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Aug

Skip to the sun or travel with a conscience: travel deals, August 4, 2013

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket

If now is the winter of your discontent, get thee to Thailand: to Phuket, to be precise. Or Burma, which is so hot right now – in the tourist sense as well as talking temperatures.

Australia’s Gold Coast is always a favourite escape for us southerners, though this time, it’s with a twist for the kids (because kids appreciate posh labels, don’t they?). But if you want to embrace winter, do it with a conscience, in Melbourne’s only carbon-neutral hotel, in this week’s travel deals.

GO NOW: MELBOURNE

Alto on Bourke is Melbourne’s only carbon-neutral hotel.
Stay in its studio rooms from $158 (normally from $238), and get breakfast,
unlimited organic, fair-trade coffee and free bike hire. Book by August 16 for
travel until October 26. 1800 135 123, altohotel.com.au.

Alto on Bourke, Melbourne

GO SOONER: THAILAND

Dusit hotels
worldwide, including the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, are giving guests 35 percent of their accommodation
costs to spend on dining and spa treatments. Suite upgrades are available for $54.
Costs from $139 a double, room only, until end September. (02) 9410
3405, dusit.com.

GO LATER: BURMA

Meditate with monks on a The Golden Land of Burma tour that includes lunch
with the Intha tribe. Save 15 percent on selected departures until March 11,
2014. Costs from $3630 a person, twin share. 1300 836 764, coxandkings.com.au/au/15off.

Inle lake fishermen, Burma

KIDS: GOLD COAST’S GLAM BABES

Chic children take tea at the Gold Coast’s iconic Palazzo
Versace hotel. Its new Little Fashionistas high teas are served on Versace
china (that’s brave!) overlooking the hotel’s lagoon. The menu, for groups of
eight or more, includes lemonade spiders, toffee apples, cake pops and the
omnipresent macaroons. Costs $12 for children 12 and under, (07) 5509 8000, palazzoversace.com.au.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun-Herald newspaper

Jul

Five Fijian resorts under $450 a night

Who doesn’t love a swim-up bar? The new $2.2m adults-only pools
at Outrigger on the Lagoon,

Sure, Mel Gibson owns an island in Fiji, but if your budget is Homebush than Hollywood, here are a few good options from the old faves of the Coral Coast to mysterious Kadavu, Fiji’s large, southern island.

Most do packages that include flights from Australia, airport transfers and at least breakfast thrown in. Keep an eye out for specials that might snag you a free massage, dinner or kids’ club.

OUTRIGGER ON THE LAGOON
On the Coral Coast, southern Viti Levu (the main island). Costs from $282 a night, room only. Phone +679 650 0044; see outrigger.com.

MATAVA
The Astrolabe Hideaway eco-resort on Kadavu Island. Costs from $389 a night, all-inclusive. See matava.com.

THE UPRISING BEACH RESORT
A 3½-star adventure resort in Pacific Harbour. Costs from $148 a night, B&B (beachfront bure). Phone +679 345 2200, See uprisingbeachresort.com.

RADISSON BLU
Newly refurbished five-star on Denarau Island, 20 minutes from the airport. Costs from $278 a night. Phone 1800 333 333; see http://www.radissonblu.com/resort-fiji .

MATAMANOA ISLAND RESORT
In
the Mamanuca Islands, 1½ hours by boat from Denarau Marina. Costs from
$270 a night, B&B (garden room) or $438 a night (beachfront bure).
Phone +679 672 3620; see matamanoa.com.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sydney Morning Herald/The Age

Jul

Flight test: Drukair, Royal Bhutan Airlines

Drukair’s home base of Paro International Airport is mediocre inside,
but the traditional architecture is beautiful. Photo: Belinda Jackson

THE ROUTE
Paro (Bhutan) to Bangkok via Guwahati (India).

THE PLANE
Airbus A319.

THE LOYALTY SCHEME
None.

UP THE BACK OR POINTY END?
Business class, seat 4F. It costs about $80 to upgrade from economy class.
TIME IN THE AIR
Four
hours, including a 45-minute stop at Guwahati in India. The flight
connects to Melbourne through Thai Airways, with a grinding eight-hour
stopover.

