My work has been published in a range of print and online publications including International Traveller, Wilderness, French Provincial, Royal Auto, Great Walks, Yarra Valley and Ranges magazine, Gippsland Country Living Magazine, Provincial Living, Coffee, Tea & I Magazine, and Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas.
East Gippsland food and wine trail: Top spots to eat and drink
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 12 December, 2019 and The Big Bus Tour and Travel Guide, 12 December, 2021
Those in search of a new foodie frontier in regional Victoria should look no further than glorious East Gippsland. One of four distinct areas that make up the Gippsland region — each with its own unique culinary character — here in East Gippy it’s all about the sublime local produce and cool climate wines.
Taste the trend
Coffee T&I Magazine, Volume 73, November-December 2019 and online, 12 December 2019
For decades athletes have turned to functional beverages to boost their performance or ward off fatigue. Think athletes rehydrating with electrolyte drinks or, more recently, football players swigging pickle juice to keep cramps at bay.
Today functional beverages — any drink intended to provide some kind of health benefit — are no longer the domain of athletes alone. Around the world the market for a huge range of functional beverages from sports drinks, enhanced water, supplements added to smoothies and other drinks, lower-alcohol beers, functional ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and crossover drinks like kombucha is booming.
Golden days of Ballarat
True Blue magazine (Rex Airlines), December 2019-January 2020
If it weren’t for the cars lining the road, Ballarat’s Lydiard Street could still be in the late-1800s. The grand Victorian-era buildings adorning both sides of the street echo Ballarat’s gold rush, an era that saw it become one of the wealthiest towns in the world.
How to spend 48 hours on the Gippsland food and wine trail
Need a Break (www.needabreak.com) 7 November, 2019
East Gippsland, located around 280 kilometres east of Melbourne, is rapidly emerging as a foodie hotspot. It’s flown under the gourmet radar until recently, perhaps overshadowed by Victoria’s better-known food and wine destinations like the Yarra Valley and Bellarine Peninsula. But that’s about to change. Boasting boutique vineyards, fresh produce aplenty and stunning natural beauty, East ‘Gippy’ is all set to steal the culinary limelight. Here’s a suggested 48-hour itinerary for enjoying some of the best food and wine the region has to offer.
Chamonix vs Zermatt: A heavyweight battle of alpine bling
The CEO Magazine Australia/New Zealand and Asia editions, November 2019
Australian skiers and snowboarders have developed a taste for foreign powder with nearly half now choosing to head overseas for snow holidays. European destinations are among the most popular. Let’s take a look at how two of Europe’s heavyweights shape up.
In the blue corner, Chamonix with its French joie de vivre, adventure and Mont Blanc. And in the red corner, Zermatt with its world-class pistes, Swiss village charm and the Matterhorn. It’s got the Matterhorn.
Giapo Kitchen: Changing ice cream
Coffee T&I Magazine, Volume 72, September-October 2019
People have typically turned to ice cream to indulge their sweet tooth or cool down on a hot day, with the experience all about choosing a flavour and eating it from a cone or cup. Times have changed.
In Auckland, New Zealand a unique ice cream store has turned the way we experience ice cream on its head. At Giapo Kitchen customers don’t just eat their ice cream. They design it, pose with it and play with it.
Review: Bendigo Art Gallery’s Balenciaga exhibition
Need a Break (www.needabreak.com) 30 August, 2019
Hot on the heels of the hugely successful Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits exhibition, the gallery is revisiting fashion with a celebration of famed Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion features garments crafted by Balenciaga from the 1950s and 1960s, a range of contemporary pieces inspired by his legacy, and archive sketches, patterns, photographs, fabric samples and catwalk footage.
Top 10 things to do in the Grampians
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 30 August, 2019 and updated 15 November, 2021
The jagged and jumbled rock formations of the Grampians look like an angry giant has hurled them across the landscape in a fit of rage. Peaks rise at peculiar angles and rock ledges hang precariously over deep gorges.
