Jetstar Australia Magazine — JUL 2019

JUL 2019

MAGAZINE

T H R ILL I N G W H I T E W AT ER R AF T I N G I N N E W ZE AL A N D T H E G RE AT B A RR IER REEF ISL A N D T H AT H A S I T ALL

F R EE T O TA K E H O M E

MAGAZINE

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H AWAII MY OH! Perfect beaches, volcano sunrises, cool dining, friends, fun… it’s everything

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JUL 2019

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JUL 2019

CONTENTS

the traveller W H ERE T O G O N E X T

the checklist ALL T HE T R AVEL IN T EL YO U NEED N O W

0 2 0 7 M Y T H S A B O U T...

Taipei.

0 2 2 T W O S I D E S O F...

Western Australia.

0 2 4 P O S T C A R D F R O M ...

Tokyo, Japan.

0 2 6 T R AV E L T R E N D S:

S TA R G A Z I N G

Why celestial sightseeing isn’t just for astronauts anymore.

045 OAHU Three locals share their favourite spots on this Hawaiian island.

0 2 8 H A C K : S TAY IN G

HE ALT H Y O N H OL IDAY Tips to keep your mind and body in top form throughout your trip.

0 3 0 T R AV E L T R E N D S: B E S T

BUSINESS H OTELS Smart and stylish hotels that will make travelling for work a breeze.

0 3 2 H A C K : T R AVELL IN G

W I T H A DR O NE Everything you need to know before packing your UAV camera.

0 3 4 T E C H

Take your beats on the road with the latest in audio gadgets.

0 3 7 T R A V E L N E W S

All the latest updates, info and events from around our network.

041 CALENDAR

Magic, ukuleles and light festivals – what not to miss this month.

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054 SINGAPORE

Tick off these fun, kid-friendly activities for a holiday the whole family will remember.

14/6/19 1:30 pm

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C O N T EN T S

060 THAIL AND Explore the island of wellness that inspired a cult book and film.

the cut T H E BES T OF W H ERE T O E AT, D R IN K A N D PL AY

0 8 6 E A T + D R I N K : NEWCASTLE

The bars and restaurants proving this coastal city is a foodie heaven.

0 9 4 A N AT O M Y OF A DIS H

Tuck into the popular South Korean rice dish, bibimbap.

0 9 6 H A P P Y H O U R S: H O B A R T

Beer, wine, cocktails – have it all without breaking the bank.

100 FOOD TRENDS

The latest weirdly wonderful food crazes. Cookie pizza, anyone?

102 EXPERIENCE

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Discover the must-dos of northern NSW and get up close with its ocean-going friends.

We ride the rapids on a thrilling adventure in New Zealand’s North Island.

How modern hotels are offering much more than just a bed.

1 0 4 M Y P L A C E: B O N D I A local entrepreneur’s spin on Sydney’s famous beachside ‘burb.

106 STREET STYLE Update your look with inspiration from the streets of Auckland.

10 8 FASHION

Hit the slopes wearing on-trend snow gear this ski season.

the insider JE T S TA R N E W S, M AP S A N D EN T ER TA IN MEN T

076 QUEENSLAND Zip over to Tropical North Queensland for a weekend away amidst the rainforest and reef.

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1 1 3 JE T S TA R N E W S 1 17 EN T ER TA IN M EN T 122 AIRPORT TO CITY 1 2 6 W H E R E W E FLY 128 GAMES + PUZZLES 1 3 2 W H E R E’S W A L LY ?

1 3 6 H I G H E R , BI G G E R ,

F A S T E R , LO N G E R

13/6/19 11:07 am

E DITOR I A L .

CONTRIBUTORS.

EDITOR Jacqueline Lunn DEPUTY EDITOR Sudeshna Ghosh CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jon Gregory DESIGNER Lisa Emmanuel CHIEF SUBEDITOR Nancy Merlo SUBEDITOR Kaitlyn Palmer-Allen PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITOR Nicola Sevitt

EDITORIAL INQUIRIES EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rachel Gray Suite 58, 26-32 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, NSW 2009 P (02) 8114 8944 E jetstar.editorial@mediumrarecontent.com

PENNY CARROLL Freelance writer Penny has lived and worked in Sydney and London but now calls Byron Bay home. She mixes her passion for health and travel in this month’s hacks story (page 28). Her favourite health tip? Take regular naps.

MANAGING EDITOR, JETSTAR Simon Tsang

A DVERT I S I N G .

NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER

VIC & QLD ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

AND CLIENT PARTNER

Chris Joy | (03) 9292 3207

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Belinda Morton | (03) 9292 1159

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VIC ACCOUNT MANAGER

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DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

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MEDIUM R A R E C O N T E N T A G E N C Y .

MANAGING DIRECTOR Gerard Reynolds EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER Sally Wright CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Fiorella Di Santo CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Margaret Merten DIGITAL STRATEGY DIRECTOR Karla Courtney SOCIAL STRATEGY DIRECTOR Scott Drummond CREATIVE SERVICES ART DIRECTOR Philippa Moffitt FINANCE MANAGER Alvin Largado

Jetstar magazine is published monthly and is complimentary to domestic and international passengers. Published for Jetstar Airways

by Medium Rare Content Agency (ABN 83 169 879 921), Suite 58/2632 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, NSW 2009. ©2018. All rights reserved.

Printed by Ovato Print Pty Ltd. Paper fibre is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. Articles express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of Jetstar Airways or Medium Rare Content Agency. For a copy of Medium Rare Content Agency’s Privacy Policy, visit mediumrarecontent.com. ISSN 1443-2013.

We want you to know that at Jetstar our writers are not armchair travellers.

Any assistance we do accept from the travel industry to produce our stories does not compromise the integrity of the coverage.

For flight reservations jetstar.com For hotel bookings and holiday packages jetstar.com/hotels jetstar.com/holidays

DANIELLE ROSS WALLS Hobart-based travel writer Danielle has worked in media for over 20 years and has a special interest in wildlife conservation. She loves spending time in nature but for this issue, she checks out Hobart’s best happy hour deals (page 96).

FLIP BYRNES Travel journalist Flip divides her time between Sydney and Germany and enjoys getting off the beaten track. This issue, she travels to a tiny pocket of Thailand and rediscovers the art of self-care (page 60).

“Carving out time alone had profound benefits,” she says.

r e g Ti s b u C !

D E V I R R A E V HA dreamworld.com.au

CEO’S LE T T ER

A new destination to explore > Thanks for choosing Jetstar today.

Later this year, we will add a new route to our network, with flights between the Gold Coast and Seoul, South Korea.

As the only low-fares carrier to directly link the two countries, we are excited to offer more Australians the opportunity to visit South Korea’s vibrant capital city, sample the unique local food (I highly recommend the Korean barbecue) and explore the culture, art and history of the region.

South Korean travellers consistently rank Australia as the top destination they want to visit, but for many, the absence of a low-fares option has been a real barrier to travel.

From December, this will no longer be the case, as keeping our fares low is what we do best at Jetstar.

Our new, three-times-per-week service will see more than 50,000 people travel

JE TSTAR ANN O U NCES DIRECT FL IG H TS TO SO U T H KOREA

“W E ARE EXCI TED T O OFFER M ORE AUSTR ALIANS T HE OPP ORT U NIT Y TO VISIT S O U T H KORE A’S V IBR A N T C API TAL CI T Y.”

between the two cities, opening up more of the world for our customers to explore.

South Koreans will have easy access to Queensland’s famous Gold Coast beaches and the opportunity to discover the rest of Australia, with direct Jetstar flights connecting the Gold Coast to seven domestic destinations.

Seoul is the 88th destination and South Korea is the 16th country to join our network. As our teams prepare for the new services, I hope you also have the opportunity to think about the next destination on your wish list.

I look forward to seeing you on board again soon.

G ARE T H E VA N S CEO, JE T S TA R G R O U P

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the checklist > ALL THE TRAVEL INTEL YOU NEED NOW

DI ARY PA G E

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> The Argyle diamond mine, in the East Kimberley region, is one of the largest producers of diamonds in the world.

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> Eating while walking is often seen as impolite in Japan, particularly if you are around sacred places such as temples.

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> Since colonial settlement in 1836, more than 80 shipwrecks have been recorded around Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third largest island.

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7 M Y T H S AB O U T...

Taipei —This populous city will surprise you with its curious mix of old and new architecture, natural attractions and unique cuisine. Nathan Ang unravels its mysteries—

MYTH #1 It is difficult to get around Taipei > The city has one of the most extensive public transport networks in Asia, which makes getting around relatively convenient, cheap and hassle-free. The newly constructed Airport MRT has reduced the commuting time between the city and Taoyuan International Airport to a mere 35 minutes, while the High Speed Rail (which travels as fast as 300 kilometres per hour) will get you to regions such as Kaohsiung, about 350 kilometres south, within 96 minutes.

MYTH #3 MYTH #2 Taipei is an urban jungle > Natural landscapes perfectly complement the urban skyline in this modern city that is home to numerous green spaces such as the Taipei Botanical Garden and Daan Forest Park, where you can take leisurely strolls through lush greenery. Located just a 40-minute drive from the city centre, Yangmingshan National Park offers panoramic views of mountains, which are clad with cherry blossoms or snow, depending on the season.

There isn’t much heritage > Despite its relentless pursuit of modern technology, Taipei continues to make concerted efforts to preserve its historical sites. Visit Longshan Temple, constructed in 1738 during the Qing Dynasty, to admire impeccable architecture that has withstood the test of time and learn about the Buddhist and Chinese deities worshipped here. You can also watch the changing of guards at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an octagonal building in Liberty Square.

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“T HE LO CALS W ILL ALWAYS GI VE YO U

MYTH #4

A WARM WELC O ME A N D HELPIN G H A N D.”

Taipei is a budget breaker > With numerous free or cheap activities and attractions, this city is easier on the wallet than you’d think. Explore the gardens of Shilin Official Residence, honour the war dead at the National Revolutionary Martyrs Shrine, admire the architecture in Dalongdong Bao’an Temple and hike up nearby Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) for pictureperfect views – it’s all free.

Savouring braised pork rice and hot bean curd from market stalls while enjoying the sea breeze at the Danshui waterfront (about an hour from Taipei), is another treat that won’t break the bank.

MYTH #5 Taipei is not a beach destination > While it’s more famous for its mountains, Taipei has several beaches and resorts at its doorstep. A quick metro ride will whisk you to the north-eastern coast of the island, where you will find the unspoilt Fulong Beach. A range of water sports such as sailing and windsurfing are available here and, if you are visiting between April and July, the annual International Sand Sculpting Festival will be on. Other nearby beaches include Baishawan Bay and Shalun Beach, which are both along the northern coast.

MYTH #6 You can only get electronics here > Yes, this is the home of many global tech companies, such as Acer and Asus, so it makes sense that Taipei has become synonymous with affordable electronic goods. However, there’s plenty more shopping to be done here – from some of the finest jade in the world to oolong tea cultivated in the mountainous highlands.

Bags, jewellery and wooden carvings handmade by indigenous tribes also make for great souvenirs.

MYTH #7 Traditional cuisine is just dumplings and rice > Yes, the locals eat a lot of rice (and the dumplings are delicious) but there’s so much more to the cuisine here. The food is distinct, with influences from the native Austronesian tribes and foreign dishes such as Japanese mochi and tempura having been adapted to local tastes. Visit Taipei’s night markets and you’ll find xiaochi – substantial snacks comparable to Spanish tapas – such as stinky tofu and moon shrimp cakes to try.

AND 3 TRUTHS The locals are friendly > Known for being some of the friendliest people around, the locals will always give you a warm welcome and a helping hand – whether you need directions to landmarks or to find the most delicious dumplings, don’t be shy to approach them.

The city is full of night markets > Every day, more than a dozen markets across the city spring to life after dark. The most popular ones include Shilin Night Market (near Jiantan MRT), Raohe Night Market (near Songshan MRT) and Huaxi Street Night Market (near Longshan Temple MRT).

Come hungry and ready to feast on local delicacies such as oyster vermicelli soup, deep-fried chicken cutlet and bubble milk tea.

Taipei thinks green > Locals take the Three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) extremely seriously. Fees are imposed on plastic bags and recycling bins can be found almost everywhere. All single-use plastics are planned to be phased out by 2030.

S N APS H O T @TBL _T H O M AS

Wave Rock This 15-metre-tall granite wave, about 330 kilometres east of Perth, might look ready to crash down at any moment but the 110metre-long formation has been frozen in time for 2700 million years.

Two sides of

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Denmark Huge swells and good wind create the perfect conditions for surfer Dan Ryan to ride this monster on a reef break off the coast of Denmark, 4.5 hours south-east of Perth.

Kuramae P O S TC ARD FR O M

TAITO WARD, TOKYO

—This former industrial neighbourhood is now a hip haven for creatives. Meander around the precinct to find a selection of quirky cafés, design boutiques and specialty stores housed in trendy converted warehouses—

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1 TAITO DESIGNERS VILLAGE

3 MOKUBA Textile fans will delight in this specialty high-end ribbon maker.

The two adjacent showrooms have thousands of types of ribbon, from silk to lace to tassels, all made in Japan and available for purchase. Continue across the street for a shop selling nothing but buckles, or around the corner for sewing tools and rivets.

4 NECOREPA This small cat-themed store is part of the Neco Republic brand, a cat café chain benefitting rescue cats.

Find jewellery, socks, hankies and mugs with cat motifs, as well as a line of leather goods. The cat head-shaped leather coasters and candles are especially cool. They also hold adoption events here on the first Saturday of the month. neco-republic.jp/access.html

6 NUI This hostel, bar and café set in a renovated former toy warehouse hosts travellers as well as locals, who like to come here for coffee or a drink in the industrial-style lounge area.

The food menu features a blend of Japanese and European cuisine, while the bar has a good selection of domestic craft beer (like Baird Brewing) plus Japanese whisky, sake and shochu. backpackersjapan.co.jp/ nuihostel 7 PRIVADO This leafy rooftop bar on the seventh floor of the “Mirror” building offers lots of comfy sofas for lounging as you look out onto the Sumida River and toward the glittering Sky Tree.

Nurse a cocktail over candlelight – the menu includes whisky (like Yamazaki 18y) and trendy Japanese craft gins, such as Roku. privado.jp 8 COFFEE NOVA Barista and certified coffee instructor Shiro Takahashi opened this micro roastery and café in 2016 to bring his passion for coffee to his home neighbourhood. Try the smooth Kuramae blend made hand drip-style, accompanied by the cheese and onion toast, as you watch the roasting process. coffee-nova.com

ILL U S T R AT IO N _ G ER G Ő GIL IC ZE

2 KAKIMORI Dedicated to “the joy of writing,” this is an inviting stationery store specialising in fountain pens and notebooks. Their most popular item is probably the customised notebook – you can choose cover colours and patterns, binding, paper size and type to your specifications to be made instore.

A few blocks away, sister shop Inkstand has bottles and bottles of pigments for custom-mixed ink. kakimori.com

5 KONCENT This haven for design lovers boasts sleek interiors and useful products made by Japanese designers, such as Masako Ban’s stylish and lightweight Acrylic bags and Hiroshi Kajimoto’s “UnBrellas”, which open and close upside down for better drying.

Koncent also has a café space serving up local Sol Coffee. koncent.net

WORDS_ SELENA HOY

This converted elementary school houses more than a dozen artists and designers, who have turned the former classrooms into studio spaces. Though the studios aren’t open to the public, TDV hosts events and gallery shows – and sometimes even pop-up shops selling one-of-a-kind pieces – throughout the year. designers-village.com

TR AVEL TREN D S

stars Reach for the

What’s dark, remote and utterly beautiful? Astro-tourism.

And it’s trending among travellers looking to escape overtourism, reconnect with nature (nature-based tourism is growing by four per cent year on year in Australia) and trade the big city bright lights for a walk on the dark side. Seeking a view of constellations and planets has become so popular that Australia even broke the Guinness World Record last year for having more than 40,000 stargazers turn their telescopes to the moon at the same time for a full 10 minutes.

But, heavens above, what should earthlings be looking at? Australia’s first female science, technology, engineering and mathematics ambassador, Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, says Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Saturn and the phases of the moon are visible from city backyards. But in the darkness of the outback, you can see more – thousands more stars, the Milky Way and two satellite galaxies. “You don’t need special equipment,” she says. “But when I show people through the telescope, they’re absolutely flabbergasted by the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter.”

W O R D S_ R A C H EL G R AY

—There’s a new travel experience taking nightlife to the next level and it’s transporting the curious to galaxies far, far away—

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For those feeling that emotional pull towards all things intergalactic, it might be reassuring to know there’s a scientific reason behind it. As Lisa explains in her book, When Galaxies Collide (Melbourne University Press, $29.99), the human body is actually made of stardust. “The carbon, nitrogen and oxygen in our DNA formed inside a star that exploded, gathered together, created our solar system and our bodies – so we’re made of the stars,” she says.

To view some serious awe-inspiring stellar phenomena, Lisa recommends heading anywhere dark and away from light pollution with a stargazing smartphone app like Sky Guide or booking a specialised astronomical experience. Expert astronomers can demystify the mysterious, teach you star names and how to spot those tricky constellations and planets all under the romance of an inky night sky sprinkled with big balls of gas, light-years away.

And rest assured, your guides will impart enough star-studded knowledge to prepare you for when the next big event overshadows parts of Australia – that’ll be when the sun and moon align in a total solar eclipse on 22 July, 2028. Until then, in the words of the late Stephen Hawking, “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist.”

ASTRONOMY APPS Download one of these stargazing apps and point your smartphone at the sky to see the constellations, planets and stars. > Sky Guide (left) [ iOS ] fifthstarlabs.com > SkyView [ iOS / Android ] terminaleleven.com > Stellarium [ iOS / Android ] stellarium.org

Where to look up OUTBACK ASTRONOMY Broken Hill, NSW > Schools, corporate groups and individuals searching for either an educational “binoculars and naked eye” gaze at the moon or a more deep-sky look through a telescope can contact Linda and Travis Nadge at Outback Astronomy, located about six hours’ drive from Adelaide Airport. “There’s nothing better than seeing shooting stars with the Milky Way galaxy in the background,” says Linda. outbackastronomy.com.au

MOUNT BURNETT OBSERVATORY Mount Burnett, VIC > See the moons of Jupiter and the spectacular detail circulating in the icy rings around Saturn from the big telescopes at Mount Burnett Observatory, located only 1.5 hours’ drive east of Melbourne Airport. The $50 annual membership gets you on the guest list for ticketed stargazing events held throughout the year. mtburnettobservatory.org

ASTRO TOURS Broome, WA > Ease into a comfy swivel chair with a hot chocolate as you observe miracles of the universe with the guidance of Greg Quicke (#SpaceGandalf and presenter of the BBC and ABC’s Stargazing Live) at the helm. The educational and entertaining stargazing sessions run for two hours. astrotours.net

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Doctor's orders

7 WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE TRAVELLING —Keep your body and mind in mint condition on your next holiday with these tips from wellness experts—

Visit your GP before you go. “If you are travelling overseas, particularly to a high-risk area, chat to your GP about which additional vaccinations you might need,” says Dr Preeya Alexander (thewholesomedoctor. com.au). “You might require boosters of some vaccines, like typhoid every three years.” Your doctor can also clue you in on food and water safety and how to manage if traveller’s tummy strikes.

# 2 WALK I T OFF

Pack your sneakers – walking is an ideal way to offset all that holiday indulgence. “Aim for at least 60 minutes a day of brisk walking, whether it’s through sightseeing or getting somewhere at your destination,” says Dr Alexander.

Bonus points for getting a stroll in on the first day of your trip – the sunlight and activity will help your body adjust to its new time zone.

# 3 DRINK UP

Pack a reusable water bottle. On flights, drinking plenty of H2O can help you stay hydrated, while on solid ground, it’ll keep your body and brain running like a well-oiled machine. “Hydration is critical for your body to function at its best,” explains dietitian Rachel Scoular (rachelscoular.com). “Drinking water also helps us differentiate between hunger and thirst.” Translation: you’ll be less likely to raid the minibar.

# 4 BE AT T HE PES T S

Not only do mosquitoes deliver an irritating itch, they can also carry disease. “Simple measures like wearing light-coloured clothing, covering as much skin as possible – particularly

at dawn and dusk, which are high-risk times – and using insect repellent are some ways to avoid being bitten,” advises Dr Alexander.

# 5 TAK E A N AP

Nothing refreshes your mind and body like a siesta. “When your sleep tank is empty, it’s difficult to enjoy a full day of travelling,” says sleep coach Cheryl Fingleson (cherylthesleepcoach.com. au). “A catnap for 30 minutes before 3pm could help get you through another late night.” Have a packed itinerary? “Don’t underestimate the power of a shower and a change of clothes,” she adds.

# 6 E AT S M AR T

Prioritise one healthy, veggie-packed meal a day. “Veggies will up your fibre intake and keep your system on an even keel,” says Rachel. Aim for half a plate of veggies, plus some protein and complex carbs like brown rice.

