Destinations Australia 2018/19

destinations

australia the ultimate resource for every kind of traveller 2018/2019 edition

BEST ART GALLERIES 澳大利亚 顶级艺术馆 URBAN WALKBOUT

Aboriginal experiences in the heart of the city

plus

where to eat & drink shopping highlights 购物热点 top gOLF COURSES, SPAS & WINERIES

EXCLUSIVE 28-PAGE LUXURY GUIDe inside

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Contents Sydney, NSW

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destinations

destinations

AUSTRALIA

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THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE FOR EVERY KIND OF TRAVELLER 2018/2019 EDITION

2018/2019 EDITION

BEST ART GALLERIES 澳大利亚 顶级艺术馆 URBAN WALKBOUT

Aboriginal experiences in the heart of the city

PUBLICITY PRESS

PLUS WHERE TO EAT & DRINK SHOPPING HIGHLIGHTS 购物热点 TOP GOLF COURSES, SPAS & WINERIES EXCLUSIVE 28-PAGE LUXURY GUIDE INSIDE

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Cover: Rock art at Mt Borradaile, NT, as seen on Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris.

IMAGE: TOURISM AUSTRALIA

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Art & Soul Meet the curators behind Australia’s best art galleries 艺术与灵魂 邂逅澳大利亚顶级艺术馆管理者 Urban Walkabout Discover Aboriginal knowledge and experiences in the heart of the city 都市漫步 在市中心探索和体验原住民文化 Top Spas Road Trips Golf Courses Wine Regions Best Beaches

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NEW SOUTH WALES 37 Sydney Live It Up 40 Shopping Shopper’s Paradise

购物天堂 44 Eat & Drink 46 Arts & Attractions 48 Insider Catriona Rowntree 50 Regional 52 Experience Coastal Haven

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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY 56 Canberra State Of The Nation 57 Eat & Drink 58 Shopping Retail Central 零售中心 60 Insider Isla Nakano 62 Arts & Attractions

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VICTORIA 65 Melbourne Time To Play 66 Eat & Drink 72 Shopping Fashion State

时尚天地 76 Arts & Attractions 80 Insider Melanie Gleeson 82 Regional 84 Experience Boomtown Bendigo

Melbourne, VIC

Great Barrier Reef, QLD

Canberra, ACT

IMAGES: DON FUCHS / DESTINATION NSW; TOURISM AUSTRALIA; DARREN JEW / QUEENSLAND TOURISM; TOURISM NT; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Hobart, TAS

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TASMANIA 89 Hobart Creative Capital 90 Shopping Local Finds

本土精粹 96 Arts & Attractions 98 Eat & Drink 100 Insider Todd Adams 102 Regional 104 Experience Northern Highlights

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA 107 Adelaide The Main Event 110 Shopping Southern Treasures

南部珍宝 116 Arts & Attractions 118 Eat & Drink 120 Insider Warren Randall 122 Regional 124 Experience Deeper Underground

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Barossa Valley, SA

129 Perth The Big Picture 130 Shopping Spoiled For Choice

缤纷佳选 133 Eat & Drink 134 Arts & Attractions 138 Insider Paul Birch 140 Regional 142 Experience Hidden Treasures

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QUEENSLAND 159 Brisbane Some Like It Hot 160 Shopping Hot Shopping

购物热点 163 Eat & Drink 164 Arts & Attractions 166 Insider Bindi Irwin 168 Regional 170 Experience Sweet Escape

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NORTHERN TERRITORY 147 Darwin Life In The Tropics 148 Shopping Unique Treasures

独特珍宝 150 Arts & Attractions 151 Eat & Drink 152 Insider Matt Wright 154 Regional 156 Experience Way Out Back

INFORMATION 172 Traveller’s Tips W hat You Need To Know

the

THE LUXURY GUIDE Be inspired by all things beautiful. Meet the experts, view new products and find stores near you. The Luxury Guide starts after page 144.

guide

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If you’re in need of than our a little spo signature iling, loo luxu k no further with insp iration, from ry guide which is overflow indulgent to opals, ing shoppi diamonds and elegan ng experiences t timepiece s

From the editor

B

eing tasked with hunting down the best Australia has to offer each year is always a pleasure, the tricky part is deciding what makes the cut. In this issue, I caught up with directors and curators at Australia’s most prestigious art galleries and museums to learn more about their creative journeys, and exhibition highlights we can look forward to this year (‘Art & Soul’, page 6). We also bring you Australia’s best cultural offerings, including award-winning tours led by local Aboriginal guides in cities and towns (‘Urban Walkabout’, page 16).

We round up the country’s best beaches, spas, road trips, wine regions and golf courses for you to sample, as well as delivering a dedicated Luxury Guide packed with indulgent shopping tips (begins after page 144).

Choose a state or territory and we’ll help you plan your stay – from where to eat, drink and play in the city, to unique regional escapes and insider tips from some of our favourite locals. Australia’s most travelled woman, Catriona Rowntree, lets us in on her secret Sydney highlights, while science guru Isla Nakano takes us on a tour of Canberra.

Master chef Todd Adams reveals why he’s glad he made the move to Freycinet, Tasmania, and wine entrepreneur Warren Randall waxes lyrical on South Australia’s Barossa Valley. Discover Broome with pearl master Paul Birch, get Top End tips from croc wrangler Matt Wright, and celebrate the Sunshine Coast with conservationist Bindi Irwin.

Some of the most memorable experiences you will have on holiday are in regional Australia. To help you on your way, Hannah Tattersall explores the coastal coal town of Newcastle, New South Wales (page 52), Stephanie Williams gets to know the Victorian gold rush town of Bendigo (page 84), and sugar-growing Bundaberg in balmy north Queensland (page 170). Jennifer Ennion gets adventurous in northern Tasmania (page 104), while Kris Madden heads underground in South Australia’s Coober Pedy (page 124).

Kick back with Fleur Bainger in beautiful Broome, Western Australia (page 142), or experience Alice Springs and the Red Centre in the Northern Territory (page 156).

Australia really is your oyster, so get exploring.

Happy trails,

destinations

AUSTRALIA PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR Ross Copeland EDITOR Cassy Polimeni CONTRIBUTORS Fleur Bainger Jennifer Ennion Kris Madden Hannah Tattersall Stephanie Williams DESIGNERS Eva Herzog Cathy Silvio NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Sue Kallincos ADMINISTRATION Gina Copeland

SPECIAL THANKS Publicity Press Pty Ltd would like to express our gratitude to the following individuals and organisations for their invaluable assistance: Catriona Rowntree; Isla Nakano; Todd Adams; Warren Randall; Paul Birch; Matt Wright; Bindi Irwin; Allie Metz/Tourism Australia; Florence Rocca/Destination NSW; Chelsea Collins/Visit Victoria; Donna Ciaccia/VisitCanberra; Jessica Schmidt/Tourism Tasmania; Suzanna Parisi/ South Australian Tourism Commission; Tiana Anderson/Tourism Western Australia; Jodi Clark/Tourism NT; Shelley Winkel/Tourism Queensland; Meg Carroll/NGV; Erin Lawlor/ MONA; Claire Fitzgerald/MONA; Siaw Chai/Art Gallery of Western Australia; Marika LucasEdwards/Art Gallery of South Australia; Diane Morris/National Portrait Gallery; Hannah McKissock-Davis/Art Gallery of NSW.

Destinations Australia is published annually.

All material in this issue is Copyright © 2018-2019.

Publicity Press Pty Ltd. All rights are reserved.

No part of the contents of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the publisher or editor. Articles represent the views of their authors and are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor. Every endeavour has been made to ensure all information is accurate at time of print.

However, some prices, events, details and other information may change with time. Readers are advised to check all details with relevant providers before acting upon such information.

Destinations Australia is produced by Publicity Press Pty Ltd ABN 31 005 490 068 1 Albert Street (PO Box 4331) Richmond VIC Australia 3121 Ph: +61 3 9804 4700 Fax: +61 3 9804 4711 email: cassy@publicitypress.com.au

CASSY POLIMENI Editor

EDITOR’S PHOTO: DAVID GURVICH / BACKGROUND MAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK

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AUSTRALIA | Art Galleries

Art&

Soul

艺术与灵魂 Australia’s best art galleries and museums bring together local and international talent in an inspirational feast for the soul.

Cassy Polimeni meets the creative minds toiling behind the scenes to make it happen

IMAGE: Fernand Léger (French, 1881–1955) Propellers, 1918 Oil on canvas 31 7/8 x 25 3/4” (80.9 x 65.4 cm) The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Katherine S. Dreier Bequest © 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris 6 | destinations AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA | Art Galleries

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY Angus Trumble Director I was born and raised in Melbourne. Long before I left school at the end of 1981 I knew that only art would do. Before I became Director of the National Portrait Gallery nearly four years ago, I was senior curator of paintings and sculpture at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Connecticut, for eleven years, and prior to that I was curator of European art at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Running the National Portrait Gallery is without doubt the richest and most rewarding job I have ever had.

I love being able to tell stories about distinguished but relatively little-known Australians who have done remarkable things. And that appointment, of course, carried with it the precious gift of repatriation.

The National Portrait Gallery is unique due to its intimate scale, and the fact that we benefit from a remarkably high degree of public affection all over the country. I think the reason for that is because, unless they are unusually misanthropic on the whole, most people are interested in people – so people love portraits.

I always urge people to visit Parliament House when they come to Canberra. It is an exceptionally fine complex of buildings, and if you attend a debate in the galleries of the Senate or the House of Representatives you almost always form a better impression of our democratic processes than may be gleaned from abbreviated snippets on the nightly news (aph.gov.au).

There are a number of exciting upcoming exhibitions on show at the National Portrait Gallery in 2018-19, including the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 (24 March–17 June), an exhibition of finalists and winners selected from a national call for entries. For those of you who miss the 2018 exhibition, 2019 runs from 23 February until 7 April 2019.

国家肖像美术馆主管 Angus Trumble 我在墨尔本出生 和 长大。早在 1981 年底离开学校之前， 我就已经知道有些故事只有通过艺术才能讲述出来。大概四年 前，我成为国家肖像美术馆 (National Portrait Gallery) 的主管， 在此之前，我在美国康涅狄格州纽黑文市的耶鲁大学英国艺术中 心 (Yale Center for British Art) 担任了 11 年的绘画与雕塑资深 策展人。在那之前，我曾经是南澳大利亚艺术画廊的欧洲艺术策 展人。 国家肖像美术馆的独特之处包括平易近人的氛围，以及受到全 国人民喜爱的尊崇地位，我们从中受益匪浅。我认为，能产生这 种感染力的原因在于，除非极度厌恶人类，否则大多数人都对人 感兴趣 — 所以人们喜爱肖像。 只要有人来到堪培拉，我就会强烈建议他们拜访国会大厦 (Parliament House)。这是一座极其精致的综合建筑，如果您 曾亲自在参议院旁听席中就座，或者到众议院中参加过辩论， 那么就必定会对我们的民主化进程留下更深刻的印象，这是晚 间新闻中的只言片语远不能勾勒的画面。 2018 年至 2019 年，国家肖像美术馆将举办多场精彩展览，包 括 2018 年全国肖像摄影奖（3 月 24 日至 6 月 17 日），展 出从全国参赛作品中精选而出的决赛入围作品和获奖作品。如 果您错过了 2018 年的展览，别忘记 2019 年的展览时间为 2019 年 2 月 23 日至 4 月 7 日。

We also have an exhibition with the working title of Refashioned, which will present work by ten leading contemporary Australian women artists addressing themes, periods, events and individuals in Australian history – it runs from 29 June until 30 September 2018.

我们还安排了一次暂时命名为 Refashioned 的展览，将展示 十位领先的现代澳大利亚女性艺术家创作的作品，这些作品涉 及到澳大利亚历史中的各种题材、时期、事件和人物 — 展览 时间为 2018 年 6 月 29 日至 9 月 30 日。

For exhibition details, visit portrait.gov.au

如需了解展览的详情，请访问 portrait.gov.au

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OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Portrait Of Crown Princess Mary Of Denmark 2005, by Jiawei Shen (B. 1948); National Portrait Gallery exterior; National Portrait Gallery exhibition halls; Charles Teo 2011 by Adam Chang (b.1960) oil on canvas; Deborah Mailman 1999 by Evert Ploeg (b. 1963) oil on jute.

PHOTOS: JOHNSON PILTON WALKER , MARK MOHELL

Art Galleries| AUSTRALIA

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MONA/LEIGH CARMICHAEL, RÉMI CHAUVIN, MATT NEWTON,

AUSTRALIA | Art Galleries

10 | destinations VICTORIA

MUSEUM OF OLD AND NEW ART (MONA) Jane Clark Senior Research Curator Eleven years into the job, I’m still rather amazed to be here!

When the then little-known collector David Walsh asked me to join his not-yet-built museum, I’d worked at the National Gallery of Victoria for 12 years, then at Sotheby’s international art auction house for another 12. At Mona I care for, research and write about art objects in our permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, ranging from ancient to contemporary art and originating all over the world.

When I was 16 I was lucky enough to spend a year in Europe and realised that art museums were an incredibly exciting place to be. They seemed like time-machines, where physical objects could transport me to ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, Impressionist Paris, and so on. Studying art history in Melbourne and London, I enjoyed academic scholarship but was keen to work in a way that was more multi-disciplinary, outward-looking and public. By the time I graduated, curatorial work in a major art museum was my dream job.

At Mona, we explore big ideas. We’re interested in all art: from ancient to modern, from why artmaking appears to be a human universal, to the interplay between technology, light, colour, and visual perception in our new installations

by American artist James Turrell. We’re interested in wherever human imagination might lead.

Mona is nominally an art museum, but in fact it’s a museum about being human. While we’re absolutely serious in our scholarship, care and respect for artworks, relationships with artists, our publications and interpretation, Mona is also meant to be fun. We don’t have labels on the walls.

Instead, you take your own exploratory journey using the hand-held electronic Mona O. Mona is David Walsh’s experiment. Having one owner, totally engaged with all we do, means we can change emphasis, switch direction, explore options, and take calculated risks with what we present that would be difficult for a less nimble public institution. This means you never quite know what to expect when you come to Mona!

Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state and the easiest to travel around. While you’re in Hobart, a visit to the state -funded Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a treat.

But take some extra time to explore the mountains, forests, beaches, wildlife, and of course the food and wine.

For exhibition details, visit mona.net.au

古今艺术博物馆 (MONA) 高级研究策展人 Jane Clark 我从事这份工作已有 11 年时间，但至今仍然会不时产生惊喜 的感觉！在鲜为人知的收藏家 David Walsh 请我加入他尚未 建成的博物馆之前，我在维多利亚国家艺术画廊 (National Gallery of Victoria, NGV) 拥有 12 年的工作经历，在索斯比 国际艺术品拍卖行 (Sotheby’s international art auction house) 拥有 12 年的工作经历。在古今艺术博物馆，我负责 维护、研究我们永久馆藏和临时展览的艺术品并撰文介绍这些 艺术品，包括来自世界各地的古代到现代艺术品。 在我 16 岁的时候，我有幸在欧洲生活了一年时间，这段经历 让我认识到，艺术博物馆是一个激动人心的去处。艺术博物馆 有如时光机一般，其中的藏品能带我回到古代埃及、文艺复兴 时代、印象派主宰时代的巴黎等等。我研究了墨尔本和伦敦的 艺术史，并获得了学术奖学金，但我渴望以一种更加多学科、前 瞻性、公开化的方式开展工作。毕业的时候，在大型艺术博物 馆从事策展工作成为了我的梦想。 在 Mona，我们积极探索重大创意。我们关注从古至今的所有艺 术，从艺术创作如何成为人类的普遍共性，到美国艺术家 James Turrell 在我们博物馆的最新展品的技法、光影、色彩和视觉认 知之间的相互作用。我们关注人类的想象力会将我们引向何处。 Mona 名义上是一家艺术博物馆，但实际上是一家关乎于人类 的博物馆。尽管我们怀着对艺术品的关心和尊重之心，对艺术 品学识、与艺术家之间的关系、出版物和解说严肃以待，但 Mona 也致力于营造乐趣。我们的墙壁上不会贴标签。游客将 使用手持的 Mona O 电子设备展开自己的探索之旅。 塔斯马尼亚是澳大利亚最小的州，游历方便。来到霍巴特 (Hobart) 时，参观国家资助的塔斯马尼亚博物馆和艺术画廊 (Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery) 会让人受益颇多。 但也别忘记多抽些时间，探索这里的山川、森林、海滩、野生动 物，以及美食与美酒。 如需了解展览的详情，请访问 mona.net.au

OPPOSITE PAGE: Exhibition spaces and exteriors at MONA, where even the architecture is a work of art. destinations AUSTRALIA | 11

NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA (NGV)

My interest in international art was sparked as a teenager.

At school I was most interested in history and geography, but in grade 12 I sat in on a university lecture about Renaissance Art and was captivated: sitting in the dark, looking at beautiful paintings via a slide projector – this was the early 1990s! – seemed magical.

I focused on art history as an undergraduate at the University of Queensland, and went on to study for a PhD at the University of London, writing my thesis on American art in the 1960s and 1970s. Before starting at NGV, I worked at the Queensland Art Gallery, and studied and worked in London for twelve years.

Many of the exhibitions I work on at NGV are developed with international museums, foundations or artists.

These can be ‘blockbusters’ or smaller projects. For the past two years I’ve been working with the Museum of Modern Art, New York, to develop the MoMA at NGV exhibition.

Each exhibition I work on involves learning about a new subject intensively. It’s a constant education, which is such a privilege. International travel is another part of my role, and I enjoy feeling connected to other parts of the world. Increasingly, art museum colleagues from Europe and North America travel to see us – they’re much more aware of what we’re doing than they were 20 years ago, and want to learn from us as well. So it’s a two-way conversation, which is great.

PHOTO: EUGENE HYLAND

Miranda Wallace, Senior Curator, International Exhibition Projects

The ambition and scale of the NGV’s exhibition program, its global outlook, and the way art and design has been brought into such a fruitful dialogue in recent years, from exhibition content through to presentation, is what makes the Gallery so unique. It makes for such a rich visitor experience.

As a relatively recent newcomer to Melbourne and Victoria, I am still getting to know the city. On weekends, my activities are largely dictated by my three-year-old daughter, so we’ve made several trips to each of the Zoos Victoria sites (zoo.org.au).

Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley is a particular favourite and we also love visiting the nearby TarraWarra Museum of Art (twma.com.au), Werribee Zoo has an amazing safari experience, and the nearby Victoria State Rose Garden is a great spot to have a picnic (vicstaterosegarden.com.au), and of course you can’t go past the Melbourne Zoo – it’s fantastic and so close to the city.

Upcoming exhibitions include MoMA at NGV (9 June to 7 October 2018) which will feature well-known works by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Cindy Sherman.

For more information, visit ngv.vic.gov.au

ABOVE: Miranda Wallace, Senior Curator, International Exhibition Projects In Front Of Mark Rothko’s Untitled (Red), 1956, NGV International © 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Ars. Licensed By Viscopy, 2017.

Art Galleries | AUSTRALIA

维多利亚国家艺术画廊 (NGV) 国际展览项目资深策展人 Miranda Wallace 从青少年时代起，我就一直对国际艺术充满兴趣。在学校，我 最感兴趣的科目是历史和地理，但在 12 年级毕业后，当我坐 在大学讲堂中倾听文艺复兴艺术的讲座时，我被深深地吸引 了：坐在黑暗之中，欣赏投影仪放映的精美绘画 — 当时是 20 世纪 90 年代早期！这一切看起来有如梦幻。 在昆士兰大学 (University of Queensland) 求学期间，我主 要研究艺术史，我的论文主题是 20 世纪 60 年代和 70 年代的美国艺术。在 NGV 工作之前，我曾在昆士兰艺术画廊 (Queensland Art Gallery) 工作，并且在伦敦学习和工作了 12 年时间。 我在 NGV 参与过的许多展览都是与国际博物馆、基金会或 艺术家合作举办的。其中不乏一鸣惊人的项目，也包括规模较 小的项目。在过去两年间，我一直在与纽约现代艺术博物馆 (Museum of Modern Art, New York) 联手合作，开发在 NGV 举办的 MoMA 展览项目。 我参与的每一项展览都集中学习新主题。这是一种持续不断的 学习和发展，对于我来说着实是一种特权。国际旅行是我工作中 固有的另一个部分，我十分喜爱与世界各地的人们联络沟通。越 来越多的欧洲和北美艺术博物馆员工开始到我们这里参观学习 — 与 20 年前相比，他们如今能更好地了解我们工作的意义， 并希望借鉴学习我们的经验。这是一种双向沟通，非常有益。 近年来，NGV 的展览项目规模出众，抱负不凡，结合其全球 视界与艺术和设计理念，创造出丰硕的对话成果。从展览内容 到陈列布置，这一切均彰显出这间艺术画廊的独特之处。这些 特点造就了丰富多彩的游客体验。 对于墨尔本和维多利亚，我尚属新来者，我对这座城市的理解 仍在不断加深。每逢周末，我的活动主要是与三岁的女儿共处， 我们一起游览了维多利亚的每一家动物园 (zoo.org.au)。我们 特别喜欢亚拉河谷 (Yarra Valley) 的希尔斯维尔野生动物保 护区 (Healesville Sanctuary)，此外也喜欢拜访附近的塔拉 沃拉艺术博物馆 (TarraWarra Museum of Art) (twma. com.au)。华勒比动物园 (Werribee Zoo) 拥有令人向往的狩 猎体验，附近的维多利亚州立玫瑰园 (Victoria State Rose Garden) 则是最好的野餐地点 (vicstaterosegarden.com.au) 。当然，精彩纷呈的墨尔本动物园 (Melbourne Zoo) 也是不 容错过的去处，而且这座动物园距离城区十分近。 即将举办的展览包括在 NGV 举办的 MoMA 展览（2018 年 6 月 9 日至 10 月 7 日），届时将展出文森特·梵高、 保罗·塞尚、巴勃罗·毕加索、萨尔瓦多·达利、弗里达·卡罗、 杰克逊·波洛克、安迪·沃霍尔和辛迪·雪曼 的传世巨作。 如需详细信息，请访问 ngv.vic.gov.au

FROM TOP: 1) Piet Mondrian (Dutch, 1872–1944) Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow, 1937-42 Oil on canvas, The Museum of Modern Art, New York. 2) The Sidney and Harriet Janis Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904–1989) The Persistence Of Memory, 1931 Oil On Canvas, The Museum Of Modern Art, New York. Given Anonymously © 2016 Salvador Dalí, Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation / Artists Rights Society (Ars), New York. 3) Edward Hopper (American, 1882-1967), Gas, 1940, oil on canvas, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Mrs Simon Guggenheim Fund. destinations AUSTRALIA | 13

AUSTRALIA | Art Galleries

ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA Lisa Slade Assistant Director, Artistic Programs I’m a former high school teacher who decided, during maternity leave, to try curating. That was more than 15 years ago and now I’m the Assistant Director, Artistic Programs at the Art Gallery of South Australia. I recently completed a PhD with Monash University that reflects on curating and curiosity.

Growing up in a small town I didn’t really know what the arts were! I loved art at school and chose to specialise in art history at high school before heading off to study it and anthropology at the University of Sydney.

What do I love most about my job? Let me count the ways! I feel blessed to have daily contact with artists and audiences. Artists are such great humans – they think and feel deeply and help us to make sense of our crazy lot. One of my favourite things to do is watch audiences responding to art – it’s like watching the proverbial penny drop.

Being at the Gallery right now feels like being in the right place at the right time. There’s a sense of artistic and cultural receptiveness from the community, and experiences like the TARNANTHI: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art enable us to work closely with First Nation artists and communities.

While you’re in Adelaide be sure to visit the Museum of Economic Botany in the Botanic Gardens, one of my favourite places in the world and home to a nineteenth century glasshouse transported from Germany. For more recent treasures I head to Magill Road for great Danish and other retro designer wares.

For exhibition details, visit artgallery.sa.gov.au/agsa

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南澳大利亚艺术画廊艺术项目助理主管 Lisa Slade 我先前是一名高中教师，后来在休产假期间，我决定尝试策展。 那是大约 15 年之前的事情了，现在我已经是南澳大利亚艺术 画廊 (Art Gallery of South Australia) 艺术项目的助理主管。 我在一座小镇出生和成长，原本并没有太多机会去接触艺术！ 在学校求学期间，我爱上了艺术，并在高中选修了艺术史专业， 之后又到悉尼大学 (University of Sydney) 深造了艺术史与人 类学学科。 目前在艺术馆工作让我觉得在正确的时间来到了正确的地点。 那是一种来自社会的艺术与文化认同感，像“TARNANTHI：现 代土著与托雷斯海峡岛民艺术节”(TARNANTHI: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art) 这 样的体验让我们能够与原住民艺术家和社区密切联系和合作。 如果您有机会来到这里，一定别错过植物园的实用植物学博物 馆 (Museum of Economic Botany)，那是我在全球范围内最喜 爱的地点之一，也是从德国远途运来的 19 世纪玻璃温室的所 在地。在希望探索近年创作的艺术瑰宝时，我还喜欢到马吉尔 路 (Magill Road) 发掘精彩的丹麦作品和其他复古设计品。 如需了解展览的详情，请访问 artgallery.sa.gov.au/agsa

ABOVE: Lisa Slade (Photographer: Sven Kovac).

BELOW: The Art Gallery of South Australia, inside and out.

Art Galleries | AUSTRALIA

ART GALLERY OF WA (AGWA) Dr Stefano Carboni Director For me, the opportunity to join AGWA came at the right time. It was late 2008 and I’d spent the past 16 years as a Curator and Administrator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

I was ready for a role with more responsibility and leadership, and was looking into the possibility of moving to Australia to get closer to my wife’s side of the family – she’s of Russian descent but grew up in Victoria.

I’ve wanted to work in the arts since I attended the first lectures in Islamic art at the University of Venice.

Growing up in Venice, of course, is also conducive to becoming an art historian! I can confidently state that I have wanted to work in the arts since my junior college years and never looked back.

AGWA is the product of Western Australian society and history since the late 19th century, and reflects and embodies all the strengths and contradictions of being perceived as one of the most isolated cities in the world.

This means there are plenty of challenges in getting visitors to the Gallery, but also unique opportunities.

If you’re in WA, a visit to Sir Antony Gormley’s Inside Australia installation on Lake Ballard near Kalgoorlie is a must, ideally at sunset or dawn. AGWA’s collection includes two major sculptures by the renowned British artist, and we also look after the ‘well-being’ of this work, which was created by Gormley for the Perth International Art Festival back in 2003 (lakeballard.com).

For details of exhibitions, including ‘A Window on Italy – The Corsini Collection: Masterpieces from Florence’, visit artgallery.wa.gov.au

WA 艺术画廊 (AGWA) 主管 Stefano Carboni 博士 AGWA 体现了西澳大利亚自 19 世纪末期以来的社会与 历史，展现了这座被视为全球最孤立的城市之一的所有优势与 矛盾。这意味着，在吸引游客来到艺廊方面，我们需要克服许多 挑战，但也有许多独特的机会。 如果您有机会来到 WA，一定不要错过卡尔古利 (Kalgoorlie) 附近巴拉德湖 (Lake Ballard) 上的安东尼•葛姆雷爵士澳大利 亚腹地展 (Sir Antony Gormley’s Inside Australia)，日落 或黎明时分是最好的参观时间。AGWA 的藏品包括知名英国 艺术家制作的两座大型雕塑，我们一直在精心维护这些作品， 它们是葛姆雷 (Gormley) 为 2003 年珀斯国际艺术节 (Perth International Art Festival) 创作的作品 (lakeballard.com)。 有关意大利之窗 — 科尔西尼藏品展：来自佛罗伦萨的巨作 (A Window on Italy – The Corsini Collection: Masterpieces from Florence) 等展览的详情，敬请访问 artgallery.wa.gov.au ABOVE: Dr Stefano Carboni pictured in front of Vernon Ah Kee’s work Born in this Skin 2008, crayon, charcoal and synthetic polymer on canvas. Purchased through the Friends of the Art Gallery, State Art Collection, AGWA. © Vernon Ah Kee. Courtesy Milani Gallery, Brisbane. BELOW: Gallery interior and exterior; Sandro Botticelli and workshop (Italian, b. c1445, d.1510), Madonna and child with six angels c1500, tempera and oil on board.

destinations AUSTRALIA | 15

Urban

Walkabout Discover Australia’s Aboriginal heritage on fascinating tours and experiences based in the heart of our capital cities

都市漫步

TEXT: AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: TOURISM AUSTRALIA; VISIT VICTORIA; DREAMTIME SOUTHERN X; ABORIGINAL CULTURAL TOURS, TOURISM NT.

Aboriginal Experiences | AUSTRALIA

The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour Dreamtime Southern X, Sydney Take a 90-minute leisurely walkabout with an Aboriginal guide in The Rocks to explore the centre of Sydney from an Aboriginal perspective. Go on a journey into the Dreamtime to discover how ancient Aboriginal culture is still alive within the modern Sydney landscape. Hear how the billion-year old harbour, together with the marine environment, sandstone strata, waterways, and the region’s flora and fauna continue to influence how Aboriginal people live today. Conveniently located in the heart of Sydney, this tour provides a great insight into Aboriginal culture, while also taking in many of the other fascinating sites of The Rocks area. therocks.com Nura Diya Taronga Zoo, Sydney Set on traditional Cammeraigal country in Sydney, Taronga Zoo has many amazing Aboriginal stories to share. Nura Diya, meaning “this country or camp”, takes you on a journey through Taronga Zoo with an Aboriginal guide who shares personal insights as well as the stories of Australian wildlife from a cultural perspective. Hear stories from the Dreamtime, describing the creation of the creatures and the landscape. Learn the centuries-old traditional uses of plants for food and medicine while interacting with unique Australian wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and a vast array of Australian birds. Get up-close to wonderful Australian animals, while discovering Australia’s rich cultural heritage. taronga.org.au

岩石迷梦原住民传统之旅 悉尼南部梦幻时代 在原住民导游的陪同下，到岩石区 (The Rocks) 开展一次 90 分钟的悠闲漫步之旅，从原住民的视角探索悉尼中心地带。 参加梦幻时代 (Dreamtime) 之旅，探索古代原住民文化在现 代悉尼的环境中如何得以存留。了解拥有十亿年历史的海港与 海洋环境、砂岩底层、航道和该地区的植物群与动物群如何继 续影响着当今原住民的生活。这一旅行的目的地位置便捷，就 在悉尼市中心，可以带领游客一窥原住民文化，此外也会游览 岩石区 (The Rocks) 的其他许多迷人去处。 therocks.com 努拉迪亚 (Nura Diya) 悉尼塔龙加动物园 (Taronga Zoo) 塔龙加动物园 (Taronga Zoo) 位于悉尼传统的卡莫雷加 (Cammeraigal) 乡村地带，与四方游客分享许多精彩的原住 民故事。努拉迪亚 (Nura Diya) 的意思是“这片乡村或野营 地”，将安排原住民导游带领您游览塔龙加动物园 (Taronga Zoo)，导游会在路上从文化的视角与您分享个人见解，为您讲 述澳大利亚野生动物的故事。聆听梦幻时代 (Dreamtime) 的故事，了解生物和大地的创造奥秘。了解数个世纪之前，将植 物用作食品和药品的传统用法，还可以与多种澳大利亚独有的 野生动物互动，包括考拉、袋鼠、沙袋鼠和多种澳大利亚鸟类。 与有趣的澳大利亚动物近距离接触，并探索澳大利亚丰富的文 化传承。 taronga.org.au

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Aboriginal rock art; Dreamtime Southern X – Heritage Tour; Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, Mt Borradaile, NT; Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast.

destinations AUSTRALIA | 17

Eco Treasures, Sydney Discover an easily accessible urban Indigenous walking tour in the heart of Sydney. Meander along the shores of Sydney Harbour to check out ancient middens and rock engravings or head out to see the rock art, hand stencils, midden sites and engravings in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Try your hand at the clapping sticks and learn about the traditional native bush medicines and foods that have sustained Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Learn about Aboriginal culture with an expert guide while hearing their fascinating personal stories about the landscape and culture, and how the two are interlinked. Hear about both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal lifestyles to understand the continuum of their living culture. ecotreasures.com.au Indigenous Tourism Packages Australian Museum, Sydney Explore the diverse beliefs and cultures of Australia’s first people by joining an interactive didgeridoo and dance performance and personalised, guided tour of the Museum’s Indigenous Australians exhibition. Through authentic Indigenous voices, the Indigenous Australians exhibition illustrates the richness and diversity of Indigenous Australia and shows the impact of the past 200 years of European settlement. Located in the heart of Sydney, the Australian Museum is the oldest museum in Australia and houses the largest natural science and cultural collection in the country. There are more than 18 million items on display including artefacts, boomerangs, clap sticks, dilly bags and didgeridoos. australianmuseum.net.au Aboriginal Heritage Tour Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney The Aboriginal Heritage Tour at the Royal Botanic Garden offers a unique opportunity to learn about the diverse history and culture of the Aboriginal people of the Sydney area. Share in a first-hand perspective of the significance of the site on which the Royal Botanic Garden is situated, which is regarded as the ‘first frontier’ between Aboriginal and European societies. A 52-metre interpretive ‘storyline’ tells the Aboriginal history of Sydney from the Dreamtime to the present. The text on the storyline was compiled from a variety of sources including over 40 interviews with local Aboriginal people. rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

18 | destinations AUSTRALIA

悉尼生态珍宝 在悉尼市中心参加方便易行的城市土著步行之旅。在悉尼港 (Sydney Harbour) 的海岸上悠闲漫步，观赏古代贝冢和岩刻， 或者前往顾林凯蔡斯国家公园 (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park) 观赏岩石艺术、手模、贝冢遗址和雕刻艺术品。动手试试 敲敲木，了解几千来供养着原住民的当地传统丛林药品和食品。 在专业导游的陪同下了解原住民文化，聆听他们讲述这片土地和 原住民文化以及两者之间紧密联系的精彩故事。了解传统和现代 原住民生活方式，了解其生活文化的不断发展。 ecotreasures.com.au 悉尼澳大利亚博物馆土著观光套餐 参加互动式的迪吉里杜管和舞蹈表演，以及有导游陪同、个性 定制的博物馆澳大利亚土著展览，探索澳大利亚第一民族的多 元化信仰与文化。澳大利亚土著展览以真实的土著之声展现出 澳大利亚土著人丰富多彩的生活和多元化文，体现了 200 年 欧洲殖民的影响。澳大利亚博物馆 (Australian Museum) 位于悉尼市中心，是澳大利亚历史最悠久的博物馆，拥有国内 规模最大的自然科学和文化藏品。展出的物品超过 1800 万 件，包括人工制品、 飞去来器、敲敲木、网袋和迪吉里杜管。 australianmuseum.net.au 悉尼皇家植物园土著传承之旅 皇家植物园 (Royal Botanic Garden) 的土著传承之旅提供了 绝无仅有的机会，让游客可以了解悉尼地区土著人的多元历史 和文化。以第一视角了解皇家植物园所在地的重要意义，这里 被视为土著社区与欧洲社区之间的“第一道防线”。长达 52 米的解说“故事线”讲述了悉尼从梦幻时代至今的土著故事。故 事线上的文字来源丰富，包括与当地土著人开展的 40 多次访 谈。 rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Aboriginal Experiences | AUSTRALIA

Aboriginal Heritage Walk Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Enjoy an authentic Aboriginal experience in the Royal Botanic Gardens, just minutes from the centre of Melbourne. The Botanic Gardens occupy what was once a traditional camping and meeting place for the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung people. Local Aboriginal guides will take you on a journey which incorporates the themes of spirit, connection and land.

Hear about the stories and culture of the original inhabitants, learn about the plant lore of traditional foods and medicine, and find out about tools and ceremony. Group and individual packages combining an Aboriginal food experience with a walk in the Gardens are available, along with a range of educational programs. rbg.vic.gov.au Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Located within the Melbourne Museum, Bunjilaka is Australia’s leading Aboriginal Cultural Centre and has one of the most significant Aboriginal cultures collections in the world. It features exhibitions that celebrate a culture deeply entwined with the land, explore the impact of British colonisation and the way in which Aboriginal people have strived to maintain their culture, and looks at the ongoing debate about Aboriginal knowledge, law and property in Australia. museumsvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka

步行探索土著传承之旅 墨尔本皇家植物园 在距离墨尔本市中心几分钟路程的皇家植物园感受地道的土著 体验。皇家植物园所在地在古时曾经是 Boonwurrung 和 Woiwurrung 人的传统野营和集会地点。本地土著导游将带领 您踏上一段神奇旅程，探索精神、联系与大地这三个主题。聆听 有关土著居民的故事和文化，了解传统食品和药品的植物知识， 探索土著人使用的工具和仪式。团体和个人套餐结合了土著美食 体验与花园徒步游览（在条件允许时），此外还有一系列的教育 计划。 rbg.vic.gov.au 墨尔本 Bunjilaka 土著文化中心 位于墨尔本博物馆 (Melbourne Museum) 的 Bunjilaka 是 澳大利亚领先的土著文化中心，是拥有全球规模最大的土著文 化藏品的文化中心之一。这里的展览纪念着与这片土地密切交织 的文化，探索了英国殖民统治的影响，以及土著人如何通过抗争 保留自己的文化，并且审视了持续至今的有关澳大利亚土著文 化、法律和财产的争论。 museumsvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum; bush tucker from arid-zone plants and fruits; Aboriginal Cultural Tours; Quinkan rock art, QLD. OPPOSITE PAGE: National Gallery of Australia, ACT.

destinations AUSTRALIA | 19

Urban Indigenous Australia, Perth Venture into the rugged and wild South West, escape to the Coral Coast or take an adventure into the Kimberley with Urban Indigenous Australia.

Urban Indigenous offers private tours of Perth and surrounds accompanied by experienced Aboriginal guides who are able to give an insight into the Aboriginal people, culture and community of the area.

All-inclusive extended travel programmes can also be provided for groups wishing to travel to regional and remote areas of Western Australia. urbanindigenous.com.au Aboriginal Cultural Tours – South Australia, Adelaide Discover some of South Australia’s best natural attractions and stunning landscapes on a one day or extended tour with Aboriginal Cultural Tours – South Australia. Tour options include exploring ancient archaeological sites, visiting spectacular coastal areas or traversing ancient bush land where giants once roamed.

Drop into the world famous Clare Valley wine region for lunch and wine tasting, explore Burra and the Mid North, the Southern Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula region or visit an Aboriginal community.

All tours are led by knowledgeable Aboriginal guides who care about their country, live on the country and know their country. Tours depart from Adelaide, Yorke Peninsula or Port Victoria. aboriginalsa.com.au Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast Experience Australia’s amazing native wildlife and learn about Aboriginal culture in one easily accessible location. Conveniently located on the southern Gold Coast, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary gives you the opportunity to get up close to a cuddly koala, look out for one of the biggest saltwater crocodiles in Australia, see a Tasmanian devil and hand feed the friendly kangaroos.

You can also take in one of the spellbinding Aboriginal dance performances, held daily at 3:30pm, where guests have the opportunity to get their photo taken with the dancers after the performance. The rich culture of Aboriginal heritage is celebrated every day in this spectacular show featuring dances, stories and the distinctive rhythms of the didgeridoo. currumbinsanctuary.com.au

珀斯澳大利亚城市土著之旅 参加澳大利亚城市土著之旅，到蛮荒西南地区探险，到珊瑚 海岸 (Coral Coast) 放松身心，或者深入金伯利 (Kimberley) 地区游览观光。 城市土著提供珀斯和周边地区的私人观光服务，由经验丰富 的土著导游陪同，导游可以就该地区的土著人、文化和社区 提供颇有见地的解说。此外还可以为希望到西澳大利亚的整 个地区及边远地区旅游的团体提供全包式加长旅行服务。 urbanindigenous.com.au 土著文化之旅 — 南澳大利亚，阿德莱德 参加土著文化之旅 — 南澳大利亚的一日游或加长旅游，探 索南澳大利亚最迷人的部分自然景点和迷人的地理环境。观 光选项包括探索远古时期的考古遗址、探访迷人的滨海地 区，或者穿越一度有上古巨兽漫游的古老丛林地带。前往世 界闻名的克莱尔谷 (Clare Valley) 葡萄酒产区享用午餐、 品尝美酒，探索布拉 (Burra) 和中北部 (Mid North) 地 区、南弗林德斯山脉 (Southern Flinders Ranges)、约克半 岛 (Yorke Peninsula) 地区，或者拜访土著社区。所有旅程 均由知识广博的土著导游陪同，这些导游生活在本地，关心 自己的国家，也了解自己的国家。旅游的起点包括阿德莱德、 约克半岛或维多利亚港。 aboriginalsa.com.au 黄金海岸可伦宾野生动物保护区 可伦宾野生动物保护区 (Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary) 位于南部黄金海岸一处交通便利的地点，您可在此邂逅澳大 利亚迷人的当地野生动物，体验土著文化。例如，与可爱的考 拉亲密接触，遇见澳大利亚最大的咸水鳄鱼，观赏袋獾，并亲 手饲喂友好的袋鼠。您也可以参与一场有趣的土著舞蹈表演 （每天下午 3:30 开始），演出后，宾客还有机会与舞者合影 留念。这些精彩表演充满了欢歌乐舞、神奇的故事和迪吉里杜 管的独特旋律，每天都在赞美着丰富的土著文化传承。 currumbinsanctuary.com.au

Aboriginal Experiences | AUSTRALIA

Venture North Australia, Darwin Explore the highlights of the north on these fascinating tours departing from Darwin. See the unique animal and marine life of the remote Cobourg Peninsula, experience the Aboriginal culture and rock art of Arnhem Land, and be awed by the majestic waterfalls inside the Kakadu National Park. Learn about the region’s Aboriginal culture as you visit the waterways and wetlands that are home to an amazing array of wildlife including crocodiles, water buffalo, banteng, wild boar, goanna, dingo and hundreds of bird species.

See ancient rock paintings and gain a firsthand understanding of the history and traditions of the world’s oldest living culture. venturenorth.com.au Lord’s Kakadu and Arnhemland Safaris, Darwin Departing from Darwin to Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park, Lord’s Safaris are unforgettable private luxury tours. Explore the stunning landscapes, towering red escarpments, pristine waterfalls, billabongs and rocky outcrops of this spectacular region. Walk up Injalak Hill with an Aboriginal guide to see amazing rock art and breathtaking views. This multi awardwinning, family owned and operated overland tour company provides small group tailor-made safaris with flexible itineraries for one to three days or more.

All tours are led by knowledgeable and friendly guides who are experts in the abundant flora, fauna and rich cultural heritage of the region. lords-safaris.com

达尔文北澳大利亚探险 参加这些从达尔文出发的精彩旅程，探索北部地区的精彩 景点。观赏遥远科堡半岛 (Cobourg Peninsula) 的独特动 物与海洋生物，体验阿纳姆地区 (Arnhem Land) 的土著 文化与岩石艺术，在卡卡杜国家公园 (Kakadu National Park) 内为壮美的瀑布赞叹欢呼。探访该地区的水路与湿 地，了解该地区的土著文化，这里还生活着多种多样的野生 动物，包括鳄鱼、水牛、爪哇野牛、野猪、巨蜥、澳洲野犬和 数百种鸟类。观赏上古岩画，亲身体验世界最古老生活文化 的历史和传统。 venturenorth.com.au 达尔文洛德卡卡杜及阿纳姆地区游猎 洛德游猎观光从达尔文出发，前往阿纳姆地区和卡卡杜国家 公园，造就一次令人难忘的私人豪华之旅。在这个风景优美的 地区探索迷人的地理环境、高耸的红色悬崖、远古瀑布、死水 潭和外露岩石。在土著导游的陪同下步行攀登印加拉克山 (Injalak Hill)，观赏令人惊叹的岩石艺术和壮美景观。这个 家族式陆上旅游公司屡获殊荣，为小型团体提供个性化的游 猎观光游，可以灵活安排一天到三天或更长时间的旅游路 线。所有旅游项目均由知识广博、亲善友好的导游陪同，他们 谙熟该地区欣欣向荣的动植物群落和丰富的文化传承。 lords-safaris.com

THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: Smoked eel at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Geelong; shopping at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre; browsing art in Alice Springs, NT. OPPOSITE PAGE: Didgeridoo player at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

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AUSTRALIA | DA Recommends

MINDIL BEACH There’s nothing quite like the assault on the senses that is walking among the food stalls of Darwin’s iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.

Imagine an astonishing rainbow of fragrances from every corner of the world as the sun sets over a sandy beach lined by swaying palms.

It’s a tropical fantasy come to life. A selection of 150 art, craft and service providers, together with 60 food and beverage stallholders, present an enthusiastic bunch who don’t just sell their wares, but have stories to tell from all corners of the world.

The markets are open Thursdays and Sundays in the dry season which runs from late April to late October annually

LET THERE BE LIGHT ‘Vivid Bridge’ is inspired by the brilliant lights reflecting off the iconic Harbour Bridge during Sydney’s world-renowned ‘Vivid’ Lights Festival.

This spectacular collection features rare Australian coloured diamonds, luxurious sapphires, rich rubies and enviable emeralds. Discover ‘Vivid Bridge’ at Musson boutiques in Sydney’s QVB and Chatswood Chase. musson.com.au

DA RECOMMENDS

EDITOR’S PICKS

AUSTRALIAN BEAUTY An exceptional anti-oxidant gel containing one part Vitamin B (Panthenol) to three parts Vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate), Aesop’s B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel is lightly hydrating with regenerative benefits for the skin. Its texture makes it ideal for those living or suffering from sunburned and irritated skin, while potent anti-oxidant ingredients make it ideal for use on long-haul flights. RRP 60ml $120. Available at Aesop signature stores, select department stores, and online. aesop.com/au

FASHION FOR TRAVELLERS Travel is now considered a way of life.

Mela Purdie embraces a luxury approach to elegance on the move. Her casual wardrobes of select style icons provide essential fashion for all occasions. melapurdie.com

LAVENDER DREAM Home of the world’s finest lavender, Bridestowe Lavender Estate is open year round for visitors and is considered one of Tasmania’s most spectacular vistas. The peak flowering period commences in December and concludes in February. During this time an entry charge of $10 per person is applicable and includes a guided tour. The rest of the year entry is free of charge and self-guided tour material is available. Check the website for details.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate 296 Gillespies Road, Nabowla (03) 6352 8182 bridestowelavender.com.au

22 | destinations AUSTRALIA

Ultimate

Escape

Treat yourself at one of these spectacular spas or wellness retreats and emerge feeling like a whole new you PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS, VICTORIA Relax with friends and family in natural thermal pools, or enjoy the soothing effects of the hot springs in your own private bath. For a more intimate and indulgent experience, private bathing and spa treatments are available at the Spa Dreaming Centre. peninsulahotsprings.com

PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS GAIA RETREAT & SPA, NEW SOUTH WALES Nestled in the hills behind Byron Bay, Gaia Retreat & Spa offers grounding, restorative treatments by nurturing therapists. Treat yourself to a luxurious massage or facial, address health issues or simply rebalance with a naturopathic appointment. You can also take classes in yoga, meditation, tai chi, cooking and art therapy. gaiaretreat.com.au

GAIA RETREAT & SPA CROWN ISAKA DAY SPA AND CROWN SPA, VICTORIA Enjoy the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation high above Melbourne’s CBD. These two luxury spas provide a haven for contemplation and discovery, and a range of health and beauty services for every occasion, whether you’re recovering from a long flight or getting ready for a celebration. crownhotels.com.au/spas HEPBURN BATHHOUSE & SPA, VICTORIA Located in the heart of Australia’s Spa Country, bathe in heated mineral pools or indulge in a range of hydrotherapies, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Whatever treatment you choose, each one is designed to enhance your wellbeing. hepburnbathhouse.com

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HEPBURN BATHHOUSE & SPA

Spas | AUSTRALIA CHAHOYA SPA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Located within Cable Beach Club Resort in the heart of Broome, ‘chahoya’ is Japanese for pamper, and certainly lives up to its name. This spa is a melting pot of riches: L’Occitane products evoke the scents of Provence, while the artworks on the walls are Australian and the spa’s name is a nod to Broome’s Japanese pearling history. cablebeachclub.com

CHAHOYA SPA

SPA ELYSIA, NEW SOUTH WALES Located within the all-inclusive Golden Door health retreat in the Hunter Valley, Spa Elysia is offers a healing escape and an indulgent selection of body treatments, massages and facials delivered by experienced therapists. This is Australia’s largest day spa, complete with 26 treatment rooms, Vichy showers, and indoor and outdoor pools. goldendoor.com.au SPA SAFFIRE, TASMANIA Based within the award-winning Saffire Freycinet Resort in one of Australia’s most stunning locations, the Spa Saffire experience begins with a consultation to determine your needs and best tailor your treatment. Therapists then draw on natural elements and bespoke luxury products to transform the way you look and feel. saffire-freycinet.com.au

INJIDUP SPA RETREAT, WESTERN AUSTRALIA One of Western Australia’s best kept secrets, Injidup is tucked away on a secluded beachfront property in the picturesque Margaret River region. Stay at one of ten luxury villas, each with its own private plunge pool, and indulge in relaxing spa treatments tailored to your specific needs. injidupsparetreat.com.au GWINGANNA LIFESTYLE RETREAT, QUEENSLAND A stay at Gwinganna is the first step to a healthier life. Ecotourism certified, Gwinganna’s supportive professionals take their cue from you as to how much or little you want to do. Enjoy the resort’s focus on organic living, with a beautiful spa, delicious cuisine and educational wellness seminars. gwinganna.com

SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE SPA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Perched atop a secluded cliff on a rugged stretch of coast with dramatic ocean views, this retreat combines a unique location with crisp, highly oxygenised Antarctic air and the acclaimed Australian-made Li’Tya range. Intimate and sophisticated, this is a unique and exclusive Kangaroo Island experience. southernoceanlodge.com.au

INJIDUP SPA RETREAT QALIA, QUEENSLAND A world-class luxury resort on Hamilton Island, Qalia offers the ultimate in anti-stress, anti-aging, detoxifying and cleansing treatments. Indulge in a sublime facial or a couples massage, or splash out on an all-inclusive package incorporating treatments, nutrition and yoga. qalia.com.au SPA SAFFIRE

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Bestdrives RED CENTRE WAY, NORTHERN TERRITORY If you’ve never been to the outback, this road trip is the perfect place to start. On this five-day drive you’ll tick off outback icons including Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, and the gorges and swimming holes of the West MacDonnell Ranges.

