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2 Seniors Central Coast
In this edition
Feature: Christine Danton ......................................Page 4 Grey Nomads feature.................. .............Pages 9-16 Travel ................................................................Pages 17-19 Wellbeing ............................................................Pages 6-7 Puzzles.........................................................Page 21
Contact us Editor Gail Forrer gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Manager Kristie Waite kristie.waite@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Now online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Central Coast Seniors”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland.
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Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
Disrupt the rules and do it your way Disruptors welcome! This month our theme focuses on “Age Disruptors” – people who have, in one way or another challenged traditional perceptions of ageing. I use the word “Disruptor” in the modern sense, as a noun with positive connotations. Wizard entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson loves nothing more than a “disruptor” that is, a person who (often) through inventive means, challenges conventions. Indeed his Virgin website virgin.com.au has a dedicated page to Virgin Disruptors and explains it as: “Virgin Disruptors – People Creating Change. Virgin is all about inspiration, innovation and creating tangible change across business and the world.” In this edition of Seniors, a Disruptor, is personified by our cover personality, Christine Danton. This 72-year-old is all about “disrupting”
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER
Group editor Seniors Newspapers network
tbeliefs associated with ther older body. She presents onstage performances, when there are questions over any performance by a woman of a certain age, let alone one with body exposure. But there you go, and rather than keeping quiet about it, Christine has taken up motivational speaking to spread the word about what is and what isn’t inappropriate ageing. Last month, we featured the Eatons, a couple of academics in their 80s, who have written a book putting forth the idea of a new middle age. Seventy-five, they say is middle age and old age about 20/30 years on. They back up their premise, with plenty of
Mind and body bloom together with orchids Alison Houston
ORCHID growing is a meeting of mind and body. Mingara Orchid Club’s Steve Dunstan has been growing orchids for more than 30 years and said the attraction was keeping your brain busy, your body active and the reward of beautiful flowers. “It’s just a wonderful use of your time,” he said. The club is hosting the 15th annual Mingara Orchid Fair and Show – the second largest show in NSW, involving five clubs and more than 20 vendors – on the weekend of June 24–25. “The benefit of the combined fair and show is people can look at the show and see hundreds of orchids in flower, all named,” Steve said. “They can jot down the ones they like and then wander out to the fair hall and ask the vendors if they have that orchid as a mature plant, a seedling,
IN HIS BLOOD: Mingara Orchid Club’s Steve Dunstan has been growing orchids for more than 30 years, having fallen in love with them as a child.
or in their nursery. “Then they can go along to the potting demonstrations and learn how to look after orchids, ask any questions they have, or perhaps why something hasn’t been working for them.” The perception of orchids being delicate or difficult to grow, he said, was misplaced. Most newcomers actually kill their orchids with love … and too much water. Having grown up in Lismore on the NSW North Coast, Steve said
orchids were in his blood, with natives growing naturally in the area. But having retired about three years ago and with more time for his hobby, he has been studying to become an orchid judge, learning the various species and intricate names. “It really keeps your brain going. There are new hybrids coming out all the time,” Steve said. “But it’s also something to physically get your hands into.” Steve said many older people attended the
event. In fact, busloads of Seniors come from across the state. But patience is needed as a grower. While you can buy a plant in flower so you know exactly what you are getting, and learn how to keep it, a cheaper option is to buy a number of small tubes (50mm pots), tend them and wait for them to flower. It can take 3–6 years, depending on the orchid type, before you see the fruits of your labour in a single flowering spike, which will then double or triple each successive year. For those starting out, Steve suggested one of the new range of miniature cymbidiums, which have dozens of sprays of flowers but can be kept in small pots or hangers. The Mingara Orchid Fair and Show runs from 9am–5pm Saturday and 9am–3pm Sunday, June 24 and 25 at Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi. For details, call Steve on 0411 149 499.
longevity statistics. In a sense they, too are disruptors as they challenge the traditional idea that 50 year old is way past middle age. This Chair Rocks: A MANIFESTO AGAINST AGEISM by American author, Ashton Applewhite is another book that disputes conventional thinking. Applewhite writes: “The myth that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, plays out punishingly in many arenas. Beliefs that older workers are not worth training because they are slow learners and computer-illiterate are stubbornly persistent, despite high marks from employers on both performance and skills (p.67), “Abundant data show that older workers are dependable, punctual, committed to quality, exhibit good judgment, have low absenteeism and accident rates, and are the most engaged of
all workers when offered the chance to grow and advance on the job. Yet, because of ageism, employers constantly use age as a liability and set workers with decades of productive years ahead adrift.” (p.172). How our generation ages is very different to other generations, yet often we are stuck with the same beliefs, prejudices, stereotypes that result in ageism. An example of a brand new phenomenon is the “Grey Nomad” the retired generation who have departed from a quite life at home to seek out adventure, new knowledge and friendships on the road. The “Grey Nomad’ is all about a curious spirit and of course the know-how to stay on the road. I hope the profile, news and views in this edition, blow a fresh breath of air and disrupts the dust of ageism. — Cheers Gail
How to prepare your own retirement plan TUNED UP FOR THE THIRD AGE PAUL McKEON A SUCCESSFUL retirement is about more than just organising your money. If you don’t manage the lifestyle challenges that retirement brings, you might be financially secure, but you may not be having much fun. The secret to a happy and satisfying retirement is to appreciate that you’re not retiring from work – you’re retiring to the next stage of your life. This next stage of your life is a blank page and you have dozens of opportunities that could fill this space. Now is the time when you can do some or all of the things you wanted to do, but had to postpone due to work or family commitments. Just relaxing and doing very little is fine for the first few months after leaving work. You probably need time to recharge the batteries. However if doing very
little and just “going with the flow” becomes the norm, you’re heading towards boredom, ill health and unhappiness. If you want to have a happy and successful full or part time retirement, you need to be active and fully involved with life. Like most things worth having, you have to work at it. ★What do you want to do with the next 20 years? ★Where do you want to travel? ★Will you be healthy enough to enjoy these freedom years? ★How will you and your partner handle being together 24/7? ★Where are you going to live? ★Will you have enough money to be financially secure? ★Do you plan to do some volunteering? Because so many people have told me that it’s hard to prepare a retirement plan, I decided to use my own experience to make the whole process a lot easier. The result is a retirement planning work book. For details on ‘Your Retirement Lifestyle Plan’ visit: mylifechange.com.au
Central Coast
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 3
Winery move bears fruit for seniors at Firescreek
A midweek visit pays off with price, info and bush walk Alison Houston
IT’S been almost two years since Nadia and Francis O’Connell took the gamble of their lives, throwing in their jobs and buying Firescreek Fruit Winery at Holgate. The area wasn’t new to Nadia, who attended Gosford Primary and Henry Kendall High, but the couple had been overseas in Indonesia and Singapore for six years and she admits a PhD in marketing and working on the oil rigs are not jobs which make a natural leap to wine growing. A bronze medal for their first Firescreek wine (pear and feajoa) at the Perth Royal Show is just the start, and proof to the couple it was a leap worth taking. They encourage everyone to “come and investigate” what they’ve been up to, with complimentary taste-testing from 10.30am–4.30pm Wednesday to Sunday. They also run a midweek taste and talk for groups at just $5 per head, during which you can enjoy a wine, learn how it was made, and perhaps take a wander through the beautiful gardens. It’s a perfect outing for Seniors clubs and other community groups. “The previous owners were retiring and wanted to find someone who
CHEERS: Nadia and Francis O’Connell welcome visitors to discover the unique and ever-changing tastes of Firescreek Fruit Winery at Holgate.
was passionate about carrying on what they had done,” Nadia said. “I wake up every morning and think ‘I’m so lucky to be here’.” After six weeks of hands-on training, Nadia, Francis and the kids – Lilliana, Daniel and baby Malita – were on their own. With a range of ingredients including fig, plum, elderberry, passionfruit, lime, pear, violets, rose petal, feajoa, honey and more, there is always something new and exciting to try. They grow as much as possible of their own
product, and have recently ventured into beekeeping. It takes 12–18 months for each wine to mature – “the wine decides when it’s ready”. As one batch develops, it’s on to creating the next blend, with the flavours continually changing with the seasons, rather than a grape winery’s intensive period of grow, pick, crush. “We have 2.5 acres here and it’s lovely to see the seasons rolling through and the different fruits growing and flowers blooming,” Nadia said. Firescreek has become the true definition of a family business, with
everyone joining in the zesting and juicing of 200kgs of oranges in three days for the upcoming orange wine. The petals for two of Nadia’s favourites, the rose petal and violet wines, are picked with her children. “It’s just such a lovely process,” she said. As winter sets in, fig, date and honey wine, or chilli and orange are perfect to fend off the cold. Wines range from dry to sweet, all accentuating the fruit’s natural flavours. To find out more, go to www.firescreek.com.au or call 02 4365 0768.
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4 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
Bending through the glass ceiling of ageism Gail Forrer
CHRISTINE Danton is bending over backwards to convince us that ageing, just ain’t ageing – not the way it used to be anyway. At 72 years’ young, Christine’s voice and viewpoints are stable and convincing. She stands firm as she challenges traditional thinking, but she ‘bends it like Beckham’ when she shows us why we should believe her. Yet the truth is, when it comes to bending, Beckham wouldn’t come close to this amazing lady who has spent a lifetime performing as a contortionist and now into her seventh decade, has no intention of stopping. Right now, the native South Australian who lives on 90 acres, by a lake and entertains regularly in the ‘The Spud Shed Barn Theatre’ on her property, is in America following an invitation to appear on a major television station. The appearance is just one of the engagements that have acknowledged Christine’s unique skills and in particular their longevity. Christine sees it as a chance to break the glass ceiling of ageist attitudes. Christine describes her
72-year-old stretches her spine to extend an extraordinary timeline amazing ability to fold into two, to master seemingly impossible physical positions as rather like doing yoga, a matter of training, and a refusal to stop doing what she loves. “The same as yoga,” she said. “You have to concentrate and focus on a pose.” It is obvious that mind control has its part to play, as it harmonises with this incredibly elastic body. A human body that can stretch, unlock, roll and unroll in half with grace and suppleness borders on the freaky. But Christine is far from an outlandish circus act. She describes herself as an artist performing a skilled craft that requires enormous dedication and training. When Christine developed her techniques, there were no schools teaching circus skills and contortionists were rare. “I was the only one in Australia for many years,” she said. Without a mentor, she went onto develop her
own original material. “I was driven to create,” she said. She believes her natural gift may have been inherited from her mother, who ensured her children never missed a circus, and particularly enjoyed the acrobatic and trapeze acts. When Christine was about 4 and her sister Jo 2, she recalls her mother taking them into the backyard and showing them how to back bend with their hands on the floor, behind them – like a bridge. “That was the moment, I understood that I knew that’s what I was going to do,” she said. “And I never wavered.” While there were no acrobatic lessons in the 1950s, there were dance classes and by 1956, at 13-years-old, her natural ability had gained her a two-year contract as a Channel 7 television dancer in the regular Tonight shows. After that, at 17-years-old she made her way to Sydney and launched herself at the
HOW DOES SHE DO IT! Christine Danton doing the splits.
circus. “It was a way to hone in and perfect the act,” she said. With this experience behind her, she went onto perform in cabaret shows in Asia and Europe. She said she never expected to be performing at this stage of her life, but in a way she had no choice. She said she went to retire in her mid-50s, but felt like a blob, and went back to her training. These days Christine says she has adapted to her own body constraints with a training regime that includes three sessions a week, together with swimming. And that’s the key to her philosophy. “Don’t give up – adapt,” she recommends. “Things do start to deteriorate,” she admits. “Age can bring body issues and we need to adapt to new issues.” ❚ Besides her performances in the “The Spud Shed – Barn Theatre,” Christine plays
Christine Danton bending over backwards.
contract bridge and is a keen photographer. She is also an in-demand motivational speaker and works under the business name –
Bending the Rules. Contact details: email: cdanton@chariot.net.au and facebook www.facebook.com/ christine.danton.35.
