Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Lee Mylne
How did an ancient Māori stargazing tradition become Aotearoa/New Zealand’s mid-winter public holiday?
Matariki in Aotearoa/New Zealand is believed to be one of the first Indigenous celebrations in the world to be recognized as a national public holiday. Lee Mylne travels to Ōtepoti/Dunedin to attend Matariki Day celebrations, marking the traditional Māori New Year. In the cold pre-dawn hours of an early July morning, Ian Griffin stopped his car on the shore of Otago Harbor on Aotearoa/New Zealand’s South Island and contemplated the stars.
This Tropical Queensland Escape Is Seriously Underrated
Head inland from Cairns and discover the many attractions of the Atherton Tablelands, where the climate is cooler and there are interesting and quirky villages and towns to explore. Here are the best things to do on the Atherton Tablelands. While there are a number of things to do in Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands region is worth spending a few days exploring on a Queensland road trip. Atherton Tablelands views are breathtaking.
Tumours in Queensland tree frog species investigated in new study
In the lush rainforests of Far North Queensland, two species of native tree frogs are in trouble. White-lipped tree frogs (Litoria infrafrenata) and green tree frogs (Litoria caerulea) with tumorous growths, found over the past 25 years in agricultural areas around Cairns and other far north locations, are now also being discovered in the city’s leafy inner suburbs.
The soundtrack to life in Australia
Members of Aboriginal communities are warned this story may contain images, names, and/or audio of deceased people. The soundtrack to our lives is often measured in popular songs, the hits that bring back memories of a particular time or stage in life, or a certain memory. It might be what played on the radio of your parents’ car on long family road-trips, or the song you danced to at your wedding.
9 Unique Noosa Experiences You Haven’t Tried Yet
Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase. The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar.
How to make the most of Townsville events
Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase. The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar.
NRMA Parks and Resorts best stays for iconic Tassie destinations
Why you should visit these iconic Tassie destinations Tasmania Find out more By Lee Mylne Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches. Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters.
Christmas farm gates bring joy and goodwill to travellers
Rural creativity turns a milk can letterbox into a reindeer on the Cunningham Highway in Queensland’s Scenic Rim. They are crazy and creative, cobbled together with bags of stuffing or grass, old clothes, and odd assortments of farm equipment, old tyres and garden tools, liberally decorated with tinsel and bows. As I drive, my smile grows wider each time I see them.
3 Asia destinations to fly to fare-free with Malaysia Airlines
Incredible cultural experiences, tantalising flavours and unforgettable natural wonders are all waiting to be discovered. Ancient temples, vibrant cities, rich cultures and spicy street food are the bedrocks of Australians’ enduring love affair with Asia. Every trip is an exotic adventure offering more to discover and learn, with each new destination opening up experiences to last a lifetime.
Travel photography: A developing genre - Australian Geographic
Advances in digital technology have, thankfully, meant that returning from a holiday adventure with multiple snapshots of blurry landscapes and ‘headless’ companions is largely a thing of the past. In fact, most of us now come back from a vacation with at least half-decent imagery. But if you’re keen to elevate your holiday snaps into something truly memorable, it’s worth considering a specialist travel photography tour.
Paddleboarding pups sniff out elusive platypus
Kip the kelpie-cross and Moss the labrador – two members of Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Detection Dog Squad – have learned to join their handlers on paddleboards to detect platypuses in the zoo’s Healesville Sanctuary creek system. Kip and Moss are experienced wildlife detectors, helping fight the extinction of some of Australia’s threatened species, including the native broad-toothed rat, the Baw Baw frog and the grassland earless dragon.
8 Secret Things to Do in the Northern Territory
Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share. Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors.
On a Tiny Cay Off the Tanzanian Coast, A Barefoot Paradise Awaits
August 01, 2025 By Lee Mylne The second word I learn in Swahili – after jambo (hello) – is pwani. “It means ‘beach’,” says my driver, Nelson, as we head out of Zanzibar City, bound for the north-eastern coast of Unguja Island (also known as Zanzibar Island), off the coast of Tanzania. It seems fitting, as most of my time in the Zanzibar Archipelago will be spent barefoot in the sand.
How a trip to the hairdresser can help save the planet
Hair is our ‘crowning glory’, the subject of songs and poems, Bible stories and even the eponymous 1960s musical. Everyone knows how important a ‘good hair day’ is – and how dreaded a ‘bad’ hair day. Increasingly though, the hair that falls to the floor at your salon is becoming a key tool in helping the environment.
Wildlife wonder Down Under
This article is brought to you by the Australian National Maritime Museum. Now in its 60th year and widely considered ‘the Oscars of wildlife photography’, the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition captures images of fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the incredible diversity of the natural world.
