Tired of doing laps in cloudy, chlorinated water or paddling in concrete ‘rock’ pools? We hear you. Imagine swapping your repetitive swimming routine – with nothing better to look at than the pool floor’s tacky tiles – for gliding through pristine coral reefs and spotting turtles, rays, friendly reef sharks and up to 500 species of fish, all while being put through your paces by Australia’s most famous Ironman, Trevor Hendy, off the coast of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island.
Make the fantasy a reality and join an Ocean Swim Week with Pinetrees Lodge. Held from November to February each year, you’ll spend five days swimming 1.5 to two kilometres around the island’s spectacular subtropical coastline under Trevor’s guidance. He’ll offer tips on technique, motivation and training.
Awarded Member of the Order of Australia for his services to surf lifesaving and a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Trevor has also won medals at the World Championships in kayaking and the Uncle Toby’s Super Series, an Australian Iron Man circuit, so rest assured you’ll be in good hands.
In the afternoons you’ll be free to explore the many other things the island has to offer, including surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, walking and much more. All meals during Ocean Week are included, too, so fuelling up is a breeze, and plush, comfy beds ensure you’ll be well rested at day’s end. If you’ve been looking to discover this bucket list destination, this is the perfect combination of exercise, relaxation and indulgence.
Negotiate narrow dirt roads, career around snowy alpine passes and wobble over water crossings in deep rainforest – all from the seat of a diminutive 105cc Honda motorcycle. Alongside 50 other mavericks who have a taste for the open road you’ll tackle 3,500 kilometres of sand, gravel and dust on the Postie Bike Challenge, although mercifully you’ll also have a full support team behind you if (and when) things get a little hairy. After each day spent with wind whipping your face and Australia’s rugged landscapes sailing by, you’ll pitch a tent in rodeo grounds before recounting the events of the past 24 hours with your new pals over a catered dinner.
This 10-day outback odyssey traces a different route every year, and has raised more than AU$1 million for charity since its inception in 2002. Rustle up the AU$5,650 entry fee and experience a two-wheeled endurance event like no other.
Orpheus Island is one of those rare northern Queensland locations where you’ll find a mix of history, culture and luxury. It’s 80 kilometres northwest of Townsville and a 10-minute chopper ride (or 20-minute boat trip) from Palm Island.
There is very little tourism in these parts. The island itself is a national park and sits within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – on it is a single resort, Orpheus Island Lodge, which caters to just 28 guests.
There’s plenty to keep you occupied during sunlight hours. Snorkel an area inhabited by hundreds of giant clams, take a sunset cruise and watch for manta rays and humpback whales, and explore Yanks Jetty and pretty pockets of secluded beach, where guests picnic and goannas are said to stroll. Then swap your flippers for flopping and perfect the art of dozing in a hammock, fruity cocktail in hand.
At night, you’ll enjoy feasts of oysters baked in sesame crust, seared Harvey Bay scallops, grilled crayfish, snapper ravioli, and kangaroo fillet with smoked potato puree. And, if you’ve been lucky enough to catch a fish during the day, just take it to the chefs who’ll prepare it for the plate.
The seclusion of Orpheus has attracted the likes of Elton John, Vivien Leigh and Mickey Rooney. Will you be next?
Get your blood pumping on a 10-day Storm of the South Island cycling adventure in New Zealand. You’ll begin near Christchurch with a cruisy coastal ride along Port Hills, then make your way to the village of Kaikoura for whale and dolphin watching. Power through forest tracks to Hanmer Springs where you’ll rest your well-worked limbs in natural hot pools.
Now you’re ready to tackle steep inclines and rocky descents through St James’s back country, and cycle along the 28-kilometre Old Ghost Road, New Zealand’s longest track. Change up the pace with a break by the beach at Punakaiki’s famous Pancake Rocks, then head for the heart of the Southern Alps. Feel the burn as you climb to the 2000-metre-high summit of Mount Pisa, before gliding back down from the clouds to Queenstown for a well-earned drink in one of its cosy wine bars.
New Zealand is known as a mecca for glow worms, but while most opportunities to see them involve hordes of tourists chattering away in underground caves or crammed into boats, there’s one experience that will bring the magic back. From Tauranga, a few hours southeast of Auckland, you can shirk the crowds for a kayak paddle by night into a gorge loaded with these glowing critters.
