Matty Somewhere

The Grand Food at The Grand Hotel on Thursday Island.

The Grand Hotel on Thursday Island, is a historic pub known for classic meals, cold drinks, and relaxed island hospitality, making it a favourite with locals and visitors alike. The hotel also offers accommodation, but for this post, join me as I explore what the food is like here. This post may contain affiliate links,…

The Wonderful Hay Street Food Market (at Paddy’s Market), Chinatown, Sydney

Opened in March 2025, the Hay St Market at Paddy’s Markets truly has something for everyone, with over 48 traders showcasing more than 25 cuisines from around the world. While I can’t try them all, I sample some of my favourites snacks and dishes, including fare from a two of my favourite celebrity chefs. This…

A Light Lunch at Lavana, Tapas and Bar, Sydney.

Lavana is a stylish waterfront tapas bar in Sydney’s Walsh Bay, offering Mediterranean inspired small plates, seafood, all with great friendly service. With its relaxed harbour views and welcoming atmosphere, it’s an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, or drinks with friends. This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here. I’m with my…

Cruising Gorgeous Sydney Harbour with Captain Cook Cruises.

Sydney Harbour is truly the jewel in the city’s crown, with its sparkling waters and stunning views, iconic buildings and structures, what better way to take it all in than on a leisurely lunch or dinner cruise, combining breathtaking scenery with great food to create a memorable experience. Captain Cook Cruises operates a range of…

Breakfast at The Rocks Café, Sydney.

Breakfast at The Rocks Café in Sydney is a delightful experience, with hearty classics, fresh coffee, and a charming heritage setting, making it the perfect spot to start your day in this historic entertainment and dining precinct. I am here meeting my friend Susanne for breakfast after a very early shift at work, and we…

QANTAS Airways – Airbus A330 – Cairns to Sydney.

After another wonderful stay in Cairns, the city that feels like my second home, it was time to head back to Sydney. For this flight I chose Qantas Airways for three key reasons: first, the chance to fly on a widebody Airbus A330-200; second, I grabbed a seat with points (or miles) that was quite…

The Wonderful Food at the Historic Mount Kembla Village Hotel, Wollongong.

The Mount Kembla Village Hotel welcomes everyone with genuine warmth and country charm. With 16 beers on tap, a thoughtfully curated wine list, a wide range of spirits, and a menu crafted by a talented chef, there’s something for every taste. The wood fired pizzas are a local favourite, and the morning buzz of our…

Ochre Restaurant – Australian Indigenous food – in Gorgeous Cairns!

Ochre Restaurant in Cairns is a standout dining destination known for its innovative use of native Australian ingredients. Overlooking the waterfront, it offers a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. It’s perfect for visitors seeking a unique and memorable Aussie culinary experience. This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here.. The menu showcases bold,…

The Malaya, Sydney, Malaysian food at its Best.

The Malaya in Sydney is an institution, renowned for its vibrant Malaysian and Singaporean flavours. Established in the 1960s, it continues to impress with signature dishes like chicken and pork satay’s, char kway teow, and beef rendang, and all served with warm, attentive service that keeps diners returning. This post may contain affiliate links, to…

A Road Trip to the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

My friend Shanny, who I’ve known for over 30 years, and I both needed a little getaway. With a few days off, we decided on a short escape to the New South Wales (NSW) South Coast—not too far from my home in Sydney and hers in Wollongong. This post may contain affiliate links, to read…

Virgin Australian Lounge – Gold Coast.

I’m back at another Virgin Australia Lounge, and this one in the Gold Coast is excellent, like most of them really. While the food is plentiful, the lounge offers sweeping views of the tarmac, making it a relaxing and great aviation viewing spot before my flight. This post may contain affiliate links, to read more…

Tha Food at Tha Fish, Cairns.

Tha Fish in Cairns is a standout waterfront seafood restaurant at the Marina. Known for its fresh, locally sourced seafood prepared with creative flavours, it’s perfect for tropical dining. Oh and believe me, things do get creative here! This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here. Tha Fish offer a $25 Lunch…

Visiting the Qantas Club in Cairns.

Another lounge visit, this time at the Qantas Club in Cairns. Normally, I’d fly Virgin Australia since I hold Gold Status, but with no lounge there, I used points to fly Qantas. Conveniently, my Qantas credit card included a lounge pass, perfect timing! I genuinely share my loyalty between both airlines. This post may contain…

Classic Vietnamese at Phở Pasteur, Sydney.

Phở Pasteur is a beloved Vietnamese eatery famous for its cuisine, generous portions, and fast service, a go to spot for authentic, comforting Vietnamese dishes in the heart of the Sydney. It thoroughly takes me back to the times I have spent in Vietnam. This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here….

A Visit to Spice Temple Melbourne – Ten Years Later… (With a Sneaky Cocktail at Marmont!)

While in Melbourne with my cousin Cath, visiting from Calgary, I suddenly exclaimed, “We have to go to Spice Temple!”. It has been almost ten years since my last visit, and I was genuinely excited to return to this unforgettable dining experience. A quick search reveals that on Fridays they offer a Yum Cha menu,…

Virgin Australia Melbourne to Sydney Business Class

After visiting the Virgin Australia Lounge, I took a relatively short flight of just 58 minutes (versus the usual slotted 1 hour and 30 minutes) back to Sydney. Virgin Australia pulls out all the stops on this quick high traffic route. The corridor between Melbourne and Sydney is one of the busiest air routes in…

The Virgin Australia Lounge – Melbourne

The Virgin Australia Lounge in Melbourne offers a relaxed, modern space with plenty of seating, work areas, and tarmac views. Guests enjoy a self serve buffet, barista made coffee, and a selection of beverages, ideal for unwinding before a domestic flight. This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here. Virgin Australia domestic…

The Teriyaki McBurger at McDonalds – Japan!

Welcome back for another Macca’s post from around the world! This time I am in Japan! The usual rules apply: I’ll try a burger that is not available in Australia and I’ll have fries for comparison; if there is something else quite different on the menu, like gazpacho in Spain, or the Kaprao Crispy Chicken and Rice…

Afternoon Delights at the Calypso Club, Cairns.

Calypso Club in Cairns is a lively rum bar and seafood kitchen nestled on the ground floor of Crystalbrook Riley overlooking the Esplanade. Inspired by coastal nostalgia, it features tropical cocktails, and a wonderful sustainable seafood menu. Expect bright interiors, beachfront vibes and relaxed seaside charm. Full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links which help…

QANTAS Airways Business Class – Christchurch to Sydney.

For my journey back to Australia from New Zealand, I scored a great deal combining Air New Zealand and QANTAS flights. The first leg was a short Economy flight with Air New Zealand from Dunedin to Christchurch, followed by a Business Class flight on QANTAS to Sydney. Full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links which…

Manaia Lounge – Christchurch International Airport.

The Manaia Lounge at Christchurch Airport offers a quiet, comfortable retreat for travellers looking to relax before their flight. With complimentary food and beverages, Wi-Fi, and cosy seating, it’s a welcoming space to unwind. Whether travelling for business or leisure, this Plaza-Premium Lounge adds a touch of comfort and convenience. It serves as the business…