region: Oceania

Eat aboard Solaré

Sydney has never exactly been shy about showing off, but now it’s really flexing. Just when you thought the Harbour had enough icons, along comes Solaré, a 150-foot superyacht that moonlights as a restaurant, cocktail bar, and beach club.

Step aboard and you’re instantly transported, if not to Capri, then at least to a sunnier, looser version of Sydney where spritzes arrive before you can ask, and the harbour views practically hurt your eyes.

Chef Pablo Tordesillas (of Totti’s Bondi fame) has crafted a coastal Italian menu that reads like a love letter to seafood and indulgence. Expect bug-stuffed pasta, raw tuna dressed up in bergamot oil, and caviar on potato crisps that would make your fish and chip shop go out of business (and fast).

But food is only half the fantasy. Solaré sprawls across three levels, each with its own personality. Down below, the Dining Room seduces you into multi-course marathons. One deck up, cocktails and share plates keep the Terrace buzzing. And up top? The Sun Deck, a Mediterranean-inspired playground where daybeds and DJs compete for your attention. There’s even a martini trolley that sidles up like a butler in a Bond film.

With interiors straight out of a retro Riviera dream and bold Aussie art splashed about, Solaré is Sydney’s new playground. All you need is a booking, a big appetite, and maybe a pair of oversized sunglasses and you’ve completed the fantasy.

Chocolate Experience at Cadbury opening in 2027

Hobart is about to become the world capital of cacao-induced grins, with the AU$150 million Chocolate Experience at Cadbury opening in 2027. Forget Charlie’s golden ticket, this is Tasmania’s turn to unwrap the world’s ultimate chocoholic playground, but sadly, there won’t be any Oompa Loompas.

Set on the Claremont waterfront, the project will reimagine the century-old Cadbury Factory into a glossy, gooey wonderland of pipes, conveyor belts, and hyperreal chocolate dreams. It’s Willy Wonka meets MONA because the design is being whipped up by Tasmanian architects Cumulus Studio alongside Art Processors (the mischief-makers behind MONA’s mind-bending magic).

Inside, visitors can stroll through Chocolate Central, tinker in the Chocolate Lab, or whip up their very own Tasmanian-flavoured bar in the Premium Studio. There’s also a decadent Chocolate Lounge because of course there is. Nothing says “holiday” like sinking into a plush chair with truffles you don’t have to share (snuck a cheeky little rhyme in there for ya).

To top it all off, the whole thing will be connected to Hobart via two new custom ferries, meaning you can sail down the Derwent in style before docking at your cocoa-coated destination. Move over, wine tours – it’s seemingly all about the choc-cruise now.

The attraction is tipped to draw over half a million visitors each year and pour AU$120 million into Tassie’s economy. Which, let’s be honest, is just icing on the (chocolate) cake. Or, in this case, the ganache.

Hobart, your sweet future awaits.

The Unconformity festival is back

Pack your hiking boots, a sequin jacket, and maybe a helmet because The Unconformity festival is back to shake up Queenstown in Tasmania, 16–19 October 2025, and it’s anything but ordinary.

This year’s theme is ‘respawn,’ which basically means the festival is coming back to life like a video game character, though instead of dodging fireballs or little ghosties, you’ll be dodging avant-garde art, spontaneous footy matches on gravel, and possibly a rogue Spiderbait riff echoing through the mountains.

The program is a colossal 60 events featuring 121 artists who seem hell-bent on proving that Queenstown is the creative capital of the universe. We’re talking semaphore messages at sunrise, copper sculptures literally etched by the town’s acidic river (yes, that’s a thing), and a performance involving a log the exact weight of the artist’s body (we’re not sure either).

Crib Road will once again transform into the festival’s beating heart, lined with food, drink, and free live music. Spiderbait headlines Saturday night, alongside the brooding brilliance of Bleak Squad (featuring members from Dirty Three and The Bad Seeds), and plenty of Tassie-grown talent.

And then there’s The Unconformity Cup, a gladiatorial football match on a gravel oval that pits ‘The West’ against ‘The Rest.’ Think grassroots AFL, only there’s no grass. Are you game?

