Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
My pics up big on the Quorn silos
Quorn Silo Light Show. Possibly the biggest I've ever seen my images.
Plus, a couple of others on my wander back to the pub to defrost. Quorn is super pretty at night.
Flinders Ranges - why I love it.
Why go to the Flinders Ranges? Here’s a couple of answers…
Why Flinders?
With interstate border regulations changing daily, I'm looking at different ways to get my adventure and discovery fix locally. I always love the beach, but being in the big wide open spaces also pulls me.
In recent years I have travelled to the Flinders Ranges quite a few times for work. I used to go camping with family and relatives as a child too. I am amazed at how many people haven't been, missing out on such a unique area. It's such a special place, close to Adelaide and very doable as a weekender.
I asked people what stops them from going? The main stop signs were...
I don't have a 4WD
I don't like camping
I don't know what to do out there
Well, here are my answers to those points.
I don't have a 4WD
I have done it in my VW Golf! But taking the Mitsubishi Outlander and Pajero Sport made it easier and a little less 'bumpy'.
There are many sealed roads, and even the unsealed ones (that we went on) are pretty good. An SUV will get you even further. We went to Bendleby Ranges, a station known for it's four-wheel drive tracks. The tracks are varied, so check where you can go before tackling any. Being a novice 4wd'er, we did do a handful in the Mitsubishi with no problems.
Yes, you can't go everywhere, but hey, don't you want to do some hiking anyway? That's where you get the real immersion.
I don't like camping
I do like camping, but I'm also known as a bit of a hotel buff. And Flinders Ranges has the variety. Bush camping right through to luxurious digs. There's also eco tents, fly-in luxury camp stays and shearers quarters on stations for some real life.
Check out www.flindersandoutback.com.au and www.stationstayssa.com.au for some of the options ready for you.
I don't know what to do
Well... there's hiking, biking, flying, 4WDing (and mere driving), eating, drinking... and a vast landscape that is in constant change. The feeling I get when in the Flinders is like a surrender: peace and strength, a reset button. There is a spiritual presence in this ancient place that I always feel.
My fave things (so far)...
Flying over Flinders Ranges - by helicopter or plane (I’ve been up with Wrights Air and Arkaroola)
Strzelecki and Oodnadatta Track drives
Prairie Hotel food and sundowners
Flinders Bush Retreats Eco tent and Homestead stays
Bike riding in Melrose
Tour at Holowiliena Station
Eating at Flinders Food Co
Have you been? What can you add to this?
A world away... at Seawall Apartments for a weekend stay as restrictions ease.
A staycation in Glenelg. Blissful.
Snaps from a little stay at a favourite place in Adelaide. On the beachfront in Glenelg. Seawall Apartments.
I’m feeling the need to get away but can’t. This is a great way to get my fix.
Have you had a staycation during Covid? Where did you go?
A night in Burleigh Heads...
I fell in love with Burleigh Heads within hours. That was about five years ago, and now I'm back. And super excited.
Only here for the night, I booked an Airbnb close so that I could walk to everything. However, of course, I didn't know there would be torrential rain the majority of the time I was there which didn't help with walking everywhere.
Having used AirBnB only a few times, with very mixed experience, I was not sure what to expect. Would it be clean? Would it be nice? Would I feel comfortable in a room of someones home, rather than hiring the whole place as I have done previously?
Arriving, I was shocked in a very positive way. Clare greeted me, showed me the room, then left me to settle. Naw, there is a little welcome sign with my name on it.
The room was not only clean but stylish and homely. There was a bar fridge stocked with wine, milk and yoghurt: a coffee machine, breakfast and snack supplies. In the bathroom, there were fluffy white towels, makeup face towels, and toiletries.
The location - quiet neighbourhood, yet only a 10-minute walk to the beach or cafes. Even in the rain.
Verdict? Absolutely would recommend!
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/40657659?source_impression_id=p3_1584496411_j9RkXMD98y5rNDkP
Two hotels: a few nights in Brisbane...
Ok, so many travels are being put on hold, but we can start planning. I always am. Let's talk hotels...
I'm a sucker for a nice hotel room - but never splurge too much on them. I like bang for buck. ;)
And these two Brisbane hotels didn't disappoint.
Pros - funky, great restaurant downstairs, rooftop pool area, huge room and bathroom, basic kitchen in the room, big windows for natural light.
Not that I got to use the pool - it was raining and not enticing enough the entire time I was there. And as for the kitchen - no, I don't cook while away on my own. But if I had the kids, it would have been handy.
Cons - old, fridge made noises
It also would have been handy to have a minibar price list in the room - just in case I wanted a glass of wine or paint an art piece.
Pros - great location in CBD, beautiful old-world style hotel including lobby, halls, bathroom and bedroom, an excellent coffee shop in the lobby
Cons - weird smell in lobby, dark room facing onto pool courtyard
Again, I didn't use the pool. The water was cold, and it was raining - it has to be hot, hot, hot for me to get wet without a wetsuit.
