Australian Traveller February 2020 - April 2020

WHILE WE HAVE been putting this issue together, our country has been burning. The scale of the tragedy is almost too behemoth to grasp: hundreds of homes destroyed, an incomprehensible number of our unique animals gone, and too many lives lost. Hopefully, by the time this magazine goes on sale, the worst will finally be over – please let it be over – but after the destruction comes the daunting reality of all that needs to be revived, replaced, rebuilt and reborn, and the limitless sorrow of the things that can’t be. I am incredibly lucky to travel around, and write about, our amazing country for a living, so I know in my heart that one of the first things to rise from the ashes will be the indomitable Aussie…

HOW TO (REALLY) SEE THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST THREE WAYS Half an hour north of Cairns, a road sign proclaims the place where the rainforest meets the reef; continue on and you’ll see it come true SEE ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR DAINTREE RAINFOREST GUIDE 5 OF THE BEST WAYS TO ENJOY BYRON IN THE RAIN Locals and seasoned visitors know that when it rains in Byron, it pours. Yet there’s so much to explore in Byron these days that the whims of Mother Nature need not put a dampener on your holiday. SEE ‘DESTINATIONS’ FOR OUR BYRON BAY GUIDE THE BEST CAMPING SITES ALONG THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD The natural beauty of one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives draws visitors from far and wide. To truly drink in the stunning scenery along this stretch of coastline, camping…

WILPENA POUND Wilpena Pound is also known as Ikara ‘meeting place’ and remains of enormous significance to the Adnyamathanha people, who have lived in the region for tens of thousands of years. The iconic natural amphitheatre, located in the Flinders Ranges National Park, covers an area that is eight times the size of Uluru and 300 metres higher. Photographer Elise Hassey says SOUTH AUSTRALIA it was absolutely worth it to “get up at sparrow’s” to experience the glorious sunrise across this mighty landmark. According to her, the best way to realise its immense size and beauty is to sit and immerse yourself in the rugged landscape and listen to the soundtrack of the bush. She also advises visiting the Pound at dawn and dusk to appreciate the ranges’ many moods.…

CABN SADIE CABN’s first eco retreat inVictoria has arrived in Daylesford. Dubbed ‘Sadie’, the off-grid sanctuary is perfectly placed in theVictorian countryside for languid perambulations around the picturesque property. Located 90 minutes away from Melbourne, the 100 per cent sustainable, custom cabins sleep three to four people, have composting toilets, rainwater catchment and solar power so eco-conscious travellers can feel justifiably righteous about leaving zero footprints behind. Switch off and press reset in the pocket-sized CABN before venturing into nearby Hepburn Springs for a soak in the mineral springs. cabnlife.com BAILEY While most visitors are lured to Tropical North Queensland to visit the reef and rainforest, the city has long been a lure for creative types drawn to the dramatic landscapes. Bailey, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, celebrates different artists on each of its…

The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach A stylish lobby with an octagonal ceiling and show-stopping pendant light, and a ‘secret’ door offering access to Manly Wine Restaurant & Bar are new boons forThe Sebel Sydney Manly Beach, which recently underwent a $2.6 million makeover. thesebel.com Pier One Sydney Harbour Pier One Sydney Harbour has completed its five-year, $15 million refurb, and it now nods even more emphatically to the building’s maritime history and heritage as part of the city’s Walsh Bay wharf precinct. While every room in the hotel is now unique, what they share in common is the deep blue nautical hues and design touches that celebrate those killer waterside views. pieronesydney.com.au The Old Clare Hotel The Old Clare Hotel, which opened in Sydney’s hip Chippendale precinct in 2015, recently opened a new wing of…

A FEAST OF FESTIVALS Australia is quite the food festival hotspot, with great gourmet gatherings scheduled throughout the year. Here’s what to circle on your culinary calendar right now. Melbourne Cocktail Festival 26 February – 1 March The inaugural Melbourne Cocktail Festival (MCF), curated by Orlando Marzo, the 2018 World Class Global Bartender of theYear,will pull together a roster of workshops, guided tours, tastings, seminars and art installations across the city.The festival also features stellar guests such as Agostino Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani, of The Connaught Bar in London, winner of the ‘Best Bar in Europe’ at the 2019 World’s 50 Best Bars Award, and Paige Aubert, founder of Coleman’s Academy (a not-for-profit focused on empowering women in the bar industry). melbournecocktailfestival.io Tastes of Rutherglen 7–8 March This year’sTastes of Rutherglen program is set to be the…