Airport delays, cancelled connections, queues, reservations awry: international touring often means a glitch somewhere along the line. Travel Editor Susie Boswell suggests how to ensure a trouble-free trip.
A five-star hotel set on absolute beachfront. Travel Editor Susie Boswell enjoys a week of sheer luxury.
Noosa’s long been known as “the” fashionable foodie getaway in south-east Queensland. Travel Editor Susie Boswell finds it’s been overtaken by a newcomer.
As if champagne skiing isn’t enough, Queenstown lays on some special apres-ski action, writes Travel Editor Susie Boswell.
Even before Cyclone Yasi hit the coast of Far North Queensland, banana prices had been hiked up to $7.00 a kilo amongst large supermarket chains.
I am being gripped by a new and exciting wave of shop-o-mania … Read more
Travel Editor Susie Boswell finds luxury travel doesn’t have to hurt the environment, at resorts that care for the planet.
There’s no better venue for a concert than in God’s own cathedrals – anywhere in the world, writes Travel Editor Susie Boswell.
The magificent Mekong Delta has had a remarkable history: burying grounds of millions who fell to Pol Pot’s genocide, scene of the deaths of thousands of soldiers lost in Vietnam – and today, writes Travel Editor Susie Boswell, a peaceful pathway plotting much of Indochina’s fascinating culture.
Happy New Year! Obviously I blinked and missed the entire 365 days! 2010 has been a runaway train of events, Oprah visits, elections, wiki leaks, restaurant openings and new beginnings, and it has fled as speedily as it arrived! It is hard to process just how busy it has actually been while suffering from the after effects of a mild to worrisome case of fruit mince pie overload. I am certainly set to explode should I attempt to force in one more morsel of festive food! I had to have something to substitute my beloved bubbles – food was an unnaturally keen focus for me this year! For the first time in my adult life, I am not suffering from the after effect of a New Year sauced with sparkling wine! Thankfully, I shared my Las Vegas New Year’s table with a fellow mummy to be, and we were able to give each other moral support as the vodka, whisky and increasingly bad jokes flowed to the other 130 guests. The total lack of sparkles did not inhibit my attempts at a NYE boogie, with careful effort not to fall over and do myself (and the bump!) some serious and permanent harm! Zebu bar + grill opened with a bang on Xmas Eve, with locals and tourists coming to check the newest bar on the block. Guests were treated to cocktails by resident master mixer Brent Tozer and some tunes by Ollie Brooke and special guest Damion Pell on electric trumpet. It was great to see locals enjoying the waterfront views and the mellow surroundings, as they welcomed in another Port Macquarie Christmas. Plenty of Champagne no. 5 and Electric Lemonade cocktails were passed over the bar, with the boys digging into the ten beers on tap – including Oprah’s beer of choice, Wicked Elf. I busied myself with a beautifully crafted mocktail and a wood fired pizza while Steve got stuck into an Asahi and serving of local oysters. Boxing Day continued the cruisy theme, with regular afternoon chill out session Lazy Sundaze kicking off at 2pm with cruisy tunes and Bloody Marys and Caprioskas over the water. Kelli and Jason Dragos tied the knot at Harry’s Lookout on Saturday 4 Dec, despite clouds and some serious rain showers. Harry’s Lookout was spared the showers, and the couple were able to say, “I do” in front of 80 friends and family. Guests hurried back to Flynns Beach Surf Club, which was adorned in white and soft pink, with candles and delicate white Chinese lanterns. Guests enjoyed SilverSpoon canapés and main course followed by a decadent Profiterole tower from BitterSweet Café, adorned with tiny pink roses. The family paid tribute to the couple, including Jason’s two children, who were clearly over the moon to have Kelli join their family. Not a dry eye in the house after that speech! Congratulations to Kelli and Jason, who make their home in Port Macquarie. The team from First National celebrated Christmas in style, with a trip out to Roses Vineyard at Innes View. Belinda and Ron Fischer organised a special family day at the vineyard, including wine tasting, canapés, Christmas punch (absolutely lethal, I may say … a secret recipe of course!) and gourmet SilverSpoon BBQ followed by miniature handcrafted desserts. Sales agent Wayne Carver played a jolly Santa, as kids big and small ran amok across the vineyard, playing cricket and opening their gifts. The weather was divine, as duo Matt & Liz crooned to the party of 30 as they sat and sipped on the terrace overlooking the vines and Innes Lake. A huge day that didn’t end there, with various members of the team heading back to a pool party and a few more bevvies! Cassegrain Wines held their Christmas party on a balmy evening on the verandah of their restaurant, with 60 of their team along to celebrate another big year. John & Eva Cassegrain and board member John Laurie addressed and thanked the team for the efforts and cracked a few bottles of their award winning sparkling and chardonnay to kick off the night. Guests enjoyed a selection of cheeses, prawns and oysters followed by Christmas ham and salads, whipped up by chef extraordinaire and all round handyman Chris Hall. (P.S. His potato salad was to die for!) Guests finished off the night with chocolate mud cake and a few more drops of their finest. Sales and Marketing Manager Leanne had a fabulous night, except for a minor whoopsy as she dropped the cheese cake on the floor! Mudcake all round from that point on! Merry Christmas to you! Jenny and Duncan MacArthur threw a massive fancy dress bash for Duncan’s 60th birthday celebration at their Narran River Road property in King Creek. Duncan proved a dashing Hugh Hefner, while Jenny looked fabulous in a chartreuse green fifties inspired gown. One hundred guests, including family from Scotland, enjoyed the balmy evening, with Duncan’s brother playing a Scottish birthday tune on the bag pipes. Guests enjoyed a series of SilverSpoon canapés followed by some luscious birthday cake from Burkhart’s Bakery. We slipped out the door as the party ramped up, with a four piece band rocking into the summer night. Duncan’s brother was last heard bag piping down the paddock close to midnight! Happy birthday Duncan! So a new year it is, and what a year it will be. A New Year resolution … spend more time at the beach (yeah right!), try and stay sane as the delightful designated driver and endeavour to see my toes again! Wishing you all a fabulous 2011!
Cheers Kate.
Greg Trembath answers your real estate questions.
