Innholdsfortegnelse for May - July 2022 i Australian Traveller

LET’S FACE IT, everyone has at least one childhood memory that involves a holiday road trip. Packing the car with snacks, “are we there yet?” diversion and even a menagerie of pets and hitting the open road has long been a holiday mainstay for Australian families in search of sun and fun. A rite of passage if you will, to be referenced – for good or bad – in fond family reminiscences through the years. But during the pandemic, with international travel bans and domestic border closures, the humble (some might even say daggy) road trip was rehabilitated to suit the times we were living in. Hitting the road became the ultimate freedom ride, allowing travellers to escape to places they had long heard of but never found the time…

HIFI COLLINGWOOD, VIC HIFI is a new hipster-friendly hole in the wall in Melbourne’s Collingwood that slaps mushroom ragu and taleggio between slabs of sourdough and toasts it until it is ridiculously luxurious. The space is the sibling to nearby Terror Twilight and Tinker in Northcote, and it is impossible to walk past the kiosk due to the pervasive perfume of melting cheese. Expect cameos from members of local bands such as Surprise Chef and Hiatus Kaiyote, who appreciate the vinyl-spinning vibes in this corner of Collingwood that co-owner Kieran Spiteri describes as “dirty chic”. hificollingwood.com au Penny’s Cheese Shop, NSW If you’re in the mood for a cheese toastie, the version at Penny’s Cheese Shop is regarded by devotees to be one of the nation’s best. Owner Penny Lawson’s…

LIKE MANY POCKETS OF INDUSTRY, hoteliering is having to redefine itself to appeal to a generation seeking variety, adventure and authenticity while also navigating its emergence from the most unusual global pause. Gone are the days of identikit interiors filled with plush carpet and pleather couches. Instead, destination hotels are becoming live-in canvases where cities celebrate their ever-evolving culture. Australia’s latest boutique addition is putting our harbour jewel back on the destination hit list. Designed by Melbourne interior design studio Flack Studio, Ace Hotel Sydney cherry-picks the best bits of traditional hospitality and blends them with new-gen demands to create a space that replaces the dreaded C-word with a much more appealing option: connection. If the Flack name sounds familiar, it is because it is. Founded by David Flack and…

ABSENCE, as they say, makes the heart grow fonder, and if there’s one thing we all know now, there’s nothing quite like a couple of years of separation to make you hunger for the company of your extended family. Thinking about organising a multi-family, multi-generational holiday to reunite your loved ones? Choose a destination that seems almost custom-built for such a celebration: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. REUNITE IN A PRIVATE OASIS Located in a private valley in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains, fully inclusive Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley offers groups the perfect blend of space and luxury. How does a property serve up 7000 acres of verdant grasslands, pristine creeks and towering bush escarpments yet still feel intimate? Perhaps the voodoo is in the 40 free-standing…

Busselton Bay and Bounty Trail DISTANCE FROM PERTH: 220KM With its Norfolk pine-lined foreshore, red tourist train and beachside kiosk, Busselton has a sense of holiday nostalgia. Stripped back and relaxed, it’s got all the calling cards of family getaways past and memorable family getaways to come. Don’t miss Catch the train along the iconic BUSSELTON JETTY to the underwater observatory, where you can watch marine life dart about the jetty pylons. Walk the 1.8 kilometres back and an ice-cold pint at SHELTER BREWING CO is a well-deserved reward. Zipline at FOREST ADVENTURES SOUTH WEST or hold a snake at DISCOVER DEADLY to get the adrenaline pumping. Gracetown Cowaramup Harvest and Vines Trail DISTANCE FROM PERTH: 260KM The land around Cowaramup is some of the Margaret River Region’s most…

AS A CHILD, OUR FAMILY HOLIDAYS WERE ALWAYS TO… Whistler (1). Our father is an avid skier so we spent most Australian summer holidays in Canada skiing. It’s now one of my favourite traditions I have continued with my family. NOW IF I HAVE TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK, I HEAD STRAIGHT TO… Berry. It’s one of those amazing places that captures a green country landscape that meets the ocean. I love that it isn’t too far from busy Sydney, but it feels like you could be a million miles away. MY LOCAL’S TIP FOR MY HOMETOWN SYDNEY IS… The sanctuary of our hidden harbour beaches (2). There’s nothing quite like spending a day on a boat in the harbour seeing all that Sydney has to offer. MY FAVOURITE PLACE…

IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE of Berrima in the NSW Southern Highlands, there’s a new kid in town – though with a very old soul. Heritage-listed Taylor’s Crown Inn, built by convicts in 1844, has been transformed into Berrima Vault House – a swank private members’ club that throws open its doors to visitors on weekends so anyone can get a taste of its thoroughly modern dining and drinking spaces. Which means I’m in. First up, drinks and nibbles. I’m expecting to sit in the enticingly named Gin Palace, day menu at hand, but instead I’m directed downstairs, to a world of enchantment. Tucked under the stairs is Hank & Molly’s pintsized cocktail bar named for the resident ghosts. Yes, really. Just through the low-slung door, I’m perched on a studded…

WHILE PLANNING a Gold Coast family holiday, parents are faced with a challenging decision: the convenience and luxury of a resort holiday, or the privacy of a spacious apartment. The answer? A luxury beachfront villa that forms a private oasis with all the benefits of a renowned resort. Enter: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast Villas. A WHOLE NEW LOOK Set on iconic Main Beach, these villas have been reimagined by award-winning architects DBI Design. The two- and three-bedroom villas reflect their coastal backdrop, with sophisticated furnishings and fittings to suit the environment. A modern open plan sees the kitchen flow into the dining and living areas, creating an ideal space for gathering family together. THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS With a full range of services and the freedom to…

LOSE YOURSELF in the magnificent sights and stories along the Warlu Way, a 3000-kilometre route that follows the path of the Warlu Dreamtime serpent through ancient Pilbara landscapes. Tackle it in its entirety, or break it into its four sections: the Coastal, Inland, Manuwarra Red Dog Highway and East Pilbara Geoheritage Routes. Select your road trip snacks, pack the car and prioritise these stops. 1 . Gorge hop in Karijini INLAND ROUTE / 70KM FROM TOM PRICE KARIJINI is a park of contrasts. Mountains rise from valleys, fertile waterways course their way through the semi-desert landscapes, and endless plateaus are divided by gaping gorges. Descend into their depths where you’ll find deep, cool pools to plunge into after a challenging climb down. KALAMINA GORGE is the shallowest and…

1 . Thunderbolts Way: Walcha to Inverell, 160 km A road trip along Thunderbolts Way is the ultimate great escape. Named after bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, the drive starts in the foothills of the BARRINGTON TOPS at GLOUCESTER then winds along the Great Dividing Range between WALCHA and INVERELL. There are superb views at every turn, but it’s the village stops along the way – like Walcha, with cafes full of motorbike memorabilia, the distillery at KENTUCKY and platypus spotting at BUNDARRA – that make this trip memorable. Walcha: Stretch your legs in one of the largest open air art galleries in the country. There are more than 55 sculptures around town and on the path beside the Apsley River. Uralla: There’s no escaping…

Southern Ocean Lodge Ground has been broken at the former site of Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, part of Baillie Lodges’ roster of luxury properties, which was destroyed during the Black Summer fires in 2019–20. All going well, the award-winning lodge will be reinstalled lightly on the island’s dramatic coastal landscape in late 2023. baillielodges.com.au QT Newcastle The first regional hotel from the funksters at QT is set to open imminently in NSW’s second city of Newcastle. Housed within the heritage-listed 113-year-old David Jones building on Hunter Mall, the property will offer up 104 rooms and suites in the brand’s signature quirky style, a destination restaurant and a rooftop bar with views in all directions. qthotels.com/ newcastle voco Brisbane City Centre Situated in the North Quay area of the…

THE OLD ADAGE, ‘Life is about the journey, not the destination’ does not apply on a road trip around Victoria’s Phillip Island. In fact, there is so much to see and do around the 101-square-kilometre island that you will be in and out of the car for hours and days on end. SAN REMO TO CHURCHILL ISLAND San Remo, the laid-back gateway to Phillip Island, has OCEAN ADVENTURES for jet-boat rides and other thrills, and a fisherman’s co-op for fresh seafood, and fish and chips. Once on the island, stop by the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre for maps, ideas and invaluable local knowledge and visit PHILLIP ISLAND CHOCOLATE FACTORY, where even your ticket to the tour is edible. Take a scenic flight with PHILLIP ISLAND HELICOPTERS, or marvel at…