The drive circles in a loop from Alice Springs. Stop for a night at Kings Canyon, and spend a night or two at Uluru.

GREAT EASTERN DRIVE, TASMANIA Experience the best of Tasmania on a road trip up the island’s east coast. Drive north from Hobart to the Bay Of Fires and soak up magnificent scenery. Wander the sandstone ruins of the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur convict settlement, feed Tasmanian devils, take a walk on Maria Island, stay at award-winning luxury hotel Saffire Freycinet, and climb the ridge to look down upon the perfect curve of Wineglass Bay and indulge in the island’s best food and wine.

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FLINDERS RANGES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA This drive takes you into the heart of one of the oldest mountain ranges on the planet. From Adelaide it’s a five-hour journey to Wilpena Pound, a natural phenomenon resembling a giant crater in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. Stay a couple of nights and join a 4WD sunset tour or take a scenic flight over the Pound. If you have a vehicle of your own, explore the network of gravel roads through ancient gorges and weathered peaks, and try grilled kangaroo, camel and emu at one of the outback’s most famous pubs, the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna before heading back to the city.

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GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VICTORIA One of Australia’s most celebrated road trips, Great Ocean Road is an easy 90 minutes from Melbourne, with stunning views at every turn. Visit the famous Twelve Apostles, historic lighthouses, waterfront cafes and hotels with sea views, plus lush rainforest, shipwrecks, koalas, migrating whales, wild surf and windswept beaches. Return the same day or spend the night in a seaside town.

TEXT: LEE ATKINSON/AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

GRAND PACIFIC DRIVE, NEW SOUTH WALES Beginning an hour south of Sydney, drive the cantilevered curves of Sea Cliff Bridge as it coils around the cliff face 50 metres out to sea, then snake your way three hours down the coastline to Hyams Beach, where you’ll find the world’s whitest sand. Along the way you can go for a surf or paddle at crowd-free beaches, marvel at the Kiama blowhole, and go whale and dolphin watching.

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Teeing off Test your mettle on Australia’s top golf courses, as ranked and tested by the prestigious Golf Course Guide

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BARNBOUGLE DUNES Winding through towering coastal dunes along one of Tasmania’s northern beaches, this course presents golfers with a true seaside links experience.

It’s surrounded by native flora and fauna, including resident wallabies, and has received global accolades.

Bridport, Tasmania barnbougledunes.com.au

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BARN BOUGLE LOST FARM Just across the river from the Barnbougle Dunes Course, Lost Farm is remarkably different, featuring 20 holes that wind

along the coast and through the coastal dunes.

Make the most of the practice facilities or enjoy competitive rates for nine- and 18-hole games all day.

Bridport, Tasmania lostfarm.com.au

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THE DUNES GOLF LINKS Set amid more than 150 hectares of rolling coastal sand hills, The Dunes 18-hole championship course has been designed to exploit the natural beauty of the terrain. It is dry all year round with a sandy base, fully irrigated Santa Ana Couch fairways and Cobra Bent greens.

Rye, Victoria thedunes.com.au

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ST ANDREWS BEACH GOLF COURSE One of the premier ‘pay to play’ golf courses in Australia, St Andrews Beach Golf Course is set on a stunning piece of land in the Cups region of the Mornington Peninsula, shaped by sea breezes over thousands of years and dominated

TEXT: GOLF COURSE GUIDE / IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK

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CAPE WICKHAM With views of the Bass Strait from every hole and gently undulating terrain interspersed with giant sand dunes and ridges, new kid on the block Cape Wickham is already performing above par, and can only improve as its beautiful surfaces mature.

Wickham, Tasmania capewickham.com.au

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BARWON HEADS GOLF CLUB Nestled among the coastal dunes and metres from the spectacular 13th Beach surf coast, the Barwon Heads links course presents an enjoyable challenge with undulating fairways, strategic bunkers, slick greens and testing winds.

Barwon Heads, Victoria bhgc.com.au

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THIRTEENTH BEACH GOLF LINKS With beautifully manicured fairways, greens and bunkers and three kilometres of ocean frontage, this course has a 36-hole layout featuring spectacular par 3s and natural wildlife. It is dry all year round with gently rolling terrain and broadly separated fairways.

Barwon Heads, Victoria 13thbeach.net

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BONVILLE Consistently voted one of Australia’s most beautiful golf courses, Bonville is nestled at the foot of the Great Dividing Range on the Coffs Coast. A Par 72 championship course, it rises and dips, with each fairway isolated from the next.

Bonville, News South Wales bonvillegolf.com.au

by undulating sand dunes and rolling grasslands.

St Andrews Beach, Victoria standrewsbeachgolf.com.au

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KENNEDY BAY This beautifully manicured course uses Bent grass for its greens and Windsor Green grass on the fairways, and runs along the Indian Ocean coastline. It has 115 dramatic pot style bunkers and is typical of true British links courses where Open Championships are held.

Port Kennedy, Western Australia kennedybay.com.au

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JOONDALUP RESORT (Quarry/Dunes Course) A joy for golfers of all levels, this course has moderately hilly fairways and numerous huge bunkers, one with an access ladder. Diverse landscapes of bush, dunes and quarry provide a variety of holes, and you share the green with kangaroos and bird life.

Connolly, Western Australia joondalupresort.com.au

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MOONAH LINKS LEGENDS COURSE This championship links course takes players on a scenic journey through ancient tracts of Moonah forest out onto vast fairways. Featuring panoramic views from raised tees, shared greens, and unique features, it has been designed with club golfers in mind.

Fingal, Victoria moonahlinks.com.au

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NEWCASTLE GOLF CLUB With Couch fairways and Bent greens, this is a gently undulating sand-based championship links course with abundant natural bushland. It was designed by Eric Apperly in 1935 and its fifth hole is rated in the best 500 golf holes in the world.

Membership conditions and affiliations apply.

Fern Bay, New South Wales newcastlegolf.com.au

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Australia’s Wine Regions

MORNINGTON PENINSULA VICTORIA The Mornington Peninsula is home to more than 50 cellar doors. Pinot noir and chardonnay are the region’s specialties, however shiraz, pinot gris and pinot grigio are beginning to share the spotlight. You can order a carefully designed wine flight – five wines based around a theme – from small-batch winemaker Crittenden Wine Centre (crittendenwines.com.au), or blend your own bubbly with winemaker Michael Lee at Foxeys Hangout (foxeys-hangout.com.au). Delve into the two- or three-course menu at the Dining Room at Port Phillip Estate, where chef Stuart Deller serves seasonally driven dishes with European accents (portphillipestate.com.au). Or book in advance for the tasting menu at Montalto, an award-winning restaurant with wide open views to the grapevines and olive groves (montalto.com.au). The peninsula’s bountiful fresh produce is also celebrated at the Winter Wine Weekend in June.

HUNTER VALLEY, NSW

MCLAREN VALE SOUTH AUSTRALIA Nestled between the rolling Mount Lofty Ranges and Gulf St Vincent beaches, the McLaren Vale region is known for its impressive wines, scenery, and regional produce. It is the birthplace of the South Australian wine industry and home to some of the world’s oldest grape vines. The first McLaren Vale vines were planted in 1838. Today McLaren Vale has 65 wineries, mostly boutique-sized.

McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate has created ideal conditions for grape-growing. Shiraz is the most important variety grown in the region, accounting for about half of the area’s production.

The climate and soil produce intense flavoured fruit and wine with a deep purple colour that can last decades in the bottle. The region also specialises in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and grenache, as well as merlot, sauvignon blanc and riesling.

In between tastings, meet the winemakers or take a guided behind-the-scenes tour. Be sure to visit Mister Riggs (mrriggs.com.au), The Hedonist (hedonistwines.com.au), K1 Winery (159 Tynan Road, Kuitpo), and Pertaringa (327 Hunt Road, McLaren Vale).

HUNTER VALLEY NEW SOUTH WALES Taste a variety of wines in Australia’s oldest wine making region, or sample rare vintages at a tasting masterclass. The historic 1866 Audrey Wilkinson winery offers an excellent range of Semillons at its picturesque tasting room (audreywilkinson.com.au), while Oakvale Wines specialise in chardonnay and shiraz (oakvalewines.com.au). Housed within the beautifully restored Pokolbin Church, avant-garde winery Usher Tinkler pairs wine or whisky with prosciutto, truffle salumi and Camembert (ushertinklerwines.com), or dine on seasonal dishes paired with Hungerford Hill wines at multi-awardwinning restaurant Muse (musedining.com.au).

Experience the Hunter Valley from on high with a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft and drift 2000 feet above the Hunter Valley vineyards of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury and Brokethan, before tucking into a decadent champagne breakfast on the deck of Restaurant Cuvee at Peterson House Winery (balloonaloft.com).

TEXT: AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: TOURISM AUSTRALIA, ROBERT BLACKBURN, ADRIAN BROWN, SALLY MAYMAN – TURTLE PICTURES, ADAM BRUZZONE, MILTON WORDLEY

CRITTENDEN ESTATE, MORNINGTON PENINSULA, VIC

MARGARET RIVER, WA

MARGARET RIVER WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SEPPELTSFIELD WINERY, BAROSSA VALLEY, SA

BAROSSA VALLEY SOUTH AUSTRALIA Approximately 70 kilometres from Adelaide, South Australia’s Barossa Valley is one of the country’s oldest and finest wine producing regions, with around 150 wineries and cellar doors. The magic of Barossa Valley’s world-acclaimed wines lies in the diversity of its growing conditions. The Eden Valley produces distinctive cool climate wine varieties; while the region’s flagship shiraz is grown in the warmer, low-lying areas. Jacob’s Creek was the Barossa Valley’s first commercial vineyard and one of the oldest in the region (jacobscreek.com.au).

You’ll also find iconic names like Penfolds (penfolds.com) and Seppeltsfield (seppeltsfield.com.au), while The Louise offers luxury accommodation among the vineyards as well as one of Australia’s finest regional dining experiences at Appellation Restaurant (thelouise.com.au). Taste your way through a broad selection of Barossa Valley wines during Adelaide’s annual Cellar Door Wine Festival in February (cellardoorfestival.com), or Aussie Wine Month in May (aussiewinemonth.com).

DE BORTOLI YARRA VALLEY, VIC

The Margaret River region is known around the world for its top quality wines and food. While the region produces less than three per cent of Australia’s wine, it accounts for more than a fifth of its premium wine. There are more than 120 world-class wineries to explore, including Flinders Bay Wines (flindersbaywines.com.au), Flying Fish Cove (flyingfishcove.com.au), and Evans & Tate (evansandtate.com.au), and opportunities to not only try fine wines, but get beyond the cellar doors.

Among the many vineyard tours there are also tours that get you behind the scenes to meet winemakers, have a barrel room testing, and potentially even blend your own bottle of wine, coupled with a long lunch. The Margaret River Gourmet Escape, held annually in late November, gives you the opportunity to taste amazing wines, eat top quality local produce, and rub shoulders with more than 50 world-famous chefs, all in the heart of the Leeuwin Estate vineyard (gourmetescape.com.au).

YARRA VALLEY VICTORIA Dating back to 1838, the Yarra Valley is Victoria’s oldest wine region, and has garnered a global reputation for its chardonnay and pinot noir. Visit the French-style cellar door at Dominique Portet Winery, which specialises in sparkling wine and has received rave reviews for its Fontaine Rosé (dominiqueportet.com).

Experience a behind-the-scenes vineyard and winery tour at De Bortoli (debortoli.com.au), or enjoy a private wine tasting with cheese plates at Yering Station (debortoli.com.au). The Yarra Valley is also known for its local breweries and artisan cider producers. Drop into Innocent Bystander in Healesville for a meal at the acclaimed restaurant (innocentbystander.com.au), or join a free tour of Buckley’s Brewery (buckleysbeer.com.au), also in Healesville. For a unique view of the valley, take to the skies on a magical hot air balloon ride (globalballooning.com.au). The one-hour flight departs at sunrise and ascends above rolling hills and vineyards, before finishing with a celebratory champagne breakfast at Balgownie Estate (balgownieestatewines.com.au). destinations AUSTRALIA | 31

Coastal

attraction MORETON ISLAND

NORTH POINT, MORETON ISLAND QUEENSLAND The shores of Moreton Island are just a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane, and reward visitors with stretches of white sand edging toward crystal blue waters. Cool off at Honeymoon Bay at the island’s North Point, which is wedged between spectacular rocky cliffs rising upwards of 15 metres (49 feet). If you seek more than swimming, you can bushwalk, picnic and whale watch at the beautiful Moreton Island National Park – all within a single afternoon.

STOKES BAY

POINT KING, MORNINGTON PENINSULA VICTORIA

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

STOKES BAY, KANGAROO ISLAND SOUTH AUSTRALIA Crystal clear waters attract many visitors to Stokes Bay on the north coast of Kangaroo Island.

The calm inlet is perfect for those who like to have a paddle as the rocks have been arranged to create a giant natural pool, protecting swimmers from the waves. There is also plenty on the shoreline with wild kangaroos, many native bird species and little penguin colonies. Make a weekend of it by booking a seaside cottage, such as Stokes Bay Beach House, or set up camp at one of Kangaroo Island’s many camping grounds.

TEXT: AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Tucked beneath the beautiful mansions of the Mornington Peninsula lie the two hidden beaches of Point King. Follow the path at the end of Point King Road to reach calm, turquoise waters, which you’ll share with kayakers and divers exploring the reef.

Hikers can traverse the cliff-top track, pausing at the white trig station and monument commemorating the first hoisting of the Union Jack in 1802, when Britain took possession of what is now Port Phillip Bay.

SHELLY BEACH, SYDNEY NEW SOUTH WALES Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly to swim at Shelly Beach, a protected marine reserve with clear, shallow waters. Apart from being popular with families, it also attracts scuba divers and snorkellers thanks to a large variety of marine life. Post-swim, take the winding track up the headland for a scenic view of North Head and neighbouring beaches. Afterwards, still in your swimming costume, enjoy a casual breakfast or lunch at The Boathouse Shelly Beach.

SHELLY BEACH

EAST POINT RESERVE, DARWIN NORTHERN TERRITORY

SEVEN MILE BEACH, HOBART TASMANIA

While many of the beaches in the Northern Territory aren’t recommended for swimming due to their dangerous marine life, in the capital of Darwin you’ll find a beautiful man-made, saltwater lake at East Point Reserve. Spend the day swimming on the lake’s pastel blue waters or relaxing under the palm trees. There is also a paved nature walk along the coastal cliff top nearby and military artefacts to explore, including old gun turrets from World War II.

Just 20 minutes from the centre of Hobart, this long crescent of sand is the ideal spot to let the ocean lap your feet on a leisurely stroll, before taking a dip on its western end. Later, you can bushwalk through the wilderness at the headland or have a picnic while you enjoy spectacular views across Frederick Henry Bay, a popular whale watching spot from May to July.

CURRUMBIN BEACH, GOLD COAST QUEENSLAND While many flock to the Gold Coast for Surfers Paradise, there are plenty of other beaches where locals like to wet their toes. Currumbin Beach is a beautiful inlet where you can safely swim in the warmer Queensland waters, or test your balance with stand-up paddle boarding, available to hire from the Currumbin Boatshed. After working up an appetite, enjoy a classic Australian breakfast at the Elephant Rock Cafe, overlooking the beach. Every September, over-sized artwork dots the shore for the Swell Sculpture Festival.

HENLEY BEACH

CURRUMBIN BEACH

HENLEY BEACH, ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA Adelaide’s Henley Beach is popular with both locals and tourists and when you get your first glimpse of the white sand, it’s easy to see why. The gentle surf makes the beach ideal for swimming, but the long jetty is also great for a walk or a spot of fishing for salmon trout, tommy ruff and mulloway. Insider tip: Great wines from local wine producing regions can be sampled at bars along the shore. destinations AUSTRALIA | 33

AUSTRALIA | DA Recommends

LET’S FLY AWAY From their base in Melbourne’s Moorabbin Airport, Kirkhope Aviation has been providing outback tours throughout Australia for more than 40 years. Book your outback wilderness adventure now for a travel experience unlike any other. The vibrant hues of ancient and pristine lands seen by only a handful of people, rare and incredible flora and fauna, the extraordinary characters, and the intricate way nature weaves its magic across a country as old as time itself, all adds up to an unforgettable experience. kirkhopeaviation.com.au

THE TIME IS NOW

The Hour Glass is proud to be the official retailer for a carefully curated collection of luxury watches from more than 50 of the world’s finest watch brands such as Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Hublot, IWC, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Rolex, Sinn and TAG Heuer. With multi-brand boutiques and an expert team of experienced sales consultants, you’re guaranteed to find an exceptional timepiece, whether you’re a novice watch buyer or a seasoned collector. thehourglass.com

DA RECOMMENDS

EDITOR’S PICKS NATURAL BEAUTY HIT THE ROAD Our story began in Melbourne Australia in 1991 and has continued to evolve internationally for almost 25 years.

We believe that being your most beautiful self should be fun, not a chore. We create products for the girl on the go, who enjoys the imperfections of life and is always hungry for a new adventure. redearth.com

Since 1912, AAT Kings has been helping people from all over the world discover and explore Australia and New Zealand from top to bottom. With a broad range of holiday options including Guided Tours, Short Breaks and Day Tours, AAT Kings are the holiday experts – they’ll take care of absolutely everything so that you can get on with creating great new memories. aatkings.com

Shopat The Block

With mosaic-tile flooring, a glass canopy and carved stone, the Block Arcade is one of the world’s finest examples of a 19th-century shopping arcade.

It was built between 1891 and 1893, and modelled on Milan’s grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Stock up on fashion, jewellery, art and gifts, then tuck into something sweet at Haigh’s Chocolates, or the famous Hopetoun Tea Rooms, whose windows are filled with delicious – and highly photogenic – cakes! The Block Arcade is the place to shop and be seen. theblock.com.au 34 | destinations AUSTRALIA

New Destination

AUSTRALIA | DA Recommends

KISS FROM A ROSE

Sydney’s renowned retail hub, Market City has unveiled a stunning food offering with the launch of its 1909 Dining Precinct. Located on the third floor in Haymarket icon, 1909 Dining Precinct opened with Mr Meng Chongqing Gourmet from famed If You Are The One host, Meng Fei. A stellar line-up of eight additional deluxe Asian eateries have opened featuring internationally renowned Dolar Shop, a Macanese hot pot restaurant chain making its Australian debut, YAYOI Japanese Teishoku restaurant, artisanal Korean BBQ restaurant Kogi, Chinese eatery Beijing Impression, contemporary sushi train restaurant Fugetsu and The Eight a modern Chinese yum cha restaurant.

Embodying the timeless appeal of roses and inspired by the magnificent gardens of the Mt Macedon region in Victoria, the contemporary Mt Macedon Rose collection is infused with organic rosehip oil, infused with rose fragrance. A natural rich source of Vitamin A and antioxidants, organic rosehip oil is deeply hydrating and nourishing. It is thought to help repair and regenerate damaged skin, while helping correct dark spots and uneven pigmentation.

marketcity.com.au

cocco.com.au

DA RECOMMENDS

EDITOR’S PICKS

QUALIA A unique Australian expression of luxury, qualia is nestled in the most pristine and secluded position of Hamilton Island. The distinctive style combined with its sun-drenched location and intuitive service makes it a luxurious resort on world-class standards. It’s a truly special place where everything has been meticulously considered to relax the mind and completely spoil the senses. qualia.com.au

AUSTRALIA ZOO One hour north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast, Australia Zoo is the home of the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Nestled on 105 acres and with over 1200 native and exotic animals, it’s the most interactive wildlife adventure and conservation destination on the planet! australiazoo.com.au

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TASMANIA | Hobart

Live it Up

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xplore Sydney’s artistic side at the famed Opera House where you can catch a variety of performing arts and live music (sydneyoperahouse.com), or meander through some of the city’s renowned museums packed with remarkable artefacts and exhibitions, and galleries showcasing the best local and international art. Don’t miss the state’s leading museum of art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales (artgallery.nsw.gov.au). See contemporary art at Artspace (artspace.org.au), or visit the studio of Australia’s great expressionist, Brett Whitely (brettwhitely.org).

There are also a range of festivals to keep you busy throughout the year. From music, theatre, opera, dance and visual arts at Sydney Festival in January (sydneyfestival.org.au), to the passion and glitter of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in March (mardigras.org.au). Also in March is Taste of

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Sydney (sydney.tastefestivals.com), while April brings the Sydney Royal Easter Show (eastershow.com.au), and the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala (sydneycomedyfest.com.au).

The Sydney Writers Festival is in May (swf.org.au), as is Vivid Sydney, an extraordinary festival of light, music and ideas (vividsydney.com).

WINE & DINE Gourmets will delight in the food and wine options that extend well beyond city limits to Sydney’s multicultural suburbs. Head to Leichhardt for authentic Italian food, Cabramatta for a bowl of steaming hot Vietnamese pho, Granville for the best of the Middle East and Marrickville for delicious Greek fare. The inner city suburbs of Newtown, Surry Hills, Kensington and Glebe boast an impressive range of Asian, African and Indian options, adding to the diverse flavours on offer.

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND VISITNSW.COM / IMAGES: WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Welcome to Sydney, where you can dine at renowned restaurants, dabble in the arts, and sun yourself on world-famous beaches

Hobart | TASMANIA

SYDNEY’S TOP 5

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Head backstage at the Sydney Opera House. Get an exclusive look behind the scenes of this world-famous centre for performing arts, including dressing room and stage access and breakfast (sydneyoperahouse.com).

Many world-renowned chefs and five-star restaurants pepper the CBD’s periphery, and you’ll find everything your foodie heart desires at markets, cafes and trendy eateries, along with the flourishing wine and craft beer scene. The CBD is home to an array of world-class shopping malls and an eclectic mix of stores along the main thoroughfares, from stylish boutiques to designer chains. Wander along the streets of Paddington and Darlinghurst where you’ll find the flagship stores of many of Australia’s most celebrated designers.

For the ultimate Sydney gourmand’s experience, head out on the Hottest Precincts tour, showcasing four of the city’s emerging neighbourhoods. Travel in style in a 14-seat Mercedes-Benz, visiting the foodie precincts of The Cannery in Rosebery for tastings at Three Blue Ducks, 80/20 Paleo and Archie Rose Distillery; The Streets of Barangaroo for juice or coffee at Joe the Juice, plus vermouth tasting and a paired plate at Banksii restaurant; the Tramsheds Harold Park, for tastings at Naked Foods, slow-cooked meat and local craft beer or cider at Butcher and the Farmer; and Kensington Street, Chippendale to explore Spice Alley and take a six-wine master class at Handpicked Wines (ultimatelysydney.com.au).

PLAN YOUR VISIT The celebrated Sydney summer runs from December to February – this is when the city’s famed beaches are at their most glorious and the city comes alive with parties, festivals and outdoor events. Autumn (March – May) is also a great time to visit, with the weather perfect for heading to the nearby wine-filled regions of the Hunter Valley, Central Tablelands and Southern Highlands.

In spring (September – November), cherry blossoms sprout along suburban streets and jacaranda trees are in full bloom – a picturesque time to visit for those who prefer cooler temperatures.

Thanks to its enviable temperate climate, Sydney can be enjoyed year round, but with so much to do, it’s best to plan ahead to make sure you get the most out of your visit. DA

Climb the Harbour Bridge. Climb this Sydney icon at dawn, day or night for unbeatable views – you can even tailor your tour to include karaoke (bridgeclimb.com).

Do Bondi like a local. Enjoy a customised tour with a professional lifeguard as your guide, including a surf lesson, three-course lunch, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the surf lifeguard club (letsgosurfing.com.au).

Dine on high. Tuck into a memorable meal at Sydney Tower Restaurant, the highest revolving restaurant in the southern hemisphere, with 360-degree views of Sydney icons, Circular Quay and the Blue Mountains (sydneytowerbuffet.com.au).

5

Head for the mountains. Escape city living for a day to explore the World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Blue Mountains, and experience the skyway, cableway or railway at Scenic World (scenicworld.com.au).

Sydney Opera House

Harbour Bridge

Bondi

Sydney Tower

Blue Mountains

destinations AUSTRALIA | 37

A MAJESTIC WORLD OF

SHOPPING

AWAITS.

QVB 455 George St, Sydney

A Q V B Promotion

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ne of Sydney’s most valued heritage landmarks, the Queen Victoria Building is renowned for its mix of world renowned boutiques, including Pandora, Bally, Salvatore Ferragamo and Coach, as well as iconic Australian brands such as UGG Australia, Haigh’s Chocolates and the established Tea Room.

More than 170 stores are housed over five levels that provide a distinct retail offering. The Lower Ground level, an underground promenade conveniently connected to Town Hall station, offers a range of shoes, fashion and services. A mix of iconic Australian and premium international brands can be enjoyed throughout the Ground Floor. Level 1 is dedicated to women’s boutiques offering fashion, accessories, footwear and jewellery appropriate for special occasions. Level 2 provides a unique and eclectic mix of jewellers, gifts, toys, antiques and art stores.

A number of high quality restaurants and cafés can be found on every level for a quick coffee, long lunch or special occasion.

The QVB is beyond doubt one of the world’s most beautiful shopping destinations, yet it’s so much more than just a place to shop. A visit to the QVB is an experience. Discover the splendid architecture featured throughout the building with the High Victorian flourishes, stained-glass lunette windows and mechanical clocks that attract millions of visitors each year. Explore the rich history of the ornate sandstone building completed in 1898 by joining a guided tour on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays.

A major highlight of the QVB is the stained-glass and copper sheath central dome that is opened up on occasion for exclusive hidden tours. The public have the opportunity to catch a rare glimpse inside unprecedented territory from climbing the original 19th century wrought iron staircase to one of the rarest views of the city from the magnificent dome. All tours can be booked at Concierge on the Ground Floor.

At Christmas, the QVB welcomes the festive season with the QVB Swarovski Christmas Tree.

The treasured Christmas tree stands 24 metres over three levels, residing under the central dome as Sydney’s tallest indoor Christmas tree. Adorned with 82,000 Swarovski crystal ornaments, 6,400 rosebuds, 65,000 twinkling lights and finished with an impressive 2.2-metre-wide crystal gilded star, the tree takes over 100 people to install each year.

Santa takes his place for family portraits in the Enchanted Garden where children are greeted by fairies and delight at the whimsical secret garden decorated with twinkling lights. Visiting the QVB during this time is a truly magical and captivating experience, made complete by the harmony of Christmas carols sung by local choirs that fill the building.

For more information, visit qvb.com.au destinations AUSTRALIA | 39

Shopper’s paradise Australia’s shiniest capital, Sydney is home to some of the nation’s most spectacular shopping experiences, from high-end malls to vintage markets

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shining example of a local success story is Dinosaur Designs, renowned for its beautiful resin jewellery and homewares that are still handmade in Sydney almost three decades after the group’s humble beginnings at Paddington Markets (dinosaurdesigns.com.au).

Loved by royalty and celebrities alike, the exquisite children’s and babies’ wear from Adrienne & the Misses Bonney has been hand-embroidered for 110 years (adrienne-bonney.com.au). At her Newtown workshop, Rosie Boylan shapes her hats using traditional wooden blocks and employs artisan hand-dying and distressing techniques in pieces seen on the likes of Ethan Hawke, Natalie Imbruglia and Elizabeth Debicki (rosieboylan.com).

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is just one of the famous faces framed by Neil Grigg’s delicate featherwork and handmade flowers. He also runs millinery masterclasses at his Paddington studio (neilgriggmillinery.com).

The CBD’s splendid Victorian Strand Arcade has always housed artisans, couturiers, milliners, glove

and shoemakers, and the tradition is firmly upheld today (strandarcade.com.au). Contemporary makers include master cobbler Andrew McDonald, tailor Mister.Mister, custom jeweller Courtesy of the Artist and The Nut Shop, where the Mendels family sells chocolate macadamias handcrafted with century-old techniques.

The sights, sounds and scents of the city influence Sydney Fragrance candles, made in Elizabeth Bay and inspired by local sunsets and sunrises, Luna Park and the opera. Mouthwatering bars from Sydney Chocolate are created by hand with ethical ingredients and named after suburbs including Bondi Beach, Newtown and Potts Point.

At Belle Fleur Fine Chocolates in Petersham you can breathe in the aromas of the upstairs factory where the sweet treats are handmade daily (bellefleur.com.au), and the new store from Oh! Boo at Barangaroo is a little treasure box of irresistible temptations from maitre chocolatier Fanny Chan (ohboo.com.au). And don’t miss the fabulous Just William Chocolates in Paddington (justwilliam.com.au).

| TASMANIA ShoppingShopping | NEW SOUTH WALES

TEXT: DESTINATION NSW/IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK, DESTINATION NSW

FASHION FINDS Shopping in Sydney can reap great rewards – especially when your journey leads to stunning spaces such as Parlour X on Oxford Street, Paddington. The independent fashion boutique inhabits the restored colonial neo-gothic St John’s Church, and local and international designers are displayed against a glorious backdrop of sandstone, stained-glass windows and glass mezzanine (parlourx.com). Whilst in Paddington, be sure to visit The Intersection, a strip of hand-picked edgy boutiques and upcoming Australian designers located on the corner of Oxford St and Glenmore Road (theintersectionpaddington.com.au).

Straight from a Parisian picture book, Woollahra’s Ladurée showcases rainbow-hued French macarons amid pastels, marble, chandeliers and timber cabinetry. There’s more eye candy – in every sense – at Josophan’s Fine Chocolates boutique in the city, where beautiful handmade treats are wrapped lovingly in white boxes with yellow satin ribbons (josophans.com.au).

In Potts Point, Grandiflora, the elegant little art-deco boutique of florist Saskia Havekes, is a sensory overload.

Blooms and bouquets tower high and flow out on to the pavement (grandiflora.net).

The Surry Hills showroom of French antiques store Ici et La is a charming treasure trove of elegant objets d’art, including signature striped deckchairs (icietla.com.au), while handmade Australian timber furniture completes the soothing earthiness of the historic workshop at Original Finish in Newtown (originalfinish.com.au).

The covetable toys and garments at children’s store Mamapapa have been lovingly curated by owner Virgine Batterson in a soft sea of whites and naturals, making it an enchanting reason to browse the northern beaches village of Avalon (mamapapa.com.au). Also in the north, Mona

Vale’s beach shack-style, colour-filled Little Paper Lane is a paradise for stationery addicts, every inch crammed with cute and pretty desirables.

TREAT YOURSELF Sydney’s landmark stores include the flagship branches of Myer and David Jones in the CBD, both multi-level, one-stop shops for the best local brands and international picks. The stunning, heritage surrounds of the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and Strand Arcade add atmosphere to leisurely boutique browsing, with plenty of inviting options for afternoon tea or brunch. An extensive network of malls – including Westfield Sydney, Glasshouse, The Galeries and the MLC Centre – is connected by walkways and passages, making for effortless wandering. Spend the day shopping up a storm whatever the weather as you make your way from one shopping haven to another.

Sydney’s markets are a rich source of talent and creativity, with art, new and vintage clothing, jewellery, accessories, homewares, coffee, sweet treats, live music and more on offer at stalwarts like Paddington Markets (paddingtonmarkets.com.au), and Glebe Markets (glebemarkets.com.au). Head to Paddy’s Markets at Haymarket for bargains galore at hundreds of stalls stocking clothing and giftware, plus an epic fresh food market (paddysmarket.com.au), or soak up the relaxed atmosphere at The Rocks Market for souvenirs, gifts and one-off finds (therocks.com). DA

MAIN IMAGE: 19th century heritage detail including stained glass windows and the mighty centre dome at the Queen Victoria Building (QVB).

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新南威尔士州 | 购物

购物天堂

悉尼是澳大利亚阳光最灿烂的中心城市，拥有澳大利亚最出色的购物体验， 从高端商场到复古集市一应俱全 这里有 Dinosaur Designs 集团 (dinosaurdesigns.com.au) 制造的树脂珠宝 和家居用品、Adrienne & the Misses Bonney (adrienne-bonney.com.au) 出品的手工刺绣儿童服 装和婴儿服装以及 Rosie Boylan (rosieboylan.com) 和 Neil Grigg (neilgriggmillinery.com) 出品的精致 手工帽，其客户包括皇室成员和名流。 中心商务区宏伟的维多利亚史特莱特商场 (Victorian Strand Arcade) 内设有手工艺品店、女帽制 作店、鞋履制作店等名店，包括技艺高超的鞋业制造 商 Andrew McDonald、制衣商 Mister.Mister、定制 珠宝商 Courtesy of the Artist 和家族巧克力店 The Nut Shop (strandarcade.com.au)。 想要购买具有当地特色的纪念品，游客可以选择 Sydney Fragrance 香薰蜡烛，它们的样式和香味反映 了日落和歌剧院等当地风景和风貌；或者选择 Sydney Chocolate 出品的美味巧克力棒，它们以邦迪 海滩 (Bondi Beach) 和伯茨点 (Potts Point) 等郊区 的名字命名。

时尚亮点 在悉尼购物可以获得极大的满足，特别是前往一些 很有吸引力的地方时，例如帕丁顿牛津街 (Oxford Street) 上的 Parlour X 店铺。这些独立的时装精品 店开设在经重建的殖民地时期新哥特式圣约翰教堂 中，当地和国际设计品牌纷纷采用砂岩、彩绘玻璃窗 和玻璃夹层装点自己的店面 (parlourx.com)。来帕丁 顿旅游，时尚汇 (The Intersection) 是游客必去的地 方，这是一条汇集了高级时装精品店的狭长街道；另 外，牛津街和格伦莫尔路 (Glenmore Road) 的街角 还分布着小型澳大利亚设计品牌店 (theintersectionpaddington.com.au)。 游客可以在巴黎的图画绘本中找到 Woollahra’s Ladurée 出售的法式彩虹马卡龙，其店铺采用粉彩、 大理石、枝形吊灯和细木家具装饰。市内的 Josophan’s Fine Chocolates 巧克力精品店出售多 种造型各异的糖果，这些漂亮的手工巧克力糖果包装 在白色的盒子中并用黄色的缎带装饰，味道和外表都 别具一格 (josophans.com.au)。 位于伯茨点的 Grandiflora 是花商 Saskia Havekes 所有高雅精致、充满艺术装饰风格的精品花 店，这里可以给游客带来极大的感官享受。店中的花 朵、花束堆叠成高高的塔状，延伸到外面的人行道 上，非常美丽 (grandiflora.net)。 法国古董商店 Ici et La 的萨利山 (Surry Hills) 陈 列室是一座摆满了精美艺术品的宝库，其中包括布满条 纹的躺椅 (icietla.com.au)；而手工制作的澳大利亚木 制家具更是为新镇 Original Finish 历史悠久的工作室 的舒缓朴实氛围增添了光彩 (originalfinish.com.au)。 Mamapapa 儿童用品商店的所有者 Virgine Batterson 采用轻柔的白色色调和天然材料打造了店 中极受欢迎的儿童玩具和服装，这也成为游客流连北 部海滨村庄阿瓦隆 (Avalon) 的一大原因 42 | destinations AUSTRALIA

(mamapapa.com.au)。北部的梦娜维尔 (Mona Vale) Little Paper Lane 精品店采用海滩棚屋设计，店内色 彩斑斓，摆满了精美可爱的文具用品及饰品。

犒劳自己 悉尼的地标式商店包括玛雅和戴维·琼斯的中心商 务区旗舰店，这里是最佳的本地品牌与国际品牌一站 式购物场所，可以满足游客的多层次需求。维多利亚 女皇大楼 (Queen Victoria Building, QVB) 和史特 莱特拱廊 (Strand Arcade) 为悠闲的精品店购物之 旅平添了一份美丽而又古香古色的氛围。另外，这里 还提供多种下午茶和早午餐选择。悉尼韦斯特菲尔德 购物中心 (Westfield Sydney)、Glasshouse 百货公 司、The Galeries 百货公司、MLC 中心 (MLC Centre) 由人行道与走廊相互交织连接，构成了一张 广阔的商场网络，游客可以花上一整天的时间疯狂游 玩和购物，无论外边天气如何，都可以方便地从一家 购物中心前往另一家购物中心。 悉尼的集市尽显悉尼人的才华和创意，以帕丁顿市场 (Paddington Markets) (paddingtonmarkets.com.au) 和格里布市场 (Glebe Market) (glebemarkets.com.au) 为首，这里有艺术品、新品服饰和复古衣饰、珠宝首 饰、配饰、家居用品、咖啡、甜点、现场音乐表演等众 多精彩美物和体验。您可以前往干草市场 (Haymarket) 的帕迪市场 (Paddy’s Market)，在数以百计的服装和礼 品摊位上一展讨价还价的技巧，选购无比新鲜的食品 (paddysmarket.com.au)，也可以前往岩石区市场 (The Rocks Market) 体验悠然自得的氛围，选购纪念 品、礼品和各种奇趣小物 (therocks.com)。DA

IMAGE: DESTINATION NSW

独特购物体验

NEW SOUTH WALES | Eat & Drink

BEACHSIDE BISTRO THE BISTRO AT MANLY PAVILION

BENNELONG RESTAURANT AND BAR

Just minutes from iconic Manly Wharf, The Bistro at Manly Pavilion is set on the upper level of a glistening white heritage-listed building with panoramic harbour views. The large, open dining terrace has sliding doors and a neutral colour scheme, which helps it dissolve into the surrounding vista and become an extension of the harbour beyond. Enjoy a snack at the bar or settle in for luscious mains, including a mouth-watering seafood platter, roasted veg, duck breast in orange sauce or grain fed beef eye fillet, accompanied by an extensive drinks list.

(02) 9949 2255 Manly Pavilion, West Esplanade, Manly manlypavilion.com.au/the-bistro

The New York Times called it ‘the Holy Grail of Australian restaurants’, and when you step inside the cathedral-like interior of the Bennelong pavilion framed by views of Sydney, it’s easy to understand such claims. A range of dining options are available to suit the occasion – choose from casual dining at Cured & Cultured, a pre-theatre dinner, or a lazy feast at The Restaurant. The menu has been expertly created by one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Peter Gilmore and his team, and focuses on produce-driven dishes that are as unforgettable as the setting.

(02) 9240 8000 Bennelong Point, Sydney Opera House bennelong.com.au

In Sydney diners are spoiled for choice, with world class chefs, perfect produce and some of the most iconic settings you’ll find anywhere ITALIAN GEM

ROOFTOP BAR

LUMI BAR & DINING

UNTIED

Located on one of Pyrmont’s heritage wharves, LuMi Bar & Dining makes the most of its harbour surrounds with allglass walls. Frederico Zanellato’s food is just as impressive; showstopper dishes such as Gruyere-filled agnolotti with porcini butter have earned the restaurant two Chef’s Hats.

Choose from a five-, seven- or 10-course degustation menu, paired with a wine flight designed by sommelier Michela which reflects LuMi’s Italian heritage while including varietals from around the world. There’s also a fabulous selection of cocktails and mocktails and a Gin Station where you can pair your chosen gin with your favourite tonic.

(02) 9571 1999 56 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont lumidining.com

Housed within a modern industrial building, Untied is a bold, raw rooftop bar that brings an edgy sense of fun to the streets of Barangaroo. It combines modern Australian cuisine with slick tubes and tropical ambience creating the perfect haven for a sun-worshipping, cocktail-loving crowd. Tuck into tempting bites from the share menu which includes tropical treats like barramundi tacos, bush pepper calamari or jerk chicken burgers and wash it down with wine or beer from around the world, or a tempting creation from the innovative cocktail menu.

(02) 8322 2099 400 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo untiedsydney.com.au

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND DESTINATION NSW / IMAGES: SUPPLIED, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

HIGH END

The taste of Australia Whether you’re chasing the sun, visiting loved ones or simply escaping it all, Vantage is the per fect taste of Australia to enjoy on your travels.

A unique spirit made with beautiful Australian Lemon Myr tle, Tasmanian Pepperberries and a hint of Australian mandarin oil, simply enjoy the Australian botanical flavours straight up on the rocks, with tonic or soda.

Vantage is also a per fect base for cocktails.

Visit our website for unique Australian cocktail ideas.

Silver Medal Winner 2018 Stuttgart International Spirits Competition / Silver Medal Winner 2018 and 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Winner of The Australian Drinks Awards: Best Innovation 2016, ‘Best in Class’ 700ml available from Dan Murphy’s instore and online and select liquor stores / 1litre bottles exclusive to selected duty free outlets. See website for stockists

www.spiritofanation.com

City of WONDER A natural beauty with a world class dining scene and attractions spanning the arts to the great outdoors, Sydney has it all

B

oasting views of Sydney Harbour, close-up animal encounters and a sky-high adventure course, Taronga Zoo is a must-visit. You can even spend the night as part of the Roar & Snore program, featuring an exclusive night safari and luxury glamping accomodation (taronga.org.au).

Darling Harbour’s WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo features more than 65 animal exhibits including a butterfly enclosure, koala sanctuary, saltwater crocodiles, and a replica of Kakadu Gorge (wildlifesydney.com.au). For more local encounters, book in Breakfast with a Koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park in Western Sydney where you can enjoy a continental breakfast followed by a meet-andgreet with a koala and its keeper (featherdale.com.au).

For marine fans, the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium houses over 12,000 animals in 60 tanks and three oceanariums.

Visit Dugong Island, and dive into the Southern Ocean to discover sharks, penguins, stingrays and other underwater delights (sydneyaquarium.com.au).

Take part in the ultimate Sydney experience and scale the iconic harbour bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney.

Climb day or night, dawn or twilight, for different perspectives of this incredible city. The round trip

takes about three hours, including safety briefing and guided tour (bridgeclimb.com) An iconic fixture on the harbour since the 1930s, Luna Park is a classic carnival complete with amusements, sideshow alley, and hair-raising rides including the Wild Mouse and Dodgem City, plus a Ferris Wheel and Coney Island funhouse (lunaparksydney.com).

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Just 10 minutes from the city, Centennial Parklands is the perfect spot to hire a bike, play golf, go horse riding, grab a coffee at the onsite cafe, or picnic with friends under one of 15,000 trees (centennialparklands.com.au).

The cliff-top coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee features stunning views, beaches, parks, bays and rock pools. Mackenzie’s Point is a favourite with surfers, while Bronte Beach is popular with families. Swim or snorkel at Clovelly Beach, dive at Gordon’s Bay, enjoy the cafes and Wylie’s Bath at Coogee and visit the Lurline Bay wetlands (bonditocoogeewalk.com.au).

Cockatoo Island is one of Australia’s most fascinating historical sites. Take an audio tour and explore the island’s convict history. Stop for refreshments and take in the

Arts & Attractions | NEW SOUTH WALES

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND VISITNSW.COM / IMAGES: DESTINATION NSW, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

sweeping harbour views from Societé Overboard cafe, the Cockatoo Island Marine Centre or The Island Bar. A short ferry ride from Sydney’s city centre, it’s the only island in Sydney Harbour where you can stay overnight. Enjoy luxury accommodation or camp on the harbour’s edge and wake up to spectacular views (cockatooisland.gov.au).

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS The Art Gallery of NSW has stunning harbour views and galleries celebrating local and international art, as well as more than 30 annual exhibitions including the prestigious Archibald Prize. It’s open late on Wednesdays for Art After Hours, featuring live music, lectures, comedy, drawing workshops, film screenings and gallery tours until 10pm (artgallery.nsw.gov.au).

Housed in a striking 20th century Art Deco building in scenic Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art is dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting local and international contemporary art, with two floors of galleries for exhibitions (mca.com.au).

The Australian Museum is the country’s oldest, and contains a vast collection of artefacts documenting the country’s anthropological and natural history, as well as regular international exhibitions (australianmuseum.net.au).

Housed in a beautiful heritage-listed sandstone building in the heart of The Rocks, the Sydney Observatory offers amazing exhibitions and experienced guides. Sit in on lectures in the beanbag planetarium, participate in celestial viewings, explore the universe in the 3D Space Theatre, or watch captivating films about astronomy (sydneyobservatory.com.au).DA

BREAKOUT BOX PERFORMING ARTS, FESTIVALS & EVENTS A UNESCO World Heritage site, the iconic Sydney Opera House is home to some of the country’s best performance companies, orchestras and theatres. More than 2200 performances are staged here each year. Find out more on daily backstage tours (sydneyoperahouse.com).

Historic Capitol Theatre is a magnificent setting for world-class musicals, opera and contemporary and classical music (capitoltheatre.com.au), while the Bangarra Dance Theatre stages productions representing contemporary Aboriginal society (bangarra.com.au). Catch a performance at Belvoir Street, the artistic playground of Australia’s most celebrated actors, including Geoffrey Rush and Cate Blanchett (belvoir.com.au), or hit up Slide Lounge for dinner and a cabaret show (slide.com.au).

During May and June each year, Vivid Sydney illuminates the city with light installations, music and creative ideas, creating a wonderland of light sculptures and grand-scale projections (vividsydney.com). In October and November, the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk is adorned with more than 100 artists’ creations for Sculpture by the Sea (sculpturebythesea.com), while Art & About transforms Sydney into a giant canvas with outdoor art galore throughout the year (artandabout.com.au).

MAIN IMAGE: Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour. THIS PAGE FROM TOP: Luna Park; Sea Life Sydney Aquarium; Centennial Vineyards, Bowral. destinations AUSTRALIA | 47 89

SYDNEY INSIDER

Catriona

Rowntree

After more than two decades presenting the popular Getaway series Catriona Rowntree is Australia’s most well-travelled woman, but she still has a soft spot for her hometown of Sydney.

She shares a few of her favourite things

48 | destinations AUSTRALIA

Insider | NEW SOUTH WALES

Never in my life would I have thought a girl like me could get a gig like Getaway, or have a double life as I do now, living on a beautiful farm travelling here and there for work. I’m just glad I can make my passion my profession – that’s talking, which might surprise some of the teachers who put me on permanent detention for doing just that. Thank heavens for that one headmaster who looked at me and said: “You never know Catriona, one day you could get paid for this”.

Thank you, Mr Cornish.

I love the fluidity and serendipity of my daily life, and not being bound by an office. To be there for school drop off and yet be creative and have a lovely chat each and every day. Twenty years ago I never would have thought I could do voiceovers from a farmhouse, or manage a growing community of travel-obsessed souls with my site Journeys to Come (journeystocome.com). But technology has changed all of our working lives. As long as you’re open-minded and push yourself to learn, the world’s your oyster.

There is no rhyme or reason to my days, which works well for my personality. Basically everything revolves around my children. That’s my first question: are they OK? Once they’re sorted we move on from there. Brainstorming Journeys to Come, producing our weekly podcast, photoshoots in the garden for media or brands, endless writing, and always unpacking or packing for my next trip for Getaway.

TEXT COMPILED BY CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE: LI CHI PAN

I really thought that by falling in love with my fresh farmer and leaving my home in Sydney, my professional life would be over. To my great surprise it has just evolved. As my boss says: “As long as you can get to the airport, I don’t mind where you live”.

In the coming year I’m looking forward to the great unknown. Random phone calls offering wonderful opportunities. Connecting with our Journeys to Come and Getaway audiences. Hopefully having the time to write a book on my favourite cruises of the world. Taking my children to the Kimberley. Not killing my garden. Trying very hard to just enjoy the moment.