What is a Contortionist? IF YOU’VE ever been to the circus, the performers you see who bend and stretch into the most incredible poses are contortionists. They almost look like acrobats, but their performance stays on the ground. Contortionists move their bodies and feet in ways that stun the common observer. Years of practise with stretching and training makes it possible for contortionists to twist their bodies in spectacular ways. Contortion vs. Yoga CONTORTION uses many of the same exercises found in yoga, dance, gymnastics and various circus performances. The biggest difference between contortion and exercises like yoga is that contortion is solely focused on flexibility. Yoga, dancing and gymnastics incorporate muscle strength. Contortion requires total control over your body, rather than brute strength. Yoga is also spiritual, while contortionism is mental. Though the fundamentals of contortion and yoga are different, the result is the same – art created by the human body. Christine Danton showing her amazing flexibility.
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
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Central Coast
Seniors 5
The big life of a woman with smile & compassion Tracey Johnstone
JOAN Benbow’s fine memory still holds a fabulous collection of stories from her past as a nun, nurse and teacher, living a life of faith, drama, disappointment and joy. Over the years Joan has recorded her life experiences, filling many exercise books. She is currently working on her fourth book, due for release later this year, which she said will provide a rich history of outback and native nursing case histories covering almost 62 years, starting from the early 1950s. “I had nothing in the 1950s, just a bottle of Dettol and a bottle of cod liver oil. They were the only medicines I had,” Joan said. The 93-year-old crisply recounts one of the most dramatic stories within the long list. “The principal matron of Papua New Guinea asked me to come there to train nurses in public health and tropical medicine,” Joan said. “The administrator drank all night with the intention of killing me next morning. “He screamed and yelled at me as I walked towards the people’s market, where people were saying ‘let him touch her and we will kill him’. “As he was a breath
away, I called out the name of God. “Two orderlies rushed out and grabbed his arms. “The administrator was a nice man and we kissed the next morning.” Later in her time in PNG, she was stalked by a local who left a love letter in her mailbox. “The cottage was on a lonely hill. We three staff members locked ourselves in by 4pm as then the rascals came with their bush knives, poking through the louvres. “At other times we received heavy breathing on the phone.” Joan’s extraordinary life journey started well before she was born. Her grandfather was one of Sydney’s first dentists and another relative, Dr Burchell, was an African explorer, while another was a famous opera singer. She grew up during The Depression and then joined Our Lady of the Sacred Heart convent in her early teens. Throughout her 25 years with the convent, Joan said she pushed herself and her superiors to achieve the best at every mission, but not always with good outcomes. She left after a tumultuous time in the 1970s, after overseeing the construction of a
hospital in PNG which the church then deemed “too good for natives” and being attacked by a priest. “I was a good boxer; I learnt to box with my brothers, so I gave him a good box and told him to reform himself,” Joan said. Because she left the convent of her own accord, signing out of her vows, her actions were considered “disgraceful” and she was rejected by many of her family members. She had $600, no home, but she felt someone was looking over her. “At one stage I was homeless with no roof over my head and having to go begging around until I got work,” she said. Luckily, Professor Black from the University of Sydney offered her a nursing position near Sydney in a facility for Aboriginal health. From there, she returned to PNG as a matron and tutor. “I think God was looking after me,” Joan said. “I think they (the church) might have learnt a few lessons now. I think they have learnt that cruelty and punishment and penance is a bit old fashioned now. I did my share of it.” Her work with the Aboriginals on Bathurst Island and in the Northern
CREATIVE AGEING: Writer, painter, pianist; the extraordinary 93-year-old Joan Benbow. PHOTOS: TRACEY JOHNSTONE
It's only recently Joan has stopped one of her passions, painting.
Territory made up for so much of the sadness of her time with the convent. “I loved it. As I came to each mission I used to look at it and think of the potential; now what can I do here,” Joan said. “I went back to the mission I helped found, the Arltunga, for their 50th anniversary. “They found out I was still alive so they invited me back. “They wept and cried because they didn’t think I was still alive. I did the
rain dance for them; they had forgotten it. The sky was blue, but it rained.” Joan has to dash now, leaving her carefully nurtured jungle garden behind her. She’s already had a busy day, starting with her daily 6am swim in the retirement village pool. Then there is more writing to be done and an hour’s piano practice in the village hall. To finish the day, she has been called to the bedside of an elderly member of Joan’s local
parish, where Joan will continue to practise her life-long compassion for others in need. She’ll then stop to watch SBS because “they are all broad minded” . Finally, in the quiet hours of the evening, Joan said she will return to her piano to play her nightly lullaby to all her friends, present and past. Tomorrow, she will back to work on her nursing history, sharing more of her extraordinary life.
6 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
Wellbeing
Trotting out isn’t as hard as you think Alison Houston
GET FIT: Jon Fogarty has been running for just five years and says overcoming the first 5km is the hardest part.
IT DOESN’T take speed or distance to become a Terrigal Trotter, just a love of running. The group’s annual Bay to Bay 12km fun run and half marathon are fast approaching on Sunday, June 18, and the Trotters are in full training swing. Jon Fogarty is among them, one of about 40 over-55 members. While he has run the 21km half marathon in the past, this year he will complete the 12km run, aiming his training at July’s 42km Gold Coast Marathon. It’s hard to believe that at 66, he only started running five years ago. “I was a bit of a late convert to running,” Jon admitted.
“As a younger guy I was extremely unfit and smoked cigarettes from the time I was 15 until my children were born.” A GP, Jon said he started running to increase his fitness, but what sustained it was that, unlike gym and other sports he had tried in the past, he truly enjoyed it. “Exercise in terms of maintaining fitness is absolutely critical to both your physical and psychological health,” he said. “The problem is that as people get older they do less exercise at just the time they really need to do more to maintain bone strength, cardio vascular and mental health. “I find running very relaxing. It takes me away
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from the phone and other daily pressures. You just focus on your timing and pace – it’s like a meditation.” Jon said the hardest hurdle for him to overcome had been running his first 5km, which took him about a year to accomplish. “It takes ages to get fit enough to run that first 5km. Your muscles have to really build and get used to it. But to go from 5–10km or 10–20 is not so difficult.” Rating himself as “a plodding runner”, Jon builds up to long distance events with a four-month training regime, running 4–5 days a week, with one run a week getting progressively longer. Seven weeks out from the Gold Coast Marathon he ran 26km as well as four runs of 8–12kms. But he stressed getting medical advice, including a heart check, was vital before starting into any form of vigorous exercise. The support and friendship of the Terrigal Trotters, he said, had also
been important in keeping him going. President Jenny Barker agrees the Trotters, with more than 150 active members, is more than just a running group, with the friendships made (and coffee after events) equally important for many. She said she wanted to dispel the idea that you had to be really fit before joining the Trotters, which encompasses all levels of ability from walkers to joggers to elite athletes. The weekly Saturday walk covers 6km but, like the runs, routes for which are usually 7–8km for the shorter run and 12–18km for longer runs, you are free to turn back at any stage – and people do, gradually increasing their fitness. “You just do as much as you can and if you want to get better, you will get lots of encouragement and help to do so,” Jenny said. To find out more about the Terrigal Trotters, call Jenny on 0420 879 270 and for the Bay to Bay, go to http://baytobay.org.au.
Young and old alike line up for the start of last year’s Terrigal Trotters’ Bay to Bay fun run.
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Central Coast
Seniors 7
Free workshops for people living with a chronic health condition
Identify what is important to your health and wellbeing SMALL positive changes in our day-to-day lives can have big impacts on our overall long-term wellbeing. Let’s talk about what’s important to you and your well-being at COTA NSW’s
free information session – Your Wellbeing, Your Plan. COTA NSW is running two sessions in May and June. Tuesday, May 16: First session at 11am and
FREE EDUCATION: Small positive changes in our day-to-day lives can have big impacts on our overall long term well-being.
second session at 2pm. Tuesday, June 6: First session at 11am and second session at 2pm. Since wellbeing is more than just diet and exercise, these sessions are designed to: ■ Identify what is wellbeing for you in the three areas of body, mind and social. ■ Provide tools to help you identify what is important to you. ■ Assist you to think about goal setting and the steps to take to make these changes. If you would like to attend one of these sessions, bookings are essential. Sessions will be held at the COTA office at Level 6,
280 Pitt St, Sydney, and will run for one hour. The program will conclude in June. Bookings call 9286 3868 or email education@cotansw. com.au.
THE Better Health Self-Management workshops are designed to give people living with chronic conditions the practical skills to manage their symptoms, make daily tasks easier, manage difficult emotions and work better with their GP and other health providers. Chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, lung conditions, heart conditions and depression can cause pain, tiredness, a lack of energy and breathing and sleeping problems. “The Better Health Self Management workshop will provide practical ideas and skills to help you better manage your health and make life a little easier,” Adssi HomeLiving Australia general manager of services Deb Cowler said.
The free workshops run for six weeks and are led by trained staff. Carers and partners of people living with a chronic condition are also welcome. The Better Health Self Management program is an initiative of NSW Health and will be presented by Adssi HomeLiving Australia at their Tuggerah-based office. Registration is essential. Please call 1300 578 478 to book. Choose from one of the following free six-week programs: Monday, June 19 – July 24, 10am– 12.30pm Thursday, August 3 – September 7, 10am– 12.30pm Thursday, October 12 – November 16, 10am– 12.30pm Adssi HomeLiving Australia, 3a Pioneer Ave, Tuggerah Business Park.
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8 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
Community TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short and to the point (100 word maximum). If you would like to submit a photo please ensure it is at least 180dpi with faces in a nice and bright setting. The deadline for the June issue is June 14. Email Nicky or Chris at communitynotes@ seniorsnewspaper.com.au
ABOVE: Queen Lilimarlene of the Roving Rubies Red Hat Society. LEFT: A few members of the Roving Rubies Red Hatters of the Central Coast
QUILTING AND SEWING CLASSES
WYOMING Community Centre is offering stimulating Sit and Sew classes on the fourth Sunday of the month. Next class is July 23 from 10am–4pm, cost is $15, at 147 Maidens Brush Rd, Wyoming. Call 0418 273 940 or email ozquilt@bigpond.com.
ROVING RUBIES RED HATTERS OF THE CENTRAL COAST
WE ARE a wonderful large group (120) ladies all over the sensitive age of 50. Our ages range up to our sprightly 95-year-old Dame Edna. This group started off with 17 members 11 years ago. It is a wonderful group, somewhere to make friends when moving to the area, becoming a widow (when life really changes), retiring from work or just somewhere to go – all dressed up and out of the house. The ladies are one of the best dressed group in our purple outfits and red hats and can be seen dining, coffee and chatting, attending shows, going on trips to the city and always, always laughing and chatting. Our information day is second Monday of the month at Kincumber in an informal gathering for lunch, or coffee and cake and anyone is welcome to drop in or call Queen Lilimarlene on 0412 760 725 for further details. We hold the first outing of the month on the first Thursday of the month at the Gosford Leagues Club, Star Buffet to celebrate all the coming birthdays for the month. A lot of ladies live on their own and families are not close, so we make a fuss of them. We are a not-for-profit organisation but the Roving Rubies
IN THE NAVY: We managed to get 100 red hatters aboard the Vampire at Maritime Museum as a birthday postcard for them.
have found a little notch in life by knitting cuddle rugs for the fostered children of the Wesley Mission – something they can choose and call their own and take with them. To date we have donated 475 rugs. Another project was beanies for Stewart House so that when they take the visiting children out to see Vivid, etc, they pick there very own new beanie and also love some of the teddy bears and dolls that find their way into pillow slips and become best new friends.
FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST FLEETERS
CENTRAL Coast Chapter of the Fellowship of First Fleeters is now meeting in the Point Care community hall on the second Saturday of the month at 10.15am for 10.30 start. May’s speaker will be talking about making models of the First Fleet ships. Help with searching First Fleet records arranged. The next meeting will be June 10. For more information, contact John on 0413 736 141 or email jdhax100@gmail.com.
AN ART TRAIL FROM THE BUSH TO THE BEACH VOTED one of the top 5 Central Coast experiences, and including more than 20 Central Coast artists, the 5 Lands Art Studios Trail
9 Diamond Rd, Pearl Beach. Romanian Gypsy violinist Tinel Dragoi comes from a well-known musical family in Bucharest. Cost $40 includes afternoon tea, Children and students (under 18) $25. Bar available for a donation. Bookings call 4344 2319 or go to www.pearlbeach progress.org.au or for details email Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association, at lilli77@bigpond.com.
is a unique opportunity for art lovers to meet and interact with artists in their studio spaces. This year, the 5 Lands Art Studios Trail is open June 25, 11am–3pm (following the 5 Lands Walk on June 24). On open studio weekend, look for the direction signs and orange flags on display at all the studios. Please check the website at 5landsartstudios.com to see which studios are open prior to visiting. Our artists are passionate about the arts and their practice, and have created a trail which showcases an eclectic range of works combined with insights into the creative processes behind them. Some of the Coast’s finest artists are included in this remarkable experience for locals and visitors on the Central Coast of NSW.
