Australia

This is the last installment of my mammoth series about the Indian Pacific train, which is part of an 11,000km train journey I took across Australia – and back again. My mission: to see if spending eight days on a train could inspire boredom. So far, no luck. Let’s see … Read More

Join me 2/3 of the way through my 11,000 km journey taking Indian Pacific train across Australia and back – all to see if I can get bored.

So far in my 11,000km journey by train across Australia and back, I’ve been aboard the Indian Pacific for three nights since getting on in Sydney. We’ve stopped in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook, and Kalgoorlie. Today, I arrive at my halfway point and destination of sorts: Perth. This post was … Read More

I had but a mere 24 hours (26 to be exact) to enjoy Perth, between getting off the Indian Pacific train from Sydney, and getting right back on it the following day to return to my point of origin. “Why aren’t you staying in Perth for longer?” was a question … Read More

At this point in the Indian Pacific series, I’m four days into my epic 11,000 km journey across Australia (and back), and have spent the last two nights aboard the Indian Pacific, traveling from Sydney to Perth (and back). Today we’re checking out Cook and Kalgoorlie. Learn about my grand … Read More

Thus far in this series, I’ve set the stage for my epic 11,000km train journey, boarded the Indian Pacific train in Sydney, explored my digs, and settled in for the night. I will wake up to Broken Hill. This post was originally published in 2011. It has since been updated … Read More

My reasons for taking the Indian Pacific train across Australia in the way that I did are not why most normal folk would have. In reflecting on my three-day adventure riding The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide, I was surprised at how quickly the time passed. I had figured that, … Read More

Almost 48 hours after boarding The Ghan on Day One in Darwin, stopping in Alice Springs on Day Two, and with only a few hours to go to Adelaide, I was surprised to wake up and discover that we were still very much in the Australian outback on this three-day journey … Read More

On day two of my three-day epic journey on The Ghan, I awoke from my slumber and gazed out the window. One of my favourite things about overnight train travel is laying in bed and watching the sun rise over the moving landscape. And today was no exception. The earth … Read More

One of my motivations in returning to Australia for a few months has been to experience the world-class multi-day train journeys that venture through some of the most uninhabitable parts of this sunburned country. And The Ghan train is one of those world-class trains, also reputed to be one of … Read More

“Watch out for crocs,” was the advice of a friend ringing in my ears as I slipped off the steps and onto the rocky beach in Darwin, Australia. I knew better than to swim in the ocean (rife with box jellyfish, salt-water crocodiles, and other lethal delights), but I figured … Read More

While I was visiting Canberra, my friend (also a Nora) and I wandered by a derelict collection of tents and temporary-looking dwellings in front of the old parliament building. “This is an odd spot for a campground,” I commented. “It’s not a campground,” Nora said. “It’s the Australian Aboriginal Tent … Read More

Canberra (pronounced more like “Can-bra” with the emphasis on the “can”), gets a bad rap. “Why would you want to go to Canberra?” was a question I had to answer more than once about visiting Australia’s capital city. Most of the people asking this question were Aussies themselves. For many … Read More

My visit to Sydney and the nearby Blue Mountains was beautifully rounded out by staying with some friends just outside of the city. And aside from a chance encounter – or rather encounters (37 in total) – with some nasty spiders, all was beautiful. First, we took advantage of a gorgeous … Read More

While enjoying Sydney, I decided to explore the 10km coastal Manly Scenic Walkway. And no…the walk isn’t particularly masculine in nature…Manly is the name of the Sydney suburb where the walk begins. This article was originally published in 2010 and has since been updated for accuracy of content and links … Read More

If you want a comprehensive guide to seeing Sydney Australia, this post is not going to be very fulfilling. But if you would like to enjoy some random observations from Sydney and tips I have from roaming the streets of Sydney for almost a week, then please, feel free to … Read More

Walkabout Woes in Australia: We’re barely into 2010, and I can already see that it will be an interesting year. Coming into the year, I’ve had a few reservations – not the least of which is an agenda that entails us basing ourselves in Australia for another year; one that … Read More

As I sit in the remaining days of 2009, reflecting upon days past and planning for days to come, I realize that this year has seen quite a few adventures! It all started roughly a year ago, when we decided to give the gift of pumpkin pies to as many … Read More

When I was recently overseas in North America visiting family and friends, things were eerily quiet. Sure – there were sounds of traffic, laughter, and the hum of the city, but there was something inexplicable missing. When I returned to Australia, I realized what was missing: the extraordinary lives and … Read More

In a philosophical conversation with an acquaintance the other day, I was informed that he doesn’t like the way I travel. Not only does he not like it for himself, but he doesn’t like it for me; he feels that full-time travel is an act of withdrawal from the world. … Read More

The winter fog rolling through the Australian countryside in Victoria is epic. Check out these pictures of this magical (if not slightly hazardous) wonder.

