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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Streaked toffee, caramel swirl, honeycomb, hokey pokey. All hidden behind the drab grey exterior of Hawkesbury sandstone. When water, wind and rain nibble, chisel and carve away, these stunning sculptural shapes and patterns appear. Thousands like these line the shores of Cowan Creek in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, which survived this fire season almost unscathed. Best seen from the water, in a kayak or tinnie. If you don’t have your own you can hire them from @cottagepointkiosk at Cottage Point. @nswnationalparks #sandstone #sydneysandstone #kayakingCape York might be at the very northern tip of @queensland @australia but it’s not hard to get there. Catch a flight with Rex Airlines from Cairns to Bamaga then it’s an easy day trip from @capeyorklodge to The Tip. It’s a wonderfully multicultural region with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the scenery varies from red dirt to rugged coastline. Read my story in the latest issue of @trueblue_mag and add #capeyork to your travel list. #exploretnq #capeyorklodge #publishingbychelleGorgeous #sunset in America Bay in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park this week. After the crowds from Australia Day weekend dispersed, we had this bay to ourselves. The blessing of mid-week boating. #solitudeonthewater @nswnationalparks #boatingIt is devastating to learn of the deaths on White Island. It's a terrible tragedy for everyone involved and my heart goes out to them. The power of nature is an alluring attraction (I visited White Is earlier this year) but is always unpredictable. My blog post may give you a perspective on this regularly visited active volcano. Link in bio. #whiteislanderuption #whiteisland #volcano #astwToday @flightcentreau launched their WOW List 2020 of 50 travel experiences to consider for next year. You can pick up a copy of the Travel Ideas mag in store or find online. They have made four inspirational video clips, one of which I love in particular. Read why in my blog post. Link in bio. #wowlist2020 #travelinspiration #flightcentreauAll the ferry wharves on Pittwater are cute, but I think this is my favourite in Elvina Bay, near @tidesreach Luckily the ferry stopped for us because we didn’t realise you are supposed to put out the red flag out if you want to catch the ferry. Some friendly locals heading to Church Point in their tinnier kindly offered us a ride, but we were just doing a tourist round trip. #pittwater #boatinglife #tidesreach- 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
