Aussie Celebs and Summers

AT knows what these well-known Australians will be doing this summer. Here’s why they love a sunburnt country. Interviewed by Alissa Jenkins.

CORINNE GRANT

Comedian, writer, actor

From Corryong VIC, now based in Melbourne

What do you love about Australian summers?

Our obsession with throwing anything and everything on the barbecue. If you can’t turn it to charcoal on the Weber, then it ain’t worth eating!

Where would you send an out-of-towner for sunset drinks?

The Stokehouse in St Kilda. It’s right on the beach so you not only get to see the sunset, you also get to do some spectacular people-watching. Nothing makes a cocktail taste sweeter than watching some poor bugger jogging past you.

What would you recommend every tourist should do in summer in your home state?

Visit the Murray River. I grew up on the banks of the Murray and it was idyllic. The beauty of the area is breathtaking and the river smells so clean and fresh that, years later, the smell still stays with me.

Corinne’s latest book is titled Lessons In Letting Go: Confessions of a Hoarder, $29.99, corinnegrant.com

DR KARL KRUSZELNICKI

Scientist, Media Presenter

From Wollongong NSW, now based in Maroubra

Where would you send an out-of-towner for sunset drinks?

To Broome on Cable Beach. You can watch the sun set over the ocean and, when the tide is right and the moon is right, you see this optical illusion called a staircase to the moon. When there’s a full moon on low tide the light is reflected in puddles, giving the illusion of a stairwell on the water. I haven’t seen one yet but I want to keep going back until I do!

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Travelling to the North Pole and then the South Pole. We’re heading to Iceland to hopefully see the Aurora Borealis then it’s back to Australia and on a ship to the Ross Sea in Antarctica. I’ll go from 100 per cent night-time to 100 per cent daytime within a week. It’s going to mess up my biorhythms but I’m hanging out for it, man! The thing I love about travel is when you come back you see things differently. You see home as it really is.

Dr Karl recently launched his 31st book, Brain Food, $32.99, drkarl.com

KITTY FLANAGAN

Comedian, writer

From Manly NSW, now based in Sydney

What do you love about Australian summers?

Barbecues. Really basic ones. Sausage sandwich on white bread with a choice of two sauces, barbecue or tomato. The money I save on not having a variety of fancy-pants foods I can spend on really good quality sozziges and delicious white wine. Oh, and onions. Must have onions.

What would you recommend every tourist should do in summer in your home state?

Do the Bondi-to-Bronte walk, but go really early in the morning before it gets too hot and too crowded.

Where did you spend your childhood summer holidays?

In various rented holiday houses up and down the coast from Port Macquarie to Killcare to Mollymook. It was the same routine wherever we were; beach all day, come home for dinner and then pestering the adults to teach us how to play 500.

Kitty has recently released a new DVD, Charming & Alarming, $29.95, kittyflanagan.com

TIM ROSS

Comedian, radio host, TV presenter

From Mornington Peninsula VIC, now based in Sydney

Where would you send an out-of-towner for sunset drinks?

In Sydney you can’t beat Opera Bar at the Opera House. Have a drink then have the best sushi in Sydney at Kenji’s. Kenji is a master.

Where did you spend your childhood summer holidays?

In front of the TV watching the cricket! And then as a teenager we’d catch the bus to Mills Beach on Mornington Peninsula to hang out with girls.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Taking our son Bugsy to the beach for the first time and catching the ferry from Woolwich (near my home) to the city as much as possible.

Tim has recently launched his new memoir, Mum had a Kingswood: Tales from the Life and Mind of Rosso, $29.95, timross.com.au

CATRIONA ROWNTREE

Travel journalist

From Sydney, now divides her time between Sydney and Geelong

What do you love about Australian summers?

The first whiff of jasmine in the air and getting a good dose of vitamin D in the Australian sunshine.

Where would you send an out-of-towner for sunset drinks?

One of my all time favourite places is Bondi Icebergs; it has one of the best views Sydney has to offer.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

My husband is a farmer so summers for us now mean harvest time in Western Victoria. I also can’t wait to spend some quality time on Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches… there’s nothing like summertime calamari and chips on the beach!

CARRIE BICKMORE

News Presenter

From Perth, now based in Melbourne

What do you love about Australian summers?

I love the warm nights, sitting in the backyard having a barbecue. It’s my favourite time of the year. I also love that it’s warm when you wake up: it just makes me want to jump out of bed and go for a walk.

Where would you send an out-of-towner for sunset drinks?

Cottesloe Beach near Perth. Grab some fish and chips, lay out a towel and spend some hours watching the sun set over the most beautiful beach in Australia.

What would you recommend every tourist should do in summer in your home state?

I would recommend they head down to Margaret River for a few days. Great food, great wine and great beaches.

COLLETTE DINNIGAN

Fashion designer

From South Africa, then New Zealand, now based in Sydney

What would you recommend every tourist should do in summer in your home state?

Fly or drive to Palm Beach and go for a swim or surf, followed by lunch at The Boathouse.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Spending time in Milton on the NSW south coast; fishing, gardening and going to the beach. I love hanging out with the family there and having friends to stay – and of course the long, hot summer nights.