Driven 2014 full by Tatyana Leonov

DRIVEN ISSUE 3 2013

Gold Coast, Queensland

CONTENTS

PEUGEOT MOMENTS Pikes Peak

AUSTRALIAN DESIGN

EUROPEAN DESIGN

PEUGEOT DESIGN

ISSUE 1 2014

MEET THE PEUGEOT DESIGNER Sandeep Bhambra

ECO RESORTS Chic sustainability goes global

EAT & DRINK

GENERAL MANAGER’S LETTER

10 OF THE BEST Champagnes

MAIL

FASHION

DRIVEN Magazine is published by Australian Traveller Media for Sime Darby Automobiles t/a Peugeot Automobiles Australia

GADGETS For modern device aficionado

ADVERTISING

Art director Paloma Garay

Chief sub editor Megan Arkinstall

Editor Tatyana Leonov editor@drivenmag.com.au

EDITORIAL

For all advertising sales enquiries, phone 02 9698 7072 ROAD TEST Peugeot 5008

Sales manager Nigel Herbert nherbert@australiantraveller.com Account managers Nikki Gilmore ngilmore@australiantraveller.com James Munro jmunro@australiantraveller.com Elliott Barsby ebarsby@australiantraveller.com Caroline Fuller cfuller@australiantraveller.com DIRECTORS Quentin Long qlong@australiantraveller.com Nigel Herbert nherbert@australiantraveller.com All rights reserved. No material published in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written authority. Every endeavour is made to ensure information contained in this magazine is correct at time of going to print and every effort has has been made to ensure to accuracy of the content. The Publisher and Peugeot Automobiles Australia accept no liabiltiy for any errors. Unsolicited material, may be used by DRIVEN, but no responsibility is accepted for lost manuscripts, artwork or images. Australian Traveller Media (ACN 113 975 438) PO Box 159, Broadway, NSW 2007.

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COVER IMAGE BY RICHARD FÜRHOFF

COMPETITIONS & PRIZES

FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM

PUG & ME Real life

JUST ARRIVED The 2008

PHOTO PORTFOLIO Lake Geneva, Switzerland

TAIWAN A journey through tantalising Taiwan

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY Driving one of USA’s most scenic routes

THE BEST BITS OF THE GOLDIE Exploring the iconic Gold Coast in the new 2008

CELEBRITY PROFILE Naomi Watts

NATIONAL CULTURE & ARTS GUIDE

PEUGEOT EVENT REPORT What’s been happening

DRIVE ME THERE

WANT TO SEE MORE? DRIVEN IS NOW AVAILABLE AS AN iPAD APP! The new app brings the print version of DRIVEN to life with videos, photo galleries and more. Download it for free from the iTunes App Store today.

FOR ALL THE LATEST PEUGEOT NEWS HEAD TO: facebook.com/peugeotau twitter.com/peugeotaus Tell us what you think of this issue. Email editor@drivenmag.com.au

DRIVEN

GENERAL MANAGER’S LETTER

JOHN STARTARI GENERAL MANAGER, PEUGEOT

Welcome to another addition of DRIVEN magazine, our second edition for 2013. As the new general manager of Peugeot in Australia, I am delighted to be given the opportunity to update you on the exciting developments here at Peugeot in both 2013 and into the new year. The release of the 5008 in May was well received and achieved immediate success. This is not a traditional segment for our brand but we were encouraged by the positive comments received from both the motoring press and our customers alike. We were thrilled to introduce the new RCZ followed closely by the 208 GTi, which has seen sales volumes exceed our most optimistic expectations. Regarded as the best Peugeot GTi ever, comparisons have been made to the iconic 205 GTi from the ’80s. The launch of these performance models reinforces Peugeot’s motor racing heritage and will allow us to re-engage with sports hatch buyers once again. Globally PSA group has achieved great success in markets outside of Europe with China being the standout, up 33 per cent in one of the world’s fastest growing markets. South America and the Middle East are also showing promising results as the Peugeot brand spreads its wings across the globe. Here in Australia the brand continues to go from strength to strength with the recently released 2008 sub-compact SUV once again exceeding expectations. Identified as the next growth segment in the Australian market, the Sub-Compact SUV will appeal to a variety of buyers across many demographics. Peugeot is well placed to capitalise on this emerging segment with the 2008 already being praised as the class

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leader by many of the motoring press. Our dealer network continues to grow with new appointments across New South Wales and Victoria providing our valued customers with convenient locations across the country. We are planning to continue appointments in key locations across the country as we expand to accommodate customers in new regions. Although the industry as a whole is facing challenges resulting from headwinds expected in the economy, Peugeot is well placed to grow its presence into 2014 with some exciting marketing initiatives and new model releases set to serve the motoring needs of our most treasured resource, our customers. From the team at Peugeot Australia I wish you the very best for the holiday season and look forward to updating you again in 2014.

I’D LOVE TO GET YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS ISSUE. Email me at john@drivenmag.com.au If your letter gets published on the readers’ letters page you may even win a prize!

MAIL Send your letters to DRIVEN Mail, Australian Traveller Media, PO Box 159, Broadway NSW 2007 or email editor@drivenmag.com.au

WINNING LETTER Like many Peugeot drivers, I have a passion for the cars of the ’50s and ’60s. So it’s little wonder that I became involved in the 60th Anniversary Redex Rerun, organised by the Peugeot Car Club of Victoria – an event commemorating the first Redex Trial in 1953, which was won by the Peugeot 203 of Ken Tubman and John Marshall. I entered my 1962 403, which was one of the youngest cars in the field. Although it followed much the same route and covered 9600 kilometres, the dusty tracks of the old days are now sealed highways, and the competitive sections, only low-key motorkhanas and economy runs. The event started at Ken Tubman’s hometown, Maitland NSW, where we were farewelled by Peugeot Australia’s [then] director Bill Gillespie, who said that Peugeot clubs are the heart and soul of the brand. We spent the first night at Inverell, then headed into Queensland to Dalby, Bundaberg, Emerald, Longreach, Winton and Mt Isa. Once in the NT the cars covered big distances, overnighting at Tennant Creek and Mataranka before reaching Darwin. Heading south, there were stops at Daly Waters, Wycliffe Well, Alice Springs, and Yulara (some cars detoured via Kings Canyon). Then it was on to Coober Pedy and Port Augusta, and east to Nuriootpa for a rest day in wine country. The final push took us through Stawell, Ballarat, Shepparton, Tumut and Canberra before finishing at Peugeot’s HQ at Homebush. The most impressive part of the event was the camaraderie. When mechanical problems occurred, there were always plenty of people willing to get their hands dirty (it helped that we were followed by a truck carrying tools and spare parts). It was a tour de force. Paul Watson, Torquay Vic ED: Thanks Paul for sharing your story with DRIVEN. What an adventure! 8 DRIVEN

BRILLIANT DESIGN CONCEPTS My wife and I always enjoy reading DRIVEN when it arrives. We love the different sections and visiting or remembering places in Australia and overseas. The reports of latest releases get us imagining possible new purchases (in the future now that we have just replaced our 308 Touring with a pretty little Babylon Red 3008 Hatchback), the design section is always a pleasure: Peugeot has always been at the front edge of design and functionality. Issue #1 2013 brought wonderful memories of lazy trips through the Barossa Valley, browsing the food and wine offerings on sunny days – treasured memories for both of us. We need to do it again soon. The section that really got our attention in this issue however was the design section, particularly the Onyx concept car and the astounding Pleyel Piano, what a brilliant conception! Thank you for such intriguing glimpses of what DESIGN might be! Peter Ferguson, Herne Hill Vic Peugeot ED: It’s great to Design Lab hear Peugeot inspires you, Peter! Flick to page 20 for an in-depth interview with Sandeep Bhambra, the exterior designer of the Onyx. Designed for Pleyel, the Peugeot Design Lab piano revolutionises the conventions of the musical world. It is an emblematic product that demonstrates Peugeot Design Lab’s first co-branding work with an outside client. The lowering of the mechanics allows the aligning of the piano’s cover and keyboard, and for the first time in the history of the piano, the audience can see the artist play from any viewing angle. This shows off the pianist’s hands and creates a higher level of interaction with the audience. Its soft and structured silhouette takes the look of the streamlined hull of a competition sailing boat. And with its sculptured surfaces and aerodynamic look, the piano has a slender appearance and is resolutely revolutionary.

With design studios in Paris, Shanghai and Sao Paulo, the Peugeot Design Lab team create products and concepts that exemplify both form and function. Here we bring you the latest creations from the 2012 Paris Motor Show. peugeotdesignlab.com

Shaped using raw materials, this supercar known simply as Onyx, has been created by enthusiasts who have drawn their inspiration from the world of racing. With its midmounted V8 engine, Onyx propels admirers in a world of high performance, controlled at all times through a cockpit with intuitive

This herb grinder concept was inspired by the mythical Peugeot coffee mill and created to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Compact in size, it has a full, smooth and refined form, with sensual curves rather than sharp angles, creating a timeless and practical design. Operation of the mill is by a crank, connected by an easy circular motion directly to the cutting system. The mixed herbs are served directly into the main container. The presentation is beautiful and fresh, with the aromas preserved, and cleaning the components is a simple task.

instrumentation and controls. Beyond its breathtaking beauty, it explores the application of new, primary materials to take efficiency even further. The unique sculpted shape, the extremely aerodynamic lines, and its supercar performance, make Onyx the concept car of the century.

DRIVEN MARCH 2013

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A DRIVE WITH A DASH OF DESSERT Thanks for the first DRIVEN magazine of 2013, and in particular for the great article on the Barossa. I took my brother and a friend for a drive up there and absolutely loved Bistro 1918! The

desserts were so good we got one each and the dessert platter to share! It was an easy drive, so if readers don’t have time to stay, it’s definitely worth taking the car up there for a day trip. And it should remind those in Adelaide that there are so many great regions right on their doorstep! Tristan Hardy, Adelaide SA ED: Thanks for your letter Tristan. Sometimes we forget that the best road trips might just be at our backdoor.

THE BAROSSA VALLEY

Cruising through one of Australia’s oldest wine regions Life in the slow lane… take your time, savour every drop and discover the delights Words by Tatyana Leonov Photography by Richard Fürhoff

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THE JOYS OF CRUISING We just love our Peugeot 308 and we are now on our third update. It was very special to see the last DRIVEN Magazine featuring the Barossa Valley where we live. Your feature really showcased all what the Barossa has to offer in its abundant varied experiences of wine, food, scenery and hospitality. The Peugeot 308 is a pleasure to drive and own, and the versatility of comfort is ideal to enjoy, while touring around our region. Many thanks once again. Maureen MacGillivray, Tanunda SA ED: Glad you enjoyed the read Maureen. Hopefully this issue will inspire you to travel up to the Gold Coast.

For his winning letter Paul Watson has won a Boombox case set from SUITSUIT valued at $494.95. These cases are extremely light and impact-resistant with luxurious interior, mesh lid compartment, packing straps and a grab handles, memory foam for extra comfort when carrying, and a TSA lock. With so many brilliant prints to choose from you’ll stand out of the crowd with SUITSUIT! LoveLuggage.com.au

DESIGN

Commissioned to coincide with the presence of Peugeot at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed with its thrilling on-stand Flowrider Surf Machine, the Peugeot Design Lab has produced a unique GTi Surfboard Concept. The design was inspired by the thrill from driving Peugeot’s latest performance products, most notably the new 208 GTi and also saluting the new RCZ R and exclusive Onyx Concept Car.

Peugeot Design Lab With design studios in Paris, Shanghai and Sao Paulo, the Peugeot Design Lab team create products and concepts that exemplify both form and function. With over 20 projects operating at any one time, the Peugeot Design Lab team has grown significantly, and earlier this year the studio moved into a new and bigger office inside the ADN – Automotive Design Network, the design headquarter of PSA Peugeot Citroën group. This office keeps the synergy between Peugeot Design Lab and the automotive design team. Peugeot Design Lab celebrated its first anniversary on 12 June 2013. peugeotdesignlab.com These lion cub figurines have been cast in resin and brought to life thanks to the designers, graphic designers and illustrators of the Peugeot Design Centre. Their inspiration was diverse and included contemporary art, poetry, chemistry, street culture, architecture and fashion.

The AE21 HYbrid is a compact e-bike designed for anybody seeking distinctive urban transport. The AE21 seeks to seduce with its unique style: it is urban, smart, agile, compact, and convenient – and combines ease of use with elegance.

EUROPEAN DESIGN KAMINI EZRALOW’S new woven cashmere headboard, bed and bedside tables from her Bronze collection are both luxurious and elegant. The bed and bedside tables feature figured sycamore stained dark grey in high-gloss finish with bronze. The headboard has been upholstered in cashmere from Loro Piana’s Sherpa range. On the bed a valance in a cashmere/linen fabric, also from Loro Piana, adds an extra dash of decadence. ezralowdesign.com

MEET THE DESIGNER Kamini Ezralow is a wellestablished interior designer who recently founded her own London-based studio. Her first furniture collection, Bronze, was well-received at Milan’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2013.

What inspires you when creating pieces? Inspiration for me comes from everywhere and everything. Whether it is nature, fashion, art or music – there are kernels of ideas that grow into an expression of design. I also look to past design eras, such as in the case of Bronze, Art Deco and Hollywood Regency. What can you tell us about your new range? Bronze is a marriage of true Italian craftsmanship and my love for Art Deco – the clean, sophisticated lines of that era within a contemporary interpretation sets a tone that is truly transitional and can work in any aesthetic environment, either a piece on its own or as a suite. The pieces are understated and elegant, with an emphasis on comfort. Do you see any prominent trends emerging in European design? I think there is an emphasis on comfort rather than just cutting-edge design. With the frantic pace of the world today, more clients are looking to turn their homes into some sort of refuge and nourishment. And many designs today are addressing this need. What can we expect to see from you in the future? I am currently working on a fabric range that is due to debut in September, as well as a soft furnishings range. And of course, I continue my interior design work – currently we are working on a restaurant in Monaco, a hotel in Spain, a chalet in Switzerland and residences in London. ezralowdesign.com 12 DRIVEN

THE PEPPER TABLE, designed by renowned interior designer François Champsaur, forms part of his outdoor range. The table alternates between symmetry and dissymmetry, whilst contrasting the fineness of the aluminium tabletop and the geometric flats of the base in lacquered steel. champsaur.com

MAX LAMB is a lover of nature and all things creative, thanks to his upbringing in Cornwall, England. His sculptural tableware named Crockery is a celebration of all things artistic, natural and traditional, born from the idea that an item should strike up dialogue between the maker, the product and the user. The pieces are constructed in fine bone china. textura.com.au

WORDS BY ALEXANDRA LONGSTAFF; IMAGES COURTESY OF SUPPLIERS

What is your relationship with design? Design is life! Often when the word design is used it is specified – meaning product design, interior design, clothing design. But for me, in fact, design is all around us – in nature, in life, in relationships. I take a lot of inspiration from all that is around me. A small detail can spark thoughts that are then transformed into action.

