Travel Bug Within

A travel blog inspiring mid-life adventurers to chase their wanderlust and explore further

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A history tour of Darwin

July 17, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston 2 Comments

A tour to learn about the history of Darwin From my high school studies of Australian history, I knew a little about the bombing of Darwin in 1942. And my recent visit to the Tiwi Islands, 80 kilometres north of Darwin educated me further. It was on the smaller of the Tiwi Islands - Bathurst - that Father John McGrath on that fateful day of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, My Top Ten or Five, Northern Territory Tagged With: Darwin, Darwin city tour, Darwin war history, day tour in Darwin, Tour Tubs Darwin City Tour, Tours of Darwin, where to find the history of Darwin

Never smile at a crocodile

July 7, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

The handler calls out, “Good boy Will, pick up.” On command, Will’s 690-kilogram body thrashes in the water, one large foot claws the only solid object within reach - my Perspex chamber. I watch in awe as his gigantic jaw slowly opens giving me a ridiculously close view of his huge teeth. Before I could count those pearly whites, the rows of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Northern Territory Tagged With: Cage of Death Darwin, Crocodiles, Crocosaurus Cove, Get close to crocodiles in the Northern Territory, mustsee in Darwin, Places to see in Darwin, Where to see crocodiles in Darwin

Sweet discovery in the Northern Territory

June 25, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Best Tour out of Darwin The dull whirr of the floatplane’s engine makes conversation impossible inside the cabin, but the captivating view over Darwin Harbour requires no commentary. I'm with a group of five all squeezed into a Cessna 208 Caravan. Sitting directly behind the pilot, it's probably a good thing my regular "oh wow" comments remain … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adventure, Australia, Destinations, Northern Territory Tagged With: Adventure in the Northern Territory, day trips from Darwin, Fun things to do near Darwin, Outback adventures, Outback Floatplane Adventures, Tourism Top End, Where to see crocodiles in Australia

Cruising Nitmiluk Gorge

June 7, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

There are numerous ways to get up close and personal with the impressive scenery and wildlife in Nitmiluk National Park.  On this mid-May morning, I'm doing it via a boat cruise on two of the gorges in Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. At the southern tip of Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk (pronounced Nit-me-look) a Jawoyn word meaning cicada place, is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adventure, Australia, Destinations, Northern Territory, Solo Tagged With: Cruise on the Nitmiluk National Gorge, Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory, what to see and do in the Northern Territory

Why not climb a mountain?

April 29, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Hiking Mt Maroon Good Friday might be a day of rest for some, but for me, it was a day to hike a mountain. I’d responded to a media call out to join the epic Moonrise on Mount Maroon on Friday, April 19. The requirements: A writer/journalist who is fit enough to hike the seven-hour return night hike Available to depart at 2 pm on Good … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adventure, Australia, Destinations, Queensland, Solo Tagged With: climbing Mt Maroon, hiking, Hiking in the Scenic Rim, middle aged woman climbs mountain, Mt Barney National Park, Mt Maroon

The best of Brisbane’s weekend escapes

April 29, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Winter in Brisbane is all about warm days filled with sunshine and blue skies. Want to know where I'd recommend you escape to if you're a local or a visitor to Brissie? Check out my story from the Upsider on four of my suggestions (And it was hard to write about only four!) Open beach on Moreton Island … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, My Top Ten or Five, Queensland Tagged With: Brisbane escapes, Brisbane's top getaways, Top four day escapes close to Brisbane, weekend escapes near Brisbane, what are the hot destinations in Brisbane

A grave connection

January 27, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Maybe not travel related - but I am proud of this profile piece I wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald's GoodWeekend Magazine for their Two of Us segment, featuring a lovely couple from Brisbane Pete and Mandy published June 24th, 2018.   … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Feature Style Stories, Stories "outside" of the Travel genre, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: Good Weekend Magazine, Two of Us

Australia in spring

October 26, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Unique Aussie experiences After a really pleasant mild winter, spring hit Brisbane with a thud today. Temperatures jumping to 36 degrees and its only the end of October.  We're in for a hot summer. But it is still technically spring and despite the soaring temperature gauge we continue to experience the things spring brings. (Did you like all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Queensland, Stories "outside" of the Travel genre Tagged With: Australian icons, magpie season, magpies, Queensland in spring, Spring in Australia, what to be aware of in Australia

Brisbane Top ten things to do

September 6, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

You know I love my city and any chance to write about it I take it! Here's my story published on The Big Bus Tour and Travel Guide website on Top Ten Things to do in Brisbane Brisbane City Cat on Brisbane River image: Jennifer Johnston … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Queensland Tagged With: #thisisqueensland, Brisbane, Brisbane city, Sunshine State, Top Ten things to do in Brisbane

Epic Aussie 4WD Journey

July 25, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

One couple’s search for their Holy Grail My good friends Cyndy and David have become explorers of Australia. With the mantra life is too short to sit at home, they have made some amazing journeys around this fabulous country I call home. With their help (and patience as there were a few interviews over cups of tea) I wrote a story about their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: #4WD, Brisbane to Broome, Driving from Brisbane to Broome, Grey nomads in Australia, Tips on driving Brisbane to Broome, where to drive in Australia

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Who is Travel Bug Within?

A mid-life adventurer sharing stories about interesting places in an honest and occasionally sarcastic way.

I hope to tickle your wanderlust and encourage you to explore further via Travel Bug Within

Jennifer x

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