As the sun starts to shine, now is the perfect time to explore some new attractions, events, and places to stay across Australia and New Zealand, travel editor Winsor Dobbin reports.
Time poor, but with cash to splash? On Board, the floating member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, has launched a new two-night Tasmanian adventure. The Port Davey Highlights expedition gives time-poor travellers rare access to Tasmania’s wild southwest.
Aboard Odalisque III – purpose-built in Tasmania for wilderness immersion – this condensed three-day journey captures the essence of the region’s silence, waterways and rugged peaks, previously only available on longer voyages.
Departing Hobart via seaplane, guests fly over the jagged Arthur Range and the spire of Federation Peak before touching down beside Odalisque III in Port Davey. Over two nights and three days, travellers explore the wilderness: Huon pine-lined rivers, untouched Southern Ocean beaches, and weather-beaten coastlines.
The mini expedition is guided by On Board’s all-Tasmanian crew, who share decades of knowledge of the southwest’s flora, fauna, geology, and the stewardship of the Needwonnee and Ninene people, the region’s first custodians. Guests can tailor their experience – heart-pumping hikes and sea-cave adventures, or the chance to just be still in a World-Heritage wilderness.
Evenings offer a gentle pace, with Tasmanian wines and whiskies poured in the Wheelhouse Lounge, and freshly sourced Tasmanian fare served around a Huon pine table, that was handcrafted upstream on the Huon River in Franklin. Guests then retreat to private suites with views of wild rivers and peaks.
For travellers with more time, On Board continues to offer its signature 4- and 6-night Port Davey expeditions. The vessel caters for a maximum of 12 guests.
Fares start from $5,800 per person twin share, all-inclusive. To celebrate the launch of Port Davey Highlights, On Board is offering a $1,000 cabin credit on new bookings made by December 12, 2025, valid for expeditions through to May 8, 2027.
For more details see onboardexpeditions.com.au
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Go west
The West Australian port city of Fremantle is having a moment. Fremantle was last month named Australia’s Top Tourism Town, and has also welcomed the opening of a new hotel.
The Garde hotel, one of the state’s most-anticipated accommodation openings of 2025, is now officially catering for guests.
Located in Fremantle’s convict quarter, Garde comprises 83 new rooms and suites, a spa and wellness offering, along with Anglesea, a ground-floor restaurant serving a Japanese and Korean fusion menu. The newly-opened rooms, combined with the existing Warders Cottages accommodation, bring the total room count to 106.
The former Warders Hotel has re-branded to Garde, signalling the connection between both properties and marking the new chapter. Historic Fremantle is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, the much-loved Fremantle Markets, lively Fishing Boat Harbour, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene.
It’s also known for its rich maritime history and is home to the WA Shipwrecks Museum and WA Maritime Museum.
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Kiwi tastes
Marlborough – New Zealand’s wine capital – has a new tourism destination.
Wine + Food Experience Marlborough is now officially opened in Blenheim’s riverside precinct.
The refurbished venue brings together and celebrates more than 50 local wineries and food producers under one roof.
Wine + Food offers visitors personalised wine tastings through WineEmotion automatic dispensers, cellar door experiences, and food offerings including cheese and seafood.
“Our mission with Wine + Food is to enhance the cellar door journey, not replace it,” said managing director Lenny O’Connell.
“Wine + Food ensures visitors to Marlborough who are short on time do not miss tasting the expertly crafted premium wine unique to our region.
“We have designed Wine + Food to be a place where locals, businesses, and visitors come together to experience the region’s finest, from wines and seasonal cuisine to thoughtfully curated tastings and special events.”
Guests receive a WineEmotion card to sample wines at their preferred quantity (a taste, half pour, or full glass) and pace.
Custom-built display units feature immersive digital monitors sharing wineries’ brand stories and tasting notes.
There is also a sheltered outdoor terrace with elevated views of the Taylor River and Richmond Ranges, ideal for corporate events, intimate weddings or after-work drinks.
In addition to local wines, guests can enjoy beer, gin and whiskey tastings and purchase featured products through the on-site off-licence.
The Wine + Food Experience Marlborough is open daily11am-10pm, welcoming guests after traditional cellar doors have closed.
See https://winefoodmarlborough.co.nz/
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Yarra festival
Enjoy visiting smaller wineries?
Make a note of the upcoming Yarra Valley Shedfest 2025. The event will be held in the Yarra on the weekend of October 11-12. Lovers of cool-climate wines can bring friends, kids and even pets to 13 family-owned Yarra Valley producers.
Each winery will offer its own twist on food, tastings, music, and entertainment. The entry ticket is a flat $35, which gives access to tastings at all participating wineries on one and/or two days.
Tickets can be purchased at an early bird rate until October 1 to save 10%.
A diverse selection of dishes under $25 will be available at each participating winery. The wine producers involved are: Billanook Estate, Boat O’Craigo, Fin Wines, Helen’s Hill, Seville Hill, Six Acres, Soumah, Steels Gate, Sutherland Estate, Tokar Estate, Whispering Hills, Yering Farm and Yileena Park.
The event will run from 11am-5pm on each day.
Discover more at http://shedfest.com.au/
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Bellarine bliss
There is a new vineyard getaway in the Geelong wine region with the opening of Vintners Lodge @ Clyde Park. Vintners Lodge is described as French-inspired accommodation with “the most superb vineyard and valley views in the region”.
The restored century-old house is a stone’s throw from the vines and each of the three bedrooms (The Baroque Room, La Rose, and The Stag Room) has its own personality. The residence is decorated with European antiques and a 120-year-old mirror from Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne.
There are two wood fireplaces inside, the original flooring has been preserved, and the outdoor bath and fire pit complete the picture. Think complimentary homemade baked goods, orchard fruit and Clyde Park wine on arrival and the accommodation sleeps up to six (or eight if you use the sofa bed). See https://clydepark.com.au/
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No more neighbours
Do you hate it when the passenger in the next seat man spreads, or pushes your arm off the shared armrest? You can now pay from just $30 for a neighbour-free experience when your flight is with Virgin Australia. From now on, eligible guests on some Virgin Australia-operated domestic and short-haul international services can bid to keep the seat next to them empty, creating a more spacious economy experience.
The new product, dubbed Neighbour-Free Seating, will let guests enjoy more space when they fly, at an accessible price point.
A 2023 consumer survey conducted by Velocity Frequent Flyer revealed that 42% of Virgin Australia guests would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights of more than three hours, while over a third (35%) would do the same on a domestic flight of more than three hours.
“Our priority is to give Virgin Australia guests even more value and choice when they choose to fly with us,” said Virgin Australia executive Libby Minogue. “Neighbour-Free Seating is a clever add-on for economy travellers who want the certainty of extra space without the price tag.”
There is, of course, no certainty. Your flight, like so many, might well be full.
Next month: Discover a gourmet destination just a hop, skip and jump from Melbourne Airport.
See more of Winsor’s travel tips at www.gourmetontheroad.com.