Travel Writers Radio

From the hinterland to the headlands there is plenty to see on the Central Coast, a favourite playground for those seeking surf, sun, and sand all year round. And one of its regular visitors over many years is our Sydney-based correspondent, travel editor and journalist, Mike Smith. He says at just over one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast, which stretches about 70 km north from Mooney Mooney in the Hawkesbury River system, is an easy place for local and international visitors to get to, whether they want sun, sand, surf or somewhere to simply chill. Mike suggests visitors try the • Central Coast Makers Trail expansion to a dozen local businesses showcasing their local produce (food and drink). Family-owned Little Creek Cheese Factory (Woy Woy), Chocolate Factory (Gosford), Broken Bay Pearl Farm (Mooney Mooney), and the Firescreek Botanical Winery (Holgate) among the pioneering companies on the self-drive trail. It now includes Adri’s Gingerbread creations, distilleries Amber Lane and Botanica, the Six String Brewing Company and Block N Tackle Brewery, Herbie’s Spices, Legend Coffee and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. Mike speaks with Graeme Kemlo. Image: Bouddi National Park Photo by Keira Trainor More information: lovecentralcoast.com

Bridgett Leslie recently visited Amsterdam in the Netherlands where she met three chefs - two Dutch and one French-born - running a restaurant in the suburbs. Rather than focus on the traditional Dutch favourite dishes, such as Stamppot at their Café Cress they choose to select the freshest seasonal ingredients paired with mostly French wines to offer a paddock to plate menu…some might say it was a dangerous move, but they explain their philosophy to Bridgett.

Our Spain-based correspondent Karin Avila has decades of driving experience in the USA, but now she lives in the Valencia province of Spain and getting a licence there is a different kettle of fish, due to cultural and language differences. It is a two-part process with a 266-page book of driving rules plus a practical test. Karin details the good, the bad and the counter-intuitive. Luckily she has a bicycle.

There is a lot to see in the USA, as Giselle Whiteaker discovered when she went to visit one state, and ended up visiting 48. Giselle, who lives in Australia explains why she has done an (almost) full lap of the Union.

Michelle Androsenko grew up in a dancing family and always dreamed of travelling the world as a dancer. That dream came true when she signed on with the entertainment team on board Oceania Sirena. She talks to Carolyne Jasinski about how she got her dream job and what it's like to be a performer on cruise ships. Photo by Carolyne Jasinski

There really are kangaroos on the beaches in Australia. When international tourists come to Australia and expect to find kangaroos roaming the streets or turning up on beaches, we Aussies tend to roll our eyes and say, “Really?” Well, Carolyne Jasinski has found a coastal hotspot where it does happen. Cape Hillsborough is a beach located on the coast of Queensland between Mackay and Airlie Beach. If you go to the water’s edge at sunrise, you’ll find kangaroos and wallabies feasting on mangrove seed pods. Here she talks to ranger Murray Gibbs about this magical spot that even the Australian tourists rave about.

Here's what you can listen to from the professional team at Travel Writers Radio. More food, wine, lifestyle and travel experiences from around the world and around the corner. We sincerely appreciate your support so thanks for listening. If you have a story to tell or to comment on our show, feel free to get in contact via email: info@travelwritersradio.com

As the Melbourne nights and mornings get chillier, there are thousands of southerners just waiting to escape to the Sunshine Coast in general, or Noosa in particular. Which is where Melbourne reporter Justine Costigan escaped to a week ago to research what’s new in this popular Queensland getaway. The good news: Justine enjoyed the place almost devoid of crowds; the bad news: it rained every day so she had to content herself with indoor activities like eating and drinking. Here she shares with Graeme Kemlo just what she discovered and lets us in on a couple of local secrets.. Photo supplied by Lanai Noosa

This might just be the absolute job of a lifetime – running a marine science research station on Lizard Island in the far north of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. These two jobs arose because the current co-directors have decided to retire after 34 years on the job. But who can apply? We got on to the chief scientist of the Australian Museum Sydney which runs the globally-renowned research station. So listen carefully, as this position may not open up for another 30+ years. Graeme Kemlo spoke to Professor Kris Helgen and also asked him to comment on the current state of the reef. Photo Kris Helgen - supplied.

Reporter Carmen Jenner, based in Perth was invited by Malaysian Airlines to fly to KL for some exciting industry announcements. Carmen enjoyed the experiences on offer over a long weekend in Kuala Lumpur, especially the Vespalisious culinary tour at night when the Malaysian capital really comes to life.

