Type of luxury escape, destination or month

Blog 14/04/2020

Virtual Journeys: Outback and Beyond

  • Adventure

    Adventure

  • Family

    Family

  • Road Trips

    Road Trips

Welcome to our second virtual journey.  These are based on some of our favourite itineraries; designed to inspire, guide and delight you in your daydreams for travels to come.  We’ll showcase some captivating destinations alongside mouth-watering recipes, cocktails, book, TV, film and music recommendations all designed to bring the trip alive from the comfort of your own home.

It’s Week Two and we are heading to Australia’s outback and beyond. After a brief stopover to explore Sydney’s hot spots, you’ll head out into the wild starting with an adventure-filled few days in the rugged Blue Mountains before travelling to the spectacular desert landscape of Uluru. Not only will you explore Ayers Rock, you’ll learn about Aboriginal culture and the spiritual significance of this sacred land. The journey ends in Port Douglas, one of the gateways to discover the kaleidoscope of colourful corals of the Great Barrier Reef.

Check out the full itinerary here


Eat & Drink

Your second stop is Lilianfels Resort and Spa. Nestled in UNESCO World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park just an hour and a half from Sydney, this heritage-style haven was once the 19th century summer home to the Chief Justice of New South Wales, Sir Frederick Darley, the traditional, elegant interiors reflecting the hotel’s history. Not only the perfect base to explore the Three Sisters rock formation and discover the many bushwalking trails through this celebrated part of Australia’s wilderness, Lilianfels offers a relaxing retreat away from urban life. Set in a cliff’s edge, soak in the dramatic panoramic views of the natural beauty that surrounds you, pamper yourself in the luxurious spa or why not take the opportunity to enjoy some afternoon tea? We love this traditional Australian cake – the Lamington.

Mini Homemade Lamingtons

For the cake

  • 4 eggs
  • 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 200g (1 ⅓ cups) all-purpose (plain) flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 110g butter, melted and cooled

For the icing

  • 75g unsalted butter
  • 250ml (1 cup) milk
  • 65g (1/2 cup) cocoa powder
  • 435g (3 cups) icing sugar

To assemble

  • 6 cups desiccated coconut

Method for the Cake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F/180˚C/gas 4.
  2. Grease and flour a 20cm x 30cm pan, then line it with baking paper.
  3. Using an electric hand-mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla together until light and thick (this should take approximately 3 minutes).
  4. Add the flour and baking powder to the egg mixture gently combining the ingredients with a rubber spatula. Slowly add the melted butter, mixing with the spatula until completely combined, then pour the mixture into the pan.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes.
  6. Remove from the pan onto a cooling rack. Once cool cut the sponge into even square-shaped pieces of around 4-5cm. Put the cakes in the fridge for few hours or leave overnight in a Tupperware, a slightly less fresh cake makes it easier to dip into the icing.
  7. Prepare a bowl for the sponge pieces, the icing, the coconut and a cooling rack over a sheet of baking paper (to catch any drips!)
Method for the Icing:
  1. Sieve the icing sugar and the cocoa powder into two separate bowls.
  2. Melt the butter in a saucepan Stir the milk into the melted butter, followed by the cocoa powder, whisking as you go. When the cocoa powder has dissolved, add the icing sugar slowly, and whisk to avoid lumps.
  3. Pour the chocolate mix into two bowls, so when the first mix gets full of crumbs you can swap over.
  4. Working fast with a fork, dip the cake pieces into the chocolate icing ensuring they are completely coated. Next roll them in the coconut to lightly coat them.
  5. Place the cake cubes on the cooling rack to drain.
  6. Pop the cakes in the fridge to set, bringing them back to room temperature before serving.

Enjoy your stay at Longitude 131. This is a gorgeous desert basecamp offering the best Australian experience possible. Within the heartland of the country, Longitude 131 offers you access to a variety of beautiful places to discover including the World Heritage listed wilderness. Based on the seasons, a variety of agendas and activities are available to you such as experiencing the Uluru Sunset as the changing lights reflect across the sky. Deep in the heart of the Australian desert plains this is a stunning oasis; why not recreate a traditional Australian outback snack?

