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A delightful way to enjoy Launceston’s waterways with a late afternoon cruise to Cataract Gorge with Tamar River Cruises. Booking is easy, just do this directly online. Friendly and welcoming staff on arrival for check in. Commentary by our Skipper providing great history of the local area. Bonus we could purchase beverages to take on board and enjoy a pre-dinner drink whilst sitting in comfort in the replica 1890’s vessel Lady Launceston with unobstructed views. Our tour cruised past Kings Wharf, Launceston Seaport then to Cataract Gorge. So relaxing and a wonderful welcome to Launceston. A big favourite of mine for accommodation when in Launceston, Peppers Silo. This once run down silo was converted into a 108 room hotel accommodation with a variety of room types. Only a 1 night stay but comfy bedding and nice staff made for a short but very good stay. Less than a 10-minute drive READ MORE

I was really interested to explore the beautiful granite boulders and coloured rocks of the Bay of Fires but time was our enemy, so we instead settled on a stop at the very quaint holiday village & fishing town of Bicheno, this way I could still enjoy seeing these gorgeous rocks up close. Lichens (tiny organisms that live on the rocks) are what cause the delightful orange & red hues. The Bicheno Blowhole was also a point of interest for us and is located a short distance from town. Parking was at a premium the day we visited so a spot on the side of the road it was. Caution advised for drivers & pedestrians alike. Easy walking track from roadway to the Blowhole but I did not feel it was wheelchair accessible. From our parking spot we also enjoyed great views of the Blowhole too. Stopped for lunch at READ MORE

Initially known as Bernacchi Lodge, the building was constructed on Hydro land at Lake Augusta in 1980 to train and prepare Antarctic staff for their expeditions. The building’s initial name was after Louis Bernacchi a Tasmanian, who in 1899 was a member of the first party to spend a year in Antarctica. Sadly, from 1999 onwards, this former Antarctic Training Facility in the Central Highlands, fell progressively into a state of disrepair. In 2016 racing car legend Marcus Ambrose purchased the property and commenced renovations. Thousand Lakes Lodge is now luxurious relaxing and welcoming. Totally off the grid, power on site is renewable solar, supplemented by a backup generator. The fireplace is gorgeous! We opted for a Lodge room with an ensuite located upstairs but the Lodge also has rooms that provide shared bathroom options as well and is in the process of completing an accessible needs room on the READ MORE

MIENA VILLAGE GUIDING Yingina, Tasmania’s Central Highlands such a diverse landscape full of beauty. Flowers in abundance and animals roaming freely, so wonderful to see and experience the sights, sounds and smells of this stunning region in Australia with Miena Village Guiding. Offering Guided Walks and Guided Trout Fishing tours the Guided walks vary from half, full, 2 or 7 day Walking Tours and Guided Trout Fishing tours, 1 or 2 day options are available. Tours operate out of Miena village, where the Great Lake Hotel is located if you are after accommodation, but your Guiding team will happily meet you as in our case at Thousand Lakes Lodge for both of our tours. We have long wanted to learn the art of Fly Fishing and were looking for a company that was prepared to teach and share their knowledge about their craft. Jason Garrett, owner of Miena Village Guiding READ MORE

Some wonderful offerings accommodation wise and on the food & beverage scene for the GC.   THE LANGHAM GOLD COAST The Langham Gold Coast, part of the Langham family, this 169-room hotel finally opened it’s doors to the GC in June, we’ve been waiting for some time and overall the hotel delivers on design and décor. The public areas are luxurious, the exterior of the hotel and Jewel residences is stunning and an architectural masterpiece. Try a cocktail in the central Lobby Bar, enjoy a meal in the signature Michelin star restaurant T’ang Court. This is the first hotel on the Gold Coast in more then 30 years offering direct beachfront access. Rooms are spacious and modern. Highly recommend soaking in the tub, fabulous!   MERITON SUITES SURFERS PARADISE The Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise, offering 5-star service luxury apartments with beachside water views and only a short walking distance into READ MORE

A couple of days in regional Victoria saw us visit a dream come true destination for me. I have long wanted to visit the Daylesford area and this quick few days did not disappoint. THE LAKEHOUSE DAYLESFORD You know the food at The Lakehouse is great when you both just enjoy every mouthful in silence to savour all the flavours. To say the food was amazing is an understatement, with multiple awards for service, wine and Chefs Hats for their outstanding food if you are in the Daylesford region you must include Lake House for lunch. The welcome by staff who take such great care of all guests and knowledge of food and wine is second to none. The customer service impeccable! Walk off your lunch around the gorgeous lake. Points to note: Reservations are essential and well in advance. Four course a la carte menu.   LAKE COTTAGE, DAYGET READ MORE

Well, it has been some months since travelling but I am pleased to report after all these years of writing itineraries for media and trade I finally got the opportunity to visit some area’s of Tasmania myself. This gorgeous state of Australia has long been a bucket list place for me to visit. Here are just a few highlights that I would recommend you visit:   MONA, HOBART Museum of Old and New Art, located about 20 minute drive north of Hobart. A visual and sensory feast overload would be how best I describe this venue. Their website says “Mona: a museum, or something. In Tasmania, or somewhere. Catch the ferry. Drink beer. Eat cheese. Talk crap about art. You’ll love it.” Points to note: The area is huge so wear comfortable walking shoes. MONA is cashless so ensure you have a card of some description to pay for any READ MORE

Its always a delight to visit another region in Queensland where the emphasis on enjoying the lifestyle of the outdoors, great beach vibes and scrumptious food plays a part in your visit. This April we visited the new Brouhaha Baringa in Caloundra’s Sunshine Coast so now you can enjoy your favourite brew without the drive into the Hinterland. Born in Maleny the Hinterland offering does some amazing food as well but the Baringa brewery also acts as the production side and boasts a fantastic tap room and bar that offers production tours which is a great way to learn about this locally owned and operated company. Check out their FB page for the rotating line up of food truck and music gigs. Best of all, for the non beer drinkers you can also enjoy some great Aussie Wines, Spirits and Cocktails. I enjoyed trying the Brouhaha Summer Sour Slammer, a READ MORE

This beaut area encompasses a large area of Southern Queensland and is lush with eco retreats, a nature lovers delight with World Heritage listed rainforests, national parks and a foodies haven. Conveniently located a one hours drive from both Gold Coast and Brisbane, the Scenic Rim can be visited for a day, weekend getaway and longer. The accommodation is endless from Hotels, Apartments, B&B, Cottages, Farm stays, Retreats and Lodges. We opted for Greenlee Cottages as we were looking for a country getaway offering cosy accommodation but with up-to-date stylish finishing’s and the opportunity to walk and enjoy the outdoors. This property did not disappoint. The area is gorgeous! The property is a working Macadamia farm and producers its own Honey. Nestled in the foothills of the Darlington Ranges, the lovely township of Canungra is less then a 15 minute drive away. Greenlee has 3 self-contained cottages on site all READ MORE

Welcome to Lady Elliot Island, a coral cay on the Southernmost part of the Great Barrier Reef. We took a flight from the Gold Coast’s Coolangatta airport (general aviation side). After a brief stop at Redcliffe airport (Brisbane) and we were once again on our way. Flights depart from Gold Coast, Redcliffe, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg. It was great flying from the Gold Coast so low over the coastline and really enjoyed seeing the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Island in a whole new light. The island sits on 42 hectares in size and is a protected green zone within the Great Barrier Reef. This eco resort holds advanced eco, climate change leader certifications and prides itself on their ecotourism sustainable practices. On arrival a staff member greets you and takes you on a brief orientation providing great info on the resort and where to find everything you need during your READ MORE