No Images? Click here WE UNCOVER THE BEST OF NSW THIS MONTHMAY 2019 EDITIONSTAY | WATSONS BAY BOUTIQUE HOTEL One of the prettiest spots to stay in Sydney is Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel with first-rate Harbour views. Now the weekend destination is just as gorgeous inside as out, after interior design ace Sibella Court transformed the 31 rooms into seaside cool. The vibe is retro beach house — think nostalgic vintage finds, artful greenery, Danish armless lounge chairs, textural cushions and framed sailing memorabilia. The Watsons Bay Loft is pitched at families with a twin room upstairs, while the Harbour King Room for two has a picture-perfect panorama of the Harbour. Stroll along the foreshore, linger over lunch in the Beach Club, then sleep in style. Visit watsonsbayhotel.com.au Image caption: Chris Court EAT | 6HEAD CAMPBELL'S STORES One of the first restaurant openings in the highly anticipated revamp of Campbell’s Stores, The Rocks is premium steakhouse 6Head with extraordinary Harbour views, opening May 17. Housed inside the heritage 1839 sandstone building with a contemporary colonial interior, 6Head’s name is derived from the six head of black Cape cattle brought to Sydney by the First Fleet on the HMS Sirius. In the kitchen is Sean Hall with a colourful culinary background spanning cattle farming to classic French training and a stint with Jamie Oliver Group. The curated wine list complements a menu of flavoursome steak cuts along with lobster tail and seasonal vegetable dishes. The entire Campbell’s Stores precinct is set to open in Spring. Visit 6head.com.au Formerly the Australian Youth Hotel, this heritage-listed bar and dining room has been renovated over the last seven months. The redesign retains the charm of the Victorian Terrace, with exposed brick walls, industrial lighting and colonial touches. There’s a traditional downstairs pub, a sunny courtyard where dogs are welcome, a baroque-style upstairs function area with chandeliers, as well as a light-filled dining room, The Stables Bar and Grill, boasting a jacaranda mural by artist Indigo Jo, sure to become an Insta favourite. The menu is full of comforting classics such as slow-cooked pork shoulder ragu, Cloudy Bay clams and ale-battered fish finger burger. For an alpine adventure, Wagga Air Centre offers a helicopter tour from Wagga Wagga into Jindabyne for a day of schnapps and gin, Austrian-inspired food and contemporary art. Enjoy a privately chartered flight taking in a bird’s eye view of the Snowy Mountains and visit Wildbrumby Distillery for a tasting tour and two-course lunch. Wildbrumby Distillery is an award-winning distillery producing authentic Schnapps made from locally grown fruits and aromatic gin infused with Australian botanicals. The distillery has traditional brass equipment and the family-owned venue sits amongst an orchard, working raspberry farm and modern sculpture garden. Visit waggaaircentre.com.au Step back in time at the Tattersalls Hotel Armidale, an art deco inn with a rich history that’s had a thoughtful renovation. Established in 1854 alongside the gold-yielding Rocky River, it was remodelled art deco style in 1937 by Harold J Robinson who added 29 bedrooms, a tallow wood dancefloor and pressed-metal ceilings. Back then, Tattersalls was touted as ‘the best hotel from a business point of view outside of Sydney’ before it fell into disrepair. Under the current owners, the ‘Tatt’ shines once again. The rooms have vintage detailing and luxe furniture and dining options range from woodfired pizzas in the beer garden to elegant fare in the dining room where French chef Jean-Luc Morcellet serves delights such as house-smoked trout or black mussels in white wine. Afterwards, unwind in the whisky and cigar
bar. During May and June, the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival has an expansive program of food and wine experiences celebrating the produce of this famed wine region. This year there are 17 new events including long lunches and wine master classes. Take part in the new Smokey Sundays at Matilda Bay Brewhouse feasting on slow-cooked Texan barbecue; compare current and museum release wines at the Then and Now Tasting Experience at Pepper Tree Wines; or head back to school at Scarborough Sensory Schooling and put your ‘nose’ to the test. There’s also festival favourites such as the 100-metre meal at Margan and the highly-anticipated tenth annual Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight on 17 June when leading Hunter Valley chefs challenge top Sydney chefs. SPOTLIGHT ON: VIVID SYDNEY 2019Vivid Sydney, the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, will ignite the Harbour City this Winter from 24 May to 15 June 2019 as it enters a new decade of innovation and creativity with a bold and exciting program of events. Vivid Sydney, now in its eleventh year, will bring together light artists, music makers and brilliant minds to showcase Sydney as the creative industries hub of the Asia-Pacific. Vivid School Vivid Light Vivid Ideas For full program information, visit vividsydney.com FEATURED STORIESWHALE WATCHING in NSWThe Humpback Highway runs right alongside the New South Wales coast every year between May and November. Here's where to spot whales ... SYDNEY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 29 March – 21 July | The National: New Australian Art 2019 11 May – 8 September | Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2019 12-17 May | Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) 17-18 May | Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Weekend Edition 23-25 May | Semi Permanent 24 May – 15 June | Vivid Sydney 2019 Until 10 June | STAR WARS™ Identities Until June 23 | Charlie and The Chocolate Factory REGIONAL 12 April – 12 May | Sculpture at Scenic World 2019 4 May | Trundle Abba Festival 3-4 May | Narooma Oyster Festival 4 May | NRL Regional Match Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers 5 May | A Day in the Orchard 10-11 May | LithGlow 11 May | Moree on a Plate 17-27 May | River of Art 17-19 May | Ciderfest 18-28 May | Casino Beef Week 19 May | NRL Regional Match St George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights 19-24 May | Australian Senior League Baseball Championship 23-26 May | Port to Port 29 May – 9 June | NCHA Cutting Futurity |