This dramatic, rugged landscape is the result of an act of geological violence that took place millions of years ago. A continental shift forced the ancient shoreline inland, buckling and folding the land to form the Grampian Ranges; or Gariwerd as it is known to Indigenous Australians.
Eight reasons why Christchurch is a cool winter destination
Need a Break (www.needabreak.com)May, 2019
Winter is the coolest time to visit Christchurch – and not just because the average temperatures are a chilly 3-12 degrees. A cover of winter snow takes the already spectacular scenery within easy reach of the city to a whole new level (like New Zealand needed any help there!)
The cool, crisp and clear air also delivers ideal stargazing conditions. Then there are the hip bars and eateries, fashionable festivals, and easy access to the country’s top ski resorts and thermal springs to enjoy. Pack your puffer jacket, scarf and beanie and enjoy these eight amazing Christchurch winter experiences.
Review: Enjoy a flavoursome slice of city life on the Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walking Tour
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published February 2019 and updated May 2020
Walking tours are a wonderful way to get under a city’s skin. On foot you can uncover treasures you might otherwise miss, and that’s certainly the case in Melbourne.
There are themed walks highlighting the city’s famous laneways, history, coffee culture and foodie scene, but which one to choose? Well, on The Melbourne Experience with Walk Melbourne Tours, you won’t need to choose, because it covers them all.
Four of the best road trips from Christchurch
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 2018 and updated November 2020
Mother Nature was having a very good day when she came up with the South Island of New Zealand.
The landscape is blessed with a rugged coastline, verdant valleys, turquoise lakes and snowcapped mountains. Its beauty is breathtaking, and if that isn’t enough, let’s throw in some world-class food and wine, adventure activities, and charming and historic towns. The best way to take it all in is by road. On a self-drive road-trip you are in complete control of where you go, what you see and do, and how long you stay….
Great places to eat in Christchurch
Need a Break, October 2018
Christchurch’s dining scene is going from strength to strength.
Old favourites continue to thrive, while the rebuild has seen plenty of great new eateries and dining hubs open. Whether you want to enjoy shared plates with friends or sit down to a romantic dinner for two, Christchurch has plenty of options to tempt you. Here are some ideas for great places to eat in Christchurch…
Read the full story at Need a break (link)
How to spend 48 hours in Auckland
Need a Break, October 2018
There’s so much to love about Auckland.
New Zealand’s biggest city is blessed with a picture-perfect position between two harbours, ensuring its waterfront is a hub of activity. It’s a vibrant and multi-cultural destination, packed with fabulous museums, galleries and world-class restaurants. And with many of Auckland’s top attractions located in close proximity to one another, it’s easy to take in most of the highlights during a short break…
Read the full story at NeedaBreak
Five Ballarat walking tours you have to do
Need a Break, September 2018
Ballarat, the jewel of Victoria’s Goldfields, is a perfect short break destination – and one that’s just made for exploring on foot.
The compact city centre is easily walkable, and jam-packed with heritage streetscapes, stunning gardens and top-notch cultural attractions. Get ready to pound the pavement on these five amazing Ballarat walking tours…
Read the full story at NeedaBreak (link)
Top 10 things to do in Longreach
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published September 2018 and updated January 2022
Longreach is Queensland’s quintessential outback destination.
Located in the vast heart of the state — seven hours’ drive west of Rockhampton, and right on the Tropic of Capricorn (where the temperate southern and torrid tropical climate zones meet) — Longreach is a destination that has forged a place for itself in Australian folklore…
A legendary chef’s lasting legacy: Institut Paul Bocuse
Provincial Living magazine, Issue 14, Winter 2018
Dressed in a smart suit and wearing white gloves, 18-year-old Frank meticulously places wine glasses on a table. He holds each one up to the light inspecting for marks or any flaws before placing it in just the right place. The room, with its ornate woodwork, chandeliers and paintings, could be in a luxury hotel. In fact, it’s a school and Frank is learning the fine art of service excellence.
