Food for the soul
ON the northern New South Wales hinterland trail, the village of Mullumbimby offers some good reasons to make a pitstop, writes Natascha Mirosch.
Short Breaks
Barking mad not to drop in
THE Howling Dog Tavern is one of many new wining and dining options giving South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula a lift, says Brad Crouch.
Classic tastes of rainbow land
SHERIDAN Rogers experiences Lismore’s laid-back lifestyle where the mix of old country town and alternative lifestyles finds a happy balance.
Mellow out in Mullumbimby
WHEN the traffic, crowds and over-heated prices of Byron get too much, head for the hills and chill out over a chai in laidback Mullumbimby, writes Sheridan Rogers.
Holiday hideaway make-over
THREE of Queensland’s best beach holiday destinations have been transformed from unspoilt to super stylish, finds Chris Pritchard.
Soak up luxury at Qualia
HAMILTON Island’s ultra-glam resort Qualia has brought a new level of luxury to Queensland, writes Susan Kurosawa.
Hydro Majestic’s rich in history
NOSTALGIA reigns at the Hydro Majestic, the Blue Mountains’ original short break getaway, but a lick of paint and makeover is on the cards for the grand old dame.
Tale of two spas
IN Cairns and Port Douglas, scrubs, rubs, wraps and rolls are more popular than sunbaking and a swim in the sea, writes Susan Kurosawa.
Karma days surfing Wategos
THE spirit brought to Byron Bay by Kombi-driving surfers in the late 1960s lives on: Stan Denham borrows a longboard and discovers nirvana on NSW’s north coast.
Beachcombing on Rainbow
CATHY Finch braves the sand highway in a 4WD on the Sunshine Coast’s Rainbow Beach and survives to revel in the beauty of the Great Sandy National Park.
Having a highland fling
MALT whisky, trout and secret lakes make a heady mix, as Chris Viney found during a stay in a remote Australian village, perched on the edge of a 600 metre cliff.
Paradise that’s two perfect
JENNY Stevens joins the queue of couples beating a path to the northernmost island in Queensland’s Whitsunday Passage: the luxurious and romantic Hayman Island.
Hanging out in style
AFTER spooking himself at Victoria’s Hanging Rock, John Crook settles his nerves with the help of fine food, friendly locals and the charm of country life.
Bedding down colonial style
ELLEN Connolly swaps a sterile hotel room for the comfort and charm of a convict-built bed & breakfast in the heart of Sydney’s colourful and eclectic Newtown.
Go Swiss, Italian style
RICHARD Hughan steps back in time as he explores the Swiss-Italian heritage of Victoria’s Central Highlands, including the historic settlement of Lavandula.
Taste sensations a best cellar
IT’S time to rug-up and enjoy some southern hospitality, says Craig Malin, as he previews the gourmet treats of McLaren Vale’s annual Sea and Vines Festival.
Quickly, into Kings Canyon
THE Northern Territory is now more geared towards shorter stays, reports Jim Dickins after two glorious days at Kings Canyon, between Uluru and Alice Springs.
A white jewel turned grey
SALLY Macmillan can only dream about Hyams Beach’s famous white sands and enticing blue sea during a damp weekend stay in NSW’s seaside village.
Sand islands full of history
MELANIE Ball gets the bug for Queensland’s historic Moreton Bay, home to unspoiled wilderness and an island once known as the “hellhole of the Pacific”.
Manly life’s a beach
SYDNEY’s Manly typifies Australian beach culture but the seaside suburb’s restaurants are as big a drawcard as the much-loved sun, sand and surf.
Stress-free stay stops clock
WITH life’s little luxuries at her fingertips, Sharon Labi quickly falls out of work mode as she settles in for a weekend of pampering at a luxurious hotel in Sydney.
Nosing around for dolphins
PLAYFUL dolphins frolick and ride the waves with Alison Cotes as she discovers the delights of beautiful Hervey Bay, in Queensland, aboard an eco cruise.