Fermented foods like kimchi, miso and kombucha can also maintain gut health. “Their friendly probiotics can strengthen your body’s defences via your gut,” she adds.

#7 S Q UEEZE IN A W ORK-O U T

Stay fit by bringing some clever kit.

“My favourite pieces for travel are resistance bands and floor sliders,” says Sam Wood, founder of 28 by Sam Wood (28bysamwood.com).

“They’re lightweight, compact and versatile for a core or full-body work-out.” Use bands for bicep curls and push-ups, and sliders for reverse lunges and mountain climbers. Add squats and tricep dips and you’re set.

ILL U S T R AT IO N _ R O SIE A PP S

# 1 PL A N A HE A D

WORDS_ PENNY CARROLL

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WORK W ISE TRIBE

—Forget fax machine-era business centres, these innovative hotels are designed for the new generation of business travellers—

Shadow Play by Peppers MELBOURNE, VIC

> Discerning business travellers will love the moody interiors and mod cons of this new property just south of the Yarra. The apartments feature a kitchen, laundry and TV with Foxtel and Chromecast. Communal areas ensure you’ve got plenty of spaces to work, while the heated pool will help you unwind. Meetings planned? Seal the deal over an all-Victorian wine list at the on-site Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar. peppers.com.au

Tribe PERTH, WA SH AD O W PL AY BY PEPPERS

Darwin Executive Suites

Quest on Franklin

DARWIN, NT

ADELAIDE, SA

> Reminiscent of Oprah Winfrey’s “you get a car!” moment, you’ll be (temporarily) gifted a car to use during your stay at Darwin Executive Suites, a collection of apartments scattered throughout the city centre. Book direct and you’ll get to zip around town in your complimentary car and do a little sightseeing when you’re not working at your suite’s full-sized desk or cooling off in the pool. darwinexecutivesuites.com.au

> The spacious executive apartments at this centrally located property, complete with balconies, workspaces and separate living areas will give you plenty of room to feel at home. The best bit? Forget bingeing on junk food, you can make use of Quest’s pantry shopping service to have groceries delivered to your apartment’s fullyequipped kitchen. It’s the next best thing to having a butler. questonfranklin.com.au

Sean Fennessy, Adam Bruzzone

> At this hotel, collaborative workspace and social hub, all rolled into one, working on the go is encouraged with power points and USB charging ports scattered throughout the colourful common areas. In-between work sessions, you can order a latte made with Dukes Coffee or retreat to your designer room. The grab-and-go breakfasts save the day when you’re late for a meeting. Oh, and the lobby’s electric blue couch is pure Insta bait. tribehotels.com.au

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Kafnu Alexandria

“A SWEE T SE T-UP IS A REAL MOR ALE BO OSTER WHEN TR AVELLING FOR WORK.”

Ovolo Inchcolm BRISBANE, QLD

> Free minibar. Free breakfast. Happy hour. There’s a trifecta of reasons to book direct with this hotel that was once a medical practice. A designdriven venue that merges modern with old school, one minute you’ll be riding a 100-year-old elevator imported from New York, the next watching Apple TV on an LED screen.

Work from the privacy of your suite or head down to the eclectic lounge. ovolohotels.com.au

Salamanca Wharf Hotel HOBART, TAS

PA N PACIFIC

> Let’s agree on this: a sweet set-up is a real morale booster when travelling for work. Rooms with Eames leather chairs, granite counter tops, Smeg appliances and sleepinducing acoustic insulation make this comfy apartment hotel the ultimate home away from home in Hobart. salamancawharfhotel.com

> This co-working space, hotel and gin bar mashup from Kafnu is a game changer. Close to Sydney Aiport, this mini-hotel’s 16 compact rooms come with access to a co-working space.

For a fee, you can also use the media production and podcast studios. After hours, head to the bar to talk shop with the Kafnu community over a G&T. kafnu.com

Pan Pacific MELBOURNE, VIC

> Roll out of bed and straight into the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, thanks to an internal walkway that links this recently refurbished hotel with the centre. Book a Pacific Club package to enjoy privileges like breakfast, twilight drinks and late check-out (a lifesaver when recovering from a conference cocktail party). panpacific.com

Hyatt Regency SYDNEY, NSW

> This on-trend hotel is perfect for travellers who don’t mind paying a little more to reap the benefits.

Make the ultimate power move and book a Regency Club room to score access to the Regency Club Lounge, which offers free drinks, snacks and breakfast (a chef will cook eggs to your liking), plus priority check-in.

Wind down with cocktails at new street-level bar, Jackalberry. sydney.regency.hyatt.com

WORDS_ JO STEWART

OVOLO IN C H C OL M

SYDNEY, NSW

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TR AVEL H ACK

Flight of fancy HOW TO TRAVEL WITH A DRONE

K N O W T HE L O C AL L AW S

BE T R A N SI T S M AR T

If you’re buying a drone specifically for travelling, a super-compact model like the DJI Mavic Air (dji.com/au) won’t eat into your luggage allowance.

Ensure it comes home with you in one piece by putting in some practice hours before you leave – flying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) takes some getting used to.

Many countries are still in the process of legislating drone use, so check ahead. A few nations have banned drones entirely, while some others, such as Fiji, require drone owners to apply for a permit or register their device in advance.

As a general rule, never fly near other aircraft or airports, or over events or groups of people. Aussie drone laws are spelled out on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority website (casa.gov. au), while the UAV Coach website (uvacoach.com) maintains a handy global directory.

Drone batteries must always be packed in your carry-on luggage.

To prevent them from being a fire hazard, the battery terminal points need to be covered (tape them or bring a fireproof case). It’s also best to pack the drone itself in your carry-on.

To ensure you’re doing the right thing, check Jetstar’s dangerous goods policy before you pack at: jetstar.com/au/en/ help/articles/dangerous-goods

D O N’T F OR GE T T HE AC CES S ORIES With the average battery life for a mid-range drone being around 20 minutes, you’ll want extra batteries for travelling. Investing in a travel case, as well as a fireproof bag (also known as a LiPo bag) for storing and transporting batteries, is a good idea. Finally, as your smartphone acts as the screen for your controller, consider bringing a power pack for your phone and don’t forget to load it up with apps like Hover (hoverapp.io), which provides no-fly zone maps.

P U T SAFE T Y FIRS T Be mindful of children and animals around your drone, particularly when launching and landing.

Catching your device should always be a last resort, as even a small gust of wind could see you lose a fingertip. Always keep your drone in your line of sight and ground it on windy days to avoid accidents.

BR U S H UP O N DR O NE E T IQ UE T TE Don’t be that person who ruins everyone’s day at the beach by flying a noisy drone low overhead.

Always seek permission before flying over private property (this includes your hotel), and if curious locals approach, answer queries respectfully, keeping in mind that a drone can look pretty scary to someone who hasn’t seen one before.

WORDS_ SARAH REID

G O C O MPAC T

ILL U S T R AT IO N _ B RE N T W IL S O N

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Perfect composition $ 3 4 9.95

> Why listen to someone else’s tunes when you can make your own? The Seaboard Block MIDI keyboard is light enough to slip into your carry-on luggage and comes packed with smart built-in features, including custom music creation software and wireless connectivity to channel your creativity. Look out, Lady Gaga! roli.com

TEC H N OL O GY

S OUND IT OUT

EAR CANDY $1 4 9.9 9

—Life is better with music, so stay tuned on the road (and maybe even create some beats of your own) with the latest audio tech— WORDS_ MARK GAMBINO

> When your favourite rockers step on stage, chances are they plug their gear into a Marshall amplifier. The British audio brand also has a stellar line of headphones, including the Major III wired headphones, which are designed to achieve authenticity and clarity across a range of music styles – from classical and folk, to heavy metal and hip hop. marshallheadphones.com

Premium performance $ 3 4 9.95

> The new Powerbeats Pro wireless earphones pack formidable battery life. With nine hours in each earphone, plus a powerful charging case that brings your total listening time up to 24 hours, they’re functional as well as stylish. apple.com/au

FIVE UNDER

$50

MOVING ON UP $1 4 9

> Each revision of Sennheiser’s popular HD 200 Pro line of headphones takes the baton from the last for studio-level audio in a personal device.

The closed-ear design minimises ambient noise, allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings without sacrificing audio quality – one of the many reasons it’s a winner. en-au.sennheiser.com

K ID S

JBL JR300E $39.95 > Featuring a permanent volume limit and sturdy construction, the JR300 kids’ headphones are great for junior ears and active lifestyles. jbl.com.au S T RE A M I N G

SPOTIFY SUBSCRIPTION FROM $11.99 PER MONTH

Power to the people

> One of the world’s most popular music streaming platforms, Spotify Premium offers access to millions of songs and podcasts without interruption. spotify.com

$79.95

> With enough power to keep your smartphone, MP3 player and wireless headphones juiced up and playing your favourite tunes throughout any long-haul flight, the Pocket Power 15K Power Bank ensures you will never again feel the fear of seeing a low battery indicator halfway through your favourite song. belkin.com/au

P O W ER

CYGNETT 4400MAH $29.95 > A power bank so cheap you can get one each for the kids, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing they won’t run out of juice. cygnett.com C OL O U R

MOKI POPPER $39.99

ENDLESS LOVE

$10 9.95

> There’s no need to worry about your talk time cutting into your music time with this digital audio player because it has only one purpose: playing music. The Fiio M3K features high-resolution audio playback without a top-shelf price tag. Enjoy 26 hours of tunes and up to 38 days on standby. fiio.com

> You can show off your personal style and thrill your ears with the colourful range of Moki Popper headphones. mokiinternational.com I N-E A R

SONY MDR-EX155 $39.95

> With a choice of colours and four sizes, these in-ear headphones are a budget audio solution from a leading brand. sony.com.au

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T H E C H ECKL IS T

T R AVEL NE W S

In the know —The latest buzz on where to play, stay and holiday—

ISL A N D T IM E

Hop on There’s a new way to discover Kangaroo Island, the natural haven just off the coast of South Australia. SeaLink has launched self-drive short break packages so you can explore at your own pace. There are three-, four- or five-day options to choose from and all include return ferry travel, accommodation and car hire. From dining at award-winning restaurants and indulging in wine tastings, to exploring the rugged wilderness of Flinders Chase National Park and spotting the island’s wildlife, you can do it all on a mini break. sealink.com.au

N E W H O T EL

W O R D S _ K A I T LY N PA L M E R-A L L E N

Paradise found Irabu Island, located in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, may just be the tropical hideaway you’ve been dreaming of. Iraph Sui, a Luxury Collection hotel, has opened amidst the pristine waters and silky white-sand beaches that Okinawa is known for. With just 58 rooms, the hotel is located on the southern end of the island. Lounge by the infinity pool, join a morning yoga session, indulge in a spa treatment or tuck into the freshest catch of the day at Tin’In restaurant – the only things that might tempt you away from the property are excursions to the island’s unique beaches and the underwater scenery. marriott.com

EN V IR O N M EN T

Ocean clean-up Ocean Quest Global (an organisation dedicated to reef rehabilitation), supported by the environmentally-conscious Awei Pila resort in Kyun Pila island, has led a team of divers to recover some 300 kilograms of disused fishing nets from the reefs off Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago. According to UN estimates, there are over 640,000 tonnes of “ghost gear” littering in the world’s oceans.

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T HIS J U S T IN

The Med comes to Melbourne > The Mediterranean sun is shining on Sandringham with the arrival of Baia Di Vino. This smart wine bar and restaurant opposite the beach brings European style and a menu reprising that holiday on the Amalfi Coast. Expect comforting dishes like veal-stuffed fried green olives and squid ink ravioli in a bisque, while the wine list – studded with gems from Italy and France – continues the transportive mission. baiadivino.com.au

—Whisky, gin or vodka? Grab a glass and go behind the scenes to find out how some of Australia’s world-class craft spirits are made—

01.

02.

03.

04.

> LARK DISTILLERY HOBART, TAS

> SEPPELTSFIELD RD DISTILLERS BAROSSA,SA

> FORTUNE NOOSA HEADS, QLD

> ARCHIE ROSE DISTILLING CO SYDNEY, NSW

Discover the process and art behind Lark’s whiskies. Tours run daily (except Thursdays), cost $80 and include tastings straight from the cask. larkdistillery.com

Enjoy an intimate tour, then recline in the tasting room to sample a selection of award-winning gins, while taking in the views. seppeltsfieldroad distillers.com.au

Receive a tasting paddle and enjoy a highball on a tour of the Sunshine Coast’s first distillery.

Tours run daily from 11.30am to 1pm for $45. noosaheads distillery.com

Enjoy a guided tasting on a tour of this renowned Rosebery-based gin distillery for $30. Tours run at 6pm weeknights, plus at midday on weekends. archierose.com.au

Pack like a pro > Slay packing for your next trip with a Packing Pals organiser (from the same people that brought us Plane Pal, the inflatable travel pillow for kids). The strong, yet lightweight mesh fabric packing cubes are useful for shoes, clothes and gadgets, while the waterproof, food-safe plastic options are perfect for cosmetics and liquids.

Prices start from $24.95. planepal.com

WORDS_ LARISSA DUBECKI

Where to find the best distillery tours

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T H E C H ECKL IS T

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C ALEN DAR

PUT IT IN T HE DI A RY —No matter where you are this July, there’s plenty to enjoy—

TAS.

VIC.

FESTIVAL

ARTS

Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest 12-14 July Ranelagh Recreation Grounds, Ranelagh huonvalleymidwinterfest. com.au

SA. MAGIC SHOW Cosentino 16 July Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre ticketek.com.au

NSW. MUSIC I T'S A D AT E 7 July World Chocolate Day 17 July

Splendour In The Grass 19-21 July North Byron Parklands, Yelgun splendourinthegrass.com

World Emoji Day 24 July Cousins’ Day 30 July International Day of Friendship

WA. CONCERT The Whitlams 4 July Astor Theatre, Perth ticketek.com.au

Gertrude Street Projection Festival 26 July to 3 August Fitzroy, Melbourne gspf.com.au MARATHON Run Melbourne 28 July Federation Square, Melbourne events.solemotive.com

QLD. FOOD Regional Flavours 20-21 July South Bank Parklands, Brisbane regionalflavours.com.au

NT. SPORT Alice Springs Camel Cup 20 July Pioneer Park, Alice Springs camelcup.com.au

NEW ZEALAND. LIGHT FESTIVAL Turama Festival 26-28 July Albert Park, Auckland turamafestival.co.nz

HAWAII. MUSIC Ukulele Festival 21 July Kapiolani Park in Waikiki, Oahu ukulelefestivalhawaii.org

043—084

the traveller > WHERE TO GO NEXT

Q UEENSL A N D PA G E

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Etienne Boesch

H AWA II

PA G E

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> Oahu is nicknamed The Gathering Place because it is home to roughly two-thirds of Hawaii’s total population.

T H A IL A N D

PA G E

06 0

> Boasting about 1300 species of tropical orchids, Thailand is the world’s biggest exporter of the pretty flowers.

NE W ZE AL A N D

PA G E

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> At its deepest point, Lake Taupo – the largest lake in New Zealand by surface area – is about 186 metres deep.

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01. THE ADVENTURE TRAVELLER

Oahu

02. THE TRAVEL BUDDIES

1 DES T IN AT IO N 3 WAYS

—Famous for its epic swells, shopping and family-friendly fun, Hawaii’s most popular island has something for everyone. We ask three locals to share their favourite spots—

03. THE FAMILY

WORDS_ MICHELE BIGLEY

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OA H U

01.

The Adventure Traveller

NAME H A’A K E AUL A N A O C C U PAT IO N P H O T O G R AP H ER & S U RFER

Beneath the surface > Everyone talks about surfing Pipeline in winter but

FAIT H S URF SC H O OL

there’s another adventure that few know about on the North Shore. Islandview Hawaii’s shark dive tour is like no other adventure in the state. There are no cages here; just dive into water to encounter hammerhead, sandbar and whitetip reef sharks, dolphins and turtles.

A local diver accompanies up to six brave swimmers at a time. This is sure to have you humming the Jaws tune. islandviewhawaii.com

DIVIN G WIT H SH ARKS

LOCAL TIP. If you’re ever in doubt, talk to a lifeguard before getting in the water.

Catch a wave > In the early 1900s, surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku fell in love with riding waves before surf shops existed, so when he saw an irresistible swell, he’d shape his own board from a piece of wood and paddle out. Duke shared his love of surfing with native Hawaiians and Waikiki became the epicentre of surf culture. While there are plenty of surfing spots around the island, the Waikiki breaks are good for all levels, easy to access and consistent year round. Rent a board from Tony and Tammy Moniz and their family’s Faith Surf School. They have a ton of aloha, surf experience and ocean knowledge. faithsurfschool.com

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OA H U

Coastal peaks > Get up early to hike the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail on the most south-eastern side of the island. The point was named after Makapuu, a supernatural being with eight bulging eyes who is said to have lived there.

At the peak, you’ll be rewarded with outstanding ocean views – you can see the island of Molokai on a clear day – and far fewer tourists than at Diamond Head.

Look out for whales migrating just off the coast.

K UALOA PRIVATE N AT URE RESERVE

Off-road in the jungle > Although they offer heaps of tours, Kualoa Private Nature Reserve’s most enthralling experience is the UTV (ultra terrain vehicle) tour. Drive your open-air vehicle over streams and through mud – expect to get dirty – into the valley where they filmed Jurassic World while pretending to dodge velociraptors. Book in advance, especially if you want to pair this with the zip-line adventure, where you zoom 60 metres above the Ka’a’awa Valley jungle, landing high in the treetops. kualoa.com

Grind it up LOCAL TIP. For great coffee, Arvo (arvocafe.com) in Kaka’ako boasts amazing blends and super avocado toast. Cruise around the area and check out the shops and amazing local artwork.

> After a session in the ocean, Waikiki’s Ruffage Natural Foods is the spot for hearty poke bowls, sandwiches and noodle soup. There are lots of vegan and gluten-free options (their vegan chilli is considered one of the best on the island), plus thirst-quenching fruit smoothies. Even though it’s not much to look at, devotees don’t seem to care. fb.me/ruffage.naturalfoods

E S T. 1 9 9 9

www.shopmadeinearth.com M E LBOU MELB OURN NEE • LO LOSS A N G E L E S • S A N D I E G O @madeinearthofficial

Photo Credit: @kayleigh.christina @ashleyspedale

OA H U

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The Travel Buddies NAME K R IS G O T O O C C U PAT IO N A R T IS T

ALO H A BEER C O

> Wander through Kaka’ako and explore the murals and craft breweries of this former industrial district turned hipster hood (you can also check out my new mural on the corner of Cooke Street and Ala Moana Boulevard).

Start at Honolulu Beerworks (honolulubeerworks.com) for coconut hefeweizen before stopping at Aloha Beer Co (alohabeer.com), Tropics Bar and Grill (hilton hawaiianvillage.com) and, of course, Brewseum (brewseums.com), a hybrid brewpub, beer museum, World War II relic museum and speakeasy tiki bar.

LOCAL TIP. For a souvenir, grab some beachthemed art at Greenroom Hawaii (greenroomhawaii) and some aloha wear at Roberta Oaks (robertaoaks.com).

Culture hit > You’ll probably wonder if you’re really in Hawaii as you explore Shangri La, a mansion filled with Islamic art, culture and design. Built in 1937, this museum houses billionaire tobacco heiress Doris Duke’s artefacts from her North African journeys. Here, the tiled walls and gorgeous late-Ottoman Syrian décor complement the panoramic ocean views, Mughal carpets and architectural feats. Tours are limited and must be reserved well in advance through the Honolulu Museum of Art. shangrilahawaii.org

SH A N GRI L A

TR OPIC S BAR A ND GRILL

Art and beer

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L IVES TO CK TAVERN

Dinner, dancing, drinks... > With loads of new restaurants, galleries, boutiques and bars, Chinatown is the epicentre for Honolulu’s cool kids – and you can easily walk between the local haunts. Start at Livestock Tavern (livestocktavern.com) for a leisurely dinner of smoked ox ribs or ricotta ravioli and then head to The Manifest (manifesthawaii.com) for dancing and a Manhattan cocktail (go early to avoid a cover charge). Cap the night off at Smith’s Union Bar (fb.me/smithsunionbarhawaii), the oldest bar in Chinatown, to sing karaoke before you head back for a well-earned rest.

LOCAL TIP. For a Hawaiian tiki bar experience with a vintage vibe, head to La Mariana Sailing Club (lamarianasailingclub.com), where the bartenders have been making Mai Tais since opening in 1957.

Retro tiki vibes > Sure, Waikiki is a little touristy but that’s because it’s so beautiful. Surfjack Hotel is bringing old-school Waikiki style back – in a cool, laid-back way, of course.