Frank is one of more than 700 students at the Institut Paul Bocuse, one of the world’s top training grounds for future chefs and hoteliers, offering programs in culinary arts and hospitality management at Bachelor and Masters levels as well as conducting PhD research programs in food science.
Read the full story in Provincial Living Issue 14 Winter 2018 (PDF: 770KB)
Track Notes: Banks Track – Akaroa, New Zealand
Wild Magazine, Issue 166, July-August 2018
The Banks Track is a 31 kilometre trail on Banks Peninsula, around 80 kilometres from Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. While it may lack the fame of some of New Zealand’s great hiking trails, it is walked by around 2000 people each season. It has the distinction of being New Zealand’s first hiking trail exclusively on private land, passing through farmland and a nature reserve….
Read the full story in Issue 166 of Wild magazine Wild Issue 166 July-August 2018 (PDF)
Review: Queen Victoria market tour is a delicious must-do in Melbourne
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published July 2018 and updated March 2020
A first-time visit to Melbourne’s vast Queen Victoria Market can be quite overwhelming, especially on weekends when it’s packed with shoppers.
Knees and ankles are menaced by shopping jeeps and pram wheels, and with such a massive range of produce on offer it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why a guided tour is such a good option. The Queen Victoria Market Tour offers an ideal introduction to the best of today’s market, as well as fascinating insights into its history…
Auckland Travel Guide
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published June 2018 and updated June 2020
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to a quarter of the country’s population.
As such, it’s a busy place — but somehow the city manages to maintain a charming, relaxed and low-key feel. Thanks to its enviable position between two harbours, boating plays a big part in the lifestyle of Aucklanders (with one in three homes owning a boat, the city has earned the moniker ‘City of Sails’). Getting out on the water during your visit is a must-do, as is exploring the vibrant and multicultural food scene — which rivals that of any world city…
Review: Sample the region’s top drops and tastes on a Bellarine Peninsula food and wine tour
Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published
The Bellarine Peninsula east of Geelong is rapidly emerging as a top Victorian destination for lovers of fine food, wine, craft beer and cider There’s plenty on offer from the peninsula’s 50-odd wineries, breweries and providores, but with all that magnificent choice comes the heavy responsibility of choosing where to go, not to mention who will do the driving. It’s a far better idea to let someone else do both.
After years working in the local hospitality industry managing pubs, owner and operator Andrew Tynan decided to share his passion for the region’s food and beverage scene with visitors. He established Andy’s Trails in 2017 with a selection of craft beer tours, before branching out into gourmet taste trails. Melbourne craft beer walks have recently been added to the list of itineraries…
Geelong foreshore activities
Need a Break, April 2018
Boasting calm beaches, parklands, sea baths, restaurants and iconic street art, the Geelong Foreshore is an absolute gem.
It helps draw five million visitors a year to Victoria’s second city – and with plenty to appeal to the whole family, the waterfront is a great spot for a weekend getaway…
Read the full story at Need a Break (link)
Monaco mini break
Provincial Living magazine, Issue 13, Autumn 2018
Wedged between France and Italy on the glamourous Riviera, the Principality of Monaco is famous as the playground of royalty, movie stars, Russian oligarchs and tax-shy sports stars.
For the next two days, Monaco is the destination of a well-earned girls’ only adventure I’m sharing with my old friend and travelling accomplice. We’re going to cram in as many of the best things to see and do in the principality as we can and do it all on foot. Monaco’s diminutive size makes this possible…
Read the full story in Provincial Living Issue 13 2018 (PDF)
Top 10 things to do in Geelong and the Bellarine
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 31 January, 2018 and updated 22 February, 2021
While Victoria’s better known tourist hotspots attract most of the accolades, Geelong has been quietly transforming itself into what can only be described as a first-class cultural and culinary destination.
