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: Sydney
Wonderful Western Sydney
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
Toe-tapping retro fashion fun in the Blue Mountains
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
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Sydney’s QVB turns 120 – share your story to win
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
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Postcard of the week – Glorious gum trees
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
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Event: Sydney Tomato Festival Royal Botanic Garden
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
Postcard of the week – Hawkesbury
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
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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
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