Sri Lanka: Wellbeing at Glenross Living; Surfing, Snorkelling, Diving, Fishing from Teardrop Hotels' Kalkudah Beach House

Glenross Living, Neboda, Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Photo by Glenross Living©

I love a wellness retreat, especially those in beautiful settings where the energy is palpable. Rainforest hits the spot as I found at one signature retreat high above a river valley. I've long wanted to return there but the temptation of the new is always irresistible and when I read about holistic wellness in the Sri Lankan rainforests, I was keen to know more.

Now I must say that I hope it was actually the rainforest, yoga and more that appealed and not the 'chocolate box on arrival' mentioned, although that triggered the following memory: 

We had travelled to Switzerland and were most generously hosted. One particular day involved a wonderful fondue lunch in Gruyere (with potatoes to dip in the cheese), hot on the heels of which was a visit to a chocolate factory, then a multi-course gourmet dinner by a leading chef on the banks Lake Geneva at Montreux! The chocolate factory of course meant multiple samples and purchases of sweet treats as gifts for those at home.

On the return journey to Australia we stopped off to experience a luxurious wellness/spa retreat to photograph it and gather information for luxury travel/wellness stories. The diet rules were very strict and the Swiss chocolate gifts in our bags became very tempting and, yes, we succumbed and polished off the lot in one sitting.

SO, the prospect of a chocolate box on arrival at Glenross Living in Neboda, Kalutara, Sri Lanka perhaps cancels the tiny guilt-trip I guess I must have been on for some years.  Chocolate and wellness, yay! 

Sri Lanka is an emerging wellness destination and Glenross Living is just 43 kilometres from Colombo,  surrounded by green and misty valleys on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sinharaja Rainforest. 

The emphasis is on wellness and experiencing the setting, exploring scenic hiking trails for birdwatching excursions, witnessing the age-old traditions of rubber tapping and cinnamon peeling, and visiting the cultural gems of Kalutara Temple and Richmond Castle. Unwind in spacious tranquillity, lounge by the pool, picnic under the cooling shade of trees scattered across the 90-acre land – a personal butler will take care of all your needs.

Photo by Glenross Living.©

Information/Bookings  www.glenrossliving.com 

Teardrop Hotels Unveils Kalkudah Beach House, Sri Lanka

Kalkudah Beach House, the newest addition to Teardrop Hotels’ portfolio in Sri Lanka, will be open for stays from 1 June 2025.

A secluded retreat on Sri Lanka’s untouched east coast and a scenic 6-hour drive from Colombo, 35 kilometres north of Batticaloa and an hour’s drive from Polonnaruwa, Kalkudah Beach House is nestled within a 25-acre coconut estate, with direct access to Kalkudah Bay, a seemingly endless stretch of soft, golden sand and calm waters.

Kalkudah Beach House, Sri Lanka. Photo by Teardrop Hotels©

The Main House was originally acquired as a family holiday home in the 1970s and known as Eastern Breeze Estate. During Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war, the estate was abandoned and intermittently occupied by both the Sri Lankan military and Tamil Tigers.

The current owners purchased the property in 2004, shortly after the devastating tsunami swept through the region. Remarkably, the house’s Dutch-inspired arched windows and doors of the Main House withstood the disaster, though the building had fallen into disrepair and required extensive refurbishment.

Over the past 20 years, a slow and deliberate evolution has shaped Kalkudah Beach House into what it is today. Additions include a 2-bedroom Palm Villa, 22-metre swimming pool and water purification system that integrates the gardens and estate and fills the pool.

The Main House blends timeless charm with modern comfort featuring three beautifully designed rooms. Guests can book rooms individually, reserve an exclusive 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom villa, or opt for a full buyout of all five rooms for the ultimate private experience.

Ocean-to-table dining takes centre stage, with much of the seafood coming directly from the fishermen who bring in their daily catch right in front of the hotel. Succulent sea crab and grilled reef fish are prepared with locally sourced ingredients and perfectly paired with fresh salads and aromatic Sri Lankan curries.

Kalkudah Beach House is the perfect base for discovering the highlights of Sri Lanka’s east coast and cultural triangle.  From vibrant coral reefs to ancient cities and historic landmarks, there is plenty to discover in the surrounding area. There are waves to be caught surfing at Arugam Bay, snorkelling adventures in nearby bays and coral-rich coves teeming with marine life, diving and deep sea fishing trips in Pasikuda, whale and dolphin watching tours in Trincomalee, and relaxing sunset cruises over Kalkudah Bay. 

