Fast Flowers

One of the top ten cities to visit in the world

Fast Flowers — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 01:00:01 +0000

For your next holiday, Newcastle is sure to offer everything you’re looking for. It has a unique blend of city, sea and harbour, combining immaculate beaches with working wharves and effervescent culture.Our Newcastle florist of choice told us that the city has been voted one of the top ten hottest cities in the world to visit by no less than the Lonely Planet Guide. Yes, she’s up their next to New York, New York. It might be overshadowed by bigger, bolder and better-known Sydney but if you travel only two hours drive north of Sydney on the F3 Freeway, you find a city about one-tenth of the size that’s not only a great place but offers a great lifestyle and has a great future. It’s also less than an hour’s drive west to the Hunter valley wineries, south to sailboat-filled Lake Macquarie, north to whale-watching and sharkfeedinng at Port Stephens and to sandboarding at Stockton Beach the southern end of which is only a five minute ferry ride across Newcastle’s harbour. Newcastle is Australia’s second-oldest city and has all the attractions that Sydney has to offer but without the masses: immaculate surf beaches, a sun-drenched subtropical climate, the full gamut of restaurants, a great nightlife, and an intriguing cultural heritage with a faithful local arts community.

Founded in 1804 as a penal colony, Newcastle is a city rich in history, the arts and culture. From our intriguing 200 year story has arisen a dynamic city of contrasts, with a mix of agriculture, natural attractions and industry. Newcastle boasts a diversified commercial, cultural, trade and industrial economy. This robust economy ensures Newcastle continues to cement its position as one of Australia’s key business destinations.

At the mouth of the Hunter River, the port of Newcastle is a holiday destination where you can relax, laze on the beach, enjoy sporting activities, or get to know the friendly locals. How many other cities offer the opportunity to leave the office at lunchtime and enjoy a refreshing surf or swim only minutes from the city centre? Nobbys, Newcastle, Bar, Dixon Park, Merewether and Stockton Beaches are all within 5km of the city centre. The Newcastle beaches are some of the best in New South Wales, with six patrolled beaches within five kilometres of the city. Bathers Way is a popular five-kilometre walk along the coastline between Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach – a great way to enjoy the warm Newcastle weather.

There are a number of harbourside restaurants and cafés along the foreshore, just perfect for enjoying a meal while watching the fascinating activities at Newcastle Harbour. In addition, there are many other activities in Newcastle. Shopaholics will love the Newcastle shopping, with a number of quirky little shopping precincts. For something a bit Bohemian, try Cooks Hill’s Darby Street. Meanwhile, the city centre, Mayfield and Islington are where you’ll find the best antique stores.

For those interested in nature, there are a number of fantastic nature trails and Newcastle walks including Bathers Way and the Newcastle East Heritage walk. Blackbutt Reserve, just 10 minutes from the city, is full of the unique wildlife of Australia.

The Hunter Valley and wine are synonymous with one another because the Hunter Valley is regarded as Australia’s oldest wine region. Some of the country’s largest and most respected wine companies are to be found here, so be prepared to taste some of the finest wine in Australia. There are many ways to explore the 12,000 square kilometres that make up the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Australia, which is located 160 kilometres north of Sydney. Two of the more adventurous options are from the sky in a hot air balloon, or on a horse while cantering through the countryside. With hot air ballooning, all you need to do is wake up early and arrive at the site for takeoff, then settle into the basket and be swept into the air. Hunter Valley hot air balloon rides are a remarkable way to experience the landscape and spot different landmarks, such as the brewery or Hunter Valley cheese factory. As you regrettably prepare to land, the champagne is popped and poured to mark the perfect end to the perfectly satisfying tour. Horse riding in the Hunter Valley is also an enchanting way to see the landscape. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced rider, you’ll find a Hunter Valley horse tour to suit you. Or, if you prefer, you could also enjoy a long game of golf in the Hunter Valley.The more practical transport options of car or bus allow you to explore and access all the wonderful Hunter Valley activities, attractions and accommodation options.

Currently ranked as the seventh largest city in Australia, Newcastle has all the benefits and amenities of a large city but with all the friendliness of a regional town. Easily accessible by road, rail or air, these are just a few of the reasons why Newcastle sits at the top of the list as one of the best destinations in the world to visit.

Things To Do In Geraldton

Fast Flowers — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 22:53:09 +0000

With its gorgeous beachfront location and welcoming vibe, there’s a lot to like about Geraldton. Unless you’re kicking back on the sofa ordering flowers Geraldton from the team here at Fast Flowers, you’ll be wanting to get out and enjoy the best bits of this popular coastal city. Here are just some of the things you could be getting up to should you manage to roll yourself off the sofa and away from daytime TV.