With 112 bungalows and suites, all decked out with 60s charm, and a central pool and courtyard flanked by the hotel’s restaurant Mahina and Sun’s, the location and nostalgic vibe is hard to beat. In the kitchen, local icon Ed Kenney slings sustainable ingredients, using the best local veggies. His house pickles pair well with the fresh juice mimosa. surfjack.com

Relax-a-thon > If you’re OK being in your birthday suit around your friends, Aloha Sauna and Spa is Oahu’s secret refuge. This Asianstyle spa might not look like a place of indulgence but inside, they offer body treatments at a great price. Soak in the hot tubs before enjoying a body scrub, aromatherapy massage and a cucumber facial to help your skin keep that postsun glow. Same-day appointments are available during the week and the on-site café serves light snacks and drinks. alohasauna.com

S URFJACK H OTEL

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OA H U

03.

The Family

NAME TA M M Y M O NI Z O C C U PAT IO N O W NER OF FA I T H S U RF S C H O OL & M U M OF F I V E

Go it alone > From December to February, the North Shore waves are typically big and full of experienced surfers (so not ideal for little ones) but from May to September, these white-sand beaches are empty and great for exploring on a daytrip.

Superior water quality makes this one of the planet’s most beautiful places.

Before heading north, grab poke, drinks and snacks at Ono Seafood in Kapahulu.

Finish off the day with a refreshing treat from Waiola Shave Ice. waiolashaveice.com

T HERE ARE K ID-FRIENDLY WALKS AR O U ND OA H U

LOCAL TIP. Waiahole Poi Factory (waiaholepoifactory.com) is a must when driving around the east side of Oahu. It’s the best Hawaiian food experience on the island. Don’t miss their Haupia ice cream.

SH AVE ICE

Make waves

Fun with food > This restaurant is a top choice for family fun. Nowhere else is the story of Waikiki – the beach boy legacy, fun, sun and waves – as apparent as at Duke’s Waikiki. The salad bar is the best on the island and their hula pie is to die for. If the kids can’t wait, head upstairs to sister restaurant Hula Grill (hulagrill.com). dukeswaikiki.com

> Waikiki’s beaches are a great destination for the whole clan. Younger kids can soak in the warm waters.

Newbie surfers will find small and long waves to practice riding. Bigger kids will find spots to jump into the sea and larger breaks to boogie board or surf further out. Plus, there are plenty of tropical fish for snorkellers to check out. Hoping to spot dolphins? Hop aboard the Kepoikai II catamaran. Captains Jay and Biggy have been taking people onto the sea since 1977 and offer day and sunset sails. kepoikai.com

OA H U

053

Splash and slide > When waves have gone AWOL, Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii

BERNICE PAUA HI BISH OP M USEU M

delivers a dose of youthful adventure. This massive fun-filled venue on the west side of the island is Hawaii’s only major water park. Kids from around the state come to ride the thrilling tunnel slides, surf the man-made swell, frolic in the wave pool, play mini-golf and splash around in the water playground. wetnwildhawaii.com

Erupt in lava > Honolulu’s Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum has been a family favourite for years. The Hawaiian Hall is a tribute to ancient Hawaiian history. Check out the feathered helmet and cape once worn by royalty and see pre-colonial artefacts, then head over to the Science Adventure Center for a lava-making show (yes, it's real lava). Be sure to time it right as there are only two showings a day. bishopmuseum.org

LOCAL TIP. Take the kids to Baby Makapuu Beach, across from the Sea Life Park Hawaii (sealifeparkhawaii.com) entrance, to search the little tide pools for sea creatures.

S S PA

comes nch when it u p a s k c a apore p ily happy. all but Sing m s e b t h whole fam ig e th p e e —It m k d’s ntures that ff the islan e o v s d k a c ti d d le n il a to fun-f er troops s, too— r gathers h e d n a at activitie x e le b A ff o e m Lindy o ering s hile discov must-dos w

FA MILY

N U F

A N OR A N G U TA N WIT H ITS BABY

F AV O U R I T E Singapore Zoo

> Gazing into the deep brown eyes of Ishta, you could be forgiven for wondering if you’d ever had a more charming breakfast companion. One of the Sumatran orangutans at the zoo, Ishta nibbles on sunflower seeds while the human families can feast on more indulgent buffet breakfast options including pastries, eggs and tropical fruit. The open concept zoo uses opportunities like this to highlight the plight of many of the 300 species of animals it is home to, 34 per cent of which are threatened – such as the Sumatran and Bornean orangutans and white rhino. zoo.com.sg

FRESH Kayaking in Sungei Khatib Bongsu

EXPLORIN G S U N GEI K H ATIB B O N G S U

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ANIM AL S

SIN GAP ORE ZO O

T H E T R AV ELLER

> Seeing animals in their natural habitat is one of the joys of kayaking through Singapore’s largest tract of mangrove riverine wilderness. Shy but curious otters poke their head out of the water to get a closer look at you as you glide past in inflatable kayaks, while huge white-bellied sea eagles call to each other with goose-like honks. Spotting animals here relies on keen eyes and little people take delight in looking for the wonderfully named apple snails and horseshoe crabs hiding in the water. kayakasia.org

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SIN G AP O RE

MUSEUMS F AV O U R I T E ArtScience Museum

> A whale with colourful barnacles glides past my son, who stands entranced as the creature slips into the darkness ahead. Behind him, a green incandescent lizard suddenly twitches and then makes a run for it across the floor. This is not a wildlife park – we’re at a permanent exhibition at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum called Future World. It’s an interactive and immersive haven for kids to experiment with digital technology and make their art come to life through activities like colouring in pictures, scanning their creations and watching them appear on a live screen, and designing their own colourful transportation network. marinabaysands.com/museum.html

ARTSCIEN CE M USEU M AT M ARIN A BAY SA NDS

CRYSTAL U NIVERSE IS PART OF T HE FU T URE W ORLD EXHIBITIO N

> There’s something incredibly nostalgic about seeing row upon row of once-beloved toys at the Mint Museum for Toys – there’s a 1950s Popeye and Olive Oyl tank (thought to be one of only two still in existence) and the long-haired doll that belonged to the little girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Over the museum’s six levels, you can revisit your childhood (hello, Strawberry Shortcake dolls) while the kids press their noses longingly against the glass to get closer to the vintage Star Wars figurines. With more than 8000 classic toys from over 40 countries, it’s definitely worth booking a complimentary guided tour when purchasing your ticket to learn more about how toys have come to hold such cultural and historical significance. emint.com

Afur Wong, Jerome Lim (previous page), Narelle Bouveng, Marklin Ang

FRESH Mint Museum for Toys

WAT ER PA RKS

T H E T R AV ELLER

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F AV O U R I T E Adventure Cove Waterpark

> You don’t need to know what a hydro-magnetic coaster is (nor that this is South-East Asia’s first one) to realise the Riptide Rocket at Adventure Cove Waterpark is more like a rollercoaster than a water slide. Perched on a thick, blue inflatable tube, jets of water propel you towards a labyrinth of steep drops and sudden twists that leave you feeling exhilarated, if also with a pounding heart.

For those less enamoured with high-speed water slides, you can snorkel with marine life such as iridescent yellowfin surgeonfish and patterned clown triggerfish, while tiny ones will love dodging the water sprays and blasters as they try to find their way out of the Wet Maze. rwsentosa.com

T HE SPIR AL WASH O U T AT ADVEN T URE C OVE WATERPARK

FRESH Tampines One

> Welcome to the jungle. At this rooftop playground, kids can frolic safely with hippos or cool down with polar bears.

The Tampines One playground has three different water play areas (including the hippo area, the rainforest and arctic corner) surrounded by cute topiary animals. Little kids will have a blast crawling through the shallow pool, dodging the spray from the hippos’ mouths, while zooming down the polar bear and sea lion slides is a hit with the older siblings. Be sure to apply lots of sunscreen as most of the wet play area is in the direct sun but there are some shaded areas and dry play spots nearby. tampines1.com.sg

T HE T R AVELLER

F AV O U R I T E Sentosa

LO N G-TAILED M ACAQ UES AT P UL AU UBIN

> You can get to Singapore’s favourite island resort a number of ways but the one that will have the kids most excited is the monorail.

In the five minutes it takes to arrive from the VivoCity station, the train will have breezed past enticing family-friendly destinations such as Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium, Kidzania (an interactive city built for kids), as well as tantalising glimpses of palm-fringed, white-sand beaches. Add to that water parks, nature reserves, animal experiences like the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, plus indoor skydiving – all within a five square kilometre space – and it’s easy to see why Sentosa has earned itself the moniker, The State of Fun, and reputation as the ultimate one-stop-shop for families. sentosa.com.sg

FRESH Pulau Ubin

> If you’re after an idyllic coastal experience without the crowds, head to Pulau Ubin, a boomerang-shaped island known for its natural beauty, authentic culture and laid-back ways. Located a 10-minute boat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, the living museum-like island is home to one of Singapore’s last kampongs (a small rural village of community houses). While kids will enjoy ambling past the old wooden houses, trying to spot wild monkeys, it’s worth hiring bikes or taking a van to the nearby Chek Jawa Wetlands.

Here, the boardwalk meanders around a thick mangrove shoreline where you can catch a glimpse of bright orange fiddler crabs, carpet anemones and mudskippers.

P UL AU UBIN

ISL AND S

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SIN G AP O RE

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GARDENS F AV O U R I T E Gardens by the Bay (Bay South)

A S UPERTREE

> There’s a moment as you walk across the wide timber bridge, with lush ferns and bromeliads planted below and tall palm trees swaying to the side, when you feel as if you’ve arrived in another world.

You can’t help but stop in your tracks as you get your first glimpse of the Bay South’s iconic Supertrees – 18 futuristic vertical gardens reaching up to 50 metres and blooming with hundreds of species of orchids, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. Further on, a cool blast of air welcomes you into the Cloud Forest, a huge glass bio-dome that simulates walking through tropical highlands, where kids love being sprayed with mist from the 30-metre-tall indoor waterfall and learning about what’s happening to similar environments as the world’s temperatures rise. To cool off properly, head to the water play area at the Far East Organisation Children’s Garden, where big and little alike can dart under the twisting poles squirting water and the fish sculpture fountains. gardensbythebay.com.sg

Danny Santos, Miguel Sousa/Unsplash, Victor Garcia/Unsplash

T HE CLO U D FORES T

FRESH Gardens by the Bay (Bay East)

> While Gardens by the Bay has ranked in the world’s top 20 most checked-in places on Facebook, not many people realise that the gardens are actually made up of three waterfront precincts. Across the marina channel is Bay East Garden, an immense green space with bike paths, verdant lawns and tranquil spots for a game of frisbee or a family walk.

In the late afternoon, it’s the perfect spot to bring a picnic dinner and have some downtime while taking in panoramic views of some of Singapore’s most iconic spots. As night falls, the Supertrees of Bay South glow purple and green from across the water, while Singapore’s enormous ferris wheel – the Singapore Flyer – lights the sky. In a city where space and serenity are at a premium, this two-kilometre stretch of waterfront is one of its best-kept secrets. gardensbythebay.com.sg

W ELL NES S

S THE W I T C H

T HE SA N C T UARY

T H E T R AV ELLER

—Working mum Flip Byrnes swaps play dates for downward dogs on a magical Thai island at her first wellness retreat ever and finds it more transformative than she could have imagined—

Darshana Borges/MERIAN/seasons.agency

R

eclining on the roof of a supply boat chugging towards Koh Samui island, whipped by warm wind and watching the coastline unfurl like a loosely strung ribbon, I’m having an interesting conversation with Kalle from Berlin. “So,” he says soft ly, “Apparently in my past life I was a sailor, and before that, a French woman called Anna.”

“Oh,” I respond in an equally conspiratorial whisper. “I had reiki and saw bright lights and a fluff y duck...”

Fluff y ducks and past lives? What? If this sounds out of your sphere, only a week earlier it wouldn’t have been in mine either – let alone Kalle’s, who’d never done so much as a yoga pose. But then, this exchange takes place as part of a mid-ocean debrief as we are leaving The Sanctuary Thailand (thesanctuarythailand. com), a wellness retreat that proclaims to be for those seeking “something else”.

The Sanctuary is not just a yoga haunt, detox centre and alternative therapy hub, though. It can also be an idyllic beach holiday, where you end up dipping your toes in the waters of wellness.

A VIE W OF T HE RES ORT FR O M T HE BEAC H SIDE

The lush, mountainous Koh Phangan island, where you’ll find the resort, is a world away from my usual life of picking up tiny shoes and eating leftover peanut butter crusts. For a start, it is only accessible by boat (or a bumpy 40-minute 4WD track if the sea is rough), following a flight and an island-hopping ferry.

But the palm-fringed paradise that lies in wait as you wade to the beach, carrying your suitcase aloft , having jumped from the longtail fishing boat, is well worth the journey. This adventure literally starts with a splash.

We’re not the first to be swept away by the open energy of this pocket of Thailand.

Remember The Beach? The book and movie (starring Leonardo DiCaprio) depicting a utopian backpacker community? It’s not such a fantasy. The Sanctuary is said to be the original community that inspired the storyline and author Alex Garland began writing his book more than 20 years ago right here. While many beaches claim to have inspired the tale, The Sanctuary’s Haad Tien is the beach.

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“There are definite characters from the book I could give actual names to,” says general manager Michael Doyle. “It’s true, he [Alex] passed through here and got inspiration from the early community.”

But instead of backpackers waving spirit fingers, you’ll find a thriving, yet laid-back resort receiving burnt out executives, the curious and those in some sort of transition phase. Welcome to The Beach 2.0.

“This is an oasis, a ‘catch up with yourself’ spot,” explains Michael. “Here you take a breath and get exposed to many experiences you haven’t tried before, but you have to dive on in.”

For the first few days of my DIY six-day retreat (you can book in for scheduled programs or, like me, reserve accommodation only and then add experiences according to your whims), I do anything but dive in – unless it’s into the sparkling blue water. Michael talks about people like me – a working mum with toddlers juggling roles, suffering from the type of exhaustion that a good night’s sleep won’t fix. I’m carving out these precious six days to refuel on a more than superficial level.

In The Sanctuary speak, I’m filling my cup. Luckily, this isn’t an austere boot camp-style clinic but more of a “choose your own pace” kind of retreat. So, my cup is filled with cocktails, kid-free activities like yoga, reading and stand-up paddleboarding.

I start recalibrating gently by sleeping in and waking up inside a verdant cocoon as the jungle leaves radiate green hues off my bamboo ceiling. Out the window, little lizards scamper along tree branches laced with dew-like diamonds. I potter between the beachfront restaurant serving delicious salads and

OVERLO OK IN G H A AD TIEN BEAC H

T HE SA N C T UARY RES TAUR A N T

seafood curries, the massage pavilion and the white-sand beach. Travelling alone (as many guests do), I’m welcomed into conversations and at other times, I choose my own space. I move slowly, think slowly and find my energy returning like a phone charging one bar at a time.

By day four, curiosity sets in and it’s time to join the fun. Detoxing – a popular choice – might be for another time but I don’t have to look far to find that “something else”. Every Sunday is The Gathering, where healers explain their practices. Flicking through the folder of treatments in the Tea Temple is akin to reading a menu for the soul. Trauma and Tension Release Exercises (TRE) with Fiona? Life Coaching with Faith? Or a little Past Life Channelling?

MONEY TALKS The Sanctuary is cash only.

No credit cards are accepted and the closest ATM is a longtail boat ride away or via a hectic 45-minute 4WD track.

T H A IL A N D

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DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT Aside from daily yoga, there’s a calendar of workshops and a host of healing therapies on offer from holistic intuitive massage to cupping, dance and reflexology.

A N EC S TATIC DA N CE W ORKSH OP

Of all the healers, I’m drawn to Daisy Kaye, a breathwork and female energy specialist who says the feminine needs deep, scheduled rest. “The nervous system has to return to still point every day,” she says. “Maybe you’ll need 30 minutes of practice just to get those two minutes of deep rest.”

I’d love to take her up on it but I already have a busy day of rest scheduled. It starts with yoga, my first class in four years. Our instructor, Jonny, takes his time to warm us up. “In a metropolitan hour class, you may have 10 minutes to warm up your spine,” he says. “Here, let’s take a leisurely 25 minutes.” I can feel light and air wiggling into cramped muscles and leave feeling an inch taller. As Jonny says, “I regret doing yoga this morning, said no-one ever.”

I try reiki, where energy is transmitted through the hands of a healer. I’m glad gentle Ema warned me there may be white lights, a sense of warmth and even animals, because I had it all – right down to a fluffy white duck.

Apparently, my energy was “parched” and I sucked new energy right in.

Nearing nightfall and on a high after my day of experimentation, I reconsider Daisy’s encouragement to attend that evening’s Sacred Cacao Five Element Dance Ceremony.

“By the end of the ceremony, you have created a community and a connection. You’ll have resonated with others here,” she says.

Gathering courage as twilight settles, I make my way to a hilltop wooden pavilion.

The door thrusts open and candlelight floods out, illuminating Daisy in a fully-body halo like a James Bond goddess. She beckons me inside.

A SACRED CACAO CEREM O N Y WIT H DAISY K AYE

“Take a deep breath, close the eyes, let the jaw go – inhale, ahhh,” she whispers. “Welcome into this space, where all your intentions can be made manifest. With each breath you take, remember that you are blessed.” She lets go and moves to the next participant. And so, the ceremony begins.

I’m all at sea, literally, as we’re encouraged to dance the elements to music, starting with water. Sweeping arms conjure mountainous waves and our hands are fish. We switch to air, running on tiptoes before fanning the imaginary embers of intentions with fire and stomping on negativity with earth.

The bonus of experiencing remedies at The Sanctuary is that you not only find the best international practitioners here – I had healers from the UK, Holland and Australia – but you also meet a multicultural crosssection of society among fellow travellers.

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T H A IL A N D

The twirling dancers around me include an American interior designer, an English financial planner, a lithe Russian dancer and timid-looking Kalle, who later admits the dance ceremony was quite an introduction into the world of health and wellbeing – and his favourite experience of the week.

The evening culminates in one of the New Yorkers doing the caterpillar, leaving a small pool of sweat on the floor (it’s Thailand, it’s hot), which he thoughtfully wipes up. “We didn’t want to create any OH&S issues,” he laughs the next day. He says he’s done this type of dancing before, “but we don’t let go, not like this”.

Daisy was right. The next day, my fellow participants have become my best buddies.

Sarah, a British banker, wears a suit almost all year but for two weeks, she literally lets her hair down, adds a few feathers and revives.

“Just knowing I will come here is enough to keep me going when I’m stuck in a rut,” she says.

Just when I start to wonder how hair feathers would go down on the school run, it’s time to go. Michael had warned me that JE T S TA R H A S G RE AT L O W FA RES T O B A N G KO K.

BED TIME Spend as little or as much as you like with accommodation ranging from $15 for a dorm bed to $340 for a multiroom, treetop chalet. Our pick?

The Hillside Bungalows with balconies from $109 a night.

“no-one leaves here unchanged”. All you have to do is drag yourself out of the hammock and try things you only flash over in a magazine.

“Dip your toe in the water and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find that thing that can become a discipline for your life,” he says.

I can’t see euphoric dancing becoming a regular routine but I am rising 15 minutes earlier for meditation, heading out the door for a sunrise jog and eating more mindfully.

Caught up in the magic of new motherhood, self-care had somehow been denigrated to being a luxury. I’d forgotten the invigorating effects of yoga and the value of a healthy meal over toddler-chewed leftovers eaten on the run.

Leaving young children for a week pulls mercilessly on the heartstrings and the absence of tiny hugging arms and wild imaginative tales hits me hard at unexpected moments. But it was an enriching time invested wisely because I have returned as a more present, energised and engaged person. For me, The Sanctuary re-lit a spark and now that fire is something I try to stoke every day.

JE T S TA R.C O M

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T HE T R AVELLER

The Tweed 4 8 H O U RS IN

—Natural beauty, gourmet food and eclectic art are the calling cards of this under-the-radar region in far north NSW. Local Vanessa Frey hits up all the hotspots, followed by an enchanting underwater wildlife encounter—

BAKED AT A N C OR A

H USK DIS TILLERS

M-ARTS PRECIN C T

THE ULTIMATE HIT LIST...

C UBBY BAKEH O USE

Follow the art trail The Northern Rivers boasts more artists per capita than any other region in Australia, and Murwillumbah, in the Tweed Valley, is the epicentre of this eclectic community. Each year, the Murwillumbah Arts Trail (murwillumbahartstrail.com.au) showcases some 33 sites around the town – including the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre (artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au) and burgeoning M-Arts Precinct (m-arts. com.au), which brings creatives (such as 2018 Archibald Prize finalist Ben Smith), exhibitions, workshops, art supplies, a market, regional food and, soon, live music under one roof.

N ORRIES HEAD

Taste the terroir This is paddock-to-plate territory, where produce is organically grown, ethically made, consciously cured or locally sourced. Taste your way around the Tweed on a self-drive tour, taking in the Murwillumbah Farmers Market held on Wednesdays (murwillumbah farmersmarket.com.au), Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses (tweedvalleycheeses.com.au) in Burringbar, Cubby Bakehouse (cubbybakehouse.com) in Chinderah and Cudgen’s Farm & Co (farmand. co), where you can pick sunflowers and macadamias. Short on time? Blue Ginger Picnics (bluegingerpicnics.com) – 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Award winner – can lay out a spread of local fare in a scenic location.

