Category Archives: Travel

Postcard of the week – Faces of Myanmar

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

How beautiful are these faces of Myanmar? Open, inquisitive, intrigued, bemused, and for the little guy on the left, perhaps a little bewildered at us and our cameras. I visited Myanmar (formerly Burma) for the first time recently and was … Continue reading →

Posted in Burma, Myanmar, Postcards, Travel | Tagged markets, people | Leave a comment

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

Postcard of the week – National Thai Elephant Day

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

I’m a little late, but March 13 is National Thai Elephant Day, so I thought I’d post this picture I took several years ago at Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Chang Mai, Thailand. The centre provides a … Continue reading →

Posted in Postcards, Thailand, Travel | Tagged elephant conservation, Elephant Nature Park, elephants | 3 Comments

The Big Lap – Pictorial guide to driving around Australia

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

Planning on driving around Australia? Want to hit the open road or the road less travelled? Or perhaps you just enjoy looking at stunning images of Australia’s diverse landscape, from the burnt orange outback to the pounding aquamarine surf? Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Australia, Road Trips, Travel, Travel News, Travel News & Events | Tagged Australia, Big Lap, driving guide, driving holidays, Lee Atkinson, photographic book, road trip, the big lap | 11 Comments

Cruise Critic launches Australian site

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

Whether a cruise virgin or a seasoned cruiser, when it comes to planning a cruise you want specific, accurate, relevant information and advice. Which is why it’s great news that US giant Cruise Critic has launched an Australian site. Cruise Critic was … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Travel, Travel News, Travel News & Events | Tagged Australia, cruise critic, cruising, cruising website | Leave a comment

Postcard of the week – Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

With Parks Week starting on Monday 9th March this week’s photo is from Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, just 25km from the centre of Sydney. Covering 15,000 hectares the park offers both bush and water-based activities as it surrounds Cowan Water … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, National Parks, Postcards, Travel | Tagged boating, family fun, hiking, kayaking, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, national parks, New South Wales, Refuge Bay | Leave a comment

Connect with nature during Parks Week 9-15 March

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

The piercing call of whip birds penetrating the bush, the scuttle of an echidna fossicking in the undergrowth, the damp smell of leaf litter and the subtle fragrance of wildflowers. Fossils exposed in the desert, Aboriginal rock art by the sea, crabs scampering among … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, National Parks, Travel, Travel News & Events | Tagged Aboriginal art, Aboriginal tours, family fun, Hawkesbury, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, outdoor activities | 2 Comments

Airpocket for plane seat pocket

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

Ever left something behind in an airline seat pocket? Thankfully, I’ve only ever forgotten a newly-purchased magazine and a packet of tissues (except when I was travelling as an unaccompanied 8 year-old and left my new long-legged rag doll behind, … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Travel Accessories & Gadgets | Tagged Airpocket, flight accessories, luggage, packing, packing aids, travel accessories | 5 Comments

Uluru – first date nerves

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Briar's Travel Beat

Will a destination live up to expectations? When you have been exposed to stunning photos (often digitally enhanced) of beautiful islands, iconic buildings or dramatic landscapes all your life, you sometimes wonder if a destination will live up to its … Continue reading →

Posted in Attractions, Australia, Northern Territory, Outback, Travel | Tagged Ayers Rock, outback, Uluru | 2 Comments

10 Inexpensive Travel Gifts

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Briar's Travel Beat

Travel accessories make excellent gifts, whether for a work colleague, family member or friend (even yourself!) and sometimes it’s the small, inexpensive items that make a huge difference to life on the road. Here are 10 of my favourites, some … Continue reading →