Get a Culture Fix

Geraldton is chockablock with attractions of the heritage variety. Explore the city’s maritime past with a visit to the Shipwrecks Gallery at the museum or pretend you’re a pirate and set sail on the Batavia Longboat Replica. Take a tour of the Yamaji Art Gallery at Campbell House or discover the delights of the Old Gaol Museum & Craft Centre. Catch a show at the Queens Park Theatre or explore the magnificent St Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Take a tour of the beautiful Houtman Abrolhos Islands, dive the Batavia Shipwreck, check out the mesmerising display of colourful wildflowers at the Coalseam Conservation Park, or go and take a look at the fascinating leaning trees on the Greenough Flats. There’s certainly enough natural attractions to occupy more than a few hours of your time, but if you’re still hungry for more, set off on the Natural Walk Trail that follows the winding Greenough River.

Get a bit of Retail Therapy

If the thought of Geraldton’s fabulous markets aren’t enough to drag you away from the sofa, then we don’t know what is. Stock up on all manner of locally grown goodies from the Geraldton-Greenough Farmers Markets in Maitland Park, pick up awesome handmade crafts from the Railway Station Markets on Chapman Road, or tuck into the infamous donuts at the Geraldton Lions Community Market at the Bill Sewell Complex.

Take the kids and relive your childhood

Everyone should act like a kid from time to time, so if you haven’t got your own mini me, borrow someone elses (ask first!) and head off to enjoy the waterpark and playgrounds at the Rest Centre (don’t expect too much resting to be going on). You might also pretend to be the fat controller at the miniature railway in Spalding Park or go and meet the weird and wonderful array of creatures at the Greenough Wildlife and Bird Park. Any of these will cement your position as the best grown up to have ever roamed the streets of Geraldton. Result.

Get Active

There’s loads of activities on offer in Geraldton. You might spend the day catching waves at Black Beach, or try your hand at kitesurfing and windsurfing at Point Moore or Coronation Beach (perhaps best not tried immediately after eating the market donuts). Want to take things down a notch? Set up camp near Greenough Rivermouth or the Batavia Coast Marina and see what fishy delights you can catch for your supper.

Enough action for you? We thought as much.

Five Great Places to Visit in Sydney

Fast Flowers — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 01:50:46 +0000

You may well have arrived here at Fast Flowers searching for flower delivery Sydney, and who would blame you? We do have a bit of a top notch rep going on when it comes to all things flowers, and no, we’re not averse to blowing our own trumpets about it. We also know a fair bit about great Sydney attractions. “Is there anything you don’t know?” we hear you ask. Probably, but we won’t be admitting to it anytime soon.

1. Circular Quay

The hub of the iconic Sydney Harbour, you’ll find all of the big name attractions at Circular Quay. Get the obligatory photo of a sun tanned you with the backdrop of the steel arc of the Sydney Harbour bridge or the sleek sails of the Opera House, before dining at the likes of Guillaume at Bennelong or Cafe Sydney. Then you might wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens, treat yourself to a little cruise along the Parramatta River, or just take full advantage of Happy Hour at the Quay. We reckon it would be rude not to.

2. Bondi Beach

You won’t find many lists of Sydney highlights failing to give a nod in the direction of Australia’s most iconic beach. Time Magazine describes it as the beach that seduces nomads into staying put, and while you might not class yourself as a nomad (kipping on your mate’s sofa on a Saturday night after too many cocktails doesn’t count), the chances are you’ll want to hang around for a while. Take a surf lesson, wander along the picturesque stretch of surrounding sandstone cliffs, or wait until nightfall to mingle with the style set at the White Revolver club on Campbell Parade.

3. Oxford Street

Whether you’re a bit of a fashionista, a full blown retail junkie, or just want to pick up a souvenir or two, you’ll want to make sure you squeeze in the time to visit Oxford Street. Stretching through the city from Darlinghurst to Paddington, you’ll find a great mix of boutiques, designers, and high street labels. The stores tucked away on side streets such as Glenmore Road are the perfect place to head for retro finds for your home, or swing by William Street if you prefer your stuff to be of the handmade variety.

4. Taronga Zoo

Rooaarrr! That was the sound of a lion making itself heard in Sydney Harbour. No really, it was. Check it out for yourself by heading over to the fabulous Taronga Zoo in Mosman. It won’t take you long to realise why more than a million people do exactly that each year. Find out all you ever needed to know about koalas, chimpanzees, tasmanian devils, lions, and more by taking part in the various activities on offer, or go the whole hog and book yourself a luxury safari tent and kip over for the night. There’s no sleeping on the floor mind; the tents here come complete with a double bed. Awesome.

