If I Oprah “hangs-out with me” here’s what we will do

 

3 hours

1. Gold Coast the healthy alternative:

I would make sure she is lined up to meet a kangaroo, wombat and koala somewhere. If not, straight to Currumbin Wildlife Park for a g’day to skippy and the boys.

Then up through the lovely Tullabudgera Valley to Gwinganna the health and lifestyle clinic that I work at (with their special permission as it’s not normal open for day visitors), for the most divine organic lunch and local wines then onto the most delicious treatment at the superb spa.

Then head back down to depart.

2. Gold Coast – the surfers’ paradise

A bushwalk around Burleigh Heads to Tallebudgera Estuary, then back, lunch at Oscars – kicking back with some delicious seafood and superb wines while over looking the best surf break in the world.

3. The Southern End of Gold is still gold

A walk around Point Danger, back around Snapper, for a beer at Rainbow Bay, onto Kirra for a yummy contemporary Australian meal at any fantastic restaurant then back to airport.

Full day – helicopter

4. Northern Rivers Delights

Head to Summit Organics to see organic produce and how alive and beautiful the farm is. Then around Mt. Warning, the first piece of land to receive day light every day. Then to Byron Bay and Wategos.

A walk over to Little Wategos and up to the light house. All for it’s simple majestical presence and also as it is the most eastern point of Australia. It’s somewhere I go as often as I can just to surf in the lazy safe waves at Wategos, or to day dream and draw up at the light house. The cafe shop has the best chocolate brownie slice and lattes.

Then back down to Wategos – unsure if Oprah will be up for a swim, but it’s the best beach in the whole world so I would hope to entice her. Then for a gorgeous meal at Rae’s on Wategos. It must be the best wedding setting in the world too. Food, wine , service and views delightful.

Afterwards the choice of a body treatment at my friend’s 7 star day spa or meander back up to the airport via Crystal Castle for some yummy afternoon tea and recharge of the batteries. She may even want her aura read if she hasn’t had it done before.

5. The Gold Coast Hinterland

A trip to Springbrook National Park to try some slack lining with the kids and I, a look at Purling brook falls and the outlook walk. Off to Natural Bridge, over to Mt Tamborine for a few wineries, some yummy cheeses and views. Lunch at Cedar Creek , glow worms, gentle walk, back to airport via Thumbs estate for some port and resveretrol jam.

6. Great southern land of the north

Of course a trip to Ron Clarkes old haunts, Couran Cove or McLaren's Landing would be superb and very Australian with loads of wild life, but unsure if the travel on the water would be too much. Although it is a great way to switch off the brain.

Anywhere in Australia

This is tough. There are so many special, unique and wonderful to spots to visit.

My top 3 would be:

7. A Taste of Tasmania

OF course I would start with my home state. It is still a notch above everywhere else with authentic, original and best tasting everything – cheeses, wines, jams, cakes, pastries, coffees, seafood, olives everything..

So this would be a gourmet, breath taking for views and totally unhindered day trip.

We would start in Hobart, to visit Cascades at the foot of the mountain, and to smell the sweet damp air rising from the creek that spills into the wide Derwent River. I would have suggested a trip around Cadburys but they stopped the tours about 10 years ago – not happy Jan – that was one of my favourite or all time favourite childhood memories. (sorry Morrilla Estate, you miss out too).

Anyway, helicopter to Coles Bay. A short walk on Wine Glass Bay, a swim back in Coles Bay. A culinary extravaganza at Freycinet lodge, while chilling out.

I would love to take her through Bicheno, the waterfalls, Binalong Bay, so many absolutely beautiful spots. But we would helicopter to Cradle Mountain, going across the midlands, stopping at Ross or Cambelltown to see the old convict buildings, or oldest bridge. On to Cradle Mountain, for a walk around Lake Dove, afternoon tea at the lodge and once again, just to sit outside on a chiart and smell the sweet alpine air. It must be some of the best air in the world.

Then back to Melbourne.

8. A True Blue experience

This would travel through Leitchfield National Park, to a crocodile show, maybe on to Mataranka with a swim in the glorious warm water – its such a freak of nature and so beautiful. It’s dry season but maybe a trip through Jabiru and a look at the aboriginal art as it is truly spectacular and spiritual. Then back to Katherine to have a lightly chilled Sav Blanc from Western Australia.

9. Plus I love the north end…

Start in Cairns, and rail road to Kuranda. I remember one year the company I was working for hired it out and had a rag-time band and free alcohol on board. It was the best train trip ever. We could but offer her a bungy jump, failing that, the Ulysses Butterflies are so magnificent they have to be seen to be believed. Helicopter to Port Douglas for a scrumptious meal any where at the wharf, a walk up to Mossman Gorge for a swim, over to the Daintree for a string quartet on the beach and a fly over the Great Barrier Reef back to the airport.

There are so many other excellent fun and relaxing day trips around, but they would be the pick for the allocated time.