Top 10 Luxury Lodges

/vlN AN INDULGENT HOLIDAY FOR TWO AT SPICERS CLOVELLY ESTATE WORTH $5300+

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HOT SY]]NI]Y

THE BIG LAP

30 I}UT)GET BEACH BREAKS

RES1AUITANTS ii

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TOP 10 LUXURY

WILD WEEKEND

I,ODC]ES

124 CHRISTMAS ISI,AND

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IIIEII@ EDITOR Elisabeth Knowles

ANGETINE {:OONG i

(editor@australiantraveller, com)

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Angeline s a rragazine editor based n Canberra, \,vho has recently returned fronr a five-year stint overseas. Desp te consutn rtg tea ai the

macaroons in Paris and hand made gnocchi

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R

tz, Laudree

Rottre, she sti Lcan't resist

the lure of a good old sausage si,zle.

MANAGING EDITOR Quentin Long (qlong@australiantravellercom)

ART DIRECTOR Drina Thurston (dthurston@australiantraveller.

com)

JUNIOR WRITERAVEB EDITOR Alissa Jenkins "l'd create my own luxury fortright away.

Frrst stop wou1c1 be Gaia Retreat n

Byron to help me w nd down fronr the rat race. E Q,-testrc woLtd be next. preferably whie the Ord Valley Muster was on, ancl the 'rral destinatiott

(ajenkins@australiantraveller.com)

CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Amelia Dalton

would be Qualia on Hanrilton lsland for one of their gounrret chef weekends.'

TIRELESS INTERN Alena Duykers (highly recommended!)

CTAUDIA BCU\4A

For all advertising sales enquiries, phone (02) 96987072

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DIRECTOR OF SALES Nigel Herbert

ClaLrdia is a freeJance writer and proofreader whose writ t-tg career took off

three years ago when she hit the road w th hubby Chris and three ittl es to

(nherbert@australiantraveller.com)

go on the trip of a lifetirre. Based in Cobden, Victorla, she still travels but the

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Alex Barnett

trips are shorter now (but still as t-truch funl).

(abarnett@australiantraveller.com)

ACCOUNT MANAGER Rebecca Faulkner

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"The campground at Windjana Gorge in the Kimberley s not oniy cheap bLit also the perlect place for the Inost spectacular sunsets in Austral a. The

k

(rf aulkner@australiantraveller.com)

ds

loved watching the freshwater crocs in the gorge... from a safe distance of

Dimity Noble (dnoble@australiantraveller.com)

coursel"

Maria Anning (manning@australiantraveller.com)

BCDERICK EIME

subs@australiantraveller. com

Rod

Loves the Aussie

newspapers, whether

outdoors and writing aborrt it for rnagazir-res ancl it

s a 4WD in the oLrtback, a sntall ship cru se otr the

Great Barrier Reef or staying rn sorre of our top hotels and resods. A brt of adventure, some cheap thrills and drop of fine Aussie wine s just the ticket.

www. australiantravel ler-com

Industry players who give us frank and fearless feedback on ei

Ken Boundy ''Terrigal. The central coast is an easy drive

frorl horre

in Sydney with futr

stutf for the family to do includtng dtvitrg, sp ashing rn the water anci

post-swirn retail therapy.'

Professional Company Director & Former Managing Director of Tounsm Australia

Greg Farrell Managing Director, The Federal Group Tasmania

Grant Hunt Director, Hunt Tourism Services

INCL-F

VA\I

Andrew McEvoy '

Wildlife photographer lnger Vandyke's geographic specialisation is the otfshore territories of Austra ia. She s spettt over a decade travellitrg to sorrle of Australias most spectacrlar and rernote regiot'ts.

"My ideal luxury escape is the hidden lodge of Araji la on Lord Howe lsland.

At the end of a day of hlking or snorkelling in the pristine surrounds of Lord

Howe. it is possible to feast on freshly caLtght kingfish at Ar4i la's restaLtrant, which is hidden between gargantuan Banyan trees. set back from Old Settlement beach."

CALLING ALL ASPIRING TRAVEL WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS! !VtlltlL1r'tllt1llll,'ll(llli],ilili.llitllOl|lllli|rlili]|l!',]|]ll\',.L1lrlr.\f

16

Arrslralirr lritvr u

Managing Director, Tourism Australia

Alla Wolf-Tasker AM Owner of the Lake House Daylesford All rights reserved. No material published in this magaine may be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written authority. Every endeavour is made to ensure infomation @ntained in this magaine is corst at time of gojng to prir Unsolicited material, including contributions to the Readers' Section, may be used by Af, but no responsibility is accept, lost manuscripts, artwork or images.

Austnlian Treveller is published bi-monthly by Australian Trâ‚Ź Media (ACN 1 13 975 438), PO BOX 159, Brcadway, NSW i Printed by Oflset Alpine Printing, 42 B@rea Strei, Lidcoml NSW 2141 // Price in Australia: $8.95 inc GST (recommend mdimum price only).

