NORMANVILLE,
Julia Ritorto – one half of Acler’s design duo – makes the pilgrimage to Normanville, on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, every summer with her partner and family. It’s where we’ve watched our children grow up and do the things we used to do as kids: play in the street, make friends with the neighbours, race down to the beach. The easy comings and goings that seem less available in city life now.
Camping on the beach at Cape Jervis the night before New Year’s Eve in 2015. Making s’mores in the bonfire, dancing like children, and drinking enough wine to completely ruin our plans for the next day. Ingalalla Falls in the Second Valley Forest Reserve is great for a short hike, with picnic spots along the way and, of course, a stunning waterfall. The beach is the best place, but if you’d like a drink in hand, you can head up to the Normanville Kiosk and Cafe or the Surf Lifesaving Club. Leonards Mill. It’s completely paddock-to-plate and only uses local Fleurieu Peninsula produce – you can taste it in every bite!
Second Valley to go snorkelling and scuba diving. Start with a walk through the sand dunes, down to the beach for a refreshing dip. Then head to the Willunga Farmers Market. The Salvador Dali exhibition at d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale is worth checking out. It ticks both the winery and culture boxes. Lapito House, Myponga. The property is a converted stone farmhouse, with 4,000 trees planted by the family. You can tell it’s a labour of love.
If you’re planning on driving onto the beach at Cape Jervis, it’s probably best to hire a 4WD, but not absolutely necessary.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: FAVOURITE MEMORY: LOCAL SECRET: PEOPLE WATCHING: LUNCH/DINNER:
SLICE OF NATURE: IDEAL SATURDAY MORNING:
CULTURE FIX: STAY: GET AROUND:
AVALON,
Natalie Fitch of Natalie Marie Jewellery spent her formative years in “beautiful, but perpetually grey” England, so her adopted home town on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is a breath of fresh air.
It’s not only the sunshine that has won my heart, it’s the sense of community, the proximity to Sydney (close but not too close), the connection to nature and the quietly thriving creative undercurrent.
Long, hazy summer days spent with my family, drifting between the beach and our home; creating happy memories for my daughters. A long black by Classic Coffee, served on the headland at sunrise. The ocean pool, early on a weekday morning. Watching the regulars swim, surfers paddle out, or the new mums up with the sun.
On the water at The Boathouse Palm Beach.
Alma for margaritas and modern Mexican; Bistro Boulevard for traditional French food, wine and romance.
Take a boat ride over to Great Mackerel Beach, a secluded cove at the base of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. There’s a perfect sandy beach and several walking tracks that take you directly into the bush.
A walk and dip in the ocean at the quiet north corner of Sandy Beach, followed by pastries and coffee from Graze N Cakes. Immerse yourself in an Aboriginal cultural journey through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, guided by Guringai Aboriginal Tours. Mamapapa, for beautifully curated French homewares and clothing. And our Natalie Marie Jewellery flagship store, of course. Avalon Organics, a small, family-run grocer specialising in local organic health foods as well as the best sticky chai in town. Jonah’s at Whale Beach is close to our hearts as it’s where we celebrated our mini honeymoon. The boutique hotel is above Whale Beach with incredible ocean views.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: FAVOURITE MEMORY:
COFFEE: PEOPLE WATCHING:
BRUNCH: LUNCH/DINNER:
SLICE OF NATURE: IDEAL SATURDAY MORNING: CULTURE FIX: BRING SOMETHING HOME FROM: FARMERS’ MARKET: STAY: