Category Archives: Sydney

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

Drive-through gourmet feasts supporting local producers in the Hawkesbury

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Briar's Travel Beat

Drive through gourmet feasts – didn’t think I’d hear that, but these strange (Covid) times have brought about some wonderful initiatives as businesses strive to stay afloat. Here in Sydney food venues are offering takeaway meals while farmers and producers … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Hawkesbury, Road Trips, Sydney, Travel | Tagged Castle Hill Farmers Market, Covid outing, Hawkesbury, local produce, Sackville, shopsmall, supportlocal, takeaway meals, The Cooks Co-Op, Tractor 828, Willowbrae Chevre Cheeses | 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

Postcard of the week – Glorious gum trees

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Briar's Travel Beat

Sometimes nature blows me away with its beauty. Like this magnificent gum tree, whose subtle colours were given a vibrant makeover by summer rain (actually a summer downpour that turned our walking track in a mini riverbed). Rain gives the … Continue reading →

Posted in National Parks, Postcards, Sydney, Travel | Tagged gum trees, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP | Leave a comment

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

Postcard of the week – Hawkesbury

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

I was eagerly anticipating the television mini-series of Kate Grenville’s bestselling novel The Secret River, a story of conflict between the First Australians and early European settlers, which recently aired on the ABC, both to see how the story played out … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Hawkesbury, National Parks, Postcards, Sydney, Travel | Tagged Australia, Cowan Water, Hawkesbury, Hawkesbury River, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, sydney | 2 Comments

Free accommodation on Sydney’s Pittwater

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

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

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 →