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On track, outback
Traveller, 2 November 2024
"It’s a delight to be departing Brisbane via
sleeper train. This is no dig at the Queensland
capital – more an expression of delight in being
aboard the Spirit of the Outback for its
epic 26-hour trek to the outback town of
Longreach. I’m enjoying my neat little
compartment, sitting in its armchair as we roll
through the darkness once clear of city lights..."
Enjoying rides on a sleeper train and
heritage excursion trains in Longreach,
Queensland, Australia.
[Read
the full
article here]
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Seize the day (five items)
Paradise, July-September 2024
"Established in 1914 as Lang Park, the site of
Suncorp Stadium is well known to Papua New
Guineans as the epicentre of rugby league in
Queensland. Its rectangular playing field also
hosts rugby union and soccer matches, making it
the city’s premier sporting arena. The best way to
experience the stadium is to attend a game there,
of course; but to supplement that experience with
insider knowledge and access to behind-the-scenes
secrets, join the Suncorp Stadium Tour..."
Describing five fascinating walking
tours in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Singapore
and Hong Kong.
[Read
the full
article here] |

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We'll pass, thanks
Traveller, 9 March 2024
"Ah, the joys of travelling across Europe by rail
with a Eurail pass! Hopping aboard regional
services without any need of a separate ticket,
and using sleeper trains as a substitute for hotel
rooms. There’s nothing more fun than a rail pass,
but many Australians will be surprised to learn
that it’s possible to travel that way in our own
eastern states. Here’s how..."
Explaining the rail passes and fare
caps available in New South Wales,
Queensland and Victoria, Australia.
[Read
the full
article here]
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Best moments in travel 2023
(four items)
Traveller, 19 November 2023
"Sitting on a ledge next to my carriage window is
a traditional Anzac biscuit, the next
complimentary item to be served in Gold Class on
the journey to Kuranda; and just before the train
halts at the falls, I’m handed a cup of coffee
made from local beans. So I step from the train,
brew and bikkie in hand, to lean against the
railing with the other passengers and marvel at
the water as it cascades down the rocky slope
beneath us..."
Describing four perfect moments: three
in Europe (regarding food in Lisbon and
Lyon, and a fast train in Italy), and one
aboard a train in Queensland, Australia.
[Read the Queensland item here] |

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All aboard
Paradise, November 2023
"Glancing up from my seat aboard the Spirit of
Queensland, I can see history through the
windows. Landsborough Station is a classic timber
railway station, and beyond it is a lovely old
pub. Nearby is a neat row of Queenslanders, the
traditional colonial-era houses that stand on
stumps above termites and floodwater. Inside this
train, however, it’s the future. For the Spirit
of Queensland is not your old-fashioned
sleeper train with separate compartments and bunk
beds..."
Taking the Spirit of Queensland
sleeper train all the way north from
Brisbane to Cairns in Queensland, Australia.
[Read
the full
article here] |

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Australia’s third great train
journey is an epic cruise on wheels
Traveller, 7 October 2023
"Not that we have the Ancient Mariner’s other
problem to contend with. There are plenty of drops
to drink aboard this very long train, some of them
from the Adelaide Hills through which we passed
earlier. For the Great Southern is – like
its sister trains, The Ghan and the Indian
Pacific – an all-inclusive “rail cruise”
which includes in its substantial fare all meals,
drinks and excursions, as well as transport and
accommodation. The day began at Adelaide Parklands
Terminal with our train comprising two locomotives
pulling 26 carriages at a total length of 663
metres..."
Taking a luxury rail cruise between
Adelaide and Brisbane (stopping at the
Grampians, Canberra and Coffs Harbour).
[Read
the full
article here] |

