When get lost stayed at Freycinet Lodge, we got a knock on the door at 5pm on our first night for housekeeping. The ‘housekeeping’ turned out to be a complimentary shot of local whiskey, and some chocolate. We knew we were in our place.
This touch is one of several small details that takes Freycinet beyond any average nature lodge.
From the balcony of a gorgeous array of secluded rooms, you can see Freycinet’s jagged peaks, called The Hazards, and Richardson’s Beach, a quiet bay which backs onto the Tasman Sea that never seems to have more than about 10 people on it at one time.
You’re surrounded by gumtrees and the call of kookaburras, and the luxuriously-sized bath that backs onto a floor to roof window allows you to bask in all of that while completely starkers.
The cartoon-like symmetry of the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Tasmania from the front like it’s makes it seem like it’s been plucked straight from a Wes Anderson film. It’s as luxurious and chic as an Anderson film, too.
The hotel is set in an old jam factory, built in the 1820s. You don’t need to read this article to work this out – there is jam literally still oozing down the walls, despite IXL closing proceedings 52 years ago.
Greg Ball is the Art Curator at Henry Jones and says that when the hotel opened in the early 2000s, guests and staff initially believed there to be a leak somewhere – a worst nightmare-scenario for any new hotel.
The leak however had a faintly sweet smell, giving away its real identity as jam which had risen to the roof of the building, condensed with the heat of the build and slowly trickled down the walls of each level. The streaks have been left as a reminder of what was, as have various bits of graffiti, including an anti-Apartheid in South Africa message scrawled hastily on a beam, apparently from a former jam factory employee, now frozen in time.
Henry Jones was Australia’s first-ever dedicated art hotel, and exhibits works from artists from right around the country. It lines the walls and is in every room, around 500 pieces in total.
There’s all sorts – contemporary art, Indigenous art, big and small art, and weird art – both good weird and weird weird – and all of it is for sale.
Peacock and Jones is the fine-dining restaurant built into the hotel, where former Masterchef contestant Ben Milbourne looks after things.
Luxurious rooms look out over the marina on one side and Hobart’s mountains on the other, so there’s always something to look at if you’re done with the art.
Whether you’re an art person, a food person, a jam person or just a person, Henry Jones is an indulgent spot – right up there as not just one of Tassie’s finest, but one of Australia’s.
Peter Bignell takes waste reduction to a new level.
About 13 years ago the sixth generation sheep farmer in Tasmania’s central highlands, came into possession of an excess of rye. To get rid of it, he decided to start making his own whisky. And so Belgrove Whisky was born.
Since then, his whisky has gone from strength to strength, from winning national awards to being served in high-end Tasmanian restaurants like Peacock and Jones (where he recommends his white rye whisky be paired with the wallaby tartare). He’s had Gordon Ramsey out to his property, and had him unceremoniously shovelling sheep shit for the ‘Wholly Shit Whisky’ blend.
Peter and his Iraqi offsider Maan (who gave up a PhD to brew the good stuff for a living) do not do things the traditional way. An old washing machine is used in the mixing process. Peter makes his own stills. He places a reliance on smell and taste where others would use tools and computers.
“We’re here to make flavours, not alcohol, and that’s very important,” he says.
“We do everything by hand, so no two of our blends are ever exactly the same.
“And yes, we could probably get a bunch of computers together that regulate everything and make some really good whisky out of it. But gee that would be boring, wouldn’t it?”
Tours and tastings of the Belgrove’s distillery is not the clean-cut, streamlined beauty of the bigger operations, and therein lies the beauty. The distillery is at Peter’s house. Tastings take place in his shed, rather than a glitzy tasting room. Instead of a spittoon or a sink, any leftover whisky from each sample should be tipped onto the floor.
The Belgrove White Rye whisky is the one featured on Peacock and Jones’ menu, and on the day get lost visit, the aptly named Bogan Burnout is a favourite. The whiskey is emblematic of a commitment from Peacock and Jones, and indeed the Tasmanian culinary scene in general, to sourcing local produce wherever possible.
Best of all, the man himself doesn’t seem to give a shit.
“Things don’t always work out. For instance, I tried to make a whisky that no one likes,” Peter says.
“I failed miserably. Everyone seems to like Bogan Burnout.”
It’s been a long wait, but the deserted beaches, underwater adventures and geographic anomalies of Vanuatu are once again within reach of travellers.
The Pacific Ocean country, made up of around 80 islands, released restrictions to fully-vaccinated travellers on July 1.
Our editor Jeremy Drake visited in 2019, just before the pandemic – this is what the world has been missing out on the last few years:
There aren’t many places you can lay on a deserted beach, surf epic breaks and dive stunning reefs, as well as climb to the edge of a volcano and zipline through a jungle.
