A year ago I set off on my epic van trip across Australia…. T’was a crisp winter morning when I posed for this pic in my van, a moment before setting off on my 14,000 km road trip. After a flurry of last-minute packing, Geisha’s loaded up and we’re hitting the road. My plan is to drive from the Gold Coast to Perth and back. Yamba will be my first port of call, and I know I want to do the Great Ocean Road, spend time in Adelaide, and drive the infamous Nullarbor. Beyond that, I have no … [Read more...]
Blue Ginger Picnics in The Tweed
A beautiful view, an elegant picnic and a hamper of goodies. All organised for you. What’s not to love? Tania Usher is the owner of Blue Ginger Picnics. Her mission is to connect customers to nature, and her carefully curated picnic settings means she does just that. When you book one of her picnics you could find yourself nestled in the dunes with sweeping beach views, or perhaps perched up high with a panoramic vista of majestic Mount Warning. Tania sets up one of her elegant … [Read more...]
Farm life with Hinterland Feijoas
Feijoas are as Kiwi as a meat pie and the All Blacks. The little green fruit are embedded in every New Zealander’s psyche. Every Autumn we get a little excited because for a few short weeks we get to indulge our tastebuds with a hit of our favourite, oh so delicious, fruit. (Aussies pronounce the fruit as FUH-Jo-ahs, Kiwis say FEE-Jo-ahs) For the 600,000 Kiwi’s in Australia it’s a bit harder to find feijoas. So, if you’re a Kiwi who doesn’t know about Hinterland Feijoas, read on! Up on … [Read more...]
Fair Game Wild Venison
As a Kiwi I grew up eating venison, small medallions cooked on the sizzling hotplate, rich and lean. Although it’s one of the healthiest red meats, I’ve never really seen it on menus here in Australia. After ‘meating’ fellow Kiwi Jonas Widjaja, venison is on my radar again. In fact I’ll be getting my hands on some at my local organic farmers market tomorrow. Can’t wait to taste it again, after all these years. I first met Jonas at a foodie event. He was showcasing his venison and offered … [Read more...]
The Patron Saint of Gin
A few years ago my friend Belinda travelled solo across Australia in her V8 Holden Commodore, with a mission of visiting as many craft gin distilleries as possible (a girl after my own heart). Travelling more than 12000km (including the Nullarbor) she introduced herself to dozens of regional craft gin-makers, from Applewood Distillery in the Adelaide Hills to as far afield as Busselton. She spent her days talking gin and learning about the industry. Her gin adventure turned out to be life … [Read more...]
The best way to eat oysters
Having spent a morning with Oyster Farm Tours Coffin Bay I have to say it's one of my all-time favourite foodie experiences. The oysters grown in Coffin Bay are highly sought after, both here and overseas. And now I know why, they are the freshest most flavoursome I’ve ever eaten, and even if you’re not partial to these delicate, salty creatures, you must, I repeat must, try one! Our tour starts at Oyster HQ, where we gather on the deck to look out over the oyster farm. Waterproof wadders … [Read more...]
Vanlife in winter
As someone who hates the cold, I was worried about setting off in the middle of winter to live in my van…. I mean, I wear a beanie and ugg boots IN QUEENSLAND, so what folly and madness to be heading to South Australia for the winter! I had visions of a blue-faced me shivering under glistening icicles hanging from the roof of my van. But 6 weeks into my epic road trip I’ve come to the conclusion that winter is the BEST time to be road tripping in Oz… let me tell you why…. For … [Read more...]
The story of the bunya
Since travelling to the Bunya Mountains last year I’ve become smitten with the bunya tree and its giant dinosaur pine cones. These noble and ancient trees have a fascinating story which I feel compelled to share… Like nowhere else on earth The Bunya Mountains are home to the largest remaining stand of bunya pines in the world. Once upon a time, this Queensland native was widespread, but now there are just a few pockets left. They say bunya pines can live for around 600 years. Growing up … [Read more...]
A little love for Bribie
My friend Jenny lives on Bribie Island so I’ve been there a few times now… and each time I leave feeling more a little more in love with the place. You hear people talking about their wonderful holidays to Fraser Island, Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island, but you hardly ever hear mention of Bribie. Why is that? I reckon Bribie deserves some love. Home to a solid population of retirees, its reputation as a quiet (and maybe a little dull?) destination precedes it. Just to be clear, … [Read more...]
Meet Geisha
I’d like to introduce my new best friend. She’s silver on the outside and plush tan velour with faux walnut wood on the inside. She talks to me in Japanese, so I call her Geisha. Geisha is a 2005 Toyota Estima, an eight seater people mover. She’s an automatic, with 85,000kms on the clock and is immaculate inside. When I’m driving her, it’s like sitting on a big comfy couch, so darn comfortable – she rides smooth (unlike say, a Toyota hiace) and high (I love a high perch when driving). I … [Read more...]
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