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Southern Australia is freezing. How can it be so cold in a warming climate?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-king-103126">Andrew King</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>People living in southern Australia won’t have failed to notice how cold it is. Frosty nights and chilly days have been the weather for many of us since the start of July.</p> <p>As winter continues, we are left wondering how unusual the cold is and whether we can expect several more months of this. Warmer conditions are in the forecast but winter has a long way to go. Further cold snaps could occur.</p> <p>Cold conditions have been in place across southern Australia for the past few days. Temperatures have fallen below zero overnight in many places.</p> <p>It’s not just the nights that have been cold. Maximum temperatures have also been below or well below average across most of the country.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Maximum temperatures have been below average across most of the continent since the last day of June.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/temp/index.jsp">Bureau of Meteorology</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>What’s causing the cold?</h2> <p>A <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/synoptic_col.shtml">persistent and strong high-pressure system</a> has been hanging around over southeast Australia. The atmospheric pressure was so high it approached the Australian record of 1,044.3 hPa set on June 7 1967. An <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-04/australias-highest-air-pressure-recorded-weather/104055462">initial observation</a> of a new record has since been disregarded, but nonetheless this is an exceptional, near-record high-pressure pattern.</p> <p>This high-pressure system has kept the weather dry but clear nights have allowed strong cooling of the land surface. The long nights and short days of early July mean that temperatures struggle to rise during the day and can fall quickly in the evenings.</p> <p>In winter we expect cold weather across most of Australia and occasional cold snaps that bring widespread frosty and icy conditions. However, this current cold weather is pretty unusual and we are seeing some records fall.</p> <p>Notably, Tasmania has had its <a href="https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/tasmanias-2ndcoldest-night-on-record/1889603">lowest July temperature on record</a> and the second-lowest minimum temperature for any time of year with –13.5°C at Liawenee in central Tasmania early on Thursday morning.</p> <p>While Tasmania has produced the most remarkable records, the cold conditions have been unusual elsewhere too. Adelaide recorded its lowest temperature in 18 years on Wednesday morning. And many suburbs of Melbourne experienced a sub-zero night and consecutive nights of <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/frost-and-ice/frost">ground frost</a>.</p> <h2>Winters are warming but cold spells still occur</h2> <p>As the world is warming, it might seem surprising we can still break cold records. Indeed, across Australia <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/timeseries.cgi?graph=tmean&amp;area=aus&amp;season=0608&amp;ave_yr=0&amp;ave_period=6190">winters have been warming</a>. The <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/extremes/trendmaps.cgi?map=CN05&amp;period=1950">frequency</a> and <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/extremes/trendmaps.cgi?map=TNmn&amp;period=1950">intensity</a> of very low temperatures have been decreasing over the past few decades.</p> <p>We also see many more hot records than cold records being set in Australia and around the globe. This is <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-hot-weather-records-continue-to-tumble-worldwide-86158">due to human-caused climate change</a>. However, when we have the right weather conditions, cold records are still occasionally broken locally.</p> <p>As we continue to warm the planet, it’s getting harder for us to find cold records, particularly over larger regions or longer time periods. While we still see record cold temperatures at individual weather stations, we won’t see another cold record in the global average temperature and probably not even in the Australian average temperature.</p> <p>As this week shows, we still occasionally get daily cold records in the current climate. But it’s much harder to get record cold months, and record cold years at a given location are almost impossible.</p> <p>As we average weather conditions across locations or over time, the climate change signal becomes clearer over background weather variability. It makes new cold records much less likely to occur.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=536&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=536&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=536&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A graphic showing the increase in annual average temperature for Australia from 1910 to 2023" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">The climate change signal is becoming clearer as Australia’s annual average temperature continues to increase with each decade, widening the difference from the long-term mean.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/aus/#tabs=Temperature">Bureau of Meteorology</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>How much longer will this cold snap last?</h2> <p>Southern Australia is experiencing a cold snap at close to the coldest time of year. It’s not long after the winter solstice, when we experience the longest night of the year. We still have a few more cold days and nights ahead in parts of southeastern Australia.</p> <p>By early next week, the forecast suggests <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/viewer/index.shtml">warmer conditions</a> will return as the high-pressure system moves east and winds turn northerly.</p> <p>The outlook for the rest of winter points firmly to <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/summary">above-average daytime and night-time temperatures</a>. This is partly because a historical average (1981–2018) is used and warming since then means above-average temperatures are going to happen most of the time.</p> <p>In any winter, Australia has cold outbreaks. So, even if the next few months are likely to be warmer than normal, we should expect a few cold days and nights at some point. Learning to live with the cold and improving the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2024/jul/03/why-so-many-australian-homes-are-either-too-hot-or-too-cold">quality of insulation in Australian homes</a> would help make our winter cold snaps seem a lot less harsh.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233977/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-king-103126"><em>Andrew King</em></a><em>, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/southern-australia-is-freezing-how-can-it-be-so-cold-in-a-warming-climate-233977">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Domestic Travel

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Michelle Bridges re-lists Southern Highlands home for under $5 million

<p>Fitness guru Michelle Bridges has put her Southern Highlands 10-acre oasis back on the market after it previously <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/real-estate-s-biggest-loser-michelle-bridges-fails-to-sell-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">failed to secure a buyer</a>.</p> <p>Bridges put the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 1840 Kandaloon Road, Kangaloon, NSW, on the market with a new agency and price guide.</p> <p>The property was originally listed by Ben Olofsen of The Agency Southern Highlands with an auction guide of $6.5 million. It has since been listed by Gene Fairbanks and Kathryn Pogson-Pike of Ray White Bowral, with a price guide of $4.6 million to $4.8 million.</p> <p>An auction date for the property is yet to be published.</p> <p>The property is described as a "picturesque acreage haven” on the listing. Bridges had previously shared the original listing on her Instagram page.</p> <p>The 10-acre oasis is set on an elevated position allowing for undisturbed views of the region’s rolling hills and has two living rooms and multiple entertaining options.</p> <p>The home includes a terrace, outdoor pool, tennis court and pavilion, which will suit buyers planning to entertain guests.</p> <p>There is also accommodation located above the garage.</p> <p>Expansive windows make for a stunning view of Kangaloon, a village in the Southern Highlands in the Wingecarribee Shire.</p> <p>Kangaloon has a population of just 162, making it ideal for those who wish to steer clear of the hustle and bustle of the city.</p> <p>The fitness fanatic has become a household name with her multiple appearances on TV, a clothing line and fitness program 12WBT. She is also the author of nine books.</p> <p>Image credit: Getty/Realestate.com.au</p>

