It was the trip to freedom that seemed destined to never happen. While the red dirt and wide-open blue skies of the Red Centre were calling, my friends and I – having booked a four-day camping tour there last July – were firmly stuck in Victoria, dreaming of swags, starry nights and outback adventures. Escape.... Continue Reading →
What Airbnb hosts are doing to ride out the COVID-19 crisis
Airbnb hosts reeling from a drastic dive in bookings are offering special “self-isolation packages” — with Netflix and food delivery on tap — to try and ride out the coronavirus crisis. With Airbnb changing its policy to offer guests full refunds for many reservations, many home owners who rely on the rental are feeling the pinch of mass... Continue Reading →
Cycling India’s Khardung La Pass: An exhilarating trip down the ‘world’s highest motorable road’
The sign at the top proclaiming this to be the 'world's highest motorable road' might be a bit of a white lie. But you know you're ridiculously high when, driving up India's Khardung La Pass, a plane flies by – and instead of craning your head skywards, you realise you're actually looking down. Traveller, The... Continue Reading →
An unlikely journey to Saudi Arabia for International Women’s Day
When former Paralympian Annabelle Williams was younger, she didn’t dream of becoming a champion swimmer – not because she only has one hand, but because she loves a chat, and it’s tricky to talk when your head’s underwater. When former Paralympian Annabelle Williams was younger, she didn’t dream of becoming a champion swimmer – not... Continue Reading →
Meet the Australians who have already given up on toilet paper
It’s no secret the country is in the grip of toilet paper pandemonium. But search hard enough, and you’ll find a rare breed of Australians who don’t rely on the soft stuff when visiting the smallest room in the house. Here are two of them – and another with a canny back-up plan should the... Continue Reading →
Why taking a gap year could be the best thing you ever do
When you’ve been studying like a demon at high school, you’ll want to use those hard-earned marks to kick on directly to university. Right? Well, not necessarily. For some, a straightforward path to uni, with all those long holidays thrown in, is ideal. But for others, taking six, nine or even the full 12 months off... Continue Reading →
The very adult business of buying your own house
When I was on the hunt for real estate nirvana I didn’t know it was going to be like this. All I had were optimistic goals and a Pinterest board full of coastal decor ideas. Buy house at beach – tick. Put cool pictures up. Yep. Have an amazing veggie garden and compost system and... Continue Reading →
Sustainable House Day: Inside three homes that slash your power bill
Quentin Irvine’s house in Victoria’s Beaufort, 165 kilometres west of Melbourne, was built to go the distance – and beyond. All the elements of The Recyclable House, or at least the vast majority, will find new lives down the track. Domain, The Age. Full story here
First Person: I’m Norma Abraham, and I’m a 90-year-old ballerina
'My profession was actually as an opera singer. I was singing professionally until I was about 60 – that was 30 years ago. I’ve only been doing ballet classes since Tina (professional ballet dancer and choreographer Tina Yong) started running it at ReCreation Health Club Trackside in Hampton a few years ago. Tina said to me, “You... Continue Reading →
Quiz: were you born in the right generation?
Ever feel like you’re a throwback to a different generation, or perhaps even born ahead of your time? Associate Professor Andrew Singleton, a sociologist with Deakin’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, says characterising different generations can be tricky – for every ‘rule’ there’s someone who won’t fit the mould. Deakin University's this website. Take... Continue Reading →