Kiwi Bunny has chocolate treats for Easter

Are you a chocolate lover who will be in Sydney over the Easter Weekend?

You might fancy a high tea for sweet tooths at Armorica - a collaboration with New Zealand's iconic Whittaker's chocolates.

Over just three days, Armorica will serve ITS limited-time high tea experience with a special menu that is a blend of savoury and sweet treats.

Savoury delights like Wagyu pastrami with horseradish mayonnaise, Oscietra caviar with buttered leeks, and chicken liver parfait, will be followed by an all-Whittaker’s dessert selection, featuring Hazella scones, Creamy Caramel tarts, Dark Ghana and hazelnut cake, and more.

The menu can be paired with a Whittaker-inspired cocktail, a glass of sparkling, or a refreshing mocktail. Up to you.

The bad news: indulgence does not come cheap. High tea costs $99pp with a choice of one drink or $85pp without a drink.

Available from Good Friday to Easter Sunday from noon-3pm.

All white on the night as New Zealand wines are celebrated

New Zealand makes some iconic wines, including Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and rich Central Otago Pinot Noir.

The Kiwis want Australians to re-visit New Zealand flavours with a Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand marketing campaign landing in May.

The focus will be a celebrationof  the country’s finest white wine.

The promo will link with With International Sauvignon Blanc Day on May 2, International Pinot Gris Day on May 17 and International Chardonnay Day on May 22.

 

New Zealand Wine is the group calling on Australian wine lovers to celebrate their neighbours across the ditch.

New Zealand produces world-class white wine varietals from regions including Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Gisborne and North Canterbury. 

White wine makes up a remarkable 93% of New Zealand’s global exports,

Sauvignon Blanc, not surprisingly, represents 86% of NZ’s exports.

A new look for a long-time Fijian favourite

Plantation Island Resort has long been a favoured destination for visitors to Fiji, and work is now underway to upgrade its facilities.

A "central facilities development" will begin this month and conclude by late 2026.

The work will introduce a range of new dining, wellness, and leisure experiences.

“The upcoming central facilities addition is a testament to our commitment to continually enhance the Plantation Island Resort experience,” said Lee Pearce, CEO of Raffe Hotels & Resorts.

“This development strikes the perfect balance between modern amenities and the authentic Fijian spirit that our guests cherish, making it a destination where every moment feels special.”

GM Rodney Samuels says: “With these upgrades, we’re ensuring that guests continue to experience world-class hospitality in a setting that reflects our rich cultural heritage and evolving needs.

“For many travellers, Plantation Island Resort is like a second home. So, with that in mind, each enhancement is designed with care to reflect the vibrant cultural heritage of Fiji, in a truly authentic setting, that we hope will appeal to both new visitors and the many generations of return guests we look forward to hosting each year."

Additions will include

• A new dining venue, Baravi Mediterranean Kitchen that will showcase Mediterranean flavours with a focus on an Italian woodfired pizza oven.

• Replacement of Brigham Bar with the beachfront bar re-created in a new location with enhanced offerings.

• A new buffet restaurant – The Copra Restaurant will be revamped.

• Expanded wellness facilities – Set to open this month, Senibua Spa will feature six treatment rooms offering a range of services designed by Debra Sandrau of Senikai Spas.

• New accommodation options with the resort adding six new beachfront bures and three new two-bedroom garden bures.

• A new pool will be lagoon style with a toddler’s pool and waterslide.

The resort’s dining options have also expanded with the opening of a la carte Tavola Restaurant & Bar and Bowl, a poke concept salad bar.

For more info see https://www.plantationisland.com/

Raffe Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned business that has been operating in Fiji for more than 50 years.

Top chef signs up for new Tasmanian cellar door eatery

One of Tasmania's newest cellar doors has pulled of a coup by signing one of the island state's star chefs.

Caledon Estate this week announced that chef Paul Foreman will be joining the team at its recently opened Richmond cellar door from Saturday, April 26.

Foreman will be in the kitchen Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays producing a menu of share plates that will be designed to match the Caledon wines.

Foreman, formerly of Gondwana, Marque IV, and Kalis Group Hotels, brings a wealth of local knowledge and experience to the kitchen and has built relationships with Tasmanian producers and growers.

Daytime dining will be the initial focus at the cellar door with the possibility of dinner service in the future. The Caledon cellar door is also currently taking bookings for weddings and other events.

Those visiting the Coal River Valley and the Caledon cellar door will enjoy an architecturally designed building that showcases sandstone from the property.

The large windows give all seats an extensive view from kunanyi/Mt Wellington over the Coal River Valley. The building features an open fire, ensuring comfort whatever the Tasmanian winter weather brings.

I've tried a couple of the wines - and they are impressive. 

For more information and bookings, visitors can call the vineyard on 0490 498 776 with an online booking system coming soon.