I loved the grandness from another era of the lobby.
Check out the pics to see what I’m talking about…
Road tripping Yorke Peninsula in Van Halen
#vanlife - I love it.
How could I not fall in love with a name like Van Halen? Of course, I had to hire the van for a little dream trip I had been thinking about.
I've had this idea in my head that I'd love a van so I can do the #vanlife. But never having made a trip in a campervan, is it right to buy one. Probably not. So I then found Camptoo. A site that people can hire out their vans, caravans and motorhomes - a bit like AirBnB but for homes on wheels.
I'm not going to lie; I was nervous picking Van Halen up. I hadn't driven a manual for a few years, let alone a campervan. But I needn't have been - smooth driving (most of the time).
I picked up my friend, and off we headed to Yorke Peninsula. But where? We decided to make that decision when we got there. The freedom of not knowing where you were sleeping was something that attracted me to the #vanlife in the first place.
We got down to Marion Bay the first day - stopping at a few towns to explore the beach, dance and be silly. Basically. We also had a cider in Port Vincent pub, The Ventnor.
Driving up to the coast, getting lost, not worrying, and knowing I can stay anywhere with my house on wheels is liberating. We spent the night at a lookout - waking up to the cliffs and deserted beach next morning. Pushing open the back doors so we can goggle while staying in bed is the best part.
We repeated this for the next two nights - staying at very different parts of the coast each time from open, swell beach to very tidal rock pool coast at Gleesons Landing. Our last night at Barkers Rocks is where we met people, danced some more and went for a sunset dip with beer. Exactly how I had imagined #vanlife to be.
Pros:
You can stay anywhere, being self sufficient with solar and water.
The best views.
Freedom.
The great outdoors, with a bed.
Cons:
You can't drive everywhere in a big van.
My friend had to get used to 'going bush'.
You cruise everywhere - don't even contemplate trying to overtake. (But really, we didn't even want to.)
Would I do it again? Heck, yes! I want my own!
CLIENT: Birdsville Adventure Tours
Things to do in Birdsville… LOTS.
Birdsville Adventure Tours runs private tours or group bookings - getting you about to see the best of Birdsville and the Outback. Think Harley Davidson motorbike rids, Big Red 4WDing and sunset tour, swagging under the stars, pub crawls, sunrise expeditions...
www.birdsvilleadventuretours.com.au
www.birdsvillehotel.com.au
CLIENT: Birdsville Hotel
A photo shoot at the iconic Birdsville Hotel in outback Queensland.
Built in 1884, the Birdsville Hotel is iconic. I've heard about it for years. It's a destination in its own right. And last year I got there! I flew up with Arid Air for a weekend photoshoot - I guess the 'cushy' way, but one day I'll do the track. I've heard it's an experience not to be missed. Perhaps for the Big Red Bash?
www.birdsvillehotel.com.au
www.aridair.com.au
www.theoutbackloop.com.au
ARID AIR: South Australia (and Queensland) from above
Flying Port Augusta (SA) to Birdsville (QLD) with Arid Air. Just wow.
I was not expecting it to get greener as we went further into the Outback. But it did.
Seeing the Outback from the air is a unique experience that leaves me speechless for most of the trip. The beauty of nature, her patterns and the varying colours. There's a lot to love.
The contrast. The graphic lines. The sand-dunes all lined up. The bareness. The hills. But the vibrant green was surreal.
And let's not forget Big Red. The subject of many stories - a place I've wanted to see for myself for years. It was even stuck on one of my journals as a 'vision board'.
Birdsville is over 20 hours from Port Augusta by 4WD or under 3 hours by plane. Perhaps I'll have to do the Birdsville Track next - to experience this amazing landscape 'from a different angle'.
Southern Flinders Ranges
Southern Flinders Ranges. Undiscovered (by me) until this year. It’s a beautiful area I want to return to.
Look closely; there's so much to discover! I wish I had before now.
There's art, wine, trails, pubs, fishing, food... and the beautiful landscape that makes the Flinders Ranges. But closer to Adelaide - making it a more accessible option for a quick getaway.
Over two days, I discovered the area, photographing it for Flinders Ranges and Outback tourism. From being in awe of the Wirrabara silo art detail (which I eventually remembered how to pronounce) to hiking through the bush. 'Just around the corner' taking us further and further inland to find the ideal spot to photograph. Not that I cared, it was all beautiful, and I love hiking. Warming up with coffee by the fire at Over the Edge and wine by the big fire later that night at Under the Mount made it all the sweeter.
My favourite town here is Melrose. She melted me: the buildings, the surrounding landscape, the country friendliness. I wanted to stay longer. Perhaps without the sub-zero morning temperatures though.
My takeaway. Stay longer.
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/flinders-ranges-outback/mount-remarkable-national-park - great for bike riding and hikes
https://otesports.com/locations/melrose/ - cafe and all things bikes
https://www.underthemount.com.au/ - has to be the best fire in town!
https://wirrabara.com.au/silo-art - silo art that inspires