AUSTRALIAN DESIGN

FORMED BY TWO MELBOURNE-BASED DESIGNERS by the names of Lisa Vincitorio and Laelie Berzon, Something Beginning With has a vision to produce beautifully formed and perfectly functional pieces that inspire. The Oscar chair features smooth lines and simple colours and the frame is constructed using environmentally friendly and recyclable timber. somethingbeginningwith.com.au

INSPIRED BY A JAPANESE ROCK GARDEN, the Sticks & Stone outdoor setting designed by Ash Allen represents the sharp reaching stems of bamboo and the naturally worn skipping stone. The range is actually made with lightweight Tasmanian Oak for the dowel base and a solid cast stone top that incorporates recycled rubber for added texture. ashallen.com 14 DRIVEN

MEET THE DESIGNER Ross Gardam is one of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading furniture and lighting designers. Having worked with some of the biggest commercial firms in Australia, his approach to sustainability and design is gathering momentum. Tell us about your creations. Generally, I work across furniture and lighting design. Each product has its own story to tell; the lighting collections are individually handmade in Melbourne by artisans working in glass, timber and ceramics. Their function is simple, the form is minimal; material and process are both at the foreground. What is your inspiration? I am inspired by material and process. They are usually the driving forces behind the creation of my products. Simplicity is also inspiring; there is so much noise out there so I love resolutions that pare all this back to simple and honest solutions. How is sustainability reflected in your designs? Sustainability is an important piece of the puzzle with any new project. Research, materials, processes and production are important and this informs the design. Teaming up with a manufacturer who has an EMS (Environmental Management System) in place and carries material certification, such as FSC chain of custody, ensures the products are made in the most conscious way. I have a product stewardship agreement on all of the products, so at the end of their life we are happy to take the products back and upcycle or recycle them. What do you see for the future of Australian design? Australian design within my sector is full of life and continuing to grow. I feel there is a genuine shift to designers and architects who specify more Australian-designed and manufactured products, which is great. Closer ties with Asia, not only as a manufacturing partner but as a market, are inevitable and there is huge opportunity to accelerate the growth of Australian design there. rossgardam.com.au

WORDS BY ALEXANDRA LONGSTAFF; IMAGES COURTESY OF SUPPLIERS

ROSS GARDAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Oak pendant light is a beautifully smooth, handcrafted design. The clean shape of the body is accentuated with the addition of a hole near the top, which allows for variable hanging options and therefore different aesthetics. The oak is FSC certified, meaning that not only does it look clean, but from an environmental perspective, it is clean. rossgardam.com.au

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PEUGEOT MOMENTS

THE NEW KING OF THE PEAK SET HIGH IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, Pikes Peak is one of the most challenging hill climbs in the world. Dubbed ‘The race to the clouds’, the 20-kilometre stretch of tarmac has 156 corners and has claimed numerous lives over the last 97 years, as thousands of dare- devil racers have competed to claim the ultimate prize – to be the fastest driver up the mountain. The track climbs 1440 metres from the start at Mile 7 on Pikes Peak Highway, to the finish at 4300 metres on grades averaging seven per cent. The second-oldest motorsports race in the US got a new look last year when the winding course leading to the peak was fully paved for the first time. Until last year the road was partially unpaved with racers having to negotiate the twists and turns on rough gravel. On top of that, there are no guard rails and no safety barriers to stop cars plummeting down the steep mountainside when a driver gets it wrong. Exactly 25 years after Peugeot set a blistering lap record with the 405 T16 at the hands of rally legend Ari Vatanen, Sébastien Loeb and Peugeot Sport teamed together to once again tackle the mountain. In 1988, Vatanen broke the Pikes Peak record for Peugeot with a time of 10m.47.22s on gravel roads. This year, after months of anticipation, Sébastien Loeb shattered the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record with a breathtaking time of 8m.13.878s in the 208 T16 Pikes Peak. The Frenchman negotiated the mountain course at an average speed of 145 kilometres per hour and blitzed the previous best of 9m.46.164s, set by Rhys Millen last year, with the top three finishers all beating the 2012 record. “For me, this was the race of the year,” said Loeb at the finish, 4300 metres high in the Rocky Mountains. “At the beginning of my run there was a bit of pressure for sure, because I knew there was so much work

and investment from Peugeot and all the partners. Now, after all the practise, it was just down to me – and I had to perform!” Loeb was the first of the Unlimited Class cars to start up the mountain, unleashing his 875-horsepower 208 T16 up the mountain amidst concerns of bad weather at the summit – a common issue of Pikes Peak at high altitude. “When I was on the start line waiting to go, I could actually see the clouds closing in at the top of the mountain,” said Loeb. “I remember thinking that if we didn’t get going soon, it would be really difficult.” Loeb steered his 208 T16 in a time that was quicker than even Peugeot Sport’s computer had thought was possible. The ideal theoretical time – calculated using data from Loeb’s practice runs up the Colorado mountain – was 8m15s. But, in a truly amazing run, the nine-time world rally champion shaved two seconds off that. “I’m really happy as that was a very good run in the end,” said Loeb. “I really didn’t expect anything better than 8m15s, so to do [just over] 8m13s was fantastic. Before the start I didn’t really know if I should push absolutely to the maximum, or if I should just push to a comfortable pace, in order to make sure of the victory. In the end, I decided to push to the limit.” Loeb now joins the pantheon of Pikes Peak winners; nearly one year to the day after he first conquered America by winning the rally cross finale of the X-Games on 1 July 2012. Despite his flat-out approach, the multiple champion didn’t report any major moments, while his Peugeot has been completely reliable throughout the entire month it has been in America. “It was good, all under control from start to finish,” he concluded. “Apart from the potential of the weather turning bad, we didn’t have any worrying moments.” In second place was former record-holder Rhys Millen in his all-new Hyundai RMR PM580-T, 49 seconds behind Loeb with a time of 9m02.192s. The New Zealander beat his own record – and he says that he’s determined to break the nine-minute barrier next year. “I think it’s fair to say that we were racing for second place today,” said Millen. “Myself and Romain Dumas had been really close throughout practice, but then I heard that his engine had unfortunately broken at the start. I knew I wasn’t going to beat Sébastien’s time, so I just decided to take no risks. You have to hand it to Loeb and Peugeot Sport: they were unbeatable. That time they set was simply incredible. When will it be beaten? It might never be…” Yet despite the danger this mountainous

range provides each year, 150 on average tackle the event. It is currently contested by a variety of classes of cars, trucks, motorcycles and quads. For Loeb and Peugeot Sport, it was the end to a remarkable adventure that had taken them from early tests of the 208 T16 Pikes Peak at Mont Ventoux in France to the untrammelled mountains of Colorado: officially America’s highest state. Pikes Peak is a legend. And now Loeb – the new King of the Peak – and the Peugeot 208 are part of American history. D

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DESIGN

The key to Peugeot’s approach is the duality of motion and emotion, representing both technology and a certain allure in its design

You have led the exterior design team to create a family of Onyx concepts, what is different about designing a whole line opposed to only one car? Peugeot is a very unique brand, as we make everything from cycles to scooters to cars. Our objective with the Onyx concepts

France, I had wanted to work with Jean Pierre Ploué and Gilles Vidal. After few years of working elsewhere, my ex-boss Mr Pierre Castinel, moved to Peugeot and presented an opportunity, as Peugeot was seeking fresh talent. Of course I was very interested and, after a few interviews, I got through.

Meet the Peugeot Designer

SANDEEP BHAMBRA’S latest work on the Onyx concept car has won Peugeot many accolades including the prestigious Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award 2013, Concept Car of the Year at Festival Automobile International and Concept Car of the Year at Paris Motor Show. Sandeep is a graduate from Strate Collége Designers France and has worked previously for international brands in UK and India – he has been a designer at Peugoet since 2010. Did you choose Peugeot or did Peugeot choose you? It was combination. While studying in

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was to show our vision of the Peugeot brand across all the modes of transport that we make. The vision was a dream-like scenario with the Onyx Supercar, Onyx Scooter and the Onyx Time Trial Bike. I personally worked on the first two and the cycle was designed by another designer. It was important for us to make three unique vehicles that make a strong statement when viewed individually and transmit a very coherent message when viewed together. The Onyx Supercar is our vision of responsible luxury – it’s a diesel-electric hybrid supercar. The Onyx Scooter is a high-performance dual-mode (urban and inter-city) threewheeled scooter. And the concept bike is a super-efficient time trial cycle. How does Peugeot’s holistic approach to design differ from other car companies? The key to Peugeot’s approach is the duality of motion and emotion, representing both technology and a certain allure in its design. The Onyx uses copper and even recycled paper! How and where do you get the inspiration for such an audacious project? We wanted to use material that tells a story and lives and ages with the car. Copper is wonderful metal, it’s so warm, precious looking, and with age creates its patina through oxidation. It’s very poetic! This is why we felt it was the perfect material for the exterior panel. Half the car’s body is very high-tech, as it’s made of carbon fibre; and the other half is quite a feat of craftsmanship as it’s hand-beaten copper. Further, the up-cycled paper is a very interesting material as it has rather ordinary origins, but yet it’s extremely beautiful and haute de gamme when used correctly. How would you describe your design style? I would describe my design style as

sculptural-techno-edge. This works for Peugeot, as Peugeot kind of represents the duality at the heart of the brand.

Is there a designer that you most admire? There are many… but Marcello Gandini and Zaha Hadid are surely on top of my list!

The Onyx is Peugeot’s vision for the future, what trends do you expect to see rolling off the production lines in the future? The overall design identity, the sharpness and the sculptural aspects of exterior and interior, the use of ecological material – all this will most likely trickle down to our future production lineup. There are very exciting times ahead indeed!

What thought do you give to the environment when designing a concept like the Onyx? Environmental responsibility is at the heart of product conception at Peugeot today. Hence it is key aspect with the Onyx concept. We paid a lot of attention to keep the processing of the materials to a minimum; for example, we used unprotected raw copper, felt and upcycled paper wood. Further, thanks to its all carbon chassis, the car is extremely light at only 1100 kilograms. It’s driven by a 680hp diesel-electric hybrid powertrain,

which is a benchmark in terms of performance and efficiency. Onyx shows that environmental responsibility and good old-fashion driving pleasure can go hand-inhand into the future.

What is your favorite element of the Onyx? It’s a one-off prototype, so it’s very special! I like all of it, but in particular I like the body side a lot. It’s a transformational sculpture that goes from sharp and structured on the door, to a very sensual form around the wheels, starting in copper and ending in carbon fibre. I also like the carbon fibre chassis details, which stick out of the bodywork as a functional aero winglet and hold the rear-view camera too.

What has been your most memorable experience since working in the car design industry? When the Onyx Concept car won the Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award 2012 and the jury announced that they believe this car will be deemed a classic 40 years from now – that was a big wow moment!

If you were not a car designer, what would you be? An architect or an explorer. D

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Interior of the Birds Nest

The eerie-looking UFO Treeroom

ECO RESORTS

The Mirrorcube reflects the natural surroundings

TREEHOTEL: HARADS, SWEDEN REMEMBER LONG SUMMER DAYS spent playing in your tree house? At the Treehotel in Sweden you can step back in time and stay in one of seven wondrous tree-rooms. Located in Harads, around 80 kilometres from the city of Lulea, Treehotel is the brainchild of Britta and Kent Lindvall. Inspired by Jonas Selberg Augustsén’s film The Tree Lover (a story about three city dwellers who rediscover their roots by building a tree house together), Britta and Kent built their concept hotel with an emphasis on the surrounding pine forest. The whimsical tree rooms are suspended above the ground (ranging from four to six metres high), giving guests the experience of really being amidst the foliage. Together with some of Scandinavia’s leading architects, the Lindvall’s created dwellings with minimal impact to the environment. Substantial resources have been devoted to finding sustainable

construction and energy solutions, and each room features an environmentally-friendly combustion toilet and a water-efficient sink. The seven distinctively themed rooms, all with spectacular views of the Lule River, are unique not only in exterior, but also in the custom-designed interior furnishings. The Mirrorcube is a box in which the surroundings are reflected. To avoid birds flying into the mirrored walls, they’ve been clad with infrared film (the colour is invisible to humans but highly visible to birds). The exterior of the Bird’s Nest looks just like the real thing, albeit much larger, while providing a camouflage for guests to disappear into. Whereas, the UFO is designed to do the opposite, cast in durable composite materials, it looks eerily out of place in the forest. Guests of Treehotel can unwind in an almost untouched environment and escape into the fantasy world that is reminiscent of their childhood. treehotel.se

Chic sustainability goes global

Green living is so in, it’s almost mainstream. Better still, building a better and more beautiful future is great – not just for travellers frequenting these eco hot spots, but also our planet. Sustainable design and building, the implementation of animal welfare programs, conservation projects startups and the involvement of local communities are just some of the valuable constituents being instigated by hospitality businesses that are changing our landscape, writes Tatyana Leonov 20 DRIVEN

IMAGES COURTESY OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Cool off in the stunning resort pool at dusk

Around 30 Thai elephants live onsite

ANANTARA GOLDEN TRIANGLE: CHANG RAI, THAILAND

NESTLED IN the intersection between Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, this luxurious hilltop retreat in Thailand’s north offers stunning views across the Mekong River and beyond. It’s a truly opulent resort with all the trimmings – gorgeous rooms with Thai-style accents, stellar restaurants and an absolutely indulgent spa. But the Anantara’s charm doesn’t just lie in its ultra-luxe ambiance – it’s actually an eco-friendly wunderkind that also houses its very own elephant conservation camp. Last year the resort won a hat trick of environmental awards for its commitment to protecting the planet and maintaining excellent environmentally-friendly practices. Its eco achievements include using recycled wood and locally-sourced materials to refurbish pre-existing buildings; introducing tree planting and wastewater treatment initiatives; enforcing hunting and fishing regulations to create a haven for the area’s native species; and donating out-of-use bed linen, toweling and unused amenities to local communities and charities to encourage recycling and reusing. The resort has also set an energy consumption saving target of 10 per cent annually to reduce its impact on the area, and guests can even contribute to Anantara’s conservation work themselves by participating in native tree planting. Many elephants in Thailand live on the streets without adequate nutrition and healthcare, and the resort’s onsite elephant camp is designed to better the lives of the 30 or so Thai elephants that live there with the aid of food and veterinary care. Guests can opt to take an education tour with the resort’s director of elephants, John Roberts, learning about the improved livelihood of the creatures (yes, guests can ride the gentle giants too). Every year Anantara holds the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in the seaside town of Hua Hin to further raise money for the elephant camp. goldentriangle.anantara.com

The Thai-style Three Country View suite

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THE BERKELEY RIVER LODGE, THE KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA THE KIMBERLEY COASTLINE is renowned for being simply stunning, and the 20 ocean view villas that make up the Berkeley River Lodge offer visitors a truly magnificent escape amidst the rugged surroundings. Martin and Kim Peirson-Jones were initially approached by the traditional Indigenous owners from Wyndham and Kalumburu to find a tourism use for their land. They wanted a development that would offer employment opportunities, a revenue stream, and eventually the opportunity to return to live on their land. They spent two years of living on-site making it all happen (initially in a tent before the building materials arrived). In May 2012 they welcomed their first guests and by the end of the 2012 they’d won the state’s New Tourism Development Award. Throughout the design and the building environmental sustainability was a major

The luxury villas look as though they are floating on sand dunes

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ECO RESORTS consideration. The natural layout of the dunes was complementary to the direction the architect was given to maximise views from all buildings and harness prevailing breezes, minimising the need for air conditioning throughout most of the year. Care was also taken to minimise the removal of plant life. Building materials include recycled plastic timber decking, sustainable growth bamboo flooring throughout the interior, as well as plantation structural pine timber where required. An extensive solar system was also installed to complement diesel generators, and currently 90 per cent of the electricity comes from solar energy, which is used in the main building and in each of the villas as well as in the laundry. The luxe lodge is only accessible by air or sea, but the level of difficulty getting there makes it all the more appealing… berkeleyriver.com.au Arrive to the secluded lodge by floatplane

All villas have been built to maximise views

IMAGES COURTESY OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Dining alfresco at andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge

Phinda Forest Lodge is set in the heart of a rare dry sand forest

Africa’s famous Big Five are found here

ANDBEYOND PHINDA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, KWAZULUNATAL , SOUTH AFRICA

EACH ANDBEYOND LODGE is built and maintained with minimal impact on the surrounding environment – a key feature when it comes to any building project – but especially important when the surrounding land that a resort stands on is home to an abundance of wildlife. Not all solutions are glamorous, some even go unnoticed, but finding practical solutions to minimise land disturbance is pivotal on each and every reserve. This might include the water recycling, solar power use and the removal and recycling of invasive vegetation. At Phinda even the biofuel that is created from the recycled kitchen and workshops is used in pilot vehicles and on-site lanterns. These vehicles take guests out to sight everything from large mammals such as the

magnificent lion, to tiny elegant creatures like the graceful nyala antelope. However, at Phinda it is the fastest of predators that has a special place. Having reintroduced the cheetah to the area after an absence of over 50 years, Phinda has quickly established a reputation as one of the best places to view and photograph these rare cats. With much of Phinda dominated by a mosaic of various Savanna habitats, these speedy carnivores have plenty of space to carry out their explosive hunting technique, as well as enough cover to protect and shelter their cubs. Another success story at Phinda is that of both the white and the more endangered black rhino. Brought back from the brink of extinction, both the grass-eating white rhino and the shrub-grazing black rhino are doing well at the reserve thanks to the maintenance of the landscape. D andBeyond.com

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7. Stone_Saturdays.indd 191

7/02/13 9:01 AM

INGREDIENTS Mango chutney ½ cup sugar mango, pitted, peeled, and cut into 5mm dice ¼ cup unseasoned rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice sea salt Crab cakes ½ cup mayonnaise 1 large egg 2 tablespoons Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh coriander 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

With Tatyana Leonov

EAT & DRINK

Curtis Stone’s Asian crab cakes with mango chutney 45 minutes 15 minutes The chutney can be made up to one week ahead. Up to step 3, the crab cakes can be made up to 8 hours ahead, covered and refrigerated.

