A roadtrip to the heart of Australia, Canberra

A long weekend always calls for an adventure. And, this time the heart of Australia was calling my name. You might raise a brow though. Canberra? The heart of Australia? But, yes! According to their number plates, our mighty capital is the heart of Australia.

We rose early with the birds and intended to stop off at one of Victoria's most beautiful National Parks, Mount Buffalo. The national park sits 3.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne, in the midst of Victoria's Alps. 

Mount Buffalo is as impressive up close as it is from afar. Its granite cliffs and rocky outcrops rising up from the Ovens Valley floor command attention. Explore pristine waterfalls, a heritage-listed chalet that echoes the Overlook Hotel from The Shining and stunning views from the highest point in the park, The Horn.

Our majestic capital, on the other hand, is more than a quaint, green city. Get cultured at the National Gallery of Australia. Treat your tastebuds at one or many of the city's quality restaurants, cafes and bistros. Follow it up with a drink at Australia’s best bar, Bar Rochford. And, before you leave, climb to the top of Mt Ainslie for an unforgettable sunset over Canberra.

In conclusion: we got home exhausted, but well and truly content!

Ad-vantage - Melbourne's skyline

We all search for that sweet sweet spot. That one location with uninterrupted views of Melbourne's ever-growing, but spectacular skyline. 

Here's a quick list to get you going:

Yarra River
Two wheels or two feet, it doesn't matter. Head south towards Birrarung Marr along the famous Capital City Trail and get ready to be blown away as you look back towards Melbourne city.

Ruckers Hill
See what's new and trending in the hip suburb of Northcote and don't forget to stop off at Ruckers Hill for a north-side take of why Melbourne is once again the world's most-liveable city.

Shrine of Remembrance
An iconic landmark honouring the men and women who have served our country in global conflict, The top balcony of the the Shrine has a little treat waiting for you. Yup! You guessed it, it's yet another stunning view of the city. 

Albert Park Lake
Walk the world famous Formula One Gran Prix track and as you reach the top of the lake, don't forget to look north.

The District - Docklands
Get in to some retail therapy before heading to the top of the shopping precincts car park for a grand view back on to Melbourne.

St Kilda Pier
Experience sweetness overload at St Kilda's famous cake shops, then walk it off as you make your way to to famous pier. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the adorable Fairy Penguins that call St Kilda Pier home.

Beyond Melbourne, the likes of Williamstown, SkyHigh at Mount Dandenong and Point Nepean have so much to offer too.

 

 

Tasmania - the magical island state

Separated from the mainland, Tasmania is often overlooked as a travel destination. The once penal colony is surprisingly easy and affordably accessible by air or ferry across Bass Straight. Like Cape Town, sublime in its grandeur, its wee capital sits in the shadow of a towering mountain.

With the heritage sandstone architecture in the background, every Saturday the best flavours of Tamania come out and play at the renowned Salamanca market. With over 300 stallholders lining the streets, you can expect to find mouthwatering food and produce, artisan jewellery, clothes and timber crafts, as well as vintage collectables. 

The bite sized capital also plays home to the underground labyrinth that is MONA. Burrowed deep in to the coast of the Berriedale Peninsula, the museum presents antiques, new and contemporary art from the David Walsh collection. For those who are curious and have yet to visit, it can best be summed up as a subversive adult Disneyland. 

If nature is more your cup of tea and you are stuck without a car, Mount Wellington is a stone's throw from the centre of Hobart. Cab it, bus it, hitchhike it, tour it or walk it to the top. Be warned: it is a 14 km trek to the top. You could stop along the way and refuel at Cascade Brewery, the oldest continually operating brewery in Australia. And, once you reach the top, gawk at your colossal achievement (and uninterrupted views of Hobart below).

Straying further afield, Tasmania is a nature lovers' wonderland with its diverse and unspoiled landscapes. From highlands carved by glaciers, to solitary beaches and colourful alpine wilderness,there is something for every season and every person. 

Finally, we mustn't forget World heritage listed Port Arthur - one of Australia's most evocative convict settlements. The site is home to ruins and restored period homes dating from the prison's establishment until its closure in 1877. Now you can explore and learn about the hellish conditions prisoners lived in or how some saw it as a beacon of hope in starting anew. 

