7 sumptuous long weekend escapes for food and wine lovers

Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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Megan Arkinstall discovers seven decadent ways for foodies and wine appreciators to spend a long weekend of pure indulgence.

1. Fresh oysters and champagne for breakfast: Coles Bay, TAS

Imagine standing knee-deep in a stunning wetland sipping champagne and tasting prized Pacific Ocean oysters. Guests at Saffire-Freycinet can opt to don a pair of waders and do just that. Have a go at shucking and gain an understanding of the local ecology. But if oysters aren’t your thing there’s a bevy of other experiences where you can wine and dine – learn the art of winemaking, watch a cooking demonstration or join a mixology cocktail class. And, with contemporary furnishings, generous views, plush bedding, locally-sourced gourmet cuisine and a delicious spa menu, if you just want to hibernate inside for the weekend, we don’t blame you.

 

Location: Saffire-Freycinet is just over two hours from Hobart. 2532 Coles Bay Road, Coles Bay; 03 6256 7888; saffire-freycinet.com.au

 

Details: From $1350 per night (oyster farm visit complimentary).

2. From French bubbles to natural springs: Mornington Peninsula, VIC

Cosy evening by the fire at Tussie Mussie (Soul Impressions Photography)
Cosy evening by the fire at Tussie Mussie (Soul Impressions Photography)

Tussie Mussie is a Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vineyard with beautiful boutique accommodation hidden up a long driveway flanked by olive trees and vines. Spend two nights in The Old Laundry wrapped in luxe sheets, or by the cosy wood burner, and enjoy the local produce. An iced bottle of French champagne will greet you on arrival, followed by a gourmet breakfast basket each morning, then indulge in a three-course dinner with matching wine at the hatted Lé Patanque French Restaurant. A double pass to the Peninsula Hot Springs will give your palate a rest… for a couple of hours anyway.

 

Location: Tussie Mussie Vineyard Retreat is located one hour from Melbourne. 206 Bittern-Dromana Road, Merricks North, Victoria; 0408 976 410; boutiqueretreats.com.au

 

Details: The Le Weekend Package from $1500 per couple.

3. Sauerkraut, chocolate and wine… oh my: Hahndorf, SA

Hahndorf in all its excess.
Hahndorf in all its excess.

Australia’s oldest living German settlement, Hahndorf, is a quaint village located in the Adelaide Hills. The town retains its German heritage with many historic ‘Fachwerk’ buildings (with traditional German timber frames) lining the main street – one in particular is the 1839 German Arms Hotel; a great spot to feast on German fare and a stein of beer. And for a fully indulgent experience, The Manna of Hahndorf, a boutique hotel right in the heart of the town, offers a package including breakfast, a cheese platter and a ChocoVino experience at Hahndorf Hill Winery, where you match wine to chocolate. An extra hole in the belt is probably a necessity by the end of the weekend.

 

Location: The Manna of Hahndorf is 35 minutes from Adelaide. 25 Main Street, Hahndorf; 08 8388 1000; themanna.com.au

 

Details: From $425 per couple for two-night accommodation package with breakfast, cheese platter and ChocoVino experience. For information on the German Arms Hotel visit germanarmshotel.com.au

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4. Pub grub like no other: Dunkeld, VIC

Fresh produce from the Royal Mail Hotel kitchen's garden.
Fresh produce from the Royal Mail Hotel kitchen’s garden.fsei

The Royal Mail Hotel is not your average country pub – this one wears three well-deserved hats. The award-winning tasting plates should definitely have you rethinking pub food. To truly appreciate the first-class cuisine – which is created from local organic produce collected straight from the kitchen garden – the hotel offers a ‘Dine and Unwind’ package that includes a tour of the garden with accommodation, handcrafted chocolate, dinner for two with matching wine, breakfast and a late check-out. And to work it all off, you can explore the many walking trails leading to the nearby Grampians National Park.

 

Location: The Royal Mail Hotel is 3.5 hours from Melbourne. 98 Parker Street, Dunkeld; 03 5577 2241; royalmail.com.au

 

Details: Dine and Unwind Package from $945 per couple.

