CLIENT: West Beach Parks
West Beach Parks - an impressive line up of facilities. See the recent photos from a heidi who photos shoot.
Want to get away but not have to drive for hours? I've been told many people come and stay here so that they can escape the norm. It's central, on the coast and has everything. This is definitely the place to come to make sure the kids have fun - and give you enough time to enjoy your cuppa and book in peace.
Pools, games rooms, waterslides, waterpark, playground, jumping pillow, cafe and now fitness centre, sensory room and loads of x-boxes (or whatever they are ;)). Seriously, you could have a whole morning or afternoon without seeing the kids!
I was back at West Beach Parks last month to photograph the upgraded games area plus the new gym and sensory room. I am impressed - caravan parks are offering so much now. Especially for families - it's a perfect accommodation choice. Maybe I'll be heading to West Beach next holidays?
Coober Pedy and The Breakaways
Coober Pedy and The Breakaways. Visit for something a bit unique.
Coober Pedy is a town in northern South Australia, 846 km north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. It's in the desert - the South Australia outback. It can get hot here, but not when I visit in June. In June, the sun is out, but the wind that whips along the open vastness can be chilling.
Much of the town has been built underground in a bid to get away from the summer heat. It's what makes this town quirky and interesting. Visitors can stay in underground houses and hotels, visit cafes, shops, galleries and churches and of course, go down the mines.
Coober Pedy is also known as the Opal Capital of the World. You can find your own or purchase from the many stores.
Just north of Coober Pedy is The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park. It is a protected aboriginal heritage site and one of South Australia's Outback 'sights to be seen'.
An inland sea once covered the Breakaways. Today it is a rocky and colourful landscape that looks like it's from another world.
The dog fence is also here - a 2m high wire barrier that stretches for over 5,300km across three States. It protects the Southern farming country from the Dingo.
The best time to see the awesome Breakaways is sunrise or sunset, when the colours intensify and the shadows that fill the land add drama. It's no secret - everyone comes at this time.
CLIENT: Upalinna Station, Flinders Ranges
Upalinna Station in the Flinders Ranges. Ever stayed on a station? Check it out…
Upalinna means 'Little Water' in the Adnyamathana language.
Upalinna is a family-owned and operated working sheep station, located on the Eastern side of Ikara Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Don't do what I did and take The Outback Highway (towards Parachilna) out of Hawker then have to traverse the Moralana Scenic Drive track in a little VW. Makes for slow progress on the dirt and rock. Take the Flinders Ranges Way (towards Wilpena).
There are bush campsites and shearers quarters. Some very fancy shearers quarters that sleep 14 people.
Five bedrooms, classically styled kitchen, dining and lounge room with open fireplace and bread oven that's great for cooking pizza in. Outside is an entertaining area with bbq plus a firepit down by the creek. I loved standing virtually on top of the fire defrosting after photographing in the cold all day.
Check out the pics... a bit nice.
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Port Vila - get in a car and go out to the country. Everybody does.
Oh, these guys know what they are doing! To get off the ship, passengers have to walk through a maze of markets. It's the only way off. Smart. And then the touts are at the end with all sorts of offers from water taxis, car and driver hire, tours...
We hire a car and driver for $100 and go out to Blue Lagoon, the local cascades called Rarru and then back to Port Vila for some coffee and (attempted) internet action.
It's fun playing Tarzan and flying off ropes into the water at Blue Lagoon. It would be a relaxing place to hang out for longer - with gardens surrounding the lagoon.
Then we hide behind tumbling water at Rarru Cascades and jump off the top edge into the dark depths. We are careful where we jump in - there are a lot of rocks close to the surface, and you have to know where the 'holes' are. Locals are here to keep us in the right area.
Port Vila has cheap duty free - so we find out later. All we do in the city is have coffee and attempt to connect to wifi. We end up giving up - and appreciating the fact that we can't connect. Let's get back to holiday mode!
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Mystery Island. Inyeug Island. Beautiful but haunted by spirits.
