It’s still hard to believe this was my first time leaving WA in over 2 years! This blog is part 1 of my amazing journey, one of the most long awaited family reunions. Before I get ahead of myself, I want to share my wonderful stay and experience at the luxurious, boutique hotel Ovolo Nishi.
Just a stones throw from the airport, ideally located within the Canberra CBD, near iconic landmarks and spectacular nature, Ovolo Nishi has become my number one choice of hotel stay for Canberra, and I so look forward to visiting again.
From the moment you approach the hotel you will be inspired with the creative architecture and design details. The staircase was not only a place of entry, but also a work of art people walked slowly and intentionally, taking in the marvel of this work. I love creative spaces like this that inspire creativity within. I was so impressed by the many special perks of my stay, from the all inclusive mini bar, all day snacks + a loot bag, bike use, included breakfast, free drink at social hour, attentive service, plant based water bottles (yay for no plastic!), to the hotel restaurant Monster Kitchen, which is an all vegetarian restaurant. I loved the cosy, yet expansive feel of the hotel and all the vintage touches. It felt homely and a place I could truly breathe and relax.
By far one of the most unexpected joys was hiring an E-scooter from the hotel and circumnavigating Lake Burley Griffin. I loved the freedom of riding and exploring. I watched hot air balloons floating by against the pastel sunrise skies and experienced the absolute magical stillness by the lake at sunset.
My days were filled with a build up of emotion and anticipation as I stepped that little bit closer to see my family once again. I can’t wait to share part 2 of my journey with you. Coming soon!
Island adventures off the beaten path are my kind of holiday. To end the summer with a bang my family and I took the Sealink eco friendly ferry across to our favorite island getaway spot Rottnest/Wadjemup.
We had a few days to explore which was an amazing opportunity to get up early and circumnavigate the entire island by bike. An adventure I highly recommend. We headed to the West End and found incredible spots for cliff jumping, empty beaches all to ourselves with the most pristine snorkelling and turquoise waters, spotting adorable quokkas along the way.
My travel tips for Rottnest/Wadjemup –
Take the environmentally friendly ferry option on board Sealink to and from the island.
Check the wind direction before heading out. Always go early to beat crowds and before winds pick up in the afternoon. If it’s a strong SW from early in the day then head to the northern side of the island – Parakeet bay, Geordie bay, the Basin. If it’s an easterly or light winds then take the opportunity to explore the coast along Parker Point rd and head all the way to the West End.
I recommend a stop at Little Salmon bay early before the crowds and SW winds for some incredible snorkelling. You’ll see a whole lot of this pink cauliflower coral so close to the shore. Just snorkel out towards the left hand side where the buoys are and you can’t miss it. This is the southern most point in Western Australia you can see coral like this due to the Leeuwin current that brings tropical warm waters and coral spawn.
Hire an e bike from Pedal and Flipper (located on the island) and explore the whole island. It’s best to prebook during high season. I love to stop and take lots of photos and enjoy each spot so an e bike was a super easy for me to carry all my gear, explore the whole island, stopping along the way. You can also ride your own bike – Bobby and our kids did this as they are absolute machines! Or jump on the hop on/hop off bus.
For the adrenaline junkies ride to the West End along Digby drive for the most epic cliff jumping spot. You’ll take the last right turn before you reach the end, which is not marked. As you ride toward Eagle bay and Mable cove there will be a high cliff to the left. The spot is along this cliff right before you go downhill and reach Mable cove. You’ll need to park your bike on the side of the road and walk down. Often you’ll see other bikes there in high season so it’s relatively easy to find. In low season you may need to wander a little more to find it. As you carefully walk down the cliff you’ll see reef and turquoise water (like the picture) to the right and a narrow channel of water to the left. This channel is where you can get back in after you jump. Be mindful of rough seas and snakes in this area and only jump if you are a confident swimmer and can make it back to the beach, just in case.
Take loads of water, food, hat, sunscreen and shade if you can carry it. There are not many facilities as you venture further so it’s best to be self sufficient. The sun can get really hot and drying in summer when you’re out all day riding. We travel wearing reef shoes which make it super easy to go from biking, hiking to snorkelling. Mine fit into my fins to make it even easier to transition.
