Five highlights in your travel week | February 24

Tigerair Australia will operate regular return services between Melbourne and Townsville on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, commencing June 22.

Melbourne-Townsville flights are scheduled to depart at 8.15am and arrive at 11.15am, while return Townsville-Melbourne flights are scheduled to depart at 11.45am and arrive at 2.50pm.

InterContinental Sydney … a fabulous position above Sydney Harbour.

The iconic InterContinental Sydney has been slated for a $200-plus million makeover, including upgrades to all existing public areas, functions rooms, restaurants and guest rooms, plus creation of a new, 900-square-metre grand ballroom which will feature views of Circular Quay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The proposed upgrade marks the most significant improvements to InterContinental Sydney for more than three decades and will keep the property at the top of the market.

Plans also provide for an expansion of the rooftop Club InterContinental lounge, which offers a 270-degree views from the Sydney Harbour Bridge around to Botany Bay and is a major drawcard for international guests.

Metro Hotel Perth … discounted rates for stays for Thursday-to-Sunday.

Metro Hotel Perth is offering discounted rates for stays for Thursday to Sunday nights between March 1 and May 31.

They start at $129 per night for a Standard Room, rising to $149 per night for a Superior Room and $159 per night for an Executive Room in the hotel’s Aspire Wing.

All rates include complimentary breakfast for two adults, free car parking, plus kids under-12 stay and eat breakfast for free in Standard and Superior Rooms.

Molong’s 100-Mile Dinner … offering the best of the Central West.

The annual FOOD Week Festival will run in the NSW Central Western city of Orange and surrounds from March 31 to April 9.

The area has quite rightly become known as one of Australia’s foodie paradises and offers a diverse range of excellent restaurants, great gourmet food and delicious cool-climate wines — not to mention a picturesque landscape.

Many of the wine and food outlets have special events planned for the week and there are also several signature events such as the Night Market at Orange’s Robertson Park on March 31, the 100-Mile Dinner in the nearby town of Molong on April 3, and Forage, a stroll through vineyards accompanied by delectable meal stops, on April 8.

Stay two or three nights and save on Phillip Island.

Experience a two- or three-night stay at Silverwater Resort on Victoria’s Phillip Island and enjoy a daily half-price breakfast, spa credits and other savings on local attractions such as the iconic Penguin Parade, seal-watching tours and winery tastings.

Prices start at $199 for two adults and the offer is available for travel until October 8, 2017.

John Rozentals is a freelance writer whose passions are travel, food and wine. He lives at Molong in the Central West of NSW, from where he hosts Oz Baby Boomers, a lifestyle-resource for mature Australians, and Molong Online.