Books and more books: Mona to unveil new wing

Need another excuse to visit Tasmania?

Mona founder David Walsh (right) has just come up with something. It only took him 10 years to get it done.

After four years of construction and 10 years of headaches, Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) is set to open its new wing in June, Walsh reveals.

It will feature a vast library to house his collection of rare books, maps and more, along with artworks by Anselm Kiefer, Julian Charrière and others.

"I was always all-in on books and libraries," Walsh says. "My first library card was the great leveller, the thing that gave impoverished child-me a chance to seek.’

The Phrontisterion, coined by Aristophanes in his work Clouds, for ‘a thinkery’, in which he ridicules the self-certainty of the educated, will draw from Walsh’s collection of "a big bunch of books".

Mona’s librarian Mary Lijnzaad said: "If you want to know what David is really like, browse his bookshelves."

Phrontisterion is connected to Mona’s existing buildings via tunnels in the sandstone and located in the space beneath the inverted-ziggurat levels of Elektra (above), an Anselm Kiefer amphitheatre, first built at Kiefer’s studio at La Ribaute in Barjac, southern France, with sculptures and paintings by the artist installed throughout.

The new wing will accommodate Breathe, a permanent installation by Julian Charrière, whose solo exhibition Hard Core will reside at Mona from June 6, 2026 to April 5, 2027. The installation invites visitors to breathe air that has never been breathed before.

The opening of the new wing also coincides with the return of Ryoji Ikeda’s light tower, spectra, and the Mona debut of In Absence, an architectural installation created by Kokatha/nukunu artist Yhonnie Scarce and Melbourne architects Aaron Roberts and Kim Bridgland for the 2019 NGV Architecture Commission.

The 9-metre-high timber tower takes inspiration from traditional eel traps and is adorned with 1,400 hand-blown, black glass murnong, or daisy yams.

See mona.net.au

Images: Supplied by Mona

Star Sydney chef opens up in the country

The South Coast of New South Wales is get another fine dining experience, with star Sydney chef Alex Prichard running the kitchen.

Prichard, former culinary director of Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, will lead a new era of regional dining with the opening of Sara Dining, a produce-driven restaurant set within Moraea Farm, part of the Linnaeus Collection near Berry.

The restaurant will open this winter with bookings now open. 

Prichard, who has lived on the NSW South Coast with his young family for six years, has close relationships with some of NSW and Australia's best producers. 

He has long dreamed of opening his own restaurant close to home. 

To bring their vision to life, Alex and his wife Angie have joined forces with local couple Peter and Nadia Yannopoulos, owners and operators of Linnaeus Collection, a portfolio of private residences across the Berry region that reimagines the traditional hotel model.

Sara Dining, restored to accommodate the restaurant, forms part of a "holistic vision" where accommodation, agriculture and dining exist as a connected ecosystem. 

“Sara is about stripping things back to what matters - the ingredient, the season, the region,” says Prichard. 

“It’s hospitality that feels grounded in the countryside, a relaxed way of eating, but also quietly elevated. We want guests to sit on the veranda, overlooking the garden and Berry hinterland, and feel like you are at a friend's home. But a friend who really cares about what you are eating and drinking."

At Linnaeus Collection, established in Berry in 2019, guests stay in a selection of architecturally designed farm estates and town residences. 

The menu will be influenced by Moraea Farm and the surrounding region, with a focus on local seafood, small-scale producers and garden-led cooking. Prichard will also use benchmark ingredients from some of his favourite producers from elsewhere in Australia.



Dishes from the opening Sara Dining menu include: 

* Wheelers Sydney Rock oysters with pink peppercorn mignonette, served with a spice wild boar chipolata

* Salad of raw wild kingfish and tuna, radishes, Moraea Farm pickles, sesame and plum

* Mixed crudo plate of Paspaley pearl meat, Franks Bombo Royal red prawns, Craig Lukey Ulludulla blue mackerel, wild kingfish, trevally and tuna, Chris Bolton coral trout. Served with Ananda organic capers, green ant and verjus dressing.

* Kangaroo Valley retired dairy cow rib eye and tableside condiments

* Wild-shot Highlands venison tartare with seaweed

Sara Dining will be at 450b Coolangatta Rd, Berry, NSW.

www.saradining.com.au

Images: Jason Loucas

Club Med to offer a new South African experience

South Africa remains one of the best "bang for your buck" travel destinations anywhere on the planet. 

Now Club Med, the pioneer of premium all-inclusive holidays, is set to make its debut in South Africa with the launch of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari. 

The new resort is located on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal and is scheduled to open in July. 

“The launch of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari marks an exciting first for our brand – our very first footprint in South Africa," said Rachael Harding, CEO of Club Med East, South Asia and Pacific. 

"This project not only celebrates the extraordinary beauty of KwaZulu-Natal but also introduces a one-of-a-kind combination of beach and safari experiences. It's a truly unique (sic) offering that we believe will deeply appeal to our clients in ESAP and beyond, who are consistently seeking new and immersive travel experiences.”

The resort will be situated just 30 minutes from King Shaka International Airport [in Durban] and developed across 32 hectares of unspoilt natural surroundings.

It will feature 411 accommodations, including superior and deluxe rooms as well as an Exclusive Collection Ilanga section with 66 suites.

