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VIP Tasmanian Art & Food Experience with MONA

Posted on by Nicola Billens

For travellers visiting Tasmania, Mona (the Museum of Old and New Art) is a must-do in the way that the Guggenheim museum is a must-do in Bilbao. It’s a quirky, attention grabbing private museum unlike any other, with a collection of unusual art, described by owner David Walsh as a “subversive adult Disneyland.”

Alquemie has created an incredible VIP Art & Food Experience at Mona just for you.

Package includes return ferry transfers (in the Posh Pit, mind you) from Hobart to Mona, as well as museum entry, lunch in the Source Restaurant, a private tour of the vineyard and winery with Moorilla’s Ambassador, and a complimentary bottle of wine from our Muse series.

Itinerary
9:30am: Depart Brooke Street Pier for Mona in the Mona ferry’s super exclusive, super luxe Posh Pit.

10am: Arrive at Mona and begin exploring the museum…focusing on B3 – a major exhibition –  accompanied by one of Mona’s Art Concierges.

11:30am: The Cut Crystal experience begins and it’s a rare pleasure, as most wines are designed to drink young these days. Cellaring demands foresight and patience—it’s a real gamble but the rewards can be stunning!

This experience includes a private tour of the Moorilla winery with one of the resident ‘wine dorks’ and an extensive, intimate wine tasting in their totally glamorous subterranean tasting room featuring new and mature wines from Moorilla’s Muse and Cloth Label series. You’ll be treated to vintages no longer widely available, find out how to match each wine with the perfect glass and learn the finer points of decanting sparkling, white and red wines.

1.30pm: A two course lunch in the Source Restaurant drinking some of the wines that have been opened for the Cut Crystal tasting chosen by the guest…

3:30pm: A Mona Fart! (Food + ART) Art concierge will take guests back into the museum to look at B2 and B1 Monaisms’ – David Walsh’s collection with a pre-booking for unseen seen experience… this takes 45 minutes per couple (optional).

5pm: Guests end up in Faro with a pre-dinner Cocktail with Outrageous canapes and the James Turrell light experience. 

6 pm ish: Guests sit down to a bespoke food and wine experience created by Mona Head Chef Vince Trim. With the priority access to some the new Pharos wing’s art rides – “Unseen seen and Weight of Darkness”.

Guests will be returned to their hotel at their leisure…their day will include a signed copy of Monaisms and a bottle of Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon to take home.

To enquire about this please contact alquemie@alquemie.com.au 

Expedition cruising through Southwest Tasmania’s World Heritage Area

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Imagine the tranquility of a place so remote that you can only get there by foot, boat or light aircraft. In Tasmania’s Southwest, Port Davey is such a place. This remote wilderness area is a Marine Nature Reserve and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It’s three times the size of Sydney Harbour and one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet, with wild rivers, quartzite peaks and extensive waterways.

The best way to explore this area is by purpose built boat. With no roads in or out, the journey starts with a spectacular flight from Hobart across the densely forested Southwest National Park to Melaleuca, a remote locality consisting only of a couple of buildings.

Upon landing you will be taken by tender through the mirrored waters of the inlet to your ‘boutique floating hotel’ the Odalisque, the base from which you will explore the untouched South West.

The itinerary

The itinerary will be tailored to your interests and daily shore excursions will see you totally immersed in the wilderness. It’s all about “getting your feet wet”. During your unforgettable time, you’ll explore narrow winding waterways lined with Huon pine by jet boat, hike to mountain-top vantage points where it feels like you can see over the edge of the world, picnic on remote beaches and soak up the serene views from the deck as you cruise past sea caves, rock arches, blowholes and rocky islets. You could be one of the very few to witness the islands of Maatsuyker, cruise the Davey River gorge, wander the buttongrass moorlands or beachcomb the white sand of seemingly endless beaches.

Looking across Port Davey

 

The Vessel

Tasmanian owner Pieter van der Woude’s custom-built twenty-metre expedition cruise vessel is designed for the comfort and safety of guests. Cruising with a maximum of 10 guests overnight, the Odalisque has three private cabins, a comfortable entertaining and dining area and three spacious outside decks for sightseeing, photography or sunset barbecues. The galley consists of a contemporary spacious kitchen with an island bench, sofa seating and large open windows to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery or watch the chef cook up a storm. The open plan saloon area allows panoramic views, has plenty of lounging capacity and a large dining area for a leisurely dining experience. A true boutique floating hotel, it’s perfect if you’re eager for adventure but not so keen on roughing it.