The memory of Melba
She was the Taylor Swift of her time, a global singing sensation whose international fame saw her form friendships with royalty and the rich and famous. Nellie Melba’s concerts drew thousands, with people lining the streets overnight to secure tickets. Before Beatlemania, there was Melbamania. When she died in 1931, flags flew at half-mast across Melbourne, the city from which she took her name.
Journey to the heart of the outback with APT
This article is brought to you by APT. The outback has long lured travellers, an intriguing landscape of almost unfathomable diversity. From dinosaur relics to ancient lava tubes, emerald swimming holes and amazing rock formations forged over millions of years, the outback defies expectations – and is more accessible than many realise.
4 Lancemore Victoria hotels set to be the next big thing
Want to dig deeper into your holiday destination to uncover the stories it can tell? Staying at these Lancemore properties in Victoria opens up the essence of each location. Wandering through a vineyard, tasting the best regional produce – think rich King Valley cheese, handmade chocolate or fresh pastries – Victoria offers extraordinary experiences.
Tasmania's forgotten Chinese history
The red face, black beard and gold-trimmed blue robes of the Chinese god Guan Di make an exotic splash in the corner of a quiet country pub in North East Tasmania, far from their origins. Protected by a glass display case, the porcelain statue may go unnoticed by most patrons at the Weldborough Hotel, but it’s an important reminder of a time when Chinese migrants outnumbered Europeans in this part of the island state.
8 experiences not to miss during Winton 150 years celebrations
From dark sky drone shows to dinosaur footprints, there are plenty of reasons to visit Winton this April. With links to Waltzing Matilda, Qantas, boulder opal mining and dinosaur fossils, there’s much to discover in the outback Queensland town of Winton at any time of year. But as Winton 150 years of settlement hits, there’s even more. Here, long, wide streets fill with calls of the pink galahs resting on power poles as the sun rises.
The holiday secret Brisbane is hiding
Bribie Island is the secret holiday spot Brisbane residents have loved and kept to themselves for years. Crossing the bridge that spans the deep blue of Pumicestone Passage, the lure of island life begins to work its magic as sandy beaches, calm waterways and natural beauty beckon. Linked to the Queensland mainland by bridge, Bribie Island is just up the road from Brisbane and part of the Moreton Bay region, where beaches, wildlife encounters and lively markets abound.
Dive with tropical fish at the JW Marriott Gold Coast pool
A lagoon full of tropical fish, a grand sweeping staircase and attentive, friendly staff combine at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. Colourful tropical fish flash past in the water below. There’s Nemo the clownfish, along with silver bream, Moon wrasse and more. Guests of all ages surface with broad smiles after swimming in the lagoon at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. It’s an experience few other hotel pools can offer.
4 incredible spots for a Tasmania getaway with NRMA Resorts
Tasmania offers some of the world’s most pristine landscapes, with creature comforts never far away. Relax, explore or indulge in one of these stunning destinations. Crystal blue lakes, secluded beaches, ancient rainforests and rugged mountains are the hallmarks of the Tasmanian wilderness, and wherever you go nature will be an essential part of the Tasmanian experience.
10 Of The Best Brisbane Lookouts
Whether you want water views, panoramic vistas, adrenaline-fuelled adventures or lazy days on relaxed islands, Brisbane is packed with activities and sights you’ll love. At sunrise, sunset and all points in between, catching a stunning view in Brisbane is easy. In a city blessed with plenty of hills, high points and river vistas, there’s a plethora of the best lookouts in Brisbane to choose from. The best views in Brisbane? Well, everyone has their favourites. Here are a few of ours. 1.
Going it alone? Here's your go-to guide to travelling solo
Flicking through the chapter headings in Lee Mylne’s new book Solo Travel For Dummies, one immediately caught my eye. Chapter 7 is called Table For One. As an occasional solo travel (for business) I have had the sometimes-uncomfortable experience of dining alone. An early dinner alone at Bennelong restaurant at the Sydney Opera House stands out for me.
The 6 Best Australia Holidays To Do In Your Lifetime, From The Kimberley To Kangaroo Island - The Independent
As the old poem by Dorothea Mackellar, written about her homeland, goes: “I love a sunburnt country”. And Australia is certainly somewhere to love. The Great Southern Land is a diverse assemblage of some of the most beautiful natural elements anywhere in the world – spanning coral-laden coast to the scorching expanse of the Outback – through to ultra-cool, cosmopolitan cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Best Sunshine Coast Natural Wonders
Soaring sand dunes, verdant rainforest, intriguing volcanic plugs, rich birdlife and endless beaches beckon in every direction on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where nature is never far away. As the only place in Australia where three UNESCO biosphere reserves sit side by side, the Sunshine Coast – traditional land of the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples – offers unrivalled coastal and hinterland landscapes.