This photo of Snow in Australia was taken yesterday from our backyard…literally. Although I’m a Canadian on a permanent mission to avoid winter, I’ve done a pretty crappy job of it. This post was originally published in 2009. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.  After … Read More

Two cool things happened this week. Winter started, which means we are celebrating one year in Australia. This post was originally published in 2009. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.  A year ago when we arrived in Australia, winter had begun but we were none … Read More

We’re fast approaching the 1-year anniversary of our arrival in Australia. And in the course of our Aussie adventures, some of the local customs, slang, and other characteristics are slowly permeating my daily way of life that’s finding me turning into an Aussie. Here are a few: This post was originally … Read More

As I was inhaling another of many Australian hamburgers the other day, I realized I was eating a burger that nobody in North America (and other places for that matter) had ever seen the likes of. In explaining to some folks at home in Canada how Australians prefer to eat … Read More

Having recently experienced Easter Down Under here in Australia, I continue to marvel at the little differences that exist between two strikingly similar countries – Canada and Australia. This post was originally published in 2009. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.  Although traveling in countries … Read More

“Okay, ready to rappel – I mean abseil,” I say as I prepare to descend a small cliff near the summit of Mt Kosciuszko – Australia’s highest mountain. “That’s okay, say rappel. It’s nice to talk to somebody who actually knows what rappelling is and doesn’t call me a Yank … Read More

The mission: To climb Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko (pronounced kahz-ee-ahz-koh) at 2,228 meters above sea level. The highest peak on the continent. A feat for anybody aiming to climb the highest peaks on each continent. A real notch for the climbing belt, if you ask me. (Sshhh….don’t tell anybody … Read More

A question asked of me recently by a reader, and possibly especially pertinent now that we are looking at staying in Australia after a year here already, may be: “Are you still a traveler if you’re not actually…traveling?” You may wonder how I can satisfy the title of The Professional … Read More

I would say that our time in Australia is coming to an end and that it is time to move on. But that would be a lie. In fact, quite the opposite: our time in Australia is not coming to an end. But it is still time to move on. … Read More

The meaning of “Fair Dinkum” in Australia is elusive at best. Here is what I learned, along with a whole collection of input from readers.

Today is a total fire bans day. The air is heavy (but not humid) as I step outside from the cool respite of our practically-air-conditioned-it’s-so-cold cottage. I walk into the sunshine, and even at 3pm I immediately feel its rays burning through the first few layers of my skin. Even … Read More

Having grown up with white Christmases in Canada, I wasn’t been feeling Christmas spirit here in Australia. But my first Christmas in Australia turned out pretty well! See also: I’m Dreaming of a Brown Christmas (new lyrics to an old song)And: My Christmas Present to Australia: Pumpkin Pie! (with recipe) … Read More

“You must have a little veggie patch at your place, don’t you? Everybody does,” said one Aussie fellow to me when speaking about the Australian agriculture industry. “Chuck just about anything in the ground, it grows here,” were his wise words to me that day about gardening down under. This … Read More

First off, who the heck is Wilson, why am I at his prom, what on earth is a rosella, and why is it on my freaking head?! Never fear, it will all make sense.

After meeting Bracken our horny and insatiable kangaroo, and feeding the beautiful king parrots here at Kingbilli, we knew we were in the perfect place to become acquainted with native Australian wildlife in ways that most people – even Australians – don’t have a chance to. Such are the benefits … Read More

Your dog just died. “She’ll be right mate,” is the sympathetic response of your Australian friend. Climate change is upon us. The whole country, and in particular the state of Victoria has endured over a decade of drought. “She’ll be right mate,” replies an Aussie as they seem to shrug … Read More

Eek! The Australian Huntsman. This post was originally published in 2008, toward the beginning of my 18 time in Australia. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.  For a subsequent entertaining incident where I shared my car with an Australian Huntsman for quite some time, check … Read More