With an enviable position on Corio Bay in Port Phillip, a beautiful foreshore precinct and a revamped city centre, there’s plenty happening inside Victoria’s second city. Outside, Geelong is the gateway to the magnificent Bellarine Peninsula – home to charming holiday towns, stunning beaches, and a quickly evolving gourmet food scene. Cool climate wines do well here and craft brewing is also on the rise. Now’s the time to get a taste of this amazing region – and it’s all within easy reach of Melbourne…
Banks Track unveils new route
Wilderness magazine (New Zealand), February 2018
It’s often said necessity is the mother of invention. In the late 1980s, rock-bottom wool prices, the worst drought in living memory and crippling interest rates of 21 percent meant New Zealand farmers were doing it tough and seeking ways to diversify income.
Around the same time, renowned New Zealand botanist Hugh Wilson and Christchurch businessman Maurice White set about restoring 109ha of farmland to its original state, establishing Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula. They removed stock, feral goats and exotic plants and let nature reassert itself.
Seven Banks Peninsula farming families joined Hinewai’s founders to devise the Banks Track, New Zealand’s first hut-to-hut trail exclusively on private land, becoming pioneers in the country’s ecotourism industry to boot. The trail opened to walkers in December 1989…
Read the full story in the February 2018 issue of Wilderness magazine and online
Review: Le Negresco, Nice, France
International Traveller, Issue 31 Dec/Jan/Feb 2018
Moments after entering our room, my friend and I exchange a look before bursting into fits of excited giggles. We survey the space, taking in the black lacquer beds with their embroidered canopies, the strawberry pink walls embossed with roses and the view of azure waters filling the window. It’s like being in a palace.
Perhaps the French Riviera’s most famous hotel, Le Negresco is packed with enough antiques and artworks in its 124 rooms and suites, hallways and restaurants to fill a museum…
Read the full story in International Traveller Issue 31, Dec/Jan/Feb 2018 in print or online (link)
Ten top things to do on the French Riviera
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 31 January, 2018 and updated 30 January, 2021
Abstract
The French Riviera conjures up images of royals and racing car drivers, glamorous movie stars and big betting billionaires. In reality, the Riviera draws everybody – rich, famous or otherwise – with its heady mix of history, ornate architecture, classic French culture and the stunning blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. While we can’t all star in a blockbuster, marry a crown prince or laze away our days on a super yacht, we can still enjoy this magnificent part of France. Here are ten top things to do on the French Riviera.
Almost French: France, Britain and the race for Akaroa
Publication: Provincial Living Magazine
Date published: Issue 12, Summer 2017
Abstract
On a cold, wet morning, a huge crowd of people lines Akaroa’s foreshore to witness the reenactment of events leading to a seminal moment in New Zealand history. In 1840 a group of settlers stepped ashore here believing they were pioneers in a new French territory. They were wrong.
The ridiculously pretty seaside town of Akaroa lies on Banks Peninsula, about an hour and a half drive from Christchurch. Its deep blue harbour fills an ancient volcano crater rimmed by tall peaks. The harbour is home to dolphins, seals and seabirds including penguins. The scenery around here is so good you might suspect the local tourism people of overdoing Photoshop in their marketing brochures. There’s plenty of reasons to visit Akaroa, yet the town’s ‘almost French’ history helps draws visitors from around the world and sees the population of 500 swell to thousands during the biennial French Fest.
The full article can be read in the clippings below.
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Review: Explore the city your way on a city sightseeing Melbourne bus tour
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
Date published: 9 November 2017
Abstract
Hop on hop off bus tours are a great way to get your bearings in a new city and plan what you want to explore further.
Sightseeing in Melbourne on the city’s distinctive red double-decker buses is no exception. There are two routes around the Victorian capital with a total of 27 stops – giving visitors the opportunity to get to most of the top things to see and do, and to hop on or off as often as they like. The recorded commentary shares information about the city’s landmarks and attractions along the way.