So, maybe on the next long weekend, venture that little further afield....to Tasmania!

Land of morning the calm - South Korea

I flew back in time - across the sea and found myself in South Korea, the land of the morning calm. Stretching beyond the years of oppression, war and occupation by the Japanese, South Korea has bloomed into a true cultural, foodie, fashion and tech capital.

Our home base, Seoul is Asia's greatest overlooked gem. Set in an expansive valley, its 10 million residents are never left bored and, it seems, never sleep - with the city jittering at all hours of the day and night.

Getting around the colossal capital is the easiest part, its punctual and reliable network of public transport make it the fastest and cheapest way to explore - deciding on what to see and do on the other hand...

Located in the quaint suburb of Yogmasan, Yogma Land opened in the 1980s. A popular amusement park with families until its closure in 2011, it is now a trendy location for urban explorers. A 5000 won entrance fee (approx. $5 USD), gives you the freedom to wander and exploit the dishevelled park’s eerie charm.

The neon glittering streets of Hongdae offer a window into the lives of Korea’s young people. We visited this university town twice - once during the quiet of the day and later returned for a glimpse into the bustle of its second, more personal life. Famous for its swanky cafes and nightlife, Hongdae is a great example of youthful freedom and self-expression. Performers line the streets in the evening and test out their skills in random rap battles, dance-offs, music performances and all sorts of quirky acts to express creative freedom.

Worlds away from the modern hype, the five grand palaces of Seoul are a perfect example of the beautiful aesthetics of traditional Korean culture. The smallest of them all, Deoksugung, meaning ‘palace of virtuous longevity’ is today only a third of its original size. It served as the main palace of the last king of the Joseon Dynasty, who later became the first emperor of the Great Han Empire.

Only 2.5-hour from Seoul by fast train, the seaside fishing town of Busan is South Korea’s second largest city. Busan houses the country’s largest port and seafood market where you can buy both live and dried fish as well as devour delicacies such as raw fish and freshly cut (still wiggling) octopus’ tentacles. After the Korean war, the market settled in to the routines you still see to this day where vendors are mostly women -  known by locals as Jagalchi Ajumma, meaning middle aged or married women in Korean.

Aside from the market, Gamcheon Cultural Village has become one of Busan’s unique cultural offerings. Beginning its life as a shanti town, hundreds of families flocked to the hillsides of Busan to start over post the Korean War. Given new life in 2009 when artists were commissioned to spruce it up with colourful murals and paintings, new pieces have continually popped up throughout the village over time allowing it to become a cultural and arts hub. 

I feel we missed out so much due to the chill of winter and limited time - although it serves as the perfect excuse to plan a return trip and venture further afield - to understand the true meaning of ‘the land of the morning calm’ through the country’s spellbinding natural parks, splendid tranquillity and picturesque high mountains…and maybe even dip our feet in North Korea.

Adventures of the public transport kind

If you fancy yourself an adventurer and coincidentally find yourself car-less in Melbourne, do not worry! There are plenty of options to get out & about with my good ol' friend public transport. It may take a tad longer to reach the final destination, but on the plus side you can sit back and enjoy the diverse scenery of regional Victoria.

Mornington Peninsula
Most people end their commute at the end of the Frankston train line and are stumped on where to go from there - but fear not commuters, the 788 bus will take you to the moon and beyond - well down to the end of the Peninsula at least. Hugging the coast all the way to Portsea, you won't be disappointed with the boundless selection of beachside towns to jump off at to explore. At the end of the line Point Nepean National Park is sure to impress. Step into the boots of the soldiers that were once posted at Fort Nepean. Once playing a critical role in Victoria's defence, it is now an outstanding example of the evolution of gun technology in Australia's early defence strategies. 

Dandenong Ranges
Travel inland on the Lilydale or Belgrave train line and you'll find yourself in Upper Ferntree Gully - at the base of the Dandenong Ranges. Swap to the  688 bus going towards Croydon station and you will soon be winding your ways through the eclectic villages of the region. Hop off in Olinda and wander down to the National Rhododendron Gardens, host to brilliant coloured blooms of phodedendrons, azeleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. 

