For businesses left on Great Keppel Island, once famous as the party island off the central Queensland coast, this hangover is the sort that needs more than a greasy bacon-and-egg roll.

The first Qantas A380, named Nancy-Bird Walton in honour of Australia's aviation pioneer, will touch down at Auckland International Airport at about 11pm New Zealand time.

Born in 1857, Sidney Kidman first tried his hand at being a butcher, a drover and a stockman.

The problem was caused by a Telstra outage yesterday at 1.30pm (AEDT) which forced staff to handle check-in manually. causing huge delays in every airport in Australia lasting about 2½ hours.

Perhaps it's the monotone spiel, recited by some student on summer break, or the scattering of statistics on production levels and the latest harvest. It could be the desultory half-glasses of immature white, unpleasantly warmed in the summer sun, or the weave to the car for those nerve-racking,... Read More

Raed Jarrar received the pay out from two US Transportation Security Authority officials and from JetBlue Airways following the August 2006 incident at New York's JFK Airport.

Shapes form, become recognisable and then disappear as the cool July wind changes direction.

I've stared at clouds before, but this is the first time I've stood above them. I know the clouds won't support me, but the urge to step out and explore is strong. They seem so real.

Cec... Read More

DAY ONE

Land in Launceston

Whether you fly direct or drive the 100km from the ferry terminal at Devonport, Tasmania's second-largest city at the junction of the North Esk, South Esk and Tamar rivers is a convenient first stop.

Begin by exploring the "Paris" en... Read More

Huge rivers meandered north to empty into an inland sea, which was retreating to the north, and ancient pines, sequoias, beech and ginkgo ferns thrived in the lush, coastal wetlands.

The airline has launched an advertising campaigned called “Refuse if you want to choose” following what it says is Qantas’ plans to force millions of credit card holders to lock in the Qantas Frequent Flyer option on their card loyalty program.

"I'll pull really hard so that you know it's me and not something else latching on to your toes."

We are about to plunge into a tank full of razor-sharp teeth and giant personalities. He can see some of us are nervous.

"When you first get into the water, just back... Read More

Australian Simon Blaby, a chef in Bali, said he saw a man shoot a dog in broad daylight on Seminyak beach.

Two helicopters winched the backpackers off the deck of the ketch that ran aground in wild seas at Hook Island in the Whitsundays yesterday.

With the battered yacht tilting dangerously on rocks, the crew and foreign tourists made several futile attempts to get ashore.

But the he... Read More

From humble beginnings 40 years ago when Forest Hill became the region's first winery in Mt Barker (it's now located in Denmark), the Great Southern wine industry has grown to more than 80 wineries in five wine sub-regions – Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mt Barker and Porongurup.

Tourism Australia figures reveal domestic overnight visitors spent $4.53 billion in Melbourne in 2007, compared to $4.49 billion in Sydney.

Events NSW Chairman John O'Neill has spent the past year conducting a review of tourism in NSW and is expected to soon release the results.

Tourist industry leaders said demand from regional markets such as Australia, Japan and China would largely offset a fall in long-haul tourist numbers.

The "super sale" will last for three hours only tonight with 1000 seats up for grabs from 7-10pm AEST, or until sold out.

In a move that will stun the $1.3 billion ski industry, the Packer-owned resorts of Perisher in NSW and Hotham and Falls Creek in Victoria have combined to release a season pass that will entitle skiers and snowboarders unlimited days at all three resorts in season 2009.

So their merry dance over the surface of the pool is a good sign, even though lightning plays in the clouds on the horizon and distant thunder rumbles across the Mary River flood plain.

Despite the dinner hour, we're firmly anchored to the lounges in the outdoor pavilion of Bamurru... Read More

Liz Hurley had been sighted with fiance Arun Nayer shopping for wedding dresses. And there was talk of Leonardo DiCaprio sipping coffee in a local cafe.

Such goings on are a near daily occurrence on the island of Capri, playground of the rich and famous since Roman times.

This p... Read More

"I've eaten, I reckon, three natural oysters in my life. I just don't like 'em," says Mr May, 30, who was in Ireland last year to compete in the 52nd annual Galway International Oyster Festival.

Born in 1857, Sidney Kidman first tried his hand at being a butcher, a drover and a stockman.

Having five short breaks a year is just as important to your health and wellbeing as your essential five food groups, according to lastminute.com.au.

Dr Cindy Pan says taking five short breaks a year can dramatically improve your sense of wellbeing and vitality.

Quick weekend br... Read More

Bondi and Manly are justifiably famous, and the lifesavers who patrol them are as iconic as the Digger or the swagman.

Little wonder, then, that the official centenary of the lifesaving movement this year coincides with 100 years of the bathing costume.

The stakes were raised ag... Read More

NEWS.com.au readers indulged in 'Plane Porn', getting all hot under the collar when we took you on a tour of the largest commercial plane in the world – the Airbus A380 – when it took to the skies in November. But the excitement came to a premature end when we were told 'No sex please... Read More

AN air hostess helped land an Air Canada jet carrying 146 passengers after the co-pilot had an apparent mental breakdown over the Atlantic Ocean.

Not that there's anything biblical about the northernmost island in the Whitsunday Passage, except its natural beauty.

The double-decker plane made the flight across Victoria harbour ahead of the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, and then treated thrilled onlookers with a second fly-past minutes later.