Re-thinking Travel Writing
2024 | Buch This book stems from the question that we as co-authors grappled with for the past 3-plus years while in our own periods of stasis during the pandemic: What place does the travel writing genre hold in a post-COVID world? With the massive interruptions to travel and travel writing across 2020-2023 as the pandemic forced us indoors and into isolation, it also raised many other pertinent questions about the practice of and future of travel writing.
When the lights came on in Walhalla
History & Culture By Lee Mylne • As dusk falls over the village of Walhalla, located in a lush valley in the Australian Alps, I’m waiting for the lights to come on to illuminate the landmark band rotunda across the street from my hotel. It’s a nightly miracle of sorts, considering that this Victorian goldrush town was connected to mains power a mere 25 years ago.
7 unmissable Gondwana Rainforest experiences in the Scenic Rim
Queensland’s Scenic Rim is a gateway to ancient Gondwana rainforests, stylish eco-retreats and thrilling adventures. Sitting within a volcanic caldera formed around 25 million years ago, the Scenic Rim is the perfect place to get back to nature.
I went to “hellhole of the Pacific”, and loved it Original
Three flags flutter in the breeze atop a white flagstaff, stark against a cobalt sky. Beyond the wide green lawn, the land slopes down to a sparkling bay once alive with sailing ships bound for the peninsula opposite, Kororareka, then known as the “hellhole of the Pacific” for its brawling, drinking and lawlessness. Three and a half hours’ drive north of Auckland I’m discovering deep layers of history in a place where the past is never far away.
Your ultimate guide to Great Keppel Island
With 17 white sandy beaches, abundant wildlife and clear tropical waters over sprawling coral reefs, Great Keppel Island is one of Queensland’s most under-rated island getaways. A plethora of activities await on the low-key, barefoot paradise of Great Keppel Island. Hang with a crowd or get away from it all to peaceful coves and sheltered bays surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
How to create the ultimate itinerary with Northern Territory tours
Standing in awe at the base of the sacred monolith Uluru, exploring the ancient rock art of Ubirr in Kakadu National Park, swimming in cool waterholes, getting the red dirt of the outback on your boots, crossing the Timor Sea to the Tiwi Islands: these are just some of the experiences that await on a trip to the Northern Territory. Australia’s outback is full of rich and sometimes life-changing encounters, whether you are exploring the Red Centre or the Top End.
A comprehensive 14-day itinerary guide to New Zealand's North Island
From sophisticated cities to quaint villages, thundering waterfalls to desert-like landscapes, rolling wine country and stunning coastlines, New Zealand’s North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui is a place of diverse landscapes and rich culture. Take two weeks on your North Island road trip to explore the best of this incredible island. Soak in thermal pools, walk in ancient forests, shop ‘til you drop, dine on seasonal produce in world-class restaurants.
Norfolk Island: the Pacific Island holiday you can have now
14 September 2021 . BY Lee Mylne From the moment you’re welcomed to Norfolk Island with a cherry “watawieh!” it’s clear that you’ve landed somewhere that will intrigue and enchant. That warm greeting is delivered in Norf’k, one of the world’s rarest languages, a lilting hybrid of Old English and Tahitian. Developed in the 18th century by the Bounty mutineers, it’s still spoken by their descendants today.
Your guide to doing the Red Centre Arts Trail in luxury
01 April 2021 . BY Lee Mylne If the idea of following an adventurous arts trail by day and falling asleep in luxury accommodation overnight appeals, then the Red Centre Arts Trail around the heart of Northern Territory’s wilderness is an experience not to be missed. In the hands of multi-talented Indigenous artist Christine Breaden, the seeds of the native trees are used to make necklaces and bracelets.
Inside Brisbane's most indulgent and elegant suite
08 March 2021 . BY Lee Mylne Elegant, exciting and enigmatic. The oversized stylised ‘E’ adorning the front of the Emporium Hotel South Bank gives a tantalising hint of what lies within. Sweep into the porte-cochère in a chauffeur-driven Maserati Levante, courtesy of your penthouse suite booking, and the scene is already set for an unforgettable stay in Brisbane’s most enchanting hotel.