For as much as we love to complain about how rubbish our public transport network is, there are so many options available those wanting to test their navigation skills in regional Victoria. The regional public transport network is a great way to fling yourself further afield. You could find yourself exploring the rich gold rush history of Bendigo and Ballarat, eating some of the best fish and chips along the Great Ocean Road or saying hello to the native wildlife in the Grampians. 

The Maginificent Murray

Most people when visiting the Murray region don’t stray too far from the river, the region however has so much more to offer – with an array of quirky attractions and great food and wine offerings littered throughout the region.

Located just outside Albury, the Yindymarra Sculpture Walk hugs the river and showcases eleven contemporary Aboriginal sculptures created by local Aboriginal artists. Each piece weaves a story of local indigenous history and the cultural significance of the Murray River through stories from the artists’ lives.

A bit closer to town or specifically in town you’ll find MAMA. Reopened in October 2015, MAMA has re-written what a regional gallery is. Having a motherly element to it, you will not feel like an outsider within its walls - the gallery is about giving people from all walks of like the chance to engage with and enjoy art. Photographs and works on paper are strongly represented in MAMA’s strong collection along with works from regional and emerging artists.

Still within the surrounds, Bonegilla Migrant Experience was once a migrant reception centre for those wanting a new start following the destruction WWII left throughout Europe. With more than 300,000 migrants being processed though the centre from 1947 to 1971, it became the largest and longest operating reception centre in the post-war era – with most visitors knowing someone who had passed through its grip. Bringing to light post-war immigration, it is the only public memory place left standing where people can get an insight in to Australia’s dark immigration past.

If you are feeling adventurous and want to see what excitement sits outside the bigger towns, then Cactus Country is a must visit. Located half way between Albury and Echuca, the name says it all – occupying 10 acres, the attraction has plants that are more than 50 years old, stretching from North American to Mexican and African Species.

The Murray has everything you need in a weekend trip – food and wine experiences, your cultural hit as we as a wealth of history to keep your mind pedalling for the next little while. 

Alice Springs and Beyond

On my first night out in Alice Springs, someone asked me 'Where are you from?' I answered 'Melbourne' without hesitation. They didn't seem phased by my answer and calmly replied 'Yeah thought so. One thing you need to know about Alice Springs is nobody is from here Alice Springs.' I thought about this for a bit and concluded it odd. It turns out he was quite right. Over the coming days I met people from all walks of life, none who were originally from Alice Springs. 

That there is one of the many things that makes Alice Springs so unique - the colourful mix of people who bring life to the arid landscape in the geographical heart of Australia. 

Venturing beyond the township itself you are spoilt for choice, with Mount Gillen a short five minute drive and Ellery Creek Big Hole only another fifty minutes on top of that. 

The spectacular un-signposted walk up to the summit of Mount Gillen will set you back about an hour, with the most unyielding stretch challenging you just before reaching the summit. Meeting the peak is rewarding with 360 degrees views over Alice Springs and the surrounding parched landscape.

Ellery Creek on the other hand is all about the relaxation. Enjoy a picnic under the trees overlooking the narrow enclosing walls hanging over the waterhole and follow it on with a swim in the cool waters - trickling down from the West MacDonnell Ranges.

For the little amount of time I had to unearth this peculiar little rural hub, I got a lot out of it. I can say I will be back in an attempt to venture further abroad. 

Rad-elaide

Even though it would seem more sensible to classifying Adelaide as a large country town, I think as a city is severely underrated. It is true that it cannot compete with Melbourne or Sydney’s world class status, but the quaint state capital has some unique character and so much on offer. 

Situated on the River Torrents, the city is home to the renowned Art Gallery of South Australia. Displaying an expansive collection of international, local and indigenous art, the gallery plays home to some of the most outstanding art collections in Australia.

The first time I visited Adelaide, it was a bit of a rushed experience - leaving an incomplete impression of the city. This time however, I have had a bit more time to explore and unearth the city’s culture.

The people are ever so lovely, the op-shopping great and everything is within walking distance.