Danielle Norton

It's time to bypass the beach to discover Thailand's rich and diverse culture

Helmet perched jauntily on my head, I squint into the sun and hope for the best. I am about to tackle Bangkok by bike. As I round a corner into the first narrow lane, I lose my balance, drifting perilously close to an open coal barbecue, a brush with disaster that leaves me hooting with laughter.

I had a massage in a Thai women's prison. This is why you should too.

You can't go to Chiang Mai in Thailand and not have a massage - the city is famous for them. But having a Thai massage in a prison will do more than ease your own aches and pains. Here's why.

Action-packed Bali with teenagers

We pump up the adrenaline to uncover the action-packed side to beautiful Bali. Keep teenagers entertained with quad bikes, water parks, surf lessons & more

Canberra: a love story

When the winter weather comes blowing into Canberra, it's easy for couples to get warm and cosy on a romantic getaway in the capital. Late-morning lie-ins, champagne breakfasts, gorgeous galleries and boutique hotels welcome lovers with open arms. As the evening falls, Canberra offers fireside nightcaps and oysters - and the night, of course, is just what you make it.

100 incredible islands to cast yourself away on

If you dream of island hopping, this list of the world's most beautiful islands is for you, writes Danielle Norton.

Trying on the cubby-house craze for size

Danielle Norton tries Tiny Away, 2020's take on downsizing your weekend in the country. With big dreams about living small, my daughter and I headed to a Tiny Away home at Gherang on the fringes of the Otway National Park, 35 kilometres west of Geelong.

Great Expectations

A new chef at the Lancemore Mansion and Spa

Go Wild

Adventures in and around Hobart with kids

Mum's 7 rules for visiting Bali with kids

The last time I took my kids on an international holiday a stranger approached me at the airport, gently squeezed my arm and said, "I hope you get a chance to have a break. You deserve it." She'd been on our plane and witnessed my struggles with the more anxious of my twins.

Sumptuous Sheets And Blooming Gardens: Melbourne's Cosy Country Retreat

Is there anything more delightful than a flowering garden on a spring morning? How about your very own cosy miner's cottage set amongst 1,700 sustainably-grown heritage rose bushes on a micro flower farm? Sandy McKinley has designed her property, Acre of Roses, to be a true retreat from the busyness that infiltrates the lives of city slickers.

11 reasons to visit Bali Zoo

Bali Zoo, home to over 500 animals of more than 60 species, is set amidst 10 hectares of cooling, verdant tropical gardens. We've come up with 11 reasons why you should visit on your next trip to our nation's favourite holiday destination.

'Mysterious And Seriously Cool': Inside Melbourne's Latest Luxury Hotel

Melbourne's newest luxury hotel, Shadowplay by Peppers, is yet another drawcard for the Southbank precinct. Edwin, the stylish wine bar and restaurant located adjacent to reception on the ground floor, adds a new destination for food and wine buffs living in or visiting one of Melbourne's most sought after residential and recreational areas.

This hotel bed was so good I bought it

From the moment I set eyes on it, I knew we were destined to be together. The room around it was plush and palatial; floor to ceiling sheer curtains covered windows that looked out onto garden framed by magnificent eucalypts and rolling hills, the fireplace was set and the sofa plumped and ready to envelop me, but it was the well dressed bed that attracted my gaze.

Where to eat and drink in Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek during the 2019 ski season

Tearing down the slopes really builds an appetite. Here are options for pre- and apres-ski that go beyond hot choccy. Snowshoe to cheese fondue Is there anything better than a three-course French meal on a cold winter's night? Don snowshoes and trudge past snow gums at sunset and arrive at Alpine Nature Experience's hidden eco-village.

The winter-ready country region where food and gin are top priorities - Travel Australia -...

Don your winter woollies: it's road trip time, hibernators. When the cold winds start to whistle, the time is right to don your winter woolies and venture out of town. Just an hour from Melbourne, by car or train, lie the beautiful Macedon Ranges, writes Danielle Norton Learn Animus Distillery in Kyneton creates premium hand crafted gin.

Hotel review: The Mulia, Nusa Dua, Bali

It's one of Bali's most luxurious beach resorts, complete with butler service and a Sunday brunch that's the stuff of legends. So what's it really like to stay at the Mulia in Nusa Dua? Danielle Norton checks in.

Seven of the best hot and new(ish) Hobart bars

Once upon a time, drinking holes in Hobart pretty much served only Cascade beer and cool climate wines. Tasmania is now a haven for distillers. There are 37 registered distilleries producing gin, whisky and even apple-based spirits. To meet the demands of a new generation of spirit lovers, a range of elegant and interesting bars are popping up in the capital.

Freestyle Fishing in the Solomons - Pacific Island Living

January 30, 2019 I'm spending the day fishing with a tour guide and Julius Kera, owner of the Agnes Gateway Hotel and an elder of the Munda community. Floating peacefully on the brilliant blue, gin-clear ocean in a banana boat, we watch a frigatebird soaring through the air, chasing a seagull with a fish in its mouth.

