Where … Queen Charlotte Sound, the water feature crowning New Zealand’s South Island. When … Saturday, November 22, 2014. What … The wild water of Queen Charlotte Sounds disappears behind the Interislander ferry Kaitaki as it cruises from Picton To Wellington across the Cook Strait on a stormy New Zealand afternoon. Visit the Interislander websiteContinue reading “Queen Charlotte Sound …”
Category Archives: Destinations
Montreal charm in Christchurch …
→ The recovering city welcomes a stylish new hotel … THE Hotel Montreal, which sits in Montreal Street on one side of Cramner Square, is the newest luxury hotel to open in central Christchurch. The 27-room property joins the nearby Hotel George as the only two five-star hotels in the South Island city which isContinue reading “Montreal charm in Christchurch …”
Coastal Pacific …
Where … The coast between Kaikoura and Blenheim When … Friday, November 21, 2014 What … The view from my window seat on the Coastal Explorer, the scenic train that runs between Christchurch and Picton on New Zealand’s South Island, as we follow the coast around a bay on the north side of Kaikoura.Continue reading “Coastal Pacific …”
Kaikoura views …
Where … Kaikoura, New Zealand When … Thursday, November 20, 2014 What … Standing on a hill above Kaikoura, looking across to the Kaikoura Range, and taking in the view at the spot on the South Island where the mountains meet the ocean. Visit the Kaikoura website … Thursday, November 20, 2015
Akaroa Harbour …
Where … Akaroa Harbour, New Zealand When … Tuesday, November 18, 2014 What … A volcanic eruption that happened six million years created Akaroa Harbour, by blowing the side of the caldera and letting the water in to create the bay, with the steep slopes behind the town reminding all of this pretty destination’s violentContinue reading “Akaroa Harbour …”
Woolamai Beach …
Where … Flying above Victoria’s Phillip Island. When … Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 10.13am. What … Looking down at Bass Strait breakers crashing against Woolamai Beach, on Phillip Island’s rugged southern shore, while taking a spin aloft with Phillip Island Helicopters. Visit the Phillip Island website … posted November 14, 2014 Posted with BlogsyContinue reading “Woolamai Beach …”
Tradition rules …
→ There are hidden enclaves within the burgeoning city limits of China’s capital that are still hanging to an ancient way of life … I AM standing in the middle of a city that has a population greater than Australia’s. Yes, that’s right, every Australian – and almost every New Zealander – could fit withinContinue reading “Tradition rules …”
Imperial War Museum …
ON this day, 100 years ago, the first shots of the Great War had already been fired. German soldiers had crossed the Belgian and French borders to occupy settlements from Brussels to Bapaume, ships and submarines from fleets on both sides of the conflict were sitting on the sea bed, and the first Australians hadContinue reading “Imperial War Museum …”
Elephants everywhere …
I AM no more than 2m from the colossal matriarch of a Tarangire National Park elephant herd. I can see each individual lash around the grand old dame’s soulful eye, the dried mud packed into the deep wrinkles on her face, the scuffs and scratches on her worn tusks, and the rough nicks on theContinue reading “Elephants everywhere …”
the Great Wall …
Where … The Great Wall, Beijing When … Monday, October 20, 2014 What … A bad smog day in Beijing makes it hard to appreciate the scale of The Great Wall, but the handful of guard towers and steps that are visible tell the tale of a miraculous feat of engineering. … posted Friday,Continue reading “the Great Wall …”
Solid gold history …
IT’S almost 160 years to the day since a band of irritated gold miners made a stand on Ballarat’s Eureka diggings. The group was angry about the steep licence fees charged to prospect, paying taxes without being allowed to vote, and the fact police were neglecting the rights of miners and making life difficult inContinue reading “Solid gold history …”
Snappy holiday snaps …
NOT too long ago taking good travel photos was the exclusive domain of the professional snapper with a swag of expensive equipment. But in this day and age, with a camera in every mobile phone and digital technology putting quality gear in the hands of anyone interested in taking pictures, it’s not hard for evenContinue reading “Snappy holiday snaps …”
CZ3202 cityscape …
Where … Above Xian at the start of my first visit to China. When … Monday, October 13, 2014 at 10.05am. What … A window seat on a China Southern flight from Guangzhou to Xian reveals the first view of a city that’s home to 9 million people as the aircraft descends through a layerContinue reading “CZ3202 cityscape …”
Guangzhou …
Where … Guangzhou Airport When … 6.30am on Monday, October 13, 2014 What … The wide windows in the China Southern Business Class Lounge at Guangzhou Airport reveal an armada of aircraft ready to launch on the first flights of a new day. Visit the China Southern website … posted October 14, 2018 PostedContinue reading “Guangzhou …”
Espiritu Santo …
Where … Oyster Island, Vanuatu When … November 6, 2009 What … Oyster Island sits just off the coast of Espiritu Santo, the Vanuatu island that was the second largest Allied base in the Pacific during World War Two. There were four or five airstrips on Santo during the Second War, with one of theContinue reading “Espiritu Santo …”
