Category: Oceania
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10-day Western Australia road trip itinerary: best beaches and coastal stops
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Western Australia is famous for its incredibly beautiful coastline and sparse population. It’s no exaggeration to say that I had never stood on such a heavenly beach before that was so empty of people – and that wasn’t even a one-off in Western Australia. Here’s a 10-day Western Australia road…
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Australia Day: a Brit’s perspective
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It’s not often you happen to be in a country for its national day. But I was in Sydney for Australia Day in 2025. What is Australia Day? Australia Day is the anniversary of British ships landing at what is now Sydney Harbour on 26 January 1788. This was the…
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A Great Ocean Road trip: where to stop and what to see
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The Great Ocean Road, west of Melbourne, is renowned as a thing of beauty. It winds through small towns whose beaches are somehow more expansive than almost anything I’ve seen in the UK, through rainforest on the edge of Great Otway National Park, all the way to the spectacular Twelve…
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Five lovely bookshop cafés in Sydney
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My two favourite things to do are travelling and reading. It feels like the stars align when the two come together. If you’re also a travelling book-lover, don’t miss these five lovely bookshop cafés in Sydney. Berkelouw Books, Paddington First, Berkelouw Books in the district of Paddington claims to be…
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Seven small things I love about Australia
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I love lots of things about Australia. Obviously I loved the usual stuff: Western Australia’s deserted white-sand beaches, Sydney Harbour’s iconic skyline, the perpetual sun. But there are also lots of small things I love about Australia that are simply the icing on the cake. Here’s my list. 1. Excellent…
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New Zealand South Island road trip: the perfect two-week itinerary
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New Zealand’s South Island is one of my all-round favourite places. It’s absolutely crammed with a huge variety of landscapes, all spectacular, from glittering lakes to snow-capped mountains to sandy beaches to vivid green rainforests. And this two-week South Island road trip covers as much of that as it’s possible…
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Dolphin-watching in Kaikōura: a bucket list experience
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If you’re thinking of going to Kaikōura, I’m guessing that you have dolphins in mind. Each morning, a 400-strong pod of dolphins visits Kaikōura’s shores to the delight of boatloads of spectators. I can categorically say that a dolphin-watching tour was one of the best things I did in New…
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Five ways to experience Abel Tasman National Park
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Abel Tasman is a more off-the-beaten-track area of New Zealand, right up on the north coast of the South Island. But I think it’s worth the detour to see its sea in every shade of green and blue, its hidden golden beaches and its clear night sky glittering with stars.…
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Hiking New Zealand’s Alex Knob Track: everything you need to know
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The Alex Knob Track is a mid-length out-and-back hike up to a stunning vista of New Zealand’s Franz Josef Glacier and the mountains and forests beyond it, all the way out to the coast. It’s a hard hike but it’s totally worth it. Here’s everything you need to know before…
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Walk around Lake Matheson: what to expect and must-see views
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A walk around Lake Matheson is a must-do if you’re staying on New Zealand’s west coast. On a still day, this tranquil lake perfectly reflects Mount Cook in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Here’s what to expect on a walk around Lake Matheson, with tips on where to get that perfect…