Hamilton Island sold to US private equity for $1.2bn
Queensland's iconic Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef has been sold to US private equity giant Blackstone for a staggering $1.2 billion. Discover the details of the landmark deal.
Queensland's iconic Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef has been sold to US private equity giant Blackstone for a staggering $1.2 billion. Discover the details of the landmark deal.
Illawarra restaurants, pubs, and hotels are experiencing high demand for Christmas Day dining as families opt to avoid the stress of cooking at home. Discover the festive menus and prices on offer.
Emergency services rushed to a serious crash on the Hamilton Highway near Inverleigh. The road was closed as crews worked to free a trapped driver. Read the latest updates.
Wollongong revellers face a choice this New Year's Eve: harbour or CBD fireworks? The Illawarra Hotel adds a 9pm CBD show, complementing council's harbour display. Locals share their picks.
The Newcastle rugby community is in mourning after the sudden death of former Hamilton Hawks premiership winner Sam Morgan, 29, from a rare strand of pneumonia. A GoFundMe for his family has raised over $40,000.
A car has crashed into the Royal Hotel in Capertee, NSW, injuring seven patrons. Two seriously injured were airlifted. The driver, 30, has been charged.
Newcastle's vacant Queens Wharf building will be demolished from February after council approval. The site's future will involve community-driven short-term activations. Read the latest.
Illawarra Mercury's Grace Hamilton and Anna Warr recognised at Australian Community Media awards for powerful sports journalism and photography. Read their inspiring stories.
Townsville's historic Banks Hotel is being transformed into student accommodation, a key project in the city's CBD revitalisation. Discover the $1.5bn pipeline driving the urban renewal.
New SA Museum director Dr Samantha Hamilton reveals her strategic vision, addressing past controversies and plans for the Egyptian room and back-of-house. Exclusive interview details.
A prominent Gold Coast dance coach has pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine, including to a minor, in a Coomera hotel. The case has shocked the local dance community.
A woman accused of setting fire to a Hamilton bank and massage parlour has been granted Supreme Court bail to enter a residential rehabilitation program. Sharlene Williams, 37, will be under house arrest until a bed becomes available.
A Townsville mother gave birth just hours after an emergency flight from Hamilton Island during Tropical Cyclone Fina. Read the incredible story of the rescue mission.
Community letters react to the Bondi violence, debate alcohol at Newcastle Ocean Baths, and demand action on Hamilton safety. Read the full spectrum of local opinion.
Townsville's iconic Finnegans Hotel has undergone a $1.5 million transformation and name change to The Condo Hotel. Discover the new look and what it means for the city's hospitality scene.
The iconic Mulletfest grand final returned to Kurri Kurri, crowning Daniel Cooper as the best overall mullet. See photos and meet the winners of Australia's premier celebration of the infamous haircut.
A 34-year-old man has been charged after an alleged assault outside a Hurstville hotel left a 49-year-old man fighting for his life. The victim remains in an induced coma.
Discover Perth's top pubs and restaurants open on December 25, 2025. From festive buffets to gourmet lunches, find the perfect stress-free Christmas feast for your family. Bookings essential.
A West Australian family discovers spacious apartment-style hotels in Tokyo, navigating solo adventures and unexpected kindness. Explore Mimaru Suites for your next Japan trip.
A cheeky platypus interrupted a historical tour at Hamilton Hume's Cooma Cottage, sparking a conversation about Australia's iconic wildlife and the best places to spot echidnas in the ACT and NSW South Coast.
The iconic Mulletfest is back at Kurri Kurri's Chelmsford Hotel this Saturday for its eighth grand final, celebrating community, charity, and the legendary 'business in the front, party in the back' hairstyle. Join the fun!
The Meow Meow Hotel in Cardiff opens next Monday, offering stress-free boarding for up to 30 cats. Read how owners overcame council hurdles for this premium facility.
Ditch the crowded malls this Christmas and discover unique gifts at Newcastle's Clyde Street Arts Open Markets on December 12. Meet over 100 local artists in a vibrant one-night festival.
Discover how Batu Belig Beach is transforming from a laid-back expat haven into a premium destination with new restaurants and a massive hotel complex. Explore the changes now!
A Hamilton minister shares his experience of being assaulted twice in six months, calling for a 'net-zero policy for violence' to revive Beaumont Street.
Newcastle deputy lord mayor defends decision to delay Beaumont Street debate as MP calls it 'disappointing'. Read about the political clash over Hamilton's social issues.
The Mawson's Huts Foundation hosts a special dinner recreating Sir Douglas Mawson's 1911 Antarctic expedition lunch at Hadley's Orient Hotel, supporting conservation efforts.
Singapore's Fragrance Group requests two-year extension to complete what would become Perth's tallest hotel tower amid construction challenges. Will the CBD project get approval?
Explore the stunning new Fairmont Tokyo with its floor-to-ceiling windows, seven dining venues, and incredible city views. Discover why this luxury hotel is worth visiting.
Discover the tropical paradise of Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Penang through the eyes of a West Australian traveller. From lavish suites to cultural gems, find your perfect Malaysian getaway.