CONTENTS
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
THE WINE SLINGER CHRONICLES
UPCOMING EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA ON THE VINE
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CAMELS TO FLOWERS
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Tour of the 60 designated wine regions that have developed a worldwide reputation.
There is no end to the ongoing events around the country. And this only scratches the surface.
COASTAL AUSTRALIA
TOUGHEST ENDURANCE EVENT
GREAT BARRIER REEF
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SAFARI ENDURANCE
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PUBLISHER
MAXIMIN MARSTON EDITOR IN CHIEF
DOMITILA DRURY KING KAMPA ASSISTANT EDITORS
One of the seven natural wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on the planet.
New Moto and Side by Side stage at the 2013 Quit Forest Rally.
PORSHA BAREFOOT KRISTIANSON SANSBURY
SEASON OVERVIEW
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
AUSTRALIAN MOUNTAINS
NEW YEAR’S EVENTS
GREAT BLUE MTS
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One million hectares of cliffs, canyons, valleys, waterfalls and bushland.
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The season will start with a bang on New Year’s Eve, with Gale Edwards’ acclaimed production of La Bohème.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GILBERTE DELTORO MARLO NEELD
INTERIOR AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
47
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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Open spaces that stretch forever tell the story of the exploration and development.
CULTURAL CITIES
LIAM PERERA
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
EXTRAS
AUSTRALIAN CITIES
31
MANAGING EDITOR
AUSTR ALIA | 72
Sydney’s harbour, Melbourne’s cultural precincts and Darwin’s laid back ambience.
WALDO COMBO KERA PARFAIT GIGANTO GRANDISON LALA COPENHAVER EUGEÑIO BIGLER
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VII
Great Barrier Reef
It You
There’s nothing like...
stretches more than 2,000 kilometres along the Queensland coast, from the mainland towns of to .
Port Douglas Bundaberg swim
dive sail Great Barrier Reef
can , snorkel, and the World Heritage-listed , a living masterpiece so big it can be seen from outer space.
Hop
between the pristine, palm-fringed islands on top, then EXPLORE the rainbow-coloured coral islands and marine LIFE below.
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VEGEMITE SPAGHETTI Vegemite spaghetti is one of
those dishes that I wish I had known about when I was a penniless student. It has just three ingredients. Kids that are obsessed with Vegemite will love this! Category: Australian, Budget, Dinner,
Kids cooking, Kids food, Pasta Prep Time: 3 mins Cook Time: 15 mins
Method:
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Save a cup of pasta water and drain the pasta into a colander. Return the pot to the heat and melt the butter. Add the Vegemite into the butter with a splash of pasta water and combine. Return the pasta to the pot and stir to coat the pasta in the sauce. Serve in warm bowls with Parmesan cheese if you prefer.
Ingredients:
375g thin spaghetti 50g butter 1 tbsp Vegemite
VIII
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2/14/13 2:00 PM
FEATURES
BY ELIZABETH NOERDAWAY
ustralia’s wine industry is the fourth largest exporter of wine with 750 million litres a year to the international export market. The wine industry is a significant contributor to the Australian economy through production, employment, export and tourism. Wine is produced in every state, with more than 60 designated wine regions totaling approximately 160,000 hectares; however Australia’s wine regions are mainly in the southern, cooler
parts of the country, with vineyards located in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. The wine regions in each state produces different wine varieties and styles that take advantage of the particular Terroir such as: climatic differences, topography and soil types. Discover some of the world’s oldest shiraz vineyards in South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, or award-winning sauvignon blanc in
Western Australia’s Margaret River. Join one of the winery events held in the Hunter Valley near Sydney, or taste the flagship chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wines of the Yarra Valley near Melbourne. Australia has dozens of wine regions. This month we’ll review 6 crucial ones, including sources for new-style Australian wine, such as Yarra Valley, Margaret River and Tasmania.
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Australia
WINE REGIONS OF
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Clare Valley (1) Southern Flinders Ranges Borossa Vallley (2) Edan Valley (3) Adelaide Plains Adelaide Hills (4) McLaren Vale (5) Wratonbully Coonwarra (6)
New England Australia Murray Darling Rutherglen (8) King Valley Upper Gouburn Strawbogle Ranges Heathcote (9) Grampians (10) Mornington Peninsula Yarra Valley (12)
QUEENS LAND Granite Belt
WEST AUSTRALIA Swan District Perth Hills Peel Geographe Margaret River (13) Blackwood Valley Pemberton Manjump Great Southern (14)
NEW SOUTH WALES Hastings River Hunter(7) Mudgee Orange SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS Hillops Pericoata Canberra District Gundangi Thumbrumbra
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TASMANIA Tasmania (15)
TOUR AUSTRALIA
Barossa Valley South Australia
In South Australia they’ve been producing world-class wine for generations, and the state now has 16 distinct wine regions. Adelaide is home to the National Wine Centre of Australia and the city has more than 200 cellar doors right on its doorstep. The famous Barossa is made up of two regions, each with its own speciality. Eden Valley has a reputation for excellent Riesling, while the Barossa Valley is home to some of the world’s best Shiraz. In addition to the Barossa, more excellent vineyards and wineries can be found in the heritage towns and century-old cellars of McLaren Vale, the Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, and Coonawarra.
