Charlestown Executive Apartments, Newcastle.

Modern, spacious, quiet, and with all the comforts of home, Charlestown Executive Apartments is an example of the kind of accommodation sadly lacking in Australia until a few years ago.

We have come to Newcastle to cycle the Fernleigh Track rail trail and explore one of Australia's most beautiful and under-rated cities. From our home in Sydney, Newcastle is less than two hours by road - the perfect destination for a couple of nights away.

Sydney - My city.

Last Sunday David and I took part in a cruise on Sydney Harbour organised by Qantas as part of its 95th birthday celebrations. The cruise gave us a chance to photograph our beautiful city of Sydney from the Harbour. We were then encouraged to post our photos on Instagram. I admit I'm a newbie when it comes to Instagram but I do love Sydney so this week instead of my usual blog post I wanted to share with you some photos of the city we call home.

Raymond Island, Victoria

I admit it - I am a wildlife tragic. I'll go almost anywhere to see animals in the bush. David and I first visited Raymond Island in March but we were drawn back on the way home from our last road trip. Only four hours drive from Melbourne, at last count the 7.6 sq km island had a koala population of 307, making it the best place in Australia to see koalas in their natural environment.

The island is a two-minute ferry ride from Paynesville in the Gippsland Lakes District of Victoria - a reliable place to see kangaroos. Paynesville and Raymond Island are the perfect wildlife tragic's double act. You can read where to find the kangaroos at Paynesville by clicking - here. For my March blog post on Raymond Island, with practical information as well as a description of our visit and lots of koala pictures click - here.

Paynesville, Victoria

Paynesville is a scenic little town with an uninspiring name in south-eastern Victoria. Until we visited Raymond Island earlier this year I had never heard of it. Surrounded on three sides by the Gippsland Lakes, it is a boating and fishing heaven.

David doesn't fish - full stop end of story. I think he has traumatic childhood fishing memories - something to do with constantly tangled lines, 5 a.m starts and rough weather on small boats outside Sydney Heads. I have never really gotten to the bottom of it but suffice it to say that one of the world's best fathers could never, ever be enticed to take our sons fishing while they were growing up - no matter how much they pleaded.

Falls Creek Cycling - The Historic Huts Trails.

Location - The Victorian Alps, Australia
Distance - About 40 kms return - you can easily make this longer or shorter.

Terrain - Mountain bike trails - not suitable for road bikes.

Difficulty - Moderately difficult, especially if you return via the Bogong High Plains Rd.

Highlights - The lovely scenery along the aqueducts combined with a sense of total isolation.

Map and Info - click here