TigerTales Magazine - Feb/Mar 2020

Australia | Feb – Mar 2020

WIN A TRIP TO COFFS HARBOUR! GETTING TO KNOW HOBART DIVE INTO OUR TOP 10 SNORKELLING SPOTS

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WONDER WALLS Meet Matt Adnate

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CABIN CREW Q&A Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I’m Luke and I’m a cabin crew member based in sunny Brisbane.

Q: How long do you usually spend in the air each day?

A: It depends where I’m flying to, anything on average from four to eight hours each day.

H E L LO FROM T IGE R A I R AUST R A L I A Welcome onboard and thanks for flying with us.

With the festive season now a distant memory for many of us, there’s no better time to start planning your next getaway. We fly to 10 spectacular destinations across Australia and pride ourselves on getting you there with no fuss, all for a great price. In this edition of tigertales, we’re exploring the ever-changing Adelaide food scene and reveal the top snorkelling spots across Australia – you might be surprised by the unlikely underwater oasis coming in at number one.

Hobart continues to be a magnet for those seeking a lively cultural scene, hip festivals and delicious local produce around every corner (flick to page 66 for the lowdown), and Cairns is a great base for exploring Tropical North Queensland (turn to page 36 for our story). If you’re thinking about travelling to Sydney, March is a great time to visit, with the Mardi Gras celebrations in full swing (turn to page 46 for a rundown of what to see and do).

So sit back, relax and start planning your next trip.

Happy travels from Tigerair Australia.

Hobart: a city reborn and renewed.

Q: What’s your favourite place to fly to?

A: Hmm that’s a tricky one, but I’d have to say the view across the rainforest and the reef coming into Cairns is hard to beat.

Q: Now, for the important stuff – where’s the best spot to get the ultimate Instagram shot onboard?

A: I’d say any seat at the front of the plane. Up there you get a full view of the engines, wing and the spectacular sights below – it’s perfect for a snap.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the job?

A: I love being able to chat with different people every day. I’ve heard some incredible stories from the people we fly day in day out. Also, working with my incredible team is a huge highlight. We really are a family in the skies.

FEB/MAR 2020

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NATURE IN A BOTT LE Born from our passion to create distinctive Australian spirits capturing the carefree beach lifestyle of the Northern Beaches, made with sustainably foraged marine and native botanicals that will leave you yearning for just one more sip.

WORLD GIN AWARDS 2020; Best Australian ‘London Dry’ Gin & Matured Gin, 3 Gold, 1 Silver Medal

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER I am sure most Australians have had mixed feelings about the start of 2020.

A new year is always an exciting time for change and growth, but this year, as Australia fights against the fires that consume large parts of our precious land, it’s been hard to find positives in the dark.

But as has always happened during and after hard times, stories emerge that show human strength and resilience. Bonding occurs when least expected, because people have been pushed out of their comfort zones, finding themselves in places they might not have chosen to be. Some doors close, while others open.

I grew up in a hamlet called Frogshollow, right in between Bega and Merimbula, down the road from some of my favourite places – Tathra, Candelo, Pambula and Wolumla. This beautiful region, known as the Sapphire Coast, has been hit hard by the fires. Some of my oldest friends have been there with the worst affected, sourcing mattresses, toiletries, towels and home-cooked dinners for people in need, while they camp out in the clubs and RSLs in which we once danced the night away.

Social media has become what it should be – a way to connect people when they need help, reassurance, guidance and strength. Or just a place where they can ask each other where to buy petrol, bread and milk.

Somewhere to find friends. It has been incredible watching how everyone has donated what they can – their time, money and, of course, their services in actually fighting the fires on the frontline. The work of our firies, and those who have joined our people from around, continues to be mindblowingly extraordinary. It all makes me very proud to be Australian.

What we need to remember is that these places – the Sapphire Coast, the Southern Highlands, the Victorian High Country, the Adelaide Hills, the Blue Mountains – are just a few of the affected regions that rely heavily on tourism. Now is the time to explore Australia. Regrowth will come. Beauty will live on in even the most burnt areas. And we’ll all be praying that our wildlife is resilient enough to find new homes and, once again, flourish.

We need to keep travelling and exploring our beautiful country, putting money, energy, love, support and, most importantly, hope back into the places hit the hardest. Yes, overseas travel is awesome, but even I, someone who has spent 26 years travelling to write across regional, rural and outback Australia, have not yet explored so many of this country’s magical places. My New Year’s resolution has been simple: love Australia, even more than I did before. That’s hard work, but I reckon I can do it.

Happy travels, and drop us a line anytime. We love hearing from you.

Michelle Hespe …and the team at tigertales

EDITORIAL Publisher: Michelle Hespe publisher@publishingbychelle.com Editor: Tatyana Leonov tatyana@publishingbychelle.com Art Director: Jon Wolfgang Miller Travel Brand & Communications Manager: Shakira Wood | shakira@publishingbychelle.com Tigerairbiz Brand & Communications Manager: Effe Sandas | advertising@publishingbychelle.com Brand & Communications Manager WA, SA & NT: Andy Gadd | andy.gadd@publishingbychelle.com Assistant Editor: Sarah Hinder editorial@publishingbychelle.com Sub-Editors: Shane Cubis, Sarah Friggieri & Claire Hey CONTRIBUTORS Alexis Buxton-Collins Kirsten Craze Jayne D’Arcy Winsor Dobbin Carla Grossetti Sangeeta Kocharekar Andrew May Ian Lloyd Neubauer

Lisa Smyth Nadia Trégouët Jenny Valentish PRINTING Blue Star PRINT 81 Derby Street Silverwater NSW 2128

tigertales is published by Publishing ByChelle (ABN: 78 621 375 853 ACN: 621 375 853) Level 1, 3 Westleigh Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 publishingbychelle.com The reproduction of any content, in whole or part, without prior written permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Opinions expressed in the content are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher. All information in this magazine was believed to be correct at the time of publication, and all reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Publishing ByChelle cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the publisher, they will not be returned. We apologise if we don’t get back to your email, as we do receive a large volume of communication via various online channels. Some images used in tigertales are from iStock and Getty Images, and we make every effort to credit all contributors.

FEB/MAR 2020

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WHERE WE FLY

Tigerair has you covered

Adelaide

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Coffs Harbour

Melbourne

CONTENTS Australia | Feb - Mar 2020

26 WONDER WALLS

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How graffiti genius Matt Adnate went from tagging beds to epic murals.

09 NEWS & EVENTS News, Q&A with drag artist Etcetera Etcetera, the latest entertainment and gift ideas, events across the country, and Sault chef Hugh Maxwell.

30 NEW YEAR, NEW YOU The best gyms to visit, no matter where you are in Australia.

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36 LESSONS OF YESTERYEAR Cultural insights and extraordinary experiences north of Cairns.

42 SMALL BARS AND BIG IDEAS IN ADELAIDE A closer look at the this capital city’s evolving food (and drink) scene.

46 DARLINGHURST Explore one of Sydney’s LGBTQI+ hub’s during Mardi Gras season.

50 MAKE TRACKS Connect the prehistoric dots on the Dinosaur Trail.

56 GO YOUR OWN WAY Two travellers explore Melbourne in very different ways.

60 TOP 10 SNORKELLING SPOTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA Adjust your goggles and prepare to eyeball some underwater wonders.

66 GETTING TO KNOW HOBART Australia’s southern capital has changed so much in the past decade or so.

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72 BRAIN FOOD The latest insights and analysis.

78 AUSTRALIA WAKES TO THE POWER OF SLEEP The importance of getting a good night’s rest can’t be underestimated.

82 CUTTING THE COMMUTE Working from home – or a café – is the future.

86 WHAT’S NEXT FOR AUSTRALIA’S FORGOTTEN FARMERS? Our beekeepers face unique challenges, as well as opportunities.

90 APPIN’ FOR BUSINESS The young Aussie entrepreneurs racing ahead in the online economy.

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David Dare Parker P05381.037

This special exhibition honours those Australians who work tirelessly to avert tragedy and build peace.

From Bougainville to East Timor; Rwanda to Solomon Islands – explore the stories behind peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, where Australian civilians, diplomats, police and military, have shown the courage to make peace. awm.gov.au/courageforpeace

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16 Q&A 18 ENTERTAINMENT 20 GIFTS 21 EVENTS 24 MEET THE CHEF

BADU GILI LIVE AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE On the first Friday evening of each month until April 2020, Badu Gili Live, a free sunset music series celebrating First Nations music and culture, will be performed at the Sydney Opera House.

Badu Gili Live will see First Nations artists perform in front of the Opera House as the eastern Bennelong sail is beautifully illuminated with Aboriginal art, while a pop-up bar serves drinks and a menu inspired by native Australian ingredients.

‘Badu Gili’ means ‘water light’ in the language of the Gadigal people, the traditional owners of Bennelong Point. sydneyoperahouse.com

NEW LUXURY FLINDERS RANGES TOUR

Kangaroo Island Odysseys is launching a new three-day tour through the South Australian Outback.

Departing from Adelaide, small groups can explore the 540 million-year-old Flinders Ranges, including historic towns Burra and Orroroo, and Kanyaka Station homestead ruins.

Day two sees a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound, followed by peaceful walks along the southern Flinders Ranges. Day three takes in the phenomenal views of Mount Remarkable National Park before meandering through the beautiful Clare Valley – one of Australia’s oldest wine-growing regions, dating back 150 years. Each night guests sleep at the award-winning Rawnsley Park Station in eco-minded luxury. Tours will operate twiceweekly, departing Mondays and Fridays, beginning April 3. kangarooislandodysseys.com.au/flinders-ranges-tours rawnsleypark.com.au FEB/MAR 2020

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WA’S N EW E ST NATIONA L PA R K

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands, a series of 122 ecologically significant islands surrounded by coral communities, have recently been granted national park status. Located 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton, the islands extend across 100 kilometres of the Indian Ocean. They’re accessible by several boat day tours, as well as scenic flights from Geraldton and Kalbarri, which offer land-based activities such as guided nature walks and snorkelling. westernaustralia.com

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SEE THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA FROM ABOVE A fantastic experience to jump aboard in the Mornington Peninsula is Arthurs Seat Eagle – an aerial gondola that glides above Arthurs Seat State Park with astounding 360-degree views of the Mornington Peninsula and out to the ocean. Bespoke picnic packages are available to complement the sightseeing experience, full of goodies such as hot pastries, wraps, snacks and sweet treats.

There are ample walking paths – many of which are wheelchair- and pram-friendly – to explore and find a secluded picnic spot within the park, as well as at nearby Seawinds Gardens, home to indigenous and exotic gardens with a William Ricketts sculpture collection featured throughout. aseagle.com.au

R I DE , W I N E A N D DI N E YOU R WAY T H ROUGH M A RGA R ET R I V E R The new Ultimate Ride to Wine and Dine tour is a private mountain-bike experience led by Margaret River Mountain Bike Tours, in partnership with the highly acclaimed Leeuwin Estate. Starting with Indian Ocean views from Boranup Karri Forest, guests choose either electric mountain bikes or Giant dual-suspension mountain bikes before being personally guided into the forest, home to some of the largest and most ancient trees in the world.

The leisurely two-hour scenic ride through forest and farmland finishes up at Leeuwin Estate winery, where guests then enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, learning about the winemaking process and tasting five iconic Art Series wines. Tours run for about six hours in small groups of up to six people. margaretrivermountainbiketours.com.au

OZHELP WINS ACT SOCIAL CHANGE MAKER AWARD Nominee for the 2019 Telstra Social Change Maker Award and winner of the Australian Capital Territory category, OzHelp is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing suicide and promoting mental health by providing evidence-based preventive programs in high-risk workplaces across the country.

“Our hope is that by winning the ACT category for Social Change Maker and being placed on this renowned national platform as a nominee for this prestigious award, we can shine a light on suicide risk factors in high-risk industries, as well as show how employers can take a proactive approach in supporting their employees and their communities to be healthy and to thrive,” a spokesperson said.

OzHelp seeks to break down barriers in order to better promote positive self-care and help-seeking behaviours.

The organisation was established after apprentice David O’Bryan took his own life, followed by another three young Canberran men in a three-month period.

David’s mother realised the dire lack of support services for young apprentices and vowed to make a change.

Eighteen years on, OzHelp’s programs are delivered nationally, and in 2018 more than 38,000 people benefited from their programs and awareness campaigns. ozhelp.org.au

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CHOCOLATE BUDDHA: REIMAGINED Chocolate Buddha reopened its doors at the end of 2019 after a major renovation by leading Australian architect Peter Maddison (Maddison Architects, Grand Designs Australia).

The space has undergone a complete facelift, now boasting a high-tech sushi train, with Melbourne’s first high-speed shinkansen delivering hot food plates to diners.

“The design responds directly to Japanese cuisine with a kitchen set up specifically for ramen and donburi, and with dedicated sushi chefs on show.

Collectable ancient Buddha statues are strategically located to breathe a sigh of tradition and authenticity to the space,” says Maddison.

The new eclectic menu embraces vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kids’ options, while the drinks menu features a selection of cocktails, Australian and Japanese beers, boutique wines to match Japanese flavours, and a cool selection of saké and umeshu. chocolatebuddha.com.au

SOL A R SPR I NGS I N T H E SOU T H E R N H IGH L A N DS Located in the Southern Highlands’ Bundanoon, Solar Springs Retreat will reopen in February 2020 for six months as an immersive pop-up health and wellness retreat.

The 24-room retreat aims to create a space for guests to reconnect with themselves and nature, and its tranquil tree-lined gardens provide a picturesque location to learn new practises, relax and rejuvenate. A normal day commences with waking to the sound of Tibetan-style singing bowls before saluting the sun with morning yoga. Guests can then choose to immerse themselves in nature by hiking to waterfalls in nearby Morton National Park and experiencing classes of movement and creativity, including strength training, Pilates, art therapy and guided journaling. The day ends with a nightcap meditation session to prepare for one of the most important aspects of wellbeing: sleep.

The retreat’s day spa offers therapeutic and rejuvenating treatments such as facials and massages, while the aquatic centre features a heated indoor swimming pool and steam and sauna rooms.

Solar Springs’ in-house chef works alongside a nutritionist to produce a plant-based program for all daily meals and snacks. solarsprings.com.au

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ADVERTISING FEATURE Cassandra's kids are her inspiration.

Q&A

TWISTED HEALTHY TREATS Cassandra Spies, co-founder and managing director How long did it take to get the taste and health benefits of Twisted Healthy Treats right?

Perfecting the taste and health benefits is a time-consuming task for three reasons. The first is that taste remains the most important consideration in a consumer’s food choice. The second reason is that we take a delicious treat and make it as healthy as possible, without compromising the taste. The third reason is that each of the Twisted products’ amazing taste and health benefits must be signed off by its healthdriven all-female management team before we go to market.

What are the key ingredients in Twisted Healthy Treats?

The highest-quality Australian produce we can get our hands on. For example, all of our yoghurt-based products are made with fresh Greek-style yoghurt and we only ever use 100 per cent Australian dairy.

For us,, it’s about creating the best-tasting healthy treat on the market – and you can’t do that unless you start with outstanding ingredients.

Why are you passionate about ensuring that your products are 100 per cent Australian made?

This goes to the heart of why Twisted Healthy Treats thrives and, as an example, is served in more than 70 per cent of

Australian schools. Twisted is a quintessential Australian celebration of authenticity, integrity and innovation, family-owned business, local farmers and produce, female entrepreneurialism and human health.

What are benefits of the live active cultures found in the frozen yoghurts?

Twisted’s frozen yoghurts

are made with real probiotic yoghurt, and, in what separates Twisted from the rest of the market, Twisted’s very own Probiotic PowerTM contains one billion additional probiotics in every serve. Twisted’s Probiotic PowerTM has been proven to have positive health effects for the digestive and immune systems that go well beyond basic nutrition. twistedhealthytreats.com.au

Tesalate’s sand-free, lightweight, super absorbent, fast-drying beach towels are this season’s top travel essential. Retailing for between $79 and $139 AUD. Check out the collection exclusively available at www.tesalate.com

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GOOD VIBES IN DARLING HARBOUR As the spectacular Barangaroo development continues to emerge in all its shining glory, the whole of Darling Harbour is transforming into the buzzing epicentre of Sydney – showcasing the great lifestyle that comes with modern waterside city living.