McLaren Vale South Australia
McLaren Vale, nestled between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the beaches of Gulf St Vincent, is renowned for its exceptional wines, most notably Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay varieties. More than 50 wineries and 270 independent grape growers can be found here. Walk or cycle along the old railway line between Willunga and Seaford, and you’ll pass through vineyards and wild olive groves and get a feel for this gorgeous countryside. McLaren Vale originally grew up around the wine industry, but the surrounding hills, uninhibited rural vistas, pristine beaches and coastal scenery have attracted artists and artisans to the district for more than a century.
Margaret River West Australia
At Margaret River, just a few hours drive south of Perth, there are more than 60 wineries to choose from, many with restaurants serving fresh local produce cooked up by some of Australia’s best chefs. Although Margaret River produces less than one per cent of Australia’s wine, here the quality is high, as it produces more than 15 per cent of the country’s premium wines. The region is especially recognized for its award-winning cabernets. Enjoy opera among the vineyards or international concerts in a sensational bushland setting or sample them all at the Margaret River Wine Region Festival.
Swan Valley Southeast Australia
In the Swan Valley, just a boat ride from Perth, you’ll find Western Australia’s oldest wine region. With its reliably warm and dry climate, the valley became the birthplace of viticulture during Western Australia’s early settlement, and still produces some of the country’s best verdelho, shiraz and cabernet varieties. Small boutique wineries are the foundation of this wine region’s charm. Many of the varieties produced in this region are only available for purchase at the cellar doors of the wineries, and the people who make the wine are likely to be the ones who greet and serve you.
Hunter Valley New South Wales
A few hours north-west of Sydney is the famous Hunter Valley, NSW’s premier wine region. Acclaimed worldwide for its semillon, chardonnay and shiraz varieties, you’ll find around 120 wineries located in the small townships throughout the region, including Australia’s oldest winery at Wyndham Estate. Many offer wine-tasting classes and cellar doors where you can meet the winemakers and learn their secrets. A great way to experience the delights of the Hunter Valley is at events such as the Lovedale Long Lunch, or the opera, jazz, and blues music events that are staged amongst the vineyards in Spring.
Yarra Valley Victoria
Less than an hour east of the city of Melbourne lies the Yarra Valley, the birthplace of Victoria’s wine industry. Here nestled amongst the rolling hills are around 55 wineries, ranging from small family-
owned vineyards to large scale exporters. The signature cool climate wines of the Yarra Valley include pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling wines, but the region also produces excellent sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, shiraz and riesling. Many of the wineries offer cooking classes and wine-tasting. Once you’ve developed a taste for Victorian wines, follow the Great Grape Road route through the Pyrenees, Grampians and Ballarat wine regions of western Victoria, which produce some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines, most notably shiraz.
Mornington Peninsula Victoria The micro-climates of the region result in quite different wine styles from the same grapes grown at neighbouring vineyards. Sample your way around more than 50 boutique cellar doors, where local
vintners who grow their own fruit will tell you all about the famous regional pinot noir and cool-climate chardonnay which perfectly compliment the fine local produce. They may even share some of their secrets of the newer regional varietals, including pinot grigio, pinot gris and shiraz, brought together at many outstanding food and wine events held throughout the year.
Australian Capital Territory
A leisurely drive to some of the 140 vineyards and 33 wineries dotted throughout the countryside just outside of Canberra will unveil the wineries, cafes and farms that are producing fine wines, along with innovative regional cuisine. Canberra region wines have qualities derived from the unique Australian environment. Winemaking started 160 years ago in the Canberra region, and today these wineries are home to a large range
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of awards for wine quality and winemaker’s talents. The ability to ripen the same fruit across the whole region provides great diversity, and styles found nowhere else.
Discover some of the worlds’s oldest shiraz vineyards in Australia’s McLaren Vale, or award-winning wines in Margaret River.
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CONTENTS
explore
GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS
BY ELIZABETH NOERDAWAY mbrace freedom beyond measure in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, one million hectares of cliffs, canyons, valleys, waterfalls and bushland. This traditional country of six Aboriginal language groups is just 90 minutes drive from Sydney. Take in the panoramas on a bushwalk, bike or with an Aboriginal guide. Marvel at natural attractions like Wentworth Falls, the Three Sisters, Dunns Swamp or Mt Yengo. Explore Jenolan Caves and walk the historic Six Foot Track to Katoomba. Wind along the Greater Blue Mountains Drive and its discovery trails to appreciate the area's incredible size and diversity.
