february-2011

TREES OF 

ANCIENT TIMES 

UNLOCKING THE 

SECRETS OF 

THE DAINTREE 

RAINFOREST 

p.52 

Vows 

that wow 

Three couples 

share their overseas 

wedding wonders 

p.58 

SOUTH OF 

THE CITY 

Fun for the 

family on the 

Mornington 

Peninsula 

Alex 

p.64 

O’ Loughlin 

AUSTRALIA’S NEWEST LEAD 

MAN HEATS UP HAWAII FIVE-O 

p.24 

My Manila 

Highlights of 

the city with an 

amazing racer 

p.36 

FEBRUARY 2011 

YOUR FREE COPY

Your 

passport 

to a 

whole 

new 

world of 

shopping 

With 21 new-look shops 

and cafes now open, 

featuring world class brands 

and the best New Zealand 

has to offer, you’ll want to 

check in early so you don’t 

miss out on this amazing 

new retail experience. 

Name 

SALLY JONES 

Passion 

Name 

Name 

DAVID BECKHAM 

Occupation 

Name 

CHARM 

Passion 

JEWELLERY 

No of pieces owned 

LOOKING HOT 

Arrival time 

M.A.C HAS 

ARRIVED 

MERINO 

Nationality 

NEW ZEALAND 

Born 

1995 

FOOTBALLER 

Other occupation 

POSH’S 

HUSBAND 

Passport No 

MAC2010 

Passport No 

Passport No 

TOO MANY TO COUNT 

Passport No 

ADI2010 

CD2691062 

ICE348062 

AAP/509/JET

Photos (clockwise from far right): Maria Visconti; Cormac Hanrahan; At Maculangan 

contents. 

36 

Check out Rovilson 

Fernandez’s Manila 

Cover Photo: 

© Rodolfo Martinez/ 

CPi-Syndication.com/ 

Headpress 

regulars 

58 

Get married 

in paradise 

2 ceo’s welcome note 

4 events 

9 10 minutes with... 

Tim Minchin 

10 style fi le to carry around 

12 good taste Chinese fare 

14 cheers to date night 

16 the word in romance books 

18 fi t to go with Melbourne 

netballer Bianca Chatfi eld 

21 the biz on Workout Zone 

22 ensuite with Grand Balisani 

69 brain teasers 

in the air 

with jetstar 94 your wellbeing 

79 jetstar news 

onboard 

96 international 

82 starkids 

adventures 

85 108 introducing our 

domestic airports 

88 where we fl y 

111 domestic 

91 have a bite 

destinations focus 

52 

The green, 

green views of 

the Daintree 

features 

24 star struck 

We say “aloha” to Hawaii’s hottest new attraction, 

Alex O’Loughlin, as he rewrites TV history 

30 eat beat 

Eating out with the My Kitchen Rules hosts 

64 

Mornington 

Peninsula’s 

top picks 

36 hot spot 

Explore Manila, our newest destination, with local 

heart-throb Rovilson Fernandez 

40 go guide 

Catch the star-studded line-up of the Australian 

International Airshow when it returns to Avalon 

44 adrenaline 

Queenstown isn’t just for snow bunnies, as we 

fi nd out during a summer spin up the mountain 

50 people 

Meet the lifeguards keeping Bondi Beach safe 

this summer 

52 hub 

Discover the Daintree Rainforest’s magic and 

mysteries with the locals 

58 in focus 

How to wed and walk the aisle in style overseas 

64 fl y/drive 

The best holiday fun on the Mornington Peninsula 

CONTENTS 


FEBRUARY 2011 1

Reward yourself 

Earn points at more than 4,000 

Best Western hotels worldwide and 

reward yourself. 

Join now for free at 

www.bestwesternrewards.com 

Reservations: 131 779 (Aust) 

0800 237 893 (NZ) 

www.bestwestern.com.au 

www.bestwestern.co.nz 

2 FEBRUARY 2011 

CEO’S WELCOME NOTE 

Spreading Our Wings 

Welcome 

onboard. With summer drawing to a close, now is the ideal time to 

take a holiday adventure to soak up the last of the sun’s rays. There 

are plenty of destinations throughout the Jetstar network for sun-seekers — all of which are 

easily accessible through our all-day, everyday low fares. 

In addition to great-value fl ying backed by Jetstar’s Price Beat Guarantee, we’re also launching 

some new routes. From 9 February, Jetstar customers can experience our new Darwin to Manila 

fl ights with connections from Sydney and Melbourne. Next month, Jetstar will launch another 

new route, with inaugural fl ights between Auckland and Singapore. 

If you’re a sports lover, why not follow Jetstar’s partnership with the Women’s Tennis 

Association to catch great tennis action. For further information on tournaments in Thailand and 

Malaysia this month, visit Jetstar.com/tennis. 

As always, Jetstar Magazine is jam-packed with great stories to get you in the holiday mood. 

On the cover this month is Aussie actor Alex O’Loughlin, who’s now in a starring role in the revival 

of the TV classic Hawaii 5-0. 

Foodies will love this issue’s Good Taste page, which reveals the best places to celebrate 

Chinese New Year this month in the Year of the Rabbit. Also in this issue, Filipino TV celebrity and 

The Amazing Race Asia runner-up Rovilson Fernandez introduces readers to his favourite city, 

Manila. In addition, romantics will swoon at our Valentine’s Day feature on overseas weddings, 

the Daintree’s wonders will be revealed and the spotlight thrown on the Australian International 

Airshow for its 10th anniversary at Avalon. 

With so many great articles to read between here and your destination, all you need to do now 

is sit back and relax. 

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fl oods in Queensland as they 

rebuild their homes, businesses and livelihoods. Qantas Group has contributed AU$500,000 

towards recovery eff orts via the Premier’s Relief Fund. 

Cheers, 

Bruce Buchanan 

Group CEO, Jetstar Airways 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR 

Rachel Farnay Jacques 

DEPUTY EDITOR 

Anne Loh 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

Belinda Wan 

ART DIRECTOR 

Savid Gan 

SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR 

Jacqueline Vicaro 

CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITORS 

Lester Ledesma, Haryati Mahmood 

SUB-EDITORS 

Sally Wilson, Heather Millar 

JAPANESE EDITORIAL CONSULTANT 

Yoshino Kyoko 

JETSTAR MANAGING EDITOR 

Louise Laing 

EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Michael Keating 

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR (SINGAPORE) 

Liz Weselby 

DESIGN DIRECTOR (SINGAPORE) 

Peter Stephens 

ASSOCIATE DESIGN DIRECTOR 

(SINGAPORE) 

Terence Goh 


ADVERTISING 

GROUP PUBLISHER 

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER 

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INFLIGHT MEDIA SPECIALISTS 

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PRODUCTION MANAGERS 

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MANAGING DIRECTOR 

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CEO 

Jeff rey O’Rourke 

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR 

Simon Leslie 

JETSTAR MAGAZINE is published for 

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or Jetstar Airways. 

All information is correct at press time. 

MICA (P) 069/01/2011 

Printed by Webstar Sydney: 1/83 Derby St., 

Silverwater, NSW 2128, AUSTRALIA.

Rush to the Budget counteR when you land. 

Rent a Compact car (Group B) through to a Premium full size car (Group P) from Budget 

in Australia for 3 consecutive days or more and save $20. * Valid for rentals commencing 

before 28 February 2011. To take advantage of this offer quote coupon number MPNZ107 

at the Budget counter when you land. 

*Valid for car groups B, C, D, E and P only. Subject to vehicle availability. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon or promotion and is not available 

on pre-booked, package tour, travel industry or government rates. BUDG902

Family Magic 

Ben Russell is the co-creator/director/ 

associate producer of Danze Fantasy 

Productions, and the son of executive 

co-creator/producer/artistic director Lindy 

Russell. He reveals more about his job. 

As the creative director, what does your 

job entail? 

I’m involved in all aspects of bringing a 

concept and idea to life onstage, from 

developing a script, to working with 

musicians, set and costume designers. It 

involves a lot of travel, but when it gets 

to putting it all together and seeing it 

performed, it’s truly something incredible. 

What are some challenges you face? 

Pushing into new markets is always a 

challenge. But our development in Asia is 

truly a pleasure — because there’s such 

variety in what is expected and enjoyed. 

Th ere’s always measured risk, but having 

celebrated the company’s 30th birthday, we 

seem to be on the right track. 

And your favourite trick? 

Personally, I love close-up magic, because it 

takes a massive amount of skill and years of 

dedication to bring it to life. However, it’s 

hard to not be amazed when you see Joe 

Labero insert himself into a jet engine, or 

lose his head nightly in a French guillotine. 

Is it hard to work in a family business? 

Th e joy is that you all strive for the same 

ideal, which is to create productions that will 

blow people away, and with our work there 

are no creative rules. 

What’s your favourite part of the job? 

To bring an idea to life and watch it grow, and 

to see incredibly talented performers build a 

dream together every night. You also witness 

a diff erent performance nightly — that’s 

what keeps me captivated by theatre. 

GENESIS — Th e Magic Spectacular is 

on at Jupiters Hotel and Casino Th eatre at 

Broadbeach Island, Gold Coast, from now 

’til 8 May. Details and tickets from 

www.danzefantasy.com/Genesis.html 


Innocent Arctic 

Freefall By Gravity 

and Other Myths 

’TIL 28 FEB BANGKOK 

Thai Beer Festival 

Cool down with Bangkok’s annual beer 

festival. Department stores and beer gardens 

are setting up stalls and promotions as the 

beer fl ows, along with plenty of food. So come 

along, drink your fi ll and of course, celebrate 

with a nation of devoted beer lovers! Tel: +66 

(20) 2225 7612 4. 

’TIL 7 MAR PERTH 

Perth International Arts Festival 

This annual arts fi esta is back with some of 

the best theatre, visual arts, music, fi lm and 

free events — and cool stuff like music theatre 

featuring jazz maestro James Morrison, the 

Apollo 13 hands-on family adventure, and 

Steve Reich’s 2x5 rock band of classical music. 

Tel: +61 (8) 6488 5555. 

Garden of 

Unearthly Delights 

’TIL 20 MAR MELBOURNE 

Ashes to Ashes: Cricket’s 

Cracking Rivalry 

Age-old cricket rivalry is remembered with 

whimsical memorabilia at the National 

Sports Museum, with items dating back to 

1861–1862. It includes contributions from 

the Melbourne Cricket Club. Brunton Ave, 

Richmond, tel: +61 (3) 9657 8879. 

10 FEB–13 MAR ADELAIDE 

Garden of Unearthly Delights 

Australia’s hugest outdoor arts festival is 

swinging into Rundle Park. It features hot 

acts like Cantina, Sammy J and Randy, and 

Felicity Ward inside the country’s best carnival 

venues, like The Umbrella Revolution, Le 

Cascadeur, and more. Tickets from FringeTix. 

Tel: 1300 374 643.

Julie O’Hara 

(Clarence Jazz 

Festival) 

Fab 

Stuff 

February’s the month to jump off 

your seat to catch these must-go 

festivals, events and exhibitions 

WORDS BELINDA WAN 

18 FEB –13 MAR ADELAIDE 

Adelaide Fringe 2011 

South Australia gets even busier with 

the largest arts festival in the southern 

hemisphere. With programs and events 

stretching from the city, to the desert and the 

sea, and in random locations like laneways 

and shipping containers, there’s always 

something cool to see. Tel: +61 (8) 8100 2000. 

22–27 FEB HOBART 

Clarence Jazz Festival 

Tassie’s fave fest is back to wow at spots like 

the Bellerive Boardwalk. Festival Ambassador 

George Washingmachine will be jamming with 

the bands, while performances like Fats Waller 

— Death on the Santa Fe Express and those by 

jazz vocalist Julie O’Hara take place in Rosny 

Barn. Tel: +61 (3) 6245 8600. 

Boundary Street, 

featuring trumpeter 

James Morrison 

(Perth International 

Arts Festival) 

22 FEB–6 MAR SYDNEY 

Innocent Arctic 

A traveller and photographer, Sydney-based 

Emma Rowan-Kelly has been to the Arctic 

archipelago of Svarlbard, with arresting 

photographs to prove it. This vivid exhibition at 

Depot II Gallery shows icescapes and glaciers, 

plus polar bears, seals and walruses. Free. 2 

Danks St, Waterloo, tel: +61 (0) 406 710 321. 

23–26 FEB BRISBANE 

Freefall By Gravity and Other Myths 

This circus performance at Judith Wright 

Centre of Contemporary Arts explores 

everyday and irrational fear, and human 

quirks. Expect hoop diving and acrobatics, 

plus physical theatre from seven artistes aged 

15 to 29 years old. 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude 

Valley, tel: +61 (7) 3872 9000. 

Zig Drag 

Brilliant, hilarious, entertaining and super 

glam, performer Taylor Mac is set to debunk 

common myths about himself in his show 

Th e Ziggy Stardust Meets Tiny Tim Songbook 

or Comparison Is Violence. We stole some time 

from the sequined one. 

How did the show’s title come to you? 

Th e media kept describing me as “Ziggy 

Stardust meets Tiny Tim”, but the only thing 

I have in common with either of them is that 

I wear glitter (Ziggy Stardust) and sometimes 

play the ukulele (Tiny Tim), and sing. Th ey 

say it’s about putting you in context for 

their audience, but I’m trying to encourage a 

culture of using adjectives to describe what 

you see. 

But why “comparison is violence”? 

Because whenever people say, “You’re just 

like so-and-so”, sometimes what they’re 

really saying is, “You’re not as special as you 

think you are”. 

What should the audience bear in mind? 

Th ere’s no lip-synching and very few dirty 

jokes, but we still have a great time. 

You write plays, act, sing, write songs, 

direct and produce. What’s one thing 

you’d do for the rest of your life? 

To me, it’s all just theatre. It’s all drag. So 

this is it for me. I couldn’t ask for a better life 

than throwing on some glitter and having a 

party every night. 

How do you always look so glam? 

I don’t. Often I’m a mess. I can’t get through 

a single show without at least half my drag 

ending up on the fl oor or audience members. 

What do you love about theatre? 

Ideas, poetry, theatricality and a shared 

experience — but mostly that it’s an art form 

built on surprise. If you don’t allow surprise 

into the theatre, you get awfully boring work. 

Th e Ziggy Stardust Meets Tiny Tim 

Songbook or Comparison Is Violence is on 

25–26 February and 3–4 March at Sydney 

Opera House’s Th e Studio, tel: +61 (2) 

9250 7777. 

FEBRUARY 2011 5 

EVENTS

Fight Club 

George Sotiropoulos is set to square off his 

opponents at the latest Ultimate Fighting 

Championship (UFC) — the UFC 127. He 

shares details about his strategies. 

What do you like most about mixed 

martial arts (MMA)? 

I was a hyperactive kid. I was also a good 

athlete, but never really found the sport for 

me. Th en I saw a tape of UFC and I knew this 

was exactly what I wanted to do with my life. 

I soon began travelling the world learning the 

skills I would need for the UFC. I have boxed 

and wrestled, and also won national jiu-jitsu 

championships in Australia, but in MMA, 

you have to put them all together. Th ere’s a 

counter to every attack, and even a counter 

to every counter. It’s human chess. 

What aspect of your skills would you 

like to improve? 

In the UFC, if you’re not improving, you’re 

losing. I’ve been doing jiu-jitsu for 13 years, 

but I train very hard with coaches Leonard 

Gabriel Jr (boxing), Eddie Bravo (jiu-jitsu) 

and Eric Jetton (wrestling) to get better. 

What is MMA’s guiding philosophy? 

Th e UFC started in 1993, supposedly as a 

one-off — to fi nd the “ultimate” fi ghting art. 

Th ey had boxers versus wrestlers, wrestlers 

versus Brazilian jiu-jitsu players, sumo guys, 

whatever. What they found over the years 

is that the only “ultimate” style of fi ghting 

is to be profi cient in striking, grappling and 

wrestling — to be good at all three. In the 

UFC, you see the best fi ghters in the world 

who know skills in all the martial arts, and 

can mix them together. 

How do you keep your strength up 

during a fi ght? 

It’s the will to win. When you’re gasping for 

air and your arms are dead before the fi nal 

round, it really helps to remember “He’s tired 

too”. It’s a battle of will, as well as skill. 

Watch George Sotiropoulos in action at UFC 

127: Penn V Fitch, on 27 February at Sydney’s 

Acer arena. Tickets from Ticketek 132 849 or 

www.ticketek.com 


Carmen 

Rolex Farr 40 World 

Championship 2011 

23–26 FEB SYDNEY 

Rolex Farr 40 World 

Championship 2011 

To snag the coveted world champion title, 

teams from Australia, Italy, Germany, New 

Zealand and the US will be taking to the 

Tasman Sea off Sydney Heads. Enthusiasts 

should keep their eyes peeled off shore for 

drama on the high seas. Tel: +61 (2) 9955 7171. 

24 FEB–6 MARCH ADELAIDE 

BigPond Adelaide Film Festival 

The fi fth installment of this huge fi lm fest will 

yield a brand-new collection of celluloid treats 

for cinephiles, dreamed up by director Katrina 

Sedgwick. Don’t miss the features, shorts, 

videos and media screenings — including 15 

awesome Aussie works. Tickets from 

www.adelaidefi lmfestival.org 

Madame 

Butterfl y 

25–26 FEB PHUKET 

Phuket International 

Blues Rock Festival 

This hot event will be rocking the island for the 

sixth time. Seven of the country’s best blues 

bands will give spectators endless tunes for 

two nights — a must-see for fans of blues rock. 

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa, 333 

Patak Rd, Karon Beach, tel: +66 (76) 396 433. 

25–27 FEB ADELAIDE 

Cellar Door Wine Festival 

With access to South Australian wine regions 

in one location, this is certainly an event that 

wine buff s must mark down in their diaries. 

Look out for food trails, tasting platters, 

barbecue plates and desserts at the Regional 

Farmer’s Market. Adelaide Convention Centre, 

North Tce. Tickets from Ticketek 132 849. 

Lion King Photo: Savid Gan; Sumo wrestlers: Getty Images

Gay Bilson 

(BigPond 

Adelaide 

Film Festival) 

25 FEB–13 MAR AUCKLAND 

Auckland Fringe 2011 

This is a biennial, anyone-can-join event, with 

a whopping 100 comedy, dance, theatre, 

music, visual arts and cabaret events jampacked 

into over 40 venues from Waitakere 

to Waiheke. Don’t miss Death by Cheerleader, 

Gloria and Tea for Toot. Some free events. 

Details on www.aucklandfringe.co.nz 

25 FEB–27 APR MELBOURNE ADELAIDE SYDNEY 

Madame Butterfl y 

This achingly tragic tale of love and loss by the 

Australian Ballet is told amid Puccini’s searing 

score and an elegant Japanese setting. This 

ambitious ballet rendition of a 1904 opera will 

move a whole new generation with its stunning 

choreography and costumes. Tickets from 

1300 369 741 or www.australianballet.com.au 

Cellar Door 

Wine Festival 

Tea for Toot 

(Auckland 

Fringe 2011) 

26 FEB CHRISTCHURCH 

International Track Meet 

This world-class event features top athletes 

returning to the arena for some major sporting 

action. Many winners from the recently 

concluded Delhi Commonwealth Games will 

be present, so hotfoot it over. QEII Stadium, 

171 Travis Rd, North New Brighton. Tickets 

from www.internationaltrackmeet.co.nz 

26 FEB–12 MAR BRISBANE 

Carmen 

This production of Carmen by Queensland 

Ballet is set to sizzle. Choreographed by 

François Klaus, the story of a free-spirited 

gypsy woman who refuses to be tamed by 

any man is sure to charm audiences again 

with gorgeous costumes and seductive dance 

moves. Tickets from qtix 136 246. 

Book Now 

1–26 Mar 

Guitar Heaven South Pacifi c Asia Tour 

Guitar genius Carlos Santana and his band 

are back on stage for this world tour that 

is now headed to Asia, Australia and New 

Zealand. Don’t miss this fearless proponent 

of love and life, as he performs his allencompassing 

Guitar Heaven show. 

The Lion 

King 

Guitar Heaven 

South Pacifi c 

Asia Tour 

3 Mar–31 May 

Th e Lion King 

Th is Broadway musical debuts in Singapore at 

Marina Bay Sands. Th is splendid production’s 

set features the Serengeti Plains and a cast of 

51. It’s one of the year’s must-sees. 

6 Mar 

20/twenty Challenge 

Th is Sydney event raises funds for children 

with cerebral palsy. It includes a 2km swim at 

Shelly Beach Manly, a 3km kayak and a 20km 

walk around the harbour foreshore. Th ere will 

also be a shortened family course. 

The March Basho 

13–27 Mar 

Th e March Basho 

Watch sumo wrestlers slug it out at the Osaka 

Prefectural Gymnasium for supremacy in the 

March Tournament. Th ey’ll try to oust each 

other from the circle and onto the clay fl oor. 


Tim Minchin 10 

Barefooted piano 

wrestler and comedy 

rock royalty Tim Minchin 

pits himself against 

symphony orchestras in 

various cities for an epic 

musical showdown 

INTERVIEW BELINDA WAN 

How do you intend to slug it out with 

a 55-piece orchestra? 

One frickin’ note at a time. 

How’s the relationship between you 

and conductor Benjamin Northey? 

So far it’s extremely pleasant, although 

we haven’t actually had to work together 

yet. It’s amazing how easy it is to get 

along with your workmates, as long as 

you’re not working. 

What would you like to get across with 

Tim Minchin Versus The Orchestras? 

My main mission this year is to send 

people away understanding that the fact 

that I have no shame and no soul makes 

for a lovely evening at the theatre. 

You’ve won a whole bunch of awards, 

which one made you the happiest? 

Oh, I don’t know. Awards are complicated 

because they’re nice to win, but you know 

deep down that making a competition out 

of art is inherently dodgy. 

What are a few things you have to have 

before a concert? 

A lot of eye make-up, a short vocal 

warm-up, a medium caff eine pick-me-up 

and half a glass of wine. 

Will you be adding new things to the 

show as you travel to diff erent cities? 

Nah, I’m too narcissistic to incorporate 

geography. And anyway, the things I 

talk about tend not to be very regional. 

Cheese, prayer, morality and rock are 

concepts sans frontiers. 

If violins and oboes make you “angry”, 

what else drives you crazy? 

I must have been stretching for a quote 

there! Umm, olives. I don’t like olives, and 

I don’t think anyone else should either. 

Any pianos you’ve regretted bashing? 

No. They were all asking for it. 

You’ve made so many people laugh. 

Who or what makes you laugh? 

My family. I don’t know why — they’re just 

so stupid. 

Any New Year resolutions? 

Rock harder, sing more, eat more fruit and get 

more sleep. Aren’t they everybody’s? 

Tim Minchin Versus The Orchestras is on from 

25 February–27 March in Melbourne (25–27 

February, tel: 1300 136 166), Perth (4–5 March, 

tel: 136 100), Adelaide (10–12 March, 

tel: 131 246), Brisbane (18 March, tel: 132 849), 

Tasmania (21 March, tel: 1300 795 257) and 

Sydney (24–27 March, tel: 132 849). 


MINUTES WITH…

A Storksak bag 

is just the thing 

for yummy 

mummies 

State Your 

Case 

Be prepared for any style of travel 

with our picks of bags that’ll take 

you places — from the outback to a 

swanky party 

WORDS ANNE LOH 


DAY TO NIGHT 

Do your sightseeing in the day with the Sarah 

Connors Canvas Tote (AU$268). Take it to the 

beach, the shops, or lunch. Then snap up the 

Camille (AU$300) in cerise for cocktails on the 

town. The autumn/winter 2011 collection has 

other styles in bright gold, grey and black. From 

this month on www.sarahconnors.com.au 

FREE YOUR MIND 

The Borne Naked Traveller (AU$35.95) is not 

only see-through, but comes with empties: 

a 50ml lotion pump, a 50ml atomiser spray 

bottle, two 50ml screw-top bottles and two 

15ml jars for your skincare. Then move it from 

your weekender bag to hardcase for a holiday 

— cool! Stockists on www.bornenaked.com 

BABY ME 

Take a cue from Angelina Jolie and grab new 

Storksak bags: Sophia in tan (AU$499), 

Olivia Olivia in black/moss nylon satin 

(AU$229), shoulder bag Jools in black 

nylon satin (AU$179, main picture) 

and Aubrey in black/camel canvas 

weave (AU$199). With a padded 

change mat and wipe-clean 

lining. From David Jones or o 

on www.storksak.com.au

THEY’VE GOT YOUR BACK 

The boldly coloured Explore Planet Earth Galaxy 

Series bags are made of light-and-tough Polytech 

600 fabric, come with a fi ve-year warranty and are 

endorsed by the Chiropractic & Osteopathic College of 

Australasia. The Scorpius Travel Pack with a removable 

day pack in two sizes and the Carina Rucksack both 

have the fully adjustable BackCare TM Air Tech Harness, 

while the Pegasus Rucksack has the enhanced 

BackCare TM Spinal Care Harness. RRP AU$119–199; 

tel: +61 (2) 9922 3423. 

