What's new in NSW

Thou Walla Sunset retreat

With Winter on its way, Sydney and Regional NSW is heating up with Vivid Sydney which startied on 27 May, and a range of new accommodation, restaurant and tour operators opening across the state. Highlights include the arrival of Sydney’s first all-natural soda factory and bar, new ‘glamping’ safari tents in Port Stephens and the announcement of Keith Urban as the headline performer for this year’s Deni Ute Muster.

New accommodation

• Ten new ‘glamping’ safari tents complete with flatscreen TVs, electric fireplaces, ensuites and, balcony daybeds overlooking the dolphin-filled waters of Port Stephens are now welcoming indulgent campers at the Thou Walla Sunset Retreat. To celebrate the opening of the waterside eco tents at the Soldiers Point retreat, Thou Walla has launched a special offer of $299 per tent (for two people) for two nights on weekends or weekdays until September 30, 2016 with discounts on select local activities
• Following a year of extensive renovations and rejuvenations, Terragong 1858 House Bed & Breakfast has re-opened in Jambaroo on the stunning South Coast. Built in 1858 as a gentleman's residence, the lovingly refurbished Colonial Georgian home sits on 12 acres of lush gardens and pastures offering a bed and breakfast experience unsurpassed in the region for luxury and exclusivity
• The Pullman Sydney Airport will be the first internationally branded 5-star hotel servicing the Sydney airport precinct when it opens next month. The hotel will feature Mobius Bar & Restaurant, conference facilities for up to 280 delegates, a gymnasium and an Executive Club Lounge - a hallmark of every Pullman Hotel
• AccorHotels has announced it will grow its luxury portfolio with the opening of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour in 2017. Construction of the 35-storey hotel is well underway and will feature a unique and instantly recognisable architectural design with 590 accommodation rooms, well located next to the new Sydney International Convention Centre.

New in food & wine

Jervis Bay

• Jervis Bay has welcomed a new waterfront dining destination with the arrival of Portside Café in Huskisson. Open every day from 8am to late, Portside Café is mesmerising visitors with breathtaking views overlooking the pristine waters of Jervis Bay and a choice of indoor or outdoor dining. The café’s deck opens onto the cruise termINail from which Jervis Bay Wild's popular whale and dolphin watching tours depart
• Marrickville has further cemented its position as one of Sydney’s hottest new dining destinations with the opening of El Chapel on Enmore Road. From the team behing popular local café Two Chaps, El Chapel is currently serving a smaller daytime menu but will soon open its courtyard and backroom for casual sit-down dining. El Chapel will also serve the team’s new range of croissants, including chai-spiced melonpan and stuffed brioche buns
• Hunter Gatherer is a new 200-seat Ottolenghi-inspired eatery on a stunning North-Sydney rooftop, opened by the team behind The Corner House and Panama House. With a focus on showcasing local produce close to the city, the Hunter Gatherer team is working with an organic Hawkesbury food co-op and acclaimed Sydney butcher Vic’s Meat. With half the menu dedicated to vegetarian dishes, there is something to suit all tastes
• Sydney has welcomed its first soda factory and bar. Instead of an open cellar door, PS40 has an open soda door, serving its all-natural soda line made and bottled in-house. Located in a warehouse down Skittle Lane, amid the hustle and bustle of the city, PS40 has an eight-tap bar with an extra tap dedicated to experimental releases.

New experiences

Peppers Convent Hunter Valley

• Peppers Convent Hunter Valley is hosting a special Yoga in the Vineyards weekend retreat on 28 and 29 May, where guests can find their inner yogi surrounded by some of the Hunter Valley’s most scenic landscape. Sydney-based yogi Heidi Horne will lead a series of 90-minute yoga, wellness and meditation sessions for all levels of ability. Guests will be fuelled with a range of wholesome, delicious, seasonal dishes from The Convent’s Circa 1876 kitchen
• Experience the magic of winter in the Blue Mountains with an evening of fine dining, exquisite art and music opulence at a sumptuous masquerade ball at the Hydro Majestic Hotel on June 18. Guests will browse exquisite artworks by Warwick Fuller, the official tour artist to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall during their visit to Australia in November and enjoy music by the largest gathering of professional classical musicians ever in the Blue Mountains. The evening will include a two-course dinner created by award-winning chefs and featuring outstanding regional produce
• From June 20, subject to final regulatory approval, Albury Airport will welcome a new airline, jetgo, which will fly jet aircraft between Brisbane and Albury with a flight time of just one hour and 35 minutes. Albury is the perfect destination for art-lovers, foodies, couples and families. The city is buzzing with the recent openings of contemporary art museum MAMA (Murray Art Museum Albury), trendy boutique hotel Atura Albury and many new restaurants, cafés and wine bars
• Chef and My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge is set to join the culinary team at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains - MGallery by Sofitel on Saturday 9 July 2016 for two exceptional gastronomic events - a masterclass and four-course gala dinner. During the evening event, from 6:30-10:30pm, Fassnidge will share his passion for food and his journey to becoming one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs over an extraordinary four-course gala dinner, paired with a range of impressive regional NSW wines. Bookings are essential as places are limited
• Keith Urban has been announced as the headlining perfomer at this year’s Deni Ute Muster on 30 September. Some of the country’s most well known and lover performers will join Keith at the event, celebrating its 18th birthday this year.