Editor’s Letter
Katie Goss Editor
When I sat down with chef Duncan Welgemoed for this issue’s My Travel Journey (pg 8), I wasn’t sure who I’d meet. Would he be keeping his stories close, or bold and unflinching? True to reputation, Duncan was the latter – candid, colourful and generous in reflecting on the intricacies of cooking in one of the most challenging kitchens imaginable: a train galley. What stayed with me most was the camaraderie shared by all working in the kitchen.
It’s also a reminder of the people who make a Journey Beyond experience extraordinary. That message comes through in one of my favourite stories from this issue.
In You Had Me at Hello (pg 32), we meet a train host, lodge managers and a cruise crew member whose warmth transforms a welcome into something far more meaningful. Their stories prove that hospitality isn’t just service, it’s human connection in its most generous form.
Connection is also what makes a place memorable. Yanni Athanasiadis discovered this when he travelled to Coober Pedy in the 1970s, drawn by the treasures beneath its sun-scorched earth. His story as an opal miner (pg 38) is one of grit, character and belonging in the most quintessentially Australian way.
There are moments of emotion, insight and purpose scattered throughout this issue: in the words of a Journey Beyond team member travelling through Arnhem Land (pg 60) and in Monarto Safari Resort’s story of impact (pg 20).
And it wouldn’t be Journey Beyond magazine without reflecting on luxury travel. As Luxury Lodges of Australia turns 15, we explore how the company has led the way for ‘experiential luxury’ to take hold in Australia on page 74.
Wherever you are looking to explore, I hope the stories in these pages inspire you to connect with the people, places and with the journeys that leave you changed. Enjoy the journey.
We spoke with Woods Bagot principal and interior designer, Rosina Di Maria, about what luxury means in an Australian context and the intricacies of bringing Journey Beyond’s vision for the exclusive suites to life.
For those who, like me, feel a pull toward wildlife experiences, Monarto Safari Resort might just be your dream escape. Think African-style game drives, just 60 minutes from Adelaide, and sophisticated accommodation that puts you right in the heart of it all – minus the jet lag. We explore this new addition to Journey Beyond’s growing portfolio on page 28.
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
CARRIE HUTCHINSON
Carrie Hutchinson is a freelance journalist and editor, specialising in travel. When not visiting another far-flung destination, she loves nothing more than sharing the secrets of her chosen hometown, Melbourne, with people all around the world. Her stories on the city, from its famous landmarks to hidden bars, have been published in the UK, USA, Europe and, of course, Australia. Read Carrie’s take on Melbourne Skydeck on page 10..
ALICE HANSEN
Alice is a seventh-generation Tasmanian with a mad love for her island. As a Tassie-based travel writer, Alice has penned stories for National Geographic Traveller, Gourmet Traveller and Australian Traveller. She’s the founder of Tailored Tasmania – a launch pad for exploring Tassie like a local and built a Grand Designs Australia-featured pod described as a love letter to Tasmania. Alice applies her deep Tassie knowledge to Sense Tasmania found on page 44.
NATASHA DRAGUN
Natasha is an award-winning Sydney-based travel writer with a passion for culture, cuisine and storytelling. She has filed stories from more than 90 countries, with a focus on immersive luxury, adventure and Indigenous-led experiences. Her work has appeared in Escape, Condé Nast Traveller, CNN, Robb Report and Luxury Travel. Natasha escapes into the Kimberley with Journey Beyond’s Horizontal Falls & Dampier Peninsula tour on page 26.
IRJALIINA PAAVONPERA
Irjaliina is a travel photographer who’s lived everywhere from Brooklyn to the Greek island of Paxos. Now based in Greece, she’s visited 35 countries (and counting), often with two cameras and a love for the window seat. Her work has appeared in National Geographic Traveller UK, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Australian Traveller and International Traveller. Irjaliina captures the beauty of the Whitsundays on page 64.
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.