RUN AWAY 

Katzi’s Stowaway collection really does make 

you feel like getting away. We love the vintagestyled 

Gerry with a detachable shoulder 

strap (AU$249) in “whiskey tan leather” as 

a weekender, and for a touch of understated 

glam for sundowners, the “dusky pink” Shell 

Clutch (AU$199) with glow mesh and wristlet. 

Stockists on katzi.com.au 

SPLASH OUT 

We love beach holidays, and now 

there’s no need to worry about 

keeping your wet swimming 

gear and towels away from 

your clothes as you beachhop, 

with these colourful bags 

made from extra-thin, light and 

waterproof nylon for your wet 

swimsuit (AU$16) and towel 

(AU$29.95), from Tintamar. 

Available in 10 colours, 

you’re sure to fi nd one that 

screams: sun fun! Stockists 

on www.tintamar.com.au 

GET WET OR STAY DRY 

When you’re out living the Billabong lifestyle, you just 

want to do everything, and the Billabong Convoy Wet 

& Dry Pack XL Wheelie (AU$129.99) allows you to do 

just that. With tarpee-lined wet and dry compartments, 

and a padded back panel, its zipaway backstraps and 

telescopic handles give you two ways to carry it as well. 

Available at beachculture stores at all major Australian 

airports; log on to www.beachculture.com.au for details. 

FUN ON WHEELS 

The latest from luggage people Paklite is the Möbius Lifestyle 

Luggage collection. In backpack or trolley case, prices 

range from AU$99 (for the backpack) to AU$279 (for the 

large trolley case). Two dual-tones are available — black/ 

orange and charcoal/lime. For those who are not good trolley 

bag-drivers, don’t worry, the back and base scuff guards, and 

hard-wearing bearing wheels, will see you through. Stockists 

on www.paklite.com.au 

Get Carried Away 

Miranda Chance won the international 

category for the 2010 GAP/Ecouterre 

Recycled Denim Challenge. We ask her about 

eco-design and her fi rst collection. 

Tell us about your fi rst collection. 

Th e CHANCE collection is designed using 

upcycled denim jeans and old leather jackets. 

Outdated garments are constructed into 

functional, beautiful items that continue the 

philosophy of “less is more” with clean lines 

and simple silhouettes. I decided to make 

our impact on the environment a key focus 

of the collection and our business. 

What’s the diff erence between 

“upcycled” and “recycled”? 

As the sustainability movement becomes 

more mainstream, new terminology for the 

processes has become more defi ned. Th e 

term “recycled” is about re-using materials 

and making it into something else, it also 

represents sustainable practices and being 

environmentally responsible. “Upcycling” 

is very much apart of the sustainability and 

recycling movement. It’s a more specifi c 

terminology — about making something 

new without downgrading the original 

material or creating more pollution during 

the creative process. Th e CHANCE collection 

very much fi ts into this terminology. 

Why denim? 

I’m in love with denim jeans, I love them to 

death — and I use them in an eff ort to give 

them the “chance” to have another journey. 

Eco-fashion is… all about sustainability. 

Th ere’s a global community of sustainable 

designers helping to shift the old attitudes. 

Your favourite piece in your collection? 

Personally, I love and use the Jeff erson 

Hobo (far right) every day. 

CHANCE bags are 

available at NAMI 

Byron Bay, tel: +61 

(2) 6685 8081, www. 

inhabitat.com and 

www.chancebags.com 

STYLE FILE 


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Taco lovers will love Streat’s 

Mexican taco cart 

OPPOSITE TOP/BOTTOM: 

The rustic Tea Tree Café on 

Waiheke Island; feast on the 

huge spread of street food 

at Queen Victoria Market’s 

Suzuki Night Market 

Chow Down 

The Th Chinese Chi Year Y of f the th 

Rabbit starts on 3 February 

with Chinese restaurants 

around the country getting 

into the spirit; you can too 

with our recommendations 

WORDS ROBERTA MUIR 

SYDNEY 

Travellers passing through Sydney 

International Airport can get a Chinese-food 

fi x at the recently opened China Grand, which 

overlooks the tarmac and the spectacular 

Sydney skyline. Sister restaurant to the 

popular Kam Fook restaurants, China Grand’s 

seafood-focused menu off ers plenty of 

“auspicious” dishes alongside house specials, 

such as roasted duck laksa and Szechuanstyle 

grandma’s beancurd and an all-day 

yum cha menu for those wanting grab-andgo 

options, or a quick bite before boarding. 

Terminal 1 Shopping Precinct (after Customs), 

tel: +61 (2) 8338 9622.

Sky Phoenix, in Sydney’s new central 

Westfi eld complex, is celebrating the New 

Year with a lion dance on 5 February, and a 

special New Year banquet for tables of six 

people or more. This new 500-seat fl agship of 

the Phoenix Restaurant Group, the brainchild 

of sisters Alice Lee and Anita Yuen, includes 

traditional Chinese family-style dining, private 

dining rooms and live fi sh tanks, in the heart of 

the CBD. See side box for the sisters’ New Year 

recommendations. Shop 6001, Westfi eld, Pitt 

St, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9223 8822. 

MELBOURNE 

Max Tsang’s fi rst restaurant, the mod- 

Cantonese yum cha den Mahjong (in St Kilda) 

achieved cult status. Last year, he opened the 

more upmarket, dark and moody Mahjong 

A Memorable 

Meal 

Chinese food is very symbolic — most 

of all on occasions such as the New Year, 

when specifi c dishes are served to ensure 

an auspicious start to the year. If you’re 

wondering what to order (or cook) to 

ensure a prosperous new year, the sisters 

behind Sky Phoenix suggest: 

• Braised dried oysters with black moss 

and vegetables, to ensure good business 

relationships in the coming year 

• Rocklobsters or crabs with ginger and 

shallots, as the red colour of the cooked 

crustaceans symbolises good health 

• Pan-fried prawns, because the sound of 

the word “prawns” in Chinese is similar 

to the words for “always smiling” 

• Braised abalone with lettuce, to ensure 

good business from all sources 

• Crispy-skin chicken, because the golden 

colour of the skin symbolises good luck 

throughout the year 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Beijing duck; salt 

and pepper squid from Mahjong Black; the 

bustling Bokchoy Tang 

IN BOX: Braised abalone for good business 

Black overlooking Little Collins Street. The 

Cantonese menu includes steamed silky egg 

with scallop, sugar cane prawns, tiny duckfi 

lled spring rolls, sliced sticky pork belly 

and crisp fried rocklobster tail with spiced 

salt. Over Chinese New Year, there’ll be the 

traditional lion dancing and fi recrackers. 

The New Year’s Eve à la carte menu makes it 

easy for large family groups, couples or small 

groups of friends to join in the celebrations. 

118 Little Collins St, tel: +61 (3) 9650 8873. 

Federation Square’s Bokchoy Tang is 

off ering a special New Year banquet, which 

includes handmade dumplings, abalone soup, 

Beijing duck, and local rocklobsters wok-fried 

with ginger, spring onions, Chinese rice wine 

and egg noodles — as well as the Chinese 

New Year speciality called “Happy Family”, 

which combines fi sh fi llets, pork balls, spinach, 

egg dumpling, quail eggs, ginger and spring 

onions. Russell Court, Melbourne, tel: +61 (3) 

9650 8666. 

GOOD TASTE 

And if they 

had a ‘Most 

Spectacular 

Sunset’ 

category, 

we definitely 

would have 

won that too. 

Sitting over the water at 

Hillarys Boat Harbour 

in Perth, The Breakwater 

serves great food and 

drinks against a backdrop of 

stunning Indian Ocean views. 

08 99448 

448 5000 | TH THEBRE EBREAKWA REAKWATER. 

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Heart 

to Heart 

Get in the mood for love this Valentine’s 

Day at some of the country’s 

most romantic bars 

WORDS ROBERTA MUIR

SYDNEY 

Eau de Vie, Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 

2011 Bar of the Year, is a “speakeasy” at the 

back of the Kirketon hotel. The music is old- 

school jazz, the cocktails are classic, and the 

vibe harks back to prohibition days. Moody 

lighting, and the his’n’hers cocktails called 

Pour Homme et Pour Femme (AU$32 for 

two) — which are blends of Ketel One vodka, 

various liqueurs and fruit juices — make this 

the perfect place to enchant your loved one 

this Valentine’s Day. 229 Darlinghurst Rd, 

Darlinghurst, tel: +61 (0) 422 263 226. 

Known as “the best beer garden in the 

world”, Opera Bar at the Sydney Opera 

House boasts a stunning view of the Sydney 

Harbour Bridge, city skyline and the sparkling 

harbour. Drink or dine indoors or outdoors 

with live music every evening. And for a special 

V-Day tipple, try the Budds & Bubbles: think 

sparkling wine with Massenez peach liqueur, 

lychee and rose buds. Lower Concourse Level, 

Sydney Opera House, tel: +61 (2) 9247 1666. 

BRISBANE 

With great views over Fortitude Valley, an 

open-air vibe and great bartenders, The 

Roof Top Bar at the boutique Limes Hotel 

ticks all the boxes for a romantic Valentine’s 

drink. Relax under the stars, and sip a Rose 

and Raspberry mojito at the winner of the 

award for 2010’s Best Bar, as voted by MAP 

Magazine. 142 Constance St, Fortitude Valley, 

tel: +61 (7) 3852 9000. 

GOLD COAST 

With their Middle Eastern-inspired snacks 

and exotic cocktails, the Mecca Bah outlets 

OPPOSITE: A stunning view comes 

free at Opera Bar 

THIS PAGE TOP/BOTTOM: Snuggle 

up for a drink with your partner at 

Limes Hotel’s The Roof Top Bar; 

Mecca Bah’s yummy mezze 

Flower Power 

CHEERS 

The Giggly Rose 

Whip up a romantic cocktail for two at 

home — Th e Giggly Rose, a signature of 

Th e Gazebo Wine Garden in Kings Cross, 

Sydney. To recreate the drink, combine 8 

mint leaves and 8 rose petals with 20ml 

rose syrup, 15ml Gordon’s Gin and 10ml 

lemon juice. Pour into two fl utes and top 

with Yarraburn sparkling wine, then serve. 

in Queensland, Melbourne and Canberra off er 

great romancing for a Valentine’s Day date. 

The Mecca Bah outlet on the Gold Coast off ers 

mezze, such as lamb kofte with yoghurt and 

mint sauce, and cheese-fi lled kataifi pastries. 

Relax in this mini oasis and sip on a Turkish 

Delight martini — Absolut vodka, crème de 

cacao and rosewater — with a Turkish delight on 

the side! N101 AND N106, 3 Oracle Blvd, Gold 

Coast, Queensland, tel: +61 (7) 5504 7754. 

MELBOURNE 

Those with bohemian tastes will love Bouzy 

Rouge with its eclectic collection of artifacts, 

like deer antlers and shoes from Rajasthan. 

There are plenty of snug corners to meet, even 

a private curtained-off space (book early!), 

and some of Melbourne’s best bar food. 

Indeed, sangria and paella for two could be the 

perfect Valentine’s Day feast. 470 Bridge Rd, 

Richmond, tel: +61 (3) 9429 4348. 

Tucked inside Melbourne’s historic The 

George building, Mockingbird is one of the 

city’s best-kept secrets. From the Art Decoinspired 

trompe l’oeil walls to the beautiful 

Italian marble and mosaic tiling, Mockingbird 

sets the scene for an intimate Valentine’s 

Day rendezvous. Step back in time to 1920s 

Paris — with velvet curtains, romantic lighting, 

wrought-iron detailing and a bay window 

overlooking Fitzroy Street. Cosy up over 

Mockingbird’s signature cocktail, Atticus 

Finch (named after Gregory Peck’s character 

in To Kill A Mockingbird): a heady concoction 

comprising dark rum, sloe gin, peach 

schnapps and lime juice. 129 Fitzroy St, 

St Kilda, tel: +61 (3) 9534 0000. 



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All You Need 

is Love 

Get your dose of romance this 

month with these books 

WORDS ANNE LOH 

June Loves is a big 

believer in second 

chances — and 

having a dog 

INSET: Loves’ 

debut fi ction novel 

June 

Loves’ debut romance novel The 

Shelly Beach Writers’ Group, 

which is about fi nding a second chance, 

making new friends despite yourself, and 

bonding with a dog who knows more about life 

than you do, will resonate with many. 

You’ve written over 50 non-fi ction books. 

What inspired you to step into the women’s 

fi ction fi eld? 

My husband and I made a sea change. To 

avoid joining the local iceberg swimmers, 

bowling and golf clubs, I enrolled for a Diploma 

in Professional Writing and Editing. Novel 

writing was part of this course. I wrote the fi rst 

10,000 words of Shelly Beach and took up 

the challenge: could I fi nish my novel? I did — 

with the help of my supportive writers’ group. 

Please note: my writers’ group in no way 

resembles the Shelly Beach Writers’ Group! 

How has writing non-fi ction books helped 

you with your fi rst fi ction work? 

When you write non-fi ction work, you need 

a plan — a structure and an outline. I made 

a plan complete with a structure — a plot 

outline and character profi les — with even 

an imagined calendar to write The Shelly 

Beach Writers’ Group. Using these and other 

writers’ tools make it easy to pick up and keep 

writing a novel in the moments we grab in our 

crammed-full lives today. The calendar was a 

last-minute planning tool I realised I needed so 

as to write Gina’s journey in a journal format. 

Authors are always quick to disclaim 

any characters’ resemblances to real-life 

people, but that can’t be possible, surely? 

Authors have to say that, otherwise family 

and friends would never talk to us again! And 

cashed-up colleagues and ex-partners might 

even consider legal proceedings against us. 

However, our seaside town, the mythical 

Shelly Beach, is stacked with gorgeous, 

helpful, supportive and quirky people — all 

worthy of starring roles in novels. 

In a world where many people do botch 

up their fi rst go, what do you want 

readers to take away from your book? 

That it’s never too late to start over. And it’s 

easier to start over if you have the support of

friends and a small community, the comfort 

and solace of writing, and a penchant for the 

simple life. Having a dog also helps! 

What’s your favourite romantic work 

that’s always a comfort to return to? 

Anything by Jane Austen. 

The Shelly Beach Writers’ Group is 

published by Viking (Penguin), AU$29.95, 

ISBN 9780670074853. 

Love Lines 

THE WORD 

Love & Other U-Turns 

Th is debut by lifestylemagazine 

writer Louisa 

Deasey is about the year 

she fell in love with a 

comedian, and decided to 

follow her heart (and him) 

through the backyard 

of Australia in a beat-up 

Mazda. What would you have done in this 

case of “opposites attract”? Arena by Allen & 

Unwin, AU$32.99, ISBN 9781742373416. 

You Are My Future 

Amanda Cole’s second book 

brings you a story based 

on the premise that love 

could be so strong that 

your future self could step 

into the past to change 

the course of events, 

giving everyone a diff erent 

future. Intense and emotional. Available from 

bookstores and www.youaremyfuture.com.au. 

AU$24.95, ISBN 97806465935906. 

Wolfborn 

Vampires are so passé. 

Th is young-adult fi ction 

book by Melburnian writer 

Sue Bursztynski is set in 

a medieval time with all 

the appeal of the romantic 

age — lords, castles, magic 

and werewolves. A story of 

self-discovery and soulmates. Woolshed Press 

by Random House, AU$18.95, 

ISBN 9781864718256. 

Vivian Rising 

If you believe in destiny 

and the stars, this book by 

Canberra-based New Yorker 

Daniella Brodsky about 

when you should believe 

in your horoscope reading, 

and when you should 

follow your heart will prove 

enlightening and heart-warming. You just 

have to go with your gut feel in life. Simon & 

Schuster, AU$29.99, ISBN 9780731814992. 

100 Australian Poems 

of Love & Loss 

Edited by Jamie Grant, an 

acclaimed Australian poet, 

this compilation of poetry 

will speak to your heart 

— whether you’re feeling 

euphoric or emotionally 

low. Illustrated by 

Australian artist Bridget Farmer, it features 

high-profi le and lesser-known poets. Hardie 

Grant, AU$39.95, ISBN 9781740669108 . 

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FIT TO GO 

Supreme 

Team 

Netball sensation and 

Melbourne Vixens cocaptain 

Bianca Chatfi eld 

reveals the secret to her 

team’s success 

INTERVIEW KELLY IRVING 

A world-class defensive line-up and superior 

skills led the Melbourne Vixens to a gripping 

victory over the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 

2009. As netball season rolls around this year, 

co-captain Bianca Chatfi eld gets set to thrill 

Australian and New Zealand spectators all 

over again. 

What do you love about team sports? 

Having friends around you all the time. When 

you’re travelling, and you’re tired and grumpy, 

you’ve got 11 other girls there to perk you up. 

Also, when you have a great time winning a 

premiership, you’ve got 11 friends there to 

celebrate with. 

How do you keep one another motivated? 

We’re all such diff erent personalities that 

when someone is having a down time, 


someone else is having a good time. You can 

feed off the other girls’ enthusiasm. 

What is the team’s biggest challenge now? 

We’ve got fi ve new players coming in from 

diff erent teams, so our biggest challenge is to 

incorporate them into our team culture. 

Any competition strategies you’ll use? 

We had a terrible season last year, so it’s time 

for us to think outside the box, have a look 

at what we can do diff erently, and try and be 

creative. We’ve worked hard pre-season and 

we’re ready to go! 

Who are your toughest opponents? 

Adelaide and Sydney always show great 

strength, but I think we’re going to watch out 

for more New Zealand teams this year. 

Tell us how you stay on top of your game. 

Keeping our strength up is very important. 

That’s where a lot of our training has gone 

over the last few years. You’ve got to be fi t. Yes, 

you’ve got to have aerobic ability, but you also 

have to be strong to take the knocks, because 

our game gets more physical each time. 

What about time-out fun with the team? 

When we’re on the road, we have a lot of 

time on our hands, so we get together and 

go out for dinner a lot. Having quality time 

together away from training is important. If 

we just hang out as friends, then that certainly 

correlates to how we get along on court. 

Game On 

Melbourne Vixens' Bianca 

Chatfi eld (second from right) 

is ready to return to form 

with her team this season 

What’s the team’s goal for the season? 

I don’t think you can have any other goal 

except to win. If we manage to stay injury-free, 

we have no excuses not to. 

Any advice for aspiring netballers? 

I would say just have fun, train hard and enjoy 

what you’re doing. 

ANZ Trans-Tasman Championship 

20 February: ETSA Park, Adelaide 

27 February: Sydney Olympic Park Sports 

Centre, Sydney 

6 March: Trusts Stadium Arena, Auckland, 

New Zealand 

12 March: SNHC, Melbourne 

21 March: Mystery Creek Events Centre, 

Hamilton, New Zealand 

27 March: Hisense Arena, Melbourne 

31 March: SNHC, Melbourne 

3 April: Hisense Arena, Melbourne 


14 April: Brisbane Convention & 

Exhibition Centre, Brisbane 

17 April: Challenge Stadium, Perth 


1 May: Hisense Arena, Melbourne

Sports afi cionados 

can now do the 

best for their 

skin even as they 

work out — with 

WORKOUT|Zone 

Sweat Yourself 

Beautiful 

What inspired 

WORKOUT|Zone? 

I was working out 

at the gym, and my 

moisturiser had yet 

again dripped off 

onto the handlebars. I 

thought there must be 

a better way to protect 

and nourish my skin while 

exercising. Nothing else was available then, so 

WORKOUT|Zone was born. 

Why is it necessary to use a specifi c 

skincare product during exercise? 

Traditional moisturisers literally slide off 

during exercise, so the skin is not able to 

retain its moisture. Changes to the skin while 

exercising provide an opportunity for greater 

absorption than when at rest. 

How does the WORKOUT|Zone range work? 

WORKOUT|Zone takes advantage of how 

the skin changes during exercise. Increased 

blood fl ow and skin temperature improves the 

absorption of pro-vitamin A and retinol, which 

can help reduce age-related changes to the 

skin. Natural clays, minerals and moisturisers 

WORKOUT|Zone’s founder Dr Rosy Fenwicke 

(inset) talks about the fi rst-ever skincare 

products (below) made just for sports people 

INTERVIEW RICHARD ADAMS 

also help delay dehydration. Sunscreens 

protect the skin from damage. 

At the moment, are there any other similar 

products out there? 

No, and we don’t want any! 

What do you do when you’re not running 

WORKOUT|Zone? 

I’m a mother of three and an active runner, 

having just completed my fi rst marathon in 

Paris. This March, I’m running the Motatapu 

off -road marathon between Wanaka and 

Arrowtown, which is one of the events that we 

sponsor. I also still work as a doctor, and travel 

around New Zealand consulting. 

In what other ways does WORKOUT|Zone 

support the community? 

We are the offi cial skincare sponsor of the 

Coast to Coast Multisport Race, Lake Taupo 

Cycle Challenge, St Kilda Cycling Club and 

Vic Beach Volleyball. We also support a 

shoe-recycling program, and to date have 

collected over 650 pairs of shoes. Wearable 

shoes are sent to Papua New Guinea. The rest 

are recycled into matting, which is used for 

children’s playgrounds. 

What challenges have you had to overcome 

in this business? 

I’m a doctor rather than a business person, 

and so I had to learn to think in a diff erent way. 

We’ve had little start-up capital, so it has been 

a steep learning curve. One of the biggest 

challenges has been positioning the range 

in the market place. It fi ts between a beauty 

product and a sports product, which was 

initially a challenge for retailers. But now, I’m 

happy to say it’s been gaining acceptance with 

both the sports community and retailers. 


THE BIZ

ENSUITE 

Beached 

in Bali 

Situated in Canggu, Bali’s upcoming hotspot, 

Grand Balisani Suites embraces the style of a 

traditional Balinese village, while its use of local 

woods, stones and fabrics creates an air of 

authenticity that’s hard to fi nd these days 

WORDS SAMANTHA BROWN 

GET SET JETSET 

Petitenget is now one of Bali’s 

most happening streets, and 

Potato Head brings further 

fresh cachet to the area. This 

beachside venue is constructed 

from thousands of wooden 

shutters collected from houses 

on neighbouring Java island. 

While it will eventually boast four 

eateries — fi ne dining, seafood, 

international and a bar — for now 

just the latter two are operating, 

along with a pool that skirts 

the volcanic-sand beach out 

front with of course, a swim-up 

bar, making it a top sunset and 

partying spot. Jl. Petitenget, 

Seminyak, tel: +62 (361) 737 979. 


FINGER-LICKIN’ GOOD 

Naughty Nuri’s Warung, an 

Ubud institution, has opened a 

second outlet on Batubelig Road, 

putting its famed barbecued pork 

ribs and massive martinis within 

easy reach of Balisani’s guests. 

The simplicity of the original 

Nuri’s has been recaptured, but 

the look updated, with wooden 

interiors, quirky lampshades and 

even a walk-through Bintang beer 

bottletop curtain that hides the 

bathrooms. A word of warning to 

the thirsty out there: defi nitely do 

not have more than two of their 

New York-style martinis! 

Jl. Batubelig #41, Kerobokan, 

tel: +62 (361) 847 6722. 

PIPE DREAMS 

The new wooden complex Deus 

Ex Machina, set near surfhaven 

Echo Beach, peddles an 

entire lifestyle: the airy store 

sells motorcycles, surfboards, 

bicycles, sunglasses and clothes, 

while the attached restaurant 

sees “food mechanics” serve up 

hearty brekkies and a range of 

Asian cuisine with a Thai touch. 

A great spot to watch the sun 

melt into distant rice paddies and 

cornfi elds, sipping a cocktail. 

Jl. Batu Megan No. 8, Canggu, 

tel: +62 (361) 368 3395. 

OM AND AWAY 

The magical open-air Trimurti 

Studio is the best yoga studio 

in the area. It’s idyllically located 

amid organic vegetable patches 

and colourful tropical fl owers. 

Check the changing schedule for 

the times of their popular yoga 

classes, which include the styles 

of Anusara, Kundalini, Ashtanga 

and Vinyasa fl ow. Sip on free 

ginger lemongrass tea, nibble a 

salad and explore the souvenir 

shop. Desa Seni resort, Jl. Subak 

Sari #13, Pantai Berawa, Canggu, 

tel: +62 (361) 844 6392. 

Grand Balisani Suites, Jl. Batubelig Beach, Seminyak, Bali, 

tel: +62 (361) 730 550 

Grand Balisani Suites 

is right on the shores 

of southwest Bali, 

where an array of 

funky new outlets 

have opened recently

www.pastiche.com.au 

p

Diving 

into 

History 


As Alex O’Loughlin headlines 

the exciting remake of 

Hawaii Five-0, he reveals the 

challenges of uttering the 

pop-culture catchphrase 

“Book ’em, Danno” 

At 

WORDS DYLAN HOWARD 

ADDITIONAL REPORTING GERRI MILLER 

a shopping mall in the Kahala 

neighbourhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, 

there’s a sculpture of actor Jack Lord, who 

played Detective Steve McGarrett in the 

original version of the TV series Hawaii Five-0. 

It’s only a bust, but it reminds Alex O’Loughlin 

that he has some big bronze shoes to fi ll every 

time he passes by. 

O’Loughlin, the Australian actor best known 

for his previous series Moonlight and Three 

Rivers, and the rom-com The Back-up Plan with 

Jennifer Lopez, has inherited the memorable 

role of McGarrett in the modern reboot of the 

action series, which premieres in Australia this 

month on Network Ten. 

