EAT | 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. 
Visit jamberoovalleyfarm.com.au

STAY | STEELE POINT COTTAGE

EAT | PIPIT RESTAURANT

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.
Visit nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/steele-point-cottage  

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

TOUR | WINTER FIRE FESTIVAL

DRINK | GLANDORE ESTATE WINES

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

STAY | KAFNU

TOUR | A HIDDEN GEM

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

SYDNEY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

5 – 16 June | Sydney Film Festival
This year’s program includes highlights such as the world premiere of Australian film Palm Beach, Pedro Almodovar’s film Pain and Glory, a documentary on the significance of The Little Prince and Jim Jarmusch’s zombie film The Dead Don’t Die. Visit sff.org.au

9 June | Multicultural Eid Festival
and Fair
Head to Prairiewood for a huge Eid celebration, now in its 36th year. The fair will have cultural performances, free entertainment, rides and over 150 stalls. It’s a celebration of Australian multiculturalism and welcomes Muslims and people of other faiths and cultures to attend. Visit meff.com.au

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
Sydney is alive with the light, energy and sound of Vivid Sydney. Explore one of the Vivid Light precincts, engage your mind with a free talk at Chatswood for Vivid Ideas or see an emerging Australian band for Vivid Music. Take the kids to play with Goo! in The Rocks or for a glow-in-the-dark dessert at Blacklight, the illuminated dessert lab in Darling Square. Visit vividsydney.com

21 June – 23 June | Good Food and
Wine Show
Spend the weekend sampling food and wine from a wide range of international and local exhibitors. Enjoy wine matching masterclasses, cooking demonstrations from Matt Moran and Maggie Beer and tastings of Australian spirits. Visit goodfoodshow.com.au

22 June | Pacific Test
The 2019 Ox & Palm Pacific Test Invitational will feature the inaugural women’s match between Papua New Guinea and Fiji and two men’s matches (Fiji vs. Lebanon and Samoa vs. Papua New Guinea), held at Leichhardt Oval. Visit premier.ticketek.com.au

Until 7 July | Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl’s enduring tale of little boy Charlie Bucket touring the fantastical world of candy maker Willy Wonka is on now in a musical extravaganza at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. Visit charliethemusical.com.au

Until 21 July | The National: New Australian Art 2019
The National presents the latest in contemporary Australian art across three of Sydney’s top cultural institutions, the Art Gallery of NSW, Carriageworks and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. 65 Australian artists from emerging to established will be showcasing works. Visit the-national.com.au

2 – 17 August | Mamma Mia!  
The global musical spectacular Mamma Mia! will come to Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre this August. Featuring the hits of ABBA, the musical tells a heartwarming story of a woman trying to find her father. Tickets are on sale now. Visit riversideparramatta.com.au

Until 8 September | Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2019
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes is one of Australia’s most prestigious art awards held at the Art Gallery of NSW. Prizes are awarded to the best portrait painting; the best landscape or figure sculpture; and the best subject, genre or mural. See the winner Tony Costa’s portrait of artist Lindy Lee. Visit artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes

REGIONAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Until 3 June | Wintersun 2.0
Head to Murwillumbah in Tweed Valley for a family-friendly event of vintage cars, caravans and rockabilly bands. There’ll be carnival rides, local food and a retro couture market. Camp onsite or stay in the town, which is an easy stroll from the festival site. Visit facebook.com/pg/wintersun2       

Until 10 June | SeeChange Jervis
Bay Arts Festival
The SeeChange Festival is a celebration of the artists, performers, poets, musicians and chefs who live in the Shoalhaven Region. Kicking off with a magnificent outdoor feast on 1 June, new to this year’s event is The Haven, the physical hub that will host a major visual arts and small sculpture prize and exhibition, makers’ market and experimental work by local performance artists. Visit facebook.com/SeeChangeArtsFestival

8 – 9 June | Harvest Festival
The Central Coast is rich with produce and the June long weekend is the best time to explore the region. Follow the event trail and attend workshops, shop at growers markets, visit farms and dine at the Glenworth Grazing Food and Wine Festival. Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

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.
Visit peakfestival.com.au

22 June | Lost Lanes
Wagga Wagga’s mini Winter festival is a night of beats, street food and art in a laneway. There’ll be live performances and a new mural to check out for this year’s festival. Try the Imperial Espresso Stout from local brewers Thirsty Crow and book a spot in the VIP pop-restaurant. Visit visitwagga.com/lostlanes

22 June | Lismore Lantern Parade
2019 will mark 25 years of the Lismore Lantern Parade, with the theme ‘rivers of light’ ­– the community invites everyone who has participated since 1994 to join in the celebrations. Held on the Winter solstice, a grand parade of lanterns and masks with carnival dances and parades will light up the night. Enjoy fire art, music, theatre and regional cuisine at this fantastic family event. Visit lismorelanternparade.com.au

23 June | Lismore Friendship Festival
The festival is a celebration of Lismore’s Italian community and its relationship with sister city Conegliano in Italy. At Piazza in the Park, sample cheese, salami and olives from the region as well as your favourite Italian snacks – pizza, gelato, arancini and more. There’ll be music, performances, language lessons and more. Visit lismorefriendshipfestival.com.au

1 – 30 June | Pie Time
The Southern Highlands will be celebrating the iconic Aussie pie this month, with hundreds of events, activities and festivals. New this year is a star-gazing, pinot and pies event at Cuttaway Hill Wines, a zipline and pie option at Fly Tree Top Adventures and a special pie-themed train trip from Sydney to Robertson and Moss Vale return. Visit pietime.com.au

1 – 30 June | Hunter Valley Food + Wine Month
The Hunter Valley showcases its famous wines and fresh produce with a series of gourmet dinners, hands-on cooking classes, wine masterclasses and more. Book a relaxing weekend away in lush wine country, enjoy signature ticketed events and explore the stunning region. Visit winecountry.com.au/events/wine-and-food-festival