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Kangaroos storm the fairways in Victoria, Australia

Wine Planet checks out Coriole winery set in the "Seaview" sub region of the McLaren Vale Wine District in South Australia. Coriole Vineyards was…moreWine Planet checks out Coriole winery set in the "Seaview" sub region of the McLaren Vale Wine District in South Australia. Coriole Vineyards was established by the Lloyd family in 1967, in hills overlooking the McLaren Vale wine region and Gulf St Vincent. The area is one of Australia's oldest and best-known wine districts. The original vineyard at Coriole was planted in 1920. Further plantings were added in the late 1960's and 1990's. With its three specialities being Shiraz, Sangiovese and Chenin Blanc. less

The Yarra Valley is Melbourne's breadbasket and one of the country's top wine producers with over 40 wineries delivering everything from excellent Ca…moreThe Yarra Valley is Melbourne's breadbasket and one of the country's top wine producers with over 40 wineries delivering everything from excellent Cabernet Sauvignon to a good bubbly made by the Australian wing of Moet & Chandon. The area is also known for one of the most scenic routes along the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide. Produced by Sid and Mary Lee Nolan for Compulsive Traveler. less

The famous Hunter Valley wine producing region begins 70 miles North of Sidney. This is the oldest wine producing area since 1825.Good soil and ample…moreThe famous Hunter Valley wine producing region begins 70 miles North of Sidney. This is the oldest wine producing area since 1825.Good soil and ample rains make this a perfect environment for growing a wide range of grapes. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the most popular wines here. Produced by Sidney and Mary Lee Nolan for Compulsive Traveler. less

Lara checks out the 3 sisters & Scenic World in Sydney Australia

‘Cowboy’ Blair Wilson is a tent boxing legend. He gave away a promising professional boxing career to live the ramblin’ life of a tent boxer. For …more‘Cowboy’ Blair Wilson is a tent boxing legend. He gave away a promising professional boxing career to live the ramblin’ life of a tent boxer. For twelve years Cowboy has fought in the tent (most of his adult life) and has never once been defeated. A tent boxer doesn’t only have to be handy with the gloves, Cowboy explains what it is to be a great tent boxer. less

Fred Brophy is the World's Last Tent Boxing Showman, the son of a sideshow operator and a trapeze artist, he is fourth generation carny folk. Bef…moreFred Brophy is the World's Last Tent Boxing Showman, the son of a sideshow operator and a trapeze artist, he is fourth generation carny folk. Before television and radio, there was a strong outback tradition of storytelling in Australia. Around the campfires at night people would spin their yarns, never letting truth get in the way of a good story. Fred comes from this tradition. If you are lucky enough to share a drink with him, you are sure to hear some fantastic stories. In this story learn about what Tent Boxing is, and hear a barstool yarn from the Last of the Showmen. less

Filmmaker Mark Shea wanted to see the World's Last Tent Boxing Sideshow. His quest took him to Outback Queensland, Australia where he found Tent Boxi…moreFilmmaker Mark Shea wanted to see the World's Last Tent Boxing Sideshow. His quest took him to Outback Queensland, Australia where he found Tent Boxing Showman, Fred Brophy running a hotel in a Ghost Town. Join Mark as he explores the Australian Tent Boxing Tradition. Episode One - The Ghost Town Pub Fred Brophy's wife, Sandi, always wanted to visit a Ghost Town. When she finally got her chance, visiting Cracow, 200 km west of Bundaberg, she fell in love with the Town's grand old Hotel. The Brophy's now own the Cracow Hotel and have transformed it into the quintessential Aussie Outback Pub. What makes an Outback Pub unique and could Cracow the Ghost Town, have a golden future? less

Magnetic Island, ten minutes ferry ride from Townsville is unique in that it has a permanent residential population of about 2,000 people. This me…moreMagnetic Island, ten minutes ferry ride from Townsville is unique in that it has a permanent residential population of about 2,000 people. This means unlike alot of ‘resort’ islands, Magnetic caters for all budgets. More than half the Island is national park and thus wildlife such as koalas, wallabies, possums and birdlife are plentiful. I didn’t interview a local on Magnetic, I decided I would just concentrate on the natural beauty of the Island. I got some great wildlife shots and the beaches and bays are to die for. less