“I’m an Aussie playing one of the most iconic 

American television characters of all time. 

It’s a real honour for me,” says the Canberraborn 

actor, for whom any early reservations 

about the show’s success or his part in it 

have vanished amid stellar ratings and an 

enthusiastic reception in the US, as well as 

worldwide. 

“Sometimes you think something is going to 

do really well and it doesn’t, or vice versa. But 

everywhere I go now people want to shake my 

hand. We can’t shoot the show without having 

security around,” he says, recalling a recent off - 

the-set shopping trip where he was mobbed for 

photos and autographs. “This might turn out to 

be my biggest break so far,” he acknowledges. 

“But I’m just taking it one day at a time.” 

O’Loughlin, 34, wasn’t even born when the 

original Five-0 began its 12-year run in 1968, 

but anyone familiar with the original series can 

expect a diff erent take — with lots of action, 

humour and a modern sensibility thrown in for 

pretty good measure. 

The storyline goes as such: back in Hawaii 

to investigate his father’s murder, Navy SEALturned-cop 

McGarrett is tapped to head an 

elite police task force, and recruits New Jersey 

transplant Danny “Danno” Williams (Scott Caan 

of Entourage), Chin Ho Kelly (Lost’s Daniel Dae 

Kim), and rookie cop Kono Kalakaua (Battlestar 

Galactica’s Grace Park), who is Chin’s pretty 

cousin — with the latter part played in the 

original by a hefty Hawaiian dude who went by 

the single-name moniker of Zulu. 

But producers knew better than to mess 

with other touchstones of the show, including 

familiar Oahu locations, Morton Stevens’ 

instrumental theme and the classic line, “Book 

‘em, Danno!”. 

“I try to fi gure out a new way to do it every 

time, to change it up,” says O’Loughlin, whose 

bantering relationship with Caan is central to 

the show, and carried over off -screen. “We’ve 

hit it off and become mates,” he says. 

Military veteran McGarrett is more of the 

straight man, though O’Loughlin’s portrayal is 

less stoic than Lord’s. “There are a lot of areas 

where he’s seen as black and white — very 

clear. But there are a lot of layers to this guy. He 

learned how to defend himself and his honour 

very quickly and very young in life,” he says. “He 

doesn’t take any crap. And if you’re in with him, 

he’ll die to protect you.” 

Signing on to Five-0 meant moving from 

Los Angeles, his home for the past six years, 

to Oahu, and although he initially felt isolated

Main photo: © Rodolfo Martinez/CPi-Syndication.com/Headpress 

STAR STRUCK 

ALEX O’LOUGHLIN 

O’Loughlin’s 

role as Detective 

Steve McGarrett in 

Hawaii Five-O 

has sealed his 

newfound heartthrob 

status 



Main photo: © Rodolfo Martinez/CPi-Syndication.com/Headpress

“I can see about fi ve 

diff erent breaks from my house, 

and each night I can see the sunset” 

living in a hotel on the pilot episode, he now has 

a mountainside house with a great Pacifi c view, 

and loves island life. 

“When I wake up, I make a cup of coff ee and 

I look out the window — I view the surf report 

from there,” says O’Loughlin, who, needless to 

say, has taken up the sport. “I can see about 

fi ve diff erent breaks from my house, and each 

night I can see the sunset from my house. 

It’s an amazing place to live. It has just totally 

become my home since.” 

He nevertheless plans to keep his Los 

Angeles pad until he receives the offi cial 

go-ahead about the series’ second season this 

spring. Interestingly enough, being a graduate 

of the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 

Sydney from the 2002 cohort, O’Loughlin had 

always planned to head to L.A. “It wasn’t about 

the bright lights of Hollywood. It was about the 

pool of talent,” he explains. 

Of course, it was by no means an easy task 

at fi rst. “I was the second-best actor for a lot of 

jobs, and I lived on a friend’s couch for about 

nine months,” he recalls candidly. 

In fact, in one of those “almost” situations, 

O’Loughlin lost the role of James Bond in 

Casino Royale to Daniel Craig. “It was the 

biggest audition I ever did, and also the biggest 

audition I didn’t get. And it’s the one everyone 

brings up,” he sighs, musing, “I think I was a 

little bit young for the role.” 

Nevertheless, he “got to be Bond for a day” 

at the screen test, and “walked away having 

learned about myself as an actor with regard to 

my ambition, and about my achievement,” he 

says, convinced that when the role he is right 

for comes his way, he’ll be ready for it. 

What he’s still coming to terms with is the 

invasion of privacy that accompanies fame. He 

laughs at the absurdity of a rumour that AC/ 

DC rocker Bon Scott was his father, calling 

it “benign, not slanderous or harmful to my 

family or myself, and kind of cool.” 

But he’s bothered that the career he’s 

chosen may impact the people in his life, 

including a young son in Australia, whom 

he’s tried to keep out of the press. “I’m very 

protective of my family, and I don’t ever want 

this stuff aff ecting them. Usually I’m okay with 

it, but sometimes I want to just go home and 

shut the door. I’m a very private person, and 

this loss of anonymity is the hardest thing to 

deal with.” 

Now, living in Hawaii, just a nine-hour fl ight 

away from Sydney, he’s slightly closer to 

Australia. “I miss my friends. I miss going out 

for the Sydney Morning Herald and a really 

good breakfast,” he admits, but his job keeps 

him too busy to dwell on that. “It’s a really big, 

ambitious television show and I’m in a lot of it. 

OPPOSITE: Despite losing out being James Bond, the boyish O’Loughlin has come into his own with 

the hit remake of Hawaii Five-O THIS PAGE TOP/BOTTOM: Signing autographs is all in a day’s work; 

O’Loughlin is the real-life buddy of co-star Scott Caan (far right), who plays Danny “Danno” Williams 



O’Loughlin displays his 

toned bod in a still 

from the show 

“There’s a lot of action, and the three Cs: 

comedy, character and crime. For people who 

like crime-fi ghting and cop shows, it’s got 

that. The characters are really well-rounded, 

and there’s a lot of really funny stuff ,” he says, 

encouraging Aussie audiences to check it out. 

“I really think this is going to be a show that 

everyone will enjoy.” 

Hawaii Five-0 airs Sundays on Network Ten. 

Riding The Waves 

One of Alex O’Loughlin’s top tips for Hawaii is 

a skill her learned on the island: surfi ng. 

“I was actually deeply humbled by God 

yesterday when I went for a surf,” he says. 

Although he grew up in Australia, a 

country where surfi ng is renowned for being 

a favourite past-time, it wasn’t until Hawaii 

Five-O that he began taking to the water with 

a board. 

“I learned how to surf when I got here,” says 

O’Loughlin. “It’s the most amazing scene here, 

almost life-changing. I’m trying to transition 

into a short boarder at the moment. Some 

people are telling me it’s a little early for that. 

So of course, yesterday, I fell.”


EAT YOUR 

HEART OUT 

As My Kitchen Rules returns to our 

screens this month, we fi nd out where 

else the chef-hosts have been feasting 

around the nation 

WORDS HEATHER MILLAR

OPPOSITE AND THIS PAGE: 

As chef-hosts of My Kitchen 

Rules, Pete Evans and Manu 

Feildel get to discover new 

cooking talents, and eat 

their way around the country 

Pete 

THIS SERIES IS GOING TO BE HUGE. THERE ARE MORE 

AND BIGGER CHALLENGES, MORE TRAVEL AND 

IT’S A MUCH BIGGER SHOW OVERALL 

Evans and Manu Feildel — cohosts 

of Channel 7’s My Kitchen 

Rules — have been travelling the country in 

search of Australia’s next winning team of 

domestic gods and goddesses. In the second 

series which starts this month, it’s a 

state-versus-state scenario, as 12 teams of 

two attempt to out-dine and out-wine one 

other to see whose kitchen really rules. 

“This series is going to be huge,” says 

Feildel. “There are more and bigger 

challenges, more travel and it’s a much 

bigger show overall.” 

It works like this: each cooking team takes 

turns to transform an ordinary home into an 

instant restaurant for one pressure-cooker 

night. “All the contestants surprise me from 

week to week,” says Evans. “They all have their 

ups and downs (some more than others), but 

the one thing they do have in common is their 

passion for food. 

“I’m constantly impressed by the 

contestants’ knowledge of food, and the 

dishes they produce under the most stressful 

situations. I take my hat off to all the teams — 

they’ve all evolved so much, and it’s a joy to 

watch and be a part of.” 

For the fi rst time, the teams will compete 

in a variety of cooking challenges on location, 

as well as at Kitchen Headquarters — a 

custom-designed restaurant space. At the 

end of it all, the top two teams will battle it out 

for supremacy as they present their ultimate 

dining menu to a full restaurant. 

French-born Feildel, who was the head chef 

at Livebait in the UK when it was nominated 

for best seafood restaurant in 1998, moved 

to Sydney in 1999. In March 2009, he opened 

L’étoile in Paddington, which has achieved 

recognition with the award of its fi rst chef’s 

hat from Sydney Morning Herald. 

“I love working on My Kitchen Rules 

because it’s about real people, real food and 

home cooking,” says Feildel. “I also get to 

meet new people, travel through this beautiful 

country and share my passion for cooking.” 

After Evans opened his fi rst restaurant, The 

Pantry, in Melbourne’s Brighton in 1993, he 

went on to establish Hugos in Bondi, Hugos 

Lounge and Hugos Bar Pizza in Kings Cross, 

and Hugos Manly. His restaurants have won 

numerous awards, including the coveted 

Sydney Morning Herald chef’s hat, for seven 

years in a row. 

“You’ll get to see some amazing drama 

unfolding as the series progresses,” says 

Evans. “There’ll be some favourites that 

people will cheer on enthusiastically from 

their armchairs, but more importantly, people 

will learn some great recipes, and hopefully 

be inspired to try new and inventive dishes in 

their own homes.” 

As Pete and Manu travelled the country for 

My Kitchen Rules, they kept an eye out for 

great places to eat. Here are some of their 

hot recommendations. 

EAT BEAT 

MY KITCHEN RULES 


CLOCKWISE: 

Ben O’Donoghue’s South 

Bank Surf Club in Brisbane 

is famous for its star dish, 

the jambalaya; try great 

food for a good cause at 

Charcoal Lane; fresh food 

galore at Adelaide Central 

Market; Bar Lourinha is one 

of Evans’ picks 

SYDNEY 

Pete: We ate at Porteno in Surry Hills with the 

guest judges. We tried the whole menu, but the 

whole lamb cooked over the fi re pit could well 

be the dish of the year. Don’t think, just go! 

Manu: Apart from my restaurant L’étoile 

Restaurant & Bar — obviously! — I love Le 

Pelican, Surry Hills. They serve great French 

Basque food. I know the chef well, and I love 

the passion he puts into his cooking. 

BRISBANE 

Pete: I love Ben O’Donoghue’s restaurant, 

South Bank Surf Club — we ate his famous 

jambalaya and it was to die for — I actually 

want the recipe. 

Manu: Alastair McLeod’s new outfi t, Tank 

Restaurant & Bar. It’s Irish with a Japanese 

twist, can you believe it? I like it because it’s 

diff erent, plus the food is amazing. 

ADELAIDE 

Pete: Ying Chow on Gouger Street does the 

best aniseed duck in Australia. Also, don’t 

go past the red vinegar ribs, the e-shand 

eggplant, or the salt and pepper fl ounder. It’s 

so cheap to eat here, but do get in early. 

Manu: I love the Adelaide Central Market. 

You can fi nd anything you want there. There’s 

a stall where you can get great, ready-to-eat 

Asian food as you shop. 

HOBART 

Pete: When I ate at The Red Velvet Lounge 

in Cygnet, I ordered mushrooms on toast, 

and they were the best I’ve ever had — the 

chef, Steve Cumper, needs a medal for those 

wonderful mushrooms. 

Manu: Meadowbank Estate — I love their 

venison tartare and potato tortellini! 

MELBOURNE 

Pete: The Vics (me being one) really know how 

to show off food, but in a very understated 

way. I love visiting the South Melbourne 

Market. There are always great characters 

and produce, as well as their famous dim sim 

for a snack. My favourite places to eat are Bar 

Lourinha, Movida and Cookie, all in the CBD. 

Fitzroy has some cool, alternative restaurants 

that are amazing too — I especially like 

Charcoal Lane, which helps out Indigenous 

and disadvantaged kids. 

Manu: Coda Bar + Restaurant. I can’t go past 


The delicious 

scallops at 

Andaluz are a 

defi nite must-try 


their black bean crab and bone marrow spring 

rolls — it’s fi nger-licking good food. 

PERTH 

Pete: I love the marvellous Spanish-inspired 

bread salad and the pâté at Andaluz tapas bar 

and restaurant. 

Manu: And you have to try the scallops and 

pig’s trotter at Andaluz too. 

DARWIN 

Pete: Hanuman in Darwin is one of the 

country’s fi ner restaurants. The signature 

dish of oysters is great, but the trumpet 

mushrooms with pork and prawn is the best. 

Manu: Oh, this is a tricky one! However, the 

burgers at Shenannigans were great. Why do 

I like it? The burgers go so perfectly with a pint 

of beer! 

Take Me There 

1 PORTENO 

358 Cleveland St, 

Surry Hills, Sydney, 

tel: +61 (2) 8399 1440 

1 L’ÉTOILE RESTAURANT & BAR 

211 Glenmore Rd, 

Paddington, Sydney, 

tel: +61 (2) 9332 1577 

1 LE PELICAN 

411 Bourke St, 

Surry Hills, Sydney, 

tel: +61 (2) 9380 2622 

1 SOUTH BANK SURF CLUB 

30AA Stanley Plaza, South Bank 

Parklands, South Brisbane, 

tel: +61 (7) 3844 7301 

1 TANK RESTAURANT & BAR 

31 Tank St, Brisbane, 

tel: +61 (7) 3003 1993 

1 YING CHOW 

114 Gouger St, Adelaide, 

tel: +61 (8) 8211 7998 

1 ADELAIDE CENTRAL MARKET 

45 Grote St, Adelaide, 

tel: +61 (8) 8203 7203 

1 THE RED VELVET LOUNGE 

24 Mary St, Cygnet, Hobart, 

tel: +61 (3) 6295 0466 

1 MEADOWBANK ESTATE 

699 Richmond Rd, Cambridge, 

tel: +61 (3) 6248 4484 

1 SOUTH MELBOURNE MARKET 

322 Coventry St, 

Melbourne, 

tel: +61 (3) 9209 6295 

1 CHARCOAL LANE 

136 Gertrude St, 

Fitzroy, Melbourne, 

tel: +61 (3) 9418 3400 

1 CODA BAR + RESTAURANT 

Basement, 141 Flinders Ln 

(Cnr Oliver Ln), Melbourne, 

tel: +61 (3) 9650 3155 

1 ANDALUZ 

21 Howard St, Perth, 

tel: +61 (8) 9481 0092 

1 HANUMAN 

93 Mitchell St, 

Darwin, 

tel: +61 (8) 8941 3500 

1 SHENANNIGANS 

69 Mitchell St, 

Darwin, 

tel: +61 (8) 8981 2100 

Jetstar flies direct to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, 

Melbourne, Perth and Darwin from across Australia. JetSaver 

Light fares from AU$39 one way. Book online at Jetstar.com

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Shop. Dine. Play. 

Darling Harbour, Sydney

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: 

Hop on a calesa (horse-drawn 

carriage); the façade of the 

Casa Manila Museum; the 

colourful jeepney bus is a 

defi ning feature of Manila; 

visit Fort Santiago for history 

MANILA 

SHOWING OFF 


Globe-trotting Philippines-based TV host and Amazing 

Racer Rovilson Fernandez (below inset) lets us in on 

why he loves coming home to Manila 

WORDS MABEL DAVID-PILAR PHOTOGRAPHY AT MACULANGAN 

The 

way Rovilson 

Fernandez 

knows his way around 

Manila, you’d think he 

had lived here all his 

life. But the TV host 

grew up in San Jose, 

California, and only 

returned to his 

parents’ native country 

in 1999. That was after 

he had fi nished fi lm 

school and before he was 

meant to head to Hong 

Kong for work. 

But his sharp wit, 

playful sense of humour and 

up-for-anything attitude landed him a 

hosting job for a local travel show. More than 

a decade later, Fernandez’s hosting duties 

and travels in the Philippines continue. “Thus 

my Manila ‘pit-stop’ has been an 11-year love 

aff air,” he explains. 

He started hosting for the AXN Network 

in the South-East Asia region after covering 

more than 50,000km around the world in the 

second season of The Amazing Race Asia, and 

emerging as runner-up. In the Philippines, he 

currently hosts the hit news-and-variety show, 

Ang Pinaka, and was recently tapped to be one 

of the country’s national ambassadors for the 

World Wide Fund for Nature. 

Every week, Fernandez heads to a studio 

or a location for shoots, voice-overs or guest 

appearances. In between work and travel, he 

makes time to go for a run, a drink, or attend 

to any visiting friends from overseas who want 

to get their feet wet exploring the Philippines. 

During weekend mornings when he’s in 

Manila, you might catch him heading to 

Roxas Boulevard for a jog. “Nothing beats the 

collective energy and mass hysteria there on 

a weekend,” he says. Besides the throngs of 

joggers everywhere, the scenic boulevard that 

runs parallel to Manila Bay often sees cyclists 

zipping in all directions. 

There are dragonboat 

teams churning along the 

water, outdoor aerobics 

classes, makeshift 

badminton games, 

skaters, roller bladers, 

walkers, dog-walkers, 

the occasional 

calesa (horse-drawn 

carriage), and tai chi 

groups that seem 

oblivious to the chaos. 

“It’s motivating, it’s 

surreal and needs to be 

experienced when you’re 

here,” says Fernandez. 

When he needs to get lights or 

other fi xtures for his new pad, or is craving 

Chinese food at the same time, Fernandez 

heads to Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown. A busy 

commercial district of Manila since the 19th 

century, Binondo is crammed with jewellery 

shops, Chinese drugstores, hardware stores, 

interesting buildings, a 17th-century church 

and of course, amazing Chinese restaurants. 

“I’m a huge fan of Chinese food and 

there are so many wonderful restaurants to 

choose from, but I occasionally fi nd myself 

in mum-and-pop type of shops in Binondo, 

where the ambience is suspect, the service is 

nominal, but the taste more than makes up 

for the shortcomings.” For a treat, he goes to 

President Grand Palace Restaurant to chow 

down on dim sum. 

WhiteMoon Bar is Fernandez’s 

recommendation for sunset drinks. Located 

at the Manila Ocean Park complex, the bar 

is a cosy joint with a laid-back vibe and a 

fantastic view. “There are not many bars in the 

city where you can catch the sunset. And at 

night, you get the full moon and smooth music 

playing, along with the dark, brooding ocean 

waves below you.” 

When Fernandez plans a romantic night 

out, Manila’s fi ne-dining spots, such as 

Ilustrado, The Fireplace at the Hyatt Hotel,

The Great Barrier Reef 

is spectacular to dive 

in, but fl ying over the 

reef provides another 

wonderful experience 

HOT SPOT 

MANILA 


and the restaurants at the newly opened 

Midas Hotel and Casino are his choice 

picks. “The Spanish-Filipino fare at Ilustrado 

is exceptional. Dining there is like travelling 

through time. The Fireplace in Hyatt Hotel 

has great steaks, greater ambience and the 

greatest potatoes au gratin. Midas Hotel on 

Roxas Boulevard has top-notch chefs for 

sushi, pastries and everything,” he says. 

When he takes his friends around, the one 

place he always takes them to is Dampa. While 

dampa is the Filipino word for a hut or shanty, 

among Manila’s residents it refers to humble 

eateries within a wet market, where the 

freshest seafood is cooked to your liking. 

“A visit to Dampa is a must. Everyone gets 

a kick out of walking around the wet market, 

selecting their dinner, and ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘aaahing’ 

at the wide selection of seafood from our 

waters. I always get a kick and a laugh out of 

hearing, ‘Can we really eat that?’” 

When it comes to shopping, while his 

friends all want to go to the bargain paradise of 

Greenhills Shopping Center in the city of San 

Weekends in Manila 

Rovilson Fernandez’s favourite quick 

getaways from Manila 

For Fernandez, the Philippines is a “healthand-wellness 

country”. Th ere’s an abundance 

of spas and wellness resorts, which the TV 

host and health buff likes to take advantage 

of when he has a free weekend. His favourites 

include Th e Farm at San Benito in Batangas 

and Sonya’s Garden and Spa in Cavite. 

Just a two-hour drive south of Manila, 

Th e Farm is a healing centre with a holistic 

approach. “I love it. It makes you feel like a 

better person after you get to experience the 

resort and all of its amenities. I especially 

enjoy the educational aspect of Th e Farm. You 

get to learn something that you can apply to 

your own lifestyle.” 

For a relaxing day trip, Fernandez likes to 

escape to Sonya’s Garden and Spa, near 

the cool city of Tagaytay. “You can have a 

sumptuous lunch fresh from the garden, a 

leisurely walk around the compound to clear 

your mind, and a therapeutic massage or foot 

spa for a treat. It’s always the best three hours 

of my life.” 


The Farm at 

San Benito 

YOU’LL WALK PAST 

VARYING MILESTONES 

OF PHILIPPINE 

HISTORY — SPANISH 

COLONIALISM, 

WORLD WAR II AND 

THE MARCOS ERA

Photos: Courtesy Tourism Queensland 

South 

China 

Sea 

PHILIPPINES 

Manila 

Sulu Sea 

Juan, Fernandez also takes them to any one of 

the Team Manila and Kultura Filipino stores 

in the city. “Team Manila has awesome, kitschy 

stuff — think new-school cool for iconic local 

staples; and Kultura Filipino has locally made 

items and souvenirs.” Both have outlets in the 

enormous SM Mall of Asia complex, where 

there are roving carts for shoppers to go from 

one building to the other. 

For history, Fernandez recommends a 

trip to the historic walled city of Intramuros, 

Manila’s oldest district built during the 

Spanish times, where 19th-century homes, 

an old Spanish garrison, and a 17th-century 

UNESCO World Heritage-listed baroque 

church still stand. The area is also home to 

the Cultural Center of the Philippines, 

the Manila Hotel (interesting architecture) 

and the newer Manila Ocean Park. “It’s a 

wonderful, charming blend of old-world charm 

and modern technology,” he says. 

Fernandez also gets a lot of help showing 

off Manila from the good people at Walk This 

Way Tour by Carlos Celdran. “His walking 

tours of Manila are a must-do. You’ll walk past 

varying milestones of Philippine history — 

Spanish colonialism, World War II, the Marcos 

era — as well as contemporary and future 

Manila, all wrapped in a gritty, live, tangible 

atmosphere against the backdrop of Manila 

Bay.” After the tour, Fernandez suggests 

taking in the sight of the speeding jeepneys, 

a form of public transportation unique to the 

Philippines; having a taste of the sorbetes, the 

local ice cream sold in the street; or halo-halo, 

a local dessert of shaved ice and diff erent 

sweet toppings. “The jeepneys seem to be 

shinier, the sorbetes sweeter and the halohalo 

more colourful in this part of town.” 

Manila can be a chaotic and gritty place, 

but to Fernandez, this is part of the capital’s 

appeal. “I look at it like this — when I think 

about it, the best food I’ve consumed, the 

best adventures I’ve encountered, the most 

remarkable sights I’ve ever seen — they have 

always been off the beaten path.” 

OPPOSITE: A calesa ride is a treat 

for the whole family 

THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: Try a tasty 

halo-halo; follow the street signs 

to fi nd great Chinese food; cool 

T-shirts await at Team Manila 

lifestyle store 

Take Me There 

1 PRESIDENT GRAND 

PALACE RESTAURANT 

746 Ongpin St, Binondo, 

tel: +63 (2) 242 1473 

1 WHITEMOON BAR 

2/F Sunset Quay, Manila Ocean Park, 

tel: +63 (917) 815 4181 

1 ILUSTRADO 

General Luna St, Intramuros, 

tel: +63 (2) 527 3674 

1 THE FIREPLACE 

Hyatt Hotel and Casino, 

1558 Pedro Gil St, Malate, 

tel: +63 (2) 245 1234 

1 MIDAS HOTEL AND CASINO 

2702 Roxas Blvd, 

tel: +63 (2) 831 6063 

1 TEAM MANILA 

2/F Entertainment Mall, SM Pavillion, 

SM Mall of Asia, Pasay, 

tel: +63 (2) 556 4858 

1 KULTURA FILIPINO 

2/F Main Mall, 

SM Mall of Asia, Pasay 

1 SM MALL OF ASIA 

SM Central Business Park 1, Island A, 

Bay City, tel: +63 (2) 556 0680 

1 CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES 

CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, 

tel: +63 (2) 832 1125 

1 MANILA HOTEL 

One Rizal Park, 

tel: +63 (2) 527 0011 

1 MANILA OCEAN PARK 

Behind the Quirino Grandstand, 

Rizal Park, tel: +63 (2) 567 7777 

1 WALK THIS WAY TOUR BY 

CARLOS CELDRAN 

Tel: +63 (2) 484 4945 

1 THE FARM AT SAN BENITO 

119 Barangay Tipakan, 

4217 Lipa City, Batangas, 

tel: +63 (2) 696 3795 

1 SONYA’S GARDEN AND SPA 

Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, 

tel: +63 (917) 532 9097 

Jetstar flies direct to Manila from 

Darwin from 9 February, with 

connections from Sydney and 

Melbourne. JetSaver Light fares 

from AU$169 one way. Book online 

at Jetstar.com 


UP, UP 

AND AWAY 

For a ride into the past, 

present and future of fl ight, 

you can’t go past this 

year’s massive Australian 

International Airshow 


WORDS TIM RICHARDS 

When 

they nudged their fl imsy 

aircraft into the air near Kitty 

Hawk on 17 December 1903 to make the 

fi rst-ever powered fl ight, Wilbur and Orville 

Wright couldn’t have known how quickly their 

invention would develop. 

