2020: The Year We Didn’t Travel Very Far

Scarborough boat harbour, at sunset.
Scarborough boat harbour, at sunset.

2020 was the year we were supposed to be travelling extensively abroad after our wings were clipped for various reasons in 2019. Little did we know that a global pandemic would turn everyone’s world upside down and we would travel even less in 2020 than we did in 2019.

At the end of my Top Travel Experiences for 2019, I wrote: “Travelling abroad is always exciting but as 2019 proved, some of the best places are in our own backyard.” Well, in 2020 we had no choice but to stick to our backyard as our international borders closed, and at various times, state borders as well.

The first casualty of the year was a planned trip to Koh Samui in Thailand, cancelled just in the nick of the time before the extent of the pandemic became clear. Although we had a lot of other overseas destinations on our wish list for 2020, thankfully we hadn’t made any concrete plans. We’ve always preferred to travel on the spur of the moment and 2020 has vindicated my predilection for not planning too far ahead.

So, 2020 was the year we didn’t travel very far, no further than south-east Queensland, NSW and the ACT in fact. Thankfully we live in a beautiful part of the world, on the Redcliffe Peninsula, where in the words of my man, “the sun shines every day and the seagulls are very well behaved”. Here’s a wrap-up in pictures of places we visited in this crazy year.


Before everything went pear-shaped, we enjoyed an overnight stay at the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, a stunning new hotel in a grand old bank building at the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets.

The heritage-listed building housing the Adina takes you straight back to the Art Deco era.
The heritage-listed building housing the Adina takes you straight back to the Art Deco era.

In February, I visited Queensland’s Granite Belt with a group of fellow travel writers to preview the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival. I love this friendly and picturesque region which abounds in food, wine, craft beer and natural attractions. Check out the Instagram Highlights from my visit.

The Apple and Grape Harvest Festival has been ‘crushing it’ since 1966.
The Apple and Grape Harvest Festival has been ‘crushing it’ since 1966.

Also in February, we had the pleasure of re-visiting Spicers Hidden Vale and dining in its beautiful Homage restaurant, which had recently re-opened after a devastating fire that destroyed the original 99-year-old homestead.

Spicers Hidden Vale comes back even more beautiful than ever.
A new chapter for Spicers Hidden Vale.

There was just time for another superb lunch at The Spirit House, a Thai-inspired restaurant on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. One of my favourite Queensland restaurants, it’s a delight for all the senses.

The Spirit House restaurant is set in lush tropical gardens nestled around a tranquil pond.
The Spirit House restaurant is set in lush tropical gardens nestled around a tranquil pond.

And then we went into lockdown …

Thankfully we had this view to look out on.

Social distancing on Suttons Beach.
Social distancing on Suttons Beach.

By July, we were able to go road trippin’, heading down to see family in Canberra. We took it slowly on the country roads, which incidentally are terrible. (Note to ‘How good is Gladys?’ Berejiklian: how about spending some money on roads if you are serious about wanting people to #holidayathome )

A cute little country church.
Croaker Memorial Church in Caroona, NSW, built in 1923-24.
Cotton bales on the roadside.
Cotton bales on the roadside in country NSW.
Discovered on a quick stop in Coolah: a table of fresh produce freely shared. Love this community spirit.
In Coolah: a table of fresh produce freely shared. Love this community spirit.
Hotel Dunedoo, a classic country pub.
Hotel Dunedoo, a classic country pub.

As the maroon curtain came down on Queensland, July in Canberra turned into August … into September … into October.

Qantas retires its Boeing 747 with a flyover Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.
Qantas retires its Boeing 747 with a flyover Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.
Spectacular sunset over Lake Ginninderra in Canberra.
Spectacular sunset over Lake Ginninderra in Canberra.
An impressive new banksia garden takes shape in the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
An impressive new banksia garden takes shape in the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

The pandemic meant that Floriade, Canberra’s popular annual flower festival, couldn’t be held in its usual format in Commonwealth Park. Rather than a million bulbs going to waste, they were planted in public spaces around the city.

Floriade blooms around the National Museum of Australia.
Floriade blooms around the National Museum of Australia.
Endeavour Voyage, at the National Museum of Australia, marking the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s voyage charting the Australian continent. This brilliant exhibition tells the story from the perspective of First Peoples as well.
Endeavour Voyage, at the National Museum of Australia, marking the 250th anniversary of Cook charting the Australian continent. This brilliant exhibition tells the story from the perspective of First Peoples as well.

In November, we were finally able to drive home, providing the opportunity for some more sightseeing.

A pretty spot on the main street in Taralga, NSW.
A pretty spot on the main street in Taralga, NSW.
Instagram heaven: Mayfield Garden, near Oberon.
Instagram heaven: Mayfield Garden, near Oberon.
Abercrombie House, in Bathurst, built in the 1870s by the Stewart family.
Abercrombie House, in Bathurst, built in the 1870s by the Stewart family.
Mural in Gilgandra commemorating the 1915 Cooee March, which started in this NSW town.
Mural in Gilgandra commemorating the 1915 Cooee March, which started in this NSW town.
Gurley, in northern NSW, where my father was station master in 1956. Not much there now!
Gurley, in northern NSW, where my father was station master in 1956. Not much there now!

We were barely home in Queensland before family called us south again. This time we travelled the coast road, visiting friends in Port Macquarie along the way.

What joy discovering the creative sculptures on the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. Designed to shine the spotlight on the urgent plight of koalas, these 77 one-metre high sculptured koalas were lovingly hand-painted by talented Australian artists. Each has its own character and personality.

The ‘convict’ koala outside the Old Port Macquarie Courthouse (1869), a heritage-listed former courthouse and now museum.
The ‘convict’ koala outside the Old Port Macquarie Courthouse (1869), a heritage-listed former courthouse and now museum.

Just before Christmas, we spent four nights in a lovely old house on Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard, one of the most beautiful and historic properties in the Hunter Valley Wine Region. Celebrating family birthdays and being re-united with loved ones in such a magical location was idyllic.

We dined in some beautiful restaurants (Bistro Molines, Botanica at Spicers Vineyard Estate & more), tasted wines at some lovely cellar doors (Audrey Wilkinson, Brokenwood, Hope Estate & more), and were captivated by stunning vistas of mist rolling in over the vineyards and lush green fields.

The historic Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard was looking a picture.
The historic Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard was looking a picture.

We recognize that life has been considerably kinder to us this year than it has been for many people around the world, and for that we are truly grateful.

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2 Comments

  • HI Christine! Hope you and Maurie are doing fine. I enjoy your publications. This from Tom Anthony (and Elaine) (Cincinnati, OH USA)
    whom we all met in Italy in 2015. Happy New Year 2021! Take care, Tom

    • Thanks for your kind words Tom. Happy new year to you and Elaine too. Hope life is treating you well despite the horrors of Covid. Italy in 2015 seems like a lifetime ago now. Let’s hope we can travel again before too long.

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