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Tim Richards
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Home | Australia | EuropeAsia | Americas | Africa & Middle East | Rail

Pacific



Flight Path: Fiji Airways
Traveller, 13 October 2024

"For supper I choose the roasted tomato and basil soup, the grilled paneer kebab, and a tropical fruit bowl, which are all excellent. The drinks menu offers five wines diplomatically sourced from the airline’s key destinations (Australia, NZ, USA), along with various spirits and beers, but I stick to tomato juice. For breakfast we complete a card, selecting from such delights as a pina colada parfait and Indian spiced savoury waffles. I choose the chia seed pudding and cheese omelette, which are both tasty..."

Reviewing a Business class flight from Nadi, Fiji, to Los Angeles, USA.


[Read the full article here]

The who's who of Who
Traveller, 10 August 2024

"The time machine’s controls gleam before me, as the central rotor turns slowly within its transparent housing. I’m in the TARDIS! It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid in the 1960s, when the BBC science fiction show Doctor Who started screening on Australian TV. Since then, the Doctor – the travelling alien who’s the star of the show, righting wrongs across the universe – has been a hero of mine, and possibly the reason I became so keen on travel as an adult..."

Visiting an exhibition devoted to the television show Doctor Who in Wellington, New Zealand.


[Read the full article here]

Parting is such sweet sorrow
Traveller, 27 April 2024

"In the first week of the New Year I picked up a brand-new passport. Almost ten years had passed in the company of my old one, and it was time to renew. But as I delighted in the crisp, unblemished potential of my new passport, I felt an unexpected fondness for its slightly worn predecessor. We’d been through a lot together over the previous decade, and the assortment of stamps spread through its pages recalled the most memorable border crossings..."

Discussing the fond memories prompted by an expired passport, of travels in Ukraine, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, Liechtenstein, and Fiji
.

[Read the full article here]

Northern Explorer: Spectacular Axed Train Gets a Second Lease on Life
Traveller, 5 July 2022

"In August 2021 the axe fell. As the nation was plunged into another COVID lockdown, rail operator KiwiRail suspended its long-distance trains. And in December, as the return of international tourism was in sight, it announced the Northern Explorer and the Picton-Christchurch Coastal Pacific would remain suspended until mid-2022, when they would return in a "modified form" that could include multi-day rail tours aimed firmly at tourists. This possibility this was the end of same-day long-distance trains sounded an alarm bell for many New Zealanders..."

Outlining the fall and rise of a long-distance train between Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand.


[Read the full article here]

Explore the Mountains of the South Island on the TranzAlpine
Truly Pacific, 15 June 2022

"As the train progresses we seem to be aiming ourselves at the mountains – or more precisely, at a notch at their centre. It’s an unsettling feeling, as if you were driving a car toward a wall with only one tight opening. Again the commentary has an explanation, telling me we’ll follow the Waimakariri River for some time as a path through the rugged terrain, with numerous tunnels and viaducts to also help us progress..."

Taking the TranzAlpine train across the South Island in New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here]

We Stayed at… Turtle Island, Fiji
Escape, 2 May 2022

"Sitting under palm trees with a picnic lunch on a secluded beach, I admire the ocean view and ponder what makes Turtle Island different. It has many of the features you’d expect of luxury accommodation, including high-quality rooms and attentive service. But it’s not your typical resort. Strongly influenced by its remote island location, its buildings blend in neatly with the tropical surrounds rather than overwhelming them. With only 14 bures (the Fijian word for villas) dotted above the line of the beach and surrounded by lush greenery, there’s low visual impact on nature..."

Reviewing a remote tropical resort in Fiji.


[Read the full article here]

Wine Wander
Traveller, 23 October 2021

"Sitting at a table at a cellar door, sipping an excellent pinot noir and picking at a vast platter of locally produced cheeses, dips and olives, it seems as though it's been like this forever. That Martinborough, in the heart of New Zealand's Wairarapa wine region north-east of Wellington, has been idyllic wine country for a century or more. But that's not the case. When the town was founded in 1879 it was intended as a service centre for local farms. But a century later in 1979 the town was dying. Then someone had a bright idea – why not try wine?"

Sampling excellent wine and fascinating local history on a wine tour of Martinborough, New Zealand.