Be mindful of snakes as you venture to the more isolated parts of the island. Bring a first aid kit if you have space and be sure to know the location of the Nursing post on the island.
To spot Quokkas with ease just wait for late afternoon/evening and they will be out and about. The Basin, the campgrounds, the pub, and the sports oval are always spots we see lots of them.
And lastly enjoy the beautiful nature but please respect the environment, never feed the Quokkas, and take all your rubbish home. We saw horrific amounts of plastic on our trek in some really remote spots too. More than we could even pick up and carry.
Wadjemup is a special place with a long history. It’s important to learn more about it, and acknowledge the traditional owners, so you can show your respect for this land/boodja we walk upon.
If you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to ask. Happy to help you plan a wonderful adventure.
Travelling can be challenging at times, pushing us out of our comfort zone, but it’s there we discover the most precious of gems, both outside and within ourselves.
This was my first solo trip of the year and overall utterly spectacular. It started off with everything falling into place with ease, quickly descending into absolute chaos with my equipment breaking and unexpected winds. After a minute of anxiety I found my calm and present state. Like a wave rising and falling, I was soon back in the trough and flow. That is how travel so often goes, teaching us so much along the way – resilience, patience, presence, connection.
My stay at Green Park Retreat was beyond expectations. This beautifully designed, luxurious 4-bed home is set amongst the stunning Margaret River bush land. I was surrounded by wildlife and bird song. At sunrise and sunset it was the melody that soothed my weary soul. This space is one of the most serene and peaceful places I’ve stayed.
It’s ideally situated between two of my favourites destinations down south – Yallingup and Dunsborough. It was under a 15 minute drive to both spots and pretty much everywhere I wanted to explore. The region is filled with so much to see from world class wineries to art, and pristine lagoons, rock pools, beaches and surf. Green Park Retreat was such a comforting space to return to and unwind after all my adventures. I spent my downtime floating in the pool on my new luxurious and sustainable pool float/outdoor furniture and having lovely picnics in the garden. And for a little extra nourishment I took the opportunity to try out some amazing high quality Naturecan CBD oil products. I can now fully attest to their efficacy, particularly if you have any inflammatory conditions. I’ve noticed almost instant relief of my shoulder/toe aches using the CBD Joint Balm.
On my final evening ready to pack up after a lovely sunset, I noticed the sky begin to glow and turn an orange tone. I was honestly a little worried as there had been some bushfires in the region a few weeks earlier. It had a very eerie feel about it. As I watched, the sky began to shift into all shades of pink and purple. This was like nothing I had ever seen before. At the time I didn’t understand why or how this was even happening. I later discovered that the ash from the recent Tonga volcano eruption was making its rounds through WA skies, creating these long lasting pastel sunsets. While it was clearly caused by such a tragic event, nature was once again surprising me with its raw beauty and reminding me why I don’t need to watch TV.
As my trip came to an end there was still one spot on my radar. I’ve tried to visit Sugarloaf Rock multiple times, to swim in the those beautiful turquoise waters, and it was always so wild and windy. With a whole lot of luck and serendipity on my side, right before I was about to head back home, everything finally aligned. It was calm NE winds and the seas were sparkling and flat. There wasn’t another soul in sight. I was overjoyed and headed for my long awaited swim. It was everything I had hoped for and more. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle out loud like a child. As soon as I hiked back up to the car park I noticed car loads of people turning up and the winds shifting.
Travel is not always so aligned, but it’s always worth the effort for that pure joy and wonder that is absolutely priceless. You never know what treasures you will find. Travel is forever teaching me about myself. It’s bringing me closer to my true nature, reflecting who I am.
When a place holds a piece of your heart…this is definitely what Scarborough is for us. Our summer staycation at Turquoise Waters Retreat had a full circle feel. It’s where we first lived when we arrived in Perth 17 years ago. It’s where our daughter Jade was born. At home. In our little Scarborough apartment by the beach. I spent most of my pregnancy at the beach bodysurfing and it’s no wonder now, 16 years later, that our surfer girl Jade is out there in her element riding the waves.