On a natural adventure
See the craggy forms of the Three Sisters from Katoomba or explore Jenolan Caves, the world's oldest open underground cave system. From Blackheath, go bushwalking 52
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through the Grose and Megalong Valleys, stopping at stunning lookouts such as Govett's Leap, Evans Lookout and Perry's Lookdown. Watch Wentworth Falls plunge into the Jamison Valley and walk or bike ride through the Glow Worm Tunnel in Wollemi National Park. Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens is home to the Wollemi Pine, a plant species which dates back to the dinosaurs.
Walkabout with an Aboriginal guide
Go walkabout with a local Darug guide, watching bark and body painting demonstrations, discovering waterfalls and billabongs and tasting bush tucker. See axe-grinding grooves at Camp Fire Creek and the ancient Aboriginal campsite of Lyrebird Dell. Check out the engravings at Finchley Trig in Yengo National Park. Visit Red Hands Cave, where the stenciled hand prints are more than 500 years old. See the Three
Sisters, a trio of rocky pinnacles which have their own Dreaming story. Boutique tours also stop at Castlereagh's cultural centre for boomerang throwing classes and didgeridoo demonstrations.
By bike, foot, car or train
Trek 45km from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves on the Six Foot Track or from Katoomba to Kanangra on the Badge of Honour Walk. Do day walks or camp over three days and two nights. Visit Blue Gum Forest or ride a horse through the Megalong Valley. Abseil Blackheath’s Grand Canyon Track or bike ride from Glenbrook to Wentworth Falls. Take a vintage steam train from Bell to Lithgow and enjoy the seasonal colours, or enjoy the aerial view from the glass-bottomed scenic railway. Follow the Greater Blue Mountains Drive to surrounding regions such as the Southern Highlands, Mudgee, the Hunter Valley and the Hawkesbury.
Soaking up mountain magic
Lunch on Leura's pretty tree-lined streets, then browse the galleries, boutiques and bric-a-brac stores. Pamper yourself in a day spa or sit down to coffee and cake in Katoomba. Stay in grand old hotels, five star resorts with valley views or bed and breakfasts in scenic bush surrounds. Shop for gourmet food at Blackheath or take high tea in a majestic, historic hotel at Jenolan Caves. During June, July and August, you can embrace the Yulefest celebrations with a Christmas roast and pudding around a roaring fire.
Accommodation suppliers
to pair up with tour operators or conservation organisations to package experiences. Think playful, energetic and liberating. You'd be surprised at just how many Experience Seekers are prepared to pay for tailor made tours that enable them to get involved in, or contribute to local environmental work. Freedom beyond measure is about being free to choose how to we live in this world. Ensuring your tourism business has independent environmental accreditation sends a strong message to visitors that you've freely committed to sustainable business practices and operate to world's best practice standards.
In this Landscape accommodation can be anything from camping The Blue Mountains are a magical Visitor Information Centres in the uplifting environment Visitor Information Centres to a playful bed and breakfast are one of the most important place any time of year. Glowing in experience. Communicating connections the visitor has with freedom beyond measure might be your Landscape. How does your as simple as the special or energetic autumn, cool in winter, colourful in information centre encourage way your staff engage with your visitors to experience this customers, or it may be helping easygoing, spontaneous and wild your guest feel free from aches spring and refreshing in summer. environment? What about the and pains by providing a sachet layout, look and feel of your centre? of bubble bath made with local How much do you know about this ingredients. You could help your ancient and energetic environment? visitors understand this untamed With factual information, you will yet sophisticated environment find how this landscape is one of by hosting information evenings the three most diverse areas on earth for scleromorphic or presentations by a friendly local ranger, conservation (hard-leaved) plants, or that nowhere else on earth is there organisation or traditional owner. Another way to help them such a diverse range of eucalypt species within such a small feel a sense of opening up is to highlight (unceremoniously) geographical space. the amazing amount of work and research being undertaken by protected area agencies across the region. While you‚ Are probably already doing this, you might like DESTINATION
PRICING ACTIVITIES
Wildlife Aussie Experiences
from $329*
Add Sydney, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, or Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to your Wildlife AirPass
DURATION
Valley Wine Tour from Sydney
from $495*
Package Includes 1 night Hunter Valley, wine tasting tour at local boutique wineries, Feat- 2 days / 1 night herdale Wildlife Park and all transfers
Brisbane Discovery
from $535*
Package Includes 2 nights Brisbane, Day tour to Australia Zoo and more!