THE SEAT STUFF
38 inches (96
centimetres) pitch in business, 32 inches (81 centimetres) pitch in
economy. It’s a 2-2 layout for business class and 3-3 in economy.

BAGGAGE
One checked bag up to 30 kilograms; economy is one checked bag up to 20 kilograms, with five kilograms hand luggage.

COMFORT FACTOR
A pillow and blanket in business class. The seats recline slightly, with the footrest coming forward.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
There
are no TV screens on the plane. Entertainment is out the window: on a
clear day, the flight down Paro Valley gives spectacular views of the
Himalayas. Paro is at 2225 metres, with “hills” either side of up to
4875 metres and the approach is by visuals only. Some say you can see
Mount Everest when coming inbound on this route, but it’s best seen on
the Paro-Kathmandu (Nepal) flight. When flying into Guwahati, the
captain points out the broad, sacred Brahmaputra River, which flows 3000
kilometres down from the Tibetan Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. For
best views, request a left-hand-side window on the way up from Bangkok
and a right-hand window on the return.

THE SERVICE
Extremely
polite, a little reserved. The women wear Bhutan’s colourful national
uniform, a silk crossover jacket (tego) and a long, straight skirt
(kira). Men usually wear a gho, cut the same as a mid-thigh shave coat
with long socks, but for comfort and practicality, they’re wearing
trousers and tie inflight. The friendly captain likes a good chat on the
intercom.

FEEDING TIME
The Bangkok flight
departs mid-morning, so we get a cup of sugar-sweet orange juice with
roasted peanuts after take-off – the same in both classes. Lunch is
served after our stop in Guwahati. I go the vegetarian option (which I
didn’t pre-book), which is shamu datse, a Bhutanese dish of mushrooms
cooked in a white cheese sauce with rice. There are condiments galore,
including Bhutan’s national dish, ema datse (long green chillies in
cheese sauce) and etsy (smoking-hot fresh chilli relish) with a
lacklustre pasta salad on the side. The wine is Lindeman’s Premier
Selection Shiraz Cabernet 2011 or Semillon Chardonnay 2001.

ONE MORE THING
Paro
International Airport (and Drukair’s business lounge) is extremely
mediocre inside, but its traditional architecture is beautiful. Airport
staff expect you to jump off the plane and start snapping photos on the
tarmac. No security goons here.

THE VERDICT
How
to put this politely: like it or lump it. Drukair has a monopoly on
this route, so there’s no other way to fly in to Bhutan’s only
international airport. It’s a short, pleasant flight.

THE FREQUENCY
Drukair
flies Paro-Bangkok daily with extra flights in Bhutan’s high seasons
(March-May and September-November). All flights are indirect except the
4.45am departure on Monday mornings during high seasons.

Tested by Belinda Jackson, who was a guest of Bhutan & Beyond.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sydney Morning Herald/The Age

Jul

Royal babies and rooftop bars that give royal treatment

There’s been a marked absence of royal baby babble on this blog – oh sorry, everyone but I’m going to break the silence.

Because this (left) is surely the most beautiful baby’s cake, from the makers of the most beautiful cakes.

Ms B’s Cakery is the braincandy of Hong Kong fashion doyenne Bonnae Gokson. Some of you may know Bonnae’s HK hot spot, Sevva, on the 25th floor of the Prince’s Building in Central. If you don’t know, you have no excuse not to go there now.

Last time I was there, late in the afternoon, one of the outside terraces has being guarded by men with earpieces, while fashionistas took elegant high tea.

And as the afternoon deepened into evening, the beautiful aperitifs crowd pranced in for sunset drinks. The dress code is ‘easy glam’ (they request no singlets, tattered t-shirts or sooty runners: that’s right, no sooty runners).

Oh, and Sevva serves MsB’s incredible cakes.

See, you think you’re reading yet another royal baby story, but you also learn one of the best places for sundowners in central Hong Kong. Thanks for persevering.

Sevva: Prince’s Building 25th Floor, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
Ms B’s Cakery: 39 Gough St, Central, Hong Kong

Jul

Hidden secrets on the Mornington Pen, Barrington Tops and foodie Sicily: travel deals July 21, 2013

Discover the hidden secrets of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, NSW’s Barrington Tops, or a kids’ getaway in Sydney.

