On target: Meet Tasmania's bush festival

Calling all lovers of Tasmania's great outdoors. 

Highlands BushFest, scheduled to be held next month in Bothwell, in the island's Central Highlands, is designed for those who enjoy boating, camping, fishing and other outdoor pursuits. 

 
Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Alex Heroys said at this week's event launch in Hobart that BushFest is a festival showcasing outdoor adventure that people participate in, rather than simply walk around.

Highlands BushFest will be held at Bothwell Recreation Ground from 9am-4pm on November 21-22 with entry via a gold coin donation.

“BushFest brings together outdoor recreation, practical skills, food, traditional knowledge, rural life and family adventure,” Heroys said.

“Visitors can watch experts, ask questions, learn something and, wherever possible, have a go themselves.”

Mayor Lou Triffitt said BushFest brings visitors into Bothwell and the Central Highlands, supporting local communities and businesses, showcasing the municipality and encouraging people to return.

“BushFest is very important to our Central Highlands community," she said. 

"It brings thousands of people into Bothwell, supports our local businesses and gives us an opportunity to show people what we have right across our municipality. 

“We have wonderful fishing, walking, camping, cycling, golf, hunting, paragliding and off-road experiences here.

“BushFest gives people the chance to try some of these activities, learn from people who know them well and hopefully come back and explore more of the Central Highlands.”

BushFest attracted approximately 4000 people in 2023, 6000 in 2024 and 7000 in 2025.

Looking for more details: https://centralhighlands.tas.gov.au/bushfest/

Image: Discover Tasmania 

Oatley family back in charge of Rosemount

Rosemount Estate, once one of Australia’s highest-profile wine brands, is back under the ownership of its founding family.

A.G. Oatley Wines, owned by Sandy Oatley and his daughter Nicky Oatley, today advised it had completed the the return of the Rosemount brand to the Oatley family. 

The Oatleys also purchased the Secret Stone brand from New Zealand and Ingoldby from McLaren Vale. This followed their purchase of Murray Street Vineyards at Greenock, in the Barossa Valley. Prices were not disclosed. 

Founded by Bob Oatley AO BEM in 1969, Rosemount merged with Southcorp in 2001, and eventually became part of Treasury Wine Estates in 2011.

In the 1990s, Rosemount was a driving force in the Australian wine industry. It was renowned for taking Australian chardonnay and shiraz to global markets. 

“We are thrilled to be able to bring Rosemount home to our family once again,” said Sandy Oatley. “I worked with my father building Rosemount into a globally recognised Australian brand for over 20 years. 

"To have the opportunity to now work on the brand with my daughter Nicky is an extraordinary full circle moment.”

The transition of the Rosemount brand to A.G. Oatley Wines will be completed this month. 

Treasury Wine Estates has recently divested other labels including Seppelt, Tollana and Rouge Homme. 

A separate transaction saw A.G. Oatley Wines acquire Murray Street Vineyards. 

The purchase includes the modern winery, the popular cellar door and extensive vineyard holdings. Spanning 56 hectares across five titles on the esteemed Western Ridge of the Barossa Valley, the estate is a significant landholding in the heart of the Barossa. 

Founded in 2001 by William (Bill) Jahnke and Andrew Seppelt, Murray Street Vineyards became fully family-owned in 2014 when Janai Brengman joined her father as co-owner.

The Oatley family intends to build on the foundations already established at Murray Street, with a continued focus on vineyard quality, provenance and the character of the estate.

“Murray Street Vineyards has built an outstanding reputation in the Barossa, and we’re honoured to be its next custodians,” said Sandy Oatley. “As a family business ourselves, we share the values that have shaped Murray Street, and we look forward to building on the legacy Bill and Janai have created.”

The purchase deepens the Oatley roots in South Australia with the recent purchase of long-term friend Chris Hancock’s La Colline Vineyard at Chalk Hill, just behind the McLaren Vale township. 

"Our family has been involved in the industry for generations, and we remain incredibly passionate about Australian wine,” said Nicky Oatley. “South Australia is such an important part of the industry’s future, and these investments in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale allow us to play a meaningful role."

# Oatley family brands include Robert Oatley, Wild Oats, NOW (Nicole Oatley Wines), Whipbird and Hancock. Winemaking is led by Larry Cherubino, with Debbie Lauritz leading the charge out of the family’s Mudgee winery and vineyards - joined now by Murray Street’s Ben Perkins. Sandy and Nicky Oatley also own Oatley Fine Wine Merchants, an established national wine distribution business. 

Image: Nicky Oatley and Sandy Oatley. Credit: Robert Palmer

Wine industry veteran Wolf Blass recognised

Wine industry veteran Wolf Blass has been honoured by his peers. 

The Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) named Blass AM as the 2026 South Australian ‘Legend of the Vine’. 

The award is presented  to recognise a South Australian who is of excellent character, who is held in high regard by their peers in the world of wine, and who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian wine industry. 

Wolf Blass is an outstanding Legend of the Vine, as he is a passionate wine communicator -someone who has taken the Australian wine message to the world, with clarity, conviction, and no shortage of personality, the WCA said.

Wolf started his wine journey in Germany, where he completed a Certificate in Viticulture and Winemaking in 1952, followed by a Diploma in Oenology in 1954, and a Kellermeister qualification in 1956. 

But Australia called and in 1961 he moved to the Barossa, beginning a career that would reshape the Australian wine story forever.