NAME: KOSKELA KOSKELA’s new concept store has dropped anchor at a former submarine base on Cammeraygal land in North Sydney, with extraordinary effect. The move from its original headquarters in Rosebery to the harbour heritage building heralds a new era for the Sydney destination store known for its dedication to supporting leading Australian design and First Nations art. The two-level space at the newly reimagined Sub Base Platypus – formerly a torpedo factory, submarine factory and gasworks – heroes harbour views while showing off Koskela’s commitment to honest craftsmanship and natural materials that are an antidote to LOCATION: SYDNEY, NSW  mass production. The design brief for this new retail chapter – which sells sustainable furniture, art, rugs and homewares – hinged around simplicity, according to Koskela co-founder and CEO Sasha…

THE TRUE BEAUTY of any art piece is in the sensory responses it invokes; the immediate gratification of seeing something wondrous; the enhanced appreciation of hearing about the creative journey imparted by the artist; the thrill of forming a tactile relationship with an artwork at close quarters; the memories that become attached to a piece when all these facets converge. It is these elements – and so many more – that make the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) such a standout event. Taking place annually on Larrakia Country, the fair has become a celebration of First Nations art and culture, a vivid, joyous coming together of artists, art lovers, performers, designers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres. Featuring a buzzing marketplace, where buyers have access to artists and…

ONLY 350 kilometres of road connects Cairns to Townsville, and you could drive it in just over four hours. But really, you’ll want to take four days. Or four weeks. This is tropical Queensland, where the road is sandwiched between rolling hills, rainforest waterfalls, magnificent beaches, and the islands and reefs beyond. Unwind and rediscover the joys of wide open spaces with these fabulous activities. 1 Walk to Zoe Falls ZIP OUT TO HINCHINBROOK ISLAND AND YOU’LL FIND A PERFECT BAY AT ITS SOUTHERN END,WHERE SAPPHIRE WATER, SANDY BEACHES AND EMERALD RAINFOREST COLLIDE. AN EASY HALF-HOUR WALK TAKES YOU TO Zoe Falls , WHICH HAS A GLORIOUS WATERHOLE FOR A SWIM. CLIMB TO THE TOP ON A STEEP TRACK – PART OF THE THORSBORNE TRAIL – AND YOU’LL GET FABULOUS…

WHILE MOST PEOPLE will have heard of the Sydney suburb of Burwood, it’s a sure bet that many haven’t actually ventured to the inner-west locale in a while. More’s the pity because the area has quietly become a thriving foodie hotspot, with a recent review in Good Weekend magazine calling it “the most exciting place to eat in the city right now”. With a modest footprint of just seven square kilometres, the suburb punches above its weight, presenting more like a neighbourhood than a LGA, with its residents thronging the streets, shopping and eating local with a proud loyalty. The compelling, diverse food scene that has been developing over the last few years is centred along the thoroughfare of Burwood Road and its side streets, which are lined with a…

IN 2016, KATIE HAGEBOLS decamped from her island life on the Northern Territory’s Groote Eylandt to help breathe fresh life into Marrawuddi Arts & Culture. Settling in Jabiru in the heart of Kakadu National Park “to give it a crack for six months” the 4 artist and gallery assistant, now manager, has clocked up six years since the big move. “People either love it or hate it [in Jabiru],” Katie says. “I love the freedom of it all. How connected you are here to Indigenous culture. And the landscapes – I’ve got Kakadu and West Arnhem as my backyard.” Since putting down roots in Jabiru, Katie has witnessed the closure of Ranger Uranium Mine and the start of the town’s transition from a mining community to an ecotourism hub. In…

