Travel Writers Radio

In this exclusive report from our New York Correspondent, Bridgett Leslie, she speaks on the eve of the hostage releases agreed for this week by the Israeli authorities and Hamas. Bridget spoke late last week with Omri Almog who gives background on the kidnapping of his sister Chen Almog-Goldstein and her children by Hamas on October 7, 2023 They were held in various locations in Gaza until their...

This image from our Spain-based correspondent, Karin Avila pays homage to the matador and we think it is definitely #Worth1000Words

When Carolyne Jasinski was asked to check out the newest development in South Australia’s Clare Valley, she discovered the story behind Clare Valley Distillery was almost as delicious as the gins they create and the luxury accommodation on site. Carolyne talks to one of the founders, Katherine Nugent. Carolyne also shares some tips she learned about mixing your G&T plus the correct way to drink it...

Helen Hayes is just back from another trans-Pacific crossing on assignment as one of Australia’s busiest travel writers, editors and broadcasters. Here’s what she got up to in San Francisco on her recent visit courtesy of the State of California. Among the amazing experiences were some we'd never heard of. She rode an e-bike across the famous Golden Gate Bridge, which was both exhilarating and a b...

For Australian history buffs, Windsor - 50kms north-west of Sydney - can shed much light on the country’s colonial past. Don’t expect to see a giant majestic castle as found in the town’s namesake in the UK. Nor are there royal guardsmen. But only a few days ago, there was a professional town crier, Graham Keating, in strong voice to ring in the town’s annual Gas Lamp Festival. The world-renowned...

Bridgett Leslie interviews a 75-year-old Mah Jong player and teacher who is in strong demand for her skills in this ancient Chinese game, of which there are now numerous versions played around the world. She explains it’s a mix of of strategy, luck and great camaraderie. And although it might at first seem overwhelming, anyone can learn it and develop life skills.

Graeme Kemlo went to a soft opening last Friday for a totally transformed hotel that officially opened to the public in Geelong on October 8, 2025. Graeme reckons it was a unique experience being a crash test dummy with a detailed checklist putting pressure on the hotel systems, the kitchen and the service levels. Having checked out the rooms, the group then hit the restaurants and the heat was on...

Jem Cresswell, born in Adelaide, spent much of his youth in the ocean off the Eyre Peninsula, surfing, diving, swimming and following his father’s footsteps as a landscape photographer. However, Jem preferred the underwater world and by 14 had bought his first film camera and waterproof housing. He had his first encounter with a humpback whale in 2014 and has since spent more than five years and t...

News You Can Use - the latest from the professional team at Travel Writers Radio, read by Helen Hayes and Graeme Kemlo To submit a news item for consideration email: info@travelwritersradio.com

Here's the latest travel and lifestyle stories from the award-winning team of professional journalists and broadcasters at Travel Writers Radio.

Back in the 1940s, getting to London from Australia involved a four-month cruise or a four-day flight that hopped via Darwin to Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Tripoli and Rome. It was known as the Kangaroo Route. Today you can fly there in 17 hours 30 minutes from Perth. But Graeme Kemlo discovers a 14-day nostalgic nod to the Kangaroo Route in the latest Airbus, A330 300. He speaks with the...

Alistair Smith has found a found a real time warp in the middle of Western Australia's Nullarbor Plain. At the tiny town of Eucla - just over 2000km from Melbourne and 1427km from Perth, neither his watch nor his mobile phone could show the correct time. Eucla has its very own time zone. Photo: Alistair Smith exploring the ruins of Eucla Telegraph Relay Station

Take a deep dive into the lives of Shipwreck Hunters with Helen Hayes as she talks to Ryan Chatfield - a diver and photographer on the new Disney television series. Photo supplied: Ryan Chatfield at Ningaloo WA

Latest news from the auspices of Travel Writers Radio. News You Can Use if you travel for leisure or business. To submit potential news items please email us at: info@travelwritersradio.com

Here's the latest from the crew at Travel Writers Radio. We hope you enjoy the information and the inspiration. Thanks for listening and we'd love to hear from you wherever you are in the world with your comments or suggestions - info@travelwritersradio.com

Welcome to the first Travel Monitor Podcast where we go behind the scenes to discover what and who make the travel industry tick. This week, the spotlight is on Bunnik Tours. What is the secret formula behind this proudly family-run tour company that has been operating for 30 years? Travel Writers Radio journalist Carolyne Jasinski gets the inside story from Dennis Bunnik. This is a sponsored podc...

While the Travel Writers Radio team takes a short break for the school holidays, Helen Hayes takes one for the team and produces this week's Travel Writers Radio News. But we'll be back next week with more news and a full show of stories about food, wine, lifestyle and travel. Thanks for listening To submit news items for consideration, email: info@travelwritersradio.com

Queenstown is the adrenaline capital of New Zealand. The next title it wants is to become a carbon zero destination by 2030. Graeme Kemlo interviews Destination Queenstown CEO, Mat Woods and discovers the first move was to convert its dual V8 petrol guzzling jet boats to electric-powered mean machines. From all reports, the boat drivers say they maybe too powerful. Photo: Graeme Kemlo

It's the end of the road (for now) for reporters Carolyne Jasinski and Helen Hayes. Massachusetts is the last section of their 1700km, six-state drive through New England in the US. Where will the road take them next? Photo Carolyne Jasinski - Church sets the scene for Salem's spooky night tour

Flooding rains have caused chaos on the roads in Bali but the good news in Australia's favourite holiday destination is the streamlining of visas on arrival. Reporter Suzanne Hart says completing the process online before you leave home helps. Photo: Suzanne Hart

Perth correspondent Carmen Jenner has been to Rottnest Island. Rotto, as the locals like to call it, has been Perth’s best kept secret island getaway for decades - until now. Carmen fills us in on a new luxury lodge development. Image supplied

Reporter Mike Smith has more stories from Fine Food Australia, a culinary and hospitality expo in Sydney last week. There are some interesting results percolating about a coffee survey. He speaks with Ben Irvine of Seven Miles Coffee in Manly Vale.

Why lattes will be dearer. That's what reporter Mike Smith wanted to know from Wes Lambert, CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association. Photo Mike Smith

Rabbi Yaakov Menken was appointed by President Trump to the Advisory Board of Religious Leaders to the US Religious Liberty Commission. We put some questions to him about President Trump, his advisory role and also sought his response to the assassination of conservative Christian Charlie Kirk. His answers prove very interesting. Image supplied. For clarification, we have added a voice-over of the...

Here's the latest news from the professionals at Travel Writers Radio, produced and presented by Graeme Kemlo and Helen Hayes. To submit your news for consideration, email us at: info@travelwritersradio. This is News You Can Use.