AUSTRALIA

Discover the Spirit of the Great Southern Land. From sun-kissed coastlines to red-earth deserts,
Australia is a land of contrasts and stories.

Mammoth Cave Margaret RiverJocelyn Watts
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Mammoth Cave Margaret River: Explore Ancient Wonders

Discover the mystical Mammoth Cave at Margaret River HIDDEN beneath the forests and rolling vineyards of Margaret River lies an ancient underground world shaped over thousands of years. From the vast chambers of Mammoth Cave to the crystal…
retreat accommodation hervey bay: A peaceful sunrise over Hervey Bay, where still waters and scattered sailboats capture the region’s laid-back coastal charm.Jocelyn Watts
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Best Accommodation in Hervey Bay for Group Getaways

How to Choose Retreat Accommodation in Hervey Bay A practical, slightly dreamy guide for organising your next group getaway THERE'S a moment, somewhere between the idea and the booking, when a retreat starts to feel real. It might begin with…
Crocodiles in the Northen Territory, Australia.Jocelyn Watts
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Are Crocodiles Dinosaurs? Why Our Crocs Outlived the Dinosaurs

Crocodiles were prehistoric — but they’re not dinosaurs. CROCODILES tend to make the news only when something has gone terribly wrong. An attack. A close call. A reminder that in parts of Australia, we are not the top of the food chain. Yet…
Dinosaur footprintShutterstock
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Dinosaur Trails Australia: Lightning Ridge

Explore dinosaur trails less travelled Looking for dinosaur trails in Australia that go beyond the usual tourist circuit? This Dinosaur Trails Australia road trip begins at Lightning Ridge in northern NSW, home to rare opalised dinosaur fossils…
Dinosaurs - model dinosaursJocelyn Watts
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Queensland Dinosaur Trail Road Trip: Winton & Beyond

Journey Along the Queensland Dinosaur Trail Through Winton Looking to explore the Queensland Dinosaur Trail beyond the brochures? From Charleville’s clear night skies to Winton’s world-class fossil discoveries, this outback road trip reveals…
Best Things to do Near Mission Beach - SunriseJocelyn Watts
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Best Things to do Near Mission Beach

Mission Beach as a base: Easy day trips & local highlights MISSION Beach sits on Queensland’s Cassowary Coast, a seaside community of just over a thousand people, framed by rainforest, reef and wide, uncrowded beaches. It’s a place…
Oaks Port Douglas - night pool sceneJocelyn Watts
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Oaks Port Douglas: A Stay in the Tropics

Family Wedding Stay at Oaks Port Douglas Resort OCTOBER in Far North Queensland has a certain magic about it. The humidity eases just enough, the skies behave themselves (mostly), and the crowds thin as the annual tourist season winds down.…
Dinosaur Trail - Couple dining with a dinosaur in the backgroundAI Image
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Dine on Australia’s Dinosaur Trail

A Foodie’s Journey in Queensland's Dinosaur Country UPDATE 13/6/24: Researchers have identified a new species of pterosaur, Haliskia peterseni, in outback Queensland near Richmond. Click Richmond to read. ___ IT'S INCREDIBLE how the…
West Coast Wilderness RailwayJocelyn Watts
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Time Travel on the West Coast Wilderness Railway

Uncovering rail pioneers' stories BACK in 2009, my husband, Don Watts, and I took a jaunt through time courtesy of the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania. Picture this: the whistle of a heritage steam locomotive serenading us as we settled…
Scenic Rim waterfallLachlan Gardiner 2021
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Scenic Rim Serenity: 11 Waterfalls Await

Discovering Scenic Rim's Spectacular Waterfalls UPDATE: Keep up-to-date with the latest closures at Tamborine National Park at https://www.facebook.com/ScenicRimSESUnit/ NOW is a great time to seek spectacular waterfalls in the Scenic Rim,…
Queensland experiences: art galleryTourism & Events Queensland
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8 Queensland Experiences for the Hearing Impaired

Beyond Silence: Inclusivity in Travel EMBARK on an immersive journey beyond sound, and indulge in all-encompassing Queensland experiences. Statistics reveal that one in six Australians grapple with hearing impairment, while approximately…
rail journey - couple sitting at a window of the dining carShutterstock Ai
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Epic rail journey to a tropical paradise

Discover North Queensland on a railway adventure AH, THE peace and tranquillity that comes with travelling by train. Kicking back in my high-back leather-look seat, letting time pass me by as the scenery rushes past outside - it was an experience…
Sunreef Mooloolaba - lady excited at whale watching
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Spot Humpback Whales With Sunreef Mooloolaba

The 2026 humpback whales are heading for Queensland again. Season runs July–October, with the best encounters in August–September. If you’re ready to go in Hervey Bay, choose a tour and book early. ‘Tis the season to see humpback…
whales - people swimming with whales
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Whale Watching on the Sunshine Coast

The 2026 humpback whales are heading for Queensland again. Season runs July–October, with the best encounters in August–September. If you’re ready to go in Hervey Bay, choose a tour and book early. Have a Whale of a Time on the Sunshine…
Nature prescriptions - couple walking in nature
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Discover the benefits of ‘Nature Prescriptions’

Study shows 'Nature prescriptions' can improve health A dose of the outdoors may be just what the doctor ordered, according to new research from UNSW Sydney. Imagine that your doctor prescribes you a new treatment. It’s pleasant, and you…
national parks - aerial view of the scenic rimTourism and Events Queensland.
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15 Lesser-Known National Parks in Queensland

Unearth new adventures in these amazing national parks WITH more than 1,000 protected areas across the state, Queensland is bursting with enchanting and soul-nourishing national parks. But while travellers are familiar with famous favourites…
Bundaberg region - loggerhead turtle
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Bundaberg: The Ecotourist’s dream come true!

