This article is written in partnership with Travelbag who I travelled to Australia with, from the bottom (Kangaroo Island) to the top (Darwin) by plane, train and automobile. This view of Australia is very much through my lens, supported by the Travelbag range of tours and products. First post in this series: Travelling Australia from South to North: Adelaide Dispatches

Kangaroo Island has a magical quality to it, even just the name. It sounds straight out of a story book, like somewhere you would want to go without hearing anything further, and maybe immediately. It took several years to get there but I finally did. And it is gorgeous. 

Kangaroo Island feels very remote but it is very close to the mainland, just a few hours from Adelaide, including a short ferry ride (or even shorter plane journey). On landing at the small airport I was greeted by my pre booked transfer driver, and found myself joining the end of a wildlife tour as they made their way back to my hotel. This is how it works there. The population is small and there is no taxi service. And what a fun start to my few days there. They shared lots of tips and stories and I bounced off the bus eager to begin. 

Kangaroo Island has always been all about the wildlife, and it still is, but recently also about the wine, the gin and restaurants. It is remote in character, the population is only 4,500 people (and there are only 4 police), making it perfect for long road trips on expansive roads lined with tall trees. There are eight national parks and many beaches bustling with pelicans and native sea lions.  Continue reading

I love travel. You know that. There are some places that have got under my skin and that I love to return to. Places that inspire because of the place, the people, the light and often if not always, the food. There is a long list of places that I want to go to.

Sydney is one of my favourite cities to visit. I returned in November, my first visit in (their) Spring. I had few plans, not even where I would stay. I was coming out of an intense period of travel for work – which I love – but I knew that a schedule was the last thing that I would need.

Sydney is Sweetest in Spring

It was a gorgeous time to be there. The streets lined with bright purple jacaranda trees, heaving with blossom and intensely fragrant. There was so much jasmine lining the streets and bright pink rhododendron clinging to the ornate metal balconies on the front of Sydney houses. The sky was bright and the temperature was my ideal, between 20 and 24 deg C. I walked every day, soaking it all in.  I love getting out by the water, and sipping coffee or wine by the beaches. Most of all I love the food. Sydney has some terrific cafés and restaurants.  Continue reading

This article is written in partnership with Travelbag who I travelled to Australia with, from the bottom (Kangaroo Island) to the top (Darwin) by plane, train and automobile. This view of Australia is very much through my lens, supported by the Travelbag range of tours and products.

My first trip to Australia was 11 years ago on holiday with friends. Predictably, to Sydney, and I loved every minute. I was curious but as a professional contrarian I had avoided the year in Australia which most Irish people tend to do at some point. I never even planned to go to Australia, it seemed too close to home even though it is so far away. A friend moved there and another friend was keen to go so I decided I would try it. Australia proved to be surprising and exciting, and I have now been back 4 times. Each time I have experienced something completely different. 

Australia is a place that I have developed a deep affection for. The lifestyle is gorgeous, people are very friendly, and there is a very laid back air there and a general joie de vivre. It is a fun place to visit. The food and drink scene is vibrant, Australians know and love their food and have high expectations of every eatery who usually deliver. 

Australia is enormous and there is so much to explore, on this trip I went to two new areas as I travelled from the southern tip to the north: South Australia and the Northern Territory stopping in the red centre on the way from Kangaroo Island to Darwin via Adelaide. It was an excellent trip and I am excited to share my stories and experiences from there.  

Adelaide – Capital of South Australia

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Perth sits on the edge of Australia, it feels like the edge of the world with the nearest large city Adelaide being 2,104km away. This adds to the charm, it is refreshingly laid back and there is much to do. Perth stretches along the coastline, and so it doesn’t feel big or overwhelming. As with other Australian cities that I have visited (Melbourne, Sydney), there is a thriving and exciting food culture here. It may be the most isolated city in the world, but it is attracting impressive culinary talent and there are many new restaurants and bars.

As with all my food research trips, everywhere is researched thoroughly and only the restaurants that I rate and that cut above the others make the list. 

Enjoy! Perth is a fun city and there are lots of great places to eat. 

Also in this series: 
A Culinary Road Trip from Perth to Margaret River
Where to Eat, Drink and Stay in Fremantle
A Postcard from Western Australia (Through a Food Lens)
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Western Australia is vast and diverse, it is perfect for a road trip. Before I visited I imagined horizons filled orange soil and hot searing temperatures. What greeted me instead as I journeyed south from Perth at the end of winter was moderate temperatures, lush greens, flowers and lots of vegetation, all hugging the ocean as we journeyed by, stopping to soak it up occasionally as we did. 

There are many options, the obvious choice for me was to drive to Margaret River, a wine region just over 3 hours drive from Perth, with some lovely pitstops along the way. There are wonderful beaches, great places to eat, limestone underground caves and you can go whale watching.

The main reason you should go is the food and wine, and just to indulge in how gorgeous it all is. Margaret River has 187 wineries and 215 vineyards (as counted in 2015). It is surrounded by the ocean on three sides without extreme seasons providing ideal conditions for producing wine. Wineries mainly produce Bordeaux style wines (semillon and sauvignon blanc blends are common as are cabernet sauvignon and shiraz), Margaret River has been compared to Bordeaux in a dry vintage. The reds are gentle. There are established producers like Leeuwin Estate (who produced their first commercial vintage in 1979) and newer ones like Fraser Gallop (whose first vintage was 2008). Lots to explore and most tastings are free, if you fancy driving yourself winery to winery.  Continue reading