ROYAL NATIONAL PARK Don’t miss Royal National Park is home to untamed beaches, waterfalls, swimming holes, remnants of littoral rainforest and significant Aboriginal heritage. Row or kayak from AUDLEY BOAT SHED, and swim and surf at gorgeous WATTAMOLLA or GARIE beaches. Up for a challenge? Walk part or all of the 26-kilometre COAST TRACK between Bundeena and Otford to take in a range of landscapes, from pretty beaches to sandstone escarpments and woodland. SEA CLIFF BRIDGE AND WOLLONGONG Don’t miss The 665-metre SEA CLIFF BRIDGE that juts out over the waves is stunning. Wollongong has a great coastline, rock pools and headland pubs, as well as top attractions, such as the BOTANIC GARDEN and ART GALLERY. You can also check out NAN TIEN, which is the southern hemisphere’s largest…

While driving on the Pilbara coast, check into the ONSLOW BEACH RESORT or KARRATHA INTERNATIONAL HOTEL for a rejuvenating sleep. Stay a night or two in a deluxe glamping tent at KARIJINI ECO RETREAT along the Inland Route for something a little more luxe, or SEASONS HOTEL in Newman on the Geoheritage Route. Alternatively, go all-out on the outback experience with a country-as-they-come stay at CHEELA PLAINS STATION STAY. Find out all you need to know to plan your trip at warluway.com.au…

THE SIZE AND SCOPE of Western Australia has blessed it with wonders and delights – both natural and man-made – to fill our imaginations as well as our calendars. The spectacular contrast of desert sands melting into pellucid waters. Outback landscapes drenched in wildflower blooms. A rich First Nations history tracing through millennia. The abundance of its food and wine scene. In fact, you could say that Western Australia has a country’s worth of delights in one state; let us show you them in our next issue.…

OPENED IN JUNE 2021, the Crystalbrook Kingsley is a stylish 130-room hotel, a newcomer to the Crystalbrook boutique collection and Newcastle’s first five-star hotel. Drawing its name from Kingstown, one of Newcastle’s original names, it’s part of the redirection of this industrial city towards a more modern, cleaner future. Given its prime location in the city’s cultural heartlands – the art gallery, theatre, library, war memorial and a slew of modern dining options close at hand – it could be a central part. Once housing a sheet-metal business and a string of unsightly tin sheds, the site was earmarked for development as early as 1950 to ease overcrowding at the adjacent city hall. Opening as the City Administration Centre in 1977, it provided a bold clash to the 1929 heritage-listed…

HOME to some of the most scenic roads in Australia, the Grampians is stuff of road-tripping dreams. The iconic route between Dunkeld and Halls Gap, a 65-kilometre stretch of road so spectacular you’ll want to drive it twice, is just the beginning. 1 Find ‘Hope’ in St Arnaud The Grampians may be famous for its soaring peaks and amazing views, but one of the region’s best kept secrets is the historic gold mining town St Arnaud and in particular, its SILO AND ART TRAIL. The trail reveals a collection of nine public works by local artist Kyle Torney. Tonrey’s most arresting work, titled ‘Hope’, spans two silos and reflects the aspirations of the time. 2 CHILL OUT AT VICTORIA’S LARGEST WATERFALL Standing at the foot of MIKUNUNG WIRA (MacKenzie Falls),…

• Children aged 15 years or under stay free • Complimentary Indigenous activities program • Includes all taxes and services Sails in the Desert Stay in a Superior Room and enjoy: • Accommodation for up to four people • Free wi-fi • Complimentary shuttle bus • Gum-tree lined swimming pool Desert Gardens Hotel Stay in a Garden View, Desert Deluxe or Deluxe Rock View Room and enjoy: • Accommodation for up to four people • A private balcony or patio (some with Uluru views) • Free wi-fi • An intimate shaded pool Emu Walk Apartments Stay in a one- or two-bedroom apartment and enjoy: • Self-contained accommodation for up to five people • A full kitchen • Free shuttle bus and wi-fi The Lost Camel Hotel Stay in a Standard…

“YOU WILL SPEND EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY HERE IN AWE OF NATURE.” IT’S A RARE PERSON who, in 2022, doesn’t wish to turn back the clock and travel to a simpler time. True, you were probably thinking more like 2019, but John Stainton, the TV producer and director behind The Crocodile Hunter franchise, is keen to transport you all the way back to a time when Outback Australia was an ocean and planet Earth was inhabited by dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. Suffice to say, this isn’t a ‘Let’s take the DeLorean’ situation; Stainton’s method of time travel is far more elegant, appearing in the form of his all-new Rangelands Outback Camp (rangelandscamp.com), a luxury property located in the heart of Dinosaur Country, which some say was 95…