H ALCYO N H O USE

Hit a natural high Home of boutique hotel Halcyon House (halcyonhouse.com.au), Cabarita Beach is one of the North Coast’s best point breaks if you want to ride its reliable and exhilarating waves. The viewing platform on Norries Head, overlooking the 200-metre stretch of sun-kissed sand, is a great vantage to watch the annual humpback migration.

Those who prefer their surf with less swell can paddle Caba’s tranquil canals, a few blocks back from the beach, guided by wellnessfocused Journey Outdoors in Nature (journeyoutdoorsinnature.com.au).

Tour a distillery First came the French-style agricole rum and then the chameleonic Ink Gin. Now, pioneering Husk Distillers (huskdistillers.com) has a cellar door and bar where you can sip seasonal cocktails, enjoy snacks and tour the plantation distillery. Many of their ingredients, including the pHsensitive butterfly pea flower that colours the gin, are grown on the Messenger family’s 60-hectare cane and cattle property in tiny North Tumbulgum. Try pronouncing that after a tasting flight or two!

Explore Wollumbin World Heritage-listed Mount Warning (Wollumbin National Park) is a sacred site for the local Bundjalung people, who ask that you don’t climb this extinct shield volcano. Instead, walk the Lyrebird track at its base through Gondwana rainforest, soak up the views from lookouts in the Border Ranges and Nightcap national parks, picnic on the “secret” hill at Mavis’s Kitchen (maviseskitchen.com.au) in Uki or stay in the Mountain View Villa at Urliup’s Mistere retreat (misterespa andretreat.com), where you’ll wake to views of the misty 1156-metre peak.

Find a sweet spot The secret to the perfect croissant, according to artisan baker Gavin Rudd, is “a thin, crisp, shattery crust, a soft, buttery crumb and a balanced sweet-salty-nutty flavour”. Normally, you’d have to go to France for the real deal, however, Baked at Ancora (bakedatancora.com.au) is replicating authentic pastries, savoury treats and bread right here in Tweed Heads.

Grab a locally roasted Ground Control coffee, something sweet and a shady spot in the bakery’s riverfront garden.

And now for something different...

THE DEEP DIVE...

Snorkelling with turtles

UP CLO SE WIT H A SEA T URTLE

“T HE R O CK Y REEFS A N D C OR AL GARDENS OF T HIS PR OTEC TED ZO NE ARE H O ME TO A C ORN U C OPI A OF M ARINE L IFE.”

D OLPHINS FR OL IC IN T HE AQ UATIC RESERVE

> The sea has its own soundscape, which amplifies when you’re submerged. There’s the lyrical ripple of water in motion. The Darth Vader-like breathing as air is sucked through a snorkel. And today, as the weather would have it, the hail of raindrops spattering the ocean’s surface like liquid bullets. In between the ambient effects is silence; a space so devoid of distraction, it heightens another sense: sight.

Serendipitous, really, because there’s much to observe in the 80-hectare Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, just off Fingal Head on NSW’s upper North Coast. The rocky reefs and coral gardens of this protected zone are home to a cornucopia of marine life, including leopard and grey nurse sharks, dolphins, manta rays, technicolour reef fish and curious crustaceans and molluscs. Above sea level, nesting seabirds frequent the islet, while its surrounding waters form part of the “humpback highway” during whale migration season starting in early winter.

But on this trip, run by Watersports Guru (watersportsguru.com), I’m here for a close encounter with three of the world’s seven species of sea turtles – hawksbills, loggerheads and the more common greens. Some of them, I’m told, are more than 100 years old. During the 15-minute boat ride to Cook Island, travelling along the Tweed River and out through the heads to turn south past Fingal Beach, our marine biologist guide, Jessica Lambe, regales us with all sorts of trivia.

Green turtles, for example, can weigh up to 200 kilograms and hold their breath for hours by slowing their heart rate. The loggerhead is facing extinction due to habitat destruction, commercial fishing and environmental pollution – to these placid reptiles, plastic bags look just like the jellyfish they eat. And global warming is resulting in rising numbers of female turtles, whose sex is determined by the temperature of the sand before the eggs hatch. Who knew?

Jessica’s fascinating, slightly disturbing, commentary is interrupted when we spot a lone humpback cruising the shallows between the

T H E T W EED

narrow spit of land and Cook Island. Hot on its fluke is a pod of inshore bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the boat’s wake.

By the time we arrive at our mooring, I feel like we’ve already had an eyeful despite not yet seeing a single turtle. Geared up with goggles, snorkel and flippers, I clomp my way to the side of the boat, sit indelicately on the edge and plop myself in, leaving the backward-roll technique to the more agile among the group.

During the hour or so I spend snorkelling – at times floating serenely on top and at others duck-diving for a macro view of this biodiverse world – I spy a wobbegong stationed on the seabed, a manta ray with its billowing black cloak and several green turtles. At depths of one to 10 metres, with sunlight piercing the water, visibility is good. Getting close, though never encroaching (Watersports Guru has a “no-touch policy”), I can make out the details in the turtles’ thick, leathery skin, inky eyes with drooping lids and moss-covered shell plates.

With their slow, considered movements and wise old looks, I can’t help but feel reverence towards these dinosaurs of the sea.

Back on the boat, heading towards the shore, I glance over my shoulder for one last “turtle” sighting. I may not have seen a loggerhead or hawksbill this time but, with a little imagination, that rocky outcrop – once called Turtle Island – does indeed resemble the head and neck of a turtle poking out from its domed shell. It’s the perfect protection for these vulnerable animals, as is the aquatic sanctuary below.

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C O OK ISL A ND

W H AT S N O RK ELL IN G W I T H T U R TLES T O U R BY W AT ER SP O R T S G U R U (W AT ER SP O R T S G U R U.C O M) C O S T $119 F O R A D ULT S A N D $ 99 F O R K ID S O V ER T H E AG E OF FI V E W H ERE C O O K ISL A N D AQ U AT IC RESER V E, FA R N O R T H C OA S T OF N S W HIG HL IG H T S SP O T T IN G H U MPB ACK W H ALES (J U N E T O O C T O BER) A N D B O T TLEN O SE D OLP HIN S D U R IN G T HE 15-MIN U T E B OAT T R IP T H ERE A N D B ACK

k c ro A DVEN T U RE

—Could Taupo be New Zealand’s next big adventure destination? After taking a wild, adrenaline-fuelled ride on the Tongariro River, Belinda Luksic thinks so—

T H E T R AV ELLER

th e

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t a bo

As a first-time rafter, this is not exactly encouraging, and my adrenal gland is getting ready to give up and go home. After all, we’re a 45-minute drive from Taupo – itself, a mere dot 275 kilometres south of Auckland in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island – and a broken leg wasn’t at the top of the list when I signed on for this 2.5-hour whitewater rafting trip down a section of the Tongariro River.

The river twists its way 604 kilometres from the Central Plateau of the North Island before entering the 616 square-kilometres of Lake Taupo – a crater lake locals say is the size of Singapore – near the township of Turangi.

Bounded by epic mountains, forests, rivers and World Heritage-listed parks, Taupo is nothing short of spectacular.

I needn’t have worried though. Despite the nerves that have accompanied us prett y much from the get-go, this is our third set of rapids and any early trepidation – and there was plenty of that – has given way to excitement and (hopefully not misplaced) confidence.

So when Ben gives a shout to “forward”, our small crew of eight teens and adults moves like a well-oiled machine, leaning out and paddling deep and fast through the thrashing, heaving waters for several hectic, exhilarating minutes.

Back in calm waters, there are hoots of laughter and a jubilant high-five banging of raised paddles. We’re all sporting the same look of elation and grinning from ear to ear.

Tongariro River is better known for its gin-clear waters and world-class trout fishing than whitewater rafting, but the 13-kilometre course we are travelling along takes in some of the more inaccessible parts of the river, including a 60-metre-high gorge studded with native beech forest and plush cascading ferns.

The river is classified as grade three, which is an intermediate whitewater rafting level marked by fast currents and irregular waves, rocky ledges and tight passages. It might not have the death-defying drops or potential for capsizing as a grade four or five course, but as Ben laughingly says, “You’ll still have your work cut out for you.” After weeks of rain and flooding, the river is swollen and that means we face stronger currents and greater difficulty in navigating the rapids.

The air was chilly when we met bright and early at 9am at Tongariro River Rafting (trr.co.nz) “base camp”, a small shed in the fishing hamlet of Turangi. Here we kitted out in a polar fleece top, thick neoprene wetsuit and booties, a rain jacket, life jacket and bright red helmet. It won’t win us any awards in the fashion stakes, that’s for sure, but it will keep us warm and buoyant in the event of an unlikely tumble into the river.

Fed by cool streams and tributaries that run down from the surrounding snow-capped mountain ranges, the waters of the Tongariro River are notoriously cold, even in summer.

Down on the river, a 20-minute drive from base camp, Ben delivers a safety briefing plus a run-through of rafting and paddle commands,

Deborah Vendrig

The Leg Breaker is in our sights, a turbulent swirl of whitewater rapids punctuated by sharp, jagged rocks. It looks nasty and it is, says Ben, our instructor. It didn’t get its name for nothing.

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R AF TING O N TO NGARIRO RIVER

MAORI RO CK CARVING AT MINE BAY, L AKE TAUP O

TA U P O

6970 SQ UARE K ILO METRES OF PRISTINE WILDERNESS CAN BE EXPLORED IN TAUPO H UK A FALLS

calmly outlining various dos and don’ts with a humour and charm that makes me feel at ease.

All we have to do is follow his direction and work as a team. The better we do that, he says, the less chance there is for injury or accident.

And then we’re off, hurtling along more than 60 roller-coaster rapids of varying intensity, peppered with large, perilously sharp volcanic rocks, the legacy of centuries of eruptions from nearby active volcano, Mount Ruapehu.

We’ve paddled hard through the tight corners and swirling waters of The Cheese Grater and sat tight, paddles flush with the inflatable raft , as the river bounced us over something called – a litt le innocuously and somewhat erroneously – The Number Four.

Then there is MacGyver’s Mistake (named after one guide’s bad judgment call), the Double Barrel, The Big Slip and a tricky rapid called The Bastard. Close Shave gets its name from an outing when all but one unlucky raft made it through unscathed. Concussion Corner is as alarming as it sounds; at times, our raft is bounced about like a pinball – and Ben warns us to keep our arms inside the raft as we slam into a wall of rocks and tailspin out like a dodgem car.

As we approach rock ledges, where the water runs fastest, the river becomes a seething swirl of bath salt greens, glacial whites and blues.

There is barely enough time to register the icy beauty before we’re off again, paddling hard and fast through the roiling eddies.

Between rapids, we rest our paddles and drink in the ever-changing scenery as our yellow raft bobs gently downstream. From time to time, I catch the silvery glint of rainbow trout or the mott led sheen of its brown counterpart milling below on the bottom of the riverbed.

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TA U P O

UP THE ADRENALINE

GREAT L AKE TR AIL

River rafting is just one of the many ways you can get your thrills in Taupo. Here are six more…

Twice we catch sight of the elusive blue duck, a rare and endangered bird endemic to New Zealand, and one of only four species in the world that lives exclusively in fast-flowing rivers. The Blue Duck Project, a conservation effort set up by local Tongariro River Rafting owner Garth Oakden, has helped increase the numbers of these special animals that glide along on the water, impervious to the pace of the river or the rapids.

Clouds move slowly across the tourmaline sky and, now and again, I hear the reassuring chorus of native birds singing to one another from high up in the treetops. Eventually, the river widens and I can hear the hum of traffic in the distance and see Turangi’s green fields and farming land. Ben tethers our raft where the river is placid and passes around cake and warming cups of hot cocoa. Some of our group brave the chilly waters, sliding in off the edge of the raft . They splash about before climbing back onboard, happy and dripping wet.

At the end of our trip, the river opens up and we land in what looks like an eight-lane water highway framed by dense green forest. I see anglers fishing off small boats in the distance and others, at solitary points along the river bank, thigh-high in waders and casting their fly line back and forth like a whip.

There is still a soak at the local hot springs to come, followed by hot showers and a bite to eat at base camp. But right now, in the happy hug of camaraderie, drifting between the rush of rapids and lush green stillness, I’m content to sit and let the river carry us along.

JE T S TA R H A S G RE AT L O W FA RES T O N E W ZE AL A N D.

NEED T O K N O W Tongariro River Rafting operates grade three whitewater rafting adventures for adults and teens (from $129 to $145), with a free shuttle service pick-up from Taupo. You can also enquire about kid-friendly grade two rafting expeditions. trr.co.nz

> Sky high Get your heart racing and join the thousands of solo and tandem skydivers who make the leap each year. skydivetaupo.co.nz > Take the plunge Dive headlong into Waikato River from New Zealand’s highest water-touch bungy jump or try the feet-first Cliffhanger extreme swing. taupobungy.co.nz > Scenic trails Panoramic vistas are just part of the fun along the magnificent 71-kilometre Great Lake Trail, a two-day cycle interspersed with boat shuttle transfers linking sections of the track. lovetaupo.com > Off-grid hikes Stunning remote wilderness is a helicopter-flight away on a full-day guided trek in the Kaimanawa Forest Park with Chris Jolly Outdoors.

The challenging heli-hike isn’t on their website, so enquire via phone or email. chrisjolly.co.nz > Ride the wave Shoot through the Waikato River in a custom-built V8 jet boat, an exhilarating fast-paced ride with 360degree turns and jumps. rapidsjet.com

JE T S TA R.C O M

> Bird’s-eye view Take a 20-minute scenic flight for views of Lake Taupo, Huka Falls and the boiling geothermal hotspot, Craters of the Moon. tauposfloatplane.co.nz

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DRE A M

How to ma

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Take one long weekend. Add a destination that traverses land and sea. And top it off with hikes, swims and wildlife encounters.

Dilvin Yasa shares her plan for the ultimate escape in Tropical North Queenslandâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

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T H E T R AV ELLER

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S TR OLL O N PAL M-FRIN GED BEAC HES

“STRESSED-O U T CI T Y SL ICKERS CA N D O W N TO OLS, ESCAPE T HE C OL D A N D GI VE OVER TO A WEEKEN D OF REST A N D REL A X AT IO N .”

SP OT N ATIVE WILDL IFE NEAR K UR A NDA

I’m happy to say this is the toughest decision I face on the Great Barrier Reef’s Fitzroy Island, a rainforest oasis fringed with coral reef. Out here – 29 kilometres south-east of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland (or a fun, 45-minute, 80s music-heavy ferry ride away) – stressed-out city slickers like me can down tools, escape the cold and give ourselves over to a weekend of rest and relaxation in what is considered to be one of the most unspoilt islands on the reef.

The island is home to the 99-room, 4.5-star Fitzroy Island Resort (fitzroyisland.com), which caters mainly to families. It’s got it all – an on-site restaurant and bar, swimming pools, a turtle rehabilitation centre and a campsite, which is managed by the same resort. The island’s best asset, however, is the one thing it lacks: crowds.

There are no maddening hordes to get in your way as you kayak or snorkel around the famous Nudey Beach (don’t believe the moniker – not only are swimsuits very much required but the region’s infamous stingers might make you regret your decision not to wear a stinger suit).

Neither are there any tourists incessantly posting on Instagram when you stop at a lookout on the walking trails that snake through rainforest and coastal woodland.

Alana Potts

STANDING ON THE BEACH , the crunch of pure white coral beneath my toes, it’s clear a decision has to be made. Dive into water so clear I can see vibrant orange clownfish smile at me as they swim past, or take to the rainforest behind me – a lush, emerald wonderland home to birds and butterflies?

“I can’t believe only hours ago I was battling commuters in overcoats,” I say as a green sea turtle pops its head out of the water in front of me. “Tell me about it,” the creature sighs. “I’ve battled crowds on the East Australian Current – this place is paradise.” At least, that’s what I think it says. But this imaginary exchange swings the decision – a swim it is.

T R O PIC AL N O R T H Q U EEN SL A N D

S TAY > Located on the waterfront and just a 10-minute walk to the city centre is five-star luxury resort Riley (crystal brookcollection.com). There are 311 rooms and suites across the main building and tower, which has rooms with panoramic sea views.

The hotel is also home to Eléme day spa and the city’s highest rooftop bar and restaurant, Rocco.

E AT > Reserve a candlelit table at Salt House (salthouse. com.au), a chic seafront restaurant where the servings are gargantuan and the brownie too good to share. For one of the best coffees in town (the secret is in the soy milk, or so the barista tells me), check out the quirky Blackbird Laneway café (fb.me/blackbirdlaneway) in Oceana Walk Arcade.

Dotted with boulders and acacia trees, there are the Secret Garden and Nudey Beach tracks, the Lighthouse Road – which is perfect for spotting migrating humpback whales and views of Green Island – and the challenging Summit Track, which offers the super-fit stunning views over the reef and mainland.

Here, without the crowds, all you’ll hear is an orchestra of your own huffing, the squawk of a sulphur-crested cockatoo, the slither of a tail as it slides behind a rock and that telltale buzzing near your ear, reminding you to spray more repellent so you don’t end up a walking Uber Eats for the island’s winged residents.

But the best have-not on Fitzroy Island? No mobile phone reception. And one person who’s thrilled with my newfound disconnect is Doug Gamble, the property developer and owner of Fitzroy Island Resort. Doug purchased and redeveloped the resort as what he likes to call a “retirement project” back in 2010.

As we sit aboard his catamaran, Eye Spy (available for scenic sails or sunset cruises from the resort), and watch the evening sky bathe our surroundings in a soft pink glow, Doug explains his passion for the 339-hectare island.

“I spent six months touring Australia’s coastline searching for the perfect wilderness escape and this is the only one that impacted me here,” he says, gently tapping his heart. “The combination of forest and reef is mesmerising and I wanted to keep it as wild as possible so that people like you could switch off, relax and be at peace around nature.”

> For a range of luxurious treatments, including massages, facials and more, head to Vie Spa at Pullman Cairns International (pullmancairnsinternational. com.au). Package the 60-minute spa treatment with a mouth-watering high tea at the hotel’s kitchen and bar, Coco’s, for $155 per person.

Savoury, Chocolate Lovers and Superfood high tea menus are also available separately.

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W HE N T O VISIT? Winter (June to August) is a good time to visit Cairns.

Temperatures are still warm (rarely dropping below the mid-20s) and humidity is low.

The wet season kicks off around late November/ December and lasts through to March, bringing with it heavy rains, scorching temperatures and humidity – it’s bad for the hair but great for the lush, green landscape.

Alana Potts

M O S SM A N G ORGE

T R O PIC AL N O R TTHH EQ UTEEN R AVSL ELLER AND

You could opt to spend your whole weekend on Fitzroy Island but to miss out on Cairns – considered the official gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – would mean missing out on the region’s other magnificent attribute: lush rainforest as far as the eye can see.

One of the best ways to experience the rainforest is to take a scenic cable car ride with Skyrail (skyrail.com.au), which stretches from Smithfield to the village of Kuranda over the World Heritage-listed rainforest in the Barron Gorge National Park. In the gondola, which dangles 545 metres above sea level at its highest point, Red Peak, it’s hard to know what’s more exhilarating: the patchwork tablelands that are slowly revealed the higher you climb or being surrounded by a rainforest that’s 75 million years older than the Amazon.

Guided tours are available at the Red Peak Station and historical displays complement the boardwalk loops. There’s also a new smartphone app that offers augmented reality experiences and audio tours triggered by GPS coordinates to give you the run-down on the native flora and fauna that call this rainforest home. You’ll come away from the experience not only with some in-depth knowledge but with the passion of a dedicated conservationist.

And since it’s always a few degrees cooler in the rainforest, the added bonus is that you also

come back significantly less sweaty and ready to take on the rest of what Cairns has to offer.

Whether it’s on the ground or in the skies, there’s plenty to do here. The omnipresent GBR Helicopters (gbr.com.au) are constantly flying passengers to dream experiences – think swimming under a waterfall at spectacular Mossman Gorge or a two-hour picnic on a private sandy cay where the sun kisses the sea – while an early morning hot air balloon ride with Hot Air (hotair.com.au) offers a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, as you glide over it.

I’d love to say I take to the skies or bungy jump from Cairns Bungy Tower (ajhackett. com), but I don’t, because I’m a chicken.

Instead, I go for a scenic, 25-minute drive to Crystal Cascades for a secluded freshwater swim in a rainforest. Then I come back to meander along Cairns’ waterfront esplanade, which is always bustling with musicians, pelicans and kids squealing in the lagoon pools. I walk through produce and craft markets, browse laneways filled with quirky boutiques and cafés and, for the first time in a long time, embrace life in the slow lane.

