Due to the jobs I’ve had (and because I
love it), I’ve done a lot of travelling internationally. But in recent years
due to family commitments I’ve done a lot less and much close to home. It’s
been really great seeing more of Australia.
As I write this, I’m sitting in Sydney
airport on my way home from Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands. A friend
moved there and we popped down from Byron Bay to visit her for the weekend.
I’ve never been to the Southern Highlands before and wow, it is beautiful. The
gardens, the houses and the little towns
- all gorgeous.
 |
| Walk around Fitzroy Falls |
We walked around the bush land at Fitzroy
Falls. We rode bikes to the next little town. We visited antique shops. We
drank freshly brewed coffee and ate lovely meals in places with gorgeous views.
Such a lovely trip (except for the delay out of Sydney due to the high winds.
I’m a nervous flier at the best of time – high winds don’t help)
 |
| Koala on Mt Lofty |
Two weeks earlier, I flew to Adelaide to
visit another friend. A group of ten of us rode mountain bikes from the top of
Mount Lofty to the coast. Forty kilometres!!! Nearly killed me and was really
quite scary coming down the mountain’s rocky bush tracks. But, a great sense of
achievement when it was all over.
So, where should I go next? I’d love some recommendations
of great places to visit in this amazing country.
Hi Jennifer
ReplyDeleteSounds like lots of fun The Southern Highlands are beautiful so much to see and do have you been up to The Blue Mountains that is another fabulous place lots of walks and the scenery is gorgeous :)
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Helen, it really was beautiful.
DeleteYes, went to the Blue Mountains a few years ago. Loved it. So beautiful and the Southern Highlands reminded me so much of the Blue Mountains.
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteWell, I would say come to Tasmania but I know you've already been! But you are welcome again any time. The NSW Southern Highlands are lovely and so too is the south coast of NSW. I have had lots of great trips down that stunning coastline.
Happy adventuring!
I love Tasmania, Melanie. I could really imagine myself living there in a stone cottage with a beautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been to south coast NSW - must get down there.
I've seen a lot of the country, Jen and, as you know, its hard to narrow any one place down over another. More recently for the Perth RWA conf, I stayed on at Rottnest Island for a writers retreat for a few days and it was stunning!
ReplyDeleteI love Rottnest Island, Amy. All those quokkers and great bike riding. Stunning scenery.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, I too was going to suggest Tasmania becasue I have family going around it at the moment, on some sort of tour and it looks amazing, but I see from Melanie you've been there hehe.
ReplyDeleteI so love Tasmania, Tash. Would love to go back again.
DeleteI can't give any advice since I'm not in Aus and still don't know where I'll visit once I make it to Australia.
ReplyDeleteThat said, you have reminded me of how little we tend to visit our own 'back yard'
Where would be a great place in your backyard, Lyn?
DeleteCan't speak for most of the country as I haven't travelled enough of NZ myself. However, in Wellington, I'd recommend Zealandia, Te Papa (the museum) and if you are inclined towards it, a tour of our Parliament. That comes with the note, that I would not recommend any of these things this week.
DeleteJen, Bowral is gorgeous isn't it! I was going to say the Blue Mountains but I see you've been. (Next time, visit me!) I'll echo Melanie's recommendation of the south coast of New South Wales, it's really special.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit you in the Blue Mountains, Kandy. It wasn't until after I posted pics of that trip that I found there were a few romance writers living up there.
ReplyDeleteJen, what lovely travels you've been on lately! If you come and visit my neck of the woods I'd take you up to Port Stephens (affectionately known as "The Bay"). It's stunningly beautiful. Or maybe we'd go to the Hunter Valley vineyards... but we'd be driving not cycling. Just sayin'. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great, Michelle. I'd love to do that one day.
DeleteI *could* say visit me, Jen ;-), but sort of in my neck of the woods I'll recommend the Snowy Mountains in summer. Lake Crackenback, Thredbo, Jindabyne on this side of the river, or from the Victorian side, Mount Buffalo, with a stop at Beechworth or Bright on the way. (Good mountain-biking country, too.)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful array of places to visit, Bronwyn. I've been through Jindabyne and Bright and skied at Thredbo, but would love to go again and to see the rest.
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