The first impression one gets of Norfolk Island, as the flight dips to land, is of all the pine trees. They stand like sentinels along the ridges and valleys like giant green protectors. These majestic trees were what inspired James Cook to recommend settlement on the island and even though they were unsuitable as ship … More Wataweih, Welkam Tu Norf’k Ailen – Botanica tour
Did you know that Norfolk Island has its own language? Watawieh yorlyl means ‘how are you all?’. Norfolk language is a mixture of old country English and 18th century Tahitian, St Kitt’s Creole and some words introduced by American whalers. It reflects Norfolk Island’s diverse history and inhabitation from early Polynesian to two separate convict … More Watawieh, Welkam tu Norf’k Ailen – history of settlement
We left Marree full of confidence that we would reach the quirky pub at William Creek and experience a flight over Anna Creek station and the Painted Hills. How wrong we were! We had just left Coward Springs along the Oodnadatta Track when a loud thump and scraping noise brought our truck to a sudden … More The long road to Coober Pedy and Port Augusta
Marree sits at the junction of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks in some of the remotest parts of South Australia. It has always been an important trading juncture, especially after camels and their cameleers were brought from the Indian subcontinent to transport goods in the desert, hence the Ghan, the original railway running from Adelaide … More Up the Birdsville Track from Marree to Kati Thanda and Kalamurina
The country around Arkaroola in the Vulkathunya – Gammon Ranges National Park is packed with ancient geology. The Adnyamanthanha called it ‘sick country’. It was University of Adelaide professor and explorer Douglas Mawson and Sir Mark Oliphant, the nuclear physicist who recognised the potential mineral importance of the area, including deposits of torbernite, a compound … More Arkaroola to Marree
We entered the Ikara-Flinders Ranges through the Pitchie Ritchie gorge, where remnants of the Old Ghan railway are maintained by volunteers. A tourist service operates between Quorn and Port Augusta. The old railway between Port Augusta and Marree ceased to operate in 1981 and followed a route I had originally travelled in 1970. But we … More Ikara (Wilpena Pound) and Parachilna
Our Outback Spirit trip to South Australia began in Karta Pintingga or Kangaroo Island. In Adelaide, Janine and Darren our husband and wife tour guide team, whisked us into their 4WD truck and down to the Sealink Ferry terminal at Cape Jervis. Our journey across the calm Backstairs Passage was highlighted by a humpback whale … More Kangaroo Island – Karta Pintingga
I woke to the drumming sound of torrential rain on an iron roof at 1.30am. The sound pulsated, as the wind drove the sheets of rain against the window, loudly shushing back and forwards. Every now and then a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder disturbed the relentless sound of the water driving … More Pluviophobia – a fear of rain at our Writers Retreat
Melbourne in March is sunny in the day, cool at night and for our visit, rain free. We met our daughters in Hughesdale in the midst of removing a distinctive feline smell from the polished wooden floors of their retro villa. Leaving the cleaning behind we adjourned to Oasis (http://oasisonline.com.au), an excellent Lebanese cafe and … More Melbourne in March
Our trip was planned to coincide with the purchase of our daughter’s first home in Melbourne. We were unaware then that at the end of February, La Niña was waiting to slam an east coast low into communities from Gympie to the Illawarra. It was so devastating that rainfall records were broken and flood levels … More Road trip to Melbourne
Come wandering 