Flight Centre Trailblazes a Bumper Year for Australasian Tourism

NEW MALDEN, England, Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 2011 is a bumper year for Australia and New Zealand and it pays to get there early! Flight Centre – the Airfare Experts and the world's leading cheap flights provider - is coming up trumps with a veritable treasure-trove of deals on flights to Australia and holiday packages. With New Zealand hosting the Rugby World Cup this year, and a recent victorious Ashes tour in Oz, British holidaymakers are putting Antipodean travel in high demand. A wise voyager will stay a step-ahead of the tourist crowds by snapping up a low-cost springtime break. February to May – Australia's autumn – is an ideal time to visit the area: temperate weather, primetime for food and wine and great conditions for exploring the diverse ecosystems.

With Flight Centre offering returns to Sydney from as little as 675 pounds Sterling, you can live it up in Australia's coolest city, without breaking the bank. There is an embarrassment of riches to be explored in Australia and nearby New Zealand. High on the list of hot activities for 2011 is the Rugby World Cup, hosted by New Zealand, home of the All Blacks. But rugby isn't the only reason to visit Australia's Kiwi neighbour – Wairarapa, a short drive east of Wellington, is the home of wine and gourmet food, and New Zealand's famous lamb.

You won't be short of eating options in Oz either:  the Tasting Australia festival fills Adelaide in the last week of April, and should not be missed for its fresh flavours and innovative cooking, for those looking to raise the heart rate, Western Australia is ready and waiting. The cosmopolitan coastal city of Perth – a new guidebook favourite– is the natural starting point for cycling the Munda Biddi trail, dodging through marri and jarrah trees as well as spotting cockatoos and kangaroos. No one should miss out the country's stunning nature, from the Blue Mountains to Uluru thing; but an alternative traveller might be tempted by the rich film culture. 2011 will be a bumper year for Antipodean cinema – the Melbourne International Film Festival celebrates its 60th anniversary, and with Melbourne-set Animal Kingdom nominated for an Oscar (and filming of The Hobbit in neighbouring New Zealand), movie lovers would be crazy to miss out.

Flight Centre is offering more than just flights to this spectacular destination. For just 249 pounds you can enjoy a 3 day, 4* trip through the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley; or if you prefer to skip Australia and tour New Zealand independently, a Camper Van Getaway is just 845 pounds for 10 days, including flights. For classic nature, trips to Uluru and the Red Centre start at 339 pounds for 3 days, or try a 4 night tour of South Australian wineries for under 300 pounds.

With incredible scenery, laidback cities and fascinating wildlife, you'll have plenty to keep you entertained. Get online today to find your perfect Australasian walkabout.

SOURCE Flight Centre UK Ltd