I take the time to note how the sun feels on my skin, what the birds sound like as they pester me for a snack and giggle at the tickle of sweat trickling down my back.

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SK YR AIL R AINFORES T CABLE WAY

MORE QUICK TROPICAL ESCAPES

Feeling adequately thawed out and recharged, I make one last stop before I drive back to the airport. I head to Marlin Marina, where four old-school fishing boats have been repurposed into a unique dining experience. Prawn Star (fb.me/prawnstarcairns) has come to play an integral role in Cairns tourism since opening in 2014. Serving $5 beer and wine (two types of each) and platters of fresh seafood – tiger prawns, oysters, crab, cray, bugs and salmon sashimi – its communal tables are chock-full as Baz, the resident singer, croons Elton John classics in boat three.

As I settle in with my fellow diners, the conversation easily flows and contact details are swapped as new friendships are forged.

Owner Danny Moore looks on like a proud papa. “You’ve heard of analysis paralysis?” he asks, as we watch the scene play out before us.

“We worked out pretty early on that if you keep things simple – we only have eight items on the menu – people are happy to focus on the things that really matter like human connection and finding joy in their immediate environment.”

I’m mulling over whether he’s still talking about Prawn Star or life in general when his colleague, Kay Green, tells me to practice caution. “If you spend too long in Cairns, you may never leave,” she warns. “Everyone comes back eventually and most end up staying.”

And with that, I pick up my phone for the first time in days to look at flights. I already know I’m coming back but the question is do I really need to wait for next winter to do so?

JE T S TA R H A S G RE AT L O W FA RES T O C A IR N S.

> The Whitsunday Coast A little further south on the Queensland coastline, there’s no better time to rediscover this marine paradise with the reopening of Hayman Island (hayman. com.au) and Daydream Island (daydreamisland.com). > Darwin So much more than a gateway to Kakadu National Park, this balmy city is all about spectacular sunsets, lush botanical gardens, crocodile tours and immersion into the local Pudakul culture. > Fiji Say “Bula” to a quick flight time and a plethora of family-friendly resorts. In Fiji (below), you can enjoy endless palm-lined beaches, coral reefs and dense jungle trails. Don’t forget to lock in a few action adventures such as zip-lining and jet boat safaris.

JE T S TA R.C O M

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NEWCASTLE —Once home to Australia’s largest steelworks, this coastal hub has thrown off its industrial tag to become a thriving cosmopolitan centre. Michelle Meehan eats her way through the city and finds its food scene has come a long way, too—

> NAKA NOODLE. Lovers of authentic Asian fare should head to this restaurant on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, which combines a distinctive interior (think flamingo design feature wall, moody black ceiling and faux greenery) with traditional cuisine steeped in the heritage of its Chinese-born owners.

Their soups and dumplings attract rave reviews and the deboned fried pork chop is one not to miss. fb.me/nakanoodle77

N AK A N O ODLE

> QUILL AND COMPASS.

best new restaurants

> BELLA ITALIA. Creating a little corner of Italy in the heart of Newcastle, Italian born and raised chefs Andrea Dazzi and Nico Gentile inject a dash of authenticity into their venue on Hunter Street.

Pizza lovers will be in heaven with 26 offerings on the menu, while vegans can expect 14 plant-based options including a stuffed fried eggplant main course and a vegan pavlova. Try “gnocchetti” doughnuts topped with Nutella for dessert. bellaitaliaristorante.com.au

WINNER WINNER Chicken takes two hours to prepare at Wu-Cha before it hits the fryer and all “Sandwuches” are served on their signature potato bun. wu-cha.com.au

This new centrally located venue for great food and live music features quirky nautical-themed décor that pays homage to Newcastle’s coastal locale, while freeing its menu from being tied to one cuisine. Choose from all-day breakfasts, tapas plates and heartier mains, along with a selection of Bloody Mary mixes to wash it all down. fb.me/QuillandCompass

> THE GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL. Get in touch with Newcastle’s blue-collar roots at the recently reopened Great Northern Hotel.

It’s not just the interior that‘s been modernised, the menu’s transformed from tired pub grub to gastronomical delight. From charcuterie to chilli mussels and portobello mushroom burgers, the revitalised landmark now offers pub favourites with a twist. gnhotel.com.au

Set within the surrounds of a former bank, arched windows, vintage chandeliers and marble pillars set the scene for the sophisticated Italianinfluenced modern Australian menu.

Don’t miss the sweet potato gnocchi with speck or the classic potato variety tossed with garlic prawns. vault73.com.au

Q UILL A ND C O MPAS S

Bronte Godden

> VAULT 73.

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waterfront

> THE LANDING BAR AND KITCHEN. Wander east from The Kingfish to find this expansive outdoor dining venue. Boasting a menu stacked with share plates, it’s the perfect spot to gather some friends and try them all. Don’t miss the roasted pumpkin, feta and fresh basil arancini or the salt and pepper squid. thelanding.com.au

> RUSTICA. Come for the views of the horizon off Newcastle Beach and stay for the menu inspired by Mediterranean flavours and spices of North African cuisine. Try the slow braised lamb shoulder with oregano potatoes and sautéed greens for melt-in-your-mouth perfection to be shared by two. rustica.com.au

TA K E A B O W Winner of Restaurant and Catering Australia’s 2018 Awards for Excellence, Nagisa offers traditional Japanese food with a modern edge. nagisa.com.au

> SURFHOUSE RESTAURANT

BY LESLEY TAYLOR. Perched at the top of a three-level architectural masterpiece with views over Merewether Beach’s famed surf breaks, this restaurant from local chef Lesley Taylor offers a masterful menu to match. Start with a seafood entrée with a difference, such as the spanner crab omelette with clams and indulge in their main made for two – the Cote de Beouf served with Parisienne potato, brussels sprouts, bacon and candied walnuts, finished with a bearnaise and red wine jus. surfhouse.com.au

> SCRATCHLEYS. Built on a former ferry terminal site, Scratchleys is an iconic destination for seafood lovers and offers the ultimate over-water dining experience, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors overlooking the busy harbour. It’s hard to go past their two-tiered hot and cold platters featuring the freshest local king prawns, Balmain bugs, blue swimmer crabs and “A” grade oysters, alongside a selection of chargrilled seafood antipasto. scratchleys.com.au

T HE L A NDIN G BAR A ND K ITC HEN

Alexander McIntyre, April Josie, Megann Evans, Bronte Godden

wonders

S URFH O USE RES TAUR A N T BY LESLEY TAYLOR

> THE KINGFISH. Overlooking the harbour in the Honeysuckle foreshore precinct, this industrial-chic restaurant is the latest contender for the crown of Newcastle’s best seafood specialist.

With fresh and inspired flavours, there’s plenty to get diners hooked, including their impressive range of cold, fried, grilled and mixed platters.

The chef’s current top pick is ovenbaked whole roasted New Zealand snapper with Balkan-inspired red peppers, chilli flakes and kalamata olives, which oozes authentic and wholesome flavours. thekingfish.com.au

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NE W C A S TLE

hidden gems > RESTAURANT MASON. GIN GER MEG’S

> GINGER MEG’S. Located down a dimly lit laneway and with no signage, you’d be forgiven for walking straight past Newcastle’s first Pan-Asian style eatery. But step into the dark and sophisticated surrounds of Ginger Meg’s and you’ll know you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience. The sultry lighting and evocative artwork complement a creative menu inspired by the exotic flavours of China, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. gingermegsx.com.au

> UNA VOLTA.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT For a pub feed without the traditional options, Finnegan’s Hotel offers a taste of the Caribbean in Newcastle’s first Jamaican restaurant, Winnie’s. finneganshotel.com.au

Just one visit will have you committing the location (it’s on King Street) of this authentic Italian restaurant to memory, its unassuming exterior notwithstanding. Created by a local who spent many years working and cooking her way across Italy, Una Volta offers an intimate candlelit setting and an ever-evolving menu of antipasti, primi, secondi and dolce (that’s appetisers, pastas, mains and desserts to the regular folk!) fb.me/unavolta110

Two towering trees obscure this Hunter Street venue but its reputation ensures it’s impossible to pass by – it’s received a Chef’s Hat every year since opening in 2011. Signature dishes such as the warm reypenaer cheese mousse with barbecued onion consommé and crisp royal blue potato make it easy to see why. restaurantmason.com

> SURTAJ INDIAN RESTAURANT. Hidden up a set of stairs on Hunter Street, this family-run institution with a spacious, inviting interior offers authentic North Indian Mughlai food. The restaurant is known for its wide selection of naans and tasty traditional curries, such as chicken surtaj, beef vindaloo and saag paneer. surtajindianrestaurant.com.au

> THE GREEK TAVERNA. Not many people know that the Hellenic community centre in Hamilton offers an authentic Greek banquet of starters, mezze and mains, two nights a week.

Leave room for sweets, including galaktoboureko, a traditional tart. greektavernanewcastle.com.au

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> HAPPI KITCHEN. If you like home-style cooking, this new addition to Newcastle’s thriving café scene, just off the main drag at Wickham, is worth checking out.

Wood, stone and concrete layered with plush lounges and vibrant pot plants create a contemporary yet comfortable vibe while the menu focuses on fresh, wholesome dishes such as pumpkin, spinach, feta and semi-dried tomato quiche. fb.me/happikitchenwickham

cool cafés > PRAISE JOE URBAN PANTRY. This Tighes Hill café, located just 10 minutes from the city centre, has some of the best coffee in town and is ideal for those looking for dairy alternatives, with 10 varieties of milk on offer. When it comes to food offerings, the house-made crumpets and flaky sausage rolls are some of the most popular items on the menu.

> SHERWOOD COFFEE BAR.

GRIND WITH A TWIST Serving up a unique combination of an indoor concrete skate park, clothing store and extensive café, Sanbah Grindhouse is worth a drop-in. sanbahgrindhouse.com

The focus here is on simple, seasonal food and quality, aromatic coffee.

Tucked away between commercial businesses in Newcastle West, the café provides a cool, casual setting to enjoy a laid-back bite to eat; the acai bowl with granola, fresh fruit and coconut is a good choice. fb.me/sherwoodcoffeebar

JE T S TA R H A S G RE AT L O W FA RES T O N E W C A S TL E.

> BLUE DOOR. Setting the benchmark for simple food done well, this trendy café in the heart of Newcastle’s theatre precinct offers a healthy, balanced menu inspired by fresh seasonal ingredients. It may be located within an iconic Edwardian brick warehouse built in 1904 but the décor is fresh and modern with plenty of space for outdoor dining. The house-made muesli is a feel-good option but when you want to indulge, opt for the big breakfast plank – which includes a hearty serving of delicately poached eggs and baked beans, topped off with a sausage, potato rosti, bacon, mushrooms and sourdough. blue-door.com.au

JE T S TA R.C O M

Crave New Media

This Newcastle institution with a cosy vintage-style interior and a tropicalinspired courtyard at the rear has been a favourite breakfast spot for years. Set in the heart of the popular Darby Street dining precinct, enjoy one of the café’s famed Spanish or Siciliana omelettes with a steaming cup of coffee or Bengali chai tea. fb.me/goldbergscoffeehouse

BLUE D O OR

> GOLDBERGS’.

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T HE C U T

> W H AT IS BIBIMBAP? Pronounced “bee-beem-bap”, this dish of rice typically topped with sautéed vegetables like shiitake mushrooms, zucchini, bean sprouts and carrots and thinly sliced beef is comfort in a bowl. It’s finished with soy sauce, gochujang chilli paste (or sometimes a fermented soybean paste called doenjang) and a raw or fried egg that you mix into the dish before taking that first bite.

> H O W IS I T M A DE? There are various types of bibimbap but commonly, mixed ingredients like those listed above are cooked up separately and arranged over rice in a hot stone bowl called a dolsot. The bowl is heated to piping-hot in an oven before being transferred to a gas stove top and lined with oil.

The extra heat gives the rice placed at the bottom that nice crispy crunch.

Yangpun bibimbap on the other hand is served in a brass or stainless bowl usually big enough for two or more.

> WHAT’S THE MODERN T WIST? Throw out the beef for an all-vegan version, complete with spinach, bean sprouts, tofu and strips of seaweed.

> H O W D O YO U E AT I T?

BIBIMB A P

S OU T H KORE A

W O R D S_ R A C H EL G R AY

A N AT O M Y OF A DIS H

—It has brought us the good-gut food craze kimchi and seriously delicious Korean barbecue but South Korea’s most famous culinary show stopper just might be this hearty, healthy dish—

With stainless steel chopsticks (in Korea, they are more popular than wooden ones) and a spoon. Mix the ingredients together well, then use your chopsticks to heap the food onto your spoon. Wait for it to cool slightly (it’s hot!) and enjoy.

> W H AT’S I T S S T ORY? Thought to have evolved from a dish called goldongban, dating back to the 14th century, over the years bibimbap has been the lunch of kings, the snack of farmers, offered to ancestral spirits during Jesa ceremonies (a kind of memorial) and shared among family and friends.

> W H AT D OES I T G O W I T H? Pair your bibimbap with soju – a clear distilled spirit typically made from rice and grains. It’s the most popular alcoholic drink in South Korea. Throw in a side dish of kimchi and some K-pop beats playing in the background.

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HOBART

IMAGES_ CHRIS CRERAR

—With a reputation for world-class beer, whisky and wines, you’re never far from a tasty tipple in Tasmania’s capital. Local Danielle Ross Walls shows us where to go to enjoy a great-value drink—

BAR WA IZAK AYA

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BAR WA IZAK AYA

THE CUT

> BAR WA IZAKAYA Hobart meets Tokyo in this funky bar with a focus on sake, Japanese beer, cocktails and whisky. The atmosphere is cosy and casual and the sake bottle chandelier is definitely Insta-worthy.

On Sundays from 3-5pm, delight in $15 jugs of Sapporo and $8 Suntory Whisky Highballs teamed with $3 serves of karaage chicken, which comes accompanied with Bar Wa Izakaya’s special chilli miso.

D O N ’ T M I S S : Half-price oysters from 4-6pm daily. barwaizakaya.com

> RAINCHECK LOUNGE This popular venue in trendy North Hobart features fine local wines, beers and spirits. The menu offers classic café dishes and modern Australian options along with their signature friendly service. Get extra lucky from 3-6pm Tuesday to Saturday with $10 cocktails and $8 tapas plates.

They also serve breakfast, lunch and dinner – and their reputation for good coffee is widely known.

D O N ’ T M I S S : The Buddha bowl and beer deal for $25 on Thursdays. rainchecklounge.com.au

FERN TREE TAVERN

> FERN TREE TAVERN A 10-kilometre drive from the centre of town will have you breathing the fresh mountain air of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, surrounded by dramatic scenery of towering eucalypts and lush ferns. Halfway up the mountain, you’ll be greeted with hearty countrystyle cooking and local beverages combined with genuine hospitality at this family-friendly tavern. From 4.30-6.30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Tasmanian beers are discounted. If you’re not a beer fan, check out the wine list loaded with great Tassie reds and whites, single malt whiskies and gins. Families should arrive on Thursdays from 5.30pm, when kids under 12 eat free from the kid’s menu.

D O N ’ T M I S S : The roast of the day – check the blackboard. ferntreetavern.com.au

> THE LOUNGE

BY FROGMORE CREEK The sophisticated yet unpretentious atmosphere here makes it feel like a classy extension of your living room, albeit set in the stunning Macq01 complex with views of the city and waterfront sweeping up to kunanyi/ Mount Wellington. At The Lounge by Frogmore Creek (sibling to the popular vineyard in Cambridge), you can relax on velvet sofas and, from 4-6pm Monday to Friday, spoil yourself with $5 Stella Artois off the tap, plus $10 Tassie wines and cocktails.

D O N ’ T M I S S : The “Clooney” Nespresso Martini. frogmorecreek.com.au

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> BRUNSWICK HOTEL This convict-built pub – thought to be the second oldest in Australia – opened as the Coach Inn in 1827 but is now a gastropub loved by locals.

Enjoy your drinks by the original sandstone open fire or check out the rustic-chic backyard beer garden.

From 4-6pm Fridays, treat yourself to selected schooners of draught and bubbles for only $5. After a mid-week special? Every Wednesday night from 6pm, the pub offers a $25 “Pint and Parmie” deal made with free-range, locally sourced chicken.

D O N ’ T M I S S : A schooner of Tassie’s Captain Bligh’s at happy hour prices. brunswickhotelhobart.com.au

This vibrant, playful restaurant and bar, located in the CBD’s Ibis Hotel, is known for its cocktail list featuring an infusion of Asian flavours and old favourites. If cocktails aren’t your thing, you can access the best deals any day of the week from 4.305.30pm, with schooners of James Boag’s beer, plus $5 house wine and sparkling. Pair your beverages with small plates of South-East Asian street food, which utilises the best fresh Tasmanian produce.

D O N ’ T M I S S : The bao buns with fried chicken, pickled sweet potato and sesame. mrgoodguy.com.au

MR G O OD G U Y

> MR GOOD GUY

> BAAA BAR “EN JOY YO UR DRINKS BY T HE ORIGIN AL SA N D STO NE OPEN FIRE.”

RU DE B OY

Close to the CBD and the waterfront, this cosy bar is set in the lobby of The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel.

Relax at the end of a workday with their signature Black Devil craft beer for $7.50, or from 5.30-6.30pm, you can get two glasses of house wine for the price of one. Schooners are also the price of a 10-ounce glass and each week the bar features one of their signature cocktails as a weekly special.

D O N ’ T M I S S : Two-for-one wines. oldwoolstore.com.au

> RUDE BOY If a cheeky Pina Colada is calling your name, take yourself on a journey at this funky Caribbean rum and food bar in the heart of the CBD. Here, the flamboyant décor complements cocktails with a difference. From 4-6pm daily, indulge in $6 sparkling and lagers and the $10 Rhubarb, Raspberry and Sparkling Spritz.

D O N ’ T M I S S : The “Rhinelander” cocktail, featuring sustainable ingredients such as egg-shell soda. rudeboyhobart.com.au

Receive a free flight2 and a free 12 month Club Jetstar membership1 when approved for a Jetstar Mastercard^

Get these fantastic Jetstar benefits with your card A free 12 month Club Jetstar membership1 ^ A free one-way domestic flight between selected city pairs2 ^ $0 first year annual fee for the Jetstar Mastercard and a discounted first year annual fee of $69 for the Jetstar Platinum Mastercard3 ^ No Payment Fee# Choose between the Jetstar Dollars or Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards program

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For more information and to apply, go to jetstar.com/cards Macquarie Bank Limited Australian Credit Licence 237502 is the issuer of the Jetstar Mastercard.^For new applicants who are approved between 12:01am AEST 26 June 2019 and 11:59pm AEST 31 July 2019 and spend $1,000 AUD on eligible purchases on their card within 60 days of card approval. Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply, may change without notice, and are available upon request. 1.You will receive a AUD $49 Jetstar voucher for use for the first 12 months Club Jetstar annual fee. Your voucher will be emailed to you within 60 days of meeting qualifying criteria. 2. Cardholders will be notified by email within 60 days of meeting qualifying criteria for the free flight and must redeem this offer within 12 months of receiving this email. 3. The primary card holder annual fee for the Jetstar Mastercard is waived first year ($0), then $69 annual fee ongoing. The primary card holder fee for the Jetstar Platinum Mastercard is $69 for the first year, then $169 annual fee ongoing. Annual fees are subject to change. #Terms & Conditions apply, visit jetstar.com/cards and the Jetstar MasterCard Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information.

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T HE C U T

COOKIE PIZZA

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W H AT'S

HEMP C OCK TAIL

[ TRENDING]

FOR LUNCH? —Salt and pepper, bacon and eggs, cheese and wine – some things simply go together but these cool, new culinary crossovers are breaking all the rules—

> Forget Iced VoVos and go for a bickie so big it's served by the slice. These giant pizza-style cookies are the new way to indulge and you can get your sweet fix at Bennett St Dairy in Bondi, Sydney. Baked fresh and served in a pizza box, each made-to-order cookie starts with a chocolatechip base, then mix-ins like Twix, Oreos and M&M’s can be added to really take it to the next level. Bigger is better, right? Especially when it comes to dessert. bennettstdairy.com

> The global hemp trend is on the rise and hemp gin is set to be the hottest drink of the year. Try the magic combination of gin infused with hemp seeds at Gin Lane in Chippendale, Sydney. Simply ask the bartenders for a hemp gin and tonic – a superfood take on the classic cocktail. ginlanesydney.com.au

W O R D S _ K A I T LY N PA L M E R-A L L E N

> No longer just a must-have drink, bubble tea tarts are the new way to get your boba fill and you can find them at Singapore's Edith Patisserie. Each tart consists of a tea-infused ganache encased in delicious crust and topped with chewy black tapioca pearls – just like you’d find in your cup. edithpatisserie.com

Jude Cohen, Wesley Nel

BUBBLE TEA TARTS

MOVE TO ROMANCE Book with Europcar and receive an exclusive $200 hotel credit!* Planning your next big trip? Simply book a vehicle from intermediate class or higher for 3+ days to be eligible. Valid at a huge range of hotels all across the world, this is a great way to start your holiday!