What’s so special about this region?

The Port Davey Marine Reserve was created to protect an extraordinary underwater world. In Bathurst Harbour a very unusual marine environment has been created by a deep layer of dark red-brown, tannin-rich freshwater, which overlies tidal saltwater. The tannins restrict sunlight penetration to the top few metres, limiting the growth of marine plants. In their place live colourful and delicate marine invertebrates, including sea pens. In the clearer marine waters of Port Davey – away from the influence of the freshwater tannins – a more typical Tasmanian underwater world exists. Diverse kelp forests and abundant fish thrive beneath the surging Southern Ocean waves. This Marine Reserve forms part of the Southwest National Park, and is surrounded by the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area encompasses a greater breadth of values than any World Heritage property on Earth. Of 1052 sites in the world which are recognised as World Heritage areas, Tasmania is one of only 35 sites that satisfy both cultural and natural heritage values. But even more impressively, the area satisfies seven of the ten criteria, including unique human culture and history, wilderness, plants and wildlife, and geology. Only one other site in the world (located in China) equals this number and none exceed it. There’s a lot to explore; Tasmania’s World Heritage Area comprises 1.38 million hectares, or about 20 per cent of the entire State.

 

Talk to Alquemie to incorporate this remote part of Australia into an itinerary.

 

Click here to begin your tailor-made journey to Australia

REMOTE OUTBACK ADVENTURE TOP END, KIMBERLEY & NINGALOO

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Alquemie is very pleased to announce its first small group air safari for clients who would like to experience Australia’s remote outback by private air charter over 16 incredible days in May 2019.

Starting in Darwin, this air safari takes just 8 guests to far flung locations like Kakadu and Arnhem Land, the Bungle Bungles, Mitchell Falls, Ningaloo Reef and much more.  Accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to remote rustic beach camps with incredible experiences.

This small group hosted air safari is perfect for couples who wish to meet like minded people or for those that wish to see this incredible part of Australia by charter flight but would prefer to share the air costs.

With just 8 places we expect this tour to sell out quickly.

View the full itinerary here. 

 

16 DAY HOSTED SMALL GROUP AIR SAFARI BY PRIVATE JET
Dates: 13 – 28 MAY 2019

Highlights

Meet and engage with traditional Aboriginal elders, a modern day urban Indigenous chef and Aboriginal artists living in a remote and restricted community near abundant rock art galleries.

See Australia’s spectacular outback and coastal scenery by air, land, and water with expert guides and local, authentic characters leading you to magical spots in the middle of nowhere.

Discover the wealth of Australia’s unique wildlife.

Swim with whale sharks, the ocean’s gentle giants, in the pristine turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef.

Stay at exclusive wilderness locations chosen for their breadth of interesting experiences including a bush campsite in the heart of Kakadu, a working cattle station, a cliff-top retreat on 700,000 acres of stunning outback, an award-wining rustic seaside camp accessible only by air or sea, and a desert-meets-the-ocean luxury tented camp.

Paspaley – Experience the most beautiful pearls in the world

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Recently Paspaley opened it’s Pearl Room doors to the Alquemie team and we had the privilege of a behind the scenes look at what goes into creating some of the most stunning jewellery on the planet.

As pearling pioneers, Paspaley has dedicated over 80 years to the perfect pearl. Today, this family owned business is the source of the rarest and most valuable pearls in the world. They are sourced in the Kimberley, one of the most pristine and remote locations on the planet.

Paspaley nurtures their pearls on a remote network of farms stretching more than 2500km across the north-west coast of Australia. With a sophisticated fleet of purpose built ships, they are one of the few companies to still dive for wild pearl oysters.

After they are lovingly harvested the pearls go through a serious selection process. Only a few make the grade to become part of an exquisite piece of Paspaley jewellery.

Guests of Alquemie are invited to discover the magic and beauty of Paspaley’s Australian South Sea pearls through a selection of behind the scenes experiences in Sydney, Darwin and Broome that are off-limits to the public.

These include:

The Pearl Room (Sydney)

Guests will travel in a heritage elevator to the basement level where within the refurbished bank vaults of the Paspaley building is The Pearl Room. In this room, which is not open to the general public, the Paspaley company’s sorting and grading operations are housed. The Pearl Room is also home to some of the most important pearls ever found including The Unique Collection – a selection of particularly special Australian South Sea pearls chosen for their exceptional shape, colour and lustre and The Kuri Bay Collection – a collection of Australian South Sea pearls from the first harvests at Australia’s oldest pearl farm, Kuri Bay.

