Travel guide for Wine Appreciation

The Clare Valley is a slice of heaven on earth and you don’t have to be a wine lover to fall in love with this beautiful remnant of the way Australia used to be.  Yet it is thoroughly modern day in the wealth it produces for South Australia and the number of tourists who travel to the region, be they day-trippers, interstate travellers or visitors from overseas. Around every bend in the road is another sight to take your breath away. From grand old properties to the stone cottages that are reminders of the days when bullocks transported the grapes, to the historic church (and winery) at Sevenhill - which is an amazing amalgam of living history and great wine. The valley lies around 130 kilometres north of Adelaide and enjoys the fertile soil and climate of the Mount Lofty Rang... Read more

BRISBANE BRISVEGAS FASHION AND BEAUTY Brisbanites love to look good and there are many places to give that plastic card some exercise. FORTITUDE VALLEY This is the 'Fashion Hub' of Brisbane and is filled with high-end boutiques. If you love the finer things in life, then this is the place to visit for everything from a wide range of home-oriented retailers to fashion specialty stores for females. ‘The Valley’ stocks the likes of international labels such as, Collette Dinnigan & Collette Dinnigan Enfant, Citizens of Humanity Denim and Christian Louboutin shoes. There are also great male and children ranges thrown into the mix. • Faves are Ultra Suite and Blonde Venus for up-to-the-minute style. • Also, Jean Brown at Emporium, Ann St. A fantastic boutique... Read more

Whenever you drive along The Great Ocean Road, you could be forgiven for having illusions of grandeur. You might picture yourself as James Bond zipping along in a shiny Aston Martin. Or perhaps you'll wonder if you're actually part of a luxury car advertisement. The scenery is so incredible; your mind will transport you into a world of extravagance - even if you are puttering along in a broken-down heap. The stretch of road between Torquay and Allansford in southwest Victoria was predominantly built by World War I returned soldiers. Commencing work with picks and shovels back in 1919, the men laboured hard, and few would have lived to see the whole expanse of road complete. Various sections opened over decades, with the first 75km between Anglesea and Apollo Bay completed in 1932. More t... Read more

If you are looking for a city with all the attractions of coastal capital cities, but with a vibe all of it’s own, then Toowoomba is waiting for you.  This university and cathedral city is famous for its annual “Carnival of Flowers” each September and the Australian Gospel Music Festival which is held each Easter. Lying around 130 km inland of Brisbane on the Great Dividing Range means the city has four distinct seasons – which is reflected in the ever-changing colours in the many parks and gardens, and Toowoomba is also Australia’s largest inland city after Canberra.  The climate is mild and pleasant with much less of the oppressive humidity that Brisbane and Sydney can suffer in the summer months, and tends to enjoy dry winters, with more rain in ... Read more

Melbourne is the southernmost global city and has for many years enjoyed a reputation as the cultural and sporting capital of Australia.  It is also famous for its many beautiful gardens, incredible array of shops and the mix of Victorian and contemporary architecture. The city lies on Port Phillip Bay, and that, combined with its flat topography and the Dandenongs to the east, give the city its famously changeable climate – where it is quite possible to experience “four seasons in one day”! While Melbourne has some fabulous surfing beaches, there are so many choices of activities that the weather is really incidental to having a wonderful time in this most surprising of cities. What to do Allow yourself plenty of time to sample the delights of Melbourne, as the ... Read more

Covering a large expanse of coast about an hour south of Newcastle and an hour north of Sydney, the Central Coast region has something for everyone. Each of the towns and hamlets along the stretch have their own unique character and history, along with stunning beaches, lakes, rivers, galleries, boutiques, national parks, and friendly locals. It is an area of Australia well worth visiting – frequently. Things to do Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Stroll along a different beach every day. 2. Try your hand at fishing. There are so many great fishing spots along the Hawkesbury River, Pittwater, and Broken Bay to name a few. Take your own boat, or book a charter. 3. Sample some fine fruit wine and take a tour of the vineyard at Firescreek in Holgate, just ... Read more

If you’d like a break on an island with stunning scenery, adorable little penguins, koalas and Australia’s largest colony of fur seals; then there are plenty of reasons to visit Phillip Island. But if that isn’t enough to entice you, there is also the excitement of the motorcycle grand prix, the lure of gourmet food and fine wines, as well as romantic hideaways and family-friendly holiday accommodation all around. Discovered by George Bass in 1798, the island was first settled in Rhyll in 1826. Tourists have been enjoying the beauty of Phillip Island since the 1840s. In the late 1800s, the island was also an agricultural centre for the production of chicory (for coffee), so you will encounter many chicory kilns. The island is easy to get around by car, and as it is on... Read more

This delightful Tasmanian city nestled in the Tamar Valley is often nicknamed The Valley of the Senses. Some believe the reason for this nickname is the aromatic and colourful flowers of Cataract Gorge. Others consider the city’s reputation for fine wines and gourmet food to be the main reason. But in reality, it is due to all of these, as well as the caress of gentle breezes and lush moss, the sounds of rushing water in the Gorge during floods, and the songs of regional birds in the abundant bushland. Founded in 1805, this historic city is actually the third oldest in Australia (with Sydney and Hobart being the first and second respectively). It was originally called Patersonia, after Lieutenant Colonel Paterson (coincidentally, one of my distant relatives) but he later changed it ... Read more

When Lieutenant James Cook discovered the Whitsundays in 1770, he probably wished he could sneak off the ship and spend the rest of his days basking on the white sandy beaches among their swaying palm trees. He could have spent a lifetime swimming among brightly coloured fish, dining on tropical fruits, watching beautiful birds, and trekking the many different landscapes of the islands. Surely if he could have just turned back the clock, history would have been very different. Fortunately for us, word spread about the beauty of the Whitsundays and today they are a paradise which is easily enjoyed by all.   Top 10 things to do If you don’t have enough time or money to do all of these activities during your trip, you’ll just have to return to the islands and keep ... Read more

Mansfield, Victoria – A Great Place for all Seasons and Reasons Whatever the season, whatever the reason, a stay in Mansfield - in Victoria’s north-east - is the perfect way to relax and revive. The Mansfield area is renowned for its spectacular national parks, state forests, mountains, lakes and rivers, and historic links. Its sense of history and adventure is still evident in the homes and buildings that have graced the landscape for several generations. New industries with a stronger tourism focus have given visitors and residents alike many more reasons to the stay in the area. The bushfires of summer 2006-07 posed major challenges to the Mansfield area, and affected parts of the hills and mountains near the town, though the town itself was well away from the fire front. ... Read more