PORT DOUGLAS, QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA
We always make a visit to The Tin Shed. If you want to have a drink and watch the sun set, this is a good casual place to go. They serve pub style food, which is fine.
For a special occasion (or even just on your last night), go to Nautilus. It is a memorable experience as you sit amongst the forest of palm and mango trees. You feel like you are miles away from the main street and the food and service is fantastic. They have a tasting menu available ($115 per head, matching wines extra). Make sure you book this place too. You wont be disappointed!
CHESTNUT DAYLESFORD
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| Sunset at the Tin Shed |
Now that summer has officially ended in Melbourne (boo), some of you may be starting to think about finding the sun again.
I have been traveling to Port Douglas for many years, both when I was younger and more recently (over the past five years) with my husband.
Port Douglas is a great place to go for warm weather, access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. It is perfect for young families, couples and groups of friends. There is absolutely something for everyone!
Where to stay?
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| Four Mile Beach |
There are so many places to stay in Port Douglas. Houses, resorts, backpackers’, self-contained apartments… Have a look on Trip Advisor to find what suits you and your budget. Last year, we stayed at Bay Villas Resort. The reason we stayed here was because we wanted somewhere with a decent kitchen. We were staying for two weeks and wanted to have the option of cooking for ourselves if we wanted to. Bay Villas is also family friendly.
We have previously also stayed at Martinique on Macrossan (in the main street) and this is also a great place. Martinique is a boutique accommodation with self-catering facilities (not really suitable for families). However, the kitchens are kitchenettes rather than kitchens that you can truly cook in.
Bay Villas Resort is about 10minute walk out of the main town, but is five minutes from the beach. We were very happy with our apartment. It had everything we needed (except I always miss a good pasta pot at these types of places, but that might be just me…).
What to do?
Most importantly, relax (however it is you do this)!
Of course there are many options available to suit all tastes. You can hire a car or and drive to Cairns, Palm Cove, Cape Tribulation or the Daintree Rainforest. You can visit Habitat Wildlife or Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. You can go fishing, hot air ballooning, the list is endless! I have briefly described below what we did when we last visited (August 2013)…
Four Mile Beach is a great beach and if you have perfect weather, you can stay there all day. It is not unusual for the wind to pick up in the afternoon though, and shade covers most of the sand by about 4pm. You can hire umbrellas, chairs and chair cushions for $40 per day ($25 from 9am – 1pm).
You can hire buckets and spades ($5 per hour), paddle boards, big rubber tyres, paddle boards ($25 per hour). The beach is patrolled so swim between the flags (there are salt water crocodiles around, so keep an eye out if you swim elsewhere)!
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| Sand Cay and Reef views with Safari |
Visit the Great Barrier Reef! Snorkel, scuba dive or look through a glass bottom boat! We did two trips to the Reef – one to a coral cay via helicopter with a company called Sky Safari (very luxurious but I highly recommend it – it was incredible!) and a trip to the Low Isles on a sailing boat with a company called Aquarius. Both amazing days with great service provided by both companies.
You can book these yourself or through one of the many agencies in town or at your hotel or resort.
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| Safari Tour |
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| Low Isles with Aquarius |
There is a basic yoga class held every morning on the beach, just up from the Surf Life Saving Club. Classes are $15 for an hour (8am – 9am). There are also other options available with other providers around town. We did a mix of our own practice and joined the beach class a couple of times.
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| Pearls at the Market |
There is a local market every Sunday (8am – 1pm) where you can pick up great jewelry (particularly pearls), local fruit and vegetables and some other local fare. It is worth a look if you feel in the mood.
Where to eat?
Zinc was also very nice. Lovely service and a great Barramundi dish!
We revisited Salsa. Whilst the atmosphere is more casual, the food was very impressive. Make sure you book!
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| Nautilus by night |
Other information
Port Douglas Tourist Information and weather information can be found here. Be mindful of when you go as the summer is humid and wet (but might be a fascinating time to visit the Daintree!).
CHESTNUT DAYLESFORD
We were very lucky to be gifted a weekend away before we have our first baby – yes, a babymoon! But I also thought, with Valentines’ Day around the corner, this would be a great
We have visited Daylesford a number of times for a range of reasons: to attend weddings, a weekend away to celebrate an anniversary or birthday; or just escape the city for the day for lunch. Daylesford is about an hour and a half from Melbourne, so it is a great country escape! You can check out my review of The Stoney Cottage, including some other places to eat and shop here.
Chestnut Daylesford was the perfect place for us. It is pet friendly and had everything we needed to enjoy a few days away together to relax. I even had two baths! This is a very rare and unusual event for me (I am not usually a bath person).
