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PEAK SEASON
JASON BURNETT PHOTO
HEIDI FLUMM PHOTOGRAPHY
PEAK SEASON WORDS
MICHELLE WRANIK
PEAK SEASON PHOTO
TOURISM NSW, FALLS CREEK RESORT
Lennox Head near Gold Coast is a coastal
township brimming with crafty individuals
eager to share their skills. Burnett runs an
artisan design house along with designer and
co-owner Jennie Riley, and here he spotlights
a few places where visitors can get artsy.
BEADING WORKSHOPS
“
Riley Burnett’s lofty, open-plan
layout makes it the perfect location
for a range of creative activities, including
regular beading workshops. Using beads from
around the world, Jennie Riley’s workshops
include two fun-filled hours of jewellery making.”
Adults AU$65, children AU$25; Level 1,
80-84
Ballina St;
PAINTING CLASSES
“
Learn to paint with talented local
artist Mark Waller, who holds regular
workshops. You don’t need to be able to paint
to enjoy one of Mark’s inspiring classes, which
cater for all abilities and are a great way to start
or continue expressing your artistic talents.”
$10 per hour; Lennox Artspace, Down the
lane, 66 Ballina St;
LIFE DRAWING CLASSES
“
Melissa Wright’s Thursday classes
provide a relaxing atmosphere to
develop your technique.”
$20; 66 Ballina St; call Melissa 0429 876 601
3
If you’re seeking a magical mountain adventure, the Australian
Alps cater to powderhounds, foodies and festival-goers alike
NSW
THREDBO
With some of the country’s
best speed-skiing terrain, Thredbo’s 672m
drop means it not only trumps most Aussie
destinations in the vertical stakes – the
picturesque town, dominated by mountainous
scenery, makes it the closest in atmosphere
to a European alpine village. Just don’t forget
your party hat: “Thredders” is famed for its
après-ski scene. With more than 30 bars and
restaurants, schnapps and late-night dance-
floor boogies are all part of the experience.
500
km from Sydney;
VIC
FALLS CREEK
Falls Creek boasts 65km of world-
class cross-country skiing trails and freeriding
and freestyle competitions aplenty. It’s also
home to snow biking, an activity unique to
these Aussie snowfields. Book a one-hour
guided session to slide around on a bike made
for the slopes. Falls is also well regarded on the
foodie circuit. Head to the Huski Apartments
for coffee and gourmet
nibbles at the Huski Produce Store and to
dine at Three Blue Ducks, a bistro launched by
former Tetsuya chef Darren Robertson.
356
km fromMelbourne;
NSW
PERISHER
With 47 lifts, this is a one-stop
shop for Aussie skiing and boarding. The resort
is the biggest alpine ski field in Oz and as such,
offers great value and variety – particularly with
seasonal deals like the Freedom Pass (AU$699
for unlimited skiing). Bump into a Winter
Olympian training at one of the seven terrain
parks or time your visit with the Perisher Snowy
Mountains of Music – a four-day music festival.
500
km from Sydney;
Perisher
Falls Creek
Thredbo
GET CRAFTY
Co-owner of Riley Burnett in
Lennox Head
JASON BURNETT
