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I’m No Stranger to Travel…But This is a Whole New Gig!

Darren Middleton | November 20, 2013 | 8:28 pm | Comment

darren middleton places we go
Darren and Clint on the road

I’m no stranger to travelling, having covered a lot of Australia and overseas many times with my band Powderfinger, but this was a different experience for me as I found myself scratching well below the surface with the people who make a place, a place.

Our journey began in the area of Tanunda, just north of Adelaide’s growing airport, amongst the rolling hills of the Barossa. Kingsford Homestead, a beautiful old manor surrounded by 225 acres of stunning South Australian countryside was to be our home for 2 days as we took in the local history and cuisine. Speaking of food, I was treated to a 5 course degustation dinner with none other than Steven Henschke providing wine from his veritable cellar to match. I hate to drop names but the shiraz-based ‘Hill of Grace’ had my eyes rolling into the back of my head with some of the most beautifully pungent aromas I’ve ever had.

Whilst on the Homestead, I managed to get my gear off in their bush bath. Let’s hope the out takes don’t make the broadcast…no one needs to see that!

The following day took us into Anguston to visit the local farmers markets followed by a cooking course with Matteo at Italian cooking school, Casa Carboni. I’m quite a dab hand in the kitchen so Matteo and I hit it off pretty quickly, producing some simple but tasty Italian food to which I promptly exclaimed “tutto bene”…he knew what I meant.

I should mention at this point that this whole travel reporter thing is a lot of work! We were up at 7am and home at 7pm. It was a real eye opener to the whole process and what an amazing job Jen and Clint do to get Places We Go onto our TV screens.

Ok, back to me. From the hills of the Barossa, we scooted back to the big smoke of Adelaide City where Clint and I cruised the streets, visiting local cafés, markets and generally chatting the city up.

darren middleton adelaide central market
Cheese sampling, why not

Our first stop was The Aviary Dessert Kitchen, a delectable dessert only restaurant that hit my sweet tooth right in the middle. I couldn’t leave without having a dessert renamed after me, so swing by and ask for ‘The Darren’ sometime.The Adelaide Central Market greeted us the next morning and our gracious host Mark entertained us for hours on end.

The final stop we made was to an interesting wine bar, Cantina Sociale, that brings the cellar door to the city. The only way to drink their blends is to actually come in and try something that never reaches the bottling stage – small barrelfuls of experimental blends and unusual varietals. I love this idea of needing to make the effort and then reaping the rewards of a totally unique food and wine experience.

And on the eighth day, I found myself at the airport, heading back to Melbourne and looking forward to my next PWG experience. I’ll be waiting for the call.

About Darren Middleton

As the former lead guitarist and songwriter for Powderfinger, one of Australia's most successful rock bands, Darren's no stranger to travel having toured Australia and the world with his music.

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I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
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 Chatting to the chief winemaker Adrian Munari, and his daughter India (over a lovely red, of course) I heard all about the historic sheep station that was established in 1871, and life on the property today. (I wonder how the farmers endured the pandemic in 1919?)  
 .
Here’s to a happy summer holiday for us all, of enjoying those ‘moments’, wherever we are. 
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 I based myself at the @BIG4BendigoAscotHolidayPark 
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 See link in bio if want to plan your own getaway 😍
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#holidayhearthisyear #ExploreBIG4 #BIG4HolidayParks #VisitVictoria @visitmelbourne
WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY? WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY?
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How would you (and a friend!) like to escape to NSW’s New England Tablelands on a 2-night LUXURIOUS getaway, experiencing the best of Armidale’s premium accom, stunning food, wine & beer, an immersion in the local arts AND a World-Heritage Listed backyard to cap it off? 
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Your weekend will include: 
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- 2 night premium suite package at the historic Tattersalls Hotel (including food & drink from their award-winning restaurant & breakfast included) 
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- A special "Private Directors Tour" at the New England Regional Art Museum of HINTON: Treasures of Australian Art, plus some goodies to take home! 
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- Grabbing a beer at Great Hops Brewing Company PLUS some special gifts delivered to your home
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- A special Hema Australian Atlas & Guide plus a NSW State Map 
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Take it from me, this is worth entering, and if you do in fact WIN, set your alarm and get up for sunrise in the New England National Park, followed by a trip to Wollomombi Falls (the second highest falls in the county!) - it was sincerely exceptional.
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Oh and say hello to John at the Tattersalls Hotel, Rachael from the Art Gallery, and Sam from Great Hops Brewery. 
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 **TAG A FRIEND YOU'D  LOVE TO TAKE, and increase your chances of winning by both entering.. I know I would 😉❤
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 **LINK IN BIO **
Good luck, 
Jen xx
WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺 . Would WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺
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Would love you to join me as we celebrate the locals of #armidale on TV today
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Tune in (or set your record buttons) @ 1.30pm, ON TEN **TODAY**
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A special thanks to all those that not only shared their magnificent backyard with us, but who opened their hearts and let our TV cameras in.
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Armidale, you can no longer use the term “hidden treasure” 😉
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Ps did I say “today” enough times? 😆🤪🙏 Jen xx
ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ready for another cele ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
 
Ready for another celebration of a brilliant person and travel experience for us all?
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Meet James Rainger from @fleetadventures 
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He not only spends his life taking us travellers on scenic chopper tours over his World-Heritage Listed backyard of the #newengland region – he’s one of the many brilliant pilots who you’ll find hovering above the blazing heat helping fight our Australian Bushfires.
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When I shared my nerves about flying, he settled me with in seconds. Super grounded, in safe hands kind-a-feeling, with the biggest sparkle in his eye.
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“To be part of the firefighting team is being in the #armidale  community - we all live here, our kids go to school here, so we love it. Armidale is a community where we all band together, we’re very passionate about our backyard, and we hope it shows.. and we certainly hope people come and see what it’s like. We’ve got a unique view of part of the world that not many people get to see. And there are not hordes of people here, so it’s very personal, we like to bring people into our world and our life – and share it – thank you for taking the time to come and visit us… “
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As for the flight? Put it on your @theaustralianbucketlist
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Jen xx

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