Hotel review: Islington Hotel, Hobart

Danielle Norton Boasting a world-class art collection and wow-factor mountain views, the Islington Hotel is one of Hobart's most elegant - and surprising - boutique stays. The Islington Hotel 321 Davey St, South Hobart, TAS, 7000 Hobart's Islington Hotel, secluded behind high gates, gives the impression that it is an exclusive private home.

History and Heritage - Pacific Island Living

Danielle Norton checks into Honiara's Heritage Park Hotel and is understandably impressed, this central, clean and modern hotel ticks all the boxes. January 30, 2019 Rebecca Murphy January 30, 2019 The History In previous times, the Heritage Park Hotel was the site of the Governor's residence and the grandeur befitting a person such as this still exists in its modern reincarnation.

Long weekends for food lovers: 35 unexpected foodie getaways across Australia - delicious.com.au

Australia is the land of plenty: plenty of beaches, plenty of space and plenty of amazing food, writes Danielle Norton. Here are some of the less obvious choices for long-weekend getaways when food is your focus.

Guide to getting clothes made in Vietnam

Make the most of your chance to have clothes made just for you.

5 reasons why the Solomon Islands should be your next beach getaway

The Munda Airport is the cutest little timber shack I've ever seen. A small crowd hovers in the shade, waiting for us to disembark so they can catch our plane back to Honiara, from whence we came.

Why I'll be taking my children to the Solomon Islands

As a travel writer, I spend a lot of time away from my kids, exploring different corners of the world. Sometimes, I breathe in, relax and thank the heavens above that I'm there alone. There are times when I know that a certain destination is a place I will definitely return to with my family.

Australia's 50 best natural pools to swim in this summer - delicious.com.au

Adventuring around Australia in summer can be hot, sweaty work. We've found 50 natural pools around the country that will help you cool off.

The little known cooking schools worth travelling for - delicious.com.au

There's no better way to experience a culture than through its cuisine. How people grow, prepare and enjoy their food gives a special insight into their lives, which is why so many travellers can't wait to get into the kitchen when visiting a...

Hotel Review: The Sarojin, Khao Lak, Thailand

If you're looking for an abode to call your own during your stay in Thailand, it can seem a little more than overwhelming. Thankfully Danielle Norton has done the "hard" work for us, reviewing a 'calm' hotel that doesn't accept guests under 10 years of age. The Sarojin, Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province, Thailand.

Moonshiners hiding in Federal, a Hinterland town near Byron Bay - Travel Australia -...

A road trip from Byron Bay rolls into Federal, a hinterland town en route to the walking tracks and waterfalls of the Nightcap mountains. As well as a Japanese inspired cafe, Doma, a general store, and a homewares emporium, this town is home to Moonshine Coffee Roasters. Words by Danielle Norton.

13 Things You Have To Do In Cape Tribulation

From spending the night in a rare exotic fruit orchard and tasting Davidson plum ice-cream to ziplining through the forest and horse riding on the beach, here's what not to miss when you visit Tropical North Queensland's Cape Tribulation. Cape Tribulation is a significant UNESCO World Heritage-listed site where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.

Weekend Retreat To Savai'i

Savai'i, Samoa's larger yet less populated island paradise.

Where the Forest Meets the Sea

A story about a journey to Cape tribulation, inspired by Jeannie baker's book, Where the Forest Meets the Sea.

The Wind, the beach, the ocean.

Danielle Norton finds those three things and tranquility when she sets sail on a day cruise on Havannah Harbour, where the water's as clear as a summer sky and alive with marine life.

Be amazed by a tour of the tunnels under Seppelts Winery, Victoria. - Travel Australia -...

For a fascinating pitstop on the way to the Grampians National Park, don't miss Seppelt's in Great Western. Words by Danielle Norton. Underneath the winery lies a network of drives, three kilometres long, similar to the mining tunnels that the area is known for.

Finally, a zoo where you can get up close and personal with the animals

An unexpected treasure trove of animals in the Grampians. The Grampians National Park is a well-known destination for families. There are endless campsites, bush walks, rivers and lakes to explore and for nature lovers it is ideal for native animals spotting.

The wonderland for kids only a train ride from Melbourne

Penguins, pancakes and flying foxes ... what's not to love? At Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, my kids and I stock up on Bean Boozled jelly beans from the Sugar Shack on the platform. We are excited to be going on our first rail journey to Warrnambool, on the south west coast of Victoria.

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The transformative power of scholarships - meet the Alameins

When brothers Ali, Mohammad and Hussain Alamein fled Iraq as children in the 1990s, they couldn't have imagined the success they would find thanks to a scholarship. L-R: Mohammad, Hussain and Ali Alamein Article 26 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to education.

Helping the elderly connect through telling their life stories

Danielle Stewart's company My Word is on a mission to enrich connections between the elderly, their families and carers.

