Going walkabout with Sally Fitzgibbons

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Australian surfing prodigy Sally Fitzgibbons has travelled from beach-to-beach around the country and across the world since she was 17, collecting trophies along the way.

She’s also authored Live Like Sally, a book that provides its readers with tips on how to have a healthy lifestyle, and has recently partnered with hotel brand Novotel as its new wellness ambassador, and Solar D Sunscreen. We chat to Sally about her favourite travel experiences.

1. As a child, our family holidays always…

Revolved around sporting activities. Surf lifesaving, soccer, athletics, surfing, running, sailing and representative sport for school took us all over Australia…

 

I made such great memories in teams, achieving my goals. We all supported one another as a family and did crazy fun road trips up and down the east coast.

2. Now, when I have spare time I head straight to…

Gerroa on the South Coast of NSW, where I grew up. I’m always travelling the globe with my surfing, so when I touch down in Australia there’s nothing better than driving home to spend time with my family. It is my favourite place to train in and out of the water.

3. The best thing about living on the South Coast is…

The beautiful open spaces. It is spectacular seeing the green rolling hills, dotted with livestock, meet the ocean.

 

It washes a wave of calmness and belonging over me as soon as I see the countryside and the long stretches of uncrowded beaches. This is where I started my dream and it will always be home.

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4. My favourite beach in Australia is…

Seven Mile Beach in Gerroa. This is where I grew up surfing with my family and the place that really ignited my passion for the sport.

 

If it wasn’t home, it would be Bells Beach, one of the most prestigious waves in Australian surf history.

5. My favourite city in Australia is…

Sydney. I spend a lot of time there for ‘out of water’ commitments and have formed some great friendships there. And Sydney Harbour is simply amazing.

6. I keep fit and healthy while travelling by…

Going for a run at dawn, whether it be on the coast or in the city. The best thing about running is that you can do it anywhere and I love exploring by foot – it’s a great way to sight-see in different places.

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7. The three things I always pack when travelling are…

My surfboards go everywhere with me – my day never feels complete without being in the ocean.

 

My fit ball – I use it as soon as I wake up to stretch out, then at training through the day and right up until I go to bed. It is one of my best buddies – haha! And my Solar D Sunscreen, of course.

8. My last great holiday/beach read was…

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.

9. The number one place on my bucket list is…

King Island, Tasmania. The island and landscapes look incredible and I’ve heard there are some amazing waves and sea life there.

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The best places to wine and dine across regional Victoria

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    There’s no shortage of exceptional eateries in regional Victoria. From casual classics to finely tuned fine diners, here’s our pick of the plentiful bunch.

    Le Foyer Brasserie, Bendigo

    French plate at Le Foyer Brassiere, Bendigo
    Le Foyer serves upscale French fare.

    From the owners behind Bendigo’s beloved The Woodhouse comes this newly opened elegant French bistro. It’s all about welcoming warmth at this city fine diner, after all Le Foyer, translates to ‘the hearth’ in French. A place to linger in the chic, Parisian-style salon, the menu unfurls in the classics, from beef bourguignon to steak frites and mille-feuille.

    Riverbank Moama, Murray River

    seafood plate at Riverbank Moama, Murray River
    Dine on the banks of the Murray at Riverbank Moama. (Image: Cindy Power Photography)

    If you’re journeying on or beside the Murray, it’s only fitting that you dine by its banks. This nature-nestled restaurant by the river is idyllic for a long, sun-filled lunch. The menu is an unfussy playlist of the hits served with a seasonal spin – and the mood is as gently flowing as the nearby water.

    Felix, Geelong

    a bartender mixing up drinks at Felix, Geelong
    Felix offers a relaxed French bistro experience. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

    Soft brown banquettes, walnut hues and a terrazzo bar welcomes with relaxed French bistro vibes at Geelong’s Felix. But really, it’s the collage of simple, seasonal flavours that make this restaurant an easy-going favourite. Come for brunch or dinner; vegans are welcomed with a dedicated menu.

    The Perch, Lavers Hill

    a plate of food at The Perch, Lavers Hill
    Savour the seasonal menu at The Perch.

    A laid-back classic of the Great Ocean Road, The Perch at Lavers Hill welcomes those taking a pause from the serpentine drive. Lunch in the warm-wood dining room is accompanied by vineyard vistas and fleeting cameos from native birds.

    The Shared Table, Ballarat

    The Shared Table, Ballarat
    The Shared Table in Ballart.

    If you go for the ‘Dine without Decision’ option at this beloved eatery, you’re free from the tyranny of food envy with a chef-selected procession of dishes that highlight the bounty of the Midwest region. Think mochi gnocchi with pumpkin and XO or Western Plains pork cotoletta.

    Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula

    Paddock-to-platedining at Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula
    Paddock-to-plate dining at its finest. (Image: Arianna Harry Photography)

    This fine diner, which opened in early 2025, has been lauded as one of the region’s most ambitious and significant openings in recent years. Set on a 400-hectare, cliffside Cape Schanck property that delivers the kitchen with a cornucopia of produce, it’s elegant and honest paddock-to-plate dining at its most refined.

    Mount William Station, Grampians

    plating a dish at Mount William Station, Grampians
    Dine on elevated seasonal and local produce at Mount William Station. (Image: Phil Hocking)

    Whether you’re staying at this luxe historic station or just swinging in for dinner with friends, the shared table vibe here is country hospitality at its most welcoming and elevated. Seasonal and local produce guides chef Dean Sibthorp’s hand for plates finessed with the mountain-fresh flavour of the Grampians.

    Emerald City, Yarra Valley

    a curated plate at Emerald City, Yarra Valley
    Emerald City offers a curated dining experience that is wonderfully intimate.

    You’re certainly not in Kansas anymore when you slip behind the emerald curtain from Cavanagh’s Whiskey and Alehouse to the diminutive Emerald City. Allusions to the fraudulent wizard and Dorothy aside, this acutely intimate four-seat diner is a curated experience worthy of a road trip. As you may imagine, bookings are essential.

    du Fermier, Trentham

    dining at du Fermier, Trentham
    du Fermier is Trentham’s exquisite French fine diner. (Image: DJN Photography)

    Annie Smithers’ intimate, farmhouse-y French fine diner is not at all new, but it is every bit iconic. It’s long attracted food-lovers to its charming dining room for a set menu that undulates with the seasons. If you’re a gourmand to your core, book into one of Annie’s delightfully informal masterclasses.

    Messmates Dining, Gippsland

    diners at Messmates Dining, Gippsland
    Inside Messmates Dining. (Image: Fotoarco)

    This Warragul diner’s menu is a well-arranged collection of delicious, farm-forward morsels crafted, quite simply, to delight. Dishes such as French onion dip scooped onto nigella seed crackers and fresh-made pasta tossed with a black pepper and butter emulsion are all about balanced, enjoyable flavours paired with good wine.