My Travel CV: I’ve travelled the world, there’s nowhere like Darwin
Darwin Festival's artistic director says her travels have made her appreciate what a privilege it is to live in Australia, with the world's oldest living culture.
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The Darwin Festival’s artistic director Kate Fell recommends ditching the map and getting lost. This is her Travel CV:
I got my first passport when…
I went to Japan as a teenager in the early ’90s. Our high-school band got to travel to Japan which was an eye-opener for kids from the regional town of Gympie. Thirty years later I went back with my teenagers. It was so special revisiting places with them.
My first holiday memory is…
Family holidays around Australia when I was little – those early holidays gave me a love of travelling in Australia. I have strong memories of being in Adelaide when the Adelaide Festival was on, going to Uluru, taking in all the tourist sites in Sydney and much more. I’m so grateful to my parents for instilling this love of travel and adventure and for getting to see a lot of Australia.
I’ve been to…
About 15 countries, and there are so many more on my list. I have only scratched the surface of travelling in Asia so this is definitely a priority.
My holidays are mostly devoted to…
Being as active as possible. I like to make the most of the days that I have in a place, walking the streets, going to the tourist sites but also the places where locals go.
My favourite place in Australia is…
Noosa. This is my family home so it’s very special to me. I love it for the north-facing beach, the national park, and the shops and restaurants on Hastings Street. But I mostly love it because of the home that my mum and dad created, and all of the special family memories over the years.
The place I’d love to visit in Australia is…
Tasmania, especially my brother’s place called Wilder, near Cradle Mountain. You can stay in beautifully designed geodesic domes. He is a very talented music producer so all his very talented music friends play intimate gigs at the Wilder Lodge – it’s special.
The place I’d rather be right now is…
Darwin. It’s my home but I have to travel a lot too so I miss it when I’m not there. I really think Darwin should be on everyone’s list as a place to live at some point in their lives, or at the very least to travel to. It really is a unique place with its proximity to Asia, the stunning environment, the great food, incredible sunsets, and most of all the very welcoming and friendly people who live here. I always love arriving at Darwin airport and feeling the heat in the air.
The place I’ve visited most often is…
New Zealand. It’s such a great country to explore. I love the landscapes, the culture, and the people. I’ve been able to go to lots of arts festivals there and the art and culture is amazing. The people are so welcoming. I was there for an arts market recently in Auckland and we all couldn’t believe how easy it was to find bars and restaurants open to the early hours of the morning, even on a Monday.
My most memorable travel experience happened in…
Cape Town. I was there for a world congress for theatre for children and young people. I got to see some incredible shows and meet some wonderful people. It is a stunning city but also it was such a culture shock to not be able to walk around like I would normally.
The destination on my bucket list is…
East Timor. It’s so close to Darwin and I’ve never been. Everyone says it’s really worth visiting.
The place that most surprised me was…
Prague – hands down the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing city I’ve been to.
The advice I’d give to young travellers is…
Walk the city. Explore. Don’t always follow the map. When I was younger, travel involved a Lonely Planet guide and that was it. You worked it out – you got lost, you discovered new things.
The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in was…
A palace in Vienna. There was a party being thrown for a member of a royal family so there was a huge fireworks display.
Travel has taught me that…
There is so much beauty and history in places overseas, but it has also made me appreciate the beauty and history here in Australia. I recently went to Kakadu and seeing rock art and going on guided walks and being in nature reminded me of the incredible privilege it is to live in Australia with the oldest living culture in the world.
How many flights have you missed?
One, when I set my alarm to wake up for a red-eye flight for 11.30am not 11.30pm.
Passports/visas/wallets/luggage lost?
My mum was a travel agent so she always reminds me to triple check everything.
Who is your favourite travel companion?
My teenage kids – it’s great taking in a city through their eyes and doing lots of fun things.
Flight/cruise/car or train?
Trains as you get to see a lot of the country out your window.
Check-in or carry-on?
Carry-on. I hate waiting at baggage carousels.
I manage jet lag by...
Sunshine and soaking up vitamin D.
The Darwin Festival runs from August 7-24.
Originally published as My Travel CV: I’ve travelled the world, there’s nowhere like Darwin
Do I need a visa if I’m transiting through the USA?
If your flight includes a connection via any US airport, you will need to go through immigration and customs.
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