TOUKLEY 50 PLUS LEISURE & LEARNING CENTRE
SAVE the date for our Monster fete on Saturday, June 24 from 9am–3pm in the Club Auditorium, 1 Hargraves St, Toukley. Sandwiches, tea, coffee and soft drinks for sale from the canteen. Various stalls, lots of craft for sale, lamingtons, raffle, white elephant stall and much, much more. Why not hire a stall for only $15. Call president Carmen on 4396 5075.
AFTERNOON TEA WITH THE BALKAN ENSEMBLE
FEATURING Romanian Gypsy violinist Tinel Dragoi, Peter Garrity, Ziva Altman and Danny Morris. On Sunday, June 11 at 2.30pm at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall,
BRISBANE WATER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BRISBANE Water Historical Society proudly presents its latest exhibition, Red Woollen Petticoat, and other delicate pieces usually kept under wraps! Not often seen glimpses from the costume archive make an appearance with local stories about those people who helped weave the very fabric of cultural life in the early days of the Gosford region. The exhibition will be on display from June 1 until August 30 at Henry Kendall Cottage and Historical Museum, 25 Henry Kendall St, West Gosford. Open: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 10am–3pm, groups at other times by appointment. Cost $5 adult, $4 concession, $3 children, $10 family. Enquiries call (02) 4325 2270, or visit
www.henrykendallcottage. org.au. In addition, date for your diary, join us for a soup and rolls light lunch with guest speakers on Saturday, July 15 starting 12pm.
VIEW CLUBS
Voice, Interest, Education of Women. Our clubs are proud to support The Smith Family and their educational program Learning for Life.
■ HALEKULANI
WE MEET on the third Friday of each month at Halekulani Bowling Club, Budgewoi. This month our guest speaker is photographer Cheryl Flett. She will be explaining how photography plays an important part in our lives and will also be giving tips on how to take good photographs on our smart phones. Next month our guest will be Jill Richardson, from A Taste of the Bush. Halekulani VIEW welcomes visitors and enquiries. For details, call Chris on 4396 5631.
■ BRISBANE WATER EVENING
WE HOLD our monthly dinner meeting in the Function Room at the Grange Hotel, Renwick St, Wyoming on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm for 7pm. New members and visitors are most welcome. Contact Valda on 4325 1688 or Helen 4367 5670.
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
advertising feature
Central Coast
Seniors 9
10 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
GREY NOMADS
Be curious and explore life far off the well-beaten path Hello travellers, This year’s edition of our dedicated Grey Nomads feature is jam-packed full of colourful stories that will surely inspire you to veer off the beaten path to a special camping site, travel solo or get up close and personal in Australia’s wildlife parks. A huge factor in a successful trip is precise planning and preparation. As the old saying goes: "Foretold forewarned " and this certainly applies to caravanning. Caravan towing
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER
Group editor Seniors Newspapers network
courses rate just as highly as ensuring your home security and packing sufficient camping materials. For instance, RV parking can be a nightmare, and towing requires plenty of skills. If you are not sure, or are feeling a little daunted, it’s a good idea to learn the tricks of the trade before
starting the trip. There are a number of driving school lessons available including RACQ’s popular Caravan and Trailer Towing Workshop, which will equip you with the knowledge and skills to safely tow a caravan, horse float, goods trailer or whatever other type of recreational trailer you plan on towing. In this edition, we talk about reverse parking and the best way to achieve a painless and perfect park. I trust you enjoy the read and perhaps try a night out with the big animals! Happy trails to you, Gail
10 best things to take on the road Christine Perkin
■ 1. CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE 9
ke a COOL OFF: Ta refreshing dip.
Must-have Camps Australia Manual is probably the most useful item you will buy for your trip, which includes maps for all over Australia and it is always safe to have hard copies of maps just in case
BE AMAZED VISIT THE CHARLEVILLE COSMOS CENTRE & OBSERVATORY WHERE THE STARS SHINE
Astronomy by day Meteorites displays
you can’t get a signal for your phone or GPS. You can use the map as a way of mapping your trip as well so you know where you have been and where you want to go. A GPS is also a necessity to help get where you want to go. Go www.campsaustraliawide.com for details.
■ 2. JOURNAL
Writing where you have been and what you did is a great way to keep track of your trip. When you move to a different location you don’t always remember where and what you have experienced. Great way to reminisce down the track with your journal.
■ 3. CAMERA
If you have a phone with good quality pics or a camera for the higher resolution pics, either is a must.
■ 4. MULTI-FUNCTION CHARGERS
■ 6. WASHING BUCKET
You can buy a cheap white bucket with a lid make sure the lid is tight and fill halfway with water a bit of washing powder and fill with clothes so they can move around and when you are on the road let the motion of the road do the work for you. When you stop, drain and rinse and dry as per normal. Clothes horse is a handy clothes line.
■ 7. BBQ
Either a wood or gas lidded BBQ can be very handy to cook a roast, veggies etc., outside the van/RV.
■ 8. BIKE
Bikes are a great way to see small towns and take a bike tour. If you are in a RV you can be limited to travel once you set up your camp and you need something down the shops that are a few kms away hop on a bike and do a bit of exercise at the same time. Saves having to pack up.
■ 9. SATELLITE TV SYSTEM
Let’s face it, you need a charger for everything these days, from your phone to laptop to tablet and kindle to list a few. If you have a multi-charging station you can charge multiple items at once and not have to run around trying to find the right charger. Save space and time.
For the TV watcher, the Satellite TV is a fantastic addition to your trip. You can watch good quality tele out in the middle of nowhere. Sat Plus call 07 5443 5517 or 07 5443 5513 or email info@satplus.com.au
■ 5. FIRST AID KIT
■ 10. SPARE SET OF KEYS
Vital to have one of these as you can’t always be in the right place at the right time. If you wear hearing aids, it’s good idea to take a little emergency kit with extra batteries and tubes and don’t forget your drying kit.
Very important to have spare keys. If you lose them out in the middle of nowhere you would be in big trouble. Not always easy to get replacement, and when you do, you will probably have to wait for the keys to arrive, which can be costly.
SSun viewing i i bby dday
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
07 4654 7771 enquiries@cosmoscentre.com 1 Milky Way, Charleville, Qld 4470 www.cosmoscentre.com
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TOP SPOT: So
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Central Coast
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 11
GREY NOMADS
Follow the spa trail
and relax
LUXURIATE your way across Australia as you enjoy relaxing, recuperating or repairing your tired body in mineral and artesian baths. Spa Trekking is the latest travel fad that really should have taken off a long time ago. Imagine arriving into town, loaded down with travel aches and pains, and being able to slide into a natural experience that will probably have you purring with relief by the end of a session. Whether it’s the soothing minerals or the outback surrounds that draws people in, hot springs and mineral baths seem to be the ultimate source of relaxation. Geothermal and natural mineral waters are believed to have effective physical and mental benefits. They are used in many locations around the world for therapeutic reasons as users enjoy the natural healing process of soaking in a pure experience which contains various concentrations of minerals. Visiting these spas is becoming a popular tourist activity for people wanting authentic health and lifestyle experiences based around geothermal and natural mineral water resources and which may include such services as saunas, mud baths, hydrotherapy and massage.
Armed with Steve Lambert’s Great Thermal Way, grey nomads can spend their travel time moving from one spa to another; such as – ■ Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs in Tasmania, ■ Francois Peron National Park Homestead near Monkey Mia, West Australia, and ■ El Questro in Kununurra in the heart of the Kimberleys, ■ Innot Hot Springs in Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, ■ Peninsular Hot Springs on Mornington Peninsular in Victoria, ■ NSW’s Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, Hot Springs Pools & Units, and Gwydir Carapark Motel & Thermal Pools, ■ North of Moree at Boomi’s Co-Op Hot Artesian Spa Pool & Caravan Park, ■ Lightning Ridge’s Bore Baths in western NSW. “There are 50 currently identified hot springs, bore baths and natural springs in Australia,” Mr Lambert writes. “They are detailed in this revised new edition which also includes updated and new material. “This includes information pertaining to the early pioneers and the drilling methods they used to tap this great resource.” Mr Lambert’s book is available online through www.greatthermalway.com.
Lightning Ridge Artesian Bore Baths
Do as little or as much as you like Take the time to RELAX, RE-ENERGISE and RECUPERATE OPEN 7 DAYS
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Monday to Friday 6am to 8pm Saturday & Sunday 7am to 7pm
Travel the Great Artesian Drive to discover seven distinctive and unique artesian spa facilities in the North West of NSW. www.greatartesiandrive.com.au
Feeling weary from your Travels, or just looking for a place to relax? The benefits of soaking in mineral rich artesian water should sooth and revitalise you straight away 'It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced!
For your enjoyment • Mineral rich naturally heated Artesian Pools • Artesian Soak & Sauna Retreat • Private Artesian Baths • Massage & Facials
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FINA Standard Olympic Pool Commercial Gym 10m High Waterslide Café & Retail Offer
“Great treat after a day of driving.”
20 Anne Street, Moree NSW 2400 T (02) 6752 2272 info@maacltd.com www.maacltd.com
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A trip to the Ridge would not be complete without a visit to the free Artesian Bore Baths. At the end of a hard day fossicking and exploring allow the water to soothe your aches while you gaze at the starry night sky.
12 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
GREY NOMADS Tracey Johnstone
HEADING out on the Australian road as a single woman, towing a caravan for the first time and with a heavy heart after the recent death of her husband, Betty Quinn has proven she has the drive to continue living a full life. She travelled 19,756km around Australia in convoy with three couples, with an average age of about 70, taking just under five months to discover that outback Australia is “simply gorgeous”. “Why would you want to go anywhere else when you have Australia,” Betty said. During June to October they travelled from the Sunshine Coast across western Queensland and into Northern Territory, along the West Australian coast and then across South Australia, into Victoria before heading back up the East Coast to Queensland. She fell in love with West Australia’s coastline and Broome in particular, the Bungle Bungles, and her must-see recommendation of Katherine Gorge. Fiercely independent, 68-year-old Betty took to the challenge of the road trip with great delight and a little bit of cheek. “They generally put me in the middle of the pack; they didn’t trust me at the end in case I picked up a stray along the way,” Betty said with a smile. “I did get to lead a few times, once when we went into the Northern Territory.” The whole idea of the trip happened almost by accident. Her brother Randall was chatting about how he, his wife, and two other couples were planning another caravanning trip around Australia. “I just said, ‘can I come’ and he said if I bought myself a caravan and a decent car to pull it, I could come along,” Betty said. Being determined and self-sufficient character, Betty didn’t delay in putting a plan into action. She found the car first, choosing a second-hand diesel, automatic 4WD Hyundai ix35. Then it was time for finding a 14-foot, pop-top caravan with single beds, which is what her brother recommended. “I was researching on Gumtree for a while, but then one of the guys travelling with us saw a caravan on the side of the road down near his place,” Betty said. “Next morning my brother, sister-in-law, daughter and I jumped in the car and went to check it out. “I made an offer on the spot.” Preparing for the big journey involved doing several short trips away in the company of her brother, and then with her daughter Stacey. She didn’t take any driving lessons, preferring to learn along the way, except for reversing. “One of the guys would park it for me. “But for hooking up and unhooking, putting the annex out and putting it away, I did that by myself.”
A single girl’s tale of outback adventure
heavily on the app Wiki Camps to find free camp sites which Betty said she would recommend to anyone doing a caravanning trip. The trip proved a happy experience and an Enjoying the magnific affordable ent view over Lake Arg yle, near Kununurra, West one. She Australia. spent about PHOTO: BETTY QUINN $45,000 on the car and caravan, and a s at e of the working vehicle then another Betty Quinn beside on Australia. $2500 for the mine in Dampier, West PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED diesel. With free camping at Adjusting to living in a confined space faithful friend, Amber, which meant that several places she saved a lot so her was relatively easy for Betty as she had when it came time to visiting national accommodation and food costs came spent the previous eight years living on a parks, she would leave her poodle with down to under $8000. power boat with her husband. one of the couples who would visit the Back home, Betty has her caravan “One thing about living on the boat park on another day. safely parked in a free caravan parking and living in a caravan, you know when “That was the only drawback from area within her retirement village while you use something, you put it away; you travelling with a pet,” she said. she plans her next adventure. can’t leave stuff lying around,” she said. While her brother and his friends “I would love to do the trip again, but At her side throughout the trip was her planned the trip, on the road they relied take a shorter time,” Betty said.
