Why Go Now: Australia Lures with Sunny Skies and Hotels like Palazzo Versace (Gold Coast)

Australian tourism is down, despite the beautiful and inspiring new epic from director Baz Luhrmann, because of the worldwide recession. But falling airfares and hotel room prices actually means it's the ideal time to check out the gorgeous scenery showcased in the film. Not to mention the joys of summer down under. The continent is vast, offering much to explore, and it's simply brimming with exciting hotels-- like qualia on Hamilton Island off the Great Barrier Reef, The Observatory in Sydney, and Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. Designer Donatella Versace brings her signature style to this landmark hotel in Queensland (pictured at top). This is the world's first Versace hotel and, as to be expected, it's stylish and visually stunning.