Tim Richards - I, Writer

I, Writer
Tim Richards
Freelance Writer

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I have two rail travel books available now!

1. Heading South, about an epic round-Australia rail journey, is out now from Fremantle Press - learn about it here.

2. Ultimate Train Journeys: World, a selection of the best rail experiences, is out now from Hardie Grant - read about it here.

Follow me or the publishers on social media for more details.

Ten Most Recently Published

I was on holiday in this city when I got sacked. I’ve loved it ever since.
Traveller, 30 July 2026

"My Wellington is the compact central zone which includes Wellington Central and the adjacent neighbourhood of Te Aro, hemmed in by hills on one side and the harbour on the other. Though Wellington is a sizeable city – more than 400,000 in population – its residential suburbs are hidden beyond hills, giving the illusion of a compact settlement crammed with shops and restaurants. Add its cultural highlights, enhanced by its role as the national capital, and you have a mini-Melbourne blessed with a cosy walkability..."

Detailing my long-time love affair with Wellington, New Zealand.

[Read the full article here]

A first-class feast on track
Explore, 25 July 2026

"'You have a busy day ahead of you today. We have seven courses to get through!' Now that is the kind of daily grind I can get behind, especially when I glance out of my train's windows to see inbound passengers scurrying along the platforms of Wellington station on a chilly weekday morning. As our onboard host Dawn has foreshadowed, I'm in for a very different kind of rail experience to those harried commuters..."

Dining well in Scenic Plus class aboard the Northern Explorer train in New Zealand.

[Read the full article here]

She went missing in a war zone, then turned up with a Taliban commander
Stuff, 25 July 2026

"The creature in question is Sarbi, an explosives-detecting dog who served with the Australian army in Afghanistan, equipped with special goggles, footwear and headphones. In 2008, Sarbi went missing for over a year after an attack. Discovered living with a Taliban commander, she was eventually ransomed home. I’m not sure how I feel about putting Sarbi on display – you wouldn’t do that to a human soldier, after all – but it does seem to fit with the AWM’s intent to broaden its coverage of war within the new Anzac Hall..."

Exploring new exhibitions at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.

[Read the full article here]

Wanderland
Traveller, 6 June 2026

"As we hover above the surface of Franz Josef Glacier, a fellow passenger points out a dark object in the distance. It looks like a bird sitting on the surface of the ice, or perhaps a rock; but then I realise with a shock that it’s another helicopter, much farther away than I’d imagined. My sense of scale is completely out of whack in this strange frozen land – it seems an environment created not for humans, but for gods..."

Relating the many excursions within a rail and coach tour of the South Island of New Zealand.

[Read the full article here]

Stuck in a northern tropical city, my workday routine became a dream
Traveller, 4 June 2026

"As an adapted tropical-strength version of my weekly work habits – which in Melbourne involved public libraries but not saltwater lagoons – I did not see how this routine could be bettered, and it made me ponder what living permanently in Cairns might be like. Could I possibly move here? Would this new work schedule inevitably lose its lustre over the months and years? And could I really afford a cooked cafe breakfast every day?..."

Remembering a week when I was happily stuck in Cairns, Queensland, during a pandemic lockdown.

[Read the full article here]

Graffiti Express
Traveller, 30 May 2026

"I’ve caught many memorable trains through Europe, from sleek high-speed services to nostalgic old sleeper trains. But for every yin there is a yang; for every delightful train there is a train that’s hard work. And such is the case with my latest trip, the daily service between the Romanian capital Bucharest and the Bulgarian capital Sofia..."

Reflecting on a low-key but memorable train journey from Bucharest, Romania, to Sofia, Bulgaria.

[Read the full article here]

Gotta be the one
Traveller, 2 May 2026

"This is a big call, but I think Frank from Finland is the most interesting person I’ve ever met on a train.With long dark hair and beard, and a serene smile, this gently spoken stocky young bloke is seated opposite me in the first-class carriage of the Berlin to Kraków express. Not only is he from Finland – somewhere I haven’t yet been – but he’s from a tiny village way up above the Arctic Circle near the border with Norway. We have plenty to talk about, as the Polish forests zip past..."

Explaining how solo travel can be unexpectedly social; referencing a train journey from London, UK, to Istanbul, Turkey.

[Read the full article here]

Fishy business by the sea in Sydney
Paradise, May-July 2026

"Designed by Danish architects, the new market’s crowning feature is an undulating 20,000 square metre white roof, with skylights illuminating the interior. On the upper level is a vast space open to the public, incorporating a market selling fresh fish and other items. It’s surrounded by numerous food stalls, many of which cook seafood to order – some from live tanks..."

Outlining the facilities and appeal of the new Sydney Fish Market in Sydney, Australia.

[Read the full article here]

Station Break: Berlin Hauptbahnhof
Traveller, 12 April 2026

"In the heart of the German capital, Berlin Hauptbahnhof (‘Main Station’) occupies the site of a 19th-century station demolished after World War II. With several levels of railway lines and platforms stacked above each other and underground, the station, which opened in 2006, resembles the illustrations you used to see depicting cities of the future. Its dynamic glass-and-steel architecture is the perfect setting for an international rail journey..."

Detailing the history and facilities of this major railway station in Berlin, Germany.

[Read the full article here]

Top rides on the rails from Melbourne
The Age, 11 April 2026

"It might surprise you to discover the Overland, the Melbourne-Adelaide train, adopts V/Line pricing within Victoria and is thus free in April as far as the South Australian border. This presents a good opportunity to ride for six hours on a Friday to the town of Nhill, returning on Sunday. The star exhibit of this Wimmera town is the Australian Pinball Museum, adjacent to the Oasis Motel, which contains a large collection of pinball machines dating back to 1932 – and they’re available to play..."

Laying out ten great railway journeys in Victoria, Australia.

[Read the full article here]

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Travel:	Australia \| Europe \| Pacific \| Asia \| Americas \| Africa & Middle East \| Rail Travel.
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Welcome!

I'm a freelance writer with published articles on various topics: including travel, lifestyle, the arts, science, and pets.

My writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. I'm also a writer of travel books for Lonely Planet.

I'm available to write on any subject, and also undertake business writing jobs such as proofreading, editing and copywriting.

Learn more about my published work and writing services.

Archive
All articles in this archive are available for republication (fee to be negotiated). Articles can be rewritten to meet your style or length requirements. Please contact me by email with your query.

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