Real Estate

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Real estate’s ‘Biggest Loser’ Michelle Bridges fails to sell home

<p dir="ltr">Fitness entrepreneur Michelle Bridges has failed to sell her $6.5m Kangaloon home, amid plans to go back to Sydney.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former <em>Biggest Loser</em> trainer initially bought the five-bedroom home in 2017 for $2.7m for her family when she outbid chef Luke Mangan.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 4.1 hectare estate was listed last month with initial reports suggesting that the home should be sold for $7m. However, the private price guidance had offered it to buyers for $6.5m</p> <p dir="ltr">Now, The Agency real estate company has revised the price guide back down to $5m, after they failed to secure a buyer for the original price.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property, which is built on a hill offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, with floor to ceiling windows in the main living room.</p> <p dir="ltr">The main bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, but the interior is not the only thing that’s worth boasting about.</p> <p dir="ltr">The luxurious estate has an in-ground pool, a tennis court and landscaped gardens which feature established trees and vegetable gardens designed by Michael Bligh.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other features include an outdoor dining area, an entertainment pavilion with a small fire pit, and a separate guest house complete with a loft bedroom and modern bathroom.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Realestate.com.au, Getty</em></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p>

Real Estate

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Alan Jones offloads farm home for less than expected

<p dir="ltr">After a seven-month campaign, Alan Jones’ farm in the NSW Southern Highlands has finally sold, and is believed to have resulted in a smaller profit than initial hopes.</p> <p dir="ltr">The home was sold for an undisclosed price by Liam Griffiths of Inglis Rural Property to a buyer on a walk-in, walk-out basis, meaning that extras such as furniture are included in the sale.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it is understood that the property sold for less than the initial desired price of $16-$17.5 million, per <em><a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/alan-jones-sells-southern-highlands-farm-discounted-from-17-5m-high-hopes-2-1186063/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domain</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">First listed in April this year, Griffiths took over the listing in October with a price range of $15 to $16 million.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jones has owned the property, known as Elizabeth Farm and Charleville in honour of his parents, since 2003 and has commissioned a major redesign that saw the two main residences link up with a mutual courtyard, creating a ten-bedroom home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Out of a total of 25 bedrooms, Jones has resided in a two-bedroom wing with a formal and informal living and dining room, a central living room and a home office, while his niece Tonia Taylor and her family have lived in a wing with eight bedrooms, a rumpus room, and central living and dining room.</p> <p dir="ltr">While the home was recently marketed based on its equestrian facilities, it also boasts a tennis court and pavilion built for Taylor and her tennis coach husband, as well as a separate two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage, and a “hootenanny” shed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property also features landscaped gardens, a private natural forest called Wombat Woods, life-sized elephant and giraffe sculptures, and an ornamental lake and island with dyed water.</p> <p dir="ltr">With the sale of the Fitzroy Falls farm, Jones’ portfolio consists of his Circular Quay apartment purchased for $10.5 million in 2017, as well as his riverfront home in Southport, which he paid $12.25 million for in 2021.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6a27e41f-7fff-4553-90ba-677859c83832"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images, Inglis Rural Property</em></p>

Real Estate

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Warming oceans may force New Zealand’s sperm and blue whales to shift to cooler southern waters

<p>The world’s oceans are absorbing more than <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean-impacts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">90% of the excess heat and energy</a> generated by rising greenhouse gas emissions.</p> <p>But, as the oceans keep warming, rising sea temperatures generate unprecedented cascading effects that include the melting of polar ice, rising seas, marine heatwaves and ocean acidification.</p> <p>This in turn has profound impacts on marine biodiversity and the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities, especially in island nations such as New Zealand.</p> <p>In our latest <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X22007075?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a>, we focused on great whales – sperm and blue whales in particular. They are crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, but have limited options to respond to climate change: either adapt, die, or move to stay within optimal habitats.</p> <p>We used mathematical models to predict how they are likely to respond to warming seas by the end of the century. Our results show a clear southward shift for both species, mostly driven by rising temperatures at the sea surface.</p> <h2>Computing the fate of whales</h2> <p>Data on the local abundance of both whales species are <a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v690/p201-217/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deficient</a>, but modelling provides a powerful tool to predict how their range is likely to shift.</p> <p>We used a <a href="http://macroecointern.dk/pdf-reprints/AraujoNew2007.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">combination of mathematical models</a> (known as correlative species distribution models) to predict the future range shifts of these whale species as a response to three future climate change scenarios of differing severity, as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPCC</a>).</p> <p>We applied these models, using the whales’ present distributions, to build a set of environmental “rules” that dictate where each species can live. Using climate-dependent data such as sea-surface temperature and chlorophyll A (a measure of phytoplankton growth), as well as static data such as water depth and distance to shore, we applied these rules to forecast future habitat suitability.</p> <p>We chose a scenario of “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00177-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">modest</a>” response to cutting greenhouse gas emissions (the IPCC’s mitigation strategy RCP4.5), which is the most likely given the current policies, and a worst-case scenario (no policy to cut emissions, RCP8.5), assuming the reality will likely be somewhere between the two.</p> <p>Our projections suggest current habitats in the ocean around the North Island may become unsuitable if sea-surface temperatures continue to rise.</p> <p>These range shifts become even stronger with increasing severity of climate change. For sperm whales, which are currently abundant off Kaikōura where they support eco-tourism businesses, the predicted distribution changes are even more evident than for blue whales, depending on the climate change scenario.</p> <p>While our results do not predict an overall reduction in suitable habitat that would lead to local extinctions, the latitudinal range shifts are nevertheless bound to have important ecological consequences for New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.</p> <h2>How whales maintain ecosystems</h2> <p>Great whales are marine ecosystem engineers. They modify their habitats (or create new ones), to suit their needs. In fact, these activities create conditions that other species rely on to survive.</p> <p>They engineer their environment on several fronts. By feeding in one place and releasing their faeces in another, whales convey minerals and other nutrients such as nitrogen and iron from the deep water to the surface, as well as across regions. This process, known as a “<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0013255" target="_blank" rel="noopener">whale pump</a>”, makes these nutrients available for phytoplankton and other organisms to grow.</p> <p>This is very important because phytoplankton contributes about <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/plankton-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half of all oxygen to the atmosphere</a> and also captures <a href="https://www.imf.org/Publications/fandd/issues/2019/12/natures-solution-to-climate-change-chami" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 40% of all released carbon dioxide</a>. By helping the growth of phytoplankton, whales indirectly contribute to the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tiny-plankton-drive-processes-in-the-ocean-that-capture-twice-as-much-carbon-as-scientists-thought-136599" target="_blank" rel="noopener">natural ocean carbon sink</a>.</p> <p>On top of this, each great whale accumulates about <a href="https://www.arcticwwf.org/the-circle/stories/protecting-the-earth-by-protecting-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">33 tonnes of carbon dioxide in their body</a>, which they take to the ocean floor when they die and their carcass sinks.</p> <p> </p> <p>Ultimately, the impact of warming oceans on whale distribution is an additional stress factor on ecosystems already under pressure from wider threats, including acidification, pollution and over-exploitation.</p> <h2>A way forward to help whales</h2> <p>Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales (odontocetes) and deep-diving apex predators. They primarily feed on squid and fish that live near the bottom of the sea.</p> <p>Blue whales are baleen whales (mysticetes) and filter small organisms from the water. They feed at the surface on zooplankton, particularly dense krill schools along coastlines where cold water from the deep ocean rises toward the surface (so-called <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upwelling areas</a>).</p> <p>These differences in feeding habits lead to divergent responses to ocean warming. Blue whales show a more distinct southerly shift than sperm whales, particularly in the worst-case scenario, likely because they feed at the surface where ocean warming will be more exacerbated than in the deep sea.</p> <p>Both species have important foraging grounds off New Zealand which may be compromised in the future. Sperm whales are currently occurring regularly off Kaikōura, while blue whales forage in the South Taranaki Bight.</p> <p>Despite these ecological differences, our results show that some future suitable areas around the South Island and offshore islands are common to both species. These regions could be considered sanctuaries for both species to retreat to or expand their habitat in a warming world. This should warrant <a href="https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/Environmental-Report-Card-Marine-Areas-with-Legal-protection_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased protection of these areas</a>.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/warming-oceans-may-force-new-zealands-sperm-and-blue-whales-to-shift-to-cooler-southern-waters-188522" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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The easiest way to witness one of nature’s most incredible natural displays