A family affair: Mons Fromagere-Affineur
Publication: Provincial Living Magazine
Date published: Issue 11, Spring 2017
Abstract
Laurent Mons never tires of tasting cheese. And that’s just as well because he is head of training, distribution and marketing for his family’s successful cheese business.
“I taste a lot of cheeses,” Laurent says happily, surveying the products at Fromagerie Mons in Halles Diderot, Roanne. “I am very curious about cheese. For me, tasting a cheese I don’t know is an opportunity to discover something new; a new flavour or texture that I haven’t experienced before.”
The full article can be read in the clippings below.
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Brussels Travel Guide: Top things to do in the capital of Europe
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 20 July, 2017 and updated 10 July, 2020
Abstract
Brussels has been an economic and cultural centre of Europe since the Middle Ages. Multicultural and bilingual, the city is blessed with fine museums, fabulous historic architecture and green open spaces.
It’s also a destination that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Comic book heroes are revered alongside Flemish masters. The Bruxellois love their city and you will too. It’s the capital of European cool. Enjoy this Brussels travel guide.
Full steam ahead
Publication: Gippsland Country Life Magazine
Date published: Issue 39, Winter 2017
Abstract
A 102-year-old steam locomotive is new again following a 30-year restoration, writes Louise Reynolds.
On a December day in 1963, a crowd waited on a platform at Spencer Street station to send off a train. A brass band was ready to play. The train was hauled by an obsolete A2 class steam locomotive that was making its last run after five decades of service. The engine was on a farewell run from Healesville; a last tribute and a show for the people before it was sent to scrap.
The full article can be read in the clippings below.
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Yarra Valley food and wine tours from Melbourne offer a top combination
Publication: The Big Bus Tour and Travel Guide
Date published: 9 April 2017
Abstract
Whether you’re a wine expert, enthusiast, or you lie somewhere in between, Victoria’s Yarra Valley is a must-visit destination. The valley’s crisp winter temperatures make it an ideal place to grow cool climate wines. It’s famous for Pinot noir and Chardonnay, while Cabernet, Sauvignon and Shiraz varieties are also produced. Located just over an hour from the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the valley is home to around 90 wineries – with dozens of cellar doors open to the public. With so much choice, even the savviest of wine buffs needs help negotiating the options. Enter Vinetrekker.
Melbourne dumpling tours: Get a tasty insight into inner-city life
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
Date published: 13 February 2017 and updated 13 February, 2021
Abstract
In a city renowned for its impeccable culinary credentials, it seems counterintuitive that a humble staple of Asian cuisine is one of Melbourne’s hottest trends. But it’s true. Whether steamed, boiled or pan-fried, the city has become infatuated with the dumpling.
Purveyors of these little balls of dough filled with vegetables and meats have sprung up all over town. But knowing where the best dumplings can be found takes expert advice, which you’ll certainly gain on the Melbourne dumpling tours led by local foodie Monique Bayer at Walk Melbourne.
Top 10 things to do in Ballarat
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 11 December, 2016 and updated 12 March, 2021
Abstract
The discovery of gold near Ballarat in 1851 led to a dramatic transformation of the city. In the course of little more than a decade a ramshackle tent township was transformed into an aspirational regional city with grand hotels, theatres and galleries.
Today, Ballarat is famous for its period architecture and rich colonial heritage. With a thriving arts scene, great eateries and prized gardens, Ballarat has plenty to offer visitors. Enjoy this guide to top things to do in Ballarat during your visit.
Top 10 things to do in Bendigo
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published November 2016 and updated March 2021
Abstract 
In 1851 two women washing clothes in a creek came across a nugget of gold. They took their precious find to a banker in Castlemaine, a town already afflicted by gold fever. Within 48 hours more than 400 would-be miners had flocked to the spot and Bendigo was born.
