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Australia 2026
  • Mark John-Williams
  • Mark John-Williams

Australia 2026

A 20-day adventure by Mark Read more
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  • Trip start
    January 12, 2026
    Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Long journey to Oz

    January 12 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Left Charlie with his American housesitters and walked to get the bus. After a friendly chat with our hoarder neighbour Janet, we stopped off and had a quick pint before boarding the train to London. Slight delay in Crewe, waiting for the driver then onto our destination. Had a stop in Leicester Square where had our routine celeb-spotting moment - Kelly Brook, then a beer at the Chinatown dutch bar and off to Heathrow. Long flight to Hong kong (11 hours+) helped by a few films, the a few hours to enjoy HK airport. Had some Wanton soup, then onto the next leg to Perth (7 hours+). Approximately 36 hours travelling, to be greeted by Ellie in the glorious sunshine 🌞. Arrived at their lovely new home and an ensuite bedroom. Had a walk in Carine, then a glass of wine and back for a little nap. Henry arrives to big hugs from adoring Mother 💓Read more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Perth & Scarby

    January 15 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Up early and did our long Carine walk, spotting the usual birds, including Ibis. Got the train into Perth and wandered down the Quay where we had a stop at the Lucky shag, followed by a quick drink at Henry's rooftop bar, so named after a civil engineer called Henry who designed the first Jetty in Perth. Back to base and then out to the Thursday Scarby market, buzzy as usual with Henry and Ellie's friends. An early night againRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Freo

    January 16 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Helen got up early to do the gym and sauna with Ellie. I went for a speed walk around Carine. We got the train into Perth, then the connection down to Fremantle. Enjoyed the market, then found the Fed hotel where we shared a fish and chips lunch. Had a walk to see the oldest building in WA - the roundhouse, part of the prison, designed by Henry the engineer. Onto the Little creatures beer shed, then back to meet Hen at the Gage shed, for some dinner before home.Read more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    BBQ & Perth south

    January 17 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Went for our long Carine walk and got caught up in the local Parkrun. Bought some food for the barbie on the way back, then down to Scarborough beach for Mo's leaving BBQ. Nice chilled afternoon and the lamb kebabs were lovely. In the evening we had a lovely stroll in south Perth overlooking the city, then a great Italian on the way home.Read more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Chilling local

    January 18 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Went down to Trigg beach early where it was heaving. Had a coffee from the famous Bennie van, then walked along the prom. Back to base where we went for a drink in the Carine inn and watched the GP sailing from Fremantle. Hen and El joined us and we had a quick video call with Wynn and Mum. In the evening we went to the market on the green locally and had a curry, then back for another early nightRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Rotto

    January 19 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    6.30 lift from Ellie, to get the 7.30 boat 🚢. A 40 minute crossing with some seasick kids, then we got the explorer bus queue first. Stopped off twice on the way up the West Coast, with a swim at crowded little salmon bay. Onto the wild north headland, reef, waves and a giant Ospreys nest, but no birds. Down the east coast we stopped off at beautiful and deserted Stark bay and lo and behold Helen spotted the Ospreys on nearby rock! Had a lovely walk and swim in the bay, then onto the south (after a minor bus and child incident) where we had a bottle of wine shared with a thirsty quokka!Read more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Mullaloo

    January 20 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Did our usual Carine walk, then caught 2 buses, via Whitford, up to Mullaloo, a bit further on from Hillarys. The guy at the station thought we were mad going to the beach in the middle of the day and he was right. Close to 100° when we walked onto the beach. We retreated to the beach hotel for a drink, where it was still stifling beneath the umbrellas. Went down for an hour and had a swim in the surf. No sign of Trev the Tiger shark today. One more cooling drink before heading home via the bus and train.Read more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Freo mini-break day 1

    January 21 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Short walk around the park, then finished packing for our mini-break. Easy train journey via Perth and we arrived at our hotel, the Esplanade a bit early. Had a drink outside with some GP sailing crew, then left our bags and had a wander. Booked a table at Emily Taylors for 6.00 and went back to check in and had a quick dip in the pool. Out for our meal, bit Mark maybe ordered too much, so we had lots to take back. Came across the Darling Darling weird ship bar and had an interesting cocktail, then got turned away from the Honky tonk blues bar because no 'thongs' are allowed (flip flops)! No line dancing tonight. Probably a good ideaRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Freo Day 2