Over a century later, commemorations 

of milestones in aviation history have been 

coming thick and fast. This year sees both 

the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the 

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the 

centenary of Australia’s fi rst-ever, landmark 

passenger fl ight. 

Even the upcoming Australian International 

Airshow is celebrating a signifi cant 

anniversary, according to Peter Meehan, the 

head announcer at the biennial event. 

“This will be the tenth air show at Avalon,” 

he says. “And the air displays have certainly 

come a long way since — with far more diverse 

aerospace, military and civilian displays. The 

exposition on the ground that started out 

modestly is now one of the biggest in the 

world. The other aspect is the development 

on the ground,” he adds. “In the early days, if it 

rained it was a quagmire. These days, there are

Main photo: Alamy 

CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN: 

This year’s Airshow pays 

tribute to the aircraft of 

yesteryear, including the 

World War II Mustang; the 

overhead action always 

enthralls crowds; this is 

one event that will thrill 

big and little kids 

a lot more stone pathways and bitumen hard 

stands that make it far more comfortable for 

people attending. And road traffi c has vastly 

improved — the four-hour ordeal of getting in 

and out of the air show from Melbourne is now 

reduced to less than two hours.” 

Considering the anniversaries being 

commemorated at this year’s show, it’s no 

surprise that two major aviation institutions, 

the Temora Aviation Museum and the 

Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS), 

are playing a big part in the proceedings. 

“There will be a number of historic aircraft 

THE RAAF MUSEUM INTENDS TO FLY 

ITS COLLECTION OF AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING 

A WORLD WAR I SOPWITH PUP 

on display,” says Meehan. “HARS operates a 

Super Constellation, a DC3 and a Catalina, the 

World War II fl ying boat. The Temora Aviation 

Museum fl ies a lot of iconic RAAF aircraft from 

yesteryear, such as the Meteor, the Vampire 

and the Sabre jet.” Other historic aircraft 

that will be coming to the show include the 

Spitfi re, Gloster, Lockheed Hudson, Kittyhawk, 

Mustang, Boomerang and DC4. 

It’s not all about the past, of course. As the 

Airshow coincides with the 90th anniversary 

of the RAAF, the latter is playing a major role in 

this year’s events. 

“It’s a big deal,” says Air Commodore 

David Pietsch, the head of the planning 

team for the Air Force’s contribution. “We’re 

commemorating 90 years of faithful and 

impressive service. We’re one of the oldest air 

forces in the world, so it gives us something to 

be quite proud about.” 

That pride will be front and centre at 

Avalon. “We will have signifi cant displays, both 

on the ground and in the air. It’s a modest 

demonstration of our tradition, innovation and 

evolution so far. For the air display itself, which 

will be on the Saturday and Sunday of the 

show, we’re planning to have most of the Air 

Force’s aircraft involved,” continues Pietsch. 

“Not all may be there because of operational 

reasons — that applies mostly to the Orions 

and C17s. But we’ll have the Hawk, which is 

the jet trainer, we’ll also have both the classic 

Hornets and the Super Hornets, as well as 

the Roulettes. They’ll put on their standard 

aerobatic team display each day.” 

Despite this impressive array of modern 

hardware, history will never be far away. “The 

RAAF Museum intends to fl y its collection of 

aeroplanes,” says Pietsch. “These include the 

World War II Mustang, the Winjeel, the CT-4A 

(one of our more recent trainers), the Tiger 

Moth and a Sopwith Pup that dates back to 

World War I.” 

And there’s even more military hardware to 

add to the list, according to Meehan. “Other 

highlights will include the Wedgetail early 

warning aircraft, the midair-refuelling aircraft 

by Airbus and the Heron unmanned vehicle.” 

There’s also much to do at ground level. 

A new addition this year is a demonstration 

facility for aerial unmanned vehicles. There’ll 

also be a mobility display track, on which 

GO GUIDE 

AUSTRALIAN 

INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 



The Roulettes’ impressive 

aerial formations will keep 

your eyes glued to the sky 

motorcycle stunt teams and monster truck 

drivers will be performing. Other airborne 

highlights include the spectacular night show, 

which comprises a simulated air-ground 

attack involving military aircraft and vehicles, 

plus pyrotechnics and fi reworks. 

Stunt pilots are also joining in. American 

Kent Pietsch (no relation to Air Commodore 

Pietsch) will stage his comedic aerobatic act, 

and Australia’s own “top gun” and former Red 

Bull Air Race pilot Matt Hall will be fl ying. It’s a 

program that Meehan feels will excite anyone 

interested in aviation. “Any attendee will be 

overcome by the air displays, the exposition’s 

size and the layout of aircraft across the vast 

hectares of the Avalon fi eld,” he says. “Overall, 

it’s an awesome and all-consuming sight.” 

The Australian International Airshow is 

open to the public from 4 to 6 March. For 

more details, visit www.airshow.net.au. 

Tickets from Ticketmaster via 136 100 or 

www.ticketmaster.com.au. 

Jetstar flies direct to Avalon from Brisbane 

and Sydney, and to Melbourne from across 

Australia. JetSaver Light fares from AU$39 

one way. Book online at Jetstar.com

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HEAD IN THE 

CLOUDS 


If you want to rest and relax, 

don’t go to Queenstown — 

the snowy mountain town 

that has built its rep on fun 

and games 

WORDS WENDY DUNLOP 

Main photo: Photolibrary; Queenstown Rafting: Destination Queenstown

Main photo: Alamy 

CLOCKWISE: “Fly” 

across Skippers Canyon 

on the Swing; go on a 

heartpumping ride with 

Queenstown Rafting; 

dine out in Queenstown’s 

best restaurants 

OPPOSITE: The 

excitement doesn’t stop 

when night falls 

They 

say New York never sleeps, and 

the same could be said for 

Queenstown. As New Zealand’s ultimate yearround 

resort, it dishes up a sizzling adventure 

menu by day and plenty of party buzz at night. 

Against a jaw-dropping backdrop of lakes, 

rivers and mountains, Queenstown off ers 

wacky activities and views from every angle, 

including upside-down. Ever since AJ Hackett 

bungy-ed off the Kawarau Bridge in the 1980s, 

the town has become a “try anything once” 

adrenaline playground. 

Upon my arrival, I am whisked away by The 

Helicopter Line to champagne bubbles and 

spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu enroute 

to “Bob’s Peak”. This prime vantage point 

rises almost 800m and is also accessed by 

Queenstown’s gondola. At the top, with the 

best view in the world, Skyline Restaurant has 

delighted diners for decades, while the treeclad 

slopes sport the family-friendly luge and 

Ziptrek Ecotours. 

A purpose-built, fl ying-fox franchise, Ziptrek 

off ers four zip lines linked between specially 

constructed landing platforms. I’m fi rst geared 

up with helmet, harness (and hope) and 

invited to swing forward, backwards, upside 

down or “hands free”, with a special request 

by guides Mike, Morgan and Liam to land in a 

“guide-friendly package” — which is Ziptrek 

speak for “don’t kick me in the face”! 

If adventure gives you an appetite, 

Botswana Butchery is one of Queenstown’s 

trendiest restaurants, and is located in a 

refurbished early settler’s cottage on the 

foreshore. With an emphasis on premier meat 

dishes and fresh produce, it’s popular every 

night of the week. 

Next morning I’m on the water. 

Queenstown Rafting is one of New Zealand’s 

largest whitewater rafting companies 

with trips on the Kawarau, Shotover and 

Landsborough Rivers. Following an inelegant 

wriggle into bootees, and a wet suit, helmet 

and life vest, there’s a serious set of safety 

drills before I get to whoop along to conquer 

my fi rst rapids successfully. Good thing too, 

because “there’s no stop button on Mother 

Nature’s rollercoaster,” laugh guides Tom, 

Craig and Gabby. Indeed. 

Later, an afternoon of quaffi ng awaits me 

at Central Otago’s best wineries. Grapes were 

introduced to the arid province as early as 

1857, but took more than 100 years to gain 

recognition. Today, Central Otago wines win 

national and international awards, and are a 

THERE’S NO 

STOP BUTTON ON 

MOTHER NATURE’S 

ROLLERCOASTER 

mainstay of New Zealand’s wine reputation. 

At the southernmost latitude in the world 

for growing grapes, Gibbston Valley Wines 

produced its fi rst commercial crop in 1987, 

and now hosts 30,000 visitors a year to its 

vineyard, cellar tastings, shop, café, cheesery 

and the largest wine cave in New Zealand. 

Using French oak barrels for its renowned 

pinot noir, the winery’s cave provides perfect 

barrel conditions with a natural temperature 

of 14°C. 

Nearby, The Wine House and Kitchen 

operates from the Glenroy Homestead (1911), 

and is home to Van Asch Wines. Owner 

Henry Van Asch, co-founder of the iconic 

Queenstown Bungy, describes his Freefall 

label as “an adventure in wine and best 

enjoyed after conquering a challenge.” 

Brennan Wines produces just 800 cases 

ADRENALINE 

QUEENSTOWN 


Photos: Destination Queenstown 

CLOCKWISE: Cruise Lake 

Wakatipu on The TSS 

Earnslaw; on two wheels at 

Jacks Point; barrel-tasting in 

Gibbston Valley Cave 

each vintage and considers itself a “minnow” 

among its neighbours. But its Italian-style 

pinot grigio, experimental muscat grapes, 

and delightful pétanque and picnic area bring 

visitors to its “low-key charm, small status and 

super soul,” says Noel Brennan. 

Amisfi eld has been a consistent awardwinner 

for its 100% estate-grown wines. 

Teamed with impressive good food and “trust 

the chef” wine matches, I’m in tastebud 

heaven, savouring zucchini truffl ati, salmon 

panna cotta and chicken with garden pesto. 

Fortifi ed for another day of adventure, 

I begin with a death-defying descent into 

historic Skippers Canyon. Once the world’s 

largest gold-bearing river, it squeezes through 

a narrow gorge that’s now the venue for a wild 

9km ride by Skippers Jetboat. 

High above the canyon, Winky’s Museum 

traces Skippers’ gold history from boom to 

bust. Owned by fi fth-generation descendents 

of a gold mining family, the original cottage is 

crammed with memorabilia, implements and 

relics, including a rare chain measure (exactly 

22 feet long) and a stack of gold pans for you 

to try your luck! 

But it’s lunacy more than luck that delivers 

me to Skippers’ latest attraction. Canyon 

Swing operates from a platform 60m above 

the river, where you’re harnessed and 

humorously heckled into choosing from a 

“menu of terror”. Ten diff erent jump styles 

off ering 10 kinds of fear eventually result in a 

freefall plummet and 200m pendulum swing 

reaching 150k/h. “But the only thing for you 

to really worry about is bringing a change of 

underwear,” say the witty inventors of this 

award-winning scream machine. 

A hand-steadying drink is mandatory 

A HAND- 

STEADYING DRINK 

IS MANDATORY 

ON RETURN TO 

TOWN... AT BED 

BAR “IN RECLINE” 

on return to town. Perhaps cocktails at my 

favourite, Queenstown Crowne Plaza’s 

Bed Bar, where you can enjoy your drink “in 

recline”, before dining in style at the hotel’s 

Threesixty restaurant. 

The lakefront dazzles at night and is also 

home to Queenstown’s most nostalgic 

attractions: The TSS Earnslaw, which has 

been cruising Lake Wakatipu since 1912, 

while Eichardt’s Private Hotel is the town’s 

oldest hotel, with an atmosphere all its own. 

This year, you’ll be able to explore the area 

with Walter Peak Cycling Excursion. Their 

45-minute Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak 

Sheep Station to ride the western shores of 

Lake Wakatipu to Mount Nicholas Station can 

be done guided or independently. 

For a gastronomic must-try, I join the queue 

at Fergburgers; a “Queenstown institution, 

late-night hangout and massive munch!” 

The nearby Arrowtown off ers a heritage 

adventure among restored pioneer cottages 

and picturesque shops, dating from the 1860s 

when the town’s population reached 7,000 


The heritage 

Arrowtown 


at the peak of the gold rush. There’s still gold 

in the Arrow River, and beside it, the Chinese 

miners’ village is an authentic reconstruction 

of life as they knew it. Surrounded by selfguided 

walking and biking trails, and three 

superb golf courses, Arrowtown is a treasure 

in its own right, retaining an ambience sought 

after by visitors and residents alike. 

Whether it’s adventure, heritage, indulgence 

or all three, Queenstown is the resort for all 

seasons and reasons. In summer, it’s light until 

late, and when all other adventures are 

over for the day, the scenery and sunsets 

become star attractions. As former US 

President Bill Clinton once said, “Queenstown 

is just breathtaking”. 

Take Me There 

1 THE HELICOPTER LINE 

Lucas Plc, Queenstown Airport, 

tel: +64 (3) 442 3034 

1 SKYLINE RESTAURANT 

Brecon St, Queenstown, 

tel: +64 (3) 441 0101, 

1 ZIPTREK ECOTOURS 

45 Camp St, Queenstown, 

tel: +64 (3) 441 2102 

1 BOTSWANA BUTCHERY 

17 Queens Pde, Queenstown, 

tel: +64 (3) 442 6994 

1 QUEENSTOWN RAFTING 

35 Shotover St, Queenstown, 

tel: +64 (3) 442 9792 

1 GIBBSTON VALLEY WINES 

Gibbston RD1, 1820 State Hwy 6, 

tel: +64 (3) 442 6910 

1 THE WINE HOUSE 

AND KITCHEN 

1693 Gibbston Hwy, 

tel: +64 (3) 442 7310 

1 BRENNAN WINES 

86 Gibbston Back Rd, 

tel: +64 (3) 442 4315 

1 AMISFIELD 

10 Lake Hayes Rd, 

tel: +64 (3) 442 0556 

1 SKIPPERS JETBOAT 

Tel: +64 (3) 442 9434 

1 CANYON SWING 

37 Shotover St, 

Queenstown 

tel: +64 (3) 442 6990 

1 QUEENSTOWN CROWNE 

PLAZA 

Beach St, 

Queenstown 

tel: +64 (3) 441 0095 

1 THE TSS EARNSLAW 

Tel: +64 (3) 249 7416 

1 EICHARDT’S PRIVATE HOTEL 

Marine Pde, Queenstown, 

tel: +64 (3) 441 0450 

1 WALTER PEAK 

CYCLING EXCURSION 

www.queenstown-nz.co.nz 

1 FERGBURGERS 

42 Shotover St, Queenstown, 

tel: +64 (3) 441 1232 

Jetstar flies direct to Queenstown from Melbourne and the 

Gold Coast, and from across New Zealand. JetSaver Light 

fares from AU$199 one way. Book online at Jetstar.com 

Photo: Photolibrary

Indulge your senses with the colours of Autumn 

Experience the delights of Autumn in New Zealand with a unique Peppers holiday. From Christchurch to Queenstown the 

changing colours will excite your senses. While different in nature, each Peppers shares a dedication to beautifully appointed 

accommodation, fresh seasonal menus and friendly local staff, with plentiful ways to indulge all the senses especially at this 

time of the year. 

Peppers Clearwater Resort, Christchurch is surrounded by beautiful and inviting scenery, including an 18-hole championship 

golfcourse. It offers something for everyone - from cycling to fly-fishing and tramping the extensive trails of nearby terrain. 

Peppers Bluewater Resort, Lake Tekapo is set amongst the mountains and glacial lakes of the rugged Mackenzie Country region 

on Lake Tekapo. Choose from numerous walks with magnificent scenery, relax in the hot springs or enjoy star gazing at night. 

Peppers Beacon, Queenstown sits on the pristine shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooking the stunning Remarkables Mountains. 

Just a 5-minute stroll from Queenstown with adrenalin fuelled activities including rafting, bungy jumping and jet boat rides. 

Experience Peppers. Australia: Call 1300 987 600 

New Zealand: Call 0800 275 373 

visit peppers.com.au 

or contact your preferred travel agent

A regular on Bondi Rescue, 

Terry McDermott has had 

more than 20 years of 

experience being a lifeguard 

OPPOSITE TOP/BOTTOM: 

Some of the brave men 

behind Bondi Rescue; a 

Bondi Lifeguard signals to a 

swimmer at sea 

BOYS IN 

BLUE, 

TO THE 

RESCUE 

For the lifeguards of Bondi Rescue, it’s 

non-stop action at this beautiful workplace 

WORDS CLARE BRUNDLE 

50 FEBRUARY 2011

Everyone 

loves a man in 

uniform, but there’s 

one uniform that’s been getting more 

recognition than ever before, thanks to Channel 

Ten’s Bondi Rescue. Having made a splash since 

its debut in 2006 and back on our screens since 

30 January, the fl y-on-the-wall documentary 

series follows the day-to-day working lives of 

the blue-clad Bondi Lifeguards. It records the 

highs and lows of the team that is responsible 

for protecting visitors who fl ock to Australia’s (if 

not the world’s) most famous beach. 

The fact is, Bondi Rescue has been a ripper 

of a success both at home and all around the 

world, amassing more than 2.5 million viewers 

per year and an ever-growing legion of fans. 

Terry McDermott, one of the regulars on the 

show since the start and a veteran lifeguard 

with more than 20 years’ experience under his 

(life) belt, was pretty confi dent it would be a 

hit right from the start. 

“I knew it was going to be a success. The 

show is character-based and viewers love to 

connect with people’s real lives. They can see 

what we do is an honourable thing at the end 

of the day, and we do it in the best place in the 

world — Bondi Beach in Australia.” 

The beautiful beach backdrop is obviously 

one of the keys to the show’s popularity. 

However, it’s more than just good looks that 

makes Bondi Beach so special. 

“There’s a city of 4.5 million people living 

behind us, and their main beach centre 

is Bondi. The vast majority visit with the 

intention of having a wonderful day at 

the beach, which creates a very special 

atmosphere. This interaction of the beach with 

such a mix of people is unique in the world,” 

says McDermott proudly. 

So what sort of “interaction” can fans 

expect in the new series? Think human 

“squirrels”, weird alien-like jellyfi sh, surfers 

with dislocated shoulders, bad reactions to 

bluebottle stings, swimmers caught in rips, 

lost kids and even an appearance by one 

of the world’s most famous lifeguards — 

former-Baywatch star David Hasselhoff . 

Amusingly, it sounds like The Hoff had to 

fi ght off the attention of the real-life lifeguards 

just as much as the beach babes during his 

visit to Bondi. 

“Baywatch started at the same time as I 

started lifeguarding, so it has a special place 

in my heart,” says a smiling McDermott. “I was 

a bit star struck about meeting my celluloid 

hero, but all the younger lads were quick to 

jump in and ask him about Pammie Anderson. 

He’s a crack-up.” 

With no two days on the beach the same, 

the sixth series is packed full with all sorts of 

surprises and unpredictable scenarios that 

test the limits of the lifeguards. 

“The fi rst weekend of fi lming this season 

was crazy — we pulled up a dead shark 

from the net, buried it in the sand, then the 

Fisheries came along to do an autopsy… all 

this, while multiple other things and rescues 

were going on at the same time.” 

So should swimmers be nervous about 

sharks on the beach and do the lifeguards 

worry about what lurks in the ocean? 

“After 40 years of surfi ng, I’ve rarely seen 

a shark. They’re in the back of my mind and 

they’re real, but our beach has nets and a lot 

of surveillance. Riding my bike home is more 

risky,” says McDermott matter-of-factly. 

Along with shark sightings, quirky 

characters and exciting saves, the next season 

also promises a heightened viewer experience. 

“The production company has really 

taken the show to a whole new level with the 

number, types and positioning of cameras 

used. The cameras are everywhere — on 

helmets, boards, underwater and more — 

capturing all the action from every angle,” 

explains McDermott excitedly. 

However, while Bondi Rescue is good 

entertainment, and even humorous in parts, 

it’s important to remember that the show is 

a documentary, and the challenges that the 

lifeguards face are very real. 

McDermott describes how each member of 

the team has trained hard to gain their place 

in the Bondi Lifeguard Tower, and thinks that 

the level of commitment required to make it 

in the profession might surprise viewers. He 

admits that it can be diffi cult to stay focused 

on a busy summer’s day with more than 

40,000 people on the beach, and even harder 

not to get aff ected when scenarios don’t have 

positive outcomes or someone drowns. 

But it’s also clear that McDermott loves 

his job and the “very talented group of guys” 

he works with, on top of also feeling proud of 

how Bondi Rescue is “helping the world take 

lifeguarding seriously, and to see it as a real 

possible career”. 

So what would his advice be to any teenage 

wannabe lifeguards? 

“Get involved with the ocean recreationally 

in as many ways as possible. If you surf 

or swim, and are in or around the ocean 

the whole time, you get a diff erent level of 

understanding and appreciation. You’ve got to 

start with a love of the ocean. Lifeguarding will 

come later on.” 

Bondi Rescue is on Network Ten on Sundays 

at 8pm. 

Beach Safety Tips 

PEOPLE 

BONDI RESCUE 


FARAWAY FOREST 

To walk within the Daintree Rainforest is to take a walk back to the beginning of time 


WORDS MARIA VISCONTI

Main photo: Photolibrary; Cassowary photo: Alamy; Ginger plant and waterfall photos: Maria Visconti 

“This 

place is so laid back that you 

could have your shower lying 

down,” my friend exaggerates on our all-girls’ 

trip to the Daintree Rainforest for nature and 

some pampering. 

Just then, our guide Juan Walker stops on 

a narrow track in the middle of the rainforest. 

“Because the leaves of this tree are covered 

in tiny gripping hairs, they were used by our 

people to wrap the soft-shelled eggs of turtles 

for safe transport,” he explains, passing the 

elongated leaves around for us to examine. 

CLOCKWISE: A bird’s eye 

view of the gorgeous Daintree 

Rainforest; a wild ginger plant in 

the rainforest; keep an eye out 

for the fl ightless cassowary bird; 

this waterfall in the Daintree is 

traditionally for women only 

This dense and intensely green rainforest is 

home to more tree species than the whole of 

North America and Europe, and at 110 million 

years old, is older than the Amazon. Our walk is 

a relatively cool one, cosseted as we are in this 

emerald-green refuge. 

“And now ladies, I’ll leave you to enjoy 

the waterfall which has traditionally been 

a women’s gathering place,” says Walker, 

disappearing down the track. We’re soon under 

a cool stream of clear water, and guide Linda 

Burchill from Walkabout Cultural Adventures 

takes over the Kuku Yalanji story. Overhead, 

ancient cycad palms, king ferns and the 

ubiquitous ylang ylang tree bow their heads 

over this idyllic spot. Juan and Linda’s people, 

the Kuku Yalanji, knew how to fi nd food and 

medicine among the rainforest trees, although 

most of the fruits are highly toxic and require 

laborious processing. For millennia, they lived 

undisturbed in temporary camps by the creeks 

and rivers of this vast track of lowland forest — 

hunting, gathering and fi shing off the reef on 

the nearby coast. 

HUB 

THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST 


Main photo: Photolibrary; Juan Walker and tea photo: Maria Visconti 

“My grandfather and his mates used to build 

semi-circular dams at Wonga Beach using 

the rocks available. When the tide receded, it 

would leave many fi sh trapped in the artifi cially 

created pools,” reminisces Walker. But 

traditional tribal life was disrupted permanently 

after the fi rst Europeans arrived, lured by gold 

and red cedar wood. Today, the Kuku Yalanji 

people are keen to keep their traditions alive 

— while guiding half- and full-day interpretive 

nature walks in the Daintree, and maintaining a 

presence in all aspects of hospitality. 

On this walk, we learn about the various 

uses of the native trees and the habits of native 

animals, such as the fl ightless cassowary, 

crocodiles, kangaroos, and many birds and 

bugs. Burchill also introduces us to Aboriginal 

painting methods and we try our hand at dot, 

crosshatch and x-ray painting techniques. 

Though it’s summer, I never feel the need to 

turn on the air-conditioning in my tree house 

within Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa. All 15 

houses are built high up from the ground, 

smack in the middle of the canopy, within 

two hectares of virgin rainforest. Evenings 

spent in the rainforest are truly magical, and 

sealing myself off in an air-conditioned room 

would mean missing out on the intense aroma 

released at night by nearby fl owers (among 

them the ylang ylang — an integral component 

of the Chanel No. 5 perfume). 

Relaxing in the jacuzzi in the privacy of my 

fully insect-screened balcony allows me to 

integrate with the natural surrounds, and tune 

in to the sounds made by frogs and cicadas. 

