Summer is finally upon us again! This means summer holidays, sunny days and balmy nights, spending endless days down by the beach with friends and family and getting out an about in the sunshine exploring our beautiful city. Below is a list of upcoming events, festivals and activities that would be perfect to check out this summer with your family and friends.
Continue reading “Things to do in Melbourne this summer”
It all started quite humbly 22 years ago (with a program of only a dozen events) as the brainchild of advertising veteran, Peter Clemenger, who had recognised that Melbourne was in dire need of reinvigoration. Fast forward and those events have grown exponentially in festival history to over 200 annually.
Continue reading “Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (27 Feb to 15 Mar 2015)”
Overnight bag. Check!
Boarding pass. Check!
Five senses. Check, check, check, check, check!
We’ve set off to explore the country’s smallest (island) state … Just how much did we pack in on a weekend mini-break? Read on my friends!
It’s VERY early Saturday morning in Hobart town and there’s no contemplating our whereabouts but to be at Salamanca Market. Only open on Saturdays, this is an absolute MUST-DO! Originally a warehouse and storage area in the 1830s, you can easily spend half the day wandering through the 300 stalls, galleries, boutique shops, cafes/restaurants and being entertained by talented buskers.
But first, to fuel our bodies and our unique breakfast venue of choice at Salamanca Square certainly ticked our sense of taste. Don’t be put off by their unusual name but Machine Laundry Café is a hidden gem highly rated on Tripadvisor and was well worth the wait for a table to enjoy their extensive menu, generous servings and friendly service. Oh, and great coffee to boot (you might even come across some feedback that says “A bowl of coffee? Yes please!”)!
Tummy rumbles gone, we explored what the markets had to offer. Local produce is always a drawcard for me so I couldn’t resist buying a few small bottles of jam and honey to take home.
Next destination … Mt Wellington and what a vista from the summit! A pleasant half hour journey from Salamanca Place, Wellington Park connects the city to the bush and the mountains to the waterways. We were lucky enough to be there on a clear day with panoramic views of Hobart, surrounding suburbs and brilliant harbour! Weather conditions change quickly on the summit with temperatures often below zero so be well prepared for your visit. Sense of sight … tick!
There was no stopping for lunch only because we were still full from breakfast!
The remainder of our Saturday afternoon was spent leisurely at Australia’s largest privately owned museum, the Museum of Old and New Art (a.k.a. MONA). Officially opened in January 2011, MONA alone would satisfy all your senses in one visit. You’re in for a gallery experience unlike any other as you take in MONA’s unique architecture and frequently updated collection. My favourite part? Enjoying a glass of wine and listening to live ‘MoFolk’ music on the lawns in the sunshine (on not so nice days, the music sessions get brought indoors to the museum). Sense of sound … tick!
After a BIG day of walking and exploring, we still didn’t mind taking a stroll from our comfy accommodation to Battery Point, one of Hobart’s exclusive and historic little pocket. Step back in time as you admire a bygone era of stunning sandstone buildings. At Kathmandu Cuisine we appreciated a candlelit, relaxing and flavoursome meal where the friendly and attentive staff made sure we enjoyed our dinner. After our three course dinner (good to indulge every now and then), we were more than ready to hit the sack in our newly refurbished Executive Room at Travelodge.
Well folks, that was day one of our ‘Tassie’ weekend adventure.
Like to know what we got up to on our second day? Here’s a snippet … roadtrip, beaches, midlands, bushwalk, more beautiful, historic towns and plenty of photo stops!
Keep an eye out for Part II!
Hang on; Valentine’s Day is this Friday!? For those not romantically inclined, this popular day for celebrating love can seem to creep up way too soon after Christmas and New Year’s Eve. With limited time to sort something out or for those who need ideas for next time, here are some suggestions on what to do together on Valentine’s Day in Australia’s city of love: Melbourne.