    January 22 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Took a walk down to South beach and had a coffee, before getting back to pack our bags. In the afternoon we took the Prison tour which was a great experience. Had a beer nearby the market and bought a bottle of wine from the pub 'bottle shop' before heading back. Went to the National in the evening expecting a live singer, but he didn't come on until late and was rubbish so had an early nightRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Back to Perth

    January 23 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Checked out and had a coffee in Ginos, then over to Little creatures for an hour. Had a lovely chippy meal near Bathers beach, then a quick pint at Gage road before boarding the ferry back. Lovely trip up the Swan river, then met Henry at the station and had a drink and a pizza at Trigg beach.Read more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Shopping & Leederville

    January 24 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Walked Carine, then into Karinup shopping centre for some pre-wedding shopping. White night outfit sorted! Had a healthy burger and a wine, then walked back. Had a quick stop in the pub, then back home to refresh. Out to lovely Leederville for our first late-ish night. Nice vibe in the pub, then had a tapas overlooking the street. Home for pre-bed drinks and some TV time. Hen and El the dirty stopouts, were back late after a night with friends in FreoRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Hillarys and a barbie

    January 25 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Hen and El nursing hangovers, so seeking food we went to a lovely cafe and had breakfast. Helen had an iced chocolate sugar rush! Walked around the harbour and breakwater then home. Shopped for food in Carine, had a wine watching the Scorchers win the Big bash, then home for a lovely barbieRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Australia day

    January 26 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Took a trip to City beach where we had a coffee with more friends of Hen and El's. We learned that Australia day has a mixed reception as it is the day that Oz was colonised by the Brits. Had a long walk along the coast and into Bold park where there were good views of the city. 10km walked and a spot of rain on the way back. Went back to the south Perth park in the evening, where there are great views of the city across the river. Really busy, with the loos needing a long wait, but after a little picnic the pyrotechnics started. A choreographed drone display of Oz iconic images, then a spectacular fireworks 🎆 show. Wow! Congested getting out, so a late night for us, but worth itRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Down to Mandurah

    January 27 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Did the short walk which Ellie joined us on, then packed our bags for our next little trip, to Mandurah. The train took about 1hour 30, but cost 3 dollars 50! Had a beer at The Pen, then into our little chalet, which was in a great location. Took a walk across the bridge, had a cheap beer with some free poppadoms, then walked to see the coast. Got some supplies, back to base, then out for a little curry at the IndianRead more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    A day of giants & wildlife

    January 28 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Walked to find one of the Mandurah giants on the beach. En route Google maps took us on a little detour through housing estates and we went slightly off track into a small bit of bushland. There, we encountered 2 big kangaroos just several feet from us. Pretty hairy moment. Eventually found the giant above the beach which was very impressive. An hour or so walk back, where we saw a pelican hoping to nab fish from some boys and a nankeen night heron. Had a wine in the Irish bar, then off to get our boat 🚢 trip. Saw some dolphins within 15 minutes, not far from where we're staying, fishing by the harbour with pelicans waiting for stray fish. Then had an interesting cruise into the canals with the expensive properties and then saw more wildlife including an osprey. A great trip.Read more

  • Mark John-WilliamsAustralia 2026Traveler

    Dolphins & a funny Gavin & Stacey story

    January 29 in Hong Kong ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Walked to the spot where we saw the dolphins on the boat and they were there! Followed them down river where they seemed to be frolicking around an older kayaker. Helen had an ice cream, then we had a wine in the Irish bar while waiting for the bus. Stopped in Perth for a spot of shopping, then a relaxers at the Quay, before grabbing some food and quick glass at the Globe pub. Chatted to a Bristish couple who'd just arrived, then another couple who are regular visitors. They were from Dinas Powys and I mentioned the Gavin & Stacey link and she was delighted to reveal that their home is the Shipmans home from the show! Had a long chat. Back to base and out to Scarby market with HenRead more

  • Trip end
    January 31, 2026
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