New Perth festival celebrates indigenous culture

A new festival in Perth (Boorloo) will celebrate Western Australia's Aboriginal culture.

EverNow will run from October 4-9, promising five nights of sound, light and fire.

The event will celebrate during the Noongar season of Kambarang - when an abundance of flowers and colours change the land.

The series of free evening events will be held at locations across Perth - including the Supreme Court Gardens, Government House Gardens and Kings Park (Kaarta Koomba).

Kings Park will host the reimagining of Boorna Waaginy: The Trees Speak, transforming the park with a display of light, sound and projections - telling the stories of Noongar culture and the beauty and biodiversity of the region.

Nearby, the doors to Government House Gardens will also be opened to the public as it is transformed into Fire Gardens, described as "a dreamscape of leaping flames and shadows".

Inspired by conversations with Noongar elders, the fiery wonderland will be set alight by international flame experts Compagnie Carabosse.

The city's Supreme Court Gardens, overlooking the Swan River (Derbal Yerrigan) will play host to Song Circle, a live performance and celebration of Noongar song and dance.

The three events will all be free to attend, with some requiring a ticket to gain entry, and will be held at different times across the five-night festival.

Song Circle: Supreme Court Gardens, October 4-8
Fire Gardens: Government House Gardens, October 5-8
Boorna Waanginy, The Trees Speak: Kings Park, October 6-9

Developed by Perth Festival, and supported by the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA, EverNow will run for an initial two years, with the intention for the new homegrown event to become an annual staple on the state's major events calendar.

Find out more at evernow.com.au.

All the Halliday Wine Companion award winners

If you want to sell wine by the bucketload there is one easy solution: take out one of the major awards at the Halliday Wine Companion awards. 

That's why wineries from Bleasdale in Langhorne Creek to Oakridge in the Yarra Valley are this morning expecting to be inundated with orders.

The 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards were announced last night and the book is on sale now. 

This year’s honourees and Award winners were presented by the Halliday Tasting Team, chief editor Campbell Mattinson, founder James Halliday AM, as well as judges Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Philip Rich and Shanteh Wale.

The book is a comprehensive guide to Australia’s leading wines, wineries, and grape growing regions, including all award winners and tasting notes. RRP $45.

JAMES HALLIDAY HALL OF FAME

James Halliday Hall of Fame: Wine – Seppeltsfield 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny 1923, Barossa Valley, SA (100 points)

James Halliday Hall of Fame: Wine Industry – Prue Henschke of Henschke Wines, Keyneton, SA

2024 MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Winery of the Year – Bleasdale Vineyards, Langhorne Creek, SA

Winemaker of the Year – Kate Goodman, Penley Estate, Coonawarra, SA

Viticulturist of the Year – Mark Walpole, Fighting Gully Road, Beechworth, VIC

Best New Winery – Joshua Cooper Wines, Victoria

Dark Horse – Anderson & Marsh, Alpine Valleys, VIC

Best Value Winery – Oakridge Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC

Wine of the Year – Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2021, McLaren Vale, SA

2024 VARIETAL WINNERS

Red Wine of the Year – Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2021, McLaren Vale, SA – 99 points

White Wine of the Year – Landaire at Padthaway Estate Chardonnay 2021 Padthaway – 98 points

Sparkling Wine of the Year – Sittella Wines Grand Prestige Late Disgorged 2010 Pemberton – 97 points

Riesling of the Year – Limefinger Solace Riesling 2022 Clare Valley – 98 points

Chardonnay of the Year – Landaire at Padthaway Estate Chardonnay 2021 Padthaway – 98 points

Semillon of the Year – Pepper Tree Wines Museum Release Limited Release Tallawanta Single Vineyard Semillon 2013 Hunter Valley – 99 points

Sauvignon Blanc of the Year – Domaine Naturaliste Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Margaret River – 96 points

Pinot Gris/Grigio of the Year – Mayer Bloody Hill Villages Healesville Pinot Gris 2022 Yarra Valley – 96 points

Other Whites & Blends of the Year – John Kosovich Wines Bottle Aged Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018 Swan Valley – 98 points

Rosé of the Year – Sutton Grange Winery Fairbank Rosé 2022 Central Victoria Zone – 97 points

Pinot Noir of the Year – Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 Yarra Valley – 98 points