5. The Royal National Park

Sometimes you just want to get away from it all and the “Royal” (or the “Nasho” as it’s sometimes known) is the bomb when it comes to doing exactly that. Expect this lush green paradise to take some time to explore. There is after all more than 130 square kilometres to get through; a marvellous array of rainforest gullies, windswept heath, and the likes of Burning Palm and Wattamolla beaches. Within an hours drive of Wollongong and the Sydney CBD, or a quick ferry ride of Cronulla, it’s easy to get to and even easier to want to stay a while.

Attractions in Townsville: Things We Love About North Queensland’s Unofficial Capital

Fast Flowers — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 04:22:47 +0000

With Townsville being home to a whopping sized community of almost 200,000 lucky locals, it’s understandable that we’re pretty busy, especially when you consider that a large part of our role as the super duper Townsville florist is getting blokes out of the doghouse with our gorgeous fresh flowers. Although we do indeed come across a lot of doghouses, we still find time to work our floral magic and enjoy all the fantastic things that this city has to offer. After all, Townsville rocks and you won’t catch us missing out on anything that rocks. Anything at all!

So here goes – our super official guide to the things we love most about North Queensland’s unofficial capital. It was a real life survey type thingy that we did to bring these nuggets of local info to you. Okay, in reality we shouted out across the office and took it from there. Incidentally, the boss quite fancied putting something in about excellent transport links but we shot him down in flames in favour of telling you about food, drink, and other such goodies (and because we know that no one actually wants to leave Townsville or is remotely interested in bus routes for that matter). Of course, when we say shot him down in flames, what we actually mean is that we smiled politely and sniggered just a little (when his back was turned obviously). There were no actual flames.

Drum roll please ….

- The food. Not that we’re pigs or anything but Townsville has no less than three eat streets and we love to hang out at them all. Our favourite haunts? The Saltcellar on Palmer Street (awesome wine list), C Bar on The Strand on, um, The Strand (funny that), and the Gyo Japanese on Gregory Street.

- The bars. By night, we can be found making shapes at one of the bars and nightclubs on Flinders Street. We love the Cactus Saloon, the Mad Cow Tavern, the Consortium, and Flynns Irish Bar, but if the truth be known, anywhere they serve a beer to a backdrop of some banging tunes is going to be fine with us.

- The shops. Flinders Street Mall, the Stockland Plaza, Castletown Shopping World, and the Willows Weekend Markets; it’s all fair game to the team here at Fast Flowers. In fact we’re almost as good at indulging in some retail therapy as we are digging the blokes out of the doghouse. Multi-talented – that’s us.

- The natural bits. You might think that we’re all about the eating, drinking, and being merry (and the shopping), but no-one can fail to appreciate the natural attractions of Townsville. There’s Magnetic Island, fantastic botanic gardens, and the rather splendid Riverway, and that really is just for starters.

- The beach. Big surprise, we love the beach! With an average of 320 days of sunshine each year, it’s pretty easy to enjoy too. You’ll mostly catch us at The Strand building awesome castles with our buckets and spades, although did we mention there are bars dotted along this fab foreshore stretch?

Ten Things To Love About Cronulla

Fast Flowers — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 01:02:56 +0000

When we say that we’ve scoured the country for the very best florists in the business, we aren’t kidding. All of our florists have been carefully hand picked by us according to a number of extra special factors. They should have that all important piece of paper to say that they’re professionally accredited (and therefore know what they’re doing). More importantly though, they should not only be passionate about fresh flowers; they should also be passionate about the community in which they work their floral magic

That’s why we fell for our Cronulla florist. Not in a romantic way, you understand (she’s spoken for), but rather for the way that they talk about Cronulla. In their opinion (and ours), Cronulla rocks. We asked our Cronulla florist to give us the heads up about exactly what’s great about this awesome beachside suburb. We like to share, so forget the local visitor information centre and check out our list of top ten things to love about Cronulla.

1. The Beach. The locals consider it to be four separate beaches, but when thrown together, it’s one of the longest in Sydney and pretty spectacular looking too. Seriously, who needs Bondi Beach when you’ve got Cronulla Beach to hang out at?

2. The fantastic cafe scene. Every beach deserve an awesome cafe or two and Cronulla has more than a few. Try Alley Break Cafe on Kingsway, Nulla Nulla Cafe on Cronulla Street, and the Grind Espresso on Surf Road.

3. The great choice of restaurants. For those occasions (like a hot date) when a cafe just won’t cut it, try the Three Fish Seafood Grill on Ocean Grove Avenue, Summer Salt Restaurant on Mitchell Road, or Fratelli Del Mare on Gerrale Street.

4. The awesome shopping. Cronulla has a great little shopping precinct, part of which (Cronulla Plaza) is pedestrianised. Check out Emerald Surf City on Surf Road and The Best Little Bookshop in Town on Cronulla Street.

5. The pubs. Sometimes you want to forego the food and head straight for the vino and the live music. Northies on Kingsway and the Brass Monkey on Cronulla Street are two of the many places that you can do exactly that.