At the Darling Quarter end of Darling Harbour is TFE Hotels' latest offering: Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour. Chinatown is right on its doorstep, and the hotel is surrounded by bars, cafés, restaurants and the recently revitalised Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, making it an ideal place for business travellers to stay and play. The super-sleek hotel lives up to the vibrant, cool approach and aesthetic that Vibe stamps on its innovative

A SPECI A L E X H I BI T ION I N CA N BE R R A Visit the Australian War Memorial’s new exhibition, ‘The courage for peace’. Learn about Australian civilians, diplomats, police, and military personnel who have risked their lives to make, shape, and keep peace. Their diverse work contributes to efforts of the United Nations in war zones, disaster relief, and nation-building. Curator-led tours will explore the experiences of Australians navigating the difficult path from conflict to peace. Free entry. awm.gov.au/courageforpeace

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properties, with the heated rooftop pool and chic bar and eatery – Above 319 – being the crème de la crème of this popular property.

Sip champers under the stars or enjoy a poolside beer or wine at sunset after a big day exploring the city. At lobby level there’s the Sussex Store, which is open from early to late and offers coffee, snacks and a cosy spot for a late lunch. The rooms and suites embrace a calming, modern palette of pale grey and crisp white with wooden accents, and all have mini bars, Nespresso machines, Wi-Fi and TVs. If you just want to hide away, there’s always room service to indulge in, and a 24-hour gym to work off the awesome burgers on offer. vibehotels.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

COME DINE WITH US Surf Club Restaurant and Bar Coffs Harbour is about taking locally sourced produce, honest flavours and a little classic influence to deliver amazing tasting food. Coffs Coast’s iconic oceanfront venue provides the ideal scenic backdrop for conferences, family celebrations, weddings and all-day dining.

We have been proudly family owned and operated for more than 11 years supporting our community’s Life Savers.

Mention Tigerair and receive a Botero coffee on the house and come and enjoy the view. surfclubcoffsharbour.com.au

DELICIOUS COCKTAILS AND HARBOUR VIEWS Hyde Hacienda Sydney Bar + Lounge is the perfect Sydney destination for drinks, dinner and dancing, with signature cocktails and premium beverages, South American-inspired eats designed for sharing, and Australia’s finest DJs and live music elevating the experience. Set against a backdrop of breathtaking Sydney harbour views, the new vista bar is inspired by the grand plantation architecture of Cuba and the playful modern vintage hotels of 1950s Miami. Earlyrisers will love the weekend Bottomless Brunch, where free-flowing Chandon Rosé Champagne is the star. The Instagrammble venue is also perfect for birthdays, special occasions and team bonding events. Come play with us. hydehaciendasyndey.com FEB/MAR 2020

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hi st ory an d U nd e rsta nd in g thise so im po rt an t re le va nc e of drag 16

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Q&A

ETCETERA ETCETERA The Sydney-based drag artist talks protest and pronouns in the run-up to 2020's Mardi Gras.

INTERVIEW BY SARAH HINDER

What is the Sydney drag scene like?

The Sydney drag scene is excellent! Having been around Australia and the US, I know we produce and host so many different styles of drag here – which makes it exciting to watch a drag show in Sydney. We have traditional showgirls, Priscilla camp, arty drag, high fashion, performance art – so many facets of what drag means.

Where did the name Etcetera Etcetera come from?

It comes from the musical The King and I. Yul Brynner says “et cetera, et cetera, et cetera” throughout the film.

I also go on and on and on.

Where do you recommend to see a great drag show during Mardi Gras season?

Always the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville. The home of Priscilla in Sydney, the Imperial has been a drag haven for the past 30 years – with an alumni of Australian drag legends.

There’s always something on, and this Mardi Gras is no exception. We have a Broken Heel Festival takeover, a huge Hollywood Forever party and events in the weeks leading up.

Also Universal on Oxford Street is always good for a game of pool and a drag show on a Wednesday or Thursday.

Why are drag queens essential to Mardi Gras?

Drag artists have such an important role in the queer community as activists and

public figures – but all of that stems from the work done by the trans people, sex workers and people of colour who have always been the first to push our community forward and stand up for civil rights.

Drag culture comes from the history embedded in this struggle for acceptance and we exist as the vessels to bring these stories into the present.

This year’s Mardi Gras theme is about activism. What does this mean to you?

Activism is existence as an LGBT+ person! I walk down the street every day and face aggression – everything from a dirty look to someone shouting death threats. Mardi Gras can be seen as a visual spectacular and a feast for the eyes, but it started as a protest and it should continue to be first and foremost a vehicle to express the LGBT+ community’s voice. With religious freedom a hot topic at the moment, it makes me very anxious as to where this country is going.

Drag is my religion! I refuse no one my kindness and my love, so how hypocritical to see the opposite done by conservative figures hiding behind words written thousands of years ago. Shame on them!

Can drag be used as a political tool? How? Drag should only be used politically. Expressing the intricacies of gender in performance is such a powerful tool and captures audiences.

Understanding the history and relevance of drag is so important if you choose this as a career. Being visibly at the forefront of a community is a huge responsibility – and also an honour. I think it’s a drag artist’s obligation to lift up the weakest person in their community before they try to make the strong stronger. My glitter, heels and wigs can look fun – but they can also act as a shield to protect others. I know when I’ve defended people in drag I always come out on top.

It’s scary to fight a drag queen!

Don’t mess with us.

How do you balance fun with activism?

Great question! I wake up every morning and go “What’s my goal for today?” You have to portion it, a bit like taking a slice out of a big pie, and say “I’ll focus on this today.” The world is full of battles and you have to pick yours. You can’t please everyone at once and I believe it’s better to have a million people imperfectly fighting for a difference than one person perfectly doing so. Be kind to other people! Remember we all live in a small community.

I hear everything people say about me and my friends, and

sometimes you wonder why people get so nasty – we should all be fighting towards equality together. That’s a lot more fun!

What are a few ways that we can better include trans, non-binary and other diverse groups in the queer community?

Pronouns are important! You won’t always get them right - but please respect and put effort into using them. I think of pronouns like someone’s name: you might not remember someone’s name the first few times you meet them, but after that, you’d be rude not to! Trans and Non-Binary drag performers are amazing! The people who created most drag scenes across the world were trans women of colour, and a lot of people don’t fully realise the impact of trans women (like Carlotta) in Australian drag history. Appreciate performers and make sure we get paid! Also, buy us a drink now and then.

What matters to you?

Family. By birth or by choice – family and sisterhood is the energy that keeps me going. Everything else could disappear and I would be happy if I still had that.

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ENTERTAINMENT

WATCH, LISTEN, READ

THEATRE THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL March 24–April 4 at Dunstan Playhouse in Adelaide SA The hilarious Jonathan Biggins becomes Paul Keating in a virtuosic performance that brims with the former Prime Minister’s signature wit and charisma. statetheatrecompany.com.au TOUR QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT: THE RHAPSODY TOUR February 13–29 in Brisbane Qld, Sydney NSW, Melbourne Vic, Perth WA, Adelaide SA & Gold Coast Qld Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Adam Lambert joins Brian May and Roger Taylor as they make their way around Aus this summer. queenonline.com SCORPIONS & WHITESNAKE February 19–24 in Melbourne Vic, Sydney NSW & Brisbane Qld These two hard rock legends are ready to rock you like a hurricane.

Here we go again. the-scorpions.com whitesnake.com

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TOUR

LENNY KRAVITZ: HERE TO LOVE April 3–8 in Sydney NSW, Newcastle NSW & Melbourne Vic Lenny Kravitz returns to Australia for the first time in eight years on his world tour. Are you gonna go his way? lennykravitz.com

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ART

ADELAIDE BIENNIAL OF AUSTRALIAN ART February 29–June 8 at Art Gallery of SA in Adelaide SA Marking its 30th anniversary, the 2020 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Monster Theatres will “probe our understanding of fear, horror, strength and survival in the post-internet Anthropocene.

Through the works of 23 artists, the pathology of the monster will be challenged, and the expectations of spectacle and storytelling will be ruptured.” agsa.sa.gov.au

BOOKS

SLOW TRAVEL, PENNY WATSON December 2019, Hardie Grant, travel In this fast-paced world, not many opt to stay in the slow lane. Slow Travel is a practical compendium that will teach you how to take the back seat and embrace the ebb and flow of travel in the slow lane.

HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR March 27–April 26 at Mrs Macquarie’s Point in Sydney NSW Sydney’s annual Handa Opera event is set in a magnificent openair opera house on the harbour with fabulous fireworks at every show. This year’s performance is La Traviata. opera.org.au/harbour

LEIGH ROBB, THE CURATOR OF CONTEMPORARY ART AT THE ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA (PHOTO BY SAUL STEED).

ART 22ND BIENNALE OF SYDNEY March 14–June 8 in locations around Sydney NSW This year, 98 artists will participate in art installations and performances in six locations around Sydney.

In 2020 the theme is NIRIN, a phrase of the Wiradjuri people of western NSW meaning ‘edge’. The 22nd Biennale of Sydney focuses on “our city as an expansive, global city comprised of vibrant, complex villages.” biennaleofsydney.art

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TAREK LAKHRISSI, WHO HAILS FROM FRANCE, IS ONE OF THE ARTISTS FEATURED. PICTURED HERE IS HIS DIFFERENT ALIBIS WORK FROM 2019, WHICH WAS DISPLAYED AT AUTO ITALIA SOUTH EAST, LONDON (PHOTO BYKATARZYNA PERLAK, COURTESY THE ARTIST).

RAINBOW PLATE, DR PREEYA ALEXANDER November 2019, Little Steps Publishing, children’s This fun kid’s picture book is designed to engage young children in discussion around healthy eating habits in an easy-todigest way. Rainbow Plate makes having a diet rich in fruit and vegetables fun, engaging and magical for children.

HOW GOOD’S AUSTRALIA, THE BETOOTA ADVOCATE November 2019, Pan Macmillan, humour Australia’s oldest and favourite newspaper takes a satirical look at the country’s ups and downs over the past few years.

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GIFTS

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE 1. SOUTHERN WILD CO Inspired by the diversity of Australia’s distinct and beautiful landscapes, Southern Wild Co pays homage to our cultural identity with a range of bespoke scented goods.

Perfect for any home, but especially Mum’s. $65, southernwildco.com.au

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2. HELEN KAMINSKI CATALINE HAT With its 8cm brim, the graceful Cataline is a go-to staple for a sunny day. It could be Mum’s quintessential hat for outdoor adventures, whether enjoying the sun on a boat, by the beach or just in the backyard. $330, helenkaminski.com.au

3. WANDERERS TRAVEL CO: THE SALZBURG CROSSBODY BAG Made for travel, this stylish crossbody bag is great for fitting all Mum’s daytrip essentials. It’s available in a range of colours, so why not let Mum choose? $129, wandererstravelco.com

4. MANLY SPIRITS This fruity pink gin with its all-natural raspberry-infused pink hue (with zero sugar) is inspired by the summer berries of the lilly pilly and edible pink flowers found tucked in the coastal dunes of NSW’s Northern Beaches. $80, manlyspirits.com.au

5. SPLOSH SLUMBIES Who wouldn’t love these amazingly soft slippers shaped like cute little animals? They are perfect for chilly days at home... or any time, really.

It’s hard to go wrong when they make your feet so comfortable and cosy. $24.95, splosh.com.au

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MARCH 6–23

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA Perth WA A beautiful pop-up sculpture park graces the sands of iconic Cottesloe Beach for three weeks. sculpturebythesea.com

EVENTS

WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY 1–9

ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL Brisbane Qld, Sydney NSW, Adelaide SA, Melbourne Vic & Fremantle WA Providing a platform for local talent and a stage for international heavyweights, Laneway is a fine choice to see contemporary laidback rock. lanewayfestival.com FEBRUARY 7–MARCH 1

PERTH FESTIVAL Perth WA A city-wide celebration for all ages, Perth’s major cultural festival presents a diversity of perspectives on the world through theatre, dance, film, and visual and cultural arts. perthfestival.com.au

FEBRUARY 9

ST KILDA FESTIVAL Melbourne Vic Australia’s largest free summer celebration celebrates 40 years in 2020, with entertainment across multiple stages plus workshops, sports, carnival rides and buskers. stkildafestival.com.au FEBRUARY 13–MARCH 15

GARDEN OF UNEARTHLY DELIGHTS Adelaide SA All about arts and entertainment, this fun festival’s got theatre, comedy, cabaret and good tunes. gardenofunearthlydelights. com.au

FEBRUARY 14–MARCH 1

FEBRUARY 21–23

SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS

NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

Sydney NSW This kaleidoscope of events celebrates Australia’s vibrant LGBTQI community, culminating in the Mardi Gras Parade and Party on February 29. The 2020 theme is What matters! What matters to you and what are you willing to fight for? mardigras.org.au

Canberra ACT Celebrating cultural diversity, this three-day festival provides an opportunity for artists to challenge traditional barriers. multiculturalfestival.com.au

FEBRUARY 20–23

SUPERLOOP ADELAIDE 500 Adelaide SA Opening the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship series, this is the crown jewel event for motorsport Down Under. superloopadl500.com.au

FEBRUARY 21–MARCH 8

ICC WOMEN’S T20 CRICKET WORLD CUP 2020 Melbourne Vic The finals of the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup will fall on International Women’s Day at the MCG. Be part of the action in this opportunity to set a new world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event. cricket.com.au FEB/MAR 2020

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FEBRUARY 28–MARCH 15

ENLIGHTEN FESTIVAL Canberra ACT Canberra is transformed into a nocturnal playground with light projections that bring the city to life, while each dawn 30 air-powered vessels take to the skies in one of the longestrunning hot-air ballooning events in the world. enlightencanberra.com

MARCH 11–14

NATIONAL TOUCH LEAGUE Coffs Harbour NSW See Australia’s best touch football talent at this exciting stadium event. touchfootball.com.au

FEBRUARY 22

FEBRUARY 28–MARCH 1

HARVEY NORMAN ALL-STARS 2020

2020 SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Gold Coast Qld NRL’s best Indigenous and Māori players go head to head at the Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium in this huge sporting event. tickets.nrl.com/allstars

Phillip Island Vic The Phillip Island Circuit jumps into action for the Superbike World Championship. Since 1990, the track has hosted the adrenaline-pumping event with riders racing around the iconic circuit right next to the ocean. phillipislandcircuit.com.au

FEBRUARY 28–MARCH 1

ACTEWAGL ROYAL CANBERRA SHOW Canberra ACT Revolving around entertainment and education, there’s something for every interest at this royal show. Bring the kiddies for a fun day out. Bring the grandparents too. canberrashow.org.au

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MARCH 4–14

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE FASHION FESTIVAL Melbourne Vic The largest consumer fashion event in the country features high fashion runway shows, industry seminars, forums and beauty workshops.

Dress stylishly to impress. vamff.com.au

MARCH 7 & 8

ULTRA AUSTRALIA Sydney NSW & Melbourne Vic In one of the biggest EDM parties of the year, Ultra Australia brings in big international artists such as Zedd and Afrojack for performances that will leave you starstruck. ultraaustralia.com MARCH 12–15

ADELAIDE FESTIVAL

WOMADELAIDE

FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

Adelaide SA An exciting program of arts and culture, including Adelaide Writers’ Week, which brings together eminent writers and intellectuals in a program of keynotes and workshops. adelaidefestival.com.au

Adelaide SA A lively celebration of music, arts and dance, WOMADelaide – one of the city’s most popular events – presents extraordinary entertainment in an inclusive family-friendly atmosphere. womadelaide.com.au

Melbourne Vic Get ready for high-octane action at one of the biggest events on the Aussie sporting calendar. The race marks the first round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. grandprix.com.au

FEBRUARY 28–MARCH 15

MARCH 6–9

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MARCH 27–APRIL 5

TASTING AUSTRALIA Various locations in SA An outstanding showcase of South Australia’s food and wine culture. The program is a paradise for gourmands, including activities such as wine masterclasses and food writing workshops. tastingaustralia.com.au

MARCH 12–APRIL 5

MARCH 19–29

BRISBANE CYCLING FESTIVAL

MELBOURNE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

Brisbane Qld Queensland’s biggest cycling exhibition sees all manner of two-wheeled action, plus sideshows and live music. It’s a celebration of bikes and the lifestyle that comes with cycling. brisbanecyclingfestival.com

Melbourne Vic Across Melbourne and regional Victoria, foodies and wine aficionados can attend wonderfully curated events. melbournefoodandwine. com.au MARCH 25–APRIL 19

CANBERRA COMEDY FESTIVAL

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

Canberra ACT The country’s most hilarious acts congregate in the capital for a week-long festival of laughs. There are more than 50 shows to choose from. canberracomedyfestival. com.au

Melbourne Vic One of the top three comedic events on the world stage, MICF is filled with an outstanding program of stand-up comedy, theatre, cabaret, film, radio and visual arts. comedyfestival.com.au/2020

MARCH 16–22

MARCH 9–20

BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL Melbourne Vic Kicking off with the iconic Sydney Road Street Party Parade, Brunswick’s artistic spaces, streets and footpaths set the stage for emerging musicians and artists. brunswickmusic festival.com.au

FEB/MAR 2020

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MEET THE CHEF

SAULT OF THE EARTH Hugh Maxwell grew up around people doing what he does so passionately now – producing clean, great food that looks as good as it tastes.

