Lyndey Milan to lead an exploration of Provence's treats

No one enjoys good food and wine as much as Australian culinary icon Lyndey Milan OAM.

Now she has joined World Expeditions to lead an exclusive trip through the food, wine, art and landscapes of Provence.

World Expeditions has announced Milan as host of a new 11-day small-group journey through one of her favourite parts of the world, the South of France.

Provence: The Art of Living Well with Lyndey Milan will depart in September next year, combining food, wine, travel, culture and, "the pleasure of bringing people together around a table".

For more than four decades, Milan has helped shape the way Australians think about food and wine. 

The former food director of The Australian Women’s Weekly and co-host of Nine’s Fresh, she has presented food and travel television series around the world, authored award-winning cookbooks, judged leading wine and food competitions and hosted culinary journeys internationally.

She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to hospitality, particularly the food and wine industry, and to the community.

“Living well is about enjoyment, feeling glad to be alive and being excited by new discoveries,” Milan said. 

“Provence embodies that beautifully. It’s the people, the weather, the food and wine, the markets, history, culture and villages, but also the relaxed lifestyle. It is such a joyful place.”

The World Expeditions journey explores Provence at a deliberately unhurried pace, travelling from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (two nights) to Aix-en-Provence (four nights) and hilltop Gordes ( four nights). All delightful destinations, particularly after the August holiday hordes have departed.

Timed for late September, as summer gives way to autumn and les vendanges, the grape harvest, brings the vineyards to life, the itinerary combines food, wine, art, markets and walking.

Food and wine are naturally central. Travellers will shop for seasonal produce at local markets before cooking together in a Provençal home, visit an organic olive estate for a tasting and gourmet picnic among the groves, and enjoy a special visit to Maison AIX, including a tour of the estate and cellar and a tasting of its Provençal rosé.

“But this is not a cooking tour,” Milan said. 

"The journey is about so much more than food. We’ll explore the history and culture of Provence and meet some of the characters who make these communities what they are. It’s that access and those personal connections that make the experience so special. You simply couldn’t replicate it travelling independently.”

Limited to just 16 travellers, the tour departs on September 24, 2027, and costs $13,990 per person twin share.

International hotel brand expands its Brisbane offering

With the 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon, the hotel landscape in Brisbane is in a state of flux.

Accor, Australia's largest hospitality group, this week announced the signing of Novotel Brisbane City Centre in the space that was previously Capri by Fraser.

Opening on November 1, the hotel will become become Accor's 22nd hotel in the city.

As the Queensland capital prepares to welcome the world for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the arrival of another globally recognised hotel brand supports its growing profile as a major tourism, business and events destination.

The 239-room hotel is owned by Frasers Hospitality and will operate under Accor management, further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two groups. The existing partnership includes Novotel Melbourne on Collins and Novotel Sydney Darling Square.

Located in Brisbane's CBD, close to Queen Street Mall and the City Botanic Gardens, Novotel Brisbane City Centre features three meeting rooms, a restaurant, 24-hour gym and yoga room, indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna.



“Novotel Brisbane City Centre is opening at a defining moment for the region,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“With major investment in infrastructure, tourism and events underway, we see enormous potential for Brisbane over the coming decade. Our focus is on ensuring we have the right brands in the right locations to meet that growth, and we are delighted to expand both our Novotel network and our partnership with Frasers Hospitality.”

Novotel Brisbane City Centre joins a global network of more than 630 Novotel properties across 70 countries.

The hotel's opening offer has rooms from $262 per night. See ALL.com.

Hemsworth adds Hollywood gloss to Australian whisky

Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth is proving to be an active participant in Sydney-based Archie Rose Distilling Co, the company he now co-owns.

Hemsworth is playing a key role as the distillery unveils a whole new look, with a refreshed core whisky range and redesigned bottles inspired by the Australian provenance behind the whisky. 

Hemsworth has co-directed and co-produced a new short film for Archie Rose, starring alongside his brother Luke.

The film marks the next chapter for Archie Rose following Hemsworth's move into the business as co-owner earlier this year. 

You can view the short film on Chris Hemsworth’s YouTube channel and on the Archie Rose website. Clearly designed to expose the brand to global markets. 

Hemsworth has been closely involved in shaping the brand’s new identity and global creative direction, bringing his connection to the Australian landscape to a campaign with a distinctly local feel and a touch of humour.

Hemsworth and founder Will Edwards' range brings together two award-winning favourites, Single Malt Whisky and Straight Rye Malt Whisky, alongside Australian Original Whisky, a new addition to the core collection. 

The liquid and production methods behind the existing whiskies remain unchanged despite the new look. 

All three whiskies will be available at major retailers and independent bottle shops, as well as selected bars, restaurants and hotels across Australia.

“This new chapter stays true to what has always defined Archie Rose: making exceptional whisky in Australia, from Australian-grown ingredients, with a genuine sense of place,” says Edwards. 

“We’ve spent the last twelve years refining our whiskies and we now have a portfolio and brand identity that reflects our Australian-grown and -made heritage, while giving us a strong platform to introduce Australian whisky to more people around the world.”

Chris Hemsworth is clearly enjoying his involvement. 

