Destinations Archives

The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, Philadelpha – and how Australia’s highest mountain got its name

Exploring the surprising story behind Mt Kosciuszko’s name at a tiny memorial to a Polish patriot in Philadelphia. Ann Relf’s boarding house is a handsome but unshowy kind of place. It has a clean, red brick worthiness that looks proudly maintained without dressing up in…

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia’s historic attractions: An intro to America’s past

Explore Philadelphia’s rich heritage from Independence Hall to Eastern State Penitentiary, where plaques, museums and stories collide in dramatic fashion. After half an hour in downtown Philadelphia, you get the impression that plaque-making has long been the city’s boom industry. Every handsome red brick building…

Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

Fitzroy Falls, NSW: Opening hours, park fees, walks and visitor tips

First time visiting Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park, New South Wales? This guide covers opening hours, park fees, parking, accessibility, and how to get there. History and overview of Fitzroy Falls Fitzroy Falls is a spectacular waterfall located in Morton National Park, in the…

Castillo de San Marcos, St Augustine: Hours, prices and visitor tips

First time visiting Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine, Florida? This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there. History and overview of Castillo de San Marcos Castillo de San Marcos is a 17th-century Spanish stone fort in St.…

Paddlesteamers on the Murray River near Echuca, Victoria.

Port of Echuca, Victoria: Visiting the Discovery Centre and taking a paddlesteamer cruise

Chuntering along the Murray River on the PS Alexander Arbuthnot is an unquestionably idyllic way to spend an hour. Well, unless you’re the poor engineer down below, continually throwing logs into the hungry boiler. The romance of being on board a paddlesteamer probably doesn’t stretch…

What it’s like to visit the Phillip Island Penguin Parade in Victoria, Australia

Witness the world’s smallest penguin species returning home at dusk on Phillip Island, one of the most popular wildlife experiences near Melbourne. Waiting for the penguins to appear In the underground bunker, we wait. Some eyes are gazing out the window, in anticipation of what’s…

Statue of a miner at the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo, Victoria.

The Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo: Australia’s secret underground city

Exploring the Central Deborah gold mine in Bendigo Deep down below the earth’s surface, a small map on the wall makes you realise you’re not alone. The mine shaft of the Central Deborah gold mine has a bewildering network of tunnels springing from it at…

The Bonegilla Migrant Experience in Victoria, Australia.

The Bonegilla Migrant Experience – and the history of immigration in Australia

Why visit Bonegilla? The first arrivals at Bonegilla in 1947 must have been terrified. They had no homes to go to in Europe after the Second World War, and had taken a chance being shipped to the other side of the world. When they got…

The armoured elephant at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, Yorkshire.

What overseas visitors should do in Leeds, Yorkshire

Leeds is the biggest city in Yorkshire, but doesn’t appear on too many tourist itineraries. These attractions should be on your radar, however. Roundhay Park: Head for the gardens Covering more than 700 acres, Roundhay Park is an absolute monster that veers from sports pitches…

Snorkelling in the Silfra Fissure, Iceland.

10 amazing places to go snorkelling

There are plenty of places around the world where you can go snorkelling and see a few fish. But these ten are genuinely incredible. What makes it special, varies, however. It may be the variety of marine life, the quality of the water or the…