Finalists Revealed - The People's Choice Awards 2014 shortlist

The people have spoken… in Australian Traveller magazine’s People’s Choice Awards 2014. After an overwhelming number of nominations here is the finalists shortlist – (in no particular order).

Winners will be announced at our award ceremony to be held at the brand-new InterContinental Sydney Double Bay on Monday, December 1. Follow us on Twitter (using #ATPeoplesChoice) and Facebook for updates. The full list of winners will appear in Australian Traveller ‘Best Holidays of 2015’ edition, out December 4.

Excited? We are! Good luck to all the finalists.

AUSTRALIA’S BEST STAYS

BEST HOTEL

Crown Towers Melbourne, Vic
QT Sydney, NSW
Langham Melbourne, Vic
Park Hyatt Sydney, NSW
Shangri-La Sydney, NSW

BEST LUXURY RESORT

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, NSW
Southern Ocean Lodge, SA
Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania
qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
One&Only Hayman Island, Qld

BEST AFFORDABLE RESORT

Pinetrees Lord Howe Island, NSW
Emma Gorge at El Questro, Kimberley, WA
Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff, NSW
Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, NT
Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley, NSW

BEST HOTEL SPA

Spa qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
Salus Spa, Lake House, Daylesford, Vic
The Spa at Byron at Byron, NSW
Crown Spa, Crown Towers Melbourne, Vic
Chuan Spa, Langham Melbourne, Vic

BEST QUIRKY ACCOMMODATION

Atlantic Byron Bay, Byron Bay, NSW
QT Hotel Sydney, NSW
Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo, NSW
White Cliffs Underground Motel, White Cliffs, NSW
Undara Lava Tubes Wilderness Lodge, Savannah Way, Qld

BEST GLAMPSITE

Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay, NSW
Longitude 131, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT
Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef, WA
Nightfall Wilderness Camp, Lamington National Park, Qld
Eco Beach, Broome, WA

BEST CAMPSITE

Peoples’ Park Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, WA
Clarkes Beach Holiday Park, Byron Bay, NSW
Lake Argyle Caravan Park, WA
Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach, Qld
Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT

AUSTRALIA’S BEST TOWNS

CITY OF THE YEAR

Hobart, Tas
Sydney, NSW
Melbourne, Vic
Perth, WA
Brisbane, Qld

BEST BEACH TOWN

Port Douglas, Qld
Noosa, Qld
Byron Bay, NSW
Lorne, Vic
Coral Bay, WA
Broome, WA
Airlie Beach, Qld
Mooloolaba, Qld
Jervis Bay, NSW
Yamba, NSW

FRIENDLIEST TOWN

Broome, WA
Airlie Beach, Qld
Byron Bay, NSW
Cairns, Qld
Exmouth, WA

COSIEST TOWN

Bright, Vic
Leura, NSW
Margaret River, WA
Daylesford, Vic
Stanthorpe, Qld

BEST KEPT SECRET COUNTRY TOWN

Ballarat, VIC
Mudgee, NSW
Exmouth, WA
Orange, NSW
Broome, WA

AUSTRALIA’S BEST SUMMERS

SEXIEST HOTEL POOL

qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne, Vic
Palazzo Versace, Surfer’s Paradise, Qld
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, NSW
One&Only Hayman Island, Qld
Lake Argyle Caravan Park, Kimberley, WA
Crown Metropol, Perth, WA
Park Hyatt, Sydney, NSW
Spicers Peak Lodge, Scenic Rim, Qld
Peppers Palm Cove, Qld

BEST BEACH

Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW
Cable Beach, Broome, WA
Whitehaven beach, Whitsunday Island, Qld
Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW
Main Beach, Noosa, Qld

MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND GETAWAY

Hayman Island, Qld
Hamilton Island, Qld
Lord Howe Island, NSW
Kangaroo Island, SA
Fraser Island, Qld

BEST CRUISING EXPERIENCE

Cruising the Kimberly coastline
Bareboating in the Whitsundays
Cruising Sydney harbour
Cruising on a big liner
Sailing on Ningaloo Reef

AUSTRALIA’S BEST EATS

BEST FOOD REGION

Tamar Valley, Tas
Central West NSW
Yarra Valley, Vic
Margaret River, WA
McLaren Vale, SA

BEST WINE REGION

Barossa Valley, SA
Yarra Valley, Vic
McLaren Vale, SA
Hunter Valley, NSW
Margaret River, WA

BEST CITY RESTAURANT

Quay, Sydney, NSW
Vue de Monde, Melbourne
Attica, Melbourne
Rockpool, Bridge St, Sydney
Aria, Sydney

BEST REGIONAL RESTAURANT

Biota, Bowral, NSW
Rick Stein at Bannisters, Mollymook, NSW
Lake House, Daylesford, Vic
Muse Restaurant, Pokolbin, NSW
Hentley Farm, Barossa Valley, SA

BEST REGIONAL CAFÉ CULTURE

Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld
Margaret River Region, WA
Byron Bay Hinterland, NSW
Southern Highlands, NSW

AUSTRALIA’S BEST JOURNEYS

BEST ROAD TRIP

Great Ocean Road, Vic
East Coast Escape, Tasmania
Pacific Coast (Sydney, NSW to Brisbane, Qld)
Gibb River Road, Kimberley, WA
The Nullarbor (Ceduna, SA to Perth, WA)

BEST TRAIN TRIP

Indian Pacific, NSW-SA-WA
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Qld
The Sunlander, Qld
The Ghan, SA–NT
Puffing Billy Railway, Vic

AUSTRALIA’S BEST AIR TRAVEL

BEST AIRPORT

Adelaide Airport, SA
Brisbane Airport, Qld
Cairns Airport, Qld
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), Vic
Sydney Airport, NSW

BEST MAJOR AIRLINE

Qantas Airways
Virgin Australia
Jetstar
Tigerair

BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE

AirNorth
QantasLink
REX
Skywest
Skytrans

BEST OVERALL TRAVEL EXPERIENCE OF 2014

Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
Seeing Uluru at sunset
Swimming with Ningaloo’s whale sharks
Exploring the Kimberley
Doing the Top End

Thanks to our sponsors

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

Finalists Revealed – The People’s Choice Awards 2014 shortlist