Two worlds collide as rugged meets refined
It’s the contrast of rough terrain and refined rhythm that makes Mount Isa the fitting backdrop for the Festival of Outback Opera. Lee Mylne The Courier-Mail has teamed up with the Queensland Government during the Year of Outback Tourism to shine a spotlight on some of the state’s best outback events. M ozart and mining, Figaro and FIFO workers. Anywhere but Queensland, these may seem incongruous matches. But when the opera comes to the Outback, musical magic happens.
Two worlds collide as rugged meets refined
It’s the contrast of rough terrain and refined rhythm that makes Mount Isa the fitting backdrop for the Festival of Outback Opera. Lee Mylne The Courier-Mail has teamed up with the Queensland Government during the Year of Outback Tourism to shine a spotlight on some of the state’s best outback events. M ozart and mining, Figaro and FIFO workers. Anywhere but Queensland, these may seem incongruous matches. But when the opera comes to the Outback, musical magic happens.
Australia on Fire: What the Continent's Catastrophic Blazes Mean for Travelers | Frommer's
The author of "Frommer's Australia" surveys the damage from this season's devastating wildfires and provides expert advice on what travelers need to know—and how to help. JANUARY 7, 2020 Australians—like Californians—are used to wildfires. It’s not unusual for significant acreage to burn during the hot summers that last from December to February in the Southern Hemisphere.
How a small hall is the big heart of a community
Like the fabric of the Outback, small halls stitch communities together during times of tragedy and triumph, sorrow and celebration. These buildings, steeped in history and dripping in tales from generations past and present, are getting their time in the sun with one of the country’s most wholesome events. Lee Mylne The Courier-Mail has teamed up with Year of the Outback Tourism and Queensland Government to shine a spotlight on some of the state’s best Outback events.
How a small hall is the big heart of a community
Like the fabric of the Outback, small halls stitch communities together during times of tragedy and triumph, sorrow and celebration. These buildings, steeped in history and dripping in tales from generations past and present, are getting their time in the sun with one of the country’s most wholesome events. Lee Mylne The Courier-Mail has teamed up with Year of the Outback Tourism and Queensland Government to shine a spotlight on some of the state’s best Outback events.
Pub of the Week: Apollonian Hotel, Sunshine Coast
Pub of the Week: Apollonian Hotel, Sunshine Coast on October 19, 2012 at 3:38 pm If you’re heading to the Apollonian Hotel for a good-ol’-fashioned Sunday lunch, take my tip and get there early. The wood-fired spit roast (pork or beef) is the biggest calling card to this pretty lakeside pub. We grabbed a table under the wide shady verandah with its trailing bougainvillea, looking out on the rolling lawn that runs down to the street.
Pub of the Week: The Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood
Pub of the Week: The Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood on October 5, 2012 at 1:57 pm It’s almost like a mirage… the grand Edwardian-style pub standing in what’s left of a once-bustling gold mining town. We haven’t come to the tiny settlement of Ravenswood looking for a pub, so it’s a bit of a surprise to find there are two in what is virtually a ghost town. We’re driving back to Townsville after a day trip to Charters Towers and decide on a whim to take the detour to Ravenswood, just for a look.
Pub of the Week: Blue Heeler Hotel, Kynuna
Pub of the Week: Blue Heeler Hotel, Kynuna on September 28, 2012 at 11:59 am The brolgas are dancing in the dust in the space between the front verandah of the Blue Heeler Hotel and the Matilda Highway. They are bold and unafraid of people, walking right through the open door and into the bar if they are not chased out, and scavenging for any dropped scraps. It is late afternoon, and I’ve settled in on the verandah after a long drive.
Captivating Kraków
Drink vodka. Eat pierogi and barszcz. Struggle with some Polish pronunciation. Walk your feet off. Listen to music in the streets and cafes. Allow your tears to flow. These are things you must do in Kraków. They are the things that my memory conjures when I reflect on my first visit to Poland’s most beautiful medieval city. Kraków wears the mantle of Poland’s ‘second’ city, after the capital Warsaw, but be assured that’s only about size and population.
10 Great Australian Pubs
At the end of a day’s travelling, there’s often nothing better than sitting back with a cool drink on the shady verandah of a country pub and quietly surveying the local scene. Here’s my guide to some of the best small-town Australia pubs. Even if you’re not a regular patron of pubs, when on a road trip around Australia, one of the best places to meet the locals is in an Aussie country pub.
8 things to do in Nova Scotia Canada
1. For the Driving Trip Lover Cabot Trail Cape Breton. Photo: Jim Byers. Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail is rightly praised as one of the great drives on the planet. The road surges and rises and falls along towering cliffs and takes you past romantic, empty beaches and cute coastal towns like Mabou and Ingonish. A trip from Halifax to Lunenburg also is tough to beat.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Lee
Contact Lee, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack