Have to recommend Alan Moorehead as another great Australian historian - particularly his book Rum Jungle, which unlike most of his other books is actually about Australia.
Lots of high quality walks along the riverbank in central Brisbane - the gardens in Southbank and the Kangaroo Point cliffs. The art galleries are good. Might also be worth going up into West End and having a beer on Boundary St.
We don't always realise how good we have it in Australia. It's nice when a Yank comes here and confirms that it actually is the best country in the world. Always vaguely suspected as much.
I grew up in a regional town, with family driving holidays across Australia. Many beautiful places eg Wilpena Pound we used to go camping every couple of years.
Now everyone I know in our lovely Sydney suburb either is international, or has travelled internationally, and generally takes a dim view of those outside the major capitals. Sad! They are missing out.
Lovely conversation. I've enjoyed reading Chris's perspectives during his travels in Australia. As an Aussie and Sydneysider living in northern Sydney with a young fam, there's no place I'd rather be. We are blessed indeed. My wife's family is Greek background and you'd be hard-pressed to find people more proudly Australian.
He was kinda like 48 minutes in describing Alice Springs like:
"Oh yeah 1/4 of the town in drunk Aboriginals, 1/4 of the town is sober aboriginals and the rest is like constructions workers and government workers like policeman and social workers who try to keep the town functional."
Then first thing I think is this absolutely crazy music video on YouTube we all used to watch in high school with two guys dressed up in over the top Aboriginal black face rapping, "Run, run, run Gordon it's the police man."
Chris, you really should consider doing your next trip not just in winter. At least the Brisbane (South East QLD) bit, so much of our culture revolves around summer, the beach, the BBQ, the cricket, etc. Doing it now (mid September until Thanksgiving) would give you a taste of it, but the closer to Christmas the better. I grew up in Brisbane and spent a bit of time in Miami. I don't think you would find it unbearably hot, unless you find Florida totally unbearable.
I can't speak for the rest of the trip though, as you note at least my generation tend to be better travelled internationally than domestically. So it might be that everywhere else is awful at that time. They’re all shitholes to me.
Happy to show you around if you don't have any better options 😂
fantastic interview - loved his original piece, and this helped flesh out a few things. i’ve got a mate who just moved to alice springs with his young family and i’m tossing up whether to send him arnade’s piece or not
Nice work! I started my own podcast talking about similar issues from an Australian perspective (it doesn’t have nearly as much reach nor is as well connected) but I always find your perspective refreshing!
Have to recommend Alan Moorehead as another great Australian historian - particularly his book Rum Jungle, which unlike most of his other books is actually about Australia.
Lots of high quality walks along the riverbank in central Brisbane - the gardens in Southbank and the Kangaroo Point cliffs. The art galleries are good. Might also be worth going up into West End and having a beer on Boundary St.
We don't always realise how good we have it in Australia. It's nice when a Yank comes here and confirms that it actually is the best country in the world. Always vaguely suspected as much.
Thanks for the rec
This is great, thanks
I grew up in a regional town, with family driving holidays across Australia. Many beautiful places eg Wilpena Pound we used to go camping every couple of years.
Now everyone I know in our lovely Sydney suburb either is international, or has travelled internationally, and generally takes a dim view of those outside the major capitals. Sad! They are missing out.
Lovely conversation. I've enjoyed reading Chris's perspectives during his travels in Australia. As an Aussie and Sydneysider living in northern Sydney with a young fam, there's no place I'd rather be. We are blessed indeed. My wife's family is Greek background and you'd be hard-pressed to find people more proudly Australian.
Agree on Sydney. And I've been the best man at a Greek wedding- the best!
Incicisve and honest description of the country . The Alice description of the quarters was spot on . Great interview.
He's great isn't he
Terrific; read all of Chris’s posts.
He was kinda like 48 minutes in describing Alice Springs like:
"Oh yeah 1/4 of the town in drunk Aboriginals, 1/4 of the town is sober aboriginals and the rest is like constructions workers and government workers like policeman and social workers who try to keep the town functional."
Then first thing I think is this absolutely crazy music video on YouTube we all used to watch in high school with two guys dressed up in over the top Aboriginal black face rapping, "Run, run, run Gordon it's the police man."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDocGfvYmBM&list=RDrDocGfvYmBM&start_radio=1&pp=ygUSZmx1YmJhIHd1YmJhIGp1YmJhoAcB
Awesome interview.
Chris, you really should consider doing your next trip not just in winter. At least the Brisbane (South East QLD) bit, so much of our culture revolves around summer, the beach, the BBQ, the cricket, etc. Doing it now (mid September until Thanksgiving) would give you a taste of it, but the closer to Christmas the better. I grew up in Brisbane and spent a bit of time in Miami. I don't think you would find it unbearably hot, unless you find Florida totally unbearable.
I can't speak for the rest of the trip though, as you note at least my generation tend to be better travelled internationally than domestically. So it might be that everywhere else is awful at that time. They’re all shitholes to me.
Happy to show you around if you don't have any better options 😂
Where's my invite bro
Come visit my shithole anytime.
fantastic interview - loved his original piece, and this helped flesh out a few things. i’ve got a mate who just moved to alice springs with his young family and i’m tossing up whether to send him arnade’s piece or not
Nice work! I started my own podcast talking about similar issues from an Australian perspective (it doesn’t have nearly as much reach nor is as well connected) but I always find your perspective refreshing!
Godspeed sir 🫡
Great piece!
Who is the Boss writer you mention? I did Google but didn't find what I thought I was looking for.
Id recommend Robert Hughes' Fatal Shore first
i assumed he was talking about Patrick White’s Voss again