To book visit europcar.com.au/hotelcredit200 *To be eligible, book via the dedicated promotion page europcar.com.au/hotelcredit for a minimum of 3 days in an intermediate vehicle class (ICAR) or higher. $200 credit will be in AUD. For full promotion terms and conditions visit europcar.com.au/hotelcredit

EXPERIEN CE

THE BIG PICTURE > “I always find myself staring at this piece, just the detail, the textures and the definition – it’s phenomenal,” says my art guide, Victoria Cresdee, as we stop to look at a portrait of Aboriginal artist Kudditji Kngwarreye while walking down a corridor lined with the works of Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo.

“He tries to immerse himself and get to know the person. That’s what I believe makes him a great storyteller.”

I’m not chatting about art and elegantly sipping on champagne at a gallery opening. Instead, I’m clutching my cup of morning coffee having just exited my hotel room and turned right.

I didn’t have to go far to get a fix of some thought-provoking art, as I’m staying at The Fantauzzo in Brisbane.

The hotel is the newest in the Art Series

INSIDE T HE FA N TAUZZO

—Is a hotel still just a place to stay for the night or can they also be a cultural playground? Sudeshna Ghosh checks in for an arty experience to investigate—

“TR AVELLERS ARE SEEK IN G OPP ORT U NI T IES TO LE ARN A N D S O CI AL ISE.”

Hotels stable – a brand dedicated to immersing its guests in art, one Australian artist at a time. Not only am I surrounded by over 500 artworks – most of them giclée (inkjet) prints of Vincent’s vast body of work and some originals – I also have a easel and watercolour paints in my room. And with the iconic Story Bridge and the bustle of the Howard Smith Wharves waterfront right outside my window, I have plenty of inspiration, too.

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M OX Y TOK YO K INSHIC H O

THE CUT

< THE DETAILS > WHAT: THE FANTAUZZO WHERE: BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND

T HE H OTEL EX TERIOR

T H REE O T H ER H O T EL S T H AT OFFER M O RE

PRICE: FROM $249 PER NIGHT ARTSERIESHOTEL.COM.AU

T HE FA N TAUZZO P O OL

You notice the art from the second you enter the lobby of this six-storey hotel, where the glass wall-framed cliff face provides a striking backdrop for the lifelike portraits that welcome you – whether it’s the face of Australian actress Asher Keddie (Vincent’s wife, manager and muse) or the beaming smile of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan.

Tours of the hotel’s key pieces led by trained art advocates are complimentary for guests, while a dedicated art channel on your hotel room TV provides deeper insight into the artist and his works.

Taking the theme to the next level is an on-site library with a range of art books, plus a small selection in every room.

Art Series Hotels might have been pioneers when they debuted the concept in 2009, but recently the trend is seeing hotels shift to being more than a place to sleep. As travel becomes synonymous with the experiential, today’s travellers seek opportunities to learn, network and socialise through their hotels.

According to Wayne Bunz, national director of CBRE Hotels investment group, “An explosion of digital content and social media has given rise to the idea of authenticity and experiencebased travel, particularly among younger demographics, making boutique and lifestyle hotels more popular.”

This new breed of travellers is also blurring lines between work and play, leading the modern hotel to reinvent itself as something that is part accommodation and part business, social and cultural hub offering a real sense of place.

At The Fantauzzo however, the emphasis is firmly on “play” (although there is an angular black desk in my sleek designer room), as the hotel is home to lively Italian restaurant Polpetta, a sexy rooftop pool and bar and an on-site gym. Ryan Tuckerman, group director of marketing at Art Series Hotels, explains the hotel’s ethos: “The art world can be quite intimidating for many people, and our goal is to make art accessible. Guests leave feeling like we have educated them on Australian art.”

I certainly left with my eyes opened, not just to Vincent’s mindboggling talent (he’s painted everyone – from Guy Pearce to Matt Moran) but also how enriching a night in a hotel can be.

Sure, housekeeping and pillow menus are great but I’m not sure how well I’ll sleep the next time I check in to a hotel if I don’t have a triptych of Heath Ledger portraits pulling funny faces at me.

> Eaton Workshop This Hong Kong-based property is a hotel, co-working space and wellness centre hybrid that offers a cultural calendar, in-house radio station, film screening room, live music venues and art gallery – plus restaurants and bars. eatonworkshop.com > Macq01 Hobart The chequered history of this hotel’s location is brought to life through its design and free storytelling tours that offer an authentic Tasmanian experience. macq01.com.au > Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho This hotel combines traditional Japanese hospitality with fun add-ons like foosball tables and a dance floor in the lounge, origami and calligraphy workshops in the library and access to bike hire. marriott.com

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T HE C U T

Bondi Beach M Y PL ACE

W O R D S_ R A C H EL G R AY

—Entrepreneur and champion of natural beauty Chey Birch celebrates living beachside in Sydney’s heart of health and wellness—

B O NDI TO BR O N TE WALK

C HEY BIRC H

ts crescent-shaped stretch of sand is famous around the world as the place where laid-back beach culture meets off-duty celebs but beneath the surface, there’s so much more to Bondi Beach than glitz, chai lattes and spotting the latest Insta influencers. Local Chey Birch, the founder of Black Chicken Remedies (blackchicken.com. au), lets us in on her favourite spots in this beachside Sydney suburb that attracts almost three million visitors every year.

I

What is the Black Chicken Remedies brand all about? > It’s a range of natural products made with therapeutic botanical extracts and essential oil blends for the face, body, mind, hair and oral care. I founded it here in Bondi in 2000.

Describe a typical day for you. > I’m up at 6am to check the weather, tide, wind apps and drink tea. Then I have a quick ocean swim, shower, get ready and eat breakfast at a café in Bondi before work at Black Chicken HQ in Waterloo. My day ends at about 7pm with a bath energised with drops of our De-stress Essential Oil Blend (available online for $29.95) – a ritual I can’t do without.

CA MPBELL PAR ADE

What do you like most about living in Bondi? > The friendly casualness. On hot summer mornings, I can walk out my door wearing only swimmers, thongs and a towel flung over my shoulder, stroll down Campbell Parade and onto the beach.

How do you relax? > I hop on my paddleboard with Simba – one of my two Burmese cats. The seagulls go crazy when they see us but Simba keeps it all “cool cat-like” by ignoring them.

The locals take a second look though and I often hear them saying, “Oh my God! It’s a cat on a paddleboard!”

What’s your fave local day spa? > Sage Beauty (sagebeauty.com. au). It’s just a wonderful, inviting and relaxing place.

What are your tips for tackling the Bondi to Bronte walk? > Go early to avoid crowds and take money for breakfast along the way. A great spot to stop is near Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club, where rocks jut out over the water near a big surf break. I enjoy watching surfers catch waves.

Any travel beauty secrets? > Hydration; I drink lots of water and use products from our Travel Skincare Kit ($74.95). In particular, I use the multi-remedial Balm of Ages to keep nasty bugs at bay.

CHEY’S TOP BONDI CAFÉS T H E CR A BBE H OLE > Stop for croissants and coffee or toasties and tea with ocean views. This café is only accessible through the Icebergs swimming pool but don’t worry – diners are not charged admission. fb.me/thecrabbehole B O N DI M A S SI V E > With organic free-range eggs and smashed avocado served on sourdough toast, it doesn’t get more Sydney than this. This beachy hangout is located opposite the famous Icebergs swimming pool. fb.me/bondimassive P O R C H A N D PA RL O U R > Enjoy brunch until 3pm, feasting on French toast and a healthy banana and turmeric smoothie. This local gem is a short stroll from North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club. porchandparlour.com

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S TREE T S T YLE

AUCKLAND COOL + CONFIDENT

@KENDR A ALEX A NDR A

—This New Zealand city is way ahead of the fashion curve.

Want proof? Simply browse the boutiques around shopping hotspot Ponsonby Road—

> RUBY. Fresh and seriously stylish, all sartorial bases are covered here.

Shop their Art Class collection for silk gowns, wrap dresses and miniskirts, the Pool House range for pleated skirts and printed trousers, or simply opt to cosy-up in an oversized wool jumper from their knitwear selection to escape those mid-winter blues. rubynz.com

> JULIETTE HOGAN. This is so Auckland, it hurts. With crisp white shirts and structured coats and jackets in neutral colour palettes, it’s the place to go for wardrobe basics with a twist. juliettehogan.com @ JA HEBBARNE T T

THE CUT

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THE ESSENTIALS.

REBEL FASHIO N You don’t need a motorbike to pull off this old classic.

(Insight ‘Bobby’ biker jacket, $179, generalpants.com)

< THE LOOK > AUCKLAND’S FASHION SCENE

G OLDEN H O UR

WALKS THE LINE BETWEEN EDGY AND TIMELESS. THE CITY’S MOST FASHIONABLE @ W O N OK IMS UPER

KNOW HOW TO BLEND PRINTS

Be on time with the ultimate practical accessory. (‘Classic Mesh’ watch, $99.95, tonywill.com.au)

AND BRIGHT COLOURS WITH MORE CLASSIC SHAPES AND GOOD QUALITY BASICS FROM LOCAL DESIGNERS.

> WORLD. Step out of your fashion comfort zone with a curated collection that walks on the wild side. Everything here makes a statement – sequins, metallic, animal prints, dramatic silhouettes, bold colours – go as far as you dare. worldbrand.co.nz

> WIXII. This family-owned business is anti fast fashion, instead opting for laid-back luxe in natural fibres and clean lines. Take your time to browse the racks and don’t miss the well-priced leather selection and range of hand-picked vintage fashion finds. wixii.co.nz

> TATTY’S DESIGNER RECYCLE. Drop off your preloved designer threads at this upmarket secondhand store then reap 50 per cent of the sale price. While you’re there, search the racks and you might stumble across that one-off Gucci wallet, burnt gold Zambesi pants or satin Alice McCall top you’ve been dreaming about. tattys.co.nz

M ADE FOR WALK IN G Pound the pavement in boots that work with skirts or pants.

(Billini ‘Eamon’ boots, $99.85, theiconic.com.au)

> A LITTLE SHOP. Walk through the teal-coloured front doors and into this charming boutique that stocks hand-picked local and international brands.

Pair your fashion finds with delicate costume jewellery, boots, bags and scarves. Top tip: don’t leave without an Amberjack scented soy candle for some post-shopping spree relaxation at home. alittleshop.co.nz

EYE OFF On-trend sunnies are the perfect finishing touch. (‘Curlewis’ sunglasses, $59.95, theiconic.com.au)

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T HE C U T 4

2

1

3

5

Ice ice baby

9

—Snowboard or skis? Whatever your style, look cool and stay toasty when you hit the slopes this winter— 1. ‘Andersen II’ snow boot, $149.99, roxyaustralia.com.au 2. Salomon ‘Aksium Access’ snow goggles, $59.99, theiconic.com.au 3. Rojo ‘Adventure Awaits’ ski pants, $159.99, rebelsport.com.au 4. Ultra Light Down volume jacket, $109.90, uniqlo.com/au 5. Giro ‘Ledge’ MIPS helmet, $159.99, auski.com.au 6. XTM ‘Stomp’ snowboard gloves, from $39.99, boardersonline.com.au 7. ‘Styper’ snow shell pants, $349.98, kathmandu.com.au 8. Tahwalhi ‘Jasper’ ski jacket, $149.99, rebelsport.com.au 9. Rojo two-tone roll-up beanie, $29.99, rebelsport.com.au

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S T YL I N G_ N ATAL IE J O H N S O N

FAS HIO N

GET SMART IN THE DARK

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NORTH AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF ARTS

TOWNSVILLE COMES TO LIFE JULY 2019 The North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) is the culmination and celebration of the artistic and cultural life of northern Australia, held over the month of July in Townsville, Australia’s largest tropical city, where Townsville’s winter is the perfect summer.

NAFA will present a menu of shows, events, exhibitions and performance unlike anywhere in northern Australia.

To view the full program, go to: nafa-tsv.com.au

NAFA is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland

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the insider > JETSTAR NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT AND MAPS

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PA G E

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> Keep up to date with Jetstar news and our StarKids charity.

Plus, go behind the scenes with our staff profiles.

EN T ERTA IN MEN T

PA G E

> Let us entertain you with a huge selection of movies, TV shows, podcasts, music videos and much more.

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A IRP O RT TO CI T Y

PA G E

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> Heading from the airport to the city centre? Use our guide to find out the best way to get there by bus, train or taxi.

T HE IN SIDER

Jetstar news

STAFF Q+A.

T HE PAT TAYA D OLPHINS ARE WORKING TO GE T HER TO PROTECT V UL NER ABLE CHIL DREN

NAME ADAM LOFTHOUSE POSITION DIGITAL LEAD BUSINESS ANALYST

THAILAND’S LIT TLE SUPERHEROES StarKids’ and World Vision’s work to help protect vulnerable children in Pattaya starts at a grassroots level. By Kervin Mathew.

> In Thailand’s bustling city of Pattaya, a 12th-grader named Panitsara helps

Pipat Sereechussana

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lead a visionary group of students known as the Pattaya Dolphins. Made up of teenagers from 13 schools, the youth group is a vital part of the Pattaya City Child Protection Network, established by World Vision to protect vulnerable children from abuse and exploitation in this tourist hotspot.

Pattaya has seen economic growth in recent years, drawing as many as 500,000 people to the city from across the region in search of jobs and a better life. However, many of these migrants, including children, work long hours for little income in dangerous and unregulated workplaces.

And while parents are out working, some migrant children are left alone at home, which makes them especially vulnerable to exploitation.

The Child Protection Network is made up of more than 20 organisations, including government agencies and schools, that have committed to working together to protect and raise awareness about these children.

Recognising that it is important to have children themselves involved in this work, World Vision also supported the creation of the Pattaya Dolphins.

To begin, the dolphins attended a camp where they learnt leadership skills, as well as ways to engage the community in learning about children’s rights and child protection issues. Some of their initiatives include teaching children about their rights and also who to seek help from when their rights are violated. “The best precaution is to have children learn to protect themselves and be aware of what their rights are,” says Panitsara.

The dolphins also support children with their schoolwork and organise community projects aimed at improving the local environment, such as mangrove reforestation and repainting rundown classrooms. “We are so proud of ourselves,” says Panitsara. “We’ve developed the ability to speak up and express our opinions, to reflect on problems and talk about what we’d like to do to make things better.”

The logo for the Pattaya Dolphins is designed with an “S” on the dolphin (like the Superman symbol) to reflect the superhero qualities in these kids.

In this instance, it’s clear that not all superheroes wear capes.

How long have you worked at Jetstar and what does your job involve? > I joined Jetstar 1.5 years ago.

I help deliver a great customer experience through our digital customer channels (Jetstar.com, manage my booking portal, online check-in, iOS and Android mobile apps, plus many more).

My typical day involves talking about new projects, recruiting new talent, improving our ways of working and supporting my team.

How is digitisation changing the airline industry? > The airline business is already highly digitised when compared to other industries. Customers expect to be able to transact online with airlines easily, from anywhere and at any time. To outperform competitors we need to innovate and use technology to meet growing expectations for a personalised digital experience.

How does your role impact the Jetstar customers? > Our digital channels are a large part of delivering a great experience for customers. For example, we are working hard to enhance communications and improve customer and front-line staff experiences during flight disruptions by making it easier for customers to self-select alternative flight options.

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JE T S TAR NE W S EMPENNAGE

THE

ABC OF FLIGHT

WINGS

Most of us take flying for granted but have you ever wondered how these massive machines take to the sky? We take a look at how it all works.

800 700 600 500

THERE ARE OVER

44000 20

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ENGINES LANDING GEAR

3 MILLION PARTS IN ONE OF JETSTAR’S AIRBUS A320 AIRCRAFT

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The nuts and bolts

Speed test

DRAG

LIFT THRUST

The average cruising speed of Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner is mach 0.85. That is roughly 902 kilometres per hour when flying at 40,000 feet.

WEIGHT

How do planes fly?

9000+

Four forces come into play to achieve flight: thrust, drag, weight and lift. Engines create thrust and move the plane forward. Air resistance creates drag, which slows the plane down. Every object has weight (thanks, gravity), and when air flows over and under the wings, we get lift. A plane will rise if the forces of thrust and lift are more than weight and drag. As the engines push the aircraft forward, fast-moving air passes over the wings and the higher pressure of the slow-moving air below pushes the aircraft up.

The average number of planes in the sky at any one time can vary between 9000 and more than 20,000 at peak time (during the northern summer, especially on Fridays between 2-4pm UTC).

Modern jets come in all shapes and sizes but most consist of five key components: fuselage, wings, empennage (tail section), landing gear and engines.

The fuselage is the main body of the aircraft and where you’ll find your seat.

The pilots control the aircraft from the cockpit up front and your bags are safely stowed in cargo holds below the passenger cabin.

WEIGHTY ISSUE

JETSTAR’S BOEING 787 DREAMLINER HAS A MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT OF 227,930 KILOGRAMS – THAT’S LIKE TRYING TO FLY ABOUT 42 FULLYGROWN AFRICAN ELEPHANTS

STEP ON IT. Taking the stairs to board your aircraft seems simple but you might be surprised to learn there have been 144 stair incidents with Jetstar domestic passengers in the last year alone. To minimise any risks (safety is our priority!), here is what you can do to stay safe on the stairs while boarding and disembarking.

DO Always hold onto the handrail; take your time; only take one carry-on bag; focus on your own safety and pay attention.

DON’T Rush; be distracted by your phone, things on the tarmac or other people around you; and carry too many bags.

W O R D S _ K A I T LY N PA L M E R-A L L E N

1300 1200 1100

FUSELAGE

REAL MOMENTS DESERVE A REAL CAMERA.

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NSW Chatswood Shopping Centre

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Sydney City 317 Pitt St

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ACT Canberra Centre 125 Bunda St

Ph: 6249 7364

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SA Adelaide City 212 Rundle St

Ph: 8223 3449

Marion Shopping Centre

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Ph: 9602 3733 Ph: 9861 9100 Ph: 9568 7800 Ph: 9848 3832 Ph: 9705 4000 Ph: 9783 8160

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Ph: 9434 3460 Ph: 9317 4477 Ph: 9800 1677 Ph: 9583 5433

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20% OFF ENTRY

Present your boarding pass at the ticket counter to receive a 20% discount off entry*

*Valid for one entry only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Not Valid for Edge Experience.

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T HE IN SIDER

117

In-flight Entertainment —Take off into a world of entertainment – we’ve rounded up today’s most talked-about movies and TV shows, plenty of kids’ favourites, plus hit music and podcasts to keep you occupied throughout your flight— MORE THAN 60 MOVIES AND 500 TV EPISODES AVAILABLE

ONLY $10 BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES TV COMEDY AND DRAMA KIDS’ FAVOURITES HIT MUSIC PODCASTS

> NEW RELEASE MOVIES.

Stan & Ollie

Second Act

Comedy, Drama | PG Laurel and Hardy, the world’s favourite comedy act, set out on a tour in 1953.

Comedy, Drama | M Maya is a 40-year-old struggling with frustrations from unfulfilled dreams.

© 2019 Marvel

Captain Marvel Action | M Captain Marvel follows Carol Danvers as she beomes a powerful hero. © 2019 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Happy Prince

The Kid Who Would Be King

Drama | MA15+ In a hotel room, Oscar Wilde lies on his death bed and the past floods back.

Family | PG Alex thinks he’s nobody until he stumbles on the “Sword in the Stone”, Excalibur.

RATINGS

© 2019 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Animation | PG Hiccup and the dragon, Toothless, face their biggest threat yet.

© 2019 WBEI

The Mule Drama | M In his 80s, Earl Stone is offered a job that simply requires him to drive.

G General.

PG Parental guidance recommended.

M Recommended for mature audiences.

MA15+ Not suitable for people under 15.

Under 15s must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

PRE-PURCHASE IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS AND SAVE!

© 2001 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

> NEW RELEASE MOVIES.

© 2019 WBEI & © DC Comics

Aquaman Action | M Reveals the origin of Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime.

> KIDS’ FLICKS. © 2019 WBEI

Head Full of Honey Drama Trying to help her grandfather, Matilda ends up going on an adventure with him.

© 2019 WBEI © 2019 The LEGO Group

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

Sing

Shrek

Animation | G Buster hosts a singing competition to attract more customers to his business.

Animation | PG Shrek goes on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona with the help of Donkey.

The Lego Movie

Despicable Me

Animation | PG Follows Emmet, an average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified.

Animation | PG In a neighbourhood sits a house. Beneath is a hideout belonging to a villain.

Trolls

The Peanuts Movie

Animation | G Welcome Trolls! When their village is invaded, two friends must work together.

Animation | G Charlie Brown embarks on an epic quest while Snoopy pursues the Red Baron. © 2013 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Animation | PG The citizens are facing a new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space.

