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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Tag Archives: travel
Corrugated Iron Capital of the World
Napier might be the Art Deco capital, but the tiny town of Tirau, in New Zealand’s North Island, is the self-proclaimed ‘corrugated iron capital of the world’. It’s a big claim for a little town – population 700 – but … Continue reading
Buttocks on the futtocks
Yes! I’ve got my buttocks on the futtocks*. Literally. I’m standing in the crow’s nest, or in this case, on a small metal plate, 15 metres up the mizzen (aft) mast of the timber sailing ship the Southern Swan. … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure, Australia, Sydney, Travel
Tagged family fun, sailing, sydney, travel
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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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Ballooning in the mist
It might be the middle of winter, but getting up early and rugging up for a hot air balloon flight has its rewards as my son and I found out this morning on a flight over the Hawkesbury Valley with … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure, Hawkesbury, Sydney, Travel
Tagged family fun, Hawkesbury, sydney, travel
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There’s a falcon in my seat
Imagine getting on a plane and finding the man sitting next to you is nursing a falcon – not a stuffed one, nor in a cage, but a real live bird resting on his arm. Unlikely if you’re travelling in Australia, … Continue reading
Abu Dhabi Doo – Fun in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, the capital and largest of the United Arab Emirates, is a wonderful introduction to Arab culture. With their national carrier Etihad flying from Australia to Abu Dhabi and on to England and Europe, it makes an excellent stopover or family holiday destination. Book … Continue reading
Queensland & Canterbury need tourists
In a recent online story Angela Saurine reports Australians are cancelling holidays in the wake of natural disasters, particularly to Queensland, but I suspect to areas surrounding Christchurch too. The damage caused by floods and Cyclone Yasi in Queensland is perceived to be more widespread … Continue reading
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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Sleeping with pioneers
I love it when people are passionate about what they do, and there are plenty of passionate people in the tourism industry. But there are some people whose personal commitment outshines others and Joyce Stepto is one of them. For a start, she … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, Hawkesbury, Travel
Tagged accommodation, Bed and Breakfast, cancer, Hawkesbury, travel
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Welcome to Briar’s Travel Beat
Hi and welcome to my travel blog. Here I’ll be sharing travel tips, reviews, recommendations, insights and experiences, plus other titbits that don’t make it into my mainstream articles. Destinations will include Australia and overseas, but there will be a strong focus on … Continue reading
Briar's Travel Beat 