6. The parks. Cronulla is packed with parks and reserves of all sizes. Throw a picnic together and head out to relax at the likes of Tonkin Park (great view of the marina) or Darook Park overlooking the beautiful Gunnamatta Bay.

7. The golf. We’re not that great at golf ourselves, but we have it on good authority (our Cronulla florist) that the course on the corner of Hume and Elouera Roads is fairly bang on the money.

8. The national parks. Cronulla boasts easy access to not one, but three national parks. Specifically, the Royal, the Kamay Botany Bay, and the Heathcote. That there is enough bush to make anyone happy.

9. The events. In the second week of September, the area lays on the fantastic Cronulla Spring Festival, while those here for Australia Day can check out the amazing Opera on the Beach.

10. The scenery. Seriously, what’s not to like about a destination that borders Woolooware, Bate, and Gunnamatta Bay and has sweeping views of lush green national parks to boot? It truly is picture perfect.

Want the Lowdown on Newcastle? Fill Your Boots Here!

Fast Flowers — Fri, 31 May 2013 01:03:40 +0000

When you’ve dropped a clanger and find yourself in need of an apology in the form of awesome fresh flowers or a fab gift hamper, we’re hoping you already know that you can count on Fast Flowers to help you out. We do have the very best Newcastle florist in our network after all! If you didn’t know that, you do now! What you might not know is that we can also help you out with a bit of local knowledge about this lively coastal city! Planning a trip here? Make sure you read on to find out all about the best entertainment in Newcastle!

First up is the festivals. Who doesn’t love a great festival? No one we know! The Newcastle Regional Show is the big one. Held annually in the Newcastle Showground, you can expect the usual offering of stalls and fun fair rides, not to mention the main area, an awesome fireworks display, and, um, wood chopping displays. We know someone likes them! If you’re more into concert, wrestling, or monster truck shows, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre is the place to be. More of an art junkie? This Is Not Art is one of the leading arts festivals in the country, Visit Newcastle over the October long weekend to be part of the action. Other festivals include the Newcastle Jazz Festival and the Mattara Festival. Yeah, we do love a festival here in Newcastle!

You might very well be up for a night out by now, but like your mother always told you (probably), you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach! So in the interests of being sensible (we can be sensible occasionally!), we’ll point you in the direction of some of the best eateries in town before we let you in on the best places to sink a few cold ones. Top of our hit list for restaurants in Newcastle is the Nagisa Japanese on The Boardwalk. More of an experience than a restaurant, the beef tataki sushi is to die for! Another favourite is the Petite Belle on Glebe Road. Tuck into coffee and croissants in the quaint courtyard at the rear of this fancy Parisian inspired patisserie. Then there’s Sprout Dining located opposite the waterfront on Honeysuckle Drive. Expect the menu to change according to the season or the latest seafood catch.

Okay, now it’s time for beer (or vino or cocktails!). A fave local hangout is Fanny’s on Wharf Road; contemporary, attractive, and definitely a place to behave (thanks to one of the bouncers being a heavyweight boxing champ!). Another popular haunt is that of the King Street Hotel where the World Class Nightclub helps revellers while away the night to the backdrop of tunes from international DJs. Prefer a relaxing glass of wine and stunning views? Isobar in the Boardwalk Precinct offers up exactly that!

You’ll love Newcastle; you really can’t fail to do anything but! It’s a city that’s got so much to offer that you’ll definitely want to stay longer than you planned!

Extraordinary Things to do with Coconut Oil

Fast Flowers — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:31:07 +0000

As a super duper fantabulous florist (we’re not blowing our own trumpet there – our customers tell us that all the time), we’re well versed in just how effective flowers can be, not only for looking at and going all misty eyed because your fella remembered your birthday (it was two weeks ago, but he remembered eventually, right!), but also for their use in natural remedies; they’re rather like a gift from the Gods in that way – too dramatic? We think not – it turns out that there is other stuff out there that has more than one use; coconut oil being a prime example. Check out our list of awesome ways you can use coconut oil! Let’s get one thing straight before we start though – we’re talking about extra virgin organic coconut oil – cold pressed raw oil that sets at room temperature (found in good health food stores and, you know, on the t’interweb), so don’t be running off down your local servo and picking up some bargain bin coconut body oil and trying to cook coconut rice. It’s not the same and you will end up down the local hossie, probably screaming blue murder and trying to blame Fast Flowers for your dicky tummy!

