Otahuna Lodge offers a chance to be Lord of the Manor

Ever considered hosting a special occasion where you have an entire luxury property to yourself, your family and friends?

Historic Otahuna Lodge outside Christchurch in New Zealand has just launched its "Lord of the Manor" package.

Whether you're looking to celebrate a milestone birthday, family reunion or a memorable workplace retreat, weekend dates in 2026 are now open.

The Lord of the Manor package (available from May 1 through October 15) can be reserved at the rate of $NZ 9995 per night (weekday nights) or $11,995 (Friday and Saturday nights).

All Lord of the Manor bookings enjoy the following inclusions for up to 10 guests:

# Accommodation across five suites and two master suites

#·Pre-dinner drinks with canapés

# A four-course, set menu dinner

#· Matched wine pairings with every course

# Continental and cooked breakfasts.

Up to six additional guests (for a maximum of 16 people) can be added at a rate of $600 per additional person per night.

It is a remarkably stylish property celebrated for its architecture, award-winning gardens and sophisticated cuisine. A special place to stay.

For full details see www.otahuna.co.nz/

Black & Ginger pays tribute to Lily with a premium shiraz

Out on one of our motorcycle road trips we always come across interesting winemakers with their own unique stories, reports two-wheeling correspondent Rod Eime. 

Hadyn Black at Black & Ginger in Victoria's Grampians region is just one such character.

Along with wife Lucy and business partner Darcy "Ginger" Naunton, the trio kicked off in 2015 with the purchase of a tonne of shiraz grapes from the Pyrenees, while their own vineyard took shape.

"We started B&G in 2015, with that single tonne of shiraz. At the end of 2016, we bought a rundown vineyard with a rundown house on it," Hadyn tells us as we sit in his rustic wine shed just off the main road and grafted onto Barney’s Bar & Bistro.

But that's just a hint at the real story.

"My mum Lily had recently retired, and so she spent as much time up here as she could, doing everything from helping me clean up the house, strip the horrible wallpaper, repaint, and clean up the garden. Then we’d get stuck into pruning and fixing the vineyard," Hadyn tells us. I can see his throat is getting a bit lumpy. "We managed to only properly prune a couple of rows at the top of the vineyard. We picked our grapes in 2017; most were sold, but we kept all the fruit from the rows Mum helped properly prune for ourselves. 

"Mum and Lucy and a couple of our mates helped pick it, and the fruit was fantastic. It was fermenting away nicely in the winery when I got a call that Mum had very suddenly passed away. So we named the resulting wine 'Lily’s Block' in her honour. We only release the wine under her name when it is good enough, so it is not made every year. The label is pink, an obvious choice given her favourite colour was pink, I also added her signature to the side label."

Lily and Hadyn

As well as Lily's Block, all the wines have been well received, getting some great scores from wine writers and a couple of medals at wine shows.

Find the BLACK & GINGER WINE SHED at:
3447a Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Pomonal, Victoria, 3381

Puppetry magic to shine at QAGOMA

Love The Muppets and Sesame Street? You might want to make a date with Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art later this year.

A new exhibition exploring the storytelling The Jim Henson Company will run exclusively at QAGOMA from September 12, 2026, until April 18, 2027.

‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ will offer "an immense and immersive journey" through the creative process behind some of Henson's cherished characters. 

Founded by Jim and Jane Henson in 1955, the company has left an indelible imprint on entertainment, education and popular culture globally as seen in the much-loved series Fraggle Rock and Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, the treasured fantasy worlds of The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, the iconic characters of the Muppets, and the residents of Sesame Street.

‘Unparalleled in scope, the exhibition will celebrate The Jim Henson Company’s extraordinary legacy, highlighting the specialist work of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop - creative studios in New York and Los Angeles where artists and makers revolutionise the art of puppetry," said QAGOMA director Chris Saines. 

‘The Gallery is privileged to be working closely with The Jim Henson Company, whose influence on generations of storytellers continues as a family-led force pioneering contemporary puppetry for screen and stage.’

In a world-first, the exhibition will include the Great Hall set from the Emmy Award-winning television series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, taking audiences behind the scenes of a working puppeteer’s film set.

A curated film program in the Gallery’s Australian Cinémathèque will showcase productions developed by the Company and brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Across GOMA’s ground floor, ‘Make, Believe, Magic’ will explore the craftmanship of The Jim Henson Company’s creatures, the art of their performance, and new directions for puppetry supported by digital technology.

The opening weekend of ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’, coinciding with Brisbane Festival in September, will feature special discussions, performances and screenings. Exhibition tickets go on sale from June 1.

For more info see www.qagoma.qld.gov.au

Florentino offers a nod to the past, and the future

It's all change at what used to be known as Grossi Florentino, Grossi Grill and Cellar Bar.

The Melbourne dining icon has returned to its original name: Florentino after the exit of Guy Grossi and his team..

Founded in 1928, the venue on Bourke St is one of Australia’s longest-standing dining institutions. Edition Group, the new owners have revealed the plans under their custodianship.

“Florentino is one of Australia’s most significant dining institutions," says Rebecca Yazbek, founder and CEO of Edition Group.

"Taking on its custodianship carries enormous responsibility, but also opportunity. Our focus is on honouring what has made the restaurant so important while reinvigorating the venues to ensure Florentino secures its place at the forefront of Australian dining once again.”

Located within a heritage-listed building, Florentino will operates as a three-venue precinct comprising Florentino Dining Room, the renamed Café Florentino (previously Grossi Grill), and Cellar Bar.