My perfect day in Sydney would start with a morning swim at Balmoral Beach, followed by breakfast at the Bathers’ Pavilion (batherspavilion.com.au). I also love the view from the Beach House, and can happily sit there for hours alone with a coffee (2 Awaba Street, Mosman). Midmorning I’d go shopping in the little boutiques of Mosman and Woollahra, or my favourite mall in the world Chatswood Chase (ChatsVegas to us locals), or browse for books at Lindfield Bookshop (328 Pacific Highway, Lindfield).

Hiring a Halvorsen cruiser for a trip down the Hawkesbury River makes for a great afternoon (churchpointcharter.com.au), followed by dinner with friends in Surry Hills.

When I want to show Sydney off, I’ll start with lunch or afternoon tea at Gunners Barracks (gunnersbarracks.com.au). You can’t go past Cafe Sydney (cafesydney.com), or the Watsons Bay pub (watsonsbayhotel.com.au) for their views, and my knees go weak over the slow roasted lamb shoulder at Chiswick in Woollahra (chiswickrestaurant.com.au).

When it’s time for a nightcap, there’s nothing better than drinks with friends at Freds – it has a fabulous buzz (380 Oxford Street, Sydney).

Technology has changed all of our working lives. As long as you’re open-minded and push yourself to learn, the world’s your oyster.

I’d give anything to get visitors over to the north side of the bridge, to the hotspots locals know and love. Maybe catch a ferry over to Manly, have lunch at Balmoral or head up to breakfast at the Boathouse at Palm Beach (theboathousepb.com.au).

I was humbled to the point of tears when Clarins asked me to join them at Moonlight Cinema on Sydney Harbour, (stgeorgeopenair.com.au).

Sunset on the Harbour, cruise ships going in and out, the bridge lit up, Sydney totally showing off.

I wanted to tap all the locals on the shoulder and say, ‘Do you know how lucky you are to live here?’

I just felt overwhelmed with pride to have grown up in this city.

The best thing I did recently was take my sons and nephews to the Australian Reptile Park for a behind the scenes tour. They loved every minute – having a frilled-necked lizard popped on top of their heads, seeing the venom vacuumed out of a funnel web spider and a brown snake, and scratching a wombat on the tummy (reptilepark.com.au).

I love high summer in Sydney. The city is like a sleeping princess. You can be as entertained as little or as much as you like by the amazing events at the Sydney Festival (sydneyfestival.org.au). Wandering around the promenade into the Opera House is sublime (sydneyoperahouse.com), and I can’t get enough of the afternoon thunderstorms that follow a deliriously good Sydney summer day.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Chinamans Beach in Mosman. It’s so quiet, so beautiful.

To be in Australia’s most populated city and yet still find a beach that you often have all to yourself is such a treat.

Sydney is … a naturally beautiful, cultured, showgirl. DA

destinations AUSTRALIA | 49

From the majestic Blue Mountains to the pristine Central Coast, the marvellous Murray to the rugged outback, Australia’s most populous state has a little bit of everything

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

When Nature Calls

Regional | NEW SOUTH WALES

BLUE MOUNTAINS

THE MURRAY

Take a car or train to the famed Blue Mountains, two hours from Sydney. Visit the Three Sisters at Katoomba, pick up antique treasures at Leura and explore magnificent bush trails. Discover the stunning Jenolan Caves on the western side of the mountains and travel further west to enjoy Orange’s food and wine scene, artisan honey in Mudgee, and the quaint heritage towns of the Central Tablelands.

Flowing from the Snowy Mountains to the Southern Ocean, the Murray River is packed with outdoor adventures, from waterskiing, to fishing, boating, and riding the famous paddle steamers in Echucha-Moama.

Get a taste of country hospitality in Albury-Wodonga, or wander through lush vineyards in Corowa, Howlong and Rutherglen. Base yourself in Pooncarie or Wentworth to visit Mungo National Park, while nearby Mildura blossoms with orchards and vineyards.

CENTRAL COAST Depart Sydney’s leafy northern suburbs for the Central Coast, where you can bushwalk in Bouddi National Park, surf in Avoca and fish from the beach in Terrigal. Follow the Coast Walking Track through pretty Bateau Bay and wander the protected beaches of Toowoon Bay. Go canoeing, water-skiing, sailing, rowing and sailboarding on Tuggerah Lake or bike around its shores. Take a ferry or chartered yacht to Brisbane Water National Park, where bushwalks lead you past Aboriginal art and vibrant wildflowers.

HUNTER VALLEY Sample the Hunter Valley region’s flagship semillion and shiraz at 120 wineries. Buy direct from the cellar doors in the rolling hills of Lovedale and taste handcrafted-wines in the tranquil village of Broke.

Adrenaline junkies can go tandem skydiving at Cessnock, bushwalk in Yengo National Park and take a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards from Pokolbin, boasting breathtaking views of the countryside.

OUTBACK NSW Hitting the red dirt of the outback is a quintessential Australian experience. Head north-west to Outback NSW, where you will find Aboriginal rock art dating back more than 30,000 years. Explore the vast plains of the Mutawintji National Park at Broken Hill, and soak up a wealth of history within Kinchega National Park.

SNOWY MOUNTAINS Home to Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, the Snowy Mountains is a year round destination replete with rivers, mountains and glacial lakes.

In winter get your fill of skiing and snowboarding, while the warmer months are ideal for bushwalking, mountain biking or horse riding through wildflowers.

With its proximity to the resorts of Charlotte Pass, Perisher and Thredbo, Jindabyne makes for an ideal base, with restaurants, nightlife, shops and cafes open all year round.

SOUTH COAST NORTH COAST Discover uncrowded beaches, World Heritage rainforest and volcanic hinterland on the north coast of New South Wales. The legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route incorporates 48 national parks, 12 state forests, plus quirky towns and surf beaches. Stretch your legs on the Bathers Way coastal walk in Newcastle, the state’s second-largest city. Port Macquarie is worth a visit, with food festivals such as Tastings on Hastings, and outdoor activities. At Coffs Harbour see the Big Banana, snorkel in the Solitary Islands Marine Park, or stroll above the rainforest canopy in World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park, while laidback Byron Bay offers close encounters with whales and dolphins in season.

In the breathtaking South Coast region explore national parks, get up close with whales and seals, try bushwalking and adventure sports, or savour freshly shucked oysters on Australia’s Oyster Coast.

Go hang-gliding or paragliding in Stanwell Park, and experience the magnificent Bass Point dive site.

This region is also home to the world-famous Kiama Blowhole, Minnamurra Rainforest, Jamberoo Action Park and the Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures.

Get up close to kangaroos at Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park, or snorkel with fur seals on Montague Island. DA MAIN IMAGE: Blue Mountains National Park.

destinations AUSTRALIA | 51

coastal

haven

Once home to the largest coal shipping harbour in the world, today Newcastle is a thriving metropolis with cool cafes and beautiful beaches, Hannah Tattersall writes

A

ustralia’s second oldest city, “Newie” as it is affectionately known, is a two-hour drive north from Sydney. Like Sydney, Newcastle is bound by a harbour and glorious beaches, but a population of just under 300,000 makes it a quieter option for a weekend getaway or holiday. It’s also the gateway to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s major wine regions.

Indulge in foodie heaven There is no shortage of choice when it comes to eating out in Newcastle.

In the west end, The Edwards cafe is run by Chris Joannou, the former bassist of one of Australia’s most successful rock bands, Silverchair.

It’s a unique amalgamation of cafe, laundromat, bar and record store.

The food is seriously good, too – the Legit Bacon & Egg Roll is, well, legit (theedwards.com.au). Bolton

Street Pantry has some of the best breakfast options (and coffee) in Newie (boltonstpantry.com), while The Blind Monk in Hamilton sources beers and ciders from smaller volume, local breweries and is definitely worth a visit (theblindmonk.com.au). For a fine dining option, check out Subo, a contemporary bistro on Hunter Street where menus are dictated by the seasons and chefs rely on fresh local produce (subo.com.au). Check out

Experience | NEW SOUTH WALES

HUNTERhunter for more great bars and restaurants in Newcastle (hunterhunter.com.au).

TEXT COURTESY OF AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: shutterstock.com

Shop the markets Do as the locals do and wander down to the nearest markets on a weekend.

Held at Newcastle Showground, the Newcastle City Farmers Markets are a meeting point for artisans: There are blacksmiths and jewellery makers, painters, photographers and toy makers.

You’ll also find a vast selection of organic and conventionally grown foods including lamb, beef, pork, goat, trout, oysters, charcuterie and cured meats (newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au).

Also check out the Hunt and Gather markets, a boutique designer hub where stall keepers proffer antique and pre-loved designer clothes, jewellery, art and food (huntandgatherevents.com).

Relax like a local on a coastal walk Newcastle’s Bathers Way is a scenic two-hour or five kilometre walk stretching from the lighthouse at Nobbys Headland to the coastal wilderness of Glenrock Reserve and the early coal workings at Burwood Beach. Along the way you’ll soak up some of Newcastle’s rich indigenous

and convict heritage, with yellow information signs providing historical information along the way. Take note of the historical site of Fort Scratchley, the only fort in Australia to have engaged the enemy in a maritime attack, and Nobbys breakwall, which had its foundations laid by convict gangs; and be sure to take your swimming costume to enjoy secret swimming spots along the way.

Surf one of the eight beaches There are few cities in the world that can boast a city centre surrounded by eight beaches. Newcastle is one of them. From Merewether and Newcastle Beach, which has the Art Deco pavilion and Newcastle Ocean Baths, to Nobbys, Dixon Park, Bogey Hole (carved into ocean rocks by convicts in 1820), and Bar Beach, there is a favourite spot for everyone.

Whether you’re a pro-surfer or a novice, you’ll love Newcastle’s most famous beach, Merewether, which features both white sand and spectacular waves. Four-time world surfing champion, Mark Richards and 1991 world longboard champion, Martin McMillan live here. Australia’s largest surf festival, Surfest, is held at

Merewether every February.

You can learn to surf or hone your skills with Surfest Surf School which operates out of Nobbys Beach (surfest.com). Remember, always swim between the red and yellow flags which is the area surf lifesavers identify as the safest spot to swim. DA

GETTING THERE Fly direct to Newcastle Airport from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Ballina/Byron Bay, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour, or take a Greyhound bus from Sydney’s Central Station, Brisbane’s Coach Terminal and Melbourne’s Travel Centre (greyhound.com.au).

Alternatively, a two hour drive from Sydney along Australia’s east coast motorway, the Pacific Highway, will lead you straight into Hunter Street in Newcastle’s city centre.

MAIN IMAGE: Aerial perspective of the Newcastle Ocean Baths at sunrise. THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Gothic cathedral of Newcastle; ANZAC Memorial Walk and Bar Beach; Nobbys Head. lighthouse destinations australia | 53

neW SouTh WaleS | DA Recommends

ICONIC SPLenDOUr As an integral component of Sydney’s culture, the QVB is an unparalleled shopping experience with its unique blend of old world tradition and contemporary aesthetic. One of Sydney’s most valued heritage landmarks, it’s renowned for its mix of iconic local and international brands which include Country Road, Bally, Furla, Salvatore Ferragamo and Coach as well as the Victoria’s Secret and UGG stores, and much-loved patisserie Adriano Zumbo and Haigh’s Chocolates. From delightful cafes to curious collectables and unique gifts for little ones, discover the unrivalled splendour of this iconic building. qvb.com.au

Local Treasures

Since 1942, J Farren-Price has developed Australia’s most extensive range of famous Swiss watches and beautifully hand crafted jewellery. Offering watch brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger Le-Coultre, IWC, Panerai, Longines, Tudor and Greubel Forsey. Also an official Argyle Pink Diamond atelier, their Sydney boutique offers some of the rarest pink diamond pieces in Australia.

(02) 9231 3299 80 Castlereagh Street, Sydney jfarrenprice.com.au

DA reCOMMenDS

EDITOR’S PICKS

The Rocks Walking Tours Take a leisurely 90-minute stroll through The Rocks with friendly specialist guides. This unique heritage precinct is home to beautifully restored buildings situated in a picturesque harbourside setting. Come and be captivated by the charm of this special place, illuminated by intriguing and entertaining commentary. Tours run daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm, departing from Shop 4a – Clocktower Square, Corner Argyle and Harrington Streets, The Rocks.

PL ANAR RESTAURANT

rockswalkingtours.com.au

planarrestaurant.com.au

54 | destinations australia

Right on the Harbour, Planar Bar & Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind waterfront destination with spectacular views, delectable modern Australian food and an extensive array of drinks. Perfect for lazy breakfasts through to afternoon drinks in the sun, or dinner with cocktails and a wide selection of speciality beer and wines, this Sydney favourite offers plenty of outdoor seating and the unique opportunity to sit by the water and socialise with friends.

DA Recommends | neW SouTh WaleS

SCenIC WORLD Just four kilometres from the CBD in a beautifully restored Tram Depot lies Tramsheds, the home to 12 of Sydney’s leading restaurants, and a hub for foodies from across the city and abroad. With an abundance of choice on offer and a flavour for every palette, Tramsheds is open every day from 7am for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, and is best accessed by Bus, Uber/Taxi or Light Rail (alight at Jubilee Station).

Come and see where the locals eat!

Just 90 minutes from Sydney, explore the majesty of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains via Scenic World’s four unique attractions: Scenic Railway – the world’s steepest train; Australia’s highest and steepest cable cars - Scenic Skyway & Cableway; and the country’s longest elevated boardwalk – Scenic Walkway. scenicworld.com.au

mirvacretail.com.au/centres/tramsheds

DA reCOMMenDS

EDITOR’S PICKS

Gaia Retreat & Spa

Multi award-winning Gaia Retreat & Spa has re-opened after a three-week shut down due to two massive hailstorms late last year. The restoration of the retreat inspired a fresh new look with a major chic design makeover, still retaining the integrity of this unique boutique sanctuary for restoring wellness and calm. Be nurtured in the stunning sub-tropical hinterland of Byron Bay and reconnect with the land and yourself. gaiaretreat.com.au

Take the climb of your life to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney. From dawn until dusk, the view is always different. Choose between The Bridge Climb, The Discovery Climb, The Express Climb, and The Mandarin Climb, to see Sydney like you’ve never seen it before. Don’t miss this unforgettable, and uniquely “Sydney” experience during your visit. bridgeclimb.com 53 destinations australia | 55

Australian Capital Territory | Canberra

Canberra’S TOP 5

1 the nation 2 3 4 5

Home to many of Australia’s national treasures, from art to artefacts, awardwinning dining and natural attractions, Canberra is well worth a visit

D

elve beneath the officious surface of Australia’s capital city and you’ll be duly rewarded with a thriving local arts scene and an abundance of activities, from soaring high above the clouds in a hot air balloon, to blockbuster art exhibitions, foodie hotspots, cool climate wines, and award-winning coffee.

Start with Lake Burley Griffin at the heart of the city, where you can take a cruise, stop for a meal or coffee, enjoy a picnic by the water’s edge or follow one of many meandering walking or bicycle paths.

Make sure you visit all the world-class national attractions that call Canberra home at least once, including the National Museum of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. Entry to most of the city’s major attractions is free.

A short drive out of town you’ll discover historic villages such as Braidwood, Bungendore and Gundaroo, offering myriad delights such as galleries, churches, old time pubs, restaurants and local art. There are also more than 30 cellar doors, most within 35 minutes’ from the city centre.

The Murrumbidgee’s riverbanks have natural and recreational reserves of historical importance to the Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri and Nari Nari people, while the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is home to native fauna such as brush-tailed rock wallabies, kangaroos, koalas and emu (tidbinbilla.act.gov.au).

Music, food and wine festivals fill the city’s busy events calendar with highlights such as the illuminating Enlighten Festival (March), the Fireside Festival (August), and Floriade – Australia’s largest celebration of spring (September/October). DA

56 | destinations australia

Mount Ainslie Lookout. One of the city’s most popular vantage points, the lookout atop 843-metre Mount Ainslie gives walkers and cyclists picture-perfect views and a new appreciation of this carefully planned capital.

National Zoo & Aquarium. At Australia’s only combined zoo and aquarium, encounter a wide range of marine life, Australian fauna, and exotic species including lions, tigers, bears and more.

Floriade Festival. Tiptoe through the tulips at one of Australia’s best-known festivals, then ride the Ferris wheel, catch a comedy show or marvel at illuminated flower beds after dark (floriadeaustralia.com).

Take to the skies. For an unforgettable experience and some of the best views around, take a scenic hot air balloon flight over the city and toast your experience with a glass of champagne (balloonaloftcanberra.com.au)

Lake Burley Griffin

Mount Ainslie lookout

National Zoo & Aquarium

Floriade Festival

Balloons over Lake Burley Griffin

TEXT: VISITCANBERRA.COM.AU & CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES: VisitCanberra,

State of

Lake Burley Griffin. Bike, stroll or picnic along the waterfront paths and fish, sail or paddle the glistening waters of this picturesque Canberra centrepiece close to many of the main attractions.

Eat & Drink | AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CASSY POLIMENI AND VISITCANBERRA.COM.AU / IMAGE: Supplied by Poachers Pantry Hall

MODERN JAPANESE

TOP COFFEE

LILOTANG

THE CUPPING ROOM

A cool take on classic Japanese with tempting options for every mood, including an eight-course tasting menu, share plates and vegetarian, plus a wide selection of bento boxes which make for a great lunch. Try the kingfish sashimi, udon noodle with kakiage tempura and classic yakitori skewers, or the tasting menu’s chargrilled lobster and egg tofu – and don’t forget the sake.

(02) 6273 1424 1 Burbury Close, Barton chairmangroup.com.au/lilotang

Part of ONA Coffee, Canberra’s largest specialty roasters, The Cupping Room’s champion baristas take their coffee very seriously and offer a huge variety of great brews. The extensive coffee selection is complemented by a tempting seasonal menu – try raspberry candy or gold-label filter coffee paired with French toast and rhubarb.

(02) 6257 6412 1/1-13 University Avenue, Canberra thecuppingroom.com.au

With cool snack spots, hip cafes and fine dining options, the nation’s capital has a sterling reputation for quality dining spanning vineyards to cafes, cutting-edge to kid-friendly

WORTH THE DRIVE DIVINE DUMPLINGS DICKSON DUMPLING HOUSE A traditional Chinese restaurant serving up handmade dumplings and spring rolls, Dickson is always busy. One bite of these superlative dumplings will convince you that this establishment is deserving of its legendary reputation, which is why the joint is always packed. Other dishes to look out for include Szechuan prawns and Singapore shredded dry chilli beef.

(02) 6248 8350 77/2 Cape Street, Dickson

POACHERS PANTRY HALL This rural property features a winery, cellar door, farm shop and smokehouse, with a restaurant that heroes fresh, organic ingredients from their incredible kitchen garden and local producers. It’s about 30 kilometres out of town, but well worth the trip. Tuck into a Modern Australian menu for brunch, lunch, or a light snack.

(02) 6230 2487 431 Nanima Road, Springrange poacherspantry.com.au

destinations australia | 57

Australian Capital Territory | Shopping

Retail central Canberra’s shopping scene is bursting with local creations, major department stores, malls and fashion labels

D

iscover luxury boutiques, designer stores, and quaint cafes at arcades in City Walk and Garema Place, or join the hustle and bustle of the ACT’s largest shopping mall, the Canberra Centre, where you’ll find fashion retailers, bookstores, designer shoes and more.

Barely a stone’s throw from the city centre, Lonsdale Street in Braddon is a shopper’s delight. Discover local designers, unique art and homewares, hair and beauty salons and galleries. Along the way enjoy a cool drink or scrumptious delight at one of the many cafes, restaurants and bars.

Revel in history as you stroll through the shopping centres of Manuka and Kingston – both perfectly preserved in their 1920s splendour. Located minutes from each other, both offer a diverse range of designer boutiques, antique emporiums, gourmet food stores, quaint cafes and quality homewares.

MARKET FRESH Canberra has a rich and varied selection of markets that will satisfy shoppers of all persuasions. At Capital Region Farmers Markets located at EPIC in Mitchell everything is fresh – from the grit-covered potatoes to honey still warm from the hive. Be tantalised by fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, seafood, cakes, condiments, meats, cheeses and more at over 100 stalls every Saturday morning (capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au). On Sundays the Southside Farmers Market at the Canberra College in Phillip is the place to be, with biodynamic beef, free range eggs, flowers, organic vegetables, fresh baked bread, coffee and more.

There are also popular fresh food markets at Fyshwick and Belconnen, overflowing with delicious deli goods, Canberra wines, award-winning macarons, fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, and specialty stores selling everything from crocodile and goat meat to fresh pasta, along with plus cooking schools 3seeds (Fyshwick) and Foodish (Belconnen). Enjoy the ambience of spruikers, delicious flavours and

58 | destinations australia

aromas, and a cornucopia of produce (fyshwickfreshfoodmarkets.com.au and belconnenmarkets.com.au).

The multi award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets pops up on the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin on Sundays. Browse over 200 stalls displaying trinkets, treasures and tasty delights, from farmhouse cheeses and regional wines to fresh food and flowers, children’s clothes, artwork and jewellery (obdm.com.au).

One of Australia’s largest homemade and homegrown goods exchanges, Hartley Hall Markets is held on the first Sunday of the month (except January) from 10am–3pm, with 300 stalls offering locally grown produce, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, toys, arts, crafts and unique gifts. Showcasing quality creations from over 150 artists, stylists, designers, gourmets and craftspeople, Canberra’s premier handmade market is held every quarter at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) at Mitchell (handmademarket.com.au).

MALL RATS Home to more than 300 retail outlets, an outdoor dining precinct, cinema, and speciality stores, Canberra Centre is the city’s retail hub (canberracentre.com.au). Beauty Junkies can rejoice with the redevelopment of the Canberra Centre’s Monaro Mall – home to popular and hard-to-source brands such as Mecca Maxima, L’Occitane and Lush all under one roof – 2018 sees retail giant H&M opening in the Centre, along with Australian designed Gorman.

Further afield, discover speciality boutiques, fresh food markets, lifestyle stores and fashion outlets at the Westfield shopping centres in Belconnen and Woden, the Tuggeranong Hyperdome (hyperdome.com.au) and Riverside Plaza in Queanbeyan (riversideplaza.com.au), or bag a bargain at Canberra Outlet Centre which is conveniently located in the eastern suburb of Fyshwick (canberraoutletcentre.com.au), while IKEA Canberra and Costco are located in Majura, near Canberra Airport. DA

澳大利亚首都领地 | 购物

零售中心 堪培拉的购物氛围浓厚，拥有众多本地集市、大型百货商场、 繁华购物中心和缤纷时尚品牌

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND VISIT CANBERRA / BELINDA PRATTEN/IMAGES: VISIT CANBERRA

游

客可以在 City Walk 商业街和加瑞马 广场 (Garema Place) 的拱廊商场内 闲逛奢华精品店、设计品牌店和古色古 香的咖啡店，也可以前往澳大利亚首都 最大的购物商场堪培拉购物中心 (Canberra Centre)，加入熙熙攘攘的人群之中，这里有时 装零售店、书店、设计品牌鞋店等各种商店。 位于布莱登 (Braddon) 的朗斯代尔街 (Lonsdale Street) 是便利的购物场所。游客可以探索沿街的当地 设计品牌店、独特的艺术品和家居用品店、美容美发沙龙 和画廊。 马努卡 (Manuka) 和金斯敦 (Kingston) 的购物中 心完好保存了上世纪二十年代豪华壮丽的装修风格，漫 步其中会让游客陶醉在历史氛围之中，内有多种设计品牌 精品店、古董商店、美食店、古色古香的咖啡馆和质量上 乘的家居用品店。

屡获殊荣的旧公车站集市 (Old Bus Depot Market) 每周日在伯利格里芬湖 (Lake Burley Griffin) 南岸开 市。游客可以闲逛这里的 200 多个摊位，摊位售卖小饰 品、手工艺品、美味小吃、农家奶酪、地区葡萄酒、新鲜食 物、新鲜花朵、儿童服装、艺术品和珠宝 (obdm.com.au) 。 澳大利亚规模最大的自制商品及本土作物交换集市 Hartley Hall Markets 每月（除一月外）的第一个周日上 午 10 点到下午 3 点开市，集市内的 300 个摊位售卖 多种商品，包括本地农产品、烘培制品、植物、家居、服 装、陶器、玩具、艺术品、手工艺品和新奇的礼品。堪培 拉最著名的手工艺品集市每季度在米切尔街 (Mitchell) 的堪培拉展览公园 (EPIC) 开市，售卖 150 多名艺术家、造型师、设计师、美食家和手工艺者 创作的优质作品 (handmademarket.com.au)。

商场热购 集市生鲜 米切尔街 (Mitchell) EPIC 公园中的首都地区农夫集 市 (Capital Region Farmers Markets) 每周六上午开 市时，100 多个摊位就会飘出水果、蔬菜、植物、花、海 鲜、蛋糕、调味品、肉类和奶酪等各种香味 (capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au)。南部农夫集市 (Southside Farmers Market) 每周日开放，也是非常值 得一去的地方，在这里可以买到符合生物动力养殖原则 的牛肉、放养鸡蛋、鲜花、有机蔬菜、新鲜烘焙的面包、 咖啡和其他农产品。 集市上还售卖美味的熟食、堪培拉葡萄酒，以及备受赞 誉的马卡龙、新鲜水果、蔬菜、海鲜，集市内的专卖店还 售卖鳄鱼肉、山羊肉和新鲜意面等产品，此外还有可以学 习烹饪手艺的烹饪学校，即费什维克 (Fyshwick) 的 3seeds 和贝尔康嫩 (Belconnen) 的 Foodish。

堪培拉购物中心是堪培拉的零售中心，这里有 300 多 家零售店、一个户外就餐区、一个电影院和众多专卖店 (canberracentre.com.au)。堪培拉购物中心 Monaro 购物商场重装上阵，让美容用品爱好者欢呼雀跃，这处 购物商场是许多热门抢手品牌的大本营，Mecca Maxima、L’Occitane 和 Lush 等品牌在这里齐聚一 堂。2018 年，零售业巨头 H&M 以及澳大利亚本土设 计品牌 Gorman 也会在该购物中心内开设门店。 游客可以前往位于贝尔康嫩和沃登 (Woden) 的韦斯 特菲尔德 (Westfield) 购物中心和塔奇兰贡海珀杜姆购 物中心 (Tuggeranong Hyperdome，hyperdome.com. au) 以及位于昆比恩 (Queanbeyan) 的河滨广场 (Riverside Plaza，riversideplaza.com.au)，这些地方汇集 了专卖精品店、新鲜食品集市、生活用品店和时装店。如果 还不尽兴，还可以前往堪培拉奥特莱斯中心 (Canberra Outlet Centre，canberraoutletcentre.com.au) 淘折价好 货。DA 左起：位于布莱登朗斯代尔街的 Pink 和 The Hive 精品店的佳品。 destinations australia | 59

ACT Insider

Isla

Nakano

A self-confessed science geek, Isla Nakano has found her dream job at Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre.

She shares her passion for science, and her new hometown 60 | destinations australia

Insider | Australian Capital Territory

Questacon is like a big science playground, and makes you realise science is such an integral part of our lives. Most people don’t realise that Questacon runs so much deeper than the iconic building by the lake. Being the National Centre we engage with the whole country through outreach programmes and regional tours (questacon.edu.au).

I love science and was drawn to sharing that passion with others, which led me to study a Master of Science Communication at the Australian National University in Canberra. This life-changing experience included being a presenter at the Shell Questacon Science Circus, which meant being on the road for up to five weeks at a time delivering science shows in regional and remote communities, inspiring and engaging people of all ages in science.

I’m part of the Questacon Smart Skills Initiative, which aims to increase interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) through innovation workshops for students across the country aged 12–18. The workshops are hands-on with a heavy emphasis on building, from paper rockets, to marble runs, or a prototype of their own choosing.

My role is to facilitate these workshops, which we run at the Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre, virtually through our digital studio, or in regional schools.

as told to cassy polimeni / IMAGE supplied

When I’m based in Canberra I usually rock up to work at 8am and spend the first hour of my day setting up our Maker Space, ready for the morning workshop. We’re lucky enough to be a little out of the bustling city centre, so I like to spend my lunchtime outside in the sun, or under some trees. After lunch I might prepare for the next tour, develop new workshop content, or rehearse with colleagues until around 4:30pm, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the afternoon sun, particularly during the summer months.

I am lucky to be in a position where I’m able to make such a positive impact on young peoples’ lives. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student who was disengaged present their prototypes with pride at the end of a workshop.

Working in an environment where everyone is so passionate and genuinely believes in the work they do makes every day exciting.

Canberra really is as beautiful as the pamphlets make it out to be, and Lake Burley Griffin and Mt Ainslie are just as popular with locals as they are with tourists. I also love the little stretches of shops that seem to exist in every Canberra suburb, with Ainslie shops being one of my favourites.

My ideal Canberra day would start with breakfast at Breizh Café in Ainslie, where they do excellent crepes and coffees. Then I’d head up to the weekly Farmers Markets at EPIC to grab some fresh groceries. There’s always something on in Canberra, whether that’s the multicultural festival in March, Floriade in September, or a cool exhibition in one of the many cultural institutions here. After checking one of those out, I’d head down to the lake for a picnic with a few friends or a good book, before finishing the day with dinner and drinks at Capital Brewing Co. in Fyshwick and enjoying the last of the sun (capitalbrewing.co).

I am lucky to be in a position where I’m able to make such a positive impact on young people’s lives.

Having lived here on a tight uni student’s budget, I still enjoy Grease Monkeys, especially on a Tuesday where you get a drink for free! Their burgers are delicious, and I love the chilled atmosphere of the place (greasys.com.au). For an occasion, or just when I feel like something a little more sophisticated, I like Akiba in the city. It’s still relaxed and the food is always exciting and fun (akiba.com.au).

It’s pretty hard to go wrong with coffee in Canberra – they’re all so good! But I do enjoy Two Before Ten in Aranda. It has brilliant coffee, great brunch, and a cosy vibe (twobeforeten.com.au). For something stronger, I love the BentSpoke in Braddon.

They do a selection of interesting beers and great snacks, and it’s easy to sit and chat with friends until closing time (bentspokebrewing.com.au).

On a warm summer’s day I recommend heading out to Casuarina Sands, which is about a 30-minute drive from the city. There’s a nice little river there to have a swim, and some gorgeous shade to sit and have a picnic.

I love autumn. It’s such a beautiful sight to see the streets under a carpet of leaves, and the beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red on the trees as you drive across Commonwealth Avenue. I also love the crispness of the air in the mornings and evenings, while the day is still warm enough to keep me happy.

Canberra is … scenic, clean, cultural, relaxed and home. DA

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National

attractions In Australia’s capital city you’ll find history keepers, cultural icons and outdoor attractions covering everything from art and film to markets, wineries and exotic wildlife

Arts & Attractions | Australian Capital Territory

T

he centre of Australian democracy, Parliament House is where you’ll see bills being debated along with the slings and arrows of Question Time first-hand. It’s a must for political buffs and history lovers, with some of Australia’s finest historical treasures and contemporary art on display throughout the building, which is open 364 days a year (aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament).

Check out the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (moadoph.gov.au), pay your respects at the Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au), or get an in-depth look at where money is made at the Royal Australian Mint, (ramint.gov.au)

ARTS & CULTURE

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI & VISITCANBERRA.COM.AU / IMAGES: VisitCanberra

Many of Canberra’s finest cultural institutions are clustered together by Lake Burley Griffin. The National Gallery of Australia is home to world-class exhibitions, and works including the famous ‘Blue Poles’ by Jackson Pollock and the Ned Kelly series by Sidney Nolan. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection is the largest in the world, comprising over 7500 works. Get more out of your visit with a range of tours and activities on offer (nma.gov.au).

A short distance away at the National Portrait Gallery, come face to face with over 400 people who’ve shaped the nation. From Howard Arkley’s portrait of Nick Cave, to Ned Kelly’s death mask, the portraits include a fascinating array of artists, musicians, entertainers, politicians, sports people and royalty (portrait.gov.au).

At the National Library of Australia take in an exhibition, join a tour, browse the bookshop, or enjoy a bite to eat at Bookplate cafe with its lakeside views (nla.gov.au), while The National Museum of Australia’s stunning architecture provides an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people (nma.gov.au).

The National Film and Sound Archive has custodianship of the national audio visual collection (nfsa.gov.au), and at the National Archives of Australia you can discover secrets and events that helped shape the nation, including Australia’s Constitution (naa.gov.au).

OUTDOOR EXPLORER Spend your Saturday morning shopping up at storm at the Capital Region Farmers Markets, where you can buy fresh produce direct from the growers and enjoy a delicious local breakfast or brunch (capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au), or take part in a Canberra Sunday tradition by visiting the Old Bus Depot Markets. Pick up some tasty treats, a bunch of flowers, a few fashion gems or a local artwork (obdm.com.au).

Wander through Canberra’s three cool-climate wine regions and partake in a spectacular range of experiences, from wine-tasting and fine dining to truffle hunting.

Chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir and shiraz varieties thrive in the Canberra region, with 140 vineyards and more than 30 cellar doors – most of which are within 30 minutes’ drive of the city.

At the Australian National Botanic Gardens, picnic on the lawns and wander the lush green areas containing 74,000 individual plants over 40 hectares

(anbg.gov.au/gardens), or head to National Arboretum Canberra – home to 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from around Australia and the world (nationalarboretum.act.gov.au) Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing creatures at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra (nationalzoo.com.au). From lions and tigers and bears, to giraffes and penguins and monkeys, the Zoo features a variety of native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia.

Within the grounds, Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers a once-in-a-lifetime luxury safari accommodation experience (jamalawildlifelodge.com.au).

The kids will also love Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre, with eight fun-filled interactive exhibitions featuring more than 200 hands-on experiences designed for visitors of all ages (questacon.edu.au). DA OPPOSITE PAGE: Parliament House. THIS PAGE FROM TOP: Hot air balloons take flight above the National Library of Australia; National Zoo & Aquarium.

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Tasmania | Hobart

Time to

play

xtending either side of the Yarra River and overlooking Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s neat grid of streets harbour shopping, dining and entertainment destinations just waiting for you to discover them. This city is an art lover’s paradise, with cutting edge arts and cultural companies and galleries galore. Get lost in the world’s first major public gallery dedicated to Australian art, the Ian Potter Centre (ngv.vic.gov.au/visit), or experience art al fresco at Heide Museum of Modern Art (heide.com.au) and Herring Island (herringisland.org/arts). For Indigenous Australian art, visit Flinders Lane Gallery (flg.com.au).

Melbourne is a coffee lover’s paradise and there’s always something brewing. Head to St Ali in South Melbourne, where coffee is roasted on site and served up as you like it: single origin espresso, siphon or cold drip (stali.com.au).

Also worth a visit is Seven Seeds in Carlton, a micro roaster that supplies beans to a number of cafes around town (sevenseeds.com.au) and Sensory Lab, with locations in Collins Street, Little Collins Street, Bourke Street and Port Melbourne (sensorylab.com.au).

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Melburnians are passionate sports fans. AFL football (“footy”) is the city’s unofficial religion, and taking in a match at the MCG is a quintessential Melbourne experience (mcg.org.au). In summer, the cricket whites come out and Grand Slam tennis enjoys its time in the spotlight with the arrival of the Australian Open (ausopen.com). Come autumn it’s all about Formula One car racing (grandprix.com.au), while spring is horseracing season (springracingcarnival.com.au).

Head to the ‘Paris’ end of Collins Street, as well Bourke Street Mall and laneway arcades in Hardware Lane, Howey Place and Block Arcade for everything from stylish boutiques showcasing local designers to sprawling department stores and international favourites.

Connect with Melbourne’s history in cobblestoned laneways, now home to quirky cafes and gift shops, cosy bookstores and secret bars. There’s a rolling calendar of over fifty festivals celebrating food, wine, film, theatre, arts and music to keep you occupied all year round. For more on Melbourne’s festival scene, check out the ‘Events’ page of thatsmelbourne.com.au.DA

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND VISIT VICTORIA / IMAGES: www.shutterstock.com, Visit Victoria

E

From the creative city centre to vibrant neighbourhood hubs, Melbourne is a wonderland for lovers of food, wine, sports, shopping and the arts

Hobart | Tasmania

MELBOURNE’S TOP 5

1

Take a spin on the City Circle Tram. This free tram carts tourists, shoppers and office workers between major attractions, shops and events in central Melbourne, with audio commentary on board (ptv.vic.gov.au).

2

Laugh it up. Experience one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals in March/April (comedyfestival.com.au), or ensure the laughs keep coming year round with regular comedy nights at The Butterfly Club and the European Bier Café.

3 4 5

Become a work of art. The first of its kind in Australia, ArtVo is an immersive art gallery where you can touch and interact with large scale paintings and sculptures, snap a selfie, and become part of the art (artvo.com.au).

Queen Victoria Market. Shop til you drop at the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere, or get the low-down on a two-hour guided Ultimate Foodie Tour – your taste buds will thank you (qvm.com.au).

Visit a world-class exhibition at the NGV. Discover extraordinary collections, diverse temporary exhibitions, talks, tours, kids’ programs, late night openings and performances at this magnificent gallery (ngv.vic.gov.au).

Comedy Festival

City Circle Tram Queen Victoria Market

ArtVo NGV

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VICTORIA| Eat & Drink

MODERN VIETNAMESE

ASIAN BAR BITES

ANNAM RESTAURANT AND BAR

LONGSONG

Reflecting the modernity and energy of Vietnam today, while embracing its diverse cultural history, Chef Jerry Mai’s menu is inspired by food from her own family table.

Dishes include items such as tuna tataki with cumquat nuoc nam and crispy onion, whole grilled Hiramasa Kingfish with rice paper, herb plate and pickled lemongrass nuoc nam, braised goat curry with pea eggplant.

Jerry is particularly excited about the salted caramel fried ice-cream that forms part of a decadent dessert menu.

(03) 9654 6627 46 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne annamdotcomdotau.wordpress.com

David Moyle brings his masterful touch to Melbourne with Longsong, a Thai influenced bar with substantial food offering.

This spacious venue sits atop Longrain on the fringe of Chinatown, and offers food cooked over coals. Although the menu is Asian in flavour, both food and drink offerings take their inspiration from local producers, showcasing native treasures like Wapengo Rocks oysters and kangaroo jerky with native pepper.

(03) 9653 1611 Upstairs, 44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne longsong.com.au

Always evolving, Melbourne’s dining scene is a love song to countless cultures, cuisines and ways of eating SHARED DINING

Showcasing chef and owner Tim Martin’s passion for a genuine dining experience, this all-day South Yarra coffeehouse, bar and eatery features a refined menu of wine, aged meats and fermented products. Martin brings 16 years of experience to his first solo venture after making his mark as head chef at The European.

Share plates make up the majority of the bar and dinner menu, allowing patrons to taste a wide selection of dishes that don’t shy away from using parts of the animal that are often ignored, such as fried chicken oysters with shaved cabbage, mayo and bocadillo; and tongue ‘n’ cheek cigars with brick pastry and charred onion salsa.

(03) 8582 0890 2 Claremont Street, South Yarra harvestmelb.com

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RUSTIC ITALIAN POSTMISTRESS Housed in the former post office and Greek social club, Postmistress brings a slice of rustic Italian with a twist, to Brunswick West. Owners Vitale Ferrante, Patrick Ciccaldo and Hugo Diaz have transformed the historic blond-brick, graffitied building into a stylish contemporary bistro. Try arancini, calamari fritti and wood-fired pizza here, as well as beetroot gnocchi, a risotto of crunchy rice with chargrilled calamari, and scialatelli – a thick, short-strand pasta resembling fettuccine that originated on the Amalfi Coast.

(03) 9381 1585 71 Melville Road, Brunswick West postmistress.com.au

text: cassy polimeni and visit victoria / IMAGE: Annam Restaurant and BaR photographer Jana Langhorst

HARVEST

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A Block Arcade Promotion

Iconic Arcade Step back in time at Melbourne’s iconic Block Arcade, a European-inspired shopping precinct boasting high end fashion, jewellery and world-famous tea rooms

C

elebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Melbourne’s iconic Block Arcade is regarded as the finest example of a 19th century shopping complex in the country. Classified by the National Trust and listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, the stunningly preserved arcade offers a premium shopping experience.

Modelled on the arcades of Milan, Paris and London, The Block Arcade features vaulted ceilings adorned with wrought iron, stained glass and intricate plaster ornaments. Marvel at the lavish interior aesthetics as you stroll past luxury jewellery stores, high end fashion, quaint gift shops and quality menswear.

Stop and watch master tailor Adriano Carbone at work in the window above the Elizabeth Street entrance as he wields his giant scissors cutting out another suit and listen for the melodies drifting from Melbourne Basement Discs at 24 Block Place, which often features intimate live performances.

Visit galleries including The Art of Dr Seuss and Australian by Design for your special piece, or jewellers The French Jewel Box, Rutherford Pearls and Keshett for that special someone.

If you can tear your eyes away from the perfectly presented shop displays and charismatic shop owners, scan the arcade’s marvellous mosaic floor – a classic Victorian design made from tiles manufactured in Italy and a key component of the Block Arcade’s National Trust classification.

Look for the resident German-made heritage-classified little ‘tapping man’ located under the spectacular dome.

He has been tapping the glass in Melbourne for over 50 years.

But the history of the arcade delves deeper than aesthetic beginnings. The site on which the arcade stands was

sold by auction (one of the first to be held in the city of Melbourne) in 1837.

It was purchased for £18 by Henry Batman, brother of John Batman, the founder of Melbourne. Some 50 years later, the site was ravaged by a fire – reportedly the most spectacular ever seen in the city – causing an estimated 200,000 pounds damage to ‘Georges’, the store present there at the time. Three firemen lost their lives in the blaze and, according to local legend, the ghosts of these men haunt the site to this day. It was as a result of this fire that Melbourne’s Metropolitan Fire Brigade was established.

With entrances on Collins Street, Elizabeth Street and Little Collins Street, The Block Arcade is easily accessible, whichever part of the city you happen to be coming from.

The Arcade is abuzz with excitement following the opening of Beechworth Honey and its instore beehive. Sweet tooths should also be sure to pop into the historic Hopetoun Tea Rooms, established 1893 and named after Lady Hopetoun, wife of Lord Hopetoun, Governor of Victoria at the time the arcade was opened.

Something of a Melbourne institution, the Tea Rooms combine old world charm with fine food amidst the tranquil beauty of the Block Arcade.

Block Arcade 1950’s

Need to know 282 Collins street, Melbourne theblock.com.au Tours Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. To book, call (03) 9654 5244 or email tours@theblock.com.au CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE: Collins Street wing; The Block Arcade entrance in Collins Street in 1902; under the dome; mosaic floor detail; Hopetoun Tea Rooms. destinations australia | 69

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Fashion

state

Shopping | Victoria

With a reputation for innovation and a passion for fashion, Melbourne’s markets, malls and exclusive boutiques are a shopper’s paradise

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND VISITVICTORIA.COM / IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

CITY CENTRE The CBD and surrounds are home to heritage-listed arcades and cosy laneways ripe for exploring. Discover a plethora of specialty stores in the National Trust-listed Block Arcade including jewellers, chocolatiers and the famous Hopetoun Tearooms, which have been operating at the same site since 1907 (theblockarcade.com.au).

Linking Bourke Street Mall with Elizabeth Street, historic Royal Arcade boasts myriad delights, including jewellery, footwear and sweet treats (royalarcade.com.au). Cathedral Arcade, which connects Swanston Street to Flinders Lane, is great for handmade clothing, jewellery and accessories.

It incorporates the ornate Nicholas Building, a treasure trove of jewellery, vintage haberdashery and handmade pieces (thenicholasbuilding.blogspot.com.au) Melbourne’s iconic cobble-stoned laneways are a unique shopping experience. Explore quirky boutiques and peruse galleries showcasing local and designer fashion, before putting your feet up at one of the popular hole-in-the-wall bars or cafes.

The eastern end of Collins Street, affectionately known as the ‘Paris end’, is flush with riches, including the likes of Chopard, Hermes, Prada and Harrolds Melbourne. A short walk away, St Collins Lane is home to range of retailers, from Calibre to Maggie T, Ecco to UGG and more (stcollinslane.com).

Just a few steps from the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets, Collins234 is a small yet perfectly formed retail oasis in the heart of the city, with fashion, beauty, gift and specialty stores all under one roof (collins234.com.au).

BIG BRANDS The car-free stretch of Bourke Street Mall between Elizabeth and Swanston Streets is home to big brand shopping, including major department stores David Jones and Myer. At 338-352 Bourke Street sits Melbourne’s GPO, a former post office building turned retail complex boasting fashion superstore H&M and Larsen Jewellery, plus cafes, a Japanese restaurant and a tailor, so you can wear your fabulous new fashions sooner (melbournesgpo.com).

Discover the largest Australian designer precinct in the country, together with a fantastic fusion of food outlets, arts, culture and world class architecture all under one roof at Melbourne Emporium. Nestled right in the heart of the city, the precinct connects with

Melbourne Central, Myer and David Jones (emporiummelbourne.com.au). With over 1000 stores across four city blocks, you don’t have to go far for a huge variety of shopping options, and many of the big brand stores are interconnected and easy to access. Carve a route from Little Collins Street, through David Jones and Myer to Emporium and Melbourne Central and enjoy a shopping spree without setting foot on the streets outside.

On the corner of Swanston and Latrobe Streets you’ll find Melbourne Central, packed with shopping, eating and entertaining options too plentiful to mention (melbournecentral.com.au), while at QV on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston streets, intimate laneways give shoppers the freedom discover the eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants at their own pace (qv.com.au).

In Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, Chadstone – The Fashion Capital has one of Australia’s most significant collections of luxury brands under one roof, including Burberry, Chanel, Emporio Armani, Georg Jensen, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Ralph Lauren and Tiffany & Co. It’s also home to Australia’s first Legoland Discovery Centre. A free Fashion Shuttle departs daily from Federation Square (chadstoneshopping.com.au).

LANEWAYS & ARCADES A trip to Melbourne would not be complete without getting a little lost amid the laneways and arcades that typify the city. They are punctuated by some seriously stylish boutiques, including local designers LIFEwithBIRD (lifewithbird.com), Nevenka (nevenka.com.au), Alpha 60 (alpha60.com.au), and Kuwaii (kuwaii.com.au).

For the finishing touches to any outfit, the city’s best women’s accessories can be found at Christine (christineaccessories.com), or for men’s accessories visit Lord Coconut (lordcoconut.com).

Craft is home to Victorian makers’ goods (craft.org.au), while e.g.etal is a gallery-style display of contemporary Australian jewellery (egetal.com.au), and for up and coming designers and one-off treasures, Design A Space is the place to go (designaspace.com.au). DA

MAIN IMAGE: Browsing the racks at Swensk, Little Collins Street.