“Archie Rose embodies the very best of Australia - from raw local ingredients to the incredible passion of the team behind the stills." he says. 

"I’ve been a fan of Archie Rose for years because, quite simply, they make brilliant whisky. The awards speak for themselves, but it’s the flavour and character of each expression that truly set them apart. 

"Unveiling these three whiskies with a look that reflects the richness of our landscape isn't just an exciting evolution; it’s Australian distilling at its absolute peak. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created and can’t wait for more people in Australia and around the world to discover them.”

I'll let you know what I think of the whiskies once they land. 

See www.archierose.com.au. 

Tasmania's east coast wineries set to sparkle

From flashy Devil's Corner to old school Spring Vale, and from the views of Boomer Creek to debutant newcomer Rooster & Robin, the wineries of Tasmania's east coast will be on show this weekend.

The beautiful east coast will host the Great Eastern Wine Week from Friday, October 23, to Sunday, October 25.

Now in its 12th year, the three-day festival invites locals and visitors alike to be immersed in a vibrant celebration of the lovely East Coast Wine Trail, which includes local favourites like Freycinet Vineyard, Milton, Craigie Knowe, Gala Estate and McLean Bay.

This year’s Great Eastern Wine Week will see a bumper line-up of east coast cellar doors host a program of boutique experiences, long lunches, vineyard events and tastings, showcasing the people, stories and spirit behind the region’s finest wines.

Event highlights include Devil’s Corner Vineyard’s hands-on Pizza and Pinot Masterclass, and Flow State, which will see Rivulet Wines open its riverside vineyard exclusively for Great Eastern Wine Week, inviting guests to join trophy winner Keira O’Brien on a guided tasting journey of the Rivulet range, while grazing on seasonal local snacks.

Great Eastern Wine Week Association Coordinator Kelsey Walker said: “This year’s Great Eastern Wine Week is a real celebration of the legacy and longevity of the winemaking industry here on the east coast of Tasmania.

"It’s a rare opportunity to go behind the bottle, meet the local legends who bring the region’s award-winning wines to life, and discover a new favourite wine while you’re at it.”

Spanning 220 kilometres of pristine coastline and making more than 150,000 cases of wine annually, the East Coast Wine Trail is one of Australia’s few coastal-facing wine regions.

It runs from Orford in the south to St Helens and surrounds in the north.

Great Eastern Wine Week will kick off with a relaxed, community-style celebration at Artifakt in Swansea on Thursday. 

Attendees can meet local winemakers, discover local wines and enjoy an evening of complimentary tastings, light nibbles and good company. There will also be a special auction featuring local wines and experiences.

Event tickets and the full event program are available at the Great Eastern Wine Week website at https://eastcoastwinetrail.com.au/

Flexible deal at a Perth hotel with the Subiaco vibe

 

If you like to be in the centre of the action then Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth might be right up your busy street.

Subiaco is one of Perth’s liveliest neighbourhoods and with Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth’s Perth Getaway deal offers 5% off the hotel's best available rate and includes breakfast for two.

That means the best available rate is not actually the best available rate, but from $259 a night, guests can base themselves in the heart of Italian accented Subiaco, close to the neighbourhood’s restaurants, bars, boutiques and cafés.

Central Perth just a short drive, or long walk, away.

Subiaco is named after a commune outside Rome and lies about 3km west of the Perth CBD. The area has been extensively redeveloped and gentrified over the past couple of decades.
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The fully flexible rate is useful if your plans change.

Book by October 31 2026, for stays from November 2026 to September 2027. 

If you time your run, UnWined is returning to Subiaco from October 24-25, celebrating the best of local wine producers with over 75 stalls for guests to explore along with gourmet food vendors.

 
See https://vibehotels.com/book-accommodation/perth/hotel-subiaco-perth/#hotel-deals

Qantas puts Pacific destinations on sale

Fancy a Pacific island break? 

Qantas today launched a sale across its Pacific network with more than 18,000 discounted seats to eight island destinations including Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Samoa and Norfolk Island.

The sale comes as Australians continue to head to the islands in record numbers, with more than 430,000 trips taken to Fiji in 2025-26, an increase of more than 5% on the previous year. 

The week-long sale includes economy return fares from $579 from Brisbane to Port Vila, with travel available on select dates between January and September 2027, including the drier months from May to September. 

Australia is Vanuatu’s largest source of visitors, with the Vanuatu Tourism Office reporting its highest monthly arrivals from Australia on record in January 2026, Qantas said in its media release.

Other economy return fares start from $599 from Sydney to Fiji, $599 from Brisbane and Sydney to Norfolk Island, and $609 from Brisbane to Noumea in New Caledonia. 

“The islands of the Pacific have long been a favourite escape for Australians and this sale brings eight of them into closer reach with fares from $579 return," said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace:

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“From a winter break on Norfolk Island and a week in Fiji to diving in Palau and Vanuatu, there’s something here for every kind of island getaway, whether it’s a couples’ escape, a family holiday or a trip with friends. 

"With travel dates through to September 2027, it’s a great chance to lock in a break for the year ahead.”

Qantas fares include checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages, and inflight entertainment.

Sale fares are for various travel dates between November 2026 and September 2027 with select blackout periods. 

Image: Lomani Island, Fiji. Supplied.