Bringing back the hat

Baz Luhrmann’s visually lush – yet much delayed – adaptation of The Great Gatsby will undoubtedly showcase a golden age in American style including one particular accessory – the headpiece or the hat.

Mountain retreat oozes quiet elegance

The words ‘old world charm’ can conjure up images of stuffy cupboards and dusty sideboards, so as I walk into Varenna – a restored 20th century homestead in the Blue Mountains – I’m pleasantly surprised to see its ornate cornices, beautifully crafted antique cabinets, elaborate silverware, and billowing velvet curtains.

Chocolate treats delight the senses

The shop window entices me to go inside and immediately after walking through the doors, I’m hit with the sweetest scent and nostrils flare in delight, it’s the smell of rich, dark, silky chocolate.

An indulgent haven echoes a glorious past

Two hours west of Sydney lies a spectacular mountain retreat

Newcastle’s other tap dogs

The former steel city offers a more nuanced take on good old blokey adventure as Mark Eggleton discovered.

High tea with a twist

The term ‘high tea’ often conjures up images of elderly women sipping from delicate porcelain teacups, eating cucumber sandwiches and speaking with very English accents.

Art with a view for eastern yoggers

The Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk will again be home to Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.

This is the 16th exhibition and visitors are promised a visual feast. Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012, offers an array of new artworks which will be on display from the 18th October to the 4th November, 2012.

More luxury seekers head to Mountain Whispers

Mountain Whispers has enjoyed a whopping 20% growth in bookings this quarter when compared to the same time last year. Owner Lorraine Allanson says the growth followed the recent relaunch of the newly designed website which offers visitors a better online experience and look and feel that more accurately reflect the products on offer.  Pleased [...]

A true oceanic adventure

As a self confessed fair dinkum red meat lover, a degustation at the Ocean Room was always going to be interesting. Entering the restaurant I knew my tastebuds were in for something special. The chic architecture fused with an oriental feel symbolised exactly what I was about to eat – quintessential Japanese ingredients with a modern [...]

Park Hyatt Sydney carves some Dining Room

The Dining Room at the Park Hyatt Sydney welcomes the afternoon sun to beam through its floor-to-ceiling glass panels and dance along the rim of your martini glass.

Perched on the edge of Sydney’s historic precinct The Rocks, this restaurant allows its views of Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay and the Opera House to do the talking.