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TRY: A trip to Queenstown.

The home of bungee jumping and breweries, restaurants and ravines – beautiful Queenstown is the stuff of dreams. And while it’s most famous for being ‘The Adventure Capital of the World’, this breathtaking waterfront town is so much more than just that. On the one hand, it’s a vibrant cultural hub bursting with culinary delights and heritage sites. On the other, it’s a haven of vast mountains, blue lakes and truly breathtaking natural scenery. Given it’s less than 4 hours from Melbourne by plane, we thought we’d put together a helpful little guide for those venturing over in the spring (the most beautiful time of year to visit, in our humble opinions).

Stay –

Sherwood:
554 Frankton Road, Queenstown

Ranked as one of the top ten most sustainable hotels in the world, Sherwood is beloved for its cosy rooms, community ethos and organic Two-Hatted restaurant. The entire establishment is made from refurbished materials and powered by the sun.

Hotel St Moritz:
10/18 Brunswick Street, Queenstown

Where elegant rooms open out to spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu, Hotel St Moritz provides the ultimate retreat after a day of exploration. Perfectly situated in the heart of town, it’s a gateway to all the precinct has to offer.

Eichardt’s Private Hotel:
2 Marine Parade, Queenstown

A Queenstown icon, Eichardt’s Private Hotel blends historic charm with modern sophistication. The grand Victorian building stands proud on the lakefront, housing a number of luxurious suites along with a plush bar and restaurant.

Wine –

Gibbston Valley Winery:
1820 State Highway 6, Queenstown

From tastings in a wine cave to fine dining among rolling hills – Gibbston Valley Winery has something for everyone up its sleeve. Be sure to try their famous pinot noir, paired perfectly with a plate of decadent charcuterie.

Amisfield:
10 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road, Frankton, Queenstown

Crowned ‘Restaurant of the Year’ by American Express and ‘Winery of the Year’ by Reidel, Amisfield is a no brainer. Enjoy organic wine tastings in the rustic cellar door before indulging in a gourmet degustation at their three-hatted restaurant.

Rippon:
246 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road, Wānaka

Where clear blue lake meets rolling vines, Rippon is hands done one of the most scenic wineries we’ve ever seen. Located in Wanaka, it’s a little bit of a drive from Queenstown, but absolutely worth it for the wine and views.

Dine –

Rata:
Te Nuku, 43 Ballarat Street, Queenstown

At the vanguard of modern dining in New Zealand, Rata is an ambient, light-filled restaurant specialising in sustainable ingredients, innovative dishes and slick interior design. Their seafood is some of the best in town.

Fergburger:
42 Shotover Street, Queenstown

A visit to Queenstown would not be complete without a visit to Fergburger. An institution serving up some of the best burgers in New Zealand (if not the world), this lively haunt almost always has a line trailing out the door – a telltale sign of something special.

Blue Kanu:
16 Church Street, Queenstown

Fusing Asian and Polynesian flavours, Blue Kanu offers an unforgettable dining experience anchored by fresh ingredients, ancient spices and the warmest of hospitality. We recommend opting for ‘Trust the Wok’, where the choosing is taken care of.

Coffee –

Vudu:
16 Rees Street, Queenstown

This award-winning cafe is home to what is arguably by the best coffee in town, as well a creative brunch menu and cabinet brimming with baked treats. As always, ingredients are seasonal and locally sourced.

Bespoke:
9 Isle Street, Queenstown

Come for the gourmet fare and artisanal coffee, stay for sweeping views of the mountaintops. A trendy little establishment just a 5 minute stroll from the town centre, Bespoke is a must-try for brunch aficionados.

Fergbaker:
40 Shotover Street, Queenstown

From the team behind Ferburger, Fergbaker is heralded as one of the best bakeries in all of Aotearoa. Grab yourself a coffee and croissant to go (or a pie if that’s more your thing) and devour it on the lush lawns of Queenstown Gardens.

Relax –

Onsen Pools:
162 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown

Filled with pure water from the surrounding mountains, the private cedar tubs at Onsen Pools provide a relaxation experience unlike any other. Admire magnificent views of the mountains and river as you sip on a complimentary cocktail.

Millbrook Spa:
1124 Malaghans Road, Arrowtown

Like many things in Queenstown, Millbrook Spa has won a plethora of awards. Treat yourself to one of their indulgent, nature-based treatments such as the super-food pro radiance facial or mineral boost massage.

Body Sanctum:
Level 1/10 Athol Street, Queenstown

Located in the heart of town, Body Sanctum is place to pause and reset among elegantly designed treatment rooms and experienced therapists. They’ve even got ski season massages to relieve and revive sore muscles after a day on the slopes.

Walk –

Queenstown Gardens:
Park Street, Queenstown

A tranquil escape sprawling with century-old trees and vibrant blooms, Queenstown Gardens is an absolute must-visit. Encompassed by Lake Wakatipu, here, you’ll also find an ice skating rink, disc-golf course and tennis club.

Queenstown Hill Time Walk:
Belfast Terrace, Queenstown

One of the best short hikes in Queenstown, the Queenstown Hill Time Walk traverses through lush pine forest before arriving at a breathtaking 360 degree lookout point. Along the path are plaques describing different time periods in Queenstown’s history.

