8.0

Austin Healey

Austin-Healey was a British sports car maker established through a joint-venture between Austin—a division of the British Motor Corporation—and the Donald Healey Motor Company in 1952. The Austin-Healey 100-6 was the second of the three Austin-Healey models later known as the Big Healeys. Introduced in 1956,…

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8.2

Tramsheds, Harold Park

On the former site of the Harold Park Raceway, Tramsheds is billing itself as a ‘community of good food and learning’. Developers Mirvac have built an enormous number of residential apartments on the site, however,…

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8.0

Osaka Trading Co, Tramsheds

Osaka Trading Co. is a new Japanese restaurant from the team behind Tokyo Bird in Surry Hills. Located in the foodie mecca that is Tramsheds Harold Park, Osaka Trading Co. serves sophisticated Japanese cuisine alongside…

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8.0

Boathouse Daylesford

The Boathouse, situated on picturesque Lake Daylesford, was completely rebuilt following a devastating fire in 2012. Originally managed by the team behind The Argus, it was taken over in mid-2016 by the previous owners of The Farmers Arms. New management…

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8.0

Grampains National Park, Victoria

The Grampians Mountain Range comprise a series of five spectacular sandstone ridges running north-to-south in Regional Victoria. Rising abruptly from the surrounding Western Plains, the area offers a network of walking tracks allowing you to explore cascading…

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Summer in regional Victoria

These images were taken along the road from Ballarat to Mt Abrupt in the southern Grampian mountain range. This year saw bumper crops in regional Victoria due to the additional rain late in the season. It…

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7.6

Farmers Arms, Daylesford

The Farmers Arms serves sophisticated country fare in a relaxed pub setting. On the same site since 1857, it is the oldest pub in Daylesford and was built before the town’s Post Office (1858), Telegraph Office (1859) and the Railway…

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8.5

The Real McCoy’s, Japan

One of the joys of visiting a true megacity is the depth of its niches. In Japan, practically every interest is explored and this means stores selling the highest quality denim, leather, lacquer and ceramics. A favourite of mine is The…

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8.8

Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania

The Walls of Jerusalem National Park, part of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area, retains much of its character due to its relative inaccessibility and remoteness. There are no facilities for casual visitors which means bushwalkers need…

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8.6

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Cradle Mountain, in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, rises 1,545 metres (5,069 ft) above sea level and is one of the principal tourist attractions in Tasmania. It is composed of dolerite columns with a distinctive ‘cradle’ shape giving it its name….

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8.3

Quitting coffee

Regular readers of The Better Living Index will be aware of my ongoing passion for great coffee. Over the past seven years, we have written about the best of Sydney’s highly competitive coffee scene and made a point…

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Bistrot Gavroche, Chippendale

Bistrot Gavroche is a Parisian style brasserie in Sydney’s Chippendale precinct. Housed in a beautiful old rum warehouse, Bistrot Gavroche has created a traditional French bistro atmosphere with its imposing oakwood entrance, brass-railed banquette seating,…

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8.2

Italian & Sons, Canberra

Italian & Sons is one of a number Canberra dining venues that impresses both visitors and locals alike. Highly praised by food critics for its take on the traditional trattoria, Italian & Sons sense of hospitality…

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Deus Surf Swap, Bondi Beach

The Deus Surf Swap was on again this weekend at Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion. Celebrating music, good food and a love for the provenance of old surfboards, this year’s event focused on the humble twin fin….

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8.0

TSS Earnslaw, Queenstown

The TSS Earnslaw is a vintage paddle steamer that has been operating on Lake Wakatipu in the mountain town of Queenstown, New Zealand since 1912. The twin-screw steamer was built in Dunedin, dismantled and then transported…

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8.3

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound, on New Zealand’s south island, is one of the most beautiful—and wettest—areas in the world. Seals, dolphins, waterfalls and a spectacular vista amply reward you for the four hour drive from Queenstown which passes through…

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7.7

Three days in London

It’s interesting being back in London after a prolonged absence. First impression; the food is certainly better with our taste buds the beneficiaries of free European migration. Beginning at Heathrow, it was clear just how much the food…

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9.0

The sights of Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour offers so many visual delights. When time permits, I enjoy long walks around the foreshore taking in the sights of Woolloomooloo naval yard and the Royal Botanic Gardens before rounding the bend to see…

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