Welcome to The Detour: your weekly guide to memorable food and travel, from under-the-radar escapes and insider tips to standout flavours and new experiences worth taking the scenic route for.
A country escape that lives up to the hype
Some destinations are photogenic, while others become even more enchanting once you arrive. Ardour Milton Park Bowral belongs firmly in the second category.
Passing through the gates of the recently renovated Southern Highlands estate felt like stepping into one of my favourite childhood storybooks.
A tree-lined driveway winds through sweeping gardens, ivy-clad walls and elegant arched windows, creating an immediate sense of peace as the historic property comes into view.
By the time you reach the entrance, everyday life already seems wonderfully distant – and you haven’t even checked into your room yet.
The Ardour team had already impressed me with its transformation of Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains, so expectations were high. Happily, the group has performed that same magic at Milton Park.
The first property launched under the Ardour Hotels & Estates banner, Ardour Milton Park Bowral blends heritage grandeur with contemporary luxury in remarkably effortless fashion.
Ardour Milton Park Bowral is one of those rare places that looks beautiful in photographs but feels even more magical in person
The drive through the gates of the renovated Southern Highlands estate feels like entering a favourite childhood storybook
Surrounded by rolling Southern Highlands countryside, the estate is framed by grand gardens, towering trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings. It is the kind of place where doing very little can fill an entire day.
One of my favourite moments came while sitting in a charming chair outside my room, looking across at the courtyard fountain with a book, birdsong and crisp country air for company.
The willow trees, the soft trickle of water and the extraordinary stillness were exactly what I needed.
With a little luck, you may even see a wombat grazing peacefully across the grounds as the sun goes down.
The pool is another highlight. When it opened in 1910, it was reportedly Australia’s first heated and filtered swimming pool.
Naturally, an impressive hotel calls for equally impressive food, and Milton Park delivers on that front too.
Executive Chef Mark Holland leads the property’s dining venues, including the refined Horderns Restaurant and the relaxed Polo Bar.
The grilled Abrolhos Island scallops, paired with puttanesca butter and lemon, were outstanding, while Rita’s gnocco fritto with nduja, ricotta, sesame and hot honey was impossible to resist.
The Southern Highlands estate is surrounded by rolling green hills, magnificent gardens, towering trees and historic architecture
A quiet seat beside the courtyard fountain offered the perfect spot to read and enjoy the crisp country air
The Hiramasa kingfish crudo with burnt honey was another standout, while Riverina Black Angus sirloin, served with a bright spring herb salsa, showcased the best of the region’s fresh produce.
I was also won over by the baked spicy rigatoni vodka pasta with stracciatella, although saving space for dessert is essential.
Horderns’ Eton Mess was a triumph, bringing together honeycomb, lemon myrtle, strawberry meringue, white chocolate and vanilla mousse, with macerated strawberries to finish.
Then there is the wellness sanctuary, which feels like a destination in its own right.
Èliva is a serene retreat created for deep relaxation, combining traditional treatments with an impressive range of contemporary wellness therapies.
Guests can blend their own oils and create customised scrubs and masks, book treatments ranging from advanced facials to signature massages and light therapies, or try PEMF mats, vibro-acoustic lounges, infrared and traditional saunas, and fitness sessions such as Pilates.
Grilled Abrolhos Island scallops with puttanesca butter and lemon were one of the meal’s standout dishes
The spread included steak frites, baked spicy rigatoni vodka pasta and a fresh pea and herb salad
At sunset, lucky guests may spot a wombat grazing quietly across the estate’s grounds
It is an escape within an escape.
I booked a massage during my stay and can honestly say it was among the best treatments I’ve experienced in years.
What makes Milton Park so appealing is the way it brings everything together: the romance of a historic estate, quietly luxurious rooms, exceptional dining and the chance to properly disconnect without travelling far from home.
Only 90 minutes from Sydney and close to many of the Southern Highlands’ best boutiques, restaurants and country towns, it also makes an excellent base for exploring the region.
It is a genuine gem, one I would recommend without hesitation – and a place I will certainly visit again.
