The Insider: Hayley Baillie
The lodges co-founder visited the Kimberley’s Vansittart Bay to see how the pearl industry works.
MEMORABLE DESTINATION
In July I joined the Paspaley Pearl Safari to see the incredible pearling operation in the Kimberley. A spectacular flight on a Grumman Mallard flying boat landed us in the turquoise waters of Vansittart Bay. Staying on-board a working pearling vessel allowed a glimpse of the “top secret’’ operations, as highly skilled technicians discovered the most magnificent pearls. We also had a chance to go ashore on nearby Jar Island to see the ancient Gwion Gwion rock paintings.
TRAVEL TIP
I always pack my Leica Q2 when travelling to capture my adventures and interactions with people I meet. A smartphone is great for photographing candid travel moments but a camera really allows you to immerse yourself in the finer details.
COMING UP
The New York Marathon in November — I’m running it for the second time with a group of girlfriends, raising money for charity.
Hayley Baillie co-founded Baillie Lodges in 2003 with a vision to develop a premium boutique portfolio of contemporary Australian accommodation experiences. It includes Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island; Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island; and Longitude 131, Uluru; baillielodges.com.au.
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HOME + AWAY
It takes a long time to undo the damage caused by more than 150 years of intensive sheep grazing. The eradication of introduced animals and the regeneration of native plants are crucial to giving the land a chance to recover. In South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, Charles Carlow and his team have spent the past decade giving Arkaba Conservancy that chance. Carlow, who founded Wild Bush Luxury, purchased the property in 2009. Ten years down the track, more than 3000 feral goats have been removed from the 260sq km of bush, at least 350 foxes and feral cats have been eradicated, and native grasses and trees are on the rise. Yellow-footed rock wallabies and short-beaked echidnas are just two of the species that have benefited from these efforts. To celebrate the anniversary, the property has 10 per cent discounts on its three-day adventure walks departing between May and October next year. The fully supported walks include a night at the beautifully restored homestead, built in 1851, and two nights in deluxe swags under the stars at the Elder Camp. Book by November 29; $2610 a person, twin-share, including return transfers from Adelaide, or $2160 for self-drive guests.
■ arkabaconservancy.com
PENNY HUNTER
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TASTE
Rather than click their fingers for service, guests on Virgin Voyages will be able to shake for champagne. Richard Branson’s new cruise line will have a Sailor App that can be downloaded on to passengers’ mobile phones. When guests give it a shake a bright red button will appear on the screen and if they press it, a bottle of Moet & Chandon Imperial will be delivered to them in a scarlet champagne bucket. To ensure the bubbles keep flowing, the ship’s Sip champagne bar will serve French fizz at breakfast, at afternoon high teas and well into the night, with prices ranging from $US9 ($13) a glass to $1000 for a vintage bottle. Scarlet Lady sets sail on its maiden voyage from Miami in April next year. Guests who book an April or May cruise before November 30 receive a bottle of Moet in their cabin on arrival.
PENNY HUNTER
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ON THE ROAD
CREMA IDRALIA, 50ML, $123
Heritage Italian apothecary brand Santa Maria Novella has launched Idralia, a line of moisturising products for face and neck. Vitamin E-rich and paraben-free Crema Idralia, in a compact pot with spatula applicator, is ideal for normal or combination complexions and has a delightful rose-gardenia scent. Also in the Idralia range are a gentle exfoliating mask (100ml; $115); water-based skin essence (30ml; $95) and gel-based sleeping mask (50ml; $143) best applied before bedtime.
SUSAN KUROSAWA
BODYGUARDZ ACCENT WALLET PHONE CASE, $89.95
With the latest iPhone 11 setting buyers back at least $1200, it makes sense to put it in a heavy-duty protective case. Bodyguardz’s latest range includes a Wallet version that includes a low-profile two-card slot, so you can leave your purse or wallet at home. On the outside is genuine leather; on the inside is the brand’s TriCore shock-absorbing technology. Available in black and blue; suitable for iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.
PENNY HUNTER
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WHAT IN THE WORLD
■ The latest figures from Tourism Research Australia reveal 8.6 million overseas visitors came to Australia in the year ending June 30, an increase of 3 per cent; travellers from China, New Zealand, the US, Britain and Japan dominated the arrivals.
■ Luxury river ship Sanctuary Nile Adventurer has recommenced four-day sailings between Aswan and Luxor in Egypt after a makeover; from $US1307 ($1925) a person, twin-share.
■ Insight Vacations has $799 return flights to Europe for its 18-day Treasures of Balkans package departing May 18 next year; valid for bookings before October 31; from $7094 a person, twin-share, including airfares.
■ Renaissance Tours’ 12-day Birth of Civilisation cruise on luxury ship Crystal Esprit visits Cyprus, Israel, Egypt and Jordan on an itinerary with an archeological focus; departs November 10 next year; from $28,500 a person, twin-share, with a maximum 50 guests.
■ Lonely Planet has released Dark Skies, a guideto astrotourism that includes 35 dark-sky sites and national parks, written by space tourism and travel writer Valerie Stimac.