13 minute read
Rendezvous
This year, the hospitality industry has suffered tremendously. We want to support our local restaurants, cafes and coffee bars and let them know how much we love seeing their cheery smiles.
Each issue, we will feature one of our readers’ local café, restaurant or coffee bar. We invite you to tell us five things you like about your favourite place. You can let us know on our website, send us an email, or visit our Facebook group. We will select the best reader’s choice. The best letter will get a lunch for you and a friend on us. This issue we feature one of our favourite restaurants and our next door neighbour, St Shoebill’s in Ipswich. St Shoebill’s is a new restaurant in town and is already attracting the local crowd with their charm and distinctive menu.
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St Shoebill’s
Located in Ipswich’s Top of the Town dining precinct and housed in one of the city’s heritage buildings, St Shoebill’s is a welcome surprise. The front entrance is inviting, and the interior is friendly and open with an industrial edge. St Shoebill’s owners, Sam Ladson and his wife Kim, are not new to the hospitality industry, having owned another café at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Sam has had a few business iterations; he is a builder by trade and particularly like the double brick interior and said it was the building that allowed him to picture and imagine the possibilities. He loves to travel and gain inspiration from the architecture in Europe and Asia. He sees architecture and design as a creative source of inspiration from which he can develop ideas to implement here. St Shoebill’s is a really interesting name. Sam loves animals and wildlife in general. Sam told us, they had known about the Shoebill for a while and chose this bird to represent the business as it is a strong, tall and powerful bird that seems to know the direction it is going in. To Sam the shoebill makes a statement. They want the café to be strong and powerful, to succeed and grow. Sam describes himself and his wife as highly driven and competitive. Their focus for the restaurant is on quality. The dream is not there yet, but they are going to work hard to get there.
Sam and Kym have started up two restaurants. Their first restaurant was purchased by Freedom Hub, to become an ethical café. Freedom hub is a Not For Profit organization based in Sydney and the Gold Coast, that helps victims of modern slavery rebuild their live. No wonder we love St Shoebill’s.
Sam’s advice to someone who wants to start a business:
There is no downtime Be prepared to put in 110% effort Be there, to control it 24/7 You need one to two years to build the business You really need to take one small step at a time, don’t try to do everything too fast Have something that you do outside of the business to help you remain positive.
The restaurant offers breakfast, brunch and lunch, with a modern Vietnamese style menu and refreshing freshly pressed juices. Today we tried a freshly made Bao with spicy pork and a Raspberry Candy Coffee, and a Bibimbap with a Watermelon Delight pressed juice. We have been there a few times and will definitely be going back. The coffee in pour is ONA Coffee, and Australian Aeropress Champion barista Isabella Willis (Issy) will delight you with her crema creations. You can enjoy ONA coffee, Byron Bay loose leaf teas, Prana Chai, Mork hot chocolate and more.
Leisure
1. Freedom from the demands of work or duty 2. Unhurried ease
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Relaxing Resort Retreat
or Eco-Friendly Escape
With Christmas looming and borders opening, now is a great time to start preparing for a relaxing resort retreat or eco-friendly escape. Balmy sunsets, festive cuisine, sunset cocktails, and the intoxication of fresh air are treasures to enhance your mind, body and soul and bring joyous closure to this year. Here are our picks for the best holiday vacation destinations.