4 days / 3 nights
Deluxe Blue Montains
from $549*
Package Includes 1 night at Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa, scenic Blue Mountains tour, Featherdale Wildlife Park and all transfers
2 days / 1 night
Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley Getaway
from $569*
Package Includes 1 night Blue Mountains, 1 night Hunter Valleyand 3 days Hertz car rental.
3 days / 2 nights
Melbourne Discovery
from $595*
Includes 3 nights hotel, half-day sightseeingtour, Phillip Island full day tour and round trip transfers.
4 days / 3 nights
2 days / 1 night
Perth Discovery
from $689*
Includes 3 nights hotel, half-day sightseeing tour, Swan River cruise and more!
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Cains Discovery
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Explore Kangaroo Island
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PLuxury wildlife package includes 2 nights Adelaide, 1 night Kangaroo Island, round trip 45 minute ferry ride to and from Kangaroo Island, Seal Bay tour and visit the Remarkable Rocks.
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EXPOLRE MORE! Extend your journey by combining multiple trips at reduced rates!
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UPCOMING E VENTS AUSTRALIAN OPEN | MELBOURNE | JANUARY
LASSETERS CAMEL CUP | ALICE SPRINGS | JULY
The world's greatest tennis players come here in January for the
The annual Camel Cup attracts visitors to Alice Springs from
Australian Open. Concerts at night, continuous live entertain-
all over the world. In between races, visitors can take part in
ment on and off the court.
rickshaw races or compete to be the most fashionable on the
AUSTRALIA DAY | NATIONAL | |JANUARY Australia Day marks the anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip
atmosphere.
a designated public holiday with hundreds of small and large
AUSTRALIA MARATHON | NATIONAL | JULY – OCTOBER
events taking place across the nation.
There's nothing like the excitement of an Australian running
raising the British flag at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. It is
FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL | VICTORIA | MARCH Food and wine lovers in the thousands indulge in a world-class program of more than 300 events during the Melbourne Food
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX | MELBOURNE | MARCH Join the crowds for four days of action as the world's fastest drivers and cars light up Melbourne and the Albert Park circuit at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
COMEDY FESTIVAL | MELBOURNE | MARCH The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the largest comedy festivals in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere.
OPERA ON THE HARBOUR | SYDNEY | ‚MARCH sets, beautiful costumes, dazzling lighting and some of the world's most much-loved operas all performed on a giant shimmering stage.
ROYAL EASTER SHOW | SYDNEY | APRIL The Sydney Royal Easter Show showcases Australian culture, heritage and agricultural excellence, combining world-class competitions and educational activities.
VIVID SYDNEY | SYDNEY | JUNE Vivid Sydney highlights include the hugely popular illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails; performances from local and international musicians at Sydney Opera House and the Vivid Ideas Exchange, featuring public talks and debates from leading global creative thinkers.
BRITISH LIONS | NATIONAL | JUNE The British and Irish Lions rugby teams will tour Australia in June and July. The tour only happens in Australia every 12 years, so it is a not to be missed event for all rugby lovers. Matches will be played in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Newcastle.
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and the wild Southern Ocean on the Great Ocean Road Marathon.
The seven-day Australian Safari is the toughest endurance motorsport event in the Asia Pacific region. This off-road car rally stretches more than 3000 kilometres through Western Australia’s golden outback, testing even the hardiest of 4WD vehicles, motorbikes and quad bikes.
FLORIADE | CAPITAL TERRITORY | SEPTEMBER For 30 fragrant days in September and October, Canberra comes alive with a million spring blooms during Floriade, Australia biggest flower festival. Incredible images are created as the flowers open their petals.
Annual productions by Opera Australia feature magnificent
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event or marathon. Race past waterfalls, lush national parks
AUSTRALIAN SAFARI | AUSTRALIA | SEPTEMBER
and Wine Festival.
54
field. Belly dancers, food stalls and bars all add to the carnival
TOUR AUSTRALIA
FOOTBALL FINALS | NATIONAL | SEPTEMBER March to September AFL teams fight it out to make the top eight and qualify for the final series held in Melbourne in September.
MELBOURNE CUP | MELBOURNE | NOVEMBER The Melbourne Cup Carnival is the most vibrant horse racing event in the world. This festival of horse racing, fashion and fun starts in September and runs through until mid-November.
YACHT RACE | SYDNEY | DECEMBER Beginning on Boxing Day (26 December) each year, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is an Australian summertime tradition. Maxi yachts to weekend racers take part in this event, which starts from Nielsen Park in Sydney Harbour and takes the international fleet more than 1100 kilometres to the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania.
NEW YEARS EVE | NATIONAL | DECEMBER In Australia Christmas and New Years Eve fall when summer is in full-swing. Festivities abound, including carol singing in city parks, thrilling sporting competitions, vibrant outdoor celebrations and world-class cultural events.