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维多利亚州 | 购物

时尚天地 墨尔本的集市、商场和高档精品店素以创新和时尚精神而闻名， 是购物者的天堂 城市中心 中央商务区和周围的建筑拥有列入文化遗产名录的拱 廊和值得游览的怡人巷道。您可以在受国家信托保护 的街区拱廊内探访种类繁多的专卖店，包括流光璀璨 的珠宝店、美味缤纷的巧克力店和自 1907 年开始经 营的远近闻名的霍普顿茶室 (Hopetoun Tea Rooms) (theblockarcade.com.au)。 历史悠久的皇家拱廊商场 (The Royal Arcade) 临 近伯克街购物中心 (Bourke Street Mall) 和伊丽莎 白街 (Elizabeth Street)，这里汇集了珠宝、鞋子和 精品美食 (royalarcade.com.au)。大教堂商场 (Cathedral Arcade) 连接着史旺斯敦街 (Swanston Street) 和费林德斯街 (Flinders Lane)，这里聚集着 手工服装、珠宝和配饰店。 科林斯街 (Collins Street) 的东端被当地人亲切地 称为“巴黎风尚专区 (Paris end)”，网罗了大量的 奢侈品品牌，如萧邦、爱马仕、普拉达和 Harrolds Melbourne。只需走一小段路就可到达圣科林斯路 (St Collins Lane)，这里分布着众多零售店， 如 Calibre、Maggie T、Ecco、UGG 等 (stcollinslane.com)。 距科林斯街 (Collins Street) 和朗斯代尔街 (Lonsdale Street) 仅有数步之遥的 Collins234 麻雀 虽小，五脏俱全，是城市中心地带的一处零售天堂， 汇集了多家时尚、美容、礼品和特产专卖店 (collins234.com.au)。

大品牌 柏克商业街 (Bourke Street Mall) 位于伊利 莎白街 (Elizabeth Street) 和史旺斯顿街 (Swanston Street) 之间，不允许车辆通过， 这里齐聚了多个大型百货商场，如戴维·琼斯 (David Jones) 和玛雅 (Myer)。在柏克街 338-352 号，坐落着墨尔本邮政总局商场 (GPO)，由先前的邮政大厦翻新而成，这里汇集 了 H&M 和拉森珠宝 (Larsen Jewellery) 等高级 品牌店，此外还有咖啡馆、一家日式餐厅以及一 家制衣店，让您可以更快穿上新购置的精美时装 (melbournesgpo.com)。 澳大利亚国内最大的设计师专区与美食店、艺术 品店、文化廊和世界一流建筑的完善融合，尽在墨 尔本商业购物中心 (Melbourne Emporium)。这 一专区位于城市中心，正好连接了墨尔本中央商场 (Melbourne Central)、玛雅购物商场和戴维·琼斯 购物商场 (emporiummelbourne.com.au)。

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图片：费林德斯街香奈儿专卖店。 墨尔本中央商场坐落在史旺斯敦街和拉贝托街 (La Trobe Street) 的拐角处，拥有不胜枚举的购物、 美食和娱乐选择 (melbournecentral.com.au)。QV 坐落 在朗斯代尔街与史旺斯敦街的拐角处，坐拥数条怡人的 小巷，购物者可随意探访各色商店、咖啡馆和餐馆 (qv.com.au)。 位于墨尔本东南部郊区的查斯顿购物中心 (Chadstone) 云集了澳大利亚众多的顶级奢华品牌，包 括博柏利 (Burberry)、香奈儿 (Chanel)、安普里奥· 阿玛尼 (Emporio Armani)、乔治·杰生 (Georg Jensen)、古驰 (Gucci)、雨果博斯 (Hugo Boss)、周 仰杰 (Jimmy Choo)、路易威登 (Louis Vuitton)、普 拉达 (Prada)、拉夫·劳伦 (Ralph Lauren) 和蒂芙尼 (Tiffany & Co)。每天都有从联邦广场 (Federation Square) 出发开往查斯顿的时尚巴士 (Fashion Shuttle) (chadstoneshopping.com.au)。

小巷和商场 如果不曾迷失在墨尔本这座城市的小巷和拱廊 中，墨尔本之旅就称不上完整。多家时尚精品 店点缀在巷道之间，包括当地设计师品牌 LIFEwithBIRD (lifewithbird.com)、Nevenka (nevenka.com.au)、Alpha 60 (alpha60.com.au) 和 Kuwaii (kuwaii.com.au)。DA

A St Kilda Market Promotion

Find your

treasure Melbourne’s only seaside makers’ market, the St Kilda Esplanade Market is the place to uncover local handmade goods every Sunday

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or over 40 years, the St Kilda Esplanade Market has been showcasing the best of Melbourne’s art, craft and design every Sunday set against the iconic backdrop of St Kilda Beach.

Over 150 unique stalls filled with the highest quality creative art, fashion, accessories, homewares, artisan foods and beautiful products to inspire and delight, many of which you simply won’t find anywhere else as they are exclusive to St Kilda Esplanade Market.

With new products every month, there’s always something fresh and exciting at St Kilda Esplanade Market – which is exactly what you expect from St Kilda.

With some of the funkiest Melbourne and Australian souvenirs around, you’ll find perfect, individually handcrafted gifts. There’s something for everyone – including your pets!

Shop for jewellery and leather, clothing and textiles, paintings, gift cards, glassware, body products, ceramics and toys.

Best of all, with every purchase you are supporting small local

businesses who are passionate about creativity.

Located on St Kilda’s stunning Esplanade (right next to Luna Park), getting to the market is an easy 15-minute ride from the city on trams 16 or 96. If you’re driving, plenty of parking is available nearby.

The markets are on every Sunday from 10am, rain or shine.

So head to the Esplanade and bask in the bayside beauty as you wander amongst the stalls.

Enjoy delicious treats as you peruse a range of unique gifts, or find something for yourself – it’s a perfect Sunday in St Kilda.

neeD to KnoW Open every sunday from 10am–4pm (5pm daylight saving Time) Follow us on:

stkildaesplanademarket.com.au

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THE TOWN

Melbourne’s many attractions are waiting for you, from arts and culture to animal encounters, a touch of history, or all the fun of the fair

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES: XXXXXXX

Paint

Arts & Attractions | Victoria

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or a bird’s eye view of the city, head to Eureka Skydeck 88, the highest public viewing platform in the southern hemisphere. Teeter on The Edge – a glass cube almost 300 metres above the ground – or step out onto the open-air Terrace if you dare (eurekaskydeck.com.au). The southern hemisphere’s only giant observation wheel, Melbourne Star is another great place to watch the world go by. See the whole city from one of 21 spacious, air-conditioned cabins with 360-degree city views of Melbourne’s sporting stadiums, fashion strips, neighbourhoods and attractions (melbournestar.com).

For over 100 years, Luna Park has entertained families with its classic carnival vibe. Experience the Scenic Railway and the terrifying Circus of Screams, take on the G Force and the Coney Island Top Drop, get behind the wheel of the Street Legal Dodgems and check out the Carnival Games (lunapark.com.au). For an adventure of a thoroughly different kind, step inside the imposing bluestone walls of the Old Melbourne Gaol, where some of Australia’s most notorious criminals including bushranger Ned Kelly and gangster Squizzy Taylor were held. Tour the cells, recreate a famous trial in the Old Magistrate’s Court, or join a nightly ghost tour (oldmelbournegaol.com.au).

ANIMAL ATTRACTION Over 300 species are in residence at multi award-winning Melbourne Zoo, just five minutes from the city centre.

Visit the Butterfly House, Gorilla Rainforest, or meet penguins and seals at Wild Sea. From September to May you can book in for a Roar ’n’ Snore experience that includes an overnight stay at the zoo. Experience an African adventure at Werribee Park and Open Range Zoo, where you’ll see rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras and antelopes grazing together from your seat aboard an open vehicle, or discover a bushland haven for Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary (zoo.org.au). Home to over 10,000 animals, including one of the world’s largest saltwater crocodiles, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium takes you on an interactive adventure from Antarctica to the ocean depths. Take part in Melbourne’s only shark dive experience, or stay dry on a Glass Bottom Boat Tour (melbourneaquarium.com.au).

Collingwood Children’s Farm delights with experiences like bottle-feeding baby lambs, milking cows, and cuddling guinea pigs (farm.org.au), while The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden in the Royal Botanic Gardens offers a magical place for exploring (rbg.vic.gov.au).

Art (ACCA) showcases local and international artists, with a focus on commissioning new work by living artists, plus tours, talks and workshops (accaonline.org.au).

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of film, television and multimedia at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), with the world’s largest screen gallery, and an annual calendar of events including film festivals, live performances workshops and international exhibitions (acmi.net.au).

Located in leafy Bulleen just 25 minutes from the CBD, Heide Museum of Modern Art is a unique blend of art, design, architecture and gardens founded by art patrons Sunday and John Reed in 1934. It features works by greats such as Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Charles Blackman as well as a sculpture park, kitchen gardens, and cafe (heide.com.au).

Victoria’s history is preserved at award-winning museums. Meet the Big Dragon at the Chinese Museum (chinesemuseum.com.au), learn about the 1850s gold rush at the Gold Treasury Museum (citymuseummelbourne.org), discover the state’s multicultural influences at the Immigration Museum (museumvictoria.com.au/ immigrationmuseum), or reflect on our military history at the Shrine of Remembrance (shrine.org.au).

Sports fanatics will enjoy the National Sports Museum at the iconic MCG, with over 2500 sporting artefacts and multimedia displays (nsm.org.au), and kids will love the quirky Scienceworks Museum and Planetarium in Williamstown, where they can take part in interactive displays on bodily functions or go star gazing (museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks). DA

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES: Visit Victoria

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS Australia’s oldest public art gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria is home to more than 70,000 artworks from around the world, with permanent and touring exhibitions from home and abroad, plus an interactive Kids Corner (ngv.vic.gov.au). With a focus on Australian art, the Ian Potter Centre is ensconced in bustling Federation Square within a stunning glass matrix just a few minutes walk from the NGV. Twenty individual gallery spaces house a mix of permanent and rotating collections of fashion, photography, art and sculpture (ngv.vic.gov.au/visit) Regarded as Melbourne’s leading contemporary art gallery, the Australian Centre for Contemporary

BREAKOUT BOX PERFORMING ARTS Enjoy performances by the Australian Ballet (australianballet.com.au), Melbourne Ballet Company (melbourneballetcompany.com.au), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (mso.com.au), and Victorian Opera (victorianopera.com.au), all within the Eiffel Tower-like spire known as the Arts Centre.

MAIN IMAGE: The National Gallery of Victoria. THIS PAGE: Eureka Skydeck. destinations australia | 77 89

Arts Centre Melbourne is both a defining cultural landmark and Australia’s largest performing arts centre. Discover it for yourself

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An Arts Centre Melbourne Promotion

Hamer Hall Guided Tours

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t the centre of Melbourne’s cultural precinct sits Arts Centre Melbourne.

As Australia’s largest performing arts venue, Arts Centre Melbourne is a vibrant meeting place for the performing arts, artisan markets, restaurants, cafes and Australia’s largest performing arts collection. The State Theatre, located beneath the iconic Spire in the Theatres Building, has one of the world’s largest stages, which hosts performances by Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet, along with the Playhouse and the Fairfax Studio.

On the banks of the Yarra River is Melbourne’s premier concert venue, Hamer Hall, home to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and a variety of musical performances. Across the road in Kings Domain is the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, a popular outdoor venue in summer, while the new Australian Music Vault in the Theatres Building features a free exhibition, open daily, showcasing Australian contemporary music. Arts Centre Melbourne is also the proud custodian of one of the most significant public collections of Australian visual art outside the major state art galleries, including paintings

by Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Inge King, Jeffrey Smart, John Olsen and Roger Kemp.

tours & MArKets Guided tours of Arts Centre Melbourne depart daily and take visitors through vast theatres extending five floors underground to uncover the fascinating story of this entertainment precinct. From 10am – 4pm on Sundays, local artisans fill Arts Centre Melbourne’s lawn to

The Barre showcase unique, locally produced handmade goods ranging from arts and crafts to freshly made delicacies.

eAt & DrinK Beneath the Spire, The Barre has a vibrant atmosphere with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Drop in for a pre-show glass of sparkling and a share plate, a meal with a fine wine or a late-night drink to discuss the show you’ve just seen.

Next door to The Barre, Café Vic offers a delicious cake and coffee selection and dining for lunch and dinner, while Cento, on the forecourt, is ideal for on-the-go coffee, food and drinks or kicking back and relaxing with a seat in the sunshine.

Located within Hamer Hall overlooking the Yarra you’ll find Bombini Buzz, serving micro-roasted Melbourne coffee and ice cream during the day and morphing into a pre-show and late night bar. There’s also Fatto, with its breathtaking city views and an all-day Italian menu, Teatro pizzeria and tapas restaurant, and Sake Restaurant & Bar, which combines the very best of modern and classic Japanese.

For a magnificent performing arts experience, visit Arts Centre Melbourne.

Sunday Market

neeD to KnoW Book tickets at artscentremelbourne.com.au, call 1300 182 183, or visit the Theatres Building Box Office, located under the spire on Level 5, 100 st Kilda road, Melbourne.

speCiAl oFFer: tixatsix Line up at the Theatres Building Box Office at 6pm every night for your shot at one of 20 tickets to a range of performances on sale for just $30. Limit of two per person per night.

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MELBOURNE INSIDER

Melanie

Gleeson

Founder and CEO of endota spa, Melanie Gleeson created a wellness empire from her kitchen table nearly two decades ago. She reflects on the journey and shares her love of Victoria with us 80 | destinations australia

Insider | VICTORIA

I was interested in health and wellness from an early age. I always knew I just wanted to make people feel better. Working at a day spa in Melbourne in my early 20s, I saw the benefits of visiting a spa firsthand. People would arrive stressed with their shoulders raised, then leave an hour later, after their treatment, an entirely different person.

You could see the physical and emotional change.

That was so powerful.

The endota spa story began in 2000 when a school friend and I were brave enough to take a risk and follow a dream. Leaving behind the security of full time jobs and brainstorming in my home kitchen, we developed a modest business plan, fuelled by my belief in the power of service to others and inspiring individuals to connect with a still space, where I believe healing begins (endotaspa.com.au).

When endota began on the Mornington Peninsula, nobody really knew what a day spa was. We’ve certainly come a long way since then. Our clients are now educated about their skin and understand that wellness is not just a one-off, it’s a lifestyle. It’s always been my dream to grow the brand to a point where people intuitively know to come to us when they need some stillness and calm in their life. I’m excited about our Wellness College opening in April – it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for such a long time and I’m looking forward to seeing it come to life.

The biggest surprise for me has been how generous people have been with their time, and sharing their knowledge and stories. I have the most fun when I am out and about speaking with our therapists. They are the heart, soul and hands of our industry.

COMPILED BY CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE SUPPLIED

We usually start the day with a meeting or guided mediation, then it’s straight into it. On Tuesdays we all have lunch together which is a ritual I love. Most of our employees are working mums, so it’s nice to have lunch made for us for a change.

My perfect Melbourne day would begin with a walk through Albert Park Lake to South Melbourne Market for breakfast, (southmelbournemarket.com.au). I’d have a coffee from Clement Coffee (southmelbournemarket.com.au), then catch the tram to NGV – I recently visited their Triennial exhibit which was amazing (ngv.vic.gov. au). In the afternoon I might head to one of Melbourne’s many rooftop bars for a glass of wine, or to St Kilda’s West Beach Bathers Pavilion for sunset Sound Healing in the elements – such a relaxing way to end the day (westbeachstkilda.com.au).

For me, Victoria’s best coffee comes from Conscious Cravings on the Mornington Peninsula.

The owner, Dee, was one of our very first therapists at the first endota spa. She is now passionate about all things vegan, and the team at Conscious Cravings make the best almond latte on the Peninsula (facebook.com/conscious.cravings.co).

Alatonero in McCrae is my favourite place to dine.

It’s close to where I live, and we often wander down there to meet with friends. The food is unmistakably Greek, and they aim to source as much local produce as possible, including Mornington Peninsula honey, coffee, olive oil, lamb and goat, wines and Victorian seafood (alatonero.com.au).

I love spending time on the beach at McCrae.

It’s clean, the water is crystal clear and the tones change with the weather. It’s my go-to place for feeling connected to the ocean.

It’s always been my dream to grow the brand to a point where people intuitively know to come to us when they need some stillness and calm in their life.

To keep fit, I go to yoga at the Hot Hut in Red Hill (hothutyoga.com.au), and Silverleaf Yoga studio in Merricks (silverleafyoga.com.au) whenever I can.

If I’m feeling like more of a workout, I head up the Bunurong Track at Arthur’s Seat – it’s steep!

My family and I go to the Between the Bays music festival every year. It’s run by Woodleigh School, where I went, and it’s a fantastic day out (facebook.com/betweenthebays). We also go to Queenscliff Music Festival, heading out on the ferry, followed by a weekend of live music. It’s a laidback, family-friendly festival featuring some great live acts. I loved seeing The Teskey Brothers there last year (qmf.net.au).

Summer is my favourite time of year. I love days at the beach with my family and lovely warm nights BBQing at home. Maybe I’m biased, but for me the Mornington Peninsula has it all – beach, wineries, art galleries, walking tracks and some of the best, and most diverse, local produce in the state.

Melbourne is … a classic city with youthful energy. DA

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wonder From vineyards to islands, mountains to goldfields, rivers to wine country – the state of Victoria is a playground both rich and rare

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND visit victoria / IMAGE: shutterstock.com

Natural

Regional | Victoria

YARRA VALLEY & THE DANDENONGS Go grape-grazing in the Yarra Valley’s vine-covered hills, where you’ll find countless cellar doors, many with world-class restaurants attached. Enjoy delicious meals crafted from the finest local produce as you soak up stunning views of the Dandenong Ranges. Cloaked in fern glades and towering forests, the ‘Dandenongs’ are home to eclectic villages populated with galleries, tearooms and quirky gift shops. Stroll through parks and gardens, such as the National Rhododendron Gardens and William Ricketts Sanctuary, enjoy spectacular views in every direction from the SkyHigh Observatory, or pack a picnic and keep an eye out for local wildlife on scenic bushwalking trails.

MORNINGTON PENINSULA Enjoy a sea breeze on the Mornington Peninsula, less than 90 minutes south-east of Melbourne. Cosy cafes and stylish galleries are a stone’s throw from protected beaches, while further along the coast, rugged surf beaches will tempt explorers. Pack your clubs for a round or two at one of Mornington Peninsula’s 19 golf courses, then duck into the hinterland to unwind atluxurious day spas and Victoria’s only natural thermal springs (peninsulahotsprings.com).

PHILLIP ISLAND See the world-famous fairy penguins emerge from the water and waddle across the beach to their sand burrows at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre on Summerland Beach. Native to Australia and the smallest of their species, the little penguins leave their burrows about an hour before sunrise and swim up to 100 kilometres each day before returning at dusk (penguins.org.au). The island is also home to the famed Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, which hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD Beginning in Torquay and hugging the coast for 240 kilometres to Warnambool in south-west Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. With rugged bushland on one side and the wild open ocean on the other, the road is dotted with

quaint seaside villages such as Wye River and Airey’s Inlet and the bigger townships of Lorne and Apollo Bay. Be sure to stop along the way and check out the famous surf breaks at Bells Beach and the iconic Twelve Apostles.

THE GOLDFIELDS Discover the riches of the Goldfields in central Victoria, where gold was first discovered in 1851. The gold rush that followed saw Victoria’s population grow from 77,000 to 540,000 as tiny settlements became thriving townships. Magnificent boomtown architecture is just one of the legacies of this heady period. Catch a glimpse in Ballarat, Bendigo and Castlemaine, where you will also find renowned galleries and quaint cafes. A visit to Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill is like stepping back in time, with costumed characters, horse-drawn carriage tours, historic shops and gold panning on offer (sovereignhill.com.au).

THE MURRAY The mighty Murray River forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria and is scattered with houseboats, booming regional towns and citrus farms. Unwind and enjoy the region’s relaxed pace by hiring a houseboat and meandering along the river at your leisure, or hop aboard a paddle steamer and visit the pioneering towns of Echuca, Swan Hill and Albury-Wodonga.

HIGH COUNTRY Make your way to the High Country, where the air is clear and the mountain scenery spectacular. In winter the ski resorts at Mt Buller and Falls Creek are brimming with skiers and snowboarders, while October to April is the prime time for activities such as horse riding, canoeing, abseiling and mountain-bike riding. The gateway towns of Mansfield, Bright and Myrtleford are perfect bases for exploring the surrounding Alpine National Park, and worthy destinations in their own right, with a buzzing atmosphere and stunning heritage architecture. DA

MAIN IMAGE: Island Archway, Great Ocean Road.

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Boomtown Bendigo This regional gem in central Victoria is a treasure trove of history, culture and colonial architecture, Stephanie Williams writes

T

he gold might have all but gone but there are still good times to be had in the elegant and historic regional centre of Bendigo.

Its grand buildings, Chinese heritage and living museums are a visible legacy of the gold rush that transformed the region in the 1850s and 60s.

Bendigo’s arts scene is thriving with major and independent galleries, workshops and theatres. The gold rush wealth funded many fine buildings,

including Bendigo Town Hall, the restored Alexandra Fountain, the magnificent former post office and law courts. Stroll through the broad boulevards and tree-lined streets or call in to one of the quality wineries nearby to get a true taste of the Bendigo terroir, or the Heathcote region just south of Bendigo which is known for its outstanding shiraz. For a taste of modern Bendigo architecture and design, check into the Schaller Studio, inspired by the working studio of

contemporary Australian artist Mark Schaller.

Culture fix Walk along View Street to discover Bendigo’s vibrant arts precinct and be sure to visit the Bendigo Art Gallery.

First opened in 1887, it’s one of the best art galleries in regional Australia, with dynamic global exhibitions and a permanent collection dating back to the gold rush (bendigoartgallery.com.au).

Explore smaller venues such as the Post

Experiences | VICTORIA

Office Gallery and Valentine’s Antique Gallery (valentinesantiques.com), catch a show at the elegant Capital Theatre (thecapital.com.au), which opened in 1873, or for entertainment, with a contemporary flavour, check out the new Ulumbarra Theatre in the grounds of the old Sandhurst Gaol (ulumbarratheatre.com.au).

Meanwhile, the Schaller Studio hosts artisan markets and other events in its landscaped gardens.

TEXT COURTESY OF AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES:: VISIONS OF VICTORIA

Live a miner’s life Don a hard hat and explore the hidden underground tunnels of a real gold mine that operated during the gold rush at Central Deborah Gold Mine. The mine operated from 1939 to 1954 and extracted almost one tonne of gold in that time. That’s about AUD $46 million in today’s prices. You can descend to 228 metres and see first-hand how the gold was mined amid such harsh conditions (central-deborah.com).

Visit an 1850s joss house When gold was discovered in Bendigo in 1851, Chinese miners flocked to make their fortune and in the 1870s a temple was constructed for the miners’ spiritual wellbeing. Standing for more than a century, the Bendigo Joss House Temple is one of the few remaining buildings of its type in Australia. The distinctive red building is dedicated to Guan-Di (Kwan Gong), the god of war and prosperity, and is open to visitors daily between 11am and 3pm (bendigojosshouse.com). The Golden

Dragon Museum is a hub of Chinese cultural activity in Australia, where the fascinating connection between Chinese miners and rural Bendigo comes to life. Visit the gardens modelled on Beijing’s Imperial Palace and see the work of traditional artisans (goldendragonmuseum.org).

Ride the Talking Tram Public trams began operating in Bendigo in 1890 and continued to run until 1972. Luckily the tracks, trams and depot were preserved and have morphed into the Bendigo Tramways Talking Tram, which takes visitors on an historic tour of Bendigo. There are a number of different touring trams, such as the Vintage Talking Tram, the Anzac Centenary Tram, and the Blues Tram complete with a live blues band on board (bendigotramways.com).

came to Bendigo, the indigenous Jaara Jaara people lived on the land where gold was discovered. You can celebrate with descendents of the Jaara Jaara during Naidoc Week festivities in July.

Witness the flag raising ceremony to mark the start of the week, which increases awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, or see fascinating Jaara Jaara rock wells on the nearby Eureka Reef walk.

Nature fix When you’re done with history, relax in one of the city’s beautiful parks, visit a local winery (try the well established Balgownie Estate, balgownieestatewines.com.au) or cycle the 65 kilometre Bendigo Bushland Trail past dazzling flowers, abundant wildlife and famous heritage buildings. DA

Get behind the wheel Australia’s oldest working pottery, Bendigo Pottery has been turning out high quality ceramics such as clay pipes, roof tiles, bricks and tableware for more than 150 years. See the most significant collection of ceramic wood-fired kilns left in the world and visit the Interpretive Museum, a converted kiln itself. Here you’ll learn about the techniques the potters and kiln workers used to create the renowned pottery and see how it is produced today (bendigopottery.com.au).

Discover Aboriginal stories

OPPOSITE PAGE: Bendigo Art Gallery. THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: Chinese Gardens; Bendigo Pottery.

GETTING THERE The trip from Melbourne to Bendigo takes just under two hours either by car or on a VLine train from Southern Cross Station (vline.com.au). If driving, you can break the trip in the picturesque village of Kyneton.

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Creative

capital

Surrounded by pristine wilderness and steeped in history, today Hobart is a celebration of food, art and culture

A

ustralia’s second oldest city, Hobart’s history is evident in its Georgian architecture, but while there is a healthy respect for the past and its ghosts, today you’re more likely to hear this quaint seaside capital celebrated for its risk-taking artists, world class cuisine and unparalleled produce.

From passionate growers and producers to inventive chefs, mind-bending museums and unforgettable festivals, there’s plenty to love about Hobart – and that’s before you strike out into the pristine wilderness with its healing powers.

The waterfront is the starting point for local fishing jaunts, yachting trips and wildlife cruises. Catch a ferry to MONA and marvel at its daring and eclectic collections, stopping to refuel at the onsite restaurant, tapas bar, or try something from MONA’s own Moorilla winery and Moo Brew beer range.

Heritage homes, settlers’ cottages and colonial mansions create a distinct backdrop at Salamanca Place. With its harbourside location and eclectic mix of galleries and boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafes, it’s an ideal first stop when you arrive in Hobart. If you’re around on a Saturday morning, be sure to experience the famous Salamanca Markets, where you will discover

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stalls packed with fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, and one-off arts, crafts and antiques.

Behind Salamanca Place is historic Battery Point, a maze of narrow streets containing many of Hobart’s oldest cottages and cute cafes, dotted amongst contemporary homes and establishments. The heart of the city lies just up the hill from Salamanca Place; a neat web of streets and lanes lined with local businesses, fashion boutiques, department stores and more. Here you will find the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, as well as theatres and live venues. Hobart is also home to the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Theatre Royal, the nation’s oldest theatre.

Stay close to nature with the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and its themed plantings, native flowers, and remarkable Subantarctic Plant House, while Mount Wellington summit is just 30 minutes by car from the centre of Hobart, yet high enough to get a dusting of snow in winter, and provides panoramic views of the city and beyond all year round.

Take advantage of the network of walking and bike tracks that criss-cross the sides of the mountain, or cruise the River Derwent to discover the outer fringes of the city, each brimming with its own brand of personality and charm. DA

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM TASMANIA IMAGES: Tourism and Events Queensland, shutterstock.com

Tasmania | Hobart

Hobart | Tasmania

HOBART’S TOP 5

1

Shop up a storm at Salamanca Market. Browse 300 stalls overflowing with original handmade pieces, woodwork, jewellery, fashion, ceramics, tasty treats and fresh produce, every Saturday from 8.30am (salamancamarket.com.au).

2

Explore Battery Point. This inner Hobart suburb has the feel of a Cornish fishing village from yesteryear.

Spend an afternoon exploring historic homes and shops which have been preserved as folk museums and art galleries.

3 4 5

Test your nerve on a Port Arthur Ghost Tour.

Set off on a lantern-lit tour of this former penal settlement (portarthur.org.au/tours).

Bottoms up at Cascade Brewery. Take a tour of Australia’s oldest brewery, culminating in a tasting in the heritage beer garden (cascadebreweryco.com.au).

Don’t miss Mona. Explore Mona’s celebrated art collections, pull up a pink beanbag on the lawns or relax in one of the bars or restaurants on site.

Mona is just a short ferry ride from Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier (mona.net.au).

Salamanca Market

Battery Point

Port Arthur

Cascade Brewery

Mona

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Local finds With its artisan markets, antiques and vibrant community of designers and creatives, this picturesque island is a haven for treasure hunters

Shopping | Tasmania

HOBART Picturesque Salamanca Place is lined with 1830s Georgian sandstone warehouses that once stored whale oil, wool, grain, apples and imported goods from around the world.

Wander beneath the stone arches and you’ll find craft and design shops, jewellers, cafes, restaurants and fashionable boutiques. At Salamanca Market on Saturdays from 8am to 3pm the street fills with food and produce stalls and handmade pieces from woodwork to jewellery, glassware and ceramics, along with entertainment from talented local musicians (salamancamarket.com.au).

Hobart’s CBD is home to all your favourite fashion labels, department stores and local boutiques. At Centrepoint Shopping Centre on Murray Street you’ll find Tasmanian leatherwood honey skin products from Beauty and the Bees and Francesca jewellery (centrepointhobart.com.au). On Liverpool Street, discover boutiques like Scandinavianinspired Ally and Me, and contemporary merino wool fashion and homewares at The Spotted Quoll Studio for (thespottedquoll.com.au). Bank Arcade was built in the 1950s and has been home to a diverse range of businesses including a doll’s hospital, boxing ring, gymnasium, and massage parlour – these days it houses an eclectic range of specialty shops (bankarcade.com.au).

TEXT: TOURISM TASMANIA AND CASSY POLIMENI/IMAGE: ROB BURNETT, DALE BALDWIN, KATHRYN LEAHY, TOURISM TASMANIA

FURTHER AFIELD Tassie is a bargain hunter’s paradise and it’s easy to find a beautiful pre-loved piece of history in the many antiques and collectables stores. From friendly outdoor markets to high-end boutiques, buy local and take a piece of the island state home with you.

In Launceston, discover hand-made wares, boutique designs, markets filled with fresh produce and stores selling antiques from bygone eras. The Design Centre of Tasmania is an edgy retail design hub that has been promoting inventive designs to the world since 1976. From glassware and jewellery to furniture and homewares, pick out affordable, personal handmade pieces to take home (designtasmania.com.au/shop).

Just south of Launceston, in Evandale, visit Handmark Gallery, home to unique Tasmanian art, craft and jewellery (handmark.com.au). While you’re there, head to Evandale Sunday Market to browse local produce, second-hand goods and bric-a-brac (facebook.com/EvandaleSundayMarket).

Travel deep into the Derwent Valley and discover the Drill Hall Emporium, an antiques store with a difference dreamed up by Sue James and her daughters Tammy and Donna Baird. Delight in the useful and decorative items on offer in this former army drill hall that has been lovingly reinvented (thedrillhall.com.au), or check out their spin-off project, Flywheel, dedicated to stationery, letterpress and vintage finds for the office (flywheel.net.au). DA

MAIN IMAGE: Salamanca Market. THIS PAGE FROM TOP: Handmark Gallery Evandale; Honey Badger Dessert Cafe; Gather Handmade.

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塔斯马尼亚州 | 购物

本土精粹 这个风景如画的岛屿是寻宝爱好者的必游之地，拥有手工艺品集市、 古玩和生机勃勃的设计师与创意者社区 霍巴特 (HOBART) 风景如画的萨拉曼卡广场 (Salamanca Place) 旁边 点缀着 19 世纪 30 年代的格鲁吉亚砂石仓库，这里 一度存放着来自世界各地的鲸油、羊毛、谷物、苹果 和进口商品。在岩石拱廊下漫步，您可以发现许多手 工艺和设计商店、珠宝商店、咖啡厅、餐厅和时尚精 品店。每逢周六，从上午 8 点到下午 3 点，萨拉曼 卡广场的街道上满是美食和农产品摊位，还有商贩销 售各种手工制品，从木制品到珠宝首饰、玻璃器皿和 陶器，应有尽有，更有才华横溢的当地音乐家在此现 场演出 (salamancamarket.com.au)。 霍巴特的中心商务区云集众多备受青睐的时装品牌 店、百货商店和当地精品店。在墨累街 (Murray Street) 中心点购物中心 (Centrepoint Shopping Centre)，您可以找到 Beauty and the Bees 用塔斯 马尼亚革木花蜂蜜制成的蜜蜂系列护肤品，以及 Francesca 珠宝精品店 (centrepointhobart.com.au)。 在利物浦街 (Liverpool Street) 可以找到各色精品 店，例如灵感源自斯堪的纳维亚的 Ally and Me，以 及销售现代美利奴羊毛时尚精品和家居用品的 The Spotted Quoll Studio (thespottedquoll.com.au) 。Bank Arcade 商场始建于 20 世纪 50 年代，这里 有洋娃娃修理店、拳击比赛场、健身房和按摩院等各 类店铺，现在还有非常多的专卖店驻扎于此 (bankarcade.com.au)。

Handmark Gallery 位于朗塞斯顿南部的越文列 (Evandale)，汇集了独特的塔斯马尼亚艺术品、工艺 品和珠宝 (handmark.com.au)。在这里，不妨前往 越文列周日集市 (Evandale Sunday Market)， 选购当地农产品、二手商品和小摆设 (facebook.com/EvandaleSundayMarket)。 深入德温特山谷 (Derwent Valley)，您将发现德 瑞尔大厅商场 (Drill Hall Emporium)，这是一家由 Sue James 及其女儿 Tammy 和 Donna Baird 设计 的与众不同的古董店。这座曾经的军队演习厅已被细 心地重新塑造成商铺，里面出售实用的装饰品 (thedrillhall.com.au)；还可以看看他们的衍生商店 Flywheel，那里汇集了办公用精品文具、凸版印刷品 和古董珍品 (flywheel.net.au)。DA

Tassie 是低价淘货爱好者的天堂，可以在这里的诸多 精品店和收藏品商店中找到有着悠久历史沉淀的精美 商品。友善的户外市场和高端精品店一应俱全，您可 以从这里购买当地特产，将岛屿风情带回家中。 在朗塞斯顿 (Launceston)，您可以找到手工制 品、精品设计、销售新鲜农产品的集市以及古董商 店。塔斯马尼亚设计中心 (Design Centre of Tasmania) 是一处前沿设计中心，自 1976 年以来一 直在向全世界推广独出心裁的设计。从玻璃器皿和珠 宝首饰，到家具和家居用品，您可以在这里以经济实 惠的价格买到手工制品，带回家中留作纪念 (designtasmania.com.au/shop)。

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图片：新南威尔士州目的地

城区外围

MAIN IMAGE: Aerial view of Hobart from the Mount Wellington peak.

A xxxxxx Promotion

Bridestowe

Blooms Visit the home of the world’s finest lavender

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A Bridestowe Lavender A xxxxxx Estate Promotion Promotion

B

ridestowe Lavender Estate is one of Tasmania’s signature tourist destinations, renowned as the home of the world’s finest lavender since 1922. The 107 hectare site is best recognised for its manicured contours of lavender, and for the spectacular views as the seasons of Tasmania that are beautifully reflected in the fields and ornamental gardens of the Estate set against the striking backdrop of Mount Arthur. Visitors are welcome to freely wander as far as they like to absorb the peaceful atmosphere and the pristine environment of North East Tasmania.

After exploring the Estate, stop by the cafe for a refreshment including fresh, seasonal meals and delightful homemade treats such as the world-famous lavender ice cream. Bridestowe’s extensive range of Australian-made products available in the gift shop has been created to bring the calming effects and soothing fragrance of lavender into your bath, body and home.

Bridestowe is also the home of the authentic Bobbie Bear, lovingly made onsite. Filled with pure Bridestowe Lavender and Tasmanian wheat, the heat pack bear is an iconic figure in Tasmania and has achieved cult status with locals and visitors alike.

The lavender flowering period commences in December and concludes in late January to early February. During this time an entry charge of $10 per adult is applicable and includes a guided tour.

For the rest of the year entry is free of charge and self-guided tour material is available.

Please check the website for further details and Facebook and Instagram for current pictures, flower status and opening times.

The Estate is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day.

BoBBie tHe BeAr Bridestowe Estate lavender farm is home to Bobbie, the authentic lavender heat pack bear. Only Bobbie is guaranteed to be fi lled with pure Tasmanian wheat and lavender from the world’s finest lavender farm, Bridestowe Estate.

neeD to KnoW Free parking onsite.

Disability facilities available.

Open 7 days a week all year round.

296 Gillespies Road, Nabowla (03) 6352 8182 Follow us:

Bridestowe Lavender @bridestoweestate

Check our website for peak flowering and harvesting information. bridestowelavender.com.au

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natural

ATTRACTION

For a tiny island Tasmania really packs a punch, with a rich history, innovative arts scene, world class restaurants and wild spaces you’ll want to escape to DISCOVER SALAMANCA

WINE & DINE

No trip to Hobart is complete without a visit to Salamanca Market, where 300 stallholders come together on Saturday mornings to sell fresh and gourmet produce, arts and crafts (salamanca.com.au). While at Salamanca Arts Centre you can choose a piece of local art, view contemporary exhibitions, theatre and film, or join locals for live music and mulled wine on Friday nights in The Courtyard (salarts.org.au).

Take a tour of Hobart’s best and most unique dining experiences with former pastry chef and sixth generation Tasmanian Mary McNeill of Gourmania Food Tours (gourmaniafoodtours.com.au). Visit Bangor Vineyard Shed, a cellar door and farm gate serving cool climate Bangor wines, freshly shucked oysters and local produce (bangorshed.com.au), or shop up a storm at the Farm Gate Market in Bathurst on Sunday mornings (farmgatemarket.com.au).

Arts & Attractions | TASMANIA

TAKE ME BACK Experience life in the early years of European settlement at the Cascades Female Factory with ‘Her Story’, a live performance that is part history lesson, part roaming theatre show performed daily at midday, except Saturdays during winter (livehistoryhobart.com.au).

Take a guided walking tour and harbour cruise at the historic site of Port Arthur, or visit the museum, gallery and Convict Study Centre for an insight into life in a penal colony (portarthur.org.au), while The Wall in the Wilderness – Greg Duncan’s stunning sculpture at Derwent Bridge in Tasmania’s Central Highlands – tells the story of those who helped shape this part of Tasmania (thewalltasmania.com).

Situated on the Hobart waterfront opposite Mawson’s Place, the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum is a recreation of the historic huts constructed in 1911 by the Australian Antarctic Expedition crew, led by Dr Douglas Mawson.

It was constructed by heritage architects and builders and is a must for explorers and history buffs (mawsons-huts-replica.org.au).

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM TASMANIA / IMAGES: ROB BURNETT, SIMON CUTHBURT, GARRY MOORE, HYPE TV

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES The Tahune Air Walk is located on the edge of 1.6 million hectares of World Heritage-listed forest, with breathtaking views, hiking, hang gliding, swinging bridges and accommodation onsite (tahuneairwalk.com.au). With a name meaning “native companion”, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, including the Tasmanian devil and the eastern quoll, which are now extinct outside of Tasmania (bonorong.com.au).

Closer to town, explore historic plant collections and significant trees dating back to the 19th century at the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens, and finish with lunch at the beautiful restaurant (rtbg.tas.gov.au), while Bridestowe Lavender Farm is home to one of Tasmania’s most spectacular vistas, particularly in December and January, when the lavender is in full bloom. It’s also the birthplace of the original Bobbie Bear heat packs (bridestowelavender.com.au).

CULTURE CLUB Best known as Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art is a one-of-a-kind gallery built into a sandstone cliff on the River Derwent. It’s home to an eclectic range of art and antiquities, with everything from Egyptian artefacts to boundarydefying contemporary art. The newly added Pharos wing features several major works, including iconic pieces by James Turrell, and its own tapas bar (mona.net.au).

Situated on Hobart’s waterfront, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery houses colonial and contemporary art, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Gallery, and a rotating schedule of exhibitions (tmag.tas.gov.au), while Art Mob is Tasmania’s only dedicated Aboriginal art gallery (artmob.com.au). The work on display represents most of Australia’s indigenous communities, with an emphasis on Tasmanian Aboriginal art, including paintings, woodwork, basketwork and jewellery (artmob.com.au).

If your artistic tastes run more to live music and theatre, be sure to check out an award-winning performance by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra – it resides in the purpose-built Federation Concert Hall and regularly tours Australia and internationally (tso.com.au).

Laurence Olivier, Noel Coward, Lillian Gish and Marcel Marceau are among the stars to have graced the stage of Australia’s oldest working theatre, the elegant Edwardian Theatre Royal. More recently it has played host to Hugo Weaving, the late Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell and John Bell’s Shakespeare Company. Treat yourself to live music, dance and theatre performances, or take a guided tour behind the scenes (theatreroyal.com.au). DA

OPPOSITE PAGE: Bangor Vineyard Shed (previously known as Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed). THIS PAGE FROM TOP: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery; Tahune Airwalk; Port Arthur Historic Site. destinations australia | 97

TASMANIA| Eat & Drink

COCKTAIL BAR THE DEN Renowned for unique cocktails and exquisite share plates, the Den combines the best local, international and house-made ingredients in its menu which includes local creations like The Apple Isle (Granny Smith infused vodka, yellow chartreuse, rosemary and basil syrup, lemon juice, ginger ale), twists on old favourites like the Cherry Mojito, alongside classic cocktails, beer and wine, plus tempting bar snacks from Bruny Island oysters to Jalapeno Poppers.

Tel: 0499 888 233 63 Salamanca Place, Battery Point theden.com.au

Food is something of an art form in Hobart, where seasonal produce is the star and epic feasts reward every sense

HOTEL BISTRO PEACOCK AND JONES Tucked away in a sandstone warehouse on Hobart’s iconic waterfront, Peacock and Jones is a hidden gem, passionate about local produce. Settle in for dinner or a snack, served alongside an impressive wine list, from Tassie pinots to Old World classics. With a constantly changing menu that pays tribute to the seasons, and an open kitchen that lets you watch your meal as it comes to life, Peacock and Jones is a refreshing addition to Hobart’s dining scene.

Tel: 1800 375 692 33 Hunter Street, Hobart peacockandjones.com.au

SUMPTIOUS SEAFOOD

HUNGRY FOR ART FARO Located within a wing at Hobart’s groundbreaking Museum of Old & New Art (MONA), Faro is a European inspired bar named after a Greek lighthouse. Think share plates galore, sangria by the glass or litre, black margaritas, feral pig eyes encased in ice balls, high ceilings and bold design. Revolutionise your dining experience with Art + Dinner, which gets you a memorable meal and exclusive viewing of works by James Turrell (bookings essential).

Mona, Museum of Old and New Art 655 Main Road Berridale, Hobart Tel: (03) 6277 9904 mona.net.au/eat-drink/faro-tapas

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Led by Saffire Freycinet’s former Head Chef Simon Pockran, Old Wharf Restaurant is made from iodised steel and recycled wharf timbers, a nod to Tasmania’s industrial history.

The seafood-focussed menu emphasises pure, local produce and the latest catch, which is beautifully offset by a backdrop of passing cray boats.

Treat yourself to the Chef’s Table, which consists of five courses served with a side of storytelling.

(03) 6210 7602 18 Hunter Street, Hobart oldwharfrestaurant.com.au

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE: shutterstock.com

OLD WHARF RESTAURANT

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HOBART COAST INSIDER

Todd

Adams

After working across Australia and internationally, award-winning chef Todd Adams is starting a new chapter as Executive Chef at Tasmania’s stunning luxury lodge Saffire Freycinet.

He invites us behind the scenes of his new home 100 | destinations australia

Insider | Tasmania

I came to Tasmania because I was looking for a new adventure. Coming down to cook for Saffire Freycinet’s executive committee and look around the property was the first time I’d ever been; it was daunting but I fell in love with Tasmania straight away (saffire-freycinet.com.au).

I love the freedom, the outdoor culture, the mountains and the clear, pristine water that you find here. The people are so friendly; I love being called ‘cobber’ by complete strangers.

It can get a little lonely every now and then, but living a long way from Launceston or Hobart and travelling from the peninsula is more of an adventure than a challenge.

I’ve always been a big city kind of guy, but I didn’t know what I was missing out on. It’s exciting to see younger, up and coming hospitality professionals moving to Tasmania because it seems to be a lot more affordable to open and sustain a restaurant. The dining scene is small, interconnected and friendly, and when you dine in these restaurants, more often than not you feel as though you’ve been invited to someone’s home, and nothing beats that.

The thing I love most about this job is working with so many passionate small farms and the amazing people behind them, as well as the availability of seasonal produce that they grow. It’s very rewarding when you see their products on a handmade Tasmanian plate. At Saffire Freycinet I’ll be focussing on light, innovative and seasonal dishes featuring produce from all over Tasmania.

TEXT COMPILED BY CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE SUPPLIED

An average day for me starts with an early morning walk along the beach foraging for coastal greens, followed by a coffee in the kitchen garden, then weeding, watering and planting. Next I interact with our guests, design personalised menus, and do a bit of paperwork in the office before working alongside the kitchen team wherever I’m needed, empowering them to be their best.

My ideal day out in Hobart would start with a takeaway breakfast and coffee from Pigeon Whole Bakers, enjoyed up at Mount Wellington in the morning sun (pigeonwholebakers.com.au). I’d follow this with a walk through the weekend markets and waterfront before hopping on the fast ferry to Mona (mona.net.au).

Back to the city for some restaurant hopping: an afternoon drink at Ettie’s (etties.com.au) or Franklin (franklinhobart.com.au/restaurant), dinner at Templo (templo.com.au) or Fico (ficofico.net), and a cocktail at Dier Makr (diermakr.com).

Small Fry in Bathurst Street is the best coffee spot in town, great breakfast too (small-fryhobart.com.au).

For dinner I love Aloft, get there before the sun goes down and ask for a seat at the bar. Order a glass of Tassie wine and some dumplings, and switch between

staring at the incredible view over the River Derwent and the chefs seamlessly hammering out epic modern Asian food (aloftrestaurant.com).

My favourite outdoor workout is climbing Mt Amos. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I do it, the challenges are constantly changing and the view from the top will never get old. Plus it’s got the best phone reception in Coles Bay.

When you dine in [Tasmanian] restaurants, more often than not you feel as though you’ve been invited to someone’s home, and nothing beats that.

There are quite a few venues throughout Hobart and Launceston that support live music, but there’s nothing like an outdoor event like Falls Festival at Marion Bay (fallsfestival.com), A Day on the Green at Josef Chromy (josefchromy.com.au), or Party in the Paddock (partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au).

Seeing more live music is top of my to do list for this year.

I’m lucky enough to have Freycinet National Park right on my doorstep. It’s close, cheap, and amazing. Then there’s Binalong Bay. I’ve never seen beaches that postcard perfect anywhere in the world (just watch out for tiger snakes in the warmer months). In the south I recommend making the trip out to the Lake District of Strathgordon via Mount Field National Park, and stopping for lunch at Agrarian Kitchen Eatery (theagrariankitchen.com). Up north head to Launceston for lunch at Stillwater (stillwater.com.au), Tamar Valley wineries and, of course, the one and only Cradle Mountain.

There’s a great winery trail close to home.

I recommend stopping at Milton for pinot gris (miltonvineyard.com.au), Gala Estate for pinot noir (galaestate.com.au), and Devils Corner Vineyard for fish and chips with a view (Sherbourne Road, Apslawn). Head over to Freycinet Vineyard for a tasting and a chat with Claudio (freycinetvineyard.com.au).

One thing I would love to try is the Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise. Not only does the experience look phenomenal, but their philosophies and commitment to sustainability resonate with my own (brunycruises.com.au).

Hobart is … historical, quiet, innovative, friendly, picturesque. DA

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island

From the mountainous northwest to stunning east coast beaches and beyond, Tasmania is blessed with natural riches that belie its modest size

TEXT: TOURISM TASMANIA / IMAGES: shutterstock.com

Treasure

Regional | Tasmania

THE EAST COAST

THE NORTHWEST

The Great Eastern Drive hugs the coastline from St Helens to Orford, passing through the seaside towns of Bicheno, Coles Bay, St Marys, Swansea, Triabunna and Binalong Bay. See the pink granite mountains and unforgettable beaches of Freycinet National Park, and explore Hazards Beach via a kayak tour or peninsula cruise. Further north, Bicheno flaunts its beach culture and Swansea’s history is evident in its streetscape.

The Bay of Fires is named for the flaming orange lichen-covered rocks lining azure shores, while Mount William National Park is idea for snorkelling, scuba diving and kangaroo spotting. In the far northeast Flinders Island is home to impressive Strzelecki National Park with its vast Aboriginal and maritime history.

Located at the northern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most visited natural attractions. Get a taste of what the local food and wine scene has to offer on the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail (cradletocoasttastingtrail.com.au).

Further north is Latrobe, the platypus capital of the world, and picturesque Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry docks after its nightly trip from Melbourne. Just off the coast is King Island, famous for abundant wildlife, world-class golf courses, quality dairy and seafood plucked straight from the Southern Ocean.

THE WEST COAST LAUNCESTON, TAMAR AND THE NORTH Tasmania’s second largest city, Launceston has a picturesque waterfront and thriving restaurant and cafe scene. Go bushwalking, abseiling or hang gliding in Cataract Gorge Reserve, or get an insight into traditional brewing on a James Boag’s Brewery Tour (boags.com.au). On Saturday Launceston’s Harvest Market fills a quiet city car park with the region’s best fresh produce (harvestmarket.org.au).

Among the rolling vineyards of the Tamar Valley find boutique wineries, heavenly scented lavender fields and strawberry farms ripe for the picking.

Heading south towards Hobart along the Heritage Highway you’ll pass by the ski fields of Ben Lomond and the historic towns of Evandale, Longford, Campbell Town and Ross which began life as penal settlements. Today the main streets are lined with historic buildings and antique stores.

Experience Arthur River and the Tarkine, Australia’s largest temperate rainforest, with its ancient myrtles, towering ferns, waterfalls and deserted coastline.

Historic Queenstown is a good place to begin your wanderings. Head north along the unsealed Western Explorer Highway to discover the Tarkine, Pieman River and the town of Corinna. Trainspotters can hop aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway instead and journey from Queenstown to Strahan, then cruise Gordon River.

Other must-visit sites include the historic silver-mining town Zeehan, Montezuma Falls, Mole Creek and the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. DA

MAIN IMAGE: Sunrise over the Bay of Fires, Tasmania.

