Editor’s Letter
JESS WILKINSON
Editor
One of my favourite pieces in this issue is our feature on happy quokkas (pg 64). It uses the World Happiness Report to demonstrate that Rottnest Island’s smiley quokkas are so content because their idyllic island life meets each of the criteria for happiness. It got me thinking about the ‘criteria’ for happiness and how this ties into our perceptions of travel.
Upon editing our piece on living like a nomad (pg 44) it made me wonder – would living a life untethered by borders, drawn from place to place only by the allure of constantly changing horizons, make us happier? Or is travel meant to stay in the box it exists in for most – a special event that we save for, look forward to, and mark in our calendars? I don’t have an answer, but maybe you will once you’ve read these beautiful stories.
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll notice we have some exciting new features being debuted in this issue. My favourites are our Q&A (pg 78) and Postcard (pg 86) where we get to hear directly from you, our readers.
We can answer your questions about any of the Journey Beyond experiences and get an insight into your special journeys with us, whether that be by rail, exploring the remote reaches of the tips of the country, or traversing across the red belly of Australia.
I look forward to hearing more of your stories as future issues unfold and hope that something in this issue lights a fire and inspires you to embark on a journey – of self-discovery like our solo travelers (pg 34), of cultural enlightenment with something like our Indigenous arts trail (pg 58), or one without a predetermined plan like our wandering nomads.
Mostly, I hope these stories inspire you to wander fearlessly, connect with the world around you, and find happiness – however that looks like to you.
On a day-trip, a short getaway or a long adventure? Share your #JourneyBeyond with us on Instagram – we love nothing more than gawking at travel pics.
Contributers
ZOE MCFARLANE
Zoe is a travel writer, manifestation coach and retreat facilitator based in Burleigh Heads. Her cat Pop keeps her wanderlust in check (for now). Zoe’s best travel story took place in Indonesia when an orangutan ate her passport and, for insurance purposes, she had to report it to the police and two embassies. Zoe is known as the manifestation queen and for her incredible travel writing gigs like her story on Rottnest Island on page 65.
ALEXX HAYWARD
Alexx is a Kiwi solo travel blogger who lives out of a suitcase for nine months of the year, searching for the ultimate travel experiences. She spent six years working in tourism marketing before the call for full-time travel became too strong. When she’s not on the road, you’ll find her typing away furiously to publish her travel guides and itineraries before her next trip. Check out her story on the many benefits of solo travel on page 36.
CAROLYNE JASINSKI
A wise woman (her mum) once told Carolyne: “The world is at your feet”. Carolyne took her literally and has followed those feet all around the world. As a journalist and editor, photographer and podcaster, she has captured many of those destinations in words and images. Carolyne specialises in travel and lifestyle writing and is occasionally treated to a plum job like crossing the country by rail – like her trip on The Overland (pg 8).
CATHERINE BEST
Catherine is an award-winning travel journalist and author with a passion for Australian storytelling. She credits her parents with igniting her lifelong wanderlust during childhood adventures travelling around Australian in a caravan. It’s a journey she has relived with her own family and documented in her book, Ultimate Caravan Trips Australia. To read about her love and passion for solo travelling, head to page 32.
DESIGN + EDITORIAL
Storyation
DISCLAIMER
Views expressed in Journey Beyond magazine are not necessarily those of Journey Beyond. The content of this magazine is fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without prior permission of the publisher. All information is correct at the time of going to press. All rights reserved.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
In the spirit of reconciliation, Journey Beyond acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.