But the Daintree, a 90-minute drive from 

Cairns, has another side to its wilderness: one 

that refl ects the fl ourishing of the Australian 

RELAXING IN 

THE JACUZZI ON 

MY BALCONY 

ALLOWS ME TO 

INTEGRATE WITH 

THE NATURAL 

SURROUNDS 

CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN: A tour led by 

Walkabout Cultural Adventures is always 

an eye-opening experience; the traditional 

jam and infusion are best enjoyed 

together; Aboriginal guide Juan Walker 

sugar and beef industry. For a taste of rural 

life after settlement, we’re told we should try 

a wild ride through cattle country in an Argo, 

from Daintree Argo 8x8 Rainforest Tours.“A 

what?” we ask in unison. An Argo, it turns out, 

is a low-impact 8x8 vehicle that climbs virtually 

any terrain, so for an hour we careen up and 

down disused forestry tracks led by Rusty the 

kelpie, who takes his role as lead dog seriously. 

Sally, who owns a few hectares of land and 

runs cattle, drives us to the top of the hill. From 

high ground, the views are spectacular: the 

corrugations of the mountain range across the 

river are densely forested, but the base has 

been cleared to create pasture. The hilly terrain 

looks like the folds of a heavy duvet gently 

falling towards the river. 

The property’s cattle are led to high ground 

before seasonal rains bring in the fl oods. 

Once there, the clearings off er shelter for the 


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Deon and Jim’s 

wedding ceremony on 

a beach in Thailand’s 

Koh Samui 


ON A 

RING 

AND A 

PRAYER 

If you’ve always dreamt 

of an exotic wedding 

overseas, read on for how 

three couples planned their 

perfect day in paradise 

WORDS UTE JUNKER 

IN FOCUS 

OVERSEAS WEDDINGS 

MARRIED IN: KOH SAMUI 

When Deon Nickell-Davies and Jim Morris 

got married, some decisions were easy. For 

instance, when Deon couldn’t make up her 

mind about what colour the bridesmaid 

dresses should be, they decided to have a truly 

white wedding — with all the wedding party 

and all the guests in white. 

Similarly, when they realised how expensive 

venue hire was in Australia, they decided an 

overseas wedding would be much cheaper 

— and Koh Samui in Thailand was their fi rst 

choice. “The people are gorgeous, the scenery 

is beautiful — we both have a bit of a crush on 

Thailand,” says Deon. 

Choosing a date for their wedding was also 

simple. “We wanted our friends to have the 

best possible experience, so we planned our 

wedding around the full-moon party on Koh 

Phangan. We also had our hens and bucks’ 

nights festivities at the same party, which was 

great,” says Deon. 

Deon and Jim chose to have their ceremony 

at the Nora Beach Resort, where they’d stayed 

before. “We had to do the paperwork at the 

embassy in Bangkok, but the resort organised 

all of that for us too. When we arrived in 

Bangkok, there was a driver to meet us 

who drove us around and helped us get 

everything done.” 

Any worries Deon and Jim had about the 

organisation of the wedding were allayed as 

soon as they arrived at the resort. “Our wedding 

coordinator had a PowerPoint presentation 

that covered absolutely everything — more 

than I’d ever hoped or asked for,” explains Deon. 

“I’d provided a lot of ideas — for instance, I 

had sent through a picture of the type of cake 

I had in mind — and they mirrored everything 

I suggested. And they gave us a personal 

assistant to call on for anything we needed.” 

The wedding coordinator also suggested 

some unique touches for the day. “After we 

had gotten married, we planted a frangipani 

tree in the hotel grounds, which is what they call 

a ‘love tree’. That was their idea, and it was really 

nice,” says Deon. 

Not everything went according to plan, 

however. For her hens’ day, Deon and her 

girlfriends went out on a catamaran, and 

Deon lost her iPod — with all the music she’d 

downloaded for the wedding. Jim and his mates 

didn’t fare so well on their scooter excursion. 


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“The boys got carried away, and every 

single one of them came back with skin off 

their elbows and other injuries — except 

Jim, who somehow came back unscathed. 

One of our groomsmen needed 28 stitches,” 

remembers Deon. 

For Deon and Jim, getting married in Samui 

not only gave them a holiday as a wedding, it 

also let them enjoy a very special day. “We had 

a set budget, and it bought us so much more 

in Thailand,” says Jim. “We had all these little 

add-ons, like fi reworks and fi re twirlers, and 

the amount of fl owers and the amount of food 

was amazing.” 

It also gave them a chance to introduce 

friends and family to a place they love. “My 

mum had initially been against us getting 

married in Thailand, because she hadn’t ever 

travelled to an Asian country, but she loved 

it so much, she’s booked to go back this 

year. Hearing how much she enjoyed it was a 

highlight for me,” says Deon. 

Jennifer and Brian 

could get the best 

of both worlds 

in Fiji — a chapel 

wedding in a 

resort location 

DEON’S WEDDING TIPS 

“Trust your planner. I didn’t want to put all my 

eggs in one basket, so I booked my own DJ, 

not the one the resort recommended, and 

he was a bit of a disappointment. I wish I’d 

listened to them. Also, have some idea of what 

you want. Nothing’s impossible in Thailand — 

just tell them what you want and they’ll fi nd a 

way to do it.” 

MARRIED IN: FIJI 

Jennifer and Brian Grimes were determined 

that their wedding would be a relaxed, laidback 

aff air. They were so laid back in their 

approach, in fact, that they got married in a 

country they’d never even been to before. 

“My parents had been on holiday in Fiji a 

few years before, seen some weddings while 

they were there, and said we should consider 

it,” Jennifer says. “We wanted to have a 

wedding that was fun, that didn’t involve a lot 

of headaches and dramas like some weddings 

Fly in Style 

Fly StarClass, Jetstar’s International Business 

Class. You’ll start your holiday by enjoying 

priority check-in, extra baggage allowance 

(up to 30kg) and exclusive use of the Qantas 

Club. During your fl ight, you’ll be able to relax 

in wide leather seats with lots of leg room, 

and enjoy meals, drinks and entertainment, 

which are all included in the fare. You’ll also 

earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points and Status 

Credits at Business Class Levels*. 

So next time you fl y international on one of 

our Airbus A330s, try StarClass. Aren’t you 

entitled to a little star treatment? 

StarClass fares to Phuket and Bangkok from 

AU$1,059 one-way. *T&Cs apply. See Jetstar.com 

we’d been to, and Fiji sounded like it might be 

nice and easy. Plus, we liked the idea of having a 

holiday at the same time.” 

Jennifer and Brian visited travel agents, 

and looked through bridal magazines and the 

internet to put together a shortlist of resorts. 

They made the unusual choice of having the 

ceremony at one resort, and the reception 

at another. 

“We got married at Shangri-La’s Fijian 

Resort and Spa, and what sold us on that was 

this big white chapel they had overlooking the 

ocean. We had originally thought about getting 

married on the beach, but it was a time of year 

when the weather can turn a bit drizzly, so the 

chapel was very appealing.” 

They held their reception at the Naviti 

Resort, where Jennifer’s parents had stayed. 

“They off ered very good packages for our 

guests that included not only the fl ights and 

accommodation, but all you could eat and 

drink: the prices were irresistible.” 

Jennifer admits that she found planning 

a wedding by remote control a trifl e nerveracking. 

“I’m a bit of a control freak, so I kept 

emailing to check things. They were so relaxed: 

they’d say, ‘Bula, don’t stress.’ They were doing 

90 weddings that month — three a day! — so 

they have it all down to a fi ne art.” 

Jennifer and Brian wanted to keep their 

wedding simple, but were thrilled by some of 

the touches that made their day memorable. 

“At the chapel, there was a choir that sang as 

we walked in, and at the reception, they had 

candles fl oating in the water and a big archway 

to walk through. And nothing was too hard. At 

the last minute, we wanted a microphone for 

the speeches, and they found us one.” 

For Jennifer and Brian, a wedding in Fiji 

proved to be not only simple, but also great 

value. “The entire wedding cost us AU$13,000, 

and that included a 10-day holiday. And the 

whole day was fun, and not stressful. One of 

our friends who came to the wedding has just 

gotten engaged, and she’s planning on doing 

the same thing, because she thought our 

wedding was terrifi c.” 


MAIN AND 

INSET: Rebecca 

and Malcolm’s 

fabulous Phuket 

seafront wedding 

JENNIFER’S WEDDING TIPS 

“Do your research — getting married overseas 

can be much cheaper than getting married 

in Australia. Trust your wedding planners — 

they know what they’re doing.” 

MARRIED IN: PHUKET 

There were plenty of memorable moments 

at Rebecca O’Grady and Malcolm Smith’s 

wedding. For instance, they made the guests 

recite their own vows, promising (among other 

things) to have fun on the day. The fi reworks 

were a hit, as was the fi re dancer. But the real 

highlight was the arrival of the baby elephant. 

Rebecca and Mal got married at the Paresa 

Resort in Phuket, a venue they chose while 

on holiday. “The resort is beautiful, and their 

wedding planner was great,” says Rebecca. 

“Organising it was a lot easier than it would 

have been at home, because of the wedding 

planner,” agrees Mal. “Once we gave her input 

into what we liked and what we wanted, she 

looked after everything.” 

Having done their research, the couple knew 

that for the marriage to be legally recognised, 

they would either have to get married in a 

registry offi ce in Australia, or go through the 

Australian consulate in Bangkok. They then 

decided to get married in Australia, but have a 

big ceremony in Thailand. 

“We sent out a ‘save the date’ six months 

early, and invited around 100 people,” says 

Mal. “We knew many of them wouldn’t be able 

to make it, and were thrilled when around 50 

people attended.” 

Rebecca and Mal made it easy for their 


guests by including useful information about 

Phuket along with the wedding invitations: 

information about visas, the climate, currency, 

and useful sites. 

“We had extensive information on 

accommodation options — we were going 

to spend two full weeks there, and wanted 

as many people as possible to share the 

experience with us — and most people did stay 

on after the wedding,” he says. 

For Rebecca, the most challenging element 

was the weather. “The day before, we had 

torrential rain. On the day itself, however, the 

weather was perfect — and the next day, it 

poured down again.” 

On the upside, Rebecca says, the wedding 

was “way cheaper” than it would have been 

in Australia. “We had so many inclusions that 

would have been out of our price range at home 

— we had a live band, and both a cocktail party 

and a full sit-down meal.” 

“For me, the most special thing was the 

number of friends and family who made the 

eff ort to be part of our big day,” adds Mal. “Once 

we made the decision, we accepted that we 

might miss out on close friends and family 

being there, and it was wonderful that so many 

of them did come.” 

REBECCA AND MAL’S WEDDING TIPS 

“Having your wedding in a holiday destination 

means you’re already relaxing. Provide your 

guests with as much information as possible. 

We sent out email alerts about great airline 

deals — so do take away as much stress as you 

can for them.” 

Take Me There 

1 NORA BEACH RESORT 

Koh Samui, 

tel: +66 (77) 42 9400 

1 SHANGRI-LA’S FIJIAN RESORT AND SPA 

Yanuca Island, 

tel: +679 652 0155 

1 NAVITI RESORT 

Viti Levu, 

tel: +679 653 0444 

1 PARESA RESORT 

Phuket, 

tel: +66 (76) 302 000 

Jetstar flies direct to Phuket and Fiji 

from Sydney, and to Bangkok from 

Melbourne, with connecting flights 

from around Australia. JetSaver Light 

fares from AU$219 one way. 

Book online at Jetstar.com

OPPOSITE: From strawberry picking 

at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm; 

swimming with dolphins; wildlife 

feeding at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife 

Conservation Park; exploring Point 

Nepean National Park; to dips at 

Peninsula Hot Springs — there’s heaps 

to do on the Mornington Peninsula 

The 

Gather the family for a 

fun-fi lled holiday on the 

Mornington Peninsula, 

one of Victoria’s top 

summer destinations 

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY CORMAC HANRAHAN 

Mornington Peninsula, just an hour 

from Melbourne, is ideal for 

families who love summer. From strawberry 

fi elds to sand sculptures, wildlife parks and 

dolphins, the peninsula off ers diverse ways for 

young and old to bask in one another’s 

company and the Aussie outdoors. 

I’m there now, the sun is shining, and I’m 

surrounded by a multicultural array of smiling 

families crouched among rows of strawberry 

plants, eagerly fi lling punnets with berries. 

While Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm at 


PICK OF 

THE CROP 

Main Ridge is Australia’s biggest commercial 

strawberry producer, it also off ers an 

ever-popular, “pick-your-own” experience from 

November to April. 

“There’s something really special about 

picking fruit as a family, and then enjoying 

them together afterwards. The kids get to 

experience the fruit in its natural state and 

understand the connection to nature, while 

adults are reminded of their childhood when 

they used to pick berries,” says Joanne Petrillo 

of Sunny Ridge. 

Indeed, out in the fi eld, toddlers, parents 

and grandparents are busy among the plants, 

carefully choosing only the ripest of berries, 

for unlike other fruits, strawberries don’t 

continue to ripen once picked, so recognising 

a ready-to-be-picked berry is essential. 

Afterwards, relax at Sunny Ridge dessert café, 

open on weekends. 

After working up a mild sweat among the 

strawberries, it’s time to trade the bushy 

surrounds of Main Ridge for the dunes of Rye, 

and the restorative powers of the Peninsula 

Hot Springs, towards the tip of the peninsula. 

Situated in the hollows of surrounding dunes, 

mineral-infused water heated by the earth 

rises into a series of pools, dotted throughout 

native coastal vegetation. 

With its Turkish Hamam steam room, 

shiatsu stone walk, sleep-inducing bean 

bag-fi lled chill-out zone, and pools of varying 

dimensions, depths and temperatures, 

Peninsula Hot Springs is a utopia of 

family-friendly rest and relaxation. 

“I really wanted to bring home this idea of 

the spa as a social hub — a place where people 

talk, relax and share ideas, just like they have 

for centuries in Japan, Turkey and of course, 

ancient Rome,” says owner Charles Davidson, 

who spends much of his time visiting the 

world’s spas for inspiration and ideas. 

Although the baths are open well into 

the evening, as dusk falls, I fi nd myself at 

another of the Peninsula’s family-friendly 

attractions, the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife






FLY/DRIVE 

MORNINGTON PENINSULA 


Conservation Park, home to more than 400 

native animals. 

“Australian animals are most active in the 

night, so this is a great way to see them being 

themselves in their own environment,” says 

the park’s creator, Michael Johnson, of the 

park’s night tour. 

The park plays an important role in the 

conservation of some of Australia’s most 

endangered species — it’s home to the only 

giant fl uff y gliders in Victoria and the only 

southern bettongs on mainland Australia — 

both of which come out to say hello on the 

lantern-lit night tours. 

A sudden rummaging nearby in the bushes 

stops our party in its tracks. As we hold out 

our lanterns and peer into the darkness, two 

of the cutest little wallabies hop playfully into 

our pools of light, and are soon feeding from 

our hands. 

“People get so much more out of seeing 

animals in their natural habitats — and 

nothing beats coming out a night with a torch 

and a guide, and talking about them in their 

own homes,” says Michael. 

Another place to interact with animals in 

their own home from October until the end of 

April is at Sorrento pier, onboard a tour with 

Polperro Dolphin Swims. 

The family-run company has decades of 

experience in getting people of all ages and 

abilities into the water with Port Phillip Bay’s 


resident dolphins, 

and when captain 

Troy spots a pod 

off the bow shortly 

after motoring away 

from the moorings, 

it’s certainly an exciting 

time to be in the water. 

Soon, families are hanging 

onto the tow lines from the 

back of the boat, singing through 

their snorkels to encourage the dolphins to 

come play. And come they do — ducking and 

weaving around the delighted swimmers, 

some of whom have never snorkelled before, 

let alone been eyeballed by wild dolphins. 

Back on shore, I head for the spectacular 

narrow neck of land that forms the western 

extreme of the peninsula, Point Nepean 

National Park, where I meet another family 

enjoying the great outdoors. Gavin Gourley 

and his kids have been holidaying in the area 

for more than a decade, and take their bikes 

into the park every year. 

“The kids love it — they run around the 

old forts, hide in the tunnels, ride in and out 

on their bikes, and explore the beaches”, 

says Gourley. The old forts and tunnels are 

remnants of World War II, when the point’s 

position at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay 

made it a critical defence post — a fact that 

adds a great historical element to an already-

Photos: Courtesy Tourism Queensland 

IT’S A VERY ACCESSIBLE 

ART FORM BECAUSE 

EVERYONE HAS HAD SOME 

EXPERIENCE BUILDING A 

SANDCASTLE, AND IT ALSO 

HAS THIS MAGICAL FEEL 

unique slice of natural coastal bushland. 

Just when I think there couldn’t possibly 

be any more things for the family to do on 

the peninsula in summer, I fi nd myself in 

the bayside town of Frankston, staring at a 

three-metre dog with a fl ea circus teetering on 

its back, all expertly carved from sand. 

In actual fact, Sandstorm events have been 

delighting holidaymakers for nearly a decade 

with their annual summer exhibitions on the 

Mornington Peninsula from Boxing Day until 

26 April. This year’s event, themed “creepy 

crawlies”, presents an awesome display of 

other-worldy creatures from the recesses of 

our collective imaginations. 

“Everyone loves it: families, seniors and 

couples come after dark when it’s all lit up 

with lanterns, with music playing. It’s a very 

accessible art form because everyone has had 

some experience building a sandcastle, and it 

has this magical feel because it’s all created 

from an ordinary material that simply signifi es 

summer at the beach in Australia,” says 

Sharon Home of Sandstorm. 

The best thing is: the fun, family-friendly 

things to do on the Mornington Peninsula are 

not limited to those mentioned above and 

there’s plenty more to explore for a day trip, 

weekend or week-long holiday. 

Take Me There 

1 SUNNY RIDGE 

STRAWBERRY FARM 

244 Shands Rd, Main Ridge, 

tel: +61 (3) 5989 4500 

Tip: Fruit is ripest in February. 

1 PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS 

Springs Ln, Fingal, 

tel: +61 (3) 5950 8777 

Tip: Adult entry fee is reduced 

by AU$10 after 7pm. 

1 MOONLIT SANCTUARY 

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 

PARK 

550 Tyabb Tooradin Rd, 

Pearcedale, 

CLOCKWISE 

FROM MAIN: 

Take a trip through 

history at Point 

Nepean National 

Park; go dolphin 

spotting with a 

tour by Polperro 

Dolphin Swims; 

check out amazing 

sand sculptures 

at Frankston’s 

Sandstorm event 

tel: +61 (3) 5978 7935 

Tip: Two-hour private tours 

can be arranged for AU$150 

per couple. 

1 POLPERRO DOLPHIN SWIMS 

Tel: +61 (3) 5988 8437 

Tip: The mornings in February 

and March are best for 

dolphin spotting. 

1 POINT NEPEAN 

NATIONAL PARK 

End of Point Nepean Road, 

www.parkweb.vic.gov.au 

Tip: Take your own bike and a 

cut lunch. 

Jetstar flies direct to Melbourne from Singapore and 

Bangkok, and from across Australia and New Zealand. 

JetSaver Light fares from AU$49 one way. Book online 

at Jetstar.com 


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Sudoku. 

Grab a pen, put on your thinking 

cap and join the craze! 

The objective of Sudoku is to fi ll in the missing 

squares so that each row, column and 3x3 box 

contains the numbers 1 through to 9. To get you 

started, here are a few tactics... 

Scan each horizontal and vertical band 

consisting of three 3x3 boxes. It’s often easiest 

to start in a spot with the most numbers already 

given. If you can fi nd the same number in two 

rows, you know that number must be in the third 

(the same goes for columns). Now see which 

intersecting rows and columns can be eliminated 

because they also contain that number. (This 

method is called slicing and dicing.) 

Some Sudoku fans like to pencil in possible 

answers in the corners of individual squares. Once 

you have a few numbers fi lled in, you may also fi nd 

it handy to jot down a list of missing numbers for 

each row, column and box. 

Good luck! See page 72 for answers. 

SUDOKU EASY SUDOKU MODERATE 

9 6 1 7 4 

7 6 9 3 

7 2 8 

1 9 4 2 

9 7 4 

2 1 6 8 

3 4 1 2 9 

6 4 

4 1 

9 2 

4 

5 1 8 9 2 

2 3 9 7 1 

8 1 7 5 6 

2 4 3 

5 9 2 

BRAIN TEASERS 

TRIVIA SUDOKU 

QUIZ 


BRAIN TEASERS 

CROSSWORD TRIVIA QUIZ & ANSWERS 

1. Who plays Hermione Granger in the 

Harry Potter fi lms? 

2. Gail Kelly is the CEO of which major 

fi nancial corporation? 

3. What type of tree is a Banyan? 

4. Who has been the MP for the Division of 

Warringah since 1994? 

5. The bright-red dye carmine is obtained 

from the bodies of which beetles? 

6. Flying Jetstar, which city would you travel 

to for access to the Great Barrier Reef? 

7. Tony Hawk is a famous fi gure in which 

sporting fi eld? 

8. Whose new album is called Get ’Em Girls? 

9. Which car company’s logo is based on 

the Pleiades star cluster? 

10. Aung San Suu Kyi is associated with the 

democracy movement in which country? 

11. Who wrote the classic American novel 

To Kill a Mockingbird? 

12. Which style of Chinese cuisine is 

renowned for being hot and spicy? 

13. To whom is Kate Middleton engaged? 

14. Stuart Sutcliff e was an early member of 

which famous group? 

15. Where in the human body is 

the pharynx? 


16. Who is the actor who plays the lead role in 

the ABC drama Rake? 

17. On which continent are the Atlas 

mountains located? 

18. Which famous treaty signed in 1840 gave 

Britain sovereignty over New Zealand? 

19. Who wrote the famous and well-loved 

comic opera The Mikado? 

20. Which English artist is famous for his 

works featuring animals preserved 

in formaldehyde? 

21. Who played the character of Melissa, 

who was killed off in the last series of 

Packed to the Rafters? 

22. What name is given to a hybrid of a 

grapefruit, orange and tangerine? 

23. Which band did the late drummer 

Keith Moon play in? 

24. How is the United Nations Children’s Fund 

better known? 

25. The halogen family comprises fl uorine, 

bromine, iodine, astatine and which 

other element? 

26. Who plays the lead role in the Hitler 

assassination fi lm Valkyrie? 

27. What are the three colours on 

Thailand’s fl ag? 

40-question 

quiz. 

28. Which by-product of sugar refi ning is 

called blackstrap in its darkest form? 

29. In which Saudi Arabian city can the 

burial place of the prophet Muhammad 

be found? 

30. Which movie did the late Frank Sinatra 

win an Oscar for? 

31. Which instrument is played by the 

leader of an orchestra? 

32. “Under the Milky Way” was the biggest hit 

for which Aussie band? 

33. Sarah Palin was the governor of which 

US state? 

34. Flying Jetstar, which island would you be 

landing on if you were visiting Indonesia’s 

capital city? 

35. Montevideo is the capital of which 

South American country? 

36. What was the stage name of the famous 

exotic dancer executed for spying for 

Germany in World War I? 

37. What activity would you be doing if 

you were krumping? 

38. The companies Electronic Arts and 

Activision are known for producing which 

form of entertainment? 

39. What type of fi sh is used to make fugu, 

the Japanese dish that can be deadly 

if not prepared properly? 

40. Which famous company is known to 

be the largest motor-manufacturing 

corporation in the world? 

Photo: Warner Bros

Buderim Naturals. Combining nature with healthcare. 

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That magical place where rainforest meets the sea is also the perfect place to bring people together. Worlds apart from an everyday 

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facilities, the scene is set for your holiday, wedding, conference, meeting or incentive group. 