WORDS BY MICHELLE HESPE

Sault’s Chef Hugh Maxwell was raised in Victoria’s Daylesford and Macedon Ranges, where regional produce and wineries are undisputedly prolific. It’s a picture-perfect place where the people who care for the land have adopted the highest food practices and standards, with much emphasis placed on organic produce and sustainability – just like the generations before them.

“When I was a child my mother owned restaurants around Daylesford, and in the 1990s she worked closely with local organic farmers, championing the paddockto-plate approach to food,” Hugh explains. “I was in and around these restaurants watching, tasting, pinching food and knowledge. My mother was a chef and Dad was a gardener, so my upbringing revolved around producing food. Naturally, I took the same path.”

Hugh lives in a charming town of 150 people called Yandoit, in the famous, mineral-rich Hepburn Springs area. “We live on a 20-acre produce-driven farm that supports my family,” he says. “We’ve created a fully selfsustainable home with off-the-grid solar power, rainwater and a wood-fired combustion stove.” Notably, Hugh does not have internet there, so home time really is family time, and a chance to be at one with nature.

When it comes to the endless produce at Hugh’s back door – a range that would send many a city chef green with envy – the team at Sault know how fortunate they are to live and work in such a fertile and abundant part of Australia. The entire region is usually awash with greenery, blue skies sprawling above.

“We are very lucky to live and work here,” Hugh says.

“Aside from foraging in the pine forests for mushrooms or collecting edible flowers from around our home, we have an amazing array of organic farmers that we’ve been working with for many years. We also have an ethical livestock industry here, not to mention our great kitchen garden with our own bees. We can source the majority of our produce within 50 kilometres of Sault.”

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Lavender fields at Sault

HUGH SHARES A RECIPE

PE A PA R FA I T W I T H L I NSE E D CR ACK E R S

Image: Jarrod Andrews

Serves: 6 people for an entrée Prep time: 1 hour Cooking time: 30 minutes, plus 12 hours setting and dehydration

Some of Hugh’s all-time favourite things are wild mushrooms and whole animals. “The versatility of these ingredients gives me the passion to do what I do, and there’s a sense of integrity when using every part of an animal. We don’t like waste. Our dish of quail, barley, baked ricotta and sourdough sauce reflects this usage of spent products [products usually wasted], and our customers love it.”

Hugh’s day starts off with a walk through the kitchen garden, discussions with his gardeners about future plans, then it’s into the kitchen to check deliveries and meet with his team to talk through available ingredients, ideas and dishes in tune with what Mother Nature has on offer.

After that, it’s time to get cooking, dishing up wonderful meals for the loyal patrons of Sault, and the visitors who flock to this beautiful sandstone restaurant in a dollhouselike homestead surrounded by gardens, lavender fields and perfectly manicured hedges. Pulling up outside, you could very well be arriving at a Tuscan manor.

“I hope people leave Sault with a true sense of clean eating. You can walk through the gardens and see the food you’ve just eaten,” says Hugh. “To me, dining is experiencing not only delicious food and good service, but also about challenging your palete and mind, and seeing the simplicity in food that is grown all around us every day.”

PEA PARFAIT Ingredients • ½ brown onion • 1 clove garlic • 250g butter • 1 sprig rosemary • 250g peas • 2 eggs • Salt and white pepper • 100ml muscat or white wine Method Fill a 10L saucepan with 4L of water.

Bring to the boil while preparing pea parfait, turning to a simmer when ready to use. Roughly dice onion and garlic, and sweat down with 30g of butter. Add muscat and rosemary and reduce until sticky. Remove rosemary. Heat butter to 70°C. In a blender, blend peas and reduction for 2 minutes on high. Slow blender to medium, gradually adding butter. Add eggs, one at a time. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a bowl that will sit over your saucepan without touching the water. Cook over saucepan, stirring consistently until mixture will hold on the back of a spoon. Pour mixture into a mould and set in fridge for at least 12 hours.

A LA GRECQUE DRESSING Ingredients • ¼ red onion • 20ml white wine vinegar • 1 tsp red long chilli, seeds removed • ½ clove garlic • 2 strands saffron • 10ml lemon juice • ½ tsp honey • 1 sprig thyme, picked and chopped • pinch toasted and ground white pepper • ¼ tsp toasted and ground coriander seeds • pinch toasted and ground fennel seeds • pinch salt • 50ml extra virgin olive oil Method Finely dice red onion and pour over white wine vinegar. Let that sit and “pickle” while you finely dice red chilli and garlic. Add them and then saffron, lemon juice, honey and thyme, stirring.

Add white pepper, coriander, fennel, salt, olive oil and a pinch of salt. Fold through and store until needed.

LINSEED CRACKERS Ingredients • 1 cup dry linseed • 2 cups water Method Soak linseed in water for six hours, until slimy. In a thin layer, spread on glad bake then dehydrate at 50°C, until dry. Break into appropriately sized pieces and deep fry for 30-60 seconds, until crispy. Season and serve with pea parfait.

BROAD BEANS Ingredients • 200g peeled blanched broad beans dressed in a la grecque dressing Method Cook beans in boiling water for 3 minutes. Refresh in ice bath. Peel and store in air-tight container in fridge.

When ready to use, place in a bowl and spoon over 100ml of a la Grecque dressing. Serve with pea parfait.

FEB/MAR 2020

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MATT ADNATE AT THE HOTEL THAT WAS NAMED AFTER HIM, THE ADNATE IN PERTH.

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A E M AKL LS W S E S L N

G I O R B From bunk beds to canvases and mega-murals adorning hotels that bear his name, Adnate is leaving his mark.

WORDS BY JAYNE D’ARCY

FEB/MAR 2020

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Street artist Matt Adnate started early. “I had a bunk bed that I used to tag,” he says. “I can still remember putting a tag on it, and writing 1992 next to it. When I think back, that was when I started tagging!” He’s holding a marker – an Artline – in one hand, while explaining his two-storey-high painting of his own hand, leading up a staircase.

“It’s me channeling the art – what’s happening through my hand, from my brain, onto the wall. But if you have your own interpretation, you’re welcome to take that home, too,” he laughs.

He’s wearing blue chinos, skate shoes, a plethora of bracelets and a smile. I scan for paint on his white T-shirt, but can’t find any. With almost shoulderlength brown hair tucked behind his ears and half-hearted facial hair, he gives off a vibe of calm, cleverness and humility.

Yet here he is, launching The Adnate, the $90 million Art Series Hotel that’s named after him.

From bed-tagging beginnings in inner-city Melbourne, Adnate matured into the mega-mural.

The Adnate, unmissable on a stroll down Perth’s Hay Street, reaches 25 storeys. It’s not his first: in 2018, Adnate painted the entire side of a 20-storey 1960s housing commission block in Melbourne’s gritty Collingwood, creating the world’s largest megamural (at the time). It features the faces of four of the building’s inhabitants and stands tall alongside

a Copenhagen-style bike path I cycle often. The faces have become familiar and I now think that I’d recognise the woman in the headscarf (Badria Abdo), or the children (Ni Na and Arden) or Yulius Antares Taime from West Papua if I bumped into them in the supermarket.

This community arts project changed the face of the commission block, and gave an insight into who lives there. The mural brought those inside, out.

Adnate works on smaller canvases, too, and says they can take the same amount of time as a mural. He’s back in Australia after working overseas, and concentrating on a canvas in his studio at Fitzroy’s street art network Juddy Roller when we first talk. “I like working in Fitzroy,” he says.

“This is where I learnt to paint graffiti on the streets.

I am pretty nostalgic walking around; it’s obviously one of the creative hubs of Australia.”

During a tour to see a handful of Adnate’s Melbourne murals, I realise that Fitzroy is literally covered in them. They’re down this lane and that.

Look up and there’s another. Sometimes solo pieces; others appearing alongside other well-known graffiti artists like Melbourne’s Rone and Brisbane’s Sofles.

I ask him: is it strange to see your work on the walls around you? “It’s cool to cruise down and still see my

FORORMDS

WHE FO UND FA CES

MATT ADNATE WORKS ON HIS PORTRAIT OF FOOTBALL LEGEND AND INDIGENOUS LEADER ADAM GOODES.

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work,” he replies. “Some are painted over, some of them disappear and that’s just part of street art. It’s ephemeral.”

Adnate has spent years tagging streets and buildings. He was once caught (but not convicted) tagging: “This Wall is Boring” on a freshly painted white wall. “I was caught doing the silly, joking stuff!” he reflects now.

From words, he found faces. “When you paint graffiti you try to put expression and style into the letters,” he says. “It’s quite hard to communicate that with letters. When you’re painting faces, you suddenly have this power to communicate emotion and expression.”

For inspiration, he has Caravaggio. “He’s one of the only Renaissance artists that you’d find in a gallery that I find really inspiring. He mastered chiaroscuro – basically a contrast of having a strong spotlight on one side and a lot of it in the dark.

It creates depth and power. I always try, if I can, to use that style in my work.”

Well known for his striking portraits of Indigenous people, Adnate’s painting of former AFL footballer Adam Goodes was a finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2016. “I choose certain faces based on different things, including where the painting is going to be,” he says, adding that he draws from a library of photos he’s taken of people from all over the world.

“A lot of what I do is about awareness,” he reflects.

“It reminds people that these people are here.

Because we often choose, or society has chosen, to push them under the carpet and move on with our Western values. It’s great to be able to paint their portraits on a large scale so people are questioning and thinking about them again.”

Adnate’s not afraid to revisit faces that he’s captured before. Maori woman Piiata features on The Adnate, though he previously painted her in New Zealand in 2017. He describes his choices for the facade: “The girl, for me, represents the Western

ABOVE: THE ADNATE OFFERS GUESTS A COMFORTABLE AND ART-INSPIRED STAY. RIGHT: ADNATE WORKS ON HIS DEPICTION OF A MEDITERRANEAN WOMAN ON THE SIDE OF THE ADNATE.

culture because she’s fair-skinned, and then you’ve got the Native American boy in the middle.” An Indigenous boy features at the top. “I feel like they’re communicating together, even though they’re from different parts of the globe.”

Adnate went full-time as an artist in 2013, and is “quite selective and choosy” with his time now. He welcomed a baby with his partner, the oft-painted Jess, while working on the Collingwood mural. “I’m a dad now, which has made life very different,” he says. Plus, of course, a hotel’s been named after him.

Adnate says he was blown away when he was approached by Art Series Hotels about the Perth opportunity. “It’s surreal,” he says. “It hasn’t hit me yet.” Maybe it will when he looks in The Adnate’s bathroom and sees his own tag scrawled there?

“A lot of graffiti artists would practise their tags in the mist of a shower screen,” he says.

“It’s like that, but on a whole new level.”

GETTING HERE Tigerair flies to both Melbourne (home of Matt Adnate and many of his murals) and Perth.

STAYING HERE The Adnate in Perth is one of nine Art Series hotels in Australia, with every hotel taking design inspiration from a namesake artist.

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N E W Y E A R,

u o y w Ne A flying visit to a gym when travelling interstate does wonders for energy and productivity.

We’ve rounded up some inspirational places that are open early for casual users.

WORDS BY JENNY VALENTISH

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GOLD COAST SPIN THEN SWIM Boutique gym Spin House in Miami is so close to Burleigh Beach that members often cool off in the sea after a sweaty class. “We wanted a space that broke the norms of spin studios,” says founder Joel Grech (pictured), who is also a strength and conditioning coach for the Gold Coast Titans. “Something light and bright. I love that we are elevated and have floor-to-ceiling glass that connects you with the outside world.” A class here provides real-time feedback, thanks to a software program that links the bikes, encouraging personal bests. Try CycleX – 45 minutes of heart-pumping cycling followed by intense blasts of bodyweight or band resistance training to really fire up your metabolism. Classes start as early as 5am, though times vary each day, so check the website for the latest timetable.

Spin House, 2/11 Sunshine Parade, Miami Qld; spin-house.com.au

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2 BRISBANE LOSE YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC In the riverside suburb of Teneriffe is Brisbane’s InspireCycle. More than just cycle classes, this is an immersive experience – from the candle-lit Inspire 45 class or the signature InspireCycle class, which has euphoric beats and nightclub lighting.

Kate and Mark Stocks were driven to open InspireCycle when they researched the connections between mental health and cardio exercise, particularly cycling. Their motto has become ‘come for the body, stay for the mind’. “We wanted to provide people with a safe, fun space to check out of the world and check in with themselves,” they say. “Our clients get lost in the lights, the music, the intense workout, the beat and the inspiring words of our instructors.” Casual classes start at 5.30am for $29. There are also ride packs that would suit regular visitors to Brisbane. Enjoy the complimentary shoe hire and fresh towels.

InspireCycle, 76 Commercial Road, Teneriffe Qld; inspirecycle.com.au

3 PERTH BOOST YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING Here’s a small yet perfectly formed gym that has the aim of balancing physical health with mental wellbeing. As you walk into to Re-Boot Fitness you’ll notice how leafy it is – plants break up the banks of weight machines. If you flew in on the red-eye, the infrared sauna may speed up your recovery, and there’s a wellness lounge in which you can book a session on the hydro sauna massage bed, or massage and sauna sessions.

Owner Michael Colley says Re-Boot has a holistic approach to health and fitness, to armour up clients against the stresses of life. “Training is more than lifting weights and running on a treadmill,” he says. “By including the wellness lounge, you are able to look after yourself from body to mind.” Re-Boot is open from 4.30am, with casual visits costing $35.

Re-Boot Fitness, 18 Scarborough Beach Road, North Perth WA; re-bootfitness.com.au

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4 MELBOURNE ABSORB THE OLD-SCHOOL COOL Go old-school under the arches of this classic boxing gym, in the Banana Alley strip by the Yarra River. You can soak up the atmosphere without being a boxer or into martial arts – the weights and cardio area is open to all from 6.30am; just pay $9 for a casual session. Owner George Kolovos has been studying Kyokushin karate for more than 40 years, first inspired in the 1970s by Bruce Lee films. He went on to study Muay Thai and boxing. “I pride myself on offering practical boxing here – you can take what you’ve learnt into the ring,” he says. He found this site 25 years ago. “I like old-school. It reminds me of the old pits where people had to go underground to fight – places like New York or Hong Kong. You’ve seen that movie Fight Club? It’s quite similar.”

Fight Club, Vaults 9 & 10 Banana Alley, 367 Flinders Street, Melbourne Vic; melbmartialarts.com.au

6 HOBART REJECT THE GYM STEREOTYPE

5 ADELAIDE FIND A FITNESS FAMILY Travelling can be a lonely business, but Run Of The Mil Fitness is built on forging a sense of community – there’s even a barbecue, coffee bar (iced coconut latte, anyone?) and chill-out zone. After leaving the military, owner Ricky Skiathitis continued his love of gruelling training, so classes here run towards hardcore, including ZUU, Muscle Up, HIIT, Ankorr and The Sunday Grind. “When you walk through these doors, you’re greeted by not only the coaches but also other members who are there to do exactly what you’re there to do: train hard, have fun and be a part of a team,” he says. Morning classes start at 5.30am and cost $25 – just sign in as a ‘casual drop-in’ on the website and get moving.

Run Of The Mil Fitness, Unit 6, 76 Bacon Street, Hindmarsh SA; runofthemilfitness.com.au

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Hobart’s Artgym resides in a converted petrol station, designed by artist-turned-kettlebell athlete Eilish Kidd. It’s got a 1980s Memphis aesthetic (which, confusingly, is a design movement founded in Milan in the 1970s, famous for geometric shapes, art deco lines and a touch of kitsch) and plenty of plants.

Kidd’s aim is to make Artgym inclusive to all.

“I felt like a lot of my friends wouldn’t even go into corporate-style gyms, so I wanted to make a space where you didn’t feel like you had to be a ‘gym person’ to be welcome,” she says. Strongwoman Camilla Fogagnolo is a trainer here, as is her brother, pro MMA fighter Priscus. They’re open from 5.30am on weekdays, 7am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays, with casual classes available.