Garden Tap House …
Where … The Garden Tap House, Kyneton When … Thursday, September 2, 2014 What … The setting sun shines through an upstairs window at The Garden Tap House, one of the comfortable self-contained properties available to those looking to spend a few days in Kyneton’s Piper Street. Visit the Piper Street website … posted OctoberContinue reading “Garden Tap House …”
Park at Pullman …
→ A plot close to Melbourne’s metropolitan lake provides a nice position for a stay at the Pullman Albery Park … THE Pullman Albert Park, set beside Melbourne’s Albert Park Lake and the back straight of the city’s Formula One track, is an agreeable hotel that’s perfect for both business and leisure travellers. The 169-roomContinue reading “Park at Pullman …”
See time stand still …
EVER hear of a place called Matsuyama? No, neither had I until it appeared on the itinerary for this trip to Japan with Jetstar. The low-cost carrier had arranged for a group of travel writers to see some of regional Japan after completing the airline’s inaugural flight from Melbourne to Tokyo, and had flown theContinue reading “See time stand still …”
Murray River …
Where … Gol Gol on the Murray River When … Monday, May 13, 2013 What … An early-morning storm throws a rainbow over the southern bank of the Murray River near just a stone’s throw from the historic Gol Gol Hotel. Visit the Gol Gol Hotel website … posted Sunday. October 4, 2014
So nice, named it twice …
HOTEL Hotel – a boutique address in Canberra’s New Acton neighbourhood which is a favourite with locals when it’s time to wine and dine – is quickly becoming the place to stay in the national capital. The hotel is packed with character, almost every item in the building tells a story, and a swag ofContinue reading “So nice, named it twice …”
London’s new classic …
THE Beaumont, London’s newest luxury hotel, is set to open in Mayfair on September 29. The 73-room property, which overlooks Brown Hart Gardens, occupies one of the English capital’s magnificent Art Deco buildings designed by Wimperis & Simpson and built in 1926 to serve as a garage. The Beaumont is the first hotel project byContinue reading “London’s new classic …”
Lake Titicaca …
WHERE … Lake Titicaca, Peru WHEN … Tuesday, June 18, 2013 WHAT … The staff at Titilaka Lodge – a boutique guesthouse on the edge of Lake Titicaca, a stone’s throw from the Purvian settlement of Puno – picked a June night with a clear ski to light a fire so guest could watch theContinue reading “Lake Titicaca …”
Sunburnt country …
THIS could be the spot Dorothea Mackellar was standing when she penned the most memorable stanza of her ode to Australia. I can’t see the jewelled sea, but I know there’s a turquoise stretch of salt not far to the north, and from this corner of Home Valley Station in the Kimberley I spy theContinue reading “Sunburnt country …”
Amboseli National Park …
Where … Amboseli National Park, Kenya When … Sunday, June 15, 2014 What … A herd of Amboseli elephants take a dip in one of the national park’s ponds. Visit the Amboseli National Park website … posted Friday, September 26, 2014
Home Valley Station …
Where … Home Valley Station, the Kimberley, Western Australia When … Saturday, May 31, 2014 What … The sky turns a ranbow of pastel colours as the sun sets behind the Cockburn Range in the eastern corner of Western Australia’s magnificent Kimberley. Visit the Home Valley Station website … posted Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Street-art stay …
BRISBANE’S first street-art hotel has opened in Constance Street with TRYP Brisbane welcoming its first guests. The property, which is also the first TRYP by Wyndham hotel in Australia, is in the heart of the Queensland capital’s entertainment district and inside the business precinct emerging on the outskirts of the CBD making it popular withContinue reading “Street-art stay …”
Sun, surf and …
IT seems a few lazy days on the beach, a good dose of culture, and a stay at a luxury resort top the holiday wish list for Australian travellers. The vacation preferences are revealed in a study just completed by Wotif – the website that lets those looking to book accommodation grab last-minute deals onContinue reading “Sun, surf and …”
Shepherds Flat …
Where … Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm in Shepherds Flat, Victoria. When … Monday, December 13, 2010 What … Lavender growing in a pasture at Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, in Shepherds Flat near Daylesford, shows that summer has arrived in central Victoria. Visit the Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm website … posted Monday, September 22, 2014
Stewart Island …
Where … Boulder Beach, Stewart Island, New Zealand When … Tuesday, August 24, 2010 What … Looking across Boulder Beach’s golden sand to the mountains of Stewart Island in the distance. Visit the Stewart Island website … posted Saturday, September 20, 2014
Anzac link …
ON November 1, 1914, the first Anzac troops bound for the Great War’s bloody battlefields left Albany in a convoy that stretched more than 12km into the Southern Ocean when it steamed away from the West Australian coast. For many of those on board the 38 vessels it would be one-way journey as they wouldContinue reading “Anzac link …”
Far Near Or Here 