Now here’s a little caravanning secret worth sharing WIKICAMPS is a camping and caravanning companion you don’t leave home without, even if you are only planning on a weekend away. It’s a free app for smart phones, tablets or Windows computers. The app information states it has the largest and most up-to-date database of camp grounds, caravan
parks, backpacker hostels, day use area, points of interest, information centres, public dump points and more. The database is kept up-to-date by users so you can contribute to its knowledge as you travel the length and breadth of Australia. It also works offline which is great if you are somewhere that doesn’t have
a wi-fi signal. To start using the app, download its content to your device before you go away so you have it with you right from the start of your happy travels. To find the app, go to www.wikicamps.com.au.
Central Coast
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 13
GREY NOMADS
10 best camp spots in Australia Compiled by Christine Perkin
HERE are a few of my picks of great stays around Australia.
BAY OF FIRES TASMANIA
BAY of Fires is one of the most beautiful low-cost camping spots locations in Tasmania. Tasmanians have flocked to the Bay of Fires over Christmas, Easter, long weekends and on school holidays to soak up the beauty of the area, including the white sand and azure sea. St Helens is only a short drive away, where you can buy food, petrol and showers at council-operated facilities. Please remember that dogs are not allowed in national parks and most reserves. Details go to www.parks.tas.gov.au
MYRTLE PARK TARGA – TASMANIA
A VERY pretty camping area that is set alongside the St Patricks River, which boasts to have trout and platypus. They offer unpowered sites and good amenities, and the area is suitable for large caravans, motorhomes and big rigs. Located in the small town of Targa, halfway between Launceston and Scottsdale on the Tasman Hwy (A3). Bookings are recommended for those wanting to reserve a site with a fireplace. Free hot showers, free electric barbecue. Phone: 03 6399 3368. Cost from $10 per person per night. Located at 38250 Tasman Hwy, Targa TAS 7259.
WANGI FALLS CAMPGROUND – LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK-NORTHERN TERRITORY
NOT a free camp but very cheap fees. Wangi Falls Campground is one of six campgrounds located within the Litchfield National Park. Non-powered caravan camping sites are only available at Wangi Falls. 4WD camping areas (dry season only) are at Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek), Surprise Creek Falls and downstream from Florence Falls. Walk-in camping sites are available along Walker Creek (dry season only). Camping fee per night: Adults: $6.60. Bookings are essential. Generators are not permitted in Litchfield National Park. Swim only where recommended, observe warning signs. Pets are not permitted. Check access by calling 08 8976 0282 and go to www.nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves for details.
DALY WATERS PUB – NORTHERN TERRITORY
THIS is a must-stop Outback Pub. A lot of fun in the middle of nowhere. The beef ‘n’ barra barbie every night between April and October is to die for. It is so popular that you need to book. Free entertainment nightly. Accommodation available. Powered camping sites with prices starting from $16 per person per night. Located Stuart St, Daly Waters,
Northern Territory. If you are travelling south from Darwin approximately 600kms. Turn right off the Stuart Highway 3kms to the pub. Travelling north from Alice Springs approximately 900kms. Turn left off the Stuart Highway. Phone: 08 8975 9927, email dalywaterspub@bigpond.com or go to www.dalywaterspub.com
BITTER SPRINGS ELSEY NATIONAL PARK – NORTHERN TERRITORY
THE beauty of these springs will surprise you. Discovered by surveyors for the overland telegraph line in the latter part of the 19th Century, the Bitter Springs are located two kilometres from Mataranka in the Katherine region. Set amongst palms and tropical woodlands in the Elsey National Park, these spring-fed thermal pools are an ideal place to relax and unwind. Non-powered campsites are available at Jalmurark Campground. Phone: 08 8975 4560. There are also privately run campgrounds near the park. Located Martin Road, Mataranka.
BERRY SHOWGROUND CAMPSITE BERRY – NSW
BERRY is lucky to have one of the best showgrounds in New South Wales. With its superb well-maintained lawns, shady areas and many historic buildings on site, it is a fantastic place for alia. Broome, Western Austr tent, trailer or caravan SCENIC: Roebuck Bay, camping. Pet friendly. The railway station is immediately behind the Showground so you can catch the train Heritage Fraser Island. The Pacific Ocean up to Sydney for the day. is on the eastern side and the Great Located at 35 Alexandra Street, Berry Sandy Strait is on the western side. NSW 2535 Phone 0427 605 200. Inskip Point Camping Ground is a nature-based recreational area. INSKIP POINT CAMPING All Inskip Point Camping Grounds GROUND – RAINBOW BEACH SE require valid camping permits. You can QUEENSLAND obtain these permits by: booking Online ENJOY the beauty of Inskip Point www.nprsr.qld.gov.au or by calling Camping Ground which is located 13 74 68 or by booking in person at opposite the southern tip of World number of locations in Rainbow Beach.
ROEBUCK BAY BROOME – WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ROEBUCK Bay Caravan Park enjoys an idyllic location with uninterrupted views over Roebuck Bay. Roebuck Bay Caravan Park is not what you would call a low-cost park with fees for a small powered site starting around $36, but it is the most popular park in Broome and is located right on Town Beach, Roebuck Bay. Broome is Western Australia’s secret getaway – right on the Indian Ocean’s doorstep and the gateway to Australia’s last frontier of pristine wilderness – the Kimberley. Contact details 08 9192 1366.
PALM COVE HOLIDAY PARK – NORTH QUEENSLAND
ONLY metres from the beach in a beautiful location with state-of-the-art facilities to make your stay all the more enjoyable. Pet friendly. Reasonably priced at $29 without power a night with specials available. Located at 149 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove QLD. For details contact 07 4055 3824 or email info@palmcovehp.com.au.
GENOA CAMPGROUND – VICTORIA
Genoa Rest Area is located at the bank of Genoa River with site suitable to caravans, motorhomes, and big rigs. The area is large and grassy with accessible amenities and has lots of large trees for shade. Genoa River is 14km West of the Victoria/NSW border on the Princes highway. The Genoa Campground is located on the old Princes Highway (4 Park Road) just North of the Genoa River bridge. There is no charge for the use of this facility, however, donations are requested to upkeep the area.
THE PUB WITH NO Did you know the “Cosmopolitan” Hotel, Which locals refused to pass Is now a noted landmark, For every creed and class For the pub one day ran out of beer, A bloke wrote of it’s fate another bloke made it a song, Its known world wide now mate.
BEER * Under new management
* Wide range of tap beer and craft beer
* Great food with generous portions
* Pizzas available at any time of the day (great for campers with a late arrival, you can always grab something to eat) * Great collection of Slim Dusty & Gordon Parsons memorabilia * Campsite just across the road with a BBQ, amenities, and access to our gas heated showers * Our accommodation consists of 9 rooms and can sleep 33 people. Standard rooms as well as bunk rooms starting from $25/night * Popular spot for camping groups and motorbike groups. * Great local trails for bike riders and horse riders 6584868aa
www.pubwithnobeer.com
4 Taylors Arm Rd, Taylors Arm NSW 2447 (02) 6564 2100 • info@pubwithnobeer.com
14 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
GREY NOMADS
‘Bucket list’ glamping destinations not to be missed Highlights: The deluxe teepee have a timber and canvas construction, built within the natural bushland without major clearings, giving a privacy and a close connection with the peaceful surroundings. Teepees include a sofa bed, towels, bedding, wood fired heater, balcony and outdoor furniture, shared shower and outdoor two person bath. This Tasmanian glamping experience combines comfort and nature at a low price. Cost: From $100 per night or less for long stay. www.huonbushretreats.com
Compiled by Nicky Norman
Rare bush camp site locations BUSH Heritage Australia has opened a range of protected reserves that are perfect to experience nature in its purest form. Here are some locations: NEW SOUTH WALES ★Naree Station – guided tour, September 8–10. Must be booked in advance. Spend a long weekend travelling through Naree’s 14,400ha patchwork of woodlands, grasslands and ephemeral wetlands Two nights, Base camp with day tours. Vehicles: AWD/4WD. Cost: $220/adult. QUEENSLAND ★Carnarvon Station Reserve – camping (May–September). The reserve features rugged sandstone hills, narrow valley floors and high escarpments. It’s located about 900km west of Brisbane. TASMANIA ★Liffey Valley Reserves – day trip (self guided). The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage wilderness 130ha reserves is a wonderful area to walk in. VICTORIA ★JC Griffin Nature Reserve – uided visits, September 16 or October 15. Some of the trees in this reserve are thought to be more than 300 years old. It’s a haven for bushland birds, reptiles and mammals Booking/more info: Contact Bush Heritage’s Katrina Blake on (03) 8610 9124.
ROOM WITH A VIEW: Ro
NIGHTFALL WILDERNESS CAMP, QLD
Where: 45 minutes from the Gold Coast, beside the crystal-clear tumbling headwaters of Christmas Creek and Queensland’s ancient Lamington National Park rainforests. Highlights: Redefining luxury through architect-inspired, hand-built, permanent safari tents, sumptuous fire-cooked cuisine, secluded wilderness, rotating in-tent fireplace, vintage baths, rain-head showers and more. Only three guests tents ensure privacy and delicately positioned to minimise impact on the camp's sensitive Australian wilderness surrounds. Cost: Tents from $445. www.nightfall.com.au
LONGITUDE 131°, NT
Where: Overlooking Uluru (Ayers Rock) is located in the Red Centre of Australia. Highlights: Luxurious air-conditioned tents welcome private views of Uluru – Australia’s best-known natural icon – and comprise of king or twin beds, lounge, spacious bathroom and balcony with daybed and fireplace. Other features include complimentary in-suite bar, music system, wireless internet, climate control, premium amenities, bathrobes, safe, telephone and twice daily housekeeping. Cost: Luxury tent from $1350 per person per night inclusive (min. two night stay). www.longitude131.com.au
Seniors News
ar and Snore, Sydney.
IKARA SAFARI CAMP, SA
ROAR AND SNORE, NSW
Where: Taronga Zoo, Mosman, Sydney. Highlights: Taronga Zoo Sydney’s ultimate sleepover experience. Enjoy refreshments and nibbles at the zoo's harbourside campsite, followed by an opportunity to get up close with some of the zoo’s friendliest creatures with a 1.5 hour night safari. Camp in safari style tents in the heart of Taronga Zoo and wake up to spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with a continental breakfast in the morning. Cost: Roar and Snore accommodation is from $300 per person per night. www.taronga.org.au
Where: Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, 429km north of Adelaide. Highlights: Fifteen luxury safari tents. Two-person Ikara safari tents are suitable for singles or couples wanting a luxury “glamping” getaway. Each tent has a modern ensuite bathroom, a luxe king-size bed, reverse cycle air-conditioning and its own private deck and fire pit. The two family safari tents sleep up to four people and have all the luxuries of the couples’ tents with an annex added for the extra people. Costs: Tents from $320 a night, including breakfast. www.ikarasafaricamp.com.au
PEBBLE POINT, VIC
KARIJINI ECO RETREAT, WA
Where: Three kilometres from the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, about 2.5 hours from Melbourne. Highlights: An exclusive bush retreat nestled behind the cliff tops and rock formations of the world famous Twelve Apostles. Six spacious luxury tents with luxurious king-size beds with a natural latex mattress and all your linen and towels supplied and spacious ensuite bathrooms. Also a shared BBQ, tea and coffee facilities, camp kitchen with fridge and offering a range of recreational opportunities and natural experiences. Cost: From $145 per night. www.pebblepoint.com.au
HUON BUSH RETREAT, TAS
Where: Ranelagh, Huon Valley. About 50 minutes south of Hobart.
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Embracing Ageing
BOOK THIS SPACE!
Where: Karijini National Park, in the nature-based destination of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Highlights: Stay in one of the eco tents for a comfortable and natural glamping experience within the national park. These tents are semi-permanent structures that incorporate ecologically sustainable principles and can easily be erected and dismantled in remote areas with little impact to the natural environment using recycled materials wherever possible. Each tent has its own private ensuite bathroom, front and rear deck, spacious stylish interiors, king-size bed or two single beds, and quality bedding and linen. Cost: From $315 including breakfast. www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au
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6518830ah
Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay, New South Wales.
