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"Unidentified life form" found off New Zealand coast

Ah, the deep sea, where the mysteries of the ocean lurk in the shadows, waiting to be discovered by intrepid marine scientists armed with nets, trawls and a healthy dose of confusion... Recently, a team of brave souls embarked on a journey off the coast of New Zealand, armed with curiosity and a fervent desire to find Nemo's distant relatives. What they found, however, was not just Nemo's cousins – but a veritable treasure trove of potential new species. Or at least, they think so. In a saga that could rival any aquatic adventure film, the scientists stumbled upon approximately 100 potential new species, including one particularly enigmatic life form that has left them scratching their heads in bewilderment. Initially mistaking it for a sea star – or perhaps a particularly flamboyant sea cucumber – they now suspect it might be a deep-sea coral. Or a cosmic jellyfish. Or a lost prop from a sci-fi movie. The possibilities are as endless as the ocean itself. Dr Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist with a penchant for the dramatic, declared it could be "a whole new group outside of the octocoral." Because why settle for identifying just one species when you can potentially create an entire taxonomic order? Dr Daniel Moore, another member of the expedition and self-proclaimed captain of the confusion ship, confessed, "We can't even describe it to family." One can only imagine the perplexed expressions at family gatherings as they attempt to explain their latest discovery: "Well, it's sort of like a sponge, but not really. And it might have tentacles. Or wings. We're not entirely sure." Their research vessel, the Tangaroa, became a floating laboratory of befuddlement as they collected nearly 1,800 samples from the abyssal depths. Armed with modified sleds and a healthy dose of optimism, they trawled the ocean floor, hoping to snag the elusive creatures that lurked below. "It was true exploration, very exciting," Dr Moore boasted, his enthusiasm undiminished by the fact that they still couldn't definitively identify half of what they'd found. Among their discoveries was a new species of fish, dubbed the "eelpout", which was "instantly recognised as being different to the others." Because, apparently, it had a flair for the dramatic and refused to conform to traditional fish norms. In a surprising revelation, Dr Moore admitted, "Finding new vertebrates is rare." One can only assume that the eelpout, upon hearing this declaration, puffed out its chest (or whatever passes for a chest in fish anatomy) and proclaimed itself the king of the ocean. As the expedition came to a close, the scientists reflected on the vastness of the ocean and the infinitesimal fraction of its inhabitants they had encountered. With only 240,000 species identified out of an estimated 2.2 million, they realised they had barely scratched the surface. Or, in this case, the sea floor. And so, armed with their nets, their sleds, and their unshakeable sense of optimism, the intrepid scientists set sail once more, ready to delve deeper into the mysteries of the ocean and perhaps stumble upon another baffling creature that defies explanation. After all, what's science without a little bit of confusion? Image: Ocean-Census | NIWA

Domestic Travel

Not without my dog! Man wins anti-discrimination case against pet chihuahua

Queensland pet owner Raymond Matthews has won an anti-discrimination claim against his local pub after his assistance chihuahua, Coo-ee, was denied entry. Matthews' favourite watering hole was The Woombye Pub, a stone's throw from his home on the Sunshine Coast. “I’d go up there for a chicken parmi and a beer, maybe once or twice a week,” he told <a href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/sunshine-coast-man-wins-8000-discrimination-claim-after-pub-refused-entry-to-his-assistance-chihuahua--c-8079310" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 News</a>. However, that all came to an end in 2017 when new management started refusing entry to Coo-ee. “(The) dog almost got run over one night, having had to stay outside. I went back inside and got directed out and barred for a month and made out to be the bad guy - that I’d intimidated people.” Three years of consistent refusal-of-entry to The Woombye then caused Matthews to say enough was enough and seek legal recourse. In a case opened against the pub, the tribunal found the venue broke anti-discrimination laws and awarded Matthews $8000 in compensation. Matthews said he tried to explain the significance of Coo-ee to the new owners but they wouldn’t listen. “The more I tried to convince them, the more I sounded like a broken record,” he said. “I’d been to the doctor to get the dog signed off as an assistant. “What she does is she introduces me to myriad people - the amount of hurdles I’ve got over because of the dog, just breaking the barriers down that normally exist with bureaucracy. “I take the dog with me and it just brings people down to a level playing field and you can speak with them, you can get along with them, you’ve got a common denominator and the dog, I feel, is the one that does it.” In a happy ending – certainly for Coo-ee at any rate – Matthews and the pup have now been welcomed into the venue. Image: Sunrise

