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Saturday, 8 February 2025

A bright new future for Hook Island

The Whitsundays is poised to get a new luxury resort. 

Sydney-based hospitality group Epochal Hotels has unveiled plans for a $40 million development of long-abandoned Hook Island, which was acquired in 2022by developer Glenn Piper.

The island was home to Hook Island Lodge which closed down in 2013 after Cyclone Anthony. 

Epochal Hotels plans to build a new eco-lodge that it says will set “a bold new standard for sustainable luxury travel in Australia,” Business News Australia reports.

Epochal Hotels, headed by Piper, has a portfolio of seven hotels and hospitality venues including the Harbord Hotel in Sydney and The Beach Hotel Merewether in Newcastle.

Piper is also founder of Meridian Australia, a Sydney-based investment real estate agency that provides market insights, research and education services to property investors.

Piper, along with a group of investors, bought the leasehold to the 9.3-hectare Whitsundays island in 2022 with plans to develop a new resort experience on the site. Buildings on the island were cleared following further damage to the resort caused by Cyclone Debbie in 2017.

The Epochal Hotels proposal comprises 39 biophilic cabins, an arrival pavilion, two separate experiences, forest eco pools, wellness spaces and a range of adventure activities which the company says are all inspired by the island’s landscapes and pristine waters.

"Hook Island is a truly spectacular part of the world - its raw beauty deserves a sanctuary that both preserves and celebrates every facet of its charm,” says Piper.

“Our vision is bold: to create an experience that redefines luxury travel through a deep, authentic and wild-spirited connection to nature.

"This project has been a labour of love; we’ve poured our hearts into blending thoughtful design with a profound respect for the island’s heritage and delicate ecosystem.

“After being closed for more than a decade, we can’t wait to soon welcome overnight guests and day visitors alike to experience its magic first hand.”

The new structures will comprise cyclone-resistant, modular architecture designed to blend harmoniously with the island’s natural contours, while extensive tree surveys have guided building placements to preserve native plants and habitats.

Epochal Hotels is taking a phased approach to development to minimise its footprint, with measures in place to prevent erosion, manage waste and reduce noise pollution. 

Once open in 2027, daily operations will emphasise water-efficient systems, recycled wastewater irrigation and eco-friendly appliances to sustain resources.

“We know we have some of the world’s most spectacular islands and this development will allow visitors from around Queensland, Australia and the globe to experience this natural beauty up close,” says Andrew Powell, the Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism.

“After experiencing the natural wonders of Queensland, we know visitors will become passionate advocates to protect these fantastic areas.”

See https://epochalhotels.com.au/

A new cellar door in the Hunter that's well worth discovering

 


There are a handful of cellar doors that anyone visiting the Hunter Valley for the first time will want on their itinerary. 

Pre-eminent among them will be Tyrrell's, Mount Pleasant and Brokenwood.

Once you've ticked off that trio you are spoilt for choice with dozens of venues offering myriad wine styles and experiences. 

One of the latest arrivals is Latitude 32, where we visited this week and were hosted by the friendly and knowledgeable Zac. 

On the site of the former Mistletoe operation, there is a relaxed but professional vibe - and lovely gardens. A range of structured tastings are on offer. 

We were guided to Latitude 32 by Newcastle Herald wine writer Rick Allen, GoTR's Hunter correspondent, who told the winery's story a few weeks ago. I particularly loved the 2023 The Matriarch Chardonnay.

Here are Rick's words: 

Latitude 32 owners Emma and David White aren’t your everyday wine couple.

“We’re learning the wine game on the run,” English-born Emma is happy to admit.

They respect the Hunter’s tradition, but aren’t shackled by it.

The couple bought the 50-acre property in Pokolbin, including 15 acres of established dry-

grown vines - but no cellar door - in 2018 after highly successful careers as senior finance

professionals at large multi-national companies in the UK and Australia.

And while they’ve produced some wine in that time, bushfires, smoke, hail and Covid meant

there was precious little of it. Plans for a cellar door stalled too.

But now, with the purchase of the former Mistletoe vineyard that includes a cellar door, things are finally starting to take off.

What they have in abundance is a passion for good wine … their successful careers enabled them to taste the finest international drops without having to worry too much about damage to the purse strings.

“We’d sit at home sipping wine and dreaming about one day owning our own vineyard and cellar door,” Emma said. “There’s no point having a dream if you don’t live it and we were fortunate we were able to do that.”

Latitude 32 -  the Hunter’s global position - officially opened on April 18 last year. 

“We bought this property at the end of last year,” Emma continued.

“We originally planned to build a cellar door on our home property on Deasys Road and plant more vines, but it didn’t work out. So when this came up, with its cellar door and 20 acres of established vines that produces some outstanding fruit, we grabbed it.”

It means Latitude 32 now has 35 acres of fruit in total over the two properties, covering semillon, chardonnay, shiraz, pinot noir and muscat. The plan is to plant more vines – in Emma’s own words, “go big or go home”.

“We do the usual varieties, but also a chardonnay-semillon blend which is popular – I don’t know why it ever went out of style – as well as the old Hunter Burgundy, a shiraz-pinot. “And I’m a huge chardonnay lover, so we do two chardonnays.”

Plus there’s a couple of surprises, in very small batches, from other regions, including a new smooth 2019 sangiovese from the Hilltops region.

See latitude32wines.com 


Friday, 7 February 2025

New morning service between Newcastle and the Gold Coast


Flyers on the Newcastle to the Gold Coast route are soon to have a choice of carriers.

FlyPelican has announced it will launch a new service from Newcastle to Gold Coast Airport from March 24.

