Welcome to The Detour, your weekly guide to standout food, memorable travel, hidden gems, insider tips and new experiences worth taking the scenic route for.
A country escape that lives up to the hype
Some destinations photograph beautifully but feel even more enchanting once you’re there. Ardour Milton Park Bowral is one of them.
As I drove through the gates of the newly renovated Southern Highlands estate, it felt as though I had stepped into the pages of a beloved childhood storybook.
A winding, tree-lined driveway leads through expansive gardens, past vine-clad walls and elegant arched windows. Even before reaching the historic property, there is an unmistakable feeling of calm.
Once inside, the outside world seems a million miles away — and that’s before you’ve even checked into your room.
The Ardour team had already impressed me with its remarkable transformation of Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains, so I arrived at Milton Park with high expectations. Thankfully, they have worked their magic again.
The first hotel in the Ardour Hotels & Estates collection, Ardour Milton Park Bowral is a heritage property that pairs old-world grandeur with contemporary luxury.
Some destinations are even more enchanting in person, including Ardour Milton Park Bowral in the Southern Highlands
Arriving through the gates of the newly renovated Southern Highlands estate felt like stepping into a childhood storybook
Surrounded by the rolling green hills of the Southern Highlands, the estate is framed by magnificent gardens, towering trees and charming historic buildings. It’s the kind of place where you can do very little and still feel that time has flown.
One of my favourite moments came while sitting in a small chair outside my room, looking across at the courtyard fountain, breathing in the crisp country air and reading a book.
The enormous willow trees, the gentle burble of running water and the property’s deep tranquillity were exactly what I needed.
If you’re lucky — as I was — you may even see a wombat grazing quietly on the grounds as the sun goes down.
The pool is another highlight. When it was built in 1910, it was Australia’s first heated and filtered swimming pool.
Naturally, a hotel this beautiful needs food to match, and Milton Park delivers.
Executive Chef Mark Holland leads the property’s dining venues, including the refined Horderns Restaurant and The Polo Bar.
The grilled Abrolhos Island scallops with puttanesca butter and lemon were superb, while Rita’s gnocco fritto with nduja, ricotta, sesame and hot honey was equally memorable.
The Southern Highlands estate is surrounded by rolling green hills, grand gardens, towering trees and historic architecture
Reading beside the courtyard fountain, with birdsong and crisp country air, was one of my favourite moments at Milton Park
The Hiramasa kingfish crudo with burnt honey was another standout, while the Riverina Black Angus sirloin, paired with a bright spring garden herb salsa, showcased the quality of the local produce.
I was also taken with the baked spicy rigatoni vodka pasta topped with stracciatella. But whatever you order, save space for dessert.
The Horderns Eton Mess was a triumph, combining honeycomb, lemon myrtle and strawberry meringue with white chocolate and vanilla mousse, then finishing with macerated strawberries.
The wellness sanctuary, meanwhile, feels like a world of its own.
Èliva is a serene retreat dedicated to taking relaxation up a notch, with an impressive combination of traditional treatments and contemporary wellness therapies.
Guests can blend their own oils at a bespoke bar before creating customised scrubs and masks. Treatment rooms offer everything from advanced facials to signature massages and light therapies, while other facilities include PEMF mats, vibro-acoustic lounges, infrared and traditional saunas, plus fitness sessions such as Pilates.
The grilled Abrolhos Island scallops, served with puttanesca butter and lemon, were a standout dish
The spread included steak frites, baked spicy rigatoni vodka pasta and pea and herb salad
At sunset, lucky guests may spot a wombat grazing peacefully across the estate
It is an escape within an escape.
I booked a massage during my stay, and it was easily one of the best I’ve experienced in years.
What makes Milton Park so special is the way it brings everything together: the romance of a historic estate, quietly luxurious rooms, excellent dining and the chance to properly disconnect without travelling far from home.
Only 90 minutes from Sydney and within easy reach of the Southern Highlands’ boutiques, restaurants and charming country towns, it also makes an excellent base for exploring the region.
This is a genuine gem — one I cannot recommend highly enough — and somewhere I will certainly visit again.
Èliva offers a calming mix of traditional treatments and modern wellness therapies
Willow trees, running water and complete tranquillity make Milton Park an ideal place to unwind
A bottomless brunch made for the group chat
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What would spring in Sydney be without a long lunch, sunshine and spectacular harbour views?
I’ve found a Sunday session that delivers on all three.
