Wild Harvest Seafood Festival returns

Love your seafood? East Gippsland in Victoria is calling. 

Fresh seafood, spectacular coastal scenery and three days of gourmet experiences are promised when the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival returns to tiny Mallacoota from September 25–27. 

One of Gippsland's signature spring events, the festival celebrates the region's seafood, coastal lifestyle and maritime heritage. 

At the heart of the festival is the Wild Harvest Market, where seafood harvested from Bass Strait takes centre stage alongside local produce, artisan makers, live music and seaside vibes.

Throughout the long weekend, visitors can look forward to fresh oysters, mussels, abalone, sea urchin and other delicacies from local waters.

There will also be live music across multiple venues, guided rockpool rambles and family fishing clinics and a community beach clean-up with Friends of Mallacoota.

Art exhibitions and installations at MA Space, a cruise aboard the historic M.V. Loch-Ard and a
short film sharing Mallacoota's maritime history and connection to the sea are also on the agenda.

Visitors can make a long weekend of it with 10% off accommodation at Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park during the festival in the town of around 1200 people. 

Book a minimum three-night stay between September 25-28 using the code Wild26 at mallacootaforeshore.com.au to access the offer (subject to availability).

For the full program, visit wildharvestseafoodfestival.com or plan your visit to Mallacoota at
visitgippsland.com.au/destinations/east-gippsland/mallacoota.

A wine region hotel where old meets new

Rutherglen is a small town in north-east Victoria that draws wine lovers from around Australia to sample its bold reds and legendary fortifieds.

When I lasted visited - a few year ago now - the Victoria Hotel was just another old pub on the main street.

Built in 1868, it had history on its side, but looked in need of some care and attention. 

The Victoria began as a modest wooden building before being transformed into a two-storey brick landmark by the magnificently named Shadrack Platts Gollings in 1893.

With its heritage features -including Rutherglen’s original mortuary tucked just beyond the carriage gates - The Victoria proudly holds Victoria’s longest continually operating hotel licence.

In 2021, Kate and Matt Halpin became the custodians of this historic landmark.

The couple returned to their regional origins, adopting the philosophy of "city style meets country soul."

Their vision was to honour The Victoria’s heritage while transforming it into a modern destination that celebrates connection, community, and the spirit of the High Country.

Boy, have they succeeded.



After a multi-million-dollar restoration, they have managed to preserve the hotel’s historic character while introducing contemporary comforts. So much so that last year The Victoria was named ‘Best Redeveloped Hotel in Victoria’ by the Australian Hotels Association.

When I stayed last month in one of the 14 impressive and spacious suites, the popular restaurant (open seven days for lunch and dinner) offering award-winning regional cuisine was jumping, even on a chilly midweek night.

So think elevated, flame-focused dining right on the main street (make sure to try the Pillow bread and the croquettes) just a short drive from cellar doors including my hosts at Morris, All Saints, Campbells, Stanton and Killen, Scion, Pfeiffer and other desirable destinations.

The main street is home to Thousand Pound wine bar, boutiques, cafés and the legendary Parker Pies shop.



For anyone arriving late, or checking out early, there is keyless experience with contactless check-in. The technology works!

The suites feature air-conditioning and heating, flat-screen TV, Hunter Lab bathroom amenities, good sized fluffy towels, tea and coffee-making facilities, a phone charger that works, free high-speed wifi, a bar fridge, off-street guest parking and bath robes and slippers.

There is a lively bar, the restaurant and several shared rooms like the clubby The Library.

* Rutherglen is Around 30 minutes drive from the regional hubs of Albury/Wodonga, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga, The Victoria is an ideal base from which to explore surrounding heritage townships like Beechworth, Milawa, Chiltern, Wahgunyah and Corowa. Or venture a little further afield for a day trip to the King Valley, Alpine snowfields or picturesque Bright & Myrtleford, located less than 90 minutes away.

You can book direct at https://www.victoriahotelrutherglen.com.au/ 

# The writer was a guest of Morris of Rutherglen and Casella Family Brands 

Jetstar finds a new way to charge more

Tone deaf Australian airline Jetstar has announced a new money-grabbing policy and is intending to charge passengers for carry-on baggage that needs to be stowed in the overhead compartment. 

The airline is spinning it as a plus for flyers. It is isn’t.

“Jetstar is changing its carry-on baggage model, removing its 7kg carry-on weight limit from February 2027,” the airline said in a media release.

“The move will see Jetstar shift from a strict weight limit to a simpler, size-based carry-on baggage model, similar to other leading low-fares carriers around the world.

“From next year, all bookings will include one underseat bag such as a backpack, handbag or laptop bag.

“Customers who need more carry-on baggage can pre-purchase Priority Carry-on, which includes a second, larger bag for the overhead locker and the opportunity to be among the first to board.

“The change follows extensive research and feedback from customers and crew who consistently identified having bags weighed at the gate and struggling to find room in overhead lockers as the more stressful parts of the airport experience.”

I predict outrage - and a rapid re-think.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said: "We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew.

"To make packing easier we’ve decided to remove the 7kg weight limit, so from February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on.

“By giving customers an underseat bag with the option to add Priority Carry-on, we can make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time."

“Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need - travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.”

Absolute nonsense.

New voco adds to Queenstown's myriad hotel options

 

Queenstown’s hotel scene has a new option with opening of voco Queenstown. 

The new hotel is billed as "a warm alpine escape with a Mediterranean kitchen, fireside cocktails and a welcome that feels more like arriving at a friend's place than checking into a hotel".