LOVE nature but also love a few creature comforts?... then glamour camping, or “glamping” as it is better known, might be perfect for you. It allows you to commune with nature in the comfort of a luxurious tent and experience Australia’s nature in glorious, eco-friendly style. You get the simplicity of the great outdoors combined with the opulence of fresh linen, private bathrooms, spa treatments and gourmet meals prepared for you. Here are some of the top glamping locations throughout the country.
Central Coast
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 15
GREY NOMADS
CARAVANNING: Master the art of reverse parking before you head off on holiday.
10 things to know
before setting off in your RV 3. KNOW THE FEATURES
Compiled by Nicky Norman
What is an RV? RV STANDS for Recreational Vehicle and is basically a home on wheels. They can also be referred to as motorhomes or camper vans. The main features on-board are a kitchen, a bathroom, beds and TV, some even have a washing machine. An RV is different from a caravan because it is a self-driving vehicle and has an engine, steering wheel and a driver’s seat, whereas a caravan is towed behind another vehicle.
1. RV OR A CARAVAN
BUYING an RV can be an excellent investment and a great way to have the flexibility to travel without depending on hotel reservations and airports. You can cook for yourself, keep all your clothes hanging in a closet rather than in a suitcase, and generally make yourself at home. In some cases, people live in their motorhome, meaning no mortgage or rent to pay. For the most part though, RVs are used as vacation homes.
2. SIZE AND TYPE
THERE are a wide range of RV’s available to buy or rent, so it is important that you have some idea of your needs. Keep in mind your required levels of comfort, privacy, security, where you want to travel and what is within your budget.
WHEN you have your RV, be sure to pay particular attention to all the features. Ensure that everything is in a proper working order and good condition if not new and that all the safety features are present within the vehicle.
4. INSURANCE OPTIONS
INSURANCE coverage is always a good idea because you never know when you may need it. Just like your car or home, it’s important to have the peace of mind.
5. DRIVING YOUR RV
BEFORE you head out on the open road, get to know your vehicle by practising a few manoeuvres around the car park. First-timers often struggle with reversing and parking and it will also take some time to get used to driving the vehicle itself. Giving it a test drive will also allow you to test out the features and ensure that you are a confident driver.
6. PACKING YOUR RV
YOU can pack light and leave the extra space for items on the go or be fully prepared with everything planned out to the last detail and stocked up ready for long distances.
7. BOOK CAMPING GROUNDS IN ADVANCE PLAN ahead and get to know the best
camp grounds in the areas you are wishing to stay. By booking in advance you will be guaranteed a place to stay for the night and you will get the pick of RV sites. When you leave the camp site, make sure you have your aerial down, hatch closed and windows up.
8. ENSURE THE SECURITY OF YOUR LOAD
BEFORE you head off, make sure everything is put away in cabinets and cupboards, to prevent them flying around while you are driving. Ensuring the weight of your load is distributed evenly, will also aid with wind resistance and make your journey a smoother one.
9. REGISTER WITH CMCA
WITH over 66,000 members, Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australa is the largest RV Club in the southern hemisphere. As a CMCA member, not only will you have access to numerous benefits but the security of travelling Australia, knowing you are never alone. www.cmca.net.au/.
10. THINGS YOU CAN DO
YOU will have a lot of free time, so make sure you keep busy with crosswords, playing cards, board games, reading, music and creative activities like painting, knitting and sewing.
Reverse parking your van REVERSE parking your caravan for the first time, particularly when one or more people are watching, has to be one of the most stressful experiences in your life. Luckily RACQ has the following top tips to help you look like a professional, once you have mastered these tips. ■ Spend time getting familiar with the basics of reversing a caravan before you set out on a trip. ■ Get yourself a person to help guide you into the parking area. ■ Find a large space, such as an empty car park, and try reversing the caravan into one of the spaces. This will help you to get a handle on which direction to turn the steering wheel. ■ Remember – when reversing a caravan is that to move right you need to turn the steering wheel to the left and vice versa. ■ Before reversing into a site, take a moment to look around the area for low branches or other debris that could get in the way. ■ One of the easiest ways to swing the caravan into a site is to ensure that the site is on the right-hand side of the car. ■ If you are not feeling confident and don’t have a fellow traveller to give you directions, you could try asking another caravanner for assistance. ■ Reversing cameras are a great help when reversing; we use them every day in cars so why not with your caravan?
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16 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
GREY NOMADS
Get animal WOW factor into your next holiday
WHEN you head out to have fun on the road, have you ever thought about pitching your tent close to where you can drop in on some of Australia’s fantastic animal encounter parks? Right around Australia there are some amazing animals to meet in venues that are well-known and others that are luckily still not on the main tourism radar. So, let’s pack the tent, the caravan or camper home and get discovering just a few of the many animal encounters on offer. Sleep with a lion tonight in Canberra ■ Jamala Wildlife Lodge is on Lady Denman Drive in Canberra. ■ Park your caravan outside and indulge yourselves for just one night, at least. ■ The park boasts the most dangerous and endangered wildlife and aquarium experiences. ■ There is a choice of three accommodation venues, with the cost including exclusive park tours, all food and night-time drinks. ■ The rooms are quite snazzy with each featuring African themes and many have wildlife sleeping with you, albeit on the
other side of some safety glass. ■ Get in early to enjoy amazing encounters with red pandas, white lions, owls, sharks, tigers, otters, giraffe, tree kangaroos, meerkats, sunbears and cheetahs. Roar ‘n Snore in Melbourne ■ Melbourne Zoo is located in the heart of Melbourne. ■ It offers guests, between September and May, the chance to stay overnight within its grounds with camping equipment provided; you just need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. ■ Dinner is in the historic Elephant Exhibit. ■ Once dinner is done, guests get to wander around the zoo, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the nocturnal creatures before bedding down for the night. ■ In the morning, the local residents will wake you for breakfast and a full day of amazing up-close animal encounters. ■ The cost includes camping equipment, meals and Zoo day ticket. Have a wild night out in Sydney ■ Walkabout Wildlife Park is located just north of Sydney on Darkinjung Road at Calga. ■ There are various accommodation
choices on site; bush survival with no creature comforts and lots of bush survival skills to be learnt, evening and morning ranger-led animal encounters and eco-cabin luxury so you can wake up with the animals, a ranger-led tour with comfortable camping, including just a few luxuries, or chose grown-up cottage accommodation with comforts and bush outlook. ■ The park has many different types of animals in its bushland setting: koalas, dingoes, Tasmanian devil, python, emus, wallaroos, skinks, turtles and many more. Mingle with the Meerkats in South Australia ■ Monarto Zoo is located on the Old Princes Highway in Monarto. ■ The park is over 1000 hectares zoological park and natural wilderness sanctuary. ■ It also has a centre for conservation and enjoyment of wildlife and nature. ■ The park boasts 500 animals and 50 species of exotic and native mammals, birds and reptiles and plays a major role nationally and internationally in rare breeding and endangered species programs. ■ Visitors can book in to sleep under
the stars in your tent, caravan or sleeping bag on special dates during the year. Volunteer in Northern Territory ■ Nina’s Ark Wildlife Sanctuary is an outback wildlife sanctuary located near Litchfield National Park. ■ Access to the private park and veterinary clinic is limited to April through December. ■ Tours, which are not self-drive, are available once booked. ■ It’s a refuge for orphaned or injured native animals. ■ The volunteers come from all over the globe to work with orphaned and injured wildlife. ■ The park is host to many animal species, including brush tailed possum, wallaby, wallaroo, black footed tree rat, bandicoot, northern quoll, partridge pigeon, brumbies, cockatoos, curlew and black-necked stork. ■ Basic, clean accommodation for a maximum of two nights is available on site with the $150 per night fee, including pick up from the entrance, three meals both days and torch. ■ At night guests join in a BBQ by the camp fire and feed some of the animals.
SAVINGS - SPENDINGS PLANNING This June, Seniors Newspaper, updates, enlightens and inspires your money senses. You will find tips on how to save in the home, on holiday, entertainment and health. We also feature practical information on the big changes to Aged Care packages and Superannuation. Be prepared to pull on your purse strings and climb up the money ladder as you read our informative June edition.
Pick up your free copy of the June edition at your local stockist or read online at seniorsnews.com.au
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Tracey Johnstone
Central Coast
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 17
Travel Atlantis experiences that enthral visitorsai in Dub
ANN RICKARD checked into the sprawling high-tech hotel, Atlantis the Palm in Dubai, and found everything from fun to fine dining, to shopping, culture, exploration, even education.
1. THE LOBBY
TALK about a grand entrance. The lobby is the first glimpse of this Atlantean-themed destination, with eight imposing columns giving the impression of fish scales. Then there is the 60m wall of windows with an infinity view over blue waters of The Palm. In the centre a 9.75-metre high blown-glass sculpture surrounded by a reflection pool brings the essence of the ocean to life.
2. UNDERWATER SUITES
FLOOR-to-ceiling views from the master bedroom into an aquarium create an illusion of being beneath the sea. Sleep with the sea creatures swimming all around you.
3. THE ROYAL POOL
IT PROVIDES the best view towards the cityscape of Dubai as well as first class view of The Palm. Refreshments are available all day around the pool and at The Edge
Atlantis, The Palm, the spa and one of the underwater suites.
and The Shore food outlets.
4. SHUIQI SPA & FITNESS
ENTER the expansive spa and be greeted by a water wall, then be guided along a streaming water pathway to one of 27 treatment rooms. The treatment menu is as extensive as it is exciting, with offerings ranging from spa journeys to body therapies, as well as full salon services for his and hers beautifying sessions.
5. AQUAVENTURE WATERPARK
YOUR inner child will thank you for taking him to these 42 acres of joyful water experiences. Get on the river ride action with its cascades, tidal waves and rapids, then dare to take to the Tower of Poseidon reaching 40m into the sky. (Heart-stopping, be warned.)
6. THE LOST CHAMBERS AQUARIUM
DISCOVER the mazes of underground tunnels and passageways of The Lost Chambers, bringing them into close contact with the myth and the advanced inventions of the ancient
PHOTOS: PAUL THUYSBAERT
Atlanteans.
7. ULTIMATE SNORKEL IN THE AMBASSADOR LAGOON
SWIM with 65,000 marine animals, including sharks, fish and many species of rays, in this underwater exhibit. This habitat focuses on marine life found in the local waters of the Arabian Gulf. Watch the sea life and learn about fish species and ocean preservation.
8. DINING AT GORDON RAMSAY’S BREAD STREET
KITCHEN & BAR
AN OUTPOST of his London establishment with a British European menu. An eclectic environment from day through night, the bar at Bread Street Kitchen with its imaginative mixologists is an integral part of the space.
9. KALEIDOSCOPE, THE ULTIMATE BUFFET EXPERIENCE
INTERNATIONAL at its best. European Mediterranean cuisine are complemented by cuisines of Northern
Africa, India and the Levant region. Whether to have breakfast, lunch or dinner will be the only problem.
10. SHOPPING THE AVENUES
A Luxuriously colourful marketplace. Browse some of the world’s most sought-after brands in high-end boutiques from Rodeo Drive to Tiffany & Co, and Porsche Design. What are you waiting for? Get there. Visit: www.atlantisthepalm.com.
18 Seniors Central Coast
travel
How to make a dream holiday a super reality Cruise Traveller
CLOSE your eyes and imagine slipping gently along, skippering your own boat on the Canal du Midi in southern France, exploring the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pause along the way to taste the local food, savour the wines, visit medieval villages and take in the glorious scenery.
QUIET BEAUTY: Gliding by the Penichette ruins in Ireland.
Now open eyes and start to plan, making your dream holiday a reality. Australian company Cruise Traveller is offering the answer for a perfect boating holiday. “Locaboat is suitable for all adult ages, and the leisurely pace of the whole product makes it a very relaxing experience,” managing director Craig Bowen said. “If you have even basic
boating experience it will be easy, however even as a first-timer the operational side of the vessel is extremely simple. “The instructions made available by the departure base are excellent, and the written information provided is comprehensive. “I’m in my late 50s and I found the experience not only straight-forward, but
Holiday Inclusions
Home pick-up and return for Central Coast & Newcastle Passengers, Quality motel accommodation, cooked breakfast and two course dinner each day, 5 star toilet equipped coach travel with experienced and informative coach captain/guide.
