Contents D E S T I N AT I O N
Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman
COVER: BARNABY JOYCE. PHOTOGRAPH BY NIC WALKER. DESTINATION WORDS BY TATYANA LEONOV
Perched at 2000 metres in Oman’s Al Hajar ranges, the new Alila Jabal Akhdar, with its awe-inspiring views of a spectacular gorge, is an environmentally sustainable resort that appears to have grown out of the mountain. Comprising 86 suites and villas, some with their own butler and pool, there is little here that doesn’t astound. The infinity pool is a favourite discovery: to peer over its lip is to become lost in the vastness of an ancient land. Sunsets are, quite simply, otherworldly.
G E T T O K N O W YO U R GO O D W E E K E N D W R I T E R S . . .
In this issue 05 07 08 10 16 20
Melissa Fyfe
Amanda Hooton
Jane Cadzow
Frank Robson
She was described by tyre man Bob Jane as “worse than the lawyers”. The dodgy campaign donors and car makers the Melbourne-based writer has investigated would likely agree.
The Finding Mr Darcy author is particularly proud of her native violets. She is also a Walkley winner with an eye for the unexpected details that make a magazine feature sing.
Artists, superstars, prime ministers, Bindi Irwin … the Good Weekend profile writer and two-time Walkley winner has, over 25 years, talked to them all.
Alongside two book tributes to his beloved terrier Lucky are two Walkley awards and, in this issue, yet another portrait of rich psychological insight, this time of Barnaby Joyce.
22 24 26 28 30
Inbox Upfront Two of Us Cross country, by Frank Robson Hey, Mr DJ, by Moby Jail birds, by Hamish McDonald Guns for hire, by Elizabeth Day Fashion Food Home Back chat
Editor Amelia Lester Deputy editor Greg Callaghan Associate editor Sharon Bradley Creative Director Tim Beor Art directors Tara Axford Marylouise Brammer Designer Anna-Lisa Backlund Picture editor Tegan Sadlier Chief sub-editor Jim Hope Deputy chief sub-editor Stuart Hitchings Sub-editors Jenny Kentish Sarah Maguire Sally Rawlings Staff writers Jane Cadzow Tim Elliott Melissa Fyfe Amanda Hooton Konrad Marshall Stephanie Wood Editorial Inquiries Telephone (02) 9282 1830 Fax (02) 9282 1628 Email goodweekend@fairfaxmedia.com.au Advertising inquiries (02) 9282 1064, (02) 9282 2252 Director, brand and audiences Nerissa Corbett Brand and audiences manager Lauren McIntyre Brand and audiences executive Tessa Maughan Advertising production support 1300 666 326 Fairfax Syndication photographs fairfaxsyndication.com. Published by Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd (ABN 33 003 357 720), 1 Darling Island Road, Pyrmont, NSW 2009, Australia. Pre-press and production by Magazine Operations, Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd. Printed by Fairfax Media Print and Distribution, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond, NSW, 2754. Good Weekend is free with Saturday’s edition of The Sydney Morning Herald and it must not be sold separately. Registered by Australia Post. Publication No. NBQ6980. Good Weekend does not accept unsolicited material. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.
GoodWeekend 3