1800 079 090 info@elandraresorts.com elandraresorts.com 

Proudly Australian 

Proudly Australian 

CHC41025-09/09 

GREAT BARRIER REEF, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA WINNER

BRAIN TEASERS 

CROSSWORD & ANSWERS 

ARROW CROSSWORD 

US 

high-school 

TV series 

Disorderly 

Resound 

Reveal, 

divulge information 

(3,2) 

Writing 

implement 

Singer Ms 

Minnelli 

__ M 

Banks, 

sci-fi author 

Person 

taking part 

in a play 

Small 

canine (3,3) 

In a dormant 

or hidden 

stage 

Relative or 

interrogative 

pronoun 

Fuses 

together 

G P U 

LAWLESS 

ECHO EEL 

LETON M E 

O KN I TS 

B I R O I H 

A PUGDOG 

L I Z A H I R E 

N LATENT 


Gemstone 

mined at 

Coober Pedy 

Charter 

Inexpensive 

wine 

Snake-like 

fish 

Twelfth __, 

Shakespeare 

play 

Large truck Consume 

To __ For, 

Nicole 

Kidman film 

Prickle on 

a plant 

2 6 3 9 8 5 1 7 4 

4 1 8 7 6 3 5 2 9 

7 5 9 1 4 2 6 3 8 

1 9 5 2 7 8 4 6 3 

6 3 7 4 5 1 8 9 2 

8 4 2 6 3 9 7 1 5 

3 2 4 8 1 7 9 5 6 

9 7 6 5 2 4 3 8 1 

5 8 1 3 9 6 2 4 7 

Sudoku Moderate Arrow Crossword 

__ Hill, 

Aussie 

TV star 

__ Back, 

Beatles song 

1. Emma Watson 2. Westpac 

3. Fig 4. Tony Abbott 

5. Cochineal 6. Cairns 

7. Skateboarding 

8. Jessica Mauboy 9. Subaru 

10. Myanmar 11. Harper Lee 

12. Szechuan 13. Prince 

William 14. The Beatles 

15. Throat 16. Richard 

Roxburgh 17. Africa 18. Treaty 

of Waitangi 19. Gilbert and 

Sullivan 20. Damien Hirst 

21. Zoe Ventoura 22. Ugli 

fruit 23. The Who 24. UNICEF 

25. Chlorine 26. Tom Cruise 

27. Red, white and blue 

28. Molasses 29. Medina 

30. From Here to Eternity 

31. Violin 32. The Church 

33. Alaska 34. Java 

35. Uruguay 36. Mata Hari 

37. Dancing (it’s a style of 

street dance) 38. Video 

games 39. Puff er fi sh 

40. Toyota 

Trivia Answers 

5 1 4 7 3 9 6 2 8 

9 3 6 1 2 8 5 7 4 

8 7 2 4 5 6 9 1 3 

4 5 7 2 1 3 8 9 6 

1 8 3 9 6 4 7 5 2 

6 2 9 5 8 7 4 3 1 

2 9 1 6 4 5 3 8 7 

3 4 5 8 7 1 2 6 9 

7 6 8 3 9 2 1 4 5 

Sudoku Easy 

ANSWERS

BRAIN TEASERS 

AUSTRALIA ZOO 

Wildlife 

Warriors! 


Join us in helping to 

save our wildlife! 

Help the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit get 

this turtle back into the ocean! 

Here are some tips on how you can be a wildlife warrior at home! 

Install a bird bath or frog pond 

in your backyard for wildlife to 

drink from on hot days 

Put a possum box on a tree 

or around logs in your garden 

to give animals a home 

Prevent your pets from harming 

wildlife by keeping them secure 

at night 

Take a tour of the Australia Zoo Wildlife 

Hospital, one of the world’s biggest and 

most environmentally friendly wildlife 

facilities situated at Australia Zoo. 

Visit www.australiazoo.com.au 

for tour details and bookings. 

Buy your entry tickets to Australia 

Zoo from your Jetstar Cabin Crew 

during your domestic flight. 

Just ask for details. 

Australia Zoo is the major 

sponsor of the Australia Zoo 

Wildlife Warriors, who support 

conservation around the world. 

Find out all about Australia Zoo’s 

conservation projects at: 

www.australiazoo.com.au 

If you see injured or sick wildlife 

that needs care, call a local 

wildlife carer for help

City of Perth Opera in the Park: 

Die Fledermaus 

5 Feb, Supreme Court Gardens, 8pm 

As the opening event of the Perth International Arts Festival, 

this famous comedic operetta offers a magical and enchanting 

night of entertainment in the lush outdoor setting of the 

Supreme Court Gardens. Eisenstein is sentenced to eight 

days in prison, but instead attends Prince Orlovsky’s ball at 

a friend’s invitation. The characters are colourful and the plot 

abounds with great confusion, comedy and disguise. 

Transportations and Transmissions 

of Nathan Stevens 

Until 12 Feb, Gallery Central, 10am 

Transforming the gallery into his own deserted island, North 

American inter-media artists Nathan Stevens leaves you 

stranded in this landscape of lost dimensions. 

Lotterywest Festival Celebration: Les Girafes 

25 Feb, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge, 7.30pm 

This hilarious street performance by Compagnie Off (France) 

includes nine naughty giraffes, one distracted opera singer, 

an inept ringmaster and a contingent of clowns and acrobats 

as they wind their way through Northbridge, mischievously 

disrupting street life. Everyone’s invited to follow as inquisitive 

giraffes poke their noses into shopfronts and the action 

unfolds in a circus-like atmosphere of confetti explosions, 

fiery hoops and fantastic song. 

Summer Love at the Piazza 

Presented by the City of Perth 

Every Wed in summer, Northbridge Piazza, 6.30pm 

Throughout summer, short films and animations on the theme 

of Love will screen for free every Wednesday. On 9 Feb is Paris 

Je-Taime, 16 Feb screens Across the Universe, and 23 Feb 

hosts Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. 

Eat Drink Perth 

Presented by the City of Perth 

25 Feb - 31 Mar, various locations 

Eat Drink Perth is a month-long festival celebrating the city’s 

food and drink culture with a program of events that includes 

wine tasting, coffee classes, cooking demonstrations, 

degustations, progressive dinners, cocktail evenings and 

much more. See www.eatdrinkperth.com.au 

Shops open every day except Good Friday, 

ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

SEA 

MORE 

Cnr King and Flinders Streets, Melbourne, 

Victoria, Australia Ph 03 9923 5999 

www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

market place. 

GOLD COAST 

CALL TALLSHIP CRUISES 

+61 7 5532 2444 

Located on the Gold Coast www.tallship.com.au 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Veronica George Gallery represents a large 

number of leading Australian glass artists and 

showcases many of their complex glass techniques. 

In addition to the wide selection of tasteful gifts and 

special pieces for the interior, we have unique works of 

art for the collector. 

As well as the magnificent variety of original handblown 

glass, there is a fine collection of contemporary 

jewellery by well-known Australian artists. 

1082 High St, Armadale, 

Melbourne, 3143 

Ph: 03 9500 9930 

Fax: 03 9500 9125 

veronica@veronicageorge.com.au 

www.veronicageorge.com.au 

To advertise your business in market place, please contact the Jetstar Magazine sales team: 

OPEN 7 DAYS 

Mon to Sat 

10am to 5.30pm 

and Sun 

11am to 5.30pm

Jetstar Magazine. 

Ph: 1800 202 901 (within Australia) I +65 6324 2386 (outside of Australia) I email: jetstar.ads@ink-global.com 


market place. 

To advertise your business in market place, please contact the Jetstar Magazine sales team: 

Ph: 1800 202 901 (within Australia) I +65 6324 2386 (outside of Australia) I email: jetstar.ads@ink-global.com 


TOP TO BOTTOM: Aussie tennis 

champs Samantha Stosur 

and Jelena Dokic graced the 

announcement of Jetstar’s 

partnership with the Women’s 

Tennis Assocation (WTA) 

IN THE AIR 

WITH 

79 Jetstar news 

81 Jetstar kids’ competition 

82 StarKids 

85 

 

88 where we fl y 

91 menu 

94 your wellbeing onboard 

96 international adventures 

108 domestic airports 

111 domestic destinations focus 

SMASH HIT 

Jetstar 

is the fi rst-ever offi cial 

airline partner of the 

Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and its 

tournaments across the Asia Pacifi c region — 

until 2013. 

As Asia Pacifi c’s largest low-fare airline, Jetstar 

has a growing Pan-Asian network, including new 

routes to China, and is further developing its 

fl ying hubs in Singapore, Vietnam and Australia. 

Under the three-year, multi-million dollar 

deal, Jetstar team members and customers 

will have the chance to travel with elite 

women tennis players onboard, win tickets 

to attend tournaments and take part in 

events through social-media websites. 

See Jetstar.com for more details. 


is there a pilot on board? 

you be the pilot... 

and fly this incredible 

a320 flight simulator today 

gift 

cert. 

avail 

$88 

purchase 

online or 

telephone 

07 5533 5000 

...call now! 

gold coast 

airport 

www.youbethepilot.com

I have just come back from four days in Noosa. 

I fl ew Jetstar and loved the fl ight. I went with 

my family and we stayed at Sheraton, which we 

liked; we swam in the pool and played cricket. On 

Saturday we went to the beach and I loved diving 

into the surf; it was great fun. We didn’t see any 

sharks luckily. In the evenings, we went to local 

restaurants to eat. Coming home, our fl ight was 

delayed by showers but I still like Jetstar. 

By Matthew, Vaucluse, New South Wales 

Jetstar Readers’ Competition 

I loved going on the plane. We went 

to Dreamworld, I loved going on the 

rocketship ride. I went snorkelling in 

the pool and saw the fi sh. My favourite 

thing was the Nickelodeon bucket at 

Whitewater World. I loved the man at the 

restaurant cooking at our bench — he 

threw food into mum and dad’s mouth. 

By Laura, Balmain, New South Wales 

I live in Sydney, and me, my mum and dad 

fl ew to Adelaide to spend Christmas with my 

grandparents, aunty, uncle and cousins. Santa 

found me in Adelaide — mum said he would. I 

had heaps of fun with my cousins. We went to 

Waterworld and to the movies to see Gulliver’s 

Travels. As a special treat, Nanny and Pa took us 

to see Dinosaurs Alive, which was so awesome. 

By Michael, Sydney, New South Wales 

FAN 

TALES 

Tell us about your 

Jetstar holiday for your 

chance to win a AU$100 

travel voucher! 

kids! Simply write 

Hey, us a letter about 

your holiday, and each month, 

the three best letters we 

receive from our Jetstar 

passengers will win a AU$100 

fl ight voucher*. 

It’s easy to win! To enter: 

— eligible entrants must 

(during the promotion 

period) fl y Jetstar on a 

holiday, 

— write a letter to us telling 

us all about your holiday in 100 words or 

less. Include where you went, what you did, 

what you liked, what you saw, 

— send us a photo of you on holiday or a 

drawing of everything that you enjoyed! 

— submit with all your contact details. 

Entries must be sent via post (at the 

expense of the entrant) labelled Jetstar 

Magazine My Holiday Competition to PO 

BOX 4713, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001. 

* Terms and conditions apply. See Jetstar. 

com/magazine for more details. 

To enter: Write a 100-word story about your 

holiday and post your entry, along with your 

Jetstar boarding pass, to Jetstar Magazine, My 

Holiday Competition, PO BOX 4713, Melbourne 

Victoria, 3001. The promotion commences 

at 12.01 am (AEDT) on 1 November, 2010 and 

closes at midnight 12.00 pm (AEST) on 30 

April, 2011. The winners will be the most colourful 

and creative entries submitted each month 

during the Promotion Period, as selected by 

a panel of judges appointed by the Promotor. 

Winners will be notifi ed by email within two 

days of the judging taking place at the beginning 

of each new month. There are 18 individual 

prizes. Each prize is the same and consists of 1 

x AU$100 Jetstar voucher. Three prizes are issued 

per month for the duration of the promotion 

(6 months). The total value of the prizes is 

AU$1,800. The promoter is Jetstar Airways Pty 

Limited (ABN 33 069 720 243) of Level 4, 222 

Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Full terms 

and conditions can be found at www.jetstar. 

com/magazine. 


starkids 

MAIN: Riski and her friends at the 

child forum want to educate people 

about the dangers of the Gang Dolly, 

and the threat of HIV and AIDS in 

their community 

BOTTOM: Riski is not afraid of 

leading candid discussions on HIV 

and AIDS to discourage her peers 

from working in the Gang Dolly 

A LEADER 

FOR CHANGE 

Riski bravely speaks out on HIV and AIDS 

WORDS WORLD VISION 

Surabaya, 

Almost half of the 

the second largest 

population in Vietnam city in Indonesia, 

can live be without a tough, access unforgiving to place for children to 

clean water 

grow OPPOSITE: up. Living A StarKids- near the dangerous Gang Dolly 

district, supported a centre project of will prostitution and drug use, 

teenager build hygienic Riski latrines is determined to educate her 

peers and waste about facilities the dangers for of HIV and AIDS. 

people In her like third the year Thi of family high school, Riski is 

a chairperson of the child forum of World 


Vision’s Safe Environment for Children Project 

in Surabaya, supported by StarKids. Riski’s 

involvement with World Vision began when she 

was sponsored as a child, which helped with her 

tuition fees and school supplies, as well as the 

quality of her local primary school. As a result, 

Riski fl ourished as a student. 

In many countries around the world, HIV is 

still a taboo subject that people fi nd diffi cult 

to talk about. In Surabaya, the number of new 

HIV infections is on the rise. However, in Riski’s 

community, there's both a lack of knowledge 

about how the disease is transmitted, as well as 

severe social discrimination facing people 

living with HIV. 

Riski has gained leadership skills from her 

involvement with the Safe Environment for 

Children Project. She's passionate about leading 

discussions with her peers and adults about 

HIV transmission and prevention, though the 

discussions are sometimes uncomfortable. 

Initially, Riski had reservations about devoting 

her time to the child forum. “Will it disturb my 

studies? Can I still play with my friends? Can 

I still help my parents?” she wondered. “But 

what I worried about did not happen... I have 

learnt a lot of lessons about sex education, 

reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, and 

how to be a good facilitator to spread such 

knowledge to my peers,” she says proudly. 

Riski dreams of becoming a teacher, and the 

skills and confi dence she is gaining through her 

involvement in the child forum are moving her 

closer to achieving this goal.

The child forum also teaches participants 

and their families about child rights and 

child protection, so they can grow in a safe 

environment and know how to protect 

themselves. Through interactive role play and 

literature, participants are made aware of 

their rights and how to negotiate potentially 

dangerous situations in Gang Dolly. 

The Safe Environment for Children Project’s 

child forum provides an ideal space for children 

and young adults to engage with one other. 

Riski and her friends have also taken classes in 

journalism, computer training, photography and 

English — gaining skills that will help them in the 

future. “Besides that, we’ve also received training 

on basic leadership. It makes me [feel] capable 

and self-confi dent as the chairperson of the 

children’s forum,” Riski adds. 

In her role as a chairperson, Riski involves her 

friends in child-forum activities, so that they too 

can teach others about sexually transmitted 

diseases, and HIV and AIDS. Attending National 

Children’s Day, peer-educator training, basic 

leadership for children, and HIV and AIDS 

seminars, Riski and her friends are determined 

to change their community, and the Gang Dolly 

district, for the better. “We want to share the 

dangers of HIV and AIDS, and [unprotected] 

sex in the Gang Dolly. We also want to make 

commercial sex workers aware, so that they’ll get 

out of the Dolly and seek a good job,” says Riski. 

However, Riski and her peers face formidable 

obstacles. Commercial sex in the Gang Dolly 

district is a profi table enterprise, and many 

young people are trapped, tricked or forced by 

poverty to become involved in the sex industry. 

Many face violence if they try to leave, or must 

pay their “employers” a very large sum of money. 

But Riski is determined. “We are brave,” she 

says with conviction. “We have training on basic 

leadership, child rights and motivation. In terms 

of strategy, we will collaborate with other local 

NGOs [non-government organisations].” 

The children’s forum has not only provided 

an outlet for Riski and her peers to grow and 

learn —it's also training them to become 

social activists for their generation by creating 

partnerships with NGOs and the government. 

Riski’s fi ght to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS 

in her community has given her the confi dence 

and skills to help fulfi l her dreams. 

Help support this and other projects by 

donating to Jetstar’s StarKids program. Visit 

worldvision.com.au/ourwork/solutions/ 

JetstarStarkids.aspx to fi nd out more. 

YOU CAN HELP 

Vulnerable children and communities 

need our help. The StarKids 

partnership between Jetstar and 

World Vision was formed to help 

children enjoy a brighter future. 

You can support StarKids by 

donating loose change in the 

donation envelope located in your 

seat pocket. 

Let your small change 

create change! 

About StarKids 

Tim Costello, CEO, World Vision 

How did StarKids come about? 

StarKids is a humanitarian partnership 

between World Vision Australia and Jetstar. 

Th e partnership supports community-based 

development projects in Australia and across 

Asia, and aims to improve the lives of families 

living in poverty. It’s about giving children a 

brighter future. 

What does StarKids aim to achieve? 

Th e support given to World Vision through 

StarKids will go towards transforming the 

lives of vulnerable children. 

How can Jetstar passengers help? 

Your donations would be most welcome! 

Please place your small change (all currencies) 

in the StarKids envelope located in your seat 

pocket. Th e money collected from Jetstar 

passengers will be given to World Vision 

Australia for community development 

projects in Australia and Asia. You can also 

donate online at www.jetstar.com/starkids. 

Where can I get more information about 

World Vision projects? 

Visit www.worldvision.com.au 

or www.jetstar.com/starkids for 

more information. 


TimeOutSingapore.com 

Devour this! 

The Flaming Lips 

Festive Theatre 

Emma Yong 

100% INDEPENDENT 

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AUGUST 2010 TIMEOUTSINGAPORE.COM 

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KIDS ISSUE: 

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We unwrap the city’s 62 most delicious 

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PLUS: Our most comprehensive listings EVER! 


JUNE 2010 TIMEOUTSINGAPORE.COM 

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JUNE 2010 TIMEOUTSINGAPORE.COM 

speed! 

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SEPTEMBER 2010 TIMEOUTSINGAPORE.COM 

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Blagger’s guide to 

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OCTOBER 2010 TIMEOUTSINGAPORE.COM 



JULY 2010 TIMEOUTSINGAPORE.COM 


SINGAPORE EXCLUSIVES: Michael Cera on 

Scott Pilgrim I Mark Wahlberg on The Other Guys 

I DBC Pierre on Lights out in Wonderland 

BIG-TIME 

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(...and cash saving deals) 

PLUS: SLASH + CORRINE BAILEY RAE + DIGITALISM 

Oktoberfest! 

Bands, Bratwurst 

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Bangkok is back 

Clubbing beyond 

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HONG H KONG’S 

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Your monthly guide to entertainment, 

lifestyle and culture in Singapore 

Time Out Singapore is published by Ink Publishing Pte Ltd, 89 Neil Road, #03-01, Singapore 088849. 

www.ink-global.com Tel: +65 6324 2386 Fax: +65 6491 5261

100ml 


A 


Sydney photo: Hamilton Lund/Tourism NSW; Gold Coast and Cairns photos: Tourism Queensland


INDIA 

SRI LANKA 


MYANMAR 

CHINA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAIWAN 

 

THAILAND VIETNAM 

 

 

 

CAMBODIA 

PHILIPPINES 

 

 

 

 

MALAYSIA 

MALAYSIA 

 

JETSTAR VIETNAM DOMESTIC 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SINGAPORE 

INDONESIA 

JAVA 

(Denpasar) 

 

 

 

AUSTRALIA 

JAPAN 

Direct 

Darwin- 

Manila from 9 

February 2011* 

 

 

(Tullamarine) 

JETSTAR INTERNATIONAL SERVICES OPERATED BY 

JETSTAR 

JETSTAR INTERNATIONAL SERVICES OPERATED BY 

JETSTAR ASIA OR VALUAIR 

JETSTAR OPERATES FLIGHTS THROUGHOUT VIETNAM WITH 

JETSTAR PACIFIC (LEFT INSET) 

JETSTAR OPERATES FLIGHTS THROUGHOUT 

NEW ZEALAND (RIGHT INSET) 

QANTAS CONNECTIONS TO LONDON 

QANTAS CONNECTIONS TO LONDON AND FRANKFURT 

JETSTAR VIETNAM DOMESTIC CONNECTIONS TO 

SINGAPORE AND DARWIN 

 

 

 

 

30% more 

flights to 

Cairns in 2011* 

JetSaver Light 

fares from 

$119 

New direct 

flights 

Auckland – 

Singapore 

from 17 March* 

 

NEW ZEALAND 

 

 

JETSTAR SERVICES FROM SINGAPORE TO AUCKLAND 

COMMENCE 17 MARCH 2011* 

JETSTAR FLIES FROM AUCKLAND TO CAIRNS FROM 12 

APRIL 2011* 

JETSTAR FLIES FROM PERTH TO THE GOLD COAST FROM 

4 APRIL 2011* 

JETSTAR FLIES FROM DARWIN TO MANILA FROM 

9 FEBRUARY 2011* 

*SUBJECT TO REGULATORY APPROVAL

(Avalon) 

where we fly 

Fly Jetstar to more than 50 holiday destinations throughout 

Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific 

JETSTAR AUSTRALIA DOMESTIC 

BOOK NOW! 

Fly Perth – 

Gold Coast 

from 4 April* 

WESTERN 

AUSTRALIA 

 

NORTHERN 

TERRITORY 

NOW FLYING 

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AUSTRALIA 

FLY DIRECT 

Auckland - 

Singapore 

from 17 March 

2011* 

 

JETSTAR NEW ZEALAND DOMESTIC 

 

VICTORIA 

TASMANIA 

 

 

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QUEENSLAND 

Queenstown 

 

(Tullamarine) 

 

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35162_KSA_MAKADVERTISING 

For those on top of the hill ... not over it. 

With its unsurpassed beach front location and tropical garden setting, Kewarra Villas is the ideal 

location to stimulate mind and body to encourage the healthiest possible life in retirement. 

From sunset walks along the beach, leisurely board walk strolls through rainforest gardens, to an 

invigorating water aerobics workout in one of the beautiful resort pools, its all here, for you! 

Book your private viewing, call 07 4058 4040 today, or visit: 

www.kewarravillas.com.au

snacks 

While’s Nibbles Assorted Nuts $3.50 

Dry Roasted Almonds, Cashews & Macadamias 

Mainland “On the Go” Tasty Cheese & Crackers $4.00 

Pringles $4.00 

Sour Cream & Onion or Original 

Authentic Nissin Cup Noodles $5.00 

Hot Chicken Soup filled with yummy noodles 

Miso soup $3.00 

(Japan flights only) 

Savory Spicy Broad Beans $4.00 

(Japan flights only) 

sweets 

Oven Baked Gourmet Muffin 

Blueberry 

$4.00 

Byron Bay Cookie Bar 

White Choc Chunk and Macadamia Nut (Gluten Free) 

$3.00 

M&M’s — Milk Chocolate $3.00 

Mars Bar $3.00 

DOMESTIC NEW ZEALAND 

Snacks Choices NZ$ 

While’s Nibbles Assorted Nuts $3.50 

Pringles $4.00 

Authentic Nissin Cup Noodles 

Sweet Choices 

$5.00 

Oven-baked Gourmet Muffin $4.00 

Cookie Time Chocolate Fix $3.00 

M&M’s - Milk Chocolate $3.00 

Mars Bar $3.00 

Cafe NZ$ 

Republica Coffee (Fairtrade and Organic) 

100% Colombian, Arabica 

$3.00 

Nature’s Cuppa Tea (Fairtrade and Organic) $3.00 

New Zealand Domestic menu items are in NZD. 

meals 

Classic Fresh Sandwiches $7.00 

Shaved Leg Ham & Tasty Cheese with a mild mustard 

mayonnaise or Egg, Mayo & Cos Lettuce 

Gourmet Chicken Wrap $8.00 

Chicken mixed with basil pesto, 

mayonnaise & sundried tomatoes with lettuce 

in a soft tortilla (Served cold) 

Light Meal $10.00 

(International Only - not available on all flights) 

Hot Meal of the Day $12.00 

(Only on flights to/from New Zealand & International) 

English Breakfast Tea 

Nestlé Hot Chocolate $4.00 

Beverages (Non Alcoholic) 

Lemonade $3.00 

Coke or Diet Coke $3.00 

Orange Juice $3.00 

Nu Pure Spring Water 

Beverages (Alcoholic) 

$3.50 

Heineken $7.00 

Victoria Bitter $6.00 

Amstel Light Beer $5.50 

Pooles Rock Firestick Shiraz $7.00 

Pooles Rock Semillon Sauvignon Blanc $7.00 

Smirnoff Vodka Ice Red $8.00 

Bundaberg Rum & Cola $8.00 

Jim Beam Bourbon & Cola $8.00 


Cullen Bay 

Best Barramundi in Darwin! 

Tel: (08) 8941 1141 

Arrangements Ar A rangement and 

ha hhampers mpers with wit 

chocolates, ch c ocolates, candy, c 

 

 

to ttoys ys s or helium hheliu 

balloons. ba b ll lloons. 

Phone: 08 8948 0504 

yaw 

 

 

(07) 5538 9291 

Open 7 days breakfast, lunch, dinner and take away 

sierra grand building, corner of margaret avenue 

and gold coast highway, broadbeach, qld, 4218

your wellbeing onboard 

SAFETY, SECURITY & COMFORT 

Jetstar is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas Airways Limited and places the 

same emphasis on achieving standards of excellence in safety and security. 

QANTAS GROUP SECURITY 

The risk-management challenges facing 

today’s airline industry remain complex. We 

are continually addressing assessed security 

threats and risks to minimise vulnerability. The 

application of risk-management principles, 

innovation and a commitment to excellence 

all contribute to creating an effective security 

environment. A dedicated Qantas Group 

Security Operations Centre monitors global 

security 24 hours a day. 

Many of our security measures are not 

apparent to the public. However, during 

check-in and boarding you may have noticed 

security measures such as: 

• Random explosive trace detection of 

passengers and their carry-on luggage. 

• Laptops and aerosols being subjected to 

enhanced inspection at screening points. 

• Increased vigilance at passenger screening 

points and increased guarding of our 

aircraft and terminals. 

Further measures apply to flights to the 

United States: 

• Additional carry-on baggage searches just 

prior to boarding. 

• Random baggage searches at check-in 

and boarding. 

• Passengers selected at random for patdown 

inspections, including the removal and 

checking of shoes. 