20 Day North West WA “Last Frontier” Tour Departing 28th August 2017
Fly into Perth including Dalwallinu, 2 nights at Nalbarra Station and see Mount Magnet & Meekathara. Spend 2 nights at Newman. Explore Marble Bar, Port Hedland and 2 nights at Karijini National Park & Exmouth. Discover Ningaloo Reef, Carnarvon, Shark Bay, 2 nights at Kalbarri and visit Geraldton & the Pinnacles before returning to Perth. Tour Price: $7898 per person twin share * Tour price does not include airfare, train travel or coach to and from Perth
6 Day Riverina Explorer Leeton & Griffith Departing 12th October
Two nights in Canberra, visit Commonwealth Park for Floriade Cruise Lake Burley Griffin, visit the War Memorial and the National Museum of Australia and spend time at the beautiful Tulip Gardens just out of Canberra. Tour Price: $595.00 per person twin share 4 Day Spring into the Mountains Departing 19th October Three nights in Leura, visit Mayfield Gardens, Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, Mt Wilson and Mount Tomah A wonderful time to discover the Blue Mountain gardens. Tour Price: $799.00 per person twin share
Spend a relaxing 5 nights in Leeton to explore the Riverina area. Discover Griffith and the Festival of Flowers, be amazed at the citrus sculptures And visit a local winery. Spend a day at Altina Wildlife Park on a Zoofari and visit Australia’s oldest theatre, “The Roxy”. Tour Price: $1295.00 per person twin share
8 Day Sapphire Coast Christmas Tour Departing 23rd December 2017 Including Symbio Wildlife Park, 5 nights Eden, MV Loch Ard cruise at Mallacoota, Cat Balou cruise at Two Fold Bay, Bega Historic Centre and Canberra. Enjoy Christmas luncheon at the historic Seahorse Inn, Eden. Tour Price: $1695 per person twin share * No single rooms available
Many more day tours, short breaks and extended coach holidays available for further information and booking contact our office.
Shop 5a, Gosford Central Plaza 153 Mann Street, GOSFORD NSW 2250 Email: info@easytourstravel.com.au Telephone: (02) 4325 8000 Local Call: 1300 364 036
6597372aa
3 Day Canberra Floriade Departing 4th October
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
one of the most enjoyable, relaxed and great value holiday experiences I have had.” Locaboat is a long-established French company that owns a fleet of 380 top-quality Penichettes and canal boats. It offers 200 different cruises to enjoy in 24 regions across Europe. You don’t need a licence to steer these fully equipped and certified craft around and through canals and waterways. All equipment, crockery, cutlery, bed-linen and towels are supplied, along with gas bottle and a captain’s handbook. “You’ll receive boat handling instructions and orientation on the departure day to make sure you understand essential cruising rules, which are pretty simple,” Mr Bowen said. In case you are concerned, technical assistance is available every day. You can hire a Locaboat from 642 Euro per person twin share for seven days. That price is based on a Penichette P935W in France, ideal for a couple. Larger Penichettes are available for bigger groups with a P1107W from only 243 Euro per person for seven days, based on six people. There are multiple departure dates and bases to choose from. “The itinerary is up to you. You’re the skipper,” Mr Bowen said. “The Canal du Midi is a prime prospect; it’s near the heart of the Camargue, an amazing region on France’s Mediterranean coast, famous for its wildlife, white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos. “The Canal du Midi is also close to the Etang de Thau and its fantastic
Canal du Midi, 11, Aude, in France.
PHOTO: PALOMBA ROBERT
Floating along in Port de Plaisance. PHOTO: ERICH SPIEGELHALTER
oyster beds.” Every part of the journey is exceptional such as the area around Carcassonne with its towers and battlements complete with fortified towns of white stone and historic villages like Trèbes and Puicheric. Medieval villages, Roman churches, abbeys and isolated monasteries; all of them can be visited from the self-drive canal boat. Across France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland your self-drive boating holiday will be punctuated by beautiful landscapes and charming towns, castles, wine cellars and historical sights. In France, options include Midi and Camargue, the Southwest, the Lot Valley, Brittany, the Ardennes and Alsace-Lorraine, Burgundy and Saône, the Loire and Nivernais. In Germany, Müritz and Mecklenburg beckon, or
Brandenburg and Berlin. Another choice is the Netherlands where you can cruise either north or south Holland. Cruise Italy’s Venetian Lagoon where the great renaissance maritime city of Venice crowns this enclosed bay of the Adriatic Sea in northern Italy. Poland’s Masurian Lakes offers countless lakes dot verdant, undulating landscapes, embellished by villages, tracts of forest and thriving farms. Green Ireland’s Shannon-Erne Waterway with its 16 automatic locks, provides a delightful latticework of rivers, canals, lakes, islands and villages where visitors should pause for at least one pint of Guinness. For information on all the self-drive boating holidays, go to cruisetraveller.com.au or call 1800 507 777.
travel
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Central Coast
Seniors 19
The islands of Tahiti celebrate 50 years of over-water luxury TAHITI Tourisme is celebrating 50 years of over-water bungalows, the striking over-the-water accommodation that helped put the Islands of Tahiti on the map. In 1967, Tahiti became the first destination in the world to take accommodation into uncharted waters, building suites over its islands’ beautiful blue lagoons in a move that cemented the Society Islands as one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations. The first humble over-water bungalows were built in Raiatea and Moorea by the “Bali Hai Boys” – Americans Don “Muk” McCullum, Jay Carlisle and the late Hugh Kelley – who travelled to the region after being swept away by James Michener’s South Pacific. Fifty years on, there are now nearly 900 over-water bungalows spread across eight of Tahiti’s 118 islands, with the picturesque accommodation becoming as famous as the destination’s dazzling lagoons. Originally built as traditional stilted coral homes, over the past five decades the Islands of Tahiti’s over-water bungalows have evolved into palatial suites boasting private terraces,
NATURAL LUXURY: Tahiti Mountain view from resort.
infinity pools, hammocks, spa baths and in-room glass floors – fondly referred to as Tahiti TV. The iconic Hotel Bora Bora, the first hotel built on Bora Bora, which is set to reopen as an Aman Resort in the coming years, added over-water suites in 1970 and now 11 Bora Bora resorts from the St Regis to the Four Seasons and the Sofitel, all offer the picturesque style of accommodation which has helped to make the island a popular playground for honeymooners and celebrities alike. The first two-storey
villas were introduced by the Hilton Bora Bora (now the Conrad) in 2009 and made famous by the Kardashians in 2011, with the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso currently constructing its own split-level suites which are set to open later this year. Tahiti Tourisme director Australia New Zealand Robert Thompson said Tahiti’s popularity as a high-end destination could be traced back to the introduction of over-water villas half a century ago. “Nothing compliments Tahiti’s striking natural beauty more than her over-water bungalows.
This luxurious style of accommodation blends seamlessly with the islands’ crystal-clear lagoons, laid-back culture and French sophistication. Over-water villas are a huge part of what makes Tahiti so remarkable and why it has been the world’s pre-eminent island destination for five decades,” Mr Thompson said. For more info: follow Tahiti Tourisem on Indulge in the ultimate overwater experience with a 12-night package offering a stay in overwater bungalows across three islands including Tahiti, Bora Bora
and Rangiroa from $7599* per person twin share. The package includes return economy flights from Australia, overwater accommodation at Le Meridien Tahiti, Le Meridien Bora Bora and Kia Ora Resort Rangiroa, and transfers including
inter-island flights. The package is available with business class flights from $9999* per person twin share. For more information or to book visit Tahiti Tourisme on Instagram and Facebook or visit: ahiti-tourisme.com.au.
The luxury of slow train Ann Rickard
TRAVELLING to the US in the future? You might be put off by their domestic flight system and in light of the recent United Airlines kerfuffle, Rail Plus has reinforced the benefits of rail travel in the US. Commercial director Ingrid Kocijan says it is well-known that train travel is much less stressful than air travel, with bonus factors including the luxury of space, comfortable seats with legroom and no set baggage limits adding to the stress-free experience. “Apart from not having to endure long queues or waiting time at check-in and baggage claim, and being able to go from city centre to city centre without additional transportation costs and journey time, travellers can also take comfort in knowing that there is
absolutely no chance of seat overbooking on trains,” Kocijan said. “Peak travel times would usually see an increase in capacity via additional carriages on selected trains; otherwise passengers would be informed straight away of seat availability and alternatives when making their seat reservations. “Also, the level of care and customer service provided on board the trains, at the service counter or on the phone is of a high standard.” While best suited to travellers with the luxury of time, train travel is also an undeniably great way for visitors to see the vast and varied landscape of the USA during a relaxed journey, something that more Australian and New Zealand travellers are appreciating. The most popular point-to-point destinations and journeys being booked include:
■ New York City – Washington DC – 3 hours. ■ New York City – Boston – 4 hours and 30 minutes. ■ Seattle – Vancouver – 4 hours. ■ Los Angeles – Grand Canyon – 12 hours. ■ Universal Studios: Miami – Orlando, 7 hours and 18 minutes. ■ Disneyland: Los Angeles to Anaheim – 39 minutes. “While point-to-point tickets have proven more popular among travellers who prefer to spend more time in fewer destinations during their short visits averaging two weeks, Amtrak passes remain popular among travellers planning to hop around the country on longer visits of up to 45 days.” Travellers deciding to see the USA by train can equip themselves with some useful tips and considerations suggested by the experts at Rail Plus to help with their itineraries and bookings.
ON TRACK: Consider taking the train when travelling in the USA.
PHOTO: AMTRAK
20 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
What’s on
Out and about on the Central Coast ★ SIMON FARCE
WITH all that’s going on in the world today, we all need a good laugh and that’s just what Woy Woy Little Theatre provides with Neil Simon’s farce Rumors at the Peninsula Theatre. It’s the tale of a New York mayoral anniversary party gone terribly wrong, with shootings, a car accident, affairs and no kitchen staff. It’s on Friday to Sunday at 8pm until June 11, including a matinee on June 10. Adult tickets $30. Go to www.woywoylt.com.au.
★ ABORIGINAL ART
DISCOVER the works of six Aboriginal artists in Colours of Country at Gosford Regional Gallery until July 16. This new exhibition, in memory of Sean Lonergan, represents local Aboriginal stories by Kylie Cassidy, Gavi Duncan, Wendy Pawley, Garry Purchase, Ron Smith and Donnella Waters.
★ VTM MARKET
ON the 2nd Saturday of the month, the Valley Treasures Market (VTM) at Niagara Park Shopping Centre is a community market with new, handmade and vintage items, plants and more. And it’s all under cover. Proceeds to Musicians Making a Difference.
JOURNALIST ALISON HOUSTON
★ HARVEST FESTIVAL
HARVEST Festival Central Coast is a chance to celebrate the region’s amazing local produce and producers over the weekend of June 10 and 11. There are a host of festival events from simply talking to a farmer to fruit-picking, music, art and of course food. Check it all out, including the festival’s Long Lunch of shared platters and music. Find harvest festivalcc on Facebook.
★ BALKAN ENSEMBLE
WHEN is the last time you had afternoon tea with a Balkan Ensemble? Pearl Beach Progress Association is inviting you to do just that, featuring Romanian gypsy violinist Tinel Dragoi, at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall from 2.30pm on Sunday, June 11. Tickets are $40 adults. For bookings call 4344 2319.
★ BEER AND CIDER FEST
THE Craft Beer and Cider Festival at the Kincumber Hotel from 11am to 5pm on Sunday, June 11 promises over 100 varieties of the best craft beer and cider, street food
WALKING FESTIVAL: THE 5 Lands Walk on Saturday, June 24 is a day-long festival across 10km of spectacular coastline.
stalls, live entertainment and your chance to win free craft beer and cider for a year – definitely one to think about. Adult tickets are $20. Go to www.kincumberpub.com .au.
★ ICONIC THEATRE
WRITTEN 20 years ago by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman, The 7 Stages of Grieving has become an iconic piece of Australian theatre and explores the grief of Aboriginal people and their hopes for reconciliation. Chenoa Deemal stars in this one-woman show, sharing stories of joy, pain and survival from across
Aboriginal history. It’s at The Art House Wyong at 8pm on Tuesday, June 13. Go to www.theart housewyong. com.au.