Oil Pulling: “What the &5$8”? is oil pulling?” we hear you cry. Brace yourselves. Oil pulling is an ancient form of Indian medicine (Ayurveda to be precise) whereby you swish a high quality oil round your mouth for up to 20 minutes each morning before breakfast. “Why on earth would we want to do that?” we hear you cry even louder. How about strengthened gums, fresher breath, and whiter teeth? Rumoured (by a lot of sources) to help you rid your mouth of a shed load of toxins (while leaving the good bacteria behind), oil pulling with coconut oil is enjoying somewhat of a revolution. One word of warning though. Some sources state that you can just shove a hardened piece of oil in your mouth and melt it by chewing it. Urgh, quickest way to never try oil pulling ever again! Do yourself a massive favour and melt the stuff first! You can also try this with sesame seed oil, but we’re guessing it wouldn’t taste nearly as nice.

Fabulous Hair: Who doesn’t want stunning locks? Erm, yeah, that would be no-one, right? Coconut oil is one of the best things you can use to make your tresses truly your crowning glory. Got a problem with dandruff? Coconut oil is rich in anti-fungal and antibacterial properties so massage well into your scalp for at least five minutes (combined with tea tree oil if you wish and can stand the smell of the stuff), then rinse well. Got a bit more time and fancy giving your locks a deep condition? Go ahead and massage that oil into your hair. Wrap your hair up in a warm towel (or cling film if you don’t mind looking a bit daft) and leave for a few hours. Shampoo normally (it might take a few goes to get rid of all the oil). Off on a night out and got an attack of the frizzy flyways? A pea sized amount of coconut oil will sort that out. Melt the oil between your hands and smooth over your hair (or scrunch if you’ve got a head full of curls).

Amazing Skin: There aren’t many parts of the skin that coconut oil can’t improve – from your face to your feet, this amazing stuff can work wonders. You can use a dab of it on a cotton ball as a super effective eye makeup remover (no more panda eyes in the morning) or use it straight from the jar as a lip balm. You can use it for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or athletes foot. It can also put an end to stinky feet (add lemon oil for extra oomph)! It can be used as a pre-shave treatment or as an after bath full body moisturiser. You can even use it as a face mask or for healing acne, scrapes and scratches, and other wounds to your skin. Is there anything that coconut oil can’t do? Well it can’t handcraft one of our awesome bouquets (pulls tongue at coconut oil), but it can be combined with other natural ingredients to make your own home style toothpaste and deodorant; both of which actually work so you’ve no fear of going round with stinky breath and pits!

Other strange uses for coconut oil …

Okay, so we’ve given you the magic potion for healthy gums, fresh breath, awesome hair, and great skin. You love us now, don’t you? We’re not finished though! Oh no! If you’ve got any of your wonder oil left, here’s a whole host of other things you can do with coconut oil. By the way, if you haven’t got any left, run to the health food store – right now!

1. Although not proven, many converts (including the rather delectable Jennifer Aniston) believe that coconut oil can aid in weight loss – even it is 100% fat!

2. There is growing scientific evidence that the use of coconut oil can ease the symptoms of alzheimers.

3. Combined with a bit of lemon oil, coconut oil makes a great polish for wooden furniture (plus it makes your home smell awesome!).

4. It can be used in foods. You might automatically think of coconut macaroons, but in truth, coconut oil is a fabulous ingredient in any raw food diet.

5. Want to raise an eco-baby? Try using coconut oil as a green alternative for nappy rash. Mums all over the world swear by the stuff!

Do yourself a massive favour and go and get yourself some coconut oil right now. You can thank us later!

Planning a holiday in the snowfields? We review the leading resorts in Australia and New Zealand.

Fast Flowers — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:39:22 +0000

Who cares if the autumn wind has a slight chill, or the days are closing in early? Summer might have shot through but that’s no cause for despair because the cessation of summer means it’s nearly time to go skiing! Being a popular florist means we can’t often take a break but we always aim to get at least a weekend or two in the snow every year. If your view of winter is merely that of dark nights, chilly weather, and listening to other people’s sniffs and sneezes you’re missing out. Winter is about way more than dosing yourself on hot lemon drinks and eucalyptus lollies. Read our ultimate guide to the best ski resorts Down Under and you’ll be as excited as we are at the first whiff of snow.

We’ll look at the Aussie Alps first. The forecast, though tricky to predict accurately so far in advance, is for a pretty average season. It’s going to be a little slow to get going so we wouldn’t recommend you book a week in June, but it’ll pick up in July and should max out at around 1.7 metres by mid to late August. We’re not going to see the 2 metres or so coverage we had last year, but it’s not going to be too shabby.