In 1967, he introduced a colour-coded tiered label system for his wines - Grey, Yellow, Red, Black, Platinum - making wine more accessible, less intimidating, and far easier for everyday drinkers to understand. 

This simple but brilliant communication breakthrough changed how Australians talked about wine.

His wines often dominated national awards, with over 10,000 wins, including an unprecedented three consecutive Jimmy Watson Trophies from 1974 to 1976 - and again in 1999. No other producer has won it four times.

Blass has previously been recognised as a Baron of the Barossa, a Member of the Order of Australia, a Senior Australian of the Year finalist and received the Australian Export Hero Award.

In 1994, on his 60th Birthday, he founded the Wolf Blass Foundation which now has a permanent home at the Wolf Blass Gallery & Museum in Hahndorf.

“There is one spot left on the walls of my Gallery & Museum, so I know exactly where this certificate is going,” Blass said

Wolf Blass is the 12th South Australian to receive the SA Legend of the Vine Award. Somewhat belatedly, perhaps. 

He joins a  list that includes Prue Henschke, Jane Ferrari, Peter Hayes, Brian Croser AO, Pam Dunsford, Tony Love, Brian Walsh, d’Arry Osborne, Dr Patrick Iland OAM, and Bill Hardy OAM, who presented him with the award certificate. 

Image: Bill Hardy OAM and Wolf Blass AM, Supplied

Six Senses unveils ambitious plans

Luxury hotel brand Six Senses is planning an ambitious expansion in 2027, with five new luxury properties scheduled to open across Europe, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The new properties will add city hotels, historic estates and destination resorts to the Six Senses portfolio.

The openings will strengthen the brand’s presence in key luxury markets, including Italy, Spain and France, while extending its Middle East footprint, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Six Senses Milan (top image) is scheduled to open in early 2027 in Brera, opposite the Pinacoteca di Brera and close to Milan’s Duomo.

The 85-room property will feature 69 rooms and 16 suites, including two with private relaxation pools and another with a private terrace and 12.5-meter pool. Dining options will include a seasonal restaurant and deli, alongside two bars, including a rooftop venue.

The Six Senses Spa will feature a 15-meter indoor pool, saunas, hammam, cold plunge and rooftop pool. An Earth Lab will focus on sustainability and community initiatives.

In Spain, Six Senses Quexigal Palace will bring the brand to a historic estate near Madrid in early 2027. Built in 1563 by architect Juan de Herrera, the property was once a royal country residence and hunting lodge.

Six Senses Tel Aviv will also open in early 2027, combining five historic buildings dating from 1909 with a new 10-story tower. The project will feature 140 hotel rooms and 55 residences, plus a spa, rooftop sky pool and cocktail bar, chef-led restaurant and Six Senses Place. It might prove a hard sell.

In France, Six Senses Loire Valley is targeted for the third quarter of 2027.

The resort will feature 88 suites and villas, a golf course with a second 18-hole course planned, equestrian and tennis facilities, an organic farm and extensive hiking and cycling trails. Another 70 private villas are planned.

The expansion will extend into the Gulf with Six Senses Wadi Safar in Saudi Arabia scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Perth gains a third Mercure hotel

Booming Perth has a new accommodation option with the opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park.

The new hotel is the third Mercure property in Western Australia.

Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is said to offer "contemporary accommodation designed for both business and leisure travellers".

It features 70 guest rooms and a spacious suite, with somet rooms boasting private balconies overlooking the Perth skyline, John Oldham Park and the Swan River, which is just a short stroll away.

The new hotel marks global hotel giant Accor's second partnership with Capital Bay Management, following the successful operation of The Sebel West Perth.

"The opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is a strong addition to our network in Western Australia," says Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

"As the third Mercure hotel in Perth, it reflects the growing appeal of the brand and our commitment to providing quality accommodation that connects guests with the unique character of each destination.”

Peow Lim, general manager at Capital Bay Management, added: "Joining the Accor family through the Mercure brand marks an important milestone for Capital Bay Management.

"With its prime position between Kings Park and the Swan River, the hotel offers guests a unique sense of space and connectivity to the Perth CBD."

Rooms start from just $235 per night, available via all.com.

Get hot, cold, wet and chilled on Sydney Harbour

Pier One Sydney Harbour has partnered with Wellness Afloat to launch a premium floating sauna and cold water therapy wellness experience on Sydney Harbour.

Blending luxury hospitality with eco-wellness rituals, the floating sanctuary offers contrast therapy (hot sauna + cold plunge) paired with uninterrupted harbour views.

I'm told the experience aims to help guests to "relax, recover, and reset".

Anchored in a secluded harbour cove, the experience centres around The ARK, a timber-clad floating sauna with direct views of the Harbour Bridge.

All guests are collected from Pier One Sydney Harbour’s private pontoon.

Once aboard The ARK, they embark on a contrast therapy ritual of alternating heat and cold, designed to support relaxation, recovery and wellbeing.

Designed for two, the Romantic Harbour Escape is a private two-hour wellness experience that concludes with complimentary glass of bubbles each at Pier Bar. 

For the a ritzy harbourside experience, you can add on the Pier One Package, including a reserved cabana at Pier Bar, bottle of Champagne, six freshly shucked oysters and a curated grazing board at Pier Bar for two.

All bookings receive a voucher for 20% off at Pier Bar following their experience.

The Wellness Afloat experiences at Pier One Sydney Harbour are available at https://www.pieronesydneyharbour.com.au/wellness-afloat-at-pier-one/.