Motorcycle Touring: On the road with the ‘Mild Hogs’

The vision of scores of thundering Harley-Davidson motorcycles, line astern and dominating the highway is a vision few of us will forget.

This intimidating apparition, straight out of countless movies, has served to place this venerable US motorcycle brand at the forefront of all things wicked and dastardly. Even so, the ‘don’t mess with me’ persona of the ‘hog’ has ensured Harley-Davidson is the first thing you think of when ‘bad boy’ bikers come to mind.

Living the Life in Lyon

World traveller, Ros Freeman spends four days discovering Lyon’s secret traboules, celebrated food culture, hilltop views and old-world charm in a city that quickly exceeds expectations.

There’s nothing more exhilarating than arriving in a city and knowing so little about it. Especially when that city happens to be Lyon. Jane and I are here for four days, soaking up all this elegant city has to offer.

An African-Style Safari, Just an Hour from Adelaide

An African safari sits high on many travellers’ bucket lists, but reaching the great reserves of Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa requires considerable time, planning and money. Fortunately, it is possible to enjoy a surprisingly convincing taste of the experience much closer to home.

Just an hour’s drive from Adelaide, Monarto Safari Park offers wide-open landscapes, encounters with remarkable animals and the opportunity to stay overnight at either the plush Monarto Safari Resort or the luxury tented Safari Lodge.

Pakistan: Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

Celebrated author Catherine DeVrye is about to publish her tenth book, Beyond Timbuktu. She captures her experiences in vivid, visceral detail, like this encounter in Pakistan.  

Pakistan prejudiced my impressions long before I visited. I pictured poverty, terrorism, female oppression. Now I think of glaciers, apricots – and love.

After escaping the 2024 riots in Bangladesh, I posted: “Rested and relieved to be safely in Pakistan … words I never thought I’d utter.”

Towering Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s biggest city and offers a wide range of fascinating experiences, Winsor Dobbin reports. 

Fancy a vibrant North American experience but are keen to avoid the madness of the US? 

Toronto, the vibrant Canadian city just across Lake Ontario from the US, might be the destination you are looking for.

Amazon Express

Venturing into the Amazon basin is like exploring the heart and lungs of the planet. With one in ten known species on Earth and 1.4 billion acres of dense forests, the Amazon contains half of the planet's remaining tropical forests. Listen, and you can hear the world breathe.

Words and images Roderick Eime

Additional images as noted

I know that look. It’s that kind of cheeky half-smile, half snarl, like when you’re handed a peanut tin with a spring-loaded fake snake coiled inside. And like the 8-year-old sucker all over again, I fell for it.

Going Sleepless in Seattle

Twenty-four hours in the Emerald City keeps Ros Freeman wide awake.

It’s easy to be sleepless in Seattle. There’s so much to do in this fair city, stunningly situated between mountains, forests and water. The city is only a short flight from Alaska, which is why I’m here . . . but only for 24 hours.

Marnong Estate: Killing time

If you ever find yourself with a few hours to kill before flying out of from Melbourne Airport, then Marnong Estate is a name that should be on your radar, writes Winsor Dobbin.

Just a short drive from Tullamarine, Marnong is a popular destination for Melbourne wine and food lovers. 

It is also a delightful destination for anyone who might enjoy a day or two away in the vineyards.