Very ‘Now’ – Port Douglas
X-FACTOR: Old-fashioned tropical charm on the edge of Eden.
STAY: Villa San Michele (tel: 1800 994 088; www.villasanmichele.com.au). Mediterranean-style hotel apartments built around lush gardens and pools.
EAT: Zinc (tel: 07 4099 6260 www.zincportdouglas.com) is the new hip restaurant in town. Nautilus (tel: 07 4099 5330; www.nautilusrestaurant.com.au), an old favourite that serves fine food under the stars in a palm grove.
DON’T MISS: (see Palm Cove below).
VISIT: www.pddt.com.au
New Kid – Palm Cove, Queensland
X-FACTOR: Exclusive club for pleasure seekers.
STAY: Angsana Resort and Spa (tel: 07 4055 3000; www.angsana.com). Novotel (tel: 07 4059 1234; www.novotel-pcr.com.au)
EAT: Nu Nu (tel: 07 4059 1880; www.nunu. com.au), cutting-edge modern Australian cuisine; Spice Market (tel: 07 4059 1234).
DON’T MISS: Skyrail (www.palmcove.net) cable car ride over the rainforest canopy to Kuranda in the Atherton Tablelands.
VISIT: www.palmcove.net
Broome, Western Australia
X-FACTOR: Life’s little luxuries on the edge of the desert.
STAY: McAlpine House (tel: 08 9192 3886; www.mcalpinehouse.com). An 1890s old pearling master’s house converted into a stylish B&B.
EAT: The Old Zoo Café (tel: 08 9193 6200) – some of the best food in town.
DON’T MISS: Scenic flights into the West Kimberley (tel: 08 9193 7155; www.kingleopoldair.com.au). A cruise around the Kimberley coast (tel: 08 9193 6131; www.kimberleyquest.com).
New kid – Esperance, Western Australia
X-FACTOR: Startling natural beauty at the “end of the earth”.
STAY: Esperance Seaside Apartments (tel: 08 9072 0044). Designer apartments with balconies overlooking the bay.
EAT: Bonapartes (tel: 08 9071 7727). Best seafood in town, plus sea views.
DON’T MISS: Day boat trips to Woody Island with Mackenzies Island Cruises (www.woodyisland.com.au). Eco-tour to Cape Le Grand (www.kepakurl.com.au).
Byron Bay, New South Wales
X-FACTOR: Everyone knows that anything goes.
STAY: Victoria’s at Wategos (tel: 02 6685 5388; www.victorias.net.au), Tuscan-style beachside villa with fabulous breakfasts. The Byron at Byron (tel: 1300 554 362; www.byronatbyron.com.au), is a stylish resort in a magnificent rainforest.
EAT: Rae’s at Wategos (tel: 02 6685 5366; www.raes.com.au), a beachfront terrace serving fine Australian food with Asian twists. Dish (tel: 02 6685 7320) – don’t miss the superb, innovative cuisine in Spanish villa-style surrounds.
DON’T MISS: The heritage town of Bangalow in the hills behind Byron; whale-watching on Cape Byron.
VISIT: www.byron-bay.com
New kid – Angourie
X-FACTOR: Blissful solitude at the end of the road.
STAY: Angourie Rainforest Resort (tel: 02 6646 8600; www.angourieresort.com.au)
EAT: Frangipan restaurant (tel: 02 6646 2553), offers modern Australian fine dining.
DON’T MISS: A walk on Back Beach, a swim in the Blue Pool and meal at Frangipan.
VISIT: www.tropicalnsw.com.au
Noosa, Queensland
X-FACTOR: Chic cosmopolitan village on Laguna Bay.
STAY: Netanya (tel: 1800 072 072; www.netanyanoosa.com.au). Stylish serviced beachside apartments on Hastings Street.
EAT: Sails (tel: 07 5447 4235). Watch the waves break and tuck into an award-winning modern Australian menu. Berardo’s on the Beach (tel: 07 5448 0868). Great for breakfast after an early morning swim. Gusto (tel: 07 5449 7144). Popular riverside venue at Noosaville.
DON’T MISS: Boat and 4WD tour of the Everglades and Great Sandy National Park (tel: 1800 657 666; www.beyondnoosa.com.au).
VISIT:www.tourismnoosa.com.au
New kid – the town of 1770, Queensland
X-FACTOR: A faraway bay for Robinson Crusoes in search of the good life.
STAY: The Beachshacks (tel: 07 4974 9463; www.1770beachshacks.com). Elegant, spacious Balinese-style apartments overlooking Bustard Bay.
EAT: The Deck restaurant and bar (tel: 07 4974 9157; www.1770holidayvillage.com). Fresh seafood and delicious desserts from a talented Belgian chef. Saltwater Café has the best seafood salads and irresistible thin-crust seafood pizzas on the 1770 beach.
DON’T MISS: Snorkelling and diving on Fitzroy Reef with Fitzroy Reef Jet (tel: 1800 177 011; www.1770holidays.com). Fishing, forest and creek tours with Hooked on 1770 (tel: 07 4974 9794; www.1770tours.com).
VISIT: www.1770getaway.com.au
