Aussies’ top unmissable local gems, according to Wotif

Guests have described their stay at one luxury hotel as feeling like they’re “floating” when looking out the huge windows. No wonder it’s Australia’s best.

With summer on the horizon, Aussies are itching for a getaway.

Now, to accommodate all tastes and preferences, leading travel site Wotif.com has just revealed the go-to road-trip places and venues with the best views, best ice creamery and even the best pies based on its Uniquely Aussie Awards.

It’s no surprise 70 per cent of Aussies are planning to travel this summer, with a third (33 per cent) saying local travel recommendations are often the best recommendations, and that road trips are all about finding local, hidden gems.

Shangri-La Sydney has been voted as the hotel with the best view in Australia, in Wotif.com’s Uniquely Aussie Awards.

“There’s plenty to love about Australia, whether it’s quirky baked goods or breathtaking hotel views, and every year the Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards prove just how much Aussies

love sharing their local knowledge,” Wotif managing director Daniel Finch said.

“Once again, we’ve done the very hard work of gathering up some of Australia’s best so travellers can get out there and explore what Australia has to offer this summer.”

Mr Finch said the awards are based on the people’s choice with public nominations

accepted in September.

He said the nominations were then tallied and as of Thursday, the results have been released.

Best view

Guests have described the feeling of looking out of Shangri-La’s windows as akin to floating above Sydney Harbour, according to Wotif.

The hotel with the ‘best view’ in Australia went to the Shangri-La Sydney – something Mr Finch said he wasn’t “at all” surprised to learn.

“Shangri-La Sydney was the overwhelming favourite, taking out first place, based on the number and quality of nominations received from Aussies,” he told news.com.au.

“We know that the Shangri-La Sydney has always been renowned as one of the best

luxury hotels in Australia, and this has now been cemented with nominations from the public

commending its view.”

Mr Finch said, based on the nominations they received, guests are in awe of the hotel’s Sydney Harbour view, claiming it is one of the best views in the world.

“Aussies described the feeling of looking out of its windows as akin to floating above the harbour, particularly with amazing sunsets and beautiful city lights as the day settles into the evening.”

Its large windows offer some stunning views. As does its rooftop bar which is open to the public.

He said its large windows are one of its greatest features, where guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of two of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks – the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Coming in second place was Q1 Resort & Spa on Queensland’s Gold Coast, in third was The Hydro Majestic Hotel in NSW’s Blue Mountains, and in fourth was the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW.

Taking out fifth spot was Emporium Hotel South Bank, Brisbane, followed by Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island, Queensland; Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough, WA; Bannisters by the Sea Mollymook, on NSW’s south coast; Coral Sea Marina Resort, Airlie Beach, Queensland; and Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, NSW finishing out the top 10.

Best pie

Shhmoakesy’s Gourmet Pies in Kincumber, NSW, took out the ‘best pie’ category.

Travelling is hungry work and what better to break up a trip than gravy-soaked meat encrusted in flaky, buttery pastry?

The eatery voted as having the best pie in Australia went to Shhmoakesy’s Gourmet Pies, Kincumber, in NSW.

“It’s no secret there are plenty of good pies in Australia, but Shhmoakesy’s has come out on top thanks to a smoked meat filling that’s prepared for over eight hours. While the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth pastry is also a crowd-pleaser, the generous size of the pies is what makes them a crowd favourite,” Mr Finch said.

The very specific best neenish tart award went to Gumnut Patisserie in Mittagong, NSW.

According to Wotif, two in five (41 per cent) of people believe that Australia is home to the best pies in the world and almost a third (29 per cent) believe that a pie is the best bakery treat.

Shhmoakesy’s was followed by Yatala Pie Shop, Yatala, Queensland; Full Throttle BBQ, Beresfield, NSW; Blackbutt Bakery, Blackbutt, Queensland; Gumtree Pies, Yackandandah, Victoria; Portstop Pies, Lytton, Queensland; Pie and Mighty, Pakenham, Victoria; Pinjarra Bakery, Pinjarra, WA; Port Elliot Bakery, Port Elliot, SA; and in 10th place was Brady Road Bakery, Dandenong North, Victoria.

Best ice creamery

Planet 72 in Hervey Bay, Queensland, was the top spot for a frozen treat.

The Snickers-flavoured ice cream has been described as ‘heaven in a cone’.

This very important award went to Planet 72, in Hervey Bay, Queensland.

It is home to the largest display of scooped ice cream and gelato in Australia and the family-owned business has been commended for its “friendly” and “down to earth” service.

According to Wotif, locals will tell you the Snickers-flavoured ice cream tastes like “heaven in a cone”.

An abundance of quokkas and no cars saw Rottnest Island in Western Australia take the best island gong.

And the Adelaide Fringe in South Australia took out the best festival award.

It was followed by Van Diemens Land Creamery, Elizabeth Town, Tasmania; Simmo’s Ice Creamery, Dunsborough, WA; Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon, Victoria; Coffee Barn and Gelateria, Moonta, SA; Daintree Ice Cream Company, Diwan Queensland; Dooley’s Premium Ice Cream, Apollo Bay, Victoria; Pidapipó Gelateria, Melbourne, Victoria; Cow & The Moon, Enmore, NSW; and Johnn Johnn’s, Darwin NT came in at 10th place.

Meanwhile the best island award went to Rottnest Island in WA, followed by Hamilton Island in Queensland and K’gari (Fraser Island), also in Queensland.

The award for best festival went to the Adelaide Fringe in SA.