1-2 teaspoons seeded and finely chopped medium red chilli ½ teaspoon sea salt Finely grated zest of 1 lime ¼ cup finely chopped spring onions, white and green parts 500g crabmeat, picked over for cartilage and shells, well drained 1½ cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs) 6 tablespoons canola oil 60g unsalted butter ½ Lebanese cucumber, sliced into thin rounds, and then into matchstick-size strips Fresh coriander sprigs, for garnish Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon or fleur de sel, for garnish

METHOD 1. To make the chutney: Heat a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and cook without stirring, tilting the pan as needed so that the sugar cooks evenly for about 5 minutes or until it melts into an amber caramel. Do not stir or the caramel will crystallise. Remove from heat and stir in the mango (the caramel will seize), then the rice vinegar and lime juice. Return to medium heat and stir constantly for about 5 minutes, or until the mango is translucent and the caramel is dissolved and syrupy. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Season with salt. 2. To prepare the crab cakes: In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, egg, fish sauce, ginger, coriander, sesame oil, chilli, salt, and lime zest together, then whisk in the spring onions. Add the crabmeat and stir to coat, breaking it apart coarsely to leave small whole chunks in the mixture. Fold in the panko. Cover and refrigerate the crab mixture for 30 minutes so that the mixture is easier to form. Using about 1/3 cup of the crab mixture for each cake, shape into 12 x 2cm-thick crab cakes and place on a baking tray. 3. To cook the crab cakes: Preheat the oven to 95°C/75°C fan-forced. Line a baking tray with paper towels. Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the canola oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter and heat until hot but not smoking. Working in 2 batches, fry 6 crab cakes for about 2 minutes on each side, or until crisp and golden, adjusting the heat as needed to brown evenly without scorching. Transfer to the baking tray and keep warm in the oven. Wipe out the pan with paper towels and repeat with the remaining canola oil, butter, and 6 crab cakes. 4. To serve: Place 2 crab cakes on each plate. Spoon some mango chutney over and beside crab cakes. Top each with the cucumber and garnish with the coriander sprigs and sea salt.

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Get to know

CURTIS STONE This Aussie chef, bestselling author and TV personality released his fifth cookbook, What’s for Dinner?: Recipes for a Busy Life, in April My favourite food in the world is my mum’s roast pork dinner with crackling. It tastes so damn good and reminds me of family dinners. My favourite dish to make at the moment would have to be my caramel pot de crème from my latest cookbook What’s For Dinner? because it makes everyone smile. My cooking philosophy is to cook as Mother Nature intended and treat ingredients simply. Mother Nature did such a fine job why tamper with her good work? When I’m in Australia I love to eat at so many places! Australia is brimming with interesting restaurants, but my favourite place would have to be my mum’s place! I’m inspired by Marco Pierre White. He was my mentor for so many years and really shaped my appreciation for French cuisine – and taught me so much! The one dish I can’t live without is a spring lamb roast. I miss Aussie lamb! You’d be surprised to find ice cubes laced with summer berries in my freezer. The culinary tool everyone needs is a good knife. You don’t need a selection of 20, just a nice sharp chef’s knife and a solid chopping board and you’re halfway there. For fun I get out in my veggie garden with my son Hudson and our golden retriever. curtisstone.com

Sydney goes Greek

Peter Conistis has flowed in and out of Sydney’s restaurant scene for years. This year he is back… with a bang – a deliciously decadent bang of all good things Greek ALPHA

The white glass sliding doors to Peter Conistis’ most recent endeavour transports you back to Athens, where tradition meets contemporary: ancient text carved into a large ruin-like wall, airy white high ceilings and soft glowing lights. The Hellenic site houses a mezze bar, a casual restaurant and food store surrounded by village-inspired installations. Cooking alongside his mother, Peter’s culinary passion has existed in Sydney for 20 years with Civic Dining, the two-hatted Omega, Cosmos, and Eleni’s restaurant – now with the $4 million Alpha establishment and plans to further expand his Grecian empire. Greek cocktails are available with a selection of wines from Australia and various regions of Hellas with your mezze and home cooked pita starters. The spanakopita, dolmades and Greek-spiced slow-roasted lamb shoulder are the traditional favourites from the mezzanine kitchen. And a ‘vintage’ section offers the signature moussaka, silky layers of eggplant, cream with seared scallops along with the rabbit and black olive pie. Contemporary dishes are sure to intrigue; an ouzo-cured ocean trout, the mastic-spiced quail fetta watermelon salad and the loukoumades, a Greek spiced honey syrup doughnut ball served with candied walnut ice-cream. Good wholesome Greek food, kali orexi! alpharestaurant.com.au

ANATOLI AT THE EASTERN

Matt Fitzgerald, head chef at Sydney’s Anatoli, doesn’t look like your typical Greek chef but he does put a mean Greek meal together. He shares (some) of his secrets with DRIVEN

What inspired the menu? For Anatoli’s menu, I started with the fantastic produce available in Australia, then gathered ideas and inspiration from the diverse produce of Greece and its cuisine to create what we call a modern Greek-inspired menu. What does true Greek dining mean to you? Sharing! It’s the Greek way to have plenty of dishes and share them with family, friends and guests while enjoying each other’s company and a few wines or ouzo! Are there any traditional Greek cooking methods used in the Anatoli kitchen? I spent countless hours researching Greek cuisine and putting what I learnt into practice by getting into the kitchen with two generations of Greek families. I certainly picked up some family secrets along the way. When the meals were designed, what factors were taken into account? We are utilising the flavours and ingredients of Greece to come up with dishes,

not just reworking old Greek dishes that everyone knows. We are trying to be much more original in what we do, rather than follow the traditional route, and offer something Sydney hasn’t experienced before. What is your favourite food region in Greece? I would have to say Crete as it has an abundance of produce from the land and sea, as well as some fantastic wines. What’s your favourite dish on the menu? The lamb belly with sumac, mustard and roast walnuts is very tasty and it’s a cut of meat you don’t see too often on menus. I also love the roast sardines. What inspired the open pastry kitchen? It all came down to space; our savoury kitchen is small as it is and utilising that lovely large bar in the centre of the restaurant to fit in a pastry area was a sensible choice. We do all our desserts, bread for the taramasalata and our Greek-inspired petit fours there. theeastern.com.au/anatoli

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EAT & DRINK

Surf n’ Turf

morning,” Arman says. “Usually John Dory, yellow tail kingfish, snapper, yellow fin tuna, bream, rock cod, monkfish, garfish, squid, mullet and leather jacket are common, but it changes daily. What remains constant is the short time from ocean to the plate.” Arman combines training in his Turkish homeland and renowned Sydney restaurant, Efendy, to add a contemporary Middle Eastern and Mediterranean touch to the menu – but lets the freshness of the produce speak for itself, concentrating on simple and classic flavours. His signature dishes include pickled and grilled bonito with mustard cress and pinenuts; confit leg and roasted breast of guineafowl with fava bean puree and shimeji mushrooms; and an adaptation of Turkish street food called octopus kokorech. Must-try dish: There’s nothing quite like fresh grilled fish (catch of the day of course). So seductively simple it’s celestial. flanagansdiningroom.com.au

Surrounded by the ocean, it’s no wonder restaurants all around the Australian coastline serve scrumptious fish straight out of the sea. Australian beef is also world renowned. Here, two restaurants that serve up the best of land and sea FOR SEAFOOD: FLANAGANS DINING ROOM IN THIRROUL, NSW Summer is here, and the spot to be for dinner? Overlooking the beach – of course. Located on the stunning shoreline of Thirroul Beach in NSW, Flanagans Dining Room offers unspoiled views over the Tasman Sea. The setting is the ideal backdrop for the restaurant’s fresh and simple philosophy that utilises the best wild-caught seafood and locally-sourced produce. This focus on using seasonal ingredients means no two days at Flanagans are the same, so exploring the menu is fun each and every time. Head chef Arman Uz sources his seafood daily from the surrounding Wollongong coast, making the menu replete with a broad variety of wild fish such as bonito, leather jacket and John Dory. “I don’t order, I choose to pick up our seafood every morning, just after it comes off the boat. I never know the menu for the day until I see what has been caught that

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FOR STEAK: STEAKHOUSE ‘98’ IN ROCKHAMPTON, QUEENSLAND Rockhampton is known as the beef capital of Australia, mainly because of the sheer concentration of cattle within the area – Australia has between 26 to 28 million head of cattle across the country, with Rockhampton sitting at approximately four to five million of that. The region is covered in prime cattle-raising pasture and, better still, produces some of the most beautiful tasting and tender beef of any area in Australia. The place to get the best steak? Steakhouse ‘98’ is Rockhampton’s signature steakhouse – here the meat comes super tender and succulent. Doogan O’Hanlon, owner and passionate beef eater, says, “while we source a lot of beef locally and also from other leading Australian beef producing areas, we have a tenderisation process and precise ageing time for all of our beef to go through before we will let it hit our char grill. This process then ensures us to consistently produce succulent, juicy tasting steak for the diner.” What’s the process we hear you ask? “All of our beef is wet-aged vacuum-sealed for a minimum of six weeks. This breaks down the structural proteins within the muscle tissue, 70 per cent of the breakdown occurs within the first 10 days of this process and then the optimum time is from the sixweek mark.” Must-try dish: ‘Teys Gold’ eye fillet. “It’s a local eye fillet and it is just sensational,” says Doogan... in between bites. 98.com.au/restaurant.htm

from Rebello

5 minutes with Ruth Gallace

What other products have you launched? Our most recent product is Cheeky Little Batch – artisan batches of cider made

apple cider vinaigrette; finished off with Strawberry Port infused Stilton cheese… or simply with your favourite roast.

change that! The first ciders we made were apple and strawberry apple. The popularity of our ciders has taken us all by surprise, and we’ve continued to evolve the range to now include seven new varietals never attempted before, which are based purely on consumer feedback.

What’s next for Rebello? In November, we will release a Methode Cider, which is an alternative to sparkling wine or Champagne. It’s made using 100 per cent local granny smith apples, with only 1000 bottles to be initially produced. And we are extending our products to more independent outlets across Australia and are looking at export markets particularly in South East Asia. rebellowines.com.au

Are people able to visit your cellar door or is it all online? We have a cellar door at Sunny Ridge Strawberry farm, as well as online.

Dabinett cider apples, some wild yeast and an oak barrel ferment – which was paired perfectly most recently at the Brunswick Street Cider House in Melbourne with German-inspired succulent pork belly roast.

Tell us about the pairing of your wines and ciders with food. Our products extend from sparkling fruit wines made with 100 per cent real strawberries, to ciders made from different varieties of apple and berries, depending on the season. We don’t use additives, flavourings or concentrates in our products. Our most successful sparkling ‘Strawbellini’ [the only Australian sparkling to be awarded a double gold medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition along with France’s renowned Veuve Clicquot and America’s Piper Sonoma] is perfect when served alongside smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. Or for a real indulgence try it with some of Sunny Ridge’s freeze-dried chocolate-coated strawberries. Our products are just as good paired with decadent dishes such as confit duck ravioli in buerre noisette with mixed leaves, fresh pomegranate and

Ruth Gallace and her husband Matt started boutique winery and cider house Rebello some eight years ago, making fruit wines using berries from the family farm on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Two years ago they moved to cider, producing Australia’s first 100 per cent real fruit-blended cider, Cheeky Rascal, and experienced such phenomenal success that the trial run sold out before production even finished. They have since won a string of accolades, both nationally and internationally. We chat to Ruth about their success

What inspired you to start Rebello? Matt’s parents own one of the largest strawberry farms in Australia, Sunny Ridge, and a lot of product is simply not suitable for supermarkets or wholesale markets due to it being out of shape or slightly bruised. We wanted to find a use for that fruit and, being situated on the Mornington Peninsula, we saw wine as a really viable option. At the time, a lot of the fruit wine made in Australia was of poor quality so we saw this as an opportunity to set the standard in quality fruit wines in this country. How did the name Rebello come about? Rebello is a play on the Italian word for rebel. Matt’s grandfather came to Australia from Italy some three decades ago and bought land on the Mornington Peninsula where he planted fruit trees. On a holiday, his son Mick thought the land would be better suited to strawberries and pulled the trees and replanted the land with strawberries, and Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm was born. We wanted to reflect that sense of rebel in the family and our own move to break away from the family business and do something completely different – while still respecting the traditional winemaking techniques handed down over generations. Why did you decide to move into ciders? Cider started gaining a cult following in 2010 but there weren’t any 100 per cent real fruitblended ciders in Australia. We decided to

DRIVEN 27

With Tyson Stelzer

CHAMPAGNES

10 OF THE BEST

No beverage speaks of celebration more universally than champagne, yet no other is marketed with more froth and bubble. This list cuts through the elaborate packaging and sales hype to assemble the very best champagnes to pop when price is no object. Here, the top ten bottles of more than 500 featured in The Champagne Guide 2014-2015

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2. DE SOUSA

Label Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart 2002 Why Billecart makes one of Champagne’s most breathtaking prestige cuvées, and it’s half the price of many of its peers. 2002 was one of Champagne’s finest vintages of the past decade, producing one of the most pristine champagnes for the price this year. Price $190 Web champagne-billecart.fr

1. BILLECART-SALMON

5. DOM PÉRIGNON

Label Le Clos Saint-Hilaire 1998 Why Bottled in miniscule quantities from a single hectare walled vineyard, this pinot noir is but halfway through its life. Whether you encounter it now or in 15 years, it’s a time-stopping experience that will stir the depths of your soul. Price $800 Web champagne-billecart.fr

4. BILLECART-SALMON

Label Clos d’Ambonnay 1998 Why Clos d’Ambonnay is the holy grail of the sparkling world, so rare that the opening of a bottle is a memorable occasion even for the house itself. It’s the most expensive current-release champagne, and it lives up to its price and reputation with resounding confidence. Price $4000 Web krug.com

7. KRUG

Label Aÿ Vauzelle Terme Recolte Brut 2002 Why No champagne house has ascended as rapidly as Jacquesson in recent years, and this is its greatest cuvée I have ever tasted. It’s one of the rarest champagnes this year, with a tiny plot of just 0.3 hectares of pinot noir yielding less than 2200 bottles. Price $300 Web champagnejacquesson.com

6. JACQUESSON

Label Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004 Why The prestige cuvée of one of Champagne’s largest family-owned and managed houses is nurtured in its hallowed 4th century caverns of Taittinger for almost a decade. Blanc de blancs are among the longest-lived champagnes and this is one of the most consistent. Price $320 Web taittinger.com

8. TAITTINGER

Label 2004 Why ‘The Dom’ is perhaps the most famous of all champagnes, but it’s only in the finest vintages that it lives up to the hype. The newly-released 2004 is one of those, a wine as spectacular and evocative on the inside as its magnificent label and box anticipate. Price $295 Web domperignon.com

Label Cuvée des Caudalies Brut Rosé NV Why Rosé has enjoyed such a renaissance in the US and UK that Champagne can’t keep up with demand. Start a revival of your own with this breathtaking blend of no less than 12 vintages, from one of Champagne’s most fanatical growers. Price $180 Web champagnedesousa.com