Jonah’s Lake House
Jonah's overlooking Whale Beach, on Sydney’s Lake House rests on the shores of beautiful Lake Norther Beaches is one of Australia’s most Daylesford, just one hour north of Melbourne. spectacular ocean retreats. Renowned for its Described as a hotel with heart and soul, you can luxury, privacy and comfort, and uninterrupted enjoy a relaxing retreat, stroll around the lake, view do the Pacific Ocean, it is the perfect or explore the gardens and see sculptures, local location to escape, relax and indulge. Jonah’s artworks, outdoor terraces and a myriad of native award-winning restaurant offers Contemporary and introduced trees, Bring our the twitcher in Australian cuisine and an extensive wine list. If you as you spy rosellas, parrots, kingfishers and you are looking for a body, mind and soul unwind, kookaburras. For the active you there a plenty there is an in room beauty/therapy service or an in- of classes, from cooking and art to photography. room yoga experience. Or enjoy some activities: You couldn’t stay here without visiting Hepburn you can walk down to the beach and dip your Springs for a healthy, rejuvenating dip in the toes in the surf, walk to the lighthouse, tee-off on mineral springs. the green, or explore the beauty of Pittwater by kayak, relax under the sails during a private charter Lizard island or see Sydney’s skyline by seaplane. Lizard island, is the only resort located on a Longitude 131° 1,013-hectare National Park and is literally on the Great Barrier Reef, if you cherish seclusion and Longitude 131°, resting in the red-rust dunes and natural privacy, you will enjoy escaping to your with views direct to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and across own private beach, exploring the reef, seeing the the desert to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), is Australia’s incredible nature, while not seeing another person. most celebrated luxury camp. If you are seeking You can explore on your own or take a guided a connection with the outback landscape and its tour of the reefs. If you seek a challenge, you’ll be heritage, join these tented pavilions. You will be thrilled by the hike to the top of Cook’s Look. If able to explore the incredible Red Centre, discover you can’t keep still, there are plenty of activities to vibrant Aboriginal artworks alongside relics from keep you going, from diving, snorkelling, fishing, the region’s explorers. Awaken your senses with paddle boarding, and glass bottom sea kayaking. Aboriginal massage techniques and local natural healing ingredients like irmnagka-irmangka offer a revitalising and relaxing spa experience in Spa Kinara. You will enjoy a contemporary Australian cuisine and friendly staff ready to share a yarn.
Sea Dragon Lodge
Sea Dragon Lodge, on Kangaroo Island, offers luxury, seafront accommodation and the privacy of your own villa, set in a 250 wildlife sanctuary. With access to the resorts own private beach on Pink Bay, you’ll experience wildlife at your doorstep. The sanctuary is the home to most species of animal living on Kangaroo Island, (except Koalas). You will see kangaroos and wallabies, you might also see an echidna, or goanna and perhaps a pod of dolphins passing through the bay. Sea Dragon Lodge is truly a wildlife lovers dream come true.
Photograph credit: Sea Dragon Lodge
El Questro Homestead
El Questro Homestead, is nestled within the Kimberley’s vast and ancient landscape and burnt-orange cliffs. With lush, green lawns and avenues of frangipani trees, you will sense you are in the tropics. Bedrooms are cantilevered over the still and tranquil Chamberlain River. You will awakened to birdsong and be fascinated by the blanket of stars in the night sky. During a stay at the Homestead guests are offered complimentary excursions, allowing for a fully immersive Kimberley experience. It’s a chose your own adventure stay, with different experiences on offer depending on the time of year you plan to stay.
Capella Lodge
Capella Lodge, rests above Lovers Bay on Lord Howe Island and sits at the foot of twin peaks Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird. The lodge is inspired by the carefree spirit of the Australian beach house and you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and be captivated by views to the mountains. Over 70% of the island is a protected park reserve, and the surrounding ocean is a protected Marine Park. You’ll also enjoy the peace and quiet of small-island living with around 400 residents and only 400 visitors allowed on Lord Howe at any one time. Lord Howe is small at only 11km long and between 0.3 and 2km wide. If it’s a restful vacation you seek, you will find activities to suit from snorkelling, exploring, cycling, sampling the local wild lemon and hibiscus infused gin or going for a skinnydip at Lovers Bay. Or take the challenge and hike Mount Gower or take the Malabar walk. Don’t forget you camera!
Swell Lodge
Swell Lodge, a world-class eco-resort on Christmas Island, is the only accommodation located inside the national park. Nestled in remote coastal wilderness, you’ll enjoy ocean views with floor-to-ceiling windows and massive decks. As Being an eco-resort you will appreciate the environmentally friendly touches such as solar power, energy-efficient appliances and odourless composting toilets. The guided daily activities include photography, red-crab migration, scubadiving, bird watching, turtle watching, snorkelling, and golf. There are walks for all abilities to explore the Island’s extraordinary forests, wetlands and beaches.
Relaxing at a luxury resort or escaping to an eco-lodge island destination is a perfect end to 2020. Traveling can rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul and open you to new possibilities for 2021 and the New Year. You deserve a new beginning, search your purpose, find your soulmate or just be in a place that brings you closer to you. Enjoy!
