Ecotourism
I’m passionate about our planet’s forests, grasslands, rivers, oceans and wildlife, and am convinced that thoughtfully managed ecotourism has a crucial role to play in protecting them.As an Africa specialist, I seek out positive stories about inspiring landscapes, lodges, camps and experiences. Along the way, I aim to demystify complex topics such as migration, human-wildlife conflict, rewilding, fortress conservation, field research priorities and the impact of climate change.
I also visit ecotourism destinations in other parts of the world, notebook in hand and binoculars at the ready.
Canada, USA, Latin America and Antarctica
My first solo journey to a different continent was a trip to visit relatives in Canada as a child. I’ve been interested in distant destinations ever since.Fascinated by Latin American culture in my twenties, I took time to explore villages, jungles, temples and volcanoes in Guatemala, Belize and Mexico. The thrill of snorkelling in Belize led me to take up scuba diving and I’ve never looked back.
I have made several visits to the United States, including the green-thinking cities of New York, San Francisco and Chicago. On the west coast, I co-wrote an extensive insider’s guide to responsible, ethical and green tourism in California for Responsible Travel. The guide covers the best outdoor activities, offbeat attractions and gastronomic experiences in this dynamic, family-friendly state.
My interest in ecotourism and responsible tourism has also taken me to the Amazon Basin, to report on a rainforest ecotourism project in the Peruvian Amazon and an expedition cruise on Brazil’s Rio Negro for National Geographic Traveller.
More recently, I travelled to Argentina, the Southern Ocean and the South Atlantic. The highlight of my trip was a five-week voyage on an expedition ship visiting Antarctica and South Georgia, again reporting for National Geographic Traveller.
Australia
My research for the Rough Guide to East Coast Australia and the Rough Guide to Australia has taken me on epic overland journeys through some of Australia’s most exciting locations.I have explored Australia’s beautiful East Coast in depth, from the lush tropical rainforest and coral cays of Far North Queensland, to the cosmopolitan cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne - making plenty of side-trips to dive the Great Barrier Reef.
I now include pademelons, scribbly gums, sea dragons and Christmas tree worms on my list of species everyone should see. I’ve also honed my appreciation of the Aussie passion for surfing, seafood and the quest for the perfect flat white.
Research projects in Australia
I have produced writing and photography on a wide range of topics and themes, including the following.- Ecotourism and wildlife
- Independent travel, backpacking, public transport and self-drive
- Sports, activities and adventure including surfing, sailing, bushwalking, hiking, adrenaline activities
- Accommodation including city and country hotels, boutique hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, campsites, ecolodges and national park accommodation
- Eating and drinking including the East Coast’s growing farm-to-fork gourmet culture and café society
- Beaches, islands, lakes, rivers, rainforest and bush, national parks, villages
- Great Barrier Reef – island hopping, scuba diving and snorkelling
- All the East Coast towns and cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane and Cairns
Destinations I’ve researched on Australia’s East Coast
VICTORIAMelbourne
Great Ocean Road
Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges
Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, French Island
Wilsons Promontory
The Gippsland Lakes, Raymond Island and Lakes Entrance
Mallacoota and Croajingolong NP
NEW SOUTH WALES and ACT
South Coast New South Wales including Eden, Merimbula, Montague Island, Narooma, Batemans Bay, Murramarang NP, Jervis Bay, Kiama, Wollongong
Canberra
Sydney
The Blue Mountains including Katoomba and Leura
Ku-ring-gai Chase NP and The Hawkesbury River
The Hunter Valley
Newcastle, Port Stephens, Nelson Bay and The Great Lakes
Barrington Tops NP
Port Macquarie
Nambucca Heads, Bellingen, Dorrigo and Coffs Harbour
Grafton, Ballina and Lennox Head
Byron Bay, Nimbin and the Far North Coast Hinterland
Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island
QUEENSLAND
The Gold Coast including Coolangatta, Currumbin, Surfers Paradise and Sanctuary Cove
Springbrook NP and Lamington NP
South Stradbroke Island, North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island
Brisbane
The Sunshine Coast including Australia Zoo, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Noosa and the Hinterland
Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay and Maryborough
Hervey Bay and Fraser Island
Bundaberg, Lady Elliot Island, Agnes Water and Town of 1770
Gladstone, Heron Island and Wilson Island
Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Great Keppel Island
Mackay and Eungella NP
Airlie Beach and The Whitsundays
Bowen, Ayr, Townsville and Magnetic Island
Hinchinbrook Island, Mission Beach and Dunk Island
The Atherton Tablelands and Kuranda
Cairns, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef
Mossman Gorge, the Daintree and Cape Tribulation
Cooktown, Cape York, Lizard Island, Thursday Island and the Torres Strait Islands