Indigo hotel brand makes a visual impact on its NZ debut

IHG Hotels & Resorts’ boutique lifestyle brand Hotel Indigo has made its New Zealand debut with the official opening of Hotel Indigo Auckland in midtown. 

The 225-room hotel is, as is a key element of the brand, a neighbourhood storyteller, blending local history with culturally inspired art, and globally influenced cuisine. 

Located on the historic site of a 1912 building that showcased Cadillacs imported into New Zealand, Hotel Indigo Auckland’s design pays homage to its industrial past with a mix of heritage-listed and modern architecture. 

Commissioned exclusively for the hotel, acclaimed contemporary artist and photographer Stuart Robertson, known for his global art project Peace in 10,000 Hands, has curated a bespoke photographic exhibition spanning all 25 accommodation floors. 

Each level tells a distinct story of Auckland through a visual lens. 

Stylist Simone Haag has used the hotel’s lobby to showcase of local artistry, featuring handcrafted paintings, wooden sculptures, ceramics, glasswork, woven pieces, and leather creations. 

Multidisciplinary artist, architect, and designer Raukura Turei has created two installations using natural elements sourced from her ancestral land, exploring connections to atua (gods) and tīpuna (ancestors).

The hotel’s 225 rooms (including 10 accessible rooms) feature automotive-inspired touches such as rear-view mirrors above plush king-size beds, industrial-style open wardrobes, headlamp lighting, pegboard shelving, and upholstery reminiscent of classic car interiors.

Carpets on each floor depict maps of Auckland streets, reinforcing the connection to the city. 

The locally inspired mini bars include North Island Kokako organic drip coffee, Karma Drinks, limited-edition Flox-designed 1907 artesian water, and a tea selection from Zealong Tea Estate. 

Bathrooms have premium GHD hairdryers and body and hair care amenities with a Waitematā range made exclusively in New Zealand for Hotel Indigo Auckland.

Taking centre stage of the hotel’s culinary offering is Bistro Saine, a French-Mediterranean restaurant led by executive chef Yutak Son, a Korean-born, French-trained culinary artist. 

Bistro Saine (below) draws inspiration from Europe’s grand brasseries using local produce, French techniques and Medinfluences from southern France, Italy, and Spain.



Down the road, guests can also look forward to Café Etiquette, a café and wine bar, and The Henry, acocktail lounge with an international vibe. 

“We are thrilled to open New Zealand’s first neighbourhood-inspired Hotel Indigo in midtown Auckland," said GM Mathew Simister. 

"This boutique brand is deeply connected to the local community, and we’ve proudly woven Auckland’s rich history, art, and culture into every aspect of the hotel. 

"From our uniquely designed guest rooms to our signature dining experience at Bistro Saine, we can’t wait for guests to experience everything we have carefully curated to connect them with the neighbourhood.”

As one of Auckland’s tallest buildings, Hotel Indigo Auckland has floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the city skyline and harbour. 

The hotel spans 27 floors of a 41-storey tower, which also houses 30 residential apartments. Guests can enjoy a gym on Level 2 and the New Zealand International Convention Centre (opening February 2026), Sky Tower, SkyCity Casino, Britomart, Wynyard Quarter, and the Viaduct are all nearby.

King rooms start from NZD $309 per night. The hotel is pet-friendly, welcoming dogs under 30kg for a $150 pet fee per stay. Valet parking is available for $60, which seems a little high. For more info visit Hotel Indigo Auckland’s website.

Inside the mind of Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart, one of the world's great self promoters, has been unveiled as a special guest for Sydney's Vivid festival.

Stewart was an influencer before the term even existed, and the American will join Vivid Sydney for an exclusive, one-off "In Conversation" event.

She will reflect on her career, the evolution of her personal brand and the changing face of food, design and home life.

She will also share "candid insights" into her most memorable moments in popular culture - although possibly not her stint in jail for insider trading - and what it really takes to stay relevant for over four decades.

“I have made some wonderful memories traveling to Australia over the years, so I am thrilled to return for Vivid Sydney," she said in a media release.

"The conversation will be fun and honest, covering many aspects of my life and career. I’m always looking for inspiration when I travel so I’m excited to see what Sydney has to offer.”

In Conversation with Martha Stewart will take place at International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney on Wednesday, May 28.

The first self-made female billionaire, Martha Stewart is an Emmy Award-winning television host, and best-selling writer of 101 books.

From her first book, Entertaining, published in 1982, Martha Stewart has remained a household name around the world. No easy feat.

Vivid Sydney festival director Gill Minervini says: “Vivid Sydney is unrivalled in its ability to offer exclusive, unmissable, and one-of-a-kind events to visitors.

"It’s incredibly exciting to welcome one of the most revered and fascinating minds to Sydney. We could not think of a better figure that encapsulates this year’s theme of Dream more than Martha Stewart.”

Image: Destination NSW