★ 5 LANDS WALK
THE 5 Lands Walk on Saturday, June 24 is a day-long festival across 10km of spectacular coastline, which we can sometimes take for granted. Numbers have grown from 500 in 2006 to 20,000. The walk starts at MacMasters Beach and heads north to the surf clubs at Copacabana, Avoca Beach and North Avoca following the beaches, headlands, bush tracks and back-roads to the surf
club at Terrigal and includes dances, food and other celebrations of the traditional Darkinjung people. You can join and leave the route at any point. The full route takes 4-6 hours, but organisers suggest you allow yourself the full day to enjoy all the extras. Go to www.5lands walk.com.au.
★ TRIVIA NIGHT
IT’S time to get those brains working again, with Wyong Neighbourhood Centre’s Trivia Night FUNdraiser, which includes raffles, auctions and other games, as well as prizes for Best Dressed Table. It’s all on Saturday, June 24 at Shelly Beach
Golf Club. Cost is $20pp. Call Sharyn Burgess on 4353 1750.
★ LIGHTHOUSE TOURS
NORAH Head Lighthouse is an incredibly beautiful area of the Coast. But did you know they do daily tours? Climb the 96 steps, see the 360 degree views from the tower’s balcony and learn about the lighthouse keeper’s duties, what their life was like, and about local shipwrecks. All this for just $6 for adults. Contact the Norah Head Reserve Managers on 0452 564 102.
Shirley Valentine – a universal tale of self-discovery
Shirley Valentine follows her dreams in to Greece
"YOU Are good enough to follow your dreams and do the things you aspire to." That's the message from HIT Production's Shirley Valentine, a
one-woman show appearing at Laycock Street Community Theatre on 16 and 17 June 2017. Mrs Joe Bradshaw, a 42-year-old mother of
two, is stuck in a mundane life where she resorts to talking to the walls while her husband is at work. When her best friend wins an allexpenses-paid holiday to Greece for two, Mrs Bradshaw grasps the opportunity to head for the sun and leave her current drudgery behind. Leaving a note in the kitchen that reads, "Gone to Greece, back in two weeks," Mrs Bradshaw goes on a journey where her old life-loving self, who used to be known as Shirley, can resurface and thrive once again. Mandi Lodge stars in this work which has inspired audiences all around Australia.
"This show is uplifting and inspiring – Shirley always wanted to travel when she was younger but never thought she was clever enough," Lodge said of the character she plays. "Once she spreads her wings and goes off to Greece and watches the sun set as she sips a glass of vino, she realises she can do the things she aspires to. She is good enough. "She stops comparing herself with others and has a holiday romance…with herself." The show is touring nationally and has already achieved great success in Queensland and Victoria, with
Western Australia being on the itinerary before it arrives at Laycock Street Theatre. "Even the men who come to see the show really relate to it, as they also go through mid-life crises. It motivates people and gives them hope," Lodge said. Lodge has starred in productions of Dumped! The Musical and Sweeney Todd with Philip Quast, and was acclaimed in HIT Production's one-woman production of Peter Quilter’s Just The Ticket in 2014. The playwright by Willy Russell will be directed by internationally awarded director Denny Lawrence. The play won
best comedy at the 1988 Laurence Olivier Awards and was made into a film the following year. A story told with humour, warmth, human insight and a great deal of empathy, Shirley Valentine will appeal to audiences of all ages as a journey of self-love and transformation. When: Friday 16 June, 8pm and Saturday 17 June, 2pm and 8pm Where: Laycock Street Community Theatre Tickets: Members $35, Adults $45, Concessions $42, Groups 6+ $42, Under 18s $18. Book now: call 4323 3233 or visit www.gosford.nsw.gov.au /theatres
puzzles
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
G E N E R A L K N O W L E D G E
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Across 7 Who played the drums on the Beatles’ 1968 recording of “Back in the USSR”? (4,9) 8 Referring to a payment, what phrase from Latin means “for a moral, not legal reason”? (2,6) 9 What (__ lily) is another name for the calla lily? (4) 10 In Harry Dacre’s 1892 song “Daisy Bell”, what mode of transport is suggested for the wedding? (6) 12 An aircraft’s “black box” is usually what colour? (6) 14 Where in England was Ricky Gervais’s TV hit The Office set? (6) 16 Which American short-story writer honed his skills while serving a prison sentence from 1898? (1,5) 18 In a children’s rhyme, who came tumbling after Jack? (4) 20 Which tropical plant with large, velvety, bellshaped flowers is related to the African violet? (8) 22 Which British novelist and feminist essayist was a central figure of the Bloomsbury Group? (8,5)
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Central Coast
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Down 1 Which British car maker was acquired by General Motors in 1925? (8) 2 Which king of Wessex is credited with the foundation of the English navy? (6) 3 What is improvised jazz singing, using the voice in imitation of an instrument? (4) 4 Which Japanese admiral planned the attack on Pearl Harbour? (8) 5 What is the capital of Canada? (6) 6 Where was the potato first cultivated, about 4,500 years ago? (4) 11 The importation of what wood in the 1720s led to a revival of carving on English furniture? (8) 13 Which fat ginger comic strip cat made his debut in 1978? (8) 15 What describes the volume by which a liquid container falls short of being full? (6) 17 Which great American inventor (Thomas __) did not learn to talk until he was almost four? (6) 19 In Egyptian mythology, who is the goddess of fertility and motherhood? (4) 21 Which colourful gemstone is mined in Australia? (4)
22
SUDOKU
Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
2
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ALPHAGRAMS
Insert the missing letters to make ten words — five reading across the grid and five reading down.
Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential. For example, if the fiveletter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.
C
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TACIT MAD BEE UPSCALE ICED CLAY NEAR LIGHT
D D
Note: more than one solution may be possible.
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Seniors 21
SOLUTIONS 21
anew await aware interwar newt RAINWATER rainwear tawa tawnier tinware twin twine twiner wain wait waiter wane want wanter ware warier warn warner warrant warren wart water wean wear weir went weta wine winter wire wirer wren wrier writ write writer
22
N E E D S
Across: 1. Warp 8. Appraising 9. Flatters 10. Cage 12. Deputy 14. Shiver 15. Fasted 17. Assume 18. Dear 19. Lacerate 21. Throughout 22. Awry. Down: 2. Adulterate 3. Pant 4. Speedy 5. Pauses 6. Psychics 7. Ogle 11. Grey matter 13. Ulterior 16. Deluge 17. Anchor 18. Data 20. Rota.
ALPHAGRAMS: ATTIC, BEAMED, CAPSULE, DELICACY, EARTHLING.
BLACKOUT
QUICK CROSSWORD
Solution opposite
A I D E D
Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square.
E V O K E
How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word. No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb. TODAY: Good 20 Very Good 27 Excellent 35
DOUBLE CROSS
C O R A L
A N
WORD GO ROUND
R E
SUDOKU
5x5
O M E N S
437
GK CROSSWORD
W
Down 2. Dilute (10) 3. Gasp (4) 4. Quick (6) 5. Hesitates (6) 6. Mediums (8) 7. Look lecherously (4) 11. Brain power (colloq) (4,6) 13. Hidden, not apparent (8) 16. Downpour (6) 17. Hold in place (6) 18. Information (4) 20. Duty list (4)
Across: 7 Paul McCartney, 8 Ex gratia, 9 Arum, 10 Tandem, 12 Orange, 14 Slough, 16 O Henry, 18 Jill, 20 Gloxinia, 22 Virginia Woolf. Down: 1 Vauxhall, 2 Alfred, 3 Scat, 4 Yamamoto, 5 Ottawa, 6 Peru, 11 Mahogany, 13 Garfield, 15 Ullage, 17 Edison, 19 Isis, 21 Opal.
A T
I R
WORD GO ROUND
Across 1. Bend (4) 8. Valuing (10) 9. Praises insincerely (8) 10. Confine (4) 12. Assistant (6) 14. Tremble (6) 15. Went without food (6) 17. Suppose (6) 18. Costly (4) 19. Cut deeply (8) 21. From start to finish (10) 22. Amiss (4)
A S G P X L H H K S V S P C H
L E G A L I S E G Y E L L O W
C R X L H B E S P L C A J L R
E M B O D Y P S O L I T U D E
H O O M G A N I G A K E T N W
I N S I G N I A L B U R N E D
K D J N A X Q N N L W Z M S P
R E C O R D S H B E D P O S T
U M A J K E Q G T T F R C B Y
A B L O O M P U P R O O T E D
F R R D B U Z M S E D F Q L Q
F A V O U R E D Q F L O O D S
B C X U Q R F R Y U W U G E U
D E G R E E K O R G A N I S T
S D C S O D E P Z E H D Q T F
BLACKOUT
Work out which squares need to be deleted to reveal a completed crossword. Solution opposite
DOUBLE CROSS
L E I S E R M O N G B S P A L O M I N L D G L I B Y A N S I H E S S I A N O S Y L L A B L E I U S L A T E R L U N C O L D N E S W E D
R A E M B R C L O O D R O D E M U S G U M B P E R E D O P R O F O T S E L T D
F D A C E D V G O U R S U E R R E D E D R O P R F U G E L A O U N D O I D E S T S T
22 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
Money How to stay on top of your money
Risk and returns
AS INVESTORS, we all want to earn high returns. However, big gains go hand in hand with increased risk – something that’s especially important for the thousands of Australians who hold their retirement savings in a self-managed super fund (SMSF). A recent report by AMP Capital found SMSF trustees expect their super to earn an average return of 10.9% this year. Yet only one in five SMSFs have made changes to their portfolio to achieve this result. In fact, 55% of SMSFs have switched to lower risk investments out of concerns about market
THINK MONEY PAUL CLITHEROE volatility. With these findings in mind, it’s worth looking at the two main types of investments to see how returns are impacted by risk. Income assets, also known as conservative investments, include cash-based investments like term deposits, which provide income on a regular basis. The drawback is that the return on cash is
typically low because there’s less risk of losing your money. Right now for example, you’d be lucky to earn 3% on a term deposit. That’s not to say income assets aren’t worth having. What you need to consider is how much of your money you should invest in low risk/low return investments. Growth assets on the other hand, include property, shares, both international and Australian, and units in a managed fund that invests in these assets. The appeal of growth investments is that they offer ongoing income in
the form of rent, dividends and distributions (in the case of managed funds) but they also offer capital growth plus some tax breaks. As a guide to potential returns, Australian shares have delivered gains of 17.24% over the past 12 months – far eclipsing cash investments. The downside to growth investments is increased risk. Capital gains are by no means guaranteed. It’s very rewarding to see the value of your growth assets climb. But you need to be able to withstand a fall in the value of your investment. The appropriate mix of
conservative and growth assets will vary from person to person. However, for SMSFs, especially those in the accumulation stage, having a high concentration of low-risk assets could see you struggle to reach your retirement goals. The key is to find the blend of risk and return that you’re comfortable with. Paul Clitheroe is a founding director of financial planning firm ipac, Chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.
MONEY, cash, moolah. It’s something that we all think about, talk about and have to manage. You’re The Boss is a relaxed, two-hour workshop talking about basic money matters such as: ■ Creating new and positive money habits; ■ Budgeting and tracking your spending; ■ Shopping Smart –how to make smart decisions; ■ Exploring best finance options; ■ Obtaining a free credit report; and ■ Where to go for help. If you know a little, or know a lot, please join us: Thursday, June 8 at Adssi HomeLiving Australia, 3a Pioneer Ave, Tuggeah from 10.30am–12.30pm. RSVP essential. Call 1300 578 478. Please note, this is not a seminar regarding taxation or investment.
How to build a portfolio that suits you YOUR mix of investments should be based on reasonable returns over your desired time frame and at an acceptable level of risk. Short-term investments (1–3 years), medium-term, investments (4–6 years), long-term investments (seven or more years), and retirement investments. ■ Your investment options: Check out the
investment, check fees and charges, check legal and tax issues. ■ Short-term investments: A short-term investor should be looking for investments with: risk (no risk of losing your money), volatility (very low risk that the value of your savings will drop) and expected return (4–6% per year is the long-term average return).
Suitable products could be: Online savings account (if you could need the cash at any time). Term deposit (if you know how long your money can be locked away). Don't let it roll-over automatically as it may not be in your best interests. These products could be suitable because the money is available but they still give a reasonable return.
