focus_tourism
with Donna Hudson from Manning Valley Tourism
focus__editorial Robyn Buttler Travel Editor Susie Boswell. focus Travel withwith
Photo courtesy of Manning Valley Tourism.
Photo (c) Todd Smith
Tourism WHILE WE’RE WELL KNOWN FOR OUR LONG HOT SUMMERS, PRISTINE BEACHES AND SPARKLING WATERWAYS, THE FRESH BITE OF WINTER AND OUR CRISP BLUE-SKY DAYS PROVIDE THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR EXPLORING OUR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.
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pleasure in sharing his wines and explaining traditional techniques. Featuring chardonnay, chasselas doré and chambourcin grapes, Villa d’Esta places emphasis on easy-drinking wine styles that are ready to be matched with your Many are often surprised to find out we have favourite meal. a range of boutique wineries sprinkled across Just down the road is Wallambah Vale Wines, our picturesque landscape. And what better where the team picks, blends and bottles a time than winter to rug up, jump in the car superb range of quality wines on the premises. and tour the region to experience our Talented winemaker Stephen Heap local vineyards! There are plenty recommends the light and of options right here on crisp chardonnay which our doorstep, and each of course, when paired experience is unique. with a cheese platter A trip to Villa Getting out overlooking the vines, d’Esta Vineyard and exploring our makes for a perfect Ro ad , on Wallambah wineries is not just afternoon treat! is , ng si Dyers Cros r about the wine. la Travelling further pu po r anothe be to t no It’s about meeting ce afi eld, the well en ri expe the passionate established Bago missed.” winemakers, Vineyards in Wauchope understanding their is a winery with a history, and learning their difference and fun for the techniques. It’s the musky whole family. As well as wines aroma, the mystique and the to tantalise the tastebuds, Bago elegance of the wine cellar, the beauty Vineyards presents Jazz in the Vines on of the vines, and the distinctive character the second Sunday of every month, and plays that each vineyard exudes across all its host to many other music events throughout touchpoints. the year. For those with a leaning towards liqueurs and And while many will simply soak up the mead, you can’t go past a visit to Ghinni Wines, atmosphere on the viewing deck, the young-atas this is their absolute specialty. Ex dairy farmer heart may choose to get lost in largest hedge and owner Tony Hammond has been making maze in NSW, with 2,000 metres of pathways ale, wine and liqueur since 1976, and in this to meander through. time has perfected the recipes that give Ghinni Heading east before making your way home, Wines their unique flavour and aroma. Situated a visit to Cassegrains Winery is a must. Its north of Taree, just off the Pacific Highway on extensive grounds boast over 2,000 rose bushes the mighty Manning River, Ghinni Wines also lining its entrance, and with a French heritage offers a scenic outlook and laid back charm. dating back to 1643, you’ll enjoy some of the A trip to Villa d’Esta Vineyard on Wallambah finest wines our local region has to offer. Road, Dyers Crossing, is another popular So make the most of our winter by planning experience not to be missed. This charming a local winery tour. You’ll find each one has a or many, winter in our beautiful region is about bushwalking in our National Parks, stargazing by an outdoor campfire and snuggling up with a glass of red.
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vineyard is spread over 12 acres, and its passionate Hungarian vintner takes great 40 manning-great lakes focus.
unique flavour and atmosphere, with the added bonus of supporting our local winemakers.
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or many, a Scenic European cruise of two weeks meandering through multiple countries via the Continent’s network of grand river-boulevards is an enticing holiday or retirement dream. Perhaps the controlled cocoon of a cruise ship is alluring in these uncertain times, too. Currently, a rare opportunity worth jumping at cuts prices for some Scenic itineraries, offering cruise-only rates. Until sold out a number of 2017 cruises, usually with flights included, are being offered exairfares: allowing travellers greater flexibility by taking advantage of booking flights separately, utilising their own or family frequent-flyer points or selecting their own carrier/s, class, route and time of travel from a competitive field, or adding a cruise into a longer sojourn when already landed in Europe. At $9190 a couple (from $4595pp twin share) the 15-day Jewels of Europe explores waterways from Amsterdam to Budapest, discovering castles, vineyards, historic towns and charming villages along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Gems of the Seine, an 11-day cruise (from $4195pp twin), is a round trip from Paris to the achingly picturesque harbour of Honfluer (adjacent to Le Havre and the Channel in the country’s north-west and a favourite locale of Claude Monet’s), taking in postcard scenes of rural France, historic wartime locations and architectural landmarks. Scenic tours, a solid Australian-based operator, features vessels with spacious suites, fine dining and a range of onshore excursions. “Leave the wallet at home” is their catchcry, all meals, complimentary beverages 24/7, activities like use of e-bicycles with GPS touring guides, and tips included. For this limited offer, available only until all sold, call Scenic on 138 128 (prices may differ on website). NEW HORIZONS: Certainly the Western world traveller’s map is being redrawn, a revision that happens periodically for a range of reasons but especially so now as a consequence of random violent and terrorist incidents. France, perennially the most sought-after country with seven million visitors a month, is suffering not only the tragedy of the strikes but facing a downturn in its important tourism industry; the city of Nice, centre of the Cote d’Azur, is that nation’s most visited centre after Paris, the two the focus of most recent alarm. But while some prospective tourists postpone their plans, and many airlines and tour operators offer discounted packages to
encourage trade, by far the majority of visitors to France are from neighbouring European states: the Germans will keep on driving to the French skifields, the Dutch and Belgians continue to use the economical high-speed train. Nevertheless, travellers around the globe are reassessing their aspirations, the bonus the discovery of new horizons distinct and distant from conventional destinations. Other impetuses are a “wider world” to choose from thanks to expanded airline options; internet marketing offers; the fluctuating A-dollar and so on. Qantas’s partnership with Emirates saw its revised routes via Dubai rather than former hub, Singapore, alter passenger choices; this month’s Olympics have, over the past four years’ lead-up, heightened Rio de Janeiro and South America generally in the public awareness, destinations now being considered by a bigger market. While flights to Central America (via LAX) are prohibitive as a single-purpose destination, travellers coincidentally in South or North America might consider an add-on adventure cruise in Costa Rica and Panama, including a sightseeing sector on the Panama Canal, from Pacific to Caribbean. An eight-day Uncharted Isthmus: Sloths, Moneys & Mangroves passage on 62-guest Safari Voyager offers abundant wildlife immersion: lush jungles with macaws and monkeys, a butterfly- and flower-filled tropical botanical reserve and the chance to explore by hiking, skiff, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkelling in crystalline waters. Luxury vessel, fitness equipment, individual air-con; singles accommodated. Current discounts and incentives. See: www. adventuresmithexplorations.com TRAVEL BOOK OF THE MONTH: All This in 60 Minutes, by Nicholas Lee. The perfect traveller’s companion, in handy paperback. Longtime 60 Minutes cameraman Nick Lee sees the world through not only his camera lens but the prism of a wry but generous-spirited personal perspective. Each self-contained chapter makes for a witty, uplifting delve into exotic locations, with candid authentic goss on lots of stars (but frequent four-letter word overload). I was a colleague of Lee’s for two years on the show’s production team, creating compelling original stories. Lee had 30 years there, with commensurately greater adventures. Interestingly, written with a real journalistic discipline and flair. Allen & Unwin, $32.99.
© Jeff Busby 2016
TOURISM IN AUGUST
C H A NGI NG WOR L D PROM P TS N EW V I EWS