3. KRUG Label Clos du Mesnil 2000 Why Krug is the most luxurious and decadent of all champagnes, and its single vineyards are its most profound expression. No vineyard in Champagne is more famous than Clos du Mesnil, producing the most legendary blanc de blancs on earth. Price $2000 Web krug.com 5

9. PIERRE PÉTERS

10. DOM PÉRIGNON

Label Cuvée Spéciale Blanc de Blancs Les Chétillons 2004 Why Exceedingly rare, this single vineyard champagne is the bottle to spray over friends who care more for taste than famous brands. It’s sourced from vines lavished with some of the most attentive care in all of Champagne, and it shows. Price $150 Web champagne-peters.com

Label Oenothèque 1996 Why 1996 may go down as Champagne’s finest vintage in a generation, but it’s taken a long time for its finest wines to come around. This late release is one of the greatest Doms of all – an exceedingly rare perfect score in my notes. Price $620 Web domperignon.com

DRIVEN 29

WOMEN’S STYLE

1 Sunglasses, $99, DKNY, dkny.com 2 Sandals, Milu, $119, milu.com.au 3 Necklace, Swarovski, $245, swarovski.com 4 Bag, Emporio Armani, $1190, 02 8233 5858 5 Skirt, Burberry, $4195, 02 8296 8588 6 Heels, Christian Dior, $1050, 02 9229 4600 7 Perfume, Honey by Marc Jacobs, $160 for 100ml, 1800 812 663 8 Wallet, $179, Michael Kors, 02 9233 8332 9 Bangles available in different colours, $149, Michael Kors, 02 9233 8332 10 Tee, $175, Oroton, oroton.com.au

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FLAT LAY BY CHERYL TAN

MEN’S STYLE 10

1 Watch, Sekonda, $199, sekonda.com.au 2 Chinos, $199, Hardy Aimes, 1300 661 701 3 Card holder, $85, Oroton, oroton.com.au 4 Shorts, $180, Calvin Klein, 03 869 8100 5 Sunglasses, Carrera, 02 9540 0500 6 Shoes, Gucci, $575, 1300 442 878 7 Ring, $4700, Cerrone, cerrone.com.au 8 Bag, $3595, Bally, bally.com 9 Cologne, $139 for 100ml, L’eau D’issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake, 02 9695 5678 10 Polo, $80, Nathan Paul, nathanpaul.com

DRIVEN 33

With James Cleland

GADGETS

Keep up in this hi-tech world with some of the coolest new and ultra modern gadgets around. These will keep you entertained, organised, and let’s face it… pretty occupied

LIFESTYLE GADGETS FOR DEVICE DEVOTEES

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1. JONGO MULTI ROOM SPEAKERS This is a fun, colourful and adaptable multi-room, multi-speaker system from PURE. Immerse yourself in music using wi-fi or Bluetooth wireless technology and the 360-degree S3 speakers. Wireless, effortlessly portable and ease of use allows you to enjoy your music where and when you want it. pure.com.au

2. RECON JET GLASSES A small glimpse of the future, the Recon team have developed the Jet Glasses as a direct competitor to the Google Glass system. Designed with athletes in mind, the Jet provides performance metrics, has wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and can pair with Android or iOS smart devices. Revolutionising the way we connect and interact with our friends, families and the world. reconinstruments.com

3. STICK N FIND Sick of losing your stuff in your own home? StickNFind is a remarkable little gadget that pairs with smart devices to locate your stuff via miniature radar. Smaller than a 20 cent coin, use the StickNFind to locate keys, TV remotes and other important items. It can also be used as a virtual leash for pets, and as a luggage locater while you’re on the move. Just don’t lose your device with the App. sticknfind.com

4. MODERN SPROUT PLANTER Hidden inside this simple and stylish planter box is a micro-hydroponics system that automatically waters and feeds your plants for you. Reap the benefits of fresh homegrown herbs and long lasting flowers – it’s perfect for the space-conscious and forgetful gardener. modernsproutplanter.com

5. FAIRPHONE

The brainchild of a multinational team, the Fairphone is a step towards creating truly sustainable consumer electronics. With a real vision of giving developing communities and the environment a ‘fair go’, this fully-realised smart phone is the beginning of a tech revolution. fairphone.com

6. SONY NEX-5R

The NEX-5R is a 16.1 megapixel camera with slim form factor and a powerful hybrid lens designed to give you the best of both camera worlds. It’s light and portable, yet powerful enough to match an SLR. View your images and movies with the touch of a button on the full HD screen. The nifty camera is packed with features that will help you shoot like a pro. sony.com.au

7. SOLAR GO PACK

Built and priced with sustainability and the environment in mind, the Solar Go Pack is perfect for those who are on the move and love the outdoors, but also want to stay connected with their 21st-century devices. It comes fitted with a waterproof solar panel and removable battery system, and is able to charge any portable device you can think of. solargopack.com

8. NETATMO

The Netatmo station is a personal weather station designed to monitor the atmosphere of indoor environments. Monitoring conditions such as CO2 levels, excess moisture and other air pollutants, it enables a better quality of life, especially for innercity residents. Connected to smart devices, the Netatmo alerts you when there are significant changes in air conditions – perfect for asthmatics and those with allergies. netatmo.com

DRIVEN 33

REVIEW 5008

The family-friendly 5008 is not your usual ‘people mover’ – as well as space, it has good looks, drives with ease like a smaller car, with the bells and whistles of an SUV

ONE OF THE NEWER ARRIVALS to Peugeot Australia’s stable is the 5008 sevenseat wagon. The 5008 joins the 308 Touring and 4007 as an option for families needing to cart around seven people on a regular basis. Value for money, flexibility and still feeling like you’re driving a regular car is important if you’re shopping in this aisle – and the 5008 delivers on all these fronts and more. I personally don’t have a bunch of kids to deal with so in order to have the full experience I asked my friend to sit in the back seat and try and get in touch with his inner child. He, not so politely, declined. It’s a slick looking wagon. The steeply raked windscreen and 17-inch alloy wheels put it firmly in the wagon territory. The waistline raises up slightly after the rear doors which gives it a well-balanced profile. The line-up is pretty simple, just one model starting at $36,990 plus on road costs, with all the essentials included. A turbocharged engine, satellite navigation, reversing camera, rear parking sensors and Bluetooth are standard, but it gets better. Also included in the very reasonable price is a panoramic glass roof and 7-inch entertainment screens in the rear head rests, complete with Bluetooth headsets for the kids (or big kids), which can help pass the time on the trip. These are a real bonus and provide the niceties that are expected in a Peugeot. The only items on the options

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THE STYLISH PEOPLE MOVER

DRIVEN 35

REVIEW 5008

list include metallic paint, a turbo diesel engine and leather interior to add to the feel of luxury. Peugeot also provides Assured Capped Price Servicing on the 5008, meaning the annual service cost of the car is capped, making this expense very easy to budget for. The standard 1.6L turbo petrol engine is a great unit. Shared with other members of the Peugeot clan, it’s matched with sixspeed automatic transmission for a smooth delivery of power in most situations. The 1.6L engine delivers 115kw of power and 240Nm of torque at 1400RPM and has virtually no turbo lag, meaning it never feels like there’s a moment of wonder before you get that reassuring push forward. Most manufacturers are bundling up a smaller capacity engine with a turbocharger to achieve both good power and fuel economy, and the 5008 is no different. The petrol engine achieves 7.7L/100km as a combination of both city and highway driving and is also very light on the trees emitting just 179 g/km in CO2.

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If you prefer a diesel engine, the 2.0L is a gem. It feels just as lively as, if not more than, the petrol with power and torque outputs of 120kw and 340 Nm respectively, and returns an excellent fuel economy figure of 6.8L/100km and CO2 output of 178g/ km. I’d take the diesel engine over the petrol as it has that great feeling of having even more power available underfoot should it be needed. INTERIOR The interior of the 5008 is one of its standout features. The seats are a good size and supportive, and the dashboard and console provide a feeling of security and safety that is very reassuring. It’s the type of environment you could happily sit in for hours if you were taking a long trip. With the large and steeply raked windscreen and panoramic glass roof, there is excellent visibility and light in the car. All controls are close by and easy to access, and the nifty pop-up screen, which communicates the satellite navigation,

ABOVE THE 5008 IS A SLICK-LOOKING WAGON WITH PLENTY OF SPACE FOR FAMILIES BELOW THE CENTRE ROW OF SEATS IS ACTUALLY THREE INDIVIDUAL SEATS TOGETHER, MEANING THEY CAN BE MOVED BOTH FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS INDEPENDENTLY

The engine is a great unit; co-developed and shared with BMW and Mini, it is smooth at all speeds and never feels harsh or intrusive

radio controls and a host of other activities, is close by your view while not being a distraction at all. There is a large central storage bin between the front seats as well as a couple of smaller dashboard slots, ideal for mobile phones, plus large door pockets. The centre row of seats is actually three individual seats together, meaning they can be reclined and moved both forwards and backwards independently. This also means if you have two people in the centre row, either one of the outer seats can easily slide forward to allow step in access to the rear two seats. These fold up from the rear floor if needed and can be stowed flat when not in used, providing more than adequate rear luggage space. When seats are in use the luggage space is obviously quite a bit less, but soft bags and the like can still be stuffed in adequately. The centre seats can also be moved forward, which creates extra leg room for the rear seats if need be. This all adds to the flexibility and versatility of this type of car. The seven-inch screens in the rear

headrests integrate into the headrests and have a cover, which simply slides over when not in use to protect the screens from sticky fingers or flying juice boxes. The screens can be run independently, with two easy-touse RCA inputs and simple switches to turn the screens on. So if one little tacker likes Octonauts, and one is all about Hannah Montana that can be catered for. Plus with Bluetooth headsets, there’s no cables for anyone to wrap themselves up in. There are 12-volt charging points everywhere (clearly for charging devices, not lighting up) and even cup holders in the third row to prevent spills. One other thoughtful feature is the removable torch built into the rear boot area. It comes in very handy. We used it when searching for a rogue bottle of wine which had gone AWOL under the back seats.

DRIVING As with all Peugeots, the driving experience is a standout in the 5008. The 1.6L engine is smooth and has plenty of low down

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT THE POP-UP SCREEN ON THE DASHBOARD IS NIFTY AND EASY-TO-USE; METALLIC PAINT, A TURBO DIESEL ENGINE AND LEATHER INTERIOR ARE THE ONLY EXTRAS; THE 5008 HAS SUPERIOR STORAGE SPACE; 17-INCH ALLOY WHEELS PUT IT FIRMLY IN THE WAGON TERRITORY

accessible torque, but if needed will rev well and punt along past most of the other traffic, if you are so inclined. The engine is a great unit; co-developed and shared with BMW and Mini, it is smooth at all speeds and never feels harsh or intrusive. Being a six-speed automatic, the transmission is always in the right gear to keep the car feeling responsive. The 5008 feels surefooted, stable and unfussed by some of the very unpredictable bumps in patched up suburban roads, which can send you bouncing around in some cars.

CONCLUSION If you’re at a point where you realise you may have more kids around than you thought, and the idea of an SUV is not for you, then this could well be the ideal solution. Even if you don’t have kids and want some extra space, or just find yourself taking friends and families for weekends away, the 5008 can handle it all. It’s a versatile, flexible car which is a pleasure to drive both in town and out on the highway. D

DRIVEN 37

new model. Also on hand was V8 Supercar drivers (from Brad Jones Racing) Jason Bright and Andrew Jones. Following our participation in the Bathurst 12-hour event, Peugeot and Brad Jones Racing have formed a fantastic partnership. Both Andrew and Jason now drive 508 Tourings and attend events for us. What better way to show off the handling capabilities of our sports

All Hate Us) and sons. All up 90 attended the event – organised by Sweaty Betty PR – which made the social pages of the Sunday Telegraph that weekend. A video of the event is on the

Darlinghurst. More than 50 editors of popular lifestyle magazines, websites and blog sites were invited to a High Tea with a Twist with their children. There was plenty of fun to entertain the kids – face painting, games and a visit from Dora the Explorer – while their parents learnt about the family wagon. Noteable guests at the event included celebrity stylist Sheridan Tyler and his family, Asha Haywood (wife of Jeweller to the stars Nick Haywood) and daughter Sierra, Banu Bracher (wife of Peter Bracher – owner of Paspaley) and daughter Alaia, Pixie Rose Curtis (daughter of Roxy Jacenko), Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney Rabbitohs), his wife Kristie and daughters Mercedii and Caprese, and Tash Sefton (They

added to the line-up in May. The sevenseat wagon was revealed to lifestyle media at a special event in LUXE STUDIOS,

VIP and opening night screenings. The all-new 5008 people mover was

Gold Sponsor. Peugeot also provided cars in Sydney (an Expert van as well as two 208s) to ferry dignitaries and VIPS to and from the

where 43 films were shown. This year marked the second year running that Peugeot participated in the event as the

This year saw 132,423 people flock to over 1421 screenings across the country

Festival, which celebrated its 24th year in Australia in 2013 with Peugeot as the Gold Sponsor of the event.

It’s been a busy time for Peugeot in the last six months with the release of four models as well as our sponsorship of the French Film

for Havaianas and even had the Made In Chelsea boys in an RCZ. To top it off Peugeot launched the allnew 2008 SUV in October. Journalists drove the car in Canberra at the Sutton Road Driver

Tobin, Elka Whalan, Danny Clayton and Bianca Cheah. Throughout the year Peugeot was also involved in the Byron Bay Cookie Activation in Pitt Street Mall, were the official ride

a few design elements from its iconic predecessor. Peugeot has made its mark in the history of motor sport and the launch of the 208 GTi brings the Peugeot GTi legend right up-to-date. At first glance, the 208 GTi truly affirms its sporty and refined identity through its bodywork. The chromed trim strip decorates the window lower edge culminating in a signature accent that pays tribute to the illustrious 205 GTi. Later in August Peugeot held its official launch of the Peugeot 208 GTi over a stylish picnic in Centennial Park. Special guest Daniel Merriweather performed his hit song Red while guests scooted around the park on Peugeot 208GTi branded Segways. Notable guests included Christine Centenera, Josh Goot, Julian Tobias, Adam Abrams, Dan and Marnie Ewing, James

for them to have as a memento of their trip. The 208 GTi harks back to the 205 GTi legend and the new ‘reincarnation’ features

They too were treated to a day with Andrew and Jason and it was all recorded on video

campaign and 20 lucky winners were flown up to Queensland for the opportunity to test drive the all-new hot hatch on the track.

launch of the new car but this time Peugeot Australia extended the invitation to current Peugeot customers as part of a direct mail

Queensland. Media, dealer principals and sales managers we once again invited to the

Still on the track, but in a different state, the hotly anticipated 208 GTi was launched at Norwell Driver Training Centre in

were given exercises to do on the track to show off the car’s handling prowess and were treated to hot laps by the race drivers.

cars than utilising the talents of Australia’s competitive V8 Supercar drivers. Participants

Peugeot Australia You Tube channel. The launch of the new RCZ followed soon after with motoring media, dealer principals and sales managers heading to Sandown Raceway in Victoria to test out the

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

PEUGEOT EVENT REPORT

PEUGEOT 208 GTI LAUNCH IN CENTENNIAL PARK , SYDNEY

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BYRON BAY COOKIE ACTIVATION IN PITT STREET MALL, SYDNEY

HIGH TEA WITH A TWIST

clues just like in the reality TV show to get to various check points around the city to reinforce the tagline of the new car – “See

HAVAIANAS EVENT

Training Centre for track work and skid pan exercises to show off the handling prowess of the latest edition to our SUV family.

your city in a new light”. As DRIVEN went to print Peugeot is gearing up for a big 2014 with a number of new models due next year. D

LAUNCH OF THE 2008 SUV

Then it was back in Sydney for the dealer launch where dealers, sales managers and Peugeot owners were treated to an Amazing Race style event. Participants were given

DRIVEN 39

CULTURE

National arts guide to 2014 Next year has a smorgasbord of options for all types of cultural connoisseurs, writes Angus Lawson

