13 Things to do in January: Ridiculously good food, unique experiences to put on your itinerary in Australia

Whether en route, passing through or close enough – here are some appealing Australian destinations and experiences (some products, too) to consider in the coming month.

Unsung Melbourne

We’ve all got that friend with their finger on the pulse — and our woman in Melbourne is the reason we now always opt to check-in at the State Library.

Be it the beauty of the building, its interiors and the deep calm it offers — a genuine reprieve from the jostling city — to what is an impressive slate of talks and exhibitions across art and design and publishing and words and beyond, the State is always worthy of some time.

On this bent, Melbourne’s Australian Centre for the Moving Image is another that’s oft-overlooked, this too is an impressive outing that moves across screen culture and located centrally at Fed Square. slv.vic.gov.au; acmi.net.au

Adelaide Hills — Always A Good Idea

South Australia is brilliant on a multitude of levels and regions.

And the Adelaide Hills — literally 20 minute’s drive from downtown — are one of the country’s best excursions, dotted with endearing villages, striking nature, decent wineries (Tapanappa is also a good idea) and what is Australia’s finest retreat, Sequoia Lodge.

Nestled in the grounds of Mt Lofty Estate and named for the imported trees that anchor the property, this is five-star, all-inclusive indulgence that proves Australia can do lodges as well as our Kiwi cousins. sequoialodge.com.au

Vermut You Say?

Yes we do. And while we’ve meandered off the Australian pathway of these pages a little, we’re here to state that the Spanish take on fortified wine (far removed from any cocktail mixer) should become an Australian summer staple.

Like the Spanish, we’re for ‘la hora del vermut’ (the hour of vermut), held daily and usually before lunch. Serve over ice with a slice of orange. Sorted.

Tunnel Tasmania

A brutalist affair on Bruny Island, Tunnel sharpens the allure of Tasmania.

To simply slug this “designer accommodation” is a disservice — this is a breathing piece of off-grid architecture and true “experience” that neatly melds modernist angles that work with and celebrate the rugged beauty of the Australian bush.

Overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, accommodation covers two people across an expansive bedroom, bathroom and kitchen and living space in the main “tunnel” with a secondary studio aimed to push creative output or for those seeking further solace. tunneltasmania.com

Read the latest edition of ROAM here

Glass Houses

Held above Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the Glass House Mountains prove a true wonder, with 16 piles of vertical volcanic rock that dominate the landscape and announce a region ripe for exploration.

Here it’s about time in nature — about walking and seeing and experiencing an area too many push past en-route to Noosa. As for the accommodation, steer for the villas at Glass On Glasshouse as well as the cabins at Oak Hill Estate. glassonglasshouse.com.au; oakhillestateglasshouse.com.au

Head For The Bar

Josh Niland needs no introduction — arguably Australia’s most inventive chef and the man responsible for a whole fish dining movement that’s taken the amiable Sydneysider global.

Dining at his formidable Paddington restaurant is a must any month — though also know that beyond the brilliant back-room degustation, Saint Peter’s front bar menu is accessible, does walk-ins and holds the best cheeseburger in the country.

Niland’s all-seafood take on said burger, think yellowfin tuna and swordfish belly “bacon”, is the best $36 you’ll spend in Sydney. saintpeter.com.au

Perth’s Finest

If Perth’s Como The Treasury was situated in any east coast capital, it would regularly be feted as the country’s finest. Fact.

The Kerry-Hill designed property that brought to life the historic State Buildings of the CBD is a true stand-out — rooms expansive and dressed in natural light, attentive and faultless service, Shambala spa on site, decadent pool, access to impeccable eateries (such as the impressive, if at times too “foamy”, Wildflower) the nearby Swan River, Kings Park and beyond.

Faultless. comohotels.com

Hobart Underground

MONA may get top billing, so too restaurants such as Fico and Schloe. And rightly so. They should.

Though when in town ROAM cannot miss a twirl at Hobart’s Bar Wa Izakaya.

Located to the north of the city (read: walkable), it’s take on dive-bar-meets-Japanese-eatery is unmatched.

Much of that has to do with the local energy, the playlist (read: punkish) and the menus of goodness that bring to life impressive local produce. Hello wallaby skewers. barwaizakaya.com

Unique Local Touring

A tour company that’s a lot more than what such words project, Reveling offers itineraries unlike any other.

The Queensland-based outfit — co-founded by Alex Baker — is propelled by unique experiential itineraries, or, as Baker likes to view things, offering people “the perfect day”.

This may mean a surf safari with former pro Bede Durbidge on Stradbroke Island or around Byron Bay, tasting the elevated Brisbane dining scene with unmatched access to chefs and hard-to-secure tables, or heli-tours that drive home the diverse beauty of south-east Queensland regions and which ultimately marry a sense of luxury to unique local adventure.

reveling.co

Bistecca Private Dining

Sydney’s ultimate steakhouse — yes, the one where they confiscate your phone — has an impressive new private dining area.

The Cappelletti Room is available for exclusive use for 14 guests indulging a four-course menu as paired to a curated Italian wine list.

Available lunch and dinner — a rather lush way to ring in the new year.

Carry On Wheeling

OK, Carl Friedrik isn’t a domestic offer though the elevated London-via-Sweden label proves perfect for any local January moves.

An investment, granted, there’s a robust reliability to the collection — not to mention a distinguished sense of design with notable functionality — and we can’t push past the Carry On X when on the hop.

carlfriedrik.com

All For Gerald

Let’s keep this sharp — for all Melbourne’s wine and food haunts, few come close to the brilliance of Gerald’s Bar.

Recently relocated to larger digs on Lygon Street (Carlton North), the unique atmosphere and impressive menus that made the Rathdowne Street a regular haunt remains — a local gem that does what it does damn well and which revels in being itself. geraldsbar.com

Hats On

Blame the beachy new marketing campaign with Mick Fanning — we’re dusting off the Akubra to hit the road next month.

The Australian staple that speaks of the dirt and the bush and the farm and adventure is again pushing hard into a new era with its modern moves built around Mick.

Will it work? Not sure, though we’re set to keep the sun off.

akubra.com