Environment

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Austrelian Truveller is printed by Offset Alpine Printing und 1SO14001 Environmental Certification. Paper fibre is from certified forests and audited sources

IO

SPICERS PEAK LODGE Mar5nvalet QLI| TOP CAPACITY: A

maximum

of

26

people can stay here at any time. There are 10 lodge suites and two private lodges.

WHAT TO EXPECT Overlooking Queensland's stunning Scenic Rim, Spicers Peak Lodge was built by travel industry entrepreneur and environmental advocate Graham Turner and his wife Jude.

The

multi-award-winnin$, architecturally exquisite property re$ularly attracts the highest echelon ofAustralian and international business executives and celebrities seeking a brief but intense dose of nature, child-free relaxation and sensory pampering. While some choose to explore the $lorious bush environs by mountain bike or on foot, most are content to recline in the all-embracing lounge with a good book and a fine wine, just within earshot ofthe next dinner bell.

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ACCOMMODATION

ACTIVITIES

Most affordable room: The standard'lodge suite' is a generous room decorated in a

o Included in the tariff are: use of the private tennis court, mountain bikes and bushwalks

restrained, earthy style befitting the character of the lodge and echoing the native bush setting. Materials such as stone, wood, tin and

for calorie control (you'll need thist).

panoramic $lass create a perfect open feel.

The cavernous bathroom contains a spa tub and separate shower with deliciously fragrant Molton Brown products. But really, with all the lodge has to offer, the room is not where you'd want to spend your time. All rooms have complimentary minibars, king beds and LED TVs plus wireless internet is available throughout the lodge if you absolutely have to keep connected. Ask for a fireplace if you're heading up in winter. From $1190 per room per night per couple.

Best room in the house: The "spa suites" are true honeymoon standard with extra space and a super spa, but ramp it up some more and head out to one of the private lodges. With outdoor spa and lounges and beglriling views over the valley, they are so private they are only visible from the air. Built on the fringe of the bush and on the edge ofthe escarpment, these villas make full use of the tranquil setting and come

in either one or two-bedroom configurations.

Full use ofregular lodge facilities and activities is included in the tariff. A one-bedroom lodge starts at $1890, while a lodge sleeping four costs from $2490, presenting the best value in the whole place.

r Outdoor infinity pool and indoor pool table for dry sharks.

.

Spa Anise day spa offers treatments at extra cost. The hot stone massage sounds... hot.

. Pick a spot on the 9000 hectare property and have your own Champagne picnic delivered.

o Twin 12-seat boardrooms for

executive

retreats and micro-conferences - iust don't tell the shareholders.

BEST FEATURES o Al]-inclusive pricin$ makes for stress-free checkout and I'm surprised more upscale properties don't do this. There are optional

extensions

like fine wines and

beauty

treatments, but you can have a pretty decent time with just the included stuff.

.

Location location location. A clich6 perhaps, SPL's mountain-top spot is a blockbuster and you'd have to $o to the Snowy Mountains for a comparable alpine outlook.

but

o Many Spicers Group properties are located

on former or scaled down cattle stations with active environment restoration and conservation projects. They are typically expansive so you can go get lost for a day

wilhout leaving lhe resorl.

ffi

DOWN SII)IJS

THE I)ETATLS.

flip sidc to seclusion arrd prir.acv is access.

The u,inding dirt road can be a challenge, cspeciallf in the rvet, and the sign-posting could send vour CIPS into a spin. Relax, take vour time and enjov thc drive. Ol course, vou

Spicers Peak Lod$e

The

can ar.oid all that rvith a helicopter get a double

thrill

1300 253 103: spicersgroup.com. au/PeakLodge

-

Words bp Roderick h)ime

transfer and

at the vieu..

THE IIOOI) Spicers Peak Lodge (and indeed the u.hole Spiccls Group) prides itself on culinarlexcellence. The reception area wall needs an extcnsion just to hold all the arvards, so )-ou

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kuorv yor-ire irr fbr a fine dining treat here. The dining'area mav seem small, but it's an-lthing

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bnt crampcd and the maximum of ten couples

tl.picallv enjo-v their privacv rvithout roarin$, boisterous discussions. The kitchen is open, ahnost theatre-stvle, so vou can see it all going on. Meals are presented rvith matchin$ (includcd) u'ines, but )'ou can lash out and hook into the private cellar too, at extra charge.

The whole expcrience recks of exclusivity so

be prepared to feel special. Dutch born chef Frank Nlarelle continues the Spicers trademark qualit-v offering.

N{eals are included in the tariff for guests.

Dinners comprise seven collrse tastlng menus (sorrv, no a la carte). For non-guests, pt'ices start at $115 pel pcrson for a three-course lunchl dinnel costs f'rom $'195 pp for the scvencoulsc degnstatiorr (bookings essential).

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