Artgym, 37 Barrack Street, Hobart Tas; artgym.com.au

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7 GOLD COAST | WORSHIP THE SUN Imagine holding the sun salutation pose in front of a rose-streaked sky, as the noise of the morning recedes into the streets below. That’s the experience that draws Gold Coast fitness fans to Temple Gym, in the stunning Varsity Lakes area, a 15-minute drive from Surfers Paradise.

The rooftop training area is for both weight training and group classes, but with the undeniable bonus of sunrise, sunset and the breeze in your hair. Plus, something tells us it’s Instagram-worthy. “The rooftop definitely holds a special place in our hearts. It’s seen a lot of the leading health and fitness brands utilise the space for photoshoots – and the sunsets are something to behold,” says Felicity Keegan, who opened the gym with husband Daniel. Casual visits are $15, or you can buy a seven-day pass for $50, which includes rooftop classes.

Temple Gym, 2 Lake Street, Varsity Lakes Qld; templegym.com.au

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LESSONS OF YESTERYEAR Embracing the past at a place where the rainforest meets the sea.

Image: ewenbell.com

WORDS BY TATYANA LEONOV

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I T’S E A SY TO GET LOST I N BI N NA’S BE AU T I F U L WOR K A S H E TA L KS A BOU T H IS VA R IOUS PI ECE S OPPOSITE PAGE: JUAN AT COOYA BEACH. THIS PAGE: ART WITH KUKU YALANJI ARTIST BINNA AT JANBAL GALLERY.

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Image: Tourism Australia

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Juan Walker’s ancestors, the Kuku Yalanji people, have spent generations at Cooya Beach, ambling along the grainy sand foraging for food, whizzing about in the shallow water searching for mud crabs, diving in deeper to hunt for sea turtles and dugongs, and resting on the shore watching the sun go down at the end of the day.

“My grandma was from Mossman and my grandpa was from the Daintree,” Juan tells our group, who are exploring with his business, Walkabout Cultural Adventures. “They had an arranged marriage and went on to have 12 kids; Dad was one of the 12.”

Most of the family has stayed in Kuku Yalanji country – of which the traditional boundaries are roughly just south of Port Douglas to Cooktown – and on the Walkabout Adventures website Juan writes why: My country, the Kuku Yalanji country, is family, culture and identity. The trees of the rainforest, the rocks of the riverbeds and the reefs of the sea were all formed by our ancestors, who continue to live in land, water and sky. It is filled with connections of human, wildlife and plants, all speaking language and following lore. Country is loved and cared for, and country loves and cares for her people in turn.

Country is self.

Juan’s love for his home is evident soon after we arrive, as he beckons us to a firepit where his brother, Brandon Walker, is grilling butterfly pearl meat, an expensive delicacy usually reserved for special occasions. “You gotta try this – it’s worth around $100 per kilo,” Brandon says, greeting us with a mischievous grin that would have served him well at school.

Our small group is enthralled by Brandon’s cooking skills and could happily keep chatting and snacking, but Juan pulls us away. “There will be snacks when we get back,” he laughs. “My grandma’s recipe damper – but I want to show you Cooya Beach first. The Kuku Yalanji call Cooya Beach Kuyu Kuyu (pronounced Guhyou Guhyou) and it means lots of fish.”

Juan, together with his small team of Aboriginal guides, runs a variety of full-day and half-day tours that span both the Coral Coast and Daintree Rainforest, so our walk along Cooya Beach is just

STAYING HERE Port Douglas is just over an hour’s drive from Cairns. If you can, break up the journey at Thala Beach Nature Reserve in Oak Beach; the eco bungalow-style retreat stands out because it’s both a bush and beach retreat.

In Port Douglas, Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa offers all the comforts of home in luxury surroundings.

GETTING HERE Tigerair flies to Cairns.

From Cairns it’s an easy and beautiful coastal drive to Port Douglas.

a small taster. Still, it’s enough to get a sense of how sacred this area is.

Juan shows us beach lettuce first, explaining that the plant leaves are good for repairing skin and the fruit can soothe sore eyes. Almost every shrub or bush we pass has a purpose – the umbrella tree can cure a toothache, the beach hibiscus is used for dehydration, and crows feet morning glory can be used on cuts to draw out infection. Many of the plants can also be eaten. “For our people, nature gives us everything,” Juan says as he picks us native hibiscus flowers. “Try this – it tastes like sweet lettuce.”

THE CALL OF NATURE Nature, too, inspires, and I discover this when attempting my own dot painting at Janbal Gallery in Mossman, an art space managed by Kuku Yalanji artist Brian Swindley, known by locals simply as Binna. “Janbal means quandong in the Kuku Yalanji language. It’s a blue rainforest fruit that you can eat,” he tells my group on arrival.

Binna explains how inspiration is often sensory for him, with sights, smells, textures and tastes all playing key roles. “When I go hunting or walkabout in the

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Image: Tourism Australia

FAR LEFT: JUAN TEACHING GUESTS ABOUT THE LAND. LEFT: GARY CREEK AT FLAMES OF THE FOREST. THIS IMAGE: BINNA OF JANBAL GALLERY WITH A GUEST. BELOW: RED CLAW GRAB AT FLAMES OF THE FOREST.

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rainforest it’s about what I see and feel,” he tells us.

“The many different shapes of seeds, for example. Or some of my dot paintings represent rain drops. When you walk under the canopy of the rainforest you feel the drops falling down on you.”

His background in contemporary fine art spans decades, and it’s easy to get lost in Binna’s beautiful works as he talks about his various pieces, offering a level of depth not usually possible when appreciating art. Binna has a hearing disability, however he speaks clearly and lip-reads, and together we walk through the gallery, talking, admiring and learning about the handiworks displayed.

As we take our seats and get accustomed to our tools, Binna explains the complexities of dot painting.

We are to use different ends of the stick for smaller and bigger dots; the right pressure is another key factor to refining our work; looking down at your art — as if from a plane — is another key factor.

It’s harder than it looks, and my first few splotches are all different sizes and look more like a leopard’s skin than anything methodical, but with patience and practise I manage to get the dots closer together and somewhat similar in size.

Thankfully Binna pops around and rescues my mess. He turns my jumble of disorderly dots into a fish with interesting-looking fins, and by the time I finish the end result looks reasonable (at least from a distance).

The others in my group have had similar experiences, but from afar all the artworks look half-decent. As Binna insinuated, we’ve all chosen to illustrate nature and wildlife – fish, trees, the night sky – an echo to just how important these elements are to Aboriginal people.

THE STUFF OF FAIRYTALES No trip to Tropical North Queensland would be complete without the Flames Of The Forest experience — a lavish dinner in a rainforest ballroom.

Together with my group I attend the Aboriginal Cultural Experience and I’m blown away as soon as we arrive. A bus ride along a windy road transports us to a forest location, then a weaving path leads us to a fairylight-lit area that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Here, smiling staff weave through the crowd with wine and canapés and the sounds of nature add to the magical feeling.

Dinner follows, with a mesmerising story-like performance by two Aboriginal brothers, Gary and Robert Creek. We eat and chat, then Gary and Robert share insights with the crowd about their lives and the lives of their ancestors.

“As children we learnt the before and after,” Gary says soon after we’ve finished our entrées. “Once taught, once shown, you had greater understanding.

You learnt what you were told, where to search, and when. And above all, you learnt why.”

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

EXPERIENCE THE COUNTRY CHARM OF COFFS HARBOUR This beachside city has the lot, no matter what you are after.

There’s something special about finding a destination that everyone loves. You know, the one with stunning beaches that are perfect for both romantic strolls and surfing adventures, hiking trails through the beautiful Australian bush, casual restaurants where you can eat and chat deep into the night, fun activities that don’t break the bank, and a laidback lifestyle that has you coming back for more. We’ve found it. Welcome to Coffs Harbour.

PLAY

Top: Coffs Harbour has something for everyone.

Above: Fun times at Big Banana Fun Park.

Left: High up in the trees at TreeTop Adventure Park.

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The Big Banana Fun Park, arguably Australia’s most famous “big thing”, is well worth a visit, particularly for anyone with kids in tow. The obligatory photo in front of the oversized banana is a must for visitors of all ages, then it’s all about ramping up the action!

There’s the huge water park with a giant slide, 4D Ride Simulator, ice-skating, tobogganing and plenty more. And all the fun should be finished off with a banana smoothie or chocolate-coated frozen banana. You could spend the whole day here… or three.

TreeTop Adventure Park is another one for adrenaline-infused fun, where huge suspension bridges and flying foxes will have visitors feeling like monkeys in no time. The park caters to most ages and fitness levels, so it’s a great option for the whole clan as well as a fun date day for couples seeking something out of the ordinary.

For travellers wanting a bit more serenity, HWH Stables offers horseriding tours on Boambee Beach. It’s a relaxing and intriguing way to enjoy the many wonderful vistas Coffs is renowned for.

For more gorgeous views (albeit of a different variety), Coffs Harbour Butterfly House has you covered. The indoor subtropical habitat is home to up to 400 Australian butterflies – perfect for hashtaggable Instagram shots and romantic experiences you’ll talk about for years.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Right: Sample fresh local seafood at Surf Club Restaurant and Bar. Below: It sure feels like holiday mode at Pacific Bay Resort.

TASTE Dining options are a big factor when Aussies choose their next holiday destination, but it’s not just about finding great-tasting food – feel-good venues and interactive engagement elevate the experience.

Fish’n’chips by the ocean will always be a coastal-city favourite, and Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-op is the place to go. Around 50 local anglers supply all the locally caught delicious fish and seafood, so visitors will be going back for more.

For more local experiences, The Cheesemaking Workshop & Deli is a fun and interactive way to learn how to make cheeses such as ricotta, brie and camembert (check class schedules online), and taste plenty of dairy delights along the way.

Other great eateries include Surf Club Restaurant and Bar for views teamed with topnotch cuisine, Element Bar for the quirk and cool factor, Ribeye Rooftop Bar & Kitchen for the best steak in town, and The Hilltop Store in nearby Sawtell for that cool café-culture feel.

If you’re coming straight from the beach, check the dress code and make the most of all the delicious food on offer.

STAY When it’s time to sleep, there's plenty of choice in Coffs Harbour – and often the accommodation options are destinations in themselves.

For families who want space for the kids to run amok, BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park is a wonderful option. Located on the main surfing beach, with a resort-style pool fit out with waterslides, there is also a jumping pillow and an interactive playground to keep the little ones entertained for hours on end.

If the kids are a bit older – and for friends and couples who like to self-cater – Observatory Holiday Apartments is an ideal choice, with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments all boasting those much-loved Coffs water views.

Want to get fancy? Pacific Bay Resort is an idyllic luxury resort that overlooks Charlesworth Bay. Activities here are designed to recharge your batteries, with golf games, spa rejuvenation and tailored cocktails all part of the oh-so-lovely parcel.

Budget travellers have Coffs Harbour YHA, with multi-share rooms and ensuite twin/double rooms to choose from. The purpose-built hostel has a number of great common areas for socialising and is located near the jetty and beach.

Opal Cove Resort is another great option for couples, friends and corporate groups. Nestled between lush hinterland and golden beaches, it offers the best of both worlds.

Big Banana Fun Park bigbanana.com TreeTop Adventure Park treetops.com.au HWH Stables hwhstables.com.au Coffs Harbour Butterfly House butterflyhouse.com.au Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op coffsfishcoop.com.au The Cheesemaking Workshop & Deli thecheesemakingworkshop.com.au Surf Club Restaurant and Bar surfclubcoffsharbour.com.au Element Bar elementbar.com.au Ribeye Rooftop Bar & Kitchen cex.com.au/dine-drink/ribeye-rooftopbar-kitchen The Hilltop Store thehilltopstore.com.au BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park big4.com.au Observatory Holiday Apartments theobservatory.com.au Pacific Bay Resort pacificbayresort.com.au Coffs Harbour YHA yha.com.au Opal Cove Resort opalcove.com.au

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eatdrink

SMALL BARS AND BIG IDEAS IN ADELAIDE Adelaide’s food scene has come of age, with dining options to match the sought-after wines South Australia is famous for.

WORDS BY ALEXIS BUXTON-COLLINS

After a '90s boom and subsequent lull, Adelaide’s dining scene is once again full of inspiration and innovation. The city centre is famously laid out on an easy-to-navigate grid, but chefs and winemakers are happy to break the rules in search of new classics.

Long derided as a “big country town”, South Australia’s capital hits the sweet spot between regional and metropolitan dining. Onceempty laneways have transformed into vibrant thoroughfares offering a sophisticated inner-city experience. But food miles are still low and chefs can draw on the surrounding wine and agricultural regions for produce that’s often delivered in person by the growers.

CRAFTY COCKTAILS South Australia punches above its weight in the craft spirits scene, with award-winning distilleries including Kangaroo Island Spirits, Applewood and Never Never. Their eye-catching bottles are increasingly visible behind the small bars that crowd the laneways radiating from Hindley Street, where inventive cocktail makers turn them into a range of delicious and intoxicating creations.

Maybe Mae’s opulent green leather booths set the scene for a sophisticated underground bar with table service only ,and a thoughtful, well-balanced cocktail list. Festoon-lit Peel Street is lined with bars perfect for a pre-dinner drink or nightcap, and crowded on most nights. Paloma’s airy pastel-tiled interior is a great spot to sip an agave-based cocktail while people-watching. For a change of pace, the bartenders at kitsch tropical dive bar 1000 Island sling flaming tiki classics from a small seasonal menu with one season: summer.

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DRINKS ’N’ NIBBLES Surrounded by wine regions on three sides, Adelaide is one of the wine capitals of the world – even classic CBD pubs have a surprisingly good selection.

Venture to one of the city’s wine bars and you’ll find everything from robust Barossa shiraz to funky skincontact wines along with staff who can guide you through the more esoteric options.

A drycleaner sign out the front points towards Leigh Street Wine Room’s former incarnation, but the chic space now celebrates minimal intervention wines. A wall of local and imported bottles is accompanied by small plates featuring cured meats that are broken down and prepared in-house. Mother Vine is a relaxed East End wine bar showcasing drops from the Barossa to Burgundy. Around the corner, offshoot Mum Cha narrows the focus to sparkling, riesling and chardonnay alongside a mix of dumplings from across Asia, contemporary yum cha and fragrant teas. Nearby Africola is justifiably famous for its dazzling décor and liberally spiced North African-influenced menu, but Nikki Friedli’s compact list of 30 wines is also among the best in the city. It rotates regularly and – even better – all are available by the half bottle or glass.

SOMETHING MORE SUBSTANTIAL When Peel Street opened, it gave a focus to the laneway of the same name, helping to revitalise the surrounding precinct. The industrial interior of exposed brick walls and a polished concrete bar belies warm service and generous servings from the simple but thoughtful chalkboard menu.

Persian hospitality is just as important as North Iranian cuisine at Naaz, where warming comfort food

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

Image: Josie Withers

Image: Jacqui Way

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

eatdrink

FROM TOP: AN AGAVE-BASED COCKTAIL AT PALOMA; THE HEAT IS ON AT TASTING AUSTRALIA; CONTEMPORARY YUM CHA AT MUM CHA; COME TO LEIGH STREET WINE ROOM FOR MINIMAL INTERVENTION WINES; INDUSTRIAL VIBES AT PEEL STREET.

FEB/MAR 2020

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eatdrink

WHAT’S ON TASTING AUSTRALIA MARCH 27 – APRIL 5 A move to a slightly earlier date in 2020 means Tasting Australia now dovetails perfectly with Adelaide’s busy festival season. The statewide food festival draws celebrity chefs from around Australia and the world, but the real star of the show is local produce. Events showcase farmers, growers and fishers both in the Town Square that pops up in the centre of Adelaide and on location around the state.

Here are some events to look out for.

FROM TOP: TASTING AUSTRALIA IS ONE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S KEY GASTRONOMY EVENTS; THE 1200-BOTTLE WINE CELLAR AT APOTECA IS IMPRESSIVE.

GETTING HERE Tigerair flies to Adelaide.

is infused with delicate flavours and large platters are made for sharing. And if you want to avoid decisions, Allegra’s 10-item set menu showcases fresh, colourful dishes from a plant-based kitchen that is necessarily highly seasonal.

FAMILIAR FACES Adelaide’s culinary renaissance is well enough established that many chefs and restaurateurs have now opened multiple venues. David Swain and Sharon Romeo’s Fino has won a swag of awards in both McLaren Vale and the Barossa, and after 13 years they’ve finally opened a city offshoot. There are no gimmicks at this all-day diner. Instead, expect impeccable hospitality and dishes that let the

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produce shine by treating it with finesse, in a venue where the open kitchen is part of the experience.

