By John Rozentals.
Dark Mofo. Image: Jarrad Sing.
Celebrate the dark in Hobart through large-scale public art, food, music, fire, light, and noise – lots of it — from June 10-22.
Since its inception in 2013, Dark Mofo has delved into centuries-old winter-solstice rituals, exploring the links between ancient and contemporary mythology, humans and nature, the religious and the secular, darkness and light, and the big themes of birth, death, and renewal.
Signature annual events include the Nude Solstice Swim, a two-weekend City of Hobart Winter Feast, and the sacrificial burning of the oogh-oogh.
Visit www.darkmofo.net.au.
Diggies Kiama … right by the famous Blowhole.
Diggies Kiama is an all-day brunch eatery located by the Kiama Blowhole on the NSW South Coast.
The fully licensed venue has dine-in as well as takeaway options, with flathead fish ‘n’ chips, local prawn rolls with red onion and celery on a soft roll, and buttermilk pancakes featuring alongside a range of healthy eats like the green goodness bowl and pan-fried barramundi.
There’s also plenty of vegan, paleo, gluten-free and dairy-free options.
The 110-seater is located adjacent to the Kiama Visitor Centre in Blowhole Point Headland, and has indoor and outdoor seating.
Visit www.diggies.com.au.
Brie Larson as Captain Marvel.
Madame Tussauds Sydney has unveiled a wax figure of one of the world’s most influential superheroes — Captain Marvel.
Depicting Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, the figure captures the character of Carol Danvers mid-flight as she prepares for battle between two alien civilisations.
As part of a new interactive in the Marvel zone, guests can immerse themselves in a multi-user AR experience that allows fans to take on a superhero role themselves using body-tracking sensors.
To ensure that Captain Marvel received a superhero welcome to Sydney, Madame Tussauds enlisted the support of legendary Australian female pilot, Deborah Lawrie, AM, the first female to become a pilot with a major Australian airline and one who subsequently made history by winning a landmark sex discrimination claim against Ansett Airline in the 1970s after being told she could not become a pilot because of her sex.
Visit www.madametussauds.com.au.
Sage West Perth: located on the trendy Hay Street.
Next Story Group has a summer sale, offering up to 35 per cent off at its Next, Sage, Country Comfort and newly launched Ink hotels, whether it’s a beachside escape or big city escapade, a family sojourn or romantic getaway.
Also, kids under 12 stay and enjoy breakfast for free when using existing bedding and dining with a paying adult.
Located on the trendy Hay Street, for instance, Sage West Perth is close to shopping and dining options, and mere minutes from Kings Park.
Grab one of the hotel’s bicycles and explore what the city has to offer before making your way back to enjoy Italian fare at the hotel’s Julio’s restaurant.
Summer-sale rates at Sage West Perth start from $120 a night.
Visit www.nexthotels.com.
Metro Hotel Perth: Great views from a balcony room.
Enjoy the Australia Day Skyworks with views across the Swan River and Perth City — all from a private balcony at Metro Hotel Perth.
And for those who want to enjoy an easy walk to the Swan River foreshore to see the fireworks, rooms start from $125 per night.
Book a balcony room to watch the City of Perth’s Australia Day Skyworks.
Prices start from $349 per night for a standard room.
There is complimentary car parking for all hotel guests (one car space per room), and bookings via the website receive a 20 per cent discount on breakfast.
Visit www.metrohotels.com.au.
From Perth’s Sculpture by the Sea: Thoughts of Pinocchio, by Bongsoo Kim. Image: Clyde Yee.
From March 6-23, Sculpture by the Sea sees Perth’s Cottesloe Beach transform into a spectacular sculpture park with more than 70 works on display from artists across Australia and the world.
As one of Perth’s largest free public events, exhibits from some of the world’s top sculptors are displayed against a backdrop of one of the city’s most popular beaches.
Visit sculpturebythesea.com.
Wagga Beach: ticks all the boxes.
So you have to stick to the coast for Australia’s best beaches. Wrong.
Riverside, the beach on Murrumbidgee River at the inland city of Wagga, has been named one of the top 20 best beaches in the nation by Tourism Australia’s beach ambassador Brad Farmer AM.
It is the first inland beach to ever feature in Farmer’s lists: “Wagga Beach ticks all the boxes for inclusion in the top 20 list – golden sand, sunshine, water for a dip, shade to cool off.”
Visit www.visitwagga.com.
Castaway Island Fiji: pure escape.
Castaway Island Fiji and Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort have just released 2020 deals, including a range of accommodation discounts, complimentary wi-fi, meals deals and spa treatments, for bookings made before March 31.
For those looking for a pure escape, Castaway Island Fiji is offering a free nights accommodation with its ‘Stay five Pay four’ deal, including all meals for two adults and two children, plus a special indulgent high tea for two adults.
Priced from FJ$790+ taxes per room per night it is valid for travel from until March 3.
Visit www.outrigger.com.
Queen Elizabeth in Tasmania.
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will return to Australia for its longest season yet — 124 days — in 1921-22.
Guests can experience Cunard’s sought-after Christmas voyage, the line’s inaugural Fiji and South Pacific round trip, and breath-taking voyages around Japan.
Queen Elizabeth’s Australian season finishes with a Royal Rendezvous giving people a rare opportunity to witness Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, when they meet in Sydney Harbour on March 2, 2022.
The ship’s home-port season includes multiple maiden calls, including Lautoka and Suva in Fiji and also features Cunard’s first call to Eden in NSW.
At the end of the Australian season in March 2022, Queen Elizabeth will travel north to Japan via south-east Asia.
Visit www.cunard.com.
Tanna: foodie tour includes visits to local markets.
White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa has joined forces with local producers to create Tanna Island’s first tour specifically designed to appeal to visiting foodies keen to discover the local produce and cuisine.
Available from May to October 2020, the new ‘Taste of Tanna’ experience will include visits to and tastings at a wood-fired bakery and local markets, tours of coffee- and peanut-processing facilities, and an interactive cooking demonstration and lunch at White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa.
The tour comprises a full morning’s activity from about 8am to1pm and includes tastings and refreshments plus lunch and a glass of wine (or soft drink) at a cost of $110 per person.
There will be a maximum of eight people in each tour group.
Accommodation at White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa starts from about $330 per night, including tropical breakfast.
Visit www.whitegrasstanna.com.
