What we have achieved is a relaxed environment that feels more like a home away from home, than a hotel stay. The space really emulates a countryside, guesthouse escape. Linda Boronkay – Linda Boronkay Design Studio HOTEL WITH HISTORY THE Southern Highlands town of Bundanoon is home to regional Australia’s newest place to stay withContinue reading “HOTEL – OSBORN HOUSE”
Category Archives: New South Wales
HOTEL – WALDORF ASTORIA SYDNEY
Located in the One Circular Quay mixed-use development at 1 Alfred Street, which includes an adjoining 61-level apartment tower, the hotel will be a home away from home for today’s discerning travellers. Waldorf Astoria media release WALDORF ASTORIA SET FOR SYDNEY SYDNEY is set to become home to a new Waldorf Astoria with the iconicContinue reading “HOTEL – WALDORF ASTORIA SYDNEY”
Byron Bay YHA update …
THE Byron Bay YHA on Australia’s east coast has just reopened with a new focus on design, works by renowned local artists, and an extension that doubles capacity at this luxe flash-packer address. The new reception area features an artwork by local artist Robert Moore – his paintings are used by Aussie clothing brand MamboContinue reading “Byron Bay YHA update …”
Sydney’s swanky new Sofitel …
THERE’S a new star on the Sydney hotel scene after the official October 4 opening of the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. The address, which boasts 590 guest rooms including 35 spacious suites, is the first new-build hotel wearing an iconic luxury brand to open in the capital’s CBD in more than 15 years and isContinue reading “Sydney’s swanky new Sofitel …”
Sydney’s Sheraton receives refit …
SYDNEY’S Sheraton on the Park will undergo a comprehensive renovation with the city hotel’s club lounge and 558 guest rooms receiving an elegant refresh. The $40 million refurbishment will wrap by early 2018 and is planned to combine “modern design with the classical elegance” expected of a brand that caters comfortably to both business andContinue reading “Sydney’s Sheraton receives refit …”
Australia, after the stars …
SO, you’ve done Australia’s headline acts. Heard Dreamtime stories in the Red Centre, paddled from pontoons above a far north Queensland atoll, soaked in Top End waterfalls, walked in the footsteps of convicts and motored the asphalt winding around a stretch of southern coastline. But don’t rest yet. Some of this Great Southern Land’s mostContinue reading “Australia, after the stars …”
Port Stephens glamping …
GLAMPING has come to Port Stephens with Thou Walla Sunset Retreat unveiling 10 new safari-style tents with each of the comfortable camps featuring an ensuite, flatscreen TV, electric fireplace, balcony, king-size bed, and outdoor furniture placed to take in the water views. Thou Walla Sunset Retreat – pronounced “dha walla”, the location was a gatheringContinue reading “Port Stephens glamping …”
Little corner of France …
IT’S easy to forget you’re in suburban Sydney dining at this new Chippendale restaurant with Bistrot Gavroche reminiscent of the charming cafe you frequented on that last memorable visit to Paris. Antiques gathered from around France decorate the first-floor eatery, a building that was originally a rum factory on Kensington Street, to bring a bygoneContinue reading “Little corner of France …”
Sydney’s Surry Hills …
SURRY Hills is one of urban Sydney’s most intriguing neighbourhood with everything from fine-dining restaurants and comfy cafes to sophisticated shops and quirky boutiques lining the historic blocks just south of the CBD. Crown Street is the enclave’s main drag, a stretch of asphalt that appears to be inner-city drab at first glance but revealsContinue reading “Sydney’s Surry Hills …”
Sand-side dining …
MY knowledge of Sydney doesn’t extend far beyond Circular Quay. When I’m in the New South Wales capital I stick close to the blocks between the Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Opera House, occasionally making a detour to The Rocks or Art Gallery of NSW, but my exploring is typically limited to spots I canContinue reading “Sand-side dining …”
Westin welcome …
→ An historic Sydney building provides a fancy facade for this place to stay in the heart of Australia’s biggest city … I’M sleeping in a hotel room that’s worth a cool million dollars. That’s not the rack rate, the price it costs to make a reservation and occupy a room, but a reflection ofContinue reading “Westin welcome …”
Circular Quay …
I LOVE ice cream, but ice cream doesn’t love me. I have a pesky allergy to the icy treat which demands I give all but dairy-free gelato a miss. But there are rare occasions when I just can’t resist so I do my sums, decide if I can risk a migraine, and order a scoopContinue reading “Circular Quay …”
Sydney Harbour …
Where … On a ferry beside Bennelong Point and the Sydney Opera House When … Wednesday, March 23, 2026 at 4.41pm What … Jorn Utzon’s masterpiece the Sydney Opera House, a building so despised at the time of construction that the architect fled the country before it was finished and refused to return Downunder toContinue reading “Sydney Harbour …”
Sydney’s harbour …
PHOTOS from an afternoon drifting – or should I say motoring – around Sydney Harbour, from Circular Quay to Mosman Bay and back, on board a pair of lovely Sydney Ferries’ vessels christened Sirius and Royale. Visit the Beyond the Wharf website … posted Friday, April 1, 2016
Art Gallery of NSW …
FOR many years now I’ve been keen to play tourist in Sydney. I have made semi-regular jaunts to the New South Wales capital since I’ve been a journalist but it was always for work which meant I rushed from one appointment to the next, dashed in and out of hotel rooms, and sprinted to theContinue reading “Art Gallery of NSW …”
Oh so lovely …
IS there anything more lovely than a plate packed with finger sandwiches, plump scones flanked by dishes of jam and cream, colourful macaroons, and cute miniature cakes? Afternoon tea has always been one of my favourite eating experiences, especially when I have time to linger over pots of a fragrant brew and perfectly-arranged pastries, andContinue reading “Oh so lovely …”
QF444’s Sydney …
Where … Above Sydney When … Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4.48pm What … Descending towards Sydney’s Mascot Airport on board QF 444 from Melbourne with the bays of Sydney Harbour and the inner waterside suburbs stretching out below the 737-800’s wings. Visit the Qantas website … posted Monday, March 20, 2016
Manor makeover …
PEPPERS Manor House, the 137-year-old retreat in the New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, is back in business after a $4.5 million upgrade. A modern extension has given the heritage hotel a contemporary touch with the refurbishment adding guest rooms and a new place to eat as well as revamping the reception area, lounges, roads andContinue reading “Manor makeover …”
Aussie outback made easy …
THIS country has some of the most remote locations in the world, but it doesn’t mean you have to rough it to see the best the Outback has to offer. Home Valley Station Home Valley Station sits on the eastern edge of the Kimberley, beside the Pentecost River and Cockburn Range, with the West Australian propertyContinue reading “Aussie outback made easy …”
Murray River …
Where … Gol Gol on the Murray River When … Monday, May 13, 2013 What … An early-morning storm throws a rainbow over the southern bank of the Murray River near just a stone’s throw from the historic Gol Gol Hotel. Visit the Gol Gol Hotel website … posted Sunday. October 4, 2014
Top chef returns …
CHEF Jim McDougall always knew Mildura was a food bowl but it wasn’t until he left his home town for the big smoke that he realised just how good the ingredients were in the Murray River settlement. The Mildura native, who started his career with the great Stefano de Pieri at the river city’s iconicContinue reading “Top chef returns …”
Majestic migration …
IT’S when the weather turns cold that the whale-watching action heats up in Australia as pods of the marine mammals head north to escape the icy chill of Antarctica. Every state plays host to humpbacks and southern right whales from May and November, with destinations from Bruny Island in Tasmania’s southeast corner to Cape LevequeContinue reading “Majestic migration …”
Far Near Or Here 