Regional Lifestyle
Living in About Regional lifestyle country gives you access to beautiful sights, amazing wildlife, and some of the best people around. Take a look at some of the stories that made headlines in 2024.
18. ‘It’s nuts’: two South Coast photographers catch meteor burning through night sky
by James Coleman
The meteor appeared to fall over the South Coast. Photo: Doug Ingram.
It was all about timing when two avid photographers snapped some amazing images on the South Coast – and the coincidences didn’t stop there.
17. Look who’s roaring now – Mogo’s little orphan makes Zookeeper Chad part of the pride
by Morgan Kenyon
Always on the VIP list in zoos and wildlife parks across the world, lions are nothing short of magnificent. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Ever wonder what happened to Mogo Wildlife Park’s little orphaned lion cub? Zookeeper Chad Staples explains why raising her was such a humbling experience, and why visiting the big cats should be on your bucket list.
16. Old Moruya Post Office transformed into captivating boutique accommodation
by Marion Williams
The guest sitting room boasts a collection of photographs depicting the old Moruya Post Office’s history. Photo: Lean Timms.
The old Moruya Post Office stands as a proud reminder of its past service. But after careful and considered renovations, the building now delivers a vastly different experience.
15. This Aussie designed and made invention could save you hundreds this summer
by Dione David
The MyPlaceIQ android app in action. Photo: MyPlace.
As we stare down the barrel of another hot summer, this Australian company and their homegrown innovation could help you save on your cooling bill. Here’s how they do it.
14. Cooma author Charlotte Wood’s novel makes Booker Prize longlist
by Genevieve Jacobs
Author Charlotte Wood has been long listed for the prestigious Booker prize. Photo: Henry Simmonds.
Author Charlotte Wood, who spent her childhood in Cooma, has been long-listed for one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards, the Booker Prize.
The nomination is for Wood’s novel Stoneyard Devotional, set on the Monaro, and telling the story of a woman who seeks refuge on the bleak high plains. Entering a convent’s retreat house, she’s absorbed into a small world in a small, remote place.
13. Thredbo’s new Alpine Coaster a Southern Hemisphere first
by Edwina Mason
Construction work on the new Alpine Coaster at Thredbo Resort. Photo: Thredbo Resort.
Coasting at Thredbo Resort last winter took on a whole new meaning with a new $9 million attraction opening.
The Southern Hemisphere’s first-ever year-round Alpine Coaster winds 1.5 kilometres down through the resort’s alpine and sub-alpine vegetation zones from the top of Lovers Leap to the Valley Terminal precinct.
12. Signwriter leaves his Marks with bands, bikes and brush
by John Thistleton
Tony ‘Skid’ Marks with his painting of Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix winner Dave Brewster on his Indian machine. Photo: John Thistleton.
Goulburn’s Tony ‘Skid’ Marks is passionate about a few things – art, rock and motorbikes. He’s made a life out of his passions, and picked up some interesting stories along the way.
11. Could rail trails pave the way to a booming visitor economy in the Riverina and Snowy Valleys?
by Chris Roe
Leigh Swansborough wants to see more rail trails open to tourists in the Riverina. Photo: Supplied.
According to Wagga long-distance walker, Leigh Swansborough, the Riverina and Snowy Valleys could become a world-class tourist destination for walkers and cyclists.
Leigh trekked from Wagga and Tumbarumba along the disused rail corridor and said more investment in opening up the rail trails could reinvigorate struggling villages and put the region on the map.
10. ‘We struck gold’: Search for whales sees photographer snap South Coast killer whale icons
by Claire Sams
David Rogers realised he had “struck gold” when the tour came across the killer whale pod unexpectedly. Photo: David Rogers Photography.
Photographer David Rogers realised he had “struck gold” when his tour came across a pod of killer whales unexpectedly – led by a very special matriarch.
9. A gem unearthed: Take a look at sustainable living, Eurobodalla-style
by Marion Williams
Munggura faces west to capture the views of Gulaga. Photo: Marion Williams.
Sustainable houses in Australia usually shun the westerly aspect – unless you have views of Gulaga, or Mother Mountain to the Yuin people.