<p>With travel back on the cards for the first time in over two years, many Aussies are jumping at the chance to tick the world’s most breathtaking destinations off their bucket lists.</p> <p>For many, this includes seeing the famous Northern Lights. However, Australians can spend a small fortune to venture to the Arctic to experience these dramatic light transformations, and that’s assuming you’re lucky enough to not have bad weather or light pollution obstruct the natural show.</p> <p>But now, there is a revolutionary way for Aussies to experience the Southern Hemisphere’s equivalent, the Aurora Australis, without having to travel too far from home, thanks to the Southern Lights scenic flights with Chimu Adventures. The incredible Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, dance across the sky in amazing colours and formations, one of nature’s most unique scenes, but are best visible from the air, away from light pollution. </p> <p>The Southern Lights occur naturally in the earth’s sky around the magnetic north and south poles, producing an ethereal and dynamic exhibition of colours that are most visible in high latitude areas. </p> <p>When we observe this electrical phenomenon, we are witnessing billions of individual collisions of energy lighting up the magnetic lines of our planet.</p> <p>The Aurora Australis has received much less attention than the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, due to its accessibility.</p> <p>While the Northern Lights are most visible from Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden and Iceland, the Southern Lights shine brightest in one of the world’s most remote regions: the Antarctic Circle.</p> <p>While Aurora enthusiasts have been capturing rare glimpses of the Aurora Australis from Australia and New Zealand at a distance, they have been at a disadvantage due to their inaccessibility.</p> <p>But how much could we learn, and how much more could we see if we could get closer?</p> <p>Australians can now experience the Aurora Australis like never before with<a href="https://www.chimuadventures.com/blog/2021/03/southern-lights-aurora-australis-guide/"> Chimu Adventures</a>, with lucky travellers getting a front row seat to the Southern Lights.</p> <p>After boarding a private Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner with a team of expert astronomers, you will head over the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica.</p> <p>Leaving mid-evening to avoid light pollution and unpredictable weather systems, you will travel above the clouds to chase the Southern Aurora Zone.</p> <p>With flights leaving from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, you will witness the beauty of stars, constellations and planets unlike you’ve ever seen before.</p> <p>With Chimu Adventures being the only company to offer this extraordinary experience, the 12-14 hour flights are truly a one-of-a-kind travel adventure.</p> <p>Passengers will enjoy Qantas inflight services in both business and economy classes, as astronomers will provide expert information during the flight about how an Aurora is created.</p> <p>During the flight, travellers will witness the majestic curtains of light dancing across the sky, as the kaleidoscope of colours ignite the senses like never before.</p> <p>The colours of the Aurora differ depending on your altitude, with green the most common colour we see in both the Southern and Northern lights.</p> <p>The green in an aurora is caused by ions colliding with oxygen at lower altitudes, where reds are the result of collisions occurring at much higher altitudes, making them less common to see.</p> <p>Blue and purple lights also make an appearance in the Auroras, however our eyes are largely incapable of picking these up.</p> <p>What can help capture the wide range of colours in the natural Aurora shows is the invaluable lens of a camera.</p> <p>A modern, sophisticated camera is far more sensitive than the human eye and better at capturing the complexities of colours on display within an Aurora.</p> <p>The astrophotographers onboard will offer valuable commentary on how to photograph the Aurora, as well as capturing a series of images for your personal collection, allowing you to watch the natural light show first-hand rather than through a lens.</p> <p>With different booking classes and a seat swapping structure in place to share the best view of this amazing natural display from the large Dreamliner windows, there is an option for everyone to experience the Southern Lights in all their natural glory.</p> <p>To experience the Aurora Australis natural light show in stunning luxury, with a front-row view of the wonder of the Southern Lights, you can book your seat <a href="https://www.chimuadventures.com/en-au/antarctica/greatsouthernflights">here</a>.</p> <p>With Chimu Adventures offering rare and uninterrupted views of the Aurora Australis with the invaluable guidance of astronomy and astrophotography experts, an unforgettable trip to the Southern Lights should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Supplied</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.chimuadventures.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chimu Adventures</a>.</em></p>

International Travel

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Thousands of giant crabs amass off Australia’s coast