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Must do: the Art Deco guided
history walk in Innisfail
Explore, 3 October 2023
"Standing inside Innisfail's historic Shire Hall,
I'm haunted by two ghosts from the past - and
their names are Geoff and Paul. Geoff is dressed
in the outfit of a sugar cane cutter from the era
when it was all done by hand: a khaki shirt, brown
trousers and broad-brimmed hat. Paul, by contrast,
is the epitome of a 1920s townie: striped shirt,
bow-tie and rakish cap. Members of the local
historical society, they host a new walking tour
which explores the history of this tropical
Queensland town, including its surprising wealth
of art deco architecture. As they explain, there's
a reason for that glamorous heritage..."
Learning about the Art Deco heritage of
Innisfail, Queensland, Australia.
[Read
the full
article here] |

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Free tours for visitors to
Brisbane
Paradise, April 2023
"'Brisbane is a fascinating place,' says Charlie,
the guide on our Greeter’s Choice tour. 'And I
love meeting people on my tours, they’re usually
on holiday and in a good mood.' It’s a cheerful
start to this tour of Brisbane highlights,
provided free by the city council..."
Joining a tour uncovering intriguing
secrets of the Brisbane CBD in Queensland,
Australia.
[Read
the full
article here] |

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The Ups and Downs of the Cairns
Rainforest
Stuff, 21 August 2022
"What goes up must come down, they say, but in
Cairns this comes with options. There are two
memorable ways to head upward into the beautiful
tropical rainforest of the mountain ranges west of
the city. An old favourite, the Kuranda Scenic
Railway train, creaks and sways its way through
dense foliage as it makes its way to or from the
tourist town of Kuranda. Further north, the
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway conveys visitors above
the tree canopy and waterways as its gondolas head
over the slopes, also connecting to Kuranda. Which
to choose?"
Experiencing nature by by cable car and
train from Cairns, Australia.
[Read the
full article here] |

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Sustainable Australia: Top Tips
to Minimise Your Carbon Footprint and Travel
Slow
lonelyplanet.com,
14 April 2022
"Australia is such an enormous nation that the
instinct of both locals and visitors is to fly
between its many far-flung attractions. But in
this era of ‘flight-shame’ and increased
environmental awareness, it’s possible to reduce
your carbon footprint in Oz by traveling by
surface transport, seeing more of the country on
the way. Here are a number of possibilities..."
Outlining how to avoid flying by opting
for rail, sail, cycling and hiking while
visiting Australia.
[Read the
full article here]
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Holidays in Australia by Rail:
Seven Great Places You Can Travel to by Train
Traveller, 7 April 2022
"Along with most other Australians, I have
childhood memories of the great Aussie road trip.
For our Western Australian family it was usually a
drive to a holiday house in Augusta, past Margaret
River in the state's southwest. Now in 2022, with
spiralling petrol prices, the great Aussie road
trip is said to be endangered. To which I say, "So
what?" You can have more fun travelling by train
at a set fare, and help cut your carbon emissions
at the same time. Here are some affordable Aussie
train trips to replace those treks from the city
by car..."
Describing seven great long-distance
rail trips in Australia.
[Read the
full article here]
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Six of the Best: Cairns Places
to Eat
Traveller, 11 February 2022
"With possibly the best view in town, this Cairns
dining icon at the tip of Marina Point has
expansive views of Trinity Bay and the marina.
It's at its most atmospheric at night, with low
light and tropical plants accentuating the timber
tables and decking. Courtesy of its custom-built
Argentinian wood-fired grill, meat is the star of
the menu: from the lamb rump with baba ghanoush,
to the 300 gram scotch fillet with sauteed green
beans..."
Dining at six great restaurants in
Cairns, Australia.
[Read the
full article here]
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Hipster and Street Art Tour
Shows the Cool Side of North Queensland City
Traveller, 3 January 2022
"Peter has a tough sell ahead of him on this warm
day, as we stand near lush foliage in the city's
Shields Street mall. He's just told me Cairns is
the second-most hipster city in Australia (the
first is apparently the Gold Coast!). Thinking of
my inner-city Melbourne 'hood, populated with
black-clad beard-wearing tattooed barista types, I
can feel my lip curling and my eyebrows rising.
What is this man talking about? There isn't a
hipster in sight in this tropical paradise."
Taking a walking tour of
hipster-friendly shops and art in Cairns,
Australia.
[Read the
full article here]
|