Tingaringy, Stuart Absalom and Philip Mawer’s sustainable home, is in the conservation area around heritage-listed Central Tilba. It has an absolute north aspect and amazing views in every direction.
8. From the brink of demolition, a revival brings many to the tables
by John Thistleton
Goulburn Table Tennis leaders Nicola Fraser and John Lees in front of the refurbished army hut that has been transferred into a first-class venue with an international standard playing surface and lighting. Photo: John Thistleton.
They turned a discarded Nissen hut in Goulburn into one of the best table tennis centres in NSW from where their sport is doing an even better job today rehabilitating senior players.
Those players are in their 60s, 70s and 80s, rewinding the clock inside their bodies by returning a white ball over a table tennis net. Some are so quick on their feet they’re playing at the top level, while others have a more critical goal – warding off ill health.
7. Robert Abel’s wildlife-inspired vision comes roaring to life in Mogo
by Marion Williams
Robert and Kate Abel (centre) with their two children, son-in-law and five grandchildren. Photo: Jaguar Stay.
Imagine staying in a luxurious private villa sipping locally distilled gin as you watch the sun set over the surrounding hills, with only the distant roar of lions to disturb the serenity. Now you can, and it’s closer to home than you might think.
6. Bermagui glamping site wins Airbnb Australia’s Best Nature Stay Award
by Marion Williams
Serendip ‘Shack’ Glamping, on Wallaga Lake, near Bermagui. It won Airbnb Australia’s 2024 Best Nature Stay Award. Photo: Supplied.
Rachel Wallbank and Brian Logue were shocked when Airbnb rang them to say their glamping site ‘The Shack’ was a finalist in its 2024 Best Nature Stay Awards. The other 12 finalists came from NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
They could not believe it in September when they learnt they had won.
5. Master and apprentice share a mighty mean old machine
by John Thistleton
This dirty, noisy, 1946 BSA has no lights, a history of winning and belongs to former superbike racer Steve Parlett who’ll put it on show at the 100th Anniversary of the First Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Goulburn. Photo: John Thistleton.
Years ago at a dirt track at Boxers Creek near Goulburn, and up the back of Rocky Hill, a motorcycle racing ace and his 1946 BSA looked as if they had both seen better days – until the bike fired up and blew any competition off the track. The bike and that man’s legacy returned for a historic rally in Goulburn.
4. Ulladulla surprise package Isaac McCallum bows out of Idol contention, but he’s not leaving the stage
by Claire Sams
Isaac McCallum’s time on Australian Idol finished on Monday night, but he’s keen to keep performing. Photos: Seven Network.
Isaac McCallum was sent home from Australian Idol – but his journey won’t be forgotten by anyone anytime soon.
His music career started with karaoke nights and busking in Ulladulla’s supermarket car parks, and continued with invitations to play at local venues before he auditioned for the 2024 edition of the national singing competition.
3. The age-old debate: Which 4WD really built the Snowy Hydro – Land Rover or LandCruiser?
by James Coleman
Fred Nichols, John Bartell and Rogan Corbett with their original Land Rovers outside the Cooma Car Museum. Photo: James Coleman.
The Snowy Hydro project involved over 100,000 people from over 30 countries. But which 4WD can we thank for getting the workers through the rough? And is it still the king of the off-road? Well, it’s complicated.
2. Yowie investigator claims to have found ‘nests’ around Eden
by James Coleman
Wayne Lewin in what he claims is a “yowie nest” near Eden. Photo: Wayne Lewin.
Wayne Lewin reckons he’s discovered a yowie nest near Eden. Multiple sightings have been recorded over the years, so could he be onto something?
1. Goulburn’s engine whisperer never forgets his early mentors
by John Thistleton
Darren McMahon and his mentor Warwick Dawson at Rapid Auto Repair in Goulburn, the bustling workshop that Darren established after receiving a thorough grounding in solving mechanical problems. Photo: John Thistleton.
While sophisticated computers in the latest cars can achieve renowned reliability, they can be a nightmare when they get their wires crossed. But a workshop in Goulburn welcomes the challenge of getting them and the cars back on the road.