crowds and more importantly the cold over the Christmas and New Year period then at Bridge and Wickers we’ve got some great suggestions to help. While it is a bit late for this year it is never too soon to start planning for 2012-13 and small intimate resorts/private houses by their nature book up a long way in advance. Of course they can all be enjoyed throughout our winter and it’s not too late to book for this coming January and February if you feel the need to escape.

It’s not just Sydney who has the monopoly on spectacular New Years Eve celebrations, all the capital cities have their own colourful pyrotechnics, street parties and entertainment to help you usher in the new year in style. Below is a guide to what’s happening where, oh and scarves and woolly hats can definitely be left at home!

Matt shares a few tips from his recent trip to the South Island of New Zealand on how to make the most of your time in this amazing part of the world.

As we rolled on the big swell off the coast of Kaikoura and I tried to keep the contents of my breakfast in my stomach I was pretty sure the previous 30 minutes spent swimming with 40-50 dusky dolphins would be the highlight of my time in New Zealand. Five days later as I helicoptered up a remote valley from Lake Wanaka towards Minaret Station I realised how wrong I was. I can’t imagine a more spectacular way of getting to your accommodation and I defy anyone to not be wowed as you spot the small collection of tents in the distance.

We were winners at last night's Sunday Times Travel Magazine Reader Awards. "Bridge & Wickers 'can do attitude' pushes them to second place and makes them your favourite tour operator to Australia and New Zealand".

Thanks to everyone who voted for us.

Vietnam Airlines will commence their direct services from Gatwick to Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi from 9th December 2011.  It's not too late to grab a flight and enjoy some winter sunshine in glorious Vietnam.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is today reminding British travellers of the role of its global network of Embassies, High Comissions and Consulates as staff continue to be approaced for weather forecasts and ticket bookings. Some of the more bizarre requests are detailed in their press release.

We think it makes for an amusing read.....can you believe some of these requests??!