Guests at Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari can look forward to "a holiday experience that combines world-class resort amenities with unrivalled opportunities for discovery". 

The resort will feature four swimming pools, including a main pool, a family pool, an adult-only Zen pool and a dedicated Exclusive Collection pool. 

Dining options will include Oceana, an all-day restaurant showcasing international cuisine, and the Nguni Gourmet Club, a refined dining venue highlighting South African seafood and regional produce. 

Several bars will complete the offering. 

For the first time in Club Med's history, a resort experience will be paired with an exclusive private safari adventure.

Located within an 18,000-hectare game reserve four plus hours north of the resort, Mpilo Safari Lodge will be reserved for Club Med guests, offering premium tented accommodation with panoramic views and a full range of amenities. 

Daily guided drives led by experienced rangers will give guests the opportunity to encounter the “Big Five” – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalo – in their natural element. 

The Dolphin Coast will also play host to Club Med's very first Surf School while a wellness centre will provide spa treatments, hammam rituals and yoga palapas. 

See Club Med's website. 

White takes over running wine industry body

Experienced wine industry operative      Emily White starts today as the new executive director of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO). 

ASVO is a non-political member-based organisation founded to serve the interests of practising winemakers and viticulturists by encouraging the exchange of technical information.

White joins ASVO with substantial experience in the wine and agribusiness industries underpinned by a Bachelor of Viticultural Science and further studies in wine marketing.

She has a distinguished track-record in senior marketing and has led global and regional initiatives across agricultural sales, marketing, strategy, and industry engagement roles. 

Her experience includes leading teams across broader agribusiness environments and various Australian wine businesses, encompassing Taltarni/Clover Hill Vineyards, Treasury Wine Estates, and Accolade Wines. 

White will collaborate closely with retiring executive director Chris Waters for the next two months as she readies herself to take over the management of ASVO. 

“We are delighted to have found such a strong candidate to take the ASVO forward," said president Samantha Scarratt. 

"Emily’s strength in marketing and business development will assist the ASVO to grow its membership base and profile and will be an excellent complement to the extensive viticulture and winemaking - and recently added editorial and financial - expertise of the ASVO board of directors. 

"Emily brings a different skillset to the ASVO, which will help lead the organisation into the future.”

White said: "ASVO plays a vital role in bringing together technical leadership and industry - from publishing research that drives practical improvements, to creating opportunities for members to connect and share knowledge across oenology and viticulture.

"I am particularly committed to strengthening partnerships and collaborative platforms that deliver real value to our members, while building meaningful connections across research, industry, and education. 

“My focus will be on increasing membership value and leveraging ASVO’s trusted position to benefit both current and future generations shaping Australia’s wine sector.”

Top Asian destinations for families revelealed

 

Planning an Asian holiday with kids? You might want know about the most popular destinations for families. 

Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed that Shanghai Disneyland (above) tops the list of family activities in Asia, based on activities booked on the site between January 1 and April 15 this year. 

The data reveals that destinations that offer theme parks and unique viewing points will be the go-to choices for family fun this summer.

Following Shanghai Disneyland, Genting Skyworlds Theme Park near Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Fukuoka Tower in Fukuoka (Japan), Penang Hill Funicular in Penang (Malaysia), and Aquaria Phuket in Phuket (Thailand) round out the top five most popular family destinations for 2026. 

Theme parks, aquariums, and viewing points offer entertainment for all ages, whether traveling with toddlers or teens, Agoda says. 

"Families are gearing up for their summer vacations [in Asia]," sayd Jun Dong, vice president at Agoda. 

"From the enchanting world of Shanghai Disneyland to the breath-taking views atop Penang Hill, there's something for every family to enjoy. 

"Our platform simplifies the travel planning process, allowing families to seamlessly book a wide range of activities alongside flights and accommodations. This ensures a connected and stress-free journey, so families can focus on creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime."

See Agoda.com.

Tasmanian wine producer targeting Korean market

South Korea and India are largely unexplored export destinations for Australian wine producers.

Both have large populations with increasingly western focused young populations offering immense potential.

Josef Chromy Wines from Tasmania is one the wineries taking advantage and has partnered with Choix Trading to launch in South Korea’s on-trade sectors, wine industry news hub the drinks business has reported.

Choix Trading is operated by Avec Wine, an importer and distributor with offices in Seoul and Busan.

Avec says on its website: “We import and distribute wines that are not merely for drinking and getting drunk, but to further enhance gatherings with good people."

Josef Chromy Wines has worked with Choix Trading to launch a collection targeting leading Korean sommeliers and hospitality venues. 

The South Korean collection features Josef Chromy Riesling 2024; Chardonnay 2024; Pinot Noir 2024; Sparkling Cuvée NV; Sparkling Rosé NV; and Zdar Chardonnay 2024.

Founded by transplanted Czech native Josef Chromy in 2007, the estate boasts a 61-hectare vineyard at Relbia, south of Launceston.

Choix Trading is a boutique importer recently established to concentrate on higher-end vintages for on-trade channels.

“Josef Chromy Wines represents the type of high quality, terroir-driven estate we are committed to introducing to South Korea’s on-trade market,” said Taeho Choi, CEO with Choix Trading.

“We look forward to building the brand with our on-trade partners and sharing Tasmania’s distinctive cool-climate style with the Korean hospitality sector.”