[Read the full article here]

One Train, So Many Views
Senior Traveller, September 2021

"American poet John Whittier said the saddest words in life are 'It might have been', and I have them in mind as I walk past the grand facade of Auckland’s former main railway station. A beautiful Beaux-Arts building from 1930, it would be the perfect place to begin a long train journey across New Zealand’s North Island. But what really matters is what lies ahead: the prospect of a marvellous array of scenery as it tracks through the North Island’s complex geography..."

Riding the Northern Explorer train from Auckland to Wellington, New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here] (flip to page 20)

Discovering The Great Journeys of New Zealand
International Traveller, 26 July 2021

"Everyone knows New Zealand is a spectacular country to visit, with its rugged snow-capped mountains, dramatic coastline, and rolling green countryside. But there’s one sure way to see it at its best: by rail. The Great Journeys of New Zealand is a series of three marvellous trains – and a ferry – which take you in comfort through the nation’s unforgettable scenery..."

Sharing the delights of three long-distance train journeys in New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here]

What's Brewing, Bro?
Traveller, 17 July 2021

"Would you walk a mile – or two – for a good beer? I'm willing to put that concept to the test in Auckland, where a collection of craft breweries, pubs and bars in the city's Eden Terrace and Kingsland districts, south of the CBD, has led to the birth of the Auckland Beer Mile. It's not really a mile; in fact at 3.2 kilometres it's exactly two miles from end to end. But with easy access to trains and buses, it's a pleasingly walkable stretch of places to drink. Over a couple of days, I visit six of them..."

Sampling excellent beer at six memorable venues in Auckland, New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here]

High Tea
Sunday Life, 4 July 2021

"I don't know which is more remarkable – the mountain I can see through the window, or the hotel I'm standing in. Mount Ngauruhoe is impressive – high, dark, forbidding, and one of three volcanoes clustered together in Tongariro National Park, in the centre of New Zealand's North Island. Conical in shape, it appeared in The Lord of the Rings films as the grim Mount Doom, which Frodo had to climb to dispose of the cursed ring. It's currently dormant, its most recent eruption beings in the mid-'70s. Having said all that, this hotel is also a marvel..."

Enjoying a glamorous afternoon tea in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, with a view of volcanoes.

[Read the full article here]

Trees and Teas
Traveller, 22 May 2021

"Our guide Boramey sits in front of an array of white porcelain cups, dishes and pots, pouring intently from one to another. This tea ceremony involves five variants of oolong tea: green, pure, aromatic, dark, and black. It's called a wet ceremony, and so it is – lots of liquid sloshing around as it's poured in graceful arcs by our guide, finally ending in cups for us to sip. You could be forgiven for assuming we're somewhere in Asia, but we're not – this is Hamilton, New Zealand, and the farm we are visiting is called Zealong..."

Having a genteel day out, touring a tea farm and beautiful gardens in Hamilton, New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here]

How to Go from North to South by Rail
Traveller, 22 May 2021

"In the early morning light, with Auckland's Sky Tower on the horizon, there's a hint of adventure in the air as I wait to board the train waiting at the city's Strand Station. Via three such trains – each comprising a sleek set of modern carriages – and a ferry, I'm about to undertake a great rail journey across both the North and South islands of New Zealand. I'm looking forward to a trip involving beautiful hilly scenery, dramatic volcanoes, and a multitude of tunnels and viaducts built to carry the rails across New Zealand's challenging terrain. I can't wait to see what's out there..."

Taking three great long-distance rail journeys across New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here]

After the Quake: Exploring the 'New' Christchurch
Escape, 18 May 2021

"You’d think Christchurch would want to put the quakes behind it and focus on the future. However, there’s a strain in the local consciousness – call it a stubbornness, or determination – that wants to remember the event and draw strength from the city’s survival. Both the science of earthquakes and the human response to adversity is on display at Quake City, an exhibition dedicated to explaining the disaster. From the front desk, with its giant clock faces from a demolished railway station, visitors are led past a vibrant audiovisual presentation of Ruaumoko, the Maori god of quakes and volcanoes..."

Visiting a selection of post-earthquake highlights in Christchurch, New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here]

Travel New Zealand by Train
lonelyplanet.com, 6 December 2019

"From its beautiful coastline to its spectacular mountains, New Zealand is a place you visit for its scenery – and there’s no better way to gorge on its good looks than by train. Travelling at surface level, you can take in every detail of Aotearoa, stopping off along the way to see more. Here’s how..."