We thoroughly lucked out with the timing of our stay. As we arrived the mercury rose to unbearable temperatures and we hit multiple heat records that week. Having that divine pool to cool down in was a godsend, especially for night swims. It was such a beautiful vision as the sun set, the pool lights came on reminding me of bioluminescence.
The coastal decor instantly transported us into holiday mode. And so did those outdoor hammocks. It’s the most relaxing spot to enjoy a cup of tea in the morning and a sunset cocktail.
We enjoyed each morning at the local beach, which just so happens to be our old local beach, riding the waves and catching up with our friends. One of the reasons why I LOVE a good staycation. You get holiday vibes and your friends as well.
Turquoise Waters Retreat is perfectly positioned for summer fun, with local beach markets, boutique shopping, and the cutest cafes within walking distance. A must visit is Folk and Merchant for their inspiring outdoor space and delicious vegan croissants. I’m so in love with their mantra – Live, Breathe, Dream + Create.
We had everything we needed, but the most important thing of all, was time together. The most treasured part of my life will always be my family.
I still have to pinch myself that this paradise resides within a 30 minute ferry ride from our home in Fremantle. The contrast of azure and turquoise waters will have you mesmerised from the moment your ferry approaches the island shores.
We visit at least 3 times a year, and while I love it in every season, summertime is by far my favourite. The soaring Perth summer temperatures are always milder on the island, and the waters are perfect for snorkelling without a wetsuit.
We spent our day recently aboard Rottnest’s Rolls Royce of ferries Sealink, opting for a more environmentally friendly option of travel. Their state of the art ferries are designed to protect the marine environment and use less fuel per passenger than a small four cyclinder car. It’s become our family’s ferry of choice aligning with our values and has all the modern facilities, luxury and comfort for a smooth and fast ride to the island.
Rottnest is an amazing spot to hire a bike, or bring your own, and explore the islands beaches. You’ll be sure to spot some of the cute local quokkas along the way. There are some incredible snorkeling spots. Our favourites are Salmon bay and The Basin. For a day of beach lounging we love Little Parakeet bay. It’s usually a little quieter, and has the clearest and calmest water for swimming.
It’s always such a special family day for us enjoying the oceans healing magic and exploring the underwater world. I love watching the confidence in my teen kids grow as they challenge themselves with their ocean skills.
Have you been to Rottnest Island? If not then put it on the bucket list as it’s most definitely a bucket list worthy spot, along with so many other amazing places here in WA. If you ever need any assistance building up a dream WA trip, please reach out and I’ll let you know some of the best spots to visit and when.
I’m keeping family traditions alive this Christmas and creating new ones as well. I come from a Finnish background where we celebrate a little differently. Firstly, and most importantly, we bake a lot, especially in the month preceding Christmas. Instead of 25th December, we celebrate on Christmas Eve. Now that we are in sunny Western Australia, we have new traditions like spending the day at the beach and enjoying a completely plant based, low waste Christmas. This year we are focusing on giving moments, memories and experiences to friends and family. We’ve been having so much fun creating DIY gifts from the heart using our instax mini Link Printer.
I’ve been teaching my children all of my favourite childhood recipes that my mum taught me. Our absolute favourite Christmas cookies that make the whole kitchen smell like home, are Piparkakku. They are a ‘melt in your mouth’ ginger and cinnamon cookie that remind me of my parents. It’s been such a long time since we’ve seen family and every reminder right now makes our hearts sing. We had such a wonderful, creative time making our loved ones some Christmas cookie gift baskets. Everything from the basket itself was handmade, topped with a little keepsake instant photo – a reminder of those precious moments together.
Adding prints onto our cookie baskets gave us the idea to create Christmas gift boxes and cards sourcing reusable items we had around our home. We found some brown packing paper, boxes, cotton string, dried flowers, recycled card and began crafting away. Each gift box and card was made extra special, personalised with an instant photo memory that we printed out using the instax mini Link Printer.
This time of year brings on so much emotion for me. Christmas together with my whole family is a treasured memory, and sadly something that has become much harder over the past 2 years. While I long to see my family across the globe reunited, I’m grateful for the memories. I’m grateful to have my husband and children to celebrate with, and create some new traditions that will someday be passed down to our grandchildren.
No matter how you celebrate, I’m wishing you all the most wonderful holiday season, full of joy, connection and love.
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