Aussie Damper Bread

Ingredients

  • 450g/1lb self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 3 sprigs rosemary, leaves only, roughly chopped
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 75g/3oz pitted green or black olives, roughly chopped

To serve

  • Olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 with your baking tray inside to heat up.
  2. Mix the flour, rosemary, salt, oil and 225ml/8fl oz water in a bowl until you make a dough.
  3. Dust your surface with flour and put the dough on top and flatten out.
  4. Place the olives in the middle of the dough, and squash them down a bit. Fold the edges of the dough over so that you encase the olives. Then turn the dough over and work in the olives.
  5. The dough may feel quite wet with olives, so just continue to squash any loose olives back into it. Add a handful of flour to it if it is too wet.
  6. Mould the dough into a 20cm round and place on the baking tray.
  7. Roll the handle of a wooden spoon in a little flour, then holding it horizontal to the loaf, press down onto the dough to make an indent almost to the bottom of the tray.
  8. Turn the wooden spoon so that it is at a 90 degree angle to the original line and push down again to make a cross. Do this two more times so you have eight wedges.
  9. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes and serve warm.


Watch

Picnic at Hanging Rock - TV , Amazon prime

This is a re-imagining of the classic 1975 Peter Weir film and also based on the novel of the same name. This explores the mysterious disappearances of three schoolgirls and their governess in 1900 and the impacts and ripple affects on those around them.

Shine – Film

This is an iconic film starring Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush which tells the story of brilliant pianist David Helfgott and his struggles with family and mental illness.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the desert – Film

This joyous 1994 film follows two drag queens played by Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce and a transgender woman, played by Terence Stamp, as they journey across the Australian Outback in a tour bus that they have named "Priscilla", along the way encountering various groups and individuals.

Read

The Songlines, Bruce Chatwin

Part memoir, part novel this is the enchanted tale of Chatwin’s travels through Outback Australia across the songlines, the unseen pathways that criss-cross the country. The purpose of his journey is the search for meaning in the songs that the Aboriginals passed along these ancient lines which told of the mysteries of their culture, origins and religion, and we read of Chatwin’s pursuit of the songs’ connections with nomadic travel.

The Slap, Christos Tsiolkas

Can slapping a child ever be justified? This is the question that sends an Australian community into spiral when a man punishes a friend’s son for misbehaving by slapping him at a barbeque. The novel offers the opinion of eight different characters and their reaction to this controversial event.

April Fool’s Day, Bryce Courtnay

In his book April Fool’s Day, Australian author Bryce Courtnay writes a tribute to his son, Damon, who passed away on 1st April 1991. The book tells of Damon’s enduring struggle as a lifelong haemophiliac who contracted HIV/AIDS through an infected blood transfusion and the suffering that followed. A beautiful, powerful, thought-provoking book that honours Damon and his belief that love will always conquer all.


Listen

Kick, INXS - The sixth and most successful album from Australian rockers INXS released in 1987, a fusion of rock, funk, pop and blues, and the record that finally broke INXS in England.

Diesel And Dust, Midnight Oil -An album that deals with the issues of Aboriginal rights, this was Australian rock band and political activists Midnight Oil’s first real worldwide success, going platinum in America and producing huge hit single, "Beds Are Burning.”

From Our House to Yours - Sydney Opera House brings the stage to your sofa with their Digital Season, a weekly program of live broadcasts and archival footage of wonderful performances including talks and ideas, music, dance and readings, perfect for all ages. Find it here.

Learn

Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doris Pilkington (Nugi Garimara)

Based on the incredible true story of three girls’ escape from the Moore River Native Settlement in 1931. Born of Aboriginal mothers and white fathers, the girls were forcibly taken from their families in order to be ‘made white’, and lived a repressive existence in the brutal government facility, forbidden to speak their own language and frequently being punished. Finally fleeing and following along the rabbit proof fence back to their homelands, this is a story that inspires bravery and hope. 

Didn't find what you're looking for?
Our specialist team can help, simply get in touch.

Call us now on +44 (0)20 7022 6560

Enquire Now