A whale of time in Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay in Queensland is one of Australia's most popular whale-watching venues. 

Mantra Hotels has revealed a range of  accommodation deals for this year's whale-watching season.



The season runs from now until September as thousands of giant humpback whales take time out from their annual migration in the calm waters of Hervey Bay.

Two of Hervey Bay's most popular resorts, Mantra Hervey Bay and BreakFree Great Sandy Straits, are offering deals for holidaymakers "looking for a whale of a time". This year, offers include a 20% discount off Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters tours when booked through hotel reception.

Stay at Mantra Hervey Bay, the only absolute marina front property situated near cruise departure points, over the whale watching season from $117 per night in a hotel room (two-night minimum). This offer also includes a bottle of wine and a whale watching gift pack on arrival. To book, visit www.mantrahotels.com/deals/whale-watching or call 1300 987 603.

BreakFree Great Sandy Straits offers absolute beachfront access and uninterrupted views of the bay and marina from sunrise to sunset. Stay from $129 in a one-bedroom apartment. This offer includes a whale watching gift pack on arrival. To book, www.mantrahotels.com/deals/whale-watching or call 1300 987 603.

Dinner at a classic Aussie country town pub

Every Australian country town should have a pub like the Daylesford Hotel.

Roaring fires, local red wines, artisan spirits, hearty food and welcoming  service make this pub one to treasure.

The food is cooked with flair, the drinks well chosen.

It is open for lunch Friday-Sunday noon-3pm and for dinner seven nights from 5pm. Here are some images from our visit.

www.daylesfordhotel.com.au

Young Gun triumph for South Australian brothers

South Australian brothers Damon and Jono Koerner from Koerner Wine in the Clare Valley were today named the 2019 Riedel Young Guns of Wine.

 

In their 13th year, the awards celebrate emerging wine producers. This year was the first time the ceremony was held in South Australia.

Koerner were awarded for their 2018 Grace Riesling and 2018 La Corse red wine. The duo specialise in "producing premium Clare Valley wines with no chemical intervention that display personality and purity".

Damon said the pair was thrilled with their win.

“It’s made even better by the fact that we’re doing it as brothers, we’re doing what we love and we have a great time doing it,” he said.

“And it’s nice to be recognised on a national level for something we’ve put a fair bit of time and effort into.

“We’re lucky that we grew up on a family vineyard that produces amazingly high-quality fruit and we’ve just put a lot of effort into making very pure, fresh, pristine wines.”

Koerner was one of three South Australian finalists in the annual competition with winemakers also coming from Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

It was the third year the brothers were finalists.

“The wines we entered from 2018 were by far the best we’ve ever made, and I think that’s probably why they stood out,” Damon said.

“Because it’s been the effort of mum and dad’s work before us in creating the vineyard and our work in making the wines.”

Damon said they aimed to produce wines that were true to the vineyard and varietals, with textures that didn’t mask other components of the wine.

Wines were selected by a panel of more than 100 sommeliers, winemakers and trade leaders, and judged by industry professionals.

Hungry Australians are cultural imperialists when they travel

A surprising number of Australians are cultural imperialists when they travel; seeking to impose their own values on the countries they visit. 

Many are also mean, according to results from a survey conducted by travel search engine  ​kayak.com.au​. 

Australians are particularly poor when it comes to tipping; often refusing to tip poorly paid local workers because tipping is not prevalent in their own country.

 

Over a fifth of those surveyed (21%) admit to never tipping when travelling and a further 16% only tip the waiters if the service was great, no matter the tipping etiquette in the country. 

Just 43% said they will tip the waiter ​if ​ tipping is expected in the country.

No wonder Australian travellers are not always greeted with joy by hospitality workers. 

The ​Travel Spending Report ​revealed that sampling local cuisine is the No.1 priority for Australians abroad. 

Dining out took out top spot in the survey of travel intentions with 50% of Aussie travellers prioritising spending their money on eating out at restaurants and cafes while abroad.

Paling in comparison, fewer than one in 10 (8%) choose to spend most of their money on exercise and adventure activities on holiday, while a quarter opt for splashing the cash on tours (25%) and cultural activities (26%).

Over a quarter (27%) of Aussies spend over $60 a day on food on holiday, while a third spend between $31 – $60 per day. Almost two thirds (63%) of Aussies also consider good food as key criteria when initially choosing a travel destination.

Hichame Assi, managing director, APAC, Global Hotels & Affiliates ​at Kayak says: “For Aussies on holiday, food and travel go hand in hand." 

Spice up your flight with some Nando's heat

Tired of boring and bland in-flight meals?

British budget airline Jet2.com is claiming an airline industry first after adding peri-peri-flavoured Nando's products to its in-flight menu.

The airline boasts it has "spiced up" its menu with the introduction of Nando's Peri-Peri flight bites.

The products include a dip, drizzle and dunk Nando's Box, which includes houmous, peri-peri drizzle and pitta chips.

Also on the menu is Nando's half-popped corn, a vegan-friendly snack.

Nando's vouchers can also be found in selected Nando's Boxes on board, entitling one person to a free Nando's meal.

Jet2 operates scheduled and chartered services and is the third-largest scheduled airline in the UK.

Its main base and headquarters is at Leeds Bradford International Airport, while Nando's was founded in South Africa and is globally known for its spicy chicken dishes. It has over 1,000 outlets in 35 countries.

New design hotel opens its doors in Carlton

The gourmet Melbourne suburbs of Carlton is home to a brand-new boutique hotel. 

The Zagame group has unveiled a 97- room hotel to be known as Zagame's House. It is the first in a proposed series of boutique hotels that the family aims to launch nationally. 

Located in Lygon Street, on the fringe of the CBD, the Zagame's House is the result of a $18 million transformation of the former Downtowner Hotel, a popular budget accommodation option operated by the Zagame family for 16 years. 

Distinctive commissioned art works completed on-site by artists Ryan Foote, Rosie Wood, Lulu Zagame and Karl Gordon spearhead the aesthetic of the new hotel. 

Brothers Victor and Robert Zagame said: “No expense has been spared in the transformation of this property. We invite our guests to experience for themselves the exquisite art, luxurious amenities and state-of-the-art technology." 

The 97 rooms are equipped with custom furnishings including king-sized beds, European pillows and locally produced linen, while integrated technology outlets and acoustically panelled walls aid privacy.

In a nod to the east, feng shui master Edgar Lok Tin Yung provided consultation on the project to ensure the correct flow of Qi throughout the hotel. 

Organic bath and body brand, Cowshed (apparently that really is their decidedly unsexy name), will be supplied to guests. Staff will wear uniforms designed and produced by Australian fashion label Robbandlulu.

In-room mini bars will showcase locally roasted coffee, courtesy of Mansfield Coffee Merchants, hand-selected Everleigh Bottling Co. cocktails, in-house created sweet and savoury treats as well as a risqué 'lovers kit' (how very naughty).

The hotel is also home to a private event space, a neighbourhood wine shop and bar and a coffee house and kitchen. 

The wine shop and bar, Lord Lygon, is headed up by executive chef Chris Bonello, who will deliver a tapas and drinks menu that champions locally based farmers, distillers and producers. How could it not?  

Streetside, Lobby 1851 coffee house and kitchen completes the Zagame House food offering, with a "refined" al a carte breakfast menu. The 24-hour room service menu even has a late-night toastie menu.

Zagame's House, 66 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053. 

(03) 9084 7777. www.zagameshouse.com.au.