Strictly Ballroom comes to the stage

Musicals Baz Luhrmann might have directed some of the biggest international films of the 20th century – Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rogue!, Australia, The Great Gatsby – but his heart has always belonged elsewhere: strictly speaking, in the ballroom. “I was a ballroom dancer,” Luhrmann says. “My mother was a ballroom teacher. I grew up in that world: I lived it. That’s why Strictly Ballroom, for me, is so very important. It’s part of my life.” Luhrmann’s 1992 film, surprise hit of that year’s Cannes Film Festival and winner of eight AFI awards and three BAFTAS, will in March next year come full circle when Strictly Ballroom is reincarnated as a stage musical. The production, which Luhrmann originally conceived for the stage as an ambitious young student at Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) during the early 1980s, will be one of the

The Speechmaker

highlights of a bustling year for theatre and the arts in Australia in 2014. Luhrmann’s Ballroom is being produced in conjunction with Global Creatures, the animatronics-based production company behind such stage successes as How to Drain Your Dragon and this year’s King Kong, which opened in Melbourne and is tipped to make its debut on Broadway next year. Luhrmann says the story, which in its film version starred Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice, has been the target of international stage producers for almost two decades. “Strictly Ballroom has been an inextricable part of my life,” he says, reflectively. “There’s a line in the film where Scott’s mother says, ‘I’ve been with your father for 25 years, you don’t think I get bored of it? Of course I do.’ Ballroom has been in my life at least 25 years. But the thing is I don’t get bored of it.” Luhrmann, with characteristic showmanship, name-drops Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II: both, he says, rated the Australian film in their top-five favourite movies. “You just never know who might be a Strictly Ballroom fan,” he says. Luhrmann will direct the musical, which will be staged at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from 25 March, and says the show will not be your average musical. “I want us to not just go, ‘Here’s the play and we’ve put a few of your favourite songs in it, and it’s the movie with a few songs’”, he says. “If you’re not actually breaking new theatrical ground then, at my age, why would you bother?” Luhrmann is no stranger to taking on challenges. His most recent film, of course, was the Leonardo Di Caprio-led The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 book credited as the ‘Great American Novel’. It is, then, perhaps fitting his venture into musical

theatre will see him go head to head with one of the genre’s giants: Les Miserables. The world’s longest-running musical will open at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in June. Legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh says the production will likely be part of a larger global tour, taking in Canada, America, Japan and South Korea. After an Australian run he expects it will tour nationally. Mackintosh says the Australian production, to be directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, will be “an opportunity to discover a new wave

Luhrmann will direct the Strictly Ballroom musical and says it will not be your average musical of local talent.” The Boublil and Schonberg musical based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel set during the French revolution has been running since its 1985 premiere at London’s Barbican and was first performed in Australia between 1987 and 1991, and again between 1997 and 1999. Melbourne’s stages will also come alive with world and Australian premieres of new theatre at Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC). Co-writers Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Rob Sitch have got something pretty special in store with The Speechmaker in June before actor, director and producer Brendan Cowell stages The Sublime in August. Irish film Once, with music by the film’s stars The Frames’s Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, will also make its premiere at the MTC stage in October.

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CULTURE

La Bayadere

Theatre

Art Gallery of South Australia

At Bell Shakespeare, the season opens with an enchanting new production of The Winter’s Tale, directed by John Bell and starring Myles Pollard, Helen Thomson and Rory Potter. And Damien Ryan directs his first main stage production for the company with Henry V. This contemporary take is inspired by the true story of a group of boys who rehearsed plays in a bunker during the Blitz in 1941. Following the success of the previous Molière tour, Peter Evans directs Justin Fleming’s very funny version of Molière’s Tartuffe, starring Leon Ford and Kate Mulvany. And for the first time in over

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10 years, Bell Shakespeare presents a new version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, titled The Dream, starring Richard Piper. Lee Lewis, the new artistic director of Griffin Theatre, the only company in Australia dedicated to staging all new Australian work, will premiere three new plays: Donna Abela’s Jump for Jordan, Declan Greene’s Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography, and Ugly Mugs, Peta Brady’s take on sexual violence. “Our 2014 season is a celebration of the depth and breadth of Australian playwriting culture,” says Lewis. “Breadth in terms of the diversity of voices and stories, combined with remarkable depth of quality.”

Art Australian-made work is also the order of the day in Adelaide, with the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art expected to attract huge numbers. Established in 1990, the Adelaide Biennial is the country’s longest running survey of contemporary Australian art. Curated by AGSA director Nick Mitzevich, it will feature photography, painting, sculpture, installation, and the moving image from artists around the country. “The Biennial will tap into the hearts and minds of contemporary Australian society, to explore the political, the psychological

Ballet The Australian Ballet is also looking outwards, this year bringing a touch of Bollywood – replete with live snakes – to its 2014 season, headlined by its production of La Bayadere. The Minkus ballet opens in Melbourne in August, as part of artistic director David McAllister’s latest program, which also includes productions of Manon, Imperial Suite, Chroma, Bodytorque, The Nutcracker and Cinderella. “La Bayadere is one of the most treacherous works in the ballet repertoire and is a big challenge for the company but a bit of ballet bravura never goes astray,” McAllister says of the ballet, created by Australian Ballet resident choreographer Stanton Welch for the 40th anniversary of Houston Ballet where he is artistic director. “This ballet is famous for the solos by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev who stamped themselves on that post-Soviet style of dance though it’s actually more synonymous with the ladies.”

Henry V

and the personal,” says Mitzevich. “I am after an inherently emotional and immersive experience, one that is unafraid to ask difficult questions and expose the underbelly of society.” The biennial is the flagship art event at the annual Adelaide Festival, the David Sefton-directed arts jamboree that opens 28 February. Those of a Shakespearean bent are also in luck: the festival will feature Roman Tragedies, bringing together Coriolanus, Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra in an immersive multimedia production – an Australian premiere that’s exclusive to Adelaide.

Festivals US rock band The National

Adelaide’s might be the biggest of the annual festivals, but it’s just one of the annual arts extravaganzas that fill the Australian arts calendar with international and local theatre, music, opera, dance and art. The Australian festival season opens in January with a work that Sydney Festival director Lieven Bertels described as a “masterpiece”: Dido and Aeneas. Internationally-renowned choreographer and dancer Sasha Waltz’s take on Henry Purcell’s opera, opening on 16 January, will feature a dancer-filled fish tank as its centrepiece. Another worthwhile exhibition during

Dido and and Aeneas Aeneas Dido

early program release for Perth International Arts Festival, which opens in the city on 7 February. The band’s national tour, ending in Perth, comes following their sixth studio album Trouble Will Find Me. Festival artistic director Jonathan Holloway will release his full program in November. Darwin Festival opens in August, alongside the nation’s most prestigious Indigenous art prize and exhibition, the Telstra Art Award, while programs for the Brisbane Festival (September) and Melbourne Festival (October) will be released early next year. Tasmania’s Ten Days on the Island is a biennial event: its next installment is 2015.

Visual Dido andinstallation Aeneas CHANCE

the festival is French artist Christian Boltanski’s CHANCE, a visual arts installation at Carriageworks that resembles a newspaper press, assembled from piping, scaffolding, and computer screens – from 10 January until 23 March 2014. Internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Roman Ondák will also exhibit three artworks as part of Project 28: Roman Ondák. One of these artworks is Measuring the Universe – a blank white gallery where visitors record their height and name with a black marker on the wall, contributing to the interactive artwork, a swarm of black markings. American rock band The National will lead the way in the west, headlining the

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CULTURE

Richard Roxburgh in Cyrano de Bergerac

FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW Sydney Theatre Company will also feature big mainstage names, in artistic director Andrew Upton’s first seasons sans cochief (and wife) Cate Blanchett. Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi will star in David Williamson’s Travelling North on 9 January, while later in the year Hugo Weaving (Macbeth) and Richard Roxburgh (Cyrano de Bergerac) will also appear. The programs for Queensland Theatre

Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi in Travelling North

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Company and Theatre Company of South Australia were not available at the time of publication, but there are a host of smaller theatres around the country, competing for stage space alongside the bigger, mainstream companies. Companies such as La Boite in Brisbane, Malthouse in Melbourne, Belvoir in Sydney, Black Swan and Perth Theatre Company in the west and Tasmanian Theatre Company are also worth looking out for. Hobart is also pulling its weight, with Tasmania Symphony Orchestra playing a host of dates and Billy Bragg gracing the capital with his presence on 12 March. There is no shortage of cultural appetisers, spectacularly big or delightfully small, in 2014. Luhrmann, for his part, knows well the value of both. “When we first put on that tiny little stage show, Strictly Ballroom, before it was a film, it was just amazing,” he says. “To this day, I have never felt the thrill and warmth of an audience like I did when we finished that little 20-minute show.” Luhrmann’s wistful memory, pertinent to much of the artistic offerings in 2014, brings to mind the sage words of Paul Kelly, the veteran troubadour also playing a host of gigs around the country next year: from little things, big things grow.

Hugo Weaving in Macbeth

There is no shortage of cultural appetisers, spectacularly big or delightfully small, in 2014

Madama Butterfly

Key dates SUMMER Sydney Festival: various venues, from 16 January. sydneyfestival.org.au/2014 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, Art Gallery of South Australia, from 28 February. artgallery.sa.gov.au/agsa/home AUTUMN Madama Butterfly: Opera on the Harbour, Sydney, from 21 March. operaaustralia.org.au Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, Lyric Theatre, Sydney, from 25 March. sydneylyric.com.au/index.php/whats-on/ coming-soon/strictly-ballroom

Caption

Telstra Art Award: Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, Darwin, August 2014. artsandmuseums.nt.gov.au/museums WINTER A Winter’s Tale: Bell Shakespeare, Canberra, from 13 June. bellshakespeare.com.au The Speechmaker: Melbourne Theatre Company, from 5 June. mtc.com.au SPRING The Perfect American by Phillip Glass: Opera Queensland, from 15 September. operaq.com.au OzAsia Festival: Adelaide, September. ozasiafestival.com.au

Opera Australia

In 2014, Opera Australia will host the third installment of its world-famous Opera on the Harbour series. And this year, the national company has gone for another crowd favourite: Madama Butterfly. The Puccini staple, which will be performed on a pontoon exposed to the elements in Sydney Harbour from 21 March, forms the centrepiece of Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini’s 2014 program. Madama Butterfly, which follows 2013’s Carmen and the previous year’s La Traviata, will feature an enormous full moon above a moving set, all in front of the Sydney harbour city backdrop, capped off with a shameless fireworks display. Directed by internationally-renowned director Alex Olle and featuring Japanese soprano Hiromi Omura in the lead role of Cio-CioSan, the production will play, rain or shine, for three weeks. D

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CELEBRITY PROFILE

Is it tricky to pick a project? That’s the hardest part. There is never any guarantee that a great script will make a great movie. Even with a great director, you still don’t know sometimes. Then there are other times you think there is not much chance, it ends up working well.

You have played real people before, but it seems like this one was more challenging? Yes. Because she was so famous. Automatically people will make comparisons and they are going to say “oh, she is not right”. So that was sort of daunting. Also, because of that level of fame, everyone feels intimate with her. Their version of Diana is the truth. It’s hard to take ownership of a character when she is in the minds of so many people. You wonder, “oh gosh, how can I live up to this?” And, for all the reasons I hesitated, they ended up drawing me in at the same time. I was intrigued by the fear I had. I like challenges. So once I got passed the hesitation, we had to work on things – like, obviously voice, because she had such a distinctive voice we remember so well. It was posh and aristocratic but at the same time, it was modernised by the breathiness. She felt so accessible with that voice.

“It’s hard to take ownership of a character when she is in the minds of so many people,” says Watts, who rose to the challenge rather than shying away from it. The film tackles just a slice of Diana’s life – her final two years following her divorce from Prince Charles. We see Diana embark on her landmine campaign, her ‘Queen of Hearts’ interview with Martin Bashir and as she strikes up a relationship with Dr Hasnat Khan (Naveen Andrews). Born in England, Watts moved to Australia at the age of 14. She befriended Nicole Kidman in her youth, who found fame many years before Watts. David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive in 2001 turned her career around, and since then Watts has not looked back. For now, all eyes are on Watts and her version of Diana, the world’s most famous woman until her tragic death in 1997.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts has battled giant apes in King Kong and tsunamis in The Impossible. She was Oscar-nominated for one of her most challenging roles, in 21 Grams, in 2004. Here, Naomi talks about her toughest role to date as the much-loved Princess Diana in Diana, a new film by Oliver Hirschbiegel

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WORDS BY D. JOYCE/CELEBRITEXT PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTER STOCK

Do you have personal memories of Diana? I remember the wedding. I watched that on TV. I also remember things happening on news and stuff but I don’t remember everything because I left [Britain] when I was 14. And I wasn’t reading newspapers at that age. Then we came to Australia she was very popular here, too. But it wasn’t obsessive… not on the front page every single day. In this movie, she is falling in love but the world wouldn’t leave her alone. As a celebrity yourself, can you relate to it? Yes, but it was a totally different scale. I can imagine it because I’ve had a taste of it. But nothing to that level. Every single moment of her day was scrutinised. What part of her personality did you identify with the most? I was just impressed by the way she grew up. There was some sadness in her childhood. Her parents divorcing, being separated from her mother – that created fragility in her. I became impressed by how she wanted to heal that. And of course when her marriage broke down, a lot of it came back again. I always empathised with her. With that sad, broken place? Yeah, I mean, I have experienced [that]… you probably know my father passed away when I was young. And [my parents] divorced when I was four. Seems like Diana stayed lonely. She didn’t have a good friend. I think she did, but she became more and more isolated. Because she found it hard to trust and people behaved badly. So it created a sense of isolation for her. But I think there were great people in her life too. Diana was a fashion icon at the time. Were you interested in what she was wearing? How did you feel wearing the costumes? At the time, I wasn’t so interested in fashion, but I do remember thinking she seemed unlike other members of royal family. She definitely had a fantastic figure and wore some striking dresses, one shoulder for instance. There was more risqué with her. Now, in the film, those clothes sort of feel a bit dated [laughs]. They’re not really my thing. But, yeah, she was classic. She was always modern and classic. During the preparation for the role, was there a moment that clicked? The moment you felt “now I’ve got the role”? There were moments I felt good. The hardest thing I worked on was the Bashir interview.

That was in people’s memory and they will be looking back to that. So I worked hard on that. Not just hair and make-up and phrasing but how she held her face, intake of breath and exhale of breath. I really wanted to get that exactly.

Was Diana personally important to you before the movie? As an interesting person, yes. She did a lot of great work as well; the stuff she did for AIDS and land mines. She was always impressive. And I think it took a great deal of courage to speak out in that interview. I thought it was very impressive she decided to do that. At the time, I was definitely aware of her, but I’ve learned a lot more.

There was something about her we trusted and believed. Although she was a princess, she felt human and accessible, but still felt like she was a princess, too

You are mother of two as well. Did you related as mother to mother? Yeah, of course – now I’ve got my boys. And there were certain things I learned through research. You know, she had to be separated, and there was a Christmas she spent alone. That would be heartbreaking.

she felt human and accessible, but still felt like she was a princess, too. And she did a lot of great work. Her empathy was something we felt was very, very real. Also, who she was as a mother… she was always holding those boys. It made her feel like the rest of us. But at the same time, she still had this otherworldly charisma.

Did you talk to people who knew Diana? Yes, but I can’t name them.

Was Prince Charles one of them? You know the answer to that one [laughs].

Did you feel responsibility towards her sons? Yes, of course. That was part of my hesitation. I felt great concern about that. They are not 15 and 17 anymore. They are men. They know the family they live in. I hope they feel ok about it. But I can tell you right now that there is nothing overly sensational in the film, nothing horrifically controversial. I can’t see it upsetting them.

