Exploring New Zealand and Australia
Delsey Paris and VisualPleasure have embarked on a world tour that celebrates the beauty of travel through art.
Join us as we discover the treasure trove of culture and creativity in New Zealand and Australia.
New Zealand
Both still and full of adventure, New Zealand has a way of drawing you in closer. Aotearoa, New Zealand’s Maori name, translates to “the land of the long white cloud” — embracing weary explorers yearning for a reawakening for centuries. You’ll find there’s a tranquil quality to the air here, that nature calls and demands you to take in its breathtaking and otherworldly landscapes. New Zealand is home to diverse and spirited stories of every kind. The playful. The surreal. The impossible to forget. Find it all across its two main lands.
“Artists are children who are always hungry for new ways of self-expression,” says New Zealand-based artist Katya Brook. Brook has developed a style rooted in playful obscurity, blending her chops as a photographer, creative director, and visual designer to encourage viewers to lean into the unconventional.
Our plans take us to Anawhata Beach, where Brook has dreamed up a space traveler’s journey home. The black sand and unruly bluffs of the beach have often been a source of inspiration for her. “Anawhata, with its prehistoric beauty, was perfect for this. It has been a place of power for me, where I always feel like I am on another planet.”
Traveler’s Tip: The beach can only be accessed by foot, which gives it a sense of privacy that can be hard to find among the other beaches of the Waitākere Ranges. Come prepared with water, sunscreen, a hat, snacks, and appropriate footwear.
Find our full list of artists from New Zealand
The Ahuriri Valley is one of the most dramatic landscapes of New Zealand’s South. A sweeping force of untouched backcountry, wetland, grassland, and forest — the valley beckons those yearning to reconnect to the land and The Lindis is its most notable host. This luxury lodge sits inconspicuously along the valley floor, intentionally designed to serve as a seamless extension of its surroundings. Find accommodations for every kind of traveler — from lush master suites to remote pods that prioritize privacy — and superlative amenities crafted to ground you in the tranquil harmony between The Lindis and the land. Photography courtesy The Lindis
50 minutes from Queenstown and just over 30 minutes to Wanaka — Bendigo Cabins have mastered the craft of ‘just out of reach.’ These intimate abodes prioritize modern solitude, with sleek furniture and thoughtful finishings. But the main reason you stay is for the views. Carved into a rocky hillside among the Dunstan ranges, you’ll see the Clutha basin beyond and a sky full of stars come night. Photography courtesy Bendigo Cabins
Find our full list of accommodation recommendations in New Zealand
It’s impossible to visit New Zealand without acknowledging the rich, respected, and ever-present culture of the Māori. In Rotorua, Te Puia welcomes visitors with tours, an arts and crafts institute, cultural performances, and access to the active Pōhutu geyser.
When tasked to bring the epic world of Middle-earth to the big screen, director Peter Jackson knew that New Zealand’s sundry, and often fantastical, surroundings were the right place to start. In Matamata, visit the Hobbiton film set to immerse yourself in life in The Shire.
New Zealand’s South has a way of stopping you in your tracks. Glaciers, lakes, mountain peaks that extend over 300 miles. On the West Coast, Milford Sound embraces it all with such magnetism some consider it another wonder of the world.
Tasmania
West of New Zealand, across miles of the rough, choppy waters of the Tasman Sea, Tasmania awaits with wonders of its own. From the natural — wildlife, beaches, mountains — to the man-made — a budding wine scene, architectural masterpieces, gourmet culinary stops.
The quiet, slow pace of life on the island is what attracted photographer Adam Gibson to first pick up his camera. “Tasmania is the single most influential factor in my work,” he says. “I probably wouldn’t be a photographer if I were not located here.”
Gibson’s portfolio extends to every aspect of Tasmanian life — beaches, forests, faces, architecture — and captures a point of view not many get to experience firsthand.
While his work often takes him abroad, home is where his artistry is restored. “Always to the ocean or the landscape,” he says. “My life and work is built around a connection to the natural environment, so that’s where I find inspiration.”
We’ve arrived in Hobart, Tasmania’s city to the south, and Slow Beam is your getaway. Once you step inside its cool interiors, you’ll discover that nature is never far. Owners Keith and Lauren worked with Hearth Studio to create a peaceful respite for two that doubles as an ode to the land. Be it the views of the city and River Derwent beyond, the natural sandstone and brush, or the local artworks that live on the walls, here you can catch a glimpse into life in Hobart while staying comfortably in place.
Traveler’s Tip: Stop by Hobart’s bustling Salamanca Market every Saturday, with hundreds of food, art, and small-batch vendors to explore.
Off the coast, King Island’s Kittawa Lodge encourages you to unplug and unwind without sacrificing creature comforts. With on-site staff and amenity-packed rooms, rest and relaxation pairs perfectly with views of pristine coastal landscapes.
Check out our full list of venues and accommodations in Tasmania
SIGHTS
The road through Tasmania’s Tamar River Valley takes you past lavender farms and forests, orchards and pastures. But most famously, the valley is dotted with more than 30 vineyards — the largest wine-growing region in the state — pouring cool climate wines alongside locally-sourced plates. Follow the Tamar Valley Wine Route to sip your way through the region.
