nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 13/10/2026FB isn't all bad - I bought my house thanks to an ad I saw there. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Starting to regret my plan to do a bit of driving over Christmas. 020
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 10/10/2026I have another day in Bundaberg, which I fill up with seeing some art, a distillery (not rum) and a brewery (not ginger beer). It turns out I could easily have spent another day or two, as I miss cool museums and beaches. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/more-bunda...asbarrywanders.substack.comMore BundabergArt and brews 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Great show from Abby Howells last night: very brave to reveal distaste for Taylor Swift. Audience onboard. She started one bit by saying that people didn't like it, so suggested we strap in. That was her bit about her dream job: an absurdist delight. Laughed almost the whole way through the show. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 07/10/2026After Rockhampton, I catch the Tilt Train to Bundaberg. Most people would agree that Bundaberg, doesn’t offer the tourist much. It is, however, home to two big-deal cultural institutions. They can both be visited 4 hours or so: I stay for three days asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/time-for-a...asbarrywanders.substack.comTime for a BundyMy train south from Rockhampton is Queensland Rail’s Tilt Train, built locally in Maryborough. 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 01/10/2026In the second part of my post from Rockhampton, I visit a brewery, eat delicious curry and pay tribute to a closed down clothing store. I also find some aviation and train related pictures from Longreach. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/rocky-iiasbarrywanders.substack.comRocky IIPlus bonus material from Longreach 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026They better not make him the replacement, that would be awful @rnz.co.nz.web.brid.gy 110
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I enjoy my time in Rockhampton so much, I hvae to write two posts about it. This first one is just a walk along Quay Street, where I explore the art gallery, enjoy the river and take pictures of almost every grand old building, starting with my hotel. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/rockhamptonasbarrywanders.substack.comRockhamptonA walk along Quay Street 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 26/09/2026I spend three nights in Longreach: it's hot! Of course I visit the Qantas Founders Museum, try to have a special dinner and have an awkward time doing laundry. Then its the 16 hour train ride to Rockhampton. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/longreach-...asbarrywanders.substack.comLongreach and Another TrainI arrive in Longreach mid-afternoon: it’s very hot, and I have a fairly long walk to the Longreach Caravan Park. 110
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 23/09/2026A lovely chat between Robyn Malcolm and Sam Neill, from the 2024 Auckland Writers festival: www.writersfestival.co.nz/look-and-lis...writersfestival.co.nzVideo: SAM NEILL (2024) - Look & Listen • Auckland Writers Festival Explore Look and Listen videos from Auckland Writers Festival, with recordings of author conversations, readings and festival highlights. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 22/09/2026After three nights in Mount Isa, I catch the Greyhound bus to Winton. It's a bit of a quaint town with three pubs and nowhere else to get dinner. I learn a bit more than expected about the local soil and water conditions, and go on a tour to see its major sight. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/wintonasbarrywanders.substack.comWintonAs I mentioned in my last post, the Enterprise Mine is the big, original mine at Mount Isa. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 19/09/2026I take a slow, overnight train to Mount Isa where I spend three nights. Here, I keep myself busy by exploring its medical and mining history - it's not a bad place. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/slow-train...asbarrywanders.substack.comSlow Train to Mount IsaMedics and Miners 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026When I want guidance on the latest trends, the first place I look to is Tokoroa. Yeah, right. 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 16/09/2026If I am not supposed to drink beer, why is it delicious? Helles lager at Big Rock Brewing, Rockhampton. Last brewery visited was Tiny Mountain: what's next in this theme? 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 16/09/2026I catch the train from Innisfail to Townsville, where I spend three nights. It's a tricky town to navigate, because it's lost its centre, but I find a few good places. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/townsvilleasbarrywanders.substack.comTownsvilleWhere is it? 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 15/09/2026OMG! Malaysian food is to be found in Rockhampton. 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 14/09/2026I have HBO Max, but not to watch that! More of a Pitt man, among other things. 110
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 13/09/2026I catch my first train using my Queensland Rail pass, just 86 km down the tracks to Innisfail, where I spend two days waiting for the train to take me further. That makes it sound bad: it's not! asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/innisfail-...asbarrywanders.substack.comInnisfail, QueenslandCairns doesn’t really have a railway station - Queensland rail’s two platforms sit within the Cairns Central Mall’s car park. 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Cruising around on buses, some drivers are calling Te Waihorotui the Mid City station. 001
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 11/09/2026That argument would see the station called Auckland Central, not Britomart anyway. 110
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 10/09/2026I spend a day exploring Cairns, looking at old buildings and a rich man's boat, visit two breweries, then depart on the 7:40 a.m. Spirit of Queensland. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/cairns-and...asbarrywanders.substack.comCairns and Departure SouthSunday 30 August: I decide I should take a good wander around downtown Cairns, starting naturally enough at Blackbird for a good coffee. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 08/09/2026From Port Douglas, I take a drive up through the Daintree rain Forest, then head south to the delightful village of Yungaburra before starting to take a proper look at Cairns. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/port-dougl...asbarrywanders.substack.comPort Douglas - Yungaburra - CairnsI have planned the two night stay in Port Douglas so that I can spend the day (Wednesday, 26 August) driving up through the Daintree Rainforest as far as Cape Tribulation: after that, the road is clos... 001