Mt. Hotham, Victoria
Hotham is an admirable resort for groups of mixed abilities, with a mix of 20% beginner, 40% intermediate and 40% advanced trails. The longest one is 3km so you can get in a decent run without having to spend half your day on the chairlifts getting back up to the top. It’s smaller and slightly more expensive than resorts like Thredbo and Perisher, but there’s still an adequate range of accommodation. The lodges are clean and efficiently run, the nightlife is exciting and varied, and there are regular buses to get you to and from the slopes. It scores well for its average annual snowfall but loses points for the cost and distance from Melbourne (the last bit of the drive can be a somewhat hairy!) Overall score 3.5/5

Falls Creek, Victoria
Falls Creek is another enjoyable resort if you are with skiers or snowboarders of different abilities, with 17% beginner, 60% intermediate, and 23% advanced runs. It’s not an ideal location for families unless you’re all keen skiers, because there is little in the way of other activities on offer. Having said that, the ski school is excellent and well reviewed by parents. Management has invested a lot of effort into upgrading the facilities over the last few years so it’s easier to get around. Again, it’s pretty expensive, but a weekend of agreeable weather can make the drive (4.5 hours from Melbourne) worth it. Overall score: 3/5

Thredbo, New South Wales
Based at the foot of Mt Kosciuszko, Thredbo is one of Australia’s largest ski resort and boasts the country’s longest ski run (6km). It’s best suited to those of intermediate level, with 67% blue runs, 16% green, and 17% red. Some of the red runs are quite challenging, so it’s not like advanced skiers will be left out in the cold (pardon the pun). The resort is popular all year round and there are oodles of accommodation options for all budgets. The facilities are first class and there’s a well established permanent community. It takes around six hours to drive from both Sydney and Melbourne, the roads are sealed and very rarely closed. If you are visiting for a week you might want to look at staying in nearby Jindabyne which is within easy reach of both Thredbo and Perisher Blue. Overall rating: 4/5.

New Zealand is a better choice than Australia if you desire more than a weekend in the snow. Even factoring in the flights, the improved skiing conditions and exchange rate mean you get far better value for money. Their ski seasons starts earlier, with Turoa opening on 15 June this year, and the Queenstown Snowcats on 1 July. They snow forecast is more positive than the Aussie Alps. Again, it’s difficult to be accurate so far in advance, but Mt Hutt’s 20cm dump last weekend has led to 1.5m drifts near the summit already.

Mt Hutt, Methven
When the conditions are ideal there’s almost nowhere better than Mt Hutt. Sharp descents give an excellent opportunity for speed, it’s not too expensive, and there’s a great mix of beginner (25%), intermediate (50%) and advanced (25%). The black diamond runs on the south face are not for the faint hearted. Where is falls short is the length of runs – the longest is only 2km; and the unpredictability of the weather. Yes, it gets an average of 4 metres of snow a year but this isn’t always skiing quality and it’s fruitless anyway if the resort is shut as the result to bad weather. The resort rarely feels crowded but the trade-off is that the nightlife is virtually non-existent. Overall rating: 3/5.

Roundhill, Lake Tekapo
Roundhill is a fab family ski resort and exactly the place to go for a week during school holidays. A new nutcracker rope tow has extended the ski area from a mere 60 hectares to a super impressive 500 hectares, making it one of the largest resorts in the country. Accommodation ranges from the YHA to luxury lodges but there isn’t lots of it so book early, and check the travel between where you’re staying and the slopes because it’s not always that great. More advanced skiers may want to investigate Broken River instead. Overall rating: 2.5/5

Coronet Peak, Queenstown
Coronet Peak may not be massive, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality of trails and facilities. Lifts are fast and well organised so you won’t hang around freezing in between runs, of which there are plenty of blue and black ones. An efficient shuttle system runs from Queenstown so you can base yourself there and not be tied to just one resort. Compared with some NZ resorts snowfall is minimal at only a 2 metres average, however because the ground is grassy and not rocky, it’s only an issue for those who light to fight for fresh powder. It takes less than half an hour to drive to from Queenstown. There’s not a lot to dislike about Coronet Peak. Overall rating 4.5/5.

Of course, there are plenty of other ski resorts in Australia and New Zealand but this will give you a satisfactory taster. If you’ve never been to the snow why not make 2013 the year you change your life and do it.

Don’t Even Think of Coming to Darwin Until You’ve Read the FAST FLOWERS Local Guide!

Fast Flowers — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:34:58 +0000

Darwin is different to other Australian capital cities. There’s something about being so far north that gives it an air that, while undeniably Aussie, is slightly more exciting and unique. As the florist in Darwin whose name is on everyone’s lips, we at FAST FLOWERS travel all around the city and its suburbs to deliver fresh and fabulous flowers. We love that this wide brown land of ours has such variety. Simply compare Hobart to Darwin and you’ll see what we mean, with one virtually in the South Pole and the other nudging the Equator. Darwin is a city of contradictions: cosmopolitan yet provincial, laid back yet with an undercurrent of danger that living in the tropics brings, developed yet on the doorstep of magnificent unspoiled beaches and bush. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favour and get up here for a look at least once in your lifetime.

