We went on a micro holiday!

My sister and I had the most awesome time in Newcastle on Sunday.

I thought I’d coined a new term for what we did – a micro holiday – but it turns out other people got there before me.

According to Body & Soul, short, travel-like “micro holidays” are having a bit of a moment right now, due to cost-of-living pressures are getting in the way of people taking actual holidays.

Our micro holiday was sparked by being invited to a “Summer of Spritz” event on the Rooftop at QT Newcastle from 12-2pm.

The invitation said: “Indulge in the art of spritzing with bespoke cocktail creations crafted by our Rooftop Venue Maestro, Dave Watkins. Our summer line-up features Aperol Spritz, Campari Spritz, SKYY Spritz and non-alcoholic Crodino Spritz.

“As we bask in the sun sip on a fresh series of spritz and frozen delights, and taste canapés crafted by QT Newcastle’s Executive Chef Shayne Mansfield.”

Count us in!

So my sister and I blasted up the highway together for the party then decided to stay the night at the QT, which is housed in the former David Jones department store building.

(Because the world is too small I happened to mention to one of the staff at Mantarays Resort when I was on holidays at Exmouth that I was going to QT Sydney for a function and she said she knew the Shayne the chef, so I passed on her regards! Oh, and my sister’s best man from her first wedding was the QT Newcastle architect!)

Spending the afternoon and night at QT Newcastle was such an awesome thing to do, we loved every minute. Usually when I go to Newcastle I don’t make it further than seeing my parents or friends in the suburbs. I was blown away by how amazing the CBD is looking.

We grabbed a rockstar park in King Street at 12.05pm (I was hyperventilating slightly because I hate being late) and took the lift to the QT Rooftop where we ordered SKYY Spritzes and settled back to enjoy the harbour views. It was a spectacularly sunny day and we were dazzled by the mix of working harbour cargo vessels and fancy yachts that proceeded to glide past for the next two hours.

At regular intervals canapes were deposited in front of us, including fish wings with chilli tamarind and spiced nuts, mushroom tarts with parmesan custard and confit duck hotdogs.

Aside from spritzes we also slurped frozen margaritas.

Then we checked into our room, which was absolutely divine, and changed into sensible shoes to go for a wander up Darby Street for a bit of window shopping past all the funky boutiques.

On our way back to the hotel we stopped for gelato at Popolo and tried two sublime flavours – hazelnut and passionfruit & white chocolate. Yuuuuuuum!

We also marvelled at the rapid revitalisation of the mall and how much the light rail has changed the vibe at the top end of town.

Then we changed into our cossies and walked to Newcastle Beach for a balmy dip, followed by a glass of Prosecco at Newcastle SLSC looking out at the stunning view.

After a shower we fancied Asian food and stumbled across Light Years. Wow, it was such an unexpectedly fabulous find.

It was located in a beautiful high ceilinged Art Deco building a few minutes walk from the hotel. I asked the waitress what it had been originally and, bless her, she said “a surf shop!”

Do any of my Newie friends know what it was before that? Like, in the 1930s …

The restaurant was packed to the eyeballs with happy diners seated at curved booths and marble tables, surrounded by giant palm trees. We scored seats at the bar, ordered Pineapple Margaritas and tucked into mud crab, prawn and scallop dumplings, followed by Mongolian lamb and fish curry. So delectable.

And we were back in our hotel before dark to watch a bit of tellie.