Set off on a memorable ride down Australia’s east coast and experience the best of Brisbane, Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
Australia
Set off on a memorable ride down Australia’s east coast and experience the best of Brisbane, Gold Coast and Byron Bay. An enviable trip filled with French picnics, cooking classes, hatted restaurants, poolside cocktails and private beaches all teamed up with exclusive accommodation.
DAY ONE: BRISBANE
STAY
The New Inchcolm Hotel & Suites,
MGallery by Sofitel
73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD
EAT
High Tea at Sofitel Brisbane Central
With spectacular views over the city, indulge in one of Sofitel Brisbane Central’s signature High Teas. Inspired by the 2016 Pantone Colour of the Year which is Rose Quartz & Serenity Blue, special effort is made to delight both sight and palate with a stylish combination of classic favourites such as scones, French pastries and ribbon sandwiches. All this, while also discovering new elegant French additions from the French Patisserie Chef Joel Helot. This mouth watering food ‘ensemble’ is available from 1pm – 3pm daily in the Club Sofitel Lounge and from 2pm – 4pm daily in Cuvée Lounge Bar starting at $46 per person.
EAT
Dinner at Thomson’s Reserve Restaurant
Located at The New Inchcolm Hotel & Suites Brisbane, Thompson’s Reserve’s Executive Chef has painstakingly put together a menu that focuses on simple clean flavours. His brand of cuisine allows diners to celebrate the unique ingredients that Australia is famous for. Guests of distinction will delight in the restaurant’s history, ambience and charm. The restaurant, named after Dr Thomson an influential man, selected where to build his home, Inchcolm, back in the 1880s. He naturally chose a prestigious location on the hill in Wickham Terrace. That prestige still remains today at The New Inchcolm Hotel and Suites making it an exclusive much sought after address for the discerning foodie who loves what is on his/her plate and also is fussy about what the setting and ambience is like. On both counts, Thomson’s will not disappoint.
PLAY
Enjoy atipple or two at Socialites bar, and step back in time to enjoy a taste of the roaring 20’s inspired décor, jazz music and delicious cocktails that have been blended by a master bartender. Socialites Bar is a popular go to place for those who want to enjoy a relaxed evening in surroundings that are elegant and classy. It is ideally positioned to commemorate special moments with loved ones, sharing intimacy, laughter and great conversations over a fine selection of food and drinks. Of special note are their Scotch whiskies. If looking for an ‘all girls’ outing, The New Inchcolm Hotel and Suites is the place to be. Their special ‘Girls Night In’ package comes with overnight accommodation in a two bedroom suite, bottle of sparkling wine and cheese platter, mini manicures for two, unlimited movies on demand, premium goodies box containing a boutique range of ice cream, handmade local chocolates and treats and plenty of peace and quiet. It is a great way to bond, catch up and do typical girlie things.
DAY TWO: BYRON BAY
Drive 80km south of Brisbane (one and a half hours) until you reach Gold Coast.
STAY
Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach
81 Surf Parade, Broadbeach QLD
EAT
Dinner at Room81 restaurant
Designated the title of being a ‘theatrical’ restaurant where the theatre aspect comes from food, Room81 is indeed a unique eatery which has a repeat value with regulars simply because it celebrates food in a real fun way. Awarded Two Chef Hats by the Australian Good Food Guide, its degustation experience features delicious taste blasts using local ingredients, uncovering the best of Sam Moore’s piquant delights. Sam’s dishes present a rare opportunity to bask in a tantalising dance of lavish delicacies while ‘culinary tapestry’ gets unravelled course by course.
PLAY
Sign up for an intimate cooking class with Room81’s award winning Executive Chef, Sam Moore and get in front of the gas stove and oven to check out how Sam gets your favourite right every time with precision and ofcourse unbridled passion. After a heated session in the kitchen it would make perfect sense to head out to the pool deck for a relaxing afternoon in the sun.
DAY THREE: BRISBANE
Drive 93km south of Gold Coast (1.15 hrs) until you reach Byron Bay.
STAY
Elements of Byron Resort, MGallery
by Sofitel, 144 Bayshore Dr, Byron
Bay NSW
EAT
Graze at Elements
If you have heard stories of Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya, you will know that food is the only way to enjoy the fine things of life. So, brace yourself to partake in the experience of relishing every morsel that is served, in what is a lush and sensory affair. A slow meal is recommended to relish each bite and while you do so, to enjoy the views of the stunning infinity pool precinct and fire pit. Here, the ref lection of different colours stream through the day depending on how high the sun is and how dusk falls. You have the option of dining indoors or on the terrace that has the busy wood fired oven laid out rather tantalisingly. Evening time would be perfect for sitting by the open fire at the Drift Bar and sipping a drink of your choice or nursing an elementally inspired cocktail featuring local native ingredients.
PLAY
If yoga is your thing and salvation your goal, join the resident Elements of Bryon Yogi, for an early morning session that will refresh your mind and get you intrigued in the ‘what next’ of yoga. The one-hour session is done at Byron Bay which is the eastern-most point of Australia, the first place to see the sunrise, and what a magical spectacle it is. The stretches are done overlooking Belongil Beach which could be a good reason for your body not complaining much and you being extra surprised at how good the yoga session felt.
Osprey Spa
After the yoga, go for a 90-minute spa treatment and emerge revitalised and refreshed.
Osprey Spa is an organic, simple experience inspired by the local surroundings.Ingredients are pure and basic and come from nature. The treatments emphasise pleasurable enhancement of health and wellbeing while focusing on leaving a light footprint on the environment. This is at the core of the promoter’s efforts, contributing towards making holistic wellbeing and sustainability an integral part of their property.
When not enjoying a treatment relax by the resort’s infinity pool or private beach and lose track of time, space and being. Come back refreshed, detoxified and in touch with your inner self.
Prepare your step-wise plan to get the most out of your time and money, especially in terms of where to stay, what to eat, how to indulge yourself and what the must-do’s should be. These recommendations have been put together after much discussion with local hosts and seasoned travellers on the circuit.
To book visit Accorhotels.com
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