Australia History

Australian Quarantine Domestic Regulations, I am sorry Ma’am- I’m going to have to check those Peaches!

If you are travelling between Australian States- believe it or not- there are still yet more Quarantine laws! Domestic Quarantine Laws are designed to prevent the spread of disease, insects, and invading plant species. They are mostly aimed at fruit and food products. You should be aware that they do apply, fines can be given, and there are stations at interstate borders and airports to check that prize tray of Mango’s you have just purchased. To avoid getting indigestion from trying to consume 8 kilo’s of gorgeous fresh oranges- here are a few guidelines:

NSW- Yamba and Maclean

Byron Bay is great. But honestly- if you want a real Aussie north coast experience I would suggest the following.

Start in Byron for a day or two for the crazy backpacker party scene. Byron is a party mecca without being too plastic. You can take surf lessons and have your chakras worked on, eat organic food and buy designer frocks. Then- to unwind head 14 K’s south to Lennox Head. Barely more than a strip of houses and café’s- it is scenic and relaxed. The surf beach is great and the whales and dolphins are visible from land.

After a day or so in Lennox Head- for a real true country/coastal town experience- head to Maclean (on the mouth of the Clarence Valley River) and coastal Yamba.

Attractive and Cheeky! Check out Wallpaper's Guide to Sydney.

Pocket Sydney- Finally a guide that concentrates on the important stuff- food booze, and shops! AND! all within a package that is attractive and doesn’t scream tourist. British design magazine “Wallpaper” has produced a set of around 20 city guides (soon to be 40) pitched at the design conscious traveller.

Sydney has recently been added to that list. The Wallpaper guides are said to be easy to use with sections like: landmarks, hotels, 24 hours, urban life, and sports and spas. As well as the guide being well thought out, it is also supposed to be excellently politically incorrect. It’s cost of living section includes “packet of cigarettes, and bottle of champagne”.

Crikey! Poor Steve!

Before his untimely death that rocked Australia as a nation, Steve and his wife Terri Irwin set up an organisation called Wildlife Warriors to help wildlife in Australia and overseas. As in all of the press here today- Terri and their daughter Bindi Irwin are continuing the conservation work and their zoo.

If you are looking for a way to pay tribute to the passing of a crazy nutter- who loved his animals and did indeed bring their conservation to the public eye…you can make an online donation to their organisation via www.wildlifewarriors.org. Alternatively, call 1800 334 350 (international +61 7 5436 2026) or email donations@wildlifewarriors.org.

BlueBelle Cafe and Cottage Nursery, DeepWater, NSW 'Bring us a Shubbery!'

Adorable! Fresh Baked Goods! Locally made Art! Clean Toilets! All of the perfect reasons to take a Driver Reviver stop at the BlueBelle Café and Cottage Nursery in Deepwater, NSW.

DeepWater is a tiny little village between Glen Innes (Celtic Standing Stones) and Tenterfield (wineries) in the Northern part of NSW known as New England. A cheery pot bellied stove kept court over the dining room which was overrun by stuffed animals, paintings, preserves, marinated olives, and linens- all locally made.