Concern Over Australia’s Kosciuszko Tourism Blueprint
Long-term plans would see Australia’s Kosciuszko National Park converted into a major year-round tourist destination with a redeveloped town centre for Jindabyne.
The crunch of tyres on gravel hasn’t been heard on the summit of Mt Kosciuszko for 44 years but could again be a reality should new tourism plans prevail.
So too will the whirr of helicopter rotors again echo across the national park named after Australia’s highest peak.
Several thousand extra beds will also be crammed into ski resorts Perisher and Thredbo, while seven new camping grounds and other accommodation facilities will populate the mighty high country reserve.
NOT SO FAST
There is no doubt the train journey between Coffs Harbour and Sydney is one of the loveliest in NSW. But as a commute between the north coast and Sydney, it s an absolute embarrassment. It takes about nine hours, if it s on time, for the 608 kilometre-trip in rail stock nearly 40 years old on tracks put down in the 19th century. There are also several layovers as you wait for a passing train on the single line track. A trip roughly the same distance in Japan takes 2 hours 15 minutes; South Korea, about 2 hours and 50 minutes; and from Paris to Lyon in France, 1 hour 50 minutes. Our approach, or lack of one, to high speed rail in Australia is a national disgrace.
PRETENDER UNMASKED
I have cancer and for my birthday early next month, I booked online for a lovely five-star stay at a Sydney CBD hotel suite, with park views. I knew I also had to book their famous high tea so I rang to do that directly. But ma am, we are a quarantine hotel, the nice guy on reception told me. How were you able to book ?
Furthermore, and needless to say, there was no high tea or a club lounge operating. So when would I have found out, as my online booking was accepted and confirmed including access to the club lounge? Probably the day before we would have moved you to one of our other properties in Sydney or offered a credit note. But it was too late for a cancellation without charge.
9 beautiful, delicious and little-known NSW travel spots theguardian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theguardian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.