Kate Bettes, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Why winter on the New South Wales coast is better

3 weeks ago | australiantraveller.com | Kate Bettes

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit. Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet.
The Gold Coast backs nature-based tourism for future growth

3 weeks ago | afr.com | Kate Bettes

Australians are part of the global shift, with more travellers seeking meaningful nature-based experiences. On the Gold Coast, operators are already tapping into this gap. “The demand has definitely grown over the last few decades, with many travellers wanting visceral, emotive and even spiritual connections to the places they visit,” says Gary West, operations and business development manager at Southern Cross Tours.
Australia’s brand-new luxury camp

1 month ago | australiantraveller.com | Kate Bettes

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge. Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit, a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.
No time to hibernate: experience the best of winter in NSW

1 month ago | australiantraveller.com | Kate Bettes

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW. When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows. Winter here isn’t for hiding away.
5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

1 month ago | australiantraveller.com | Kate Bettes

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips. When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you. Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging.
Eight of the most outrageously beautiful places to visit in Montenegro

1 month ago | watoday.com.au | Kate Bettes

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Eight of the most outrageously beautiful places to visit in Montenegro

1 month ago | smh.com.au | Kate Bettes

By Kate Bettes April 14, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. You know what they say about the middle child. Sandwiched between Croatia and Albania, Montenegro’s got the striking good looks, but is often passed over. Montenegro is one of the world’s youngest countries, regaining its independence in 2006, and existing outside the EU despite its proximity.
Torres Strait, Arnhem Land and Cape York

2 months ago | australiangeographic.com.au | Kate Bettes

This article is brought to you by the Coral Expeditions. Hoarse honks of magpie geese echo across wetlands, while jabirus clack their beaks overhead. Saltwater crocodiles glide through tidal creeks. On a lonely beach, a green turtle hauls herself ashore to lay eggs by the light of the moon, before slipping back into the teal-blue sea like it never happened. Welcome to the Torres Strait, Arnhem Land and Cape York. This is northern Australia at its most untouched.
14 of the best Darwin cafes

2 months ago | australiantraveller.com | Kate Bettes

Once, it was hard to find a Darwin cafe that didn’t serve its coffee in a mug. Those days are long gone. Whether you’re after a slow brew, pour-over or a quick ristretto, you barely need to work up a sweat sorting out your caffeine and brunch fix (and that’s saying something in steamy Darwin) when it comes to finding the best Darwin cafes. Searching for dinner? We’ve lined up the best Darwin restaurants for that too. The Shortlist1.
Your ultimate guide to the Tiwi Islands

2 months ago | australiantraveller.com | Kate Bettes

The Tiwi Islands: a far-flung northern sanctuary where there’s art, footy and fishing fever abound. Until recently, the Tiwi Islands have been just a blip on the tourism radar. While barramundi hunters and football selectors have been pretty hush-hush about their fertile hunting grounds, interest in this fascinating area and the Tiwi people who call it home is on the rise.