The strange history of Australia’s UFO capital
The wacky tale of Australia’s self proclaimed UFO capital endures despite floods rebranding Wycliffe Well a ghost town in recent years. Today, Wycliffe Well, which sits on the Stuart Highway about 400 kilometres north of Mpartnwe / Alice Springs, has a population of zero humans and an indeterminate number of alien residents.
Papunya Tjupi Arts Centre
Papunya is about 240kms northwest of Mparntwe/ Alice Springs, and is considered the birthplace of the Western Desert Art Movement. There’s about 400 people who live here. It’s also where the famous Warumpi band began in the 1980s.
The Magic of Mutawintji
A place of immense natural, cultural and historical significance, Mutawintji National Park has once again become a vital meeting place for the traditional owners, who famously fought the government for reclamation of their rights over this country.
This Is My First Rodeo
The tiny outback town of Tibooburra, renowned for being the hottest place in NSW, hosts an annual gymkhana, bikekhana and rodeo each Spring.
As a fresh-to-the-outback, former city-slicker, I had to know whether the rodeo experience lived up to my romantic yet uninformed idea of it: a blur of line dancing, cowboy boots and something to do with bulls.
An Outback Adventurer’s Guide to Tibooburra
In the very north-western corner of New South Wales, in an area aptly named Corner Country, is a place that seems to tick all the boxes of the classic, quintessentially Australian outback town: Tibooburra.
Kel, Caretaker of The Old School Caravan Park, Merriwagga / Wiradjuri Country
Kel, ‘the friendliest person in Merriwagga’ (certainly lives up to this reputation) and owner of the only caravan park in town: “The Old School Caravan Park”, which, as the name suggests, used to be a school ground.
The Black Stump Hotel
The Black Stump Hotel, an unassuming pub in Merriwagga, New South Wales is shrouded in outback mythology and local folklore. There’s the tale of how the pub got its name; a woman named Barbara Blaine who burned alive in 1886 in the area, whose husband reportedly said “looked like a black stump”, or it could be because the surrounding area is known as “Black Stump Country”.
Niagara Cafe’s Revival Brings History and Brunch to Gundagai
Along the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne sits one of Australia’s few remaining original Greek diners; The Niagara Cafe.
Bell’s Milk Bar
On Thursday mornings the Indian Pacific train stops at the outback town of Broken Hill and travellers are invited on a tour; starting with scones, tea and coffee, milkshakes and spiders at Bell’s Milk Bar.
Maria Island
We hadn’t planned to visit Maria Island but after my car broke down in a tiny coastal town with no real drawcard other than being the jetting-off point for the ferry to Maria Island, we decided this must be the best way to kill time while we wait for car repairs.
Today / Tomorrow for PHOTO 2024
Today / Tomorrow is an exhibition facilitated by the incredible Kenton / Davey duo that explores the energy, curiosity and dreams that shape the lives of young adults.
OK Motels’ Bootleg Biennale, 2024
To coincide with OK Motels’ 2024 music festival in Charlton, Victoria, I curated a town-wide exhibition featuring twenty photographs from Australian photographers of regional Australia.
Wild Misty Mountain
In the midst of lockdown, Jemma, a classical singer from the Mornington Peninsula, found herself pining for a tree change.
Petah, Camel Tour Guide, Silverton Wilyakali / Barkindji Country
Petah first came to Broken Hill in the 90s to work here in the police force.
Jack, Writer, Broken Hill Wilyakali / Barkindji Country
Jack is a writer, who moved to Broken Hill in 2011, after hearing about a story of a murder, and the wrong guy going to prison for it back in the 50s.
Uncle Badger, Artist & Activist, Broken Hill Wilyakali / Barkindji Country
I met Uncle Badger one evening at his home in Broken Hill, where he was talking to US journalists about the Murray Darling water issues.
Alex, Analogue Recording Engineer, Campbells Creek, Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Alex lives on a rambling property on Main Road of Campbells Creek. The building/s have been many things in its life but originally was a gold mining supply store, built in 1857.
Bridget, Actor, radio presenter, academic, Barkers Creek, Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Bridget moved to Castlemaine many years ago so that her child could attend the Steiner school here. She lives in a house up on a hill, overlooking acres of bush and dams below.
Jess, Musician & Gardener, Campbells Creek, Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Jess came to Castlemaine to escape a rough breakup four years ago; she originally just came for the night but while at the pub she met someone looking for a housemate, and someone else offered her a job at the local brewery.
Nikki, Kangaroo Carer, Castlemaine, Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Nikki has lived in Elphinstone for seven years, on a sixty acre property that she and her partner Scott have converted into a kangaroo sanctuary.