Australian Traveller August 2019 - October 2019

SMALL TOWNS OFTEN get a bad rap from their big city cousins, who are prone to assuming that just because they are diminutive in stature, they must also be devoid of cultural diversions and a decent flat white. But what city folk are starting to cotton on to are the infinite drawcards and advantages that town living also presents: the sense of community, the slower pace of life, the affordable housing and lifestyle... Towns, the ‘official’ definition of which seems to hinge on population (a small town has fewer than 10,000 residents; a medium town, 50,000; and a large town, 100,000 according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics report on the 2016 census results), are also a delightful proposition when it comes to exploration. Spending time in a small, medium or…

WHERE TO EAT, DRINK AND STAY IN MUDGEE From cellar doors on picturesque vineyards to top restaurants in heritage buildings and boutique accommodation, here’s how to make the most of your time in the Mudgee region. VISIT ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR MUDGEE GUIDE 7 ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN TASMANIA People have long flocked to Tasmania for its rugged landscapes, superb food, adrenaline-filled hikes and out-of-the-box festivals. Here’s where to go when you want to get really wild… VISIT ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR TASMANIA GUIDE INSIDE THE $2 MILLION PROPERTY LESS THAN TWO HOURS FROM MELBOURNE Ever dreamt of staying in an elegant, multi-million-dollar luxury property closely resembling a French chateau? That dream may be closer than you think. VISIT ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR MELBOURNE GUIDE MARCO PIERRE WHITE REVEALS HIS FAVOURITE MELBOURNE RESTAURANTS The godfather of modern cooking reveals exactly where he likes…

ESPERANCE WESTERNAUSTRALIA “I was there at first light to shoot waves caught in golden rays, enjoying a famous Western Australian sunrise,” says photographer Elise Hassey, who took this shot at Blue Haven Beach before stripping off and running into the surf with wild abandon. Indeed, it’s hard to resist a swim at one of the many beaches that border Esperance on the south coast of WA, all accessed by the town’s Great Ocean Drive. The sand is a brilliant white, the water emerald blue and clean breaks roll into the bays with the consistency of a metronome, something that draws surfers here from all over the country – call Mossy at the Twilight School of Surf (0433 128 102) to have a go yourself, or simply do as our photographer did.…

THE ADNATE Street artist Matt Adnate has been honoured with being the namesake of the latest Art Series hotel, this one in the heart of Perth and opening in October. The Melbourne artist has executed two giant murals at the property, a 27 -storey ‘mega mural’ and a 50 -metre-long ‘laneway mural’, which will complement two original works and 650 reproductions scattered throughout the 250 -room property. artserieshotels.com.au GLAMPING AT KINGS CANYON RESORT Kings Canyon Resort has added six luxury canvas glamping tents to its accommodation roster. Located in the heart of the Red Centre, at the edge of the mighty Kings Canyon, the tents are spacious in size and decorated with chic quality furnishings in woods and metals, with tactile fabrics used throughout (including two goat-fur cushions on the bed that you…

Midnight Hotel The 199-room Midnight Hotel is part of the latest residential and commercial development to arrive in the hip hood of Braddon.The interiors are minimalist in feel, with warmth added by shots of colour on statement design furniture pieces, and plenty of foliage in the hotel’s internal courtyard. Facilities include a gym, sauna, indoor swimming pool and a bar and restaurant; alternatively the charmed position offers up cafes, shopping and Canberra’s myriad cultural attractions within easy range. midnighthotel.com.au Hotel Indigo Australia will get its first Hotel Indigo when the boutique brand, which focuses on local knowledge and experiences in the locations it inhabits, arrives in Brisbane in 2020, followed by Sydney in 2021. hotelindigo.com Ritz-Carlton Perth The Ritz-Carlton brand will make a triumphant return to Australia later this year with the opening of Ritz-Carlton…

CHUUKA, located on Sydney’s funky Jones Bay Wharf, is helmed by award-winning chefs Chase Kojima and Victor Liong (pictured above) who have created a menu blending Chinese flavours with Japanese attention to detail using the best Australian produce. There’s a focus on seafood, with a dedicated raw menu, delicious desserts and an outdoor bar that is going to be the place-to-be come summer. chuuka.com.au LOTUS, the award-wining, much-missed bistro in Sydney’s Potts Point, is making a triumphant return to Challis Avenue as an extended pop-up concept during spring. Chef Dan Hong is returning to the restaurant where he made a name for himself back in 2008 as are some menu cult classics like its cheeseburger and the tuna with sweet wasabi. The return of Lotus is planned as a farewell to…