The NRL and NRLW Cronulla Sharks travel during rugby league season, but where in Australia do they dream of exploring in their downtime? As a major sponsor of the club and with properties right across Australia – in every capital city and stretching into our booming regions – Quest sat down with some of the Sharks star players to ask them where they would go on their Quest to see Australia.
Nicho Hynes: The Sharks halfback and proud Wiradjuri and Darkinjung man grew up on Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast of NSW, a region famed for its long stretches of sand and surf. That might be why his ideal holiday spot has “good waves, a nice beach, a nice little pub to eat at and a chilled-out vibe.” One destination on his hit list? The Margaret River region in Western Australia, which starts just a 45-minute drive from Quest Bunbury. “It’s a place everyone talks about. I'd love to go and experience what Western Australia has to offer. Surfers go there a lot and it looks great. That would be a place that would suit me,” says Nicho.
And he’s long wanted to visit Griffith in the Riverina region of NSW, where Quest has a property. “Griffith in New South Wales is somewhere I want to go and visit, because that’s where my mob is from, my Indigenous heritage, Wiradjuri Country. My mum’s dad was born there and I never got to meet him. So, I’d love to go there and experience my roots, hang out with some of the Indigenous community, the Elders and the kids. And I’ve also heard it’s got great food.”
Tiana Penitani: The winger and captain of the NRLW Sharks grew up in Sydney’s Maroubra and names the Northern Territory as her dream destination – where Quest has two properties: Quest Palmerston in Darwin and Quest Alice Springs. “The NT is a beautiful part of our country, and through stories and seeing videos of how much you can do there, particularly with activities like fishing and outdoorsy stuff, I would love to go up there and experience that.”
Further west lies Tiana’s second pick: Fremantle, WA. “There's lots of microbreweries and incredible restaurants,” says Tiana, and Quest Fremantle is right in the heart of the action. “One thing that I love about the west coast is that they have a huge sunset culture.”
Ronaldo Mulitalo: Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Sharks winger Ronaldo says the destination at the top of his hit list is all about family (and it’s a place where Quest has 12 properties). “Brisbane is my main holiday destination in Australia, due to my family being there. I'm a big Mummy’s boy – I enjoy getting back home, visiting Mum, seeing all my childhood mates and just being around family.” For Ronaldo, travel is a time for self-reflection … and good tunes. “I love the peace that it gives and I love the excitement it instills, as well. What I love about my road trips is enjoying that quality time with my partner, my dog, and listening to our favourite songs.”
Emma Tonegato: The five-eighth, who grew up in Wollongong, NSW, tries to get away on holiday a few times a year. “That kind of keeps me going,” she says. “I’d really love to travel to Whyalla in South Australia – it’s a beautiful part of the country and there are so many activities to do in the water.” The town, where Quest has a property, is a popular destination because it offers the chance to swim with cuttlefish – a rare marine experience exclusive to South Australia.
From ocean to Outback, Emma is also keen to head to Alice Springs. “It’s been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember,” she says. “It’s a part of Australia with so much rich history.”
For more ideas on where you should travel to next, visit https://www.questapartments.com.au/travel-guides/road-trips