Ben Lomond Track:
130 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown

If you’re after something a little more challenging, the Ben Lomond Track is a 6-8 hour return hike revealing some of Queenstown’s most awe-inspiring sights. The effort is absolutely worth the reward: 360 degree views of the landscape from a 1,748m summit.

Adventure –

Milford Sound:
Southland, New Zealand

If you’ve got the time, we highly recommend making a day trip to Milford Sound. The biggest tourist attract in New Zealand for a reason (and made famous by Lord of the Rings), the majestic fjord is replete with towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and turquoise waters, flowing all the way out to the Tasman Sea.

Bungee Jumping:
Cnr of Camp and Shotover Street, Central Queenstown

Not for the faint of heart, bungee jumping is a quintessential Queenstown activity. We recommend going with Nevis Bungy, which offers the highest drop in all of New Zealand (134m) among rugged mountainous terrain.

Shotover Jet:
3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown

Whizz around the Shotover Canyons in a speed boat travelling at up to 90km an hour. You’ll get glimpses of pristine natural sights as well as an adrenaline rush to remember – personally, this is much more our style than the bungee.

SIT: Sit in an ancient greek temple at the NGV Garden.

We’re well on our way to summer, which means the NGV’s beloved Summer Nights program is soon to be back in our lives – yippee! This year, the centrepiece replacing the pink pond will be ‘Temple of Boom’ – a striking, Greek-style structure paying homage to the Parthenon in Athens, one of the most significant buildings in Western culture. Inviting us to consider the ways in which ancient and contemporary societies imbue architecture with meaning, the installation will be painted with a series of vibrant, large-scale artworks created by some of our city’s most exciting artists. Grab yourself a cocktail and/or iced tea and spend afternoons traipsing throughout the kaleidoscopic columns. In true NGV fashion, a stellar line-up of bands and DJs will be on regular rotation.

Read more here.

REMEMBER: It’s Father’s Day this weekend.

A friendly reminder to all you last minute stragglers that it’s Father’s Day this Sunday. And, as we all know, Dads can be pretty hard to buy for – there’s no candle or flowers equivalent for our good ol’ pops! To ensure you don’t gift yours a Lynx soap pack from Woolies this year, we’ve put together a dozen handy little gems that are guaranteed to impress every kind of dad – perfect for fathers and father figures alike! Thank us later.

For the dad who appreciates self-care: Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet – Aesop

For the foodie dad: Everything I love to Cook – Neil Perry

For the muso dad: Freak Out/Release – Hot Chip (Vinyl)

For the literary dad: Audible Subscription

For the dad with little ones: Bluey: Perfect

For the dad who has everything: Dress Socks – Paire

For the coffee snob dad: Fortnightly Care Package – Market Lane Coffee

For the green thumb dad: Oyster Mushroom Growing Kit – Life Cykel

For the outdoorsy dad: Rambler Colster Stubby Cooler – Yeti

For the techy dad: Ray Soundbar – Sonos

For dad who needs some ‘me’ time: Sense of Self Voucher

For the footwear loving dad: Stepney Workers Club Sneakers

APPRECIATE: The artists breathing life into Melbourne’s future Metro Tunnel.

The Metro Tunnel has been under construction for so long we’ve almost forgotten there’s a point to the scaffolding, bollards and cranes that have taken up what seems like permanent residence in our city. We come however, bearing good news: construction is edging into its final years, and five incredible artists from around the world have been commissioned to create permanent large-scale artworks in each of its five underground stations – a far cry from the grey, dystopian vibes of the current City Loop.

The artists set to invigorate the tunnel walls include visionary Melbourne artist Patricia Piccinini (Parkville Station), VCA’s head of painting Raafat Ishak (Anzac Station), winner of the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award Danie Mellor (State Library Station), Mexican-Canadian Artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (Town Hall Station), and multidisciplinary Australian artist Abdul Abdullah (Arden Station). Spanning everything from mosaic to installation, the works will draw on Melbourne’s cultural heritage while making thought-provoking sociopolitical commentary and contributing to the next phase of our artistic evolution.

Uniting the collection will be a line-wide artwork by Yorta Yorta/Wamba Wamba/Mutti Mutti/Boonwurrung artist Maree Clarke. Spanning all five stations, the piece will embrace the five clans of the Kulin nation and foster connections to Country through depictions of the landscape.

Read more here.

EDUCATE: Yourself on the mesmerising work of Monet.

Immerse yourself in a floral utopia this spring at the Lume’s newest multi-sensory art experience. Father of impressionism and one of the most innovative artists of the last century, Claude Monet was most famous for his mesmerising landscapes, which captured a momentary feeling rather than a faithful portrayal of a scene.The exhibition will feature psychedelic projections of his best known paintings along with prominent works from his contemporaries – think Pissarro, Renoir and Cézanne. There’ll be an enchanting soundtrack featuring classical songs from the era, a custom floral aroma infusing the space, painting stations for the little ones, and a French-style cafe for the full sensory experience. We can’t wait.

Book in here.