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE 

Rules are needed to protect you from the 

threat of liquid explosives. Liquids, aerosols 

or gels in your carry-on baggage must be 100 

millilitres/grams or less and must be sealed 

in a transparent independently resealable, 

one-litre plastic bag. You are only allowed 

one plastic bag. You may still carry on board 

prescription medicines. Baby products and 

non-prescription medicines that you need for 

the flight are also allowed. Proof of need may 

be required. Please Note: These restrictions do 

not apply to checked-in baggage. 

SAFETY FIRST 

Seatbelts must be fastened during take-off, 

landing and when you are seated in case your 

aircraft encounters turbulence. Luggage 

must be stored in the overhead locker or 

under the seat in front of you. The back of 

your seat must be upright and the tray table 

fastened when the aircraft is taking off and 

landing. Please remain seated after landing 

until you are invited to leave the aircraft. 

Sleeping on the aircraft floor is not permitted. 

Please read the safety instruction card in 

your seat pocket, noting emergency exits 

and location of life jackets. Please watch 

the safety demonstration prior to take-off. 


In an emergency, the crew will give specific 

instructions. They may speak assertively and 

will require your cooperation. 

SMOKING 

Government regulations prohibit smoking on 

all flights operated by Australian-registered 

aircraft. There are smoke detectors in all 

toilets and penalties for regulation breaches. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD 

CIRCULATION AND MUSCLE 

RELAXATION DURING FLIGHTS 

If you have concerns about your health and 

flying, Jetstar recommends you seek 

medical advice before flying. When you’re 

sitting upright and are inactive for a long 

period, several things can happen: 

• The central blood vessels in your legs can 

be compressed, making it harder for the 

blood to get back to your heart. 

• Muscles can become tense, resulting 

in backaches and a feeling of excessive 

fatigue during and even after the flight. 

• The normal body mechanism for returning 

fluid to the heart can be inhibited and 

gravity can cause fluid to collect in your feet, 

resulting in swollen feet after a long flight. 

• Some studies have concluded that 

prolonged immobility may be a risk factor 

in the formation of blood clots in the legs 

– Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Particular 

medical conditions may increase the risk 

of formation of blood clots if associated 

with prolonged immobility. Medical 

research indicates that factors which may 

give you an increased risk of DVT include: 

• Personal or family history of DVT 

• Recent surgery or injury, especially to the 

lower limbs or abdomen 

• Blood disorders leading to increased 

clotting tendency 

• If you are older than 40 

• Oestrogen hormone therapy, including 

oral contraceptives 

• Pregnancy 

• Tobacco smoking 

• Former or current malignant disease 

• Obesity 

• Dehydration 

• Heart problems 

• Varicose veins 

Compression stockings can assist in 

preventing swelling of the ankles and feet 

and they may improve the blood return 

to the body from the lower legs. These 

stockings can be purchased from medical 

and surgical supply companies and 

need to be individually fitted to your leg 

measurements. During your flight, move 

your legs and feet three or four minutes per 

hour while seated and move about the cabin 

occasionally. 

CABIN PRESSURE 

If you are suffering nasal congestion, an ear 

infection or allergies, Jetstar recommends 

seeking medical advice before flying. 

A cold, flu or hay fever can impair your 

sinuses. Swollen membranes in your nose 

could block the Eustachian tubes between 

your nasal passages and your middle ear 

chamber. This can cause discomfort during 

changes in cabin pressure, particularly 

during the aircraft’s descent. 

• To “clear” your ears, try swallowing and/or 

yawning. This helps open your Eustachian 

tubes, equalising the pressure between 

your middle ear chamber and your throat. 

• When you are flying with an infant, give 

them a dummy or feed them during the 

aircraft’s descent. Sucking and swallowing 

will help the infant equalise the pressure in 

their ears. 

CABIN HUMIDITY / DEHYDRATION 

Humidity levels of less than 25% are 

common in the aircraft cabin. This is due 

to the low humidity levels of the outside 

air supplied to the cabin. Low humidity can 

cause drying of the nose, throat and eyes 

and it can irritate wearers of contact lenses. 

We recommend that you: 

• Drink water frequently during flight. 

• Drink coffee, tea and alcohol only in 

moderation – these drinks act as diuretics, 

increasing dehydration. 

• Remove contact lenses and wear glasses if 

your eyes are irritated. 

• Use a skin moisturiser to refresh the skin. 

MOTION SICKNESS 

This ailment is caused by a conflict between 

the body’s senses of vision and equilibrium. 

Air turbulence increases its likelihood 

because it can cause movement of fluid in 

the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear. 

If you have good visual cues (keeping your 

eyes fixed on a non-moving object), motion 

sickness is less likely to occur. 

JETSTAR SECURITY POLICY 

Jetstar has a strict policy on denying 

boarding to any passengers who are 

inappropriate in flight or on ground in 

comments or behaviour. Jetstar does not 

accept any inappropriate comments as 

“jokes”. All matters are referred to relevant 

authorities for prosecution. Jetstar will seek 

to recover all costs incurred as a result of 

inflight incidents from those involved. 

MORE INFORMATION ON IN-FLIGHT 

HEALTH ISSUES CAN BE FOUND AT: 

www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/InTheAir/ 

yourHealthInflight

international adventures 

A traditional 

Fijian music 

performance 

FIJI 

This South Pacifi c nation 

is a dream with white, 

sandy beaches, crystalclear 

lagoons and lush, 

tropical gardens — and 

warm, friendly people only 

too happy to share their 

fascinating culture. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM THE AIRPORT 

Nadi Town 8km from Nadi 

International Airport 

Travel time Nadi Town is 10–15 

mins by car 

Taxi FJ$7–$10 (AU$3.82–$5.46) 

Airport Shuttle US$10.18 

(AU$10.25) per person one way to 

Nadi Town 

ON THE GO 

1. Car hire Cars can be hired at 

the airport and you drive on the left 

side of the road as in Australia. 

2. Taxi Plentiful but you need 

to make sure they switch on 

the meters. 

3. Motorcycle Bright yellow bikes 

to rent from Westside Motorcycles. 

4. Light plane Getting to 

Suva from Nadi could cost you 

FJ$86–$103 (AU$46.93–$56.21). 


SCOTT WILLIAMS 

General manager, 

InterContinental Fiji 

Golf Resort & Spa 

Must-eat: I am completely 

addicted to kokoda, which is 

a traditional Fijian appetiser 

comprising raw fi sh cooked in 

lime, chilli and coconut juice. It’s 

an exquisite dish that seems to 

encapsulate everything I’ve come 

to love about Fiji. 

Local delicacy: Fiji has a vibrant 

Indian culture that stretches back 

many, many generations. The 

curries in Fiji are sensational — a 

combination of traditional Indian 

cooking with Fijian fl avours. A tip: if 

you like hot curries, you’ll need to 

ask for extra spice. 

Local recreational activity 

to watch: Go to a local rugby 

game. The locals play some of 

the best-quality rugby I’ve ever 

seen, with phenomenal skill and 

sportsmanship. It’s not unusual 

to get ten thousand passionate 

Fijians in a local club rugby match 

— which is something you have to 

experience personally in order to 

fully appreciate it. 

Most unusual thing to do: 

Something that’s unusual 

elsewhere but part of the fabric of 

Fijian life is the kava ceremony — 

kava being a potent drink made 

from the ground-up root of the 

kava plant. A kava ceremony is 

relevant for any type of celebration, 

a welcome or thank you, and can 

last for anything from an hour to 

several days. If you’re lucky enough 

to take part in a kava ceremony, 

learn the sayings before you go in 

— for example, when you’re being 

handed the cup, “high tide” means 

a full measure and “low tide” 

means a half measure. 

I love Fiji because: Of its infallible 

power to slow people down. Fiji’s 

locale, climate, people and food all 

combine to relax stressed visitors. 

The way Fijians live and treat 

others sets a powerful example. 

VISA REQUIREMENTS: Passengers are advised to make themselves 

familiar with the relevant visa requirements for international travel. 

Visa requirements may diff er between countries. 

A traditional Hawaiian 

dance performance 

HONOLULU 

HAWAII 

Honolulu, on the island of 

Oahu, is one of the world’s 

most exotic capital cities. 

Encapsulating a modern 

vitality with the delightful 

charm of old Hawaiiana, it 

reverberates with aloha — 

the spirit of welcome. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


CBD 14km from Honolulu 


Travel time CBD is around 

15 mins by car 

 

Taxi Approx US$40 (AU$40.26) 

VIP stretch limo From US$70 

(AU$70.46) for two people 

 

Airport shuttle US$9 (AU$9.06) 

and taking around 20 mins 

Bus Every 30 mins at US$2 

(AU$2.01) for bus number 19 and 

taking around 1hr 10 mins 

ON THE GO 

Bus There are many hotel 

shuttle buses, public buses and 

quaint open-air trolley buses — 

Oahu has an excellent bus network. 

For a fl at fee of US$2 (AU$2.01) 

you can easily travel any distance, 

including bus changes, to any 

attraction you’d like to visit. 

NOELANI 

SCHILLING- 

WHEELER 

Senior director of 

sales & marketing, 

Oahu Visitors Bureau 

Local delicacy: I have so many — 

how do I choose?! But poke, which 

is cubed, fresh raw fi sh (usually 

tuna), mixed with onion, limu 

(seaweed) and Hawaiian spices, 

is not only extremely addictive, 

but goes very well with beer. After 

trying it at a restaurant, look for 

one of many poke shops around 

the island and buy a few varieties — 

there are shoyu ones, onion ones, 

limu ones and spicy ones. Enjoy it 

on your hotel lanai overlooking the 

ocean as the sun sets. 

Local recreational activity 

to watch: Surfi ng. Whether it’s 

regular surfi ng, stand-up paddling, 

tandem surfi ng or outrigger canoe 

surfi ng for leisure or a surfi ng 

competition, Oahu is the birthplace 

of surfi ng. The coolest thing is to 

take lessons and try to ride the 

waves yourself. 

Best place to hang out with 

the locals: Oahu has something 

happening every weekend — 

whether it be a cultural event, an 

art festival or a sports event, the 

list goes on. We also have great 

farmers markets around the island 

— most notably the KCC Farmers 

Market below Diamond Head and 

the North Shore Farmers Market. 

This is where you can meet, mingle 

and chat with locals. 

Favourite local festivals: 

I love the Prince Lot Hula Festival. 

It’s a one-day, non-competitive 

hula celebration where some of 

the best hula halau (schools) and 

kumu hula (teachers) come out to 

share their culture in the form of a 

hula celebration with one another, 

the community and visitors. It’s 

a window into Hawaiian culture 

at beautiful Moanalua Gardens. 

Another festival I love is the 

Made In Hawaii Festival — a great 

weekend of shopping for unique 

products (food, jewellery, crafts) 

from around the islands. 

Fiji photo: Tourism Fiji; Hawaii photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnso

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Dental Implants: We have been placing implants for almost 20 years most with immediate loading. 

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Quick Results: Porcelain crown/bridgework will be completed in one day. For 14 or 28 units and if you need upper and lower teeth bridgework at the same time, it will be 

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INHOUSE DENTAL LAB/CEREC 

GALiLEOS 3D X-RAY (SIRONA) 

BALI 911 DENTAL CLINIC IMPLANT CENTER 

Jl. Patimura No. 9-11 Denpasar, Bali – Indonesia 

Telp. (0361) 249 749, 222 445 • Speak to the Dentist: (0361) 744 0911, 0812 3800911, 0812 3826055 

e-mail: iguizot@indosat.net.id, bali.dentalclinic@yahoo.com 

website: www.ivodent.com, www.bali911dentalclinic.com 

MALL BALI GALERIA 

2nd fl oor No. 2c-58/59 Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai Simpang Dewa Ruci Kuta 

Phone: 766255, 766254 E-mail: rudysald@yahoo.com 

Speak to the dentist (0361-7449911) 

OPEN ON SUNDAY 

JAKARTA OFFICE 

Dharmawangsa Square 

Ground Floor Unit 65, Jakarta 

Phone: (021) 727 88284, Hp. 081 113 7241 

E-mail: mguzt@mac.com


Traditional wood carving 

BALI 

INDONESIA 

One of Asia’s best holiday 

islands, Indonesia’s Bali 

has the irresistible allure 

of sun, sea, surf and 

mountains, along with 

a rich cultural heritage. 

Top it all off with excellent 

eating and shopping. 

Java 

Borneo 

INDONESIA 

Bali 

(Denpasar) 


CBD 15km from Denpasar’s Ngurah 

Rai Airport 

Travel time Kuta Beach is around 


Taxi About IDR30,000 (AU$3.36) 

Shuttle bus Most hotels off er 

complimentary pick-up 

DAMRI Bus IDR15,000 (AU$1.68) 

to any city bus station 

ON THE GO 

1. Taxi Get your hotel to order one 

for you and always try to arrange for 

a return trip. 

2. Hired car The only way to go 

beyond the city and into the villages. 

Hiring a driver only costs a little bit 

more, but is worth the price. 

3. Motorcycle To reach those hardto-reach 

remote beaches, secret 

surfi ng sites and little lanes. 


CHUN Y. GEE 

Principal/managing 

director, 

Bule|Fusion 

Worldwide 

Best breakfast: This isn’t for 

anyone on a diet, but I’d go for 

almond croissants and macaroons 

at Bali Catering Company. 

Great place for dinner: MÉTIS 

restaurant, for simply delicious 

food, amazing ambience and 

people-watching. 

Best place to party with the 

gang: HOME, when it’s open. 

Best buy for under AU$50: A 

little slice of heaven — the carrot 

cake at Biku Restaurant and Tea 

House. Can you tell I have a really 

sweet tooth? 

Must-buy (money no object!): 

A penthouse beachfront villa 

at Echo Beach. Sunsets are a 

diff erent canvas of vibrant colours 

each day — simply breathtaking. 

Insider’s tip: Try to fi nd an 

Indonesian healer in Canggu. If 

you can fi nd him, and he’s there, 

whatever aches and pains in your 

body will be gone. 

Survival tip for tourists: Don’t 

drive crazily on motorbikes if 

you’re not a local. The Indonesians 

have been driving motorbikes 

all their lives, so they know what 

they’re doing. 

Local delicacy: For all the pork 

lovers of the world: I really have to 

recommend babi guling (suckling 

pig). I just love the delicious, 

mouth-watering and crispy skin. 

Best idea for a family outing: 

An afternoon at the Geger Beach 

in Nusa Dua. The best part is that 

there’s no need to bring food, 

because there’s a waterside 

restaurant there. 

I love Bali because: On this 

beautiful island, almost anything 

and everything can happen! 

JAKARTA 

INDONESIA 

Indonesia’s capital is the 

11th biggest city in the 

world, with the hustle 

and bustle to match. This 

exciting hub combines a 

fascinating history with 

a vibrant energy, and a 

unique island culture. 

Jakarta 




INDONESIA 

Java 

Borneo 


CBD 20km from Soekarno-Hatta 


Travel time Allow at least 40 mins 

by car (depending on the conditions 

of the traffi c) 

Taxi IDR120,000 (AU$13.44) to the 

CBD, including charges 

DAMRI Bus IDR15,000 (AU$1.68) 

to a city bus station 

ON THE GO 

1. Taxi The most reliable taxi 

company is Blue Bird. You can call 

+62 (21) 7917 1234 and book one in 

advance. Remember to ignore any 

informal taxi “agents” who approach 

you on the street. 

2. Hired car If driving around the 

busy city is daunting, ask for a driver 

with your car. 

3. PATAS These can be described 

as air-conditioned modern buses. 

The city skyline 

DR TOGU 

MANURUNG 

CEO, 

Borneo Orangutan 

Survival (BOS) 

Foundation 


If you’re looking for an adventure, 

stepping out of Jakarta’s crazybusy 

environment is probably 

the best way to go. Indonesia is 

famous for its panoramic views and 

outdoor attractions — a great way 

to enjoy some serenity while being 

outdoors with your loved ones. 

Survival tips for tourists: If 

you’re staying in Jakarta, always 

bring a book to keep you busy 

during rush-hour traffi c. If you 

venture out of the city, bring water, 

mosquito repellent and suntan 

lotion, and you’re good to go. 

Must-eat: Black pepper crab is 

a famous speciality and available 

in most seafood restaurants in 

Jakarta, but is best enjoyed in its 

hometown of Balikpapan, which is 

in east Kalimantan. 

Best buys for under AU$50: 

An orangutan plush toy for the little 

ones, or best-selling T-shirts from 

the Borneo Orangutan Survival 

(BOS) Foundation. Exclusively sold 

by the BOS Foundation, all the 

profi ts go towards eff orts to release 

orangutans back to the wild. 

Must-buy gifts: If you’re into 

meaningful gifts that make a 

person’s day and also help the 

environment in some way, I 

would recommend buying an 

orangutan adoption package from 

BOS Foundation that lets your 

loved ones be a part of Bornean 

orangutan conservation eff orts, or 

maybe a Plant-A-Tree package that 

helps keep the earth green. 

Unusual fact: Did you know that 

the orangutan shares 97.4% of its 

DNA with humans? 

I love Jakarta because: It has 

great access to other parts of the 

country, where you can marvel at 

the true beauty of Indonesia.


TOKYO 

JAPAN 

Japan’s hippest, most 

fascinating and largest city 

is nothing short of stunning. 

When not discovering 

ultra-futuristic sights, you’ll 

fi nd many hidden nooks of 

history among the narrow 

winding streets. 

SOUTH 

KOREA 

Sea of Japan 

(East Sea) 

JAPAN 


Tokyo 

Pacifi c 

Ocean 


CBD 66km from Narita Airport 

Travel time 60–90 mins by car 

Taxi Approx ¥20,000 (AU$242.47) 

Limousine bus ¥3,000 (AU$36.37), 

takes 60–90 mins 

JR Narita Express Every 30–60 

mins at ¥3,000 (AU$36.37); takes 

60 mins 

ON THE GO 

1. The subway Effi cient and clean, 

this transport mode will take you 

to anywhere you want to go. 

2. Shinkansen (bullet train) 

Depending on where you want to 

go, this super-fast train is clean and 

effi cient. It can takes anything from 

minutes to hours to get to another 

prefecture. Be sure to remember 

to keep quiet in the mornings — 

as offi ce workers often sleep 

during their daily commute to 

their workplace. 

Cherry 

blossom 

season 

DAVE ENRIGHT 

Owner/director, 

Evergreen 

Outdoor Center 

Best breakfast: The buff et 

breakfast at the Garden Hotel 

Narita. It’s a tidy hotel with a tasty 

buff et close to the Narita Airport, 

with aff ordable rates and a free 

shuttle to and from the airport. 

Great place for dinner: 

Piadina Cafe in Aoyama (near the 

Canadian Embassy) is a hidden 

secret for those who love real 

Italian cuisine and great coff ee. 


gang: Unit, close to Daikanyama 

station. It’s huge! So huge you’d 

get lost going from stage to stage. 

Or maybe that’s just due to the 

copious amounts of drinks you’d 

consume there. There’s a great 

line-up on the weekend, too. 

Best buy for under AU$50: A 

full-day lift ticket at Happo One ski 

resort in Hakuba, Nagano. It off ers 

the best skiing most people will 

ever experience, and is cheaper 

than many other resorts. 

Survival tip for tourists: Even 

though Tokyo is an amazing 

metropolis with more things to see 

and do than one lifetime allows, do 

remember to get out and see the 

countryside as well. 

Unusual fact: The Japanese 

large intestine is genetically longer 

than Europeans due to the highfi 

bre, low-meat diet that has been 

the norm in Japan for the last 

1,000 years or more. 

Local delicacy: Soba (buckwheat 

noodles), a delicious meal of hot or 

cold handmade noodles. 

Favourite local festival: 

Hands down the most amazing 

(if insane) festival you’ll ever 

experience anywhere is the 

Nozawa Fire Festival, in Nozawa, 

Nagano, on 15 January every year. 

You have to see it to believe it. 

OSAKA 

JAPAN 




Known widely as “the 

kitchen of Japan”, Osaka 

is also home to modern 

architectural wonders, 

wild fashion and a prolifi c 

creative scene. From here, 

discover the breathtaking, 

ancient city of Kyoto. 

SOUTH 

KOREA 

Sea of Japan 

(East Sea) 

Osaka 

JAPAN 


CBD 38km from Kansai 


Travel time 50 mins by car 

Pacifi c 

Ocean 

Taxi Approx ¥17,000 (AU$205.41) 

Limousine bus Every 45 mins at 

¥880 (AU$10.63), takes 50 mins 

Nankai Express Train Every 30 

mins from ¥1,390 (AU$16.79), takes 

30 mins 

ON THE GO 

1. The subway Easy to use, effi cient 

and clean, this mode of transport 

will take you everywhere you want to 

go in Osaka. 

2. Bicycle Many of the hotels in the 

Kansai region (of which Osaka is a 

part) off er their guests the option 

of hiring a bicycle. It’s a good way 

to get around the city because of 

Osaka’s easy-to-navigate, relatively 

safe terrain. 

Children attend 

shichi-go-san 

festivities at temples 

JUNYA ONO 

Director of sales 

and marketing, 

The Ritz-Carlton, 

Osaka 

Best night out: The Tempozan 

area. It’s a bay area where you 

can ride on a Ferris wheel (one of 

the largest in the world) and take 

a night cruise, while enjoying the 

gorgeous night views. 

Must-buys: Fake food or menus. 

Some restaurants display 

their menus outside using 

non-perishable ingredients — as 

in, fake food that’s made using a 

wax-like material. These works of 

art look so real, and can even be a 

cute pop artwork for your home. 

Must-eats: Takoyaki (fried 

octopus ball) and okonomiyaki 

(vegetable, meat and seafood 

pancakes). They’re typical Osaka 

foods, which both restaurants and 

stalls sell. In some restaurants, you 

can even cook your own. 

Great places for dinner: French 

restaurant La Baie and Chinese 

restaurant Xiang Tao at The Ritz- 

Carlton, Osaka. They both received 

one star in last year’s edition of 

the Michelin Guide for Kyoto and 

Osaka. La Baie was the only one 

awarded the fi ve spoon-and-fork 

marks, which is the highest rating 

for its interior and service; while 

Xiang Tao was one of only two 

Chinese restaurants that was 

awarded with a star. 

Favourite local festival: My 

favourite festival is defi nitely the 

spring’s cherry blossom festival 

at the former Mint. Many cherry 

blossoms form a beautiful tunnel, 

and going through this is an 

extraordinary experience. The 

concentration of elegant pink 

cherry blossoms opening is such a 

special and lovely sight. 

I love Osaka because: The food 

is delightful and people are friendly, 

making you feel at home. Osaka 

has the charm of both old and 

modern Japan. 

Tokyo: PictureNet/Corbis; Osaka photo: JNTO

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Season runs from 

Early December 

to May 6th 

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Explore 

Auckland by 

sailing boat 

AUCKLAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

Auckland is New Zealand’s 

most cosmopolitan 

city, and has the largest 

Polynesian population. 

The “City of Sails” is also 

one of the few cities to 

have harbours on two 

separate bodies of water. 

Tasman 

Sea 

South Island 

Queenstown 

North Island 

Cook 

Strait 


CBD 20km from Auckland 





Great Barrier I. 

Auckland 

Wellington 

NEW ZEALAND 

Taxi From NZ$60 (AU$45.82) 

Pacific 

Ocean 

Shuttle bus NZ$30 (AU$22.91), 

taking 45–60 mins 

ON THE GO 

1. Jafa cabs This is a bicycle with 

bench seats for two. It is free if you 

board it within the Auckland central 

business district. 

2. Ferry Interislander is the main 

ferry operator between Wellington, 

in the North Island, and Picton, in 

the South Island. 

3. The city circuit bus Two bus 

circuits that will take you safely and 

easily to the city’s attractions. 

4. The train A good one is KiwiRail. 

FLEUR POSTILL 

New Zealand 

general manager, 

Haystac 

Best breakfast: At Takapuna 

Beach Café on The Promenade, 

Takapuna. This gorgeous café 

is situated on the beach, which 

is ideal for a leisurely stroll after 

breakfast. At the adjacent deli, 

you can purchase all manner of 

handmade treats to take away. 

Great place for dinner: Coco’s 

Cantina on Karangahape Road. 

You can’t reserve a table at this 

lively, rustic Italian eatery, but 

you can enjoy a drink down the 

road at D.O.C. bar (Department 

of Conversation), as you wait for 

tables to free up. 

Must-buy gift: A soft, stuff ed 

native bird toy from Pauanesia. 

This great gift shop is just opposite 

Freyberg Square on High Street 

in the city, and these trendy 

keepsakes are made locally using 

salvaged fabrics. 

Local recreational activity to 

watch: Auckland is the City of 

Sails, and the Auckland waterfront 

is just bustling with sailboats. On a 

calm day, the harbour is fi lled, and 

the scene is beautiful to see. 


the locals: Piha Beach is a 

40-minute drive from Auckland 

city and a popular surf spot. 

Best idea for a family 

outing: The Auckland Museum 

of Transport and Technology 

(MOTAT), is well worth a visit. 

Pick up helium balloons for the 

kids that have been fashioned 

into little hot-air balloons with 

hanging baskets, and take a picnic 

basket to Western Springs Park 

afterwards, which is next door. 

I love Auckland because: It’s a 

sprawling city, but feels more like 

a collection of unique little villages. 

