Category Archives: New South Wales

Quarantini Cocktails – using rum from New South Wales distillers

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Briar's Travel Beat

Quarantini – I love this term, meaning a martini drunk in isolation, or more generally any cocktail enjoyed during quarantine at home during Covid-19. I think most of us who imbibe have been drinking more during ISO, especially initially, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Attractions, Australia, Food & Wine, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel | Tagged Brix Distillers, cocktails, daiquiri, distillers, mojito, NSW Distillers, NSW rum, passionfruit daiquiri, rum, rum cocktails | 2 Comments

Wonderful Western Sydney

Posted on May 18, 2019 by Briar's Travel Beat

Lately I’ve been touring Western Sydney, gathering stories for articles, and I’ve been blown away by the diversity of experiences and attractions available for every age group and type of visitor, from thrill seekers, to nature lovers and history buffs. … Continue reading →

Posted in Attractions, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel | Tagged Blue Mountains, driving holidays, family fun, Food and Wine, Hawkesbury, kids' activities, sydney, Sydney Hills, weekend getaways | Leave a comment

Toe-tapping retro fashion fun in the Blue Mountains

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Briar's Travel Beat

Love retro fashions? Like a bit of toe-tapping on the dance floor? Enjoy lingering with friends over delicious regional food and wine? Then you’ll love the Roaring 20s Festival. Held in Sydney’s Blue Mountains this year’s event takes place on … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Events, Fashion, festivals, Food & Wine, New South Wales, Sydney | Tagged Blue Mountains, Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillacs, Charleston Challenge, Charleston for Charity, Charlotte Smith Collection, Charlotte Smith Fashion Collection, Dress up, fashion, festivals, Food and Wine, Hydro Majestic, Hydro Majestic Long Lunch, Plate Up, retro fashion, roaring 20s, Roaring 20s fashions, Roaring 20s Festival, vintage cadillacs | Leave a comment

Sydney’s QVB turns 120 – share your story to win

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Briar's Travel Beat

Since moving to Sydney 20-odd years ago I’ve come to love the elegant Queen Victoria Building, which occupies and entire city block. But like many of the shoppers and commuters that pass through her colonnaded walkways and underground passageways, I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Attractions, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel | Tagged Architecture tours, Queen Victoria Building, QVB, QVB History Tour, QVB120, sydney, Sydney architecture, Sydney tours | 2 Comments

Do Sydney’s Great North Walk one leg at a time

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Briar's Travel Beat

Fancy tackling the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle, but don’t have the time to do the full 260km in one thru-hike and/or a bit nervous of getting lost along the way? That’s exactly how I felt. Billed as Australia’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Events, Great North Walk, Hawkesbury, National Parks, New South Wales, Travel, Walking | Tagged Day hikes, day walks Sydney, Great North Walk, national parks | 7 Comments

Event: Sydney Tomato Festival Royal Botanic Garden

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Briar's Travel Beat

Love tomatoes? Then mark the Sydney Tomato Festival in your diary for this weekend 20-21st February 2016 – to be held at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. I didn’t realise Sydney had a Tomato Festival, so I’m disappointed to know I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Events, festivals, Food & Wine, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel News & Events | Tagged D'VineRipe Longest Tomato Lunch, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Tomato competitions, Tomato festival, Tomato produce | 2 Comments

Last weekend for Bondi sculpture walk

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Briar's Travel Beat

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

Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi – on now

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Briar's Travel Beat

It’s on again – Sculpture by the Sea Bondi opened Thursday 23 October and runs until Sunday 2 November. I love Sculpture by the Sea – intriguing, whimsical, inspiring and challenging exhibits set against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, along the Bondi … Continue reading →

Posted in Attractions, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Travel, Travel News & Events | Tagged Bondi, coastal walk, family fun, interactive art, Local events, Sculpture by the sea | Leave a comment

Gift an experience: 10 Sydney experiences to inspire, excite and thrill

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Briar's Travel Beat

Can’t think of a gift for that special someone? Then give them an experience they will remember long after the Christmas tree has dropped its needles. Here are ten Sydney experiences for the grandkids to the grandparents, the adventure-lovers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Animals, Australia, Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Segway, Sydney, Travel, Travel Accessories & Gadgets | Tagged animal parks, family fun, Hawkesbury, jet boating, sailing, Segway, sydney, travel | Leave a comment

Sydney’s top pub grub

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Briar's Travel Beat

More than 100 reviewers ‘risked life and limb’ to visit over 500 pubs in New South Wales, says Keith Austin, editor of The Sydney Morning Herald Good Pub Food Guide, which was launched in Sydney last night. But only about … Continue reading →