"The Ballantyne Hotel is worth a visit on Christmas, not just for the high-end Gallery Restaurant, but for the rows of gingerbread houses that line the stately hotel halls for some friendly gingerbread-house-making competition. On Christmas day, Gallery will offer a $99-per-person, five-course dinner. Highlights include a prawn cocktail, venison tartare, and a rich coriander-spiced duck breast. Whiskey drinks here are stand-outs." - Kayleigh Ruller