Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 - October 2019 i Australian Traveller

CHUUKA, located on Sydney’s funky Jones Bay Wharf, is helmed by award-winning chefs Chase Kojima and Victor Liong (pictured above) who have created a menu blending Chinese flavours with Japanese attention to detail using the best Australian produce. There’s a focus on seafood, with a dedicated raw menu, delicious desserts and an outdoor bar that is going to be the place-to-be come summer. chuuka.com.au LOTUS, the award-wining, much-missed bistro in Sydney’s Potts Point, is making a triumphant return to Challis Avenue as an extended pop-up concept during spring. Chef Dan Hong is returning to the restaurant where he made a name for himself back in 2008 as are some menu cult classics like its cheeseburger and the tuna with sweet wasabi. The return of Lotus is planned as a farewell…

Uniquely set on the slopes of a dormant ‘maar’ volcano, Mount Gambier’s subterranean network of limestone channels lies just beneath the city streets. It’s here you’ll uncover remnants of a volcanic past where caves, crystal lakes, underground aquifers and cenotes (sinkholes) sit at its heart. Caverns and crevices testify to long-extinct megafauna, and a closer look at the rocks bears evidence of the inland sea complete with embedded fossils, shells and bones. Known for its crater lakes, including the aptly named Blue Lake, which turns a dazzling cobalt blue in the summer months, Mount Gambier is a worthwhile pilgrimage for nature lovers. History buffs will delight, too, at exploring a geological wonderland of cenotes left by natural forces, shedding light on the region’s fascinating past. Don’t be fooled by the…

KOSATEN 254 Charles Street, Launceston,Tas; kosaten.com.au Verdict: A slice of stylish Japanese cuisine that suits both connoisseurs and novices alike.A fantastic pick for express dining before exploring nightlife offerings, and for group gatherings in a unique, contemporary setting. Score:  We rated: The tuna tataki, served with paper-thin white radish slices and a delicate yuzu ponzu dressing, and the ambient video artwork – visually compelling without being distracting. We’d change: The table-mounted iPads, which prevent you from getting cosy with your dining partner if you opt for the carousel experience. Notes: Open for lunch and dinner, 11am–3pm and 5pm–9pm, six days per week (closed Sundays). Bookings recommended at weekends or for private dining spaces.…

THE PROVINCIAL HOTEL 121 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat,Vic; theprovincialballarat.com.au Verdict: It’s no surprise The Provincial Hotel recently won Best Boutique Style Accommodation at the Tourism Accommodation Australia (Victoria) awards: this is the ideal crash pad for a cultural weekender in Ballarat. Score:  We rated: The attention to detail: from the passionate staff to the thoughtful notes and beautifully executed styling throughout. Seemingly five minutes from everything, its location too is ideal for exploring this very walkable city by foot. We’d change: We watched a film on the room’s AppleTV (another nice touch) but couldn’t quite get comfy on the couch! Notes: We paid $255 for one night in a Lola Deluxe room, plus $25 each for breakfast.…

Getting there Jetstar flies to Launceston from most capital cities. jetstar.com Staying there Located on Lake St Clair, PUMPHOUSE POINT is an iconic Tassie escape that understands the simple pleasures to be had from a fine local wine and a cosy fire. pumphousepoint.com.au Eating there Hearty country food can be found at CLARENDON ARMS HOTEL in Evandale. clarendonarms.com.au Playing there If you’re feeling adventurous, hike the seven-hour Mt Rufus Walk or for those of a more sedentary mindset, take the one-kilometre Fisherman’sTrail as an easier option, both of which are easily accessible from Pumphouse Point. In nearby EVANDALE, while away an afternoon antiquing and fossicking in the many vintage stores and art galleries that dot the pretty town. evandaletasmania.com…