GO NOW: Discover
the Big Blue Backyard at the Mornington Peninsula’s secluded St
Andrew’s beach. Until August 31, stay three nights and pay for only two in one
of their three retreats, with Cape Schanck nearby. Costs from $1191, three nights. 1300 896 627, mrandmrssmith.com.


Big Blue Backyard

GO SOONER Enjoy a home amongst the gumtrees near Barrington Tops, three
hours north of Sydney. Stay three nights, pay two in one of Yeranda’s three
bush hideaways with $50 credit at nearby café. Costs from $325, three nights. (02) 4992 1208, yeranda.com.au.

Yeranda’s bush hideaways

GO LATER: Get
a free night’s stay when you book a cooking tour of Sicily with chef
Dominique Rizzo before July 31. The 15-day tour departs May 3, 2014. Costs from
$6095 a person, twin share. (07) 3267 1667, purefoodcookingtours.com.au.

Dominique Rizzo

KIDS

Planning a weekend away in your own backyard? Upgrade the kids
to Swissotel Sydney’s kids’ rooms, chocked full of toys, dvds and kids’ minibar.
The rooms, for kids age two to 12 years, can be a separate room or set up in the
parents’ room. Costs from $229 a room a night (half-half) or $299 for two rooms
(interconnecting available). 1800 334 888, swissotel.com/sydney.

Swissotel Sydney’s kids’ rooms

SOURCE: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald

Jul

Kids in Paris: travel deal June 30, 2013

Children in the Tuileries Garden, Paris.
Pic: Hotel Le Meurice

Paris in summer is a kids’ playground, with puppet theatres, donkey rides, carousel rides and duck feeding in the lake of the Tuileries Gardens.

Stay nearby, at the luxe Hotel Le Meurice, between July 14 and August 29 and pay half price on a deluxe or executive room for the children, including breakfast, room upgrade and $120 dining credit.

Costs from $3846, two rooms, two nights. virtuoso.com.au.

Jul

Play in the snow, on the golf course or in New York City: travel deals July 14, 2013

It’s all about playing: in the snow, on the golf course, in China or New York City, in this week’s travel deals.

KIDS:
Kids 14 and under ski free on July 20-21, August 2425 and
September 14-15 at Thredbo when they’re with a paying adult on a two-day lift
pass. Also, the Learn to Ride week, September 16-20, throws in free lessons and
gear hire on all lift passes. (02) 6459 4100, thredbo.com.au.

GO NOW Bunker
down in the Tasmanian wilderness at the Barnbougle Dunes spa and golf course.
Their winter deal includes 18 holes of golf, a hot stone massage, overnight
accommodation and breakfast for two. Usually $718, save $192 until September 30.
Costs from $526 a couple. barnbougledunes.com.au.

GO SOONER Sleep
sweet in eight New York City hotels: pay for two nights in a suite and get a
third night free until September 2. Hotels include the new JW Marriott Essex
House, hip The London NYC and the Mad Men-esque The Chatwal. nycgo.com/thirdnight.

GO LATER Get
free flights to China when you book a 19-day China Explorer by October 31, for
travel in 2014. Highlights include Kunming’s stone forest and Chengdu’s panda
breeding centre, Beijing and Xi’an. Costs from $7595 a person, twin share. 1300
278 278, aptouring.com.au.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald

Jul

Tasting tradition: Ramadan kareem

Cairo at sunset. Photo: Belinda Jackson

Today is the first day of Ramadan 2013, which for me is about the scent of almonds, the sweetness of fresh dates and the call to prayer.

If you’re shaky on the whole Ramadan thing, it’s Islam’s holy month, where Muslims take time to
reflect on themselves and their lives.

The most
obvious part of Ramadan is fasting: followers don’t let anything pass their
lips from first light to sunset. At the moment, wintery Australia is considered a cushy place to be for Ramadan 2013: first light this morning was around 6am and the sun set at 5.15.
In comparison, it’s high summer in the Middle East, which sees 14-hour days,
with 5am sunrise and sunset not until 7pm.

