Cookbook

After exploring the world for 50 years and visiting more than 200 countries, Lord Howe Island is still my favourite place. Where else can you have a wildlife experience like the Galapagos, a reef experience like West Papua and a mountain experience like Bora Bora all in one spot? The Smith family is one of many ‘regular’ families of three generations who stay at Pinetrees in summer. It’s no surprise that Dani and Luke have produced this beautiful cookbook. The recipes are delicious, the photos are stunning and I hope every Pinetrees guest buys extra copies to give to friends.

Lord Howe Island is the response to the cri de coeur “stop the world, I want to get off”. It’s the childhood you miss, a chance to disconnect from a digital life and recharge yourself. It’s also a reminder of just how beautiful and remarkable the planet is. After sunset drinks at the Pinetrees boatshed, picnic lunches in stunning locations and the cossetting you get from the sixth generation of the Rourke family who run the lodge, you’re recharged and ready to face the world once more.