Melbourne, Victoria
Australia’s state to the south may be one of the smallest, but within its borders is a goldmine of coastal beauty and metropolitan happenings overflowing with energy. Most found in Melbourne. A culture maker, Melbourne is an arts city first, home to over 100 galleries and museums, a thrumming music scene, and eclectic artists to discover.
It’s easy to get lost in the whimsical workings of floral artist Hattie Molloy. Based in Melbourne, Molloy’s floral installations bring a breath of fresh air to the city, connecting people to memories and feelings through unconventional shapes and stories.
“The ephemeral nature of flowers and botanical elements is what I love,” she says. “They evoke emotive responses with people that take them back to key times in their life.”
Molloy takes us to Judy’s clematis farm at Alameda Homestead Nursery, where she partnered with us to immerse our luggage in this playful perennial.
The farm is one of Molloy’s favorites, a place to unwind and reconnect to her creativity. “I always love going to visit gardens or plant growers. That's when I feel my mind is free and not consumed by the day-to-day grind. Mother Nature gets it right every time.”
Back in the city at South Wharf, we welcome you to leave reality behind and enter The Lume. Take a look around. Wall to wall, ceiling to floor, art has enveloped every inch. Melbourne’s trail-blazing ode to art and the world’s largest digital art gallery invites you to rethink how you experience art. Here, you don’t view it. You’re a part of it.
Traveler’s Tip: Beyond their rotating exhibits, plan your visit around one of The Lume’s bespoke wellness or dining experiences, like the three course “Feast for the Senses” set among the works of Leonardo de Vinci.
Via Porta Eatery and Deli called on design studio Esteta to transform an old commercial building in Mont Albert into a warm, textural escape to Southern Italy. Stop in for coffee and pastries by morning and quintessential Italian pastas and entrees in the evening.
On the fringes of Collingwood and Fitzroy, a well-earned “time out” awaits at Sense of Self. Residing in a revamped brick warehouse, this modern bath house has carved out space for healing of all kinds: saunas, massage treatments, mud baths, steams, and even retail therapy.
Discover our full list of Melbourne venues and recommendations
STAYS
Boarded by the Yarra River, Melbourne’s South Yarra neighborhood is home to historic Victorian homes, art deco businesses, lush green spaces like the Royal Botanic Gardens, and fashionable shops to suit every kind of city visitor.
At Ovolo South Yarra, your stay leans into the retro funk, with mod design details that capture the fun and frivolity of disco, rock, and pop culture.Just north of the city center, The Larwill is an ode to Australian artist David Larwill, whose colorful works can be seen in each room and throughout the property’s shared spaces. Swing by The Farmacy for breakfast, lunch, or end-of-day toast, or rent one of the on-site Larwill Smart Cars to set out and explore the neighborhood.
Sydney, New South Wales
The warmth and wonder of Australia’s east coast is something you have to experience for yourself. Be it on luxe floating respites off the shore in Sydney or through the abstract perspectives of New South Wales’ innovative creatives, a feast for the senses awaits.
“Make it fun and make you feel” may be the easiest way to encompass the energetic, emotive, and candid work of photographer and creative director Julia Taylor.
She’s taken us to a small enclave known as the Concrete Beach in Clovelly, New South Wales, where she’s exploring our Delsey Rempart collection from new angles. “I love the shapes and colors of this range,” says Taylor.
“I was interested in capturing something visually dynamic and exploring abstract perspectives.” Behind the Scenes: Taylor took inspiration from the colors, facets, and challenge of a Rubik’s Cube.
For the shoot, she had a set designer create a mobile platform that allowed her to shoot from underneath, to the side, and from above to grab the perfect pic.
Sometimes the key to staying grounded is to go off land. Surrounded by still water, detached from the buzz of the mainland, you’ll find it’s much easier to reconnect once you disconnect. About an hour north of Sydney, off the shore of Palm Beach, the Lilypad makes it possible, packing in luxury amenities into a sustainable floating retreat. Let the time pass to the natural rhythm of the ocean below — the best adventures happen when you let go.
Traveler’s Tip: Stay off-land for your entire visit by selecting one of the gourmet meal plans offered at the Lilypad. You’ll receive all of the ingredients needed and a helpful guide to prepare your meal and pair it with one of the wines from the cellar.
Right along the New South Wales coastal northern border, Burringbar offers a glimpse into a quieter country life, with nature trails aplenty and off-the-grid stays like Heartwood Cabin to settle into. A modern architectural gem, the cabin offers simple luxuries that elevate the view of Mount Wollumbin beyond and easy access to the town’s main cafes and shops for a quick stop.
SIGHTS
Wendy Whiteley may have been the main muse for her husband, artist Bree Whiteley, but for her, inspiration called from the outdoors. A sweet escape in Lavender Bay, Wendy’s Secret Garden is anchored by a big fig tree at the bottom of their property and offers winding paths to meander past a tapestry of plants and take in views of the harbour.
Art lovers can’t complete a visit to Sydney without getting lost in the halls of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The gallery showcases works by local and international artists alike and offers one of the world’s largest exhibits dedicated to Aboriginal art. Come summer, it also serves as a home base for the country’s famous Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, recognizing a wide-range of artists and genres in all mediums.