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Every time they open their mouth, ACT gives reasons to make sure they do not form part of the Government. Why can't people see it! 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 06/09/2026After spending the morning having a nice time in Cooktown, I head south via the Lion's Den pub to Port Douglas which, frankly, bores me. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/cooktown-t...asbarrywanders.substack.comCooktown to Port DouglasJane commented on my last post about obsessive planning v accidental finds. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Four carriages, 8 passengers in total, all bound for Mount Isa. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 04/09/2026The lawyer would preface the sentence with "with respect" but if they didn't respect, it would be "with all due respect". 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 04/09/2026After a night in Cairns, I pick up another rental car and drive to Cooktown, via the Mossman Gorge. Spoiler: I like it up here so much more than the Daintree. Picture is of roast duck and roast pork. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/cairns-to-...asbarrywanders.substack.comCairns to CooktownBack in Cairns for the evening after the Kuranda Scenic Railway, I go in search of dinner and a drink. 000
Reposted by @nzbarry.bsky.socialRNZ News Feeds @rnzrss.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Dunedin City Councillor Benedict Ong to be trespassed from Otago University Students' Association premisesrnz.co.nzDunedin City Councillor Benedict Ong to be trespassed from Otago University Students' Association premisesThe Otago University Students' Association plans to trespass controversial Dunedin City Councillor Benedict Ong from its premises after reports from students of inappropriate and unwanted behaviour. 011
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 01/09/2026After a last night in Atherton, I return to Cairns (via some famous scones) to drop the van off, then spend a day on the Kuranda Scenic Railway (that's not what's in the photo - it's the Station Café near Atherton). asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/atherton-c...asbarrywanders.substack.comAtherton - Cairns - KurandaScones and a train 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 31/08/2026#OnedinLine S2E1 Callan dies in a warehouse fire, leaving all to Emma - Fogarty swoops in and proposes, giving him control of the steamship plans, so Albert has to design a sailing steamship. James, at sea, loses a man to a shark - trouble's brewing. 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 31/08/2026You are in the south - Speight's is the go for non-bougie beer. 110
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 31/08/2026I had a stats assignment due every Friday at 9: I don't think I ever developed an understanding of stats, and am not sure whether that was related to starting them at midnight with a group of mates and a couple of crates. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 30/08/2026The big birthdays are definitely in a decline - a good turn out for 50, a dozen for 60 (via Zoom - lock down) but for 70, I expect I will have to get arrested if I want company. 020
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 29/08/2026I have to leave Normanton - driving back the way I came, I fetch up at Atherton, where there is a mixture of successes and disappointments. Most successful is the absorbing two hours spent at Herbiton Historic Village. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/normanton-...asbarrywanders.substack.comNormanton - Atherton - HerbitonFeaturing Herbiton Historic Village and some John Deere history 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Something I didn't expect to see in a bit of innocent Youtube watching - the slaughter iof Shrek the Sheep: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRLD...youtube.comEating Media Lunch E202 Part 3 - Animals In The MediaYouTube video by classiceml 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 27/08/2026I came to Normanton in Far North Queensland for one reason, and one reason only - to ride a unique train, The Gulflander, which really has no logical reason to exists, as it runs "from nowhere to nowhere". asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/its-all-ab...asbarrywanders.substack.comIt’s All About a TrainYou have been warned! 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Yes, plus Canyon and Searchlight. Wanaka has at least three: b.effect, Ground Up and Rhythm X Vine (these two are within walking distance but I think b.effect has nicer food). Plus Station Brewery in Alex, with the best chips in Central. 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026I have embarked on a voyage around Queensland by various means. This post is my first from here, where I pick up a campervan in Cairns and drive 600 km west, to Normanton, without saying why. asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/cairns-to-...asbarrywanders.substack.comCairns to NormantonDunedin’s International Airport might not be much chop, but it offers the international traveller more than Cairns International Airport does (if you exclude destinations served). 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026In a strange coincidence, I am in the Cooktown museum on the 258th anniversary of Captain James Cook leaving Plymouth on the voyage which led to him landing at the place that bears his name. 141
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026In unrelated news, in 2027 Councils face credit rating downgrades, credit cost rises, decreased supply of essential services (forget about new library books) and the spectre of insolvency. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Maggie breaks it off with Rick, because he had a lump, thought it was Maggie's curse and he'd die. Idiot. 000
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026#NorthernExposure Ep6 Holling is shocked to discover Shelley's married, when Dwayne comes wanting a divorce. But then Dwayne makes a play for her. Shelley to Holling: "if you can't handle something piddley like a husband, what about when something big happens?" Sweet reconciliation. Ed dreams movies 100
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026It's taken a bit of effort to get here, but I think Cooktown might be the best place in Queensland. Great coastal views, a couple of lovely bars, pizza on the beach and a very lively Chinese restaurant. 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Your posts about the tiny hobbit are so delightful! 010
nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Why is he even talking about cars? What does he mean by crap cars, and why has the point arisen now? We are decades over the worst. Is that how far behind he is? 200