Home of Australia's vital loggerhead turtle rookery WANT to experience a destination dedicated to sustainable practices and environmental conservation? Then look no further than the Bundaberg Region, Australia, the southern-most destination…
Mary Valley Rattler - Steam TrainJocelyn Watts
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All Aboard The Mary Valley Rattler

Discover the Mary Valley Rattler: A Journey Back in Time HAVE you ever wanted to travel back in time? If so, and you’re in the Sunshine Coast or Gympie areas, then you’re in luck… well, almost. Riding the iconic Spirit of the Mary…
Magnetic Island - palm treesBrian Pickering
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You, me and Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island: The best wedding anniversary pressie ever! By Brian Pickering and Kaye Browne IT'S funny how people perceive other people’s lives.  Take, for example, the reaction when we messaged a few friends and family we were about…
Muttaburrasaurus - dinosaurJocelyn Watts
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Muttaburrasaurus: The dinosaur people dig

Muttaburrasaurus langdoni has been voted as Queensland's state fossil emblem. The plant-eating dinosaur was discovered in 1963 and named after the Central Queensland town of Muttaburra, the hometown of Jocelyn's father, William C. Scott. Read…
Sydney - art gallery of NSW
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Discover Sydney’s art and soul

Sydney's Art & Soul, a must-read for culture travellers 05 Oct 2022 WITH its lively arts scene and nature's artistry on show at every turn, creative energy charges through the harbour city. Now, as a jam-packed calendar of world-class…
Romantic Getaway - woman drinking wine
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7 Top Spots for a Romantic Getaway

Romantic getaway: A lovers' guide to a day in Canberra LOOKING to whisk your partner away for a romantic night in Australia's capital city, Canberra? Whether you're new to Canberra or just looking for something different, this guide will…
Croquet - mallet, balls and hoop
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Croquet: A great Way To Enjoy A Holiday

Croquet clubs make for great travel destinations HAVE you ever played croquet? No?! Well, it's definitely time to add it to your bucket list! While visiting the Queensland city of Bundaberg, members of the Bundaberg Croquet Club introduced…
Western Australia - Van Gough art exhibition
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Western Australia Wonders: 9 Cultural Experiences Await

Add some Western Australia culture to your bucket list WESTERN Australia is a vast and beautiful part of the world, with plenty to offer travellers looking for new cultural experiences. From bustling city life to countryside exploration…
Lightning Ridge - Sunset
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Lightning Ridge: discover desert wonders in NSW

Unearth the Gems of Lightning Ridge OPALS aren't the only gems of Lightning Ridge — discover natural desert wonders and eccentric monuments, and unearth underground art galleries and a moonscape of mines in this New South Wales outback…
NSW - Aboriginal man
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NSW: 6 Great Ways to Refresh Your Connection

Explore NSW's best-kept secrets WHEN was the last time you really connected with New South Wales (NSW)? Sure, you may have taken a trip to inner Sydney or one of the other popular tourist destinations, but did you get out of the inner city…
wine and art - dArenberg_Cube
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4 Top Pairings of Wine And Art in Australia

When two worlds combine: a revolution of wine and art COULD there be a more fruitful pairing than wine and art? With 'paint and sip' studios popping up all over the country, Australian wine and art enthusiasts can't get enough of this captivating…
Cuisine - NSW Central CoastDestination NSW
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Savouring NSW Cuisine: 8 New Hotspots

New multi-cultural cuisine, cycling tours and more WE'RE always on the lookout for good cuisine and new experiences when travelling. Whether it's a hole-in-the-wall spot or a Michelin-starred restaurant, we love tasting local cuisine as…
What is Boulder opal? Boulder opal in the rough.
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What Is Queensland Boulder Opal?

Queensland Boulder Opal: What makes it so special? QUEENSLAND Boulder Opal is treasured throughout the world because people love its unique beauty and deep colouration. As the name ‘Boulder’ suggests, the colourful opal forms inside…
Boulder OpalJocelyn Watts
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Discover Boulder Opal

Fancy Hunting for Boulder Opal? Start at Winton IF YOU'VE ever fancied yourself striking it lucky on an Australian opal field but felt it was daunting, the annual Winton Opal Festival is your chance to get the lowdown on all things Boulder…
Granite Belt Wine RegionJocelyn Watts
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Discover the Granite Belt Wine Region

What’s strange in the Granite Belt Wine Region? Something strange is happening in the Granite Belt Wine Region of South East Queensland, and it's not just the birds. Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If…
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Tour Hinchinbrook with Swainie

Top 5 ways to unwind with a reef tour Update (20 July 2023): Annette Swaine is no longer with Port of Call. Boats are still available for hire, and other operators in the area also offer guided and self-guided options for exploring the region. IF…
white-water-raftingJocelyn Watts
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Tully hosts white water rafting title

Why hold world-class white water rafting championships at Tully? Watching all the adrenalin pumping action on the first day of the 2018 Pre-World White Water Rafting Championship on 11 May was certainly a highlight of my five-week house-sitting…
Top 12 Things to do at Cooktownjocelyn Watts
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Top 11 Things to do at Cooktown

Discover Cooktown in Far North Queensland THERE'S no shortage of things to do at Cooktown, where in 1770 James Cook landed after his ship ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef. The old adage "Seen one rainforest, seen ém all" certainly…
New Norcia, Australia’s only monastic town.Jocelyn Watts
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Australia’s only monastic town

Discovering New Norcia IF TOURIST brochures suggest staying at Margaret River you can bet hubby will want to book at Yallingup, a stone's throw up the road. Doing the tourist thing or mingling with crowds is not his idea of a relaxing holiday…