The Paspaley Pearl

Pearl Grading (Broome)

In the Broome boutique guests will gain an understanding of The Five Virtues – the traditional method by which all fine pearls are graded. In a hands-on session, guests learn the steps involved in this highly skilled practice, and begin their journey to becoming true pearl connoisseurs.

Unique Paspaley favourites

Paspaley Pearl Farm Tour (chartered from Darwin)

In our opinion the best way to experience Paspaley is to do a private trip out to their pearl farms on the Kimberley coast, travelling in one of their Grumman Mallard flying boats and accompanied by one of their pearling experts. Discover the pearl farming process and the techniques used to produce the world’s rarest and most valuable pearls.

 

Romancing the Pearl itinerary

A Paspaley pearl experience can be woven in beautifully with a holiday in the Kimberleys. Contact your Alquemie Advisor about building a bespoke itinerary that oozes romance and crescendos in a unique piece of Paspaley jewellery.

Dreamtime to Diamonds – The story of the Argyle Diamond mine

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Discover the journey of the Miriuwung people and the story of the Argyle Diamond mine from Dreamtime to Diamonds as interpreted by your host, North-East Kimberley man Ted Hall.


This exceptional one day experience by light aircraft, 4×4 and boat takes travellers on an enchanting journey across vast landscapes to the enormous Argyle Diamond mine and extraordinary man-made lake Argyle. Highlights include landing at the Mandangala community, where you are welcomed with a traditional “Muntha”, a ceremony to ensure safe passage through his land, and a close up inspection of the Argyle Diamond mine processing plant, and the ingenious technology used to extract these precious gems.

Argyle Diamond Mine

Ted tells of the geological formation and eventual discovery of diamonds on his country, of the sorrow at the desecration of an important sacred site, but also happily of the opportunities and partnerships that have benefited his people.

It’s a fascinating insight into the culture of the Miriuwung people and modern day issues of tradition versus prosperity, all to the back drop of Australia’s rich red escarpments and wide, brown land.

Lake Argyle

 

Add some romance – A bespoke rare pink diamond jewellery creation

The Argyle diamond mine in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of the world’s largest supplier of diamonds. Since 1983 it has produced more than 800 million carats of rough diamonds.

Revered for its rare and exquisite pink diamonds,  just 50 to 60 of these rare natural treasures are brought to life as polished masterpieces and offered for sale each year.

For a special romantic occasion,  your team at Alquemie can build into your itinerary the creation of a bespoke pink diamond piece of jewellery.  To enquire about this please contact Alquemie.

 

 

Margaret River Gourmet Escape – November 2018

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Set against the iconic backdrop of the stunning Margaret River Region in Western Australia, Margaret River Gourmet Escape is a world-class food and wine festival like no other.

Held across four extraordinary days, the festival brings together the world’s best chefs, sommeliers and critics to host over 45 incredible events in over 20 unique and breathtaking locations in the region.

The thriving Gourmet Village is the heart of the festival, located at Leeuwin Estate Winery, with visitors further experiencing the region by a host of satellite events in stunning Margaret River locations. These satellite events offer an unforgettable and unique food & wine experience delivered personally by the world’s leading culinary talent. Margaret River Gourmet Escape celebrated its sixth year in 2017 and has developed a reputation as the world’s most credible and highly anticipated food and wine festivals – by chefs and visitors alike.

Located in stunning locations throughout Margaret River, Gourmet Escape creates unforgettable events combining world class food & wine experiences delivered by the world’s leading chefs and sommeliers. Indulge in long-table lunches in the vines, savour once-in-a-lifetime dinners from the world’s best chefs, participate in world class wine tastings, feast at a firefueled forest meat-lovers grill, chill out by the sunset while a cult DJ plays mellow beats, or feel the sand between your toes at the best beach BBQ you’ll ever experience – you will come away with an unforgettable food & wine festival experience.

Feast in the Forest

Celebrating wood, flame, smoke and cooking the way we’ve done for centuries, the Feast in the Forest highlights the uniqueness of the Margaret River region’s natural environment by taking guests into the heart of a magnificent Karri forest for a meat-focused dinner.

