The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

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 a century ago.

Jarvis talks about his journeys, his latest expedition, and he talks about how travel can inspire conservation and the difference every traveller can make.

We also take you to the tennis with the Australian Open now in full swing in Melbourne, talk about Australia's travel spending with new ING research, and it might be a touchy subject, but the Movicol Constipation State of the Nation report is out (yes, there is such a thing!) and we chat about how to keep things moving when you travel.

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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 listen to her recommendations of how to explore a different side of Noosa, with top tips about where to stay, play and eat. Go to https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/ for more and see footage from her recent trip at: @kirstiewrites.

Then, 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 out towards the pumphouse. It's also a hub for walkers, wine and wombats; https://www.pumphousepoint.com.au/. 

Follow her adventures at https://globalsalsa.com.

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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 island’s marine biologist, Anna Sabrina Petry about how it not only supports the ongoing conservation efforts but continues to enrich the area. Learn more about Song Saa at www.songsaa-privateisland.com.

Next, Belle chats about her most recent visit to the Maldives - does it live up to the hype? This time, she stayed at two resorts, Niyama Private Islands in the Dhaalu atoll south of the capital, Male, and Avani + Fares in the Baa atoll, famed for its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We're talking about the food, the different types of resorts, their sustainability and, of course, whale sharks. 

See niyama.com and avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives 

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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 nomadic life, with top tips on how you can do it too. Follow them at: https://www.brentandmichaelaregoingplaces.com/

Then we chat to award-winning freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist Natascha Mirosch, who swapped the sunny shores of Brisbane to move temporarily to a tiny village south of Rome where she worked remotely. We talk through why she did it, what there is to see and do in this stunning region of Italy and how you could do it too.

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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 yoga can be so healing, and you'll hear from leading international yoga teacher and instructor Elka Haeckel about how what you do on the mat can transform your entire mindset.

In our second interview, 4km from Australia, PNG is our closest, and also our least explored neighbour. Australian musician and composer David Bridie talks about his connection with PNG, which spans four decades. A founding member of Not Drowning, Waving, David first visited PNG in 1986; he is now an initiated Tolai man, returning more than 40 times, for work and to visit friends who've become family in Rabaul, Bougainville and Manus Island, as documented in the film Abebe; see davidbridie.com 

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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, founder of Take Off Go and Africa expert, who has visited 40 times about the best places to go on safari, where to start for first-timers, and how to ensure you’re travelling in a way that’s right by the wildlife. 

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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 Alaisdair's Techxmas trio, with a bonus cheapie perfect for summer holidays.

Zoomlite Glide top-opening suitcase Ditch the space-hogging clamshell suitcase with this Australian-designed case, a smooth-wheeling, hard shell that opens with a lid (and the traditional clam). In  in seven colours and three sizes including the Glide Lite, Australia's lightest carry-on wheeled case, at 2kg, zoomlite.com.au 

Bahama Flexibraid Fedora travel hat: Crushable, water resistant, UPF50+, packs flat and stylish, this fedora hides bad hair days and protects your skin on your travels, tinamcopenhagen.com.au 

Lake Eyre 100% Silk Scarf Take a piece of Australia on your travels with this large format silk scarf featuring the aerial photography of Australian grazier David Taylor, australiascape.com.au 

Timekettle Translation Earbuds Lost in translation? Translate 42 languages with these earbud, one for each speaker, and the earbud will translate both ways! timekettle.co 

Baseus Universal Travel Adaptor Charge your phone, watch and laptop all with the one charger, all around the world; includes USB C and USB A ports. In black or white, baseus.com

Vacbird Travel Bags For the overpacker in your life, these vacuum compression bags come with the tiniest, USB-powered vacuum. Great for stuffing your daybag full, without the bulk vacbird.com 

and a bonus cheapie that's the best little buy...

Torras waterproof phone pouch Before you jump into that lazy river or dive deep in the Maldives, the Torras holds your earbuds, your keys and it floats! Also, touchproof through the watercasing, torraslife.com

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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 Louise from Fresha app on the healthiest places to sit on a plane.

And, love a bit of luxury but not the top-end price? We run through some affordable five-star stays that'll have you living the high life without breaking the bank.

Mr & Mrs Smith budget boutique hotels can be found here: https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/collections/budget-boutique-hotels

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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 booking platform Omio shares some tips for Travel Tuesday, such as knowing your prices beforehand, get your logins and sign up to newsletters! See omio.com 

And are Australians prepared to go broke for a break? Stay tuned... https://www.finder.com.au/news/action-to-afford-holiday-2025

Kirstie's story on https://karryon.com.au/luxury/overtourism-in-africa-help-or-hinder/ 

Finally, let's start a tea party! Tell us - do you pack tea bags when you travel? Belle's story in the Sydney Morning Herald: https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/inspiration/i-didn-t-want-coffee-so-my-1000-a-night-resort-gave-me-cheap-tea-bags-20251107-p5n8h9.html 

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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's also a hub for walkers, wine and wombats; https://www.pumphousepoint.com.au/

Also, leading wine reviewer the Halliday Wine  Companion reveals Australia's top cellar door to put on your travel list https://winecompanion.com.au/ and we're sharing some great tips to save when travelling around Switzerland on its Swiss Rail Pass, https://www.swissrailways.com/en 

And a spot of trivia; what do you think is the most expensive thing left in Brisbane Airport's Lost & Found? Lloyds Auctions recently put all the items under the hammer, including one pretty surprising, pretty pricey item that would be hard to forget...

A shout out to Trapper & Smiggins gin from Lake St Clair https://www.trapperandmiggins.com/ 

And if you'd like to read Belle's three stories that won her the title of TWOTY:

Why AlUla is the hottest place to be now, Saudi Arabia https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/why-this-hidden-oasis-is-the-coolest-luxury-destination-right-now-20230905-p5e22i.html
Flamenco & fino with Inntravel, Spain  https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/this-southern-spain-train-odyssey-is-ruled-by-two-f-words-20240822-p5k4cs.html
Rose Harvest in Oman https://luxuryescapes.com/inspiration/a-journey-through-oman/?srsltid=AfmBOoo6azH50gGVmPuFV-B0Ktoq1fgru_Vfe_-9WgKjncPHagxQBOL8
and you can see more on her website https://globalsalsa.com

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