Explore the historic Dutch Fort in Batticaloa, climb magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress and discover UNESCO’s Polonnaruwa ancient city, as well as vibrant town markets and local life in Valaichchenai.  Spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears and other endemic wildlife at Minneriya or Kumana National Parks.

The best time to visit Kalkudah is normally between April and October, when clear skies, low humidity, and calm, turquoise waters create perfect conditions for swimming, snorkelling and other water activities. This period sees minimal rainfall, mirror-still seas, and plenty of sunshine. The rainy season, which traditionally begins in early November and lasts until February, brings periodic rains and changing sea conditions, making swimming best approached with caution.

Information/Bookings/Early Bird Offers 

https://www.teardrop-hotels.com/kalkudah-beach-house/

 

Touring England: Let's Play

Retro game from the 1930s, by House of Marbles. 

Morris Mania: William Morris Gallery, London E17

Morris Mania will be at the William Morris Gallery, London E17, from 5 April to 21 September, 2025

Poster ©William Morris Gallery

In his designs, William Morris combined his two greatest passions: the wonder of nature and a socialist belief that everyone should have access to art and beauty. His work has become almost too successful, reproduced on iPhone cases, shopping trolleys and AI-fabricated posters. This exhibition at the William Morris Gallery brings together everyday items decorated with his patterns, including many featured in photographs sent to the gallery by members of the public. “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response and have everything from collapsible walking sticks to chopsticks, and all manner of mugs and crockery,” says the gallery’s director, Hadrian Garrard. “The sheer brilliance of his designs and the fact that he wanted people to observe and appreciate a perfect expression of nature is something that endures.”

The exhibition will feature Wallpaper (2025), a newly-commissioned work by archive documentary filmmaker Natalie Cubides-Brady, exploring how William Morris’s designs have been used in screen history. A montage of scenes from film and TV will reveal the diverse and sometimes surprising range of narratives, settings and moods that Morris designs conjure up. Cameos in everything from My Fair Lady, Sunday Bloody Sunday and Django Unchained, to Gogglebox, Coronation Street and Peep Show, highlight how Morris designs form part of the fabric of 20th- and 21st-century popular culture.

Trellis, by William Morris.

Arts & Crafts in the West Midlands

Victorian era wallpaper and textile designer William Morris was the champion of the Arts & Crafts Movement, an anti-industrial art movement (1860 – 1910) devoted to returning to traditional methods of craftsmanship. 

Inspired by a love of nature, his designs feature flowers, trees and birds. Two of his iconic patterns were the basis of the award-winning garden – Trellis (1862) and Willow Boughs (1887). Shades of green blue, reds and earthy tones predominate in the designs.  Morris patterns  also starred in fashion designs – Next produced a summer range – as well as the evergreen iconic home furnishings.

I'd been visiting some of the Arts & Crafts treasures in the West Midlands and the Cotswolds and I was already hooked. The movement focused on central England, particularly the Birmingham School of Art. Also, the Guild and School of Handicraft, based on the structure of the medieval craft guilds, was relocated from London’s East End to Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, by architect and designer C.R. Ashbee, famous for his silverware.

There are just so many aspects, from the floral fabulousness of a Morris Design fabric or wallpaper to Burne-Jones tapestries and stained glass. There's beautiful silver and wood carving, Arts & Crafts gardens, houses and churches. And what better way to view them than on a drive through the glorious countryside, especially at the height of summer?

All Saints Church, Brockhampton, Herefordshire. ©AP

I made just such a journey to Herefordshire, in search of All Saints Church, Brockhampton (above). I'd read that it is recognised as one of the most important Arts & Crafts buildings of the early 20th century, so I had to see it. Driving via Little Malvern (the gorgeous Little Malvern Court and garden is open just now), British Camp on the stunning Malvern Hills and Ledbury, I headed to Much Marcle and headed past the Westons Cider Factory down narrow lanes to Brockhampton. I was rewarded with this and a churchyard filled with wildflowers.

Broadway Tower, Broadway, Worcestershire

I particularly like the idea that Broadway Tower, a landmark folly high on the Cotswold hills above the village of Broadway, was once a holiday retreat for Arts and Crafts Movement artists including pre-Raphaelites William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones. 

Broadway Tower. ©AP

Broadway Tower

Gordon Russell Museum, Broadway, Worcestershire:

Furniture designer Russell was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement in his early career. 