Florentino Dining Room remains the flagship restaurant within the building with chef Michael Greenlaw and executive chef Brendan Katich at the helm. The menu remains grounded in traditional Italian cuisine. Dining is offered through three-, five- and seven-course menus.

Dishes from Greenlaw and Katich’s menu include: coral trout with king crab, zucchini and bisque; Sher wagyu with potatoes, truffle, black garlic and Chianti; and a range of house-made pastas including caramelle filled with caramelised onionn and risotto al tartufo with black truffle and mushrooms.

Greenlaw said the menu focus has been on continuity.

“Our intention has been to respect what Florentino represents while allowing the menu to reflect the quality of produce and producers we have access to today. It’s about continuity, shaped by seasonality and precision rather than reinvention,” he said.

The dining experience is supported by a wine program led by group sommelier Steve Senturk, exploring regions including Piedmont and Sicily.

Café Florentino marks a return to the restaurant’s origins. It was under this name that former owner Rinaldo Massoni first established the venue’s Italian identity. Cellar Bar, meanwhile, will continue as an all-day wine and pasta bar.

Yazbek has ideas for future design changes across the venues, but says that will be undertaken gradually and with consideration for the heritage-listed building.

Florentino Dining Room is open for lunch Wednesday to Friday from 12pm, and for dinner Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm. Café Florentino is open for lunch Monday to Saturday from 12pm, and for dinner Monday to Saturday from 5pm. Cellar Bar operates Monday to Saturday from 11am until late, offering all-day service.

See https://florentino.melbourne/

Lark celebrates and innovates

 

There was a double celebration at the Lark Distillery tasting room in Hobart this week with a function to welcome new CEO and managing director Stuart Gregor, and a sneak peek at an innovative new premium whisky range to be launched in April. 

The tasting room has been given a major makeover with some clubby chic spaces upstairs for private tastings and small groups, in addition to the downstairs area and the garden overlooking the Hobart waterfront. 

The Davey Street cellar door's newly refurbished spaces mark a new era for the home of the brand that started Tasmania's whisky boom. 

"It was so special to share the occasion with industry friends, long-standing partners, media and members of our extended whisky community," the Lark team said. 

Guests at the tasting facility can discover the full Lark collection, from signature expressions to rare venue exclusives, alongside guided tastings, masterclasses and a newly unveiled museum experience. 

The venue is open daily, 11am–7pm at 14 Davey Street in downtown Hobart. 

Here are some images I took on the night, including one of founder Bill Lark with former Four Pillars founder Gregor.  

See https://larkdistillery.com/

Family-friendly Vietnam tips from local experts

 

A record number of Australians are flocking to Vietnam to enjoy the culture, food and sunshine.

BestPrice Travel has revealed its choice of the best places for all ages to explore: from culture-rich cities and the vibrant culinary scene to beautiful beaches and idyllic islands

BestPrice Travel, a leading Vietnam-based tour specialist, has curated its top five Family-Friendly Destinations across the country. These are their selections.

Hanoi: Culture & Cuisine for Curious Families

With over 1,000 years of history, Vietnam’s capital city (top image) immerses guests in culture and heritage. From the vibrant markets and French colonial architecture of the Old Quarter to the scenic shores of West Lake, this is a city that inspires the senses. Family-friendly food tours introduce iconic local dishes such as pho (noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), and goi cuon (fresh spring rolls) at trusted venues to ensure peace-of-mind for parents, while local experiences such as water puppet shows and cyclo rides will delight curious explorers.

Ninh Binh: Nature, Heritage & Slow Travel

In the Red River Delta, just 1.5 hours from Hanoi, Ninh Binh offers a peaceful contrast to the city’s urban buzz. In this scenic region, families can cycle through a landscape of lush rice fields, valleys and mountains at Tam Coc-Bich Dong, known as “Ha Long Bay on land,” take scenic boat rides, and get back to nature in national parks and wetlands. Rich culture can be discovered in Hoa Lu, which served as Vietnam’s capital city in the 10th and 11th centuries.

Danang: Beaches, Theme Parks & Easy Access

On Vietnam’s sun-soaked central coast, Danang is one of its most family-friendly cities, thanks to its long beaches, exciting attractions and modern infrastructure. Parents and kids can spend endless days relaxing on the sandy shore, which is lapped by warm seas, or head into the Ba Na Hills - home to cable cars, a theme park, and the iconic Golden Bridge, which appears to be held aloft by a giant pair of hands. As the sun sets, the illuminated Han River is an enchanting place to take an evening stroll.

Phu Quoc: Island Escapes with World-Class Entertainment

Phu Quoc is a tropical island jewel that has become one of south-east Asia’s tope family destinations. Known as the “Pearl Island,” it offers a wealth of attractions and activities for Australian travellers, including beautiful beaches, thrilling water sports, and a 7.9km over-sea cable car - the world’s longest. 

Nha Trang: Resort Comfort for All Ages

A popular beach destination on Vietnam’s scenic south-central coast, Nha Trang is known for its calm seas, year-round climate and outstanding attractions for all ages. Family-oriented hotels such as Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh (above), provide international-standard accommodation, easy airport access, and child-friendly facilities, including a water park. Guests can discover the wonders of the ocean with island-hopping boat trips and snorkelling excursions, and families have plenty of opportunities to enjoy world-class cuisine, including fresh seafood.

# For Australian families, Vietnam is more accessible than ever. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Jetstar provide direct services departing Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth with connecting flights from other capital cities. BestPrice travel is offering Australian families a great deal with an early bird 10% discount on a selection of bookings made by April 30. View eligible tours here: https://www.bestpricetravel.com/en-au/vietnam-tours/family-holidays

For more info visit www.bestpricetravel.com