The 227-room voco Queenstown hotel opened its doors last month, marking a complete revamp of the former Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown into IHG Hotels & Resorts' premium voco brand, led by owner, developer and asset manager Pro-invest Group.

“We’re excited to offer visitors to Queenstown a hotel experience that is consistently thoughtful and distinct," says Jason Sabin, Connect Hospitality Portfolio general manager. 

"From the moment guests step inside the redesigned lobby, they will feel the voco difference. Our guest experience is built around the distinctive hallmarks of the voco brand – 'Come on in', 'Me time', and 'voco life,' brought to life through the resident host.” 

The voco Queenstown resident host will act as personal concierge, local guide and seamless connector, handling everything from ski locker logistics to dinner reservations. 

Great ideas - but hard to deliver. 

Anchoring the lobby of voco Queenstown is Mīharo, an artwork by Māori artist Cheree Te Orangaroa Downes. 

voco’s new restaurant and bar, Mozzarella & Co. aims to combine "a Mediterranean heart with a strong nod to the South Island". 

The show kitchen is open and centred around the all-day pizza oven while two outdoor lounge and terrace spaces draw guests outside to gather round the fire pits for a drink under the stars. 

The hotel's 227 rooms and suites have been refreshed by New Zealand interior design company Space Studios. 

Guests can expect plush bedding, aerated rain showers, plant-based Antipodes bathroom amenities, smart TVs with Chromecast, high-speed wifi, complimentary filtered water and a 24/7 room service menu. 

Eighteen suites feature high-tech Dyson hair dryers and hair straighteners, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, and a premium minibar offering of cocktail mixers and pod coffee. 

To celebrate the opening, voco Queenstown has partnered with The Bathhouse Group Queenstown to launch a two-night ‘Rest & Restore’ Opening Special package. 

The package includes a Mountain View Room with Sleep Glow pillow mist and pulse point essential oil amenities, a bottle of prosecco, daily breakfast at Mozzarella & Co. and a 90-minute Bathhouse session. from $NZ494 per night, minimum two-night stay. 

You can book directly at ihg.com or via the IHG One Rewards app. 

Exciting times for Papua New Guinea

 

Things are moving fast in Papua New Guinea. 

Ahead of the arrival of an NRL rugby league team, the national capital of Port Moresby has welcomed the opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites. 

It marks the debut in the Pacific nation of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands. 

The 394-key hotel is located in Port Moresby’s central business and government district, five minutes from Jacksons International Airport and connected to the Vision City Mega Mall. 

It is the first Sheraton Hotels & Resorts property in Papua New Guinea and Marriott International's second hotel in Port Moresby

The hotel features an infinity swimming pool, one of Port Moresby's largest fitness centres and a full-service day spa. 

“The opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites marks a significant milestone as we introduce one of Marriott International’s most global brands to Papua New Guinea," says Cristiano Rinaldi, regional Chief Lodging Product & Services Officer for Marriott International. 

"With Sheraton’s focus on intuitive design, technology-enabled experiences and spaces that foster connection, the hotel is positioned to become a central gathering place for both international travellers and the local community, seeking trusted hospitality.”

The room portfolio includes 284 guest rooms, 15 suites and 95 apartments that include separate living areas, kitchens and dining spaces. 

Silverleaf, the hotel’s destination restaurant, offers an à la carte dining experience, while Greenhaus offers a buffet experience across all meals with live cooking stations, artisan breads, New Guinea coffee, freshly baked pastries and themed dining experiences.

For more information visit the hotel website.

Adina Darling Harbour gets a new season revamp

 

A quarter century after it opened for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games the Adina Sydney Darling Harbour is entering a new era, unveiling a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. 

The 114-room hotel welcomed back guests this week ahead of an official reopening in September. 

The new look re-orientates the hotel towards the waterfront - and guests can now move seamlessly from hotel pool to harbour's edge.

Set between the CBD and King St Wharf - metres from the water and a short walk from Barangaroo - the Adina sits in one of Sydney's most connected precincts, offering easy access to both business and leisure hubs, harbourside attractions, and the International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The design narrative from Bates Smart draws on the building's strengths, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies that capture natural light and sea breezes. Each room features Adina's signature fully equipped kitchen and laundry, and space to stretch out.

TFE Hotels' Chief Executive Officer Antony Ritch says Adina Darling Harbour's transformation extends beyond the guest rooms, with upgrades across the entire hotel designed to create a seamless flow - allowing guests to move with ease from the lobby to the pool, through the restaurant and the harbour beyond.

Four flexible meeting rooms cater to everything from small team sessions, product launches through to special occasions and larger events of up to 150 people. 

At harbourside level, the hotel will introduce a new signature venue - Shoreline Kitchen with all-day menus celebrating healthy modern Australian breakfasts through to vibrant salads, premium sandwiches and classic gourmet burgers.

“Designed with both travellers and locals in mind, this venue will bring a fresh, easy-going style where guests can settle in for long lunch, grab a quick coffee or enjoy an evening drink.” Ritch said.

“In line with Adina's Australian sensibilities, there is also a subtle nod to native bush flavours, with ingredients such as saltbush and pepperberry woven throughout the menu.

“With this refurbishment, we are firmly repositioning Darling Harbour as a contemporary harbourside base – and one that reflects how people want to travel and stay in the city today. 

“It's part of our ongoing investment in our first-generation Adina portfolio, with a sharp focus on design and the guest experience.”

There is a lead-in rate from $279 per night.  

* Pre‑loved furniture and fixtures from the refurbishment were donated to Sydney charity ReLove, helping support local families in crisis.

Visit adinahotels.com for more information.