The World Awaits: travel tales to inspire your wanderlust

Belinda Jackson & Kirstie Bedford
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Where does your wanderlust lead you? To Melbourne’s cafes or the vast deserts of the Empty Quarter, a New Zealand vineyard or the pavements of New York… what’s your neighbourhood? Join travel journalists and editors Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson for inspiring stories and inside information from across the world. Website https://theworldawaits.auInstagram @theworldawaitspodcast Support us https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits (thank you!)

  1. EP 134 The author who bases her books on her expat life, the new cheap trip planner & avoiding disease when you travel

    5H AGO

    EP 134 The author who bases her books on her expat life, the new cheap trip planner & avoiding disease when you travel

    Andrea Barton started her career as an electrical engineer, but when her husband was offered a job overseas, it changed the entire course of her career. Now award-winning author of the Jade Riley Mysteries, owner of a book editing company called Brightside Story Studio, and Vice President of the Mansfield Readers & Writers festival, Andrea bases all her books on the places she has lived around the world.  From Nigeria, the US and Qatar to Melbourne, we chat about why these destinations are so pivotal to the stories she tells, and she has some writing advice for those who want to follow in her footsteps. Follow Andrea at https://andreabartonauthor.com/. Enter our giveaway to win one of two of Andrea's books by clicking here. Also, Skyscanner has launched what it calls the 'Cheapest Destination Planner' to help you plan a trip on the cheap. We chat about how to use it and what it offers, and our tip this week is about what to do to avoid diseases when you travel, with some top advice from Smartraveller. Australia's newest luxury travel magazine, which Kirstie will edit, is here: https://karryon.com.au/luxury/karryon-launches-luxury-travel-magazine/ Skyscanner's Cheapest Destination Planner is here: https://www.skyscanner.com.au/travel-trends/cheap The Smartraveller link we mentioned is here: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/managing-risk-infectious-disease-when-you-travel Follow Kirstie on Instagram here Follow Belinda on Instagram here Audio editing by Alaisdair Leith. You can follow him here Send a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au Send a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    49 min
  2. EP 133 Hot springs bathing around the world, UK visa changes and inflight skincare tips

    FEB 11

    EP 133 Hot springs bathing around the world, UK visa changes and inflight skincare tips

    Support the pod on Ko-Fi, click here Before he founded the Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula, 21 years ago, Charles Davidson began exploring thermal springs sites around the world. His quest has now taken him to 57 countries to explore their bathing cultures, from Iran to Japan, Tanzania to Yemen. "I really wanted to understand that hot springs had nothing to do with money or wealth, it was all to do with nature and human connection," says Charles of his experiences in Yemen, one of the world's poorest countries. "The gift from mother Earth is universal."  Listen as Charles shares some truly unique and beautiful experiences in hot water. See peninsulahotsprings.com Also, we talk about the changes to entry to the UK and Ireland for dual citizens, and the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation.  And finally, let us save your skin! With airplane cabins drier than the Sahara desert, it's no surprise to learn flying ages your skin. We're here to help, along with some expert advice from health and wellness expert Dr Vincent.  Register here for Karryon's TravMedia webinar, which Kirstie refers to: travmedia.com/meetsaus/karryon The bathing locations Charles mentions in this episode include: NT Bitter Springs, Mataranka nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/elsey-national-park/bitter-springs  SA Dalhousie Springs southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges-and-outback/attraction/dalhousie-springs-witjira-national-park  NZ Maruia Hot Springs maruiahotsprings.nz/   JAPAN Kusatsu onsen visit-gunma.jp/en/discover/destinations/kusatsu/  INDIA Kheerganga hot springs, Himchal Pradesh IRAN Gavmish Goli hot springs, Sareyn YEMEN Damt thermal springs Follow Kirstie on Instagram here Follow Belinda on Instagram here Audio editing by Alaisdair Leith, you can follow him here Send a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    43 min
  3. EP 132 Hiking the French Camino, Europe’s lesser-known regions you need to know about & what’s hot on the Sunshine Coast

    FEB 4

    EP 132 Hiking the French Camino, Europe’s lesser-known regions you need to know about & what’s hot on the Sunshine Coast

    This week, we're chatting with UTracks hiking guide Jaclyn Beagley, who leads guests along the Le Puy Camino, also known as the French Camino.  Jaclyn talks about why you should consider the French section of the Camino, and what it offers that differs from other hikes in the network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe. We also chat about the historic house she bought in Umbria, and she has some top tips for those considering buying a European holiday home. Also, we cover the latest report from Omio about Europe’s fastest-growing, lesser-known hotspots, and our tip this week is about discovering what’s new on the Sunshine Coast, including its first new-build all-service hotel in more than three decades. Omio travel report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QTceRcvMLOWwRSxKkX5dRo8UgUY0-LMs/view Send a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    38 min
  4. EP 131 The Art of Navigation with wilderness advocate Caro Ryan OAM; travel trends for 2026 & Victoria's hottest new opens

    JAN 28

    EP 131 The Art of Navigation with wilderness advocate Caro Ryan OAM; travel trends for 2026 & Victoria's hottest new opens