Australia’s Top End is top stuff and there’s heaps to do whether you’re one for throwing yourself off cliffs (with a rope, we hope!) or only rousing yourself from your sun lounger to order another cocktail. Put it this way, a city that hosts a world class arts and culture festival (the Darwin Festival runs every August) and a Beer Can Regatta is nothing if not versatile. If you’re the active sort or you have kids with ants in their pants head straight for Leanyer Recreation Park where free entry and three enormous waterslides are just the start of a fantastic day out. Hidden Valley is a petrol head’s dream with V8 supercars and drag racing galore, or if you appreciate a more sedate pace to your activity the Flight Path Golf & Outdoor Recreation has an 18-hole mini golf course, laser clay shooting, archery, and a golf driving range. (There’s also a bar – bonus!) The Deckchair cinema is a pretty cool way to watch a film. It’s open from late April until mid Nov. Take a cushion. Berry Springs, Mindil Beach, Crocosaurus Cove and the Botanic Gardens rate in the top 5 most popular Darwin attractions and are well worth squeezing in a visit even if you are short on time.

Shopping in Darwin is a pleasure not to be missed. It’s a small-ish city and you can easily give most, if not all, of the shopping precincts a thorough going over in a day or two. The city centre has twenty arcades packed with recognisable retail chains and independent boutiques. Start at the Mall with Galleria and Centrepoint before moving on to the beautiful Vic Arcade where you can indulge in a delectable and authentic Sri Lankan meal at Amma’s Cafe before continuing your shopping spree. The Mall itself has around two hundred shops mainly specialising in fashion and accessories. Take a short drive or the number 4 or 10 bus to Casuarina to the city’s largest shopping centre complete with multi-screen cinema. It’s an awesome place to spend the day in air-conditioned bliss if Darwin’s humidity is a little too high for you. Both buses go past one of Darwin’s most famous sites: Mindil Beach. The beach is known for its spectacular sunsets and there are great markets which run at dusk from April to October on Thursday and Sunday. You can feed your face at a choice of sixty food stalls and buy yourself something special at one of over two hundred art and craft stalls. Other Darwin markets worth mentioning are in Rapid Creek and at Nightcliff Shopping Centre, both on Sunday. If you’re after a quality piece of Aboriginal art there are several reputable galleries to visit. Mason Gallery and Maningrida Arts and Culture are two of the best, while Outstation represents new artists from around the Territory.

The Northern Territory takes its indigenous heritage seriously and it is here more than anywhere else that you can see and appreciate the culture up close. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is a fab place to start. View the full timeline of Darwin and its people from the Dreamtime right through to WWII. MAGNT has not just Aboriginal art but works from artists around southeast Asia. A visit to the Aboriginal Bush Traders in Lyons Cottage will put you in touch with local Aboriginal artists and businesses if you are searching for something specific, and they also run workshops focusing on traditional skills such as weaving.

After a busy day you’ll be looking to settle in for an early night… yeah right! Darwin’s nightlife is nothing short of epic. We’re not going to pretend it has the sophistication and panache of Sydney or Brisvegas, but you won’t be short of places to have fun. Discovery is the city’s biggest club. It features both live music and DJs. HP Underground is a good alternative especially if you are young and gorgeous, which we’re sure you are, and Throb is the city’s biggest gay and lesbian club. If you’re not much of a dancer there are plenty of bars to prop up. Try Wisdom, Tap on Mitchell, Ducks Nuts for cocktails and Deck Bar for mixing with the beautiful people. Shenanigans, Fiddler’s Green and Dolly O’Reilly’s (Leanyer) are all Irish bars where the craic is as good as the beer.

You can visit Darwin at any time of the year but many people prefer to avoid the wet season which runs from November until mid to late March. Remember, this is a tropical city and normal weather rules don’t apply! Most major events are held between April and October, including annual festivals like the Darwin Beer Can Regatta in July; and the Darwin Festival, rodeo, Darwin Cup horse racing meet and Mud Crab Tying in August.. It’s just like we said earlier, something for everyone!

You won’t regret a visit to Darwin. The weather is hot, the beer is cold and the people are friendly. There’s more art and culture than you can shake a stick at, great shopping, incredible scenery and a unique identity that is as Aussie it comes but unlike any other Aussie city you’ve been to before. Come on up, and say g’day when you get here. We’ll be the ones putting smiles of the faces of locals with our fresh and awesome flowers.

Six Awesome Aussie Autumn Destinations.

Fast Flowers — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:49:07 +0000

When marketing companies promote Australia it’s usually with accurate but slightly cliched images of sun drenched beaches and blue skies. Sure, Australia’s got all that in spades but not everywhere enjoys warm weather all year round. What happens when autumn rolls in? As the florist to choose when you need to send the freshest, most fabulous flowers Australia, FAST FLOWERS knows our amazing country pretty intimately. Who better to tell you where you can visit to enjoy an astounding Aussie autumnal adventure (try saying that fast after a glass of wine or two!)

