"Then it’s time to hop aboard the most impressive train of all: the Indian Pacific. A two-night journey west to Perth includes top-quality dining, stark desert scenery, and dinner in a remote ghost town. It’s a fitting finale to an almost 8000 kilometre rail odyssey..."

Detailing how to catch trains from Far North Queensland through NSW, Victoria and South Australia, all the way to Western Australia.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

[Read the full article here]

"'All the world’s a stage,' wrote William Shakespeare, but he might as well have said 'All the world’s a beach.' Through Asia, Australia and the Pacific there are beaches of every type, hosting every attraction. Whether you’re after a rest, a meal, a party or a spot of retail action, there’s a sandy shore out there for you. Here’s a selection of the best..."

Detailing a number of fine beaches, including one in Queensland.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

"There’s a sign on the beach urging me to swim between the flags. Beneath it are three icons, depicting a crocodile, a shark and a stinger. For extra excitement, the stinger is depicted with its tentacles wrapped around a swimmer’s legs. The phrase 'may be present in these waters' concludes this little warning. It’s not the most relaxing of welcomes, but Palm Cove’s local authorities certainly have my attention."

Exploring the tropical attractions of Palm Cove, Queensland.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

"When staying in Brisbane, the lively Fortitude Valley area makes a good alternative to the central business district. As a dining destination it’s packed with restaurants; there are also several live music venues. With all that in mind, this hyper-modern hostel is a good option for those wanting to keep the budget under control while enjoying Brisbane’s after-dark distractions."

Detailing upmarket 'flashpacker' hostels across Australia and New Zealand.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

"Finally I reach Fortitude Valley and mount the stairs to music venue The Troubadour. It’s a long, slightly shabby space with a mellow doorman and a laidback clientele, fitting neatly with the interior’s antlers, gilt-framed prints, mirrors and softly glowing orange lampshades. I sink into a comfy chair, sip a beer, and smile...'"

"Ben Southall may officially have the Best Job in the World, having been appointed Island Caretaker by Tourism Queensland after a worldwide search that garnered enormous publicity, but he faces the same challenges of anyone writing a travel blog. How often should I post? How long should it be? What would interest my readers? Should I add images and links? And what does it take to please some people?"

"Our group moves from green pastures to the remains of prison buildings, down grassy lanes past grazing cows, hopping wallabies and a small children’s cemetery, to large stone ruins of walls without roofs. They look like something from an ancient city and despite its violent past, there’s something wistful about the island. If there are ghosts, they seem benign."

Delving into the prison history of St Helena Island, near Brisbane.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

"Forget the downtown district; I’ve been told by locals in the know that Brisbane’s true gems are its inner-city suburbs. Mostly former working-class suburbs that were home to hard-working residents, bustling local pubs and factories, they’ve been transformed in recent years into mellow locales with cool cafes, quirky shops and just enough industrial-edged character to keep things interesting."

Exploring the cool inner-city neighbourhoods of Brisbane, Queensland.

"Lisa Senescall has had her own eerie experiences while leading the Haunted Brisbane Tour. 'I tell a story about a young newspaper boy who was killed in a tram accident. Then, when I went through the locked gate to the site one night, there was an old newspaper there - with a date of 1921.'"

Delving into the paranormal via ghost tours across Australia. 

"It’s dark, and our group is standing in the grand 19th century Toowong Cemetery, small torches our only illumination. Our guide laughs lightly. As she leads our group of all ages through the grounds, we hear stories about the famous Brisbane celebrities interned here, and strange nocturnal occurrences including roaming statues, a ghostly weeping widow, and a spectral poker game in a crypt."

Revealing six quirky tours that cast Brisbane in a different light. 

"Brisneyland! Brissie! BrisVegas! Brisbane seems to attract more nicknames than any other Australian city. In their typically relaxed, cheerful way, however, Brisbanites have often picked up these epithets and adopted them for their own use. The BrisVegas tag is now happily used by locals to symbolise their city’s mix of sub-tropical sparkle and urban energy."

A wander through the intriguing inner-city suburbs of Queensland's capital city.

[Read the full article here]

I also have a selection of high-quality digital images available, depicting a variety of international locations. 

If you'd like to republish one of these pieces, or would like a new piece written about the same location, please get in touch via the contacts below:

articles by subject:
Travel
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postal:
Tim Richards
507/225 Elizabeth St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia

email:
tim@iwriter.com.au

phone:
0411-242327
(international +61-411-242327)

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