The Australia I’m starting to know: dust, rocks and reflections

I’m a proud Australian, but I’ve never felt entirely comfortable saying it.

Maybe it’s because I grew up on the coast, feeling more connected to the ocean than the centre. Or maybe it’s because so much of what’s sold as “Australian pride” feels one-dimensional: a kind of rugged nationalism that doesn’t always include or acknowledge the complexity of our past or the depth of First Nations culture.

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Travelling overseas, I’d sometimes meet people who dreamed of visiting the Australian outback. Usually older, often British or European, they spoke about red dust, endless roads and Mad Max landscapes with a kind of wild-eyed admiration. I never quite understood the sentiment.

In July, I had the opportunity to explore the elusive outback on a one-week road trip through South Australia, ending with a rare chance to witness one of Australia’s most remarkable natural events: the flooding of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre.

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The trip began with an early winter flight to Adelaide, where I picked up an all-wheel-drive rental and began the journey north. Following the A1, a highway that connects much of Australia, I stopped in Port Augusta to stock up for my solo trip. So far, the drive had been typical of Australian highways: cattle paddocks broken up by shipping ports and industrial towns. But beyond Port Augusta, the landscape began to shift. The Flinders Ranges Way weaved between the rugged hills of the southern ranges, and the earth deepened to a burnt orange – a hint of what was to come.

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I arrived at Trezona Campground just after dusk and set up beneath a stand of River Red Gums. The sky was completely clear, and the winter night soon came alight, with the Milky Way stretched directly overhead. As Australia’s first official dark sky national park, the Flinders Ranges offer some of the clearest stargazing in the country. And, after setting up camp, I lay back and gazed upwards in the quiet. I’ve always marvelled at the power of aviation. Just that morning, I had been on the other side of the country, and now I was somewhere remote and ancient, completely alone.

I woke before sunrise for the morning’s mission: Razorback Lookout. One of the most iconic views in the Flinders Ranges, it did not disappoint. Behind the mountains, the sky turned purple before the first light touched the distant peaks of St Mary’s. The light cascaded down until the valley filled with a golden glow. What a place it was to make myself a morning coffee.

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The rest of the day I drove the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail, an iconic route tracing over 130 million years of geological history. The gorge is sometimes called a “corridor through time”, its rock layers revealing some of the oldest visible fossils and formations on Earth.

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Stopping intermittently along the trail, I found myself thinking about the cultural depth of this place, the land of the Adnyamathanha people, whose name translates to “rock people”. Their stories, language and knowledge are not just part of the landscape’s past but remain deeply connected to it today. I drove further north to Parachilna Gorge, where I set up camp for the night. Campsites lined the edge of a dry riverbed, and with a storm front approaching, I bunkered down for the night.

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The following morning, I continued through the gorge back to Flinders Ranges Way, stopping at Stokes Hill Lookout and hiking Mount Ohlssen-Bagge for a sweeping view into Wilpena Pound. One of the best ways to grasp just how ancient this land is lies in a simple geological fact: the Flinders Ranges were once part of a vast mountain chain that rivalled the Himalayas in height.

Over the last 500 to 600 million years, erosion and weathering have gradually worn them down to the folded ridges and valleys we see today. It’s hard to describe, but when you’re looking out over the landscape, it even feels old. The red, banded rock crumbles away down the slopes below. That night, I camped at Rawnsley Park Station, with sweeping views of the cliffs of Wilpena Pound.

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The next leg took me to Coober Pedy. The landscape grew sparse, and the soil deepened to a richer red. The ancient mountains flattened out into what was once a vast seabed. You know you’re getting close when mounds of excavated earth begin to scatter across the horizon. Coober Pedy is one of those places every Australian kid learns about: the town so hot that people live underground.

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I find it amusing that the name Coober Pedy comes from the local Aboriginal words kupa piti, often translated as “white man’s hole” – a reference to the miners who burrowed underground to escape the heat. It’s a rough, strange and oddly beautiful place, where opals are still dug from the earth. Formed over millions of years, opals begin as silica-rich water seeping through sandstone.