Set 26 floors above Sydney Harbour, CIRQ at Crown Sydney has quietly introduced a bottomless brunch that deserves to be on every local’s radar.
At $145 per person, it is undeniably an indulgence, but the inclusions make a strong case for its value.
The two-hour package includes bottomless Chandon, a welcome cocktail, a generous tiered charcuterie stand and a lavish Greek-inspired feast.
The centrepiece is a whole spit-roasted lamb, served with warm pita, creamy tzatziki, olive tapenade, a fresh Greek village salad and comforting lemon potatoes.
Throw in a live DJ, a lively atmosphere, brilliant sunshine and some of Sydney’s best views, and you have the recipe for an excellent Sunday afternoon.
CIRQ at Crown Sydney has launched a bottomless brunch 26 floors above Sydney Harbour
The whole spit-roasted lamb comes with warm pita, tzatziki, olive tapenade, Greek village salad and lemon potatoes
The $145 package is an indulgence, but the food, drinks and harbour setting make it feel like strong value
Want to make the occasion last longer? Turn it into a staycation.
Few hotels embrace indulgence quite like Crown Sydney. With beautiful rooms, impressive restaurants and countless ways to spoil yourself, extending the visit is an easy decision.
For dinner, make your way to the recently opened Golden Century, where its renowned hospitality and Cantonese menu have built a devoted following.
There is plenty to enjoy, but do not miss the new Fresh Fruit and Taro Ball Icy Dessert Pot with Coconut Cream. It is a refreshing and deliciously unusual way to end the meal.
The hotel’s latest drinks offerings include the Belvedere Dirty Brew Coffee experience, with coffee-inspired creations such as an affogato and espresso martini.
Whether it is a long-overdue catch-up, a special celebration or simply an excuse to play tourist for the night, the experience is a reminder of how much Sydney has to offer.
That sounds like a very good weekend to me.
Extend the Crown Sydney brunch experience with a stylish city staycation
Crown Sydney combines luxurious rooms, impressive dining and plenty of opportunities for indulgence
A Michelin-recommended restaurant worth the trip
by Cindy Tran
I marked my return to Adelaide with dinner at Africola, the South African-style restaurant owned by acclaimed chef Duncan Welgemoed.
Walk-ins are rarely possible, and diners are often turned away without a reservation. After landing at Adelaide Airport shortly after 8pm, I went online and, to my surprise, managed to book a table for two at 9pm.
My husband and I almost never eat that late, but with only one free night in South Australia, missing dinner at a Michelin-recognised restaurant would have been unthinkable.
We were welcomed by friendly staff, upbeat music and a room filled with happy diners. Africola was buzzing.
Regulars know to begin with the crispy chicken tea sandwich. Our waitress called it a must-try, which was all the encouragement we needed. The crustless white bread was filled with wafer-thin crispy chicken skin, peri peri mayonnaise and fresh parsley.
The first bite was remarkable, but the peri peri drippings made it even better. The soft, airy bread absorbed the sauce, creating an intensely savoury burst of flavour. It was the perfect introduction to the meal.
Every dish that arrived at the table brought its own moment of excitement.
The crispy chicken tea sandwich is a popular starting point at Africola, and the staff are right to call it a must-try
The food was exceptional, and we will be thinking about Africola until our next visit to Adelaide
Africola’s peri peri chicken comes with the famous Mpumalanga fire boom chakalaka sauce and braised cabbage
The wagyu sirloin with padrón peppers was the best steak we had eaten in a very long time
The wagyu sirloin with padrón peppers was easily the best steak we had enjoyed in a very long time. Our waitress warned us that the green peppers were a little like Russian roulette: one could be unexpectedly fiery, so caution was advised. Fortunately, both peppers we tried delivered a manageable and satisfying level of heat.
We also had to order the peri peri chicken with Africola’s famous Mpumalanga fire boom chakalaka sauce. The meat was wonderfully tender, while the braised cabbage on top added another layer of flavour and texture.
For the sides, the cos lettuce with shallots brought a welcome freshness to the rich meat dishes. We could have stopped there, but the salt-baked Dutch cream potatoes with labneh, pine nuts, za’atar and chives were impossible to resist.
We had, admittedly, ordered too much and ended up taking the potatoes home.
The meal was outstanding, and we will be thinking about Africola until we return to Adelaide. We left full and happy, already planning another trip to South Australia so we can do it all over again.