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
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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