Hollywood star Hemsworth makes a spirited move

Actor and film producer Chris Hemsworth is now a co-owner of leading Australian spirits producer Archie Rose.

The former Home and Away and Thor actor has joined Archie Rose founder Will Edwards and his family with a shared ambition to take Australian whisky to the world.

Later this year, Archie Rose will launch three bespoke whiskies co-created with Hemsworth and made using 100% Australian-grown malts.

The range will launch nationally and, for the first time, in the United States, followed by Asia and New Zealand, before expanding into the UK and Europe in 2027.

As the largest independent distillery in the southern hemisphere, multiple award winner Archie Rose is aiming to put Australian whisky firmly on the global stage.

Founded in Sydney in 2014, Archie Rose has built an international reputation and Hemsworth has been a long-time admirer of the brand.

"I’ve been a fan of Archie Rose for a long time,” the Melbourne-born actor says.

“Wherever I am in the world, tasting an Archie Rose whisky immediately transports me right back home, to that feeling of sitting around a campfire in the Australian bush with my mates.

"Their ethos of only using Australian grown malts to produce flavour packed whiskies at their Sydney distillery is truly awesome. They’re a brilliant example of what Australia does best and I can’t wait to share that with the world.”

Edwards is delighted by the new investor.

"Our approach has always been about championing local ingredients to create spirits that taste truly Australian," he says.

"Having Chris join the business as a co-owner allows us to bring that ambition to the world. We aren't just making spirits; we are using Australia’s raw materials and ingenuity as the base for producing the world’s best whisky, gin and other spirits, telling the stories of the growers and the land beneath them."

For more info see archierose.com.au

Ciao! to a new Italian-style soft drink range

Tired of ultra-sweet, unhealthy soft drinks? 

Sanpellegrino, the Italian sparkling beverage brand, might have something of interest. 

It is launching Sanpellegrino CIAO! in Australia, in three flavours, lime, blood orange and peach, combining fruit juice and no added sugar in a low-calorie, Italian-inspired format.

 
Promoted as being ideal for lunches, picnics, and casual entertaining, the new range is aimed at health consciousness consumers looking to shift away from sugary beverages.

Here's the blurb: CIAO! is inspired by Sicilian summer traditions which began with combining sparkling water, fruit juice, and a pinch of salt. 

The range is designed to be enjoyed chilled, or poured over ice, and is available in a 330ml four-pack from $9.50. It might also work added to gin, or vodka. 

It will be available through select retailers now, and at national stores from August 31. 

Damian Giorgini, the Sanpellegrino marketing manager, talks the talk. 

“CIAO! is more than a greeting; it’s an invitation to connect and celebrate. We wanted to bring Australians that feeling with bright fruit flavours, bubbles, and Sicilian flair. It's a drink made for sharing, embracing the lighter side of life, and adding a little Italian sunshine to your day.”

I'm trying the range now and will report back on my favourite. 

See www.sanpellegrino.com/au.

Western Sydney to get major new hotel

South-western Sydney is booming with the imminent opening of the city's new international airport. 

The new Atura Oran Park hotel will tap into that when it opens 20 minutes away from Western Sydney International Airport in October. 

Oran Park is in one of Australia's fastest-growing communities and the Atura is being developed in partnership between the Perich family and EVT Hotels & Resorts, which will operate the 184-room hotel on the site of the former Oran Park Raceway.

An Italian-inspired restaurant and bar (below) will anchor the hotel's social offering, while a resort-style pool and terrace will aim to invite guests to slow down and linger. 

Oran Park is forecast to expand to more than 50,000 residents over the coming decades, while Western

Sydney International Airport will welcome millions of passengers annually.

Already established in Blacktown, Albury, Dandenong and Adelaide Airport, Atura Oran Park will mark the brand's fifth Australian location. 

Shannon Craig, Area General Manager of Atura Oran Park, said the opening represented an exciting new chapter for both the hotel and the wider region. 

“We’re opening at a time when south western Sydney is experiencing extraordinary growth and momentum, and being the closest hotel to the new Western Sydney International Airport puts us in a commanding position to support travellers in and out of Sydney,” she said.

“Together with the Perich family, we’ve designed a hotel that feels open, vibrant and full of energy, with beautiful communal spaces, generous outdoor areas and places where people naturally want to spend time. 