Ask yourself: How quickly will I be able to get my money when I need it? Is it easy to add more savings? Am I getting a good interest rate? ■ Medium-term investments: Medium-term investors should look for investments with: risk (low to medium-level possibility of losing money), volatility (medium – capital value
could go up or down 20% in a year) and expected return (6–7% per year on average over 10 years). A suitable product could be a balanced investment option in a managed fund. If your time frame is closer to four years, a more conservative investment may be suitable. This could be suitable because: It is expected to provide better returns than a bank account over
the same period. Any short-term periods of negative returns should grow back over the period that you are investing. It is easy to add money to the investment. Ask yourself, can I cope with some risk in order to let my money grow over the medium term? More info is provided at the website this article was sourced from: moneysmart.gov.au.
Central Coast
Monday, May 29, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 23
Live and let’s save Time to ‘ban the bag’
AUSTRALIAN’S use around six billion plastic bags per year, 3.3 billion of which are supermarket plastic bags. Managing director of Clean Up Australia, Terrie-Ann Johnson said 80 million plastic bags end up in Australia’s litter stream. “Think about the poor animal in the marine environment that chokes or starves because it’s got a gutful of non-nutritious material, it’s a horrible, horrible death” she said. The biggest problem with plastic bags is that they do not readily break down in the environment, with estimates for the time it takes them to decompose ranging from 20 to 1000 years. Currently, ACT, NT, Tasmania and SA have bans in place and Queensland will join them from July 2018. NSW, Victoria and WA are currently not committed to the ban.
BE THRIFTY AND THRIVE NICKY NORMAN Single-use plastic bags have been used in Australia for 40 years, so it’s time to ban the bag or in the meantime, use an alternative. ■ What can we do: ★Try and take the plastic bags or paper bags you have, back to the supermarket to reuse. ★Not all your fruit and vegetables need a plastic bag, they can go straight into the trolley. ★Some retailers save cardboard boxes, so use these to pack your groceries. ★Some major supermarkets have calico or “green” bags available for sale at a very small price. These bags can be kept in the car and used every time you shop.
★Bio-degradable bags. These bags are usually made from plastic and break down into small pieces. Those small pieces become microplastics. The best alternative is bags made with oxo-biodegradable plastic. Using plastic shopping bags to line our garbage bins means that they still end up into landfill. ■ What do we use: ★Newspaper: Most bins are tall and cube shape, so a newspaper can easily be folded, origami style, into the bin to line the bottom and the sides. ★Nothing: the only things that should be going into your bins is waste that cannot be recycled, composted, or reused somewhere else. These methods may not suit everyone but so long as you can reduce the use, you are helping our environment.
TIME TO WARM UP: Enjoy a curry laksa, full of flavour.
Top tips for an efficient kitchen AUTUMN is well and truly here so we start thinking of warm, comfort foods. Soup comes to mind as well as casseroles. One-pot meals save a great deal of time and effort. Don’t forget the slow cooker as it is always a great way to cook and save time, just put it on and forget. Be creative – add and remove ingredients if they are not to your liking. If you like mushrooms and don’t like eggplant swap them as both are high in moisture – the recipe should stay the same. Herbs and spices are a
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Buyers and sellers should be cautious of possible scams when buying or selling a vehicle.
More information is available at scamwatch.gov.au
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Be wary if the number in the ad is disconnected. If the buyer/seller says the number is disconnected because they are overseas, ask for a landline phone number at their current location as well as a mobile phone number. All contact details of the person buying or selling the car should be verified to ensure they are genuine.
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HOME COOKING CHRISTINE PERKIN great way to jazz up a one-pot meal. If you have a few in store like mixed herbs, thyme, sage, rosemary, dried chilli, cumin, ground coriander seed or curry powder you can enhance the flavour of a basic meal and make it special with little effort. Don’t forget to taste and season. It’s good to look in the
cupboard and get ideas from what you already have instead of buying more ingredients. Writing a list of what is in your cupboard is a great way to save money. We tend to forget and go and buy the same items then get home and find there are already three bags of carrots. When that happens, you can always make carrot soup. Seriously, if you have a list of what’s in your cupboard and pantry you will be less likely to double up. Think before you shop and be creative.
Tapping their way back to a younger beat Alison Houston
TERRIGAL’S Julie Lamont feels like she’s 15 again when she does her weekly tap dance classes. At 58, Julie is the baby of Betty’s Showtappers, a group of women who came together a couple of years ago under 73-year-old Betty Samarjia to learn tap, and have since formed a performing troupe. They have played at various retirement villages and this month performed a sold-out cancer fundraiser at Long Jetty Senior Citizen’s Club. “We can’t get to our class fast enough each week, not just for the fun of dancing but the camaraderie,” Julie said. While Julie did tap dancing as a child, Betty said she had tap students of all experience, and all dance genres, from her intermediate/ beginners’ class, some
RUN FOR THEIR MONEY: Betty’s Showtappers sharing their joy of tap dancing with audiences.
of whom have never tapped before to the advanced, who form Betty’s Showtappers. “I started teaching tap because I thought it would be very good exercise for Seniors,” Betty said. “Even if you’re not an experienced dancer, it would keep you fit and the music and social component would work really well.” Having found her East Gosford venue, she put out feelers and soon had 30 people signing up for her Tuesday classes. “There’s a lot of people who have always wanted to dance but
never thought they could,” she said. “I think the difference with Seniors is they really want to learn, whereas with children it’s often ‘Mum made me do it’. “My groups love to be pushed, and feel like they’re really achieving something.” Mind you, Julie said no-one was the equal of Betty, who runs consecutive classes from 12.30–2.30pm, “dances right along with us and puts us all to shame”. If you are interested in finding out more about Betty’s groups, call 0412 707 536.
24 Seniors Central Coast
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 29, 2017
VIETNAM EXPLORER $2,625
BURMA (MYANMAR)
15 Day Tour
Dep. Oct 18 & Mar 12 $4,580
VIETNAM & CAMBODIA ADVENTURE
2 Week Tour
Dep. Nov 6 $4,765
24 Day Tour
Dep. Sep. 28
Flying Singapore Airlines into Saigon and out of Flying Thai into Rangoon plus 3 flights in Burma. Flying Singapore Airlines into Hanoi & out of Siem Hanoi plus 2 flights within Vietnam. 4 nights Saigon, 12 day Burma tour by coach, plane & boat. Reap plus 2 flights within Vietnam. 19 day Vietnam 4 nights Hanoi, 4 nights Hoi An, 1 night Halong Bay 2 nights Bangkok. tour “off the beaten track”. 4 day Cambodia tour with with cruise. Angkor Wat.
AROUND TAIWAN
EUROPEAN WATERWAYS $8,675
18 Day Tour
$3,345
Dep. Nov 1 GREECE & THE GREEK ISLANDS
9 Day Tour
Dep. Aug 27 Flying Cathay Pacific into Taipei. 8 day Taiwan tour $5,995
Flying Qatar Airlines into Budapest & out of including spectacular Taroko Gorge. Amsterdam. 15 day deluxe river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on the luxurious Avalon Expression. Stopovers in Budapest & Doha.
SRI LANKA (CEYLON) $4,475
16 Day Tour
Dep. Sep 18
Flying Singapore Airlines into Colombo. 14 day coach & rail tour of this beautiful country. Tips included.
CHINA WITH YANGTZE CRUISE $3,655
15 Day Tour
Dep. Sep 5
Flying China Eastern Airlines into Shanghai & out of Beijing, plus 3 flights within China. Includes 4 night first class Yangtze River cruise. Tipping included.
CANADA & ALASKA $6,995
25 Day Tour
Dep. Sep 8
Flying Cathay Pacific into Vancouver. 12 day tour of western Canada & the Rockies. 8 day cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage. 3 days Hong Kong stopover.
BALKANS & DALMATIAN COAST $7,195
3 Week Tour
Dep. Sep 6
Flying Qatar Airlines into Zagreb & out of Athens. 17
day
tour
of
Croatia,
Montenegro,
Bosnia,
Serbia, Macedonia & Greece plus 2 nights Athens.
Dep. Oct 6
Flying Emirates return to Athens, 15 days touring
THAILAND MOUNTAINS & BEACHES $3,455
19 Day Tour
Greece including a 4 day cruise to the Greek islands
Dep. Aug 2 of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini,
2 Week Tour
Flying Thai into Bangkok plus a flight within Thailand. 3 day Dubai stopover with Abu Dhabi day tour. 3 nights Bangkok, 2 nights Chiang Rai, 3 nights Tipping included. Chiang Mai, 3 nights Phuket. 3 nights coach tour from
CHINA, TIBET & NEPAL
Bangkok to Golden Triangle.
$4,475
BRITAIN & IRELAND $6,990 Flying
Pacific
Dep. Sep 10 day Nepal tour, 4 day Chengdu (China) tour including into
London.
15
day the famous Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
first class tour of England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales. 2 nights Hong Kong.
19 Day Tour
INDIA $5,265
MEXICO & CUBA $8,975
Dep. July 31
Flying Air China into Kathmandu. 5 day Tibet tour, 4
18 Day Tour Cathay
15 Day Tour
19 Day Tour
Nov 17 & Mar 23
Flying Singapore Airlines into Delhi and out of Bombay.
Dep. Nov 6 16 day coach, air & boat tour of India including
Flying Qantas and America Airlines into Mexico City, the Taj Mahal. 2 day Singapore stopover. Tips included. 8 days touring Mexico & the Yucatan, 8 days touring
RUSSIAN WATERWAYS
Cuba as well as Dallas stopover.
$6,095
VIETNAM DISCOVERY $3,960
3 Week Tour
Dep. Apr 3
Flying Singapore Airlines into Saigon and out of Hanoi, 20 days in Vietnam, including Sapa hill tribe village and a cruise on Halong Bay in a luxury junk.
19 Day Tour
Flying Qantas & Finnair into Moscow & out of Helsinki. 12 day river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Stopovers in Helsinki & Hong Kong.
VIETNAM OVERLAND $3815
3 Week Tour Dep.
Small group tour.
CHINA HIGHLIGHTS
EUROPE IN DEPTH
$3290
Kong stopover.
Suzhou. No single room supplement for solo travellers.
FLORAL FESTIVAL
SOUTH AMERICA
ITALY, FRANCE SPAIN
$3,290
13 Day Tour
Dep. Oct 14
Dep. Sep 10
Nov 6 & Jan 28
Flying Singapore Airlines into Saigon & out of Hanoi.
19 day coach tour of Vietnam. Halong Bay cruise. Flying China Eastern into Shanghai & out of Beijing, $8,975 34 Day Tour Dep. Nov 1 Optional extension to Angkor Wat. Flying Cathay Pacific into London & out of Paris. plus 2 flights within China. Visits, Beijing, Shanghai, THAILAND & THE CHIANG MAI 31 day tour of western & central Europe. 2 nights Hong Xian & the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, Hangzhou &
$11,495
23 Day Tour
Dep. Oct 8. $5,995
23 Day Tour
2 Week Tour
Dep. Jan 31
Dep. Sep 28 Flying Thai into Bangkok plus a flight within Thailand.
4 days Chiang Mai for their spectacular floral festival. Flying Qantas & Latam into Santiago. A superb tour of Flying Cathay Pacific into Rome & out of Madrid. 2 days River Kwai, 4 day coach tour of northern South America by plane, coach & rail, visiting Chile, 19 day tour of Italy, France, Spain. 2 days Thailand, 2 nights in beach resort on Gulf of Siam. Hong Kong stopover. Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina.
NEW ZEALAND $4,845
INSIDE VIETNAM
16 Day Tour Dep. Nov 21 & Feb 23 $3,985
JAPAN AUTUMN LEAVES TOUR.
20 Day Tour Dep. 22 Aug & Nov 15 $6485
13 Day Tour
Dep. Nov 12
Flying Air NZ into Christchurch & out of Auckland. Flying Singapore Airlines into Saigon and out of Hanoi. Flying Cathay Pacific into Tokyo & out of Osaka. 12 16 day coach tour of New Zealand, including 4 cruises 18 day coach & air tour of Vietnam. For this tour there day tour of Japan during the spectacular autumn and the Transalpine rail trip.
is no extra charge for travellers requiring a single room. colourings period.
The prices listed mainly include return air fares from Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane, airport taxes &
Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Number: A1038
6518491ap
fuel levies, good twin share accom., many meals, all transfers, Australian tour leader & local tour guides.