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NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS

From abseiling into a gorge in Launceston to sailing in Devonport or sampling Burnie’s historic past, northern Tasmania is ripe for adventure, Jennifer Ennion writes

W

ith the wild Bass Strait on their doorstep and rivers meandering past cafes and restaurants, it’s no surprise that life revolves around the water in Launceston, Devonport and Burnie. But there is more to Tasmania’s northern cities than secluded beaches, tranquil waterways and coastal views. The region also has a strong industrial identity and a wealth of wineries, offering travellers an ideal blend of nature, culture and history.

EXPLORE the streets of Launceston Launceston is a small but cosmopolitan city set on the mouth of a river, with an appreciation for excellent produce and fine food. Wander its quaint streets to shop for antiques and sample home-baked goods at the many cafes.

Try dinner at a restaurant such as Stillwater (stillwater.com.au), Mud Bar and Restaurant (mudbarandrestaurant.com), or Black Cow Bistro (blackcowbistro.com.au).

A 15-minute stroll from the city centre will lead you to Cataract Gorge Reserve,

a natural formation on the South Esk River. Ride a chairlift to the top of Cataract Gorge, cross the suspension bridge, go for a self-guided walk, or even abseil down the gorge walls.

Taste the wines of the Tamar Within 20 minutes of leaving the city of Launceston you can find yourself in the Tamar Valley, a wine region known for its excellent chardonnay, riesling and pinot noir. Designate a driver and journey along The Tamar Valley Wine Route to sample the region’s

Experience | TASMANIA

TEXT COURTESY OF AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: Tourism Tasmania, Rob Burnett, Rick Eaves

OPPOSITE PAGE: Launceston city at twilight.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Low Head; Josef Chromy Winery; Mersey Bluff, Devonport; Cataract Gorge Reserve suspension bridge. finest drops. Starting just south of Launceston, the 170-kilometre circuit takes in 32 wineries as it winds through countryside to Pipers Brook in the north and George Town in the west (tamarvalleywineroute.com.au).

Meet the penguins Keep your eyes peeled for little penguins along the pebbly shore of Lillico Beach, a coastal reserve 10 minutes west of Devonport.

The little penguin is the world’s smallest species of penguin, and the best place to watch the reserve’s colony is from the timber viewing platform.

Time your visit for dusk, when the penguins are returning from fishing in the ocean to their beach burrows. This is a free activity, and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife rangers are on site during breeding season, from September to May, and during summer, from mid December to mid February.

Sail the Mersey River Soak up the salty breeze off Devonport’s Mersey River as you sail aboard a historic cray fishing ketch headed for Bass Strait. The Julie Burgess, built in Launceston in 1936, has been lovingly restored by a team of volunteers and you can join them on a two hour sailing trip every Sunday and Wednesday, dependent on volunteer crew numbers and weather conditions. Book through Bass Strait Maritime Centre, not far from the riverfront. There, you can learn more about the Julie Burgess and northern Tasmania’s seafaring history (bassstraitmc.com.au).

Pick up a paper souvenir A seaside city with a proud industrial culture, Burnie offers visitors more than fish and chips on the beach – though that’s a must-do. Be sure to call into Creative Paper Tasmania,

a boutique paper factory where you can pick up handmade, eco-friendly stationery. You can also join a hands-on paper making tour (creativepapertas.com.au). DA

GETTING THERE The riverside city of Launceston is located in Tasmania’s north, 200 kilometres from the state’s capital city of Hobart.

Devonport and Burnie are between one and two hours north-west of Launceston.

One way to experience the region is to base yourself in Launceston and take day trips by car around the area – there is plenty to see.

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Tasmania | Hobart

The main

EVENT

ver the festival capital of Australia, Adelaide is abuzz with events to suit every taste. Kick-start the year with Santos Tour Down Under, the first UCI World Tour event outside cycling’s traditional home of Europe (tourdownunder.com.au).

Held through February and March, the Adelaide Fringe Festival is the largest annual arts event in the southern hemisphere, with thousands of artists taking part in events across the city (adelaidefringe.com.au). Also in March, the internationally acclaimed Adelaide Festival attracts performances from across the globe (adelaidefestival.com.au), while WOMADelaide is a massive world music festival held across four days in the Botanic Gardens (womadelaide.com.au). In May treat your tastebuds at Tasting Australia, one of the country’s most influential food and wine festivals (tastingaustralia.com.au), and film lovers won’t want to miss the Adelaide Film Festival (adelaidefilmfestival.org).

Dating back to 1871, Adelaide Oval is the scene of many more exciting events from sports spanning archery, baseball, cycling, gridiron, tennis and more, to major concerts. Upgraded in 2014, it is now one of the most advanced state-of-the-art outdoor venues in Australia.

Discover what it has to offer on a behind-the-scenes tour or explore the museum (adelaideoval.com.au).

The surrounding Riverbank precinct is also undergoing redevelopment, further enriching this cultural boulevard which is home to many of Adelaide’s most significant buildings and activities including Adelaide Botanic Garden, the Adelaide Zoo, the Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australian Museum, Popeye and Paddle Boats and the University of Adelaide (riverbank.sa.gov.au).

WINE & DINE Adelaide’s small bar scene is getting more impressive every year, with legions of quirky bars, breweries and distilleries cropping up across the city, from Russian inspired Red October (redoctober.bar), to rum bar the William Bligh (facebook.com/thewilliambligh).

Suzie Wong is a Hong-Kong style speakeasy boasting one of Adelaide’s largest collections of whiskey

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(22 Gilbert Place, Adelaide), then there’s rooftop bar Florence for a little slice of Europe (kaffana.com.au/ florence-rooftop), Holey Moley for drinks and mini golf (holeymoley.com.au), beer and small bites at Roxie’s Garden Bar (facebook.com/roxiesgardenbar), or Urban Wine Room for a touch of sophistication (urbanwineroom.co).

Diehards will love delving deeper into their favourite tipple at breweries Lady Burra Brewhouse (ladyburrabrewhouse.com.au), Prancing Pony Brewery (prancingponybrewery.com.au), Pirate Life Brewing (piratelife.com.au), and distilleries including Applewood (applewooddistillery.com.au), Prohibition Liquor (prohibitionliquor.co), and Ambleside Distillers (amblesidedistillers.com).

They’re joined by a host of funky, boutique-style eateries, welcome additions to the city’s growing laneway culture, such as Lantern by Nu (facebook.com/ lanternbynu), and Bai Long Store (facebook.com/ bailongstore). You can find food trucks on almost every corner of the CBD – from Chimichurri Grill to Four seeds baked goods – or catch them all in one place at Fork on the Road events (forkontheroad.com.au).

It goes without saying that award-winning winemaking is part of a proud South Australian tradition. Head to the National Wine Centre for daily tastings along with quality coffee and a selection of local cheeses at the onsite cafe (wineaustralia.com.au).

Or get closer to the action and head for the hills – the Adelaide Hills wine region is just a 20-minute drive away, with a plethora of cellar door experiences on offer, plus the opportunity to pick your own strawberries and cherries for a picnic nearby (adelaidehills.org.au). This region flows seamlessly into world-famous wine and food destinations such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills, coastal escapes in the Fleurieu or Yorke Peninsulas and the timeless beauty that is Kangaroo Island. These stunning destinations are just a short distance from the city centre, but will have you feeling half a world away. DA

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM SOUTH AUSTRALIA / IMAGES: South Australian Tourism Commission

E

Renowned the world over for its world-class wine and festivals, Adelaide is a city that is always ready to party

Hobart | Tasmania

ADELAIDE’S TOP 5

1 2

Indulge in retail therapy. Make your way to Rundle Mall, Adelaide’s premier shopping destination and meeting place, and Australia’s longest shopping street (rundlemall.com).

Market life. Eat your way through Adelaide’s iconic Central Market – from hearty brunches to wholefoods and fresh juices, cheese, wine, coffee and chocolate, plus stalls stocking fresh produce and piping hot breads (adelaidecentralmarket.com.au).

3 4

Hit the beach. Catch the tram from Adelaide’s CBD to Glenelg Beach and spend the day soaking up seaside fun including beach volleyball, fishing, sailing, bike hire, walking trails and dolphin swims (glenelgsa.com.au).

Visit Adelaide Hills. A 20-minute drive from the city, picturesque Adelaide Hills is a worthwhile food and wine destination, and can be used as a jumping off point to the quaint villages of Hahndorf and Stirling (adelaidehills.org.au).

5

Go green. Adelaide has an abundance of beautiful gardens for when you want to get away from it all.

Hole up in Adelaide Botanic Gardens for a coffee or picnic (environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens), or wander the beautifully landscaped Himeji Gardens, named after Adelaide’s sister city of Himeji (South Terrace Adelaide).

Rundle Mall

Botanic Gardens

Central Market

Glenelg Beach

Adelaide Hills

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Big brand outlet shopping Why pay retail?

Over 130 local and international brands.

Join the Tourist Club for even better outlet savings. harbourtownadelaide.com.au Open 7 days 727 Tapleys Hill Road, West Beachdestinations South Australia australia | 57

soutH AustrAliA | DA Recommends

rETAIL SANCTuArY THE BIG PICTURE Located just five minutes from Adelaide’s CBD, The Parade, Norwood is a premier destination known for alfresco dining, great coffee, fantastic shopping and a unique heritage and culture. Home to over 250 shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as a football oval and cinema complex, there’s something here for every taste!

Situated in the heart of Rundle Mall, Myer Centre Adelaide is one of the city’s most iconic buildings and the largest shopping centre in the Adelaide CBD. The Centre is home to the largest Myer department store in South Australia along with six levels of retail including brands such as NineWest, Lush, Daiso, Thomas Sabo, Review, Australian Geographic, Platypus Shoes, Rebel Sport, and the city’s largest toy store, Toyworld.

theparadenorwood.com

myercentreadelaideshopping.com.au

DA RECOMMENDS HARBOUR TOWN

EDITOr’S PICKS

Harbour Town Harbour Town Adelaide offers the only brand outlet shopping in South Australia, with over 130 stores and a complimentary Tourism Lounge. Find top brands at outlet prices. Shop the latest big brands like Mimco, Oroton, R.M Williams, Diesel and Daniel Hetcher.

Plus fashion and lifestyle favourites like Cue, Seed, Portmans, Levi’s, Bonds, Adidas, Lorna Jane and South Australia’s fi rst Lindt Chocolate Shop.

Just 15 minutes from the city with free easy parking. harbourtownadelaide.com.au

ENJOY THE

EXPERIENCE

Adelaide Arcade is a beautiful shopping experience with an exciting atmosphere. When next in the city treat yourself with a visit to Adelaide Arcade, take the time to meet a friend, enjoy a coffee or just browse for a while, and you’ll be surprised by what you’ll find.

From health and beauty, to jewellery and fashion, plus specialty and gift shops and an abundance of cafes and chocolate stores to keep you fuelled, there is plenty to tempt you at Adelaide Arcade. adelaidearcade.com.au

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Southern

treasures

With iconic malls, heritage arcades, village boutiques and makers’ markets, Adelaide delivers when it comes to the ultimate shopping experience RUNDLE MALL With over 400,000 visitors flooding through its doors each week, Adelaide’s iconic Rundle Mall is the city’s shopping hub and an attraction in its own right, with over 700 retailers, four leading department stores and fifteen arcades – from Adelaide Arcade and City Cross to Rundle Place. Talented buskers provide entertainment for shoppers and tourists, while Rundle Street in Adelaide’s historic East End is home to unique boutiques, cafes, restaurants, pubs and an arthouse cinema, with vintage shopping in Rundle Street’s laneways including Vardon Avenue and Ebenezer Place. Contemporary public sculptures appear throughout the mall, including the iconic silver ‘Mall’s Balls’, a popular meeting place. Refuel at the food court, or visit the Myer Centre. With 110 stores set over six levels, it is South Australia’s largest Myer department store and is open daily from 9am – 7pm (myercentreadelaideshopping.com.au).

MARKET CENTRAL With over 80 traders under one roof, Adelaide Central Market offers a huge range of fresh food including fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, cheeses, baked goods, cafes and eateries (adelaidecentralmarket.com.au). Open Sundays from 9am-3pm, The Market Shed on Holland stocks fresh

local produce with an emphasis on organic, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free (1 Holland Street, Adelaide).

Also favouring local produce, Plant 4 Bowden just outside the CBD is a hub for fresh food, makers’ markets and specialty eateries. Catch the free city tram on Wednesday nights from 4-9pm and Saturday mornings from 8am-2pm (plant4bowden.com.au).

KING WILLIAM ROAD Located on the southern edge of the city, everything about King William Road whispers ‘exclusive’. There are no department stores or supermarkets, just designer clothing boutiques, jewellers, homewares, excellent restaurants, day spas and salons (kingwilliamroad.com.au).

BURNSIDE VILLAGE Five minutes east of the city, Burnside Village is home to over 100 premium stores, including designer fashion, fresh food and gifts. The centre features two Atrium Malls, which drench stores in natural light for a refreshing indoor-outdoor shopping experience (burnsidevillage.com.au).

HARBOUR TOWN For outlet shopping, head 15 minutes west of the city to Harbour Town. You’ll be sure to find a bargain,

Shopping | South Australia

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM SOUTH AUSTRALIA / IMAGES: South Australian Tourism Commission

with more than 100 outlets selling top quality brands at below regular retail prices. The complex also houses supermarkets, cafes, homewares and sportswear (harbourtown.com.au).

UNLEY Rich in history, character and atmosphere, this area is also home to a cosmopolitan mix of high fashion, designer stores and boutique booksellers. Stroll down leafy Unley Road to peruse antique stores, galleries, fashion and food, as well as smaller boutiques offering funky clothing (unleyroad.com.au).

JETTY ROAD, GLENELG Browse a fabulous range of giftware, fashion boutiques, galleries and specialty stores amidst a spectacular beach setting at Marina Pier.

When you’re done, treat yourself at one of the

many beauty or day spas or refuel at a seaside restaurant or cafe (jettyroadglenelg.com).

NORWOOD One of the city’s most popular dining and shopping precincts, The Parade in Norwood has a terrific cafe and restaurant scene, along with a great range of stores and boutiques – you’ll find coveted international brands, maternity and baby shops, bookstores and more.

Nearby, historic Magill Road offers shoppers elegant antiques, art galleries and design stores (magillroad.com.au). DA

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Adelaide Central Market artwork; sweet treats at The Market Shed on Holland; Rundle Mall. destinations australia | 111

南澳大利亚 | 购物

南部 珍宝 阿德莱德 (Adelaide) 拥有标志 性的购物中心、传统商场、乡村 精品店和商业集市，为游客提供 丰富多彩的购物体验 蓝道购物中心 (RUNDLE MALL) 每周，都有超过 400,000 名游客涌入阿德莱德标志性 的蓝道购物中心。从阿德莱德商场 (Adelaide Arcade) 和城市十字区 (City Cross) 到蓝道广场 (Rundle Place)，这里共有超过 700 家零售店和 15 个拱廊商 场。有街头艺人表演娱乐节目的蓝道街 (Rundle Street) 位于阿德莱德历史悠久的东端地区 (East End)，这里的众多小巷内星罗棋布着独具特色的精品 店、咖啡店、餐厅、夜店、艺术电影院和复古购物 店，其中包括 Vardon Avenue 和 Ebenezer Place。 购物中心的商场内点缀着许多当代公共雕塑，包括标 志性的“商场标志球”银色雕塑，这里也是广受欢迎 的聚会地点。如要购买奢侈品，请前往阿德莱德中央 广场 (Adelaide Central Plaza)，那里是蒂芙尼 (Tiffany & Co.) 等知名时尚品牌零售商的所在地 (adelaidecentralplaza.com.au)；或者前往玛雅 中心 (Myer Centre) 的南澳大利亚最大的玛雅 百货商场，6 个楼层总共有 110 家店铺 (myercentreadelaideshopping.com.au)。 重要集市 阿德莱德中央市场 (Adelaide Central Plaza) 拥有 80 多个商家，贩卖大量的生鲜食品，包括果蔬、肉 类和家禽、海鲜、奶酪、烘焙食品，此外还设有咖啡 店和餐馆 (adelaidecentralmarket.com.au)。 威廉国王路 (KING WILLIAM ROAD) 位于城市南部边缘地带的威廉国王路 (King William Road) 处处彰显着“独特”二字。这里没有百货商 场或超市，只有设计师服饰精品店、珠宝首饰店、家 居用品店、精品餐馆、日间水疗中心和沙龙 (kingwilliamroad.com.au)。 布恩塞德村 (Burnside village) 布恩塞德村距城市东部仅需五分钟，汇集了 100 多家 高级精品店，包括设计师时装店、新鲜食品店和礼品 店。购物中心特有的两个中庭广场 (Atrium Mall) 为 商铺提供了良好的自然采光，让购物者在店内店外都 能放松身心，尽情购物 (burnsidevillage.com.au)。

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海港城 (Harbour Town) 要想到直营店购物，您可向城市西部驱车 15 分钟到 达海港城。那里有 100 多家直营店，以低于正常零 售价的价格销售优质品牌产品，您一定可以淘到中意 的“宝贝”(harbourtown.com.au)。 安利区 (Unley) 安利区历史悠久、特色鲜明，有着良好的氛围，融合 了全球的高端时装店、设计师商店和精品书城 (unleyroad.com.au)。 格莱内尔格 (Glenelg) 哥杰迪路 (Jetty Road) 在小游艇码头 (Marina Pier) 壮丽的海滩景色中， 林林总总的礼品店、时尚精品店、画廊和专卖店欢迎 您的光临。闲逛之后，您可以做一次美容或日间水 疗，或找一家海滨餐馆或咖啡馆补充能量 (jettyroadglenelg.com)。 诺伍德 (Norwood) 诺伍德大道 (Norwood Parade) 拥有很棒的咖啡馆和 用餐环境，还有大量的商铺和精品店，如国际品牌名 店、孕婴商店、书店、精美礼品屋等，定能让您享受到 梦寐以求的购物体验 (theparadenorwood.com)。DA 上图：阿德莱德商场。

Grand.

Iconic.

Elegant.

Timeless.

Escape to a place of style, grandeur and elegance Adelaide Arcade is more than just shopping. It’s an experience where you can soak up the beautiful atmosphere. Discover a unique blend of retailers offering luxury brands and specialist services and products.

Explore the free Adelaide Arcade museum and rediscover a fascinating, almost forgotten world filled with stories of yesteryear.

Discover Adelaide Arcade for yourself – you will be surprised at what you find.

Home to over 70 retailers & businesses Open 7 days · Opposite the fountain in Rundle Mall AdelaideArcadeOfficial

AdelaideArcade www.adelaidearcade.com.au

CLASSIC · UNIQUE · LUXURY

ON THE PARADE, NORWOOD The cosmopolitan and cultural hub of Adelaide, The Parade, Norwood offers a mix of great food, fabulous coffee and fantastic shopping, just five minutes east of the CBD.

TASTE

SHOP

VISIT

From bakeries and gourmet burger bars to restaurants offering Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese and Chinese, The Parade has everything from quick and simple meals to decadent dining experiences. Many restaurants and cafes offer alfresco dining, which is a great way to relax and soak up the unique culture and atmosphere of this premier mainstreet.

Shopping is another popular past time on The Parade. Home to a large number of fashion boutiques – including a mix of national and international brands, as well as an array of unique fashion boutiques and hair and beauty salons – this mainstreet is a mecca for stylish shoppers. If fashion is not your passion, there is a vast selection of book stores, florists, home wares and gift stores

The Parade, Norwood is located just 4 kilometres east of Adelaide’s CBD.

If you are looking for a pre (or post) dinner drink, why not visit one of the three historic pubs located on The Parade? If it is coffee that you desire, this world-class caffeine haven will not disappoint, with a vast selection of cafes to choose from.

You could stop there, although with the quality of desserts on offer, why would you want to? Within a 50 metre stretch you will find businesses specialising in gelati, cupcakes, frozen yoghurt, ice cream and other decadent desserts.

You can easily get there from the City by car, taxi or bus.

If you are travelling by bus, take the H20, H21 or H22 from the E1 stop on Currie Street and get off at stop 9, outside the Norwood Town Hall.

PLAY Historic Coopers Stadium is located at the western end of The Parade and is home to the Norwood Football Club; while the Hoyts cinema complex on the corner of George Street and The Parade screens the latest blockbusters year round. Other activities include live music and DJs in the pubs and bars, a pool hall and occasional musical and theatrical performances at the Norwood Concert Hall.

/TheParadeNorwood @ParadeNorwood #ParadeNorwood www.theparadenorwood.com

State of

wonder

Known as the festival state, South Australia is certainly a creative haven, but also has much to offer lovers of art, animals, and adventures on the high seas

T

he largest arts event in the southern hemisphere, Adelaide Fringe takes over the city in February and March with more than 900 events staged in pop-up venues in parks, warehouses and laneways, theatres, galleries and cafes across the state. Experience unparalleled cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film, theatre, music, puppetry and design (adelaidefringe.com.au). March also sees WOMADelaide and Adelaide Festival descend on the city. WOMADelaide celebrates some of the world’s most extraordinary musicians, artists and dancers over four magical days and nights in Adelaide’s beautiful Botanic Park (womadelaide.com.au),

while Adelaide Festival delights audiences with an extraordinary mix of international theatre productions, eclectic world-class musicians, outstanding dance pieces and breathtaking art displays (adelaidefestival.com.au).

Australia’s premier culinary festival, Tasting Australia showcases the best of the Australian food industry alongside South Australian heroes including chefs, winemakers, producers and restaurateurs each May. The eight-day festival incorporates a range of premium events and destination dining experiences that only South Australia can offer, alongside together a full-bodied, locally grown program of activity (tastingaustralia.com.au).

Arts & Attractions | South Australia

TEXT: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TOURISM COMMISSION AND CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES: GREG SNELL, LAUCHLAN SWAN, Andre Castellucci, SATC

GET CULTURED Housed in one of Adelaide’s most historic buildings on the city’s premier cultural boulevard, the Art Gallery of South Australia is home to one of Australia’s finest collections of local and international art. It was founded in 1881 and includes sculpture, photographs, drawings and Aboriginal dot paintings from Central Australia.

Open daily, free general admission (artgallery.sa.gov.au).

Nestled alongside the Art Gallery of South Australia and the State Library, the South Australian Museum showcases more than four million objects over five storeys.

Check out the Biodiversity Gallery and Cloud Chamber, which allows you to witness radioactivity in action, and take a guided tour of the world’s largest collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material (samuseum.sa.gov.au).

Get an insight into Aboriginal culture and customs through visual and performing arts and browse the diverse art exhibitions at Tandanya Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Free entry, charges apply for performances and presentations (tandanya.com.au).

If you’re looking for a creative souvenir from your trip, there are a number of studios and galleries that support local artists. JamFactory is a unique, not-for-profit organisation that promotes outstanding design and craftsmanship through its acclaimed studios, galleries, shops and exhibitions located in the Adelaide city centre and Seppeltsfield in the Barossa (jamfactory.com.au).

Urban Cow Studio has been described as the best gift shop in Australia, but it’s much more than that. Discover designer jewellery, handmade ceramics and glassware, paintings, illustration, sculpture, textiles, t-shirts and hoodies, and drop in on a new exhibition each month at the gallery (urbancow.com.au).

GO WILD

HIT THE WATER

With a focus on rare and endangered species, Adelaide Zoo is the second oldest zoo in Australia (after Melbourne).

It’s also a botanic garden, with exotic and native trees dating back over 125 years, and the only place in the southern hemisphere where you can see giant pandas.

Take part in a free tour or keeper talk. Also worth a visit is Monarto Zoo. One of the world’s largest open range zoos, it is home to more than 500 animals and Australia’s only 360-degree lion experience, a jaw-dropping experience you’ll remember forever (zoossa.com.au).

Less than 20 minutes from Adelaide’s city centre, award-winning Cleland Wildlife Park is set amongst natural bushland and home to some of the state’s most iconic native inhabitants. Enjoy an impromptu encounter, pose with a koala or head out on the Waterfall Gully-Mount Lofty Summit trail, which attracts over 100,000 walkers each year (clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au).

Join Temptation Sailing for a cruise along the metropolitan beaches followed by a swim with the dolphins. Temptation was the first vessel in South Australia to be given a dolphin swim license and has been conducting successful wild dolphin swims in Glenelg since 2001 (dolphinboat.com.au). For a slightly drier dolphin experience, try Adventure Kayaking in Port Adelaide (adventurekayak.com.au).

Finally, enjoy a day of carnival entertainment by the sea at The Beachouse in Glenelg. Just 20 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD by tram you can cut loose on waterslides, dodgem cars, bumper boats, mini golf, arcade games and a Ferris wheel (thebeachouse.com.au). DA

OPPOSITE PAGE: WOMADelaide. THIS PAGE FROM TOP: Bindi the Wombat at Adelaide Zoo; Port Willunga; Tandanya – National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.

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South Australia | Eat & Drink ROOFTOP BAR

SPAGHETTI WESTERN SALOON

FLORENCE

Playfully introduced as the place where “Luciano Pavarotti meets Clint Eastwood”, the two-story Spaghetti Western Saloon creates the perfect environment to enjoy traditional Italian American cuisine. The seasonal menu includes antipasti, mains, sides and desserts, and is complemented by a wide selection of local and international wines and beers. There’s also an indulgent ‘Feed Me’ menu available for those with a serious appetite.

(08) 7071 5700 11 King William Street, Adelaide spaghetti-western.com.au

Discover a little piece of Europe at one of Adelaide’s newest rooftop bars. Set above Kaffana restaurant, Florence provides the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy a South Australian beverage. The cosy inside bar features exposed stone walls, a vertical garden and timber woodwork while the tiled outdoor area provides the perfect spot to enjoy a cold drink while taking in the cityscape or enjoying cocktails as you dance the night away to live DJs under the stars.

0431 591 018 27 Gilbert Place, Adelaide kaffana.com.au/florence-rooftop

With world-class wines and enviable produce, it’s no surprise that South Australia’s capital has so many tempting treats on offer TRADITIONAL THAI LANTERN BY NU The latest offering from Chef Nu Suandokmai, Lantern by Nu is a 120-seat restaurant set back in a laneway off Gouger Street. The converted home gives a rustic feel with exposed brick and black timber floors complemented by street art murals and lit with traditional lanterns.

Nu’s menu respects his traditional Thai heritage and features family recipes, which highlight the fresh, sweet and spicy food Thailand is famous for.

(08) 7078 3559 10 Selby Street, Adelaide facebook.com/lanternbynu

ASIAN FUSION BAI LONG STORE This modern Asian fusion restaurant predominantly features Chinese, Korean and Japanese dishes with a slight emphasis on vegetarian meals (protein and meats are available too). There’s also a retail element, with a store stocking their homemade products including tea, noodles, granola and takeaway meals for visitors to purchase, while the drinks list features a range of exclusive teas sourced by a traditional Taiwanese tea master.

(08) 8232 5484 80 Hutt Street, Adelaide facebook.com/bailongstore

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TEXT: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TOURISM COMMISSION / IMAGE: Florence Rooftop Bar

AMERICAN-ITALIAN

ADELAIDE INSIDER

Warren

Randall

Custodian of one of the world’s greatest wine collections, Warren Randall has been a larger than life presence in the industry for decades. He shares his passion for wine, life and South Australia 120 | destinations australia

Insider | South Australia

I was first introduced to wine at the Adelaide University Bar, as a humble Agricultural Science student in the late 1970s. One of my professors suggested I try the wine industry after graduation, and I went on to study Oenology by correspondence. After failing two interviews for assistant winemaker jobs, I was offered a job as a cellar hand and have been in the industry ever since.

My Mum, Fay, was the driving force behind my decision to acquire Seppeltsfield. I bought fifty per cent of the estate in 2009 and commenced immediately as Managing Director. She passed away aged 90, the day after she knew I had secured my dream, and I dedicated the success of Seppeltsfield’s resurrection to her – it was never going to fail after that!

The chance to resurrect Australia’s iconic wine estate was enticing. I knew it would require immense energy and expenditure, but what else do you do with your spare time? You never own an estate like Seppeltsfield. You are purely a custodian, guiding her through another decade of her long and wondrous journey. All the risk and effort has been worth it (seppeltsfield.com.au).

The Seppeltsfield Tourism Village is all about recreating the past, when the Seppelt Family employed 220 people who tended livestock, grew produce, smoked meats and made bread and beer. We have a resident Master Cooper, housed in the original Cooperage, a pedlar, cobbler, milliner and cutler, and a group of artisans practicing their crafts onsite at The Jam Factory.

You can take a number of popular tours of the estate, including the Centenary Tour, where guests have the opportunity to taste Tawny Port from their birth year, as well as the legendary 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny. One of Australia’s most acclaimed regional restaurants, FINO @ Seppeltsfield joined the village in 2014, (fino.net.au).

TEXT COMPILED BY CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE SUPPLIED

China is Australia’s fastest growing wine export market. I set up Oz Sino International Wine Pty Ltd with my Shanghai-based business partner, Mr Yi Chen, in 2013. Since then Australian wine exports to China have boomed, so we were in the right place at the right time.

China is expected to become the second largest consumer of wine in the world by 2021, just behind the USA. I love the fact that my business creates new wealth for Australia every year, using soil, water and sunshine to create a crop that can be value added to wine and improves Australia’s GDP. That’s green, organic and cool!

I also love the fact that what I do is fun and you can enjoy drinking the fruits of your labour with a good meal and good friends under the Australian sun. It’s a lifestyle business and I love lifestyle.

I’m lucky to spend my workdays travelling through some of the most beautiful country in Australia, from the Adelaide Hills, to the Barossa and McLaren Vale.

I usually fit in four to six meetings a day, and prefer

being able look into a person’s eyes and read their body language. I find that decision-making happens more quickly after face-to-face meetings.

My ideal day out in Adelaide would start with breakfast at the Adelaide Central Markets, followed by exploring the food stalls and a stroll along North Terrace and the River Torrens precinct (adelaidecentralmarket.com.au).

Be sure to make your way past Adelaide Zoo, where you can see the only pandas in the southern hemisphere (adelaidezoo.com.au), and on to historic North Adelaide for a coffee in Melbourne Street.

You never own an estate like Seppeltsfield. You are purely a custodian, guiding her through another decade of her long and wondrous journey.

From there I recommend heading south to Aldinga Beach for a drive along the pure white sands, and a glass of Champagne overlooking over the Southern Ocean – you might even spot a dolphin – followed by a lunch of fresh caught seafood at the iconic Star of Greece restaurant at Port Willunga (starofgreece.com.au).

In the evening head back to Adelaide for a performance at the Adelaide Festival Centre (adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au), the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (theaec.net), or an AFL Crows game at Adelaide Oval (adelaideoval.com.au).

The best place for a meal in the city has to be Orana, which was recently voted as Australia’s Best Restaurant (restaurantorana.com). Africola is also great (africola.com.au). Finish the evening with a cocktail at rooftop bar 2KW (2kwbar.com.au).

I love taking visitors to Kangaroo Island. You can swim with dolphins, walk among seals on a pristine beach, feed wallabies, stay at the magnificent Southern Ocean Lodge and eat the cleanest seafood on the planet (tourkangarooisland.com.au).

One touristy thing I’d love to try is hot air ballooning in the Barossa Valley, or swimming in a shark cage in Port Lincoln. And if you love Japanese food, Port Lincoln’s Tunarama Festival is one you won’t want to miss (tunarama.net).

Autumn in Adelaide is superb. I love the splendour of the autumn leaves on the English trees in the hills.

Nature’s beauty is so inspiring. The annual Womadelaide Festival is a must this time of year – it’s held in the Adelaide parklands in March (womadelaide.com.au).

Adelaide is a … relaxed, friendly, creative, wine capital. DA

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TEXT: SOUTHAUSTRALIAN TOURISM COMMISSION AND CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES: shutterstock.com

The good

south

Regional | SOUTH AUSTRALIA

While renowned for its magical wine regions, South Australia has plenty to offer non-oenophiles as well, from rustic ranges to lakes and reserves, and an island lost in time ADELAIDE HILLS Just 20 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD, step into an enchanted land of long lunches, art, culture and native wildlife. Eat and drink your fill at the region’s picturesque wineries, then get close to nature at local wildlife parks.

BAROSSA VALLEY The fertile soil of the Barossa is home to some of the world’s most lauded vineyards, but this place isn’t just about wine. A passion for food is evident in the region’s rich heritage and modern innovations. Enjoy the flavours on offer at farmers’ markets, cellar door restaurants and Maggie Beer’s famous Farm Shop.

CLARE VALLEY Escape to the charmingly secluded Clare Valley for a weekend of intimate discovery. Hide away in a quaint little bed and breakfast or venture out to explore the rolling countryside and inviting country pubs.

EYRE PENINSULA From coming face-to-face with the ocean’s most feared predator (in the safety of a shark cage of course) to tucking into a one-kilogram king oyster or swimming with tuna, the Eyre Peninsula is frontier territory that will surprise and delight.

stony creeks and discover the ruins of farms left by pioneers, beaten back by the harsh landscape in this ancient and unique part of the world.

KANGAROO ISLAND A sanctuary for wildlife and natural, rugged beauty, on Kangaroo Island you can walk among endangered Australian sea lions, watch kangaroos feeding at dusk or catch a glimpse of a shy koala. It’s just minutes from the mainland but feels a million miles away.

LIMESTONE COAST In a landscape characterised by dramatic contrasts, breathtaking scenery and unique experiences you can explore endless beaches and picturesque seaside villages, taste the triumphs of the famed Coonawarra wine region, visit some of the world’s oldest caves, and learn about the life of Australia’s first saint.

MURRAY RIVER, LAKES & COORONG This is where the cool waters of the Murray River feed wetlands and floodplain forests, and warm sandy landscapes become vineyards and citrus and almond groves. A combination of internationally-listed conservation reserves and the thrill of water sports ensure the Riverland will entertain the whole family.

YORKE PENINSULA FLEURIEU PENINSULA A short drive from Adelaide you’ll find rolling hills, dairy pastures, orchards, farms and vineyards, bounded by picturesque beaches and rugged coastline. Sip worldclass wines, hike through ancient forests, surf, swim, and keep an eye out for Southern Right whales in winter.

If you’re looking for sun, sea and sand, it’s hard to go past Yorke Peninsula, where you’ll find stunning beaches, coastal towns, historic mining villages and spectacular national parks. Discover the region’s Cornish heritage, go fishing for your supper or relax in your very own beach shack. DA

FLINDERS RANGES & OUTBACK A few days in this beautifully rugged, 540 million year old landscape will change the way you look at the world.

Wander past thick, gnarled gum trees growing alongside

MAIN IMAGE: Rain falls over autumn foliage in the Adelaide Hills.

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DEEPER underground

An underground town in the Outback desert, Coober Pedy is one of Australia’s most unusual places, Kris Madden writes

I

n the desert of the South Australian outback, in one of Australia’s hottest climates, is the town of Coober Pedy. In a bid to avoid the heat, much of it has been built underground. Visit underground houses, cafes and churches, and stay in underground hotels. Admire the lunar-like landscape, which has been the backdrop for many movies, including Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Red Planet. Coober Pedy is also known as the Opal Capital of the World, and there are plenty of opportunities to purchase the pretty gemstones – or even find your own.

Fossick for opals Don a miner’s helmet for an underground tour at Tom’s Working Opal Mine and see the uncut opals lining the walls (tomsworkingopalmine.com).

Next, head to the Visitor Centre for a map, and instructions on how to “noodle” (look for your own gemstones) in permitted areas. For a less gritty, more glam, souvenir-hunting experience, check out the polished gemstones sparkling in the town’s galleries and shops.

Go underground Experience what it’s like to live underground with a stay at the four-star Desert Cave Hotel (desertcave.com.au).

Experience | South Australia

DISCOVER UMOONA OPAL MINE & MUSEUM The hotel also has an underground display gallery illustrating the early pioneering days of Coober Pedy, as well as underground shops, a cafe and an opal interpretive centre.

Above ground rooms are available if the idea of sleeping below makes you claustrophobic.

TEXT COURTESY OF AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: Copyright SATC

Explore the Painted Desert Take a 4WD day tour to the spectacular Painted Desert (also known as the Arckaringa Hills) and see the colourful hills of red, orange, yellow and white that Mother Nature has taken 80 million years to create (cooberpedy.net/tours).

Once the bedrock of an inland sea, this magical area has since eroded into a lunar-like landscape of colours that change over the course of the day. It’s particularly stunning at sunrise and sunset, so be sure to bring your camera (thepainteddesert.com.au).

Immerse yourself in nature Take a tour to the breathtaking Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park. It’s the traditional country of the Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal people, who call the area Umoona, meaning “long life”. Covering almost 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres), the park is home to an abundance of native plants and wildlife, including red

kangaroos, echidnas and Australian bird species. Like the Painted Desert, it is a breathtaking landscape of many colours.

MEET THE LOCALS Head underground and inside the homes of some of the region’s most colourful characters. Crocodile Harry – so named for his former occupation, hunting crocodiles in Australia’s Northern Territory – moved to Coober Pedy in the 1970s to fossick for opals, and lived in an unusual dugout known as Crocodile Harry’s Underground Nest – fans of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome may recognise his home as the backdrop for part of the movie.

Nearby you’ll find Faye’s Underground Home, an equally fascinating residence built by three women in the early 1960s, complete with an indoor underground pool in the middle of the lounge room. Both are open for viewings. Visit cooberpedy.sa.gov.au for details.

VISIT THE HISTORIC OLD TIMERS MINe The Old Timers Mine is a window to days of old. An opal mine dating back to 1916, it was rediscovered in 1968, revealing a wealth of opal that is still there today. There is also an underground historic home and museum to explore (oldtimersmine.com).

The Umoona Opal Mine and Museum is Coober Pedy’s largest underground attraction. Learn the history of Aboriginal and European settlement in the area, view the story of the opal in an underground theatre, and view fossil remains from the vast inland sea that once covered the area. The shop has a large selection of exclusive opal jewellery (umoonaopalmine.com.au).

Tee off in the desert Voted in the top 10 most unique courses in the world, Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club has no grass, just sand and rocky fairways. It’s the only golf club in the world with reciprocal playing rights at the ‘home of golf’, St Andrews in Scotland (cooberpedygolfclub.com.au).DA

GETTING THERE Regional Express Airlines operate regular flights between Adelaide (the closest major city) and Coober Pedy (rex.com.au).

Alternatively, driving from Adelaide takes around nine hours, or you can take a coach (greyhound.com.au).

OPPOSITE PAGE: Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Inspecting gems from Tom’s Working Opal Mine; working the mines; Desert Cave Hotel; Wrightsair Scenic Flight over Anna Creek Painted Hills.

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soutH AustrAliA | DA Recommends

Adelaide Central Market

The Adelaide Central Market has been celebrating the best in local food and local culture for 145 years. Discover iconic dishes, learn from traders about their cultural and gastronomic connections with food, sample the freshest local produce or simply rediscover an authentic market experience. Open Tuesday – Saturday every week. Visit the website for details and trading hours. adelaidecentralmarket.com.au

DA RECOMMENDS

EDITOr’S PICKS

CALYPSO STAR CHARTERS Awarded South Australia’s Best Adventure Tour and Tourist Attraction in 2016 and 2017, Calypso Star Charters operate Advanced Eco Certified marine wildlife encounters in Port Lincoln. Established in 1990, they have a proud history of providing safe, exciting and sustainable Shark Cage Diving and Swimming with Sealion tours. sharkcagediving.com.au

QualityCHOCOLATES

ROOFCLIMB ADELAIDE OVAL

Established in 1915, Haigh’s is Australia’s oldest family-owned chocolate maker and is committed to the art of premium quality chocolate making from the cocoa bean at their Adelaide manufacturing facility.

Meticulous artisan production methods are used along with quality ingredients to create more than 250 delicious chocolate products.

An unforgettable adventure awaits with this exhilarating adventure across Adelaide Oval’s iconic roofline. Enjoy picturesque views of the city and beyond before testing your nerve if you choose, with a lean out point 50 metres above the ground. Take your pick from a twilight climb with sparkling city lights or daytime views as far as the eye can see. A must-do for all visitors and without a doubt the best way to see and learn about Adelaide.

haighschocolates.com.au

roofclimb.com.au

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DA Recommends | soutH AustrAliA

THE SELLER DOOR Located in the popular seaside setting of Jetty Road, Brighton, The Seller Door showcases South Australian ‘small batch’ producers, with over 100 independent SA brands within its market, each one used to ‘hero’ the food created within the cafe, giving patrons a ‘taste of SA’.

The Seller Door is passionate about providing a range of healthy bites, nutritious smoothies and regional platters, with plenty more in store, including small batch liquor producers and ‘meet the winemaker’ nights. thesellerdoor.com.au

SWEET SENSATION The Kangaroo Island Ligurian Honey Collection harnesses the healing properties of honey, well known to the ancient civilisations of the world.

The rare, pure honey of the Ligurian bees is prized for its hypoallergenic, moisturising, antiseptic and antioxidant properties. This popular collection contains organic honey from the world’s sole remaining pure strain of Ligurian bees, on Kangaroo Island. Paying homage to the bees’ European origins, it is enlivened with the tangy scent of Italian blood oranges. cocco.com.au

DA RECOMMENDS

EDITOr’S PICKS

CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN WELL-MADE WINES Few cellar doors give Maxwell’s holistic wine experience. Perched atop the winery, you have a window into its soul. While Mark Maxwell and his team proudly introduce you to their range of wines and mead, either informally or through a personally guided wine flight, you may glimpse an infant vintage start its journey in the fermenters.

Discover the nuances brought about by time, terroir and talent over a tasting plate accompanied by the scents and sounds of the winery below.

Rigoni’s Bistro is a unique Adelaide dining institution, still serving the classic Italian dishes that made Rigoni’s famous, along with modern Italian inspired cuisine.

Situated in the historic and beautifully restored Leigh Street, a short stroll from the city’s major hotels and equally convenient to Adelaide’s CBD, theatre precinct and central markets. No matter what your mood, Rigoni’s has something to offer everyone. rigonis.com.au

1 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia maxwellwines.com.au destinations australia | 127

Tasmania | Hobart

THE BIG

Picture

I

nnovative and creative, Perth has been shaped by colonial beginnings and mining booms. Nestled on the banks of the majestic Swan River, the city is blessed with both abundant natural beauty and the delights of an ever-expanding metropolis. Make the most of the region’s temperate climate by exploring the walking and cycling tracks that follow the winding waterway, or join the frolicking dolphins on the river itself – windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking and canoeing are all popular. When your legs grow weary, jump on one of the free Central Area Transit (CAT) buses operating within the city centre of Perth, Fremantle and Joodalup.

Start your Perth experience at the newly revitalised State Buildings precinct, formally identified as the Old Treasury Buildings. The space is filled with carefully curated retail stores, bar and restaurant offerings and the luxurious COMO The Treasury.

Barely a stone’s throw from the CBD lies the world’s largest inner-city nature reserve, Kings Park, which abounds with picnic spaces, conservation gardens, bushland, a treetop walk and an Aboriginal art gallery, not to mention some of the best views of the city and river in town.

The cultural heart of Perth is Northbridge, boasting cool laneway bars, offbeat stores and Asian and European eateries aplenty. It’s also home to the ever-colourful Perth Cultural Centre, where the Art Gallery of Western Australia, State Museum, State Library, and State Theatre Centre dazzle audiences on a daily basis.

Connecting Perth CBD with Northbridge for the first time in 100 years, the Perth City Link includes the newest major public precinct, Yagan Square. Named after prominent Noongar leader Yagan, it’s a celebration of WA history, culture and landscape.

Sports fans will want to make sure they experience Perth’s newest arena, the state-of-the-art 60,000-seat Optus Stadium, a world class venue that puts WA on the sporting map. Take a tour of the facility, or explore the surrounding Stadium Park, which offers stunning views of the Swan River and Perth CBD (optusstadium.com.au).

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For incredible views of the city skyline and a great walk along the Swan, head to South Perth, also home to the Perth Zoo and a host of great cafes, shops and restaurants.

Other inner-city hotspots include Leederville and Mount Lawley, vibrant villages in their own right, where you’ll find cool boutiques, outdoor bars and happening nightlife, along with latte-sipping fashionistas spilling out onto Oxford and Beaufort streets.

The western suburbs of Subiaco and Claremont deliver big on the fashion and fine-dining fronts, while Nedlands offers a slower pace, set off by the beautiful University of Western Australia.

The vibe changes again when you hit Fremantle, a bohemian portside town with a strong European influence. Renowned for its cafe culture and waterfront dining, Fremantle also has a thriving arts and live music scene, with venues showcasing the best of the state’s creative talent.

A short ferry ride from the mainland, Rottnest Island is a Mediterranean style holiday spot that is almost car-free and favoured by locals and visitors alike for its friendly island vibe and unique plant and animal life, including the famous quokka. Hire a bike and find your own patch of sand on one of many pristine beach coves, perfect for snorkelling, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding or simply lazing about.

North of Fremantle is the Sunset Coast, which encompasses the city’s famous beaches, including Cottesloe and the revitalised Scarborough beachfront, with new restaurants, cafes, shops, entertainment and the Scarborough Pool Facility at its centre. Another family highlight is Hilary’s Boat Harbour with its secluded bay, giant waterslide, shopping and dining boardwalk, and evening carnival atmosphere (hillarysboatharbour.com.au).

Thirty minutes from the CBD is the famous Swan Valley region, where local produce, art, history and wine come together in a setting of rolling hills and expansive pastures.

Follow the award-winning Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail and discover wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, cafes and markets over a glorious 32kilometre scenic drive. DA

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM WA / IMAGES: shutterstock.com

The capital of Australia’s largest state, Perth combines the natural splendour of beaches and parklands with a vibrant creative scene and thriving nightlife

Hobart | Tasmania

PERTH’S TOP 5

1

Hit the beach. Perth’s beaches are renowned for good reason. Head to iconic Cottesloe Beach for swimming, snorkelling, surfing or sunset drinks, or join the surfers, body-boarders, kite surfers and windsurfers who flock to Scarborough Beach.

2

Explore on foot. Discover the city’s secret hot spots on a walking tour of Perth with Two Feet & A Heartbeat. From exploring the small bar scene, to art and culture, arcades and laneways, there’s a tour for every temperament (twofeet.com.au).

3 4

Go for gold. Share in the fascinating history of Western Australian gold and stock up on exquisite jewellery and gifts at the Perth Mint, home to the world’s largest collection of gold bars (perthmint.com.au).

Be entertained. Experience sporting glory and world-class bands at the new Optus Stadium (optusstadium.com.au), and Perth Arena (pertharena.com.au), or settle in for a magical evening of outdoor cinema at Somerville Auditorium from November to April (theatres.uwa.edu.au/venues/Somerville).

5

Visit Penguin Island. Just 45 minutes south of Perth, this is one of Australia’s premier nature-based tourism destinations, and home to the little penguin. Get up close at one of three daily Penguin feedings at the Discovery Centre (penguinisland.com.au).

Cottesloe Beach

Two Feet & A Heartbeat Perth Arena

Perth Mint

Penguin Island

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Spoiled for choice Unearth local designs, high street value and vintage treasures at Perth’s inner city villages and weekend markets

T

here’s plenty of home grown talent on show in the Western Australian capital, the trick is knowing which retail hub, shopping strip or mall is the match for you and your own sense of style. The greatest breadth of retailers can be found in Perth CBD. King Street dominates as a luxury retail strip, with boutiques such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co, while glamorous Wesley Quarter is home to Burberry, Armani and other big name fashion brands. This area of the city is known as the West End, an essential stop if you love high-end designer shopping.

The Murray Street and Hay Street malls have your bigger department stores covered, including Zara and recently opened H&M, as well as being home to distinctive arcades such as Carillon City, Piccadilly Arcade and Trinity Arcade.

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With its Tudor façade and ornate clocks, London Court is both a tourist attraction and shopping destination, brimming with antique, fashion, jewellery and collectibles stores, while neighbouring Enex100 offers a brilliant contrast with its modern design and equally modern fashion retailers.

The newly opened State Buildings in Perth’s CBD house outstanding craftsmen, artisans and makers who are passionate about their products and proud of their WA heritage, including Rohan Jewellery (statebuildings.com).

Featuring an eco-friendly design, 140 is a constantly evolving precinct on the Perth landscape. Situated on the corner of William and Murray Street Mall, atop the Perth Underground Railway Station, it is packed with food, art, and shopping options, along with services such as a dental clinic (140.com.au).

Shopping | Western Australia

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA / IMAGES: Tourism Western Australia

LOCAL GEMS Northbridge is not only a cultural haven but also a popular haunt for those seeking retail therapy, and just a stone’s throw from the city centre. Here you’ll find local designers, bespoke tailors and a number of vintage and retro outlets in the stores that line William Street and surrounds.

Further north is Mt Lawley, popular for its range of one-off furniture and homeware stores and eclectic fashion boutiques, while a similarly offbeat retail vibe can be found in Leederville.

Subiaco blends a village atmosphere with a cosmopolitan penchant for high style.

