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Travel Bug Within

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

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      • Queensland
      • Northern Territory
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      • Bali
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    • Fiji
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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

Solo traveller exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi

August 12, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

A pitstop in Abu Dhabi and Dubai The sparkling lights from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa dominates the view from my hotel window. I’m perched on the sofa in my 15th-floor room in the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai waiting for my large bath to fill. It’s been a hectic couple of days since my early morning arrival in Dubai … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Top Ten or Five, Single Mum Travel Tales, UAE, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Solo female traveller in Abu Dhabi, travelling on your own in Dubai, what to see and do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

She’ll be right mate!

March 3, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston 2 Comments

The beginnings of an unlikely friendship Our friendship began on social media. The common link, we’re both writing colleagues in an Australian writer’s group and we met via a closed Facebook group. This link has resulted in an alliance across the oceans which will culminate in two strangers traveling together for the very first time! And I’m … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Single Mum Travel Tales, Walk In My Shoes, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: Travelling with a friend

Breaking your leg overseas, the lessons I’ve learned

February 1, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

There have been a few blog posts about my "incident" in Japan.  I took the opportunity to write about it and here is my story published last year in Australia's WellBeing Magazine #170 in their "Real Life Experience" column.   Its now just over 12 months since the fall - and the scar has healed amazingly (was a little concerned about … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Japan, Stories "outside" of the Travel genre, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: Real life experiences

Australian Executive Chef Richard Ousby shares a few secrets in Noosa

November 30, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Heading into summer, Australian food lovers are on the lookout for new and exciting recipes. Leaving winter behind, we’re aching for lazy Sunday afternoon bar-b-q gatherings and balmy evenings where relaxing dinner parties on the deck are the weekend highlight. A few Queensland inspired recipes from renowned Australian chef Richard Ousby could … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Queensland, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: @WasabiNoosa, Chef Richard Ousby, Cooking School in Noosa, Electrolux, Wasabi Restaurant Noosa, where to eat in Noosa

What you may not know about Moreton Island

July 23, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Moreton Island in south east Queensland is unique for many reasons. But this one is pretty special. It's 170 square kilometre expanse is one of the very few places in Queensland that can declare itself completely free of that noxious invasive pest - the cane toad. If you'd like to know more about this phenomenon, read my feature story … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Queensland, Stories "outside" of the Travel genre, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: #MoretonIsland, Cane toad detection dogs, facts about cane toads, facts about Moreton Island, keep cane toads off Moreton Island, MIPC, Moreton Island, Moreton Island is cane toad free, places to visit in Queensland, Steve Austin, Who is helping to keep cane toads off Moreton Island, why visit Moreton Island

Japan Ohayo Gozaimasu

January 5, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston 2 Comments

Finally Japan! My first visit to the land of the rising sun is imminent. Japan has been on my travel radar since my high school days when I studied Japanese in Year 8! As this was quite a few decades ago, why has it taken so long for me to visit? Truthfully – I’ve no idea. I’d say too many other countries in between. But a couple of factors … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Japan, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: Family holiday in Japan, Japan, Ski Nozawa, travel, Travel with kids to Japan, where to ski in Japan

Singapore for a stopover

February 4, 2016 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

A Quick Singapore Fling Take a peek at my on-line review for the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel in the Ultimate Travel Magazine.com I only had one afternoon and a night. Should have stayed longer – but Vietnam beckoned.  Was an ideal way to break up my trip and the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel is the perfect place to stay for so many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hotel and Restaurant Reviews, Singapore, South East Asia, Stories "outside" of the Travel genre, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: #TransitHotelSingapore, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Gardens by the Bay Singapore, Luxe Hotel in Singapore, Luxury in Singapore, Singapore, Singapore stopover, the perfect hotel to stopover in Singapore, travel, What to do in Singapore

SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD BLOGGERS AWARD

August 18, 2015 By Jennifer Johnston 5 Comments

THE SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD BLOGGERS AWARD   I love how the blogging community reaches out and awakens bloggers from our contented slumber with a challenge. I am a blogger guilty of NOT posting regularly but I am a consistent reader of many incredible blogs and feel connected in countless ways sharing our words in a little piece of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Top Ten or Five, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: #Bloggers, #TravelBugWithin, Awards, Bloggers Awards, Bloggers Unite, Blogging storries, Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, Travel Blogger, Travel Blogger shares her inspiration, Travel Bug, Travel Memories, weird food experiences, Why do Bloggers write?

It’s about the Journey, not the Destination

September 7, 2014 By Jennifer Johnston 6 Comments

Great Ocean Road Walk Thirteen women in their late 30’s to mid 40’s on a three day walking/hiking adventure. Are there likely to be thirteen different agendas? Married, divorced, separated, de-facto and single, our group covered an eclectic “relationship status” mix. Professional, semi-professional, full-time and part-time workers, some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Feature Style Stories, Victoria, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: #GreatOceanRoad, #rawtravel, #walkingtoursinAustralia, Australian Beaches, bushwalks in Australia, Cape Otway Lightstation, Great Ocean Road Walk, Great walks of Australia, Health and Fitness, hiking, nature, outdoors, Raw Travel, take the journey and don't worry about the destination

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Who is Travel Bug Within?