<p>Every winter in shallow waters off Australia’s southern coast, armies of native spider crabs appear in their thousands. They form huge underwater piles, some as tall as a person. These fascinating crustaceans are on a risky mission – to get bigger.</p> <p>Crabs cannot simply grow like humans and other soft-bodied creatures. They must break free from their shells, expand their soft flesh and harden a new shell – all while dodging hungry predators on the hunt for a soft, easy meal.</p> <p>This moulting process leaves crabs clumsy and uncoordinated, making any escape tricky. That’s thought to be one reason they clump together in such big numbers – to keep each other safe.</p> <p>The spectacular gatherings attract tourists from interstate and overseas and have even been featured in a BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09gl670" target="_blank" rel="noopener">documentary</a>. But despite all this attention, scientists know very little about these quirky creatures. We need your help to investigate.</p> <h2>Safety in numbers</h2> <p>Southern Australia’s spider crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) are usually orange to red-brown. They can reach 16cm across their shell and 40cm across their legs, and are commonly known as great spider crabs.</p> <p>Spider crabs are believed to be widely dispersed in deeper waters. But they’re most visible to humans when they congregate <a href="https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/14370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">near shore in winter</a>, and occasionally at other times of year.</p> <p>Once together, spider crabs shed their old shells in a synchronised act thought to take about <a href="https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/14370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an hour</a>. The crabs stay together until their new hard shells form, which probably takes a few days.</p> <p>The aggregation can last a few weeks. Soft crabs are thought to take refuge in the middle of the piles, protected by crabs yet to moult.</p> <p>Afterwards, spider crabs return to deeper waters and their solitary lives, leaving the seafloor littered with discarded shells.</p> <h2>Plenty of mysteries to solve</h2> <p>Spider crab aggregations have been officially reported along the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts. Historically, most winter sightings have been reported on the Mornington Peninsula – particularly near the Rye and Blairgowrie piers.</p> <p>Anecdotal evidence suggests the gatherings can also happen elsewhere. For instance, an aggregation was reported this year on the western side of Port Phillip Bay.</p> <p>But there’s still so much we don’t know about spider crabs, such as:</p> <ul> <li>how many spider crabs are out there?</li> <li>how many gather en masse?</li> <li>how long do the crabs stay?</li> <li>what signals do crabs use to know it’s time to come together?</li> <li>why do the crabs aggregate at one location in several consecutive years then not return?</li> </ul> <p>Most spider crab gatherings seem to occur in winter, but they’re known to come together at other times. For example, aggregations in late spring, midsummer and early autumn have been reported in parts of Port Phillip Bay and elsewhere Victoria and Tasmania.</p> <p>Those aggregations don’t seem related to moulting – in fact, we have no idea why they occur!</p> <h2>We need your help</h2> <p>To better understand spider crab aggregations, a citizen science project called <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/spider-crab-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spider Crab Watch</a> has been launched.</p> <p>We’re inviting everyone – including divers, fishermen, swimmers and boaters – to report where they see spider crabs, alone or in groups. We’d also love to hear from people who come across discarded spider crab shells on the beach, because that indicates an aggregation occurred nearby.</p> <p>The reports will help us determine the habitats and conditions suitable for spider crab aggregations. We welcome sightings from Port Phillip Bay and across the Great Southern Reef, where spider crabs live. The reef spans the southern part of Australia from New South Wales to Western Australia and Tasmania.</p> <p>Logging a sighting is a quick process. Just report the date, time and location of the spider crabs, and answer a few questions. Photos are not essential but always welcome.</p> <p>We’re also using traditional research to solve these mysteries. This includes underwater surveys, spider crab tagging and the use of timelapse cameras to capture images of spider crabs and their predators at sites where aggregations are expected.</p> <p>After the aggregations, the images captured will be uploaded to a web portal. Interested people from around the country (and the world) can then analyse the images to help us count spider crabs and identify their predators.</p> <p>If that interests you, <a href="https://redcap.link/ybjksj1z" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign up</a> for Spider Crab Watch updates.</p> <p>This program and the broader research is supported by funding from the Victorian government.</p> <h2>Understanding our oceans</h2> <p>The aims of this research go far beyond spider crabs. Scientists also want to know if spider crab gatherings help predators maintain healthy populations.</p> <p>Huge stingrays, seals, seabirds and some sharks are often spotted near aggregation sites. But we need more information to understand how crab aggregations affect animals at the top of the food chain.</p> <p>Spider crabs have captured the imagination of ocean lovers for decades – yet we know so little about their lives.</p> <p>This project will help us gather information on this amazing natural spectacle and the role it plays in the marine environment.</p> <p><em><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-b48fe8be-7fff-2eb6-cfb8-219641f850f0">This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-giant-crabs-amass-off-australias-coast-scientists-need-your-help-to-understand-it-183342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</span></strong></em></p> <p><em>Image: Museums Victoria</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Jaw-dropping estate with 1km-long driveway up for grabs

<p dir="ltr">A luxe country estate just two hours from Sydney has been <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-robertson-139186571?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed for sale</a> with an eye-watering price guide between $25-$27.5 million.</p> <p dir="ltr">The seven-bedroom, six-bathroom estate in the Southern Highlands, inspired by an iconic 19th century mansion in Point Piper, boasts two floors, an underground wine cellar that can store 4,200 bottles, and a kilometre-long driveway that provides the home with a high degree of privacy.</p> <p dir="ltr">Outside the 2000-square-metre home, the property also boasts rolling pastures, manicured gardens, a pool and a summer house.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having only been completed in 2007, Christie’s agent Darren Curtis said the home’s current owners have spent the last 14 to 15 years extensively changing its interiors.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The owners of the estate bought it in 2008 and over the past 14-15 years they’ve made a number of internal changes and major renovations made to the property,” Mr Curtis said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Usually when people move into large luxury estates, they have to do up a few rooms here and there and clean up the gardens. This is one of those rare occasions where a person can move into a home and not have to tinker with it too much.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The buyers that are expressing their interest in this property include those looking for a seachange and a treechange, those returning from overseas - predominantly Chinese buyers - and (those with) a renewed interest in acreage homes.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Curtis also told The Daily Telegraph that the wine cellar is well-insulated and stays the same temperature all year round.</p> <p dir="ltr">Located in the village of Robertson, which is a popular wine-tasting area, the estate’s guesthouse has been used as an Airbnb while the main home underwent renovations.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s certainly nothing in this area that has the same stature and weight as this estate, certainly nothing recently that compares to the $25m+ price tag,” Mr Curtis said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s got a real gravitas to it, the walls are a third of a metre thick and teh current owners also spent quite a bit of time with 65 prime Welsh Black cattle on the 80 hectare estate.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e69647ed-7fff-ebc3-2bd7-f3c10e1f19b2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Realestate.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Are you a cat or a dog person?