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Spirits of the Tropics: Cairns'
Inventive Distillers and Brewers
The New Daily, 23 October 2021
"'Our aim is to make outstanding gin using local
botanicals. We’re not making gin to win awards but
for people to enjoy,' Sam Kennis says, of Wolf
Lane Distillery. He pauses, then adds, 'We’ve also
won several awards.' Fair enough. As usual in
Cairns it’s a warm afternoon, but that’s not going
to stop me sampling gin along with fellow members
of the Cairns Breweries & Distilleries Tour.."
Visiting an array of distilleries and
breweries on a tour in Cairns, Australia.
[Read the
full article here]
|

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Ocean to Outback: the Great
Southern Train
Senior Traveller, April 2021
"Food (beautifully prepared and presented) is a
major highlight of the train, as is socialising in
the bar; and all food and drink is included in the
fare. Sadly I met no international visitors among
the passengers this year, but we Aussies on board
were determined to have a good time. Several told
me how delighted they were to be travelling again,
and some had even booked the return leg from
Adelaide..."
Taking the luxurious Great Southern
train from Brisbane via New South Wales to
Adelaide, with excursions en route.
[Read the
full article here]
|

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Australia, This is Us
Senior Traveller, February 2021
"A recent episode of ABC TV's advertising-related
show Gruen challenged agencies to make ads
encouraging Aussies to travel within Australia.
Because at this stage, that’s all we can do. In
one of the ads, the voiceover segued from the
mighty wonders of nature to exploring local
bakeries. And that is exactly one of the things
Aussies do when we visit a new country town – we
make a beeline for the local bakeries to discover
which one is the best. Which made me wonder – what
other things do we take an interest in, which
might not interest the average overseas tourist?"
Examining the domestic travel habits of
Australians; with reference to places in
Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and
South Australia.
[Read the
full article here]
|

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Fields of Flavour
The Australian, 8 August 2020
"Standing high on a slope in the Atherton
Tablelands, I’m captivated by the view. From a
neatly tended garden at a local farm, I’m gazing
down upon a series of ridges. Softened by greenery
and the misty early morning air, they resemble a
green tablecloth flung over the landscape, with
curves and folds fading into the distance. I wish
– as I often do on my
travels – that my wife
Narrelle could be there to share the moment. And
this is a part of the world worth sharing..."
Taking a tasty food tour through the
Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns,
Queensland.
[Read the
full article here] |

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An
Unusual Rail Journey Through
Queensland’s Gulf Savannah
Truly Aus, 5 May 2020
"Having survived a major flood in 1974, the Gulflander
hung on to become a quirky tourist train. What
helped it last so long was the railway’s unusual
track, whose arched steel sleepers allowed the
rails to sink solidly into the ground. This
innovation meant the train could keep going in up
to 15 centimetres of water, a huge benefit in a
region often hit by heavy wet season rains. 'Gold
is long gone, but the train survived because it
could still get through floods,' says
stationmaster and driver Ken..."
Catching a historic train from
Normanton to Croydon in remote Queensland,
Australia.
[Read the
full article here] |

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The
Savannahlander: An Epic and Eccentric
Rail Trek
Traveller, 26 February 2020
"'We're your train drivers for today, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday. So if you don't like us,
tough.' It says a lot for the informal vibe of the
Savannahlander that this announcement is met with
general laughter. It's nearing the end of the
train's operating season – it halts over the wet
season – so there's only a dozen passengers on
board. It's easy to move about in the carriage and
make friends, so the journey has a relaxed feel.
Not that the Savannahlander is ever a starchy,
formal, white-linen-tablecloth kind of
experience..."
Joining a memorable rail tour
through the Gulf Savannah region of Queensland,
Australia.
[Read the
full article here] |