Snowshill Manor Garden, Snowshill, near Broadway, Worcestershire:

This Tudor manor house is packed with memorabilia collected by eccentric Charles Wade – so much so that he lived in a house in the garden. The Arts & Crafts garden was created by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, an Arts & Crafts architect. 

The West Window, St Peter’s Church, Binton, near Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire: 

A memorial to Robert Falcon Scott of the Antarctic, installed in 1908 by the vicar of Binton who was Scott’s  father-in-law. Four scenes by Charles Eamer Kempe are amongst Gothic works and include a scene of Captain Oates’ farewell.  (Kempe worked with  Arts & Crafts Movement projects but didn’t buy into their socialist ideas.) 

Winterbourne House, Birmingham:

Housing and town planning reform pioneer John Nettlefold and his wife Margaret built their villa in Birmingham in 1903. They chose the Edwardian Arts & Crafts style and John used elements of the home in designs for housing in poorer areas of Birmingham. The Grade ll listed garden was designed by Margaret, inspired by Gertrude Jekyll. The garden is now the University of Birmingham’s Botanic Garden. Inside the house are exhibition rooms with William Morris wallpaper, Edwardian furnishings and family memorabilia.

Rodmarton Manor, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire:

The house and furniture were built/made by local craftspeople according to Arts and Crafts ideals, in the old traditional style. Everything was created by hand using local stone and timber and the gardens are beautiful. 

Bourton House Garden, Gloucestershire:

Award-winning garden with a Renaissance structure, Arts & Crafts-style planting.

Bourton House Garden. ©AP

Owlpen Manor, Dursley Gloucestershire: 

Arts & Crafts repairs were made to an ancient manor house. Includes Sidney Barnsley A&C furniture, setting and gardens to die for. Said to be one of England’s most haunted houses! (Group tours only.)

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire:

Hart Silversmiths workshop and The Guild of Handicraft Gallery

Court Barn Museum dedicated to Arts & Crafts; Silversmithing/industrial design in the Old Silk Mill 

Robert Welch, Sheep Street, silversmithing/design and flatware/cutlery sold worldwide.

Hidcote Gardens, Gloucestershire, near Chipping Campden

Kelmscott Manor, Gloucestershire, Morris’s famous family home

Kiftsgate Gardens, Gloucestershire, near Chipping Campden

Pugin’s St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham

Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton, near Birmingham

For Arts & Crafts aficionados, Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum’s Wilson Gallery has an impressive collection with a dedicated Arts & Crafts Archive.  

The ASTW Conference at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort & Country Club, Hunter Valley, NSW

Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort & Country Club, Hunter Valley, NSW ©

How excited was I to discover that the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) was holding its convention in my 'hood'? Over the moon, actually, as I'd just returned from living overseas for many months and was trying to re-connect with my surrounds and people, including fellow members of the ASTW.

I'd been living in a 500-year-old cottage in the Cotswolds, worrying about leaving the history, countryside, ancient landscapes and, of course, friends. But when I did come back, I realised how much I had missed our mountain in Wollombi, the incredible sandstone landscapes, the adorable flora and fauna, the vineyards, the history, and a sense of place I realised I already had.

Our highly-anticipated ASTW annual conferences have been held around the world during my 30+ years of membership and there are many fabled stories. I was ASTW Vice President the years we went to Rotorua, and Lombok where there was a ton of sand involved at the beach-side awards dinner!

For 2024, with Destination NSW as a strategic sponsor, the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association and Oaks Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club became hosts (sand only in the golf bunkers at Oaks). Neighbouring partner Elysia Wellness Retreat was on hand for a welcome touch of wellbeing. 

Elysia Wellness Retreat, Hunter Valley, NSW ©

I signed up and realised that it had been a while since I'd focused on Hunter Wine Country as a destination. Living in the beautiful Wollombi Valley, our drive routes often skirt Pokolbin's vineyards, instead using Lovedale Road on the way to Maitland, and Broke Road en route to the beautiful Winmark Wines, Margan Wines & Restaurant, Whispering Brook and the Upper Hunter. Winmark is a favourite, specialising in Chardonnay with a stylish tasting room, gallery and irresistible shop as well as boutique accommodation. 