THE MORNING OF SUNDAY 18 MARCH, 2018, started out like any other for the locals of Tathra, on New South Wales’s idyllic Sapphire Coast. Karen Urquhart had taken Bailey, the family dog, for a walk and following breakfast back at home, had mown the lawn, admiring the adjacent bushland that had attracted her and her husband Ken to this block on Dilkera Road in the first place. The temperature was rising, and Karen was glad to have finished the job by 11am. At the Tathra Beach House Apartments, right opposite the beach, owner Rob White had checked out the guests who were departing and was preparing for new arrivals due later in the day. Down the road, Mitch and Alexis Creary were doing what they did most Sunday mornings in…

Places to eat The EMPIRE HOTEL does hearty meals and favours Beechworth beers and wines. empirehotelbeechworth.com.au HARRIETVILLE BAKERY is where Australia Post meets Swiss pastry. 219 Great Alpine Road MOUNTAIN KITCHEN is a cosy Dinner Plain cafe. mountainkitchen.com.au THE PRODUCE STORE in Mansfield sells freshly prepared food and local foodstuffs. theproducestore.com.au TOMAHAWKS in Bright has an American-inspired menu and a great buzz. tomahawksbright.com.au Places to drink BRIGHT BREWERY overlooks the Ovens River and uses sustainable brewing practices. brightbrewery.com.au FEATHERTOP WINERY in Porepunkah has a cellar door, restaurant and accommodation. feathertopwinery.com.au MICHELINI WINES in Myrtleford is a 150-year-old family owned winery. micheliniwines.com.au REED & CO. DISTILLERY is also a bar and restaurant in a repurposed mechanics’ garage in Bright. reedandcodistillery.com WANDI PUB is a beloved local favourite in Wandiligong, near Bright.…

AUGUST: Gympie Music Muster is a must for lovers of blues, roots and country. muster.com.au OCTOBER: Gympie’s Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival is four days of cinema from all over the world. heartofgold.com.au NOVEMBER: Mary River Festival is an eco event centred on all things environment. maryriverfestival.org.au APRIL: Sunshine Coast Ukulele Festival does what it says on the tin. sunshinecoastukulelefest.com MAY: Highlights of the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival include an epic roll. goomeripumpkinfestival.com.au…

IT WAS TO BE HIS FIRST AND ONLY senior football premiership, but unfortunately Ron Trimble doesn’t remember a lot of it. The young utility fell victim to a cheap shot behind play in the second quarter, the catalyst for a melee in the 1978 Loddon Valley Football League grand final between Trimble’s Newbridge and Mitiamo. A good whiff of smelling salts did the trick, as it was often called upon to do in those days, and Trimble was back up and running. Thanks to the concussion, the now 64-year-old is sketchy on the finer details, but he does remember this: victory was sweet and the beer at the Newbridge Hotel after the game was even sweeter. The only pub left standing in the small central Victorian town, about 40 kilometres…

WHERE TO EAT, DRINK AND STAY IN MUDGEE From cellar doors on picturesque vineyards to top restaurants in heritage buildings and boutique accommodation, here’s how to make the most of your time in the Mudgee region. VISIT ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR MUDGEE GUIDE 7 ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN TASMANIA People have long flocked to Tasmania for its rugged landscapes, superb food, adrenaline-filled hikes and out-of-the-box festivals. Here’s where to go when you want to get really wild… VISIT ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR TASMANIA GUIDE INSIDE THE $2 MILLION PROPERTY LESS THAN TWO HOURS FROM MELBOURNE Ever dreamt of staying in an elegant, multi-million-dollar luxury property closely resembling a French chateau? That dream may be closer than you think. VISIT ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR MELBOURNE GUIDE MARCO PIERRE WHITE REVEALS HIS FAVOURITE MELBOURNE RESTAURANTS…

