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A star is born: Qantas launches its budget airline Jetstar today, which will operate more than 600 flights a week from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to 10 eastern seaboard destinations, including the Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Tasmania. The airline plans to extend its reach to Perth, Uluru, Darwin, Townsville and Adelaide. One-way fares range from A$69 to A$119 (HK$375 to HK$646). There are only two ticket types: Jet Flex and Jet Saver, which allow time, date and name changes up to 30 minutes and 24 hours before departure, respectively. There are no designated seat numbers, and passengers can buy drinks and snacks on board. Qantas Club members can still use the network of lounges. The cheapest fares are online at www.jetstar.com.au, otherwise, book through travel agents or by calling [61] 131 538. From late next month, customers in Australia will be able to book by SMS.
Island life: Until the end of the year, the Island Shangri-La is offering a special rate for Hong Kong and Macau residents of $1,698 per night. Available on Fridays and Saturdays only, it includes: tea and fruit on arrival; supper for two at cafe TOO; two complimentary movies; American buffet breakfast; and service charge and government tax. For details, call 2820 8333 or go to www.shangri-la.com/island.
Present perfect: Want to give something more exciting than a tie or after-shave this Father's Day (June 20). United Airlines is offering a four-day/three-night Father's Day package to Tokyo from $4,499. The flight leaves Hong Kong on June 19 at 9.15am (arriving 2.30pm), and departs Tokyo at 6.25pm on June 22 (arriving 9.55pm). A choice of three hotels is available, including the Century Hyatt Tokyo at $4,899 (http://tokyo.century.hyatt.com). Deals include return economy flights, three night's accommodation and daily breakfast. For details, ring Farrington Travel on 2808 2828 or go to www.amextravel.com.hk.
Speakers' corner: The Travel and Cultural Bookshop in Mongkok, which opened last year, buys and sells English travel books and guides. It also holds regular travel-related talks and exhibitions. June is 'Poland month', and from 3pm to 5pm this Saturday, Polish consul-general Andrzej Pieczonka will discuss the sights of Warsaw, Krakow and lesser-known destinations such as Torun, Poznan and Gdansk. There will also be an exhibition of Polish books, cultural artefacts and music. Open daily from noon to 8pm (Room 807, Mongkok City Centre, 78-84 Sai Yeung Choi St, Mongkok, MTR D3 exit, tel: 2380 8380).
Hot to trot: The world's hottest golf course openings of the past five years, according to the May/June issue of Travel + Leisure magazine (www.tlgolf.com), are:
-Arabella Golf Club, Arabella Country Estate, South Africa
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