|
Outback
Tracks
True Blue, December 2019 - January 2020
"I’m in town to catch a train from the attractive
station that’s set within gardens like an old
farmhouse. Here I find the Gulflander
waiting beneath a corrugated canopy, its engine
running and frame vibrating as its crew ready it
for departure. Remarkably, this remote railway has
been in operation since the late 19th century.
Originally laid toward Cloncurry to the south, it
was diverted to inland Croydon after the start of
that town’s 1885 gold rush..."
Riding aboard the historic
Gulflander train in Outback Queensland, Australia.
[Read the
full article here] |

|
Six
of the Best Suburban Hotels
Traveller, 22 October 2019
"In Brisbane's north, this hotel is well known for
its live entertainment. If you fancy catching a
music gig or live comedy while you're taking a
break, this is the place. For a more laid-back
excursion, the rural attractions of the Samford
Valley are not far away. Dining is bistro-style
with a focus on steaks, ribs and seafood,
including a crispy-skin barramundi from Humpty Doo
in the Northern Territory..."
Highlighting six quality hotels in
the suburbs of Australia's major cities, including
Brisbane.
[Read the
full article here] |

|
Spirit
of Queensland Rail Journey: Like
Business Class on a Plane
Traveller, 4 April 2019
"'WARNING: plastic snakes on station to deter
birds.' This yellow-and-black sign at Townsville's
railway station is undeniably eye-catching. It
strikes me that plastic snakes might also deter
humans. I look all around, but I can't find see
any fake reptiles. No matter. What's more
important is the train waiting for me at the
platform. The Spirit of Queensland takes
25 hours to cover the 1681 kilometres from Cairns
to Brisbane..."
Riding aboard a modern sleeper
train along the Queensland coast.
[Read the
full article here] |

|
Here's How to See Australia by
Train
lonelyplanet.com, 23 March 2019
"Australia is such a huge country that it seems
logical to cross it by plane. But there is another
option, one that becomes a memorable holiday in
itself: the train. Piecing together connecting
routes, it’s possible to take a great rail journey
across the continent from savannah to forests to
tropics, immersed in ever-changing scenery. Here’s
how to do it..."
Describing how to travel around
Australia by rail, from
Queensland through NSW, Victoria and South
Australia to either Darwin or Perth.
[Read the
full article here] |

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See Remote
Queensland's Flora and Fauna Aboard the
Gulflander Train
Traveller, 5 February 2019
"It's not easy to catch a train from Normanton, a
remote town in the Gulf Savannah region of
northwest Queensland. For one thing, the
Gulflander train only operates once a week. And if
you try to catch it at the tail end of the wet
season, as I am, you run the risk of being washed
out. But we've been given the go-ahead by the
track crew, and the landscape looks beautiful as
we enter the savannah, dotted with slender
dark-trunked trees..."
Riding the memorable "train from
nowhere to nowhere", in Outback Queensland,
Australia.
[Read the
full article here] |

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The Dinosaurs of
Winton
Active Retirees, December 2018
"I’m glad I made it here, to see the aftermath of
a prehistoric event preserved forever in the rock
of Lark Quarry. All those millions of years ago,
when this was much wetter terrain, herds of
two-legged dinosaurs came one night to drink here.
Suddenly a huge carnivorous theropod, looking
something like a tyrannosaurus, charged the
gathered prey. Their fleeing footprints were later
covered in sediment, and now they’re visible
forever..."
Discovering dinosaur fossils near
the Outback town of Winton, Queensland.
[Subscribe
to read the full
article here] |

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A Rail
of a Time
Discover,
Spring/Summer 2018
"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]
|