Most of the great fashion finds are dotted along Rokeby Road and Hay Street, where you’ll also discover high-end furnishings and gourmet fare.

Luxury retail is the name of the game in Claremont where you’ll find a wide range of stylish, upmarket boutiques down Bayview Terrace and St Quentin Avenue. At the heart of it all is Claremont Quarter, which attracts some of the best-dressed people in town with its sparkling retail experience.

Funky Fremantle offers an eclectic shopping experience, with plenty of great cafes to keep you going. Queen Victoria Street in North Fremantle is your go-to destination for antiques and collectibles, while High Street and the surrounding lanes will have you stumbling upon small fashion, giftware and gourmet produce outlets. Keep an eye out for celebrated WA designers Flannel, Morrison and Garth Cook.

Housed in a former department store, MANY 2.0 is home to artists, craftsmen, fashion designers, food and beverage couturiers.

Fremantle Markets are a must-do.

Get your fill of fresh produce alongside homewares, fashion, handcrafts and more (fremantlemarkets.com.au).

MARKETS & MORE For all your shopping needs under one roof, head to the shopping malls in Perth’s outer suburbs. With over 170 stores, Karrinyup Shopping Centre is one of the biggest (karrinyupcentre.com.au), while Garden City Booragoon in the south is more upmarket, with designer boutiques and fine food outlets (gardencity.com.au).

Westfield Shopping Centres in Cannington, Innaloo and Whitford City cater to your everyday shopping needs (westfield.com.au), or grab a bargain at Watertown, a discount outlet shopping centre on the outskirts of the CBD (watertownbrandoutlet.com.au). Perth’s second largest shopping centre, Centro Galleria in Morley, impresses with big department stores, supermarkets and food outlets (centrogalleria.com.au).

For an open air shopping spree, visit Perth Home Grown, a weekly Sunday market in Murray Street Mall. DA

LEFT TO RIGHT: Murray Street Mall, Craftworks at Galleria Markets, London Court shopping arcade; King Street, Perth.

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西澳大利亚州 | 购物

缤纷佳选 在珀斯的市内村庄与周末集市探寻当地设计、高街精品以及古董珍品 国王大街 (King Street) 是中心商务区的繁华零售 大街，街边坐落着各种精品店，如香奈儿、路易威登 和蒂芙尼；Wesley Quarter 购物中心则汇集了博柏 利、阿玛尼和其他时装大牌，散发着自己的时尚魅 力。 墨累街 (Murray Street) 和海伊街 (Hay Street) 商场区内坐落着较大的品牌店，如 Zara 和 H&M； 这里还有独特的拱廊商场，如 Carillon City 购物中 心、皮卡迪利商场 (Piccadilly Arcade) 和特里尼蒂商 场 (Trinity Arcade)。 伦敦阁 (London Court) 有着浓郁的都铎风格和华 丽的时钟，是旅游胜地与购物天堂的完美结合，其中 遍布古董店、时装店、珠宝店和收藏品商店，与附近 Enex100 购物中心的现代设计风格和现代时装零售店 形成了强烈的对比。 珀斯中心商务区新开发的政府大楼 (State Buildings) 购物区汇集了出色的手工艺者、工匠和创作者，他们对 自己的产品怀有激情并且对西澳大利亚州的文化传承深 感自豪，罗涵珠宝店 (Rohan Jewellery) (statebuildings.com) 便是其中的代表之一。 140 购物小巷采用生态友好型的设计风格，是珀斯 市内不断发展的一片购物区。该购物小巷坐落在威廉 街 (William Street) 和墨累街商场的拐角处、珀斯 地下火车站的上方，街边购物地点众多，还售卖各种 美味食物和艺术品，此外还有牙科诊所等诸多服务设 施 (140.com.au)。

当地瑰宝 在北桥 (Northbridge)，购物者可以在威廉街和周 边发现很多当地的设计师时装店、可定制的制衣店和 不计其数的怀旧复古商店。 再往北上是劳力山 (Mount Lawley)，这里因众多 一次性家具和家居用品店及独特的时装精品店而远近 闻名；而在利德维尔 (Leederville) 则可以体验到同 样另类的零售购物氛围。 苏比亚克 (Subiaco) 将各国高端时尚品牌与闲逸 的村庄氛围相结合。大多数新奇的时装购物场所都坐 落在罗克比路 (Rokeby Road) 和海伊街 (Hay Street) 上，这里还有高端的家具店和美食店。 克莱蒙 (Claremont) 主推奢华的购物体验，这里 的海湾美景台地 (Bay View Terrace) 和圣昆廷大道 (St Quentin Avenue) 分布着众多的时尚高档精品 店。该购物区的中心是 Claremont Quarter，这里吸 引了城镇中大批穿着精致且有着丰富购物经验的购物 人群。

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时髦弗里曼特尔 (Funky Fremantle) 提供独特的购 物体验，这里有众多的咖啡馆可供购物者休息，然后继 续购物。北弗里曼特尔 (North Fremantle) 维多利亚 女王街 (Queen Victoria Street) 的古董店和收藏品商 店远近闻名，这里的繁华商业大街和周围的小巷互纵横 交错，邂逅的精致时装店、礼品店与美食店让你惊喜连 连。在这里，还可以一睹西澳大利亚州著名设计师 Flannel、Morrison 和 Garth Cook 作品的风采。 弗里曼特尔集市 (Fremantle Markets) 是不容错过的 精彩去处。集市上还售卖新鲜果蔬、家居用品、时装、 手工艺品等多种商品 (fremantlemarkets.com.au)。

市场等精彩体验 卡林亚普购物中心 (Karrinyup Shopping Centre) 坐拥 170 多家商铺，是最大的购物中心之一 (karrinyupcentre.com.au)；南部的布拉格恩花园城市购 物中心 (Garden City Booragoon) 则更为高端，内有 设计师品牌精品店和高级食品店 (gardencity.com.au)。 康宁顿 (Cannington)、意那鲁区 (Innaloo) 和怀 特福特市 (Whitford City) 的韦斯特菲尔德购物中心 (Westfield Shopping Centres) 可以满足购物者日 常购物的需求 (westfield.com.au)，购物者也可以 在沃特敦 (Watertown) 中央商务区 (watertownbrandoutlet.com.au) 外围购物中心的 折扣店中体验淘折价货的乐趣。莫利 (Morley) 的 Centro Galleria 是珀斯的第二大购物中心， 这里有着大型百货商场、超市和食品店铺 (centrogalleria.com.au)。DA

Eat & Drink | WESTERN AUSTRALIA

wine bar tapas time

NEW NORMAL

STRANGE COMPANY Adding to Fremantle’s small bar scene, Strange Company has already made quite an impression, attracting a loyal following of regulars and rave reviews. Strange Company offers an extensive selection of local and international beer, cider, wine (even some on tap) and cocktails matched with a mouth-watering share style tapas menu.

A wonderfully welcoming atmosphere has been created with a cosy blend of traditional and trendy design features.

5 Nairn Street, Fremantle strangecompany.com.au

A community-focused wine bar with an emphasis on sustainability and a dedication to eliminating waste, the New Normal delivers a simple, modern menu, with all produce sourced from Australia’s south west. Dishes have been inspired by the seasons, the wine list features exclusively West Australian drops. It’s located in one of Subiaco’s oldest commercial tenancies, the iconic Simon Chugg building, where you can settle in at either the intimate dining room or rooftop terrace.

(08) 9381 8652 2/23 Railway Road, Subiaco anewnormal.com.au

Perth’s awarded food and wine scene is experiencing a dining boom, with a strong commitment to local produce and new venues sprouting on every corner

modern australian classic italian GAZETTE A new modern Italian venture inside the Print Hall Building, Perth’s Gazette is inspired by the vibrancy of Roman culture, with a focus on traditional, hearty dishes. A Josper oven forms the centrepiece of the kitchen, firing charcoal grilled Margaret River veal and prime cuts of beef. Regional ingredients feature across the menu – try a salad of charcoal-grilled WA cuttlefish, or Fremantle octopus with locally sourced chorizo.

Hand-made pizzas and pastas round out the menu – just as you’d expect from this modern twist on classic Italian dining.

(08) 6282 0000 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth printhall.com.au/gazette

LOT TWENTY Located in the heart of the cultural precinct, this small bar is housed in a two-storey heritagelisted building, and features a modern warehouse style interior with edgy decor and a range of spaces to catch up with friends. Diners can choose from bar snacks, share plates, gourmet sandwiches, burgers and main meals made with premium WA produce, such as locally caught seafood, farm fresh lamb, beef, chicken, pork, vegetables, eggs and cheese. The beverage list is also extensive with a range of cocktails, jugs, local and imported beer, wine and cider.

(08) 6162 1195 198-206 William Street, Northbridge lot20.co

Western Australia | Arts & Culture

Creative

State

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM Established in 1891 in the Old Perth Gaol, the Western Australian Museum has a history as colourful as its collections. Currently closed to the public while they create the New Museum for WA, it is scheduled to open in 2020.

You can still find the Western Australian Museum in a range of surprising locations in the metropolitan area, including the Perth Concert Hall and State Library of WA Discover Zone. Touring exhibitions may attract admission fees, but general entry is free, with donations appreciated. museum.wa.gov.au ART GALLERY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA With an emphasis on art from Australia and the Indian Ocean Rim, the Art Gallery of Western Australia occupies three heritage buildings within the Perth Cultural Centre, which is also home to the Western Australian Museum, the Library and Information Service of Western Australia, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and Blue Room Theatre. It houses the State Art Collection, which includes one of the world’s finest collections of Indigenous art, Western Australian art and design, and local and touring exhibitions. artgallery.wa.gov.au

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PERTH INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART (PICA) Just a stone’s throw from the Art Gallery of WA is PICA, a boundary-defying gallery that runs a yearlong program of solo and group exhibitions by leading Australian and international artists, as well as dance and thought-provoking theatre performances. Entry to PICA is free and the program changes regularly. pica.org.au ABORIGINAL ART GALLERY Located in Kings Park, the Aboriginal Art Gallery gives visitors the opportunity to meet Aboriginal artists and observe them at work, as well as listening to their stories unfold in music and dance. Local and international visitors have a chance to be part of the reconciliation between Australia’s original inhabitants and those who have made this country their home over the past 200 years. aboriginalgallery.com.au LINTON & KAY GALLERIES With galleries in Subiaco and the Old Perth Technical School, Linton & Kay host an impressive collection of fine

TEXT: TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE: Tourism Western Australia

Perth’s rich cultural landscape spans music, theatre, comedy, dance and visual art, along with a growing street art scene that is slowly but surely garnering an international reputation

art, which is complemented by a range of exhibitions and events. Polished timber floors, natural light and white walls make for an uplifting gallery experience, not to mention the world-class art on show. Linton & Kay specialise in contemporary painting, sculpture and Aboriginal art. lintonandkay.com.au MUSIC & THEATRE The world-class Perth Arena west of the CBD is your go-to venue for big name acts (pertharena.com.au), while the elegant State Theatre Centre in Northbridge stages contemporary theatre and dance, including shows by the state’s flagship theatre company Black Swan (statetheatrecentrewa.com.au). Perth’s new state-of-the-art 60,000 seat Optus Stadium, located east of the CBD on the Burswood Peninsula, is a world-class multi-purpose venue with a variety of live entertainment.

If you enjoy concerts and orchestral music, be sure to catch a show at the Perth Concert Hall in the CBD (perthconcerthall.com.au). Equally grand, His Majesty’s Theatre is the only remaining working Edwardian theatre in Australia and is home to WA Opera and touring theatre productions (hismajestystheatre.com.au).

The Blue Room Theatre stages smaller, edgier, locally produced comedy and theatre (blueroom.org.au), while Mt Lawley’s Astor Theatre is a live music venue, comedy space and movie theatre in one, and a local institution (astortheatreperth.com.au). Lovers of the arts will also want to check out Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Theatre Company, the West Australian Ballet, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. DA

AD

MAIN IMAGE: Linton & Kay Gallery, Mandoon Estate.

STREET ART Formerly disused heritage buildings and laneways throughout Perth are now home to vibrant public street art thanks to independent, not-for-profit organisation FORM (form.net.au). As part of the group’s PUBLIC program, more than 80 walls across Perth and surrounding suburbs have become a canvas for local, interstate and international artists. Head to Grand Lane and Wolf Lane in the CDB, and the streets of Northbridge and Leederville for the best of Perth’s street art.

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Western Australia | Attractions

Western

Wonders KINGS PARK AND BOTANIC GARDENS

CAVERSHAM WILDLIFE PARK

Perched on the crest of Mt Eliza in West Perth, this is one of the largest inner city parks in the world, with 400 hectares of natural bush, parks and sculpted gardens. Pack a picnic, walk the trails or enjoy tailor-made playgrounds for kids of all ages. bgpa.wa.gov.au

Hand-feed kangaroos, take part in the interactive farm show, catch a keeper talk or have your picture taken with a koala at this unique private wildlife park, where you can visit over 200 species in a walk-through environment. cavershamwildlife.com.au

ROTTNEST ISLAND SEGWAY TOUR

ROCKINGHAM WILD ENCOUNTERS

A short ferry ride from Perth is idyllic Rottnest Island.

Here you can take a guided Segway Tour to cruise around some of the most beautiful landscape in Western Australia. Explore the island’s most spectacular bays, beaches and attractions, and be enchanted by Rotto’s unique marsupial resident – the quokka. segwaytourswa.com.au/rottnest

Based on the shores of spectacular Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, 45 minutes south of Perth, Rockingham Wild Encounters operates a ferry service to Penguin Island, and a range of cruises to get up close and personal with the local dolphins, sea lions and penguins. rockinghamwildencounters.com.au

SCITECH PERTH ZOO Just a few kilometres from the city centre on the banks of the Swan River, Perth Zoo’s exhibits range from native wildlife to South American primates, Sumatran orang-utans and big and furry Sun Bears. Take a guided Zebra Car tour or attend a keeper talk for insights into your favourite animals. perthzoo.wa.gov.au

AQUARIUM OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (AQWA) Visit Australia’s largest aquarium and underwater tunnel, with giant sharks, stingrays, turtles and living coral reefs.

Get up close to these amazing marine creatures or witness feeding sessions undertaken by the experienced divers on staff. Perched on Hilary’s Boat Harbour, the Aquarium provides a fascinating insight into the WA coastline. aqwa.com.au

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This interactive science centre houses the largest planetarium in Australia, with over 100 hands-on exhibits encouraging visitors to explore the science world, along with interactive puppet shows about dinosaurs and animals. scitech.org.au

FREMANTLE PRISON Spanning six hectares, this is the largest and most intact convict-built prison in Australia, as well as having being WA’s only World Heritage-listed building.

View restored cells, prison art and underground tunnels and take a tour with an experienced guide. fremantleprison.com.au FROM TOP: Kings Park; Quokka on Rottnest Island; Rottnest Island beaches.

TEXT: TOURISM WA AND CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES: shutterstock.com, Rottnest Island Authority

Wander through lush parks and gardens, take part in animal encounters, visit museums and historic monuments or escape to Rottnest Island

An experience rich in heritage.

Built in 1899, The Perth Mint is Australia’s oldest operating mint and Perth’s premier destination where you can experience the magic, allure and wonder of gold.

• Come and experience Western Australia’s rich golden history.

• See the world’s largest gold coin – 1 tonne of pure gold valued at over $50 million.

• Witness the spectacle of a traditional gold pour in our original melting house.

• Touch more than $500,000 of pure gold bullion.

• Marvel at precious metal coins being minted before your eyes.

• Purchase unique Western Australian treasures including exquisite Argyle Pink Diamonds and Kailis Australian Pearls. Tax free sales available.

Mention this ad and receive a

FREE gif on entry.

Open 7 Days from 9am to 5pm Gold Exhibition – Shop – Café

perthmint.com/visit

BROOME Insider

Paul Birch

From winemaker to master pearler, Paul Birch has led a colourful career in some of Australia’s most coveted destinations. He lets us in on the secrets of pearl farming and his new hometown of Broome I’ve always been keen on anything to do with the ocean. I joined Willie Creek Pearls in 2014, and initially my role was focused on tourism and hospitality, but it quickly developed into the commercial pearling side of things. With my winemaking and production experience from Australia and the Mediterranean, I was keen to roll up my sleeves and get stuck into that area (williecreekpearls.com.au).

To create cultured pearls we start with a live oyster, which is either collected from the wild or reared in a hatchery before being deployed to sea to grow to ‘seeding’ size. Technicians make a surgical incision and insert a nucleus along with a small piece of donor tissue from another sacrificial oyster. A pearl sac forms around the nucleus and fills with nacre [also known as mother of pearl] which layers and hardens over time.

With careful attention and a bit of luck, in two years’ time we’ll have a brilliant, lustrous pearl. This process can be repeated 3-4 times with each oyster. The harvest is the first time this gem will have been seen by anyone, so it’s a pretty special moment. What you see is what you get – it just gets a clean and polish, and that’s it.

The unique conditions in this part of the world are what make Australian South Sea pearls so special.

The pristine waters and abundance of food allows them to grow into large, high quality pearls, and the variance in ocean temperatures allows for complex crystals to form in matrixes of different density, giving pearls their lustre.

Willie Creek has developed into a destination in its own right, with great hospitality and experiences like scenic helicopter flights where you can spot whales and other wildlife. My team doesn’t let me do public tours because they reckon I get too passionate and talk for too long! I typically take special guests on excursions out to the main sea lease, around 10 nautical miles north of Willie Creek.

I’m a big believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so when in Broome, I’d suggest starting your morning at The Zookeepers

Store for one of the town’s best breakfasts and coffee after a solid Cable Beach walk and swim (zks.com.au).

Broome has a strong morning culture, so this could be done in time for an early pickup to do a Discover Broome Tour, followed by a Pearling Master’s high tea, or a Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour, topped off with a scenic helicopter ride.

After a full day, Cable Beach’s Sunset Bar offers the best opportunity to relax and reflect, (cablebeachclub.com).

If your visit coincides with a full moon, get a glimpse of the Staircase to the Moon from Town Beach, followed by some Asian tucker at the Staircase Night Markets.

Stargazers should also check out Greg Quick’s Astro Tours (astrotours.net).

If you have a few extra days, I recommend doing the rounds in the southwest to experience the food and wine scene from Dunsbrough to Margaret River, a day trip to the Blackwood and then hitting the Kimberley.

Gantheaume Point Beach is my favourite outdoor spot. It’s unique to be able to drive your car down on the hard white beach sand, and play a bit of cricket or kick the rugby, footy or soccer ball with the kids. Take drinks break at the car when required; it’d be hard to find a better angle on the sun’s disappearing act.

If you’re a keen game fisherman, then Broome is your place. It has an astonishing presence of sailfish and smaller black marlin in reasonable proximity to the coast. In most cases whatever you’re doing, it’s accompanied by some unparalleled wildlife and scenery.

For me, the best time of year in Broome is May. The dry season easterlies haven’t kicked in too hard yet and the sailfish are normally very close to the coast.

There’s a welcome change in the climate as things cool down and become less humid. It’s also close to harvest time, which I get really excited about – time to breathe a sigh of relief and see the result of two years’ worth of attention.

Broome is … warm, scenic, spectacular, abundant and relaxed. DA

TEXT COMPILED BY CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE: SUPPLIED

Insider | WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The unique conditions in this part of the world are what make Australian South Sea pearls so special.

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Western

With some of Australia’s most enviable beaches, world-renowned wine country and countless natural curiosities, this sprawling state could keep you busy for a lifetime

TEXT: WESTERNAUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGE: shutterstock.com

Wonders

Regional | Western Australia

BROOME AND THE NORTH WEST The azure waters and pristine sands of Broome’s Cable Beach span 22 kilometres. Here, you can witness the Staircase to the Moon from March to October, when the full moon rises over the exposed mudflats, creating the optical illusion of a staircase reaching towards the heavens. This region is also home to the Kimberley, one of Australia’s ancient landscapes, with natural attractions including beehive-like Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, the Horizontal Waterfalls, and the southern hemisphere’s largest freshwater lake.

you’ll find granite headlands, rugged coastline, and the impressive Pink Lake, which gets its colour from a high algae concentration, and makes for great photos when viewed from the lookout. Three hundred kilometres inland from Perth, Wave Rock is a granite cliff that stands 15 metres high and 110 metres long, and looks like a giant surf wave coming at you. For more sculptural surprises, visit the salt flats of Lake Ballard near Menzies to see life-size figures created by world-renowned artist Antony Gormley in the world’s largest outdoor gallery.

THE CORAL COAST

MARGARET RIVER AND THE SOUTH WEST

Discover World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, where the oldest living marine fossils were discovered in Hamelin Pool, or swim with majestic whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef from March to July. Tours depart from the coastal towns of Exmouth and Coral Bay, but be sure to book early. At Monkey Mia, wild dolphins swim into shore daily and frolic with tourists. Shell Beach is a memorable stop, with a unique shoreline formed by billions of tiny shells, while Nambung National Park offers unforgettable views of the Pinnacles, eerie limestone spires that rise from kilometres of desert sand. True explorers will love the deserted islands of the Dampier Archipelago and the Abrolhos Islands west of Geraldton.

KALGOORLIE AND THE GOLDEN OUTBACK

Just three hours from Perth by car, this bio-diverse region is truly unique. Head south along the coast stopping in at friendly seaside towns including Busselton with its picturesque 1.8 kilometre jetty, safe beaches and an Underwater Observatory. Or Dunsborough and Yallingup, which offer a more upmarket experience of boutique retailers, fine dining and retreats.

In Margaret River, fertile soils and a Mediterranean climate create prime conditions for award winning wines and produce. Spend a weekend hopping between the cellar doors and restaurants of some of the world’s best wineries, then work it off when you hit the surf at beaches from Prevelly to Yallingup, or go whale watching in season (June-September). DA

The Golden Outback gets its name from its gold rush history – best experienced in the mining town of Kalgoorlie – along with its golden beaches and coastline. On its southern tip is Esperance, where local kangaroos can be seen sunbathing with beach-goers on brilliant white sand beaches.

Explore the surrounding national parks and

MAIN IMAGE: Sunset camel train, Cable Beach, WA.

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HIDDEN treasures Beguiling Broome is so much more than Cable Beach.

Fleur Bainger goes in search of the resort town’s best-kept secrets

M

ost visitors to Broome spend all their time on the sands of its famous beach, or browsing the South Sea pearl boutiques. Few realise that this outback beach town also harbours dinosaur footprints in the rocks, rare snubfin dolphins in the bay, plus pearl farms, a moonbeam lightshow, and more. Here are some of Broome’s best local secrets.

Walk in the footprints of dinosaurs Broome is home to some of the largest and most diverse dinosaur footprints in the world, which are estimated to have been laid some 130 million years ago.

The giant prints have been fossilised in rocky surfaces all over the place, but you’ll never notice them without the help of an expert guide. During a one-hour tour you can travel over tidal flats to some of the best

examples in a huge hovercraft, with expert commentary from its driver (broomehovercraft.com.au).

Cruise with rare dolphins Documentary maker David Attenborough recently scanned Broome’s turquoise Roebuck Bay in search of snubfin dolphins.

They’re a rare type of dolphin, with a rounded nose and fins.

Contents

The Luxury Guide 2018/19

2

THE HOUR GLASS

Exploring independent watchmaking

4

WATCH EXPERT

10

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

12

Diamond EXPERT

The Hour Glass

Musson

10 14

opal expert

Damien Cody of The National Opal Collection

16 The National

Opal collection

20

4

INDULGENCE Shopping, Travel & Little Luxuries

30 Advertisers’ Index

12

8

Jellyfish Wrists

Galaxy Dials &

Exploring Independent watchmaking with The Hour Glass

D

e Bethune makes a watch with a constellation on the dial, customisable to the sky as it’s seen in your hometown.

MB&F makes ‘machines’, cutting edge timepieces that push the boundaries of both watchmaking and design. Meanwhile, Urwerk made a watch called the UR-210 Amadeus. The whole case is hand engraved in 18th century-styled baroque detailing by master engraver Florian Güllert.

It took Florian 260 hours to complete.

Welcome to the world of independent watchmaking, where design, cutting edge technology and a touch of magic all come together to create rare, exceptionally made timepieces.

Watchmaking culture is very much

at the centre of these independent brands Innovation goes not only into the finishing but the movement and the ‘way’ these pieces tell the time. Unburdened by history, independent watchmaking pays respects to horological innovations made in years past, whilst embodying an almost a start-up type mentality towards shaking up the industry. For instance, this year at Baselworld (the biggest event on the watchmaking calendar), MB&F in collaboration with L’Epée introduced a weather station (called The Fifth Element) that looks more like a spaceship. It even comes complete with its very own space captain – his name is Ross, by the way. For a brand that refers to its collaborators as friends, there is a youthful optimism and rejection to sit still and accept the status quo. And only a few months later, Max Busser and his Friends launched another HM7 Aquapod Ti Green (Ref: 70.TGL.B) AUST RRP: $166,400

contact us THE HOUR GLASS TEL: 1300 468 745 @thehourglass.australia

jellyfish-inspired watch, this time around made in titanium and with a bright green bezel.

The Hour Glass is in a unique position within the Australian watch market to comment on the independent watchmaking scene. Urwerk, MB&F, De Bethune are all exclusive to The Hour Glass, a position that fits very much in line with their commitment towards furthering the appreciation of watchmaking culture.

Watchmaking culture is very much at the centre of these independent brands, with the founders often serving as an inspirational face of the company, steering the creative and technical genius behind each brand.

Max Busser finds his inspiration through memories of his childhood and pop culture. Urwerk, headed by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei is inspired by sundials and unconventional ways to tell the time. For example, their first watch, the R-101, ambitiously displays time on an arc, replicating the path of the sun across the sky.

As for De Bethune, no other watchmaker captures the alluring beauty of the cosmos and puts that on the dial of a watch. Some watchmakers look to the sky and the sun, De Bethune looks to the galaxy.

Driven by passion and a true love for fine watchmaking, no compromises are made with these watchmakers.

Limited production numbers make all of the above brands extremely rare and very collectable for both beginners and seasoned professionals alike. History in the making.

AN HOUR GLASS PROMOTION

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1. MB&F The Fifth Element

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2. The Fifth Element Alien Pilot Ross 3. HM7 Aquapod Ti Green

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4 & 5. De Bethune DB25

Starry Varius 6.

DB27 Titan Hawk V2

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7. Urwerk UR-210 Amadeus 8. UR-210 Royal Hawk

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Watch Expert | The Hour Glass

Complication

Guide

The not-so-complicated guide to complications

C

omplicated watches may be intricate, expertly made and highly decorated. A wristwatch may be all of the above, yet a true complicated watch is essentially feature rich.

A complication can best be thought of in the context of a mobile phone. Mobile phones feature apps: compass app; camera app; the list goes on. Each application performs a task.

Now replace “phone” with “watch” and “app” with “complication”. Complicated watches do much more than tell the time.

The popularity behind complicated watches is due largely in part to their

usefulness.

De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon The De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon has a mono-pusher 24-hour chronograph with five hands De Bethune DB25 Perpetual Calendar The DB25 Perpetual Calendar from De Bethune features a three-dimensional moonphase indicator

4

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Luxury

The popularity behind complicated watches is due largely in part to their usefulness. A GMT complication (Greenwich mean time) enables you to keep track of a second time zone. Unsurprisingly, GMT watches are extremely popular with international travellers, pilots and those with loved ones living in different time zones. “Mean time” is a relatively new concept, dating back to 1884. Yet it was with the popularisation of international air-travel that necessitated the need for a GMT complication on wristwatches.

But perhaps keeping track of the time in London isn’t as important to you as measuring the duration of your Sunday morning bicycle ride. A chronograph (best thought of as a stopwatch) measures elapsed time through manipulation of pushers on the side of the watch. A chronograph however, shouldn’t Guide

2018/19

be confused with a chronometer. A chronometer is not so much a complication, but a title assigned to a watch which has met certain precision standards. Nevertheless, there are some fine chronograph chronometers on the market, combining functionality with accuracy.

Chronographs and GMT’s aside, perhaps the most romantic of the movements is the moonphase. Doing as its name implies, moonphase complications add an artistic and visual representation of time unmatched by other complications. Our fascination with these little apertures, mirror our ancestor’s reliance on the cycle of the moon to indicate the passing of the month. Mostly sought after for their artistic merit nowadays, moonphase watches indicate that our desire for complications doesn’t have to be limited by sheer practicality alone.

Expert advice In seeking a watch with additional complications, it’s important to be mindful of your lifestyle and when you will be wearing your new timepiece.

Moonphase watches veer on the dressy side of watchmaking and thus tend to boast lower levels of water resistance, whereas GMT and chronograph feature watches were developed to be used in aviation and other active pursuits.

Not only do these watches tend to have higher levels of water resistance, it is common to include greater use of luminescent coating on the hands and hour markers and feature highly contrasting and legible dials. Most importantly, don’t let function dictate your choice. Watchmaking is also an art, and many a collection were built with an aesthetic goal in mind.

I adore

MB&F Sherman When was the last time you had a grin on your face after checking the time?

Perhaps that was years ago after you first learnt to tell the time. Sherman, the little robot with fully articulating arms tells the time and does it in a most charming manner. It’s difficult not to walk away smiling. His rubber caterpillar tracks are fully functional and, with a little help from a friend, he can roll over the rugged terrain of a typical office desk. As for the brains behind the time, the 8-day power reserve movement inside his head was developed in-house in collaboration with L’EpÊe 1839.

水母腕与 宇宙盘 De Bethune 打造的腕表能在表盘上描画星辰排布，可 以自定义描画成故乡的星空。MB&F 推出的“Machines” 腕表走在设计与制表的前沿。同时，Urwerk 设计了 UR-210 Amadeus 手表。表壳全面用 18 世纪巴洛克艺术 风格雕刻，纯手工制作，出自雕刻大师 Florian Guillert 之手，历时 260 小时。 欢迎来到独立制表世界，独特的设计、尖端技术和神奇 的魔法在此汇聚一堂，共同为您创造稀有特制腕表。 创新不仅仅止步于于腕表的外观，更深入了其机件和报 时的“途径”。独立制表摆脱了历史的束缚，向过去数年 的钟表创新致敬，同时体现出一种几近创业的心态，从而 撼动整个行业。今年巴塞尔国际钟表珠宝展（制表业日程 上最重大的活动）MB&F 与 L‘Epee 合作打造了一款外形 酷似宇宙飞船的气象站座钟（名为“第五元素”）。顺便 一提，它非常完备，甚至还配备了自己的太空队长他的名 字叫 Ross。作为一个将合作者称为朋友的品牌，MB&F 拥有一种年轻的乐观主义精神，并且拒绝乖乖坐下接受现 状。且仅在数月之后，Max Busser 和他的友人发布了另 一款采用钛合金材质搭配亮绿色的边框、以“水母 “为灵感制成的腕表。 在澳大利亚的钟表业里 The Hour Glass 有着得天独厚 的优势，从而为独立制表品牌发言，因为 Urwerk, MB&F

HM7 Aquapod Ti Green (Ref: 70.TGL.B) AUST RRP: $166,400

contact us 澳洲欧佳时 THE HOUR GLASS TEL: 1300 468 745 @thehourglass.australia

以及 De Bethune 都是 The Hour Glass 独家代理品牌， 而这一切也与 THG 一贯以致力发扬制表业的匠人精神为 企业使命相辅相成。 钟表制造的匠人精神是这些独立制表品牌的核心理念， 这些品牌的创始人会迸发灵感，引领各自的品牌独立创意 与技术员进行改革。Max Busser 常由他童年回忆和潮流 文化为灵感源泉。Urwerk,在 Felix Baumgartner 和 Martin Frei 的带领下以太阳运动轨迹打造了打破传统的刻 度方式。比如，Urwerk 的首只腕表 UR-101 大胆地把时 间刻度放在外弦圆弧下，借鉴的恰恰是太阳跨越天际的轨 道。说到 De Bethune，它在把银河的勾魂摄魄之美投放 在表盘上的能力绝对是钟表界内首屈一指的。当有的品牌 借鉴与日月星辰，De Bethune 则常以宇宙银河为轴心。 捧着对钟表制作的一腔热情，钟表匠人面对任何困难都 会一丝不苟地严格掌控技术标准，而且少量的生产让这些 品牌的钟表极其的罕见，从而对于无论是刚入门的钟表爱 好者或是经验丰富的收藏家都极具收藏价值。在制造中创 造历史。

澳洲欧佳时 The HOUR GLASS PROMOTION

1.

1. MB&F“第五元素”

2. “第五元素” 宇宙船长 Ross

3. HM7 Aquapod 钛亮绿色

2.

4.

3.

4 & 5. De Bethune DB25

星空腕表 6.

DB27 Titan Hawk V2

5.

6.

7.

8.

7. Urwerk UR-210 Amadeus 8. UR-210 Royal Hawk

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BEAUTIFUL THINGS

National Opal Collection Black Opal Ring

Paspaley Lavalier Inspired by the nautical ropes used to harvest wild pearl oysters, this is a one-of-a-kind piece; your favourite Paspaley pearl encased in a delicate gold mesh net.

Beautiful

Things Calleija – The Zara Phillips ‘Coronet’ Ring Black and White Diamond Reflecting the spirit of ‘Unbridled Elegance’

Chopard – Happy Ocean Ladies Jewelled Dive Watch Just perfect for exploring the ocean floor, relaxing on a yacht or strolling on the sand. An 18-carat white case, a navy blue mother-of-pearl dial framed by a fixed bezel set with diamonds, sapphires and either rubies or topazes: these new variations endowing the collection with sparkling alternatives are fitted with an alligator leather strap and a NATO strap in the same navy blue shade.

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I adore

The ring Pink Sapphire and Diamond Dress Ring Since 1942, J Farren-Price has developed Australia’s most extensive range of famous Swiss watches and beautifully hand crafted jewellery. Offering watch brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger Le-Coultre, IWC, Panerai, Longines, Tudor and Greubel Forsey. Also an official Argyle Pink Diamond atelier, their Sydney boutique offers some of the rarest pink diamond pieces in Australia.

80 Castlereagh Street, Sydney Tel: (02) 9231 3299

Musson Musson ‘Paradise’ features an incredibly rare, luxuriously beautiful, and globally esteemed Australian Argyle Pink Diamond and Forevermark white diamonds.

Crafted in our Sydney studio, this coveted piece represents a truly unique Australian heirloom.

Beautiful

Things

Mondial ‘Aria’ by Mondial Pink Diamond Atelier: Unique and handcrafted, the timeless elegance of a beautifully feminine pear shaped diamond is enhanced by a frame of interlaced Australian Argyle pink diamonds.

The Hour Glass Calatrava Travel Time

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Paspaley Paspaley introduces the Kimberley Bracelet, inspired by the rugged beauty of Australia’s north-west, this unisex bracelet features sandalwood and hand-selected Paspaley Australian South Sea pearls unique to the Kimberley – the birthplace of the rarest and most valuable pearls in the world.

25 per cent of the proceeds from each bracelet is donated to the cancer research division at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research – one of Australia’s largest medical research institutions.

2018/19

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Paspaley Create your own bespoke pair of earrings with Pearls My Way. Choose your favourite Paspaley pearls available in a range of shapes and sizes and select your accompanying earring hooks in your favourite shade of gold. Add a variety of gemstones including rubies and diamonds.

The Hour Glass ’Piaget Possession’: a constantly transforming icon, the silvered dial perfectly contrasts the rotating 42 brilliant-cut diamond set rose gold bezel.

Reference: G0A43082

J Farren Price Set in 18ct yellow gold, this cuff is grain set with Cabochon cut Rubies, Pink Tourmalines and Orange Sapphires (122 gemstones, approx.

17ct); brilliant White Diamonds (totalling 0.14ct) and two 11-12mm, drop-shaped, untreated Australian South Sea pearls. The Cu is opened with a flexible hinge at the base.

Musson ‘Entwined’ is a contemporary masterpiece and the winner of the Diamond Guild Australia Design Award. Illustrating the exquisite beauty and sculpture of a diamond, ‘Entwined’ re-invents the engagement ring expectation.

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Diamond Expert | Musson

Bespoke Rare Coveted Musson have been providing Sydney and the world with exquisite jewellery for over 45 years. Musson is a rare and enduring fine jeweller, manufacturing their exclusive creations on Sydney’s North Shore. Musson is renowned for their unique sculptural design and setting styles, their unparalleled quality of manufacture, and the outstanding bespoke service they offer.

O Aella Olivar Musson received one of the highest honours in fine jewellery, being selected

by De Beers in 2018 to design jewellery for the Oscars. The ‘Aella’ earrings feature over 32 carats of exquisite Forevermark Black Label, Ideal Square white diamonds and exemplify the exquisiteness of bold femininity.

Medusa This sculptural masterpiece by Robert Musson showcases a magnificent emerald cut Argyle Pink Diamond, flanked by a pair of white pear shape diamonds.

Each shoulder of the ring features four oval cut Argyle Blue Diamonds set in sculptural claws designed to resemble snake heads, in representation of Greek Goddess Medusa.

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ne of Australia’s most prestigious designer jewellers, Musson was founded by Robert and Kerry Musson in 1972. A true family business, with sons Olivar ‘Creative Director’ and Damien ‘Managing Director’ at the helm, Musson continues to move from strength to strength. With boutiques in Sydney’s iconic QVB and stylish Chatswood Chase, Musson enjoys not only a discerning Australian clientele, but a large international following.

“There is a longevity to fine jewellery that appeals to me. We use jewellery to celebrate our most important moments and relationships in life. I love how transportable jewellery is, how intimate it is. With our favourite jewellery, we wear it every day and I love that we at Musson play a part in these moments in people’s lives,” – Robert Musson, Founder.

Musson crafts bespoke designs featuring some of the world’s rarest and most coveted gems, specialising in Argyle Pink Diamonds.

Musson is also a premier stockist of Forevermark Diamonds by De Beers and Kailis Australian South Sea Pearls.

As one of the very few select Argyle ateliers in the world, Musson has successfully designed and sold many of the most significant Argyle pink diamond pieces nationally and internationally. Musson has had a long-standing relationship with Argyle Pink Diamonds, with founder Robert Musson being one of the original jewellers to be invited to become an Argyle Select Atelier and attend their exclusive annual Pink Diamond tenders. With production in the Argyle mine forecasted to cease in 2021, these beyond rare diamonds are becoming increasingly desirable by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

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Expert advice EXPLORE THE COLLECTION When creating bespoke fine jewellery for clients, white diamonds are the most popular but are far from the only option.

For over 45 years, Musson have designed and crafted countless stunning pieces featuring rare coloured diamonds, rich Ceylon sapphires, Colombian emeralds and Burmese rubies, along with many other exotic precious gemstones from an unrivalled collection.

CREATE AN HEIRLOOM Musson specialises in creating heirlooms for its clients that will be treasured forever.

With Musson’s unique manufacturing capabilities, they are able to create bespoke heirlooms in as little as one week, ensuring they accommodate their extensive international clientele. By visiting such an established and respected fine jeweller, you are ensuring that your piece has been created by master craftsmen in Sydney Australia and will be enjoyed for many generations to come.

MEMORIES WITH JEWELLERY Fine jewellery serves as an everlasting reminder of life’s most special memories, events, milestones and holidays.

Musson’s magnificent collection of jewellery featuring Australian gems such as incomparable South Sea Pearls and Argyle Pink, Blue, Green, Red and Golden diamonds is one of the most significant in Australia. You are sure to find the perfect memento or heirloom of your stay in Australia at Musson.

I adore Ellisse ‘Ellisse’ showcases one of the rarest jewels to have ever graced Australian shores, an awe-inspiring 25ct pear shaped white diamond.

This incredible gem is surrounded by a further 2.28ct of round brilliant cut diamonds and is suspended below a 0.61ct Argyle Pink Diamond.

This handcrafted modern masterpiece exemplifies luxury and rarity.

Origin ‘Origin’ is Robert Musson’s award-winning piece from the Diamond Guild Australia Jewellery Design Awards.

The winner of the highly coveted ‘Supreme Award’ for design excellence, this spectacular ring takes its inspiration from nature and symbolises the origin of life. Exhibiting the unique beauty of pear shaped diamonds, ‘Origin’ has been created featuring all white diamonds and also with Argyle Pink Diamonds.

Opal Expert | Damien Cody

pleasure of opal The

Damien Cody is managing director of The National Opal Collection, part of a family-owned business that has grown to be Australia’s largest opal company. He is also Ambassador to Australia for the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).

Here, he offers advice on purchasing opals

Rialto Boulder Opal Ring

T

he National Opal Collection is a retail venue with a difference. Located in the CBD areas of Melbourne and Sydney, the showrooms display Australia’s most comprehensive range of opals, incorporating a museum where visitors can discover the incredible link between opals and the dinosaurs.

The National Opal Collection has assembled the world’s most important collection of opalised fossils and specimens, and displayed them in a unique environment depicting dioramas of prehistoric Australia through to current day opal mining.

‘Like a piece of art, every opal is unique. Select something you love’ The National Opal Collection was formed in 2000, with its head office located in Melbourne.

It is a joint venture between Cody Opal (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gemtec Pty Ltd, who for the past 35 years have been leading opal exporters, selling opal wholesale to the gem and jewellery trade throughout the world.

Opal is Australia’s national gemstone and every sale at The National Opal Collection is 100 per cent Australian opal, sourced from the outback fields.

The National Opal Collection is able to provide high quality opal and opal jewellery at competitive prices due to being involved in every step of the process, from owning opal mines, cutting and polishing, wholesale and export, design and jewellery manufacturing. nationalopal.com

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Expert advice When looking to buy an opal or opal jewellery, there are a number of important things to keep in mind: • Select a reputable retailer, preferably a member of the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA). That way you will be provided with good, reliable advice • Know what it is you are buying.

Is it a solid opal or a composite opal?

A solid opal will command a much higher price • Ask to see the three main types of opal – Black, Boulder and Light Opal • Brilliance of the colour play is paramount when selecting an opal.

The range of colours will also contribute to the value. Red is the rarest of colours and will generally increase the value • Remember overseas visitors are able to claim 10 per cent GST back at point of departure. Keep the item and receipt handy when departing the country • Like a piece of art, every opal is unique.

Select something you love. Wear it, enjoy it and treasure it

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I adore The opal Make a statement with a piece of opal jewellery that is sure to grab attention.

Take centre stage with this Black opal ring, pavé set with green Tsavorites, from the Kaleidoscope range at The National Opal Collection. It has a unique style that will provide the wearer with a lifetime of pleasure and is a ‘forever piece’ you will treasure for eternity.

‘ The beauty of

opal is about true pleasure’ The

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Pendant from the Kaleidoscope range

The

National Collection Opal Since the 1880s, Australia’s extraordinary and beautiful gemstone, the opal, has been mined in the outback.

Today, Australia produces most of the world’s gem quality opal

V

isit the heart of both Sydney and Melbourne, where you can experience a little of what it is like to be in an underground opal mine.

At The National Opal Collection you will see real opal in the walls of simulated opal mines.

You can also see how a piece of rough is transformed into a magnificent gem opal. In the adjoining showrooms is a treasure trove of exquisite opal jewellery available for purchase.

Nature has captured all the colours of the spectrum in opal, displaying them in an infinite variety of shades, patterns and

brilliance. No other gemstone can display such wonderful personality and each stone exudes its own character, allowing the wearer to own a truly unique piece of nature.

Opal formed around 20-50 million years ago from the silica-rich sands of an ancient sea bed, which is now the outback deserts of Australia.

On rare occasions, opalised fossils have been found where silica replaces a shell or bone from the dinosaur age, proving an incredible link between the two. Australia is the only place in the world where opalised animal fossils can be found. At The National Opal Collection you can see beautifully preserved opalised fossils of ancient fauna and flora, including ‘Nessie’, a three metre long strange monster from the deep formed 100 million years ago. Free tours of the museum include a presentation in the auditorium and opal cutting demonstrations.

A National Opal Promotion

Your visit to The National Opal Collection is a great opportunity to purchase an opal or opal jewellery tax free from a company involved in every step of the opal production chain, from mining and cutting through to design and creation of magnificent opal jewellery pieces.

There are four main types of natural solid opal from Australia:

‘Your visit to the National Opal Collection is a

great opportunity to purchase an opal or opal jewellery

tax free’

Black Opal Black Opal is the most valuable type, coming mainly from Lightning Ridge New South Wales.

High quality stones are very rare and easily distinguished by the blackness of the background ‘body tone’ or body colour.

Light Opal Light Opal is mostly mined at Coober Pedy and Mintabie in South Australia, although the first deposits were at White Cliffs New South Wales. Stones range from transparent to nearly opaque, and they have a light or white body tone or background hue.

Black Opal Ring

Crystal Opal Crystal Opal includes light or black opal, which is transparent or very translucent. Colour can be seen from deep within the opal.

Boulder Opal Boulder Opal occurs naturally in hard rock, mined predominantly in Queensland. It is easily identified because, when cut, the host rock (a brown ironstone) is left on the back of the opal.

Black Opal Ring with Tsavorites

WHERE we are Melbourne The National Opal Collection 119 Swanston Street, Melbourne Phone: (03) 9662 3524 Fax: (03) 9654 9213 Email: enquiries@nationalopal.com sydney The National Opal Collection 60 Pitt Street, Sydney Phone: (02) 9247 6344 Fax: (02) 9247 6355 Email: info@nationalopal.com

Pendant from the Kaleidoscope range Mintabie opal with purple sapphires

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万花筒系列 吊坠

国家澳宝收藏馆 (The National Opal Collection) 自十九世纪八十年代以来，澳大

于一身。每块澳宝都有自己独特的特征，如此绝

利亚内陆的珍稀瑰宝澳宝陆续得到开

妙的个性魅力令其他宝石望尘莫及，也使佩戴者

采。如今，全世界大多数的珠宝级澳

能真正拥有独一无二的自然馈赠。

宝均产自澳大利亚 走在悉尼和墨尔本市中心，您会感觉仿佛 置身一座地下澳宝世界。国家澳宝收藏馆 (The National Opal Collection) 仿造澳宝矿井而建， 在此您将看到货真价实的澳宝。您还能亲眼见 证石坯蜕变成瑰丽澳宝宝石的整个过程。陈列 室隔壁是一座摆满精美澳宝首饰的宝库，游客 可放心购买。 澳宝色调深浅不一、图案丰富多彩、形态 和闪耀度更是各不相同，集大自然所有光谱色彩

澳宝源自古老海床上富含硅石的泥沙，形 成于大约 2000 至 5000 万年前，历经沧海桑 田，海床现已变成澳大利亚内陆沙漠。 澳宝化石矿储量稀少，在它们的形成过程 中，恐龙时代的贝壳或骨头取代了硅石，二者之 间发生了令人难以置信的融合。澳大利亚是全世 界澳宝生物化石的唯一产地。在国家澳宝收藏 馆，您能看到保存完好的远古动植物澳宝化石， 包括三米长的深水怪物‘尼斯湖水怪’，它大约 形成于 1 亿年前。免费参观博物馆的旅程还包括 到礼堂观看介绍片及观摩澳宝切割。

国家澳宝

参观国家澳宝收藏馆时，您可从该公司购 买免税澳宝或澳宝首饰，从采矿到切割，再到华 丽澳宝饰件的设计和制造，该公司在澳宝生产链 的每个阶段都亲力亲为。

‘参观 国家澳宝收藏馆 时，您可购买免税澳宝 或澳宝首饰 ’

澳大利亚天然原澳宝主要分为四大类： 黑澳宝 黑澳宝是最昂贵的澳宝品种，主要产自新 南威尔士州闪电岭地区。优质原石极其稀少， 深沉的‘胚体色调’或胚体颜色使之极易辨认。 浅色澳宝 浅色澳宝主要产自南澳大利亚的库伯佩迪 和明太比，但首次发现的矿床位于新南威尔士 州的白崖。原石从透明到几乎不透明应有尽有， 它们的胚体色调或背景颜色呈浅色或白色。 黑澳宝戒指

水晶澳宝 水晶澳宝包括浅色澳宝或黑澳宝，其胚体 色调呈透明或半透明状。透过水晶澳宝，可以 看到最深处的色彩。 烁石澳宝 烁石澳宝在硬岩石上自然形成，主要出产 于昆士兰。烁石澳宝极易辨认，因为切割后， 母岩 (一种褐色铁矿石) 会留在澳宝背后。

黑澳宝 沙弗莱石戒指

地址 MELBOURNE The National Opal Collection 119 Swanston Street, Melbourne 电话：(+61 3) 9662 3524 传真：(+61 3) 9654 9213 邮箱：enquiries@nationalopal.com SYDNEY The National Opal Collection 60 Pitt Street, Sydney 电话：(+61 2) 9247 6344 传真：(+61 2) 9247 6355 邮箱：info@nationalopal.com 万花筒系列吊坠 明太比澳宝镶紫色 蓝宝石

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SHOPPING

emporium MELBOURNE, VICTORIA This stylish, multi-level shopping destination in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD is the city’s premier retailer centre, with a mix of local and international designers, innovative concept stores and world-class architecture. It’s home to Australia’s first Uniqlo, the largest Australian designer precinct in the country and 30 culinary offerings including Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mexican and Greek cusine, as well as sweet treats. Located on the ground level near the Lonsdale Streets entrance, the concierge team can offer advice on everything from last minute gift suggestions to complimentary parcel delivery to hotels.