<p>Did you know your choice of pet reflects a lot more about you than you might think? Dr Sam Kovac is a general practice vet who sees pets and their owners all the time and he tells us what your choice of pet means. </p> <p>Dr Sam Kovac says <span>pets have distinct personalities and your choice of pet shows if you’re an extrovert, disciplined, independent and much more. </span></p> <p><strong><span>So - are you a dog or cat person?</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Here are five tips from Dr Kovac to find out:</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Are you an extrovert or introvert?</span></strong><span> Dogs are friendly and sociable and prefer to stay in ‘packs’ or family units. They love to make friends with others while taking a walk or even to tag along on the family vacation! </span></p> <p><span>If you’re someone who is more outgoing and enjoys social gatherings, you’re more likely to favour an equally extroverted canine companion.</span></p> <p><span>Cats, on the other hand, are more selective and prefer familiar and relaxing environments with their chosen humans. While this makes them seem indifferent to outsiders, cats are extremely affectionate with those they form a strong bond with.</span></p> <p><span>T</span><span>hey are highly sensitive and display their affection in different ways. If you prefer a quiet, cosy evening at home lounging with your pet, a feline friend is your best match. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Are you disciplined or free-spirited?</span></strong><span> Cat owners are more likely to be disciplined and appreciate routines and proper planning. Cats can get stressed when you move the furniture around or change your work hours.</span></p> <p><span>This makes them the best pets for people who follow a structured and well- planned lifestyle...like the person who plans itineraries hour by hour. Dogs, on the other hand, are free-spirited, and like their typical owners, have a strong sense of justice, self-discipline and loyalty,</span></p> <p><strong><span><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9e123969fe6948b2992b49c7a4d83bfc" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843171/cat-photo-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9e123969fe6948b2992b49c7a4d83bfc" /></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Are you independent or do you like dependency?</span></strong><strong><span> </span></strong></p> <p><span>Caring for a furry friend is a hands-on job. Dog owners have more responsibility as dogs require more attention and human interaction than cats. Owing to their playful and active personalities, dogs love the outdoors and need to be taken on frequent walks and spend quality time with their owners.</span></p> <p><span>They are energetic and love to engage in playtime with their families. If you’re looking for a best friend to do fun activities with who dotes on you and openly shows affection – look no further than a precious pooch!  </span></p> <p><span>While dogs thrive on physical closeness and contact, cats are more independent and value their personal space. Cats are incredibly undemanding pets and require less maintenance. They can be left alone for longer periods as they spend a large part of their day taking naps. </span></p> <p><span>They are the purrrrfect companions for those who crave affection but also want the space to do their own thing. If you’re busy during the day and enjoy the simple pleasures of cuddling up to your furry friend at night, you’re more likely to enjoy the company of a cat. When your kitty wants your attention, they may rub up against you or lick you to show they love you. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Are you more commanding or patient? </span></strong></p> <p><span>Dog owners are more likely to value the traits of loyalty and respect from their pets as dogs are more than happy to be dutiful pets as most are eager to please their owners. They’re easier to train than cats and willingly obey their owners’ commands, especially if treats are near! </span></p> <p><span>Dogs can pick up commands and partly understand human language if taught well. If you are assertive and like to be in charge, you will find dogs are the more agreeable pets. </span></p> <p><span>Cats are not as easy to train and need a more patient human companion who allows them to slowly learn what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour. They don’t understand human commands like dogs, but are more intuitive creatures. </span></p> <p><span>Being from the family of predators, they do not like to be tamed and like to be given freedom to do as they please. That doesn’t mean your cat isn’t loyal to you, they are simply more inquisitive and like to learn for themselves without too much restriction. Don’t cramp their style!</span></p> <p><strong><span>Do you like wet sloppy kisses or tiny ones? </span></strong></p> <p><span>Cats and dogs are exceptionally affectionate and show this to humans in their own ways. Dogs’ express excitement when they see their owners and wag their tails madly, especially if they have been apart. </span><span> </span></p> <p><span>They also lick their human friends and enjoy being petted and cuddled. If you are a physically affectionate person and like snuggling, who better to reciprocate your affection than a puppy?</span></p> <p><span>Cats approach humans and rub against them, gently headbutt them or expose their bellies to indicate their trust. Don’t be surprised if you find your cat licking your face – this is your cat’s version of giving you a ‘bath’. Cats lick to groom themselves and doing this is a sign that they consider you their own and are caring for you as you would for themselves. </span></p> <p><span>So, did you find yourself identifying more as a cat or dog person? These are the points to keep in mind when deciding the ideal pet for you and your family. And contrary to what cartoons have told you, cats and dogs can happily coexist in the same household and supply their owners with unconditional love and comfort. </span></p> <p><em><span>Dr Sam Kovac is a Sydney-based general practice vet who believes in extending the lifespan of animals through new treatments. He founded Southern Cross Vet, with clinics in St Peters, Bellevue Hill and Surry Hills. His website is: <a href="https://southerncrossvet.com.au/">https://southerncrossvet.com.au/</a></span></em></p> <p><em><span>Photos: Courtesy of Southern Cross Vet</span></em></p> <p><em><span> </span></em></p> <p><em><span> </span></em></p>

Family & Pets

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Sam Armytage tells all about her new life