Taking three long-distance rail journeys from the North to South Island of New Zealand
.

[Read the full article here]

Coastal Pacific: One of the World's Great Train Journeys
Traveller
, 11 November 2019

"Considering all the excellent sauvignon blanc that's made its way to me across the Tasman Sea, it seems fitting I should pay it a visit in return. Blenheim is the hub of New Zealand's Marlborough wine region, so there must be sauvignon blanc tastings galore here. I'll never find out, however, as I'm just passing through aboard the Coastal Pacific. This train is one of New Zealand's great rail journeys, passing as it does down the east coast of the South Island..."

Taking the Coastal Pacific train on its route between ocean and mountains in New Zealand.

[Read the full article here]

How Does a Hobbit Garden Grow?
Escape
, 10 November 2019

"There’s a beekeeper’s house with pots of honey and bumblebees buzzing among the flowers. Another garden has stacked barrels of fruit wine, and another has a table with a chess board and pieces. Add in the scented smoke that rises from the occasional chimney and it’s easy to believe this place is inhabited. Best not to peek behind the open door of the artist’s house, however, which reveals an empty unfinished space of rubble and timber planks – the cruel truth behind the Hollywood magic..."

Enjoying a tour through the fantasy-filled grounds of Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand.

[Read the full article here]

How to Score the Best Economy Class Seat on a Plane
Escape, 6 June 2017

"Squeezed in tight, with a battle for the armrest and a seatback in your face. We’ve all been there – it’s a battle for space when you fly long-distance in Economy Class. It doesn’t matter how great the plane’s entertainment system is, or how tolerable the airline food, if you can barely move with discomfort. But take heart, because I’m going to reveal my formula for securing the best Economy Seat on any plane..."

Revealing how I choose the optimum airline seat in Economy Class, with reference to an LA-Fiji flight.

[Read the full article here]

Top 10: Comedy Clubs Around the World
Traveller
, 7 October 2016

"Our neighbours across the Tasman would have to be a funny lot, considering such Kiwi-born successes as satirist John Clarke and musical comedians the Flight of the Conchords. The Classic is Auckland's only full-time comedy venue, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017 with a diverse calendar of amusing performers in a central location..."

Listing great comedy venues in the USA
, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Singapore.
Available for republication (print only).

[Read the full article here]

Lights! Camera! Oahu!
roundtheworldflights.com,
28 September 2016

"'The stuff that goes on in making movies? They ought to make a movie about it,' says veteran film scout Randy Spangler. And he should know. Spangler’s been working in Hawaii’s busy film industry since the 1970s, when he got his start finding locations for the TV series Hawaii Five-O. So many productions have been filmed on the most populous island, Oahu, that I wonder why it’s so attractive to Hollywood and television studios..."

Exploring television and movie locations in Hawaii, USA.


A Week in Hawaii
roundtheworldflights.com, 11 July 2016

"Spending a week in the USA’s island state? You won’t be lost for things to do. Between the urban delights of the Pacific’s biggest city, Honolulu, and the natural attractions across the eight main islands, there’s plenty of material for a memorable trip. Here are some ideas..."

Suggesting attractions to visit over seven days in Hawaii, USA.


Going Light
Paradise, May-June 2016

"Are you up for a travel challenge? Here it is: could you travel anywhere in the world, taking only cabin luggage with you? It may sound impossible, but it isn’t. For years, I’ve been honing my approach to packing light, to the point where I only ever take a single bag. The upside? I zip through airports, often bypassing the check-in desks entirely if the airline offers mobile check-in. When I leave the flight at the end of the trip, I can walk straight out of the airport..."

Explaining how to pack light for the inflight magazine of Air Niugini.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

[Read the full article here]

Tiki Time
RoyalAuto
, August 2015
(iPad magazine only)


"Randy Wong has one word for it: escapism. 'No matter where you are, be it downtown New York or stuck in a cubicle in Honolulu, you need to get away. You want to go to that other realm – a tropical island, or a cabana. Tiki culture is perfect for that.' And Wong should know. He’s the bass player in The Waitiki 7, a Honolulu band playing Tiki music. This lively pop culture phenomenon owed much to American servicemen’s exposure to Polynesian culture during World War II..."

Seeking examples of Tiki culture across Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.