Sometimes we drive the scenic Mount View Road from Millfield, up across the Brokenback Escarpment (see photo above), past beloved Bistro Molines and down to Pokolbin, passing famous vineyards such as Sadler's Creek, Audrey Wilkinson, Tamburlaine, and Brokenwood Wines.

Hunter Wine Legends

The Hunter's historic wine families include the McGuigans, celebrating over 100 years of winemaking. Now Lisa McGuigan is taking the family name in new directions with her Vamp Wine Rooms, think Gothic/Medieval Knights+ (check the website). Lisa and the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association hosted a fun cocktail party here for the ASTW.

ASTW cocktail party at Lisa McGuigan Vamp Wine Rooms
Photos © Alison Plummer

As with many Hunter winemakers, Lisa's range includes varietals from other signature Australian wine regions for the best of all worlds. From the Hunter come the likes of her Silver Pinot Grigio, Platinum Gruner Veltliner, Platinum Chardonnay and Velvet Vin-Rose, then Renaissance Cabernet Merlot and Renaissance Spartacus Shiraz from Langhorne Creek (South Australia), and Pinot Gris from the Alpine Valley (Victoria).

Australia's oldest wine region, the Hunter has around 150 wineries and cellar doors including historic estates and new boutique vineyards. Yes, something for everyone but one of our ASTW members visiting for the first time in a while remarked that the region is much more 'boutiquey' now. 

For the Hunter's own traditional Shiraz and Semillon, we love Thomas Wines where winemaker Andrew Thomas is passionate about local, producing single vineyard wines from the signature grape varietals including Kiss Shiraz, Sweetwater Ridge Shiraz and Braemore Semillon. 

Tasting menus and local produce

Restaurants trending 'feed me' tasting menus include Wood Restaurant at Brokenwood Wines and the farm-to-table experience at Margan Wines & Restaurant, Broke. Fixed price two or three course choices are also common to many including iconic Bistro Molines and  'food over fire' Yellow Billy Restaurant. Most menus feature local and regional produce. 

Fresh from the garden at Margan Wines & Restaurant.
Photo © Alison Plummer.

As well as wine-tasting and restaurants, the Hunter is a favourite wedding venue, has lovely rose and other gardens at Hunter Valley Gardens and is a top spot for hot air ballooning, horse-riding, and tours. Up for a beer you'll head to Harrigan's Hunter Valley, IronBark Hill Brewing Co at the Peter Drayton cellar door or maybe Potters Hotel & Brewery. 

Tourist Drive 33

Tourist Drive 33 through Wollombi is a scenic way to drive to the Hunter – stop off for a wander around our historic village, enjoy a gelato or coffee/snack from the General Store. Have coffee/brunch/lunch at Myrtle and Stone, shop at stylish Twine, treasure hunt at The Forge and shop for local crafts at The Roadside Gallery. We have vineyards and cellar doors, too, including Stonehurst Cedar Creek and Undercliff.

Off the beaten track, cultural experiences take you into the heart of the beautiful backdrop of the sandstone country surrounding the plains. Finchley Trig lookout in the Wollombi Valley is a special place for me.

 I'm delighted that my own backyard is as vast and varied as the Hunter Valley! 

Magical Mount Yengo from Finchley Trig. Photo © Alison Plummer

Planning a trip

The Hunter is an easy drive from Sydney (around two and a half hours), Newcastle Airport (around an hour). For more Hunter Valley info and inspiration visit the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism website, and call in to the Hunter Valley Visitor Centre when you're here.

Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort & Country Club is centrally placed on Thompsons Road, Pokolbin, with a range of villas and suites, two restaurants and two bars. Leisure facilities include the resort's signature golf course, the partner onsite spa, Elysia Wellness Retreat, plus three pools and two tennis courts. 

Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association

Oaks Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club

Elysia Wellness Retreat 

Vamp Wine Rooms

Winmark Wines 

Margan Wines & Restaurant

Thomas Wines Hunter Valley

Tourist Drive 33

Cultural Experiences

ASTW Awards for Excellence Sponsors

Destinations, cruises, flights & tours

Virgin Australia  Travel Writer of the Year: Winner, Dan Slater

Coral Expeditions Travel Photographer of the Year: Winner, Lyn Gail

Bunnik Tours 

Celestyal Cruises 

CroisiEurope Cruises

Intrepid Travel

Newcastle Airport

Norfolk Island Tourism

NRMA Parks & Resorts

Virgin Australia

Walk Japan

Travel Industry

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

Destination NSW

TravMedia  (Major sponsor of ASTW)

Tourism Australia 

Visit England's West Midlands

Updating my App, new version out soon! 

