Australian Traveller February 2021 - April 2021

WHEN WE SAT DOWN to nut out the details of our annual outback issue, we couldn’t avoid once again viewing the decisions we were making through the filter of the pandemic. Of course we wanted to concentrate on all the outback regions that have been doing it tough as a result of lockdowns, border closures and the sudden and devastating lack of international visitors, but what about our gleaming, cosmopolitan, world-class cities that are going through exactly the same thing? Figures compiled by Wotif comparing where Australians were intending to travel for the Christmas holidays in 2019 and 2020 saw Melbourne drop from the No. 1 spot to ninth on the list, while the international visitor spend was down a staggering 22.9 billion for the year ending September last year…

A GUIDE TO THE BEST WINERIES AND CELLAR DOORS IN MUDGEE All the spots to add to your oenological itinerary when visiting the historic NSW wine region of Mudgee. SEARCH ‘FOOD AND WINE’ IN OUR EXPERIENCES TAB 11 THINGS TO DO AT ULURU THAT AREN’T CLIMBING With a ban on climbing in place since 2019, we take a look at the incredible variety of experiences on offer at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park above and beyond scaling the Rock. SEARCH ‘ULURU’ IN OUR DESTINATIONS TAB THE BEST ROAD TRIPS IN THE NT The ultimate adventure lover’s state offers up a dizzying array of national parks, waterholes, Aboriginal culture and unforgettable moments. SEARCH ‘DRIVING HOLIDAYS’ IN OUR EXPERIENCES TAB WHERE TO FIND THE BEST WATERFALLS ON THE SUNSHINE›COAST You’d be forgiven for…

CRESCENT HEAD An idyllic coastal village famed for having some of the best surf breaks in Australia, ‘Creso’ is also a compelling coastal destination for FOODIES. Eat: Breakfast at GREEN ROOM or sip coffee while watching the waves roll in at POINT BREAK CAFE. Enjoy a generous share-plate lunch at PANDANUS GARDEN BAR & RESTAURANT, and an elegant yet relaxed dinner at LUMAH. Stay: Home to LA COSTA CANTINA restaurant, THE MED CRESCENT HEAD is a funky motel with more than a few pops of Palm Springs about it. Play: Paddle out for a surf at one of the famed local breaks such as Crescent Head Point. Don’t miss a trip out of town for a tasting (by appointment) at small-batch MARIA RIVER DISTILLERY. GLADSTONE Sitting serenely…

“This image shot in the Coorong area of South Australia was taken while driving from Adelaide to the seaside town of Robe,” says photographer Millie Brown. “While the actual drive is only a few short hours, I love to make it into a road trip, stopping to capture the natural beauty that is abundant in this area, as well as any wildlife I find along the way. The Coorong is one of the most important breeding areas for the magnificent Australian pelican, and you will often find them hanging out by the edge of a lake or lagoon. On this particular hot summer morning while passing through the town of Meningie I found this squadron beautifully lined up on some rocks not far from the shoreline of Lake Albert, also…

W MELBOURNE Positioned right in the thick of the action on Flinders Lane, the arrival of W Melbourne in the city is causing quite the buzz.With 294 guest rooms, 29 suites and a 175 square-metre Extreme Wow Suite (W’s version of a presidential suite), all of the rooms are drenched in light through floor-to-ceiling windows and fitted out in W’s exuberant signature style. Four restaurants and bars (Lollo eatery and Curious cocktail bar are open, with Japanese diner Warabi and Culprit to join them in May), a fitness centre, indoor pool complete with a gold roof and poolside bar round out the offering to guests; access to the restaurants, bars and nightlife on the doorstep comes for free. marriott.com QUINCY MELBOURNE Flinders Lane is the spot to be when it…

Hilton Sydney Hilton Sydney has completed a $25 million renovation, with everything from new carpets and artworks to smartTVs and Italian armchairs installed throughout its 547 rooms and 40 suites.The makeover also includes the introduction of new, larger, corner and family rooms. hilton.com Mövenpick Hotel Hobart Swiss-born brand Mövenpick has debuted in Australia’s southernmost capital with the opening of Mövenpick Hotel Hobart. Offering a contrast to its position on the heritage streetscape of Elizabeth Street, the 221 rooms and suites, located on floors four to 18, maximise the harbour views and have a sleek, modern design. In addition to a destination-dining Italian restaurant,Tesoro Modern Italian, the food offering will also includeThe Chocolate Hour, a one-hour tasting experience of sweet treats such as éclairs, brownies and truffles. movenpick.com Hotel Indigo Adelaide…