The Bars of Chinatown
roundtheworldflights.com, 21 January 2015

"'An artist told me he was upset with Chinatown because it was supposed to be the artistic centre of Hawaii, but it wasn’t delivering,' says Brandon Reid, Honolulu bar owner. 'He said all we needed was wall space, lighting and a bar. It just unfolded from there.' For a long time Chinatown was the city’s notorious red light district, home of brothels and dodgy bars. However, in recent years the district has transformed itself into an attractive entertainment zone..."

Investigating the lively bar scene in Chinatown, Honolulu, Hawaii.


The Beat Goes On
Paradise, September 2014

"'Papua New Guinea was really a pioneer in South Pacific music,' says Braden Chin, manager of prominent Port Moresby music label CHM Supersound. 'My dad, Raymond, would take the biggest PNG music stars on tour to the Solomon Islands in the early '80s and just blow the locals away. They were treated like rock stars.' In the heady years after PNG gained its independence, the country’s music was on a creative upswing, influencing the sounds of its near neighbours..."

Exploring the popular music of Papua New Guinea for the inflight magazine of Air Niugini.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

[Read the full article here]

Hidden Honolulu
www.lonelyplanet.com, 7 May 2014

"Heading for Honolulu? Then you’re probably going to spend time in Waikiki. For many people, the popular beachfront district is all they see of the Hawaiian capital. However, there's more to the city than tourist-thronged streets and beaches. When you feel like a break from the crowds, take time to check out these highlights of hidden Honolulu..."

Revealing lesser-known attractions of Honolulu, including food and art.
Not available for republication.

[Read the full article here]

Raise Your Glasses in Hawaii's Capital
The Sunday Age
, 23 March 2014

"When you fly to Hawaii, you're probably not expecting much in the way of sophisticated drinks - the Mai Tai, sure, sweetened from its original 1940s formula by adding plenty of pineapple juice to the rum, and that drip coffee United States hotels serve by the bucketful - but good coffee and cocktails? No way. However, you'd be wrong. In recent years, Honolulu's drinking scene has gone from strength to strength..."

Recommending great bars and a cafe in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Available for republication (print only).
Images available.

[Read the full article here]

Postcard from Honolulu: Islamic Idyll
The Age
, 22 March 2014

"I'm standing in a spectacular courtyard. Open to the sky, it's decorated with numerous items from Iran, including 13th-century tiles and a six-metre-high mosaic depicting the Royal Mosque at Isfahan. It's one of the most beautiful displays of Islamic art I've seen, an exemplar of the balance and harmony found in historic homes from Iran to Morocco. But below are the blue-green waters of the Pacific Ocean, with Polynesian kids jumping into the waves..."

Visiting the historic home Shangri La in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Available for republication (print only).
Images available.

[Read the full article here]

Walking Honolulu
roundtheworldflights.com, 18 March 2014

"Starting from a popular brunch spot which serves waffles made from the local root vegetable taro, we visit a local restaurant to try shoyu chicken, a delicious Hawaiian marinated dish involving garlic and ginger. Then it’s Japanese grilled food at a tiny place in a curved brick building with a few aluminium-topped tables. A classic bar offers the chance to eat loco moco, a hefty dish invented in the 1940s for hungry surfers..."

Taking three walking tours of Honolulu, Hawaii, covering food, history and architecture.


Saving Fiji's Iguanas
roundtheworldflights.com, 28 November 2013

"When Tom Hanks was marooned an island in the 2000 movie Cast Away, not everything about his performance was fictional. The Hollywood star really was located on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific – the Fijian island of Monuriki. Monuriki lacks any permanent human population. What it does have is the remarkable Fijian Crested Iguana, a lizard covered in patches of different shades of green and blue..."

Discovering the conservation work of the Kulu Eco Park on the Coral Coast, Fiji.


Flight Test: Fiji Airways
The Age & Sydney Morning Herald
, 23 November 2013

"The A330 is so new to the fleet of Fiji Airways (the recently rebranded Air Pacific), the aircraft still has that 'Mmm, new plane' smell. Four buttons are dedicated to pre-set alignments, from upright all the way to a near-flat bed. As it's a daytime flight I won't be trying out the latter, so instead I play around with the second set of controls which adjusts fine details of the seat, from lumbar support to the footrest..."

Reviewing the new business class cabin of the Fijian airline
.
Available for republication (print only).
Images available.

