Australian Traveller August - October 2022

THIS IS A LINE-IN-THE-SAND MOMENT for Australian Traveller, the moment we go all-in with our commitment to approaching travel within Australia in a more conscious, sustainable, ethical and responsible way so that our readers know they are making the best choices when exploring this amazing country of ours. Rather than positioning this as a one-off ‘Green Issue’, we have approached this edition as a launch pad for an editorial approach that will continue in every issue to come. As a result of this we will be making considered choices about the content we include, ensuring that it features and celebrates Australian businesses and destinations that are making real efforts to operate in a more sustainable and conscious way. We are not alone in prioritising this focus. On the eve of the…

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BECOMING AN ECO-CAMPER Follow our eight easy tips to becoming a conscious camper, like using eco-friendly products, minimising your use of single-use plastics, shopping locally and travelling with BPA-free water bottles and reusable coffee cups. 7 OF THE BEST ECO-FRIENDLY RETREATS AROUND AUSTRALIA Book a stay in a sanctuary that has sustainability at the heart of the guest experience. Our guide lists seven sustainable stays, in places such as Broome, Byron Bay and the Barossa, which all open the door to conscious travel. A COMPLETE GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA’S INCREDIBLE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES Australia is home to 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which are listed according to three different categories: Cultural, Natural and Mixed. From ancient rock art to natural phenomena, here’s how to explore these landmarks. 21 ECO-CERTIFIED ATTRACTIONS AROUND AUSTRALIA ECO…

YOU WILL HAVE a front-row seat of the sun painting the landscape at dawn and dusk each day from the comfort of the infinity pool at the Northern Territory’s newest wilderness retreat, Finniss River Lodge. Owner Robert Venturin believes there are few better places to bask in the grandeur of the dramatic landscape that surrounds the 200-square-kilometre working farm. “The infinity pool overlooks a natural floodplain that holds a lot of water through the wet season. It’s part of the Finniss River and, when it’s in flood, it’s spectacular. It’s also home to a huge arrangement of bird species, and saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, too,” says Robert, who grew up on the property, 90 minutes south-west of Darwin. Robert, a second-generation pastoralist, says what he loves most about the working cattle farm is…

QT NEWCASTLE QT Newcastle gives back to the community by virtue of the fact it’s housed in the iconic 113-year-old former David Jones building, which Novocastrians have a high degree of ownership over. As well as respecting the elegant bones of the building, the luxury hotel has widened the lens to include a contemporary modern Australian bar and grill (Jana) and sky-high izakaya-style bar (Rooftop at QT) that celebrate NSW producers. The hotel uses refillable Kevin Murphy dispensers in its bathrooms, offers free bike hire and features upcycled materials throughout. qthotels.com VOCO BRISBANE CITY CENTRE In keeping with IHG’s burgeoning brand, voco Brisbane City Centre is filled with edgy artworks and warm, playful interiors. The design of the 194-room hotel was influenced by its riverside location with a mostly neutral palette that features…

GREEN SCENE Celebrated Turkish-Australian chef Somer Sivrioglu and business partner Tarik Köni, of Origins Dining Group, have launched a predominantly plant-based venue on Carrington Street in Sydney’s CBD. Maydanoz means ‘parsley’ in Turkish and you can expect a sprinkling of dishes that promote the vegetable-driven meze bars from the western region of Turkey. The design of the 100-seat restaurant and bar by Guru Projects also pays homage to the opulent greens and golds of the landscape. Settle in to one of the velvet banquettes at the venue to enjoy charred fioretto cauli with fava bean puree or haloumi kebabs, with honey, sesame and rosemary ash. maydanoz.com.au One for the road Think of Beckett’s Bar & Dining (beckettsbardining.com.au) as the second act for Glebe’s iconic Darling Mills site, recently reimagined by Sydney playwright Wendy…

ILLI-LANGI/THE ROCKS ABORIGINAL DREAMING TOUR A leisurely walk around The Rocks with Aunty Margret Campbell of Dreamtime Southern X offers insights into Aboriginal people’s saltwater heritage and spiritual connection with Sydney Harbour and the adjoining waterways and foreshores. Illi-Langi means ‘homeland’ and Margret demonstrates how to experience contemporary Aboriginal society within the heart of a modern-day megalopolis during The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour, which showcases the city’s ancient heritage and 29 clan groups that belong to this area. dreamtimesouthernx.com.au STRAIT EXPERIENCES Co-founder of Strait Experiences Fraser Nai, a Traditional Owner on Masig Island, has launched Strait Day in order to connect visitors with local Islander guides who are passionate about their Country. The tour includes a scenic flight over the Torres Strait, a tour of Ngurapai/Horn Island and Waibene/Thursday Island, an Islander-style banquet…