Èliva combines traditional treatments and modern wellness therapies in a dreamy setting designed for total relaxation
Willow trees, running water and complete tranquillity make Milton Park an ideal place to unwind
A bottomless brunch made for the group chat
What better way to welcome spring in Sydney than with a long lunch, generous drinks and a spectacular harbour panorama?
I have found a Sunday session that delivers on all three.
Located 26 floors above Sydney Harbour, CIRQ at Crown Sydney has 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 the price.
The two-hour package includes unlimited Chandon, a welcome cocktail, a generous tiered charcuterie stand and a lavish Greek-inspired feast.
The main event is a whole spit-roasted lamb served with warm pita, creamy tzatziki, olive tapenade, Greek village salad and hearty lemon potatoes.
Add a live DJ, sunny skies, a lively atmosphere and some of Sydney’s finest views, and the result is a very good reason to spend your Sunday afternoon out.
CIRQ at Crown Sydney’s new bottomless brunch sits 26 floors above Sydney Harbour
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 extensive food and drink inclusions make it feel like strong value
Want to extend the experience? Make a staycation of it.
Crown Sydney is particularly well suited to a little indulgence, with luxurious rooms, plenty of dining choices and countless ways to turn an ordinary weekend into a treat.
For dinner, try the recently opened Golden Century, where its famous hospitality is matched by an excellent Cantonese menu that has already attracted a loyal following.
There is plenty to explore, but save room for the new Fresh Fruit and Taro Ball Icy Dessert Pot with Coconut Cream – a refreshing and unusual way to end the meal.
The hotel’s latest drinks experiences are also worth investigating, including the Belvedere Dirty Brew Coffee menu, with coffee-inspired creations such as an affogato and espresso martini.
Whether it is a long-delayed catch-up, a celebration or simply an excuse to play tourist in your own city, the experience is a reminder of how much Sydney has to offer.
That sounds like a weekend well spent to me.
The brunch can easily become the centrepiece of a luxurious Crown Sydney staycation
With luxurious rooms, impressive restaurants and endless opportunities to indulge, Crown Sydney is an easy staycation choice
A Michelin-recognised restaurant worth travelling for
by Cindy Tran
To celebrate returning to Adelaide, I booked dinner at Africola, the acclaimed South African-inspired restaurant from chef Duncan Welgemoed.
Reservations are highly recommended, as walk-ins are rarely accepted. After landing at Adelaide Airport shortly after 8pm, I went online and, incredibly, found a table for two at 9pm.
My husband and I would not normally dine so late, but with just one free evening in South Australia, passing up a meal at a Michelin-recognised restaurant would have been a mistake.
The welcome was warm, the music was lively and the dining room was packed with happy guests. Africola was buzzing from the moment we arrived.
Regulars apparently begin with the crispy chicken tea sandwich, and when our waitress called it a must-try, we took her advice. The crustless white bread came filled with delicate crispy chicken skin, peri peri mayonnaise and fresh parsley.
The first bite was impressive, but the peri peri drippings made it unforgettable. The soft bread absorbed the sauce, delivering a concentrated burst of flavour that set the tone for the rest of the meal.
Every dish that followed had its own appeal.
The crispy chicken tea sandwich is considered an essential first order at Africola
The food was exceptional, and this is a restaurant we will be thinking about until our next Adelaide visit
Africola’s peri peri chicken comes with the famous Mpumalanga fire boom chakalaka sauce and braised cabbage
The wagyu sirloin with padrón peppers was easily the best steak we had enjoyed in a long time
The wagyu sirloin with padrón peppers was the clear standout and possibly the best steak we have eaten in years. Our waitress warned that the green peppers could be a little like Russian roulette, with some carrying serious heat. Fortunately, ours offered a perfectly manageable hit of spice.
We also ordered the peri peri chicken with Africola’s famous Mpumalanga fire boom chakalaka sauce. The meat was incredibly tender, while the braised cabbage on top added extra depth and texture.
A cos lettuce and shallot salad brought freshness to the richer dishes, but we could not resist adding the salt-baked Dutch cream potatoes with labneh, pine nuts, za’atar and chives.
We ordered far too much, of course, and ended up taking the potatoes away with us.
The meal was phenomenal, and I suspect we will be talking about Africola until we find ourselves back in Adelaide. We left full, delighted and already planning another South Australian trip so we can do it all over again.