Personal stylists are also available, to have you looking your best.

CROWN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, melbourne

WESLEY QUARTER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Crown welcomes you to a world of luxury, style, friendly service and non-stop excitement. Crown’s collection of world-class designer stores offers the ultimate shopping spree, all under one roof. Discover international brands Burberry, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton and Prada, or Australian designers Paspaley, Saba and Mimco. Enjoy the world-class accommodation of Crown Towers, Crown Promenade and Crown Metropol, the brilliant live entertainment of The Palms at Crown, the many delightful restaurants and bars and the luxurious Gold Class cinemas, as well as the largest Casino in the southern hemisphere. With something to meet your every need and match your every mood, Crown truly is a world of entertainment.

Wesley Quarter is a unique blend of boutique outlets and high-end labels, plus entertainment and dining, thriving amidst the energy and buzz of a prosperous city. Discover local designers Alannah Hill, Crumpler, Jurlique, Metalicus and Review next to high-end international designers Emporio Armani, Burberry, Coast London and Karen Millen England.

The redeveloped complex is bound by Hay, William and Murray Streets in the heart of Perth.

With the ultimate central city location and the ultimate in style, visit Wesley Quarter today and take part in Perth’s most exclusive, luxury retail fashion experience.

8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Victoria crownmelbourne.com.au

93 William Street, Perth, Western Australia wesleyquarter.com.au

Pacific fair GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND Due for completion in mid 2016, the all-new Pacific Fair will include: a full-line David Jones to complement the existing Myer store, a new and relocated Target in addition to Kmart and Big W and a new Fresh Food Market anchored by a new and relocated Coles and a brand new Woolworths. You’ll find 6500 car spaces, unrivalled dining and bar experiences, and a world-class indoor/outdoor leisure and entertainment precinct featuring lush greenery and five water features. The Centre will be completely integrated with a new two-level mall connecting the new and existing sections, giving shoppers access to 420 shops and a concierge service, all under one roof.

Hooker Boulevard, Gold Coast, Queensland pacificfair.com.au

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IMAGES: BEN KING, dreamstime.com.au, city of perth, Bill Jackson Martin, shutterstock.com, Visit Victoria, instagram.com/harroldsaus, supplied

287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria emporiummelbourne.com.au

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LUXURY AT CHADSTONE – THE FASHION CAPITAL, VICTORIA Chadstone is home to more than 500 stores including the most significant collection of luxury brands under one roof.

Boasting Australia’s first dedicated luxury precinct, discover Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Escada, Emporio Armani, Georg Jensen, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Omega, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo and Tiffany & Co. These international brands rub shoulders with prominent Australian designers to deliver the country’s most impressive fashion offers. The Fashion Capital also brings you the latest in food and lifestyle options, with a dedicated precinct offering everything from gourmet providores to fresh food specialists, homewares and gift stores as well as a range of cafes and restaurants. A free shuttle service departs daily from Federation Square. Visit the website for details.

1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, Victoria chadstoneshopping.com.au

MARINA MIRAGE, QUEENSLAND Marina Mirage is Queensland’s finest waterfront shopping and dining resort.

At Marina Mirage you will discover over 80 designer boutiques filled with many of the world’s top fashion labels, specialty stores overflowing with elegant homewares and gifts, luxurious day spas and beauty salons, as well as a multitude of award-winning waterfront restaurants. Situated on the beautiful Gold Coast, Marina Mirage lies directly opposite the five star Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa and is adjacent to the world’s first Palazzo Versace hotel. With its spectacular waterfront location overlooking the beautiful Broadwater, Marina Mirage is one destination you cannot miss.

74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Queensland marinamirage.com.au

THE PERTH MINT SHOP For those with an affinity for earth’s rarest and most beautiful natural treasures, The Perth Mint’s luxury shop offers an unsurpassed range of sophisticated jewellery showcasing Australia’s most sought after gems and precious metals. Discover unique pieces featuring spectacular pink diamonds from the Kimberley, lustrous South Sea cultured pearls from off the coastline of Broome, polished opals from Queensland and South Australia, and spectacular natural gold nuggets – each one millions of years in the making – which have been exclusively crafted into a unique Perth Mint range of pendants, earring and bracelets. For the ultimate choice in exquisite, distinctively Australian jewellery, The Perth Mint defies comparison.

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BURNSIDE VILLAGE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Burnside Village Shopping Centre is located in the beautiful suburb of Glenside in Adelaide and is home to over 100 premium lifestyle and fashion stores. The unique retail mix is unlike any other shopping precinct in South Australia, allowing Burnside Village to create Adelaide’s best shopping experience. The copious natural light creates an indoor-outdoor feel and enables the customers to relax and unwind during their shopping outings. Burnside Village is home to South Australia’s first Zara store, as well as stores such as Gorman, Willow and sass & bide. The Village Market is home to speciality stores and unique cafes.

447 Portrush Road, Glenside, South Australia burnsidevillage.com.au

HIGH STREET ARMADALE, VICTORIA Stylish High Street is a hotspot for antiques, galleries and bridal boutiques in the east of Melbourne. Renowned as one of Melbourne’s distinctive business precincts, it boasts a huge range of designer clothing and homeware stores, wedding boutiques, cafes and restaurants – together with the largest number of galleries and antique shops concentrated in any one place anywhere in Australia. You can find iconic Australian fashion designers including Carla Zampatti, Lee Matthews and Scanlan & Theodore along the street, as well as a selection of excellent dining options. Specialty stores such as Mecca Cosmetica, Thomas Dux Grocer and the iconic Brides of Armadale add to the sophisticated and elegant mix of traders.

High Street, Armadale, Victoria highstreetarmadale.com.au

KING STREET AND HAY STREET MALL, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Hay Street Mall is a pedestrian-only shopping strip in the centre of Perth. The retail heartbeat of the city, there are enough specialty and big name stores to shop until you drop!

Quaint arcades are packed with more shopping and dining options, connecting with the popular Murray Street Mall. Head one block west to stylish King Street, a mecca for luxury brands, with labels such as Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Bally, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. Local designers such as Melanie Greensmith from Wheels & Dollbaby have also set up shop, making King Street the ultimate destination for the fashion savvy. The redeveloped Wesley Quarter and the new One40William further extends the precinct offering high-end retail, art, culture, dining, entertainment and heritage.

Hay Street Mall and King Street, Perth, Western Australia

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ST COLLINS LANE, VICTORIA In 2016 Melbourne’s famed Collins Street precinct welcomed a new destination for luxury international and local brands.

New kid on the block St Collins Lane sprung up on the former Australia on Collins site, creating a pedestrian link connecting Collins Street with Little Collins Street, restoring a laneway that went missing in the previous building’s design. It is home to 60 luxury boutiques, including renowned Paris fashion labels Sandro Paris and Maje, who have opened their first Australian flagship stores within St Collins Lane, as well as UK cult label REISS. Joining them are luxury brands Tag Heuer, Coach, Furla, The Kooples, and many more. Fuel your retail therapy with lunch at The Aviary, a refreshing departure from the traditional food court, offering restaurant-quality dining from some of Australia’s biggest names, including Neil Perry’s Burger Project. stcollinslane.com

HARROLDS Harrolds is Australia’s globally-renowned home to tailored elegance and up-to-the-minute fashion and accessories. The Harrolds experience offers customers the unique opportunity to visit one of the premier retail destinations in the world at flagship stores in the hearts of Australia’s shopping districts.

As the exclusive Australian home to the most sought after luxury fashion labels including Tom Ford, Thom Browne and Lanvin and a dedicated collection of the store in store environments including Balenciaga, Stefano Ricci, Tom Ford and Saint Laurent Paris, Harrolds provides a luxurious experience that is unique within Australia and renowned throughout the world of fashion. harrolds.com.au

COLLINS STREET & COLLINS PLACE, MELBOURNE For over 170 years, Collins Street has been considered the grandest street in Melbourne. With three churches, five leading hotels, two live theatres, the splendid Town Hall, designer shopping and world-class dining, it’s the heart of Melbourne’s social life. The ‘Paris End’ boasts designer stores in heritage buildings, five-star hotels, private clubs and exclusive jewellers. Here, you’ll find the flagship stores of Chanel, Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton, along with specialty jewellers and galleries. Stroll west to bustling retail centres like Collins234 and the Block Arcade, or veer into Little Collins and Howey Place for haute couture and hip culture, and clothes by Melbourne’s most interesting designers (collinsstreet.com.au).

Whether it’s fine dining, theatre, shopping or just a good pampering, Collins Place offers complete indulgence for everyone. Located at the ‘Paris End’, if you’re looking for local and international fashion, exquisite giftware, quality entertainment and mouth watering cuisine, you’ll find it at Collins Place (collinsplace.com.au).

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TRAVEL

TAKE TO THE SKIES The Kimberley has always been a long stay destination but with Helispirit’s luxury six-day, six-night itinerary, you can see the best of the Kimberley in just one week! All is traversed in your private helicopter. Land on a mountain pinnacle to watch the sunset over your favourite cold drink, fish in wild rivers, view galleries of the oldest rock art on earth, soar through gorges and touch down to swim in secret springs and waterfalls. Stay in the region’s best luxury lodges and coastal wilderness retreats: Berkeley River Lodge, Kimberley Coastal Camp and El Questro Homestead, with pre-tour accommodation at Freshwater Apartments. From 2019 there will be a new destination on the itinerary: Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory (just across the border from Western Australia), where guests can take part in cattle station activities and amazing fishing in a spectacular location. helispirit.com.au

There is an instinctive pleasure and romance to being on the water, leaving the crowds behind. Crystal Blue Yacht Charters are experts in delivering unique, customised, memorable experiences on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Whether you’re in the mood to relax, impress, surprise or party, there’s a fleet of remarkable motor vessels on hand that can cater to your every whim, accommodating two to 400 guests. Take a sunset cruise or arrange a private charter – this is your luxury hotel on the water.

Towncars is Australia’s largest franchised hire car operator, with a range of luxury vehicles including Mercedes E220I, BMW GT 520D, Holden Caprice, Hyundai Genesis, Chrysler 300 C, Ford G6E, Porsche Cayenne (SUV), Land Rover (SUV), Mercedes Van Valente, Mercedes Van V-Class, Renault Master Van, Tesla S. All vehicles are owned and maintained by professional and courteous accredited drivers and franchisees. For personal travel there are all-inclusive, pre-booked fares which are meter-free with no add-ons such as late night fees or surcharges. Towncars provides a reliable transport solution for families including luggage trailers and age-appropriate child seats. With a focus on service, Towncars aims to take the stress out of your travel.

crystalblueyachtcharters.com.au

towncarsaust.com.au

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IMAGES: shutterstock.com, supplied

ON THE ROAD

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GONE CRUISIN’ Part of the SeaLink Travel Group, Captain Cook Cruises Australia is proud to connect the nation’s icons and best tour experiences to the world. Choose from a range of options to suit your tastes and the time you have available – from dining cruises, sightseeing, hop-on hop-off, whale watching, ferries and private charters. Previous guests have included the Pope, the Presidents of China and the United States of America, members of the British royal family and the American basketball ‘Dream Team’, so you’re in good company. captaincook.com.au

ALL ABOARD The Indian Pacific is a cross-continental rail journey taking three nights and four days and crossing the longest straight stretch of railway in the world as it traverses the Nullarbor Plain.

Journeys are all inclusive of food, beverages and Off Train Excursions, and Indian Pacific guests now have the chance to explore the majestic Blue Mountains before arriving in Sydney.

East-bound guests can disembark in Mt Victoria before visiting Scenic World where they’ll get to experience the steepest-incline railway in the world, journey to the top of the mountains in a cable car and then take in the views of the spectacular Three Sisters rock formation from the Skyway. The optional experience is included in your fare and will give travellers the chance to relish the Blue Mountains before having morning tea at The Lookout Restaurant. Active guests will also have the opportunity to take the short walk to Echo Point, a great spot for photos and more breathtaking views. This new tour joins the existing program of Off Train Excursions in Kalgoorlie, Adelaide and Broken Hill. greatsouthernrail.com.au

EXCESS BAGGAGE Samsonite’s iconic, award-winning Cosmolite cases are the perfect accessory for any trip. This sea-shell styled, super-light spinner range comes in striking colours – including emerald green, dark blue, silver, black and red – and with the largest case (81cm) weighing just 2.9kg, you’ll have plenty of room for extra shopping and souvenirs. Made in Europe, the Cosmolite range has been crafted using revolutionary Curv® material to impart a tough, hard-side shell that bends and flexes on impact, while remaining extremely light. And it comes with a 10-year worldwide warranty, so wherever you travel, you’ll have peace of mind. samsoniteaustralia.com

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Some of the distillery’s finest reserves are selected for a special ageing process which begins in port barrels for depth of character, before being transferred into old sherry barrels to add a hint of honey, caramel and spice.

Created by husband and wife team Jon and Sarah Lark, KI Spirits is an award-winning distillery with an emphasis on traditional, predominantly juniperflavoured gin. Wrap your lips around varieties like classic Old Tom Gin, seasonal Mulberry Gin, buttery Whisky Barrel Gin and KI Spirits’ signature Wild Gin and O’Gin, made in the London Dry style.

bundabergrumshowcase.com.au kispirits.com.au

HARTSHORN DISTILLERY Tasmania A world first, Hartshorn Distillery makes boutique batches of award-winning vodka and gin from whey, a by-product of the cheesemaking process.

Distiller Ryan uses whey from the family farm deep in Tasmania’s south to create a unique distillate with a sweet bouquet, smooth finish, character and complexity.

Amaro is a bitter herbal aperitif that has been popular for more than a century and is famously used in the Negroni or Spritz. Okar puts an Australian spin on things, using bitter local botanicals to create a truly special recipe with notes of Lilly Pilly, Finger Limes, Lemon Myrtle, Saltbush and Strawberry Gum Leaves.

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COLD DRIP COFFEE

MR BLACK COLD DRIP COFFEE LIQUEUR New South Wales Award-winning Mr Black is created using cold-pressed, single origin coffee beans to deliver a coffee flavour without the need for fresh espresso.

Enjoy a caffeine hit in your cocktails and mixed drinks and keep the party going all night.

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ST AGNES BRANDY South Australia Handcrafted since 1925, the St Agnes range is made up of double-distilled pot still brandies, which means the commitment to quality starts early. The result is a light, delicately-flavoured drop – a testament to patience and craftsmanship. stagnesdistillery.com.au

SULLIVANS COVE SINGLE CASK FRENCH OAK WHISKY Tasmania A hand-crafted, copper pot-distilled whisky matured in hand-selected French Oak casks, this Tasmanian gem was named the world’s best single malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, leading to skyrocketing demand.

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Advertiser index

The Luxury Guide 2018/19

CALLEIJA sydney The Westin Sydney No. 1 Martin Place, Sydney Phone: (02) 9233 6661 Gold Coast Marina Mirage Seaworld Drive, Main Beach Phone: (07) 5528 3666 London No. 7 The Royal Arcade Old Bond Street, Mayfair London W1S 4SG Phone: (+44 20) 7499 8490 Fax: (+44 20) 7491 0152 london@calleija.com calleija.com J. Farren-Price sydney J. Farren-Price Shop 2, St James Centre 80 Castlereagh Street, Sydney Phone: (02) 9231 3299 Fax: (02) 9223 1992 julian@jfarrenprice.com.au Mondial sydney Mondial Jewellers Shop G-17, Ground Floor The Queen Victoria Building 455 George Street, Sydney Phone: (02) 9267 7974 Fax: (02) 9261 1579 Mondial by Nadia Neuman Shop 15, Strand Arcade 412-414 George Street, Sydney Phone: (02) 9222 2776 Fax: (02) 9222 2787 mondial.com.au

MUSSON JEWELLERS SYDNEY Shop 51 The Grand Walk Queen Victoria Building 455 George St, Phone: (02) 9412 0880 SYDNEY Shop L1-004, Level One, Chatswood Chase 345 Victoria Ave, Chatswood Phone: (02) 9412 0888 musson.com.au Paspaley sydney Flagship Store Sydney Paspaley Building 2 Martin Place, Sydney Phone: (02) 9232 7633 Melbourne Grand Hyatt Melbourne 123 Collins Street, Melbourne Phone: (03) 9639 8880 Melbourne Crown 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank Phone: (03) 9249 6188 Melbourne Chadstone Shop G049, Ground Level, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone Phone: (03) 9567 5888 BRISBANE Queens Plaza Shop GL09A, Queen Street, Brisbane Phone: (07) 3456 5900 Darwin Shop 5, Charles Darwin Centre 19 Smith St Phone: (08) 8930 4500

Broome 2 Short Street, Broome Phone: (08) 9192 2203 PERTH Shop 4, Crown Towers 201 Great Eastern Highway Burswood Phone: (08) 6330 8988 The Hour Glass Melbourne 257 Collins Street, Melbourne Phone: (03) 9650 6988 Sydney 142 King Street, Sydney Phone: (02) 9221 2288 Brisbane 171 Edward Street, Brisbane Phone: (07) 3221 9133 thehourglass.com The National Opal collection Melbourne 119 Swanston Street, Melbourne Phone: (03) 9662 3524 Fax: (03) 9654 9213 enquiries@nationalopal.com sydney 60 Pitt Street, Sydney Phone: (02) 9247 6344 Fax: (02) 9247 6355 info@nationalopal.com

destinations

australia the ultimate resource for every kind of traveller 2018/2019 edition

To have your product featured here, contact Sue Kallincos – National Advertising Manager email: sue@publicitypress.com.au

Experience | Western Australia

Broome has the largest known population on earth of these cute-looking mammals, and nothing beats seeing them up close on a three-hour morning or sunset eco tour (broomewhalewatching.com.au).

Go hunting for pearls Without the discovery of pearl shells here in the 1800s, Broome might not even exist. That’s how vital the pearling industry has been to this town.

Visit Willie Creek Pearls, a working pearl farm where you can jump aboard a boat for a two-hour ecotour of its aquatic beds and learn about the industry’s astonishing and often brutal history (williecreekpearls.com.au).

Or venture further afield to visit Cygnet Bay Pearls, where you can take a tour or “sea safari” and stay for a night or two in basic but comfortable accommodation in a memorable beachside setting (cygnetbaypearls.com.au).

Of course, you can also shop for pearls while you’re here.

TEXT COURTESY OF AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: shutterstock.com, Tourism Western Australia

Enjoy cinema under the stars Heritage-listed Sun Pictures is one of the most charming places in Broome. Featured in the box office hit Australia and in local movie Bran Nue Dae, Sun Pictures still shows current release movies under the stars every night of the week. Run your fingers over the worn wood of the deck chairs, throw popcorn in your mouth in Broome’s balmy night air and enjoy a piece of living history.

In keeping with the historic feel, the box office and kiosk are cash only. (broomemovies.com.au).

Take an Aboriginal walking tour Local Aboriginal man Bart Pigram, of Narlijia Cultural Tours, leads fascinating, two-hour walking tours through the heart of Broome.

Using historic maps, he’ll tell you the history of the town’s main street and Chinatown district, weaving in tales about the pearling industry, which favoured Aboriginal women as divers. As he explains the significance of the landscape to his people, the Yawuru people,

you’ll cover about two kilometres (1.2 miles) on mostly flat ground (toursbroome.com.au).

Marvel at a moonlight staircase From March to October the light from each full moon makes the mudflats at Roebuck Bay look like a set of gleaming stairs rising into the night sky. This natural phenomenon is known as the Staircase to the Moon. There are several vantage points around town, but for a special experience go to the Mangrove Hotel, where the magical warble of a didgeridoo resonates through the air as the moon rises. Grab a cold drink, order dinner and relax in the hotel’s summery setting of lush lawn, white tables and chairs and strings of fairy lights (mangrovehotel.com.au).

See sunset from a camel’s back on Cable Beach It’s touristy, yes, but there’s a reason this is the must-do experience

in Broome. As the daisy chain of camels strolls along Cable Beach’s waterline, camel shadows are projected on the spirit-level-flat sand creating an unforgettable vista.

Add the pinks and oranges of the sunset, and the rhythmic pacing as you grasp the U-shaped safety rail built into your saddle, and it’s a soothing way to spend an hour.

Hot tip: Get a camel towards the front of the camel train for the best photographs. DA

GETTING THERE Direct flights to Broome operate from most capital cities. For more information, or to plan your trip, go to visitbroome.com.au

OPPOSITE PAGE: Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, Dampier Peninsula. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cable Beach, Broome; Sun Pictures; pearl presentation at Willie Creek Pearl Farm; a red sandy beach on Roebuck Bay.

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Western AustrAliA | DA Recommends

Island ESCAPE

Located 19 kilometres off the coast of Western Australia, and just 25 minutes from Perth, Rottnest Island feels a million miles from everything. As a stunning natural A-class reserve, the island is essentially a car-free zone, with bicycles the most common mode of transport. With a choice of over 63 beaches and 20 bays, cycle to a secluded inlet, snorkel through vibrant coral reefs, dive among shipwrecks, fish for local seafood or surf some of WA’s best breaks. Keep an eye out for the resident (and very friendly) quokkas, the cute marsupials that Rottnest Island is world-famous for. rottnestisland.com

DA RECOMMENDS

EDITOr’S PICKS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

Experience the magic, allure and wonder of gold at The Perth Mint, a must-see destination in the heart of Perth. Uncover the search for gold with interactive displays, historic images and artefacts, and stunning pure gold exhibits.

Watch a traditional gold pour in the Mint’s 1899 melting house, marvel at the largest coin in the world (one tonne of pure gold), and view Australia’s most impressive display of natural gold nuggets. Visitors can also discover the value of their weight in gold, handle more than $500,000 worth of gold bullion, and have their own personalised medallion engraved, before shopping for unique treasures and enjoying light refreshments in the alfresco dining area. perthmint.com

AQWA FREMANTLE PRISON Visit AQWA today to discover more of WA’s spectacular marine life on an awesome underwater journey.

Encounter giant sharks, turtles and stingrays in Australia’s largest single aquarium. Meet rare, unique and deadly sea creatures. Touch a starfish or baby shark plus experience the wonder of one of the world’s largest living coral reef exhibits.

Built by convicts in the 1850s and closed as a maximum security prison in 1991, a tour of the World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison is a must-do activity for any traveller to Western Australia. Whether you’re into history or fascinated by true crime stories, the Prison has a range of tours to keep you captivated.

aqwa.com.au

fremantleprison.com.au

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Tasmania | Hobart

Life in the

tropics

ustralia’s only tropical capital, Darwin is a city of strange and beautiful contrasts, from open air markets to epic monsoons. Ancient Aboriginal influences are evident in everything from rock art to bush tucker restaurants, while being home to Australia’s youngest population makes it refreshingly laidback.

The average temperature is 32C year round, giving rise to a vibrant outdoor culture, with two distinct seasons.

The dry season starts in April/May and runs until October/November, bringing perfect weather, clear blue skies, balmy nights and warm days. This is Darwin at its best. Arrive in August and you’ll catch the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and the Darwin Festival, an 18-day extravaganza of music, theatre, dance, cabaret and more (darwinfestival.org.au). The wet season begins in October/November with steamy weather, the odd lightning spectacular and short intense rains. Locals relish this “green” season as the time when the city is most alive – raging waterfalls, breeding wildlife, blooming wild flowers.

Discover Darwin’s origins, from Aboriginal history and culture to the 1800s gold rush and Cyclone Tracy on a two-hour walking tour (darwinwalkingtours.com). The East Point Military Museum maps out the city’s wartime history including the bombing of Darwin during WWII and the RFDS Tourist Precinct retells the tale using virtual reality technology.

Deep beneath the city you’ll find the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels. Or visit Lyons Cottage overlooking Darwin Harbour, a historic building that now houses an indigenous and European art collection. The Darwin

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Wharf Precinct is also a must-visit destination with a number of historic landmarks including the Sandfly steam locomotive that arrived by ship in 1886.

Foodies will love Cullen Bay, where restaurants serve up fresh local highlights from seafood to native meats including kangaroo and crocodile. For a meal on the go, try the breakfast laksa – a Darwin staple – at the Parap Markets (Saturdays, 8am-2pm). If you prefer to linger over just-plucked seafood, head to one of the many open-air restaurants at Stokes Hill Wharf or dine al fresco at the Darwin Waterfront.

Darwin Harbour is packed with activities. Join a fishing expedition and try your hand at catching local barramundi (or the Million Dollar Fish that’s released every October to February), golden snapper and threadfin salmon, charter a boat or take a seaplane flight to discover the nearby bays and mangrove forests – and make sure you stay for sunset.

The seaside clubs in Fannie Bay and coastal reserves at East Point, Nightcliff and Casuarina are great places to savour the sights, or you can book a sunset cruise on a pearl lugger, catamaran or seacat. Prices often include champagne, canapés or a full dinner.

For more magical sunsets, as well as colourful arts and crafts, jewellery and fashion, and tempting offerings from Darwin’s multicultural culinary rainbow, you can’t miss Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (mindil.com.au) which run every Sunday and Thursday evening from April to November.

After dark head to Darwin’s main nightlife precinct in Mitchell Street work your way through the bevy of bars and beer gardens or catch some live entertainment at the Railway Club (darwinrailwayclub.org). DA

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM NT / IMAGES: instagram.com/crocosauruscove, instagram.com/outbackfloatplanes, facebook.com/darwinwaterfront, facebook.com/deckchaircinema

A

When it comes to balmy weather, beautiful sunsets, creative cuisine and outdoor adventures, Darwin delivers

Hobart | Tasmania

DARWIN’S TOP 5

1

Explore Mindil Beach Markets. Browse the stalls, enjoy a multicultural feast, and soak up the sunset and the soothing sounds of local entertainers at Darwin’s most iconic market. mindil.com.au

2

Meet the locals. Get up close with Darwin’s most notorious resident, the saltwater crocodile, all without leaving the city – you can even take a dip with one if you dare. crocosauruscove.com

3

Get high. Experience the region’s magical landscapes and waterways aboard helicopters, floatplanes and airboats with Outback Floatplane Adventures and gain a new perspective. outbackfloatplanes.com.au

4

Visit the waterfront. Experience the best of tropical living, from swimming and sunbathing on a safe, manmade beach, to surfing a wave pool, bar-hopping and dining at top-notch restaurants. waterfront.nt.gov.au

5

Discover Deckchair Cinema. Bring a picnic and settle in for a unique outdoor cinema experience on the edge of Darwin Harbour. deckchaircinema.com

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

Crocosaurus Cove Outback Floatplanes

Darwin Waterfront

Deckchair Cinema

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Northern Territory | Shopping

Unique treasures

S

ourced from the unspoilt waters off the Top End coast, rare South Sea Pearls make a memorable souvenir. Take home a little piece of luxury from Paspaley Pearls (Charles Darwin Centre, 19 Smith Street, Darwin). Crocodile leather is another popular local item, and you’ll find handbags, belts, wallets, purses and jewellery for sale at Crocosaurus Cove (58 Mitchell Street, Darwin, crocodileleather.com.au), di CROCO (dicroco.com) and Crocodylus Park (815 McMillans Road, Berrimah). Get your fashion fix at Viva La Body boutique, with fabulous frocks, handmade soaps, bags, shoes and jewellery (vivalabody.com), or go shopping for everyday essentials at Smith Street Mall, Casuarina Square, The Galleria, Darwin Mall and Darwin CBD plaza in Darwin, and Alice Plaza and Todd Mall in Alice Springs.

TREASURE HUNT In Darwin, keep an eye out for quirky treasures like the Readback Book Exchange and Aboriginal Art Gallery in Smith Street Mall and authentic indigenous products and bush tucker at Aboriginal Bush Traders (aboriginalbushtraders.com). Visit the Paul Arnold Gallery for images showcasing the best of the Territory captured over 26 years of exploring (paularnold.com.au), while Mbantua Art Gallery is one of the world’s leading Aboriginal art galleries, with locations in Darwin and Alice Springs (mbantua.com.au).

Based in Katherine, Top Didj stocks an extensive selection of Aboriginal paintings from the local area (topdidj.com), while Injalak Arts and Crafts is a non-profit Aboriginal-owned social enterprise in the Gunbalanya community with 200 active members. Visitors can experience breathtaking rock art galleries with tour operators or arrange a private tour through the centre (injalak.com).

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MARKETS & MORE Darwin’s best known markets are the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, held Thursday and Sunday evenings during the dry season (April–October). Arrive early for the best sunset spot and sample from over 1200 menu items on offer, along with an array of handmade crafts including crocodile products, Aboriginal art and jewellery, live bands, street performers, tarot readers and fire twirlers (mindil.com.au).

On weekends throughout the dry season, Darwin’s open-air markets come alive in suburban shopping plazas in Parap (Parap Village Shopping Precinct, off Parap Road), Nightcliff (Nightcliff Mall, Progress Drive) Rapid Creek (Rapid Creek Shopping Centre, Trower Road) and Malak Marketplace (Malak Shopping Centre Car Park, Chambers Crescent). These colourful weekend markets are a great place to bargain hunt, with a huge range of bush art, crafts, clothing, sculpture, pottery, puppets and soaps. Parap is also famous for delicious food cooked on the spot, local crafts and fresh produce (parapvillagemarkets.com.au).

At Smith Street Mall in the heart of the city, the new Darwin City Boutique Markets are held on the first Friday of each month (3-8pm, May–October). Make the most of extended hours offered by city retailers alongside market stallholders, and enjoy premium handcrafts, food stalls, live music and activities for children (29 The Mall, Darwin).

In Alice Springs, get your fix of bargains at Todd Mall Markets (fornightly on Sundays, February to December).

Stock up on handcrafted jewellery, arts, crafts, souvenirs and local produce. Grab a bite, watch live entertainment, or explore the pedestrian mall (toddmallmarkets.com.au). DA

OPPOSITE PAGE: Mindil Beach sunset stroll.

INSET: Todd Mall Markets; hunting for art gallery treasures.

TEXT: TOURISM NT AND CASSY POLIMENI / imaGES: MARK FITZPATRICK, SHAANA MCNAUGHT

Take home a piece of the Top End with one-of-a-kind artworks, fashion and souvenirs from the region’s boutiques, markets and galleries

购物 | 北领地

独特珍宝 在顶端 (Top End) 地区，您可以流连于各种精品店、市场和艺术馆， 挑选风格独特的艺术品、纪念品和时尚佳品，将这里的风情带回家。

珍

稀的南洋珍珠源自顶端海岸未受污染 的海域，是值得珍藏的纪念品。您可 以前往位于达尔文史密斯街 19 号查 尔斯达尔文购物中心（Charles Darwin Centre，地址：19 Smith Street, Darwin）的 Paspaley 珍珠店，选购豪华珍珠 饰品。鳄鱼皮是本地另一种备受欢迎的特产，您可以在 达尔文米切尔街 58 号 (58 Mitchell Street, Darwin) 鳄鱼湾（Crocosaurus Cove，网址： crocodileleather.com.au）、di CROCO (dicroco.com) 以及贝里马麦克米兰街 815 号 (815 McMillans Road, Berrimah) 鳄鱼公园 (Crocodylus Park) 购买手袋、皮 带、钱夹、手提袋和珠宝首饰。您还可以到 Viva La Body 精品店选购时尚精品，这里有精美的连衣裙、手 工皂、包袋、鞋履和珠宝 (vivalabody.com)，或者到达 尔文的史密斯街购物商场 (Smith Street Mall)、木麻 黄广场 (Casuarina Square)、拱廊街 (The Galleria)、 达尔文商场 (Darwin Mall) 和达尔文中央商务区广场 以及爱丽丝泉的爱丽丝广场 (Alice Plaza) 和托德商业 步行街 (Todd Mall) 选购日用精品。 寻宝游戏 在达尔文，如果您想要淘些新奇有趣的艺术品，您可以 前往史密斯街购物商场的 Readback Book Exchange 区和原住民艺术馆 (Aboriginal Art Gallery)， 或是到原住民丛林交易店 (Aboriginal Bush Traders) 购买地道的原住民产品，品尝丛林美食 (aboriginalbushtraders.com)。拜访保罗·阿诺德艺术 馆 (Paul Arnold Gallery)，观赏他历时 26 年在该地 区捕捉到的最美瞬间 (paularnold.com.au)，而恩邦图 瓦艺术馆 (Mbantua Art Gallery) 则是全球领先的达尔 文和爱丽丝泉原住民艺术馆之一 (mbantua.com.au)。

位于凯特琳的 Top Didj 艺术馆存有来自当地的丰 富原住民绘画藏品 (topdidj.com)，而 Injalak Arts and Crafts 艺术中心则是一家原住民拥有的非盈利社 会型企业，位于巴兰亚 (Gunbalanya) 社区内，拥有 200 名活跃成员。在旅游运营商的帮助下，游客可以 前往欣赏令人赞叹的岩画艺术，也可以通过该中心安 排私人观光之旅 (injalak.com)。 市场等精彩体验 达尔文最著名的集市当属明迪海滩黄昏市场 (Mindil Beach Sunset Market)，旱季每周四和周日黄昏时分开 市（四月到十月）。您可以早来一些，占据最佳的日落 观赏地点，一边还可以品尝这里超过 1200 种精品美 食。这里有各色手工艺品可供挑选，包括鳄鱼制品、原 住民艺术品和珠宝首饰，还可以观赏乐队现场演出、街 头表演、塔罗牌占卜和篝火表演 (mindil.com.au)。 每逢旱季周末，达尔文的露天集市就在帕罗路帕罗 村落购物区 (Parap Village Shopping Precinct, off Parap Road) 的帕罗郊区购物广场、位于 Progress Drive 路的夜间购物商场 (Nightcliff Mall, Progress Drive)、位于潮流路速溪购物中心 (Rapid Creek Shopping Centre, Trower Road) 的速溪商场 (Rapid Creek) 和位于马拉克购物中心汽车公园 (Malak Shopping Centre Car Park) 的马拉克市场 拉开帷幕。这些色彩斑斓的周末市场是淘货的好去 处，丰富多样的丛林艺术品、工艺品、服装、雕塑、 陶器、木偶和香皂供您任意选购。帕罗还有远近闻名 的现场烹饪美食、本地手工艺品和新鲜农产品 (parapvillagemarkets.com.au)。 在市中心的史密斯街购物商场，全新开张的达尔文 城市精品市场 (Darwin City Boutique Markets) 于 每个月的第一个周五（五月至十月，下午 3 点到晚 上 8 点）开放。何不充分利用这座城市中的零售商 以及市场摊贩提供的延长营业时间，尽情享受精致手 工艺品、美食摊位、现场音乐和儿童活动（达尔文购 物商场 29 号 (29 The Mall, Darwin)）。 在爱丽丝泉，您可以在托德商业集市 (Todd Mall Markets) 淘到好货（二月至十二月隔周周日开放一 次）。这里售卖手工制作的珠宝、艺术品、手工制 品、纪念品和当地特产。在这里您可以品尝当地小 吃、观看现场娱乐活动，或是到商业步行街清闲漫步 (toddmallmarkets.com.au)。DA

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NORTHERN TERRITORY | Arts & Attractions

Get

territorial

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES Located in Darwin’s Parap gallery precinct, Outstation Gallery represents a broad range of Aboriginal artwork, representing emerging and established Indigenous artists. from 15 remote community art centres across the Kimberley, Central Australia, the Western Desert, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. The gallery aims to create opportunities for artists to earn a living from their work. Visit the website for an exhibition calendar (outstation.com.au).

It can be intimidating trying to capture the Territory’s stunning splendour on camera, but at the Paul Arnold Gallery you can pick up the perfect souvenir from Arnold’s extensive range of books, calendars or prints and take a piece of the Top End home with you (paularnold.com.au).

Set among tropical gardens, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the Territory’s premier cultural institution, and home to one of the world’s most important collections of film, sound and objects, diverse art collections and more than 1.2 million natural history specimens. Walpiri and Luritja man Nelson Tjakamarra, whose expressionistic work centres on Dreaming stories, was commissioned to design the Gallery’s entrance (magnt.nt.gov.au).

The Chinese Temple and Museum serves as a record of the contribution made to Darwin’s early development by Chinese labourers, with an adjoining temple that practices a combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism that is open to all (chungwahnt.asn.au). The museum is open from early March until the end of October and closes in the Wet Season.

can get up close with some of the largest salties on the planet (crocosauruscove.com). On Adelaide River the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise takes you up close to crocs in the wild, where they abandon their usual reticence and come close to the familiar boats to be fed (jumpingcrocodile.com.au). For a dose of natural history, head to MAGNT and see the legendary 780 kilogram taxidermied remains of Sweetheart, a large male salty permanently on display in the museum.

Outback Floatplane Adventures give you the chance to experience the Territory from on high. Think airboats, choppers, floatplanes, and breakfast or lunch on a Billabong Cruise (outbackfloatplanes.com.au).

Combining art with the outdoors, the critically acclaimed Field of Light Uluru by artist Bruce Munro covers more than seven football fields with swaying stalks of colour. Pre-book a tour with Voyages to experience this unique installation for a limited time (ayersrockresort.com.au).

FESTIVALS & EVENTS Held annually in August, the Darwin Festival is an 18-day extravaganza of music, theatre, dance, cabaret and food and one of Australia’s premier festivals. Join the fun, experience the nightly Festival Club and tuck into divine food and drink at the stalls and pop up bars that spring up during festival season (darwinfestival.org.au). The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (darwinaboriginalartfair.com.au) and the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (magnt.net.au/natsiaa) also run around the same time in August.

Enjoy the best alternative cinema offerings from Australia and overseas at Darwin’s spectacular Deckchair Cinema (April to November). Watch the sunset over dinner and drinks, then kick back as night falls and enjoy your film, whether it’s a family favourite or an indie gem (deckchaircinema.com). DA

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES You can’t travel to the Territory and not meet its most famous residents, so head to Crocosaurus Cove to experience Australia’s only crocodile dive, where you

MAIN IMAGE: Rock art in Mt Borradaile, Arnhemland. OPPOSITE PAGE: Fresh produce is the star at Laneway Specialty Coffee in Parap.

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES SUPPLIED BY TOURISM AUSTRALIA AND LANEWAY SPECIATY COFFEE

Discover world-class festivals, galleries and museums alongside formidable wildlife and outdoor adventures in the Top End

Eat & Drink | NORTHERN TERRITORY TAPAS BAR LOCAL FLAVOUR PM EAT & DRINK A modern kitchen and bar in the heart of Darwin’s CBD, you’ll find PM in iconic Austin Lane which is renowned for its street art. PM specialises in tapas and share plates, with a focus on fresh local seafood – think anchovy fillets, calamari, pork belly, saganaki and churros for dessert. Or avoid indecision by tucking into one of PM’s classic banquets, designed for two or more.

(08) 8941 3925 Cnr Knuckey Street and Austin Lane, Darwin pmeatdrink.com

ABORIGINAL BUSH TRADERS One of Darwin’s most unique attractions, Aboriginal Bush Traders is both a modern bush tucker cafe and a retail store selling authentic indigenous products. It is situated in historic Lyons Cottage along the Esplanade and serves up a tasty menu of breakfast, lunch and snacks including cakes, teas, dampers, jams, sandwiches and salads, all with a nod to the culinary riches of the Australian bush.

(08) 8931 6650 74 The Esplanade, Darwin aboriginalbushtraders.com

Darwin is a true cultural melting pot, so settle in and experience everything the city’s dining scene has to offer, from bush tucker to tapas FINE DINING ALL DAY BREAKFAST LANEWAY SPECIALTY COFFEE Local favourite Laneway Specialty Coffee delivers on both bean and cuisine. Enjoy artisanal coffee and delicious meals from organic buckwheat hotcakes to the Indo brekkie bowl or the heartier sriracha chicken burger for later in the day. Vegetarian and gluten free options are also available and the sweet cabinet is a delight to behold.

(08) 8941 4511 4/1 Vickers Street, Parap lanewaycoffee.com.au

TALI @ LASSETERS If you make it to Alice Springs, be sure to check out the award-winning Tali restaurant at Lasseters. With a fine dining menu featuring modern Australian and Asian flavours, Tali delights with Territory icons like the chef’s tasting plate featuring camel, kangaroo, crocodile and barramundi served with a dash of bush fig chutney. It’s the perfect starting point for a big night at the casino, or a stylish breakfast or lunch, with high tea served on alternate weekends.

(08) 8950 7777 93 Barrett Drive lasseters.com.au/restaurant/tali

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DARWIN Insider

Matt

Wright Chopper pilot, ‘croc whisperer’ and star of National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler, Matt Wright has built a career as an ambassador of one of Australia’s most feared and misunderstood creatures.

He shares his animal passion, and lets us in on some Top End secrets 152 | destinations australia

Insider | Northern Territory

I’ve spent my life in the great outdoors, living and breathing adventure. As a kid I was raised in tropical far-north Queensland and spent time in Papua New Guinea, where I got a feel for living off the land and being comfortable with animals, particularly reptiles. When I moved back to South Australia my favourite thing to do was catch deadly brown snakes and take them home to Mum! I was frequently in trouble at home and school for eagerly sharing my ‘pets’ with everyone.

When I was younger I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, I just loved adventure.

One job led to the next as I invested in myself with training, courses and trades. I did laundry and housekeeping in the snowfields, property maintenance at Kings Canyon, plumbing in Alice Springs, worked on drilling rigs and spent three years in the Army Reserves. At 21 I set my sights on becoming a chopper pilot. It’s by far the best job I’ve ever had because of the diversity of work.

I’ve relocated animals in Canada, been a helicopter instructor, flown joy flights for my tourism operation, taken people helifishing and worked on TV. The list and possibilities goes on!

TEXT COMPILED BY CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE SUPPLIED

The TV gig started when I bought a little handicam and started filming my life and the work I was doing on cattle stations in northern Australia.

I’d get the boys to film clips of me working with cattle, horses and crocodiles, then hire a hotel in Cairns for a few days to edit the footage and send it back home to show my Mum and friends my adventures. People kept saying it could be a TV show, but after a few years of show reels and disappointing meetings with networks in Sydney I gave up on the idea. I headed over to Canada to start flying and within six months of arriving I got a call from [talent agent] Nick Fordham who’d somehow got his hands on one of my tapes and wanted to try and make the show work globally. Ten years later Nick is still my manager and business partner and Outback Wrangler now airs on National Geographic in 130 countries worldwide!

People fear what they don’t understand, and think that culling is the right way to respond to crocodile attacks. On my show I try to show people that it’s all about keeping the balance between people and animals to ensure they both stay out of harm’s way and that respect goes both ways.

That’s why I catch, remove and relocate big crocodiles, which is a far better solution than killing them.

My days starts at 5am with coffee, feeding my eight pet pythons and letting my dog Apollo out for a run. When daylight comes I jump in my chopper and take guests on a private helifishing tour, or go to work at Outback Floatplane Adventures, stopping in to feed my pet 18-foot

croc Tripod. My favourite part of the day is cruising the Finniss River in an airboat to see how all of the wild crocodiles are going, and relocating any that have been caught in a trap. On the flight home I stop off at a couple of my favourite fishing holes to try and catch a barra[mundi] to take home to my wife for dinner.

Sandpalms Roadhouse is my favourite pub in the NT, and I love heading there for a beer after work. If you want a dinky-di Australian pub experience with good characters and pub food then this place is worth a visit, I’ve heard one of the locals even brought a crocodile in for a beer (Fog Bay Road, Dundee Forest). The Boatshed in Cullen Bay is great for breakfast, with tasty food and nice views of the marina, (56 Marina Boulevard, Larrakeyah). I also like PM Eat & Drink for a nice dinner (pmeatdrink.com), or Virginia Tavern for an epic Aussie T-bone steak (30 Virginia Road, Virginia).

The Turtle Tracks Tours by Sea Darwin are worth doing. You get to see turtles in their natural environment and have dinner and drinks at the end of the day. The boat takes you out to a pretty little spot and seeing the turtles and watching the sunset is pretty magic (seadarwin.com).

When I was younger I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, I just loved adventure.

Don’t miss the Tiwi Islands. The countryside, Indigenous culture and reefs are so diverse and the fishing is second to none. I love taking people over on fishing expeditions and staying at Melville Lodge for a couple of nights.

The end of the wet season around March/April is a great time to be in Darwin, the waterfalls are flowing from the wet, the floodplains are green and lush, the birdlife and barramundi fishing is amazing, and it’s still hot but not as humid.

Darwin Festival is always a good time. I love how the city comes alive during Festival time, especially Festival Park. We like going to a show and then grabbing a good feed from the Hanumans stall and having a drink under the stars (darwinfestival.org.au).

Darwin is … adventure, unknown, community, opportunity, young. DA For more information on Matt Wright’s tours, visit mattwright.com.au/tours

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From ancient cultures and incredible outback to unique ecosystems and tropical wonderlands, the Northern Territory is blessed with an embarrassment of riches

TEXT: NORTHERNTERRITORY.COM / IMAGE: shutterstock.com

True North

Regional | NORTHERN TERRITORY

ULURU-KATA TJUTA World heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home to the world’s most famous rock, which rises 348 metres out of sunburnt desert sands. Enjoy a walking tour, bush tucker experience or Dreamtime story with the traditional Aboriginal land owners.

Visitors are discouraged from climbing the rock because it is a sacred site, but walking around its perimeters allows you to respectfully experience this natural wonder. Entry to the park is $25 for a three-day pass and the Cultural Centre is a great starting point for visitors.

KATHERINE & SURROUNDS Spanning the Gulf of Carpentaria to the West Australian border, the Katherine region is teeming with unique ecosystems, outback adventures, abundant waterways and tropical wonderlands. The town is a stone’s throw from hot springs, the Cutta Cutta limestone caves and the Indigenous community of Manyallaluk, which offers unique cultural tours. To learn more, head to the Katherine Museum (katherinemuseum.com). Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park is world-renowned for its towering sandstone beauty. See it from the air, a kayak or aboard a luxury cruise.

KAKADU Further north, discover the vast landscapes of Kakadu, Australia’s largest national park and home to the country’s highest concentration of Aboriginal rock art.

The landscape is greener and lusher than further south, with savannah woodlands, monsoon forests, mangrove coastal areas, sandstone escarpments and rainforest habitats. The park’s most infamous residents are freshwater and saltwater crocodiles. The Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre offers touring information and Aboriginal history, and during the dry season you can join ranger talks and cultural tours.

will need to obtain a permit from the Northern Land Council (nlc.org.au).

On Bremer Island in northeast Arnhem Land, Trevor Hosie and Helen Martin run an eco-friendly beach retreat among the dunes. Banubanu Wilderness Retreat is a unique destination, perfect for those looking to escape city life. The retreat is run on solar and wind power with rain tanks supplying water, and owner Helen is an Arrernte woman, who works closely with the local community (banubanu.com).

ALICE SPRINGS & SURROUNDS One of Australia’s most famous outback towns, Alice Springs is surrounded by hundreds of kilometres of red desert. Known simply as ‘Alice’ or ‘Mpwante’ by the traditional owners, it’s an Aboriginal art hub and home to hotels, shopping, dining and quirky events like the Henlye-on-Todd dry riverboat regatta.

Alice is a great jumping off point for your Red Centre adventures, with quad and mountain bike riding trails, four wheel drive trips, bush camping and the Larapinta Trail all nearby.

Stretching from Alice to the South Australian border, the Simpson Desert harbours a range of attractions on its peripheries, from camel rides to the sandstone bluffs of Rainbow Valley and Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve.

Be warned, though – desert journeys should only be undertaken with an experienced guide.

TENNANT CREEK & SURROUNDS Five hundred kilometres from Alice Springs and over 1000 kilometres from Darwin, Tennant Creek experienced a gold rush in the 1930s and has been known as the Territory’s “heart of gold” ever since.

Its traditional owners are the Warumungu people and the area spans the Barkly Tablelands with many sacred sites. DA

ARNHEM LAND Unspoilt, Aboriginal-owned Arnhem Land offers countless adventures, including four wheel drive tours and sleep-outs under the stars. To visit, you

MAIN IMAGE: Katherine Gorge.

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WAY out back Rich in sacred sights and spectacular landscapes, Alice Springs is the perfect base from which to explore the Red Centre

T

he only city in the Red Centre, Alice Springs is surrounded by some of Australia’s most aweinspiring landscapes, from deserts and ancient mountain ranges to rocky gorges and hidden waterholes.

Rich in Aboriginal sacred sites and home to a thriving indigenous art scene, it is one of Australia’s most fascinating Outback destinations.

