Australia's Natural Treasures, by Chantal Dunbar

This high-quality coffee-table book combines some of Australia’s most breathtaking scenery with recipes using some of Australia’s best fresh ingredients, and suggestions for the perfect wine to complement each.

In stunning photographs and text, Natural Treasures explores the history, wildlife and scenery of seven nature-based resorts in Queensland and Tasmania, including Cradle Mountain, Lizard Island, Dunk Island and Heron Island. As well as detailing the natural attractions, the book details the accomodation at each of these places, with each resort one of the P&O chain. The chefs at these resorts have contributed some of their best-loved recipes, each recipe tantalizingly photographed, and accompanied by a wine recommendation.

Although P&O’s involvement with the book could seem to make it seem an advertorial, the book is much more than a travel brochure for these resorts. The photography of Darren Jew, Gary Bell and Chris Chen is outstanding and the design of the book is excellent, making it a visual delight, likely to appeal to the armchair traveller as much as to those who are making travel-plans.

Beautiful.

Australia’s Natural Treasures, by Chantal Dunbar
Laughing Waters Publications, 2003