Midnight Hotel The 199-room Midnight Hotel is part of the latest residential and commercial development to arrive in the hip hood of Braddon.The interiors are minimalist in feel, with warmth added by shots of colour on statement design furniture pieces, and plenty of foliage in the hotel’s internal courtyard. Facilities include a gym, sauna, indoor swimming pool and a bar and restaurant; alternatively the charmed position offers up cafes, shopping and Canberra’s myriad cultural attractions within easy range. midnighthotel.com.au Hotel Indigo Australia will get its first Hotel Indigo when the boutique brand, which focuses on local knowledge and experiences in the locations it inhabits, arrives in Brisbane in 2020, followed by Sydney in 2021. hotelindigo.com Ritz-Carlton Perth The Ritz-Carlton brand will make a triumphant return to Australia later this year…

Surf ’s up The chefs (and surfers, pictured) behind THREE BLUE DUCKS will open their fifth restaurant – and first in Melbourne – at URBNSURF Melbourne,Australia’s first surf park, and the first of its kind in the world, located minutes fromTullamarine Airport.Three Blue Ducks’ fresh, honest food and focus on sustainable and ethically farmed ingredients will perfectly complement the venue; the restaurant will boast inside/outside dining and be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. threeblueducks.com Za za zing Brisbane’s FortitudeValley has welcomed ZA ZA TA, a Middle Eastern-inspired bar and kitchen, located at The Emporium precinct, part of Ovolo hotel. Utilising the zingy spice blend za’atar, the menu, by Israeli-born executive chef Roy Ner (ex Nour) and head chef Dario Manca (ex Attica), will showcase dishes from across the region,…

CITADINES CONNECT SYDNEY AIRPORT 121 Baxter Road, Mascot, NSW; citadines.com Verdict: With gorgeous communal spaces, it succeeds in setting itself apart from the surrounding forest of airport chain hotels. Score:  We rated: The cocktail bar’s outdoor terrace cum rooftop cinema is a remarkable space with views across the metropolis;almost worth visiting the hotel for a drink alone. We’d change: The obelisk of aTV in the First Class suite would be taking up too much space even for the most ardent binge-watcher. Notes: I paid $245 for a First Class suite, breakfast was an additional $18.…

Getting there QantasLink flies to Lord Howe Island from Sydney and Brisbane, with a seasonal weekly service from Port Macquarie from February to June, and September to December. qantas.com Staying there ARAJILLA RETREAT (arajilla.com.au) is the perfect island getaway, with a luxuriously laid-back ambience that encompasses friendly service, great food and generous hospitality. Its Banyan Suites are lovely spaces with king beds, spacious and sleek bathrooms and mezzanine treetop lounges for relaxing in.All meals are included, plus pre-dinner drinks and canapes, as is airport transfers and wi-fi. CAPELLA LODGE (lordhowe.com) is an ultra-luxe offering with unparalleled views of Mt Gower and theTasman Sea. Playing there Book an excursion to wonder at the base of Ball’s Pyramid with REEF N BEYOND ECO TOURS (visitlordhowe.com.au); there’s not much captain Dave Gardiner doesn’t…

Getting there Rex (rex.com.au) flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Merimbula Airport, where you can hire a car for the 20-minute drive toTathra.The town is a six-hour drive south of Sydney, three hours from Canberra and seven hours from Melbourne. Staying there TATHRA BEACH HOUSE APARTMENTS has modern villas and apartments. tathrabeachhouse.com.au TATHRA BEACHSIDE is an award-winning holiday park with over 500 metres of absolute beach frontage as well as a water park. tathrabeachside.com.au Eating there FAT TONY’S BAR AND GRILL is the best place to dine in town, located in a 1905 heritage house. fattonys.com.au BLEND is great for breakfast with delicious coffee and almond croissants that you definitely have to try. blendprovidore.com…

THE SIR GEORGE, JUGIONG, NSW Having originally been built in 1845 before being washed away by the flood waters of the Murrumbidgee River and then rebuilt in 1852,The Sir George in Jugiong knows a thing or two about reinvention. After two years’ worth of renovations, the pub reopened in 2016 boasting a road-trip worthy restaurant, boutique accommodation, an artisan bakery, convivial bar and plenty of buzz. sirgeorge.com.au THE LOADED DOG HOTEL,TARAGO, NSW Located 69 kilometres from Canberra in the town ofTarago and named for Henry Lawson’s celebrated story,The Loaded Dog (built in 1848) has earned a reputation for its live country music gigs staged on the third Saturday of the month, with a parade of big names appearing over the years. loadeddoghotel.com THE FAMILY HOTEL,TIBOOBURRA, QLD Located in Corner Country…