Apothecary 1878 pre-dates Adelaide’s small bar boom. The oasis of sophistication in Hindley Street’s sea of tattoo joints and massage parlours introduced the city to a more refined dining and drinking experience. Renamed Apoteca, it sports an updated menu and decor that shows a more casual New York brasserie influence, while keeping the extensive 1200-bottle wine cellar. Serial restaurateur Simon Kardachi’s Joybird is an upscale take on the old-school chicken shop. Portuguese-style flamegrilled chicken gets an extra zing from fragrant Asian spices, served alongside cocktails in a relaxed setting dominated by retro pastel tones.

ARMSTRONG, BJERKAN, CAREY AND SAPWELL WEDNESDAY APRIL 1 GLASSHOUSE KITCHEN, TOWN SQUARE In the heart of McLaren Vale, Karena Armstrong’s Salopian Inn is so dedicated to local produce that most of the vegetables come from the kitchen garden.

This one-off dinner brings that philosophy to the CBD with help from some of Armstrong’s culinary influences. She’ll be joined in the kitchen by O Tama Carey, who worked with her at Sydney’s Billy Kwong, Arc Dining chef Alanna Sapwell, and Norwegian Heidi Bjerkan, whose restaurant Credo received the inaugural Nordic Michelin Guide Sustainability Award in 2019.

THAT WITH CHICKEN THURSDAY APRIL 2 MASTERCLASS PAVILION, TOWN SQUARE Belles Hot Chicken is so spicy it needs its own scale of heat ratings, and finding the right pairing can be tough. Co-owner Morgan McGlone has long promoted natural wines as the perfect fit, and in this masterclass pairs his famous wings with the hottest minimal intervention drops.

The Aboriginal Artists Project combines the fashion accessory designs of Catherine Manuell with the artworks of many wonderful women artists from remote Australian communities. Shown here is the Bush Yams artwork by Evelyn Pultara from the Utopia region of Central Australia. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these products goes directly to the artists.

Call us on 03 9486 4066 for help or a little personal service, or email: info@catherinemanuelldesign.com

www.catherinemanuelldesign.com

livelikealocal

DARLINGHURST

With 2020 Mardi Gras season upon us, we look at how Mardi Gras and the suburb of Darlinghurst link us to the past. And we list some of the best places to eat, drink and explore around good old Darlo.

WORDS BY SARAH HINDER

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to causes important to our LGBTQI+ communities. Mardi Gras has always been and continues to be Sydney’s most elaborate protest and celebration,” says Kat. “We’re glad to fill our ‘Gay Golden Mile’ with smiling happy people every year. We love inviting the world to Oxford Street and seeing people explore the many resilient local LGBTQI+ businesses and venues which support our local communities all through the year.”

Turn over for some fantastic Darlinghurst venues to get around during the 2020 Mardi Gras season and beyond.

Image: Eric Brumfield

Mardi Gras was an LGBQTI+ rights protest, a coming out and a vibrant celebration of our identities,” explains Mardi Gras Creative Director Kat Dopper. “All the best protests are fun and creative, and all the best parties and celebrations have a purpose. At Mardi Gras, we never lose sight of the reason we come together, and the difference we can create in the world when we stand together.”

This year’s theme, ‘What Matters’, focuses on its activist roots. “In these tumultuous political times, we realise Mardi Gras is an awesome platform for drawing attention

Image: Hareth Tayem

“Mardi Gras began on Oxford Street in 1978, and it’s been our home ever since.”

As the birthplace of Sydney’s first organised protest march for LGBQTI+ rights, Darlinghurst – and Oxford Street i n particular – have a very rich history.

This history shines through, out of the old town’s venues.

Both a celebration and a much-needed call for LGBTQI+ rights and greater understanding of queerness, Mardi Gras has always toed the line between bright, celebratory fun and loud, inherent activism.

“Right from the start of it 42 years ago,

MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS ARE ALWAYS FUN AND LOUD, WITH PLENTY OF LAUGHS AND COLOUR THROWN IN FOR GOOD MEASURE.

FEB/MAR 2020

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Image: Alexis Desaulniers-Lea

livelikealocal

livelikealocal

GETTING HERE Tigerair flies to Sydney daily.

OLD FAITHFULS

FROM TOP: PIZZA CAN BE HEALTHY AT DIMITRI’S PIZZERIA; HUMMUS IS THE STAR AT SYDNEY’S FIRST HUMMUS BAR,

Image: Irina Widuczynski

SIMPLY HUMMUS BAR

On Darlinghurst Road, bohemian-inspired Govindas brings together dinner and a movie – but not in the usual way. A Darlo institution for almost 40 years, at Govindas you first enjoy an Indian-inspired buffetstyle dinner created by chef Karana Krishna Das. One of the city’s first plant-based restaurants, the food here is both 80 per cent vegan and 80 per cent gluten-free.

After dinner, head on into the cinema, where you’ll sink back in style on an upright couch and watch your movie – completely full and in total comfort.

A stone’s throw down Darlinghurst Road is Dust – a mini-emporium, the contents of which spill out onto the street corner.

Representing Darlo vintage shopping at its best, this well-loved second-hand store houses everything from century-old relics to antique jewellery and new art.

Right across the road from Dust is Darlo Bar. This local pub has been on the scene since, well, almost forever.

Originally The Royal Sovereign Hotel, it was the place to meet for local politicians and a location for locals from as far back as the 1880s to the 1920s (when it was demolished and rebuilt). What stands today is Darlo Bar – brimming day and night with eclectic furniture, people and events. Whether you’re after a few drinks at the local, a fun day out with your doggo or a vintage record fair, it’s always a good choice.

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YOUNG’UNS MAKING WAVES Dimitri’s Pizzeria falls halfway between our two categories – while its bright red sign has lit up Surry Hills’ Crown Street since the ‘70s, last year the pizzeria packed up and moved to a brand new location: none other than Darlo’s Oxford Street.

The reason: a bigger and better (threestorey) location with a much-sought-after woodfired oven. Expect the institution’s traditional recipes (and get-up on the ground floor), but with a sourdough base that’s 100 per cent fermented and cooked onsite, and already-great pizza that’s stepped its game up a notch.

Down Liverpool Street, Sydney’s first dedicated hummusiya (hummus bar) centres completely around this star ingredient. The absolutely tiny, hole-in-thewall Israeli joint, Simply Hummus Bar, does simple to perfection. After growing success at markets around Sydney, Simply Hummus opened its doors in 2018 to adoring fans.

Back up Darlinghurst Road near Govindas, Black Bottle serves a frequently changing menu of Mediterranean share plates. Part Spanish tapas bar, part French cave à manger, part Venetian cicchetti – guests choose from the fridge display or the day’s menu. The oysters are a specialty, and on Thursdays from 5-7pm, the bartenders crack open random bottles of wine and serve them for $2 a glass alongside $2 pintxos (small snacks).

Out left field on Stanley Street, cool little bar The Long Goodbye does things differently. Ascend the unassuming dark stairwell and enter a cosy, unpretentious room full of leather couches, wooden tables and mismatched chairs. Be seated and welcomed by the friendly bartenders before deciding what you’d like to drink.

Here’s the twist – there’s no drinks menu.

Simply describe your favourite flavours and be guided by your awesome bartenders’ intuition.

Style, comfort and peace in Central Tokyo and Kyoto Welcome to your home away from home

Family-friendly APARTMENT HOTEL MIMARU offer guests a new way to see Japan.

For more information, visit: mimaruhotels.com

offthegrid

MAKE TRACKS Keen on an Outback adventure? Connecting the dots on the Dinosaur Trail is a great way to get close to the majestic giants.

WORDS BY CARLA GROSSETTI

DAVID ELLIOTT WITH A BRONZE MODEL OF BANJO, AKA AUSTRALOVENATOR WINTONENSIS.

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offthegrid

I

n 1999, third-generation grazier David Elliott was “going flat out” on his motorbike while mustering a mob of sheep on his outback Queensland property near Winton. It was here, while jouncing over the parched, gouged earth, that David almost hit what he thought was a giant clump of rocks. Those rocks turned out to be the fragmented femur of an 18-metrelong four-legged sauropod estimated to be about 96 million years old. It was an incredible discovery. And it changed the course of David's life.

"I was in the right place at the right time," says Elliott, 62, who, together with his wife Judy, 56, devoted the subsequent two decades to setting up the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum.

While the discovery of dinosaur bones in Outback Queensland was nothing new – an Austrosaurus was found north of Winton in the 1920s it took David's second discovery (of a new cretaceous dinosaur) and years of painstaking work by hundreds of volunteers to put the local dinosaur trail on the map. In doing so,

FEB/MAR 2020

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offthegrid

CLOCKWISE: DAVID ELLIOTT HOLDING THE GOLD AWARD FOR BEST MAJOR TOURISM ATTRACTION THAT AAOD WON IN 2016; DEPICTION OF A DINOSAUR STAMPEDE AT DINOSAUR CANYON; BRONZE FEMUR REPLICA OF MATILDA, OR DIAMANTINASAURUS MATILDAE, WHICH WAS DISCOVERED NEAR WINTON BY AAOD; BEV GORDON, MICHAEL BROCK, WILL BAINBRIDGE AND MARGARET SLOAN, PREP-A-DINO.

Outback Queensland has become a destination in its own right.

In 2005, when David was again mustering sheep on his Belmont property, some 177 kilometres north-west of Longreach, he discovered a new genus and species of sauropod. Over the next fortnight, 17 pallets of rocks containing bones were recovered. It took a further 10 years to chip all the rock off the bones to reveal the fossils and piece them together to produce what was to become one of Australia's most complete sauropod dinosaur skeletons. Scientific research on this dinosaur proved it to be a new species of sauropod, and in 2016 it was named Savannasaurus elliottorum.

Finding these fossilised remnants of the past in Outback Queensland has allowed the Elliotts to literally dream big: the museum has since grown from a temporary fossil preparation facility in a farm shed to the most productive fossil preparation

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facility in the Southern Hemisphere. As part of the Q150 Celebrations in 2009 (the 150th anniversary of the Separation of Queensland from New South Wales), funding was sourced to build the first stage of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum – a fossil preparation facility – which opened 20 kilometres out of Winton on top of a large mesa dubbed 'The Jump-Up'.

A new reception centre was completed in 2012. Then Dinosaur Canyon – which features life-sized bronze dinosaurs – opened in 2017. By the end of 2020 visitors will also be able to visit the March of the Titanosaurs exhibit, which will house the tracks of ancient sauropods, and Gondwana Stars Observatory, designed to celebrate Winton's nocturnal environment after it was declared Australia's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Construction on an additional multimillion-dollar Australian Age of Dinosaurs' Museum of Natural History is planned for 2022.

"When we built the museum we wanted it to be on The Jump-Up because the top of The Jump-Up represents the Earth’s surface as it was 30 million years ago," Elliott says. "The Jump-Up is in itself a monument to natural history. A jump-up is the Aboriginal English term for a mesa.

We decided to call it The Jump-Up in recognition of the Indigenous connection to the land," he says.

David describes the dinosaur bones as national treasures, and says he wants to see the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum become Australia's premier natural history museum.

He says he feels very proud of the contribution he has made to Australian paleontology, with his discoveries shedding light on global sauropod evolution. Mayor of Winton Shire Council Gavin Baskett describes David Elliott as a visionary, and says visitor numbers to the community of Central West Queensland have been

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Image: Steve Lippis

offthegrid

GETTING HERE Tigerair flies to Cairns.

From Cairns hire a car and get ready to venture into the Outback. It’s just under 11 hours’ drive time. to Winton.

BANJO AT THE THE AUSTRALIAN AGE OF DINOSAURS.

steadily rising since it was dubbed the Dinosaur Capital of Australia in 2007.

"David just keeps building on his legacy and giving visitors further incentive to visit the region and stay for a few days, and that's been phenomenal for local businesses, which we are busy trying to drought-proof," says Gavin.

"David is completely driven by the potential of Winton’s dinosaurs to contribute to the sustainability of western Queensland.

But the fact Winton recently received International Dark Sky Sanctuary status is also phenomenal and will be a huge drawcard," he says.

Gavin believes the area will attract up to 100,000 visitors per year when Elliott's plan to build Australia’s largest natural history museum comes to fruition.

"Although the museum is about looking at the past, it is very much about our future – getting people to Outback Queensland," he says.

When visitors come to Winton, they are also signposted to the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark

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Quarry Conservation Park, which has the only evidence of a dinosaur stampede on the planet and the best example of dinosaur tracks in the world. They are also encouraged to tour along the Dinosaur Trail – linking the triangular swathe of country between the townships of Winton, Hughenden and Richmond, where fossils are still being found.

Gavin describes the Dinosaur Trail as a world-class attraction that gives visitors reason to stay here a bit longer.

"The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, which also manages the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, is really impressive. But what we are also seeing is that the local characters with their unique stories are proving to be a big part of the attraction of Outback Queensland," he says.

One of the most compelling reasons to visit the museums is for the opportunity to participate in a Prep-A-Dino experience, where visitors can work in the dinosaur fossil preparation laboratory with museum staff. Other programs run by the museum

include an annual dinosaur dig, where participants can excavate dinosaur fossils alongside professional paleontologists.

Retired teacher Maxine Macmillan, of Brisbane, has been volunteering at Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum for the past 15 years. The 72-year-old describes going on a dig as "seeing the country's bones."

Maxine has immersed herself in the Prep-A-Dino experience so many times she is now an honourary technician.

She describes the process of using the pneumatic tools to remove rock from the fossils as meditative.

"It blows me away to uncover something that has been buried for a 96 million years," she says. "I'm in awe of the whole place.

I try to come up every year with my husband and two friends and the scenery is gorgeous."

"Outback Queensland has become our second home. And it's not all about the dinosaurs. We have gotten to know a lot of the locals and we feel part of the family," Maxine adds.

The steady, painstaking work done by volunteers who pay a small fee to prepare fossilised bones for display is integral to the museum's success. And, bit by bit, it's helping make the prehistory of the continent a much less abstract notion. In the past eight years some 150,000 visitors have explored the other-worldly landscape around Winton.

David says it has been "an honour and a privilege" to give back to the community.

"It used to be that visitors travelled through Outback Queensland to get to somewhere else. Now they are coming to Outback Queensland in order to delve into Australia's natural history," he says.

wine voucher

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The boring bits: To use this voucher you must be 18 years or older. This voucher entitles first time Naked Wines customers to $100 off their first order of 12 bottles. All orders are a minimum of 12 bottles, and a minimum spend of $155.88. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. *Next day delivery is available to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth metro areas for orders placed before 3pm. We don’t ship to Northern Territory. Delivery not included. Offer is subject to change. See website for full Terms and Conditions.

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oppositesattract

GO YOUR OWN WAY IN …

MELBOURNE One destination, two very different travellers.

Here’s how to enjoy Melbourne with someone who might not have the same holiday vision as you.

THERE’S SO MUCH SHOPPING YOU’D BETTER PACK A SPARE SUITCASE.

Images: Visit Victoria

BY SARAH HINDER

Danielle and I have taken some memorable trips together, from strolling down London streets to scaling mountains in the Dolomites.

But when we hatch a plan for a long weekend in good old Melbs, we quickly discover we have dfferent itineraries in mind. While I'm out to explore, Danielle's set her sights on experiencing the bustling city highlights.

How do we both play out our ideal getaway and spend time together?

On our first morning, we positively bolt out of bed and downstairs to awaiting coffee – our Airbnb apartment is in a quaint, quintessentially Melbourne cobblestoned alleyway, so when we step through the revolving glass doors, there are people milling about everywhere – navigating between shoebox-sized takeaway coffee joints, extravagant icecreameries and stalwart corner stores.  FEB/MAR 2020

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DAY ONE

oppositesattract

SARAH

COLOURFUL VIBES AT BRUNSWICK’S GORMAN.

Steaming coffees and warm pastries in hand, we bustle off on our separate journeys.I head directly for the 55 tram heading north. Jumping aboard, I aim for the circular connector part of the tram that twists and turns (what’s riding a Melbs tram if you’re not craning your neck to see the street art ‘round every corner, occasionally stumbling into your fellow commuters?).

I’m headed to Brunswick. A bit grungy, very authentic and somewhat off the beaten tourist path – it’s my favourite Melburnian suburb. From rifling through op-shop warehouses to the one-of-a-kind jeans store where I have a pair custommade on the spot from scratch, I spend hours meandering along Sydney Road.

My bags full of eclectic items and outfits, I pick an eastward lane (any lane!) and walk on over to Brunswick East, passing small coffee roasters, cool cafés and European cottages as cyclists breeze past me. I hit Lygon Street and switch to peruse mode, exploring this neighbourhood’s own collection of cafés and bric-à-brac stores.

