put yourself squarely in the picture at the lovely Hahndorf Academy, complete with new museum and craft shop, then head to The Cedars nearby, the former home of artist Sir Hans Heysen. His stone studio among the pine trees is one of the most beatific spaces in Australia. Neighbouring Hahndorf Hill Winery serves sterling views and excellent cool-climate whites; the Lane restaurant - about a kilometre away - is one of South Australia's best and most scenic restaurants. - MA From Sydney There's a reason why so many come so far for beauty. Coach-loads are regularly decanted at Echo Point, near Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, often for their first view of Australia outside Sydney. But there's a better way. Strike out from Echo Point for Ruined Castle, for a faraway view of the Three Sisters and Mount Cloudmaker, and a close-up, perhaps, of lyrebirds, cockatoos and crimson rosellas. If mist descends and ruins outdoor plans, take afternoon tea in the dark-panelled Paragon Cafe in Katoomba, slurp udon noodles at Hana at the top of Leura's main street or hunker down with a mug of something deliciously warm at old-fashioned picture house Mount Vic Flicks. - KL