A country escape straight out of a fairytale, a spectacular bottomless brunch in Sydney and our verdict on one of Australia’s first Michelin restaurants: THE DETOUR

Welcome to The Detour: Your weekly food and travel guide to the best flavours, hidden haunts, insider tips and unforgettable new experiences that reward those of us who wander off course.

A country getaway worth the hype

There are some places that look beautiful in photos but are even more magical in real life. Ardour Milton Park Bowral is one of them. 

Driving through the gates of the newly renovated Southern Highlands estate felt like entering the pages of my favourite childhood storybook.

The winding, tree-lined driveway, lush, sweeping gardens, vine-covered walls and elegant arched windows set the scene and there’s an immediate sense of calm as you approach the historic property.

By the time you step inside, the outside world already feels a million miles away… and that’s before you’ve even checked into your room. 

The Ardour team previously won me over with their stunning transformation of Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains, so I arrived at Milton Park with high expectations. I’m delighted to report they’ve worked their magic once again. 

The first hotel to open under the Ardour Hotels & Estates collection, Ardour Milton Park Bowral is a heritage gem that strikes a beautiful balance between old-world grandeur and modern luxury. 

Set amid the rolling green hills of the Southern Highlands, the estate is surrounded by magnificent gardens, towering trees and charming historic architecture. You can do very little here and the time flies.

One of my favourite moments was sitting in a cute little chair outside my room, overlooking the courtyard fountain, breathing in the crisp country air and listening to the birds with a book in hand. 

The magnificent willow trees, the gentle sound of running water and the sheer tranquillity of the setting were just what the doctor ordered. 

And if you’re particularly lucky, as I was, you might even spot a wombat quietly grazing on the grounds at sunset. 

The pool is lovely too; fun fact, when it was first built in 1910 it was the first heated and filtered pool in Australia. 

Of course, a beautiful hotel needs beautiful food, and Milton Park certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Executive Chef Mark Holland oversees the property’s dining destinations, including the elegant Horderns Restaurant and The Polo Bar.

The grilled Abrolhos Island scallops with puttanesca butter and lemon were exceptional, as was Rita’s gnocco fritto with nduja, ricotta, sesame and hot honey. 

The Hiramasa kingfish crudo with burnt honey was another highlight, while the Riverina Black Angus beef sirloin, served with a vibrant spring garden herb salsa, was a beautiful celebration of fresh, quality produce.

I also loved the baked spicy rigatoni vodka pasta topped with stracciatella but whatever you do, leave room for dessert.

The Horderns Eton Mess was a triumph that combined honeycomb, lemon myrtle and strawberry meringue with white chocolate and vanilla mousse, finished with macerated strawberries. 

Meanwhile, the wellness sanctuary transports you to another world.

Èliva is a dreamy retreat designed to take relaxation to another level, offering an impressive mix of traditional treatments and modern wellness therapies. 

There’s a bespoke oil-blending bar where guests can create customised scrubs and masks, treatment rooms offering everything from high-tech facials to signature massages and light therapies, as well as PEMF mats, vibro-acoustic lounges, infrared and traditional saunas, and fitness experiences including Pilates. 

It feels like an escape within an escape. 

I treated myself to a massage during my stay and it was easily one of the best I’ve had in a very long time.

What makes Milton Park particularly special is how effortlessly it brings everything together – the romance of the historic estate, the understated luxury of the rooms, the exceptional food and the opportunity to properly switch off without having to travel far from home.

Just 90 minutes from Sydney and within easy reach of some of the Southern Highlands’ best boutiques, restaurants and charming country towns, it’s an ideal base for exploring the region.

It’s an absolute gem, one I couldn’t recommend more highly, and somewhere I’ll certainly be returning to.

A bottomless brunch worthy of the group chat

What’s spring in Sydney without a fabulous long lunch, and spectacular harbour views in the sunshine? 