Chestnut is a studio style accommodation, which has been built in the back part of a weatherboard house (which is used as a two bedroom accommodation option). It is in an excellent location; walking distance to the local main street, great restaurants (for example, The Perfect Drop and Kazuki’s) and the Convent Gallery (in case you like Art or are attending a wedding there).
Beautifully furnished, I highly recommend this as a place to stay for two people and a pooch and it is very reasonably priced.
Chestnut is one of three properties managed by the owner Lise, who is just lovely. Breakfast provisions are provided and the kitchen has many of the essential items you would need if you wanted to cook a meal.
If you are looking for a modern, comfortable and convenient place to stay, this is for you! We have stayed here twice now and would definitely return.
Where: 34 Hill Street, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
Bookings: Via www.stayz.com.au here.
HOBART TASMANIA WEEKEND AWAY
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Apples - Salamanca Market
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What a memorable weekend! If you get the chance to do so, I would highly recommend you make the trip to Hobart for a weekend. You will not regret or forget the experience. If you love art, different things, markets, food, fresh produce, you will have a great time.
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Mona Ferry Departure and Ticket Office.
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We travelled to Hobart on a Friday night after work (we had a 7.40pm flight and arrived by about 9pm). We stayed in one of Sullivan’s Cove Apartments – a three bedroom apartment with a view of the harbour (there were six of us travelling together). It was great accommodation and very close to Salamanca place, the markets, great restaurants and Battery Point (we walked everywhere).
On the first morning, we enjoyed breakfast at Machine Laundry in Salamanca Square. I ordered the porridge, which was delicious. Others ordered eggs with the works and everyone was very happy with the coffee! I was a little disappointed with my Chai latte as, to me, it tasted more like white earl grey tea… Would recommend this place as a pre-market venue though!
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Salamanca Market
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We headed to the Salamanca markets and strolled around for over an hour before catching the ferry to Mona. The markets were great.
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Fresh Bread at Salamanca Market
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Lots of different stalls, including: fresh bread; coffee; fruit and vegetables; jewelry; vintage clothes; and other goodies. Definitely worth a look!
The ferry to Mona was the most luxurious ferry I have ever been on! There are two bars/café’s on board and the interior is very comfortable indeed (ferry is $20 return per person, which we booked through the accommodation). The trip was about half an hour and was very picturesque and informative (yes, there are sheep and cattle on-board, but don’t worry, they wont bite and you can sit on them). There are other ways you can get to Mona (you can drive, bus, taxi, etc) but the ferry was great and it runs every hour and a half (we departed Salamanca at 11am).
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View of Mona from Ferry
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When you arrive at Mona, there are 99 steps that take you up to the museum and gorgeous grounds. There is so much to see! Now, it is “modern art” so it is not at all boring, might be confronting, smelly, or interactive! Take an open mind to Mona and expect the unexpected!
We booked our gallery entry tickets ($20 per person) and lunch through Mona. They were very helpful and there are several packages you can choose from. Just have a look on the website or give them a call! Oh and yes, you can stay out there in their luxury apartments… Click here for more information.
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Antipasto Platter - The Wine Bar
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We enjoyed a delicious lunch of antipasto and cheese platters ($32 per person for as much as you wanted), petit four platters, salad and locally produced wine at the Wine Bar (there is a vineyard and brewery at Mona and you can do tours of the winery if you like). You can eat a le carte if you like or you can take your cheese platter and glass-of-whatever onto the lawn outside with you.
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Tuna - The Wine Bar
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Cheese Platter - The Wine Bar
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And, of course, there is a gorgeous restaurant on the grounds – The Source – if you want something a bit more special. With full stomachs, we took a little time to lounge around in the sun on the hot pink beanbags before heading back in to the gallery for another few hours. Perfect! We left Mona at 5pm.
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The Grounds of Mona - Beanbags
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Mona - Art Outdoors
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Dinner was at Lebrina. It was about a 10 minute taxi ride from where we were staying and it was totally worth it. This restaurant was perfect. We had a private room and the food, wine and service were all impeccable. Everyone was impressed!
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Slow Eggs & Braised Beef Breakfast - Pilgrim Coffee
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The next morning we had another amazing breakfast at Pilgrim Coffee - just a short walk from our accommodation. The food was so delicious and the menu was different, but varied. Around our table was a “Paleo” breakfast, a Mexican feast breakfast, slow cooked eggs and braised beef, braised lamb on mixed grains and bowls of steaming porridge. The coffee was great and the chai was better than I had tried the day before.
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Mexican Breakfast - Pilgrim Coffee
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We stopped for a mid-morning coffee at Jackman & McRoss Bakery in the historical Battery Point (you could have lunch there if you wanted to). And a late lunch at Daci & Daci Bakers back near Salamanca place and Parliament House.