© 2018 Unicorn Films Pty Ltd and Screen Queensland Pty Ltd

Celeste

The Croods

Drama Celeste was once Australia’s most loved opera singer. Yet she threw it all away.

Animation | PG When their cave is destroyed, the Croods explore a spectacular landscape.

EN T ER TA IN MEN T

119

> COMEDY DUOS.

© 2019 WBEI

© 2019 WBEI

© 2019 WBEI

The Campaign

The Wedding Singer

Wedding Crashers

Comedy | MA15+ Two rival politicians face off in a small South Carolina congressional district.

Romance | M Robbie has a regular gig singing at weddings and a fiancée who breaks his heart.

Comedy | M Two divorce attorneys have figured out a way to meet women: they crash weddings.

© 2000 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

© 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

© 2019 WBEI

Snatched

Rush Hour

Comedy | M Two friends awaken with no memory but discover they were involved in espionage.

Comedy | MA15+ After her boyfriend dumps her, Emily persuades her mother to travel with her.

Action | M When detective Lee’s pupil is kidnapped, he travels to the US to find her.

© 2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Dude, Where’s My Car?

> FOREIGN FILMS.

> FAVOURITE MOVIES. Monster-in-Law

Hidden Figures

Master Z: Ip Man Legacy

Romance | M Engaged to marry Kevin, Charlie has second thoughts after meeting his mother.

Drama | PG An elite team of black female mathematicians at NASA helped win the space race.

Action | M After his defeat by Ip Man, Cheung Tin Chi tries to leave the world of martial arts behind but trouble finds him.

> TELEVISION.

© 2019 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved.

Kim’s Convenience (Season 2)

Paw Patrol (Season 4)

Comedy | M The funny and heartfelt story of The Kims, a Korean-Canadian family who run a convenience store in downtown Toronto. A diverse landscape of people and places – with the Kim family at its core.

Kids | G An animated series starring a pack of six heroic puppies who are led by a boy named Ryder. With a combination of clever problem-solving, cool vehicles and humour, the Paw Patrol work together to protect the community.

© Disney

Big Hero 6: The Series (Season 1) Kids | G Hiro, Baymax and their team protect the city from villains.

© 2019 WBEI

© 2018 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

© 2019 WBEI

Tree Climbing Lions

Castle Rock (Season 1)

Lifestyle | PG Follows Alexander Braczkowski as he counts the dwindling numbers of lions and leopards.

Drama | MA15+ An epic saga of darkness and light, played out on a few miles of Maine woodland.

© 2018-2019 Fox and its related entities. All rights reserved.

© 2018-2019 American Broadcasting Companies. All rights reserved.

Fresh Off the Boat (Seasons 4 & 5) Comedy | M Eddie Huang and his family have assimilated into the American lifestyle.

© 2018 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

Mom (Season 5)

Family Guy (Season 16)

Free Solo

Peppa Pig

Comedy | M Christy’s sobriety has given her the ability to see her life clearly.

Comedy | MA15+ A subversive animated comedy about the trials and tribulations of family life.

Lifestyle | M Alex Honnold prepares to attempt the first-ever free solo climb of El Capitan.

Kids | G Peppa Pig follows the adventures of Peppa along with her family and friends.

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121

> MUSIC VIDEOS.

> ALBUMS. The Great Expanse Hilltop Hoods Nine ARIA awards, half a billion global streams and multi-platinum sales – the legacy of the Hilltop Hoods is already undeniable. The trio helped establish hip hop as a local genre in Australia and this is their eighth album.

Katy Perry

The Great Country Songbook Adam Harvey & Troy Cassar-Daley Join two of Australia’s favourite country artists as they take you on a journey through a collection of timeless country classics and pay homage to their musical heroes.

What A Time To Be Alive Tom Walker

When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Billie Eilish

A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist born in Scotland and raised in Manchester, Tom rose to fame after the release of his single “Leave a Light On”. His debut album features a blend of soul, pop and reggae.

The debut studio album

by American singer Billie Eilish serves up esoteric lyrics with a blend of bassheavy goth and ethereal melodies. It includes the title track, plus “Bad Guys” and “Bury A Friend”.

> PODCASTS & RADIO.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte

NOVA Network Triple M Network WSFM KIIS Network: Kyle & Jackie O HIT Network Gold FM Triple M Network We Fact Up Lady Startup: Natalie Bassingthwaighte

New Hits Various The freshest new clips from today’s biggest artists featuring Khalid, Birds of Tokyo, P!NK, Odette, Dean Lewis, Sam Smith with Normani, Middle Kids, The Chainsmokers and 5SOS.

00s + 10s Various Millennium hits for you to enjoy featuring Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Peking Duk, One Direction, Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons, Jessica Mauboy, Flo Rida and Metro Station.

90s Various Pearl Jam, Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, Silverchair, Des’ree, Will Smith, Celine Dion, Diana King and Human Nature are just some of the hit music artists included in this line-up.

80s Various Featuring awesome clips from Terence Trent D’Arby, Survivor, REO Speedwagon, Mr. Mister, Thompson Twins, A Flock Of Seagulls, John Farnham and Fairground Attraction.

I Don’t Know How She Does It – Girls: Amna Karra-Hassan Osher Gunsberg Podcast: Tanya Hennessy Feed Play Love: Shevonne Hunt The Pass Food: Jo Barrett PodcastOne Australia Hitched: The Bridal Party No Filter: Roxy Jacenko

Lady Startup: Diem Fuggersberger The Property Couch: Bryce Holdaway & Ben Kingsley Game On: Pete Curulli & Dan van der Meer The Disruptive Entrepenuer: Rob Moore The Slow Home Podcast: Brooke & Ben McAlary

SYDNEY. >

TAXI ABOUT $45

>

>

AIRPORT TO CIT Y Touching down in a new city?

Here's how to get to the centre of the action your way.

>

TIP...

The Experience WA smartphone app gives you access to the latest information on local tourist attractions, restaurants, accommodation, transport options and more.

> TIP...

Trains and buses from the airport start around 5am daily and end at midnight.

TAXI ABOUT $30

>

>

>

> BUS $5.80 While it does not head into the CBD, Route 400 operates between Bondi Junction in the city’s east and Burwood in the west.

You can catch the bus from outside the T1 International and T3 Domestic terminals.

>

TAXI ABOUT $40

BUS $4.80 Bus Route 380, which takes its name from the Airbus A380 aircraft, departs T1 and T2 and is a limited stops service, terminating at Elizabeth Quay Bus Station in the city centre.

For those travelling from T3 and T4, Route 40 operates daily between the airport and Elizabeth Quay Bus Station.

TRAIN $18.70 Catching a train into the city is easy and takes about 10 minutes. Grab the T8 Airport and South Line towards City Circle, which stops at Central Station.

ADELAIDE.

PERTH.

“BIZARRE TRAVEL PLANS ARE DANCING LESSONS FROM GOD.” KURT VONNEGUT (AMERICAN WRITER)

MELBOURNE. (TULLAMARINE)

BUS $10.40 (DAYTRIP) The JetBus and doubledecker JetExpress airport to city services depart the terminal from Sir Richard Williams Avenue and stop at Currie Street in the city centre. From there, it is just a short walk to Adelaide Oval, Rundle Mall and the city’s main train station on North Terrace.

> TIP...

If you are staying in the city of churches for the weekend, purchase a $25 Metrocard Visitor Pass.

The ticket gives tourists unlimited travel on buses, trains and trams across three consecutive days.

TAXI ABOUT $65

>

BUS $19.50 The Skybus Melbourne City Express departs the airport every 10 minutes and stops at the busy inner city Southern Cross Station. From there, you can catch another bus, train, tram or slip into a cab at the taxi stand located directly outside on Spencer Street.

> TIP...

Explore the CBD onboard the free City Circle tourist tram between 10am and 9pm from Thursday to Saturday and between 10am and 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday.

MELBOURNE. (AVALON)

> TAXI ABOUT $130 TO MELBOURNE, $50 TO GEELONG >

BUS $22 TO MELBOURNE, $18 TO GEELONG The SkyBus Avalon City Express takes about an hour to travel from Avalon Airport to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne CBD. If you are heading to Geelong, the SkyBus Avalon Geelong Express takes about 40 minutes to reach the port town.

> TIP...

Download the handy Avalon Airport smartphone app for information about transport, car hire, parking and flight schedules.

T HE IN SIDER

BRISBANE.

GOLD COAST.

>

>

TAXI ABOUT $45

> TRAIN $18.50 The Airtrain is a quick and easy option for travelling from the airport into the city. Trains depart every 15 minutes during peak hour and every 30 minutes during off-peak periods.

The Airtrain takes just 20 minutes to get to Central Station in the city centre.

The service starts at 5am on weekdays and 6am on weekends and the last train departs at 10pm. >

TIP...

Download the BNE app to help you find transport options, maps, where to dine and shop, parking information and more.

>

TAXI ABOUT $30

> BUS $6 The Airport Connect bus departs from Cairns Airport every 30 minutes from 4.30am until the last flight of the day. The bus takes passengers on a 10-minute trip to a bus depot at Sheridan Street in the city, where they can continue their journey on a Translink public bus.

Alternatively, you can book a shuttle into the city for $6 one-way with Backpacker Shuttle Cairns. > TIP...

Remember your hat all year round – even in winter, temperatures can rise to a heavenly 26°C.

HOBART.

TAXI ABOUT $60

“EVERY TIME I GET ON A PLANE I BREAK OUT, SO I TRY TO KEEP MY SKIN NOURISHED WITH FACE MASKS.” KATE UPTON (AMERICAN MODEL AND ACTRESS)

> BUS $21 The SkyBus Gold Coast Airport Shuttle operates seven days a week and is a dedicated service for visitors travelling from the airport to the Gold Coast’s most popular tourist spots. The shuttle departs from outside the airport terminal and stops at Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and Southport.

“PREPARE YOURSELF. DO SOME READING BEFORE YOU GO. LOOK AT THE GUIDEBOOKS AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING AND A BIT ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU WILL MEET.” MICHAEL PALIN (COMEDIAN AND TRAVEL PRESENTER)

>

TAXI ABOUT $50

>

BUS $19.50 The SkyBus Hobart Express service operates daily and departs regularly from the airport. The bus takes about 30 minutes to travel to the city centre, stopping at Brooke street Pier before terminating at 19 Macquarie Street, which is located behind the Grand Chancellor Hotel.

> TIP...

Download the Hobart Cabs 131 008 smartphone app to order and track your taxi from the airport.

For everything to see, eat, sleep, shop and play in Hobart, get The Guides

by Lonely Planet app.

> TIP...

Gold Coast Cabs offer special flat rate fares from the airport to accommodation located in Surfers Paradise ($65) or Broadbeach ($55).

CAIRNS.

123

BALLINA.

DARWIN.

> TAXI ABOUT $100 TO BYRON BAY

>

>

BUS $7.20 The Route 640 bus from Ballina Airport takes close to an hour to make the 37-kilometre journey to the popular beachside town of Byron Bay.

> TIP...

If you prefer to have your transport organised and booked in advance, check out the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport website for information about shuttle bus services.

For those who want to explore and find their own way, all major car rental companies are represented at the airport.

TAXI ABOUT $30

>

BUS PRICE ON BOOKING The Darwin City Airport Shuttle Service is available seven days a week to take you from the airport to your accommodation in the city. The shuttle departs every 20 minutes during peak period and services all major flights to the airport. Online bookings must be made 24 hours in advance.

> TIP...

If you are staying at the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort or Novotel Darwin Airport Hotel, a free shuttle bus service is available for transfer from the terminal to your accommodation.

BALI. >

TOKYO. “DO IT. DON’T LISTEN TO PEOPLE TELLING YOU THAT YOU SHOULDN’T OR YOU CAN’T. I THINK IT’S AN INCREDIBLY EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE TO TRAVEL ALONE.” CHERYL STRAYED (AMERICAN AUTHOR)

TAXI ABOUT $7 TO KUTA

>

BUS $2 There are a range of bus options to choose from but a popular choice is the bright green Kura-Kura tourist bus, which stops at most major locations across the island. The closest departure point to the airport is outside the Aston Kuta Hotel, which is a brisk 16-minute walk from the terminal.

SINGAPORE.

>

>

> TIP...

Show the name of your hotel to the bus conductor so the driver can tell you where to get off. It is also handy to have a map available on your phone.

TAXI ABOUT $35

> TRAIN $2 The Changi Airport MRT Station (CG2) is located under Terminal 2. Take the train to Tanah Merah station and change to the East West Line heading towards City Hall. > BUS $9 The City Shuttle bus departs every 15 minutes during peak periods and every 30 minutes during off-peak. The trip to the city takes 25 minutes and stops at most major hotels. > TIP...

Save your roaming budget and connect to the free Wi-Fi at Changi Airport.

OSAKA. (KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT)

TAXI ABOUT $250

>

>

TRAIN $37 The Narita Express or N’EX departs every 25 to 40 minutes and takes under an hour to reach Tokyo Station. Buy your ticket at JR EAST Travel Service Centers, which are located inside each of the three airport terminals.

> TIP...

Grab the free shuttle to travel between the airport’s three terminals.

HO CHI MINH CITY.

> BUS $1 The Route 109 bus departs the airport every 15 to 20 minutes between 5.30am and 1am. The bus travels to the city centre (District 1), terminating at 23/9 Park via Pham Ngu Lao backpacker district and the Ben Thanh bus station.

Travel time depends on traffic, but the yellow bus generally takes about 30 minutes to reach the city.

>

> BUS $11 The Keisei group’s Tokyo Shuttle takes 90 minutes to reach the city centre near Tokyo Station.

> TIP...

Knowing how to say a few phrases in the local lingo can go a long way in Bali.

To ask a local to help you call for a taxi, try saying, “Bisa tolong untuk telepon dan order taksi?”

TAXI ABOUT $10

(NARITA AIRPORT)

TAXI ABOUT $250

> TRAIN $28 Ride the Kansai Airport Express Haruka to Tennoji Station. There you can easily catch another train to Osaka or stay on the same train and head directly to Kyoto, which takes about 75 minutes. >

BUS $19 Travel in luxury aboard the Kansai International Airport Limousine Bus, which will take you directly to Osaka or Kyoto (for $31).

> TIP...

Taxis are expensive. Travel by train or bus instead.

FIJI. “THE MORE ONE TRAVELS, THE MORE PLACES ONE CAN CALL HOME AND THE BETTER YOU’LL GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE AND ALSO YOURSELF.” VIGGO MORTENSEN (AMERICAN/DANISH ACTOR)

> TAXI ABOUT $10 TO NADI >

BUS $11 Airport Shuttle Fiji operate a 24-hour shuttle service from Nadi International Airport to most major hotels and resorts in Nadi.

Bookings must be made at least one day prior to arriving at the airport.

> TIP...

It is an offence for taxi drivers to take passengers without having their meter running. If your driver is not using a meter, note the taxi registration number and report it to the police.

The driver may have their license suspended and receive a fine.

A IRP O R T T O CI T Y

AUCKLAND. >

TAXI ABOUT $60

> BUS $16 The SkyBus departs the airport every 10 minutes and takes approximately 55 minutes to arrive in the centre of Auckland.

Alternatively, Super Shuttle can take you straight to your accommodation for $23 for the first passenger and $9 for every extra passenger travelling in the same group. >

TIP...

The Auckland Transport mobile app makes it easy to move around the city.

Download the app to help you plan and track AT Metro buses, trains and ferry services in real time.

QUEENSTOWN. >

TAXI ABOUT $25

> BUS $5 The Orbus departs the airport every 15 minutes and takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the town centre. For $13, you can opt to share an 11-seater Super Shuttle for a convenient, tailored door-to-door journey from Queenstown Airport to your accommodation. > TIP...

If your accommodation is anywhere in the centre of Queenstown, you can simply rely on foot power to get around – most things in the adventure capital are within easy walking distance.

HONG KONG. >

TAXI ABOUT $50

>

TRAIN $20 The Airport Express departs every 10 minutes and takes around 24 minutes to reach Hong Kong Station in the bustling business district.

>

BUS $6 The Cityflyer route A21 is ideal for travellers heading into the city and perfect for those who want a preview of Hong Kong from the bus window.

Buses depart every 15-20 minutes from the airport.

> TIP...

Download the MTR Next Train app to keep track of real-time train schedules.

125

HAWAII. (DANIEL K INOUYE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT)

> TAXI ABOUT $61 TO WAIKIKI >

BUS $4 Routes 19 and 20 depart from the second-level roadway at Honolulu Airport and stop off at downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Shopping Centre and the hotel-dense Waikiki precinct.

> TIP...

Taxi drivers are referred to as “ambassadors of aloha”.

They are proud of their island and love pointing out landmarks and places of interest. Ask questions – you never know what local secrets you might learn.

W HE RE W E F LY Here’s how to get around our network – have fun planning your next trip.

INTERNATIONAL. Seoul

Shanghai (Pudong) Guiyang

Hanoi

Dong Hoi

Phuket Penang Medan

Nagoya (Chubu)

Okinawa

Shantou/Jieyang Hong Kong Haikou Sanya

Da Nang Siem Reap Bangkok Phnom Penh

Yangon

Osaka (Kansai)

Taipei

Guangzhou Chiang Mai

Tokyo (Narita)

Xuzhou

Zhengzhou

Hawaii (Honolulu)

Clark

Manila

Ho Chi Minh City Kuala Lumpur

Singapore Jakarta Surabaya

Bali (Denpasar) Darwin Fiji (Nadi)

Cairns

Cook Islands (Rarotonga)

Brisbane

Gold Coast

Perth

Sydney Adelaide

Flights are operated by Jetstar Airways and commence 8 December (Gold Coast–Seoul), subject to regulatory approval Operated by Jetstar Airways Operated by Jetstar Asia Operated by Jetstar Pacific Operated by Jetstar Japan

Auckland

Melbourne (Tullamarine)

Wellington Christchurch Queenstown

T HE IN SIDER

DOMESTIC VIETNAM.

127

DOMESTIC JAPAN.

Hanoi Sapporo

Hai Phong Thanh Hoa Vinh

Shonai

Dong Hoi Nagoya (Chubu)

Hue Da Nang Chu Lai

Matsuyama Osaka Fukuoka Takamatsu Nagasaki Oita Kochi Kumamoto Miyazaki Kagoshima

Quy Nhon

Pleiku

Tokyo (Narita) (Kansai)

Tuy Hoa Buon Ma Thuot Nha Trang Da Lat

Okinawa

Ho Chi Minh City

Phu Quoc

Flights are operated by Jetstar Japan and commence 3 July (Osaka-Miyako) and 1 August (Tokyo-Shonai), subject to regulatory approval

Miyako (Shimojishima)

Operated by Jetstar Pacific

Operated by Jetstar Japan

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Napier

New Plymouth

Darwin

Nelson Cairns Townsville Hamilton Whitsunday Coast Island Mackay

Queenstown

Sunshine Coast

Ayers Rock (Uluru)

Brisbane

Palmerston North Wellington

Christchurch Dunedin

Operated by Jetstar Airways Operated by Eastern Australia Airlines for Jetstar Airways

Gold Coast Ballina Byron Newcastle

Perth

Sydney

Adelaide

Melbourne (Tullamarine)

Auckland

Melbourne (Avalon) Wellington

Launceston Hobart

Operated by Jetstar Airways

Christchurch Queenstown

PUZZLES 1

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© Lovatts Puzzles

PICTURE A

PICTURE B

QUIZ 1 What term describes that point in orbit at which the moon is closest to the earth?

2 In what year did Australia introduce decimal currency (meaning money worked out in lots of 10)?

3 Abyssinian, korat, peterbald, khao manee and snowshoe are all breeds of which animal, often kept as domestic pets?

CROSSWORD Across 7 Capital of the Philippines (6) 8 Fruitless task, fool’s ... (6) 9 Tokyo’s ... Palace (8) 11 European explorer of Australia’s eastern coastline, James ... (4) 12 AWOL students (7) 13 First name of picture A (5) 15 Proven details (5) 17 Junior surf lifesavers (7) 19 South Pacific nation (4) 21 Formidable (8) 23 Surname of picture B (6) 24 The 14th Prime Minister of Australia, John ... (6) Down 1 Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive ... (6) 2 Mining magnate who is one of the world’s wealthiest women, Gina ... (8) 3 Move on tarmac (4) 4 Boxing round starting sound (4) 5 Actor who had an early role in the cult classic The Castle, ... Bana (4) 6 Short sleep (6) 10 WikiLeaks founder whose asylum status was recently terminated, Julian ... (7) 14 Press coverage (8) 16 Bird enclosure (6) 18 Stay (6) 20 First name of picture C (4) 21 Crumbly Greek cheese (4) 22 Curved doorway (4)

PICTURE C

4 Which famous Baldwin brother is the father of Justin Bieber’s wife, Hailey?

5 How many stars are on the Australian national flag?

6 What part of an elephant never stops growing?

7 Which NRL star and South Sydney Rabbitohs player (pictured far right) announced his retirement in April?

8 How many months of the year have 31 days?

CROSSWORD AND PUZZLES COMPILED BY LOVATTS

9 In what Asian country would you find the educational Hall of Opium museum?

10 Boorowa, Gunnedah and Murrurundi are all towns in which Australian state?

11 What was Netflix’s first self-commissioned original television series?

12 Not to be confused with New Zealand’s northernmost point (Surville Cliffs, Northland), what is New Zealand’s northernmost city?

