Home and Away star Lynne McGranger reveals her travel highlights

This long-time soap star has travelled around Australia and the world, but reveals her most memorable travel experience was in the Middle East.

The Home and Away star has clocked up visits to more than 20 countries, but loves returning to Tasmania.

I got my first passport when….

I was 20 and I went with my mum, dad and sister to the UK. This would have been the early ’70s. Dad was going there for work and we stayed in Pimlico in a lovely maisonette. The problem was that the early ’70s were when the IRA had started to ramp up its bombings in London. Despite all the caution and fear, I still fell in love with London and I’m so grateful to be able to return regularly.

I’ve been to more than 20 countries...

I have travelled a great deal over the years. England, Scotland, Wales, southern Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Greece to name a few. Travel is a part of my DNA. I love experiencing new cultures.

My most memorable travel experience is...

I would say going to Israel during the First Intifada in 1987. We experienced jets going overhead, we saw tanks that had been blown up in the 1967 war that had been left as a memorial, we met Jewish people, Palestinian people and we met Christians and we fell in love with all of the people. It was a scary, savage and an amazing experience. I learned a great deal from that trip and the experience has stayed with me all these years later.

Lynne McGranger with friend Sharon Dong on the Three Capes Walk in Tasmania.

My favourite place in Australia is...

Tasmania. I love the people, the land, the history – even though some of that history is very bleak as we know. I love the coastline, the food and the wine. I’ve recently returned from walking the Three Capes Track. It was a slightly more arduous walk than I had anticipated on some days, but I loved every moment of it. I travelled with a girlfriend and made some wonderful new friends. And the scenery is stunning.

The place I’d love to visit in Australia is….

The Red Centre. I’ve not been to Alice Springs or Uluru and I’m fascinated to see it. As a cast member of touring musical comedy The Grandparents Club, I’m very fortunate to experience a lot of Australia. I’m really hoping the tour includes the NT next year.

The place I have visited most often…

In Australia that is Tassie. I just keep being drawn back to it. Overseas, I have visited York in the north of England many times to catch up with my best friend, Maureen, and her husband, Phil, and I’ll be returning there again very soon.

Lynne McGranger and friends visiting Castle Howard in Yorkshire.

My holidays are mostly devoted to…

We walk a lot. We love talking with locals and kind of just absorbing the vibe of where we are. We love our food and our wine and the locals always have the best advice on the great restaurants and bars.

The place that didn’t live up to expectations…

I didn’t like Athens. My only trip there was before Athens held the Olympics so we’re talking 1989 and I just didn’t like the vibe of it at all. Perhaps we stayed in the wrong end of town, but my experience found Athens to be very dirty and seedy. I’m sure it’s very different now.

The most interesting person I’ve met on a plane is…

We met the wonderful songwriter Randy Newman at Athens airport (so Athens wasn’t completely disappointing) and I’ve seen Paul Keating in the lounge at Sydney airport, but I can’t think of anyone else I’ve met on a plane. I love sliding into my plane seat, putting on my earphones and getting immersed in great movies, so if someone famous was right near me, I would miss them in all likelihood.

The Grand Chancellor hotel in Hobart at Constitution Wharf.

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in…

I really love the Grand Chancellor in Hobart at Constitution Wharf. I love the way it operates, all of the staff are so welcoming and it has such a homey feel to it. I also love the Sofitel in Collins Street, Melbourne.

The travel tips I’d like to share are…

My dad taught me a great deal about valuing travel. He fought in World War II and he always taught us to get out among things and to not let fear hold us back. You’re there to experience and you don’t want to go home with regrets.

Lynne McGranger tours nationally with The Grandparents Club 2 from July to October. For all show details head to thegrandparentsclub.com

Originally published as Home and Away star Lynne McGranger reveals her travel highlights