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Battery Point
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I could go on and on about our fantastic experience, the great food, art, unique shops and historical buildings and architecture, but it would result in a ridiculously long blog post. I wouldn’t have changed a thing about our weekend (except maybe catching a slightly later ferry to Mona to give us more time at the market). All I can say is GO TO HOBART for a weekend (I have heard of people going for a day). Special occasion, romantic weekend away or a weekend away with friends or family – it’s perfect for every occasion! It’s an hour on the plane from Melbourne. Too close not to go, don’t you think?
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Gardens at Parliament House
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NB: All photographs my own.
WINTER ESCAPE - THE STONEY, DAYLESFORD
Foxs Lane, Musk Vale
Mon – Thurs $200 per night (2 people); Fri – Sun $220 per night
Pet Friendly
WINTER ESCAPE - THE STONEY, DAYLESFORD
Foxs Lane, Musk Vale
Mon – Thurs $200 per night (2 people); Fri – Sun $220 per night
Pet Friendly
Most Melbourne-ites and those from the North of Melbourne know Daylesford well. It offers a one hour (or so) escape from the city. My husband and I visit Daylesford relatively frequently. I am not a spa person. I wouldn’t call myself a “foodie”. I do enjoy floating through “ye ole wares” shops. I LOVE getting out of the city. I don’t really like the cold. I hate being cold. I LOVE roasting in front of a fire until my cheeks are red. I love a good chai.
Before heading off on a warmer holiday to the Northern parts of Australia, we decided to have a couple of relaxing days away in Daylesford (again!). We wanted to have a bit of a sense of space on this visit and were pleased to find the Bentley-friendly (Bentley is our Labradoodle) cottage called “The Stoney”. The Stoney is a quaint and cosy Casltemaine stone and slate studio cottage. It met all of my “wish list” requirements for this trip: a fire to sit around; cosy feel; open space surroundings; within budget; and, of course, Bentley-friendly!
The day before we arrived, it had snowed in Daylesford. I was a little apprehensive… it was going to be FREEZING. And it was. Just outside though, inside was toasty as long as the fire was burning.
The Stoney is one of two cottages on this property. The second is a two bedroom weather-board. The owners live on the property too although, apart from the welcome on arrival, we didn’t see them at all (which I personally like). The cottage has a Ned Kelly style wood fire (those things sure are seriously efficient!!). There is an acre of enclosed grassed space signed posted “Dog Exercise Area”, which is just gold. There are kangaroos, kookaburras, ducks and chickens. You are provided with breakfast provisions and we were able to cook a spaghetti Bolognese on one of the three nights (so good cooking equipment for a basic meal or, if you do want to Master Chef it up, enjoy the challenge!). My only suggestion for improvement would be a hat stand or other clothes rack by the door for clothes (wasn’t a problem for us and there are coat hooks, but if you were attending a wedding or function you would want to hang up your outfit).
You can go for a peaceful walk or jog. Wander around the land and through the forest (stick to the tracks though). Photograph the surroundings and just relax with a good book, a DVD, or stack of magazines. If you are looking for a comfortable country-style break, this place should do the trick!
We loved this place and will definitely be back. I recommend Hollow Log Estate for those with or without a dog. It is located about five minutes (drive) out of Daylesford (if you are coming from Melbourne). Just look out for the blue sign that points to the right (Google Maps and our Sat Nav didn’t really find it).
Where did we eat?
Bentley stayed home in the warm (I would say he would be more than welcome in the warmer weather or during the day). A bowl of pasta and minestrone soup followed by tiramisu (as usual for husband) and poached pears with berries for dessert. A beautiful open fire. An informative presentation by the owner on the history of the place. A separate room with interesting artifacts. In summary: reasonably good food, good company and, yes, a song!
The Old Hepburn Hotel (236 Main Road Hebpurn Springs). You start to think you might have driven too far but don’t give up. It is well worth it. We enjoyed live music, a couple of drinks and a delicious Chicken Parma and Haloumi and Roast Vegetable Stack. Bentley stayed home after a big day!
Wombat Hill Café. Cosy (although semi –outdoors for us), yummy, BEST CHAI! Sat in the conservatory with Bentley under panel gas heaters. He enjoyed a dog treat from the market and we warmed up with soup! Don’t forget to ask the wait staff to open the side door for your dog to come in!
Any good purchases?
Tweed hat and 1940’s grape picking basket from the Sunday Market (every Sunday at the Railway).
Black ultra short UGG boots (on sale) at “Double C Jeanery” 44 Vincent Street.
Nude Brogue style Melissa Shoes (on sale). Behind Frangos & Frangos 82 Vincent Street.
All images my own.
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