Grenache & Blends of the Year – Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2021 McLaren Vale – 99 points

Shiraz of the Year – Murdoch Hill The Landau Single Vineyard Oakbank Syrah 2021 Adelaide Hills – 99 points

Cabernet Shiraz Blend of the Year – Bleasdale Vineyards Wellington Road Shiraz Cabernet 2021 Langhorne Creek – 98 points

Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year – Bleasdale Vineyards The Iron Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Langhorne Creek – 98 points

Cabernet & Family of the Year – Houghton C.W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec 2020 Frankland River – 98 points

Other Reds & Blends of the Year – Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 3 2021 Yarra Valley – 97 points

Sweet Wine of the Year – De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2020 Riverina– 96 points

Fortified Wine of the Year – All Saints Estate Museum Muscat NV, Rutherglen – 100 points 

Rome to Pompeii and back - in a day

You are in Rome. You want to see the ruins of Pompeii, but time is of the essence.

A new high-speed train service is now connecting Rome to Pompeii in under two hours, making what was once a serious trek a day trip possibility.

The new direct train service - a collaboration between the Italian Ministry of Culture and Italian State Railways - is to operate on Sundays in a bid to boost tourism to the archaeological site.

The direct Rome to Pompeii service is operated on a Frecciarossa 1000 train, the flagship in the Trenitalia fleet.

It departs Roma Termini on selected Sunday mornings at 8:53am and arrives in Pompeii at 10:40am, Travel Mole reports.

During the journey, passengers can learn about Pompeii’s history from a video played on the onboard monitors.

On arrival, a Pompeii Link shuttle bus takes passengers to the archaeological site.

Making day trips feasible is the fact the return journey to Rome departs at 18:40pm.

There are about 50 Frecciarossa and regional services that currently run between Rome and Pompeii, but all involve a tiresome transfer at Napoli Centrale station.

Pompeii was buried by volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and is a major tourism drawcard with visitors keen to walk in the steps of people who lived almost 2,000 years ago.

Expert tips on how to get the best value on holiday

With the costs of travel rising - hotels, flights, meals and entertainment costs are all on the up - travellers need all the advice they can get about securing bang for their buck.

Bring on the team from Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites, who operate over 55 properties across Australia and New Zealand, with some useful tips.

The early bird is a smart bird

When it comes to saving money on travel, research and planning is key. Often that means getting in early to look for early bird deals, lock in airfares in advance, and take advantage of offers on accommodation. Other key tips to secure maximum savings include using comparison websites to research airfares and car hire, taking leave midweek and starting your break instead of on weekends, booking non-refundable accommodation options if you’re confident your plans are locked and loaded, and flying at less popular times - like the crack of dawn!

Bigger can be budget-friendly

Forget the perception that more space always equals more dollars when it comes to accommodation. Oaks properties offer a range of studios, suites and villas with options including two, three and even four bedrooms, which deliver value for money and plenty of space for everyone to stretch out and stay in comfort. The benefits of larger digs also go beyond the budget…like chilling out with a wine and a movie in the lounge room once the kids have gone to bed in their own room. With the door shut.

Avoid peak – try short and sweet

By travelling outside of peak season whenever possible, you will enjoy access to the best possible prices. Creating your own long weekend or midweek mini break is a way to escape the everyday…without the crowds - and often for far less money.

Get more in the great outdoors

From coast to coast, Australia and New Zealand are full of nature-based holiday destinations where there’s plenty of free or low-cost activities for travellers of all ages and interests, so consider hitting beaches or the bush in locations outside the major centres for a value-packed stay.

Save on snacks with pantry hacks

Have groceries delivered to your room the day you arrive - or go shopping on arrival - so you can save on snacks and keep hungry kids happy whether you’re watching a movie in your suite or coming back from an afternoon of pool play. Minibar costs are worth avoiding for both food and drink.

Dining in is the new going out – and lunch is the new dinner

Balancing the cost of eating out with easy dinners cooked in your in-room kitchen is a tried and tested method popular with Oaks guests who love making use of the well-equipped kitchens that make feeding he family as easy to manage as it is at home – just pump out a spaghetti bolognaise then pop the kids to bed and put your feet up with a wine on the balcony. Swapping breakfast out and about for cereal and toast saves time, money and many savvy travellers choose to either pack lunch at home to take for the day’s exploring, or to eat lunch out and dinner in to avoid more expensive evening pricing.