THERE’S A LOT to take in during a road trip from Cairns to Port Douglas via the outback. The route, which takes about two and a half hours one way, includes granite rock formations and caves, Aboriginal rock art, cascading waterfalls, farm-to-fork dining and an abundance of wildlife. Hit the Kennedy Highway and discover the Mareeba Shire from the reef to the outback. FROM CAIRNS TO CHILLAGOE KURANDA is a hub for creative types, just 20 minutes from Cairns. Stop at the stunning BARRON FALLS, walk along trails surrounded by World Heritage-listed rainforest and visit the famed markets. Wildlife parks, Indigenous cultural centres and a vibrant live music scene are also on offer for village visitors. Stop 20 minutes out of Kuranda at DAVIES CREEK or EMERALD CREEK FALLS, taking…

Celebrated English-born chef Michael Lambie has opted for a northern kitchen, too. Having sold The Smith and Lucy Liu in Melbourne in December 2019, just before COVID hit, Lambie was intending to take a few months off and then open something new. But as the restaurant situation in Melbourne become dire with repeated lockdowns, his accountant asked him if he’d ever thought about moving to the Gold Coast. “When the opportunity came up, I said,“Bang! I’m going to go for it.”After more than 20 years in the hallowed kitchens of The Stokehouse, Circa,Taxi Dining Room and Lamaro’s in Melbourne, and with Marco Pierre White in the UK before that, Lambie’s Rubi Red restaurant and rooftop bar at Nobby Beach offers Gold Coast foodies a menu featuring his unique style of…

EVERY AUSTRALIAN should have their minds boggled by the Red Centre at least once. Wide-open spaces, huge skies, big red rocks, gaping canyons and lurid sunsets put on extravagant displays. Happily, the best way to enjoy two of these must-see landscapes has just got better, with iconic accommodation at Kings Canyon and Glen Helen under new management and undergoing a renaissance. Check in, stay longer, and explore the awe-inspiring Red Centre that lies all around. KINGS CANYON Accommodation styles at DISCOVERY KINGS CANYON include glamping tents for families and couples, and newly refurbished Standard rooms. The next stage of development will see the Deluxe Spa rooms transformed. All the rooms have those nice touches that outback travellers are looking for, including en suites, air conditioning, and a buffet breakfast for…

1 Feel the adrenaline rush at The Gap and Natural Bridge GET A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE CHURNING SOUTHERN OCEAN AT The Gap IN ALBANY. A CANTILEVERED LOOKOUT PLATFORM JUTS 10 METRES OUT INTO THE GRANITE CHANNEL, GIVING A PERFECT VIEW OF THE 40-METRE HIGH CHASM. FEEL THE SPRAY AS THE WATER SURGES IN AND SMASHES AGAINST THE COASTAL GRANITE.THERE’S A MUCH DRIER EXPERIENCE AT Natural Bridge ,A ROCK FORMATION SUSPENDED OVER RUSHING WHITEWASH. 2 Swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre Those with a soft spot for dolphins should make a beeline for Bunbury, where you can come within metres of the playful creatures on a fully guided dolphin swim. The team at DOLPHIN DISCOVERY CENTRE will kit you up with a drysuit and snorkelling gear before boating…

Tassie Quick Bite If you’re a foodie, this seven-day culinary adventure from Hobart to Launceston will whet your appetite. Sample oysters and cheese on Bruny Island, make artisan chocolates, and visit a whisky distillery, winery and flour mill. Walk off the calories on Grey Mares Tail waterfall and the stunning beaches of the Bay of Fires. Top End & Central Australia Explorer This 11-day tour showcases the Red Centre as you travel between Darwin and Uluru and take in Kakadu, Katherine Gorge, Kings Canyon and Uluru itself, whose majestic, brooding presence makes your neck prickle. In between, you’ll enjoy a jumping-crocodile cruise, rock art, bush tucker, thermal springs and more. THIRSTING FOR MORE? Perhaps one of these holidays operated by Cosmos Tours’ sister brand Globus. Contrasts of the…