Felons crew brewing big plans for Manly

Brisbane craft brewer Felons Brewing Co. is expanding to Sydney.

Felons will be taking over Manly Wharf Bar from Friday, October 18.

Since taking ownership of Manly Wharf in April, Artemus Group, the group behind Brisbane’s acclaimed Howard Smith Wharves, has been re-creating the waterfront precinct as a vibrant hub for community and culture.

Felons Brewing Co. will serve as a central feature of the Wharf’s revitalised experience.

“We’re excited to unveil Felons’ new home at Manly Wharf,” said Adam Flaskas, co-founder and director of Artemus Group. “Our vision for Manly Wharf has always been to create a dynamic, community-focused destination, that fuses dining, and entertainment and raises the bar on hospitality.”

Paul Henry, co-founder and director of Artemus Group, added: “As a Sydney boy, I have had many fun times on the Northern Beaches. Manly is the gateway to our famous city, and truly special, where the ocean meets the harbour.

“Felons is a special beer, to be enjoyed with friends and fun times. I am excited and indeed honoured to be involved in the revitalisation of the iconic Manly Wharf and to bring our beloved Felons brewery to its new home in Sydney.”

Felons Brewing Co. was established by Adam Flaskas and Paul Henry alongside CEO Luke Fraser; brand director Dean Romeo; and brewery director Tom Champion.

Collectively, they have over 75 years of brewing experience.

“Our brewing philosophy at Felons Brewing Co. has always been guided by a core belief - to brew no-fuss beer with fresh, local ingredients while focusing on balanced and sessionable products that drive sociability and memorable experiences for our customers,” said Champion.

Felons Manly will showcase a selection of their award-winning beers, including Crisp Lager, Galaxy Haze, and Australian Pale Ale, as well as barrel-aged beer, and seasonal and limited-edition brews.

Beyond beers, the drinks list will include a mix of cocktails; Champagne; Australian and international wines; a selection of spirits; and (a must nowadays) non-alcoholic alternatives.

Chef Corey Costelloe, former culinary director of Rockpool Bar and Grill, has designed the Felons Manly menu.

The menu features beef supplied by CopperTree farms along with Clarence River baby octopus with lemon, chilli and oregano; 36-hour fermented pizza dough, kick-started with a splash of Felons Australian Pale Ale before being topped with fresh, local ingredients; and whole butterflied whiting from Coffs Harbour.

Felons will launch a new music program, featuring live jazz, soul, and funk bands most nights, along with Sydney’s top DJs spinning disco, 80s boogie and Afrocentric grooves.

See www.wharfbar.com.au 

Launceston hotel rewarded for sustainability efforts

Tasmania heavily promotes its clean, green image, even if there are a lot of old growth trees being chopped down out of the view of most tourists, and the local farmed salmon industry is problematic.

That said, there are lot of tourism operators doing their best to be sustainable and protect the environment.

Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston has met globally recognised sustainable tourism standards to become the first hotel in Tasmania to achieve Ecotourism Australia's Sustainable Tourism Certification.

The Accor hotel has been recognised for its sustainability measures across accommodationl, Grain of the Silos restaurant, and its meetings and events offering.

The independent validation confirms Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston has met international best practice sustainable tourism standards across eight criteria sections, including environmental management, interpretation and education, working with local communities, and cultural respect and sensitivity.

"The hotel team has worked diligently to improve their sustainability initiatives across the entire property," said Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston GM Paul Seaman.

Tthey were proud to announce their certification achievement and acknowledge the support of the hotel's owner in supporting key initiatives, such as solar panels and local procurement."

Grain of the Silo food director Massimo Mele said being fiercely local and creating connections with producers was a critical part of the restaurant's offering and identity from day one.

“Our processes and connections with local farmers and growers takes courage and planning to match the expectations of diners and travellers with the seasons and sustainable farming,” he said.

To learn more about Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston on the Green Travel Guide see https://greentravelguide.org/listing/peppers-silo

Margaret River flaunts its eco-friendly credentials

Margaret River is celebrating World Environment Day as the region has been named as the first ECO destination in Western Australia, and only one of four Australia-wide.

Through this certification program, visitors are assured the region has a range of high-quality nature-based tourism products and a strong commitment to improving sustainable practices into the future.

Driven by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, and supported by the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, 26 businesses across the region are now ECO Certified.

Margaret River Discovery Company, Blackwood River Houseboats, Fair Harvest Permaculture and Tanah Marah are the latest to receive the certification, alongside the likes of the Margaret River Retreat, Margaret River Surf School, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, and Jewel, Mammoth and Lake caves.

In addition to this, 68 wineries across the Margaret River region are certified members of Sustainable Wine Growing Australia, with 12% of vineyards certified organic or biodynamic.

As one of only 36 bio-diversity certified hotspots on earth, the south west has thousands of plant species found nowhere else in the world.

Margaret River is promoted as the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves just a three-hour drive from Perth (if the traffic gods are kind).

For more information on the Margaret River region visit westernaustralia.com.

On safari: a quintessentially Australian river experience

A guided multi-activity wildlife adventure exploring the iconic Murray River and Riverland Ramsar Wetlands is the latest addition to the Australian Wildlife Journeys collection. 

But don't expect to be roughing it - this is a bush experience with plenty of luxury thrown in.

Part of the Murray River Trails portfolio launched by Tony and Susie Sharley in 2016, the Murray River Safari is a three-day, two-night guided wildlife experience based out of Renmark in South Australia. 

It combines the comforts of houseboat accommodation with immersive nature activities including canoeing, bushwalking, creek cruising, nature drives and bird watching.

Situated along one of the most picturesque sections of Australia's longest river, the Riverland Ramsar Wetland area includes an 80km section of the Murray River and more than 200km  of creeks.

There is the chance to spot wild koalas, brush-tailed possums, red kangaroos, lace monitors and 180 bird species; including emus, wedge-tailed Eagles and sharp-tailed sandpipers,. 

The Murray River Safari accommodates up to 10 people to showcase "in-depth interpretation and personalised conversations". 

Guides cover the river's history, geology, culture, people, environmental challenges and regenerative opportunities. A menu by chef Andrew Fielke is provided throughout the trip, with a focus on natve and local produce, matched with premium local wines.

Operating between March and November, the Murray River Safari provides a perfect complement to the group's award-winning Murray River Walk that runs between May to September, with the opportunity for guests to combine the two experiences. 

“We are delighted to join a national collective that not only celebrates the importance of sharing our diverse natural landscapes, climatic zones, and amazing fauna across Australia, but provides opportunities for guests to contribute to a better future for wildlife across our most critical ecosystems” said Tony Sharley, managing director of Murray River Trails.

A 3 day/2 night Murray River Safari includes private cruising, guided woodlands and cliff walks, private guided canoeing trip, a driving safari through dunes, lodge-style accommodation for two nights on a modern houseboat and all meals and beverages including wines and beer, juice and coffee. Prices from $1,750 per person (twin share). 

See murrayrivertrails.com.au

Images: Murray River Trails