5. Have your own private whisky tasting: Margaret River, WA

The Grove is a winery, distillery, brewery and accommodation all in one. Located in the beautiful Margaret River region, the three simple and self-contained accommodation options come with private jacuzzis and gas log fires; a great option for a get-together with a group of friends. Why not add a private whisky tasting to your stay… set up in the Whisky Room, you will be expertly guided through the one-hour tasting of The Grove’s own whisky and a single malt selected by the The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Finish off with a freshly roasted coffee – you may need it.

 

Location: The Grove is three hours from Perth. Corner Metricup and Carter Roads, Wilyabrup, Margaret River; 08 9755 7458; thegrovevineyard.com.au

 

Details: From $780 for three nights. Private whisky tasting is $110 per person.

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6. Follow the Strange Bird: Granite Belt, Qld

Autumn strikes the Strange Bird winetasting trail, Granite Belt, Queensland.
Autumn strikes the Strange Bird winetasting trail, Granite Belt, Queensland.

For wine tasting with a difference, take the Strange Bird trail in the Granite Belt boutique wine region. The trail is dedicated to alternative grape varieties like Petit Verdot, Viognier and Barbera. To be considered ‘alternative’, a variety must not represent any more than one per cent of the total bearing vines in Australia, according to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, so you know these drops are pretty unique. Located near three of the wineries on the trail (Tobin Wines, Ballandean Estate and Golden Grove) is Azjure Studio Retreat; modern, self-catered accommodation with a beautiful backdrop.

 

Location: Azjure Studio Retreat is three hours from Brisbane. 165 Sundown Road, Ballandean; azjure.com.au

 

Details: Azjure Studio Apartments from $320 per night. For information on the wine trail visit granitebeltwinecountry.com.au

7. Hold a dinner party to remember : Bowral, NSW

Part dinner, part cooking school at Seidler House, Bowral.
Part dinner, part cooking school at Seidler House, Bowral.str

Always wanted to throw a dinner party but not so sure about the actual cooking part? No worries – the Blue Bowl Brown Sugar Cooking School in Bowral offers experiences where you host a dinner party, and they teach you and your guests how to cook each course. They will help you design a menu and will bring the ingredients and equipment to your chosen venue. As for the venue, we suggest booking out the Seidler House for a weekend: this divine award-winning home overlooks the gorges of Wingecarribee River – but more importantly, boasts a large kitchen and a huge entertaining area with fireplace. Perfect for entertaining.

 

Location: Seidler House is 1.5 hours from Sydney. contemporaryhotels.com.au/southern-highlands/seidlerhouse

 

Details: Seidler House from $1500 per night (maximum eight people). Blue Bowl Brown Sugar Dinner Party Cooking Lesson from $160 per person for cooking class (6-12 people, available Saturdays); 0414 855 087; bluebowl.com.au

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Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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6 of Australia’s best destinations to recharge in nature

(Credit: Hilton Cairns)

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    From coast to coast and everywhere in between, our collective backyard offers unforgettable nature experiences for every kind of traveller.

    Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or prefer to while away the day at the beach, Australia has some of the most incredible landscapes in the world (and some epic Hilton stays to return to after each day of exploring). Slow down, breathe in, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure, and these destinations are perfect for a nature escape.

    1. Albany, WA

    Aerial view of travellers exploring Granite Skywalk, located within Porongurup National Park.
    Climb the Granite Skywalk fora unique nature experience. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Albany, in regional Western Australia, is a paradise for nature lovers, best known for its dramatic, rocky coastline and endless swathes of white-sand beaches. Explore it all from Hilton Garden Inn Albany, with a gorgeous waterfront location and close proximity to some of the most iconic natural landscapes.

    Head to Torndirrup National Park, where you can venture out onto a see-through platform to watch the waves batter the shoreline below – if you dare. Further north, marvel at Porongurup National Park’s Castle Rock, an imposing granite range over a million years old that you can scale via the Granite Skywalk.