I read that the director sent you the same perfume she wore… How can smell inform a character? Oliver became equally obsessed with her as I did. He got very excited about coming over with the perfume. It does help you. It’s not something you will see on screen, but…

How important was love for Diana, in your opinion? I think love is a great thing. Having a sense of identification with someone else creates some intimate bond. I think, having come out of a marriage you’ve obviously got room to heal. She was starting to get back on track and she meets this man – she respects his mind, his value, his work ethic. And they have the same interests, I think. I think it is very important, from what I researched. I feel like he inspired her in many ways. And probably she inspired him as well.

What was the perfume? I think it’s Penhaligon’s. A pretty bottle. Lily or something – I’ve forgotten. All these little details help you get closer. The obvious ones are her walk, talk and hair… eyebrows and eyeliner. But little things like the perfume, what she liked in her room – they just help you put all the pieces together. She loved stuffed toys. Even at the age of 36.

What do you remember about the day she died? I remember where I was. I remember we were at a restaurant with a group of people. We got told that she had been in a car accident and she was dead. Then we went home and watched the news at the hotel… for a good hour or so. I remember being really shocked and upset. I remember watching the news played out, obsessively on CNN.

Did he heal her? I think love heals. I definitely do. But it doesn’t save you. You have to be your own saviour. D

What surprised you the most while researching the character? Her sense of humour was something I didn’t know anything about. It was there a little bit in the script, then from the people I managed to get in contact with, they said she had a really great sense of humour, a wicked sense of humour. Also, a rebellious strike, which I think is always interesting in a human being, whether you got it for yourself or you kept it at bay.

Why do you think people still love her? Because there was such warmth about her. There was something about her we trusted and believed. Although she was a princess,

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THE GOLD COAST

Photography Richard Furhoff

Iconic beaches, top-notch cuisine and the gorgeous hinterland – that’s how we roll through the Gold Coast – or glide thanks to the new Peugeot 2008, writes Tatyana Leonov

The best bits of the Goldie

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I’M NO LONGER GLITZY AND GLAMOROUS (some would argue I never was), yet I’m not that woman with kids, schedules and regimented routines. I’m the in-between. The undecided. The too young for bingo, too old for nightclubs. I’ve always had a soft spot for the sophisticated, sexy Gold Coast. The Gold Coast where young things flock, the one where all bodies are toned, tanned and spectacular. And it’s never cold (or so it seems based on what the young trendy things wear anyway). Years ago I travelled to the Gold Coast for Schoolies (I was probably too young, but I thought I was as sophisticated as they come). My heels were the biggest I’ve [ever] owned, my tan was the darkest (or maybe the orange-est) it’s even been, my eyelashes were hideously long. I [thought I] was the queen of suave. But enough reminiscing. Last year I got married and there’s talk about kids one day. Not today, not tomorrow, but one day. And our next holiday was practice for that day – we had borrowed a kid. I wanted to holiday in a glitzy location that is still kid-friendly. I wanted a car that was sexy but kid-friendly. The Gold Coast was booked. The new Peugeot 2008 fueled. A borrowed kid. No theme parks. The idea was we would take a short-ish drive (you know kids and all, they get tired) sampling the iconic beaches, top-notch cuisine and the gorgeous hinterland – a road trip that would encompass The Goldie’s best bits. Starting at the family-friendly Coolangatta for brekkie, we’d travel north along the Gold Coast Highway, passing Currumbin, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Miami, Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, then onwards onto the Pacific Highway, taking a left exit to Mt Tamborine in time for sunset. Our version of the 70-kilometre-

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or-so trip is estimated to take around an hour-and-a-half – but we wanted to take a day. Life in the slow lane, in my opinion, is always more fun. Sunday mornings are made for big breakfasts, even larger juices, sunrise surfs, creamy lattes and jogs along the beach (probably not in that order). And in Queensland mornings happen early… Even I was surprised how early Queenslanders get up. Coolangatta is the gateway to the Gold Coast, conveniently located around five minutes drive from Gold Coast airport – ideal for those who like fly-drive holidays (which lets face it, is a fantastic way to explore our vast land), and booked a stay at the Sebel Coolangatta so we could get off on the right foot. The 15-storey serviced apartments complex is located a few minutes from the beach, and some of the spacious apartments have dazzling water views. Did I mention borrowed kid got his own bedroom? First win! We woke early on Sunday and opted to drive to Snapper Rocks to watch the sunrise. Watching the waves crash into the rocky outcrop as the glistening sun rose was an invigorating start to the day. A couple of kilometres north, Kirra Beach is the southernmost surf beach in Queensland. Some say it’s one of the best surf beaches in Australia and it regularly hosts the Billabong Pro Surfing Competition. Kirra Beach is also relatively quiet compared to some of the other Goldie beaches, so it’s popular with families (my husband and I fit in very well with our borrowed kid). We had a top breakfast at Kirramisu Café. Think runny poached eggs, buttery mushrooms and juicy tomatoes served atop freshly toasted sourdough. Owner Emma Collingwood has headed up the café for over six years and runs the place with the help of her family. She seeks out local produce where possible and focuses on consistency, which is why the same people keep coming back. Another surfing hot spot, Burleigh Heads, is the mid-point between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise – and our mid point for a swim and a feed. Burleigh is a favourite among those who like their peace and quiet with a dash of buzz thrown in. It’s less tourist-ridden than iconic Surfers, but busy enough to keep families entertained for days. Like Kirra, Burleigh is notorious for its surf break, but if surfing is not your cup of tea, The Point headland is a top spot to watch the action. Not into water at all? The bustling James Street is home to a variety of cafés and restaurants, ice-cream parlours and shops. Anyone who knows their Gold Coast food scene knows they need to book ahead to dine at Oskars on Burleigh. And what a treat! An entrée of delicately seared Hervey Bay scallops served inside creamed leek tartlets, gussied up with caramelised fennel and butter is a taste sensation, while a main of Moreton Bay bugs is enjoyed by all – the gastronomes (hubby and I) as well as the mini addition who loves getting his hands dirty. Hands washed, we drive along the Gold Coast Highway to Surfers Paradise. The breathtaking skyline and buzzy atmosphere is why people come to Surfers, the attractions, events and facilities is why people stay (over 40 per cent of the Gold Coast’s accommodation is located at Surfers). There is something for everyone at Surfers Paradise – market stalls, 14 different shopping centres and arcades, and a plethora of dining options. The waterside Helm Bar & Bistro is a newbie doing well (they opened in March 2013). The contemporary nautical design scheme (think traditional stripes with pops of colour inserted into the equation) was done by peckvonhartel, the same guys who designed Jamie’s Italian restaurant in Sydney. The classic bistro-style menu pays homage to good, fresh food – rustic pizzas, hefty share platters PREVIOUS PAGE SURFERS PARADISE BEACH WITH THE GLITTERING CITYSCAPE IN THE BACKGROUND OPPOSITE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) THE 2008 CRUISES THROUGH COOLANGATTA NEAR SNAPPER ROCKS; SCALLOPS AT OSKARS ON BURLEIGH; VIEW OVER COOLANGATTA BEACH

MAP ILLUSTRATION BY ERIN MAKAI

Burleigh is a favourite among those who like their peace and quiet with a dash of buzz thrown in

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and jazzed-up cocktails. And kids aren’t forgotten with their own ‘Pirate Pete’s kids menu’ and iPads to keep them entertained. Surfers Paradise is abuzz with energy day and night, and it’s even better from above. Standing 270 metres above sea level, SkyPoint Climb is Australia’s highest external building climb – and kids over 12 can do it too (our borrowed kid just made the cut and loved the experience). Once you get to the top you are met with unsurpassed views of golden sand, azure blue waters and the jagged Gold Coast cityscape – a truly impressive sight! On the opposite end of the scale is the Gold Coast’s Hinterland – luscious greenery, quaint little towns, charming shops and chatty locals with quirky tales to tell – just a mere 30 minutes from the glamorous coastal strip. Sticking to the waterside we pass Southport, Labrador and Runaway Bay, following the signs to Sanctuary Cove and onwards in the direction of the Pacific Highway and Brisbane, taking a left exit for Mt Tamborine – our sunset destination. The township of Mt Tamborine is a quirky-cool delight of oddity. Fudge shops, a cuckoo clock store, and a quaint teashop that claims to stock Australia’s largest selection of quality looseleaf tea are some of the eccentric finds here. Although Main Street isn’t massive, you could spend hours wandering in and out of the boutique shops chatting to locals and sampling the delicacies on offer. We learn that Fudge Heaven really is a paradise of sorts – it’s the best fudge I’ve ever tasted (and the walls are adjourned with a bunch of awards proving that others agree). At Tamborine Tea (the tea shop with a zillion teas), we chat to owner Louise about her teas and walk away with a bag full. We don’t get to Mt Tamborine Glowworm Caves, we do however stop on a non-descript corner and purchase fresh avocados and kale straight from someone’s backyard. We don’t [unfortunately] pull over at one of the many wineries I eye off, but

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The township of Mt Tamborine is a quirky-cool delight of oddity. Fudge shops, a cuckoo clock store, and a quaint teashop that claims to stock Australia’s largest selection of quality loose-leaf tea

07 01 THE SPIT SAN PUMPING JETTY 02 MT TAMBORINE VINEYARD IS IN THE GOLD COAST HINTERLAND WINE COUNTRY 03 BREAKFAST AT KIRRAMISU 04 TALLEBUDGERA CREEK AT BURLEIGH HEADS 05 PICK UP SOME FUDGE IN MT TAMBORINE 06 SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL AT CURRUMBIN BEACH 07 THE 2008 DRIVING THROUGH THE HINTERLAND NEAR MT TAMBORINE

we do finally get to the Mt Tamborine escarpment for sunset. Couples carrying cutesy picnic baskets with cheese and wine settle in, families with robust fold-up chairs and chock-full snack boxes set up, a wedding party giggles and poses as they clink their champagne glasses again and again. Although we’ve only got avocado and kale, borrowed kid seems pleased enough (he has eaten very well). We park our 2008 and join the others for what turns out to be one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen. As the glistening sun gradually slips away into the dusky evening, a brilliant orange swathes the sky. The carroty hue becomes a vibrant purple, then finally, as the suns shimmer disappears into the horizon, the purple develops into a deep, dark blue. People start to leave and we begin to pack up too. For us the day has ended, but for others at the Gold Coast the night has just begun. D

VISITING THERE Year-round pleasant temperatures make the Gold Coast a yearly destination. Summers are buzzing, winters are peaceful, and the in-between seasons are particularly pleasant. Avoid school holidays if you’re seeking peace and quiet. If travelling with kids during the holidays, be sure to book ahead.

GETTING THERE Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways Australia fly in and out of the Gold Coast from various Australian locations.

FACT FILE

STAYING THERE Coolangatta: The Sebel Coolangatta (accorhotels.com), is family-friendly place to stay in a quiet, beautiful location.

At Mt Tamborine it’s all about snacking. Creamy fudge at Fudge Heaven (fudgeheaven.com.au) is divine, even better teamed with loose-leaf tea from Tamborine Tea (tamborinetea.com.au).

In Surfers Paradise there are a heap of options, but QT’s onsite restaurant, Bazaar (qtgoldcoast.com.au/food-drink/ bazaar), is a buffet that goes above and beyond the usual buffets with cook-to-order stations and a cornucopia of exotic dishes on offer. The riverside Helm Bar & Bistro (helmbarsurfers.com.au) is great when there’s a group to please with plenty of classic top-grade choices.

EATING Kirramisu (kirramisu.com.au) on Kirra Beach for big, delicious, hearty breakfasts and lunches. Oskars on Burleigh (oskars.com.au) for luscious-tasting, beautifullypresented food.

Mt Tamborine: There’s everything from rainforest spa resorts and bed and breakfasts, to hotels, motels and cottages. Use discovertamborine.com.au to pick an option that suits.

Surfers Paradise: The new Paradise Resort Gold Coast (paradiseresort.com.au), fit out with a waterpark and ice rink, is a kid’s cloud nine. For an eccentric design stay, QT (qtgoldcoast.com.au) is ultra snazzy, and Palazzo Versace is ideal for the ultimate luxe experience (palazzoversace. com.au).

For more information visit visitgoldcoast.com

DOING Swim, surf, relax, unwind, eat. Start over. Watch everyone else do it too from the viewing deck atop the SkyPoint (skypoint.com.au).

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USA

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Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway The meandering, sun-dappled Blue Ridge Parkway is overflowing with stunning lookouts and vantage points writes Rob McFarland

IMAGES COURTESY WILLIAM A. BAKE COURTESY BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ASSOCIATION

RANGER JAN ISN’T HAPPY. The pregnant purple clouds in the distance are moving closer and there’s an ominous distant rumble of thunder. It’s time for Plan B. “Looks like we got some rain comin’ our way,” she announces in a sing-song Southern accent, “so why don’t y’awl just come up here on stage.” So we do. Packing up our camping chairs, we climb onto the covered stage and join a hundred or so other music enthusiasts in a tight semi-circle around the band. The Red Stick Ramblers appear completely unfazed by the invasion and launch into an acoustic set of infectiously toe-tapping Cajun fiddle and Western swing tunes. Two attractive women in knee-length cowboy boots spring up to perform an impromptu line-dance to riotous applause (particularly from the men) before three local musicians join the band for a furious finale of guitar, banjo and fiddle playing. It’s one of the most atmospheric concerts I’ve ever been to and the CD I buy from the band afterwards becomes the soundtrack for the rest of our trip. The venue for this musical celebration is the Blue Ridge Music Center in Virginia, a National Parks initiative that aims to preserve the bluegrass and old-time mountain music that originated in the area. As well as a large outdoor amphitheatre in which they regularly hold concerts, there’s also a visitor centre and a museum, which traces the history of the music back to its European and African roots. The centre is one of dozens of attractions scattered along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), a 755-kilometre road that winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. Started in 1935 as a work initiative during the Great Depression, it was finally completed in 1983 when the last section – a Sea Cliff Bridge-like snaking viaduct – was laid near Grandfather Mountain. The parkway celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010 and now lays claim to being the most visited National Park in the US. The road itself is an engineering triumph, navigating difficult terrain to produce a succession of stunning lookouts and vantage points. But more than that, it’s an impressive exercise in restraint. You’ll find no petrol stations, fast food outlets, chain stores or billboards anywhere along the BRP. Instead you can expect a meandering, sun-dappled, single-track road bordered by rhododendron bushes and dense forests of oaks, ashes and firs. The speed limit is a leisurely 45 miles per hour (72 kilometres per hour), commercial traffic is banned, and rather than intrusive steel crash barriers, you’ll find traditional wooden fences and handsome stone archways. It’s a reverent tribute to the pure joy of driving. The road is marked with milepost markers, which start at zero at its northern end near Waynesboro, Virginia and increase as you head south. We join at milepost 390, near Asheville, North Carolina, with the intention of heading north but soon get waylaid by one of the region’s most famous attractions. Shipping and railroad tycoon George Vanderbilt was just 26 when he decided to build ‘a little mountain getaway’ on 8000 acres of land near Asheville. Completed in 1895, this modest retreat ended up being a sprawling 250-room, 43-bathroom, French Chateau-style mansion that is still America’s largest private home. Equally impressive are the estate’s gardens, which were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the man responsible for New York’s Central Park. You could easily spend two days wandering open-mouthed around Biltmore’s immaculately-preserved interiors, but even in a morning we gain a fascinating insight into the outrageously opulent lifestyle of one of America’s richest families. Back on the parkway, we hit the BRP Visitor Center, a modern, well-equipped complex with an interactive seven-metre route map and enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff. In many ways the ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ nature of the parkway is its greatest asset. Nature lovers can plan an itinerary around the many spectacular gardens such as Craggy Gardens

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In many ways the ‘choose-your-ownadventure’ nature of the parkway is its greatest asset