Gourmet Beach BBQ

Enjoy privileged access to Castle Bay Beach, which is transformed into an uber-stylish waterfront eatery with giant tipis and live music for relaxed lunch and dinner BBQ feasts with a beach party vibe. Castle Bay Beach is located within Meelup Regional Park, a Class A Reserve noted for its pristine environment and ecological significance.

Sunset, Beats & Bites

Mix a handful of new wave winemakers, some local craft breweries, with a good dose of cool beats, add an iconic Western Australian sunset, delectable, delicious food by the talented team at White Elephant and you have arguably Margaret River Gourmet Escape’s most sought after event.

 

Please contact Alquemie for more information about the Margaret Rive Gourmet Escape.

 

 

Photo By: Russell Ord Photography ( www.russellordphoto.com )

Photo By: Russell Ord Photography ( www.russellordphoto.com )

 

A Walking & Creativity Retreat in Margaret River

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Enjoy a 3, 4 or 7-day bespoke Walking & Creativity Retreat in Margaret River.  Walk along selected sections of the Cape to Cape track, be inspired & replenished by the natural beauty of the region and explore your creativity under the guidance of local artists.

Walks and creativity sessions are tailored to each guest.

Creative sessions could include painting, sculpting, textiles, weaving, pottery, theatre, writing, glass-blowing, drawing and photography. Other activities available are sound healing, yoga, canoeing, dance and wine-tasting.

Below is a sample 4 day itinerary.

Day 1 – Perth to Margaret River – walk 5km – wildflowers – canoeing

Let us drive you from Perth to Margaret River via Meelup Beach to enjoy brunch before a fun canoeing experience.
Walk from Cape Naturaliste to Sugar Loaf Rock – one of the most photographed coastal features in this region. Look out for whales and more unique wildflowers.

Day 2- Wilyabrup Cliffs – walk 5km – yoga – painting session

Start the day with gentle yoga. Walk along the spectacular Wilyabrup cliffs before a local cuisine degustation at one of the oldest wineries in the region & taste world-renown wines before our 3-course meal. During the afternoon create your own colourful canvas in a painting session with award-winning local artist.

Day 3- Boranup Forest – walk 9km – sculpture session

The stunning Boranup forest will take your breath away as you walk and feel deeply reconnected to nature.
Create your own site-specific sculptures deep in the heart of the Karri trees with our award-winning, international environmental sculptor to guide you.

Relax in the afternoon with free time to reflect & take in the beauty of our surroundings.

Day 4- Cape Leuwin walk

Walk through another magical stretch of Karri forest, coastal woodlands & heath all the way to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse &
enjoy lunch at the White Elephant overlooking Gnarabup Beach. Explore Margaret River town before our drive back to Perth.

Mindfulness Luxe Escapes in Noosa

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Nature is such a powerful healer as well as a beautiful reminder of how we can live in more presence. Below are unique opportunities to allow you to experience Noosa’s nature with your own private mindfulness experiences with one of our favourite guides Kelly Carthy.

Morning Retreat

Included is a tailored movement session incorporating yoga, pilates, breath-work and transformational meditations with powerful tools that can be applied directly into your life.  Create more space in your life with this beautifully crafted personal retreat in one of the most uniquely spectacular nature trails of the Australian coast. 

Dusk Wellbeing

When the sun sets, so follows calm and rest. The best way to end a day in Noosa is to take in the serenity of the sunset and treat your body to a relaxing movement and meditation session.

Gain exclusive access to the best local hideaway and viewpoints and see the sun rest over inspiring Noosa backdrops.  Let go of any unresolved tension as you are guided through a tailored meditation session that will completely recharge you and drop you calmly into the present moment.

Any sunset session would not be complete without a toast to the day, so enjoy a selection of luxury seasonal produce and celebratory beverage.

Mindful dining

This personalised dining experience focuses on immersing you in the natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast combined with the finest local cuisine. Your guide / chef will take time getting to know you and then tailor a menu and dining experience that will take you on a journey to awaken all senses.

Full moon skydiving

Imagine falling into a sky full of stars on the night of a full moon with the scent of the bush and infinite space of the night sky surrounding you.  Combine a beautiful evening meditation with a full moon skydive to allow you to embrace each moment of the experience and really feel the sense of time expanded. 