Broadway Tower, Broadway, Worcestershire. ©AP

I love the West Midlands in the heart of England, especially patchwork fields, walking trails, history, castles, villages, gardens, all things Shakespeare and the glorious countryside. My heart skips a beat whenever I see the sinuous outline of the Malvern Hills (the Sleeping Dragon) and to walk on them is magical. 

But in researching and developing my travel App, England's West Midlands, I've also channelled some family roots that are firmly planted in the heart of the industrial Midlands.

These include Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill and Dudley in the industrial Black Country where you'll find the fascinating Black Country Living Museum – think Peaky Blinders and much more. Also Coventry with its atmospheric old-meets-new cathedral.

Morgan Roadster, Malvern, Worcestershire. ©AP

Food? Yes, I'm a fan of the countryside's fresh produce, farm shops, some great pubs, lively cafes plus the outstanding, multicultural cuisine of Birmingham. Artisan distilleries, craft breweries and vineyards are outstanding in this region. 

I love Morgan cars, too, made in Malvern. Fabulous!

Ludlow is a foodie capital in Shropshire with specialty shops, cafes, pubs, while the entire Welsh border country is dreamy and atmospheric – perfect for country drives and exploring. 

My App dives into industrial heritage, leads you to vintage transport collections so symbolic of the Midlands, as well as many specialist museums, energised with interactive displays and dynamic exhibitions. Some such as Evesham's Almonry (below) are significant buildings and treasure troves in themselves, recording fascinating local history including the destruction of Evesham's great abbey.

In England my base is close to the North Cotswold village of Broadway and just a stone's throw from Stratford-upon-Avon. I love the black and white architecture and thatched cottages of the Midlands as well as the honey-coloured stone houses of the Cotswolds. 

The Almonry, Evesham.©AP

I'm also a short drive from Coventry, now emphasising its heritage with landmarks including the Telegraph newspaper building repurposed as hotels and accommodation, as well as heritage walks, the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and the Coventry Music Museum. Coventry Cathedral has a very special place in my heart – my father was born in Coventry and loved the old cathedral and Holy Trinity Church next door, where he went to Sunday School. Take a guided tour to discover Coventry's secrets.

Meanwhile, Birmingham is regenerating its city centre with impressive buildings such as The Cube, home to Hotel Indigo Birmingham and Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse, Bar & Grill (think modern comfort food and champagne). Dishoom Birmingham promises Irani/Bombay fusion, all welcome. Bakeries and cafes reflect the mix of influences, there's fine dining and vegans and vegetarians will love Birmingham, too. 

The Cube, home of Hotel Indigo Birmingham.©IHG Hotels

The Library of Birmingham, affectionately called the 'Wedding Cake' is one of centre's signature buildings, while the Bullring & Grand Central shopping centres combine to create the largest city centre shopping complex in the UK. The Jewellery Quarter is historic and the home of 100 or so diamond dealers and jewellers, also cafes, bars and restaurants – multicultural Birmingham really loves its food! The best way to explore is on a walking tour such as the Birmingham guided city centre walk.

The Library of Birmingham.©Visit Birmingham

The Garrick pub, Stratford-upon-Avon.©AP

I might be the only one to think this, but I'm quite taken with the echoes I see in the Library of Birmingham's decorative exterior patterns and those of The Garrick pub in Stratford-upon-Avon, thought to be the oldest in town. Shakespeare himself may well have imbibed at the Garrick as it is very close to re-vamped New Place where he lived in his later years until he died. Of course Stratford-upon-Avon is a key Midlands' attraction, with much ado about Shakespeare and the beautiful houses associated with him and his family, including Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Shakespeare's Birthplace. Take a walking tour to disvover the highlights.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon.©AP

Major Rivers in the Midlands include the Trent, Tame, Avon, Severn and Wye (forming the English/ Welsh border for much of its length) and the area is linked by a network of canals built to carry freight at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Canal boat holidays are a rewarding way to travel through the countryside and right into the heart of towns and cities including Birmingham, Stourport-on-Severn, Stoke-on-Trent, Stratford-upon-Avon, Upton-upon-Severn. 

The Hatton Flight of locks, Warwickshire.©AP

Canal boat on the River Avon.©AP

And those castles, gardens, villages and stunning views? I've a real feeling that many people are craving a comforting sense of place and history right now and the West Midlands delivers. Visiting English country gardens in their many seasons is one of life's pleasures ...