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though she shocked </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunrise</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> viewers when she announced she was departing the show and heading to the countryside back in March, it appears Sam Armytage couldn’t be happier about her decision.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 44-year-old left city life and moved to the NSW Southern Highlands with husband Richard Lavender last month and when asked about the move in an interview with <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/i-barely-brush-my-hair-sams-life-after-sunrise/news-story/3659c8f87e3bbbfd5c94979610798455"><em>The Daily Telegraph</em></a>, she called her new lifestyle “bliss”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I barely brush my hair and put a bit of lipstick on these days, and it is lovely,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It is absolutely bliss to not have to worry about hair and makeup for this part of my career.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN6ht4pHUGU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN6ht4pHUGU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Samantha Armytage ⭐️ (@sam_armytage)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While she has already revealed that she doesn’t think she’s done with TV yet, if she were to take on a new role on air it wouldn’t be at the same pace as </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunrise</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as she doesn’t think that life brought her “much happiness”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I wasn’t happy at all with the level of attention that I got through that and so I reset it,” she explained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since wrapping up her time on the morning breakfast show, Samantha has been working on her podcast, Something to Talk About, for </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stellar </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">magazine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She’s also been keeping fans in the loop on her new life in the country on her Instagram page, where she regularly shares snaps of her and Richard on their sprawling property.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a shock announcement in March, Sam revealed that she would be leaving after eight years in breakfast TV.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the time, she said she wanted to “take a break and find some peace and calm” after a difficult six months.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On her last day, Sam called out the “snarkiness” and “bullying” she faced while hosting the show.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speculation swirled around her replacement until Sam’s Channel 7 colleague Nat Barr took on the task to host the program alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s time to start the next chapter, but I will never forget how wonderful our @sunriseon7 viewers were to me. See you soon,” Sam said.</span></p>

Retirement Life

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Explore the southern spice trail of India

<p>The southern spice trail of India offers aromatic plants and scents – temples, history, fragrant curries, plenty of cows and the odd elephant. Bev Malzard explores.</p> <p>‘India is a land of contrasts.’ These are the words I read when I first heard about India in primary school. I missed the hippie trail through India in the late 70s and somehow it missed my ‘trip list’ for the next 30 years. It’s a long time since the 70s and I am no longer young and fearless – I don’t have the time to meander on a spiritual journey, nor can I laze around a beach for weeks.</p> <p>Playing it safe, but not too safe, I opted for a guided tour through the southern part of India, with companions from the UK – all aged from late 50s to 70s. These were tough, hardened travellers, who had been everywhere and adapted to India as soon as the first cow strolled in front of our coach and nearly sent us off the road. My kind of people.</p> <p>We were on the Cosmos Tours Kerala &amp; Spice Route trip. This extraordinary trip has left me with a montage of memories, all compartmentalised as it wasn’t a seamless 15 days; there were stops, starts and surprises along the way. For two days we drove through small towns and villages that were so crowded that I wondered how the human spirit could breathe, then open, brilliant green paddy fields appeared with workers dotted on the shivery landscape; a multi-storied steel and glass building branded with the IT neon success story flashed itself on the side of a highway, and beside it stood broken houses, businesses of broken dreams and rubbish piled high against the near and present future of India.</p> <p>Following are my memory chip postcards of India, and if my brain doesn’t go into the daily details of life here – all I see is colour.</p> <p><strong>Temples, temples, temples</strong><br />The southern spice trail in India offers more than arom<br />atic plants and scents – temples, history, fragrant curries, cows and more cows plus the odd elephant village. It is the site of the first British settlement in 1639. There are buildings here that smack of the British Raj; Portuguese churches; and more Hindu temples than you can poke an incense stick at.</p> <p>Temples and precious sites visited, with the amazing ancient carvings and script include: Mahabalipuram, UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing some of India’s finest rock art and architecture. See the Five Rathas, Sarjuna’s Penance and Shore temple; Kanchipuram, one of the 11 sacred sites of India; the Dakshinachitra heritage centre; the 16th century Church of Our Lady of Expectations; the basilica of San Thome and the gardens of the Theosophical Society, a vast campus of rambling pathways and countless trees.</p> <p>After a long day’s drive on highways to hell with roadside rubbish gobbling up all strips of nature and seeing crumbling half-finished buildings, we arrived in the immaculate seaside town of Pondicherry.</p> <p>Two thousand years ago the Romans traded on the shores; the Portuguese arrived in 1521 and by the 17th century the French had purchased the town, only relinquishing it in 1954. I wandered along one of the avenues with shade trees and neat houses, only to watch an elephant and its mahout cross the street in front of me – another day in the life of!</p> <p>As we made our way up to the Cardamom Hills we could see the exquisite beauty of the mountains and enjoy fragrant, clear air, redolent with the scents of spices and sweet breezes. A walk into the small town of Thekkady included lots of stops to look at boutiques selling saris, good fashion items, jewellery and some well-made souvenirs.</p> <p>From the foot of the beautiful Nilgiri Hills we began the steep and winding road looking down over the rolling plantations of tea. The entire town of Ooty was built by the British, and there’s a good legacy of guesthouses and hotels for the 21st century visitor.</p> <p>For fun take a ride on the Ooty ‘toy train’. This little wooden train runs most days but is subject to weather, elephants on the track, the odd landslide and rain. You choof through green hills to Coonoor, the old ‘summer capital’ of Madras. At 2240m above sea level, the air is clean, the monkeys are plentiful and the jacaranda trees and colourful lantana a sight for shining eyes.</p> <p>And for something completely different hop onboard a houseboat to ply the backwaters – Cochin in Kerala. The houseboats took about eight people and we each separated to our own vessels. <br />We were served fine curries particular to this region with fresh fruit following. A heavy sleep and back on shore saw most people a little sad at leaving the houseboats.</p> <p>And it’s like that leaving India. I was a little sad, as I didn’t think I had understood it well enough – I didn’t have enough time. But hey, as the distance between us grows, my memories are growing fonder and I’m getting a bit more of a handle on things – but maybe I’m not. It doesn’t matter really. India goes from the sublime to the incredulous – and long may it stay that way.</p> <p>Remember India is not for the fainthearted, best to be under the guidance of a reliable company.</p> <p><strong>Useful links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.thaiairways.com/en/index.page">www.thaiairways.com</a></p> <p><em>Written by Bev Malzard. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/explore-the-southern-spice-trail-of-india.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a> </em></p>

Cruising

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A ‘mistical’ day in the highlands