From carpenter to counsellor making difference in young people's lives

Andrew completed a diploma of community studies and outreach counselling and secured a job at Berry St as a residential care worker and an outreach worker in a youth program.

Arts educator draws culture into schools

This educational change-maker thrives on connecting people through creativity.

Career switch to pet project sparks success and fulfilment

It was the purchase of her first labradoodle puppy, Flash, that set her on this remarkable journey of love and caring for the community. Flash's breeder directed Ms Rimes to Delta Society; a charity that facilitates volunteers (and their specially trained dogs) visiting hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Taking big steps to small business success

A small business program leads to large success for refugee and migrant women, writes Danielle Norton.

Turning passion into pure potential

Justin Bonavia was studying criminal justice at RMIT and working part time in the Juvenile Detention Centre at Parkville as a youth worker when he first started to think about the positive impact that adventurous outdoor activities had on young people.

Only a few years ago Chris was stuck couch surfing in London

EIGHT years ago, Chris Tabone was a 29-year-old backpacker on a pilgrimage to see the sights of Europe, like so many young Australians before him. After travelling solo for nine months, he ran out of money and was sleeping on a friend's couch in London.

Breaking the Habit

30 Day Challenges

In the midst of a pandemic, teenagers became critical members of society

Opinion Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Around the country, a swathe of teenage workers have been quietly going about their business as shelf stackers and cashiers at the nation's supermarkets. In better, pre-coronavirus times, parents encouraged them to find after-school jobs; to help them develop financial independence, self-esteem and personal maturity.

'I Was Injured In Public And Everyone Looked Away'

At dusk on a dreary afternoon, I pulled into a parking space at a shopping centre and, in a moment of unbridled stupidity, tiredness and distraction, I shut my heavy car door on my own fingers. Trapped, and unable to wrench them out, I had to twist my body around and open the door handle to release them.

Why I let my teenager skip our family holiday this year

This year, for the first time, my teenager wasn't excited about our annual family holiday. I, on the other hand, was thrilled to be taking my three children to one of my favourite places; Tasmania.

Single mums aren't 'lucky' to have found a man who accepts their kids

Opinion: it's not a 'sacrifice'. So often I have heard stories about women whose partners are depicted as heroes for being willing to "take them on" even when they have two, three or four small children.

Should boys and girls be able to share rooms at school camp?

Recently, my children have been very interested in gender diversity, equality and LGBTIQ issues. Now that school camp is on the horizon, the issue of gender equality is being explored even further in relation to the strong friendships that exist between children of different genders.

The truth about why some babies are easier than others

Did one of your children sleep like a dream and never fuss, and the other needed constant reassurance? This is the reason why. We all know someone who has an 'easy' baby. Their child sleeps at the right times, is always happy, comfortable and adaptable in new surroundings, and generally enjoys their life.

The Resilience classes helping kids across Australia

"The self esteem that we've been teaching for the past 40 years is a false identity." We've all chanted the mantra; Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

The Albert, Mosman

I'm a freelance travel, lifestyle and content writer based in Melbourne. If you need the right words, I have them. Feel free to connect with me or have a look at my site https://www.clippings.me/users/daniellenorton for examples of my published work Heading to Sydney any time soon?

Promhills Cabins Eco Glamping Tents

I'm a freelance travel, lifestyle and content writer based in Melbourne. If you need the right words, I have them. Feel free to connect with me or have a look at my site https://www.clippings.me/users/daniellenorton for examples of my published work Angela and Sean Taylor, owners of Promhills Cabins and Eco tents, moved to South Gippsland from Sydney in 2007.

The Whiskery

Meet Russ and Lorelle, owners of The Whiskery, the Bellarine Peninsula's newest, and only, gin and whiskey distillery.

Hire a Kombi - Hire a VW Kombi or Campervan

Hire a Kombi - Step out of your comfort zone and into an adventure.

Aussie Escapades

"You can't climb a mountain with downhill thoughts".

The Wound Inxeba) - Film Review

Review of John Trengove's film, The Wound.

Sami Blood at ACMI Cinemas

Film Review: Sami Blood

Film review: Call Me By Your Name

I wait in the long line snaking its way one large city block up Little Bourke St. It is dinner time and torture to stand here waiting, while the tantalising smells of Chinatown waft past. What I wouldn't give for a hot plate of fried noodles right now!

Bamberts Book of Lost Stories - Review

Theatre review: Bambert's Book of Lost Stories

Somerset on Elizabeth Melbourne

A Melbourne city weekend 'Staycation'.

Sovereign Hill

" Spare the rod and spoil the child", says the stern round schoolteacher, bonnet pulled tightly, framing her face. A teenager enters the school house and is asked her age. " 16! You should be married by now", the mistress pronounces. The poor child doesn't know what to say or where to look.

Best Cellar Doors in Queensland

Cooking With a Broken Heart

A story of love, cooking and other associated disasters.