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Ben Groundwater

Ben Groundwater

Travel writer

Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist, broadcaster, author and occasional tour guide with more than 25 years’ experience in media, and a lifetime of experience traversing the globe. He specialises in food and wine – writing about it, as well as consuming it – and at any given moment in time Ben is probably thinking about either ramen in Tokyo, pintxos in San Sebastian, or carbonara in Rome. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwaterConnect via email.

Ben Groundwater and family at TeamLabs in Tokyo.

As a young traveller, I had no fear. Then I had kids

I used to think I thrived on fear when travelling: pushing limits, taking risks. But I had no idea. As soon as you become a parent, you understand true fear.

  • Ben Groundwater
The barge and the tip of North West Island, Queensland.

No running water, no escape, but this trip became my idea of paradise

I still can’t believe we did this – camping on a remote coral cay. We cooked our own meals, slept in basic tents, spent days conducting “science” experiments. Now I realise it was brilliant.

  • Ben Groundwater
In large European cities, there’s a certain formality to local dress that tourists rarely adhere to.

Dress well, drink less: The rules for doing Europe like a European

With more and more tourists swamping its many countries, causing friction with locals as overtourism bites, it’s never been more important to blend in.

  • Ben Groundwater
The XPT takes 11 hours from Sydney to Melbourne.

It defies logic, but here’s why Australia is a nation of train travellers

It’s 11 hours by train from Sydney to Melbourne, but it doesn’t take a genius to see why plenty of Australians are still opting for the painfully long journey.

  • Ben Groundwater
Footy staple … a pie and sauce.

Is the meat pie actually Australian? And is it even a dish?

The great Australian bite – or is it? There’s a chance this iconic snack might not be a distinctly home-grown invention.

  • Ben Groundwater
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Overcrowding in Kyoto.

Australians can be bad tourists in Japan. I was one of them

Australians are at risk of ruining Japan as a destination for ourselves and for everyone else.

  • Ben Groundwater
RecipeTin Eats’ take on Joy’s Korean triple-fried chicken.

The other KFC: How Korea created one of the world’s greatest fast foods

Korean chicken is an adaptation of classic American fried chicken, though with a unique cooking method that results in a shatter-crisp skin and juicy interior.

  • Ben Groundwater
Getting to South America is easy from Sydney or Melbourne.

Back-to-work blues? These 10 tips will ignite your travel dreams

The exchange rate is brutal, there’s a cost-of-living crisis and overtourism is ruining popular spots, but here’s how you can still have a great holiday in 2025.

  • Ben Groundwater
Korean bibimbap could well be the new fried rice.

Seven dishes around the world to put on your must-eat list for 2025

Those who really love food can design an entire holiday around the opportunity to eat just one dish.

  • Ben Groundwater
Le Meridien Pyramids’ rooms have views, as the hotel name suggests, of the Pyramids of Giza.

I spent just 24 hours in a country. Does that mean I’ve ‘been’ there?

The first thing I’m going to do on this beautiful morning, my first in a new country? Check out. And then head to the airport.

  • Ben Groundwater

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/traveller/by/ben-groundwater-hveu0