<p><em>Justine Tyerman survives a panic attack in the middle of a tunnel on Japan’s Izu Peninsula and even enjoys hiking in the rain . . .  </em></p> <p>Walking through the historic Amagi Tunnel evoked images of the beautiful young dancer and the student in <em>The Izu Dancer</em>.</p> <p>The 115-year-old moss-coated stone tunnel features in Yasunari Kawabata’s Nobel Prize-winning beautiful short story which I had just finished reading.</p> <p>About halfway through the 445m tunnel, I thought I felt a slight tremor and the words of our Walk Japan tour leader and guide suddenly began to echo inside my head.</p> <p>Describing Japan’s record for earthquakes upon our arrival in the Izu Peninsula the previous day, Yohei had said: “About 1500 earthquakes strike Japan every year with around 1000 minor tremors occurring each day. In 2005, 130,000 quakes were logged in Japan.”</p> <p>I quickened my pace.</p> <p>“It’s unusual for a year to go by without three or four earthquakes measuring 6.0 or more on the Richter scale,” he continued. “Japan actually accounts for about 20 percent of the earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.”</p> <p>I began to jog.</p> <p>“Deadly quakes are a tragic part of our nation's history,” he said.</p> <p>I ran like the wind towards the circle of light at the end of the 445m tunnel. </p> <p>“It would be just my luck for a quake to strike right now,” I thought, in mid-tunnel. “I’d never be found.”</p> <p>Emerging breathless at the end of the tunnel, those who had already made it through, alive and well, looked at me as though I was slightly deranged. My young Singaporean friends were busy setting up a group leap at the mouth of the tunnel. The photos looked pretty cool.</p> <p>Earlier that day, as we drove south along the east coast of the Izu Peninsula, waves were pounding the black volcanic rocks that characterise the region, and fishing boats were bucking at their moorings.</p> <p>Leaving the coast behind, we headed inland through lush green forests, negotiating many tunnels and the Kawazu Nanadaru Loop Bridge, a corkscrew-shaped construction completed in 1982 to accommodate terrain too steep for a conventional road.</p> <p>Our destination was the Amagi Highland in the middle of a mountain range which forms a spine along the length of the peninsula. The mountains had been pushed up, folded and crumpled when the Philippine Sea Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate 600,000 thousand years ago, creating the Izu Peninsula.</p> <p>Our local guide for the day, Dan Tsuchiya, was waiting for us at the turn-off to a steep, windy, narrow mountain road.</p> <p>Before setting off on our hike to Hatcho-ike (or Hacho Pond), the crater lake on Mt Amagi, Dan led us through a series of warm-up exercises in which everyone participated with great enthusiasm. There are maps and information boards everywhere on Japanese hiking trails, so we had an orientation session before we set off uphill through a beautiful forest of beech and maple trees. </p> <p>Our hike followed an ancient road that led to the once strategically-important port of Shimoda in the south of the peninsula (more about that later). Misty rain enhanced the colours and added a mystical, ethereal atmosphere to the landscape. As we climbed steadily higher, I was grateful for my layers of merino wool, wet weather gear – and umbrella to keep my camera dry. </p> <p>Dan stopped at his ‘secret favourite forest’ to show us images of maples ablaze in autumn regalia. Further on he pointed out a sad sight – the demise of the ‘mother tree’, the oldest tree in the forest. The 300-year-old beech had been blown over by the wind a couple of months earlier and would no longer feed the forest with seedlings or the animals with nuts.</p> <p>The forest floor was strangely clean, which gave the appearance of a well-kept park but in fact the lack of seedlings and undergrowth was attributable to the unsustainably large numbers of deer. They cannot be hunted in a national park so they take refuge there, eating everything except japonica, which is poisonous to them. Unless the deer population is controlled, japonica will take over the forest, said Dan.</p> <p>Inside an experimental area that had been fenced off to allow the forest to regenerate, seedlings and undergrowth were thriving.</p> <p>Beautiful azaleas are a feature of the Amagi Highland. People come from all over the country to see the trees flower in June and July. Some were already in flower, providing vivid splashes of colour amid the green of the forest.</p> <p>By the time we reached Hatcho-ike, the ‘Eye of Amagi’, at an altitude of 1170m, it was completely shrouded in mist and the temperatures were dropping. Our picnic lunch was a hurried affair on the steps of a demolished building that had its heyday last century when large numbers of people would hike up the track to ice-skate on the frozen pond in the winter. A photo on an information board shows dozens of skaters on the ice in the 1960s. What fun that would have been.</p> <p>Confusingly, the sign at the top said the pond was not a crater lake but a body of water created by a fault slip. </p> <p>As drizzle turned to heavy rain, we took a shortcut back to our bus, passing by an ancient road beneath a canopy of trees and clusters of vivid pink azaleas and rhododendrons. No-one seemed to mind hiking in the rain in such a beautiful forest. We all had umbrellas and wet weather gear so we were warm and dry. Hiking with an umbrella was a novel experience for me. I found it very useful for keeping my camera dry while taking photos in the rain . . . a third hand comes in handy too. </p> <p>Our accommodation for the evening was Amagiso Ryokan in Kawazu, a traditional Japanese inn with 28 hot springs baths including public outdoor pools at the foot of a spectacular waterfall. Open to male and female guests (in swimsuits), the pools have appeared in several Japanese movies and television series.</p> <p>Chatting with my fellow hikers in the hot springs in the misty drizzle with the waterfall gushing from the cliff above was sublime.</p> <p>Revitalised by the outdoor bath, I dressed in a bright yellow and white floral yukata with a blue haori (jacket) for dinner, another traditional Japanese feast of seafood and fresh produce. I was slightly alarmed at the live abalone on a burner in front of me, trying to escape his fate. On another burner, I cooked thick chunks of Kobe beef, vegetables and fiddlehead fern to tasty perfection.</p> <p>Other dishes included swordfish, white clams, shrimps, snails, sea bream, broad beans and mountain vegetables.</p> <p>The waitresses were exceptionally friendly and chatty – Yuki had spent time in Canada, and Takako had worked at Amagiso for about 25 years. Takako was also responsible for the beautiful flower arrangements at the inn.</p> <p>By the time I got back to my room, my futon had been made up with the lightest feather duvet. The rain was steady overnight and torrential by morning so my plan to return to the hot pool by the waterfall before breakfast was thwarted. The pathway was closed . . . along with numerous roads in the area.</p> <p>At breakfast, we could create our own omelettes with a variety of tasty ingredients and little burners. There was yoghurt, noodles, salad, miso, tofu and pickles too.</p> <p>A young kimono-clad girl escorted us to our bus under bright pink and purple umbrellas.</p> <p>The ever-resourceful Yohei came up with a rainy-day contingency plan. Hiking to Kawazu’s Seven Waterfalls was off the agenda so we visited the Uehara Museum of Art near Shimoda instead. The museum has two magnificent galleries displaying precious Buddhist art and sculptures dating back to the 8th century, and modern art including paintings by Monet, Renoir and Picasso. I fell I love with a beautiful sculpture there. She looked so forlorn in the rain.</p> <p><em>To be continued...</em></p> <p><em>Read Part One of Justine Tyerman’s Japan visit <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/living-like-a-local-in-japan/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Justine Tyerman was a guest of <a href="https://walkjapan.com/">Walk Japan</a>.</em></p>

