No Images? Click here WE UNCOVER THE BEST OF NSW THIS MONTHJUNE 2019 EDITIONEAT | OSTERIA COOGEE The Eastern Suburbs welcomed Italian eatery Osteria Coogee last month with the restaurant opening just a few steps away from the beach. It’s the first venture for chef Regan Porteous as restaurateur; he’s previously worked at Toko, Riley Street Garage and Tequila Mockingbird. General manager Carolina Angelucci and head chef Stegani Gagliardi – who are childhood friends and spent time growing up on the coast of Abruzzo, Italy – are leading the charge. For both of them, food has always been a central part of family gatherings and they wanted to share that warmth and passion. The menu makes use of the best Australian produce, with dishes such as butterflied spatchcock with caponata. The cocktails are playful interpretations of Italian regulars, perfect for aperitivo hour. Visit osteriacoogee.com STAY | JAMBEROO VALLEY FARM A gorgeous luxury cottage has opened on Jamberoo Valley Farm, a working permaculture farm on the South Coast, just two hours from Sydney. The beautifully appointed accommodation was created by Evette Moran Interiors, who also designed The Botanica Vaucluse, and has Scandinavian finishes and an outdoor entertaining area including a barbeque and Swedish hot tub. The cottage sits on a 65-acre property with stunning views. Guests can pick produce and herbs from the kitchen garden and collect fresh eggs, as well as help staff feed the animals in the morning. It’s a great base to explore the South Coast, whether its bushwalking in the Minnamurra rainforest, exploring the unspoilt beaches or picking up produce at the Kiama markets. It’s rare to find accommodation that has both uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour and is totally secluded. Steele Point Cottage is special – located in the Sydney Harbour National Park at Nielsen Park, Vaucluse, it has recently reopened after a renovation and is managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Built in the 1880s as a gunner’s barracks, it has maintained heritage features including timber flooring and original ceilings. Sleeping just two people, it’s the perfect romantic getaway, with a standalone bathtub and barbeque facilities. There are a number of tranquil swimming spots nearby along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, such as Shark and Milk Beach. Pipit Restaurant opened in the coastal town of Pottsville last month, in between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. Chef and owner Ben Devlin grew up in Byron Bay and knew he wanted to open his first restaurant in the area. His menu is a celebration of the Northern Rivers’ relaxed lifestyle, local produce and cooking over wood and charcoal. The menu changes frequently, with four- or seven-course tasting menus available, with a focus on vegetables. On the drinks front, wines come from wineries located within 150 kms of a coastline, where mineral content of soils help these varieties pair with the food. The mottled charcoal dishware comes from Made of Australia Ceramic Art and the space has plenty of natural light. Visit pipitrestaurant.com One of the best times to visit the Central West is during the cooler months, to enjoy the crisp days, cosy pubs and excellent cool climate shiraz. Silver Compass Tours offer a two-night, three-day tour to Orange in August, which is just three and half hours from Sydney. The tour immerses you in the region for the Orange Winter Fire Festival, and includes festival events, cellar door visits, boutique wine tastings, local dining experiences, historic village tours and an option for a balloon flight. Silver Compass Tours also offer bespoke one and two-night tours on request; you’ll discover the secrets of the region and be welcomed like a local. Visit silvercompasstours.com.au If you’ve been thinking you’re due for a visit to the lush Hunter Valley, you’ll be pleased to learn the award-winning Glandore Estates Wine has recently reopened after a $1 million refurbishment, with elegant indoor and outdoor tasting areas. Whether it’s outside with a cheeseboard enjoying the views of the Brokeback Mountain Range or around the fire inside eating Adora handmade chocolates, it’s an ideal way to spend an afternoon. Artworks have been created by local artisans specifically for the site. Future events will include small winemaker dinners and the venue can be booked out for 200 people for a cocktail party. Visit glandorewines.com A new venue has opened in Alexandria that’s part coworking space, part business hotel. Located 10 minutes from Sydney Airport and 15 minutes from the CBD, Kafnu Alexandria offers both a Deluxe King Room and Deluxe Queen Room for business travellers. Both come with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV with free in-house movies, fridge and ensuite. As a guest of the hotel, you have access to the coworking space, which has plenty of nooks for you to work, media production studios and meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology. Visit kafnu.com/alexandria/sleep Lightning Ridge is opal country. A great way to discover this region in Outback NSW is through a tour, such as the Hidden Gem evening tour by Outback Opal Tours. You’ll be picked up from your accommodation and driven to an off-grid art camp, where you’ll get a guided tour and enjoy camp-oven food around a fire. The stars are incredible in this part of the State, so make sure you look up! Award-winning duo Mel and Susie are your hosts and will entertain you in their bush theatre. The night will end with billy tea, dessert and more stories around the fire. Visit outbackopaltours.com.au FEATURED STORIESVIVID Ideas: What Not To Miss This MonthThere’s plenty of fascinating talks that will challenge your thinking and Lighthouses to Stay In Across NSWIn New South Wales, lighthouses dot the coastline and many offer heritage accommodation in adjacent keepers’ quarters for a getaway sure to be popular with history buffs, whale spotters and family holidaymakers alike. JUNE 2019 EVENT GUIDESPOTLIGHT ON: WOMEN'S STATE OF ORIGIN21 June, North Sydney Oval It’s one of the most exciting events on the rugby league calendar – the second ever Holden Women’s State of Origin will be held at North Sydney Oval this month. The question on everyone’s mind – will the NSW team once again achieve victory over the Queensland Maroons? A number of emerging players will join the team this year alongside the star players. The night will feature a double-header with the next generation, the under-18s, playing a match before the main game. The atmosphere was fantastic last year and will be even more exciting this year as the pressure builds. "The skill and fitness level of the players has gone to another level and as a result the style of play is continuing to improve," says New South Wales Women's Origin coach, Andrew Patmore. SYDNEY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 5 – 16 June | Sydney Film Festival 9 June | Multicultural Eid Festival Until 10 June | STAR WARS™ Identities showcases 200 original objects used in the making of the blockbuster Star Wars movies. Visitors can discover the force that shapes them by creating their own bespoke Star Wars character as they journey through the exhibition. Visit starwarsidentities.com Until 15 June | Vivid Sydney 21 June – 23 June | Good Food and 22 June | Pacific Test Until 7 July | Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Until 21 July | The National: New Australian Art 2019 2 – 17 August | Mamma Mia! Until 8 September | Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2019 REGIONAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Until 3 June | Wintersun 2.0 Until 10 June | SeeChange Jervis 8 – 9 June | Harvest Festival 7 – 10 June | Perisher Peak Festival Celebrate the opening weekend of the snow season at the Perisher Peak Festival, which will feature over 120 concerts across several venues in the unique environment of the Perisher snowfields. The 2019 line-up includes such stellar acts as Aussie blues artist Ash Grunwald and singer and guitar virtuoso Daniel
Champagne. 22 June | Lost Lanes 22 June | Lismore Lantern Parade 23 June | Lismore Friendship Festival 1 – 30 June | Pie Time 1 – 30 June | Hunter Valley Food + Wine Month |