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The quirky Gala Estate Winery
Whilst driving through the countryside on the east coast of Tasmania, you could be forgiven for thinking you are driving through the English country side, with the familiar rolling green hills, rivers and the vineyards. In particular, the drive from Hobart to the Freycinet National Park is something I could term as quite the ‘joy ride’, as the scenery along the way is just picture perfect. Then as you start nearing the national park, the mountains appear as a stunning backdrop to the many wineries throughout this route. The east coast is home to a boutique wine region, producing cool climate wines. What I found interesting is that many of…
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Climbing Mount Amos to view Wineglass Bay
One of the most truly spectacular things to do in Tasmania is to explore the Freycinet National Park. Driving through the region is incredibly picturesque with the mountains, sea inlets and vineyards stealing the limelight at every turn. The area is also home to Tasmania’s east coast wine route (okay I’m sold) and the stunning Wineglass Bay. I recently visited Tasmania and spent four days exploring in and around Hobart. I had quite a few things I wanted to see in Tasmania and on top of the list was the spectacular Wineglass Bay, with it’s white sandy beach and turquoise water. It is also on the Lonely Planet’s list of…
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Go on Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo
You don’t have to go all the way to Africa to experience the thrill of a real wildlife safari. Australia has it’s own Open range zoo, which is also one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. If you are an Australian resident or happen to be visiting Australia then you must not miss the chance to go on safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo. The Werribee Open Range Zoo is set over 200 hectares of land where visitors can get the unique opportunity to see animals roaming free in an open environment, similar to that of their own native habitat. There are also three great walking trails that take…
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Geelong Calendar Photo Competition
A while back I entered a photographic competition run by the Mayor of Geelong. The City of Greater Geelong sends out to it’s residents a calendar every year that features photos from around the region. This year the Mayor – Darryn Lyons decided to run a competition for photographers, asking each to submit a photo(s) for the 2015 calendar. The Geelong calendar photo competition brief was simple, enter a photograph that captured the essence of Geelong. I entered my photograph of the Eastern Beach Stairs after encouragement from a friend, all the while thinking that I don’t stand a chance. Geelong has nurtured some amazingly talented photographers, born from…
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A Day with Bali Traditional Tours
Jumping into a van with Bali Traditional Tours took me on a road far from Bali’s crowded beaches and Bintang swigging tourists, to another side of Bali that often gets overlooked. I set out on a quest to find the ‘real’ Bali and what I didn’t expect was a tour that turned out to be far more than just another tour – it was an education. What many tourists who come to Bali do not realise is that the Balinese are steeped in spirituality, with around 85% of the population practising hindu. They practise traditions centuries old and come from close knit communities that function together in a harmonious way…
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Bali Niksoma Boutique Beach Resort
The Bali Niksoma boutique Beach Resort is an outstandingly run resort that shows how effortlessly customer service should be. Hotels in Bali are officially on notice, as the Bali Niksoma sets the standard on how to treat their guests. The big advantage here is that there are only 57 rooms in this resort, so it doesn’t feel overrun with people and therefore no chance of becoming an invisible guest. The Bali Niksoma was designed by renowned Indonesian architect Hadi Prana who has created a contemporary boutique style resort that still retains traditional Balinese influences throughout. With beautiful immaculate gardens, two stylish restaurants, a large infinity pool and an enviable beach front…
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Great Places to Eat in Bali
Bali is not only about hitting the beach, shopping or sipping cocktails by the pool. Bali is also fast becoming a destination to experience some great dining too. So where are the great places to eat in Bali? The short answer is everywhere. From Ubud to Nusa Dua you will find some excellent restaurants upping the ante on quality dining but it is in Seminyak that you will find the most diverse and best choices. So here are my top six picks on where to eat – from casual beach cafes to exquisite fine dining. La Plancha The casual beach vibe of La Plancha is a must for anyone visiting…
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Where to stay in Bali
The beautiful island of Bali is an ever popular tourist destination for those looking for a little fun in the sun and a chance to recharge the batteries. As tourism in Bali continues to boom and Bali becomes more and more developed, you may find it hard to make a choice on where to stay in Bali as options grow. Tourism is mainly concentrated toward the South of the island where commercialism has met demand over the years and many beach villages have become somewhat urbanised. If you decide to head towards the centre of Bali, you will come across the more cultural side, with traditional Balinese villages, temples and…
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The famous Sunday Brunch at Mulia
The ‘famous’ Sunday Brunch at Mulia Bali is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece and something that should not be missed if you are visiting Bali. Whilst brunch is not a traditional Bali fare, you will find that Mulia has taken the brunch concept with both hands, made it their own and in the process has created something unrivalled. Talented world renowned chefs preside over the Soleil kitchen delighting foodies with their magnificent buffet, a classy a la carte menu, and a selection of dishes from the chef’s choice. The brunch can be enjoyed over four hours, with or without alcohol. The experience I first heard about the Sunday brunch…
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Rock Bar Bali: It’s all about sunsets and cocktails
When I mentioned to a friend of mine that I was going to Bali, she immediately said to me “if you do one thing only in Bali, then that one thing has to be visiting the Rock Bar in Bali. She then went on to say that I must be there for the incredible sunset and advised me to get there early. I then thought to myself “mission accepted”. The Rock Bar Bali is an open air bar that can only be described as a world class venue that is both visually stunning by day and equally so at night. The Rock Bar is nothing short of an architectural feat…