Live like a local - and ask questions

By quizzing the hotel concierge or front desk team, you can uncover hidden gems, like local produce markets, value offers - such as kids eat free meals or weekly specials at pubs and clubs - as well as find out about the best free activities nearby, from walks and cycling tracks to museums and more.

Look for loyalty

By signing up to loyalty programs for hotels, car hire companies and airlines, you can often access member discounts, free upgrades, and be notified of any seasonal offers.

If the budget is tight, pack light!

We know checked baggage can come with added fees these days if flying is your transport mode of choice, and if you’re travelling as a family, those extras soon add up. Packing light doesn’t just save you money, it saves time at both ends - check-in and baggage collection.

Chandon Australia beefs up its winemaking team

Chandon Australia is building up a dream team of winemakers with vastly experienced Loïc Le Calvez joining as senior winemaker to work with winemaking director Dan Buckle.

A grduate from the University of Bordeaux, Le Calvez has over two decades of experience. 

He was was formerly a consultant, Australian agent for the Vicard cooperage and spent several years heading up the teams at Clover Hill and Taltarni.

"It's a privilege to be joining Chandon's Viticulture and Winemaking director Dan Buckle, estate director Susan Caudry and the whole team to embrace sustainability and keep advancing Australian sparkling wines," Le Calvez said.

Chandon believes Le Calvez will bring an international perspective to its Yarra Valley-based operation.

Since 2012 Chandon has been accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, the wine sector’s national environmental scheme.

“Loic will undoubtedly be an exceptional asset to our team, with a remarkable palate, a deep understanding of traditional method sparkling wine, and a contagious energy that uplifts the team," Buckle said.

“His invaluable contributions at the tasting bench will be instrumental in shaping our wines. We are fortunate to have someone of his calibre to bounce ideas off and continue the exceptional quality of our Chandon wines.”

Chandon's Yarra Valley vineyard was established in 1986, with its first cuvées released in 1989 but it also sources fruit from other regions of Victoria, and from Tasmania.

An artistic sliver of Japan just outside Hobart

Take a Sydney style guru, a Hobart suburb and some Asian inspiration and you have a new place to stay in Tasmania: Provider House.

The Japanese-inspired cabin is the brainchild of Tara Bennett, who runs Provider Store in Sydney's hip Surry Hills district. 

She has created a tranquil space in Lenah Valley - just outside of Hobart - to showcase some of the goods she sells in her store. 

Lenah Valley is 15 minutes from Hobart’s CBD and Provider House takes its inspiration from Japanese design and native Australian bush, offering guests the opportunity to experience the beauty and functionality of Japanese home wares in an Australian setting.

Bennett first thought of Provider House in 2021 during the pandemic lockdown, when she was flying back and forth to Brisbane to care for her mother who was unwell. 

She started searching houses online and came across an old, run-down wooden cabin with no water or power. 

“I knew it was right as soon as I walked up the crazy steep driveway,” she said. 

“The Japanese homewares we source are more than just utensils; they represent a way of life through craftsmanship and design," she said. 

"I wanted to create a space where people can experience both form and function then take it home with them.”

Provider House is designed to be a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

It has a fully equipped kitchen and a ryokan-inspired cedar bathtub. The living areas feature Japanese-design, books, artwork and antique furniture. 

Think three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, Japanese ceramics and artworks, a "zen garden" and sunken fire pit - and across the road from Provider House you will find the trails to New Town Falls.

Bennett used Sydney-based architecture studio, Trias to design the main rooms of the house and collaborated with Tokyo brand At-Aroma to create an exclusive Provider House scent - made in Japan and inspired by deep forest, running water and fresh air.

She also worked with the designer behind Ace Hotel Kyoto’s robes, Daitoushingu, to create Provider House robes, Shinto Towel to create forest green towels that blend with the Australian bushland surroundings and ceramacist Milly Dent ,who hand-built the basins in the house.

"Each product at Provider House has a story and a history, and that makes it all the more special," she said. "By collaborating with artisans, we are able to create products that will be cherished for years to come."

The Provider House is now open and reservations can be made through Airbnb. I will report back once I have stayed there. Hopefully sooner rather than later.  

For more info visit the Provider Store website at https://www.providerstore.com.au/.