Blogs

Palm Cove – Queensland Australia

Balmy breezes, sand beneath your feet, leisurely long walks on the beach, refreshing pool & ocean dips, icy cold beverages, and amazing cuisine sound like your cup of tea, then take a trip to Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland. Beaut time of the year to visit with the great weather. Flight into Cairns was noneventful (as we like these days). Hire car collection from Sixt, whilst check in desk is located conveniently across from luggage collection point, it only takes a few minutes to walk from the terminal to the car collection office. I booked the mystery vehicle to save some $$ and got a Kia Carnival which we thought was funny but it’s a very comfortable vehicle to drive once you get used to being in something so big. I like to stock up at either Smithfield Shopping Centre or Clifton Village Shopping Centre for groceries. Smithfield, I READ MORE

Port Vila, Efate – Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclones Judy & Kevin in March of this year caused massive devastation & heartache for the Vanuatu people, then throw in a 6.5 magnitude earthquake and you have ask the question how much more can these beautiful people take. Vanuatu, a country on my wish list for some time, so we headed off in August to show our support and help the local economy by spending our holiday dollars. Some Facts*: Over 197 388 people were affected. This represents 66% of the overall population. The livelihoods of 38 764 people were impacted. 6384 homes were destroyed. 84% of people lost their home gardens. Alarmingly gender-based violence and child protection cases are in the increase. Women and Children are at risk of sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse due to insufficient bathing & sanitation facilities with little or no privacy. * Post Disaster Needs Assessment Vanuatu Tropical Cyclones Judy & Kevin READ MORE

Cairns & The Atherton Tablelands – Queensland Australia

Spent 3 nights at Crystalbrook Bailey, great location so easy to walk around town. Love the exposed concept of lobby area, the greenery and artwork everywhere showcasing local artists. Learnt so many new things about this property for instance: Did you know Crystalbrook Bailey Residences are Pet Friendly for your four-legged friends? Arte their delightful lobby bar offers a complimentary glass of wine for you to sample a drop you haven’t tried before between 4-5 pm Tue to Sat. The hotel regularly partners with aspiring artists to showcase their work in lobby exhibitions and generally opening nights are free to attend. Enjoy a beverage at Pachamama by the pool, take your book to read or enjoy a swim. Great steaks to be enjoyed at CC’s Bar & Grill and the coffee each morning by their local Barista is second to none. The breakfast staff on shift were a delight to READ MORE

Dorsett Gold Coast – Queensland Australia

WOW! This 4 Star Hotel on the Gold Coast certainly punches well above it’s star rating weight that’s for sure. Conveniently located in Broadbeach, considered the GC’s halfway point Dorsett Gold Coast sits proudly in Darling Avenue, directly across the road from a major transport hub (buses & trams), Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and the Ocean a mere 2 blocks walk. 313 rooms in total, the property has only been open since late Dec 2021 so a relative newcomer to the GC accommodation scene and Australia’s first Dorsett. Dorsett Hospitality International’s expansion from Asia into Australia will see other Dorsett Hotels currently under construction open in Brisbane and Perth. The Melbourne hotel opened in April this year. From incorporating local pieces of art and design into the décor (check out the amazing light installation in the lobby) to the cute boxes of handmade chocolate by Little Cocoa shows thoughtfulness and READ MORE

Mt Barney Lodge – Scenic Rim Queensland Australia

Located 90 minutes from either the Gold Coast or Brisbane you will find Mt Barney Lodge, in the spectacular Scenic Rim. This privately owned property is at the base of Mt Barney, Queensland’s 4th highest mountain with an elevation of 1359 metres. Family owned, with ecotourism ideals in running an ethical and sustainable tourism business they promote minimal impact bushwalking, prefer no single use plastics on site so BYO water bottle to refill please, there is a no generators allowed rule in the campground to ensure wildlife and guests can absorb the atmosphere. Compost bins on site, wood supplied for campfires is from fallen trees on the property or local landowners and have Advanced Eco Tourism Australia accreditation as well as being leaders in Wilderness First Aid accreditation. This is the perfect place to get away and unwind. This property offers all types of accommodation including: Queenslander style homesteads – READ MORE

Australia Tasmania’s Launceston – Peppers Silo, Tamar River Cruises, Josef Chromy Wines