That
means no food, no water, no cigarettes (a tough one for countries such as
Egypt, where smoking is rated a profession). Some people don’t use
toothpaste in the daylight hours…mmm.

Of all
the Muslim countries I’ve visited during Ramadan, I had the most fun in Egypt.
Egyptians like to joke that they actually put on weight in Ramadan, sunset
is the time for feasting, and feast they do. In a city where you can hit a
traffic jam at 1am, the streets are empty at sunset: you can cross town in 20 minutes,
normally a two-hour journey, as everyone’s sitting down to drink sweet drinks
such as tamrhindy (tamarind) or qamardeen, a thick, sweet apricot juice, and taste elaborate dishes and desserts made
only in this month.

Ben Youssef madrasa, Marrakech.
Photo: some helpful, random tourist
who didn’t run away with my camera.

The five-star hotels and the streets are lined with Ramadan ‘tents’ that serve banquets from sundown to sun-up, elaborate low lounges designed for smoking shisha and nibbling sweets, drinking tea and catching up with old friends. Music tends toward the traditional, though I spotted plenty of glam actors and smoking hot MTV stars (Amr Diab, people!). During Ramadan, TV shows tend toward swords-and-sandals dramas with strong moral punchlines.

I also
like the solidarity of Egypt’s citizens: around 10 percent of the population is
Christian, yet they will never smoke, eat or drink on the street. It’s
considered poor form, and most tourists get the picture.

In far
more liberal Morocco, where tourists amble around in hot pants, wining and
dining on street cafes during Ramadan, it must be tough not to have a tiny
touch of resentment when you’re hot, thirsty and hanging for a fag. But the locals I know are proud of their country’s
tolerance of all cultures, and they have some pretty fabulous Ramadan sweets, including honey and sesame cookies, halwa chebakia.

I rate my favourite fitar or iftar (the meal you take when breaking fast at sunset) as the cool almond milk and dates stuffed with almond paste served at Marrakech’s sublime La Mamounia hotel.

In
comparison, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, we foreigners were ushered into makeshift
restaurants in the five-star hotels’ basements for lunch, and the bars were
shrouded affairs, if open at all. We were instructed sternly by hotel staff to dress even more modestly than usual, and our attire scanned before we left the hotel in case a rogue knee or shoulder should present itself to daylight.

Wherever you find yourself, Ramadan mubarak (Happy Ramadan)!

Jul

Of white wallabies and chic Sydney babes: travel deals 23 June 2013

Bruny Island’s white wallaby.

GO NOW: TASMANIA

The
cutest little white wallabies are waiting to be seen on a Bruny Island Safari, which includes a gourmet touch. Usually $140,
save $40 on Sundays or Fridays from July 1 to August 31, quote ‘whitewallaby’.
Costs $100 a person. 0437 499 795, brunyislandsafaris.com.au.

GO SOONER: NEW ZEALAND

Winter in style luxury Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape
Kidnappers. Save 35 per cent on your
room rate, which includes pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a five-course tasting
menu and unlimited golf or a massage. Costs from $740 a person a night, twin share. Kauri Cliffs, +64 9407
0010, kauricliffs.com or The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, +64 6 875 1900, capekidnappers.com.

GO LATER: USA
& CANADA

Sleeping in style @ QT Sydney

Save up to $400 when you book a guided tour and airfare
with Trafalgar before June 28. The 14-day East Coast USA & Canada trip starts
and finishes in New York. From $3395 a person, flights from $1299. 1300 663
043, trafalgar.com.

KIDS: SYDNEY

Stylish babes stay at QT Sydney: its new BabyQ package
beds tots down in a super-chic Leander cot and includes a complementary iiamo
Go self-heating baby bottle worth $129. Parents get two nights in a king deluxe
room, breakfast (including fresh baby food), massage and a bottle of champagne.
Costs from $900 for two nights, qthotels.com.au, (02) 8262 0000.

Jun

The big chill: embrace or escape winter

From sun-filled sojourns to log fire retreats, Belinda Jackson reveals the hottest last-minute winter holidays.