Bourton House Garden. ©AP

... as is standing on vantage points such as the Malvern, Shropshire and Cotswold Hills to admire the patchwork fields and views across middle England. Broadway Tower is just one of my favourites.

Please download my Travel App to enjoy much more of the West Midlands, plan a trip, see the sights.

Link: 

England's West Midlands

Published by TouchScreen Travels.

My thanks to all who have helped me including the West Midlands Growth Company, Visit Britain, local businesses and attractions, PR and marketing companies, friends, family and associates and, especially, TouchScreen Travels.

Tasmanian Walking Company Announces World First: A 5-Day Guided Walk Uniting Australia's Northern Territory's Uluru and Kata Tjuta

Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk: "A desert journey into the heart of Australia and a trail that unites two geological icons, Kata Tjuta with Uluru ... it will become one of the great walks of the world."

Brett Godfrey, Tasmanian Walking Company co-owner and respected tourism leader.

Artist impression, Tasmanian Walking Company ©

In the beating central heart of Australia, the amazing, atmospheric Uluru and Kata Tjuta  are icons known the world over – and the breaking news of this particular desert journey certainly made my heart skip more than a beat! 

I've visited both places in the past as a travel writer, staying in all kinds of accommodation including basic camping, great resorts and the luxurious Longitude 131˙, close to Uluru but still all outside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park itself.

The camping was a visit on an incredible road trip, en route to the Tanami Track, Broome, the Bungle Bungles, Gibb River Road and beyond, in the days when climbing Uluru, while not encouraged, was still permitted. The morning of the climb I had no doubts about my ability to scale the rock – I was young-ish, fit-ish and loved walking. Yet as I began to climb I had an overwhelming sensation of a force or energy holding me back. I simply could not proceed. 

Feeling rather puzzled (there were female tourists returning from the ascent in white stilettoes for heaven's sake), I left my fellow climbers and started to walk around the base of Uluru on my own. How magical was that? I was aware of Uluru's extraordinary energy but able to experience the perimeter's more gentle vibes – and I had no wish at all to stand on top. 

We continued to Kata Tjuta and the energy for me there was incredibly powerful, yet softer and more mystical. The formations are stunning and different parts are highlighted as the light changes from dawn through sunrise to sunset.

Katja Tjuta. Photo by Tourism NT  ©

Since then I have visited on several assignments, one to mark the opening of the first luxurious Longitude 131˙, with its ground-breaking, safari-style desert accommodation with views of Uluru. I was the lucky one who got to see the sunrise on Uluru from bed while my photographer husband was camped out on a sand dune pre-dawn in temperatures of -4˙, to capture the resort at sunrise. (Happily, the uber-luxurious nature of the property was such that a member of staff appeared at his side with his favourite coffee!) 

So now, reflecting on past visits, I 'get' the importance of this new announcement, a walk connecting Uluru and Kata Tjuta and with the opportunity to stay within a World-Heritage listed national park. 

Walking at sunrise with Kata Tjuta. Photo by Tourism NT ©

About the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk 

Tasmanian Walking Company is proud to announce a world first; from 2026, it's a five-day fully guided walk inside the grounds of the World-Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. 

Developed in consultation with Anangu Traditional Owners, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Board of Management and Parks Australia, the all-inclusive experience will unite two of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Uluru and Kata Tjuta. 

Small groups of up to 14 will spend five days and four nights inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park learning about ancient Anangu culture and history, connecting with nature, and staying exclusively in environmentally sustainable accommodation.  

Tasmanian Walking Company co-owner and respected tourism leader Brett Godfrey, whose nine-year journey to bring the 54km walk to market, describes the experience as "a desert journey into the heart of Australia and a trail that unites two geological icons, Kata Tjuta with Uluru.”  “This journey started in 2015 when I walked with Traditional Owners for 150 kilometres from the South Australian border to touch Uluru seven days later. It was one of my life's great experiences, and it made me want to share this cultural phenomenon sensitively with anyone prepared to tackle the desert and immerse themselves in Anangu history.

Heath Garratt/Tasmanian Walking Company ©

“In my view, it will attract an international market and become one of the great walks of the world,” Mr Godfrey said.  The multi-day Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk starts in the shadows of Kata Tjuta’s giant dome formations and arcs east, traversing an extraordinary landscape along remote desert trails, cresting red dunes, and through mulga woodlands. Over five days, there are art workshops, lessons in land management practices, and daily three-course meals, many under night skies lit up by stars from the Milky Way.  

