25 facts you didn’t know about Australia Day and how to celebrate in 2022
Australia is a land full of quirks, idiosyncrasies and contradictions. Vast but sparsely populated; searingly hot, but sees more snow than Switzerland; full of sharks, snakes and spiders,…
Forget the TV licence – we must protect the BBC’s public radio
Perhaps most closely comparable to the UK, Australia has the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which in addition to its TV output runs 54 local radio stations, four national…
The 10 most in-demand holiday destinations for 2022 – and how to visit them
Where to go Why not discover the Italian region with beautiful landscapes and ancient villages – but hardly any tourists. We’re talking about Abruzzo. Italy expert Tim…
What it’s really like to drive the Outback
The BBC’s promotional blurb for The Tourist promises an Outback world of “quirky, enigmatic characters” and there were plenty of those along my route – not least…
Why the road trip holiday is better than ever in midlife
Dramatic? You bet. You’ll be treated to some of Norway’s punchiest scenery on this storm-lashed coast, which faces the worst tempers of the Atlantic. We’re talking waterfall-streaked…
The countries that might finally reopen to British travellers in 2022
Vietnam Reopening prospects: Good Unlike some other countries in south-east Asia, which are doubling down on border closures, the outlook for holidays to Vietnam in 2022 is…
Will the Djokovic debacle damage Australia’s tourism recovery?
You have to feel for the owner of Kangarooski Travel and Tours in Belgrade. Just as international travel was easing its way back into our lives, and…
Australia Day 2022: Everything you need to know about the annual celebration
And 2021 was no different, as thousands of Australians protested against the celebration. Rallies took place across the country, with organisers asking protesters to wear face masks and remain socially distanced. There…
Only the woke could object to saying a cheery ‘no worries’
Want to know which c-words are fast-disappearing from public life? No, not Covid, although perhaps very nearly. I’m talking about composure, courtesy, civility and context. They are…
The last places on Earth still closed to tourists (even the vaccinated)
Bhutan Bhutan’s borders have remained closed to all foreign nationals, including British citizens, for the duration of the pandemic. And it has announced no plans to reopen…
Paul Young: ‘I could be talked into backpacking in Vietnam or Thailand’
I love going to the US because so much of the music I listen to comes from there Even though it’s quite developed, in many ways it’s…
How Prince Philip saved the world’s rarest marsupial from extinction … without even trying
The Western Australian government eventually agreed, declaring the area 260 miles south of Perth a wildlife sanctuary. “If that [the destruction] had happened, there would have been…
The Tourist, review: Jamie Dornan’s mystery Down Under gives the BBC a New Year hit
Finally, a television thriller that doesn’t feel formulaic. OK, The Tourist (BBC One) is a police procedural of sorts. And it does involve a cast member from…
Eight incredible hotels to book for a wild adventure in 2022
The last two years have been frustrating for those afflicted by wanderlust. Jetsetting exploits have been possible at times, but a combination of lockdowns, closed borders, flight…
Australia’s deputy prime minister ‘proud’ Amber Heard has named her dog after him
However, the spat now seems firmly in the rearview mirror, with Mr Joyce telling The Australian: “I get a real sense of accomplishment that I’m still in…
The festive Australian cake that reminds me of my godmother
A crackle on the landline, then a pause. “William?” comes a distant voice. “It’s your godmother Mary. I’ve set the egg timer. We’ve got 20 minutes.” That…
Watch: Australian minister’s Covid press conference interrupted by venomous huntsman spider crawling up her leg
A venomous visitor interrupted Queensland health minister’s press conference on Thursday as she gave a coronavirus news briefing. Yvette D’Ath was speaking about pandemic restrictions and the…
Five children killed and several injured after bouncy castle blown 30ft into the air in Australia
Five children have been killed and several were seriously injured after a bouncy castle was blown into the air in an Australian primary school at an end-of-term…
Four-year-old boy lands parents with £600 bill after ordering ice cream on father’s phone
The young man’s order arrived at Newtown Fire Station in Sydney, where his father works as a fireman. Those on duty at the time happily accepted the…
I’ve found the perfect red wine for Christmas
I extolled the virtues of chablis as a great Christmas wine last week, but am well aware that many want a red on the table as well…
Australia ditches entire fleet of EU’s Taipan helicopters after history of embarrassing flaws
Australia’s military said Friday it plans to ditch its fleet of European-designed Taipan helicopters and instead buy US Black Hawks and Seahawks because the American machines are…
The story behind the Barmy Army, England’s travelling band of soused cricket fans
Not everyone approves. The esteemed former Telegraph and Times journalist Christopher Martin-Jenkins tempered the euphoria that surrounded England’s first Ashes series win in 18 years by accusing…
The countries banning all travellers over the ‘mild’ omicron variant
Britain has added 10 African countries to its travel red list, and beefed up its testing requirements for overseas arrivals, a tactic copied by most EU countries…
Anonymous online trolls to be unmasked under new law in Australia
Anonymous social media trolls in Australia could be unmasked and sued in court if they refuse to take down abusive messages under a new law proposed by…
Every cat owner knows their kitty is a psychopath
A new “puss personality test” to check whether or not your cat is a psychopath has given me paws for thought. Researchers from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John…