T HE IN SIDER

129

SUDOKU

2 6 1

5 8

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WHEEL WORDS

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13 What is the name of the grease secreted by the sebaceous glands of woolly animals?

14 Which of the following fruiting plants is also a herb: banana, strawberry or pineapple?

15 Beginning in 1768, the first voyage of Captain James Cook was to observe the transit of which planet?

16 Which famous actor and musician voices Simba in the 2019 remake of The Lion King?

Create words of 4 letters or more using the given letters once only, but always including the middle letter. Do not use proper names or plurals ending with S. See if you can find the 9-letter word using up all letters.

12 good

16 very good

22+ excellent

17 In what year did tropical Cyclone Tracy devastate the Northern Territory city of Darwin?

18 What does CSIRO stand for (when used as an acronym for Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national science research agency)?

19 Westeros is a fictional continent from which popular book and television series?

20 What term describes a young woman in training on a cattle or sheep station in Australia?

SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 134

Find the solutions on page 134.

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BIG TOP CLO W NS EL EP H A N T FIRE E AT ER FLY IN G T R APEZE H O RSE K NIFE T HR O WER L IO NS M O NKE YS R IN G M AST ER SIDE SH O WS ST R O N G M A N TA MER T EN TS T IG ERS T IG H T R OPE T U MBL ERS W HIP CR ACKERS

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Mister Sippi.

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A blueberry.

7

How was the chicken able to get home from work so fast?

It used the eggs-press lane.

Tennis, because they’re great servers.

So he wouldn’t turn into a hot dog.

What do you get when you cross a crocodile with a rooster?

SO URCE: FU NKIDS JOKES.C O M

It’s always on the house.

Why did the pup stay in the shade?

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Can you spot the EIGHT DIFFERENCES between these two images? Circle what’s changed on the image below.

1 MOVIES Test your knowledge with these super fun, totally awesome trivia questions.

1 Donkey is the sidekick of which green ogre?

2 Name the three girls who are adopted by Gru in Despicable Me. 3 What movie features the song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”?

2 TRUE OR FALSE 1 The fastest land animal in the world is the zebra?

2 The name for a group of lions is pride?

3 Neptune has 23 moons?

4 The extinct species, Megalodon, was a type of shark?

3 FOOD 1 What is the sweet substance made by bees?

2 Which vegetable is used to carve jack-o-lanterns during Halloween?

3 Lindt, Cadbury and Nestlé are all producers of which product?

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A carrot

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P U ZZLES

A water gun

A picture of a rocket ship

A man painting

A man stuck in a tree

A book

A fishbowl

A man wearing a top hat

A giant ice cream cone

133

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SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD

R T P M A N I L A N X L I M P E R I H E T R U A N T R F A C T S V F F I J I G E A B R I G H T A Y Y

S N D O O K Z E L

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Beer, Bier, Bore, Brie, Ever, Heir, Herb, Here, Hero, Hire, Over, Rive, Robe, Rove, Veer, Verb, Borer, Breve, Brier, Hirer, Hover, River, Rover, Rebore, Rehire, Reverb, Herbier, Hoverer.

9-letter word: HERBIVORE

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Š Lovatts Puzzles

QUIZ 1 Perigee 2 1966 3 Cat 4 Stephen 5 Six 6 Tusks 7 Greg Inglis 8 Seven 9 Thailand 10 New South Wales 11 House of Cards

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Whangarei Lanolin Banana Venus Donald Glover 1974 Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research

1 The name on the dog collar tag is missing.

Organisation

19 Game of Thrones 20 Jillaroo

2 The colour of the picture frame behind the dog is different.

3 The cord of the window blinds is missing.

4 The colour of the pen/pencil jar is different.

5 The bottom three leaves of the plant are missing.

SUDOKU 7

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6 The handle on the drawers is missing.

7 There are two whiskers missing on the cat.

8 The picture frame in the top left corner is missing.

Movies

True or False

Food

1 Shrek

1 False, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

1 Honey

2 Margo, Edith

the cheetah

2 Pumpkin

and Agnes

2 True

3 Chocolate

3 Trolls

3 False, it has 13 4 True

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136

T HE IN SIDER

HIGHER. BIGGER. FASTER. LONGER. EACH ISSUE WE FOCUS ON A PL ACE PU NCHING ABOVE ITS WEIG H T

> Bought your ticket for this week’s lotto and dreaming of all the ways to spend your future winnings? Here’s one to add to the list: head to the Palawan region of the Philippines, just two hours from Manila by private helicopter or seaplane, and casually splash $144,000 on a night at the world’s most expensive resort.

Staying in luxury at Banwa Private Island (banwaprivate island.com) might cost more than a sports car but you’ve won the jackpot, right? So money is no object. For all that cash, high-flyers get private use of the 15-acre, perfectly manicured island and their pick of 12 garden rooms, six beachfront villas decked out with a private jacuzzi, or the residential suite.

Of course, the rate is all-inclusive so guests also have access to amenities and activities, including concierges, a gym, tennis court, nine-hole golf course and unlimited spa treatments. Meals are included and use locally grown produce from the island’s farm.

While it’s currently the world’s priciest holiday spot, there could be a way to bring down its hefty price tag. The island can sleep a maximum of 48 guests, so if you fancy inviting 47 of your best mates, a cool $3000 share of the bill might be all it costs to experience heaven on earth.

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Contents WAT ER WORL D S ISL A ND S A ND BE ACHE S BE YOND PHUK E T > Phang Nga 04 > Krabi 06 > Surat Thani 08

FL AVOUR FE A S T S A F OODIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GUIDE T O B A NGKOK > Fine Dining 11 > Street Eats + Markets 12 > Bars + Clubs 14

Think You Know Phuket?

Think Again!

From stunning beaches to mouthwatering food, Phuket has it all.

Let’s leave your worries behind and dive into new experiences!

Kickstart your day the right way

Have the best snaps in town

Fall for old Phuket town

Explore the underwater beauty

Slurp some curry noodles or try a local’s favourite: Dry Rice Porridge.

The island’s viewpoints are the best photo opportunities out there!

A hipster-magnet with cool street arts and colourful colonial houses. Snap away!

Dive into the Andaman Sea and enjoy the view.

It’s a must!

Sightsee a unique temple

Make your trip even more hassle-free with our van or car rentals and island transfers!

Wat Chalong is a beautiful mix of Thai and Chinese styles not to miss!

5 3

4 1

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03

WATER

WORLDS

WORDS_ ALISON BONE

—Phuket, the largest and best known of the Thai islands, is a tropical playground of palm-fringed beaches lapped by a cerulean sea. But venture further and you’ll discover stunning marine national parks, hidden coves and hundreds of paradisiacal isles, each with their own allure. Here is your essential guide to the stunning coasts of Thailand—

T H A IL A N D

SIMIL A N ISL A NDS WHERE 90 minutes by

speedboat from Phuket SIZE 140 square kilometres BEST FOR Diving and snorkelling

> Known as one of the world’s best M U KO H SIMIL A N N ATIO N AL PARK

04

PHANG NGA Flanked by the Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay, this region is characterised by magnificent rock formations and islands rising from crystal waters.

spots for diving, Mu Koh Similan National Park incorporates a chain of 11 exquisite islands set in the Andaman Sea. Basic camping and bungalows are available but most people visit on daytrips from Phuket, while avid divers intent on serious underwater exploration can join a liveaboard boat safari. The forested islands are edged by granite boulders both above and below the water, which make for fascinating dive sites, along with giant sea fans and more than 500 species of coral.

KO H YAO N OI WHERE 30 minutes by

speedboat from Phuket SIZE 50 square kilometres BEST FOR Romance and relaxation

> With a striking panorama of the KOH TAO KHAO SOK N AT ION A L PA RK

MU KOH ANG T HONG N AT ION A L MARINE PARK

KOH PHA-NGAN KOH SAMUI

KHAO LAK MU KOH SIMIL AN N AT ION A L PA RK

S UR AT THANI

PHANG NGA

K O H YA O N O I PHUKET K O H YA O YA I

KRABI

towering limestone rocks of Phang Nga Bay, this laid-back island is a world away from Phuket in terms of experience. Low-key development focuses on ecotourism and the range of luxury resorts make Koh Yao Noi an inspired choice for a quiet hideaway.

Good flashpacker accommodation also attracts solo travellers looking to go off the beaten track. Quiet roads meander through small villages, rice fields and watermelon groves – ideal for exploring by motorbike or bicycle.

KO H YAO YA I

KOH PHI PHI ISL ANDS

WHERE 30 minutes by

speedboat from Phuket SIZE 92 square kilometres BEST FOR Getting back to nature

> Just minutes away from Koh Yao BE AC H

Khao Lak This string of sandy beaches shaded by pines and palms on the Phang Nga mainland (two hours’ drive from Phuket) sets the scene for an easy holiday.

Bringing the family? Book a resort with a kids’ club so you can relax knowing the little ones are having a blast.

Noi, sister island Koh Yao Yai is twice the size but has even less tourism development. Villages with wooden stilt houses nestled in coconut groves are great for cycling around and there are very pretty beaches – Lam Haed being a highlight. The calm waters that encircle Koh Yao Yai are great for kayaking, while a daytrip of swimming, snorkelling and exploring nearby uninhabited islands is a must.

06

T H A IL A N D

KRABI The jungle-fringed coastline of Krabi gives way to a stunning seascape of picturesque islands and towering limestone karsts.

AO N A N G

KO H PHI PHI ISL A NDS WHERE About 1.5 hours by

speedboat from Phuket SIZE 28 square kilometres BEST FOR Active holidays and solo travellers

R AIL AY

> With jagged limestone cliffs

R A IL AY WHERE About 1.5 hours by

speedboat from Phuket BEST FOR Rock climbing

meets relaxation

> OK, so this isn’t technically an island but the scenic peninsula is encircled by jagged limestone cliffs and accessible only by boat, so it certainly feels like one. If your holiday fantasy involves soaking up the sun and sensational views at a romantic beachfront resort, the gentle curve of white powdery sand at Railay Beach is perfect.

The peninsula is also a magnet for rock climbers, with 600 routes traversing massive cliffs and several climbing schools for novices. Budget accommodation clusters around Railay East, while a steep jungle trail, frequented by monkeys, lures intrepid travellers to the seriously laid-back, bohemian Tonsai Beach.

BE AC H

Ao Nang Ideal for families and first-time visitors in Thailand, Ao Nang has a good choice of hotels, restaurants and nightlife and is a great base for daytrips to Koh Phi Phi and for accessing local transport.

framing turquoise bays and whitesand beaches, Phi Phi Don is one of the jewels of Thailand and offers everything from rustic bungalows to glitzy five-star resorts. A backpackers’ paradise in the 80s, the main beach Ao Lo Da Lam, still buzzes with an party atmosphere. Long Beach is quieter, with snorkelling right off shore, while Monkey Beach is often deserted (apart from the resident monkeys). Jungle paths crisscross the island leading to some superb viewpoints, while kayaks are best for discovering secluded coves and sea caves. Five more uninhabited islands make up the Phi Phi group and can be explored on snorkelling trips.

Jungle book It’s not all just golden beaches – this region has inland magic, too.

> The ancient rainforests, waterfalls and caves of Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani are a thrilling destination for a daytrip or even a night at a floating bungalow on atmospheric Cheow Lan Lake. Two hours’ drive from Krabi and four hours from Phuket, the park is home to elephants, bears and gibbons, with hiking trails suitable for walkers of all levels. Kayaking along the park’s magnificent lake and tributaries is a highlight.

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T H A IL A N D

KO H SA M UI WHERE Two hours by boat

from Surat Thani SIZE 227 square kilometres BEST FOR Families or wellness

M U KO H A N G T H O N G N ATIO N AL M ARINE PARK

08

S U R AT T H A N I Known as the province of a thousand islands, Surat Thani town is less than a four-hour drive from Phuket and the gateway to Thailand’s gorgeous gulf isles.

KO H PH A-N GA N WHERE 2.5 hours by boat

from Surat Thani SIZE 168 square kilometres BEST FOR Backpackers

and wellness seekers

> An island of remarkable beauty in

KO H TAO

the Gulf of Thailand, here, jungleclad mountains dip to picture-perfect coves. Take your pick from more than a dozen beaches – some like enchanting Than Sadet are only accessible by boat or 4WD, with accommodation ranging from beach shacks to boutique resorts. The island is best known for its full moon parties and backpacker scene, which centres around Haad Rin, but the rest of Koh Pha-ngan is wonderfully peaceful and increasingly popular for meditation and yoga retreats.

> Kilometres of beaches, lush waterfalls, world-class cuisine – Thailand’s second largest island has something for everyone. Those in search of nightlife head to Chaweng Beach but if you have a more holistic holiday in mind, the secluded beaches and hinterland forests boast health retreats and spa resorts. Samui also tops the list for families thanks to water parks, zip-lining, a shopping and recreational complex and the magical Secret Buddha Garden, a sculpture park in a jungle setting.

KO H TAO WHERE 3.5 hours by boat from Surat Thani SIZE 21 square kilometres BEST FOR Diving and snorkelling

> This remote island is a tropical wonderland, with rugged cliffs and white-sand beaches giving way to a vibrant underwater world of rock pinnacles, shipwrecks and coral reefs. With over 25 dive sites, Koh Tao is among the best dive spots in the country and has a reputation as one of the most affordable places for PADI certification. Take a snorkelling trip to nearby Koh Nang Yuan, where crystal clear water rings three tiny islets connected by sand bars.

M U KO H A N G T H O N G N AT IO N AL M ARINE PARK WHERE Four hours by boat from Surat Thani (via Koh Samui) SIZE 100 square kilometres BEST FOR Animal encounters

> This spectacular marine park includes 42 pristine forested islands.

Look for langurs (monkeys), sea eagles and lizards on land, or dive in to see turtles, groupers, blacktip reef sharks and coral reefs. Daytrips from Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan include snorkelling, kayaking and a hike to Emerald Lake viewpoint, which featured in the film The Beach. Stay overnight in a tent or bungalow, or charter a liveaboard sailing boat to explore at your own pace.

T H A IL A N D

11

Flavour feasts —Bangkok is a true foodie’s paradise. From street eats and hidden bars to Michelin-starred restaurants and rooftop retreats, you’re sure to find something to tempt your palate—

> IS SAYA SIA MESE CLUB Tucked away in a side street near Rama IV Road, you’ll find one of Bangkok’s most renowned – and prettiest – restaurants. Within the brightly painted walls of this century-old mansion, celebrity chef Ian Kittichai puts his twist on traditional Thai dishes. issaya.com

> PAS TE Acclaimed chef Bee Satongun is famed for using heirloom Thai recipes as inspiration for the menu at this Michelin-star restaurant. Her dishes combine locally grown ingredients with long-forgotten techniques to create layered flavours. Take time to pore over the menu that reveals the history of some of the dishes. pastebangkok.com

fine dining > TA A N

> GAG GA N Consistently ranked among the world’s best restaurants, this is home to Bangkok’s own Willy Wonka, chef Gaggan Anand. Each dish is as prett y as a picture, which is probably why he uses emojis to represent them on the 25-course degustation menu. Right next door is Wet Wine Bar, serving up a top selection of natural wines. eatatgaggan.com; getwetbkk.com

HOW TO GE T AR O U N D Looking for speed? Ride the BTS Skytrain or MRT metro. Looking for an adventure? Hire a tuktuk or a longtail boat. Looking for good food while sightseeing?

Try Thai Bus Food Tour (thaibusfoodtour.com).

While visiting the farms of Northern Thailand, chef Monthep Kamolsilp found the inspiration for his “hyperlocal” Thai restaurant that honours the country’s unique ingredients.

Try the Thai Wagyu beef tartare blended with 13 local spices and beetroot puree, or the stir-fried prawns with holy basil, torch ginger flowers and fermented fish puree. taanbangkok.com

WORDS_ CL AIRE TURRELL

Asia’s best female chef (according to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list) and Noma alumni Garima Arora has been wowing the crowds with her playful and elegant Asian dishes – think spicy duck doughnut and burnt coconut sugar ice cream with pork floss. Don’t worry about what to choose, it’s all on the tasting menu. gaabkk.com

TA A N

> GA A

T H A IL A N D

Fabulous food courts Bangkok is known

street eats + markets

for its shopping but you are never too far from great food either. Refuel at

JAY FAI

these mall eateries.

> NAI MONG H OI T H O D Behind the red plastic tables at 539 Phlap Phla Chai Road, you’ll find the chefs at this street food stall cooking oyster omelettes to crispy perfection (they’re so good, the Michelin Guide awarded this street food stall a Bib Gourmand). Super plump oysters and a gooey consistency like melted cheese are their secrets to success.

> JAY FA I This no-frills eatery was already a favourite with locals. Now, thanks to a Michelin star and the Netflix documentary Street Food, the rest of the world has fallen in love with the septuagenarian, ski goggle-wearing owner Auntie Fai, too. The queues for her drunken seafood noodles, dry tom yum and crab omelette are long but worth the wait. Find it at 327 Mahachai Road.

> OR TOR KOR M ARKE T This is a one-stop shop for foodies.

Located opposite the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, it’s where the chefs go shopping for the freshest fruit and vegetables and where you can curb those hunger pangs with anything from stir-fried noodles and smoked duck to roasted chestnuts and steamed palm sugar desserts.

> YAO WAR AT Also known as Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat is a must-visit. During the day you will see goldsmiths and greengrocers selling their wares.

Then at night, Yaowarat Road comes alive with hundreds of street food chefs serving everything from noodles to baobing (an ice dessert).

S O OKSIA M

OR TOR KOR M ARKE T

12

Eathai at Central Embassy Find Bangkok’s best street food in one spot and don’t miss Moom Aroi, where different chefs take over the kitchen every two weeks. centralembassy.com SookSiam at ICON Siam Check out floating market-inspired SookSiam, where vendors serve up foods from the four regions of Thailand (including mango with sticky rice) from longtail boats. sooksiam.com Pier 21 at Terminal 21 Take the lift to the fifth floor for cheap eats and city views.

Popular stalls include Krua Thai Cuisine, loved for its tom yum kung, and Khanom Bueung Pannee for its Thai pancakes. terminal21.co.th

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SIN G SIN G T HEATER

T H A IL A N D

SEEN

> SIN G SIN G T HEATER

bars + clubs > BEA M

BEA M

14

Winner of the Best Nightclub Award in BK Magazine’s 2018 Bangkok After Dark Awards, this two-storey club is set in a renovated warehouse. Award-winning design firm Snarkitecture is behind its interior, which features Asia’s first body-kinetic dance floor that shakes the beats into your feet. DJs such as techno titan Marcel Dettmann and American producer Tokimonsta have been known to provide the tunes. beamclub.com

> SM ALLS TAS TE TR A IL S A food tour with a local operator such as bangkokfoodtours.com, hivesters.com, siamrisetravel.com or takemetour.com is a must for foodies. You can also follow in the footsteps of chef Gordon Ramsay and join a WithLocals (withlocals. com) tour or take a cooking class with Market Experiences (marketexperiences.com).

Bangkok nightlife legend David Jacobson turned a three-storey brick vintage shophouse in Soi Suan Phlu into a must-visit late-night bar.

This speakeasy offers an extensive cocktail menu but it’s absinthe that it’s famous for. On Wednesdays, live jazz bands entertain the crowds, while DJs spinning electronica and punk put everyone in the party spirit during the rest of the week. fb.me/smallsbkk

Of the many small, unique bars of Thonglor and Ekamai, this is one of the coolest. Interior designer Ashley Sutton has let his imagination run wild at this Oriental-themed venue, where hundreds of lanterns hang from the ceiling and the cocktails are served in a birdcage. It’s a popular spot for the beautiful people who you’ll find dancing the night away to international DJs such as Gilles Peterson or Instagramming burlesque-style tableaus. singsingbangkok.com

> SEEN Enjoy cool river breezes and an even cooler vibe at the new rooftop bar, Seen at Avani+ Riverside. From its loft y position on the 26th floor, enjoy panoramic views of the city as you sip on cocktails such as the delicious juicy jackfruit laden, rum and basil Sin To Be Seen, created by award-winning mixologist Mochammad Fadli. seenrooftopbangkok.com

> R ABBI T H OLE Step behind a wooden door and get ready to fall down the rabbit hole at this speakeasy that comes in at 34 on the 2019 Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.

Led by the award-winning female bartender Suwincha Singsuwan, here you can enjoy the rich Cry Me the Moon white truffle martini, the dry Night Flower with lavender syrup or the refreshing Thong Lo Lemonade. If you need proof how good the drinks are, this is where other bartenders have been spotted hanging out. rabbitholebkk.com