What’s it like living #theblighlife? 

We’re so proud of the amazing community who have joined together at  Hunter and Bligh – now over 160,000 members across Australia. Diverse as we are, we’re all connected together by a love of travel, food and drink, and those unforgettable experiences that really do make all the difference. 

Usually, we like to celebrate our members and our community by holding our signature ultimate travel competitions. For these we hand-curate our favourite destinations across Australia and the world, and lucky winners are selected regularly to go and experience the best we can find. 

But, as travel is on hold right now, we’re doing things a little differently. While our current competition is helping our members enjoy experiences with the degree of flexibility required, we’re also taking a trip down memory lane to catch up with some of our past winners. 

From travel prizes to luxury giveaways, we’ve been lucky enough to treat our Hunter and Bligh members over the years with a next-level experience. 

So, we’ve reached out to some of our past winners to find out how they’re holidays went, and hopefully, give you a little bit of inspiration for what you might get up to and where you might go in future. 

This week, it’s the turn of Joy and her husband Keith, who headed to Sydney for a weekend after winning our Ultimate Sydney Escape in 2018. 

The stayed at The Darling Hotel in Darling Harbour and enjoyed a weekend of theatre, dining and shopping. 

“Our highlight had to have been The Book of Mormon. Funny, funny, funny!”

“Our room at The Darling was well appointed and very comfortable – the staff were welcoming and efficient.” We ate at the Harvest Buffet in The Star three times: twice for breakfast, “there was so much choice and it was all displayed beautifully”, and once for a “very filling seafood banquet” on Saturday night.

Room at The Darling. Image supplied by Joy.

We also enjoyed a relaxing drink at The Sportsman, watching the football and rugby. “I loved having a bet at The Star, but unfortunately it was they who won, not I.” 

The weather was great on Saturday too – we went for a walk around Darling Harbour, and I loved seeing the tall ships in the port. As a proud Australian, the Endeavour [HM Bark Endeavour Replica] reminds me of how blessed I am to live in Australia. 

That’s not even to mention a great box of macaroons from Adriano Zumbo, a beautiful fish and chip supper and a spot of window-shopping. 

Sydney at night. Image b Guillaume Lorain via Unsplash.

Want to learn more about becoming a member at Hunter and Bligh? You can find out more and enter our current competition here. Just remember, it’s good to #treatyourself every now and then!