Facebook Instagram Youtube
Search
Close
  • News
  • Destinations
  • Experiences
  • Travel Smarts
  • Deals
Menu
  • News
  • Destinations
  • Experiences
  • Travel Smarts
  • Deals
  • News
  • Destinations
  • Experiences
  • Travel Smarts
  • Deals
Menu
  • News
  • Destinations
  • Experiences
  • Travel Smarts
  • Deals

Our Australia: chefs, actor, Bachelor reveal their top Oz spots

Explore Travel by Explore Travel
17/03/2021
in My Australia
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Home My Australia

Isaiah Firebrace

The X Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace is not hiding behind a mask when it comes to his favourite Australian destination, Western Australia.

“It has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen in my life. The weather is amazing and every time I am in Western Australia it feels like the sun shines brighter than on the east coast,” says the singer.

Mr Firebrace feels connected to the land and sea. “It feels sacred and spiritual,” he says. He counts himself lucky to have been able to swim in the Ningaloo Reef with the whale sharks, whales and other marine life.

Unable to pick just one part of WA, Mr Firebrace says: “Cable Beach in the north is incredible, I am a huge fan of watersports and the jet skiing was so much fun.”

Conquer your fears and tick swimming with sharks off your bucket list on a tour with Ningaloo Whale Sharks, priced from $200. If you would rather jump on a jet-ski and chase an adrenaline rush, check out Ultimate Watersports at Cable Beach and Exmouth.

Luke Mangan

Luke Mangan

Australian restaurateur and chef Luke Mangan has a soft spot for the island state, particularly its oysters.

“Tasmania is the perfect place for a good old-fashioned road trip. There are so many fantastic restaurants and wineries where they craft all their dishes from locally grown ingredients,” he says.

“I always find new spots and experiences to explore and fall in love with.”

He recommends Freycinet Marine Farm as “who wouldn’t love putting on a pair of waders then shucking and tasting oysters in the waters where they are farmed?”

The oyster farm experience and a guided walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout are both included in a stay at luxury lodge Saffire Freycinet. The “Stay 4, Pay 3” promotion, available for stays December 2020 to June 2021, includes all meals, drinks, spa credits and tours.

Catriona Rowntree

Catriona Rowntree

During her time as a presenter on Getaway, Catriona Rowntree travelled the globe visiting the best the world has to offer. But when asked about her favourite place, she reminisces about the northern Sydney shores where she grew up.

“We spent our holidays with cousins on Scotland Island and still return to this glorious stretch of water so close to the superstar city of Sydney. Pittwater always makes me smile,” she says.

“The sparkling waters of Pittwater keep wandering into my daydreams. Memories of fishing off the polished deck of a Halvorsen boat, exploring quiet coves (getting sand banked, whoops!) and leaping into the water off piers,” she says.

The 1958 MV Kangaroo is the last remaining Halvorsen 36-foot cruiser available for hire in Sydney. See mv-kangaroo.com.au.

Curtis Stone

Curtis Stone

Award-winning chef Curtis Stone no longer calls Australia home, but Western Australia has a special place in his heart. “I love travelling through Western Australia,” he says.

The chef has dedicated one of the seasonal menus at his LA restaurant, Maude, to Western Australian produce.

“Margaret River is one of the best wine-producing regions in the world, the Kimberley region is magnificent and the sacred and protected Aboriginal villages on the Ningaloo Reef are a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Mr Stone.

If you would like to try your hand at spearing a crab, head out on a tour from Kooljaman at Cape Leveque. You’ll learn about the history of the region and hear Dreamtime stories of the Bardi before catching yourself a mud crab and fish dinner and cooking it on the beach.

Sharni Vinson

Sharni Vinson

Best known for her role as Cassie Turner on Home and Away, Sharni Vinson grew up on the beaches of Cronulla and feels at home by the shore.

“Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always dreamed of living on an island similar to the one in the film Blue Lagoon,” she says.

Hayman Island in the Whitsundays, Queensland, takes the cake for Ms Vinson.

“I love the peace and serenity,” she says.

“From its turquoise warm water, coconut palm trees, private beach villas, botanical gardens and mountainous backdrop to its native Australian wildlife and wondrous Great Barrier Reef, Hayman Island really is a dream come true.”

The luxury resort can be visited on both overnight stays and day trips for activities such as diving, tennis and helicopter rides. Many activities are included in a stay on the island and others start from just $10.