You’re truly missing out if you limit 

yourself to just one. 

Tasman 

Sea 

South Island 

Queenstown 




CHRISTCHURCH 

NEW ZEALAND 

Billed as New Zealand’s 

“most English” city with 

its fabulous gardens, 

Christchurch is the oldest 

established city in the 

country. It’s also the 

gateway to the fantastic 

skiing of Queenstown. 

North Island 

Cook 

Strait 


CBD 11km from Christchurch 




Great Barrier I. 

Wellington 

NEW ZEALAND 

Christchurch 

Taxi Approx NZ$32 (AU$24.44) 

Shuttle bus NZ$12 (AU$9.17), 

taking 20–30 mins 

Pacific 

Ocean 

ON THE GO 

1. The shuttle Free seven-day 

central Christchurch bus. 

2. The tram A 25-minute tourist 

circuit with 11 stops that passes 

through the central city and the 

main cultural precinct. 

3. The Orbiter Bus service running 

every 15 minutes to six suburban 

shopping malls. 

4. The city circuit bus There are 

two bus circuits covering major 

Christchurch attractions. 

ROBERTS EJUBS 

General manager, 

Novotel Christchurch 

Cathedral Square 

Great place for dinner: “The 

Strip” on Oxford Terrace. Many 

popular restaurants and eateries 

are available, with a stunning 

array of choice. The restaurants 

also have the added benefi t of 

overlooking the Avon River. 

Best night out: SOL Square and 

Poplar Lane. They’re full of relaxed 

bars, nightclubs, coff ee lounges, 

cocktail bars and restaurants. 


gang: Pop Lane and SOL Square 

— in particular, the Russian vodka 

bar and the German beer bar, 

along with Below Zero Ice Bar in 

Cathedral Square. 

Best breakfast: I confess I’m 

a fan of Square Restaurant’s 

full-buff et breakfast at the Novotel 

Christchurch. It features New 

Zealand sparkling wine, a selection 

of seasonal fruits, yoghurt, breads, 

pastries, your favourite hot dishes 

and eggs cooked how you like 

them. More importantly, The 

Square also off ers service with a 

genuine smile. 

Best buy for under AU$50: An 

experience in the Below Zero Ice 

Bar, which is nicely located within 

the Novotel Christchurch complex. 

Must-buy (money no object!): 

Try to get a case of Ata Rangi 

pinot noir — it’s delicate, with 

a slight fl oral aroma and silky 

texture. I cannot get enough of this 

sensational wine. 

Must-buy gift: Green jade. 

Insider’s tip: When buying jade, 

you must buy it for others and not 

yourself — otherwise it’s deemed 

bad luck. 

Survival tip for tourists: If 

you’re Australian, wear your 

Wallabies jersey discreetly. 

The Arts 

Centre 

New Zealand: Tourism New Zealand

A U C K L A N D 

EXPLORER BUS 

See the BIG 14 attractions! 

HOP ON, HOP OFF sightseeing all-day bus pass! 

Auckland Museum 

Mission Bay 

$35 

$80 

FAMILY PASS 

$15 

SKYCITY 

Auckland Zoo, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic 

Encounter & Underwater World... 

plus many more! 

Parnell Village 

Mt. Eden 

CENTRAL CITY DEPARTURE TIMES EVERY 30MINS! 

Ferry Building Civic Theatre Sky Tower: 

9am – 4pm 9.40am – 4.40pm 9.45am – 4.45pm 

FULL TIMETABLE IN YOUR LANGUAGE AVAILABLE FROM DRIVER 

FREEPHONE FOR PICK UP 

0800 439 756 

ALL DAY BUS PASS 

$55 $20 

CHILD 

2 DAY 1 HOUR 

PASS TICKET $24 

PASS TICKET $24 GROUPS OF 

Email info@explorerbus.co.nz 

10+ 

Web www.explorerbus.co.nz 

COMPLIMENTARY CITY, SOUTH AUCKLAND & AIRPORT MOTELS/HOTELS (Phone BY 8.30am) 

See Auckland’s beautiful harbour with full commentary


Traditional 

shophouses 

SINGAPORE 

A tropical island nation 

with a multicultural 

society, Singapore is a 

sophisticated microcosm 

of Asia. The Lion City 

buzzes 24 hours a day 

with varied dining, nightlife 

and shopping options. 

 


CBD 20km 

 

 

 

 

Travel time 20–30 mins by car 

Taxi Approx S$20 (AU$15.54) 

with a surcharge of S$3–$5 

(AU$2.33–$3.88) 

Airport shuttle services Most 

hotels S$9 (AU$6.99) one way 

MRT train Every 10–15 mins from 

Terminal 2 and 3 from 5.30am– 

11.18pm, takes 27 mins to reach the 

city for S$1.70 (AU$1.32) 

ON THE GO 

1. The Hippo An open-top 

double-decker bus that allows you 

to hop on and off whenever you like. 

S$23 (AU$17.87) for a one-day pass. 

2. MRT Air-conditioned 

subway throughout the island. 

3. Trishaw An old-school threewheeled 

bicycle with a carriage. 


JERRY DE SOUZA 

Creative director, 

Spa Esprit Group 

Survival tip for tourists: 

Be prepared for the hot, humid 

weather. Carry sunblock and 

packets of tissues that will double 

up as seat “chope-per” (chope 

means to reserve) at food centres. 

Unusual fact: We are a groomed 

nation. There are 12 Strips (Spa 

Esprit’s dedicated waxing salon) 

here for 4.5 million people, but 

only four similar dedicated salons 

in New York City, which has nine 

million people. 

Must-eat: The squid ink pizza at 

Skinny Pizza. 

Local delicacy: Defi nitely the 

black pepper crab at Long Beach. 

Try the outlet at Dempsey. 


watch: Dragon boating during the 

Mid-Autumn Festival. 


the locals: Check out Test 

Kitchen at House. This creative 

space experiments and off ers 

two diff erent types of interesting 

desserts each day. It’s also a 

platform for budding bakers to 

showcase their works. 

Favourite local festival: The 

Mid-Autumn Festival. 


Kite fl ying, which is getting more 

popular nowadays. 

For history: Drop by The Fullerton 

Hotel for its beautiful architecture 

and history. It’s structurally 

stunning, and I love the fact that it 

used to be an old post offi ce before 

being converted into a plush hotel. 

I love Singapore because: It’s 

convenient and accessible to other 

parts of the world. Things are done 

very effi ciently and I like the fast 

pace of life here. 

HO CHI MINH CITY 

VIETNAM 

Vietnam’s largest city 

and its economic capital, 

this vibrant cultural 

hotspot has a population 

of high-energy people, 

who eff ortlessly meld the 

traditional with the new 

and contemporary. 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


CBD 7km from Tan Son Nhat 




Taxi A taxi voucher from Visitor 

Information for US$12 (AU$12.08) 

Shuttle bus Most hotels off er 

complimentary pick-up 

ON THE GO 

1. Taxi Ask the drivers to turn 

the meters on; there are 

taxi-motorbikes as well. 

2. Walking This is the best way to 

dash up alleys and down one-way 

streets, but we only recommend 

this for District One. 

3. Cyclos This is a one-person 

seat that is powered by a cyclist 

— prepare yourself for being noselevel 

with the exhaust fumes and 

frenetic action on the streets. 

The People’s Committee building, 

also called Hotel de Ville 

NATHAN RAYNER 

MBA student, 

RMIT University, 

Vietnam campus 

Best breakfast: You can’t 

beat a bowl of pho from a street 

vendor. For a few dollars you can 

get a steaming bowl of traditional 

Vietnamese beef noodle soup. 

Great place for dinner: Pho 

2000 at the Ben Thanh Market, 

where former US president Bill 

Clinton once enjoyed a bowl of pho 

when he visited the city in 2000. 

Best night out: Join the 

backpackers, English teachers 

and locals at the bars on Bui Vien 

Street. Go2 Bar gets popular later 

in the night. 


gang: If you want to visit Ho 

Chi Minh City’s most notorious 

nightclub, then you can’t go past 

Apocalypse Now. It’s a guaranteed 

party every night of the week. 

Must-buy gifts: Vietnam is 

famous for its lacquerware. 

Lacquerware photo albums and 

boxes also make ideal souvenirs 

and gifts. 

Insider’s tip: The travel agents 

around Pham Ngu Lao Street off er 

great day trips around and outside 

Ho Chi Minh City. Visit a few of 

them and fi nd the best deal. 

Survival tip for tourists: 

Haggle, haggle, haggle. When 

buying souvenirs, you have to 

bargain hard to get a good deal. 

Unusual fact: There are a 

whopping 20 million motorbikes on 

the roads in Vietnam. 

Must-eats: Ho Chi Minh is famous 

for its street food. Find somewhere 

that looks clean and enjoy 

traditional food with the locals. 


watch: Take a xe om (motorcycle 

taxi) and cruise around the city. 

Singapore photo: Savid Gan; Ho Chi Minh photo: Travel Ink/Getty Images


Manila’s 

night scene 

PHILIPPINES 

MANILA 

This capital city on the 

western side of Luzon 

island showcases 

skyscrapers mixed with 

historic Spanish colonial 

architecture. This is also 

evident in the country’s 

intriguing food. 

South 

China 

Sea 

PHILIPPINES 

Manila 

Sulu Sea 


CBD 7km from Ninoy Aquino 




Taxi Approx PHP450 (AU$10.28). 

Prepaid taxis are available inside the 

airport terminal and save you the 

hassle of haggling 

ON THE GO 

1. Taxi You can usually fl ag one 

down at most malls. Be sure to 

always insist on using the meter. 

If the driver refuses, just say no 

politely and get down from the cab. 

Do not react aggressively. 

2. Jeepney These interesting 

lorries ply most major city roads, 

and can take you anywhere along 

their route. 

3. Train The Light Rail Transit goes 

east-west across the city, while the 

Metro Rail Transit goes north-south. 


ELOISA SERGIO 

Blogger and founder, 

Pinoyblogosphere. 

com 

Best breakfast: Tapsilog — it’s a 

typical and pretty requisite Filipino 

breakfast platter of dried or cured 

beef or venison (tapa), garlic rice 

(sinangag), a fried egg (itlog) and 

lastly, pickled papaya strips. 

Great place for dinner: One of 

my favourites for any occasion is 

Café Illustrado, because it off ers 

beautiful Spanish era-inspired 

fi ne dining coupled with a historic, 

old-Manila setting, located in the 

walled city of Intramuros. It’s a 

good bet for family or friends. 

Best night out: I would 

recommend going to Malate, which 

is perfect for a nightlife adventure. 

What’s great about it is that it has 

clusters of restaurants and bars 

with live music seven days a week. 

Best buys for under AU$50: 

You can take your pick from a 

huge variety of Indigenous and 

well-crafted products from all over 

the Philippines, which are housed 

in Kultura Filipino shop — the 

largest Filipino lifestyle retail store 

located at SM Malls. 

Insider’s tip: The cheapest form 

of transportation is by the jeepney, 

the king of the road. You may fi nd 

it interesting to know that it was 

originally an American G.I. surplus 

jeep converted into a public-utility 

vehicle to address the problem of 

vehicle scarcity after the war. 

Must-eat: I love eating halo halo 

— an iced treat served with grated 

ice, milk, ice cream, fruits and 

sweet beans. It’s a unique Filipino 

dessert and a must-eat. 

Most romantic spot: It’s 

defi nitely got to be an evening at 

Manila Bay. For an unforgettable 

evening, do experience a dinner 

cruise — while admiring the Manila 

skyline and a view of the famous 

Manila Bay sunset. 

Khao Lak 

beach 

PHUKET 

THAILAND 




Providing a nice contrast 

to the capital Bangkok, 

Phuket is a beach-lover’s 

paradise, and defi nitely a 

great place to slow down 

and lap up the island life of 

the locals — with stunning 

scenery to boot. 

MYANMAR 

Andaman 

Sea 

Phuket 

MALAYSIA 

LAOS 

THAILAND 

Gulf 

of 

Thailand 

CAMBODIA 


Patong Beach 32km from Phuket 


Travel time Patong Beach is 

around 45 mins by car 

Taxi Approx THB400 (AU$13.31) 

Shuttle bus Every 30 mins at 

THB52 (AU$1.73); takes about 

60mins 

Gulf 

of 

Tonkin 

VIETNAM 

ON THE GO 

1. Motorbike A cheap and 

convenient way to explore all the 

tiny lanes around the beach — but 

drive with care! 

2. Tuk-tuk This method of transport 

off ers an exhilarating ride, but is 

best for short distances only. 

3. Car hire Really the only way to go 

beyond the city. If you want to enjoy 

the scenery while on the move, 

hiring a driver as well only costs a 

little more. 

KASIDEJ 

PREECHANOND 

Resident manager, 

La Flora Resort 

& Spa 

For history: To me, nothing quite 

beats the rare experience of visiting 

a rubber tree farm. Rubber trees 

cover 33% of Phuket’s land area. 

The fi rst tree was planted in 1889 

in Trang. The method of tapping 

the rubber trees, where an incision 

is made on the tree’s trunk and a 

small cup is used to collect the sap, 

has remained unchanged to this 

day. That’s quite an interesting fact, 

when you think about how much 

has changed in the world, and is 

still changing. 

Must-eat: Before you leave 

Phuket, make sure you try the 

original fried noodles, called pad 

mee phuket thaley, which are 

yellow noodles stir-fried with 

prawns, calamari, egg, beans and 

roasted chilli paste. 


Head out to Khao Lak Elephant 

Camp, near the Khao Lak 

National Park, for trekking trips on 

elephants through the rainforest. 

Your whole family will love it, and 

probably remember it long after 

they’ve reached home. 

Insider’s tip: If you’re not really 

big on crowds and want some 

peace, get away from the west 

beaches to Poseidon Beach — a 

wonderful and secluded beach 

in southern Khao Lak. Great 

swimming, intriguing rocky 

outcrops and stunning sunsets 

make this a special treat in the 

area. A couple of local restaurants 

are on the beach to provide you 

with a chair, umbrella and of 

course, refreshments. 

Most unusual thing to do: Try 

hiring a local guide to take you to 

Moken Village, located at the north 

of Khao Lak, which is where sea 

gypsies live from June to October 

when they’re land-bound. They 

have their very own culture and 

spoken language.

Platinum 

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You can even view your creation being 

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INTRODUCING OUR AIRPORTS 

Let us give you a head-start 

ADELAIDE 

CBD 6km 



Taxi Approx AU$18 

Skylink Bus Every 30 mins–1hr: 

AU$8.50 adult, $3.50 child. Takes 

around 35 mins 

Airport parking AU$4–$90 

(30 mins–72 hrs) 

AVALON 

Geelong CBD 20km 

Melbourne CBD 55km 

Travel time 15 mins (Geelong); 

40 mins (Melbourne) by car 

Taxi Approx AU$45 Geelong; 

approx AU$80 Melbourne 

Avalon Airport Shuttle Meets 

all fl ights. From AU$17 adult, $14 

child (Geelong); AU$20 adult, 

$10 child (Melbourne) 

Airport parking From AU$3 for the 

fi rst 20 mins; weekly rate AU$53 

BALLINA-BYRON 

CBD Byron Bay is 23km; 

Ballina is 5km 

Travel time Byron Bay is 

20 mins by car; Ballina is 

7 mins by car 

Taxi Approx AU$10–$15 

to Ballina; approx $65 to 

Byron Bay 

Airlink bus Meets most fl ights: 

AU$20 adult ($35 return); $12 

children under 13 years (oneway). 

Takes around 35 mins 


(1 hr–24 hrs) 

BRISBANE 

CBD 16km 




Bus Every 15–30 mins: AU$14 

adult; $8 child; under 4 years 

free. Takes about 30 mins 

AirTrain Every 20 mins to CBD: 

one-way adult fare AU$14.50; 

return $27. Takes about 22 mins 



CAIRNS 

CBD 8km 

Travel time CBD takes 10 mins 

by car 


Australia Coach Shuttle Every 

hour: AU$10 adult; $15 couple; 

AU$5 child. Takes around 

20 mins 



(2–24 hrs) 

DARWIN 

CBD 13km 

Travel time CBD is 15 mins 

by car 


Darwin Airport Shuttle 

Meets all fl ights: AU$10 (adult). 

Takes around 20 mins 


(up to 24 hrs) 

GOLD COAST 

Surfers Paradise 20km 

Travel time Surfers Paradise is 

around 30 mins by car 


Con-X-ion Shuttle bus Booking 

required: +61 (7) 5556 9888: 

AU$22 adult; $13 child (4–13 

years); children under 4 years 

travel free. Takes around 

45 mins 



Gold Coast Airport Lounge 

For a small entrance fee, check 

in for movies, comfy lounges, 

newspapers, snacks and drinks. 

HAMILTON ISLAND 

Travel time From the airport to 

your accommodation takes only 

a few minutes 

Shuttle bus Complimentary for 

hotel guests 

HOBART 

CBD 17km 



Taxi Approx AU$36–$42 

Airporter shuttle bus Meets all 

fl ights: AU$15 adult; $8 children 

aged 4–15; children under 4 

travel free. Journey takes around 

30 mins 


(24 hrs) 

LAUNCESTON 

CBD 16km 




Airporter Shuttle bus Meets 

all fl ights: AU$14 adult; $5 child; 

children under 4 free. Takes 




MACKAY 

CBD 6km 

Travel time CBD 15 mins by car 


To Airlie Beach Take a taxi to 

the bus terminal in Wellington 

Street and then a bus service by 

Greyhound or Premier; approx 

AU$22 one-way adult fare 


(24 hrs) 

MELBOURNE 

CBD 23km 



SkyBus Every 10 mins: AU$16 

adult; $6 child (4–14 years). Takes 

20 mins 

Airport parking Short-term 

from AU$3; long-term from 

AU$29 

NEWCASTLE 

CBD 20km 




Shuttle Bus Door-to-door 

service (from AU$35) through 

Newcastle Information Services 

at +61 (2) 4928 9822. Port 

Stephens Coaches (public bus) 

every hour: AU$6.50 adult; $3.50 

concession. Takes 35 mins 


(1 hr–24 hrs) 

PERTH 

CBD 12km (domestic terminal) 

and 17km (international terminal) 


Taxi Approx AU$26 (domestic) 

and $33 (international) 

Perth Airport City Shuttle Every 

30 mins (domestic) and 

45 mins (international): 

AU$15 adult (domestic), 

$20 (international). Journey 

takes 15–35 mins 

Fremantle Airporter AU$35 

(booking required) 

Transperth Bus 37 From 

domestic terminal to Kings Park 

via the city AU$3.20 


carpark from AU$3.70; long-term 

carpark from AU$17 

SYDNEY 

CBD 8km 

Travel time CBD around 



Bus Every 20–30 mins: AU$14 

adult; AU$7 child. Journey takes 


Trains Every 10 mins 

(weekdays) AU$15 adult. Takes 

around 13 mins into the centre of 

the city 



SUNSHINE COAST 

Travel time Noosa is 

30 mins, Maroochydore 

is 10–15 mins by car 

Taxi Approx AU$56 to travel 

to Noosa; approx AU$28 to 

Maroochydore 

Henry’s Bus Service Meets all 

fl ights: AU$20 adult; $10 child; 

children under 4 years free. 

Journey to Noosa takes around 

45 mins 


(2–24 hrs). New hourly 622 

TransLink bus service connects 

the airport to the suburbs. Starts 

5.54am weekdays, 6.54am 

weekends. www.translink.com.au 

TOWNSVILLE 

CBD 5km 

Travel time CBD around 10 mins; 

taxi approx AU$16 

Airport shuttle Booking required 

+61 (7) 4775 5544 to the Strand 

and city, Sunferries, the Transit 

Centre and Coral Princess: 

AU$8 (adult); takes 10–15 mins 


carpark, AU$4–$24 

(2 hrs–12 hrs). Long-term 

carpark, AU$12–$72 (1–6 days); 

thereafter AU$10 per 24-hour 

period or part thereof 

WHITSUNDAY COAST 

CBD 30km from 

PROSERPINE AIRPORT 

Travel time CBD takes around 

35 mins 


Whitsunday Transit AU$15 adult 

share-ride (one-way; $28 return); 

$9 child (one-way; $16 return), 

children under 4 years travel 

free. The Whitsunday Transit 

service meets all fl ights. For 

details, call +61 (7) 4946 1800 

Airport parking For customers, 

airport parking is free (24hrs)

Desire Collection

$580 / $290 

1 1 /4 carat 

$880 / $440 

1.8 carat 

FEBRUARY 

SUPER SPECIALS! 

Available in yellow 

or white gold. 

Whil While stocks last. 

$950 / $475 

2 1 /2 carat

Sunshine Coast photos: Tourism Queensland 

YOUR 

INSIDER’S 

GUIDE 

Australians share their 

favourite domestic 

destinations 

SUNSHINE COAST 

GRAEME SAIT 

Founder/managing director, 

NTS Health 

Great place for dinner: Spice Bar Mooloolaba 

— great atmosphere and an amazing modern 

Australian- and Asian-infl uenced menu. It’s a 

world-class dining experience. 

Local delicacies: It’s got to be the homemade 

cheeses, sourdough breads, marinated olives 

and the mind-boggling range of organic ham at 

the famous Eumundi Markets. 

Local recreational activity to watch: Hang 

gliders working the currents off the seaside cliff s 

of Rainbow Beach, near Fraser Island. This beach 

features dolphins playing in azure waters, and in 

some places, the forest comes right down to the 

foreshore itself. 

Favourite local festival: The Woodford Folk 

Festival from December to January is the biggest 

annual cultural event of its kind, featuring more 

than 2,000 performers and 580 events. The 

program comprises concerts, dances, a fi lm 

festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, an 

entire children’s festival, art-and-craft workshops 

and a world of foods to experience. It’s a defi nite 

must-do, and must be attended to be believed! 

Best idea for a family outing: Hiring a pontoon 

and travelling up the Noosa River to Boreen Point 

for lunch. National parks, birdlife and surreal 

refl ections mark the journey to the lake — where 

you can chill on the beach or hire a windsurfer 

after lunch. 

australian focus 

The gorgeous 

Sunshine Coast 

off ers numerous 

great adventures 

BELOW: Find your own 

private patch of beach 

along the stunning 

Sunshine Coast 

Most romantic spot: Strolling the Noosa beach 

boardwalk at sunset, before stopping for some 

cocktails at a beachside eatery. 

I love the Sunshine Coast because: The 

spectacular coastline and breathtaking 

hinterland host a rare collection of passionate 

people. I travel the world for my business, but I 

kiss the ground on my return to this lovely region. 


australian focus 

Best nights out: Going to concerts at Kings 

Park, Sandalford Winery and Leeuwin Estate. You 

get to enjoy the world’s greatest performers, as 

you sip great Western Australian wines in relaxed 

outdoor settings. 

Best place to party with the gang: The 

Breakwater at Hillarys Boat Harbour is the most 

stylish pub in Perth, with great food and views. 

Must-buy (money no object!): A gold simulated 

diamond all-rounder necklet from Secrets looks 

like a AU$100,000 heirloom, but actually only 

costs a fraction of the price (about AU$1,760 

to AU$2,750). 

Must-buy gift: Every girl should have a 

simulated diamond tennis bracelet from Secrets 

(or perhaps even three! — in white gold, yellow 

gold and rose gold). 

Insider’s tip: The Perth Mint in eastern Perth 

has the world’s biggest gold-bar collection and 

hourly gold-pouring demonstrations every day. 

Most romantic spot: The Indiana Tea House on 

Cottesloe Beach. 

I love Perth because: Of its blue skies, 

magnifi cent beaches, fabulous wild fl owers and 

wide, open spaces. 

TOP: Perth’s city malls 

off er alfresco cafés and 

top shopping spots 

BOTTOM: Water activities 

are a popular pastime 

in Adelaide 


PERTH 

ALISON PUCHY 

Owner, 

SECRETS Shhh… 

ADELAIDE 

JAKE GREENROD 

Owner, 

GoodLife Modern 

Organic Pizza 

Must-eats: Laksa at Asian Gourmet in the 

Central Markets. It’s been consistently good for 

20 years, and even the famous Cheong Liew is a 

regular there. But you also shouldn’t miss having 

an organic pizza at GoodLife! 

Favourite local festival: It has to be the Garden 

of Unearthly Delights, during Adelaide’s fantastic 

Fringe Festival. There’s nothing like enjoying 

some food and a Coopers with carny folk on a hot 

summer’s night. But get in early to avoid a line! 

Best idea for a family outing: Swimming with 

the dolphins with Temptation Sailing at Glenelg. 

It’s an early start, but it’s worth seeing the sun 

rising over the hills as you dive into the beautiful 

waters of the bay. 

Most romantic spot: The view from Samuels 

Gorge Winery in McLaren Vale. Aside from great 

wine, they do a mean coff ee and may even share 

a Peroni with you if you need a palate cleanser. 

Local recreational activity to watch: Pick a hot 

summer’s night, and head to Jetty Road, Glenelg, 

to people-watch and cruise the strip. 

Must-buy gift: Haigh’s chocolates are 

addictive, and a defi nite must-buy. I love their 

chocolate-dipped orange slices. 

Perth photo: Tourism Western Australia; Adelaide photo: SATC

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february-2011

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