Go myth busting at Desert Park Bust the myth that the desert is the “dead” heart of Australia at the Desert Park on the outskirts of Alice Springs.

This stunning park – part wildlife

sanctuary, part botanic garden – is a mix of carefully re-created desert habitats (sand, woodland and desert rivers) and is bursting with life. Get up close to kangaroos, watch birds of prey in free flight, walk through aviaries, see snakes and animals that normally only make an appearance after dark and marvel at delicate desert wildflowers.

For an after-dark adventure join a guided nocturnal tour to see rare and endangered animals by spotlight (alicespringsdesertpark.com.au).

a magical way to watch the sun rise over the vast spinifex-studded desert plains that surround Alice Springs.

From the air, the landscape looks just like the dot paintings hanging in the art galleries in town. Choose from half hour and one-hour flights. A picnic breakfast and celebratory sparkling wine are included in the price. Wear a warm jacket and a hat – it can be cold in the desert at night (outbackballooning.com.au).

Meet Kangaroo Dundee Take to the skies Get a bird’s-eye view of the desert on a hot air balloon flight. Flights take off before dawn, but once you’re up this is

A baby kangaroo is called a joey, and it’s almost impossible not to fall in love at first sight with the adorable orphaned joeys being cared for by

Experience | Northern Territory

TEXT COURTESY OF AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: Mitchell Cox, Paul and Debra Hoyt, John Henshall, Shaana McNaught, Tourism NT

Larapinta Trail, West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory

Chris Barnes (better known as “Brolga”, star of the hit television series, Kangaroo Dundee). Chris’s kangaroo sanctuary is about a 20-minute drive from Alice Springs, and open for tours every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening.

Tours last around two-and-a-half hours and, depending on his filming schedule, you might even get to meet Kangaroo Dundee himself (kangaroosanctuary.com).

Follow the Desert Art Trail The art galleries of Alice Springs are overflowing with treasures. Start at the Araluen Arts Centre on the edge of town, where you’ll find galleries of Central Australian Aboriginal art and one of the country’s largest collection of works by Albert Namatjira (araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au). The Tjanpi Desert Weavers in Wilkinson Street are a group of women artists from 26 remote communities who make beautiful baskets adorned with seeds and feathers, as well as quirky fibre sculptures of dogs and desert animals (tjanpi.com.au). Tangentyere Artists also produces quirky sculptures as well as beautiful fabrics, blankets and jewellery, all made from

recycled metal and wood and abandoned objects found in and around the town camps (tangentyereartists.org.au).

In Todd Mall, the pedestrianised shopping strip of Alice Springs, Papunya Tula Artists (papunyatula.com.au) and Mbantua Gallery (mbantua.com.au) are worth a visit if you’re on the hunt for an artistic souvenir, with beautiful painted canvases to take home.

The 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail is one of the world’s great long distance hikes. Snaking along the backbone of the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges between Alice Springs and Kings Canyon, it’s an adventure like no other. To do the whole thing takes at least 12 days, but there is an easier way. Adventure travel company World Expeditions runs six-day walking holidays that take in all the highlights of the trail with overnight stays in luxury safari camps, complete with hot showers and camp cooks who whip up tasty meals while you relax. With no need to haul a heavy pack, it’s the best way to walk the desert in style (larapintatrailwalk.com.au). DA

Unearth ancient rock art

GETTING THERE

The area around Alice Springs is associated with the Caterpillar Dreaming (Yeperenye) creation story that tells how the MacDonnell Ranges were formed by great mounds of caterpillars, killed in a battle with their enemies, the stink bugs. The gaps in the ranges, including the one at the southern entrance to Alice Springs, were made when the heads of the caterpillars were bitten off. There are several sacred sites around town, but the most impressive is the caterpillar rock art that covers the rock walls at Emily Gap, 10 kilometres east of town along the Ross Highway. You can drive, cycle or join a tour.

Qantas flies to Alice Springs from all Australian capital cities except for Canberra (qantas.com).

The flight is around three hours from Sydney, or three-and-a-half hours from Melbourne. You can also take a Greyhound bus (greyhound.com.au), or travel in style on the legendary Ghan train service from Adelaide (greatsouthernrail.com.au).

OPPOSITE PAGE: Sunset, West Macdonnell Ranges.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bush tucker display, Alice Springs Desert Park; Simpson Desert sand dune;, Alice Springs sunset; Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell National Park.

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Tasmania | Hobart

Some like

it hot

With a stellar arts and dining scene and outdoor adventures galore, Brisbane’s perennially perfect weather is just the icing on the cake

Life al fresco With year-round sunshine, Brisbane is made for exploring the great outdoors. Have a go at cruising or kayaking on the mighty Brisbane River, abseiling down the 20 million year old Kangaroo Point Cliffs (riverlife.com.au) or luxuriating on the white sand of manmade Streets Beach, complete with lifeguards and palm trees (a popular alternative during stinger season) – and that’s just within

158 | destinations australia

city limits! Venture further afield and you can experience Moreton Island and the Scenic Rim, Brisbane’s World Heritage-listed backyard where you will find breathtaking mountain ranges and lush rainforests. There are countless options for exploring these little slices of paradise – catch a ferry to the islands, take to the water and go fishing, swimming or water skiing, or drift over the city in a hot air balloon.

Live entertainment For some of the best live music in the country, head to Fortitude Valley in Brisbane’s north-east. Locally known as ‘the Valley’, it is home to the city’s premier live music scene. These days, it boasts a host of clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants, as well as a number of festivals. Valley Fiesta is Fortitude Valley’s biggest annual celebration of music, food and the arts (valleyfiesta.com).

Jazz fans should keep an ear out for Brisbane International Jazz Festival in June (brisbanejazzfestival.com.au), and outside of Brisbane there are a few festivals worth travelling to, including Australia’s biggest international country and roots festival CMC Rocks in March (cmcrocks.com), and Woodford Folk Festival, a music and cultural festival held in the semi-rural town of Woodford over New Year’s (woodfordfolkfestival.com).

In Queen Street Mall, Brisbane’s most popular shopping district, enjoy some of the city’s best music as you hunt for a bargain, with everyone from emerging artists to bigname acts on the bill. Head to the QSM Live Stage, Milano Cafe or the Visitor Information Centre to find out more (queenstreetmall.com.au). DA

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGES: Tourism and Events Queensland, shutterstock.com

B

risbane’s combination of year-round sunshine, natural wonders and world-class events makes it thoroughly irresistible. Where else can you visit a world-class exhibition in the morning, then board a ferry and be whale watching on an unspoilt island that afternoon?

The city is home to a vibrant local arts scene. Head to the cultural hub at stunning South Bank in the city to find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (qpac.com.au), Queensland Museum (qm.qld.gov.au), Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (qagoma.qld.gov.au), the State Library of Queensland (slq.qld.gov.au), and Cineplex Cinemas (cineplex.com.au), located along the Grey Street Boulevard.

Next, head to nearby Little Stanley for restaurants, bars and boutiques galore, or escape to the pristine Parklands. These tantalising options are all nestled together on the banks of the sparkling Brisbane River (visitsouthbank.com.au). One of the best ways to experience the city’s little-known secrets is on a free tour with a passionate local as part of the Brisbane Greeters program (brisbanegreeters.com.au).

Hobart | Tasmania

BRISBANE’S TOP 5

1

Live like a local. Discover the best of the city with the awesome Brisbane Greeters program which hooks visitors up with passionate local volunteers who will share the city’s hot spots with you – best of all, it’s free. brisbanegreeters.com.au

2

Take a dip at Streets Beach. This stunning manmade lagoon in the heart of Brisbane offers the best of beach and city living. Swim or sunbathe on white sandy beaches, enjoy a barbecue, or pop to the shops for an ice cream.

Corner Earnest & Stanley Street Plaza, Brisbane

3 4

Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Get a bird’s eye view of Brisbane from the top of Story Bridge with dawn, day, twilight and night climbs led by experienced tour guides. sbac.net.au Paddle & Prawns. For a Friday night with a difference, take an easy night kayak up the river soaking up sensational city views, followed by fresh king prawns and Queensland lamingtons. riverlife.com.au

5

Get a taste of resort life. Just a short ferry ride from Brisbane, Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island offers unforgettable experiences in a stunning setting, from sand tobogganing to hand-feeding dolphins. tangalooma.com

Brisbane Greeters

Streets Beach

Bridge Adventure Climb

Paddle & Prawns

Moreton Island

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Top

shopping In Brisbane and the Gold Coast local designers sit side by side with beloved international brands, and best of all you can enjoy it all al fresco BRISBANE Entertainment hub Fortitude Valley is home to modern and heritage-listed buildings, Chinese supermarkets, restaurants and rooftop bars, the European-inspired Emporium complex and local fashion labels. Laneway shopping hubs are also popping up in nooks and crannies, adding yet another cool factor to the precinct. Retro Winn Lane is home to independent artisans, fashion designers, hair stylists and foodies (winnlane.com.au), while Bakery Lane boasts design-focussed studios, retailers, restaurants, cafes and bars (bakerylane.com.au).

Nearby New Farm is made for healthy living, with tree-lined streets and organic cafes, or head to James Street for local designer labels such as Sacha Drake, Gail Sorronda, Carmague and sass & bide, along with homewares, perfect pastries and hip bars.

In picturesque Paddington around 130 heritage Queenslander homes have been revamped into cafes, delis, boutiques and hotels which line the spine of Given and La Trobe Terrace. Pop over to Rosalie Village, a pocket of streets tucked behind Paddington, for al fresco dining, bars and deli treats creating a village vibe in a suburban hub.

On Sundays visit the Riverside Markets at the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens, where you can pick up arts and crafts, jewellery and silverware,

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unique clothing and extraordinary products and services (147 Alice Street).

Brisbane’s iconic Queen Street Mall has long been considered the heart of fashion and retail in Queensland. It is home to over 700 stores and welcomes 26 million visitors a year. Here, luxury fashion labels sit alongside famed Australian department stores David Jones and Myer within the mall’s world-class centres and heritage-listed arcades. Must visit attractions include stylish Queens Plaza, historically significant Brisbane Arcade, Wintergarden shopping centre, the everpopular Myer Centre, the Queen Adelaide Building and Tattersall’s Arcade (queenstreetmall.com.au).

South Bank is the artistic heart of the city, with world-class galleries and museums such as QAGOMA holding court here, along with festivals and pop up events from the Night Noodle Markets in June to the Brisbane Festival in September. Unleash your inner culture buff at the gallery and museum shops, where you can purchase a range of books and art related merchandise (qagoma.qld.gov.au).

Running parallel to the Brisbane River at South Bank is Grey Street, packed with restaurants and bars. Fashionistas will enjoy a visit to Little Stanley Street, a stylish precinct packed with a range of boutique fashion labels and restaurants.

Shopping | Queensland

TEXT:CASSY POLIMENI AND TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND / images: Tourism and Events Queensland & SHUTTERSTOCK

South Bank comes alive every weekend with market stalls selling all sorts of wonders from local crafts and artwork to unique fashion labels, furniture, jewellery and accessories.

The Young Designers Market is held on the first Sunday of each month and has been a launching pad for many local design talents (youngdesignersmarket.com.au). On Friday evenings and weekends, the charismatic Collective Markets is a haven of artisan culture, from fashion and jewellery, to art and homewares (southbankmarket.com.au).

For a change of scenery, leave the river behind and head to the bohemian West End. A mix of alternative and vintage, the local shops and lifestyle reflect the eclectic charm of this suburb, and aspiring designers peddle their wares among organic grocers, cosy bars, cupcake parlours and coffee houses at the weekend markets.

GOLD COAST Head to Cavill Avenue in the heart of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and wander a pedestrian mall lined with trendy shops, bars, and fast food outlets, along with surf art and regular live music performances. Adventurous travellers will delight in the options on offer in nearby arcades, from surf shops to tattoo parlours, and secret nightclubs to explore after hours.

Mantra Circle on Cavill is a retail precinct featuring four main shopping areas complete with al fresco cafes, restaurants and bars along with chic boutiques carrying innovative Australian fashion labels (mantracircleoncavill.com.au). Located under Peppers Broadbeach hotel, and across the road from The Star Casino, Oracle at Broadbeach has plenty of options for serious foodies.

Widely known as Queensland’s finest waterfront shopping and dining resort, Marina Mirage is adjacent to the world’s first Palazzo Versace hotel, and boasts a spectacular waterfront view.

Shop ‘til you drop with over 70 designer boutiques filled with some of the world’s top local and international labels, elegant gifts and homewares, luxurious day spas and beauty salons and a multitude of award-winning waterfront restaurants (marinamirage.com.au).

Centrally located, Pacific Fair is home to the Gold Coast’s largest Myer, as well as Tiffany & Co, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Jurlique, Lululemon, Kmart, Target and more than 220 specialty stores. A $670 million dollar revamp in 2016 has transformed the Gold Coast icon into an indoor-outdoor oasis with lush tropical greenery and water features, creating an atmosphere that is more resort-like than retail.

Need a break from shopping? Catch a film at Event Cinemas or book in local shows and events at Tours and Tickets on the Lower Arcade near JB Hifi (pacificfair.com.au). DA

OPPOSITE PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bakery Lane in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley; Japanese goods on display at Maiocchi in Given Terrace, Paddington; Ole Restaurant.

THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: Next Door Bar & Kitchen, Grey Street; Shopping at Marina Mirage.

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昆士兰 | 购物

购物热点 在布里斯班，当地设计师品牌与热门国际大牌比肩为邻； 最棒的是，这里为你带来绝妙的户外购物体验 娱乐中心毅力谷 (Fortitude Valley) 拥有许多现代 建筑和列入遗产名录的历史建筑，还有林林总总的中国 超市、餐厅和屋顶酒吧、欧洲风情的综合商场以及当地 时尚品牌。小巷购物中心也在当地四处开花，蓬勃发 展，为购物区又增添了一份魅力。Winn Lane 巷是独 立手工艺者、时尚设计师、美发师和美食家的常驻之地 (winnlane.com.au)，而 Bakery 巷则拥有大量专注于 设计的工作室、零售店、餐厅、咖啡厅和酒吧 (bakerylane.com.au)。附近的新农场 (New Farm) 专 为健康生活而生，街道两侧树木成荫，点缀着不计其数 的有机咖啡馆。您也可以前往詹姆斯街 (James Street)，选购当地设计师品牌，例如 Sacha Drake、Gail Sorronda、Carmague 和 sass & bide， 此外，这里还有各种家居用品、精品糕点和时髦酒吧。 在风景如画的帕丁顿 (Paddington)，约 130 座昆 士兰人的老屋已翻新改造为咖啡馆、熟食店、精品店 和酒店，使这里成为 Given 和 La Trobe Terrace 的热门干道。游客可以拜访罗莎莉村 (Rosalie Village)，探索帕丁顿纵横交织的街道，诸多户外餐 饮、酒吧和熟食店在这处市郊中心地段营造出一 派村落氛围。周日，您可以前往爱丽丝街 147 号 (147 Alice Street) 布里斯班城市植物园 (Brisbane City Botanical Gardens) 中的河畔集市 (Riverside Market)，在这里您可以淘到艺术品、手 工制品、珠宝银饰、特色服装和独特的产品与服务。 布里斯班的标志性皇后街购物中心 (Queen Street Mall) 一直被视为昆士兰州的时尚及零售购物中心。 这里汇集了 700 多家商店，每年吸引 2600 万游客 前来购物。该中心拥有世界一流的购物设施和列入文 化遗产的拱廊建筑，这里既有奢侈时装品牌商店，也 有著名的澳大利亚百货商场戴维·琼斯 (David Jones) 和玛雅 (Myer)。购物中心的必去之地包括： 时尚的皇后广场 (Queens Plaza)、具有重要历史意 义的布里斯班拱廊 (Brisbane Arcade)、冬季花园 (Wintergarden) 购物中心、一直备受欢迎的玛雅百 货公司 (Myer Centre)、女皇大街商场 (Queen Adelaide Building) 和塔特萨尔拱廊 (Tattersall’s Arcade) (queenstreetmall.com.au)。 南岸 (South Bank) 是这座城市的艺术核心地带， 多家世界一流的艺术馆和博物馆（例如 QAGOMA） 入驻此地。这里也是许多节庆和热门活动的举办地 点，从六月的美味面食夜市 (Night Noodle Markets) 直到九月的布里斯班节 (Brisbane Festival)，这里总是精彩不断。您可以在这里的艺术 馆和博物馆的商店购买各种书籍和艺术相关商品，尽 情释放您对文化的热爱 (qagoma.qld.gov.au)。

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在南岸，与布里斯班河 (Brisbane River) 平行的 格里街 (Grey Street) 林立着许许多多的餐厅和酒 吧。时尚达人一定会热衷于前往小斯坦利街 (Little Stanley Street)，这是一个时尚购物区，聚集着许多 时尚精品品牌和美食餐厅。 南岸每周末都会热闹非凡，集市摊位售卖当地手工 制品、艺术品、独特的时装品牌产品、家具以及珠宝 和饰品等各种奇特产品。每月的第一个周日，年轻设 计师市场 (Young Designers Market) 都会如期开 市，这里是众多当地设计才子一展身手的绝佳平台 (youngdesignersmarket.com.au)。每周五晚上和周 末，Collective Markets 集市售卖各种时尚用品、珠 宝、艺术品和家居用品等手工艺品，文化氛围浓厚 (southbankmarket.com.au)。 离开布里斯班河前往波希米亚风格的西端 (West End)，您可以欣赏到不同的景色。当地的商店和生活 方式融合了另类与复古的文化氛围，反映出这片郊区 兼收并蓄的文化魅力，有抱负的设计师们纷纷在周末 集市上晒出他们的作品，集市上还有有机食物杂货 店、舒适的酒吧、杯子蛋糕店和咖啡馆。DA

Eat & Drink | Queensland

GOURMET FUSION URBANE Co-owned by award winning chef Alejandro Cancino and Brisbane born hospitality guru Andrew Buchanan, Urbane Brisbane focusses on experience and quality. A three-hatted restaurant and winner of the 2017 Australian Gourmet Traveller Top 100 restaurants award, Urbane uses techniques from France and Japan to create their fresh European/Australian infused menu. Becoming increasingly popular with its ever growing blog coverage, this place lives up to the hype and is a must try for any serious foodie.

(07) 3229 2271 181 Mary Street, Brisbane urbanerestaurant.com

BREW BAR THE CHARMING SQUIRE The Charming Squire is ideally located in Brisbane’s vibrant South Bank precinct and is the perfect place for a casual catch up, special function or night out. As a functioning brewery, you can observe the brewing process whilst enjoying your favourite James Squire variety accompanied with a delicious seasonal dish. Enjoy breakfast from the Brewer’s Pantry seven days a week, grab a burger or share plate at the bar or linger over the delicious restaurant menu.

(07) 3077 7254 3/133 Grey Street, South Brisbane jamessquire.com.au/brewbars

MODERN AUSTRALIAN

TEXT: tourism queensland / IMAGE supplied by urbane

ARIA RESTAURANT Being awarded the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2011 Restaurant Awards Maitre D’ of the Year, Aria Restaurant offers diners the quintessential Brisbane dining experience.

Take in the striking Brisbane River views adorned by the illuminated skyline while feasting on the seasonal and well-balanced menu created by chef Matt Moran. The open floor plan and light timber decor further cements the restaurant’s modern Australian dining experience.

(07) 3233 2555 Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane ariarestaurant.com

With creative presentation and international flavours, Brisbane’s award-winning restaurants and bars are a treat for the senses OLD WORLD CHARM THE APO Once a medical dispensary in 1862, the now heritage listed location in Fortitude Valley is home to one of Brisbane’s newest contemporary restaurants, The Apo. Overlooking bustling Ann Street and Bakery Lane, The Apo invites guests to watch the world go by while dining on French-Middle eastern fusion cuisine, or sipping a cocktail made from an antique Crawley cocktail shaker in the upstairs bar. Sleek modern furnishings in an antique setting bring together the best of both worlds to create a memorable dining experience.

(07) 3252 2403 690 Ann Street Fortitude Valley theapo.com.au

seasons

Luxuriate in Queensland’s enviable weather with outdoor adventures and animal encounters, or get your culture fix at world-class galleries and museums Flying high

Animal instinct

Fast becoming a Brisbane must-do, the adrenalinecharged Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers breathtaking views of the city and surrounds over two-and-a-half hours (sbac.net.au). For a more sedate but no less scenic experience, the Wheel of Brisbane observation wheel delivers panoramic views of the city from the comfort of an air-conditioned capsule (thewheelofbrisbane.com.au). Or take a heli-tour of Ipswich, Brisbane, The Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Somerset, Logan and Redlands regions, where you’ll find a range of wineries, museums, art precincts, accommodation and restaurants (pterodactylhelicopters.com.au).

Handfeeding a pod of wild bottlenose dolphins at sunset is a magical experience made possible on Moreton Island, a short boat trip from Brisbane. Learn about the behaviour of these playful creatures with a free presentation at Tangalooma Resort’s Marine Education and Conservation Centre (tangalooma.com).

Get up close and personal with native Australian animals at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, home to over 130 koalas, plus a host of other locals, from cuddly wombats to snakes and crocodiles. Cuddle a koala, handfeed a kangaroo and witness birds of prey in flight (koala.net). If you’re keen to experience the Australian bush but don’t have a lot of time, head to

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND QUEENSLAND.COM / IMAGES: Tourism and Events Queensland

For all

Arts & Attractions | Queensland

Mt Coot-tha Reserve, a short bus ride from the city.

This huge bush reserve and parkland offers fantastic picnic and barbeque facilities, a restaurant, cafe and gift shop. Wander through eucalypt forest, follow meandering creek beds and discover spectacular views over Brisbane to the Moreton Bay Islands from the renowned Brisbane Lookout (brisbane.qld.gov.au).

Wet and wild The Riverlife Centre offers activities including kayaking tours of Brisbane River, abseiling down the ancient Kangaroo Point Cliffs, stand-up paddle boarding lessons and night rock climbs, as well as hiring out mountain bikes and roller blades (riverlife.com.au).

Experience public transport with a difference aboard a CityCat or CityFerry, which carry passengers along the Brisbane River from the University of Queensland at St Lucia to Northshore in the east of the city. To explore the river from a different angle, enjoy a sunset seafood buffet on the paddlewheeler, Kookaburra Queen (kookaburrariverqueens.com), or snuggle up to a loved one and imagine you’re in Venice on a Brisbane River Gondola ride (gondola.com.au).

At Streets Beach, Australia’s only man-made beach in the middle of a bustling city, you can get the best of both worlds – have a swim and enjoy a beachside BBQ just metres from SouthBank’s main attractions (visitsouthbank.com.au).

Galleries & Museums Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is a world-class gallery with global premiers and blockbuster exhibits, including more than 16,000 international paintings and sculptures, permanent collections of Indigenous art, multimedia artworks and a world-class Children’s Art Centre (qagoma.qld.gov.au). It’s located in South Bank, Brisbane’s ‘cultural kilometre’, alongside additional galleries and live music events like Green Jam on Friday nights.

At Queensland Museum, a rotating display of exhibitions on natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement tell the changing story of Queensland. Be sure to check out the endangered species gallery and the Museum Zoo, which contains over 700 prehistoric and modern animals, as well as Sciencentre, an experience-rich environment for children of all ages (qm.qld.gov.au).

Crossing the threshold into the internationally acclaimed Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology is like stepping back in time. Discover prehistoric artefacts, manuscripts, rare books, and paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, all just 40 minutes from central Brisbane (abbeymuseum.asn.au). Go in July and see history in action as thousands of Australians re-enact life at the Abbey Medieval Festival (abbeymedievalfestival.com).

Performing Arts Spirits of the Red Sand is a brand new interactive historical experience that takes guests through seven sets of live theatre depicting the Aboriginal way of life during British settlement, and culminating in a warm damper dinner post-show. It’s located in the Beenleigh Historical Village 36 kilometres from Brisbane, and transfers are available (spiritsredsand.com).

One of Australia’s leading arts centres, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is the setting for a jam-packed calendar of world-class performances by the Queensland Orchestra, Opera Queensland, the Queensland Ballet and the Queensland Theatre Company. Fun fact: the Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet is none other than Li Cunxin, best known from his book Mao’s Last Dancer which became a major Hollywood film (qpac.com.au).

One of Australia’s leading theatre companies, La Boite Theatre Company presents spectacular productions, alongside a range of workshops and special events, including Acting Masterclasses, Clowning and Comedy workshops and Meet the Artist nights (laboite.com.au).

Discover a feast of visual art, theatre, comedy, music and film at the Brisbane Powerhouse, a former power station turned creative hub. An important part of Brisbane’s cultural landscape, the Powerhouse hosts, free weekly comedy nights and a farmer’s market every Saturday (brisbanepowerhouse.org). DA

OPPOSITE PAGE: Kayaking with Riverlife, Brisbane. THIS PAGE FROM TOP: Helicopter over Brisbane; Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. destinations destinationsaustralia australia| |165 89

SUNSHINE COAST Insider

Bindi

Irwin

Nineteen-year-old Bindi Irwin inherited a passion for wildlife from her father Steve “Crocodile Hunter� Irwin. Now an award-winning wildlife conservationist in her own right, she shares her love of the wild and her hometown on the Sunshine Coast 166 | destinations australia

Insider | QUEENSLAND

Wildlife and conservation work isn’t just my job, it’s who I am. I feel as though I’ve been put on this planet for a reason and I’m incredibly lucky to be given the opportunity to follow my dreams and reach out to others to believe in their strength to change the world. I can’t see myself ever having a career change, waking up one morning and deciding to be an astronaut or ballerina, working with wildlife means the world to me. I really am living the dream.

I want to make the world a better place for future generations, and ensure we always have clean air, fresh drinking water and an abundance of wildlife.

Every time we lose an animal species, it’s like losing a brick from the house, eventually the house falls down. Sometimes it’s challenging when you feel like you’re only one person and there is so much to be done. But I’ve found it’s of the utmost importance to stand up for what you know is right.

Australia Zoo is the most hands-on zoological facility in the world, with over 1200 animals – and you can meet almost all of them! You can cuddle koalas, kiss rhinos, scratch Komodo dragons, feed lemurs, hold birds and snakes – you name it. It makes my whole life when I watch our visitors genuinely connect with our animals. My dad [conservationist Steve Irwin] always said that people want to save things they love. At Australia Zoo we try to break down barriers, and dispel some of the myths surrounding certain animal species (australiazoo.com.au).

TEXT COMPILED BY CASSY POLIMENI / IMAGE SUPPLIED BY AUSTRALIA ZOO

At the end of a busy day at the Zoo, I will often sit on the grass in our giant kangaroo paddock after everyone has left and spend time with the roos, watching the sun set. I find that I’m most at peace being around wildlife, it’s the greatest form of meditation.

Our animals are like family; they’re also ambassadors for wildlife worldwide.

Our 5000-seat Crocoseum allows us to inspire through education, with the animals showcasing just how extraordinary they are. My family has always believed that by putting our animals and keepers first at Australia Zoo, we are able to give our guests the most life changing and hands-on wildlife experience in the world.

Of all our conservation projects, the one closest to my heart is the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

This heart-warming facility was opened in memory of my grandmother Lyn Irwin, a passionate wildlife carer. Each year rescue and hospital teams work hard to rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in order to release them safely back into the wild.

They’ve treated over 70,000 animals since the hospital opened in 2004.

For me, the perfect day out in Queensland would start at Australia Zoo to cuddle with the animals, followed by a fantastic lunch and a hike up Mount Ngungun to get the perfect view of the Glasshouse Mountains. Next, we’d drive through Maleny and Montville to check out the gorgeous town shops, and spend the evening watching the sunset at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve before heading to dinner at the Terrace of Maleny (terraceofmaleny.com.au).

The Glasshouse Mountains are a highlight of the Sunshine Coast. Hiking up the mountains gives you the perfect perspective of my beautiful home. There’s a great hike along the beach at Noosa National Park that I love too, and if you’re lucky you might spot a koala as you begin the walk along the coastline.

I can’t see myself ever having a career change… working with wildlife means the world to me.

Mount Tibrogargan has a brilliant trail around the base of the mountain that is a great place to go running, with a few really pretty views along the way to admire while you run.

We often have performances at Australia Zoo in our 5000-seat Crocoseum. We’ve had everyone from the Veronicas to John Williamson perform here. One of my favourite memories is when Guy Sebastian performed in the Crocoseum during a marriage proposal. After the proposal he sang a song to the very happy couple.

I’ve always wanted to visit the Eumundi Markets, but haven’t made it yet. I hear that they are incredible. One day I will get there (eumundimarkets.com.au).

I love a good cup of tea. Check out the Flaxton Barn in the scenic Blackall Range, they have lovely antiques, food and drinks (flaxtonbarn.com.au).

The best little cafes, shops, hikes and views of the Sunshine Coast are all close by too.

November is my favourite time of year in Queensland. The Jacaranda trees are blooming and on the 15th we celebrate Steve Irwin Day. For us, this month is filled with celebration.

The Sunshine Coast is … the most blissful sundrenched getaway. DA

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Golden

TEXT: CASSY POLIMENI AND visit victoria / IMAGE: shutterstock.com

state

Regional | Queensland

Renowned for its beaches, rainforests, outback, islands and theme parks, Queensland has everything you need for the quintessential Australian experience THE GOLD COAST The glitzy jewel in Queensland’s crown, the Gold Coast is famous for its white sandy coastline. Main Beach has a bustling cafe scene with views of sleek private yachts bobbing in the canals, while Surfers Paradise is a hub of bars, nightclubs, surf stores and great food. If you’re visiting with kids (or simply young at heart!) don’t miss the theme parks that line the Pacific Highway. For film buffs, there’s Movie World, while adrenaline-seekers and animals lovers will adore Dreamworld and WhiteWater World. Splash down at Wet’n’Wild or make friends with seals, polar bears and penguins at Sea World in Southport. Or escape to the lush hinterland region and swap the bright lights for organic farms, vineyards and day spas.

it can be seen from space. Port Douglas and Cairns make great bases, with shopping, dining and cultural highlights.

THE WHITSUNDAYS Made up of 74 mostly uninhabited islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by the calm waters of the Coral Sea, this is a true tropical paradise. Get back to nature with beach camping and bushwalking, or relax at popular island resorts including Hamilton, Hayman and Daydream islands.

Airlie Beach on the mainland is the coastal hub and major gateway to the islands, itself an interesting holiday town with palm-fringed beaches and resort hotels.

SUNSHINE COAST

THE FRASER COAST

This low-key holiday region stretches north from Brisbane, encompassing cafes, restaurants and retailers.

Noosa Heads and Coolum offer an abundance of accommodation, activities and world-class dining. Visit the Big Pineapple, an icon of kitsch that pays tribute to the area’s pineapple growing past (bigpineapple.com.au), or explore the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains and the quaint township of Maleny, a former timber region that now boasts art galleries, organic cafes, open studios and wineries. Another unmissable attraction is Australia Zoo. Made famous by Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, the zoo is home to over 1200 animals, with free shows daily (australiazoo.com.au).

Incorporating Hervey Bay and pristine World Heritagelisted Fraser Island, this stunning region is just a ferry ride from the mainland and is renowned as Australia’s premier whale-watching destination. Hervey Bay is where majestic Humpback Whales come to rest and play between the months of July and November.

Join a whale-watching cruise for your unique opportunity to come face-to-face with these gentle giants of the sea.

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND Home to two World Heritage-Listed icons – the Daintree Rainforest and the majestic Great Barrier Reef – FNQ’s appeal is indisputable. Spend your days snorkelling, whale watching, bushwalking, whitewater rafting, and exploring food and wine trails. Located 100 kilometres north of Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation can be explored on a scenic drive, nocturnal tour, or rainforest walk. One of the world’s seven natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef is an essential stop on your trip. It’s home to ancient sea turtles, kaleidoscopic corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, and so expansive

THE OUTBACK Outback Queensland is a rugged region of incredible contrasts, made famous by poets like Banjo Patterson. The parched and sunburnt country is ripe for adventure, from 4WD camping expeditions, to discovering rock art in one of the region’s 20 national parks, and exploring waterholes, wetlands and desert sand dunes. Fish for barramundi, relax in a natural mud bath in the tiny town of Eulo, take a sunset cruise down the Thomson River, drive discovery trails including the Muttaburra Heritage Trail or Dinosaur Trail, or take a scenic flight over the country’s largest copper mines and spectacular Lake Moondarra. DA

MAIN IMAGE: Surfers Paradise sunrise views from the lifeguard station.

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Sweet

Escape

Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and home to rare turtle colonies, the sugar-growing town of Bundaberg is a city of treasures, Stephanie Williams discovers

T

he historic sugar cane city of Bundaberg is a four-hour drive north of Brisbane and the southernmost gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, fringed by fascinating coral cays, lagoons and 140 kilometres of glistening white beaches.

From Bundaberg it’s a short drive to Mon Repos Regional Park, home to the largest concentration of nesting sea turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Bundaberg is also the base

for diving and snorkelling trips to Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island, as well as swimming and fishing from coastal national parks.

But Bundaberg isn’t just a coastal experience, you can also explore city drawcards such as museums, heritage buildings and lush botanic gardens.

Learn more about the sugar cane trade and how Australia’s popular Bundaberg Rum has put this town on the map.

There’s a range of Bundaberg accommodation from campgrounds

to luxury apartments, or consider the beachside suburb of Bargara, 15 minutes away.

Watch turtles nest Between November and March at Mon Repos Regional Park you can join a nightly tour to see green, flatback and endangered loggerhead turtles nest and hatch on the small beach there.

Mid-November to February is the best time to see female turtles laying eggs, while hatchlings usually begin to

Experiences | Queensland

leave their nests from mid-January.

In January you may glimpse both nesting adults and their newly-hatched babies crawling to shore for their first swim (npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mon-repos).

TEXT COURTESY OF AUSTRALIA.COM / IMAGES: Tourism & Events Queensland

Enjoy the island life Over summer, turtles also nest and hatch in smaller numbers on nearby Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands, the southernmost coral isles of the Great Barrier Reef. These spots are also spectacular sites for snorkelling and diving, with manta rays and fish among the rainbow of resident marine life.

Base yourself in the beachfront eco-resort on Lady Elliot Island, home to 19 dive sites (ladyelliot.com.au).

Take a guided reef walk or hike around the island, keeping an eye out for the abundant birdlife. Further north is Lady Musgrave Island, a national park and the only coral island on the Great Barrier Reef with a navigable lagoon.

Swim and snorkel the lagoon’s clear, turquoise waters alongside coral trout and enormous technicolour fish. Scuba dive with manta rays and moray eels, glide over the reef in a glass-bottomed boat or see starfish, sea urchins, clams and corals exposed at low tide (ladymusgraveexperience.com.au).

Explore the island on a day trip or go castaway – but you’ll need to book ahead for one of the 40 camping spots.

Try the sweet stuff You can’t drive around the Bundaberg region without seeing towering stalks

of the local crop – sugarcane.

There are three local brands – Bundaberg Rum, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and Bundaberg Sugar – that rely on the local sugar industry and have helped put Bundaberg on the map.

Take a tour of the Bundaberg Rum distillery, which dates back to 1888 (bundabergrum.com.au). You can even blend your own rum to take home.

Visit Fairymead House, a grand 1890s homestead housing sugar industry memorabilia, a gift from Bundaberg Sugar (fairymeadhouse.com.au).

Explore the streets of Bundaberg Back in Bundaberg, trace the city’s heritage in the museums and gracious colonial buildings. Visit the subtropical Bundaberg Botanic Gardens precinct, which includes more than 10,000 plants, a working sugar cane train and the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, which pays tribute to solo aviator Bert Hinkler (hinklerhallofaviation.com). Take a break next to the museum at Café 1928 (bundabergcafe.com.au), or cruise the Burnett River aboard the Bundy Belle and see Bundaberg from a new perspective (burnettrivercruises.com.au).

Visit the neighbours Bundaberg sits at the hub of the Coral Coast, a dreamy stretch of white beaches, national parks and relaxed coastal towns. Head 70 kilometres north and hit the surf at Agnes Water,

OPPOSITE PAGE: Great Barrier Reef. THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: Lady Musgrave Island; turtles are one of the ‘Great Eight’, amazing sea creatures you’ll want to tick off your list as you snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef; Spring Hill House, Bundaberg. a sleepy holiday hamlet. You can take a surf lesson, or hire a board or bike there (lazylizardsurfschool.com.au).

Visit its sister township of Seventeen Seventy, a popular departure point for reef cruises and fishing charters. Its unusual name is actually the year explorer Captain James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour landed here. You can also swim or fish at Elliott Heads, go diving in Coral Cove and Innes Park, or spot kangaroos in Woodgate Beach. DA

GETTING THERE Bundaberg is serviced by a regional airport, with links to Brisbane and Lady Elliot Island.

You can take the Tilt Train from Brisbane, which takes around four-and-a-half hours, or drive on sealed highways up and down the Queensland coast and inland cities. queenslandrailtravel.com.au

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INFOrmation | Traveller’s Tips

Traveller’s tips & advice Get the most out of your Australian experience by taking note of these top tips

Banks are generally open from 9.30am to 4pm on weekdays, with some offering extended hours and opening on Saturday morning.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are located throughout Australia and at participating retail locations (including petrol stations and convenience stores).

Your card must carry a CIRRUS, PLUS or STAR international ATM mark, or Interlink or Maestro POS mark.

Travellers should contact their own bank for availability and service charges.

Post offices are open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. Stamps can also be purchased from selected hotels and retail outlets including newsagents.

A network of bus services supplement interstate train travel, and country and interstate travel by trains and buses can be booked through a range of businesses, including: Countrylink – call 132 232 or visit countrylink.info Firefly Express – call 1300 730 740 or visit fireflyexpress.com.au Greyhound Australia – call 1300 473 946 or visit greyhound.com.au Rail Australia – call 132 147 or visit railaustralia.com.au

Car Hire Major international car rental companies are represented in most cities and at most airports. A valid driver’s licence is required and the minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years old.

Bushfires The main danger period for bushfires and firestorms in densely forested areas and parklands is from late spring through summer.

All areas of Australia carry bushfire warnings and will ban the lighting of fires during periods of potential danger.

Follow all precautions and inform yourself of danger zones before setting off on a journey and comply with warning signs or total fire bans. Failure to do so will result in heavy fines.

Bus Lines & Railways Multiple day rail passes are available at train stations and a range of bus passes can be purchased from newsagents and convenience stores.

Check state websites for train and bus services and timetables.

172 | destinations australia

The most commonly accepted credit cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club and Carte Blanche, and their affiliates.

Traveller’s cheques can be cashed at most banks or larger hotels, with some charging a small fee. Most currencies are accepted.

Currency & Exchange 100 cents = AUD$1 Australian currency consists of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins. Notes available are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

Currency exchange facilities are located at airports, as well as designated outlets in city centres and at most banks.

Disabled Visitors Australian hotels, airlines, major attractions and transport carriers generally provide excellent access for people with disabilities. Advance notice and details of your disability will ensure the best possible assistance.

Guides to facilities are available from the National Information Communication Awareness Network – please call 1800 806 769 or visit nican.com.au

Climate & Seasons Summer: December to February Autumn: March to May Winter: June to August Spring: September to November Australia’s climate is regarded as fairly mild throughout the year. The country has two main climatic zones – the north above the tropic of Capricorn, where about 40 per cent of Australia is tropical, and the temperate zone in the remaining part of the country.

During summer the weather can get extremely hot all around the country, with the Top End experiencing its ‘wet season’ of daily tropical storms.

During winter temperatures drop, particularly in the south, and the ski season in the mountain regions of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania extends from June to September.

Driving & Road Travel • Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road • Visitors from overseas can drive on a valid international driver’s licence. If your driver’s licence is not in English, a translation must be carried with the permit • The blood alcohol limit is 0.05 per cent and penalties for non-observance of this law are severe • Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers • Road speed limits differ between states but in general they are: 100km-110km on freeways 50km-60km in built up areas 40km in school zones between 8am-9.30am and 2.30pm-4pm on weekdays • Hitchhiking is illegal

Illustrations: Cheri Hughes

Banks, ATMS & Post Offices

Credit Cards & Traveller’s Cheques

Traveller’s Tips | INFOrmation

• Never leave small children or animals locked in vehicles in hot weather. This can be extremely dangerous and offenders will be fined • Driver’s fatigue is a serious road danger. Stop and rest every couple of hours when travelling long distances to avoid an accident • Take care on remote country roads and tracks, as native wildlife and cattle can cross unexpectedly. The most dangerous times of day for visibility are sunset and twilight • When travelling in remote regions, always advise someone of your expected time of arrival at your destination, and the number of people travelling with you. Therefore, if you fail to arrive, help procedures can be initiated. Never leave your vehicle if you get lost or break down • Take care when travelling on freeways and highways that are also used by large trucks and road trains.

Always give them plenty of room and allow at least one kilometre of clear road before overtaking • Do not attempt to cross a flooded river causeway unless you are sure of the water depth and any possible road damage. Most flash floods will recede within 24 hours • In areas where trams operate on the roads, always give way and stop behind the tram at designated tram stops for the safety of alighting passengers • Do not take risks when driving that could cause harm to you or others on the road • It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving

Electrical Appliances Australia’s electricity supply is 240 volts. Most electronic and travel stores sell plug adaptors. Always check if your 110-volt appliance has an automatic switch for a 240-volt supply, otherwise it is recommended you get a 110v/240v transformer before leaving home.

GST In 2000, Australia introduced a tax reform package that removed a number of existing levies and imposed

a blanket Goods & Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent. Inbound visitors benefit in that international and domestic flights purchased overseas by nonresidents are GST free.

Internet & WiFi Connections There are free WiFi hot spots around the country – to find a location near you, visit www.freewifi.com.au

Language & Religion English is the main language in Australia, however many other languages are spoken throughout the country. Telstra offers a 24-hour translation and interpreter service for an extensive range of languages – call 13 14 50.

Australia is a multicultural nation.

Places of worship for most religions can be found in cities and towns around the country.

Liquor Laws You must be 18 years or older to buy alcohol or consume it in public.

Regulations for opening hours of pubs, hotels, clubs and other licensed establishments vary from state to state.

Medical Australian nationals and New Zealand visitors are covered by the national health insurance scheme, Medicare, however this scheme does not apply to visitors from other countries.

We recommend you organise travel insurance before leaving home.

Visitors can bring a reasonable quantity of prescribed medication for personal use into Australia – it should all be clearly labelled and identifiable.

Larger quantities may require a doctor’s certificate that may need to be produced before entry to the country.

Australian pharmacies can fill most prescriptions, however some may need to be issued by a registered Australian doctor.

In the event of illness, ask your hotel to contact a doctor or organise an ambulance.

Personal Security Australia has a low crime rate and a stable political system, and is regarded as a safe destination. However, we recommend you observe all the usual precautions with your possessions and personal safety.

Poisonous Animals Australia has many poisonous and lethal animals. Marine stingers such as the lethal box jellyfish and Irukandji are found in the coastal waters in northern Queensland from November to April. Only swim in allocated netted waters. If stung, seek immediate medical attention.

Another danger in these waters is the camouflaged stonefish. To protect against stepping on one, always wear thick-soled shoes when walking in tropical water or around reef areas.

In southern regions of Australia, stay clear of blue-ringed octopus, usually found in rock pools, as its bite can be fatal. Also avoid the painful sting of the blue bottle, also know as the Portuguese Man O’War. When bushwalking or hiking, be aware of snakes and spiders, as many are extremely poisonous. Wear protective footwear and clothing, and if bitten seek immediate medical attention.

Remote Journeys & Bushwalking When embarking on an outback or remote journey, make sure you’re properly prepared.

Ensure your vehicle is fitted with GPS and two spare tyres, and take maps, extra food, water and fuel with you.

Have an emergency plan in place and tell someone at your destination when you plan to arrive. Check road conditions before setting off and avoid travelling in extremely hot weather.

Check with your mobile phone provider for coverage in the areas you’ll be travelling to.

When planning a hike or bushwalk, always check the distance and degree of difficulty before setting off, and consider using a local guide for longer, challenging walks. Always tell someone where you are going and your destinations australia | 173

INFOrmation | Traveller’s Tips expected return date and time. Wear protective clothing and footwear, and always take a compass, topographic map, sunscreen, insect repellent and a first-aid kit with you, as well as plenty of drinking water.

Sharks & Crocodiles While rare in Australia, shark attacks can be fatal, and shark netting is commonly used on busy beaches.

Further reduce your risk by swimming between the flags, avoid swimming at dusk, alone, far from shore, or at river mouths or drop-offs to deeper water.

Crocodiles live in the rivers and coastal estuaries of northern Australia.

Always observe safety signs and seek expert advice. Do not swim in rivers, estuaries, tidal rivers, deep pools or mangrove shores.

Sun Protection Overexposure to the Australian sun can be damaging to your skin due to high UV levels. The middle of the day is when UV levels are at their highest.

Always apply sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 when outdoors, and reapply regularly. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses even on cloudy days. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Symptoms of sunstroke include headaches, vomiting, confusion, dehydration and an increased body temperature. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

Swimming Between the Flags

Taxis Meter-operated taxi cabs service all major city centres and towns. Taxi ranks are located at transport terminals, hotels and main shopping centres, and can be hailed on the street.

A cab is vacant if its roof light is illuminated.

Telephones & Communication Public phones are located in most main urban and rural centres. Pre-paid phone cards can be purchased at many retail outlets including newsagents and convenience stores. Pre-paid sim cards are available at phone retailers in most urban centres.

Time Zones There are three time zones in Australia: • Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates in New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland • Central Standard Time (CST) operates in South Australia and the Northern Territory, and is half an hour behind EST • Western Standard Time (WST) operates in Western Australia and is two hours behind EST

Airport transfers All airports have shuttle services with pick-up and drop-off areas at the front of the airport terminal. Prices may vary, and there are a range of services available. Many airports also have direct access to bus and/or train services. Taxi ranks are located outside all airport terminals.

Airports Distance to the major city Adelaide: 6km aal.com.au Brisbane: 15km bne.com.au Cairns: 6km cairnsairport.com Canberra: 8km canberraairport.com.au Darwin: 6km darwinairport.com.au Hobart: 22km hobartairpt.com.au Melbourne: 22km (Tullamarine) melbourneairport.com.au Melbourne: 55km (Avalon) avalonairport.com.au Perth: 15km perthairport.net.au Sydney: 9km sydneyairport.com.au

Tipping Tipping isn’t standard practice and service charges are not included at hotels and restaurants. However, tipping is your choice and a tip of around 10 per cent is considered acceptable if you have received good service. DA

Australian beaches can have dangerous rips and currents, as well as tidal changes that EMERGENCY SERVICES can cause injury and drowning. It is recommended you only swim at Police, Fire and Ambulance beaches patrolled by lifeguards and (dial from any telephone) volunteer lifesavers (they can be identified by their red and yellow uniform and cap), and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which mark the safest areas for Poison Information Centre swimming. Never swim alone, at night or under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Always check the depth of water before diving in to prevent spinal injury.

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At The Airport

Major domestic airlines Qantas: Call 13 13 13 or visit qantas.com.au Virgin Blue: Call 13 67 89 or visit virginblue.com.au Jetstar: Call 13 15 38 or visit jetstar.com Tiger Airways: Call (03) 9999 2888 or visit tigerairways.com

Lifeline (counselling service)

13 11 14

Traveller’s Tips | INFOrmation

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INFOrmation | Traveller’s Tips

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The Ultimate Territory Adventure in Style The Northern Territory is a land of striking contrasts, from the Red Centre’s ancient secrets and majestic natural wonders to the Top End’s vibrant floodplains and hidden waterfalls. All are waiting to be explored with Inspiring Journeys on the Ultimate Territory Adventure in Style.

Experience the majesty of the Northern Territory in luxury, travelling with a maximum of twenty like-minded guests. Visit the heartland of Australia and experience it’s most sacred landscapes, view beautiful rock art dating back thousands of years, sample delicious and authentic bush tucker and hear stories of the Dreamtime.

This journey is truly the Ultimate in Northern Territory travel.

DISCOVER

IMMERSE

World Heritage listed Kakadu & Litchfield National Parks

Learn about rock art at Ubirr and Uluru

Uncover the Mary River on a safari cruise Iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Enjoy an exclusive Aboriginal cultural experience Hike to the top of Kings Canyon for magnificent views

EXPLORE

RELAX

The 36 mystical domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

Toast an Uluru sunset with sparkling wine

Climb Nourlangie for spectacular views over Kakadu National Park

Experience a spectacular Red Centre sunrise

Get off road on the Marrakai 4WD track

Swim at Gunlom Falls and Wangi Falls

10 Day Inspiring Journey from

$5165*per person twin share

For more information or to book call 1300 228 546 or visit inspiringjourneys.com/mncr *Terms and conditions apply. For full details visit inspiringjourneys.com/booking-conditions 12691a