Where to drink and dine in Northern Territory

For a restaurant with a difference try Overlander Steakhouse in Alice Springs. Enjoy their large selection of steaks including buffalo, kangaroo, crocodile or camel.

Cullen Bay Marina in Darwin offers alfresco harbourside dining from breakfast till late. There are many different cuisines to choose from. 

The Sounds of Silence is a unique dining experience located at Ayers Rock. Enjoy an award winning dinner in the middle of the dessert while enjoying the sunset over Uluru.

Sound of Starlight Theatre in the heart of Alice Springs. Sit back and enjoy spellbinding music and a visual journey of the Australian Outback. Open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Nights.

Enjoy the best cocktail in town at The Cavenagh in Darwin. This swanky lounge with an outdoor bar is the perfect place to relax, nibble and sip some drinks.

Lasseters Hotel Casino is the centre of entertainment in Alice Springs with an international standard casino, four restaurants, two bars and a sports lounge. Another casino is Skycity in Darwin offering many entertainment options too. 

To book your Northern Territory holiday visit http://www.sunloverholidays.com.au/ or call 13 88 33. 

Hamilton Island - Events in 2012

Hamilton Island will be hosting the Great Barrier Feast from 6 - 8 July 2012. This weekend will showcase the best of Australian haute cuisine with the chance to get up close and personal with the leading culinary and wine making experts. Guillaume Brahimi will swap his Sydney Opera House Kitchen for one with island views, when he joins the Great Barrier Feast event.

If you are not fussed about food, then check out the Gatorade Battle of the Paddles from 14 - 18 June 2012. The annual event offers competitions in four disciplines - Surf Ski, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Board Paddling and of course Outrigging.

Athletes will return to the island between 9 - 11 November for the Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon and Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim. Consisting of a pictureque 750 metre swin in Catseye Bay, 20km cicle and 5km run through the Hamilton Island Marina Village the event has attracted some of the best Australian Olympic and Ironman athletes. 

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week occurs from 17 - 25 August this year, bringing one of the most superb sailing regattas in the world to the Whitsundays. The event mixes awe-inspiring sailing and glamourous on shore dinners and parties with over a thousand competitiors gathering on the island.

The magical Pas de Deux in Paradise by The Australian Ballet will return to qualia again this year for a weekend of remarkable performance, behind the scenes access and fine dining. To join this incredible event book your accommodation package with qualia for the 16 - 18 November 2012. 

To book your Hamilton Island getaway click here.  

Adelaide - 5 Hot Tips

David Reyne shares with us his hot tips when travelling to Adelaide. 

 

Shop for one-off pieces at... 

Balhannah by Design in the Adelaide Hills and in the quaint town of Angaston in the Barossa. 

A great Adelaide bar for evening drinks?

Head to Sangria on Gouger Street - try the delicious pintxos (tapas) too!

For a caffeine fix you can't go past.. 

CIBO. Look for red umbrellas on many Adelaide street corners. 

Wanting to relax in style?

Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon with a picnic hamper of delicious cheese and gourmet goods from Udder Delights in Hahndorf. 

For a delicious treat in the Adelaide Hills.. 

Try a 'wine flight' at Shaw and Smith Winery - sample four wines and a cheese plate. 

Tasmania's Top 5 Cafes and Restaurants

1. Launceston is home to the award wining restaurants of Stillwater, one of Tasmania’s most talked of and rewarded restaurants. Stillwater features modern Australian cuisine in a beautifully restored 1830’s flour mill beside the picturesque Tamar River in Launceston. For more information visit their website here. 

2. Recently nominated in the top 100 restaurants in Australia by Gourmet Traveller is the fashionable Garagistes wine bar and restaurant, in Hobart. Garagistes regularly change their menu as they source their produce from many local growers, fisheries and farmers to accompany internationally sourced wines from small artisan growers. For more information visit their website here. 

3. For a more simplistic meal indulge in Fish Frenzy on the Hobart and Burnie Waterfront’s for fabulous fresh seafood and chips. For more information visit their website here. 

4. For some of the best pizza in Australia visit the Italian Pizza House on George Street. This small, family owned café and take away store was created by two Italian immigrants and offers fantastic Tasmanian ingredients plus home made gelati.

5. Dine at the Gorge Restaurant in Launceston and you will enjoy fantastic surrounds. In the colour months the restaurant sets up a log fire for a wonderful atmosphere and summer sees the diners spill outdoors across the deck. This restaurant is extremely popular for romantic rendezvous and is regarded as a top wedding venue.