Travel to see people and places and always try their local food
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
The final destination on our trip in Arnhem Land was at the very northern tip of Northern Territory on the Cobourg peninsula. We flew in to Vashon Head in the Garug Gunak Barlu National Park over the tropical Timor Sea. The staff welcomed us into the Seven Spirit Bay Resort with a refresher towel and … More Luxuriating at Seven Spirit Bay
The Top End of Australia has been deluged with a particularly heavy wet season, so wet that 4WD tour buses are unable to traverse the unsealed red roads. Our tour leader Rob informed us with a hint of glee, that we would therefore be travelling in 2×12 seater Cessna aircraft throughout our trip. It was … More Murwangi Safari Camp on the Arafura Swamp
Our first day on our Outback Spirit Arnhem Land trip began with a Welcome to Country at Wirrwawuy Beach. We were welcomed by the Gurruwiwi family and their spokesperson Allie. Normally Djalu Gurruwiwi, one of the Galpu clan leaders and custodians would lead his family in dance and song but, due to illness, his wife … More Welcome to Country Nhulunbuy style
Pipit and Potager are two restaurants in the Tweed shire who pride themselves on local Northern Rivers produce. We tried Pipits in early March before the COVID lockdowns, as we had heard interesting reports of their innovative ways with food. Pipit is in Pottsville, a sleepy coastal village along the Tweed Coast. The chef Ben … More Pipit and Potager – Eating in and out in COVID times
Come wandering 