Melbourne is bursting at the seams with new food and drink hangouts amongst old favourites. Enjoy afternoon cocktails at Naked in the Sky; the rooftop bar is very popular due to its massive range of infused vodkas and fancy cocktails, trendy atmosphere and spectacular unspoilt views of the city. Afterwards there are plenty of eateries along Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, for something not too fancy but still absolutely delicious, try the oriental delights at Rice Queen. However, Valentine’s Day is a day to spoil your loved one somewhere small, intimate, quiet, special and has exceptional food and wine. You then can’t go past Zio’s Restaurant in East Melbourne, set in a small terraced building; Zio’s has a range of food to cater for all tastes in the perfect setting for a romantic dinner, if it’s cold there’s even a few wooden fireplaces. There’s no better way to spoil the one you love than to get them Zio’s famous chocolate soufflé for dessert, it’s heavenly.
Valentine’s Day luckily falls on a Friday, so why not spread the romance over the rest of the weekend! If the weather is nice, Melbourne is scattered with many parks and gardens to explore. The Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, around an hour out of the city is a huge park showcasing Australia’s large variety of beautiful native plants; the park is perfect as a lunch spot and a walk. Your traditionally romantic English-style gardens such as the Fitzroy Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens provide stunning settings for picnics, there are plenty of paths to walk around and the lush green grass is perfect to lie on for a bit of relaxation.
Melbourne is only a few hours’ drive to the rolling green pastures of the Yarra Valley, an area synonymous with romance. A day in the Yarra Valley region can easily be done by car and at your own pace. To impress your loved one on Valentine’s Day you can’t go past tasting fine wines at the Dominique Portet cellar door set in a romantic French style building. The Yarra Valley Dairy cannot be missed for their award winning marinated fetta, perhaps take a cheese platter and sit out on their deck taking in the serene views of the valley. A few hours can also easily be spent at Hedgend Maze, hidden down a dirt track; this delightful hedge maze is great fun. You are given a list of clues and you need to match the clues with various objects you find in the maze to be able to solve the mystery. There’s also mini golf, Frisbee golf or relax in the beautifully manicured gardens with an ice cream.
Also known as the Harbour City, Sydney is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in all of Australia. While other Australians may have some less-than-glamorous stereotypes about Sydney, they’re only envious of the world’s most beautiful and liveable city. While there is plenty of history, culture, fine cuisine, art and fashion, many of the best experiences you’ll have here are physical. Everyone seems to be outside exploring the great length of sandstone cliffs and headlands, surfing or swimming at one of the many golden beaches, or spending a day on the water in the famous Sydney Harbour.
Whether you’re starting or finishing your Australian adventure, your days in Sydney are sure to be active and engaging, and your nights decadent and enchanting. If you’ve heard it’s not the place to be anymore, then read on for some of the reasons why Sydney is still a fantastic destination.
Great Ocean Road tours
Phillip Island Penguins
Mt Buller
Melbourne City
Wineries
Puffing Billy
Sovereign Hill
Mornington Peninsula
Ultimate Pass
Blue Mountains
Sydney City
Jenolan Caves
Hunter Valley Wineries
Port Stephens Dolphins
Canberra (from Sydney)
Barossa Valley wineries
Adelaide city
Kangaroo Island
River Murray
Victor Harbor
Ultimate Pass
Port Arthur
Hobart City
Huon Valley
Mount Wellington
Russell Falls
Bruny Island
Maria Island
Cradle Mountain
Bay of Fires
Three Capes Track
Pinnacles Desert
Perth City
Rottnest Island
Wave Rock
Margaret River
Valley of the Giants
Swan Valley
Uluru
West Macdonnells
Palm Valley
Alice Springs Airport Transfers.
Kakadu Adventure
Katherine Gorge
Jumping Crocodiles
Darwin City
Litchfield National Park
Broome Town
Cape Leveque
Windjana Gorge
Brisbane
Gold Coast (ex Brisbane)
Australia Zoo (ex Brisbane)
Tangalooma (ex Brisbane)
Theme Parks (ex Brisbane)
Byron Bay
Auckland city
Christchurch
Rotorua
Bay of Islands
Milford Sound