Hahndorf: A German Village in the Adelaide Hills
The pretty village of Hahndorf is small slice of 19th century Germany, tucked away in the Adelaide Hills. Just a 30-minute drive from Adelaide’s city centre, visiting Hahndorf is like briefly stepping back in time, and off the continent. In July 2021, we were lucky enough to time our postponed South Australia trip in the 10 days between Melbourne’s two long lockdowns. At the time, … Continue reading Hahndorf: A German Village in the Adelaide Hills
In Bloom: Ballarat Begonia Festival
Spring is in full bloom in Melbourne, which reminded me of the radiant beauty of the Ballarat Begonia Festival, which David & I stumbled upon back in April of this year. Over the Easter long weekend, David & I spent the weekend in Hamilton in the Southern Grampians. A spontaneous stop in Ballarat on the long drive home delivered one of the most beautiful moments … Continue reading In Bloom: Ballarat Begonia Festival
The Wanderbug Bites: October 2021
This is something new I’m trying, since I unceremoniously dumped my New York City Life series after moving back to Australia (and I haven’t even posted my final NYC Life post – I think I’m still in denial that its over). I wanted to find a way to share more in real time (or close to it), and round up interesting travel news, openings and … Continue reading The Wanderbug Bites: October 2021
Burleigh Beach: The Best Beach on the Gold Coast
Burleigh Beach is my favourite beach on the Gold Coast – ask most locals, and they’d likely agree. Most tourists still flock to Surfers, although Burleigh is booming these days, the once sleepy little beach ‘burb still has easygoing charm to go with its extraordinary natural beauty. With a wide, deep beach of soft white spend, not a speck of litter in sight and sweeping … Continue reading Burleigh Beach: The Best Beach on the Gold Coast
Rural Australian landscapes in the Grampians
It was so gratifying to be on a road trip over the Easter weekend. David and I went to the Southern Grampians, a rural area four hours’ west of Melbourne. I purposefully didn’t do too much in-depth research before the trip because I missed the thrill of surprise that is guaranteed in international travel (and living overseas) but can harder to find close to home. … Continue reading Rural Australian landscapes in the Grampians
Sydney Travel Guide: What to see & where to eat
Sydney is Australia’s largest city and unofficial capital, with a stunning oceanfront location and vibrant, diverse neighbourhoods. Sydney is a must-visit on your first trip to Australia and a great spot for a weekend city break for travellers from within Australia. Having lived either side of Sydney, both in Brisbane and Melbourne, I’ve visited Sydney for work and pleasure more times than I can count. … Continue reading Sydney Travel Guide: What to see & where to eat
Out East: A Weekend in the Hamptons
Luxury cars and designer handbags, out running errands. Sprawling estates with ocean views. Lashings of hydrangeas. Very, very wealthy people. These were the things I expected from a weekend in the Hamptons, on Long Island’s East End. What I didn’t expect was for somewhere so famously out of touch with the real world to bring me back down to earth. It was a breath of … Continue reading Out East: A Weekend in the Hamptons
NYC Life: October 2020
October is my favourite month in New York City, because you get the bright blue skies and warm sunshine of late summer followed by the crisp air and golden foliage of autumn. I flicked back to my October 2019 recap before beginning this post, and was reminded of how stressed I’d been about my upcoming visa application so I could start work in the US. … Continue reading NYC Life: October 2020
Highlights from a brief return to Melbourne
Last year, I had to travel from New York City to Australia to get my US working visa. I had my visa interview at the US Consulate in Perth, but while I waited for my passport to be returned to me I spent some time in Melbourne and Brisbane. This is a long overdue recap of my three or so weeks in Melbourne, in November … Continue reading Highlights from a brief return to Melbourne
NYC Life: September 2020
September & October are some of my favourite months in New York City (along with April and May – the beginnings of the city’s softer spring and autumn seasons!). In September, it’s sunny and warm but not sweaty, with blue skies and 24 degree days. I LOVE being outside right now, in the crisp, clear autumn air. September flew. It was easily the fastest month … Continue reading NYC Life: September 2020