Louise Southerden

Louise Southerden

Louise Southerden is a freelance travel writer from Sydney, now based in northern NSW, who never dreamed of travelling the world and writing about it. A three-month trip across Africa in the back of an overland truck 25 years ago changed that and she has since won several awards, including the Australian Society of Travel Writers' Travel Writer of the Year award - four times. Louise specialises in nature-based experiences and is passionate about simple, sustainable travel.

New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is like the last frontier.

Adventure

Six of the Best: Sea kayaking adventures

Sea kayaking offers idyllic islands, spectacular coastlines, ancient hunting sites and leisurely ways of life.

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Young Masai man outside a shop in Nairobi.

Twenty reasons to visit Nairobi

For Karen Blixen fans, a visit to her former home can feel like a pilgrimage.

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A first in Thailand: ocean swimming with a naked Russian climber.

Thai beach holiday takes a naked twist

Unusual swimming companions are to be found on Koh Chang island, Thailand.

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Glamour is acceptable at these new glamping sites.

Six of the best: What the future of Aussie glamping looks like

Here are six of the best new glamping camp sites in Australia.

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This article contains a photo gallery

Why swimming is like a drug

There is nothing like the joy of being immersed in water.

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Fairground for grownups: Tents are custom-designed for the Australian environment.

Luxury

Flash Camps turns glamping into VIP experience

Gone are the days of sleeping on the ground and lining up for portaloos.

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Cafe Central: When you can hear the clip-clop of horseshoes on cobbles, from the "fiaker" Ã¢ÂÂsightseeing carriages, ...

Six of the best: Viennese coffeehouses

Long the meeting places of writers and thinkers, they offer an instant fix of caffeine, chocolate and cream, Louise Southerden checks six out.

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This article contains a photo gallery

Guests in the first floor living room (note the turntable, hairdryer lamp and bean bags)

Luxury in Lisbon on a backpacker budget

Right in the heart of Lisbon, the stylish, spacious spots is more hotel than hostel, a place where "budget" can be beautiful.

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Water buffalo: Not overly friendly charaters.

How to survive South Africa's wildlife

Louise Southerden has the wildest taxi ride of her life, and gets a few survival tips, in South Africa.

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Life imitates art: A couple kiss in front of Russian painter Dimitri Vrubel's most famous work My God, help me to ...

After the wall's fall: Why you'll fall in love with Berlin

Although the wall dividing East and West Germany fell nearly 25 years ago, visitors to Berlin can't help but be affected by the sight of the remains of the structure that tore the city apart.