Airlie Beach (pop. 3029) Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday islands has a reputation for being a great place to party, in between sailing tri…moreAirlie Beach (pop. 3029) Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday islands has a reputation for being a great place to party, in between sailing trips to the islands. Another must stop location on the backpacker migration up north. Had a ball in Airlie, went out on a boat yesterday to snorkel the reef. The colours of the coral and the diversity of the fish life just blew me away. Thanks to Jetstream for the trip. Also checked out the Barefoot Bushmans Wildlife Park where you can see a variety of Aussie wildlife including a great crocodile show (unfortunately the Park was recently closed). I then go out on a 54 foot Classic Schooner, the Atlanta , for a morning cruise before heading off to Magnetic Island. It’s a hard life….. In Airlie I decided that given it is such a big location for back packers, instead of interviewing an Aussie local, I would interview a back packer working at Airlie. A young Irish Lass, Jenni Higgins, working at the local Irish Pub. less

One bloody big Island made of Sand with a amazing diversity of animal and plant life. If you live in a big city, check it out it will blow your mind.…moreOne bloody big Island made of Sand with a amazing diversity of animal and plant life. If you live in a big city, check it out it will blow your mind. less

Noosa is a one street town which is blessed with great natural beauty. A sheltered north facing bay ideal for swimming, great point break surf and a …moreNoosa is a one street town which is blessed with great natural beauty. A sheltered north facing bay ideal for swimming, great point break surf and a National Park, all in walking distance. Leave the car at home and relax Noosa style.I've organised an interview with Noosa legend, Sean the Magician I will record a theme song while on the Coast. I will be covering the traditional Aussie song 'The Overlander'. less

Gold Coast (pop. 420,000) The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most developed and commercial tourist locations. Once nothing more than sand fly in…moreGold Coast (pop. 420,000) The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most developed and commercial tourist locations. Once nothing more than sand fly invested swamp land, it is now highrise heaven, with a multitude of places tourist can stay. From Hippy to High Society. I am keen to interview a lady from the Gold Coast's social set. Someone with all the trimmings of wealth. Infiltrating this scene may prove difficult for a scruffy struggling film maker, but I have a few leads and a bucket full of charm, so anything is possible. I managed to organise an interview with editor of the Gold Coast Magazine, Jenni Purdy. If anyone knows the gossip on the Gold Coast Social set, Jenni does. less

Nimbin (pop.319) Back in the early seventies Nimbin became the alternative lifestyle capital of Australia. Many of the original communes are still…moreNimbin (pop.319) Back in the early seventies Nimbin became the alternative lifestyle capital of Australia. Many of the original communes are still set up today. In recent times Nimbin has become infamous for it’s annual Mardi Grass festival which celebrates marijuana use. Interviewed Neil Pike, one of the original hippies to arrive in Nimbin in the 70’s. Living in the hills surrounded by lush forest, Neil has a great liitle home studio from where he produces music and multimedia artwork He states that his greatest acheivement was being one of the early activists who helped save the forests around Nimbin from logging. These early actions eventually lead to National Park classification. less

Byron Bay (pop. 6130) It seems every backpacker must make the pilgrimage to Byron Bay. Once the centre for peace, love and alternative lifestyles,…moreByron Bay (pop. 6130) It seems every backpacker must make the pilgrimage to Byron Bay. Once the centre for peace, love and alternative lifestyles, now home of a growing number of baby boomer 'seachangers' from capital cities down south. With this new mix, Byron is evolving, (and the real estate prices are going through the roof). Arrived in Byron Sunday night. Byron attracts creative types and also has a huge collection of practitioners of alternative health therapies. To try and capture this I am interviewing John Dahlsen an artist. John makes a daily trip to the beach where he collects plastic waste washed up the night before. From this waste he creates art pieces. I found his art to be like a double edged sword, I was both astounded by the beauty of his art, and repelled by the thought it was all collected from our beaches. less