Today this elegant Victorian city of 100,000 people draws visitors to its galleries, festivals, historic architecture and fashionable eateries, many of which reflect the city’s diverse history of immigration stretching all the way back to the goldfields. A popular weekend destination for Victorians from Melbourne and surrounding regions, you’ll be amazed at the variety of experiences on offer in the unofficial capital of the state’s gold rush country. Enjoy this guide to top things to do in Bendigo during your visit.
Akaroa: New Zealand’s French connection
Publication: French Provincial
Date Published; Issue 36, 2016
Abstract 
For want of a faster ship and some fairer weather, the south island of New Zealand might have been French.
The thought of an English-speaking north island and a French south seems incredible now but in the mid-1800s it was a real possibility when a bold, but ultimately failed, effort was launched to create a piece of France on New Zealand soil.
The focus of French ambitions was Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula. French whaling captain Jean Francois Langlois entered into a questionable deal with Maori chiefs to purchase land on the Banks Peninsula in 1838…
Read the full article in the clippings below
Review: Melbourne, Chocolate, Coffee and Doughnut Tour
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 21 November, 2016 and updated 21 April, 2020
Abstract
You might call it the trifecta of Melbourne treats: coffee, chocolate and hot jam doughnuts. Melbourne is peppered with great examples of each. So when I received an email inviting me to join the new ‘Chocolate, Queen Vic Market, Donut and Coffee Tour’ with Chocoholic Tours, I nearly dislocated my thumb in my rush to reply in the affirmative.
Chocoholic Tours has been operating walking tours in Melbourne’s CBD for 20 years. This new tour takes in some of the city’s best known hotspots, while also revealing some of its sweetest secrets. It promises to tempt taste buds with a tsunami of caffeine and sweet treats.
Top 10 things to do in the Victorian Goldfields region
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published 19 October, 2016 and updated 23 March, 2021
Abstract
Top things to do in the Victorian Goldfields: The discovery of gold in central Victoria drew tens of thousands of people from around the world hoping to strike it rich. Gold fever quadrupled the population and turned tent settlements into wealthy cities. Gold fever has passed but there’s still plenty to draw enthusiastic visitors. Famed for fabulous Victorian era architecture, a rich history and, more recently, as a food and wine destination, the Goldfields deserve a place high on the itinerary of any visitor to Victoria.
Here are ten top things to do in the Victorian Goldfields during your stay.
Small group Great Ocean Road day tours avoid the coastal crush
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
Date published: 9 October, 2016
Abstract 
Victoria’s winding Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s classic drives. It encompasses idyllic holiday townships, spectacular coast, lush rainforest and the world-famous Twelve Apostles, with ample opportunity to see Australian wildlife to boot.
It’s no wonder then that the Great Ocean Road is one of Victoria’s biggest tourism draw cards, with massive increases year on year in both domestic and international visitor numbers. Today I’ll be adding to that by hopping aboard The Little Penguin Bus on their Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne
Fromelles battlefield walk a moving experience
Date published: 20 April, 2016
Abstract
This article, published online by Great Walks in April 2016, was first published (‘War cry’, Great Walks December-January 2010) in print in January 2010. The online article is an edited version of the original print article.
At the height of WWI, the small French village of Fromelles was the scene of one of the darkest days in Australian history. During a terrible battle fought around the village on the night of July 19-20 1916, nearly 2000 Australians died and more than 3000 more were wounded. The Battle of Fromelles caused the greatest loss of life in a single day in Australian history.
Walkers can tour the battle area and pay their respects to fallen Diggers by completing the 8.5km Battle of Fromelles Circuit (Circuit de la Bataille du Fromelles).
Christchurch: Travel Guide
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published: 24 May, 2016 and updated 2 June 2020
Abstract 
A vibrant new Christchurch has emerged following the devastating 2011 earthquake that claimed so many lives and some 80 percent of the CBD.