"For most of the journey, visitors will trek in full view of the two rock formations, both remnants of millions of years of Earth’s history. Carrying only a day pack, they will stay in spectacular eco-sensitive retreats and be guided by the knowledge of those who have walked the land for tens of thousands of years before them,” Mr Godfrey explained. 

“The ultimate destination is Uluru, a geological wonder deeply associated with Aboriginal culture and intrinsically etched into the Australian identity. “This walk has been a decade in development, but 500 million years in the making.”  

Uluru. Photo by Tourism NT ©

Chair of the Anangu Steering Committee – Tapaya Edwards says: 

“My people have lived on this land for more than 30,000 years and we welcome visitors from all over the world. This walk invites them to slow down, to look beyond the physical beauty of our home and to take time to learn about the customs that are so important to us.   

“We hope that over five days, they will better understand our stories and our art, respect our traditions and land management practices and help us protect the environment. By walking in our footsteps and on our trails, they will also come to see that our ancient culture is still very much alive today.” 

Managing Director of Tourism Australia, Phillipa Harrison says:

“International travellers are increasingly on the lookout for tourism offerings with a focus on wellness, adventure and cultural experiences so the opportunity for a multi-day walk through the heart of Australia will no doubt be highly sought after.

“When the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk launches in 2026 it will provide a unique five-day experience that combines learning about the world’s oldest living culture with the experience of one Australia’s most recognisable natural wonders.

“Uluru and Kata Tjuta are bucket list experiences for so many international travellers and there is no doubt many will be keen to see these iconic sites as part of the new walk through the World-Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.”

Heath Garratt and Vincent Nipper Anangu Senior.
Photo by Tasmanian Walking Company ©

 

Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Hon. Marie-Clare Boothby says:

“Congratulations to the Tasmanian Walking Company on launching the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk, it will be sure to be a popular hiking trail for adventure visitors to the Territory and marks the second offering in the NT joining the Larapinta Signature Walk that opened in 2022. 

“Some 1.6 million people travelled to the Northern Territory last year including almost 191,000 international visitors, with more than half visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta to experience its natural beauty and connect with Aboriginal culture. The Territory Government through Tourism NT is delighted to be able to work alongside Anangu and Tasmanian Walking Company to market this exciting new world-class, nature-based experience.

“The five-day walk will create a platform to promote the Northern Territory’s ancient culture in Central Australia and drive direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local Anangu community.” 

More Information

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk commences in April 2026 and marks the second offering in the Northern Territory for the Australian Walking Company, after the company launched the Larapinta Signature Walk in 2022.  

For more information about the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk and to register early interest, visit Tasmanian Walking Company 

Click HERE to read the full itinerary for the new Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk.  

Source: Press Release.

Night Sky over Kata Tjuta. Photo by Tourism NT ©

Legendary Jazz Pianist and Composer Mike Nock inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame

 

Love Mike Nock's music and so pleased to hear/see this. Great film! 

"Mike Nock is an icon of the Australian and international jazz scenes. In a career spanning more than 65 years, including 25 years in the US, he has worked with the world’s top jazz artists and garnered a swag of awards, including being inducted into the Australian Jazz Hall of Fame. His discography of more than 35 albums, recorded with his Trio, Quartet, Big Small Band and many other collaborators, includes ARIA, AIR and Jazz Bell awards, but 'Hearing' is his first solo album since the chart-topping ‘Touch’, released 30 years ago almost to the day, in 1993. Its 13 tracks reveal the many colours and moods that can be conjured from keys of a piano, and prove again Mike Nock’s incomparable genius as both composer and performer." Extract from 'Hearing' Press Release, 2023.

"No one does wistfulness better than Mike Nock. Although perfectly capable of evoking infinite moods and feelings at the piano, he does wistfulness with distinctive unsentimentality. It’s the kind of sadness that might be expressed with a half a wry smile, and is always couched in beauty because Nock, above all, is an aesthete who has ever greater command over his art." Extract from John Shand's Sydney Morning Herald  review of Mike Nock's solo album, 'Hearing', 2/8/23.

For more about Mike and his music, see Mike Nock. 

Mike often plays at Sydney's Foundry Six One Six Jazz Club and you can buy his many albums, including 'Hearing', from stores including Birdland Records.