How
do you do winter? With hot chocolate and log fires surrounded by people
called Sven? Or by migrating north in a quest for eternal sunshine?

Whether
you like to escape or embrace the cold months, we have you covered with
these 20 do-it-now bargains, subject to availability.

Bali

WHERE Petitenget, the hip strip of Seminyak, Bali.
THE TRIP
Check out of the office and into a week of surfing for an endorphin
rush, yoga to fight stress, and spa sessions to detox at Salt Retreats,
with cleansing organic menus by Pete Evans, from $1795 (saltretreats.com).
WHEN TO GO The seven-day getaways run weekly until the end of November, but with 30 degrees in July: why wait?
GOOD FOR Toxic wage slaves and the vitamin D deficient.
STRIP DOWN For a daily massage to detox your body.

Fiji

WHERE The Yasawa Islands, eastern Fiji.
THE TRIP
Visit remote islands and villages and some of the world’s best beaches
on a seven-night cruise through the spectacular Mamanuca, Yasawa, Waya
and Sacred islands, from $1676 a person (captaincook.com.fj).
WHEN TO GO July and August.
GOOD FOR Explorers who enjoy five-star comfort.
STRIP DOWN Pack your diver’s card and the sunscreen for the back of the knees (the classic snorkeller’s plight).

Tahiti

WHERE Papeete, the capital of the country that invented the overwater bungalow, 10 hours via New Zealand.
THE TRIP
Stay seven nights in an overwater bungalow at the Maitai Polynesia Bora
Bora, taking four-wheel-drive safaris and exploring the depths on a
glass-bottom boat costs from $4210 including flights with Air Tahiti Nui
(airtahitinui.com.au).
WHEN TO GO
If you can hold out that long, September is Tahiti’s driest month, with
temps of 28 degrees and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
GOOD FOR Francophiles needing winter sun.
STRIP DOWN Sarongs and sun hats: there is no need for more.

Thailand

WHERE Sheltered south-eastern Phuket.
THE TRIP Live
it up with the A-listers in the new Absolute Suite, complete with
yacht, butler and chauffeured Benz, from $1150 a night, or do just fine
in the newly refurbished Cape Suites, from $220, at the Cape Panwa
Hotel.
WHEN TO GO Phuket’s rain comes later than other regions, so winter’s just fine.
GOOD FOR All budgets: stay one day, get a second free. Stay two days, stay a month …
STRIP DOWN
Pack a brolly and sunscreen: expect brief downpours from June to August
(and subsequent good hotel offers), compensated by balmy 30-degree
days.

Hawaii

WHERE The island of Oahu, from Waikiki and beyond.
THE TRIP
There’s more to Hawaii than just Waikiki Beach: the self-drive Hawaii
Drive-O tour gives you a car, GPS and six nights at the Waikiki Parc
Hotel from $1172 a person, with plenty of drive ideas, such as the
Diamond Head Crater hike or bodysurfing at Sandy Beach (creativeholidays.com).
WHEN TO GO July sees festivals for ukulele music, hula and of course Independence Day on July 4.
GOOD FOR Hawaii old hands seeking new experiences.
STRIP DOWN Temperatures don’t vary much in Hawaii – July to September sees 31 degrees tops.

Myanmar

WHERE From Mandalay to Bagan in central Myanmar, the must-visit country for 2013.
THE TRIP
Go slow and savour the ancient skyline dominated by spires. This
seven-day cycling trip journeys past farmers, pilgrims and child monks,
through markets and alongside the Irrawaddy River, from $US2450 ($2595) a
person (spiceroads.com).
WHEN TO GO Mandalay remains hot and dry, with temperatures in the mid-30s, while the beach resorts empty as the rainy season kicks in.
GOOD FOR Temple tragics and pedal pushers.
STRIP DOWN Go tight ‘n’ bright in gear that covers you up while keeping cool: expect to sweat.

Vanuatu

WHERE Port Vila, Vanuatu, a three-hour flight from Sydney.
THE TRIP
Seven days of lolling on white-sand beaches. Poppy’s on the Lagoon is
on the beachfront. Get three free nights and two massages in
self-catering accommodation from $784 a person, July 15-September 20 (poppys.com.vu).
WHEN TO GO The cold, dry season runs May to October, where temperatures in the capital, Port Vila, hover around a delightful 24 degrees.
GOOD FOR Families wanting the beach at their doorstep (couples, there’s an adults-only pool, too).
STRIP DOWN Take a traditional outrigger canoe onto the lagoon.