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Spirit of the
Outback: into the Wild, Wild West
Traveller, 8 September 2017
"The adjoining Tuckerbox restaurant car is
similarly colour-coded, but more eccentrically
decorated. The dividers between table booths are
each topped by metal frames containing livestock
brands of famous cattle and sheep stations, such
as Bowen Downs, Wellshot and Isis Downs. Above the
tables there's a curve of corrugated iron, a
reminder of rural Australia's favourite building
material. The effect is that of a quirky
Outback-themed eatery. Tacky or fun? I'm going
with the latter..."
Talking the sleeper train from
Brisbane to the attractions of Longreach,
Queensland.
[Read the
full article here] |

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Five Remote Corners
Which Define Australia's States
Traveller, 9 September 2015
"Borders have always fascinated travellers. In
some ways that's strange, because they're just
invisible, imaginary lines on a map. Even internal
borders can be objects of interest, and
Australia's more than most. For where each of our
state and territory borders meet another one at an
angle, 'surveyors' corners' are created, each
marked by a pillar at the meeting point..."
Describing the location and appeal
of remote state border intersections in Australia.
Available
for republication (print only).
[Read the
full article here] |

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Australia's UNESCO
World Heritage-listed Cultural and Natural
Attractions
Traveller, 26 November 2014
"What does the Great Barrier Reef have in common
with the Great Wall of China, the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park and the ruins of Great
Zimbabwe? All four of these places – and over a
thousand others mostly without the word 'great' in
their titles – are on UNESCO's World Heritage
List. According to the United Nations body, this
makes their protection the common goal of
humanity. So how easy is it for a place to make
the list, and how many sites does Australia have
in it? ..."
Exploring 19 World Heritage sites
in Australia, including natural and cultural
wonders.
Available
for republication (print only).
[Read the
full article here] |

|
Gold
Coast Dreaming
The Sunday Age, 12 January 2014
"Our guide, Jade, is standing under a pandanus
tree as he tells us the story of the giant named
Jabreen. Featured in a Dreamtime legend of the
indigenous Yugambeh people of Queensland's Gold
Coast, Jabreen is said to have swum in the ocean
off Burleigh Heads after feasting on wild honey.
After his swim, he lay down to rest on Burleigh
Mountain (Jellurgal), which grew around the giant
as he slept and captured him. He woke and tried to
break free, but Jellurgal won out..."
Joining a tour of Aboriginal history
and culture on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
[Read the
full article here] |

|
After
the Party: Recharging in Queensland's Gold
Coast Hinterland
www.lonelyplanet.com, 26 November 2013
"Sunburnt and exhausted after partying it up on
Australia's Gold Coast? That’s not surprising.
This sprawling city stretching along the Pacific
coast south of Brisbane is Australia’s answer to
both Las Vegas and Miami, combining gambling,
nightclubs and dining with perfect swimming
beaches. Luckily, the Gold Coast has a calm,
refreshing twin to its party-town hedonism: the
Gold Coast Hinterland..."
Profiling the region inland from
Australia's Gold Coast.
Not
available for republication.
[Read the
full article here] |

|
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 one in Queensland.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
|

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Paradise Amid the Palms
Medical Observer, 24
September 2010
"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.
|

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Flashpack Chic
Medical Observer, 17
September 2010
"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.
|

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Villages of BrisVegas
The Sunday Age, 20 June 2010
"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...'"
Investigating the
diverse inner-city districts of Brisbane,
Queensland.
Available for republication (print only).
Images
available.
[Read the full article
here]
|

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Have
Blog, Will Travel
The Sydney Morning
Herald, 15 September 2009
"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?"
Discovering whether
travelling and blogging really do mix.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
[Read
the full article here]
|
 |
Queensland's Alcatraz
Herald Sun, 24 October
2008
"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.
|
 |
Puttin' on the Glitz
Medical Observer, 10
October 2008
"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.
|
 |
Things That Go Bump in the
Night
Jetstar Magazine,
October 2008
"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.
|
 |
Six in the City
Jetstar Magazine, July
2008
"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.
|
 |
Brisbane Beyond the Glitz
The Dominion Post, 13
May 2008
"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]
|
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