Sunrise SUP (Stand-up paddle board)

Whether you like to gently greet the day or start it with a high energy ‘bang’,  your guide knows the best places to see the morning sun shine upon beautiful Noosa. Experience Stand Up Paddle boarding like never before with core work, yoga, meditation and movement seamlessly woven into your paddle journey down some of Noosa’s most pristine waterways. Not only is this a beautiful sight to behold, you’ll have a complete sensory experience in feeling the natural elements on your skin, hearing the sounds of native wildlife and tasting some local delights. Leave stress and worry behind and awaken your true, passionate and positive self; explore and recharge with a Sunrise SUP experience.

The Great Beach Drive

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Capture the dramatic coastline, scenery and wildlife and indulge in an unique once in a lifetime experience driving on over 70 kilometres of golden sandy beaches from Noosa to Rainbow Beach on Queensland’s Great Beach Drive. Accessible only by 4×4 vehicles, it’s an experience that can only be described as exhilarating.

Your local and experienced guides take you to the best-kept secrets of this coastline, and their knowledge makes it an experience to remember.

Rainbow Beach is famous for its stunning coloured sands, which were once used by the Gubbi Gubbi people for their artwork and boomerang decoration.

The trip also stops at the secluded and serene Honeymoon Bay, Red Canyon where the red and yellow sands form this unique pinnacle in the sand dunes, a pristine rainforest at Freshwater and the Lighthouse at Double Island Point.

This stretch of stunning sandy beaches features two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves side-by-side, with the Great Sandy Biosphere and Noosa Biosphere offering a unique combination of both beach and bushland.

Highlights

40 Mile Beach

A pristine stretch of white sand with stunning headland views all the way from Noosa to Double Island Point.

Red Canyon

Here, red and yellow sands form a unique canyon in the sand dunes where you will enjoy magnificent views over Teewah Beach – a landscape you will never forget.

Freshwater

A scenic and relaxing picnic ground in the Great Sandy National Park where we might be visited by Lace Monitors (Goannas), who love being photographed.

Lighthouse

Double Island Point Lighthouse offers breathtaking 360-degree views across the Pacific Ocean and scenic surrounds of the Great Sandy National Park. It is here we often spot pods of dolphins, turtles, sharks, manta rays and the majestic Humpback Whales (season is June-October). We are the only operators with access to the lighthouse, allowing you to see parts of this popular spot otherwise missed. 

Coloured Sands

This world famous attraction has more than 40 different shades of colour. The tour includes a demonstration of the traditional techniques used by the Aboriginal people (with respect to the Gubbi Gubbi people) to create artwork and decorate boomerangs.

Honeymoon Bay

This area boasts a saltwater lagoon with some of the most scenic landscapes in Australia. Here we stop for a refreshing break where you can swim in the protected waters of the bay, or body surf on the longest right hand breaks in Australia all year round.

Rainforest

A beautiful and unique rainforest drive through sand dunes.

Dialogue in the Dark – A unique Melbourne must-do experience

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Dialogue in the Dark is more than a just a tour of Melbourne. It is a sensory journey set in total darkness – an incredible experience where you step out of your comfort zone and take on the challenges of a bustling, simulated Melbourne in the dark.

The aim of Dialogue in the Dark is to give full sighted people the experience of getting about the world as a person with low vision or blindness. It’s one of the most unique tours I’ve ever done, and it was profoundly life-changing whilst being incredibly fun at the same time.

All the guides have low vision or are blind and my guide Jenny made me feel comfortable in her world as I stepped into the dark corridor equipped only with a white cane. As the light faded away my other senses heightened – the noises, the smells, and my sense of touch. Jenny led the way using her voice or tapping an object, guiding me through the streets of Melbourne and inviting me to explore my surrounds. We visited iconic places, explored every day objects that are taken for granted and covered the city in a way I’d never thought possible given it was just a simulation in a room.

Jenny had a wealth of knowledge about Melbourne’s culture and history and a great sense of humour. She also made me feel confident in my skills to navigate around as a person with blindness, in addition to being open about her story and situation.

As a Melburnian I thought it was a terrific way to explore my native city and experience some of the highlights. For visitors I think it would be perfect to start a Melbourne itinerary with a morning at Dialogue in the Dark, follow it with a trip on the nearby Melbourne Star Observation Wheel for an orientation over the city and then visit the sights in real life later in the day.

 

Dialogue in the Dark™ is presented in partnership with Guide Dogs Australia and is located not far from the city centre in the Docklands area. For more information about it click here.