http://www.roamingdownunder.com/ Exploring roads less travelled in the cooler parts of Australia and New Zealand Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT en-us http://www.roamingdownunder.com/bruny-island.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/bruny-island.php Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT Bruny Island is one of those places which most visitors to Tasmania would like to see, but don't quite get around to. That's how it was for me - my first Tasmanian trip was with friends whose time was limited, and on subsequent trips I left it to the end, and ran out of time to visit an island. When I finally made it to Bruny Island in 2010, I was glad I had made the effort. It is a beautiful piece of Tasmania ... especially if you like cheese. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/bruny-cruise.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/bruny-cruise.php Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT If speeding in a fast boat along the towering sea cliffs and rugged wildlife-infested coastline of a Tasmanian island appeals to you, then there is a boat trip I can recommend. It is a cruise along the impressive southern half of Bruny Island, just off the coast of Tasmania south of Hobart. Not many tourist excursions inspire me to open my wallet and part with a chunk of money, but this one did, and it lived up to some high expectations. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/perth-airport.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/perth-airport.php Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT Where is a good spot to watch planes taking off and landing at Perth Airport? In the past, officially sanctioned viewing was limited to the international terminal's observation deck, or the windows in the domestic departure lounges. Or else you could look through a fence and hope not to look suspicious. However in December 2011 Perth Airport opened a new dedicated public viewing area close to the end of the main runway. Since then I have road-tested this new viewing area to see whether or not it is a planespotter's dream come true. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/jacobs-ladder.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/jacobs-ladder.php Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT Sometimes a drive is enjoyable purely because of it's scenery. Other times the nature of the road itself is as much of a feature as the scenery. The latter is the case with a section of zig-zag mountain road known as Jacob's Ladder in northeast Tasmania. While the scenery is lovely, it is the drama of ascending a series of hairpin turns up the steep side of a plateau which makes the ride a memorable one. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/nelson-falls.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/nelson-falls.php Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT Nelson Falls is another example of a place which is close to a well-trodden route, but although popular it receives fewer visitors than it deserves. It sits just a ten minute walk (each way) from the highway between Hobart and Tasmania's west coast, but when I've been there, those who stop have been outnumbered by those passing by. For anyone who takes the time, the short walk through rainforest to a very attractive waterfall can be very rewarding. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/lake-rotoiti.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/lake-rotoiti.php Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:00:00 GMT In the north end of New Zealand's south island sits the Nelson Lakes National Park. Inside this beautiful park, which includes the northernmost parts of New Zealand's alps, lies Lake Rotoiti. You won't find much development here, nor many overseas visitors, but what you do find is a gorgeous glacial lake surrounded by charming beech forest and peaks which are snowcapped in winter. If boating, fishing, hiking or just relaxing near a nice lake are on the agenda, Lake Rotoiti has much to offer. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/flyercards.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/flyercards.php Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT Many people sing the praises of credit cards which earn frequent flyer points. It sounds great on the surface - use a frequent-flyer credit card to pay bills and living expenses, and earn points towards your frequent flyer membership. Get free flights just by spending money that you would have spent anyway ... how can you lose? While some people do well from these schemes, others don't. I am one of those others. Based on my own experiences with Australian credit cards and airlines, here are some reasons why frequent-flyer credit cards may be a waste of time. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/st-arnaud.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/st-arnaud.php Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT If you have your own transport and the time to go wandering, you can end up spending time in some delightful places that might not have been chosen if planning a short trip. For me, one such place is St Arnaud, a tiny town in New Zealand's south island. It sits quietly beside a lake in the Nelson Lakes National Park in the central part of the island's north end, far enough from the popular touring routes to escape the notice of most international tourists. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/mt-frankland.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/mt-frankland.php Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Mt Frankland is a granite dome looming large over the forest north of Walpole in Western Australia. At 411m above sea level it is not big even by Australian standards, but it is enough for some great views over vast tracts of barely disturbed karri and jarrah forest. It is also accessible to anyone able to walk up a steep path with lots of steps. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/milford-flights.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/milford-flights.php Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:00:00 GMT In a country packed with gorgeous scenery and enterprising people, it is not surprising that New Zealand has many scenic flights to offer its visitors. Over a number of visits I've indulged in a few of them, and my favourite would have to be the awesome flight to Milford Sound from either Queenstown or Wanaka (I've flown there from both). On top of the grandeur of Milford Sound, you get a supremely stunning journey across the wilderness of rugged snowcapped peaks of the South West New Zealand world heritage area. And because the flights only operate when Milford Sound has good weather, good views are guaranteed. If I were to live my life again and could only choose one scenic flight, this would be it. Read more ...