About Briar
Briar Jensen is a Sydney-based freelance travel writer. Her blog covers travel tips, reviews, insights and inspiration, travel accessories and gadgets.
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Last night I had the chance to see the movie Top End Wedding. What an awesome showcase of the Northern Territory and in particular the beautiful people of the Tiwi Islands. I did a day trip to the Tiwi Islands a few years ago with @aatkings and it left a lasting impression, from the vibrant colours of the landscape, art and fabrics to the beautiful people who love singing and dancing. Here is one Tiwi Islander preparing for a performance. @astw_inc @astw_portraits @ausoutbacknt #ntaustralia #topendweddingThe Hawkesbury River is made for mucking about in boats, whether it’s a kayak or runabout, cruiser or houseboat. It’s the Secret River depicted by Kate Grenville’s book of the same name and it twists and turns on itself endlessly. It’s also a peaceful river, well most of the time, except for when the ski races are on! #hawkesbury #hawkesburyriver #wisemansferry @visitnsw #boating #riverlifeI hate it when daylight savings ends. But we are making the most of a beautiful sunset up the end of America Bay in beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park listening to the waterfall behind us and ducks quacking as we watch the sun disappear behind the hills. #bliss. @astw_inc @nswnationalparks #hawkesburyriver #boatingPhu Quoc Is Vietnam’s largest island, but it’s closer to Cambodia; known for its beaches, over 50% is forested national park; and it produces fish sauce, pepper and pearls. It’s #vietnam minus the incessant scooters of Saigon or the hubbub of Hanoi. To learn more about this island read my story in the latest issue of @vacationsmag on sale now. @astw_incCobham Hall, the sandstone home of Solomon Wiseman (see previous post) now forms part of the Wisemans Inn Hotel, aka the Wisemans Ferry pub. The front portion of the upstairs section has been stripped back to expose historic construction techniques and decorated with period furniture to make a small museum with excellent information open weekend afternoons. This little village has a lovely gallery @ferryartists a great little restaurant @busbyscaferestaurant with escarpment views, a grocer-Café and accommodation with a golf course and pool @retreatatwisemans making it an excellent weekend getaway. Not forgetting the #hawkesburyriver of course. @visitnsw #wisemansferry #theriversjustthebeginningMeet Solomon Wiseman, pioneer, inn keeper and ferry master, after which this tiny town on a bend in the Hawkesbury River is named. He is the inspiration and main character of Kate Grenville’s novel The Secret River. I loved learning more about him and the area in Grenville’s companion book, Searching for the Secret River, which describes her research. And the ferry service he started is still going! #wisemansferry #kategrenville #hawkesburyriver @visitnsw- My Tweets
Category Archives: Accommodation
Tai Chi with the locals in Bangkok
Apparently, tai chi is all about internal energy flow, but the only energy I’m channelling is nervous energy. How much of a goose (or perhaps that should be crane?) am I making of myself? But I don’t care. I feel … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Bangkok, Thailand, Travel
Tagged Lumpini Park, Sofitel So Bangkok, Tai Chi
8 Comments
Postcard of the week – Outback recycling
I love this shot of a battered XXXX Gold beer can attached to a fence in the middle of the Australian outback. I hope someone enjoyed consuming its icy-cold contents before it was re-purposed to dangle like an earring on … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Adventure, Australia, Northern Territory, Outback, Postcards, Road Trips, Travel
Tagged accommodation, Kings Creek Station, outback, Quad biking, XXXX Gold
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Free accommodation on Sydney’s Pittwater
Fancy a weekend getaway in the bush free of charge, staying at a historic property overlooking Pittwater’s Morning Bay? Spend your free time watching the local wildlife, hiking through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, kayaking the bays or just relaxing in … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Australia, Sydney, Travel, Volunteering
Tagged bush regeneration, Pittwater, voluntourism, YHA
2 Comments
Last weekend for Bondi sculpture walk
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, finishes this Sunday 9th November. So it’s your last chance to see the exhibits, the work of 109 artists. We visited the exhibition this week, together with some friends from New Zealand. As my girlfriend … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Attractions, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel News & Events
Tagged Bondi, Sculpture by the sea
2 Comments
Teen-friendly family accommodation on the Gold Coast
Finding accommodation that suits a family with teens can often be challenging. You want to give them some freedom and a room of their own, especially if they are older, but you also want to have them close and know … Continue reading
Au naturel is best – please don’t wrap hotel soap
Ok, I’ll be upfront, this post is a rant about a first world problem, so if you don’t care if hotel soap comes wrapped, sometimes multiple times, then you might want to switch off now. I just don’t see why … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Hotels, Travel
Tagged accommodation, environmental initiatives, hotel amenities, hotel soap, soap
4 Comments
Fairy Tale Castles – German Fairy Tale Route
Ever dreamt of sleeping like a princess – in Sleeping Beauty’s castle? Fancy letting down your hair in Rapunzel’s tower? What about a romantic weekend at Snow White’s palace? Or perhaps you just want to stay in a real palace, … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Germany, Travel
Tagged accommodation, castles, Fairy tale castles, Fairy tale route, travel
3 Comments