As the water evaporates, it leaves behind silica that hardens into stone. Their vivid colours come from the way these silica spheres scatter light. At the town sign, a local miner stopped to show us his daily haul, not high quality, he said, but fascinating all the same. That night, I stayed in one of the local hotels, above ground, though part of me wondered what it might be like to sleep in a dugout.

The next morning, I visited one of the town’s most famous attractions, Crocodile Harry’s old dugout house. In many ways, it summed up Coober Pedy: eccentric, improvised, and full of personality. Out the front were rusted cars and old movie props, including relics from sci-fi films once shot in the area. Inside, the surprisingly light-filled cave was lined with photos from wild parties once hosted by the man said to have inspired Crocodile Dundee. Out the back, he had his own private opal mine. It was incredible to walk through these lived-in, deeply personal spaces.

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That afternoon, I turned east onto William Creek Road. The scenery was classic outback Australia: red sand, sparse scrub and a sense of enormous scale. A large sign declared the road open but warned that conditions could quickly change in bad weather. I had made it just in time, with one of the season’s first winter rain fronts moving in behind me. What I hadn’t expected was how dramatically the landscape shifted along the way. One moment, I was driving through barren, flat plains with hardly any vegetation; the next, I was weaving through undulating dunes and rocky hills. It challenged my assumptions about what this desert landscape would be.

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After passing Anna Creek Station – the largest cattle station in the world, covering over 15,000 square kilometres – I rolled into William Creek just after sunset. This tiny settlement sits in the heart of the desert, little more than a handful of buildings clustered around the main attraction: the pub. That night, I was staying in a glamping tent out the front of the William Creek Hotel, famously one of the most remote pubs in Australia.

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Despite its isolation, the pub was buzzing. Lake Eyre was in rare flood, and William Creek is one of the closest launch points for scenic flights, so it had become a hub for outback travellers chasing the spectacle. As I paced back and forth trying to find a table in the crowded bar, one of the older patrons called out, “Aye, you’re wearing the lino out!” He wasn’t a local, just another classic Australian character: sun-worn, straight-talking and clearly amused by my indecision. He guessed I was from Sydney, probably because of my oversized puffer jacket. I headed to bed early, in preparation for the highlight of the trip.

The crescendo of the journey was worth the wait. After being allocated a plane and a pilot, I walked down to the airfield and climbed aboard. Before we boarded, we had a quick safety briefing (it felt a little absurd to be shown how to use a life jacket while standing in the middle of a desert). Together with fellow passengers, we took to the sky just as high clouds began to glow red. We flew directly into the sun, and it felt like we were gliding over a vast desert.

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From the air, the ground patterns were starkly beautiful. What had looked random and sparse from the road now followed the natural contours of the land – faint vegetation tracing ancient watercourses, with salt pans etched delicately into the red earth.

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On the horizon, the main attraction slowly revealed itself: Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, under a once-in-a-generation flood. Rainfall from hundreds of kilometres away in Queensland had made its way into the basin, bringing water to a region more often remembered for dust. When I visited, the northern lake was already filling, though the southern section had yet to break through. From above, it looked as if the desert was slowly turning to glass – a vast inland mirror reflecting the colour of the sky.

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While flying over the vast expanse of water, I found myself torn between being present in the moment and trying to capture it. The golden morning sun flared off the surface, flooding the cabin with glare and making it hard to frame a clean shot. Below, the desert shimmered like glass. This was the lowest point in Australia, a shallow, salt-encrusted basin with no outlet. The water didn’t flow anywhere. It simply spread out, then slowly evaporated or disappeared into the ground.

While this road trip only lasted a week, it gave me a taste of what the Red Centre had to offer. I am keen to keep exploring, to keep getting lost in the Australian outback, and to keep learning from the Traditional Owners of the land.

And perhaps now, for the first time, I feel a little more comfortable calling myself a proud Australian, not because of a flag or a slogan, but because I’ve begun to understand and connect with the land itself.