The Blue Mountains (New South Wales)
Leura, Blackheath and Katoomba are all fabulous destinations in autumn. The magnificent trees put on their russet coats before shedding their leaves in preparation for winter. This is a true autumn in the best sense – crisp fresh air, rich earthy smells, the crunchy texture of dried leaves and the occasional morning frost underfoot. Mount Wilson is ideal for a weekend retreat from work’s madness. Leave your makeup and hair straighteners at home to make space in your bag for the cosy hats and toasty socks you’ll need to enjoy bracing walks. The Chimney Suite at Chimney Cottage is a sumptuously romantic getaway with an open fire, private courtyard and large spa bath in which to soak. Call (02) 4756 2022 or visit www.chimneycottage.com.au for availability, or go to www.bluemts.com.au for more accommodation suggestions.

Cairns (Queensland)
Queensland’s Far North is best between June and October when it is the dry season, so it’s ideal if you want some warmth and sunshine before winter sets in. Top up your vitamin D levels and enjoy temperatures in the low to mid 20s, with warm ocean water and sun virtually every day. Cairns has something to keep everyone happy. If you prefer not to do anything more energetic than signal the waiter at the poolside bar, but your partner is not happy unless they’re pushing themselves to the limit, this is your ideal autumn destination. There is a huge range of accommodation at every budget and with direct flights from most Australian cities it is easy to get to. Check out www.cairnstoday.com.au for more info.

Hobart (Tasmania)
Autumn is arguably the best time of year to visit Tassie and its capital city has stacks of awesome attractions to offer. The cool climate provides a palette that is nothing short of spectacular with tawny reds, browns, oranges and yellow painting the landscape. Mount Wellington’s peak gives a magnificent view of the city’s autumn splendour. You can easily drive to the top and there are a range of walking paths if you feel like working up an appetite before indulging in a meal of Hobart’s amazing local produce. The Derwent Valley Autumn Festival is held annually in April in New Norfolk, around a 30 minute drive north west of Hobart’s city centre. Go to www.discovertasmania.com for details of what’s on and where to stay.

Margaret River, Western Australia
We won’t have to work hard to convince you that Margaret River in Western Australia is well worth a visit. April is ideal as the region’s annual wine festival is on, showcasing a mouthwatering array of local produce, including some of the world’s finest wines. The four day festival is usually held around the middle weekend of the month (this year it’s from 13-16 April). An easy 90 minute drive from Perth makes the Margaret River a fab choice for a long weekend break. Return to the office refreshed and laden with delectable goodies for your family and friends (or keep them for yourself – we won’t tell!) As you would expect in wine country, there are lovely boutique B&Bs and hotels waiting to extend warm hospitality. Go to www.margaretriver.com for recommendations and contact details.

Canberra, Australian Capital City
Canberra is known for its massive production of hot air but in March it is less about the politicians and more about the balloons at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. Unfortunately this year’s event has finished (it usually runs over nine days from around the second weekend of the month) but make a note to check it out in 2014 because it will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Canberra might not be first on your list of amazing autumn holiday spots but you’ll be missing out if you dismiss it. As with Hobart and the Blue Mountains, Canberra has distinct seasons and the wide expanse of bushland and millions of trees are painted in titan hues. Excellent local produce provides hearty fare to slake appetites stimulated by the cooler weather. Hotel Kurrajong is a relaxing boutique hotel with a welcoming open fire in the lounge area. The Diamant is one of Canberra’s newest hotels at the chic (and expensive) end of the spectrum, and home to the award winning Biciletta Italian Restaurant. An alternative to Canberra is the Murrumbidgee Corridor, a 30 minute drive from the city centre. This peaceful area has excellent fishing, bush walking, beaches and camping. You can see more at www.visitcanberra.com.au.

Adelaide, South Australia
The southern states really come into their own in autumn, with magnificent harvests and beautiful fresh weather. Adelaide’s Tasting Australia festival is held every other year, with the next one running sometime between 1 April to 30 May 2014 (dates TBC). A packed schedule includes tasting, master classes, and local festivals. You will find more details as they are confirmed at www.tasting-australia.com.au and www.southaustralia.com. Adelaide is one of Australia’s prettiest cities with parks, cafes and pretty vistas galore. If you have a week or more, make sure you get up to the Flinders Ranges. It’s a four hour drive north of the city and with awe inspiring mountainous peaks and a stunning national park.

Whether you have a week or a weekend to spare there is plenty to appreciate about autumn in Australia. As Australia’s local florist you can trust that we know what we’re talking about so plan your break today.