sven verbeek

The kookaburra is a miraculous Australian bird. They usually sit quiet on the branch of a tree waiting until they see a worm or a bug moving on the ground. They take a deep dive, pick up, swallow and fly back to the tree. Except when they are with more kookaburras in the same tree, [...]

An honour or something to shame for ? Fact is that Sydney is the seventh most expensive city in the world to live in. This according to the yearly survey of The Economist Intelligence Unit. The cost of living in Australia has gone through the roof in the past decade. Ten years ago Sydney was 25% cheaper than New York, now [...]

Time to go back to Sydney. Not in one day. It’s more than 1,600 km from Kangaroo Island to our home, so we split it into three relaxing trips. Three days to contemplate about this beautiful holiday. It felt like our first two holidays to Western Australia. Vast distances, blue skies, red soil and so [...]

Our last day on Kangaroo Island. A short drive along the east- and northcoast, and enjoy the beaches. First to Prospect Hill, which Matthew Flinders first climbed in 1802 to get a good view to map the island. Then to the northcoast, back to our home, and a yummy fish and chips at night in Penneshaw. [...]

After a couple of days exploring you notice that without doubt Kangaroo Island’s south coast is the most spectacular of the island. Rough coastlines, huge waves, and incredible wildlife. It’s a mini version of the famous Great Ocean Road. Don’t think this is a tiny island. From where we stay to the southwestern tip at [...]

Bo is crazy about wedge tailed eagles and other birds of prey. There is an interesting bird centre near Seal Bay where they do shows and tell all about big birds. On the way there is an oyster farm at American River, close to Prospect Hill. Time to explore… and eat ! For the rest a quiet [...]

It’s time to leave Adelaide. We drive further south, first via McLaren Vale (another pretty wine region !) to Cape Jervis at the southwestern tip of the peninsula. Then the ferry to Kangaroo Island, for a four day stay. How much wildlife will we see here ? And how beautiful are the beaches ? For [...]

Imagine a vineyard within the city. It’s here in Adelaide (!). And it’s the location of one of the most expensive wines of the country. Penfolds’ Magill Estate is not only a winery, but also the name of the famous Magill Estate Shiraz, that goes for more than $ 100 per bottle in the shops. [...]

Glenelg is a lovely and trendy suburb of Adelaide with a nice beach, facing the west. Don’t expect huge waves, it is not open ocean here. There is a nice jetty, good cafés with superb coffee, and a pretty restaurant scene. There is also sunny weather and 30C. A relaxing day at Glenelg Beach ! [...]