EVERY ALLEYWAY FEATURES NEW CAFES AND INTIMATE BOUTIQUES.

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Danielle walks straight to the centre of the action: Degraves Street and Hosier Lane.

This part of the CBD is a one-stop shop for tourists wanting to see what Melbourne’s famous laneways are all about. Just across from Flinders Street Station, the alleys are filled with tourists snapping pics, locals rushing about with coffees in hand, and street performers vying for attention.

It’s only a short walk up Elizabeth Street to Bourke Street Mall, where the stores are filled with cool fashion. Down every side street, table and chairs spill out onto the cobblestones and shops beckon you in.

In the afternoon, Danielle beelines for Russell Street, where dessert-lovers flock to famous bakery Lune Croissanterie for their specialty: the croissant. The line spills onto the footpath and up the street, as customers talk excitedly. A young baker walks out and cheerily announces the wait for the next batch will be another 20 minutes. No one seems surprised or moves away. The wait for these pastries is simply worth it.

Image: 3 Chord Images

DANIELLE

BACK TOGETHER A few of our foodie friends have raved about a phenomenal Italian restaurant on Lygon Street: 400 Gradi. So, we arrive with great expectations – which are very quickly met.

One incredible pizza, mouthwatering gnocchi and bottle of Italian red later, and we're headed up the very top end of Lygon Street to rock bar Whole Lotta Love. Paying homage to Led Zeppelin, a perennial line-up of bands play here every night.

oppositesattract

DAY TWO GRABBING A MYKI CARD AND JUMPING ON A TRAM IS THE BEST WAY TO EXPLORE.

SARAH

THE IAN POTTER CENTRE FEATURES EXHIBITIONS FROM HERE AND AROUND THE GLOBE.

DANIELLE While I lose track of time soaking up the art, Danielle has boarded a train and headed down to one of the city’s most exciting shopping districts: Chapel Street. She makes her way up and down each side of the road from the top of South Yarra down to Prahran and back.

Here, it’s less op shop, more fashionforward boutique – and it’s also the city’s first dog-friendly shopping strip, so you’ll see plenty of pooches darting in and out of doors alongside their owners.

Danielle’s lost track of time herself, wandering along in style, arms full of purchases – delicate jewellery, designer dresses and clothes from big-name brands, as well as a few vintage items and pastries from the markets in Prahran. She leaves the area unwillingly.

BACK TOGETHER We meet up on Fitzroy's Brunswick Sreet and head to Naked For Satan to enjoy tapas and drinks. An icon of the local scene, this bar features cool vistas from the outdoor rooftop and serves up killer cocktails.

From there, we head to Siglo on Spring Street, which feels as though you've just stepped into a European plaza. Continuing the theme, we head to the rooftop courtyard where, wine in hand, we each relay our journeys.

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Images: Visit Victoria

On our second morning, we decide to take it slower. Danielle has a place in mind, and we set off across the CBD, thronging with people even on the weekend.

Set within a shop-lined courtyard just off Little Bourke Street is bright café Lt. Osteria, with walls of windows where you can people-watch. It serves up a breakfast and lunch that rivals the city’s most swanky venues, then transforms at night into an awesome Italian restaurant.

We’re soon back on the street with trams, people and bikes rushing past every which way. Danielle strides off towards the train station, while I head straight on down to Federation Square.

I’ve decided to spend the day exploring art galleries, so I wander across Fed Square, grab another coffee in an art-splattered laneway and a pretzel from a street stand, then wander, in awe, straight through the grand entrance of The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

I haven’t yet checked what’s on, having decided I’d rather find out while I’m there. I start in the gallery’s permanent collections of Australian art – and somehow become lost for hours. The gallery houses more than 70,000 works of art across its 20 galleries, and is set up organically so that you seem to float from one exhibition to another.

After five hours or so, I check my watch – Danielle must be wondering where I am!

experiences

TOP 10

SNORKELLING SPOTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA

A world of beauty, wildlife and adventure awaits off the coast of this big island. Here are some of the best places to dip your head under the water and check out the local swimmers.

WORDS BY NADIA TRÉGOUËT

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experiences

PORT NOARLUNGA SOUTH AUSTRALIA Encounter a myriad of marine inhabitants in a safe area perfectly suited to first-time snorkellers. Port Noarlunga’s beautiful beach, just 35 minutes south-west of Adelaide, offers the perfect spot to dive into a mesmerising underwater world full of colourful fish of all species and sizes. Explore the gorgeous reef while surrounded by darting schools of fish and amazing sea stars.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Diving Adelaide offers a shore-diving experience at Port Noarlunga; divingadelaide.com.au

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experiences

2 MORETON ISLAND QUEENSLAND If you love to snorkel around and spot hidden treasures, Moreton Island and its Tangalooma Wrecks are made for you.

Why are the ships there? Well, in 1963, 15 vessels were deliberately sunk to form a breakwall for small boats and, as a result it became one of the most gorgeous snorkelling sites in Australia.

Dive in to discover the bones of these boats – and maybe even build your own story about them. Just 40 kilometres off the Queensland coast, you can hop on a ferry and be there in 75 minutes.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Australian Sunset Safaris offers activity-led day trips to Moreton Island; sunsetsafaris.com.au

4 JERVIS BAY NEW SOUTH WALES Almost three hours south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is home to abundant marine life and is known as one of the most famous snorkelling places in the state. For all the big ‘fish’ lovers, you just found an idyll where you can also encounter marine mammals such as seals, whales and, of course, the famous bottlenose dolphins. The bay is also home to beautiful natural caverns caused by fallen underwater rocks. Put on your flippers, mask and snorkel, and dive into the deep blue immensity.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Jervis Bay Wild offers private snorkelling tours; jervisbaywild.com.au

3 SHELLY BEACH NEW SOUTH WALES Half an hour north-east of Sydney, Shelly Beach is a gem. Jump on a bus or ferry to Manly, walk for 20 minutes, and there it is: the paradise that is Shelly Beach. Take a deep breath and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings while snorkelling this little piece of underwater heaven. And while you’re here you can admire the aquatic reserve of Cabbage Tree Bay. Both are worth a visit: the first is ideal to relax and snorkel in calm water, and the second offers amazing spots to see various fish species, such as yellowfin bream, cuttlefish and even stingrays.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Dive Centre Manly snorkelling tours include gear (mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, flotation device) and an experienced guide; divesydney.com.au

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5 SHOALWATER ISLANDS WESTERN AUSTRALIA If you’re a wildlife fan and would love to see nature in its natural habitat, Shoalwater Islands Marine Park – an hour south-west of Perth – will make your dreams come true. Besides the many specimens of marine life, there is plenty happening on the shore too; be sure to take a look at the lazy sunbathing sea lions and the funny little penguins jumping in and out of the water.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Perth Ocean Diving snorkelling tours allow free diving, if guests wish to do so; perthocean.com

experiences

6 NINGALOO COAST WESTERN AUSTRALIA Let yourself be drawn into a breathtaking adventure that moves everyone who experiences it. Besides an unforgettable encounter with whale sharks, you will have the opportunity to meet blue whales, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, turtles and other magnificent inhabitants of the Indian Ocean. Want to indulge in this wonderful opportunity to dive into a blue wonder? Base yourself here for a few days – it takes almost 13 hours to drive here from Perth.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks offers full-day and half-day snorkelling tours; exmouthdiving.com.au

7 LORD HOWE ISLAND NEW SOUTH WALES Enchanting surroundings await you at this stunning destination. Interested in coral? This is the perfect spot.

Lord Howe Island offers more than 90 coral and 500 fish species in the colourful reefs of its warm seas.

UNESCO’s protected marine paradise invites you into its deepest secrets, offering a rare glimpse of true beauty.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Reef N Beyond runs outer-reef snorkelling tours with aqua scooters; 02 6563 2216.

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experiences

8 MOOLOOLABA QUEENSLAND Looking for a life-changing experience? The Sunshine Coast is renowned for its stunning beaches and mesmerising landscapes – and Mooloolaba, about 90 minutes north of Brisbane, is just one of the towns here that will keep you interested. Best of all, you have the opportunity to see and swim with whales from July to November (and dolphins the rest of the year). Facing these impressive creatures in real life is an incredible experience that will remain in your mind forever. If you’re a whale lover, put your blanket and tea aside, prepare a towel and warm clothes, then face this year’s cold season with a thrilling and unique adventure.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Sunreef is Australia’s first swim with humpback whales operator. The opportunity to get in the ocean with one of the largest mammals in the ocean is incredible; sunreef.com.au

10 GREEN ISLAND QUEENSLAND

9 BLUE PEARL BAY QUEENSLAND Enter Blue Pearl Bay’s water off the coast of Hayman Island – either from your vessel or directly from the beach – and explore mysterious underwater canyons and caves. Visibility usually goes from three to 15 metres depending on local conditions, while diving depth is from three to 18 metres. If you’re lucky, you will have the amazing opportunity to meet the famous Maori wrasse, a permanent resident of the island’s surrounding waters.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Reef Free Tours offers six tours to Blue Pearl Bay; reeffree.com.au

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Adventure here begins just metres from the shore. Under the jetty here, you might spot turtles, stingrays and rabbitfish among a heaving sea-life scene. Swim around and experience the captivating wonders of Green Island’s crystal-clear waters. Besides its snorkelling spots, the island – just 27 kilometres offshore from Cairns – offers activities such as helicopter flights above the rainforest or cruising expeditions.

TOP TOUR GUIDE: Great Adventures’ Green Island tours allow up to seven hours to explore the island; greatadventures.com.au

BORN AND BREWED IN CANBERRA

Find our range of award winning beers at www.bentspokebrewing.com.au/beer-finder

Or visit our award winning Brewpub 48/38 Mort St, Braddon ACT 2612

cityscape

GETTING TO KNOW HOBART No other Australian city has undergone such monumental changes over the past decade.

Image: Tourism Tasmania/Jason Charles Hill

WORDS BY WINSOR DOBBIN

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cityscape

Hobart has never been more popular, and now is a great time to visit.

Founded in 1804 as a penal colony, the city has long been a magnet for visitors who enjoy its waterfront, historic buildings and rich colonial and convict heritage. But over the past 10 years Tasmania’s capital has been transformed, and now boasts a lively cultural scene, dozens of gourmet options and a host of festivals, several held during the previously sleepy winter season.

Thanks in part to the “MONA effect”, downtown Hobart is now dotted with whisky and cider bars and funky restaurants focusing on local produce, not to mention a crop of new hotels.

MUSEUM MADNESS The catalyst for change was the opening in January 2011 of MONA, the controversial privately owned Museum of Old and New Art, in the city’s northern suburbs. The brainchild of gambling multimillionaire David Walsh, MONA has changed Hobart’s image from staid to cutting edge.

The $175 million complex also houses the Moorilla cellar door (and is surrounded by vines), fine-dining restaurant The Source, a wine bar, a tapas eatery and the Moo Brew microbrewery.

Downtown Hobart is also home to the revamped Tasmanian Art Gallery and Museum, just a two-minute walk from the cafés and bars overlooking the working waterfront and its many fishing vessels.

With the surrounding regions producing artisan gourmet goods, there are several excellent markets, including the famous Salamanca Market held every Saturday, the Farm Gate Market held on Sundays, and the Hobart Twilight Market held at Sandy Bay during summer.

FROM LEFT: MT WELLINGTON / KUNANYI SUMMIT;

Image: Tourism Tasmania/Samuel Shelley

Image: Tourism Tasmania/Adam Gibson

TAMMAR WALLABIES ABOUND ON KANGAROO ISLAND.

VOID BAR - MONA; SEAFOOD ON HOBART WATERFRONT

ARTY PRECINCTS The area around Salamanca Place is peppered with casual eating and drinking spots.

Cascade Brewery on the slopes of brooding Mount Wellington hosts tours and tastings, while Hobart also has many traditional pubs in the British style: check out The Shipwrights Arms, New Sydney Hotel and Customs House Hotel.

Stylish hotels such as Islington and the Henry Jones Art Hotel have been joined by affordable offerings, including 1960s-inspired Alabama Hotel and funky Montacute, which is midway between a hostel and a boutique hotel.

Right on the waterfront, MACq01 Hotel is a hip hangout for the city’s cool kids and well-heeled visitors.

A WALKER’S DELIGHT Situated at the mouth of the Derwent River and in the foothills of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Hobart is an easy city to explore.

Nature lovers can get off the grid with access to mountain biking trails, bush walks

and wild beaches, while the downtown core combines heritage charm, green scenery and superb produce and can easily be explored on foot. High-speed ferries depart the waterfront for a short journey up the river to MONA. There are easy day trip destinations in the colonial town of Richmond and the wineries of the Coal River Valley, and a slightly longer excursion to Port Arthur.

If you’re eager to explore beyond the CBD you’ll stumble across craft beer breweries, oyster farms, vineyards, beaches and mountains right next to the city. Take in the view of D’Entrecasteaux Channel from the top of Mount Nelson, then a few minutes later kick off your shoes and walk along the beach of Lower Sandy Bay. Hobart is known for its fluctuating seasons all in one day. So, whether you plan to visit in the height of summer to catch the end of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Taste of Tasmania food festival, or the depths of winter to experience Dark Mofo and the Festival of Voices, be sure to pack an all-weather jacket as well as sunscreen.

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cityscape

STAY IN STYLE

FROM TOP: PROSPECT HOUSE; FICO IS AN INTIMATE RESTAURANT SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER

Image: Tourism TasmaniaOsborne Images

TO F U L LY DR I N K I N HOBA RT, F I N D A HOT E L OV E R LOOK I NG T H E H A R BOU R

GETTING HERE Tigerair flies to Hobart.

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If you can, seek out accommodation overlooking the harbour. MACq01, the Henry Jones, Somerset on the Pier serviced apartments, Hotel Grand Chancellor and the new-in-2019 Moss Hotel are all excellent options. If you want to stay out of town, Prospect House is a beautiful 1831 sandstone mansion located on the outskirts of the historic village of Richmond.

The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel and Ibis Styles are other good addresses in Hobart city, while there’s a range of bed and breakfasts, budget-conscious motels, backpackers and plenty of Airbnbs in North Hobart and Battery Point.

When it comes to eating well, funky Franklin thrives with its offering of local produce and natural wines, while pan-Asian hotspot Suzie Luck’s is the place to go on Salamanca Square.

Welcoming bars attracting a younger crowd include tiny wine bar/retail outlet Drink Co, Institut Polaire and Rude Boy. “Make a booking or miss out” dining destinations for those visiting Hobart over summer include Fico and Templo, along with eclectic Dier Makr.

At Fico, Oskar Rossi (ex-Vue de Monde), the son of renowned local artist Tom Samek, teams with his Italian partner Federica Andrisani to serve a delightful melange of intriguing dishes that have both Japanese and Italian accents. Think roasted pigeon, or perhaps squid mousse with crab and mustard leaves.

Templo, which seats just 20 people, looks like a cosy neighbourhood eatery but serves excellent Italian-accented dishes and focuses on drops from boutique producers, many of them making minimal-intervention wines.

At Brooke Street Pier, visitors are blown away by the fabulous views at Aloft, an attic space with Asian fusion dishes to the fore.

On the same wharf you’ll find eatery and bar The Glass House, while the Lark Distillery tasting room is just a short stroll away.

Lucinda Wine, from the team behind Dier Makr, is a wine bar with offerings that tend towards the more obscure end of the spectrum, while Kin Japanese BBQ is a hole-in-the-wall little slice of Japan, perfect for snacks and a glass or two of saké.

Recent arrivals to keep an eye out for include Latvian/Lithuanian accented Kavorka, 24-hour café Pilgrim’s Progress and street-food concept Vigil in the new In the Hanging Garden space in the city, plus wine bar Sonny on Elizabeth Street.

Enjoy a Willie Smith’s cider paddle

Learn about the history of the Huon Valley apple industry

Take a tour of the Charles Oates Distillery

Visit the Saturday Artisan & Produce market

A great little shed that pumps - just 25 minutes south of Hobart in the Huon Valley. Sample Willie Smith’s - some of Australia’s best cider - in the surrounds of an original nineteen-forties apple packing shed.

Where to find us

Charles Oates Distilling is also part of the family, creating Apple Brandy and Apple Spirit on site.

Cider House, Distillery & Eatery

Take a wander in the museum, see the hundreds of heritage apples on display, enjoy a cider tasting or a tour of the Still, and then feast on the Shed’s local, seasonal dishes.