Sydney - Capital of New South Wales (pop. 4 mil.) Sydney is a world capital, up there with Paris, New York and London. It has that certain energy …moreSydney - Capital of New South Wales (pop. 4 mil.) Sydney is a world capital, up there with Paris, New York and London. It has that certain energy that a 'happening' capital has. And the Harbour,…… beautiful. Gateway to over 2 million international visitors per year, Sydney is fast paced and action packed. The annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras attracts more international visitors to Sydney than any other event. Oxford St in Sydney's Gay and Lesbian precinct plays host to a nightly array of drag performers all vying to outdo each other. less

In Sydney I Interviewed Richard Maddrell, who works in the tourism industry. If someone has a day to spare in Sydney, Richard suggested taking a harb…moreIn Sydney I Interviewed Richard Maddrell, who works in the tourism industry. If someone has a day to spare in Sydney, Richard suggested taking a harbour cruise, and visiting the fish market. less

Canberra - Capital of Australia (pop. 310 000) Home of our politicians and maybe the most well planned out city in the world. The story goes that …moreCanberra - Capital of Australia (pop. 310 000) Home of our politicians and maybe the most well planned out city in the world. The story goes that when deciding on a National Capital, those in Sydney and Melbourne wouldn't give an inch, so decided to locate a city between them. Arrived in Canberra by the red eye Thursday night. You could spend a week in Canberra just seeing exhibitions. You can visit the National Gallery, the National Museum, the National Library, the National Science and Technology Centre, Old Parliament House, New Parliament House, the Australian War Museum, the National film and sound archives, the national museum of erotica etc etc, I think you get the picture! Canberra is the first location where a story has fallen through. I wanted to take a light hearted look at Canberra's sex and drug laws, which are the most liberal in Australia. I tried to set up an interview with a Mistress, but had great difficultly getting a response. Strange… My back up story is on the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Although you won't find it listed on any maps, it has been located at the front gardens of Old Parliament House for close on 30 years. I spoke with Darren Bloomfield, the appointed keeper of the Sacred fire. less

Echuca - (pop. 10 014) In the 1860s to the early 1900’s, Echuca was a bustling port with paddlesteamers ferrying people and goods all through the …moreEchuca - (pop. 10 014) In the 1860s to the early 1900’s, Echuca was a bustling port with paddlesteamers ferrying people and goods all through the the Murray, Darling and Murrumbidgee River systems. By the early 1970's, the port was derelict and unused. The council of the day decided that its paddlesteamer heritage was unique and started restoration of the port. Today the paddlesteamers are making a comeback. Many old sunken boats are being repaired to their former glory. Kevin Hutchinson is a Shipwright who has played a large role in the paddlesteamer revival. Echuca is a great example of how rural towns can use their heritage to establish tourism. less

Umbarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre - near Bermagui, NSW, Australia Spent the night camping right on the beach at the beautiful Mimosa Rocks Nation…moreUmbarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre - near Bermagui, NSW, Australia Spent the night camping right on the beach at the beautiful Mimosa Rocks National Park just out of Tathra. In certain National Parks in Australia you can camp in designated camp grounds for a small fee and Mimosa Rocks is one of my favourites, with some fantastic rock formations at the Aragunnu camp site. Today I am taking a tour to Mumbula Mountain, sacred to the local Aborigines. Ronald Tighe, an Aboriginal guide at the Umbarra Cultural centre talks about the significance of Mumbulla Mountain. The Umbarra Cultural Centre runs tours to local sacred sites. Participants can learn about the significance of these sites to the local Aborigines. less

Melbourne is more like a lovely little town than a city and has a real European feel about it. Melburnians appreciate the finest in life: food, co…moreMelbourne is more like a lovely little town than a city and has a real European feel about it. Melburnians appreciate the finest in life: food, coffee, music…oh and football. If you are in Melbourne during footy season, you won't be able to escape it, it's followed with religious fervour. 'Four Seasons in one day' - After a beautiful day on Friday, Melbourne turned out a shocking wet day today. I wanted to capture the multicultural element of Melbourne, so I spent some time filming the Victorian Markets. Melbourne represents to me fine food and a great live music scene. So on Friday night l went to a bush tucker restaurant and feasted on crocodile, and then watched Wendy Rule perform. A well known musician Wendy tells us what she likes about Melbourne. less