Malaysia

WHERE Borneo and Kuala Lumpur.
THE TRIP
Explore the wilds of the coral reefs and mangroves of Borneo, then fly
to Kuala Lumpur for its big-city vibe and spectacular shopping. There’s
no hardship involved: Gaya Island Resort and the Majestic Hotel Kuala
Lumpur (www.gayaislandresort.com).
WHEN TO GO Hit the sales, with the mega-sale carnival in July.
GOOD FOR Shoppers and floppers.
STRIP DOWN July in Malaysia is blissfully dry, with tops of 28 degrees in Borneo.

Brisbane

WHERE An hour’s flight north from Sydney.
THE TRIP Catch
AFL’s Brisbane Lions at the Gabba or the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
The new Punthill Brisbane serviced apartments start from $169 a night (punthill.com.au).
WHEN TO GO July has perfect weather for riverside walks or a boat trip on the CityCat.
GOOD FOR Admirers of indigenous art: QAGOMA’s new contemporary indigenous art exhibition runs until October 7 (qagoma.qld.gov.au).
RUG UP Or strip down? Go a bit of both, with pleasant 20 degrees tops.

Queensland

WHERE Palm Cove, 25 minutes north of Cairns.
THE TRIP
Stay at the boutique Reef House, which has just opened five new beach
house apartments, from $409 a night, standard brigadier room from $259 a
night (www.reefhouse.com.au).
WHEN TO GO There’s year-round swimming. Added bonus: July and August are also jellyfish free.
GOOD FOR Sun lovers who don’t want to pay for an international airfare.
STRIP DOWN Bikini, hat, sun cream: hey, it’s 25 degrees in winter!

New Zealand

WHERE Queenstown and Lake Wanaka.
THE TRIP
NZ’s top snow city, Queenstown, lives for winter. The biannual Winter
Games NZ take place from August 11 to 25. Check out accommodation
packages with the Sofitel, MGallery, Novotel and Mercure from $119 a
night (wintergamesnz.com/travel).
WHEN TO GO Pundits say later in the season is better for a guarantee of top conditions, but Mother Nature is a hardened gambler.
GOOD FOR Ski bunnies, world-class snow athletes and those who like to watch.
RUG UP Time to flash your new-season snow gear, beautiful people.

Snowy Mountains

WHERE Lake Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains, five hours’ drive south of Sydney.
THE TRIP
You can hit snow even on Christmas Day here: Moonbah stone huts are on a
private lake brimming with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Four people
can stay two nights from $390 (moonbahhut.com).
WHEN TO GO Now, for snowshoeing, bushwalking and big log fires.
GOOD FOR Fly fishers, snow babies and The Man from Snowy River fans (snowymountains.com.au).
RUG UP Forget thermals, warm up with a Wildbrumby schnapps at Thredbo Valley Distillery.

Southern Highlands

WHERE Sutton Forest, 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney, past Bowral.
THE TRIP
The southern highlands goes crazy for Christmas in winter: we’re
talking roast turkey, hams and plum pudding galore. Southern highlands
retreats Peppers Manor House and Peppers Craigieburn are going
Christmas-tastic from $335 a night (peppers.com.au).
WHEN TO GO The whole month of July sees the highlands go completely Christmas-crazy.
GOOD FOR Mistletoe freaks and cash-strapped Euro-aficionados.
RUG UP Break out the reindeer knits and Santa hats: temps plummet to an 11 degrees average in July.

South Australia

WHERE The Flinders Ranges National Park, five hours north of Adelaide.
THE TRIP
A four-day bushwalk covering 45 kilometres takes you around Wilpena
Pound, the Elder Range and through a private wilderness sanctuary. Add a
touch of luxe with a night at the 1850s Rawnsley Park homestead, $2150 a
person (arkabawalk.com).
WHEN TO GO Winter is perfect walking weather.
GOOD FOR Painters and photographers and those keen to spot a rare yellow-footed rock wallaby.
RUG UP Pack your flannelette pyjamas for the frosty mornings when you’re climbing out of the swag.