2064 Huon Highway, Grove, TAS 03 62664345 | williesmiths.com.au

Open 7 Days Mon-Thurs 10am – 5pm Fri 10am – 9pm Sat & Sun 10am – 6pm

OUR NATIVE ANIMALS NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER Please give to WIRES today to give animals like Poppy a second chance wires.org.au

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72 BRAIN FOOD 78 THE SLEEP BUSINESS 82 CUTTING THE COMMUTE 90 GREAT YOUNG MINDS

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Image: Beechworth Honey

What’s next for Aussie beekeepers?

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BRAIN FOOD Bringing you the latest insights and analysis.

THE BUILDING BLOCKS THAT UNDERPIN PRODUCTIVITY, CREATIVITY AND SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE WORDS BY ANDREW MAY Want to discover a proven way to get more done, to turbocharge brain function and to keep performing at a high level without hitting the wall? If we want to perform at our mental peak, we need to consider how we: • Move • Fuel • Recharge • Connect • Think • Play Here are three specific examples of how activating these levers improves day-to-day performance.

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even a small burst of activity, as little as 20 minutes, will dramatically boost your energy.

A University of Georgia study reported that sedentary people who normally complained of chronic lethargy increased their energy by 20 per cent and decreased fatigue by as much as 65 per cent when participating in regular low-intensity exercise.

1. Physical activity makes you smarter Fact: Regular exercise helps you grow more brain cells. Recent research shows that exercise helps prevent age-related decrease in brain matter, enhances cognitive flexibility and reduces the risk of developing dementia. Once you have those extra neurons firing, you need to make them nimble. This is where exercise helps, improving the connection of the neurons by increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

3. Food fuels productivity Fact: Foods high in dopamine, mixed with plenty of veggies, help boost alertness, creativity, learning and concentration. Nuts and foods that are high in protein fuel the body with dopamine – a neurotransmitter that helps with alertness, creativity, learning and concentration. Foods don’t actually contain dopamine; our body creates it by breaking down the amino acid tyrosine. Dopamine is linked to brain processes that control movement and emotional responses. Eating nutrient-dense foods like nuts also increases the satiety index (feeling of fullness), which results in more control over potential hunger cravings.

2. Regular movement boosts your energy Fact: Exercise builds more mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in the body. When you feel foggy and fatigued at work, the last thing you feel like doing is exercise. However,

Andrew May is recognised as one of the world’s leading strategists on workplace performance and wellbeing. He presents inspiring keynotes across the globe and is the author of the newly released book MatchFit (see page 76). andrewmay.com

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DEFINITION OF ‘AUSSIE BEACH’ CHANGED IN TOP 20 OF 2020 LIST In the official ‘Top 20 Australian Beaches 2020’ list, an inland ‘beach’ has been named for the first time.

Wagga Wagga’s historic Wagga Beach made the cut at number nine this year in Tourism Australia ambassador Brad Farmer’s list.

Brad, who co-wrote 101 Best Australian Beaches in 2012, has spent his life visiting and studying thousands of Australia’s sandy hotspots.

The annual top 20 list takes into account academic-based criteria such as environment, water quality, cleanliness, social history and facilities, as well as factors such as international suitability, beach safety and engagement with authentic Aussie locals.

101bestbeaches.org

TINY HOMES CARNIVAL REACHES SYDNEY For the first time, the Tiny Homes Carnival will come to Sydney on March 7 to 8. Leading the way in the tiny house movement – “a social trend to simplify our lives by reducing size without sacrificing quality of life” – Big Tiny are collaborating with Australian Tiny House Association to bring this exciting international carnival to St Ives Showground in Sydney’s north.

The tiny house trend has grown enormously in Australian in recent years, as has integrating the concept of tiny houses with ecotourism.

Special guest speakers John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin from Netflix’s Tiny House Nation will be taking the stage, as will Bryce Langston, creator of the popular web series Living Big in a Tiny House (see page 77 for series details). tinyhomescarnival.com

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Fa st fa ct s 50m²

According to the Australian Tiny House Association, “tiny houses are moveable dwellings up to 50m² that are suitable for residential use.”

11,761

Australia is officially home to a total of 11,761 beaches. This number has the potential to soon grow with the introduction of ‘inland beaches’ to the list.

16%

Just 16 per cent of Australia’s beaches are accessible by conventional roads. A further 12 per cent are accessible by unsealed roads, 29 per cent by four-wheel-drive, and 43 per cent are inaccessible.

Bushfire Emergency Appeal Rebuild and Restore Hope for Aussie Families

Habitat for Humanity Australia is providing recovery services to 86 fire-affected families in Cudlee Creek, South Australia.

Our Disaster Recovery Team is on the ground restoring hope and rebuilding the communities affected.

Families will need our help for many months, even years. Your financial support will mean a large team of volunteers can remain for as long as is needed.

Every donation will help families and communities get back on their feet during a crucial time of need.

Please donate today:

habitat.org.au/aubushfires

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BRAINFOOD

Read, watch, listen, learn

LISTEN

LADY STARTUP Who: aspiring women entrepreneurs For women who want to create something, have a side hustle or seek to start up their own business, Lady Startup tells true stories, gives great advice and lets you take a peek at the lives of inspiring women who have forged those paths.

BOOKS THE BODY: A GUIDE FOR OCCUPANTS, BILL BRYSON For: the science geek October 2019, Doubleday, science From the award-winning author of A Short History of Nearly Everything and A Walk in the Woods comes a brilliant – and hilarious – attempt to understand our physical and neurological make-up.

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21 LESSONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY, YUVAL NOAH HARARI For: tackling the world’s problems August 2019, Vintage Penguin, society & culture This bestselling book brings readers 21 bite-sized lessons on the 21st century, from how we can protect ourselves from ecological cataclysms and technological disruptions to exactly what we should be teaching our children.

THE SCHOOL OF LIFE, ALAIN DE BOTTON For: emotional intelligenceseekers September 2019, Hamish Hamilton, philosophy/lifestyle From relationships to resilience to social success, emotional intelligence affects every aspect of the way we live. Drawing on lessons from the School of Life organisation, this book is a practical compendium on how to do and live better.

MATCHFIT, ANDREW MAY For: the health junkie September 2019, Simon & Schuster, physiology This in-depth guide to getting both your body and brain in great shape is based upon 20 years of study and experience with elite athletes. Its clearly set-out principles will help you plan a path towards improved fitness, nutrition and resilience, connecting with what’s really important in your life.

WORK IT, GIRL: MICHELLE OBAMA, CAROLINE MOSS For: bright kids with big plans March 2020, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, children’s In the latest book of the Work It, Girl series – an empowering series of biographies featuring modern women – kids can discover how Michelle became an inspirational leader, FLOTUS, and lawyer. Then, learn 10 key lessons from her work you can apply to your own life.

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LIVING BIG IN A TINY HOUSE Where: YouTube This fun-loving channel by Kiwi Bryce Langston explores small space design as he journeys all around to find the best tiny homes and downsized, eco-oriented living spaces.

WATCH

TARONGA: WHO’S WHO IN THE ZOO Where: Channel 9, February 2020 This new documentary series goes behind the gates to take a look at Taronga’s awesome animals, as well as the groundbreaking work that goes on behind the scenes at one of the world’s most famous zoos.

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA Where: selected cinemas around Aus, March–June 2020 At regional cinemas around the country, this eco-minded film festival displays the ocean’s wonders with a collection of colourful and exciting films. oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au

ABSTRACT: THE ART OF DESIGN Where: Netflix Learn how design impacts every aspect of our lives in this in-depth documentary series, covering some of the world’s top designers working in a variety of fields and disciplines.

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Australia wakes to the power of sleep 78

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Alongside diet and exercise, sleep is now recognised as the ‘third pillar’ of a healthy lifestyle. And with sleep health now costing Australia $26.2 billion a year, this new awareness comes just in time.

WORDS BY SANGEETA KOCHAREKAR

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“You can sleep when you’re dead.” It’s a phrase you likely grew up hearing or you might have even said yourself – but these days it’s a saying that should sound alarm bells. Why? Because in the past five or so years, the world has finally woken up to the power of a good night’s rest.

“When we haven’t had restorative sleep, our brain is unable to perform at an optimal level,” says Dr David Burton, CEO of medical device company Compumedics, one of the many organisations in the business of sleep health. “Our physical, mental and emotional health is compromised as our brain, muscles, nerves, neurons and complex internal systems are slow to respond and unable to function or perform well.”

The problems don’t end there. When we don’t get enough sleep, we can’t form and consolidate memories from the day. We’re four times more likely to catch a cold. And should poor sleep persist longterm, we’re at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, dementia and even some cancers.

“The thing with sleep is that it’s insidious,” says Catherine Delamare, General Manager of ResMed in Australia and New Zealand. “If you haven’t been getting good sleep for many years, you don’t actually realise how exhausted you are. You forget what it feels like to be at your best.”

In fact, sleep has become such an issue that in April 2019 the government called for it to be made a national priority. A commissioned report was

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prefaced with: “New research suggests that sleep is vital in allowing each cell, in every organ of the body, to continue to function. No wonder sleep deprivation is such a highly effective form of torture.”

The inquiry found that four in 10 Aussies aren’t getting enough of sleep, and that consequently their sleep exhaustion is costing the country a staggering $26.2 billion a year in financial costs and $40.1 billion in loss of wellbeing.

The big question is, what can we do to ensure we’re catching more ZZZs? Interestingly, there are individual differences in the amount of sleep people need, depending on genetics, gender and age, says Dr Elise R. Facer-Childs, Research Industry Fellow at Monash University. Adolescents going through puberty, for instance, usually require more sleep than adults.

Across the board, however, studies show that consistently getting less than seven hours of sleep a night can show a significant decline in mental and physical health. A good rule of thumb is if you feel like you’re not getting enough shut-eye and it’s affecting you throughout the day, you likely need more.

But for many, pencilling in more time for sleep is only half the battle. You can be in bed at a reasonable hour and ready to snooze for at least seven hours… but then comes the hurdle of actually dropping off.

A 2018 sleep survey by health tech company Philips found worrying to be the most common reason Australian adults were kept up in the past

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three months at 51 per cent, followed by illness/ physical discomfort (27 per cent) and technology distractions (21 per cent).

Fortunately, a few small changes to your routine can go a long way – not only in getting you off to dreamland – but ensuring you stay there.

Creating a bedtime routine that includes at least 30 minutes of screen-free time before sleep is an easy place to start. Next comes concentrating on the other two pillars of health: exercise and nutrition, as well as mental health. It’s worth noting that while bad sleep can often cop the blame for tiredness, the problem could also be the result of neglecting these other areas of wellbeing.

Avoiding stimulants such as alcohol and coffee, both of which can delay you getting to the crucial rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, can also ensure you better quality sleep.

To stay asleep, you’ll want to minimise disruptions like light and noise by darkening your bedroom, keeping it at a comfortable temperature and silencing your phone.

If all that fails? It could be that there’s a bigger issue at hand – there are currently more than 96 different diagnosable sleep disorders.

They include upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), caused by a slowing or blockage of air in the nasal passages during sleep; periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), a cramping or jerking of the legs during sleep; and restless leg syndrome

(RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease, which causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them.

Two of the most common disorders, however, are insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea. It’s said around one third of Australians will experience insomnia at some point in their lives and that women and elderly people are more likely to suffer from it.

Last year, a study in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine estimated the number of Australians suffering from sleep apnoea to be around 3 million.

Other research has estimated up to 80 per cent of those suffering from it have not yet been diagnosed or are not receiving treatment.

Needless to say, the business of sleeping aids is booming. From technology that measures the quality of REM sleep to headbands that play soothing music and magnesium mixes to spray under the tongue, endless products have been designed to help you snooze better.

A 2017 figure found sleeping aids generated $69.5 billion in revenue worldwide. In 2023, the industry is predicted to rake in $101.9 billion.

The boom can be attributed to the newfound awareness of sleep, says Dr Facer-Childs. “Given we’re supposed to spend a third of our lives asleep, it’s crazy it hasn’t been given the level of importance it deserves. There’s so much talk about diet and exercise, yet not much about this key pillar of health: sleep. But that’s all now changing.”

FIVE SLEEP PRODUCTS TO TRY 1. Dream Sleep Better Pillow Spray, Angel Aromatics, $19.95 2. Key for Me, iOS app, free 3. NIGHT Pillow, Discover Night, from $217 4. SleepPhones Wireless, SleepPhones, from $148 5. Magnesium Oral Spray with Peppermint, The Good Night Co, $50 FEB/MAR 2020

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Image: Destination NSW

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Cutting the work commute 82

With a growing number of Australians now working remotely, telecommuting is taking flight.

WORDS BY KIRSTEN CRAZE

Escaping long and tedious commutes and high-density living is a dream for many city dwellers, but there is a real fear of missing out on big-city salaries. However, a growing number of Australians are managing to make their ideal tree or sea change while maintaining their metro wages.

Telecommuting, also known as teleworking and e-working, is an emerging lifestyle phenomenon changing the way Australians are living. They might live outside of a big city, maybe fly to meetings when needed, and get the benefits of both worlds.

John McGrath, founder of McGrath Estate Agents, highlighted in the firm’s latest Market Report that a new breed of Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) commuter is significantly impacting regional property markets.

“Professional FIFO families are relocating from expensive capital cities to affordable regional and coastal lifestyle areas, where they are pushing up demand for property,” he says.

“Come Monday they are hopping on a plane to work in the city, staying at crash pads, boltholes and even hotels. Some even Airbnb their city pads when they fly back home to defray costs,” he explains.

McGrath pointed out that increasing air travel options are allowing these modernday commuters to extend the range of where they can live.

Mathew Tiller, Head of Research at LJ Hooker, says as capital city prices get higher, more people will move outside of these areas.

“As a result, prices are starting to grow in the regions as people move out to them,” he says.

According to recent statistics from property data firm CoreLogic, dwelling values in regional New South Wales have increased by 23.1 per cent over the past five years to December 2019, while regional

TELECOMMUTING, ALSO KNOWN AS TELEWORKING, IS AN EMERGING LIFESTYLE PHENOMENON

Clockwise from left: Work time at 100 Mile Table in Byron Bay; the Gold Coast city skyline; Work and play work well together in Surfers Paradise.

Image: Tourism Queensland

Image: brobes.com

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AUSTRALIANS ARE EAGER TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THEIR WORKING STYLES

Victoria has seen similar growth of 22.7 per cent during the same period. In regional Tasmania home values went up 25 per cent, while there was a marginal rise of 6.2 per cent in regional Queensland, mostly driven by the south-eastern area of the state.

“Obviously, most of our regional towns have property prices well below capitalcity medians. But, for many, the hardest part about moving to a regional centre is income and employment prospects. So, if you can take your city income with you and transfer it to an area where life is more affordable, then obviously you’re far ahead of the pack,” Tiller says.

The mass exodus, Tiller adds, mostly includes baby boomers who might still be a few years off retirement, and young families seeking a lifestyle change. And while these city defectors are at different life stages, they share the same goal: they want

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to cut daily commuting time – perhaps travelling longer distances less often – and cash in on big-city property prices to get more bang for their buck in regional towns.

“We’re definitely seeing it on the east coast, particularly for Sydney and Melbourne, due to the population growth and affordability issues those two cities have. But the other capitals are experiencing it as well,” says Tiller.

“All of our capitals have very scenic coastal towns or attractive regional centres just outside them. Near Sydney you have the Hunter Valley, the Southern Highlands and the beaches of the South and Central Coasts. Close to Melbourne you have the same thing with Mornington Peninsula and the Surf Coast, while in Queensland it’s the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. Outside of Adelaide you have the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley, and with Perth there is the Margaret River region.”

Although many regional towns suffered property price slumps post-GFC, the tides have turned in recent years. While there are a number of reasons behind rising regional real-estate values, Tiller attributes flexible working arrangements and technology as key drivers.

A recent McCrindle Research survey showed that Australians are eager to make significant changes to their working styles as they embrace the freedom to work from home or remotely. Of those surveyed, 80 per cent (82 per cent of women and 78 per cent of men) said they’d be more likely to stay longer with an existing employer should they provide flexible working conditions.

“Most employees are prepared to forego a percentage of their pay in exchange for greater flexibility,” says social demographer Mark McCrindle, founder of McCrindle Research.

While 28 per cent of Australians would be willing to earn five per cent less for significant flexibility, an incredible one in 16 Australians would compromise 20 per cent (or one day’s pay) in exchange for the opportunity to work remotely.

A poll of more than 8000 people by recruitment firm Hays found that 55 per

TIGERAIRBIZ

Clockwise from left: Airborne for work or play; Lazy morning at Flinders Pier; Mornington Peninsula holiday vibes; Being able to balance working from home with leisure time is the ultimate goal.

cent of workers were happy to drop their salary if it meant they could work from home.