[Read the full article here]

Three Days in Fiji
roundtheworldflights.com, 17 August 2013

"Only three days in Fiji? Tough luck. This South Pacific destination is so full of diverse islands and attractions that you could happily spend weeks, maybe months there. On the other hand, three days in Fiji? Great! A short stay is better than not visiting at all, and there are still plenty of activities you can do in that space of time. Those three days can be neatly matched with three types of activities: on the water, heading inland, and chilling out..."

Outlining a list of interesting activities for a short stay in Fiji.


Into Fiji's Interior
roundtheworldflights.com, 5 July 2013

"I’m standing within the Naihehe Cave in the interior of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, my cheap trainers filling slowly with cold water as the light strapped to my head picks out the rocky walls. Ahead is the 'pregnancy gap', a low passage between this chamber and the next, presumably named because a pregnant woman couldn’t make it through. Beyond the gap is a set of caverns within which the local Sautabu tribe hid centuries ago..."

Joining an excursion to a hidden cave in inland Fiji.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

[Read the full article here]


Christchurch Reborn
Medical Observer, 17 February 2012

"As we look into the Red Zone, we see a series of vacant lots surrounding old commercial buildings which have lost their facades; and behind them, the ominously leaning form of the 1980s Hotel Grand Chancellor. However, there is a silver lining to this tragic destruction - the need to rebuild the city centre almost from scratch provides an opportunity to create something special..."

Visiting Christchurch, New Zealand, to gauge its post-earthquake recovery.


Beachside Bliss
Air Mail, Summer 2011
(Air Australia inflight magazine)

"'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 two in Hawaii.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.


Flashpack Chic
Medical Observer, 17 September 2010

"Across the Tasman, both the natural and adventure travel delights of Queenstown can be sampled more cheaply by staying at this flashpacker accommodation. It’s an easy place to find, as it’s located on the town’s main street within easy reach of dining and entertainment. Ensuite doubles include bath tubs, apparently 'to soak up the day’s adrenalin'."

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

Auckland Express
The West Australian, 9 October 2008

"The highlight of the Antarctic Experience is an automated ride around an indoor penguin habitat. The ride is a mix of the really interesting and the really naff - there are chic mannequins modelling Antarctic gear, along with fake seals and an unconvincing orca. But the live penguins are great."

A lightning tour taking in the attractions of New Zealand's largest city .
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

Land of Contrasts
Medical Observer, 4 July 2008

"It’s not just from the obvious vantage points that the scenery impresses. On my first night, as I walk home from a fundraising concert to my accommodation along the dimly lit main road, there’s a brilliant full moon. It throws the pine trees into silhouettes against the sky, and I can hear my footsteps falling in the silence. It’s beautiful."

An exploration of Norfolk Island's old-fashioned charm and historic attractions.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

24 Hours in Easter Island
The Sunday Age, 1 June 2008

"Statues, statues and more of those mysterious statues. Let’s face it, you’re hardly going to spend time on Rapa Nui (Easter Island’s local name) without having a look at its famous figureheads, the moai. If you want sophisticated urban excitement, however, you’re out of luck. But what Easter Island lacks in chic, it makes up for in mystique."

Details a day among the treasures of this remote Pacific island.
Available for republication (print only).
Images available.

With a Head for a Pisco Sour
The Sunday Age, 3 June 2007

"Wherever you go on this exotic island, you encounter a nimble dance between Polynesian and Latin American traditions, whether culinary or cultural. It’s a hurahura (as the locals call their traditional dance) worthy of the dancing lady who appears on every second postcard in the Easter Island gift shops, dressed in a traditional feathery gear and shimmying away as if her life depended on it."

An exploration of Polynesian culture and Latin American influences on Easter Island.
Available for republication (print only).
Images available.

A Life in Stone
The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 2007

"Then we catch our first glimpse of Easter Island, a rocky, hilly green mound rising improbably out of the ocean. Down below, a silver-haired man waits with our name on a board for a hotel transfer. To our astonishment, he has a broad Australian accent and a slouch hat. So how does an Aussie bloke end up running a hotel on the world's most remote inhabited island? Via the movies, believe it or not."

Profiles an Australian hotelier resident on Easter Island.