Tall Ships & Romance
We often romance about the luxury of sailing on a private yacht through the turquoise Whitsunday waters, being indulged while island hopping around Thailand’s west coast, waltzing through a fairytale journey down the River Rhine, inhaling the azure stillness of the Agean Sea whilst swathing in tradition, or lazing on a chais longue aboard a luxury cruise liner with unending views of the Pacific and glimpse of its beckoning Islands.
While we are enamoured by the sight of Tall Ships, and they are appealing, we rarely acquaint tall, ships & romance. And unless we have some sea knowledge, apart from the billowing sails we barely think of a Tall, Ship & romance. Yet, Tall Ships are parting the waters and channelling a path beyond the intimate luxury afternoon cruise to offer a luxury cruising experience. We can’t promise you will meet the love of your life but you may fall in love with the tall ship for life! What is a Tall ship A tall ship is a class of large, sailing ships, usually at least 40ft long, with traditional rigging. The class includes schooners, brigantines, brigs, barques and full-rigged ships. Rigging refers to the sails and includes square rigs, gaff rigs, topmasts, and top sails. But we are not here to learn how to rig a tall ship. We are exploring the cruises available this season.
Getting your toes wet If you are not sure about adventure aboard a tall ship, there are many ways you can test the water! We suggest you enjoy a short day trip to see whether the experience delights you. Follow this with a twilight soiree to become enchanted by the romance of the tall ship. If you find yourself wanting more of a voyage, you will be mesmerised by a multi-day tall ship sailing trip. It could be a fun as a private charter with a group of friends or an adventure if joining mutli-day tour.
Here’s Our Pick for the Tall Ship Short Sails
Enterprise Leaving from Williamstown, Victoria, Enterprise is a traditionally built and rigged wooden sailing ship. She is a replica of the ship that sailed from Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in 1835 bringing the first permanent white settlers to William St, marking the birth Melbourne. Between, late November through to April, you can enjoy a short sailing adventure around Port Phillip Bay during a 1 hour sail on the Third Sunday of each month or a 1.5 Hour Evening Sails on select Saturday evenings during Daylight Savings Time. Private Charter and sail training is available. Southern Swan and Soren Larsen Beautiful and magnificent, the Southern Swan a three-masted barquentine and the Soren Larsen a Brigantine depart from Campbell’s Cove, Circular Quay, in Sydney. These tall ships are authentic Danish trading ships built in the early 1900’s. You can sit back, relax and enjoy the entertainment or get involved in this interactive, Tall Ship Cruise and become a sailor or yester-year: try your hand steering, help hoist the sails or heave on a rope. There are plenty of cruise options: champagne brunch, twilight dinner, evening canapes. There’s also many themed cruises including, whale and sail, clay shooting, pirates mutiny and convicts, castles and champagne. Private and Group Functions available.
Lady Nelson A magnificent replica of the 1799 Brig, which set out on a voyage of discovery. The crew first sighted new Holland; around Mount Gambier; in 1800 and became the first ship to sail from west to east through Bass Strait. With regular short sails leaving Hobart on Saturdays and Sundays, you can relax and enjoy the scenery for around 90 minutes or help sail the ship. If you are ready for a 3-day, 4-day or 5-day adventure, the Lady Nelson sails along Tasmania’s east coast and anchors at sunset when you can reflect on the day, enjoy a hot meal, share the last hours over a glass of wine and cheese platter. During the day, you might enjoy the scenery and explore Freycinet Peninsula, Port Arthur, Adventure Bay, Schouten Island and Fortesque Bay.
The Long Voyage
Golden Horizon Described as a voyage like no other, the Golden Horizon is soon to set sail on her inaugural world voyage including a circumnavigation of Australia. Areplica of the 1912 ocean vessel, France II, the ship retains the charm, adventure and romance of an historic tall ship. A large ship catering to 272 guests, this brand new ship will offer cruises between Bali and Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Cairns. With 17 different cruise offerings between December 2021 and January 2022, there is sufficient choice. The inaugural cruise leaves port on 08 December, with guests able to choose the full circumnavigation of Australia or choose a leg or the voyage. Guests will be able to dive in the Great Barrier Reef, spread their toes in the sands of the Whitsunday Islands, enjoy the wines of the Yarra Valley and so much more depending on the cruise. Whichever Tall Ship voyage you take, we’d love to hear about your adventure. And we hope you find that Tall Ships & Romance.
Photograph credit: Lady Nelson