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A taste of country life in the Southern Highlands

<p><em><strong>Robyn Kennedy loves to explore and photograph Sydney and surrounds. Her blog <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.lifeoutandabout.com.au/" target="_blank">Life Out &amp; About</a></span> has become a passion, sharing ideas for outings in and around Sydney - charming gardens, bush walks, art galleries and inspiring places to eat!</strong></em></p> <p>Connecting the historic towns and villages of the Southern Highlands is a network of quiet country roads. Rolling hills, tree lined farms and boutique wineries make the Highlands an idyllic place to explore by car, bike… or on foot!  Also, with an impressive selection of fine dining restaurants and quality accommodation it’s easy to appreciate why many Sydneysiders find the Highlands a perfect destination for a weekend or day trip getaway, only 90 minutes’ drive south west of Sydney.</p> <p><strong>What to see and do</strong></p> <p>There is plenty to love in the Highlands! If you enjoy walking a country lane, exploring historic villages, art galleries and antiques stores…  or dining al fresco in the vineyards, the Southern Highlands is for you! Also, during the Autumn and Spring many of the private gardens are open to the public… even if you don’t visit the gardens, the nature in and around the villages is uplifting.</p> <p>For suggestions on galleries, quirky antique shops, boutique stores and cafés, check out my blog <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.lifeoutandabout.com.au/creatives-southern-highlands/">Creatives of the Southern Highlands</a>.</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="250" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39890/southern-highlands-one_500x250.jpg" alt="Southern Highlands One"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Southern Highlands – Country Life – Drives – Walks – Eats – Arts – Antiques. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy.</em></p> <p><strong>1. Bendooley Estate – Lunch in the Vineyards</strong></p> <p>Just a five minute drive from Berrima is the impressive 200-acre property, Bendooley Estate. This is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch in the countryside.  On our last trip we had a balcony table where we could appreciate the beautiful estate grounds… and a glass or two of their very drinkable Pinot Gris. The interior also looked inviting, with a huge open fireplace and walls lined with hundreds of books, this is the iconic Berkelouw Book Barn and café.</p> <p><strong>2. Berrima Village</strong></p> <p>Berrima has all the quaintness you would expect to find in an historic village. Besides the historic buildings, there are a number of good cafés and restaurants, as well as some quirky gift and homeware shops.</p> <p>For café food, try Josh’s Café or The Courtyard Café . Also, the Bendooley Estate mentioned above is only 5 minutes away.</p> <p><strong>3. The Pines Pastoral – Cottage Accommodations</strong></p> <p>About a 10 minutes’ drive from Moss Vale is one of our favourite farm stay accommodations, The Pines Pastoral… home to six very comfortable farm cottages with open country views. We’ve stayed in two of the cottages, ‘Possums’ and ‘Sugar Glider’ and loved them both.</p> <p><strong>4. Sutton Forest</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="250" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39888/southern-highlands-two_500x250.jpg" alt="Southern Highlands Two"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sutton Forest Village – Country Life Southern Highlands. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy.</em></p> <p>The village of Sutton Forest is at the southern end of the Highlands, on the way to Bundanoon.  One of the tiniest and most historic of all the Highlands’ towns and villages, definitely worth a visit. The old pub is great for a drink or two on the back veranda… lovely rural views.</p> <p>Sutton Forest is home to the Red Cow Farm private garden, one of the most visited in the region. Also close by is the historic Peppers Manor House, accommodation that allows you to indulge in life at a grand country house.</p> <p>When we visited a number of years ago we enjoyed staying at the little cottage at Montrose House and Berry Farm, just a 10 minute walk to the village. At various times throughout the year you can even pick your own berries! I have fond memories of our walk along the country road, to and from the local pub… especially the brilliant starry nights after a few glasses of wine.</p> <p>Just up the road from Sutton Forest is Exeter with its English style estates, leafy laneways and trimmed hedges. The old General Store is a working post office, store and café with homemade food and gourmet goodies.</p> <p><strong>5. Fitzroy Falls</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="250" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39887/southern-highlands-three_500x250.jpg" alt="Southern Highlands Three"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Fitzroy Falls – Southern Highlands. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy.</em></p> <p>Magnificent Fitzroy Falls plunges over 80m to the valley below. The walk through the bush to the falls is beautiful.</p> <p><strong>6. Country Drive</strong></p> <p>Taking a ‘mystery drive’ along the back roads, discovering hidden valleys and tiny villages is very much a part of visiting the Highlands. On my last trip with a good friend, we finished our day of ‘indulgence’ with a drive through Kangaloon and Robertson, then down Jamberoo Mountain to the coast. With the late afternoon light bathing the countryside, the colours and vistas were brilliant! What a pity we didn’t have an appetite for more coffee and cake as I would have fancied a stop off at the Robertson Cheese Factory.</p> <p><strong>7. Visit the Open Gardens</strong></p> <p>I love Autumn and Spring in the Highlands when many private gardens open their gates to the public, and when the streets are filled with seasonal colours. Also, a number of gardens are located out of town so you get to enjoy a drive through the rural landscape… an inspiring way to spend a few hours!</p> <p><strong>8. Walks</strong></p> <p>It’s surprising that I’ve not done more walks in the area, especially when there are so many places to explore by foot!!! This is a list of walks that have been recommended… let me know if you have any other suggestions.</p> <ul> <li>Morton National Park – there are a number of worthwhile bushwalks, including Fitzroy Falls mentioned above. There is also the Bundanoon 14km cycling track… a trail that weaves through open forest of banksias and flowering shrubs, until you come to the edge of the escarpment formed by Bundanoon Creek.</li> <li>Bong Bong Track  – a 10-kilometre walking/cycling path linking Bowral and Moss Vale… the track runs beside the Wingercarribee River.</li> <li>Box Vale Track – follows the formation of an historic railway line and passes through cuttings, along embankments and through a tunnel 84 metres is length.</li> <li>Berrima River Walk – as the name suggests, a walk by the river!</li> </ul> <p>Have you ever been to the Southern Highlands?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Robyn Kennedy</em></p>

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