The story of Christchurch’s recovery is one of resilience and reinvention. Here’s a guide to top things to see and do in Christchurch on your next visit.
Happy first-time campers
Publication: Great Walks
Date published: April-May 2016
Abstract
If you are a bushwalker looking to take the next step from day walks but aren’t yet ready to tackle a multi-day pack carry hike, then I think I’ve found the perfect walk for you. You’ll get two beautiful days of walking and spend just one night in a tent. In fact the developers of the 21 kilometre Beeripmo Walk near Beaufort in western Victoria, had first-time or novice overnight hikers in mind when they developed the trail in the early 2000s….
Read the full article in the clippings below
Go on location around Miss Fisher’s Melbourne and Victoria
Publication: Top Oz Tours and Travel Ideas
First published: 8 March, 2016 and updated 22 December 2020
Abstract
Fans of the popular ABC television series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries may be feeling like something’s missing now that the irrepressible Miss Phryne Fisher is off our screens.
If life seems lacking in vintage flare without Phryne, don’t panic. In the three seasons to date, producers have called on a number of tourism operators to lend a hand in recreating 1920s Melbourne and regional Victoria. Here are some ideas on how to explore some of the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries locations, to get a good fix of Fisher while you wait for the next thrilling instalment.
Whistle stops – the senses come alive on a trip in a vintage train to the Goldfields
Publication: Royal Auto
Date: February 2016
Abstract 
Cathie Skelton developed a passion for steam trains when she was three. Her father would ”drag” the family on his train trips. Now Cathie helps to run the trains that other people get dragged on. Sixty passengers and 20 volunteer crew are on a two-night tour to Castlemaine and Maldon. The train is hauled by a steam locomotive built in 1940, one of four of its class still in working order. Accommodation is a line of vintage carriages which operated on Victoria’s railways from the early to mid-20th century, on famous trains such as the Southern Aurora, the Spirit of Progress and the Overland. Each has been restored by Steamrail at its Newport headquarters.
Jules Verne
Publication: French Provincial
Date published: Issue 34, December 2015-February 2016 
Abstract
Jules Verne either had an incredibly perceptive imagination or he wrote with the assistance of a crystal ball. The his stories, the famed French author, widely regarded as the father of science fiction, told of city-sized ocean liners that could cross the seas, global travel by flying machine and exploration of the sea by submarine. Perhaps most remarkably, he wrote of using a rocket to put a man on the moon a century before JFK vowed to do it and NASA made it a reality…
Read the full article in the clippings below.
Warbird over the valley
Publication: Yarra Valley and Ranges magazine
Date Published: Issue 25, Summer 2015
Abstract
After several false starts and a lot of elbow grease from the crewman, the engine kicks into life and the propeller begins to turn. The little plane sounds like a big mosquito as it taxis to the grass airstrip. After a short run-up it’s airborne and headed over the Yarra Valley on its latest joy flight…
Read the full article in the clippings below
Live and learn: Residential French and culture courses in Roanne, France
Publication: French Provincial
Date published: Issue 33, Winter 2015
Abstract 
I was feeling pretty daunted when the taxi pulled up in front of me at the railway station. What if I stuff up and he doesn’t understand where I want to go? What if he laughs at me? As the driver stepped out of the car and took my luggage, I stammered nervously, ‘Je voudrais aller… (I would like to go…) To my relief he said ‘Ecole des Trois Ponts, finishing my sentence for me, having guessed where I was headed.
Tucked away in the quiet town of Roanne in South-East France, I found a safe haven where francophiles from around the world come to brush up on French language and enjoy the culture in an environment where stuffing up is a normal part of the experience.
War cry: Battle of Fromelles Circuit, France
Publication: Great Walks
Date: December 2009-January 2010 print edition
Abstract
Thousands of Diggers lost their lives on the Western Front. A walk around the battlefields of Fromelles reveals the true cost of the conflict.