The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

New Zealand is renowned for its spectacular scenery, and the Marlborough Sounds on the northern tip of the South Island will not disappoint.

Come with host Kirstie Bedford as she hikes and bikes the Queen Charlotte Track, and kayaks in the glassy waters of the Marlborough Sounds, where seals and dolphins are your only neighbours, then beds down in lodges only accessible via the track, boat or helicopter.

She explains how to get there...

She's the queen of the roadtrip, and bestselling author and travel writer Lee Atkinson joins us to talk about her latest adventure, motorbiking across the European Alps. 

A self-described 'pillion princess', Lee and husband Bill shipped their Suzuki V-Strom tourer to the UK to ride 10,000km through the mountains over three months. Lee shares the trials of ultra-light packing and the joys of kevlar jeans. 

Her latest bo...

This week, we are taking you through the colourful, decadent, sordid, and scandalous histories of famous hotels with D'Etta and Yael, hosts of the Hotel History podcast.

They launched the podcast to explore the history of hotels and their interplay with culture, society and politics.

We talk about some of the most interesting hotels they have covered, from the haunted to the downright bizarre. 

Find the Hotel History podcast here...

This week, we’re launching our new segment, Hot Take! Kirstie and Belle are hacking out lost travel experiences - things you may have done in a former travelling life but are now no longer possible. Let’s wallow in the nostalgia!

Think climbing the Pyramids, or smoking on planes; just how golden was the Golden Age of Travel? What about animal interactions such as elephant rides, or scrambling up the metal poles that led to the top o...

Andrea Barton started her career as an electrical engineer, but when her husband was offered a job overseas, it changed the entire course of her career.

Now award-winning author of the Jade Riley Mysteries, owner of a book editing company called Brightside Story Studio, and Vice President of the Mansfield Readers & Writers festival, Andrea bases all her books on the places she has lived around the world. 

From Nigeria, the US and...

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Before he founded the Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula, 21 years ago, Charles Davidson began exploring thermal springs sites around the world.

His quest has now taken him to 57 countries to explore their bathing cultures, from Iran to Japan, Tanzania to Yemen.

"I really wanted to understand that hot springs had nothing to do with money or wealth, it was all to do with nature a...

This week, we're chatting with UTracks hiking guide Jaclyn Beagley, who leads guests along the Le Puy Camino, also known as the French Camino. 

Jaclyn talks about why you should consider the French section of the Camino, and what it offers that differs from other hikes in the network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe.

We also chat about the historic house she bought in Umbria, and she has some top tips for those conside...

Bushwalker.  Author. Advocate. Rescuer. 

Our guest this week is Caro Ryan, who has just been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for 14 years of service in bushwalking safety and community support in the Australia Day Honours 2026. 

Caro leads a 60-person strong specialist Bush Search and Rescue team for the NSW SES in the Blue Mountains, where she lives. And her book, How to Navigate teaches people just that - the art of navigation ...

Adventurer, environmental scientist, author, filmmaker, philanthropist, speaker, and Australian of the Year Tim Jarvis AM... is there anything this man can't do?

You'll think not after hearing about his adventures including undertaking two of the harshest and most extreme Antarctic expeditions – Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton's survival journeys, and he did them in the original clothing, with the same gear used ...

For many, Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is all about the surf, sun and stunning boutiques, but on this week’s episode we take you on a deeper dive into this pretty coastal region.

Co-host Kirstie Bedford loves nothing more than an active getaway, and so a chance to hike, bike and kayak in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was her idea of a dream weekend – throw in whale watching, and it was a match made in heaven.

Take a list...

This week is all about islands, as we take you to a Cambodian conservation-based private island resort and to the island nation of the Maldives.

First up, Kirstie takes us to the stunning island resort of Song Saa in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago. Bought by Australian Melita Koulmandas for US$15,000, she has transformed it from knee-deep in rubbish to a luxury retreat with Cambodia’s first protected marine park. Hear from the isla...

Many people dream of being a digital nomad. Is 2026 your year to do it?

This week, we’re giving you an insight into what life is really like living on the road, starting with authors, digital creators and husbands Brent Hartinger and Michael Jensen, who have lived in more than 30 countries and travelled to more than 60. 

The long-time digital nomads originally from the United States share their insights into what it’s like living a n...

Merry Christmas to you all and welcome back to our Summer Series!

This week, we're talking tropics, taking you to Tahiti and Papua New Guinea. 

Co-host Kirstie Bedford talks about attending Tahiti's first annual yoga festival – a chance to find her Zen and connect with culture in this tropical paradise. Listen to festival founder Rani Chaves talk about what makes Tahiti such a unique destination for a yoga festival, and how...

Welcome to the first of our Summer Series!

This week, we’re taking you to Africa, a bucket list destination for those who want to see the Big Five or wander the pyramids of Giza.

First up, co-host Belle Jackson, a frequent visitor and former resident of Egypt in northeast Africa, takes you to the many museums, explains the best way to see the pyramids, and shares the top three things to do in Cairo.

Then we chat to Ivona Siniarska, fo...

Shopping for the traveller in your life this Christmas? Tune in as our tech hound and sound producer Alaisdair Leith teams up with host Belle Jackson to bring you our best last-minute gifts. 

Also, get planning for your 2026 travels and get holiday maxxing - the art of maximising public holidays to get more time away, without the pay cut. 

Our Christmas wishlist includes three great Australian designed products from Belle and Alaisda...

Are you sick of the day-to-day grind and dream of becoming a digital nomad in Italy?

This week's pod is for you!  We are chatting to editor and travel writer Carrie Hutchinson who just spent the Australian winter working remotely in Sicily. She explains what the experience was like and provides some of her top tips so you can follow in her footsteps.

We also have the lowdown from ex-flight attendant and beauty expert Danielle Lo...

Are the Maldives worth the hype? This episode, co-host Belle Jackson talks about her most recent visit to the island nation.

We're talking about the food, the different types of resorts, their sustainability and, of course, whale sharks. 

Belle stayed at Niyama Private Islands Maldives for the surfing; niyama.com & Avani+ Fares Maldives for the whale sharks; avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives 

Also, travel comparison and booki...

We're celebrating this week as co-host Belle Jackson is once again named Travel Writer of the Year by the Australian Society of Travel Writers! See https://globalsalsa.com

Belle takes us to Tasmania's Central Highlands, where wine, wombats and walking are all on the menu at the beautiful Pumphouse Point. Set in the glacial Lake St Claire, the lake lodge has recently opened its new Retreats, which look to the pumphouse. It&...

If you love a tropical, private island escape and want to do right by the environment, this is the episode for you.

Co-host Kirstie Bedford takes us to the stunning island resort of Song Saa in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago. 

Bought by Australian Melita Koulmandas for US$15k, it has been transformed from knee-deep in rubbish to a luxury retreat with Cambodia’s first protected marine park. 

Hear from the island’s marine biologist, An...