A mid-life adventurer inspiring other mid-life adventurers to explore further.

By sharing honest informative stories about places I've visisted
I hope Travel Bug Within stirs your wanderlust.

Jennifer x

For feature stories click on the bird logo linking to my personal website

To follow me on insta

travelbugwithin

Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths to my Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths  to my frangipani tree.

#brisbane 
#wildlife
#lifeinthesuburbs
Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck. 

Wow! What a sizzler of a day.

Stepped out for an @astw_inc lunch and dined on food that was light and flavour-full. Swipe to see the sweet treats 

Quick peek inside one of the @emporiumhotels cabana rooms overlooking THAT pool!

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#brisbane
#luxehotels
#longlunch
#astw
A view I couldn't tire of! As one who has visited A view I couldn't tire of!

As one who has visited the @destinationgoldcoast
over the years, I hesitated about returning to Surfers Paradise for a mini getaway. From childhood visits to my grandmother's house at Paradise Island, over the years Surfers has transformed into a glitzy, commercial tourist hotspot. 

As the closest open beach from home, I said let's just try it and looking for a reasonable deal, I booked a couple of nights @rhapsodyresort for the ocean views and close beach access and nice looking self-contained apartments. 

Well, with uninterrupted vistas like this from my 26th floor balcony, you may understand why I asked at reception on day two if I could book another night! 

I began liking my 'routine' at Rhapsody. Beach walks morning and afternoon and late avo ocean swim. 

And 'working' remotely with this incredible view = bliss 💙💙💙 

Go to stories for more pics 😎
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#notsponsored
#rhapsodyresort
#ocean
#beachlover
#goldcoast
#queensland
There's plenty to do In Bundaberg. Here's a littl There's plenty to do In Bundaberg.

Here's a little snapshot of our week away. 

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#familyholiday
#queensland
#quietplaces 
#beautifulday 
#bestdiscovery 
#beautifulbeaches 
#weekendescapes 
#seeaustralia 
#roadtrips
#visitbundaberg
Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy to just stop and take in the vista
Neilsen's Beach at Bargara. A pleasant beach popular with locals snd visitors like us
And with @lifesavingqld clubhouse you can swim safely between the flags too!
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@queensland
#visitbundaberg 
#oceanview 
#bestdiscovery 
#surf 
#whereitravel 
#roadtrip 
#seeaustrali
Last full day in Bundaberg 😔 @windmillbargara Last full day in Bundaberg 😔

@windmillbargara for breakfast 

Elliott Heads for a swim in the clearest water I've been in for a long time. 

And then rooftop drinks with friends overlooking stunning Bargara. 

I'm loving the Bundaberg Region 💙💙💙

#ocean
#beach 
#Bundaberg 
#queensland 
#bestdiscovery 
#seeaustralia 
#travelwriter 
#roadtrips
Not a bad first half day at Bargara. Beach walk, Not a bad first half day at Bargara.

Beach walk, board walk, ocean swim and lunch with my three lads @windmillbargara 

Just waiting for the tide to come back in for another ocean swim later this avo.

Was worth the late evening drive to wake up to see the ocean this morning.

The lads are laughing as I've inflated (well Fraser did) a blow up surf mat. Ready for this avo. Bright pink 💓 you won't miss me 😜

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#myhappyplace 
#nearthesea 
#visitbundaberg 
#queensland
#holidays
#sun #surf
#familyiseverything 
#vacations 
#holidayswithkids
As we contemplate where our next travels will be, As we contemplate where our next travels will be, whether near or far (not overseas for this Aussie for a while)I wanted to share my story about a road trip I did six months ago!

Hard to believe it's taken me this long to write the post, but there were so many side trips and places, people I discovered travelling from Brisbane to Yeppoon with @ccb4cr who was Happy to come along for the ride (in her very comfortable @volvocarau )

Yes, it took a while before I could hit #publish

If you're in lockdown, like I currently am, or just laying low, grab a cup of tea, or a glass of wine and pull up stumps, and take a read over my story. 
You'll find a lnk in the bio above.

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#roadtrip
#queensland
#capricorncoast
#adventures
#wanderlust
#wherewego
#australia
My Top nine for 2020. The year that was! Sunset My Top nine for 2020.

The year that was! 

Sunsets seem to be popular 🌄 😬

Thank you to my followers and those who  regularly comment. It is a great community to be a part of and particularly throughout this past year wherein connection was mostly virtual. 

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#topnine 
#topnine2020 
#instagram
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