The people of Aneityum (the nearby island) won't live on Inyeug Island (known as Mystery Island by tourists) because they believe it's haunted by spirits. All infrastructure here is for tourists - toilet block, market/bar/massage huts and a mini airport with a grass runway.
Inyeug means Small Island in a local language - and it's correct. 1.5km square, Mystery Island is easy and fun to walk around. I go for a wander, trying to find my little slice of solitude. But can't. The one path around the island is tranquil, but there is only so much island over 2000 people can scatter over. Most people head to the southern side where there are sun chairs, bar and food. I head the opposite way.
The girls get their hair braided, Ashton shops his way through the market, we watch the local men doing dance performances (while their kids watch on), and then I relax on the beach.
Lifou Island, New Caledonia
Lifou Island. Another beautiful, laid back island. And some good snorkelling.
Lifou Island is the largest, most populous and most important island of the Loyalty Islands (via Wikipedia). We arrive and are greeted by a small village - and many dogs. Wandering the road up the hill, we then turn left and head down the dirt road to Jinek Bay.
The reef here is well preserved, and snorkelling is limited to 200 people each day. We presume we can't get in because we haven't booked. But we are lucky. We pay the local $10 each and get in the cool water. It is a highlight; I haven't snorkelled much, so it's fun skimming over reef watching lots of varied, colourful fish dart around me. I last well over 30 minutes before the cold water gets me shivering — the best snorkelling of our cruise.
Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
Isle of Pines - a beautiful island.
Now, everyone has told me this is the most beautiful place. Magical and intoxicating. And it is gorgeous. I can imagine it would be magic if it weren't for the 2000 plus people lounging about on the two strips of beach that are Kanumera Bay and Kuto Bay.
Snorkelling around the sacred rock in Kanumera Bay is my first snorkel in many years. I start from the beach opposite and scare myself by going alone in deep water, no coral, no fish and plenty of strange underwater noises. I am informed it is excellent snorkelling so am expecting colour and fish everywhere. Instead, I find some dull colours and a few small fish. I miss the good stuff, but I'm cold, so get out and warm up in the sun.
I spot a resort over the other side of Kanumera Bay and comment it would be a great place to stay - cruise passengers can't access their beach so they can see all the action from reasonable quietness and solitude still.
After the kids get their snorkelling fix, we head back to Kuto Bay, just a few minutes walk through tall trees. A coconut falls from a tree. The kids play in the clear waters. And I enjoy the sun a little more — a lovely place to relax for the day.
Noumea, New Caledonia
A few hours in Noumea.
Nouméa is the capital of the South Pacific archipelago and overseas French territory New Caledonia. Wikipedia says it's known for beaches and its blend of French and native Kanak influences. Many people I spoke to before going saw it as nothing special and not worth visiting.
So I was very keen to see for myself.
We got on the hop on hop off bus and went around the coast, stopping at the markets where they sold a mix of local products and the usual 'Made in China' souvenirs. Every place we go to accepts Australian dollars but prices are in Pacific Franc.
Deciding not to do a tour, we head for the beach. We stop at Baie de Citrons for a swim. It's a shell beach with a swimming pontoon the kids had fun jumping off and swimming around. Warning though - the water is 'fresh' in July. I only dipped my toes in.
My thoughts after just four hours here?
It's touristy.
It's expensive.
It's pretty for a capital.
CLIENT: FRED Eatery
A great place in Aldgate.. Love working with these guys.
Really, no words needed. Just look at these pics. This place is very, very, very awesome. An easy drive through the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
CLIENT: Heritage South Australia
Making history more interesting…
What comes to mind when I think of history? It's usually old stuff, museums, old buildings, dusty smells, dull and slow feels. Yawn. Not really the most riveting stuff for me.
But working with Heritage South Australia - I saw a different side. Adelaide city tours that are lively and entertaining, run by a young person. I imagine life at Torrens Island Quarantine Station while wandering and taking photos of the buildings. And I am kayaking around ships sent to the 'graveyard' around Garden Island. Dolphins, birds and sun are surrounding us.
My kind of classroom.
