Lower Hunter Valley

September 6, 2011 in Australia, New South Wales | Comments (0)

I have a dream of owning my own rural patch of heaven, 30-odd acres of paddocks and bushland where I can keep horses, run a few chooks and write the great Australian novel. And I know exactly where this Tree Change will take place – Wollombi.

This quaint little hamlet 140 kilometres north of Sydney in the Lower Hunter Valley is my secret weekend getaway. There’s nothing I love more than picking up a camper and heading up the F3 freeway, relaxation beckoning with every passing kilometre. ....

Phillip Island – Victoria’s Secret

August 24, 2011 in Australia, Victoria | Comments (0)

Many visitors to Victoria think of the Great Ocean Road as the state's ultimate driving holiday, but a 150km drive south-east from Melbourne to Phillip Island clearly can't be underestimated. It's a great drive leading to a fabulous holiday hotspot with a plethora of things to do.

A few months back we loaded up our six-berth Britz camper, hit the Monash Freeway, turned into the South Gippsland Freeway and then onto the Bass Highway and finally made our way to the island via Phillip Island Rd.....

Blissful Port Macquarie

August 17, 2011 in Australia, New South Wales | Comments (0)

Ah, Port Macquarie – beautiful one day, blissful the next. It’s my favourite holiday destination, any time of year – winter chills disappear on its sunny beaches; while in summer cool sea breezes keep the heatwaves at bay.

For my daughter and I, a road trip to Port is always an adventure. After picking up a last minute deal on a car rental we hit the Pacific Highway for the crawl out of Sydney – always the worst part of the trip. But once we were freewheeling north, it’s smooth driv....

Outback Queensland

August 10, 2011 in Queensland, Travel | Comments (0)

During the winter months, my thoughts don’t turn to snow-capped mountains and log fires, but rather red dirt plains and wide blue skies. The cooler months are the ideal time to explore Queensland’s outback, and hitting its dusty roads is the only way to get to fully appreciate the scale, complexity and beauty of this rugged, wild and bizarre landscape.

After flying into Mount Isa, we pick up our four-wheel drive camper and despite the kids’ pleas to don hard helmets and mining suits and....

Great Ocean Road to Kangaroo Island

April 20, 2011 in South Australia, Victoria | Comments (0)

This is a must-do trip with your camper, enjoying the spoils on offer along the Great Ocean Road and keeping the navigation simple – stay in on your left-hand side!

A shopping trip at Torquay should be first on your list and the best bargains are found in the warehouses located behind the main surf shop strip. Good quality wetsuits, fins, mask and snorkel are mandatory and easily packed in the camper. For the more adventurous, a surfboard is worth the effort too.

Stay on the Great Ocean....

Cairns to the Daintree

March 29, 2011 in Queensland | Comments (0)

The old adage “it’s a big country” certainly rings true in Far North Queensland, where distances between sights are great and the only way to experience them is by road. But that’s what makes the region north of Cairns such a great place for a driving holiday, with the open highway a journey of discovery and wonder.

When you’re deciding on a vehicle, keep in mind that the further from the Big Smoke you get, the rougher the roads – you may require a four-wheel drive if you are vent....

Entertaining Kids – Simple Travel Tips

March 19, 2011 in Travel Tips | Comments (0)

ARE we there yet? Its a four-word sentence that has the ability to crack the nerves of the most patient parent. So, how do parents combat such a road trip trap when it comes to impatient children? It all comes down to cunning plans and effective strategies put in place before you leave, as we quickly discover over a nerve-settling beer, barbecue and banter with three experienced travelling couples in the Albury All Seasons Tourist Park (NSW) poolside rotunda.

After a gruelling four-hour trip ....

Sydney to Melbourne by Road

March 18, 2011 in New South Wales, Victoria | Comments (0)

I’ve always preferred to drive to Melbourne than fly – I just like my independence, the freedom of the road and the convenience once I get there. The direct route down the Hume Highway can be a little tedious, mind you – just as well I’m comfortable behind the wheel!

An alternative touring route opened up a couple of years ago, – the Sydney to Melbourne Touring Route. It’s not a new road, just a new slant on familiar territory, opening tourists’ eyes to what’s special in the ....

Best Exchange Rates – Simple Travel Tips

March 17, 2011 in Travel Tips | Comments (0)

WITH commissions, surcharges and fees charged on money these days, it’s near-impossible to avoid paying extra when exchanging one currency for another. But with a little research and initiative, you can keep a cap on these annoying expenses when travelling.

Australia’s leading finance commentator, Terry McCrann, says it’s important to not obsess over "relatively meaningless points". "For example, if you get US97¢ over 96¢ on $1000, it’s worth all of $10 – ($970 against $960)," Mc....

Coping with Jet Lag – Simple Travel Tips

March 10, 2011 in Travel Tips | Comments (0)

INTERNATIONAL flights can wreak havoc on your body clock and travellers who have experienced jet lag after a long-haul flight understand only too well just how rotten it can make you feel.

Whether you’re flying for work or pleasure, it’s important to arrive refreshed and ready for your destination’s time zone.

How do you do this? Travel health expert Dr Deborah Mills, the author of Travelling Well, has a plan. The best way to lessen the effects of jet lag is to ‘‘travel west’�....