DO DUCK IN Sitting at the top of Westfield Sydney in the city’s CBD is Duck & Rice, the elegant new contemporary Cantonese restaurant that hits the spot both with its decor and its dishes. Inside the moody Art Deco-inspired interior, head chef Kago Fong has reinterpreted classic Chinese dishes to deliver food that showcases Australian ingredients while upholding the centre of Chinese cooking by never falling flat on flavour.The dishes also do Chinese cuisine justice with their generous portions that make sure to leave you satisfied.The Cantonese-style roast duck is the restaurant’s hero, but you can also find creations like strawberry sweet and sour king prawns, and an assortment of steamed and fried dim sum on the menu. If you’re up for a drink, head over to the bar…

1 Yamba,NSW 2 Esperance,WA 3 Port Douglas,QLD 4 Broome,WA 5 PortFairy,VIC 6 Beechworth,VIC 7 Byron Bay,NSW 8 ApolloBay,VIC 9 Strahan,TAS 10 MargaretRiver,WA 11 SouthWest Rocks,NSW 12 Bright,VIC 13 Alice Springs,NT 14 Lorne,VIC 15 Mallacoota,VIC 16 Hahndorf,SA 17 Burnt Pine,NSW 18 Mission Beach,QLD 19 Daylesford,VIC 20 Noosa,QLD 21 Portsea,VIC 22 Bowral,NSW 23 Fremantle,WA 24 Kangaroo Valley,NSW 25 Broken Hill,NSW 26 Nelson Bay,NSW 27 Bellingen,NSW 28 Leura,NSW 29 Queenscliff,VIC 30 Mudgee,NSW 31 Mossman,QLD 32 Jindabyne,NSW 33 Katherine,NT 34 Airlie Beach,QLD 35 Echuca,VIC 36 Angaston, SA 37 Mataranka, NT 38 Coffin Bay, SA 39 Robe, SA 40 Tilba Tilba, NSW 41 Swansea,TAS 42 Seal Rocks, NSW 43 Pokolbin, NSW 44 Cooktown, QLD 45 Port Lincoln, SA 46 Longreach, QLD 47 Silverton, NSW 48 Huskisson, NSW 49 Streaky Bay, SA 50 Penola, SA 51…

YOU COULD BE FORGIVEN for suspecting that tipping Launceston as Australia’s top up-and-coming destination was a sure-fire sign that I was losing my edge. But with its stunning natural surrounds and growing culinary and nightlife scenes, the Tasmanian city is fast becoming one to watch. I dropped into Japanese restaurant Kosaten, which opened last year, on a buzzing Friday night, with the hope that the marriage of Tassie seafood and Tokyo style would be something worth writing home about. From the outside, Kosaten appears unassuming. Similar to its sister venue in Hobart, the Launceston chapter borrows directly from the neon-tinged streets of Shibuya, Tokyo’s coolest suburb. The building was previously a power tools supplier, however its revamped interior now hums with colour, fusing Japanese pop influences with industrial structures: equal…

“HAVE YOU STAYED HERE BEFORE?” The receptionist asks sweetly when my partner and I check in. We tell her no, and she tells us we’re in for a treat. The Provincial Hotel has only been open for three months or so when we rock up on an autumn evening, and there’s a buzz in the air that reflects the buzz on the street in Ballarat right now; this new boutique accommodation feels like the perfect complement to the recent crop of culinary and arts offerings that is securing the old gold town’s reputation as the perfect spot for a weekend away. It’s centrally located on Lydiard Street and opposite the railway station – the height of convenience should you be rolling in from Melbourne by train. I’m a sucker for…

