local heroes
Make like a local in these four new holiday hotspots around the country
Four must-visit holiday destinations (and the insider tips on what to do there).
It’s no secret that the best way to get around a new town is armed with the knowledge of those who call it home. As we head into days where a weekend escape feels as much of a necessity as it does an indulgence, we buzzed four talented locals on the ins and outs of the corners of Australia that they call home.
AUSTINMER AND THE SOUTH COAST, NSW
ACCORDING TO CERAMICIST PAIGE NORTHWOOD
@paigenorthwood
I love the South Coast’s sense of community, its slow pace, the ocean, the rock pools and the escarpment. It has a thriving arts community with so many talented artists, and is attracting more and more young creative people. Benjamin Tillman of Yours And Owls Festival is my personal hero for his longstanding dedication to the music and arts scene, and local initiative Hidden Harvest is doing amazing things around food wastage.
PAIGE’S PICKS
STAY: At one of the Airbnbs on the coastline, or at the Thirroul Beach Motel, which is where Brett Whiteley infamously died. thirroulbeachmotel.com.au
SWIM: Austinmer Beach and Little Austi are favourites.
BRUNCH: Moore Street General has just opened. Local woodworkers and ceramicists were involved in its creation.
CARB HIT: The Bread Circle. You’ll find its slow fermented sourdough at local cafes.
HEALTH FIX: Flame Tree Co-op in Thirroul, Foragers Market in Bulli and Coledale Markets. I also love Apple Shack for berry picking. flametree.coop; foragersmarkets.com; appleshack.com.au COFFEE: Finbox Boardstore or Bread, Espresso & in Thirroul, and Earth Walker & Co in Coledale. Buck Hamblin in Thirroul is another top contender. finbox.com.au; breadespresso.com.au; buckhamblin.com
NATURE HIT: Kellys Falls – it’s worth the climb down the steep cliffside to the bottom. STRETCH YOUR LEGS: Wodi Wodi track in Stanwell Park has a great view down the coast. HOMEWARES: Wombat in Thirroul has intriguing finds. wombatinthirroul.com
RECORDS: I love Franks Wild Years in Thirroul. There’s also a bar in the store. ROMANCE: A nudie dip in the ocean pool. SUNDOWNERS: José Jones
in Thirroul. josejones.com.au
ACCORDING TO MUSICIAN SCARLETT STEVENS (OF SAN CISCO) @beryl_streep
My favourite memories growing up are of hanging out at the Fremantle Markets (where my mum’s family owned a flower shop) and witnessing some of the best gigs of all time at Mojos and the Norfolk Basement [now The Odd Fellow]. The music scene is so inspiring – I feel proud that we’ve pumped out so much cool music from our town. There’s also a real sense of community that I haven’t experienced anywhere else.
SCARLETT’S PICKS
TRUSTY FAVOURITE: Capri! It’s been around since the ’50s and serves up the best Italian comfort food. Plus the soup is free. caprirestaurantfremantle.com
FOODIE SPOT: I like Bread In Common. The bread and condiments are made in-house. breadincommon.com.au
COFFEE: Wild Bakery in south Freo. I get a croissant and coffee from there most mornings. wildbakery.weebly.com
BRUNCH: The Cool Room. It has the most amazing collection of Peter Matulich artworks on the walls – his colourful sketches made up the cover artwork for the last two San Cisco albums (top).
DRINK: The Local Hotel, a cosy family pub with trivia nights and regular DJS on the weekend, or Mrs Brown. thelocalhotel.com.au; mrsbrownbar.com.au
SWIM: Leighton Beach or the dog beach in south Freo. We’re spoilt for choice.
PICNIC: Monument Hill on High Street for its panoramic views of the port and the Indian Ocean.
FARMERS’ MARKETS: The Growers Green Farmers Market is on every Sunday at the South Fremantle Senior High School. It has the best fresh produce, juices, pastries and dog watching! growersgreenfarmersmarket.com
DAY TRIP: Rottnest Island. On weekends, often my bandmate Jordi will take me and a couple of girlfriends on his little boat
Flash Gordon and we’ll find a bay off Rottnest and swim and listen to tunes. rottnestisland.com
HOMEWARES: Old Values in east Fremantle, Hey Joe Retro for mid-century furniture and Ginger Morris in south Freo for an eclectic mix of vintage and modern artefacts.
SPECIAL FINDS: Zinongo Gallery for one-of-a-kind Zambian pottery and Corrynne’s soaps at the Fremantle Markets. zinongo.com.au; fremantlemarkets.com.au
VINTAGE: I once found an original Bruce Springsteen tour tee at Vintage In Wonderland. And get to the Melville Markets in Bicton early to pick up a bargain.