Sydney travel & expat blog: irreverent musings of a life down under and a one-stop-shop for expats and adventurers to Australia & Oceania
It was a dark and stormy Halloween, literally. Could there be a more perfect opportunity to go on a ghost tour? I’ve always loved Halloween and can never resist a haunted happening, so when tickets went on sale for Ghost Territory Tour’s inaugural event, I knew I couldn’t miss out. They’re a new dark tourism … Read more
A Weekend Guide to Mudgee, NSW Mudgee. Is it the new Hunter Valley? Well, no. It’s easy to compare the two main wine regions within a short drive from Sydney, but Mudgee stands out in a class of its own. After visiting on a recent trip away with a few girlfriends (and one four-legged friend), … Read more
Best craft breweries in Sydney Long gone are the days when Australia’s drink offerings included VB and Carlton, and red or white. Although amazing wineries have been in Australia for ages, the recent years have seen an explosion in the popularity of craft beers. (Also, as an aside for my American readers, Foster’s beer literally … Read more
Sydney ocean swimming. Sharks. Deep open water. Riptides. At first glance, it might sound like the start of a bad horror movie. However, open water ocean swimming is really popular in Sydney, and ocean races are huge events here. I’ve always loved swimming and used to swim competitively, so the idea of entering an ocean … Read more
Sydney is world-renowned for its gorgeous summers- days at the beach, barbeques, surfing, and suntans. Not to ruin the illusion if you’re moving to Sydney or visiting, but it does actually get cold here. Yes, some people do swim year round, but if you’re not that brave (I am certainly a fair weather swimmer), there … Read more
Sydney to Byron Bay road trip Take two American girls, one 19-year-old Saab convertible, add a few too many bags of kettle chips, plus the Christmas holidays and what do you get? A spontaneous Sydney to Byron Bay road trip, of course. This popular beach town is well-loved by locals and backpackers for its surf … Read more
Vaucluse House, Sydney Vaucluse House is one of those places I had been meaning to visit for ages, but just hadn’t gotten around to it. Sort of like washing the car or getting a haircut, there are things I know I want to do, but the year gets away from me, and next thing I … Read more
Haunted History Tour, Cockatoo Island A former convict prison, dry dock and industrial work site, as well as a reformatory school for girls, Cockatoo Island is a fascinating place. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, set in Sydney Harbour, where the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers meet. This popular island is easy to get to … Read more