Sam Wood

Sam Wood

Ex-Bachelor Sam Wood had his fairytale-like happy ending play out in Byron Bay in 2018 and it now holds a special place in his heart.

“It has always been my favourite place in Australia. I just love where the bush meets the ocean and I have such strong, happy memories there as it’s where Snez and I got married,” he says.

He spent the morning of the wedding running through rainforest to Byron Lighthouse and then swimming in the ocean while wife-to-be Snezana Markoski was getting ready with friends.

Their ceremony and reception was held at Fig Tree, a restaurant perched on a Byron hilltop with views across the hinterland.

The family-owned restaurant has a true paddock-to-plate ethos in its seven-course degustations. Fig Tree is open Friday to Sunday and also offers overnight stays in luxury accommodation.

Explore Deals

Deal

Luxury Queenstown Ski Holiday

Destination: Queenstown

From $655

Book Now
Deal

Charming Candidasa Escape

Destination: Bali

Inclusions:

Daily breakfast for two, 1 x 90-minute couples spa treatment with flower bath at Ocean Spa for two, 1 x three-course romantic dinner for two, 1 x selected cocktail for two OR 1 x bucket of small local beer (4 pcs) at Pool Bar/Restaurant, 1 x half-day tour visit to Taman Ujung water palace,

From $1545

Book Now
Deal

Luxury Adults-only Fiji Getaway

Destination: Fiji

Inclusions:

4 nights 5-star stay at Sofitel Resort and Spa, Access to the adults-only Waitui Beach Club, Complimentary mini bar, Daily buffet breakfasts, Access to in-room unlimited movies and wifi,

From $2245

Book Now
Deal

7 Nights Deevana Patong Resort & Spa, Thailand

Destination: Thailand

Inclusions:

7 Nights in a Superior Garden Wing Room, Breakfast Daily, 30-minute Foot Reflexology and 30-minute Back & Shoulder massage, 10% discount on food (excludes room service), 10% discount on Spa menu ,

From $279

Book Now
Deal

Romantic Sydney Escape

Destination: Sydney

Inclusions:

3-night luxury city view apartment at A by Adina Sydney, Daily à la carte breakfast, 3-Course Dining Walk, Hunter Valley Scenic Wine & Dine Day Tour, Sydney Harbour 2-Course Lunch Cruise,

From $2658

Book Now
See more offers
Previous Post

My Australia: stars nominate their favourite holiday spots

Next Post

Chris Hemsworth on home, Australia and his 9 favourite places

Next Post

Chris Hemsworth on home, Australia and his 9 favourite places

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore Deals

Deal

Escape to Fiji With Bonus Inclusions at the Beautiful Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

Destination: Fiji

Inclusions:

5 Nights in an Ocean View Room, Full breakfast daily, FJD$100 Beverage credit, 2 x 60 minute Bebe Spa Sanctuary massage vouchers, 1 x themed Buffet dinner,

From $1089

Book Now
No Result
View All Result

Follow us for up to the minute news, deals and more...

Facebook Instagram Youtube
Explore with us weekly

Sign up to the explore Newsletter

The most comprehensive website guide to regional Australia and city stays.

Editorial

  • Big Splash Media, Elizabeth Bay, Sydney NSW 2011
  • +61 2 9356 8888
  • [email protected]

Site Pages

  • News
  • Destinations
  • Experiences
  • Deals
  • Travel Smarts
Menu
  • News
  • Destinations
  • Experiences
  • Deals
  • Travel Smarts

Important links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Conditions of Use
  • Contact
Menu
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Conditions of Use
  • Contact

www.exploretravel.com.au

brought to you by

ACM

Ⓒ 2021 - Website produced by Big Splash Media

Archives

  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • March 2020

Categories

  • Australia
  • Editors Choice
  • Experiences
  • International
  • My Australia

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
No Result
View All Result
  • Ask the Experts
  • Contact
  • Deals
  • Destinations
    • Australia
    • International
  • Experiences
  • Home
  • Home
  • News
  • Privacy Policy
  • St Patrick’s Day quiz
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter
  • Swap Holidays
  • Terms & Conditions for the Viking River Cruise Giveaway
  • Travel Smarts
  • Viking River Cruise Giveaway Terms & Conditions
  • WIN A VIKING RIVER CRUISE WORTH $22,990​