The Clements Hotel opens its doors

In a town known for racehorses, rowing champs, and seriously good coffee, Cambridge, New Zealand, has just added another thoroughbred to its stable – The Clements Hotel. Fresh from a multi-million-dollar glow-up, this boutique beauty has transformed the town’s original 1866 Beaux-Arts Masonic hotel into a 29-room haven of polished charm and old-school glamour.

Named after Irish-born Archibald Clements (the bloke who built the original hotel), the revamp is all soaring ceilings, stained-glass windows, red brick walls, and a staircase that was made for dramatic entrances. Think Claridge’s in London, but with more gumboots and fewer paparazzi.

Leading the charge is Scottish hospitality whiz Cameron Kellow, who swapped Scone Palace and 20,000 acres of Scotland for the rolling Waikato. His mission was to make The Clements the place for luxe stays, long lunches, and the kind of events you’ll still be talking about when you’re 80. Spoiler alert, he succeeded.

Guests can snooze in Edwardian splendour or wake up under attic beams with leafy views. There’s a café and wine bar for your morning pastry-to-evening-aperitivo journey, a garden-view restaurant serving locally inspired global goodness, and, from October, a speakeasy called “1866” hidden in the basement.

If that’s not enough, the old horse stables are now private luxury suites (fireplace and bathtub included), and the on-site distillery has crafted a bespoke gin using an 1860s recipe because history tastes better with tonic. Duh.

Beenleigh launches new drink

Remember those sticky summer days spent slurping down Sunnyboys and chasing the ice cream truck in your thongs? Well, Beenleigh just cracked open a very adult version of that memory, and yes, it’s got booze in it.

Introducing Hard Orange Crush, the newest creation from the legends behind Australia’s oldest registered distillery. It’s fizzy. It’s juicy.

It’s 4.5% ABV. And it’s got real Aussie orange juice doing the heavy lifting. But don’t get it twisted, this isn’t a sugar bomb, it’s a lightly sweet, sherbet-scented citrus refresher with just enough tang to keep things interesting and none of that weird fake aftertaste.

Basically, it’s the love child of your favourite childhood soft drink and your grown-up Friday night. Smooth, sessionable and dangerously crushable, it’s made for beach days, BBQs, pool hangs, or just smashing a cold one on the back deck while pretending to mow the lawn.

With a clean finish, soft carbonation and full-flavoured nostalgia in every sip, Hard Orange Crush is here to make your summer a little sunnier and a whole lot orang-er.

Available now at select Dan Murphy’s and all good independents, it’s the can you didn’t know you needed…until you try one and realise you absolutely do need it.

P.S. It also pairs beautifully with not answering emails. Just saying.

Prison Island

Brace yourselves, Brisbane – you’re about to willingly walk into a prison, and love every second of it.

Launching September 4, Prison Island is the city’s newest adrenaline-fuelled playground, where escape rooms go to retire and teamwork comes to thrive.

Forget breaking out, here, you break in… to 35 challenge cells packed with puzzles, physical feats, and just enough laser-dodging drama to test your friendships (and flexibility). It’s an escape room, a ninja warrior course, and a high-stakes game show, all in one.

Brought to life by immersive entertainment wizards Make It Now and global experience pros Fever, Prison Island is a Scandinavian-born sensation that’s already dazzled crowds across Europe and in Melbourne. Now, it’s Brisbane’s turn to get a little competitive and whole lot sweaty.

Here’s how it works: teams of 2–5 have 90 minutes to tackle as many themed cells as possible. Think brain-bending logic, memory games, agility courses, and the occasional “how is this so hard?” moment. Every success earns points. Every fumble earns laughs. And yes, there’s a leaderboard, so bring your A-game, or prepare for a light roasting in the group chat.

From workmates to mates’ dates, Prison Island is the ultimate test of brains, brawn, and competitiveness.

ROKI Collection Queenstown set to open

Mark your calendars (and maybe invest in a tiny private jet) because ROKI Collection Queenstown is landing lakeside on September 1, 2025, and it’s bringing serious glamour and a lot of Kiwi charm.