Reporter Adelaine Ng is a long-serving member of our team and she recently took a short holiday with her husband, but their plans changed last minute, which was serendipitous as they discovered an emerging destination that was new, exotic and great value at present. But Adelaine warns it may not last as this country could soon join the EU and suddenly everything would cost more. As she explains to Graeme Kemlo. Photo by Adelaine Ng

Helen Hayes flew across the ditch to Queenstown and chatted with the new Executive Chef of True South Dining Room at The Rees Hotel. Trent Watson has spent 25 years as a chef, and has cooked for some huge names. Have a listen to find out who, and what kind of food Trent is cooking at The Rees, to hero Central Otago produce.

Well tonight’s show seems to be all about destinations and unique experiences both near and far, so why dn;t we start off with Graeme’s visit one hour away to one of the suburbs of Ballarat where he met a chef, a dog named Dot, acres of French and English oak trees in alternating rows, and the discovery of a $500 truffle under one of the trees by Dot, who seemed to pick up the art of truffle hunting from a couple of other dogs. The other thing you need to know is that the truffle farmer Liam Downes was a successful Ballarat chef with five restaurants, one of which had a hat, but he has forsaken the restaurants for a literal “tree change” running Black Cat Truffle Company where he now cooks at a more leisurely pace. Photo: Graeme Kemlo - Liam with 160 g white truffle

Here's what is new on Travel Writers Radio this week. From Ballarat to Noosa to Lizard Island , opur reporters copver the country this week; then we have reports from team members in Queenstown NZ, Malaysia and also southern Europe where one travel writers finds herself almost by accident in one of the best value countries in europe, but she warns things might change if and when they join the EU. We'd love to hear from you with your story suggestions, just email us at info@travelwritersradio.com. And thanks for listening...

Our award-winning sustainability reporter Keeley Warren speaks with seasoned travel writer, environmentalist and author of four inspiring books, including "The Mindful Traveller" and "Go Lightly." Nina Karnikowski's work advocates for responsible travel and mindful exploration. Her partnership with World Expeditions for their upcoming Himalayan journeys affirms her commitment to ethical tourism. These trips through Nepal will offer travellers an immersive and authentic experience, hosted by Nina. Keeley gains Nina’s insights on responsible travel and her simple tips for more mindful wandering. Photo by Peter Windrim

Here's an extra image this week...Graeme tricked us by having another photo he had taken up his sleeve for our #Worth1000Words, except that this image taken two weeks ago at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is actually worth about 320,000 Aussie dollars. If you;ve never seen them pour molten gold at Sovereign Hill, one of only four Open Air Museums in the world, then get along and check this out – they do this numerous times a day in a fascinating display on the art of smelting gold to be in its purest form 24 carat. Graeme says it was deceptively very heavy for its size and you needed two hands to hold it. We reckon it is not only worth its weight in gold but is definitely (hasnhtag) Worth 1000 words.

|Listen to the message Helen Hayes got from husband Matt on his Red Sea yacht crossing where Houthi rebels are currently attacking merchant ships with missiles. Photo: Matt Hayes

Our New York-based reporter Bridgett Leslie speaks to Chef Rajeev Goyall , who is the head of India Food Tourism Org on the importance of Food Tourism for the nation and Modi Magic as nearly 1 Billion Indian citizens line up to vote this wek.

In an industry that used to have a reputation for being male dominated, Janet Bava is a mover and shaker. Recently our reporter Helen Hayes travelled around the islands of French Polynesia with Windstar Cruises where she met Janet, the Chief Commercial Officer of the company. Janet has risen through the ranks of the cruise industry in a career spanning almost 30 years.

In our Worth 1000 Words segment this week we feature a photo none of us took and some music none of us can play, but we reckon the latest event to be staged at The Lume in Melbourne, which is all about the Italian Renaissance. Thje images that have been taken in both stills and moving pictures are some of the highest resolution inmages ever taken of the world’s great artists and this event features the work of Leonardo Da Vinci, backed by the music of Vivaldi, supported by the culinary expertise of Melbourne convention and Exhibition Centre the largest kitchens in Melbiourne. If you go along you can see the finest detail of Da Vinci, enjoy the music and savour a feast like the Last Supper. More: thelumemelbourne.com Leonardo Da Vinci at Lume is definitely #Worth1000Words