Air Vanuatu will re-open five non-stop flights a week from Sydney to Port Vila, which is just three hours and 30 minutes. This makes Vanuatu one of the most accessible adventure travel spots for Australians.
We at get lost reckon we know the South Pacific pretty well…it is a region that feels a bit like those people that live down the street that you eventually become best mates with (check our South Pacific Cool Guide from issue one of our digital magazine for more South Pacific epicness).
The event has been running since 1992, but has become more important than in the face of a changing climate. It’s a day to think about how bloody amazing the oceans that surround us are, and what we can do to protect them The theme for the 2022 is ‘Revitalisation: Collective Action for the Ocean’.
New Caledonia is one of the premiere destinations when it comes to underwater experiences. A patchwork of gorgeous beaches, marine life and the second longest reef in the world, the beauty of this French colony is evidence of what we need to protect at all costs.
The South Pacific paradise opened its borders for Australian travellers in March and in May removed its pre-departure test requirements. Now Australian travellers only need to complete a RAT test 48 hours after arrival, which can be done for free in pharmacies in New Caledonia.
Check out the gallery for six of the best ocean-based experiences in this absolute paradise:
If you’ve never heard of Paik Jong-won, you clearly haven’t been to South Korea.
The celebrity chef has an extraordinary 5.5 million subscribers, and about 3,000 stores worldwide. But you don’t have to go to Korea to experience this man’s brilliance – he’s opened up a couple of stores down the road from each other in Melbourne.
Tucked away almost secretly down Little Lonsdale Street alongside some other excellent Korean restaurants, Paik’s Noodles and Paik’s BBQ Grill are only about 100 metres from each other. get lost took on the Noodle restaurant but if the queue is too long (and it gets pretty long) then head up the road to the Grill.
The first thing you notice about Paik’s is the size of the man’s thumb on the cartoon sign that you walk under as you go in. We’re unsure if this is to scale (see below, you be the judge) or if it would help him in the kitchen, but one things for sure – the people in this kitchen know their stuff.
Plate after plate of delicious, flavoursome cuisine fills the table – from delectable deep-fried pork to spicy noodles laced with oyster sauce that are cut with noodle scissors prior to eating, and a dazzling array of fresh vegetable dishes.
There’s also poktanju, where you drop a shot of soju into a beer and drink it quickly, like a Korean Jager bomb. It’s not too potent…unless you drink heaps of it.
Paik’s is an epic spot for dinner, a date, late-ish eats and more, and it’s pretty affordable too – a little more than a tenner will get you a dish. Just get there early – there’s often a queue out the front during busy times.
Not long before the pandemic hit, get lost’s man on the ground Roberto Serrini got to experience the truly majestic collection of islands the Marquesas Island, a section of French Polynesia/Tahiti.
He did it in true get lost style, too: hopping around on a hybrid cargo ship, a mode of travel that was close to home, due to an old family story.
“As a kid, one of my favourite stories was about how my grandfather came to New York City,” Roberto wrote for get lost.
“Travelling from Panama at the age of 12, he was stowed away on a cargo ship, tucked among ropes and crates as a hidden human package. Each time he told me the tale, I hung on every word with the same wide-eyed grip as the first time I heard it.
“It’s this story that peaked my interest in Aranui 5 – a cruise with a beautiful identity crisis; half cargo ship and half luxury cruise liner.
“The difference to my grandfather’s story, however, is I’m trading the Manhattan metropolis for the tropical Marquesas Islands, a handful of extremely remote, pristine islands within Polynesia. And I certainly don’t have to hide behind any crates. If the concept of Aranui 5 sounds a little unorthodox, it’s because it is.
“Sure, it’s a cargo ship that transports much needed supplies to these remote outposts of Polynesia, but it doubles as a luxury cruise ship where I’d be sleeping within the comforts of a delightfully appointed room, and spending my days sipping a cold Hinano beer next to the pool.
“When I first spot the ship, my jaw drops. It’s as if some mad scientist has Frankensteined commerce and tourism into some half-baked, late-night metal explosion. From the front, Aranui 5 doesn’t resemble the grandeur I’d expect. The bow masks its deep belly, which stores everything from cars to livestock, while two spindly cranes breach its sharp hull like a floating praying mantis. When I look to the stern, however, the scenery changes to a manicured amphitheatre of suites surrounding a beautiful open-air deck and pool, and balconies are decorated with colourful chairs inviting us into happy hour.
“It’s this brackish melee of sophistication and rustic culture that captures the intrepid spirit for any traveler willing to make the journey.”
Luxury and motel aren’t usually words that go together.
But a new wave of upmarket retro motels have been springing up all over western travel routes, and the trend has reached Bateman’s Bay.
