We were sitting in Shanghai Street dumpling house savouring their infamous Xiao Long Bao, which have had a cult following since day one. It was our third restaurant on the dumpling discovery tour and I was quickly developing a whole new appreciation for these little morsels of goodness.
I’m always urging people to discover what’s going on in their own back yard, so I thought it was about time to practice what I preach and investigated my adopted hometown of Melbourne by kayak.
It’s the story of a great reuse project. Built on a decommissioned landfill site that was once a bluestone quarry, CERES (Centre for Education & Research into Environmental Strategies) is now an award-winning, not-for-profit, sustainability centre and urban farm covering 4.5 hectares of Brunswick soil.
The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s best wine and food regions and is only about an hour from central Melbourne. Neat rows of vines snake across the rolling hills as far as the eye can see, with signs to cellar doors pitched every few 100 feet.
Tasmania used to be the brunt of many jokes by their fellow mainlanders, but now it’s Tasmanians who are having the last laugh. This small island state lying off the tail end of Australia is turning out to be quite the getaway. And Hobart, the capital, is stealing the show.
Since the devastating bush fires of Black Saturday, Marysville has well and truly risen from the ashes. Determined residents have rebuilt the town and it’s now bigger and better than ever. Tourism is once again booming and the environment is flourishing. We explored the town and surrounds on a weekend out of Melbourne.
Gili Lankanfushi is a sustainable luxury resort on North Male Atoll in the Maldives. It was recently named the world’s most ‘Eco-friendly Hotel’ at the Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards 2017 and the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort 2017’ at the World Travel Awards. And it’s my home for the next four days.
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is the closest snow field to Melbourne and although it doesn’t cater to downhill skiers it is the centre for cross country skiing in Victoria. Visitors can also try their hand – or foot – at snowshoeing, tobogganing and good old snowman making.
Woodend in the Macedon Ranges has a quintessential Australian village feel. I visited for the weekend, staying in a beautiful rustic woodland cottage.
I think I’ve found ‘The One’. Yes, it’s true. Since I’ve been frequenting Australian shores I’ve been waiting and hoping, hoping and waiting for the right one to come along. And now it seems my wait is finally over. The Lost Lands festival is here!
