Now, with my Living Director hat on, I am airborne again and winging my way to Brisbane to test-drive two spunky new car offerings from Infiniti Cars Australia on the “Sunshine Coast drive experience”. Our first stop is Spicers Tamarind Retreat, where we are shown to our cabins and then treated to the Lush Lemongrass Signature Retreat ($195 and an hour and a half of sheer heaven,
spaanise.com.au). Thoroughly blissed out and over our jet lag from Sydney we then head out for a degustation dinner at The Long Apron, a two-hatted restaurant at Spicers Clovelly. Molto bene. Here I swap driving stories with my fellow journalists who are all a fountain of knowledge on all things “torque”.
Day two and now the fun begins. We are driven to our awaiting chariots, which are parked across the road from the incredible Maleny House overlooking the breathtaking Glass House Mountains. Then, it is the safety briefings and the first leg of the scenic drive in the uber swish Infiniti M Sedan. Some of the features I loved are the memory key for seat settings. I am pathological about my seat and my sons are continually realigning it which drives me bonkers. An aroma diffuser which helps reduce “stress levels” (got to love that), and a device that cuts out “undesirable engine noise”. There is also a blind spot and frontal impact warning device. Not to mention the fact that the car is super sleek and a breeze to drive.
It’s then back to a scrumptious lunch at Maleny House, courtesy of the
Rolling Dolmade. Salad of confit duck with kipfler potato, orange and bitter leaves, seeded mustard vinaigrette followed by crispy skinned barramundi, green peas, smoked speck and baby onions, and herb broth. Yum.
Next we assume the position in our new vehicles, the FX Crossover, and drive through the beautiful countryside and windy roads back to Brisbane airport. Now, this is my kinda car. It is high off the road and has the sweetest looking snout ever; a seductively curved bonnet and amazingly responsive “swell”. There were four of us on board and we all feel very comfy and get lots of looks as we drive, convoy style, into the valet park at the airport. I feel fully pro.
To have your own slice heaven, head on down to 134 William Street, Sydney or go online to
infiniticars.com.au.
Stephanie Darling is madison's beauty and living director