    Bushwalker.  Author. Advocate. Rescuer.  Our guest this week is Caro Ryan, who has just been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for 14 years of service in bushwalking safety and community support in the Australia Day Honours 2026.  Caro leads a 60-person strong specialist Bush Search and Rescue team for the NSW SES in the Blue Mountains, where she lives. And her book, How to Navigate teaches people just that - the art of navigation and map reading, which she says is essential for safe bushwalking and getting people outdoors, connected to and caring for nature.  Caro runs navigation courses including the upcoming Introduction to Navigation with Caro Ryan: Flinders Island Edition with Tasmanian Expeditions. And we ask for her best one-day and multi-day walks in Australia and overseas. See lotsafreshair.com  Also, we announce the winners of our giveaway of two of the best travel hat ever (tried and tested by the podcast team!) Tune in to listen to see if you won a Bahama Flexibraid Fedora by Australian designer Tina M Copenhagen! And finally, Airbnb reveals five travel trends that it says will dominate 2026 and our tip this week is about discovering what's new in Victoria this coming year. Whew!  Read Belle's forecasts in the Australian Financial Review: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/travel/the-best-restaurants-hotels-and-happenings-coming-to-victoria-in-2026-20260106-p5ns67  Send us a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    1h 1m
  5. EP 130 Adventurer Tim Jarvis AM journeys to the ends of the Earth; the Aus Open & gut health

    JAN 21

    EP 130 Adventurer Tim Jarvis AM journeys to the ends of the Earth; the Aus Open & gut health

    Adventurer, environmental scientist, author, filmmaker, philanthropist, speaker, and Australian of the Year Tim Jarvis AM... is there anything this man can't do? You'll think not after hearing about his adventures including undertaking two of the harshest and most extreme Antarctic expeditions – Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton's survival journeys, and he did them in the original clothing, with the same gear used a century ago. Jarvis talks about his journeys, his latest expedition, and he talks about how travel can inspire conservation and the difference every traveller can make. We also take you to the tennis with the Australian Open now in full swing in Melbourne, talk about Australia's travel spending with new ING research, and it might be a touchy subject, but the Movicol Constipation State of the Nation report is out (yes, there is such a thing!) and we chat about how to keep things moving when you travel. Send a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    39 min
  6. EP 129 Summer Series staycation: Adventure in Noosa and Tassie's Central Highlands

    JAN 14

    EP 129 Summer Series staycation: Adventure in Noosa and Tassie's Central Highlands

    For many, Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is all about the surf, sun and stunning boutiques, but on this week’s episode we take you on a deeper dive into this pretty coastal region. Co-host Kirstie Bedford loves nothing more than an active getaway, and so a chance to hike, bike and kayak in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was her idea of a dream weekend – throw in whale watching, and it was a match made in heaven. Take a listen to her recommendations of how to explore a different side of Noosa, with top tips about where to stay, play and eat. Go to https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/ for more and see footage from her recent trip at: @kirstiewrites. Then, Belle takes us to Tasmania's Central Highlands, where wine, wombats and walking are all on the menu at the beautiful Pumphouse Point.  Set in the glacial Lake St Claire, the lake lodge has recently opened its new Retreats, which look out towards the pumphouse. It's also a hub for walkers, wine and wombats; https://www.pumphousepoint.com.au/. Follow her adventures at https://globalsalsa.com. Send us a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    39 min
  7. EP 128 Summer Series: The Islands Episode, Cambodia & the Maldives

    JAN 7

    EP 128 Summer Series: The Islands Episode, Cambodia & the Maldives

    This week is all about islands, as we take you to a Cambodian conservation-based private island resort and to the island nation of the Maldives. First up, Kirstie takes us to the stunning island resort of Song Saa in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago. Bought by Australian Melita Koulmandas for US$15,000, she has transformed it from knee-deep in rubbish to a luxury retreat with Cambodia’s first protected marine park. Hear from the island’s marine biologist, Anna Sabrina Petry about how it not only supports the ongoing conservation efforts but continues to enrich the area. Learn more about Song Saa at www.songsaa-privateisland.com. Next, Belle chats about her most recent visit to the Maldives - does it live up to the hype? This time, she stayed at two resorts, Niyama Private Islands in the Dhaalu atoll south of the capital, Male, and Avani + Fares in the Baa atoll, famed for its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We're talking about the food, the different types of resorts, their sustainability and, of course, whale sharks.  See niyama.com and avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives  Send us a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    45 min
  8. EP 127 Summer Series: Fancy a move to Italy? We have top tips from digital nomads about how to do it

    12/31/2025

    EP 127 Summer Series: Fancy a move to Italy? We have top tips from digital nomads about how to do it

    Many people dream of being a digital nomad. Is 2026 your year to do it? This week, we’re giving you an insight into what life is really like living on the road, starting with authors, digital creators and husbands Brent Hartinger and Michael Jensen, who have lived in more than 30 countries and travelled to more than 60.  The long-time digital nomads originally from the United States share their insights into what it’s like living a nomadic life, with top tips on how you can do it too. Follow them at: https://www.brentandmichaelaregoingplaces.com/ Then we chat to award-winning freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist Natascha Mirosch, who swapped the sunny shores of Brisbane to move temporarily to a tiny village south of Rome where she worked remotely. We talk through why she did it, what there is to see and do in this stunning region of Italy and how you could do it too. Send a text Support the show Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au

    53 min
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About

Where does your wanderlust lead you? To Melbourne’s cafes or the vast deserts of the Empty Quarter, a New Zealand vineyard or the pavements of New York… what’s your neighbourhood? Join travel journalists and editors Kirstie Bedford and Belinda Jackson for inspiring stories and inside information from across the world. Website https://theworldawaits.auInstagram @theworldawaitspodcast Support us https://ko-fi.com/theworldawaits (thank you!)

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