http://www.roamingdownunder.com/ Exploring roads less travelled in the cooler parts of Australia and New Zealand Sat, 19 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT en-us http://www.roamingdownunder.com/camera-free.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/camera-free.php Sat, 19 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT Photography and travel go together like cheese and Vegemite. When you visit a scenic beauty-spot it is only natural to take photos; not taking photos just doesn't seem right. Yet there are benefits to going camera-free for some of the time. If you have the luxury of lingering - a good chunk of time at one location, or a few days in one place - then putting the camera away or leaving it behind for even just part of a day can be a rewarding habit. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/oatlands-sign.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/oatlands-sign.php Sun, 06 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT This unusual sign was seen in Oatlands, Tasmania. Even in the context of its surroundings, its meaning was far from obvious. Does the sign warn of low-flying winged people, or indicate a meeting point for angels, or is that what Oatlands residents look like? Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/bra-fence.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/bra-fence.php Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT Once upon a time in rural New Zealand, some women hung their bras on a roadside fence. Inspired by the sight of feminine undergarments dangling in the breeze, many others felt compelled to take off their bra and hang it from this fence. A great bra collection grew, drawing admiration from locals and tourists alike, but a happy ending was not guaranteed. Some locals objected, and the battle was on ... the battle of the Cardrona bra fence. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/summer-skiing.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/summer-skiing.php Sat, 07 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT Skiers or snowboarders familiar with Australian snow would know just how short the ski seasons can be in this sunburnt land. Australia is the only continent without permanent snow, and once the ski areas have closed in early spring, the idea of skiing in late spring or summer seems absurd. But it can be possible ... if you know where to go, don't mind hiking with your skis, and can accept the limitations of skiing on snow patches. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/lake-maringup.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/lake-maringup.php Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:00:00 GMT If you like lakes which are isolated, pristine and well used by native birds and wildlife, then Western Australia's Lake Maringup might appeal. Hidden away in the D'entrecasteaux National Park it is all of those things, but there is a catch ... it isn't easy to get to. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/rainbow-valley.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/rainbow-valley.php Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:00:00 GMT If I mention to someone that one of my favourite ski areas in New Zealand is Rainbow Valley, the normal response is "Where's that?". Even among skiers in New Zealand it isn't widely known. With around twenty ski areas in the south island it's not surprising that the smaller ones can slip under the radar, especially one like Rainbow which isn't near any large town. For anyone who likes ski slopes to be relaxed, friendly and uncrowded, this obscurity is a blessing. Read more ... http://www.roamingdownunder.com/onebag-winter.php http://www.roamingdownunder.com/onebag-winter.php Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT Like many others I've discovered the joys of travelling light, using just a small bag which qualifies as airline carry-on luggage. But what happens if you want to go somewhere cold? Is it possible to enjoy the freedom of a carry-on bag yet have bulky warm clothing to cope with freezing conditions at your destination? That was the challenge I've faced when visiting Tasmania in winter. Here are two ways I've successfully dealt with the contradiction of small luggage and a big pile of cold-weather gear. Read more ... 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 ...