North Stradbroke Island, or Straddie to the locals. is located in Morton Bay and easily accessed from Brisbane. The first time we went I could believe we were only an hour from the central city yet already a world away. I can see why people return here for their summer holidays year after year and […]
Kyoto Walking Tour – Central Kyoto
Explore the city with this self guided Kyoto walking tour around central Kyoto. Follow the marked route or pick attractions to suit your interests. [separator type=”thin”] This Kyoto walking tour of central Kyoto is entirely self guided. Take it at your own pace and spend the most time at the attractions that interest you. The […]
Nature and History at White Rock Conservation Park
Take a moment to look at the photo of White Rock above. Squint your eyes or relax them … do you see it? In the language of the Jagera People, the traditional custodians of this land, the name for the rock means dingo or wild dog. From this angle I do see a large dog […]
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
This week I wanted to introduce you to the Mary Cairncross scenic reserve in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Maleny isn’t a big detour for the main highway and a visit to this park is an option even if you’re only passing through or visiting the area for the day. The pristine tract of rain forest includes a 2km […]
Exploring the Hiroshima Peace Park
The Hiroshima Peace Park (known as Heiwakinen in Japanese) is the first place most visitors to the city aim for when they arrive. Whether you’re making an intercity day trip or intend to base yourself in Hiroshima for a few days you’re unlikely to come to town and not visit this site which serves as a prayer […]
A walk through Tinchi Tamba Wetlands
The Tinchi Tamba wetlands, a name meaning ‘mangroves and ibis’ in the local Aboriginal dialect, was our destination for the day. Only a half hour drive north of Brisbane it’s an easily accessible park covering 380 hectares on the banks of the Pine River. The Day Use Area The day use area has gas barbeques, picnic […]
16 Amazing Street Art Murals in Toowoomba
Toowoomba is an inland city on the Darling Downs about 90 minutes from Brisbane. It’s known as the garden city, is surrounded by some great national parks and is loved for it’s well preserved heritage buildings, many from the art deco period. What I didn’t expect to find in this country town was an impressive […]
Exploring the geisha districts of Kyoto
Planning to see geisha in Kyoto? Head into the areas where they live and entertain. These geisha districts are known as hanamachi and there are 5 in Kyoto. [separator type=”thin”] The city of Kyoto is a dream for anyone with an interest in Japanese history. It’s a fantastic city to wander around, it’s flat, there […]
Detour and explore at Coomba Falls
As my sense of direction improves the improvised side trips reduce and there’s more time to explore things that grab our attention while travelling. A couple of weeks back we were stopped having a cuppa in Maidenwell when we spotted the sign to the Coomba Falls swimming hole cunningly hidden away behind the toilet block. We were […]
The Australian Walking Track Grading System
Australia has some fantastic walking tracks all around the country. Whether you’re tempted by a coastal hike, a day in the rainforest or an outback adventure, they all offer something unique. We regularly recommend trying out various walks and immersing yourself in all the natural beauty that Australia has to offer. It doesn’t matter whether you […]