Lovely ‘Lonny’ comes of age
FOR years Launceston played second fiddle to Hobart, but now Lonny as the locals call it has blossomed into a perfectly luxurious destination.
Food and wine divine
FAMILY-owned wineries and a rich offering of gourmet local produce make the Mt Barker Food and Wine Trail in Western Australia a memorable road trip.
Gourmet trail of Albany delights
A 75KM gourmet food and wine trail in Western Australia doesn’t just indulge the tastebuds, it’s a feast for the eyes as you travel through stunning countryside.
Kicking back in Byron
BALINESE-influenced surrounds add to the air of relaxation during a laid-back break at Byron Bay Guest House. The red wine served in the kitchen didn’t hurt either.
Grape break in the West
DAZZLING beaches and award-winning vineyards lure David May to WA’s Margaret River to discover how a surfing haven became a premium wine region.
Hi-rail into glorious wilderness
A LAND Rover which runs along ancient railway tracks, then a walk into pristine wilderness. Mike Bingham reports on an amazing day on Tasmania’s West Coast.
Beyond the tuckerbox
SINCE the bypass opened in 1977, most travellers have seen little reason to call in to Gundagai, but there is plenty more to see than that famous dog.
Hobart hotel in high society
A LOOK inside Hobart’s 11-room Islington Hotel reveals why it has been named as one of the world’s top 101 hotels, writes Kathy Grube.
Vision splendid on Waterfall Way
PERCHED amid rolling green hills on the eastern escarpment of the Great Dividing Range, Dorrigo is a lush oasis, writes Joanna Tovia.
Luxury adds to camping bliss
WHEN gourmet food, champagne and a carpeted tent with a decadent queen-sized bed is on offer, Ellen Connolly discovers that she does like camping after all.
Lure of lofty Leura
A WILD colonial adventure distracts Jeanti St Clair from her bushwalking endeavours on a weekend away to the villages of Leura and Katoomba in NSW’s Blue Mountains.
Power of good in a yoga pose
CAMERON Wilson calms his karma and works up a sweat to groom his ‘Down Dog’ with 71 new yoga buddies at a weekend retreat.
New height of luxury
IF you don’t feel content at this retreat, you never will, says Mike Smith after a stay on Victoria’s Phillip Island.
Walk on the wild side
BEING woken by strange animal sounds is just part of the fun, writes John Crook after a night spent with wild African animals on the outskirts of Melbourne.
Boomerang perfect for return
NO doubt in summer it must hum like anywhere else on the NSW coast but in the cooler months Boomerang Beach is a haven of azure water and squeaky sand.
Delights of the gourmet coast
FISH and chips might be what you think of when you hear ‘central coast’ and ‘culinary’ but a new wave of restaurateurs is adding flavour to the NSW region.
Western wilderness wonders
STRAHAN was once a quick stopover on a tour of Tamania’s west coast , but today it has become the centrepiece of the state’s tourism industry.
Mudgee has its own magic
MUDGEE is the town many of us secretly wished we grew up in, writes Craig Ransley after a weekend of wining and dining in the fresh country air.
Suite weekend break
IT’S the pillows that make the difference at the Noosa Sheraton Resort and Spa, writes Mike O’Connor.
Canberra in bloom
SPRING in Canberra gets a leg-up each year when the million blossoms planted for the mother of all flower festivals greet all comers with their cheery colours.
Bush charm in old shearing shed
ELLEN Connolly heads to the NSW cool-climate wine region of Orange and emerges happier and fuller from this gourmet city.
Take the ride of your life
THERE’S plenty for everyone as David Nankervis found on a high-speed tour of Queensland’s Gold Coast tourist attractions.
Outback tour is ridgy didge
FOR only $1500, you get a trip from Townsville across Queensland to the Gulf of Carpentaria that’s pretty much all-inclusive. The catch?
Still magical
AFTER bedding down at two backpacker lodges, Alison Cotes reports that despite the noise, Queensland’s Magnetic Island is still tops.
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