Vast, remote and brimming with cultural richness, the Australian Outback is the topic on this week’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled. 

Host Megan French is joined by seasoned explorer Stephen Scourfield to discuss what makes Australia’s rural landscape one of the world’s most unique travel destinations.

From the iconic red heart of Uluru and the dramatic domes of Kata Tjuta, to the ancient gorges of Karijini and the rugged beauty of the Kimberley, this episode takes listeners on an epic journey with firsthand accounts, must-visit destinations and vital preparation tips revealed. 

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This week on The Pod Well Travelled, Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield discusses travelling the southern Indian state of Kerala, specifically its capital Thiruvananthapuram, with host Megan French.

From visiting one of the richest and most mysterious temples in the world, to witnessing the work of legendary Indian artist colloquially dubbed the “father of modern Indian Art” – the pair offer an insightful glimpse into travelling “alternative” India, away from the tourist trail. 

Having travelled through the subcontinent more than a dozen times, Stephen shares his expert top tips on exploring the destination home to more than 1.4 billion people.

At the end of the show Stephen mentions a travel story he wrote about riding India’s Route 66 on his Royal Enfield. To read his “favourite story ever", click on the link below or visit thewest.com.au. 

https://thewest.com.au/news/oceania/get-your-kicks-on-indias-route-66-ng-ya-136047

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Special guest Leyanne Baillie joins Penny Thomas and Stephen Scourfield to discuss the many treasures of her historic homeland — Scotland.

During the episode, they dive into everything from haggis and highlands to the warm, welcoming spirit of its people.

Leyanne shares invaluable travel tips for first-time visitors eager to discover all there is to love about this far-flung corner of Britain, while Stephen reveals his favourite spots for kayaking among Scotland’s breathtaking isles.

At the end of the show, Penny puts Stephen and Leyanne to the test with a lively round of ‘This or That’, where they reveal their Scottish travel preferences . . . Edinburgh or Glasgow? A round of golf at St Andrews or a dip in a Scottish loch? And the toughest question of all — which is cuter, a Highland cow or a Shetland pony?

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On this fortnight’s episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Megan French and Penny Thomas share some uplifting travel news, top tips for catching cherry blossoms this season, and conclude with their signature “This or That” quiz.

From Emirates’ groundbreaking announcement to become the world’s first Autism-certified airline, to a peculiar so-called “travel hack” going viral on TikTok right now, you won’t want to miss this entertaining chat.

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Join Penny Thomas and Megan French as they round up February’s biggest travel headlines.

In this episode, they unpack London Heathrow’s controversial expansion plans, Changi Airport’s near-full recovery and troubling reports of scams at Bali’s international airport.

They also explore new airline routes — like Cathay Pacific’s flights to Rome — and the highly anticipated opening of Raffles Sentosa Singapore.

And if months at sea sound like a dream (or a nightmare), Viking’s newly announced 2026-27 World Cruise itineraries might just sway you.

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From savvy suitcase strategies to street smarts, Penny Thomas and Megan French unpack everything from the dos and don’ts of tipping (spoiler: it’s not always expected) to digital packing hacks — and why packing cubes might just change your life.

They also explore the underrated art of keeping a travel journal and how brushing up on your destination’s basics before you go can make all the difference.

Packed with practical tips, today’s episode is your ultimate pre-trip checklist — plus it’s a sneak peek to our comprehensive Travel Essentials Guide that will be published in The West’s Travel section next month. 

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Managing money while travelling can feel like a maze of fees, exchange rates and security risks — but it doesn’t have to be.

In this week’s episode hosts Megan French and Penny Thomas are joined by Stephen Scourfield and Mogens Johansen, who break down the smartest ways to pay, budget and protect your cash when you’re on the road.

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In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas and Megan French explore the irresistible pull of food when it comes to travel. 

From the best meals they’ve eaten abroad to the ultimate foodie destinations in Australia and beyond, they discuss where to eat, what to try, and why it’s worth planning your next trip around a plate.

During the episode, Megan shares some Filipino food highlights, proving that the Philippines is a seriously underrated foodie destination. As promised, here are the names of those dishes mentioned:

• Ube Bibingka — A soft and chewy coconut rice cake flavoured with ube (purple yam jam), served warm or at room temperature.
• Buko Pandan — A cold dessert made with jelly cubes, young coconut, and sweetened cream—perfect for a hot day.
• Ensaymada — A sweet, spiral-shaped pastry with Spanish origins that has become a beloved Filipino treat, often eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
• Halo-Halo — A vibrant shaved ice dessert with evaporated or coconut milk, known for being refreshing and delicious.
• Turon — A crispy, caramelised banana spring roll that’s the perfect mix of sweet and crunchy.

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Join hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French as they dive into the latest travel stories and trends for January.

Megan kicks off today’s episode by unpacking the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for Aussie travellers, while Penny shares a great Qatar Airways deal and breaks down recent changes to Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program.

Megan then tells us about the Bruce Munro exhibition Field of Light at Uluru, which has been extended until at least April 2027 following a major refurbishment of the installation.

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In this week’s episode, host Will Yeoman talks to self-described “Abrolhogist” Howard Gray B.Sc. Dip.Ed Ph.D about his latest book, Abrolhos: Keep Your Eyes Open, a lavishly illustrated and compellingly written introduction to the natural and human history of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands of Western Australia.

+ This special episode of Podstreet and The Pod Well Travelled is brought to you by Writing WA and The West’s travel team.

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