IMAGES COURTESY OF NC TOURISM; WILLIAM A. BAKE; ROB MCFARLAND

PREVIOUS PAGE DOUGHTON PARK AREA NEAR MILEPOST 238 ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY OPPOSITE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) THE ROUTE OFFERS PLENTY OF SUPREME VIEWS ; MARBY MILL; PARKWAY VISITOR CENTRE; FLOAT RIVER RAFTING WITH NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER ALONG PIGEON RIVER; THE MAJESTIC BILTMORE HOUSE; JARS AT THE FOLK ART CENTER; PARKWAY CORNFIELDS; PASTORAL SCENES AND RURAL LIFE DOMINATE THE PARKWAY’S LANDSCAPE; THE GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY AT BILTMORE ESTATE

at milepost 363. Hikers will be more interested in the wide range of well-marked tracks that dive off into the forest or scale rocky outcrops. Cultural enthusiasts can visit heritage attractions such as the Folk Art Center at milepost 382 for craft-making demonstrations or Mabry Mill, an old sawmill, at milepost 176. Adrenalin addicts can zip-line through forest canopies with Screaming Ziplines near milepost 290 or take on the icy waters of the Nantahala River with Wildwater Rafting outside of Asheville. Whatever your passion, I challenge anyone not to be impressed with the sheer majesty of the views across the tree-carpeted Appalachians. Autumn is particularly impressive when the hillsides explode in a dazzling palette of vivid reds, yellows and oranges. Accommodation on the BRP itself is limited. There are nine designated campsites but they’re basic with no showers or laundry facilities. There are also a handful of lodges and cabins but you’ll get a better choice by leaving the parkway and venturing into nearby towns and villages. The interactive map on the official Blue Ridge Parkway website (blueridgeparkway.org) is an invaluable resource for planning your stops and finding accommodation. One piece of advice: if you decide to travel during the US holidays, book ahead. Foolishly, we fail to realise our trip spans Memorial Day Weekend, one of the US’s most popular holidays when campsites book up weeks in advance. Come Saturday afternoon we still don’t have anywhere to stay that night until a helpful park ranger secures us one of the last spots in a trailer park near Waynesboro, Virginia. I’d heard about trailer parks where people live permanently in trailer homes or Recreational Vehicles (RVs), drive around in golf buggies and erect white picket fences around squares of artificial grass. But staying in one on Memorial Day Weekend among a frenzy of American flags, all-day drinking and Kenny Rogers karaoke is another matter. It’s a side of America that’s as far removed from the sophisticated urban centres of LA and New York as you can possibly imagine. But in its own way, it’s equally compelling. Well, for one night, at least. D

USA

GETTING THERE Qantas flies daily from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to a range of cities on America’s east coast via its hub in Dallas/Fort Worth. qantas.com.au

FACT FILE

VISITING THERE Biltmore is open 365 days a year. Admission costs from $US44 for adults, $US22 children aged 10-16 (children under 10 are free) and includes a self-guided tour of the house and gardens. 1 Approach Road, Asheville, NC. For more information and discounted tickets, visit biltmore. com

STAYING THERE Campgrounds on the BRP are open May through October, with a per-night charge. Reservations may be made for some sites at recreation.gov or by calling +1 877 444 6777; others are first-come, first served. Demand is higher on weekends and holidays.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is open from May to October and is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 16 kilometres south of Galax, VA. Entrance to the visitor centre and museum is free. Tickets for concerts can be purchased online at blueridgemusiccenter.org

WHEN TO GO Visit between May and October for the best weather and access to attractions. To see the fall colours, aim for midlate October. While the BRP is open year-round, sections are often closed during the winter due to snow and ice.

For more information visit blueridgeparkway.org and discoveramerica.com

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TAIWAN

HIS VOICE GETS LOUDER and the others slowly being to join in. A few from the group begin to smile, others start to tap their feet, the youngest begins clapping, then joins in. The girl in the corner begins to sing. Her voice is soft at first but soon she gains confidence and surpasses the leader as the loudest singer, taking everyone by surprise. They finish and laugh, clap, and pat each other on the back. And then they begin another song. The Ami is Taiwan’s largest indigenous group, making up around 40 per cent of Taiwan’s total indigenous population (there are 14 officially recognised Aboriginal tribes all up in Taiwan). They are spread throughout the country, with many still residing between the central and coastal mountains, the eastern Pacific coastal plain to the coastal mountains and the Hengchun Peninsula. The Ami people are also renowned for being great singers. Their singing was made internationally famous when one of their songs formed the chorus for Enigma’s Return to Innocence. The song made such an impression it was also used as the theme music for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. You wouldn’t know that this talented group are Amis if it wasn’t for their distinctive singing. Like everyone else, they’re dressed in jeans and T-shirts, enjoying a meal at a restaurant that specialises in traditional Ami tribal hot pots. I can’t help myself and approach the group asking what they were singing about. They explain the song is about nature and love, and since they are celebrating a birthday they share the birthday cake with me. This kind gesture is the first of many where I am impressed with the kindness and thoughtfulness of the Taiwanese people. They don’t hesitate to share their cake, or their story, and an hour later I find myself still sitting in the same spot mesmerised, listening to their beautiful voices scale a wide tonal range (a distinctive feature of traditional Ami singing). I soon learn that Taiwan is all about sharing. The people of Taiwan are happy to share pretty much everything – not just cake and stories, but also their vibrant culture and rich history. TAIPEI FOR FOOD The central hub of Taiwan is the lively, quirky-cool capital that is Taipei. Suburbs like Ximen remind me of bustling Tokyo – kids clad in the latest gear, flashy shops selling all kinds of ephemera, rambunctiously-furnished eateries playing pumping music, and suave-looking locals spilling out of sophisticated bars onto the street. There’s a certain intoxicating buzz about Taiwan’s stylish capital, and it’s easy to catch. Night markets are a delight to explore. Narrow alleys filled with all kinds of culinary delicacies (like stinky tofu, turtle soup and snake cocktails), as well as clothing stores, massage parlours and everything else under the sun will keep you busy for hours – and getting lost amongst exotic food and all kinds of bric-a-brac will make for the ultimate night market experience. A recent Taipei City Government survey found that Taipei’s night markets were one of the five most popular attractions for foreign visitors. The other four? Taipei is also a paradise for cultural connoisseurs looking to tap into Taiwan’s rich history, and understandably so, the other four attractions include Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.

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a captivating culture… and markers?

Stunning scenery, exemplary cuisine, a rich history,

A journey through tantalising

Tatyana Leonov finds that Taiwan really does have it all

Taiwan

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TAIWAN

Allocate a day for the National Palace Museum (www.npm. County and the high-altitude mountainous regions of Taiwan. It’s gov.tw) – the artefacts and exhibits on show are some of the best quickly evident why – a maze of stunning wilderness wherever you I’ve ever seen, and at any one time (like with most museums look: fast-flowing waterfalls, deep canyons, and a plethora of wildlife only a small percentage are on display) will feature art, ceramics, including butterflies, birds, frogs and fireflies (April through to June is bronze items and jade pieces. The jadeite cabbage with insects is the best time to catch the fireflies glowing at night). a particularly famous and popular item to view; a beautiful article Most Australians haven’t been here though. In fact, many don’t that features intricate detailing. even know this paradise exists. Taiwanese tourists and visitors from Pair your cultural experience with a superb meal at the on-site neighbouring countries do however do know about this gem, and Silks Place (www.silksplace-taroko.com.tw) restaurant. The striking it’s one of the most popular scenic areas in Taiwan for mountain five-floor eatery, fit out with smart furnishings and a mahoganyclimbing, trekking, or simply meandering along one of the many ebony-crème colour scheme makes for very forest trails. pleasant surroundings. The nine-course Because of it sheer size and differing imperial treasures feast is the meal to terrain, visitors will experience different It’s a maze of stunning order, offering diners the opportunity climates depending on where and when to devour dishes that resemble items they go. Subtropical rainforests, warmwilderness wherever you from the National Palace Museum’s temperate rainforests and mountain look... Most Australians signature collections. The jadeite forests are all part of the natural haven’t been here though. cabbage with insects is artfully created landscape that encompasses Alishan. from bokchoy sum, and the insects from Because of the mountainous In fact, many don’t even the work of art are replicated in the form surroundings, Alishan is an ideal base for know this paradise exists of miniscule shrimps. tea growing, and the area is famous for For a more casual dining experience, its high mountain tea production. The tea visit Din Tai Fung (www.dintaifung.com.tw), grows particularly well at altitudes of 800 the award-winning dumpling eatery chain. Taiwan is the birthplace to 1600 metres – and in Alishan it grows all year round. Residents of the original Din Tai Fung, which can be found all around Asia now plant, make, brew and drink the tea, and the visitors… they drink it (including one in Sydney). Founder Yang Bingy started off in the too. There’s an ‘Alishan Tao of Tea’ route tea-lovers can follow, where cooking oil-making business, but soon realised he could make more they visit tea farms, dine on tea cuisine and can rest up after a tough money selling xiaolongbao (small steamed buns). By the 1980s he day of tea drinking at a tea-themed bed and breakfast. was running a full-fledged restaurant, and the original location on If tea isn’t your kind of cuppa, coffee produced in the Alishan area Xinyi Road in Taipei still remains. The Din Tai Fung empire is now a is also delicious. The mid- to high-altitude, frequent fog and vast global culinary phenomenon! temperature disparity makes for ideal coffee bean-making conditions, Must-do experience: Taipei 101 Observatory (www.taipei-101. resulting in the Alishan ultra smooth and mellow blend. com.tw). The second tallest building in the world (it was the tallest Although the scenery is spectacular, one of the most special until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai took over in 2004) stands at 508 experiences is visiting local Aboriginal tribes. The indigenous Tsou metres tall from the ground to the highest structural point. On can be separated into northern and southern tribes (there are floor 89 you get supreme panoramic views of Taipei, while floor big differences between the two), and you’ll find northern Tsou 91 (weather permitting) offers a different outdoor experience. Aboriginals in the Alishan area. It’s possible to visit one of the eight Tsou villages in the area as the cultural tourism department works with the village people to celebrate and endorse their rich history and culture. For this reason each of the eight villages has a theme that was developed to encourage community participation and ALISHAN FOR SCENERY Approximately two million people visited the Alishan National Scenic Area last year, an area spanning the hilly regions of central Chiayi

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development. You can immerse yourself in rich Taiwanese Aboriginal culture and also purchase traditional art pieces (rattan weaving and leather making are both popular traditional art forms) as well as a variety of crafts at the villages. Must-do experience: Watching the sunrise from Zhushan, fondly referred to as the ‘roof of Taiwan’. There are a few fantastic sunrise viewing points in the area but this one is popular, not just because of the panoramic views, but also because it’s easy to get too. A narrowgauge train will get you from Alishan station to Zhushan station in about 25 minutes, and this is an experience in itself. The train is usually full (so you may find yourself standing) and weaves along the twisting mountain at an elevation up to 2494 metres.

TROPIC OF CANCER FOR A ROAD TRIP It’s a bit of a bizarre concept. The Tropic of Cancer is a latitudinal line that crosses from east to west, through Hualien County, Chiayi County and City, Yunlin County, Penghu County, and a cluster of islands in the Taiwan Strait. Intriguingly Taiwan offers tourists the chance to follow the invisible Tropic of Cancer at latitude 23º 26 minutes north – on which only 16 countries in the world lie. There are three markers in Taiwan, which are the star attraction. Humans have always had a fascination with dates, times and locations. It’s as if we need to prove that we exist – here and now. The Tropic of Cancer markers are designed to draw tourists to them – any day is fine, important days are even better. Inspired by the BBC documentary Tropic of Cancer, in which Simon Reeve embarks on a journey uncovering stories from tropical locations, earlier this year the Taiwan Bureau organised several events showcasing the sun and its symbolism. Focusing on the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice (which refers to when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer) – which occurred on 21 June this year – the bureau put on a number of themed parties, including foodie festivals where visitors had the chance to sample traditional delicacies such as smoked flying fish in eastern Taiwan’s Rift Valley or cactus ice-lollipops in outlying Penghu County. Sometimes the most interesting experiences are the ones that might seem unusual – and travelling to a Tropic of Cancer marker (or visiting all three) definitely makes for a quirky road trip story. Must-do experience: Take a silly photo at one of the Tropic of Cancer markers. Better still, take a silly photo at all three markers. D

PREVIOUS PAGE: A VIEW OF THE BEAUTIFUL SUN MOON LAKE IN CENTRAL TAIWAN LEFT TO RIGHT PEDESTRIANS AT A NIGHT MARKET IN GUANGZHOU STREET, TAIPEI; MIST FLOATS AMONGST THE MOUNTAINS IN ALISHAN PARK; NATIONAL CONCERT HALL IN TAIPEI

FACT FILE

Sleeping There are a plethora of options in Taipei. The Parisianthemed Palais de Chine (www.palaisdechinehotel.com/ en-us/) is a sumptuous option for those seeking luxury – think ornate interiors, plush fabrics and antique art pieces scattered throughout the grandiose building. The new Mandarin Oriental (mandarinoriental.com/taipei/hotel) is another opulent option. For those seeking something a little more modern, the edgy Hotel Westgate (www. westgatehotel.com.tw) offers funky, modernly-furnished rooms. In the Alishan National Scenic Area Alishan House (www.alishanhouse.hotel.com.tw) is sleekly appointed and some of the rooms come with mesmerising views out to the mountains.

Getting around Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (THSR) is a high-speed railway line that links Taipei with a number of other destinations along the west coast. The 345-kilometre railway line is based on Japanese technology – it’s an efficient, quick and affordable way to travel in Taiwan. Taiwan’s roads are also easy to get around.

Visiting there Taiwan’s climate is subtropical. Summers (June to August) are hot and humid, winters (December to February) can be quite damp, although still offer pleasant temperatures. Autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are pleasant times to visit, although they can be quite hot. The climate varies in different parts of the country so, depending on where you travel, other times can also be ideal. For example, the east coast is great to visit in the summer months, especially for outdoor activities.

Scoot flies to Taipei via Singapore from Sydney and the Gold Coast. Visit flyscoot.com

> Getting there

Eating Taiwan’s food is delightfully fresh and flavoursome, and this is especially evident in Taipei. Pineapples are one of Taiwan’s major agribusiness exports and pineapple cakes, often referred to as ‘little gold bricks’, are sweet pastries sold almost everywhere. The Taiwanese love them so much there’s even a Taipei Pineapple Cake Cultural Festival held yearly in June! Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that’s also worth trying, a distinctive drink that was invented in teashops in the city of Taichung during the 1980s. Most bubble tea recipes contain a tea base mixed with fruit or milk, and come with small chewy tapioca balls (iceblended versions are usually mixed with fruit or syrup).

For more information visit taiwantourism.org

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SWITZERLAND

LUSCIOUS

The dominant grape here is Chasselas, a fruity white that goes equally well with fine French cuisine at the big hotels or the local delicacy of freshly-cooked fish out of the lake. Small villages like Epesses and Chexbres – a handful of family homes that overlook rows

ON THE SWISS SIDE OF LAKE GENEVA in the Lavaux wine growing region, steep hills rise above the shoreline providing the perfect microclimate for vineyards and hazy views of France across the water. Vines cling to narrow slopes – home to small family operations and refined vintages grown with traditional techniques. Parcels of land have been handed down through generations since the 11th century with an annual production so modest that few bottles are ever seen outside of Switzerland.

LAKE GENEVA Photography and words by Ewen Bell

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IMAGE: VINEYARDS IN THE TOWN OF CHEXBRES

of vines and the passing of ferries down below – exist mainly for the grapes. A narrow road connects the villages, while even smaller tracks between the parcels of vines can be used by cyclists and hikers.

Castle Chillon rests directly on the waters of Lake Geneva, a short walk from the town of Montreux looking back at five kilometres of shore lined with luxury apartments and yachts. (Although, the shallow conditions mean the owners can only moor small yachts here – they put their spare cash into Maseratis instead.)

Although some visitors to Castle Chillon arrive in style on the steamboat ferry, one of several vessels that connect towns along the Swiss side of Lake Geneva.

