Belinda Jackson wins Travel Writer of the Year 2025-26
I am so pleased to announce that I’m the Australian Society of Travel Writers’ new Travel Writer of the Year! The awards were announced at a gala celebration hosted by […]
NOTEBOOK
Canter past Patagonian icefields. Sail the tranquil waters of Lake Como in Italy. Sip coffee in a Palestinian village. Listen to the ancient voices of Australia’s Arnhem Land. Climb the mountain paths of northern Albania. Let’s go!
Winner: ASTW Travel Writer of the Year!
I am so very, very, very pleased to tell you that I have been named Travel Writer of the Year 2023 by the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW)! The ASTW […]
Airline review: Madrid to Cairo with Egyptair
Recently, I completed an epic trek from Cusco, near Macchu Pichu in Peru, to Cairo, Egypt. Let me tell you, it took some serious, late-night internet hunting! I could have […]
Haunted hotels, gold toothbrushes; the best and worst hotels: ABC Radio Adelaide
Gold toothbrushes? Someone else’s hair on the soap? What makes or breaks you for the best and worst hotels you’ve ever stayed in? While I was doing the prep for […]
Why now is the best time to visit Afghanistan: The World Awaits podcast
Come to Central Asia’s forgotten country, Afghanistan. I’ve long been fascinated by Afghanistan, since I first read historian William Dalrymple’s inspiring book In Xanadu; A Quest, and followed Irish travel […]
Navigating the unknown – travel during the Middle East crisis & Australia’s best runway rooms
Travel has taken a huge hit with the Middle East crisis now entering its fifth week, and it can be challenging to keep up with what you should and shouldn’t […]
Escape to the country, within the city limits: Marnong Estate, Victoria
Review of Melbourne hotel Marnong Estate, on the northern fringe of the city. As a travel writer, I’ve got to say that it’s hard not to get gloomy when we […]
Why Ramadan is a season to travel in the Middle East: Canberra Times
We’re just about at the end of Ramadan – the Islamic month of prayer, fasting and reflection – with Eid forecast for later this week, and my story about best […]
The top travel destinations for 2026: ABC Radio, 3AW Radio clips
To misquote Taylor Swift, January slipped away like a bottle of wine – I spent a lot of time on radio and podcasts, chatting about the travel trends of 2026. […]
Tea drinkers, unite! The plight of the tea drinker in luxury hotels
Tea drinkers, come join my tea party! “It’s a sultry morning in the Maldives and the mechanic is sweating as he tinkers with the sparkling La Marzocco espresso machine. All […]
Walking, wine and wombats: Tasmania’s lake lodge you need to visit; Australia’s best cellar doors & save on Swiss rail passes
In Tasmania’s Central Highlands, in Australia’s deepest lake, that’s where we’re all going this week, for walking, wine and wombats at Pumphouse Point. Stuck at the desk? You can still […]
Best things to do on the Great Ocean Road with Lonely Planet
The Great Ocean Road is Australia’s most iconic road trip, running along the coastline of Victoria. I wrote this guide to the drive for Lonely Planet, sharing some of my favourite […]