    Between May and December, Albany becomes a whale watchers’ paradise as humpback whales, southern right whales, and even blue whales journey north towards the Kimberley. Pack your binoculars; there’s a good chance you’ll spot them from the shore.

    2. Alice Springs, NT

    views of the MacDonnell Ranges DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs
    Return from your explorations to enjoy views of the MacDonnell Ranges.

    Surrounded by dusty red desert, rolling spinifex dunes, and eerie ghost gums, Alice Springs sits upon a landscape so unique it’s otherworldly. From here, plan a day trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where you can take in the unrivalled majesty of Uluru. While there, check out The Olgas, a cluster of 36 impressive rock formations perfect for hiking. Walking trails offer a mix of easy strolls and trickier hikes that wind through gorges and creek beds.

    Other bucket-list-worthy experiences in the area include Stanley Chasm Angkerle Antwatye in the MacDonnell Ranges, best seen at midday for a spectacular view of the sun passing through its crevice, and the rim walk at King’s Canyon, which will leave you feeling breathless as you take in views of the desert from the top of 300m high sandstone walls.

    Nestled on the banks of the Todd River with views of the MacDonnell Ranges, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs offers the ideal spot to relax and recharge after a day of adventuring.

    3. Busselton, WA

    Busselton Jetty, Busselton
    Watch the sunset reflect onto the endless blues at Busselton Jetty. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    For a deeply relaxing nature getaway, look no further than Busselton. This charming seaside city is the gateway to the Margaret River Region, where you’ll find no shortage of lush greenery, winding coastlines and unique marine life. Start the day with a stroll and a swim at Busselton or Dunsborough beach, and plan for a sunset walk along the Geographe Bay Foreshore to drink in the changing light. How’s the serenity?

    If you’re visiting Busselton in Spring, don’t skip a nature walk through Ambergate Nature Reserve, which is bursting with wildflowers of every colour once the weather begins to warm.

    A stay at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts the Margaret River region on your doorstep. Sitting on the pristine shores of Geographe Bay, it’s just a handful of steps from Busselton Jetty and underwater observatory, where you can see the vibrant marine life up close without getting wet.

    4. Cairns, Qld

    view from a room at Hilton Cairns
    Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.

    There’s no shortage of natural wonders to marvel at from Cairns. Get up close and personal with the underwater wildlife by diving or snorkelling through Australia’s underwater playground, the world-heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

    Head away from the shore to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest surviving rainforest and home to iconic fauna like the cassowary, as well as infamous plants like the Stinging Tree.

    Wherever you go, Hilton Cairns or DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns make the perfect home base for a Cairns adventure. Both sit so close to the ferry terminal to get out on the reef, and offer easy access to dining and bar options to top off an amazing day.

    5. Darwin, NT

    two people floating in Florence Falls, Litchfield
    Explore Litchfield National Park’s beautiful swimming holes. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Safari Global)

    Australia’s northernmost city has plenty to offer nature lovers. Day trip to Litchfield National Park and hear the thunderous roar of Florence Falls, take in the mangroves at Charles Darwin National Park, or head to Mary River Wetlands to marvel at the rare birdlife that call the wetlands home.

    You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Darwin, with  Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin and Hilton Garden Inn Darwin all providing excellent access to the city’s natural attractions (and a leisurely pool to cool off in after a day in the sun). Meet the top end’s most famous (and infamous) animal inhabitants at Territory Wildlife Park, or take a leisurely stroll through George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.

    6. Gold Coast, Qld

    Hilton Surfers Paradise
    Stay at the iconic Surfers Paradise.

    It might be known for being a literal paradise for surfers – it’s in the name, after all – but there’s more to the Gold Coast than initially meets the eye. Check into Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences to take advantage of direct access to iconic beaches, coastal wildlife and the best of Surfers Paradise.

    But the hotel is also an easy drive away from the world-heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, a hinterland treasure teeming with walking trails. Make a day of it by stopping off at some of the local food producers that abound in the Gold Coast hinterland.

    Start planning your next nature escape at hilton.com.

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