If you’ve always thought of Australia as the land of leaping kangaroos, cuddly koalas, and venomous snakes, think again. From the trendy boutiques of Brisbane, the sun and surf at Tangalooma to the idyllic eateries around Gold Coast, the exotic continent is only as wild as your sense of adventure.
Local songbird, Olivia Ong, journeys through the land Down Under and shares her exhilarating experience and precious hidden finds with us:
FORTITUDE VALLEY
An urban haven of quirky stores and hip nightspots, The Valley (as it’s known to the locals), commonly serves as inspiration for cutting-edge fashion amongst up-and-coming designers. Olivia recommends swinging by Frockshop (pictured right) – a multi-label clothing store that carries about 25 Australian and international designer names such as Aje, Bec & Bridg, Chip Chop, Bigeni Basics, and more – for a taste of unique style.
For a luxurious hotel to spend the night at, check into the Emporium Hotel. Boasting contemporary decor, and highly personalised levels of service, Olivia was impressed by the balcony pool, fully-functional kitchen and range of pillows to choose from for an incredibly comfortable stay.
BRISBANE CITY
Known as Queensland’s premier shopping destination, The City is home to five vibrant shopping precincts, a myriad of local and international retailers, as well as over 200 thriving restaurants and bars.
Check out Wintergarden (pictured left), home to over 90 Australian specialty stores, fashion and lifestyle boutiques, such as Dogstar, Veronika Maine, Lisa Ho, Maggie T, Dinosaur Designs, Bessie Head and more.
For your fix of interesting art, visit the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), featuring collections of Australian and international paintings, sculptures, decorative art objects, and works on paper. Considered one of the top art galleries in Australia, new exhibitions are brought in twice a year so look out for the next big artist.
Originally a whaling station, Tangalooma is the third largest sand island in the world and now offers a host of hotels, apartments and private resorts for the adventure-seeking traveller. Just an hour’s boat ride from Brisbane, Tangalooma’s attractions offers you over 80 thrilling adventures and outdoor activities to enjoy; and they are mostly free-of-charge. Here are Olivia’s must-tries:
ATV quad biking
The most fun you can have on four wheels without a driving license! If it’s your first-time, you’ll get to practice on the beach before moving on to the sand dunes. Riding down the slopes might seem frightening at first, but Olivia’s protip is to just scream your fears away!
Dolphin feeding and whale watching
There are many chances for you to get up close with the wildlife in Tangalooma, especially with the variety of feeding sessions available. Olivia tried her hand at feeding some dolphins, and discovered them to be gentle and friendly creatures despite their sheer number of pointy teeth on display. If you’d prefer to stay dry, opt for a whale watching cruise instead.
Sand tobogganing
A truly unique activity, sand tobogganing is almost like sledding down massive sand dunes and is a must-try for thrillseekers.
Surfers Paradise
The name says it all. For an unparalleled view of the town’s breathtaking beaches and beautiful Australian skyline, Olivia recommends staying at Sea Temple (pictured right) – the luxury beachfront apartments managed under the prestigious Sea Temple brand. Furnished with a modern interior and replete with a stunning swimming podium overlooking Surfers Paradise beach, Sea Temple forms a gorgeous backdrop of blue together with the spectacular sea and clear skies.
Marina Mirage
For luxurious waterfront dining, stop by Ristorante Fellini for delicious modern Italian food based on generations of traditional family cooking. Voted one of the 100 best restaurants in Australia, Olivia suggests ordering the degustazione menu, AU$95, as you take in the view of the Broadwater, or add another AU$45 for a wine-pairing menu.
Burleigh Heads
The beaches in Burleigh are lined with beautiful parks, with picnic and barbeque areas for you to relax in and eat al fresco. For a taste of local cuisine, the beachfront cafes and restaurants offer some scrumptious fare. Olivia dined at Meesh’s (pictured left) to the sound of crashing waves and with the skyline of Surfers Paradise in the background. Must-tries are the Queensland blue pumpkin salad, gourmet veggie burger and mud cake.
Mount Tamborine
There’s no better way of describing the atmosphere atop Mount Tamborine than as “being embraced by nature”. Olivia fell in love with The Polish Place (pictured right) – a traditional Polish restaurant, bar and art gallery at the peak of the mountain – and the view of the Great Dividing Range from it.
Colourful rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras flit around, attracted by the sweet beverages, but Olivia’s favourite drink by far was the home-made green tea beer, which she enjoyed with a delectable meal of duck with Granny Smith apples, and apple pancakes.
The scenery isn’t the only thing worth admiring. Owners, Ania and Phil, have displayed their collection of Polish folk and fine art in a gallery, and you are encouraged to browse or even buy a glass painting, or drawing back home.
Another gem on Mount Tamborine is the Witches Chase Cheese Company, a factory that has won an award for every type of cheese it’s produced. So delightful are the cheeses, that even the blue cheese does not smell! When you’ve had your fill, head to Mount Tamborine Brewery right next door, and cap your day off with a freshly-brewed ice-cold beverage.
For more information, visit www.australia.com, or get a copy of NuYou magazine’s June 2012 issue for Olivia’s full itinerary and recommendations.