I’ve driven over the Tweed River many times but last week I actually got to float down it, thanks to Tweed Endeavour Cruises. The Tweed River flows through Northern New South Wales and was discovered in 1823 by John Oxley, an English explorer and surveyor. He reported that the scenery here ‘exceeded anything I have previously seen in Australia’ – and after this river cruise I can see what he was on about…. Our cruise starts at Tweed Marina and it’s all aboard for a 9.30am departure. Our … [Read more...]
Big Red Bash
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...]
Travel tips from a not so flightless Kiwi
Are you a mosquito magnet? Do they buzz you like a swarm of tiny drones? Me too! If there’s a mosquito party I’m always invited, and even though I cover up every inch of skin, they always find a way in (clearly I’m not drinking enough gin and tonic). And there’s nothing worse than itching when you’re on the road travelling. So here’s a little tip - tea tree oil. Yep, this magical liquid soothes an itchy bite right down, Melaleuca alternifolia how I love thee! My little bottle of tea … [Read more...]
How to cycle across the world
My mate Goldie cycled across the planet from London to New Zealand, and I recently asked him about his epic ride… The stats: 25,500 KMs 25 countries 15 months (220 days riding) $30-50 AUD a day (accommodation and food) Bike: Thorn Raven – steel framed, 14 gears, 4 paniers, 1 handle bar bag Countries: London, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, San Marino, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, United Arab Emirates, India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, … [Read more...]
My scary mortgage
On Thursday I signed the contract on an apartment. My very own place. My first home! This is really big for me. When I was a little girl I always wanted Dad to build my first house. He was a chippy and built the wonderful family home that I grew up in, and I was fairly confident he’d like to build me a house when I grew up. Sadly that was never to be, as Dad passed away well before I ever considered home ownership. Here in Australia most people seem to buy a house at some point, it's … [Read more...]
A chance encounter with a fellow traveller
It’s Friday night. I’ve just had dinner when I hear a quiet knock at the door. I assume it’s someone collecting for charity. I open the door and a women asks if I know of a camp ground in the area, she has a van and needs to find somewhere for the night. Her beautiful accent tells me she is French. I scratch my head trying to offer some help but I don’t have much need for camp grounds in Brisbane, so I grab my phone to ask the Google Gods. Apparently there’s a camp ground 4 kms to the north … [Read more...]
Finishing Kokoda
I stepped off at Kokoda Station with my pack snuggly on my back, my two walking poles and an excited, nervous curiosity about the adventure that lay ahead. Eight days later I walked proudly under the arches at the end of the Track, with sore knees, dirt under my nails, and tears in my eyes. This was something special. This was something profound…. It has taken me a week to fully leave the jungle and come back down to earth. I have been processing it all in my mind, craving some quite time to … [Read more...]