Positioned smack bang on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and framed by the epic Remarkables mountain range, ROKI dubs itself an “urban retreat” with all the tranquility of a remote lodge, but none of the mosquitoes.

Imagine fireplaces, private bathtubs, walk‑in wardrobes, and panoramic views in each of the 15 swanky suites, ranging from cosy one‑bedroom hideaways to full‑on opulence in the four‑bedroom ROKI Suite or the seven‑bedroom Grand ROKI Suite (which could double as a small country).

When you’re hungry, you’ve got two tricks up your sleeve. Essence serves up European‑inspired fine dining on a plate of NZ produce, courtesy of culinary whiz Paul Froggatt (Luxury Lodges Chef of the Year 2023/24). Or head to The Terrace for seafood that matches those views, and yes, the fireplaces cosy up at dinner too.

And if you’re into wellness, ROKI Pure is no ordinary spa. It’s more like a zen fortress with thermal pools, an indoor lap pool, private treatments, ice baths, a personalised sleep concierge, and even “Rewild” sensory journeys. It’s like self-care, but a million times cooler.

But the bottom line is, ROKI Collection Queenstown is that rare combo of being a luxe lodge but with boutique‑hotel energy. Suggested nightly rates start at around AU$1600, going all the way up to AU$ 29,000 for the over‑the‑top suites, so it’s expensive to stay here, but dare we say it – it’s worth it.

Ēthos opens at Alsahwa Estate

Forget clinking cutlery and overzealous waiters with tasting menus that you need help figuring out. At ēthos, the newly opened restaurant on the Alsahwa Estate in the Sunshine Coast hinterlands, the vibe is less ‘performance’ and more ‘permission to exhale’.

Nestled among wild botanicals and dam-fed paddocks, ēthos doesn’t scream luxury; it hums soul. Designed by Alex Zabotto-Bentley (AZB Creative), the space is a tactile love letter to nature. Think rough-hewn timbers, antique bread tools, and bathrooms that may or may not deserve their own design podcast (spoiler alert: they do).

And while the interiors are worth swooning over (hello, Ghanaian woven pendants), the real seduction happens on the plate. Hatted chef Sophie Phipps (formerly of Spice Bar) has created a Mediterranean-leaning menu rooted in Alsahwa’s spray-free gardens and local producers. No foam. No fiddly bits. Just flavour, clarity and a menu that feels like a warm hug, just with olive oil on top.

It’s the first public offering from Alsahwa Estate, a 30-acre regenerative agritourism haven founded by Jo Walker. More goodness is coming, including long lunches, garden picnics, and wellness happenings designed to nourish your body, your mind and your Instagram feed.

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am till late, ēthos is less about dining out and more about tuning in. If you come for the food, you’ll end up staying for the feeling. And you might even take a bathroom selfie or two, but we won’t judge.

Drink pairing & chocolate pouring at Every Man and His Dog

If your idea of winter involves snuggling up with wine, chocolate and not much else, then congratulations, you’re our kind of person. And Every Man and His Dog Vineyard in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley gets it too. That’s why, during the Off-Season (May to August), they’re serving up an indulgent little number that’s delicious, delightfully messy, and only for adults.

Here’s how it goes down: you arrive at this quirky, boutique vineyard where the owners, Maurice and Helen, hand you a glass of small-batch vino and point you in the direction of some dangerously good chocolate. But not just any chocolate, this comes from Federation Artisan Chocolate, crafted right on-site.

And the best part is, you don’t just eat it. You pour it. Yep, your very own chocolate slab, designed by you, drizzled and smoothed into a dreamy, molten masterpiece you can take home (or demolish immediately, there’s zero judgement here).

To keep the good vibes rolling, there’s also a wine and chocolate pairing to really get those tastebuds doing the tango. It’s like speed dating for your senses (sip, bite, swoon, repeat).

It’s basically winter the way it should be: warm, a little indulgent, and wildly Tasmanian.

So rug up, grab a mate (human or canine – Jax the Wine Dog will be there), and treat yourself to an Off-Season escape where the only thing more satisfying than the chocolate is the smug glow you’ll wear after.