Our Journalists

Mercedes MaguireFeatures Writer

Mercedes Maguire is a features writer specialising in parenting and lifestyle as well as celebrity profiles and travel.

Mercedes Maguire

Latest

Lifestyle

Back view of a woman with sun hat in hammock on the beach.

I’m a travel deal expert, this is how to get a cheap trip

Looking for ways to get more bang from your travel budget? Escape’s deals specialist reveals the expert-level thrifty tips those in the know love to use.

Entertainment

**DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM EMMA BLAKE** Powerhouse Games Curator Chloe Appleby pictured outside Phive building in Parramatta which will host the ALT: GAMES festival from April 12-13, bringing together the Australian and International games industry and community. Picture: Toby Zerna Media

Sydney’s first gaming festival hits Parramatta

This weekend’s ALT: Games Festival promises to bring together all elements of the gaming world, from international and homegrown developers to local gamers. This story is part of a CONTENT PARTNERSHIP with Powerhouse.

Lifestyle

Milford Sound, New ZealandRoyal Princess. Photo - PrincessEscape 30 March 2025

I took my teen on a cruise, we loved it

Come along for the journey as this writer bridges the generation gap as she sails on board the ‘Love Boat’ from Auckland to Sydney.

Lifestyle

Kyoto is a beautifully preserved metropolis full of shrines and temples, around 2000 of them.

I took a group tour of Japan, I never expected this

Over seven days our little group traded stories, opinions, laughs and share photos of our unique time together.

Lifestyle

Thing I never expected at Canberra’s wildest hotel

This traveller thought she knew what she was signing up for at Jamala Wildlife Lodge – but unscheduled wildlife encounters started even before she entered her room.

Bush Summit

Brant and Angie Bettridge on their remote farm at Mt Wilga, QLD

Crucial decision that saved our cattle farm

Brant and Angie Bettridge would record their cattle numbers with a notebook and pencil, and had no internet connection. That changed when they connected to the nbn.

NSW

Parents sharing video gaming with their children is not only fun but can help keep them safe online. For Kids News and Hibernation. iStock image

Hunter towns driving NSW regional data trend

Maitland, Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Singleton are using their connected services more than any other local government area with video streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, working and studying from home and accessing essential services such as telehealth the top uses in these areas.

Lifestyle