My Writing Journey

My writing journey began with a challenge – to discover and write about a different Sydney suburb each fortnight. My suburban exploration continued for over four years. I have walked and written about over 80 Sydney Suburbs, hoping to inspire others to get out and about in Sydney beyond their usual haunts.. First I started my blog, Travel with Joanne. Then I started travel writing.

My travel writing journey also started with a challenge. To have one story published. As you can see below, I have managed far more than that!

I have also published two children’s picture books (see below).While suburban exploration is no longer a priority, Travel with Joanne now reflects my experiences and travels in Sydney, around Australia and overseas. 

Freelance Writing

My stories have been published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sunday Telegraph Escape, The New Zealand Herald, The Guardian, Australian Traveller, Outback Magazine, Selector Magazine, Great Walks Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Senior Traveller, Coast Magazine, Broadsheet, Traverse Magazine, Sydney Expert and TripAdvisor.

Feedback on my stories

“Hello again, Joanne. I’ve just come out of a meeting and have been told that Janet and Bobby were wildly popular with our readers at the weekend. It was the most popular story in the issue by a long way. So well done, you. Just wanted to pass that along . . .”
Sharon Sharon Bradley for Good Weekend Two of Us Story

“It was a pleasure to publish your work.” Sue Preston, previous editor of Senior Traveller.

“That is the best piece I have read on Kadoo Tours. The SMH, the Southern Courier and other bloggers have never done it such justice. So very detailed and accurate. We love it.” Grant Hyde, Kadoo Tours

“Hi Joanne, it was like walking the tour all over again. In fact, deja vu all over again – you captured the whole experience perfectly!…I love it …..Love your photography” Peter Hook, Hook Communications

“Thank you for a great story. Excellent review. Greatly appreciated your time, observations and indeed questions.” John Pastor, Go Local Tours

PDFs available for the following stories on request:

• Selector Magazine: Georgia on My Mind – November 2023
• Outback Magazine: Mosque of Memories – September 2023
• Reader’s Digest: Genius Eddie and AI (Jewish Museum exhibition) – July 2023
• Senior Traveller: Burrawa Bridge climb – May 2023
• Senior Traveller: Oyster Farm tour – May 2023
• Traverse Magazine June 2021: The Dunes are Alive
• Senior Traveller March 2021: The Slow Food Earth Market

Travel with Joanne: The Blog

Discovering Sydney one Suburb at a Time

Find links to over 90 suburbs discovered by Travel with Joanne at the foot of the homepage. Downloadable maps and notes enable you to follow my route.

Explore other cultures and cuisines right here in Sydney. Take a coastal walk or discover the inner city or suburbs bursting with heritage. Suburban Sydney has much to offer the curious.  

Tours I’ve Enjoyed

As not everyone enjoys exploring independently, I write about short tours in Sydney that interest me. Usually, I pay my own way. If I’m a guest of the operator, I will always let you know and write accurately about my experience.

Follow this link to the tours I’ve written about.

Other Travels

I regularly write about my travels both within Australia and overseas. These posts include personal essays as well as useful information for those wishing to do similar trips.

Here’s a link to my  travels within Australia and here’s the link to my overseas travels.

My Children’s Picture Books

My two self-published children’s picture books tell a story about places very dear to my heart, Dangar Island and the Hawkesbury River. “Dangar Island: Birds, Barrows a Ferry and Me” and “The Riverboat Postman” are suitable for children from about age 3 to early readers.

Dangar Island: Birds Barrows a Ferry and Me

The Riverboat Postman