Victoria: Yarra Valley

WHERE The Yarra Valley, an hour east of Melbourne.
THE TRIP
Drink top Australian pinot noir, ride the Puffing Billy steam train,
spot a platypus at the Healesville Sanctuary or go tobogganing at Lake
Mountain, Australia’s premier cross-country alpine resort. Stay at the
Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa, in Yarra Glen, from $150 a
night until August 31.
WHEN TO GO Winter is top ballooning weather.
GOOD FOR Walkers on a post-Devonshire tea wander through Sassafras’ Sherbrooke Forest.
RUG UP Be sure to layer up for early morning ballooning: a worthy but chilly experience.

Victoria: ski fields

WHERE The high country ski resorts of Falls Creek and Hotham.
THE TRIP
Good-value packages bundle lift passes and accommodation, such as the
“Ultimate Savings” offer at the Ultima Apartments, priced from $414 a
person for three nights (mthothamaccommodation.com.au) while the new QT Falls Creek costs from $429 a night (qtfallscreek.com.au). Check out the new two-resort Snow Pass (snowpass.com.au).
WHEN TO GO
Hotham’s Frosty Fruits gay ski week starts on July 26, Women’s Week
runs from July 29. Beginners, catch a bargain in Learn to Ski weeks,
June 15-21, 2013, and September 7-13, 2013.
GOOD FOR Snowman makers, tobogganists and dog sledders (as well as skiers and boarders).
RUG UP Beanie, long johns, muffler, fleece, thick socks … we’re talking single-digit temps.

Melbourne

WHERE St Kilda is Melbourne’s beachside and home to Luna Park.
THE TRIP
Shoot pool in the Prince of Wales’ authentically grungy front bar, dine
fine at the water’s edge at The Stokehouse or late-night fromagerie and
wine bar Milk the Cow, then walk it off with the pooch. Four-star
boutique dog-friendly stays across inner-city Melbourne start from $240.
(boutiquestays.com.au).
WHEN TO GO Now’s the time to experience the cosy side to Melbourne.
GOOD FOR Pet lovers who don’t want to leave a family member at home.
RUG UP Pack the parka and power-walk the pier with the pups.

Lord Howe Island

WHERE Two hours off the NSW coast.
THE TRIP
Scramble, slide and go cave snorkelling on a Wilderness Challenge
through rarely visited World Heritage-listed forests and beaches; or
take a gentler Wilderness Retreat, focusing on the island’s unique
ecosystems.
WHEN TO GO Two Wilderness Retreats
run from July 15 to 19 and August 5-9 ($1415 a person), the Wilderness
Challenge week runs October 14-18 ($1715 a person) (pinetrees.com.au).
GOOD FOR Environmental explorers and back-country adventurers.
STRIP DOWN Pack hiking boots and binoculars for a very nice 22 degrees top.

Tasmania: Hobart

WHERE Heading down south to Hobart.
THE TRIP
Why do human beings create art? The answer is at The Red Queen, the
newest exhibition at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Stay five
days at a four- or five-star hotel, cruise Bruny Island, drink Moorilla
wine and visit the museum, from $660 a person (mona.net.au/create-your-stay).
WHEN TO GO The exhibition runs until April 2014.
GOOD FOR Lovers of dark arts.
RUG UP She’s a bit nippy: pack windproof and rainproof jackets and break out the pom-pom beanies.

Tasmania: Swansea

WHERE Swansea, 1½ hours from Hobart or Launceston airports.
THE TRIP
Pull up the hot tub and ease right on in: Rocky Hills Retreat, on 101
hectares, overlooks Maria Island and costs from $500 a night.
WHEN TO GO
July is festival season in Tassie, celebrating everything from truffles
to chocolate, pinot noir to the Festival of Voices
(discovertasmania.com).
GOOD FOR Painters, bushwalkers and pinot lovers everywhere.
RUG UP You don’t need a lot for the tub, but pack hiking boots and binoculars for everything else.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald

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