“If you have a long commute, working from home or at another location closer to home will allow you to cut the travel time of your routine, which should improve your physical wellbeing,” says Susan Drew, Senior Regional Director at Hays.

Despite the overwhelming desire of Australian workers to plug into telecommuting, Drew says it is still not the norm for many companies.

“There is a worry among both employers and employees that telecommuting will hinder performance. However, it is down to the individual and the employer to ensure that they remain on track,” she says, adding that companies seeking five-star staff should consider the practice.

“If people can't access telecommuting from their existing employer they may look elsewhere, which could lead to competitiveness in the market. To compete in retaining and attracting quality staff, companies will have to introduce workingfrom-home options.”

McCrindle says that, with this growing desire for flexible work conditions and

more affordable lifestyles, it is no wonder population rates and property prices in regional areas are on the rise.

“Some regional cities are actually growing faster than the capitals — it’s phenomenal. People can now work from these areas; we don’t just have to work in the CBD of big capitals. Technology solutions have really been an enabler,” McCrindle says.

“It’s no longer a commuting class. It’s no longer people living in the region and suburbs but travelling to work in the nearest city.”

In many ways, McCrindle adds, the NBN and the ever-changing digital landscape have given regional towns a leg up on capital cities, where house prices are becoming prohibitive.

“People can see the affordability, the lifestyle and now the ability to work from these places. They’re not just holiday destinations now; people live and work there while holding down well-paid CBD jobs,” he says.

“That’s the new way of life that Australians have responded to: they want to live, work and play close to where they are rather than just commute.”

FAST FACTS By 2020, after the completion of the National Broadband Network, the Federal Government aims to give 12 per cent of all public servants the opportunity to regularly telecommute.

According to the latest ABS Census data, telecommuting increased from 8 per cent of the workforce in 2001 to 30 per cent in 2016.

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What’s next for Australia’s forgotten farmers?

It’s been a tough year for Australian farmers, and that includes the country’s 1500 commercial beekeepers. But even with drought, bushfires and our New Zealand neighbours creating challenges for the honey-bee industry, there are still signs of a bright future ahead.

WORDS BY LISA SMYTH

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Opposite page: Beekeepers Murray Arkadieff and Thomas Holliday from MediBee on beautiful Stradbroke Island, Queensland.

This page: A frame of Australian Manuka honey produced by honey bees that have foraged on the nectar from Leptospermum (Manuka) plants.

My baked pears with honey almond crumble is outright delicious. A favourite at every dinner party, the simple dessert always results in heaps of praise being sent my way, which I not-so-humbly accept and encourage.

So it came as a bit of a surprise, and a blow to my fragile ego, to learn that it’s actually the unassuming European honey bee that my guests should be thanking – not just for the honey, but for the pears and almonds too.

“It is estimated that nearly 80 per cent of the fruits and vegetables in the average Australian supermarket would be lost if we didn’t have honey bees to pollinate crops,” explains Danny Le Feuvre, Deputy Chair of the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program.

“Almonds, for instance, are almost 100 per cent reliant on insect pollination. The movement of 300,000 hives every year to service the almond industry is actually the largest movement of livestock in the country. Yep, bees are classified as livestock,” chuckles Le Feuvre.

A SMALL BUT MIGHTY INDUSTRY While honey is the major commercial output of the honey-bee industry (and its most visible), the Australian Government estimates that the annual economic value of honey bee pollination for the

Australian agricultural sector is a huge $14.2 billion.

“Our beekeepers are often our forgotten farmers,” laments Ben McKee, Chief Operating Officer of Hive + Wellness, Australia’s largest honey manufacturer and owner of the Capilano brand.

“Bees are directly responsible for one-third of everything we eat, and indirectly responsible for two-thirds of our food as they pollinate the crops that feed our meat and livestock. It’s a small industry with a large impact,” notes McKee. Given the huge role the beekeeping industry plays in Australia’s future food security, the Capilano team was alarmed to discover, in a recent survey of its suppliers, that 98 per cent of beekeepers have been affected by the ongoing drought.

“The drought means there is a lack of flowering trees for bees to feed from. Add the recent bushfires and the result is that many of our beekeepers are facing the worst conditions on record,” says McKee. “A significant number of Australian beekeepers have been affected by a loss of hives, charring of hives that damages bee health, and a loss of nutritional sources for their bees through the burning of bushland.”

In November, it was estimated that honey output will be down by as much as 30 per cent on average in 2020, and beekeepers were predicting it would take three to 20 years to fully recover from the recent bushfires. These estimates are likely to have FEB/MAR 2020

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IT IS AN EXCITING PHASE FOR THE HONEY-BEE INDUSTRY

worsened since the bushfire crisis that swept the country recently. Australian professional beekeepers often travel thousands of kilometres chasing floral sources for honey flows and to ensure the welfare of their bees,” explains McKee. “They are away from their families for great lengths of time, camping out under the stars and moving bees in the dead of night to make sure all of them are safely in the hives and stress-free. It is back-breaking work, and their impact on Australia’s agricultural industry largely goes unnoticed.”

SUPPORTING AUSSIE FARMERS If drought and bushfires weren’t enough to drive beekeepers away from the industry, the ‘fake honey’ scandal in 2018 and the recent attempt by New Zealand to trademark the term ‘manuka’ in key markets like China and the US, hasn’t helped.

“Adulteration is a major ongoing global food fraud problem for beekeepers all across the world,” exclaims Jodie Goldsworthy, co-founder of Beechworth Honey.

Honey is the third most adulterated food in the world, behind milk and olive oil, and food fraud is a US$40 billion a year industry worldwide.

“The flow of cheap Chinese honey into Australia has not stopped yet, but it has slowed since 2018,”

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continues Goldsworthy. “Australian beekeepers are very grateful for the support of the public and are pleased that consumers understand the importance of ensuring traceability of their honey back to the beehive.”

Le Feuvre agrees that buying local is paramount.

“Consumers can be confident that the honey on their morning toast is not adulterated if they buy 100 per cent Australian honey.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Despite the significant challenges facing the sector, Le Feuvre is eager to look to the future. “Overall we are a healthy industry. We are growing and prospering. It is an exciting phase for the honey-bee industry, with the international market really starting to take notice of Australian honeys and what they do.”

The medicinal properties of honey are wellrecognised in other parts of the world, like in New Zealand, where beekeepers are successfully harvesting propolis, a mixture that honey bees produce from saliva and beeswax. Propolis is used in lozenges, toothpaste and soap, and might even be useful for the treatment of skin cancers – but most Australian beekeepers have yet to tap into the market in any real way.

However, a recent study funded by AgriFutures

Clockwise from left: Steven Goldsworthy, beekeeper and co-founder of Beechworth Honey, checking the hives; Interestingly, every species of bees collects pollen in their own way; Capilano MGO 300+ Active Australian Manuka honey; The BeeCause range by Beechworth Honey.

All images supplied by Beechworth Honey & Hive + Wellness

TIGERAIRBIZ

found that at least seven of Australia’s 84 manuka species have a higher medicinal value than New Zealand’s one manuka species, suggesting the local industry is in a great position to launch into the medicinal market.

“Propolis production is an emerging opportunity in Australia,” says McKee. “While the country is in the very early stages compared to significant global players such as Brazil and China, with investment there is potential to develop this revenue stream for Australian beekeepers.”

In November 2019, the Australian Government announced a $1.5 million grant ‘to ensure bee health and longevity’. The money will support research and development into early detection of bee and hive health problems, and floral resource management.

“Given that there are only 1500 commercial beekeepers in Australia, it’s pretty incredible to think that our food security is so closely linked to the viability of this small group of people,” notes Goldsworthy. “Which is why in my hometown of Beechworth, we love inspiring the next generation of kids to love honey and respect bees and our environment. The purchasing choices people make today can either make or break this industry and our future.”

THREE CHEERS FOR THE INDUSTRY 1. The Australian honey-bee industry produces between 20,000 and 30,000 tonnes of honey annually, with approximately 4500 tonnes exported overseas.

2. 70 per cent of Australian honey is produced from the nectar of native flora.

3. There are 84 species of manuka plants in Australia, while New Zealand has only one.

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TIGERAIRBIZ

Appin’ for Business When it comes to the next frontier of business, these three Aussie entrepreneurs have already raced ahead to stake their claim. Fortunately for the rest of us, they have some wisdom to share from the wild west of the online economy.

WORDS BY IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER | ILLUSTRATIONS BY JON WOLFGANG MILLER

The story of the nerdy high-school kid who designed an app in their bedroom and sold it for a zillion dollars was the stuff of legend a decade ago – fodder for Hollywood blockbusters such as The Social Network and The Internship.

Ten thousand new app developers are now joining the workplace in Australia every year, according to the Australian App Economy 2019 report. If the number sounds like overkill, it’s not. There are three billion smartphone users in the world, who between them downloaded 194 billion apps in 2018. Games were the most downloaded app type, but personal finance apps are the fastest-growing niche in Australia.

So what does it take to make it big?

We’ve got the lowdown from three young Australian tech tycoons who cracked the code. Read on.

THE PRODIGY Imagine managing five apps, five ecommerce stores, two ecommerce training websites and holding down a busy side gig as a motivational speaker. Now imagine doing all of that while studying for your Year 12 exams. Seventeen-year-old millionaire Jack Bloomfield doesn’t have to imagine it: he lived it.

“I hate it when people put me on a pedestal and say I’m some kind of genius,” Bloomfield says. “To put it into context, I just finished high school with B grades. I was never the class captain; I’m average. We are all average. All I did was pick one thing that makes money and got really good at it. That’s all you have to do.”

For Bloomfield, who created his first digital product Next Gifts – an app that allowed people to create virtual cards

online and get them physically mailed out – at the age of 14, that one thing he became really good at was not coding or programming apps.

“I have no idea how to code,” he says.

“If I need to code, I hire a coder or I just go online and download the tools to do the job. Ten years ago if you wanted to build an app you had to be a genius. But today with these drag-and-drop online tools, most of which are free, anyone from a 12-year-old kid to an 85-year-old grandmother can build an app.

“The one thing I do well is project management. I pull together the right people and make things happen. If you ask me, project management is the most important job in technology today.

The next Facebook, it’s not going to be invented by a genius. It’s going to be invented by a team.”

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THE METER MAID The sharing economy is nothing new; people have been offering cash or kind to borrow things from each other for thousands of years. But apps that make it easy to search for goods and services online have made the sharing economy one of the fastest-growing business trends in history. One in two Australians uses sharing economy apps, while one in 10 of us depend on them for income.

Share With Oscar was launched in 2016

by Louise Chen and Lisa Qi, two executives in their mid-20s who one day nearly lost their minds trying to find a car park at

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Sydney's busy Bondi Beach. Their answer: an app that connects the owners of unused parking spaces – driveways, garages and car parks – with people driving around in circles looking for a spot.

“We went door to door signing up our first 100 customers,” Chen says. “Our first supplier was an old guy we saw watering his garden. He had lots of questions but agreed to join us in the end. It took us three months to get our first 100, but it was time well spent because it allowed us to get really close to our customers and refine our product for their needs.”

Today, Share With Oscar has 2000 car spaces and more than 15,000 regular users

in Sydney. These numbers may sound like small fry compared to Airbnb (four million listings) and Uber (95 million users), but Share with Oscar’s potential market value is absolutely enormous. In the past year, the company’s profitability has grown 1000 per cent.

“I won’t say it has made us rich. If that’s all we wanted, we would have kept our day jobs,” says Chen. “We have a broader mission and purpose – to prepare our cities for the future without building more needless infrastructure. It’s frustrating that we’re spending millions on new car parks when we know they’ll be torn soon down because of automated cars.”

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THE RAINMAKER In 2014, Year 9 student Ben Pasternak built a smartphone game where you tap a wheel to match colours against balls that fall faster and faster.

Impossible Rush was more popular than Tinder and Twitter for a time, and was eventually sold for US$200.

Pasternak’s next game, Impossible Dial, sold for somewhat more – US$85,000. A year later he dropped out of high school, moved to New York and launched Flogg, a buy-andsell platform for teens that raised US$740,000 in venture funding; and Monkey, a video chat for teens that raised a whopping US$2 million.

The deals made Pasternak one of the youngest people in the tech world to receive venture capital. But they also made him question whether his apps were contributing positively to society. The answer was a resounding no.

“I still think you can create apps that are really helpful so long as you don’t think about monetisation too soon, because the monetisation is about adding elements that aren’t in users’ interests like advertising and maximising screen time,” Pasternak says. “That’s how apps end up down the rabbit hole.”

Pasternak says there are plenty of venture capitalists out there who want to help developers grow apps that are good for the world. “I’m talking about people who already have lots of money and who talk about long-term growth instead of profit,” he says.

Pasternak is now helping a friend develop It’s Me – an app that allows users to build a 3D digital avatar of themselves to interact with other users and look their best no matter their appearance. He’s also working on NUGGS – not an app but a vegan replica chicken nugget that’s raised US$7 million in venture capital.

“I got into apps because it was the best way to connect with people and have an impact on the world,” he says.

“With NUGGS, I’m still doing that.”

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Immerse yourself among the raw beauty of King Island from the comfort of our luxury four-bedroom retreat. Enjoy the breathtaking views from the red cedar hot tub and glass sauna, with access to your own private beach.

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Rottnest Express is Rottnest Island’s most experienced cruise company, operating year-round daily ferry services from Perth and Fremantle, plus an extensive range of day tour packages, including transfers from hotels in Perth and Fremantle.

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Take a fascinating journey behind the scenes.

Explore the 100-year-old heritage scoreboard, gain insight into match-day preparations inside the players’ change rooms, feel the roar of the crowd on the hallowed turf through the interactive players’ race, and much, much more.

COAST HOUSE Tasmania offers exclusive boutique accommodation nestled on a private peninsula in the beautiful Huon Valley. Surrounded by waterways and wildlife, this stunning setting offers guests the ultimate tranquil getaway. Wine and gourmet meals are included with your stay.

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Unwind in of the world’s oldest rainforests. Our seven off-the-grid cabins, hand-built within the Fan Palm gallery of the Daintree Forest, give guests the chance to witness its wildlife and flora found nowhere else on earth. It’s a true ecologically sustainable rainforest experience, but with all the modern comforts.

From the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungles to the gorges of Karijini National Park, from the Horizontal Falls and the majestic Mitchell Falls, King Leopold Air has been flying to Australia’s north-west for more than 25 years. Our scenic adventure flights are the best way to experience the incredible Kimberley and Pilbara regions.

This world-class environmental interpretive centre allows you to experience this incredible natural wonder.

Don’t miss the 23-metre treetops canopy tower, 10-metre aerial boardwalks, animated dinosaurs in the ‘Jurassic Forest’, the live jungle bug exhibit, and the freshwater rainforest aquarium.

WAJAANA YAAM GUMBAYNGGIRR PREMA SHANTI YOGA ADVENTURE TOURS & MEDITATION RETREAT 19 Gaudrons Rd, Sapphire Beach NSW T 0409 536670 E info@wajaanayaam.com.au W wajaanayaam.com.au

Turpentine Rd, Cape Tribulation Qld T 07 4098 9006 E info@premashanti.com.au W premashanti.com.au

Guests will be immersed in the Gumbaynggirr culture while stand-up paddling with direct descendent Aboriginal guides on the Split Solitary Island Marine waterways. All tours include bush tucker and water safety-certified guiding.

The only yoga and meditation retreat in the world situated in the heart of two World Heritage-listed eco-systems: the GBR and the Daintree. Our program runs seven days a week, year-round. We cater to all levels of experience, from beginner to experienced.

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Port Douglas Rd, Port Douglas Qld T 07 4099 3235 E info@wildlifehabitat.com.au W wildlifehabitat.com.au

Wildlife Habitat is a leader in eco-tourism, providing visitors with the opportunity to observe a huge range of native wildlife. Cuddle a koala and spot a cassowary. Enjoy daily breakfast with the birds and lunch with the lorikeets. Admission includes a five-day entry pass and all park tours.

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YOUR BEST INSTAGRAM SHOTS 96

Every issue, we showcase our favourite Instagram photos taken by you. If you have taken a beautiful image while on – or about to get on – a Tigerair flight, let us know by mentioning @tigerairaustralia and tagging #tigerairau.

Big thanks to @lijey_d (1 Cruising at 35,000 feet), @rogerharrisphoto (2 Hello Sydney), @aviation_tommy_8 (3 And we’re off), @flyingdave (4 Gold Coast vibes), @pontian69 (5 Gorgeous skies in Melbourne), @sailingpoeye (6 Aerial view of Brisbane).

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