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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Last night I had the chance to see the movie Top End Wedding. What an awesome showcase of the Northern Territory and in particular the beautiful people of the Tiwi Islands. I did a day trip to the Tiwi Islands a few years ago with @aatkings and it left a lasting impression, from the vibrant colours of the landscape, art and fabrics to the beautiful people who love singing and dancing. Here is one Tiwi Islander preparing for a performance. @astw_inc @astw_portraits @ausoutbacknt #ntaustralia #topendweddingThe Hawkesbury River is made for mucking about in boats, whether it’s a kayak or runabout, cruiser or houseboat. It’s the Secret River depicted by Kate Grenville’s book of the same name and it twists and turns on itself endlessly. It’s also a peaceful river, well most of the time, except for when the ski races are on! #hawkesbury #hawkesburyriver #wisemansferry @visitnsw #boating #riverlifeI hate it when daylight savings ends. But we are making the most of a beautiful sunset up the end of America Bay in beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park listening to the waterfall behind us and ducks quacking as we watch the sun disappear behind the hills. #bliss. @astw_inc @nswnationalparks #hawkesburyriver #boatingPhu Quoc Is Vietnam’s largest island, but it’s closer to Cambodia; known for its beaches, over 50% is forested national park; and it produces fish sauce, pepper and pearls. It’s #vietnam minus the incessant scooters of Saigon or the hubbub of Hanoi. To learn more about this island read my story in the latest issue of @vacationsmag on sale now. @astw_incCobham Hall, the sandstone home of Solomon Wiseman (see previous post) now forms part of the Wisemans Inn Hotel, aka the Wisemans Ferry pub. The front portion of the upstairs section has been stripped back to expose historic construction techniques and decorated with period furniture to make a small museum with excellent information open weekend afternoons. This little village has a lovely gallery @ferryartists a great little restaurant @busbyscaferestaurant with escarpment views, a grocer-Café and accommodation with a golf course and pool @retreatatwisemans making it an excellent weekend getaway. Not forgetting the #hawkesburyriver of course. @visitnsw #wisemansferry #theriversjustthebeginningMeet Solomon Wiseman, pioneer, inn keeper and ferry master, after which this tiny town on a bend in the Hawkesbury River is named. He is the inspiration and main character of Kate Grenville’s novel The Secret River. I loved learning more about him and the area in Grenville’s companion book, Searching for the Secret River, which describes her research. And the ferry service he started is still going! #wisemansferry #kategrenville #hawkesburyriver @visitnsw- My Tweets
Tag Archives: Food and Wine
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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A cooking safari dishes up more than food in Cape Town’s colourful Bo-Kaap district
With a history as varied as South Africa’s, it can be difficult for visitors to grasp its complexities during a short stay. Even more challenging is getting a feel for how events have impacted today’s citizens. One way to get a … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking School, South Africa, Travel
Tagged Bo-Kaap, bobotie, Cape Town, Food and Wine, home cooking class
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Sydney’s top pub grub
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
Posted in Australia, Food & Wine, New South Wales, Travel
Tagged Dining, Food and Wine, Hotel food, Pub food, Pubs, sydney
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Nudity in Outback Pub
There’s nudity-a-plenty at this family outback pub. But don’t let that put you off – it’s only of the artistic variety, from the likes of Clifton Pugh, Russell Drysdale and other artists of the bush. The walls of the Tooles Family Hotel in … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Australia, Food & Wine, Outback, Tibooburra
Tagged accommodation, Food and Wine, outback, travel
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Pick me! Bite me! (Hawkesbury Farm Gate Trail)
‘Bite Me!’ screams the shiny red gala as I pluck it from the tree. I oblige, crunching into the crisp white flesh, juice dribbling down my chin. The flavour is far sweater and fresher than any store-bought apple I’ve tasted recently, … Continue reading
Posted in Food & Wine, Hawkesbury, Travel
Tagged Farmgate, Food and Wine, Hawkesbury, travel
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