"The accommodation has been equally considered, with a mix of room categories catering to everything including both overnight visits and extended stays. It's contemporary and welcoming, with a design language that draws on the region's motorsport ties and the Perich family’s heritage, creating a strong sense of place and connection to the neighbourhood that sits at the very heart of Atura."

Atura Oran Park will be at 135 Podium Way, Oran Park, NSW, 2570. See aturahotels.com

Much-loved Australian wine industry veteran dies

Mick Morris, a much-loved veteran winemaker and and one of the Australian wine industry's most respected figures, has died, his family reported today.

Mick (Charles Henry) Morris OAM, was 98.

Over a lifetime dedicated to his craft, he made an enduring contribution to the evolution and success of the Australian wine industry.

Mick Morris started his first official vintage as winemaker in 1953, quickly becoming a pioneer of durif (petite sirah)  as a table wine varietal, and was known for his world-class fortified wines.

His influence extended far beyond Rutherglen, where Morris Wines is based, helping shape Australian wine's reputation both at home and around the world.

"For all his achievements and honours, what those who knew Mick will remember most was the man himself," his son David and grandson Madden said in a media release.

"Mick was a fine, humble, immensely talented and extraordinarily generous person.

"He shared his knowledge freely, encouraged countless people throughout their careers, and remained deeply committed to his family, community and industry. His legacy will live on not only through the wines he helped create and the industry he helped shape, but through the many lives he touched along the way."

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, September 1. 

Andaz hotel brand set to make its Australian debut

 

The new Andaz Gold Coast is now accepting reservations ahead of its late 2026 opening, marking the debut of the globally known lifestyle hotel brand in Australia and the Pacific.

Located in Broadbeach, the heart of the glitter strip, the 202-room hotel will bring Andaz’s "design-led, locally-rooted" approach to hospitality to the dynamic coastal destination. 

Guests can expect contemporary guest rooms and suites, dining and social spaces, local experiences, elevated wellness and a pool deck designed to aid guests transition from laid-back days to vibrant evenings.

The site is surrounded by resorts, dining, entertainment, nightlife and shopping, placing guests moments from the beach, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Andaz Gold Coast represents an important milestone as the Andaz brand prepares to debut in Australia and the Pacific,” says David Udell, executive vice president and group president for Asia Pacific at Hyatt. 

“The hotel has been designed to capture the optimism, creative energy and natural contrasts of the Gold Coast, giving guests new ways to experience the destination through design, food, culture and personal discovery."

The design was conceived by Australian architecture firm DBI Architects, with interiors by award-winning design firm Hachem. 

Nove Restaurant and Bar will "reinterpret Mediterranean hospitality through a modern Australian lens" while Vista Lounge and Verde Bar (below) will be a destinations for cocktails and bites. 

The rooms and suites will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with select rooms (that means more expensive rooms) will have private outdoor spaces.

The Grand Opening Offer provides 20% off eligible room rates, with World of Hyatt members able to receive an enhanced saving of 25%. The offer is available to book until December 22 for stays between December 14 and June 30, 2027.

Guests seeking an elevated coastal escape can book the Gold Coast Escape package, which includes a $100 dining and drinking credit and complimentary upgrade. World of Hyatt members can receive an additional 5% off eligible rates. 

Australians warned of risks when travelling for medical procedures

Travelling to Thailand, India or Malaysia  for medical procedures or dental work can save you a lot of money - but the Australian Government is preaching caution. 

Despite lower costs, shorter waiting times, and access to services not available in Australia, Australians need to be careful, Smartraveller.gov.au warns. 

 

Having a medical procedure overseas comes with extra risks, it says. Standards of care, infection control and legal protections can be very different in other countries. 

If something goes wrong, you could face serious health problems, extra costs, and trouble getting follow-up care.

Almost half of Australians have travelled or would consider travelling overseas for a medical procedure, according to travel insurance research by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Insurance Council of Australia.

Medical tourism can include cosmetic surgery, dental procedures, fertility treatment, eye surgery, weight loss surgery and other elective or specialist medical treatments.

Some people combine their treatment with a holiday but Smarttraveller urges those tempted to get reliable, official information before booking a procedure overseas. 

You should confirm the credentials and accreditation of your surgeon or healthcare provider, check the reputation of the clinic or hospital and understand your legal rights if something goes wrong. 

Image: Arindam Paul, Scop.io