PAL opens new Australian routes today

MANILA, Philippines - Want to see war bunkers in a park named after Charles Darwin? Feel like hopping on a four-wheel drive to go camping or whale-watching on an island made of sand? Wonder what’s it’s like to walk through vineyards and sample some of the world’s best wines?

There’s one place where you can experience all that and more, and the country’s flag carrier can take you there.

Starting today, Philippine Airlines is flying weekly to new destinations in the land Down Under, Australia, home to around 300,000 Filipinos and currently the sixth biggest source of tourists to the Philippines. The new destinations, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, are the latest additions to its Australian routes, Sydney and Melbourne.

The new frequencies, which will boost PAL’s total seat capacity to 7,400 weekly to these new points, effectively make it the most active Philippine carrier plying the Manila-Australia-Manila route.

The new flights also augur well for Filipino travellers to Australia, as well as the 5,000 Australian expatriates living in the Philippines.

Here’s a brief look at these new destinations:

Darwin

Darwin is the capital city in the Northern Territories. It has grown from a pioneer outpost and small port into a modern and multi-cultural city. Its coastal areas are home to recreational reserves, extensive beaches and excellent fishing grounds. Among its noteworthy tourist attractions are Adelaide River, where you can chance upon crocodiles; the Northern Territories, built on hillside gardens in the center of the Darwin business district, and Charles Darwin National Park, notable for its World War II-era bunkers and war memorabilia.

BRISBANE

Located in the southeast corner of Queensland, Australia, the hilly city of Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the state of Queensland. Brisbane has an oasis of seaside villages, natural islands, and an abundance of wildlife.

 Noteworthy attractions include the central business district; Bribie Island, a national park with forestry plantations; Moreton Island, a large sand island and a popular destination for four-wheel driving, camping, and whale-watching, and North Stradbroke Island, the second-largest sand island in the world, which features townships, a museum, a marine research station, and Point Lookout, a major tourist destination.

Perth

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia. As the fourth largest city down under, it is known for being laid-back, quiet, and safe. Because of its proximity to Southeast Asia and Africa, it has a diverse cuisine that reflects its own cultural diversity. Places worthy of a visit include Perth’s vineyards, as well as the Perth Bell Tower, a highlight of the Perth nighttime skyline.

Philippine Airlines flies the Manila-Darwin-Brisbane route thrice weekly starting today, and the Manila-Darwin-Perth route beginning June 2 with four weekly flights. Travel to Australia in comfort and style via PAL’s Airbus 320-200 and experience “at home” service by a highly-trained, professional cabin crew, as you enjoy in-flight cuisine specially-created by the country’s top chefs. For more information, log on to www.philippineairlines.com or call PAL Reservations at 855-8888.