My friend Ben decided to take a 4 tone converted ambulance into one of the world's biggest sand dunes...driving all the way from Brisbane to Birdsville for this year’s iconic event, the Big Red Bash – a music festival in the middle of the Australian outback that attracts thousands of people from all over the country. Birdsville is one of Queensland’s most renowned and remote towns, famous for a tradition of outback adventure and old pioneering spirit. It is literally in the middle of … [Read more...]
Tips for driving from Adelaide to Coober Pedy
The road stretches in a straight line to the horizon where it disappears under the silver shimmer of heat waves... a road trip through the Australian outback is the only way you can truly appreciate the size of this humungous country. It’s over 800kms from Adelaide to Coober Pedy and I was Designated Driver and unofficial Tour Manager for our special mother-daughter desert adventure. Flying from Brisbane, we collected our hire car at Adelaide airport, (convenient and easy), set ourselves … [Read more...]
5 things to do in Darwin
I think it was Darwin’s embattled past that summoned the curious historian in me… the city has seen some tough times and I wanted to uncover her stories… (rebuilt twice, following the Japanese air raids in WWII and again in 1974 following the devastation of cyclone Tracey on Christmas Eve). If you Google images of Darwin, you could easily conclude that it’s a beautiful tourist destination with lots on offer, and it is, but more the rough-and-ready style - a young backpackers dream, with lots … [Read more...]
3 days in Kakadu
It was hot. There were flies. All par for the course on this fair dinkum Aussie outback adventure to Kakadu! I recently joined Wayoutback Australian Safaris for a 3 day tour through world famous Kakadu National Park in the tropical Northern Territory. I caught a flight to Darwin and joined 15 other backpackers on a tour to see some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. Kakadu covers a huge area, almost 20,000 kms (Australia’s largest national park) and has been home to Aboriginal … [Read more...]
Ginger and spice
This weekend I decided to tick a few things off my list with a visit to the Sunshine Coast. If you are a foodie like me, then I recommend a visit to these two places: Red Hot Chilli Pepper, Caloundra I discovered Vicki Taylor and her amazing spices late last year, and was so taken with her amazing cinnamon that I gave packets to my friends and family for Christmas. I decided my trip to the Sunny Coast was going to include a stop at Caloundra so I could check out Vicki’s spice shop – Red … [Read more...]
Romantic getaway Springbrook
I drove down to the Gold Coast to see my boyfriend for the first time in two months, a very happy reunion! It was his birthday the next day and to celebrate he booked us a romantic getaway to The Mouse House Rainforest Retreat in the Springbrook hinterland. We found The Mouse House nestled at the top of a mountain in World Heritage listed rainforest. Just like an enchanted forest the chalets were named after the seven dwarfs, ours was Sneezy (so glad we didn’t get grumpy!). Surrounded … [Read more...]