The experience starts by quaffing some of New Zealand’s finest wines along with a cheese and fruit platter guaranteed to sustain you through the paddle ahead. As the sun sinks, you’ll get kitted up and push away from shore for a serene journey on mirror flat water accompanied by the call of water birds.
By the time darkness has fully fallen you’ll edge between the tight walls of the rocky gorge. It takes a few minutes for your night vision to kick in, revealing the pale green light of thousands of glow worms. This an intimate experience that really connects you to the nature you’ve come to see. There’s the sound of waterfalls, the spray of mist on your face, the twinkling lights of larvae fishing for food, and the glitter of a million stars above.
Camping in the South Australian bush doesn’t have to involve forgotten flysheets and creepy-crawly catastrophes. Ikara offers top-notch safari tents – 15 in all, surrounding a central canopy where guests gather for dinner and drinks. All of them boast all the mod cons, from proper beds to en suites.
From here, you can explore the surrounding Flinders Ranges, either by 4WD or scenic flight. Drive part of the Heysen Trail, hike the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail or take a bottle of wine to the spectacular Stokes Hill Lookout for sunset. Because no matter how exhausting your day is, you know you’ll sleep well under the stars in these deluxe tents.
Munich’s beer halls meet Melbourne minimalism at homegrown venture Stomping Ground. The master brewers at this gargantuan warehouse are reliving the halcyon days of the late 1800s, when Collingwood was Australia’s brewing epicentre. While away a Sunday afternoon in the beer garden – complete with retractable roof – striving to swig your way through the 30 craft beers on tap.
There’s a traffic light system menu to help curious punters pick a lighter session ale (green) from a knockout (red). The most intense malt on offer is the Stave Breaker at a whopping 9.8 per cent, with notes of roasted chocolate and whisky, while Flower Power is more of a crowd-pleasing wet-hopped brew vaunted as juicy and herbaceous. Even the food menu here revolves around beer, with each dish (think porchetta, steamed mussels and beef cheek) featuring a suggested pairing.
Darren and his wife Nina ditched their stressful corporate jobs to rebuild the beautiful Matafonua Lodge resort on Tonga’s Foa Island after it was hit by a cyclone two years ago.
And you can be thankful they did. With a pristine white-sandy beach, tranquil waters and exceptional snorkelling, Matafonua Lodge offers a variety of activities or simply the option to laze about at your thatched-wall, beachfront fales (hut) and watch the waves roll in.
For the more adventurous there’s scuba diving, kitesurfing or trekking Tofua, an active volcano, as well as whale-watching tours and swimming excursions. There’s even an excellent onsite library and games available for guest use. Those who who are budding photographers can ask Darren for some underwater photography tips – he used to do it for a living.
Head down to Circular Quay, where you’ll find Salt Meats Cheese’s latest venture, Bar Ombré. And with a happy hour that features $5 beers and $10 spritzes, plus free bar snacks, it’s turning heads for all the right reasons.
Boasting million-dollar views of Sydney Harbour from its rooftop perch on the uppermost level of the Gateway Building, the bar brings a welcome slice of Europe to Circular Quay.
A colourful fit-out with plenty of lush greenery makes for an inviting setting – ideal for co-founders Edoardo Perlo and Stefano de Blasi, who are both from Northern Italy, to serve up antipasto plates loaded with cured meats, wood-baked focaccia and stretched cheese made fresh daily. Bellissimo!
Now we don’t want to sway the battle for Sydney’s hottest rooftop bar, but we think Smoke Bar, located at Barangaroo House, is a serious contender. More than just a catchy name, ‘smoke’ is actually a theme that resonates through the food and cocktail menus.
Smoked trout and smoked brisket doughnuts are just two of the smouldering highlights, but it’s the Smoky Martini that’s really worth lining up for. Speaking of, don’t expect to waltz in with your Havvies on after a Bondi sun-sesh – this is the type of establishment with table service and expects guests to dress up for the occasion.
It’s totally worth it though. Smoke proves you can still get the wow factor without a bridge or Opera House vista.
(
