Especially for those who like food and travel, here’s a food and drink themed market, an accommodation tip, a hunting tour, and wonderful weekend that you might like to pop on your calendar.
New Melbourne Southbank Farmers' Market
Just a short walk from Melbourne’s city centre, Southbank Farmers' Market launching on Saturday 2nd August will have more than 40 local food producers along with cooking demonstrations and live music. Produce will include eggs, butter, cheese, meat and nuts to fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, wine, cider, spices, dips, bread and olive oil.
8am - 1pm, 1st Saturday of each month, first market Saturday 2nd August, Boyd Community Hub, 207 City Road, Southbank
Whisky business
Saffire Freycinet has launched a whisky weekend from 29-31 August to celebrate the best of Tasmania’s local whisky. It will be three days of whisky tasting, relaxation and the opportunity to enjoy the company of some of Tasmania’s most prestigious distillers.
Planned as the first on an annual event calendar, there will be tastings perfectly complimented with a bespoke menu from Saffire’s head chefs Hugh Whitehouse and Simon Pockran. Distillers include Bill Lark from Lark Distillery, Patrick Maguire from Sullivans Cove Distillery and Jane Overeem from Overeem Distillery.
Let’s go truffle hunting at Margaret River
Experience how truffles are grown, harvested and processed, and learn about the history and operation of Oak Valley Truffle Farm in Margaret River on a Go In Style luxury truffle-hunting tour.The new fully-inclusive day tour takes guests on a day trip to nearby Oak Valley Truffle Farm in Manjimup followed by a decadent truffle-themed lunch at Watershed Premium Wines in Margaret River.
There’s a guided walk with a specially trained truffle-hunting dog and its handler, to witness how they find and harvest the truffles amongst 75 hectares of spectacular oak and hazelnut trees.
I’ve been truffle hunting in the New South Wales Southern Highlands and it was great fun following the dog around and digging up delicious truffles.
QT Canberra a winner
Since its opening in March, Canberrans have flocked to enjoy the fine food and drinks at the new QT Canberra. Recently both of the hotel’s ground floor dining and drinking options - Capitol Bar & Grill and Lucky's - took home Awards for Excellence at the Australian Hotels Association's ACT Hospitality Awards. Capitol Bar and Grill, with their focus on fine Italian cuisine and prime-cut steaks, received the Best Prestigious Dining Venue award, while Best Cocktail Bar (Accommodation Division) went to Lucky's.
You probably know QT Canberra as the iconic Lakeside Hotel, a building steeped in Canberra history where Prime Ministers have been made and ousted, venue for iconic acceptance speeches and privy to many back-room meetings. Now with a redesigned exterior and interior by designer Nic Graham, the building boasts new technology, distinctive art and bold design, a mix of quirky artefacts, bespoke furniture, a daring use of colour and art, and now, an award winning food and beverage offering.
I stayed their recently and loved the quirky retro feel. Canberra also has an interesting farmers' market at the Capital Region Farmers Market.
Kerry Heaney