Getting there Qantas flies direct to Broome from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth between April and October. KIMBERLEY QUEST (kimberleyquest.com.au), HORIZONTAL SEAPLANE ADVENTURES (horizontalfallsadventures.com. au) and GO HORIZONTAL (gohorizontalfallstours.com.au) will transfer you from your accommodation to the Kimberley. Staying there CABLE BEACH CLUB RESORT & SPA (cablebeachclub.com) is hard to beat – it faces Broome’s most famous stretch of sand – but a worthy second option is the town-based MANGROVE (mangrovehotel.com.au) for its white-themed, garden-party vibe. Eating there JOHNNY SAUSAGE (johnnysausage. com.au) is an atmospheric Italian restaurant that runs from May to October. Find the best coffee at THE GOOD CARTEL (3 Weld Street, Broome), hidden down a street-art splashed laneway. Playing there As clichéd as it looks, a sunset camel ride is hard to beat, followed by an icy…

THE WHITSUNDAYS, QLD: A bona ›ide slice of Australian paradise, The Whitsundays are a must-visit at least once. Choose from a range of accommodation options and price points, including Daydream Island Resort, which has just reopened after an extensive makeover KINGSCLIFF, NSW: Located only 40 minutes south of the Gold Coast, Kingscliff is emerging as a new hotspot for travellers seeking a beachside break with a Byron Bay vibe. LORNE, VIC: A seaside town set on the picturesque waters of Louttit Bay on the Great Ocean Road, demand to Lorne is up around 15 per cent year-on-year. Visit soon before it catches the eye of even more Aussies. BRISBANE, QLD: The opening of a few hip hotels has upped Brisbane’s appeal as a city-break destination. Check out The Calile Hotel…

Reborn in 2018,the MaryValley Rattler quite literally rattles up the arcadian valley from Gympie’s 1930 pagoda-style wooden station to Amamoor three times a week. The volunteer-run, not-for-profit historic rail service is a taste of ye olde worlde for vintage trainspotters and curious day trippers alike, a train ride into the annals of the Mary Valley’s little towns. Expect all the bells and whistles (literally) and “all aboards!” from station master Bob Buckley, a big man with a big beard and a big booming voice, who complements his period costume with a brass griffin-topped cane.The varnished wood and period carpets of theVIP Club Car in particular are old-school coachbuilding at its best, an insight into luxury in the days before devices, with a layout that encourages you to talk to your…

Getting there Armidale is halfway between Brisbane and Sydney on the New England Highway; QantasLink and Rex fly direct from Sydney. Staying there LOLOMA is a boutique bed and breakfast in the heart of Armidale. lolomabandb.com.au Playing there FLEET ADVENTURES’ helicopter tours are a thrilling way to see the region. fleetadventures.com.au WAYWARD TRAILS offers tasting tours through New England and beyond. waywardtrails.com.au NERAM is openTuesday to Sunday. neram.com.au SAUMAREZ HOMESTEAD runs guided tours on weekends and public holidays. nationaltrust.org.au Visit newenglandhighcountry.com.au for more information.…

NAME: BABYLON LOCATION: SYDNEY, NSW ARCHITECT: HOGG & LAMB SITTING IN THE ELEGANTLY earthy surrounds of newly opened Babylon, it’s hard to reconcile the fact you’re on a Westfield rooftop in Sydney’s CBD; the Middle Eastern-inspired bar and restaurant has been designed to evoke the former glories of Babylon. “We started with the idea of occupying an ancient Mesopotamian city – dining amongst the buildings, ruins and luxury of an ancient past,” says Michael Hogg, director of architectural design practice Hogg & Lamb, which brought the space to life along with interior stylists Stewart + Highfield. Rendered archways, terracotta screens and travertine plinths nod to the past while creating a series of different rooms to break down the space’s 1200-square-metre footprint and conjure the feeling of being in a bazaar.…