Isla Motel is one of these, 18 retro-inspired rooms in what was previously a run-down motel, catering to a new generation of travellers looking for affordable luxury. It’s the best of both worlds.
The outside of the motel is Byron Bay-chic, but hardly pretentious. The fact that the motel is a drop punt away from Bateman’s famed shoreline is another tick – the perfect place to come back to after grabbing a few waves.
You don’t even need to get to the beach – take it easy by the pool, which doesn’t look like someone’s been murdered in it like all the other motel pools you’ve ever seen (we’re sure this is the look they were going for).
Tasmanian winery Devil’s Corner are hosting an epic race around the Apple Isle this winter.
The race to find ‘The Lost Shipment’ will see three teams of adventurers travel to each corner of the state in an ‘Amazing Race’ style event, split into four legs:
HUON VALLEY
Starting in the south at Huon Valley, racers will sail along the Huon River before swapping the water for the treetops, journeying across the Tahune Forest Airwalk – a cantilevered bridge suspended 40 metres above the Huon River. From there they’ll head sub-zero, to discover the mysterious labyrinth of Hasting Caves and swim in epic underground thermal pools.
SMITHTON
At Smithton (via Cradle Mountain) in the state’s northwest, there’s the chance to ‘Dine with the Devil’ at Devils @ Cradle – a unique sanctuary and conservation facility for the threatened Tasmanian Devil. After this, a full-day, four-wheel drive adventure taking racers to the remote ‘Edge of The World’ region and Tarkine National Park, home to the second largest expanse of cool temperate rainforest in the world.
BRIDPORT
Travelling east to Bridport, there’s the chance to take the plunge at Australia’s only wood-fired Floating Sauna. Here, there’s a traditional Finnish wood-fired sauna, which contrasts with the slightly more intimidating cold plunge directly off a pontoon into the fresh waters of Lake Derby. Not a bad place to make a pit stop in order to ‘recharge’ ahead of the final leg.
EAST COAST
Devil’s Corner Tassie’s east coast is an exceptional slice of paradise, that has thus far (somehow) escaped mass tourism. Awaiting racers is an unspoilt stretch of gorgeous beaches, delicious seafood and exceptional wineries, including Devil’s Corner, the finish line to the race, and where vineyards meet the sea.
Australians can once again travel to New Zealand, which opens up the Australia > Auckland > Tahiti route that has been so popular over the years.
Tahiti is made up of 118 islands, and is the original ‘overwater villa’ destination. St Regis Bora Bora Resort is among the most famous of these, and arguably the most beautiful, a series of palm trees flanked by gorgeous overwater thatched huts, where you can more or less roll out of your bed and into the South Pacific Ocean.
On its way, and also on (or near) Bora Bora is the ELYT Floating Villa, which gives new meaning to the experience of staying ‘on the water’ – a unique floating houseboat on a lagoon. The stay combines the luxury and epic water activities typical of a Tahiti stay, while also being ecologically friendly in protecting the Bora Bora island. It is expected to be ready later this year.
South Africa
South Africa further eased it’s international travel restrictions, with arrivals from overseas requiring proof of vaccination (or a negative test, if ineligible for vaccination).
It’s hard to imagine being closer to nature than this. Get raw beauty with a stay at Marataba’s Thabametsi Treehouse, where it’s just you, some wildlife and the sounds of the African bush. The double-storey treehouse is solar-powered, with a massive acacia tree protruding right through the middle.
There’s also a viewing deck offering 360-degree views of the surrounding valley. Sit back with a beer, and take it all in.
Puerto Rico
Earlier this month, Puerto Rico scrapped almost all restrictions on international arrivals, requiring only proof of vaccination or a negative test result upon arrival.
Hix Island House in Puerto Rico is an unusual-looking, off-the-grid concrete slab of multiple apartments in a remote Puerto Rican jungle. The ocean is visible and so the beach is nearby, something that is true of most places in Puerto Rico, but you’ll probably never want to leave the house.
Open air showers, partially-open air beds, no glass and extraordinary views of the surrounding jungle make Hix aesthetically gorgeous, but also the perfect place to switch off for a few days.
Thailand
Thailand has been pretty tough when it comes to its restrictions, but they are starting to relax them – from April 1, foreign travelers will no longer be required to hold a COVID-free certificate issued within 72 hours of boarding a flight (testing on arrival is still required).
The Standard in Hua Hin is brand new, uber-cool splash of funkiness in southern-Thailand. It’s kind of eclectic: there’s disco balls above the bathtubs, and a cocktail bar featuring two gigantic cocktail-glass shaped concrete monoliths. It’s cool too: there’s DJs, and it’s all in luxurious Hua Hin, a beachside strip of paradise. Kick back and relax, or get loose – it’s up to you.
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