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SWITZERLAND

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PADDLE STEAMER ‘LA SUISSE’ LEAVING THE PORT AT CHILLON CASTLE; LANDSCAPE OF VINES BETWEEN CULLY AND VEVEY; JEAN-PIERRE ZAUGG DESIGNED THIS EIGHT-METRE HIGH FORK AS A LANDMARK IN VEVEY

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SWITZERLAND

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PARCELS OF VINES CONTINUE TO BARE GRAPES IN MONTREUX; CHILLON CASTLE GRACES A QUIET CORNER OF LAKE GENEVA AWAY FROM THE HOTELS; DUNGEONS IN CHILLON CASTLE PROVIDE COOL STORAGE FOR WINE BARRELS

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SWITZERLAND

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: STREETS OF LAUSANNE WIND DOWN TO THE SHORES OF LAKE GENEVA; MARKET DAY IN DOWNTOWN LAUSANNE; SMALL PARCELS OF VINEYARDS PROVIDE ENOUGH GRAPES FOR FAMILY-RUN WINERIES

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JUST ARRIVED

Small enough for city streets, big enough for the open road… meet Peugeot’s new crossover

SAT NAV AVAILABLE ON SELECTED MODELS

LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

CROSSING OVER WITH THE 2008

THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED 2008

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THE ALL-NEW 2008 CROSSOVER COMBINES the handling characteristics of a hatchback with the size and flexibility of a compact SUV. It’s the first vehicle designed and developed simultaneously by several geographic markets. Priced from $21,990 plus on road costs, the all-new 2008 is an extremely competitive model in the new sub compact SUV class. With its worldwide objectives, 2008 puts the marque into a new dynamic, in line with Peugeot’s strategy of developing its SUV range and attracting new customers. The 2008 is expected to appeal to a wide range of customers – singles, couples, families and empty nesters. While small enough to park with ease in the city streets, the 2008 also loves to stretch its legs out on the open road. At just 4.16 metres long and 1.74 metres wide the 2008 is equally at home on the city streets as it is out on the open road. It combines the robustness of an SUV with the practicality of space, comfort and modularity. “The 2008 offers a truly new concept – its bold design combines the elegance and dynamism of Peugeot’s new hatchbacks, the impertinence and strength of a modern SUV, but also the versatility of a small vehicle of large volume,” says Pierre Authier, head of style of the 208/2008 range. At first glance the 2008 is clearly a Peugeot with a face that adopts the stylistic codes of the marque. Finely sculptured, the bonnet demonstrates the protection, strength and lightness of the 2008.

The 2008 offers a truly new concept – combining the impertinence and strength of a modern SUV with the versatility of a small vehicle Step inside and the refinement of the 2008s interior is instantly apparent. A true innovation to touch, the front fascia is covered in a silky material. Satin chrome parts brighten the space: vents, handbrake lever, small steering wheel, gear knob lever and touchscreen trims. The panoramic glass roof accentuates space, light and gives a sense of being part of their surroundings (Allure and Outdoor models). The 2008 features the small steering wheel and head-up dials that are ideally placed in the line of vision. These dials are surrounded by blue LED lights on the higher versions and chrome finish on the other versions. “The unique ergonomics of the instruments and controls, the careful choice of materials, the quality of assembly, the light ambience... the 2008 stimulates the senses,” says Agnes Tesson Faget,

2008 product project manager. THE 2008 COMBINES THE Every 2008 is fitted with STRENGTH OF AN SUV a seven-inch multifunction colour WITH THE VERSATILITY OF touch screen in the centre of the A SMALL CAR dashboard to give easy control. It’s easy to listen to music on your MP3 player or iPhone. There are plenty of handy storage compartments throughout the 2008 and the split fold rear seats fold completely flat with the touch of a button, which increases luggage space to a massive 1400L. In Australia, the 2008 will be offered in three trim levels – Active, Allure and Outdoor – combined with a choice of three engines. The Active models are paired with either a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine or a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol power plant. Allure models are mated to a 1.6-litre petrol engine and the Outdoor is available exclusively with a 1.6-litre diesel. Two of the three engines use less than 5.0 litres of fuel per 100km. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine produces 60kW of power and 118Nm of torque. Combined fuel consumption is just 4.9L/100km and CO2 emissions are114g per kilometre. The 1.6-litre petrol engine produces 88kW of power and 160Nm of torque emitting just A TRUE INNOVATION, THE 135g/km CO2 when mated to the five-speed FRONT FASCIA IS COVERED IN manual or 150g/km with the four-speed A SILKY MATERIAL automatic. Combined fuel consumption is 5.9L/100km for the manual and 6.5L/100km for the auto. The 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine add panoramic roof with LED light guides, produces 68kW of power and 230Nm of satellite navigation directional front fog torque. This ultra frugal engine uses just lights, chrome door mirrors, dark tinted 4.0L/100km on the combined cycle and rear windows, stainless front and rear emits just 103g/km CO2. body protector, stainless boot sill, polished As with 208, the 2008 comes highly chrome lower door strips, LED instrument equipped. Features on Active models include: dial surround, leather gear knob, instrument front fog lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, panel with colour screen, auto lights, auto rear lamps featuring ‘claw effect’ LED’s, wipers, electrochromatic mirror, passenger LED daytime running lights, colour-coded seat height adjustment, second USB input door mirrors and door handles, roof bars, and automatic dual-zone air conditioning. innovative driving position with head-up The diesel Outdoor models come with instrument panel and small steering wheel, a Grip Control system for improved traction. rear seat with one touch fold, aviation-style This system, patented by the PSA Group, handbrake, power windows, central locking, optimises traction in conditions of poor grip. cruise control with speed limiter, electrically Versatile and flexible, Grip Control adapts operated and heated door mirrors, heightto the terrain encountered by acting on and-reach adjustable steering wheel, driver’s the front wheels with the driver always in seat height adjustment, seven-inch colour control. The driver can decide at any time touchscreen, USB input for external audio to select from standard mode using the dial device and Bluetooth connectivity. located in the centre console for: snow, off Safety features include rear-view road, sand, ESP Off depending on conditions. camera, rear parking sensors, anti-lock In Australia the models equipped with grip braking (ABS), electronic stability programme control come with 17-inch wheels. (ESP) and six airbags (front, side and curtain The all-new 2008 is in dealerships now. airbags). For more information head to www.peugeot. Allure and Outdoor models further com.au D

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BARRY’S IMPRESSIVE PEUGEOTGRAPHY

REAL LIFE

AS A FRESH-FACED YOUNG TEACHER I was sent to Kalkee in the middle of nowhere… but somewhere near Horsham. My teaching colleague, Garry Epstein, owned a Peugeot 203. In wet weather he would drive that thing on the grass verge because the camber of the dirt roads made cars slip sideways into the drains. At school he parked in the middle of the road, because otherwise he’d risk no-starting traction after Mallee rain. The little 203 never failed us and I was hooked! My next school was another ‘nowhere’ location out of Wangaratta called Carboor. Another colleague, Doug Down (hard to believe but true), was driving a Peugeot 403. A few of us used to return to Melbourne on weekends in it. We would take turns driving,

and there were a few ‘hairy’ moments when the uninitiated were fooled by the ‘upside down’ column gear change, particularly on the sides of Pretty Sally (dormant volcano between Wallan and Kilmore)! The old 403 took everything in its stride, and my ambition to own a Peugeot was strengthened. In 1972 my dream became a reality when I found a 1.8-litre 504. Such luxury! It actually had a radio! It also had an oil bath air filter, which could be overfilled, and when driving up steep terrain at Mt Macedon the oil overflowed onto the hot motor creating plumes of smoke and great interest for onlookers. I just told them, “No worries, it’s a Peugeot!” and drove on. This car did a lot of kilometres, so it

Barry Binns has driven a cornucopia of Peugeots. He shares his story with DRIVEN

Pug & Me

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: THE 203; THE 505 BARRY BINNS AT THE WHEEL OF THE 505, RAYMOND REDDICK IN BACKGROUND (HIS FATHER IN LAW); BARRY WITH THE 5053; BARRY BINNS WITH PEUGEOT DEALER, TONY GIBILISCO; BARRY IN HIS 306; THE 405MI16; THE 5052; BARRY WITH HIS 504

wasn’t surprising that the gearbox needed reconditioning. The mechanic completed the job but unfortunately he lost the insulating material, which fitted under the leather ‘boot’ of the gearshift. My wife Noelene solved the problem – she fitted a leg from my pyjamas under the ‘boot’ and it ran whisper quiet from then on! One day in 1977, I was passing City Peugeot on Victoria Street, North Melbourne and spied a brand new 504 complete with air-conditioning! I spoke to a very helpful young salesman, Tony Gibilisco, who suggested that, at $9850, this would be my last opportunity to purchase a new Peugeot for under $10,000. This car served me without a moment’s trouble for many years, and my association with City Peugeot for excellent service was established. The air-con in this car used to get many solid workouts during our jaunts up to my Uncle Lance’s in Queensland. On one occasion we developed a bad water leak on Noelene’s feet, even though there had been no rain. Those early air-con units were add-ons and we discovered that the drainage tube for the condensation ran right under the carpet where the front passenger’s feet go. Noelene had inadvertently squashed this

tube with her feet and blocked the egress of condensation, of which there was plenty up in Queensland. A quick reshaping of the pipe, a huge gush of water and problem solved. By 1983 the 505 was on sale, and a friend who happened to be a Qantas engineer, Max Williams, was raving about how good it was. I went to see Tony, and

The oil overflowed onto the hot motor creating plumes of smoke and great interest for onlookers. I just told them, “No worries, it’s a Peugeot!” and drove on

before long I was enjoying the pleasures of this magnificent beast, particularly the very funky ‘econometer’. Three years later I swapped to the 505GTI, and Tony was able to get me one with four-speed automatic – my first experience of an auto. After five years of happy motoring I dropped into Tony’s one day, and there sitting out the back, was this magnificent bright red Peugeot 405MI16. It was a demo with full pack. Needless to say I bought it and enjoyed every moment I spent in it,

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REAL LIFE including listening to the Bosch ABS brakes pumping up after every second braking. If you ever doubted the efficiency of the air-con on recycle, think again! Noelene had an empty plastic bag on the front passenger floor which was lifted in the blink of an eye and sucked firmly and deeply into the return air ‘plumbing’ under the dash. After much disassembling by Sam and the team at City Peugeot, the offending blockage was removed – a lesson learnt by us all! With the advent of the 306 I was able to become the owner of such a popular and resilient marque, a model still in our family today, driven an enormous distance by our daughter Kaaren. The 306 was followed by the 307, and I was proud to be driving around in the European Car of the Year. The lure of the CC took me to Regan Motors in Balwyn where Louis Karagentsidis had a 206 CC demo on offer. Driving down the Great Ocean Road had never been such fun, and I could adjust to the notorious Otways weather changes at the touch of a button. first diesel experience – such economical motoring whether in town or country. Louis convinced me that the Montebello Blue duco was a winner, and he was right. My wife Noelene has also enjoyed the Peugeot experience, having purchased a 505 GTI, which Tony described in his unmistakable Italian accent as “bee-oootiful!” It must have been, because she kept it for 10 years. Noelene changed to a brand new Peugeot 207 three years ago. It has all the bells and whistles, so I would anticipate another stay of 10 years or more at our place! It must be obvious that because Noelene, Kaaren and I have such a long association with Peugeot, that we have been more than impressed with the vehicles, and the customer sales and service. This includes everyone we have dealt with from the two Tonys, Sam and Maurice at city Peugeot, to Glenn and Louis at Regan Motors. A lifetime of enjoyable motoring and happy memories. I would like to sit here and write more, but there is one thing that takes precedence – going for a spin! D

READER REWARDS Calling all Peugeot aficionados! Do you have a Pug story? We want to hear about it! Send your Peugeot tales to editor@drivenmag.com.au for your chance to appear in the next issue of DRIVEN. You could win a great prize.

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ABOVE BARRY BINNS WITH TONY GIBILISCO AND THE 206CC LEFT BARRY WITH THE 206CC1

Barry Binns is the lucky winner of a HS MV+ 69cm case from American Tourister valued at $259 for his story. The sleek new HS MV+ suitcase from American Tourister is the perfect balance between practicality and style. The collection is designed to provide maximum packing space with capacity to hold up to 30 percent more than conventional luggage, and with 360° spinner wheels it’s the perfect travel companion on those long or short driving holidays. The case is available in three sizes – 50cm, 69cm and 79cm, and in three colours of Glossy Black checks, Glossy White checks and Glossy Purple checks. For more go to americantourister.com.au

FACEBOOK & TWITTER Here are a few of the highlights from Peugeot Australia’s Facebook and Instagram. Go to facebook.com/peugeotau and instagram.com/peugeotau for more

Peugeot Australia November 5

Can you guess the model of this truly exceptional car

Peugeot Australia November 3

Does your feline or canine friend love to hop in (or on!) your Peugeot? Jenni Green Uh, yeah - my little hunter used to scratch up the paint with his razor claws - can you guys make a better coating (maybe glass ?!!) so my cat wont cost me hundreds of dollars every time he cuddles my car ? Glenn Weaver Yep, our two little pooches love their separate back seats in the 308cc. They also think its pretty special when the roofs off!!

Julie Bennett Pierce The rear window of my 407 wagon is constantly covered in snart (schnozz art) put there by my whippets who love the car!!! November 3 at 11:09pm via mobile Nola Watson I have a gorgeous photo of a stripey cat sitting on the bonnet of our then 406 November 3 at 11:20pm · 1 Gary Bowsie Let’s face it the cat has great taste November 4 at 7:58pm via mobile Peugeot Australia We’d like to see the photo some time Nola!

Darren Scragg I think it’s the Oxia? Didier Moutia Some kind of 405 Ben Green Oxia. Philip Challinor 1988 Oxia at L’Aventure Peugeot, Souchoux. Steve Odell Based around the 605 Greg Milligan OXIA!!!!!!! My ALL TIME FAVOURITE DREAM CAR!!!!!! Droooooooooooool....... Glenn Anderson I know it is the Oxia !!! Greg Milligan Composite body....turbo V6 mid mounted....all wheel drive....stunning styling (I have a 405 Mi16, a damn nice car but a pale shadow of this!) all coming together to make it a car to roar through your dreams.... Ill have it with the 907 concept to go with it!

Want to build your own Peugeot? Go to peugeot.com.au/build-your-own-car DRIVEN 75

PRIZES

WIN! WIN! WIN!

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For your chance to win one of these prizes, email us at winstuff@drivenmag.com.au. Answer the relevant question in 25 words or less and don’t forget to include your full name, address and phone number to be eligible to win. Entries close 28 February 2014.

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WIN A LOGITECH NAVMAN MY450LMT GPS VALUED AT $279. The Navman MY450LMT will continue to give all year round, thanks to a world-first feature on the device – Rapid Map Refresh, which gives drivers access to verified and validated free monthly map updates at no additional cost. The MY450LMT makes viewing maps easier with its large five-inch screen and is designed to navigate by using objects driver’s see outside their windscreen (for example: in 200 metres turn left into Burns Bay Road at the Shell petrol station). Other great features include a café shortcut button, fuel type search function, premium driver alerts that warn of changes in road conditions, free live traffic updates and more. navman.com.au Q Why do you need a Logitech Navman in your life?

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WINNERS FROM LAST ISSUE

Joanne Wegener from Figtree in NSW has won a two-night stay for two at the Harbour Rocks Hotel including buffet breakfast valued at $1425. Susan Snooks from Kew in Victoria has won a two-night stay for two including daily breakfast at QT Gold Coast valued at $850. Anthony Dickson from Torquay in Victoria has won one of two Samsonite backpacks valued at $149. Linda Parish from Parrearra in Queensland has won one of two Samsonite backpacks valued at $149.

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LOCATION

DRIVE ME THERE Photography and words by Ewen Bell

ROUTE 816 IN NORWAY ON THE ISLANDS OF LOFOTEN – LOCALLY KNOWN AS HENNINGSVÆR ROAD The village of Henningsvær hides behind massive mountains, connected by a single bridge and Route 816. The Norwegian Sea and huge drying racks for cod surround the town. In winter the Lofoten islands are at their most dramatic when the snow meets the sea, with roads that cling to the sides of mountains as they wind between the islands. D

DO YOU KNOW OF A PLACE THAT WOULD BE AN AMAZING TO DRIVE THROUGH OR TO? Email editor@drivenmag.com.au with your pics and suggestions.

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