The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, leaving at 7am and arriving within 1.5 hours, with a 30-minute turnaround before the return flight, the Australian Aviation website reports.

The new service will use a Jetstream 32 aircraft with a capacity for 19 passengers with a checked baggage allowance included.

“FlyPelican is thrilled to expand our network, with our focus on getting local people where they need to go,” company CEO Marty Hawley said.

“We are now filling a key gap for travellers to and from the Gold Coast that are in need of a morning departure.”

Newcastle Airport acting CEO Andrew Warrender also noted that the morning departure times are ideal for business travellers and align with the business’ aim to improve connectivity for the Hunter region.

FlyPelican will compete with Jetstar on the route.

Thursday, 6 February 2025

Award -winning vineyard for sale



So you’ve dreamed about owning your own winery?

And you’ve got some cash stashed away, or are about to inherit bigly?

One of the Canberra District’s most celebrated wineries is up for sale.

Four Winds Vineyard, a family-owned business that recently swept five major trophies at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards - including the coveted 2024 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy - is on the market.

The sale will mark the end of an era for owners John and Sarah Collingwood, who took over the vineyard from Sarah’s parents Graeme and Suzanne Lunney 15 years ago.

Located 30 minutes from Canberra, Four Winds Vineyard is a popular destination for wine enthusiasts, producing award-winning riesling, shiraz, cabernet, and sangiovese.

Four Winds Vineyard’s 2023 Shiraz took out the Jimmy Watson award in November and the vineyard’s cellar door has become a magnet for day-trippers -– its signature woodfired pizzas and at-the-table wine tastings attracting nearly 30,000 visitors a year.

Ms Collingwood said that while sad to be leaving a place dear to three generations of her family, she and her husband and their two young children felt it was the right time to hand over the baton.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built, but it’s time for new adventures,” she says. “Winning an award as prestigious as the Jimmy Watson feels like the perfect high note to step away on. This place has given us a great sense of purpose and achievement – and we’re excited to see who will take it forward.”

The sale includes the Collingwoods’ four-bedroom home with tennis court and woodfired pizza oven in the garden, 12-hectare vineyard, and strong business infrastructure.

“This is more than just a home or a vineyard – it’s an established, profitable brand with national recognition. It’s not every day a property of this calibre comes up for sale,” selling agent Sam McGregor of Windrose Property said.


The Slate showcasing a very fashionable event

 


One of Thailand's top resorts, The Slate Phuket, is starting its 2025 events calendar with a high-energy fashion event.

The resort's first BOLD event, Dynamic Dimensions, will blend the fashions of Frederick Morrison (This is Fred), the art of Trey Hurst, the soundscapes of Marcos Alves, and the food of chef Lynley Marston to create an immersive experience.

The event will be held in Rivet and Rebar on Saturday, March 8.

“At The Slate, we believe in pushing boundaries and providing our guests with experiences that ignite their imagination,” says The Slate's owner Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong. 

“BOLD events are designed to transport guests into a world of artistic brilliance through food, fashion, art, and performance and this event promises to take them through different sights, sounds, and sensations to experience creativity in motion.”

The Slate team is "passionate about showcasing new talent and celebrating creativity in all its forms and BOLD events are designed to give guests and the people of Phuket a truly immersive experience that redefines what it means to escape from the everyday".

“We believe travel should be about more than relaxation; it should be about discovery, growth, and shared moments that linger in the heart. This one-night-only event is the perfect embodiment of that philosophy.” 

Prices start from 2500++ THB per person. To book call +66 76 327 006 or email fb@theslatephuket.com

Designed by Bill Bensley, The Slate Phuket is set on Nai Yang Beach and is an experiential hotel that tells the story of the island's rich tin mining history. BOLD events encourage guests to Be Original, Lighthearted and Daring by showcasing chefs, artists, and creators.

Top wine show morphs into mega festival

One of Australia’s leading wine shows is morphing into a four-day festival: the new National Wine Festival of Australia.

The event will be held in June, celebrating Australian winemaking excellence and marking the 50th anniversary of the National Wine Show of Australia.

The festival will begins with the 2025 National Wine Show of Australia trophy presentation dinner in the Great Hall of Australian Parliament House in Canberra on June 12. 

It will be followed by three days of wine tastings, masterclasses, themed dinners and special events at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel.

More than 900 award-winning wines, including every entrant in the 2025 National Wine Show, will be opened for tasting during the festival [Warning wineries; they'll be asking you for more samples] for a premium masterclass featuring the trophy winners. 

National Wine Show chair of judges Matt Harrop will reveal what Australia’s best wine assessors look for in an award-winning wine and examine the characteristics that earned this year’s winners the nation’s top gongs.

Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Tourism and Trade, said the festival is well positioned to become a flagship event on the national calendar.

“Australian wine is one of our greatest tourism and trade assets, and I have no doubt that the festival will attract visitors from across the country and around the world," he said.

“The National Wine Festival will drive significant economic benefits while showcasing the innovation, excellence and diversity of Australian winemaking on a global stage.” 

National Wine Show of Australia Chair Andy Gregory said the festival would occupy a unique position in the tourism landscape. 

“It is the only true representation of every Australian winegrowing region - a one-stop shop to taste and learn about the very best of Australian wine,” Gregory said.

“We see the National Wine Festival as a powerful platform on which to strengthen Australia’s global reputation as a world-class wine producer. It’s a natural evolution of the National Wine Show in our 50th year.”

Tickets are on sale now at https://nationalwinefestival.iwannaticket.com.au/