A delightful way to enjoy Launceston’s waterways with a late afternoon cruise to Cataract Gorge with Tamar River Cruises. Booking is easy, just do this directly online. Friendly and welcoming staff on arrival for check in. Commentary by our Skipper providing great history of the local area. Bonus we could purchase beverages to take on board and enjoy a pre-dinner drink whilst sitting in comfort in the replica 1890’s vessel Lady Launceston with unobstructed views. Our tour cruised past Kings Wharf, Launceston Seaport then to Cataract Gorge. So relaxing and a wonderful welcome to Launceston. A big favourite of mine for accommodation when in Launceston, Peppers Silo. This once run down silo was converted into a 108 room hotel accommodation with a variety of room types. Only a 1 night stay but comfy bedding and nice staff made for a short but very good stay. Less than a 10-minute drive READ MORE

Australia Tasmania’s East Coast – Bicheno to Freycinet National Park

I was really interested to explore the beautiful granite boulders and coloured rocks of the Bay of Fires but time was our enemy, so we instead settled on a stop at the very quaint holiday village & fishing town of Bicheno, this way I could still enjoy seeing these gorgeous rocks up close. Lichens (tiny organisms that live on the rocks) are what cause the delightful orange & red hues. The Bicheno Blowhole was also a point of interest for us and is located a short distance from town. Parking was at a premium the day we visited so a spot on the side of the road it was. Caution advised for drivers & pedestrians alike. Easy walking track from roadway to the Blowhole but I did not feel it was wheelchair accessible. From our parking spot we also enjoyed great views of the Blowhole too. Stopped for lunch at READ MORE

Australia Tasmania’s Central Highlands – Part II – Thousand Lakes Lodge

Initially known as Bernacchi Lodge, the building was constructed on Hydro land at Lake Augusta in 1980 to train and prepare Antarctic staff for their expeditions. The building’s initial name was after Louis Bernacchi a Tasmanian, who in 1899 was a member of the first party to spend a year in Antarctica. Sadly, from 1999 onwards, this former Antarctic Training Facility in the Central Highlands, fell progressively into a state of disrepair. In 2016 racing car legend Marcus Ambrose purchased the property and commenced renovations. Thousand Lakes Lodge is now luxurious relaxing and welcoming. Totally off the grid, power on site is renewable solar, supplemented by a backup generator. The fireplace is gorgeous! We opted for a Lodge room with an ensuite located upstairs but the Lodge also has rooms that provide shared bathroom options as well and is in the process of completing an accessible needs room on the READ MORE

Australia Tasmania’s Central Highlands – Part 1 – Miena Village Guiding

MIENA VILLAGE GUIDING Yingina, Tasmania’s Central Highlands such a diverse landscape full of beauty. Flowers in abundance and animals roaming freely, so wonderful to see and experience the sights, sounds and smells of this stunning region in Australia with Miena Village Guiding. Offering Guided Walks and Guided Trout Fishing tours the Guided walks vary from half, full, 2 or 7 day Walking Tours and Guided Trout Fishing tours, 1 or 2 day options are available. Tours operate out of Miena village, where the Great Lake Hotel is located if you are after accommodation, but your Guiding team will happily meet you as in our case at Thousand Lakes Lodge for both of our tours. We have long wanted to learn the art of Fly Fishing and were looking for a company that was prepared to teach and share their knowledge about their craft. Jason Garrett, owner of Miena Village Guiding READ MORE

Gold Coast – 2022 New Accommodation, Food, Beverages

Some wonderful offerings accommodation wise and on the food & beverage scene for the GC.   THE LANGHAM GOLD COAST The Langham Gold Coast, part of the Langham family, this 169-room hotel finally opened it’s doors to the GC in June, we’ve been waiting for some time and overall the hotel delivers on design and décor. The public areas are luxurious, the exterior of the hotel and Jewel residences is stunning and an architectural masterpiece. Try a cocktail in the central Lobby Bar, enjoy a meal in the signature Michelin star restaurant T’ang Court. This is the first hotel on the Gold Coast in more then 30 years offering direct beachfront access. Rooms are spacious and modern. Highly recommend soaking in the tub, fabulous!   MERITON SUITES SURFERS PARADISE The Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise, offering 5-star service luxury apartments with beachside water views and only a short walking distance into READ MORE