And I’ve found a Sunday session that hits the spot.

Perched 26 floors above Sydney Harbour, CIRQ at Crown Sydney has quietly launched a fabulous bottomless brunch experience and I want every local to know about it.

At $145 per person, it’s certainly an indulgence, but when you consider what’s included I’d argue it’s exceptional value. 

We’re talking two hours of bottomless Chandon, a welcome cocktail, a generous tiered charcuterie stand and a spectacular Greek-inspired feast.

The star of the show is the whole spit-roasted lamb served alongside warm pita bread, creamy tzatziki, olive tapenade, a fresh Greek village salad and comforting lemon potatoes. 

Add a live DJ, a great vibe, glorious sunshine and some of the best views in Sydney and you’ve got the recipe for a bloody great Sunday afternoon. 

And if you really want to make the most of it? Turn it into a staycation. 

Few hotels do indulgence quite like Crown Sydney and with its magnificent rooms, impressive dining options and endless opportunities to treat yourself… it’s a no-brainer.

For dinner, head to the recently opened Golden Century, where the legendary hospitality and exceptional Cantonese menu have earned it thousands of regulars.

There’s plenty to love here, but make sure you leave room for the new Fresh Fruit and Taro Ball Icy Dessert Pot with Coconut Cream. It’s a refreshing, deliciously different way to finish the meal. 

For those exploring the hotel’s latest drinks offerings, there’s also the new Belvedere Dirty Brew Coffee experience, featuring coffee-inspired options including an affogato and espresso martini. 

Whether you’re planning a long-overdue catch-up with friends, celebrating something special or simply looking for an excuse to play tourist for a night, it’s a beautiful reminder of just how good Sydney can be.

And I’d say that’s a weekend very well spent.

A Michelin-recommended ‘must’

by Cindy Tran 

I celebrated my return to Adelaide with a meal at Africola, a South African-style restaurant owned by acclaimed chef Duncan Welgemoed.

Walk-ins are rarely accommodated, with customers typically turned away unless they’ve made a reservation. As soon as I landed at Adelaide Airport after 8pm, I jumped online and to my surprise, managed to secure a table for two at 9pm.

My husband and I never eat this late but when you only have one free night in South Australia, it would be a crime not to dine at a Michelin-recognised restaurant.

As we walked through the door, we were greeted by friendly staff, lively music and a room full of happy diners. The restaurant was buzzing and we were amazed to see so many people still dining after 9pm. 

Those in the know always start with the crispy chicken tea sandwich. The waitress said these sandwiches are a must-try – say no more! We were served crustless white bread with paper-thin crispy chicken skin, a peri peri mayo and fresh parsley.

The first bite blew us away. But it was the peri peri drippings that took everything to another level. The fluffy, soft bread soaked up the sauce, creating an intense flavour explosion in our mouths. It was the perfect introduction to what was to come.

Each dish that hit our table was a joy in itself.

The wagyu sirloin with padrón peppers was by far the best steak we’ve eaten in a really long time. A waitress warned us that the green peppers were a bit like Russian roulette – we could bite into one of the hottest chillies so we must proceed with caution. As it turned out, we were in the clear, with both peppers delivering just the right amount of spice.

We couldn’t look past the peri peri chicken with its famous Mpumalanga fire boom chakalaka sauce. The chicken was insanely good, so tender to the bite, while the braised cabbage served on top added another layer of flavour and texture.

For the sides, we had the cos lettuce with shallots, which added a refreshing element to the rich meat dishes. We could have easily ended our feast there but we couldn’t say no to the salt-baked Dutch cream potatoes with labneh, pine nuts, za’atar and chives.

And yes, we definitely over-ordered and ended up having to take the spuds to go.

Overall, the food was phenomenal and honestly, we’ll be thinking about this place until we make it back to Adelaide. We walked out full, content and already dreaming of our next trip to South Australia – just so we could do it all again at Africola.