Garbage bins standing out in the water at Lake Wanaka, with the snow capped Southern Alps behind

Why December is not the best month to visit New Zealand

4 Comments / New Zealand / By

Contents1Adventures and Misadventures in New Zealand1.1It all started with a plane1.2Then there was the Coastal Pacific train1.3A not so Seal Swim Kaikoura1.4Te Anau Glowworms1.5When its raining in Queenstown1.6Car trouble in Glenorchy1.7A flooded Wanaka1.8Twilight in Twizel1.9A Glacier Landing1.10Back in Christchurch2Tips for dealing with last minute changesWe all know that even the best laid plans go wrong. …

Why December is not the best month to visit New Zealand Read More »

Panorama image of Uluru in Central Australia. Sun is hitting the rock and there are clouds in the sky behind and above the rock.

Bloggers Love; The Best Books set in Australia you need to read

Leave a Comment / The Backyard Tourist / By

Contents1Down Under (Published in the US as In a Sunburned Country)2The Dry3Four Fires4Johnno5My Brilliant Career6Pearl Sister7Picnic at Hanging Rock8Stolen9The Light Between Oceans10Tomorrow When the War Began11Tracks From fiction to non-fiction, colonial history to modern day, from novels set in the Australian outback to a tale of a city or country town, there is no doubt …

Bloggers Love; The Best Books set in Australia you need to read Read More »

Image of road in New Zealand heading towards snow capped mountains

Self driving New Zealand; what you need to know

2 Comments / New Zealand / By

Contents1Can I drive in New Zealand?2Road Rules in New Zealand3Car hire in New Zealand4Driving in New Zealand: what they don’t tell you4.1Petrol4.1.1Saving money on fuel in New Zealand4.2Roads in New Zealand4.2.1Motorways4.2.2Speed Limits4.2.3Roadworks4.2.4Trains4.3Navigating4.4WeatherIf you love a good road trip, they don’t come much more spectacular than New Zealand, where around every corner it seems there is …

Self driving New Zealand; what you need to know Read More »

Unique Shoalhaven Wineries you need to visit

1 Comment / Sydney, The Backyard Tourist / By

Contents1Mountain Ridge Wines1.1Where to find Mountain Ridge Wines1.2What do Mountain Ridge Wines offer?1.3Why you should visit Mountain Ridge Wines2Coolangatta Estate Winery2.1Where to find Coolangatta Estate Winery2.2What does Coolangatta Estate Winery offer?2.3Why you should visit Coolangatta Estate Winery3Two Figs Winery3.1Where to find Two Figs Winery3.2What do Two Figs Winery offer?3.3Why you should visit Two Figs Winery4Shoalhaven …

Unique Shoalhaven Wineries you need to visit Read More »

Snow capped mountains behind green fields near Mt Cook in New Zealand

From phones to lenses; My photography equipment list

15 Comments / Travel tips and tricks / By

Contents1My Photography Journey2Best Camera for Travel Blogging2.1Olympus EM102.2Olympus EM52.2.1Pros of the Micro Four Thirds range2.2.2Cons of the Micro Four Thirds3Micro Four Thirds Lenses3.1Zuiko 14-42mm3.2Zuiko 40-150mm3.3Zuiko 30mm Macro3.4Zuiko 12-40mm Pro3.5Zuiko 75-300mm3.6Zuiko 12mm prime4Best Camera Accessories4.1Tripod4.2ND Filters4.3UV filters4.4Camera bag4.5Memory card4.6Lens cleaning wipes5Editing Tools6Improving your Photography6.1Tips for shooting Long Exposures with Micro Four Thirds6.2Take a session with Pro-photographers6.2.1Learn …

From phones to lenses; My photography equipment list Read More »

A Quokka on Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Where to see Quokkas; A Rottnest Island Day Trip

8 Comments / Western Australia / By

Contents1Why you should visit Rottnest Island2Rottnest Island History2.1Aboriginal History2.2Military History2.3Maritime History3Rottnest Land Wildlife3.1Quokkas3.1.1Where to find Quokkas3.1.2How to get a Quokka selfie3.2Birdlife3.3Reptile life4Rottnest Marine Life4.1New Zealand Fur Seals4.2Dolphins4.3Humpback Whales5How to get to Rottnest Island5.1By Ferry5.1.1From Perth5.1.2From Freemantle5.2By Air6How to get around on Rottnest Island7Tips to plan your Rottnest Island day trip8Rottnest Island Accommodation8.1Discovery Rottnest Island8.2Karma Rottnest8.3Rottnest …

Where to see Quokkas; A Rottnest Island Day Trip Read More »

London Bridge in London

Accessible Travel; The virtual experience with Airbnb

6 Comments / World Adventures / By

Contents1What is the Airbnb Online Experience?2What can you do as an Online Experience?3What do you need for an Online Experience?4Why you should try Airbnb Online Experiences5My Favourite Online Experiences5.1Experiences for hobby photographers5.1.1Secret Phone Tricks5.2Experiences for coffee lovers5.2.1Coffee Masterclass5.3Experiences for movie buffs and Harry Potter fans5.3.1Harry Potter London Secrets5.3.2Harry Potter Magic in Edinburgh5.4Experiences for lovers of …

Accessible Travel; The virtual experience with Airbnb Read More »

Humpback Whale raises head above water in the ocean off Sydney coastline

Cruise the Humpback Highway; best whale watching Sydney

11 Comments / Sydney, The Backyard Tourist / By

Contents1Best time to see whales2Humpback Whale Migration Route3A Sydney Harbour Cruise with Go Whale Watching4Cruising the Humpback Highway5Whale Behaviours5.1Breaching5.2Tail slapping5.3Spy-hopping5.4Mugging6Tips for having a great Whale Watching experience7Tips for photographing the Whales8Book your Whale Watching cruise9My Photography Equipment10Darling Harbour AccommodationEvery year, between the months of May and November, Humpback Whales undertake their migration along the eastern …

Cruise the Humpback Highway; best whale watching Sydney Read More »

Sculpture called Woods from the Trees in Christchurch New Zealand

Christchurch Street Art – A photo journey

1 Comment / New Zealand / By

Contents1Where to stay in Christchurch2A walking exploration of Christchurch3Christchurch Street Art; Murals4Christchurch Street Art; Sculptures5My Photography EquipmentChristchurch is at once a city of ruins and rebirth. The 2011 Christchurch Earthquake was shallow, and focused just miles from the centre of the city already weakened by a quake the previous year. It caused widespread damage across …

Christchurch Street Art – A photo journey Read More »

Elvis suits on display at Graceland, Memphis

World of Music; must see destinations with a musical soul

Leave a Comment / World Adventures / By

Contents1Music destinations in The Americas1.1Austin; Live Music Capital of the World1.2Feel the Samba music in Brazil1.3Colombian Salsa1.4Cuba; Afro-European rhythms1.5Memphis; the birthplace of Rock and Roll1.6Mexican Mariachi1.7Nashville country music1.8Seattle grunge2Music destinations in Asia2.1Kerala drums2.2Korea; the home of Kpop3Music destinations in Europe3.1Dublin street performers3.2Hamburg; a Beatles beginning3.3Ibiza; island beats3.4Manchester music legends3.5Paris; Jazzy since the roaring twenties3.6Portugal; Fado …

World of Music; must see destinations with a musical soul Read More »