Reviews

First-hand reviews on places to stay, food to savour, books to read and products worth trying.

Oaks Hervey Bay Staycation - swimming poolJocelyn Watts
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Oaks Hervey Bay Staycation: A Holiday Just Minutes Away

Why I Chose an Oaks Hervey Bay Staycation — and Properly Switched Off THERE'S something a little rebellious about checking into a resort when home is just 15 minutes away. No airport queues. No packing the car like you’re fleeing civilisation.…
Oaks Port Douglas - night pool sceneJocelyn Watts
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Oaks Port Douglas: A Stay in the Tropics

Family Wedding Stay at Oaks Port Douglas Resort OCTOBER in Far North Queensland has a certain magic about it. The humidity eases just enough, the skies behave themselves (mostly), and the crowds thin as the annual tourist season winds down.…
Italy Meets Mexico Fusion - entréeJocelyn Watts
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Italy Meets Mexico Fusion at Barrel n Vine

Love Italian? Adore Mexican? Barrel n Vine Nails the Fusion! I WASN'T sure what to expect for my first Fusion event at Barrel n Vine in Hervey Bay, but I quickly learned to expect the unexpected! After thoroughly enjoying their Taste of…
A taste of Italy - a glass of red wine and people wine tastingJocelyn Watts
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Taste of Italy: Uncorking Flavours at Barrel n Vine

Sip, Savour, and Socialise at Barrel n Vine’s Events RACHAEL NOCERA and her husband, Joe, were searching for balance with their newest restaurant, and that’s precisely what they discovered in Hervey Bay. Barrel n Vine on the esplanade at…
McGuigan Gold Label wine rangeJocelyn Watts
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McGuigan Gold Label Wines

Want to elevate your dinner party? Try McGuigan Gold Label WHEN McGuigan Wines invited me to try their new Gold Label range, I was eager to see what they had crafted for an at-home premium experience. With over a century of winemaking expertise,…
Barrel n Vine - restaurant interiorJocelyn Watts
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Barrel n Vine: Italian Flavours by the Coast

A Taste of Italy and the Sea: Barrel n Vine Unveiled EXPERIENCE the flavours of Italy without leaving Hervey Bay at Barrel n Vine, the city's newest hotspot for dining delights. On Charlton Esplanade in Torquay, this new restaurant and wine…
CSIRO Diet - prawn and mango saladJocelyn Watts
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CSIRO Diet: What I Learned After 12 Weeks

My top tips for losing weight with the CSIRO Diet In this review, I’m sharing what really happened during my 12-week round of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet — the wins, the challenges, the mindset shifts, and the practical tips that made…
McGuigan Wines - Five bottles of wine and cheese platterJocelyn Watts
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McGuigan’s Finest: 5 Wines Reviewed

The McGuigan Hunter Valley Wines label is one that has been around for over 100 years, and the family has consistently put out some great wines. McGuigan has been crowned International Winemaker of the Year at four consecutive competitions.…