Trip With Lights Fantastic
Medical Observer, 2 February 2007

"As we tear along the back streets, our Balkan-born cabbie delivers a running monologue on traffic lights, Macedonians, and the desirability of taking assorted shortcuts to avoid the dreadful congestion on the conspicuously quiet main roads. I peruse the street directory and supply useful hints on reaching our destination, as the meter rolls on. But at least Auckland is turning out to be more interesting than I had expected."

A 24-hour whirlwind tour of Auckland, New Zealand's attractions and entertainment.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

Pacific Gem
Medical Observer, 1 December 2006

"Using the Goldilocks Technique, we dismiss the bungalows ('too cramped'); veto a five-star choice ('too expensive'); and enter the Fare Vai Moana in the characters of two dusty heat-stricken gentlepersons of the road, seeking sanctuary. But you have to have a few ordeals, just to remind you how good paradise is when you find it. And Mo’orea is very beautiful."

The delights of the island of Mo'orea, part of French Polynesia.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

Bon Appetit - It's Paradise, at a Price
The Age, 22 July 2006

"Ka-ching! Welcome to paradise! I know it's not right to worry about money when you're on holiday - it's supposed to be a time of letting yourself go and having fun. But French Polynesia is so expensive that it can throw a serious spanner in the 'letting yourself go' concept."

A light-hearted look at the expensive nature of French Polynesia.

A Slice of French Polynesia
Pacific Magazine, July 2006

"As vibrant as it is, Pape’ete may represent 'paradise lost' for many visitors. Rather than an idyllic focus of beauty, springing from Paul Gauguin’s famous paintings, the French Polynesian capital is a bustling blend of concrete, car fumes and lively nightlife. A short ferry ride away from Tahiti, however, Mo’orea is still a living postcard: beaches, an aquamarine lagoon, swaying palm trees and low-level development."

Focuses on the unspoiled inland attractions of Mo'orea, French Polynesia.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

Romance in the Stones
Medical Observer, 9 June 2006

"Mystery is the essence of Easter Island's attractions: for centuries, its hundreds of massive hand-carved statues (or moai) have puzzled and fascinated visitors. But for the moment, there’s a more pressing question as we leave the humble terminal building. Why does the bloke with our names on a board have an Aussie accent a mile wide?"

A travel piece on the enduring mystique of Easter Island.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

Taveuni Time
Medical Observer, 26 August 2005

"Fiji time is a relaxed approach to everyday life, a feeling the new day is stretching on forever and might never end. It’s so relaxed, you might forget what day it is. And that’s a familiar feeling on Taveuni, bisected by the 180th meridian of longitude. For part of the 19th century, this marked the International Dateline. This geographical accident meant the island was divided into two days: the east side today and the west tomorrow."

Time takes on new flexibility on Fiji's third-largest island.
Available for republication (print and Web).
Images available.

All Blacks, Long Blacks, Short Blacks and Lattes
The Age, 8 May 2004

"With the success of the movie epic Lord of the Rings, the New Zealand landscape looms large in the imaginations of would-be travellers worldwide. A lesser-known attraction is the café life of its capital city, Wellington. This compact, picturesque city has a surprising range of places to enjoy a drink."

Highlighting the impressive cafe culture of Wellington, New Zealand.
Available for republication (print and Web).

[Read the full article here]
Red Flag Flies in Wellington's Cafe Quarter
The New Zealand Herald, 27 February 2004

"Nothing succeeds like nostalgia. The Berlin Wall has crumbled, Red Square is infiltrated by burger chains and China is into capitalism in a big way. But the red flag is kept flying in the most unlikely of places: New Zealand’s capital city. To get to the heart of the matter, take a stroll down Cuba Street, in Wellington’s city centre."

Investigating cafe names inspired by communist nostalgia in Wellington, New Zealand.
Available for republication (print and Web).

[Read the full article here]
Capital Walks
The Press, 3 February 2004

"Walking is one of the great attractions of New Zealand, whether as three-day treks through stunning landscape, sleeping in huts or tents, living rough in the company of nature. But if you’re an urban kind of person and the great outdoors doesn’t appeal, you can still get in some walking and be at a good restaurant or theatre by sunset, if you’re visiting Wellington."

Hitting the walking trails in and around Wellington, New Zealand.
Available for republication (print and web).

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Travel: Pacific

I'm a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers. This page contains examples of my travel writing, organised by location. Each entry includes a sample paragraph, and indications of available rights.

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