Family & Pets

Hero dad coward-punched while trying to rescue car crash victim

A 63-year-old father is fighting for his life after being coward-punched in the head while helping a teen in a car accident. Rob Seddon rushed to help a 17-year-old who crashed his Toyota Corolla into a caravan outside his home on Skyhawk Ave in Hamlyn Terrace on the Central Coast around 10pm on Saturday. Along with other neighbours, Mr Seddon assisted the teen before they were ambushed by a group of males who attacked them. Mr Seddon was allegedly hit from the back on the head which caused him to fall backwards, hit his head and lose consciousness. He was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition where he underwent brain surgery and remains in intensive care in a coma. Mr Seddon’s 21-year-old son was also allegedly attacked and suffered a broken nose. “I could hear the sheer horrible noises from this guy that was being hurt, I had tears in my eyes, I knew it was bad,” neighbour Diane Gardner told Nine News. “It was absolutely horrible. You could hear his pain and he wanted help.” Police are asking anyone with information about the alleged attackers to come forward. The 17-year-old driver who crashed into Mr Seddon’s caravan was breathalysed at the scene and returned a positive blood-alcohol reading. He was then charged with negligent driving and drink-driving on P-plates. Images: Nine News

Caring

New rule poses major changes for popular tourist destination

With its impressive sheer drops down to turquoise waters below and roads seemingly chiselled out of the surrounding cliffs, the Amalfi Coast has become an iconic road trip destination - a status that has brought plenty of tourists and traffic with it. The Italian location has now become known for stories of miles-long traffic backups, as buses and vans packed with tourists navigate multiple narrow stretches of single-lane roads with switchbacks. But, a new rule could spell the end of heavy tourist traffic on the roads - and mess with plenty of holiday itineraries. A newly-launched alternate number plate system means that cars can only access the stretch between Vietri sul Mare and Positano every other day during peak hours in peak season. On odd-numbered dates, only cars with plates ending in odd numbers can use the road, while cars with even numbers at the end of their plates will be able to drive along it on even-numbered dates. The rule applies for the entire month of August between 10am and 6pm, as well as on weekends from June 15 through to September 30, Holy Week, and the dates from April 24 to May 2. Residents from 13 towns along the coast will be exempt, along with public transport vehicles, taxis, and cars that are hired with a driver. However, vehicles longer than 10.36 metres will be banned from the road entirely, while caravans and vehicles with trailers are prohibited from using the road from 6.30am til midnight, all year round. The rules, introduced by Anas, also see vehicles over six metres long and 2.1 metres wide restricted to using the road within certain hours and being completely banned on peak dates. Deputy mayor of Vietri sul Mare Angela Infante told CNN the new rules had been needed for some time. “It’s started again this year - you can’t drive at weekends, people are trapped at home,” Ms Infante said. Prior to the pandemic, she said there would sometimes be backups up to six kilometres along the coast. “You have to drive incredibly slowly because there are so many cars, and often it is completely blocked,” she added. “Apart from anything else, you could have an ambulance [in that traffic] and anything could happen - we have to limit the heavy traffic.” While Ms Infante is among many locals welcoming the new rules, others aren’t so happy. Antonio Illardi, the president of a local association of hoteliers called Federalberghi Salerno, argued in an open letter to Anas for the rules to be tweaked to allow overnight tourists to drive to their hotel and for hotel workers to reach their work if they live outside the coast. “The policy is a ‘disaster’,” he told CNN. "It discourages tourists. It makes it impossible to stay for an odd number of days. If you arrive on Wednesday, you can't leave on Thursday. It's not like you can send your rental car back on Amazon." Others are concerned that tourists will be unaware of the changes and may be fined if not alerted by the rental companies and end up driving on the wrong day. "The rules are written in bureaucratese, they're not easy to read,” Mr Illardi said. “Maybe rental car companies won't know, or maybe the visitor won't mention where they're going. So they'll get a car with the wrong plate and will be met with a fine on arrival." Despite the contention, the rules are said to have been created with the blessing of the town councils along the coast, with the exception of Minori and Maiori. Image: Getty Images

International Travel

“World’s hottest grandma” reveals paparazzi hell

The world’s self-proclaimed hottest grandma has spoken about being forced to leave her home due to paparazzi stalking her. Gina Stewart moved from New Zealand to the Gold Coast and is being chased by paparazzi who have figured out where she lives. The 51-year-old said that despite her huge following online where she shares promiscuous images, she is actually “really shy”. "I have been chased all around the Gold Coast by paparazzi trying to catch me," she told The Daily Star. "I don't give out my address and I had to move from one address because paparazzi tried to catch me outside. "It got to a point where I wouldn't go out until I knew they had gone." The mother-of-four and grandmother-of-one certainly does not look her age and credits her looks to a hyper-cooling remedy. Stewart exposes herself to temperatures of -110C to help “rejuvenate” her body and helps with muscle fatigue, muscle repair, injury treatment plus general skin revival. "Cryotherapy is my number one go-to therapy. I firmly believe it is the reason why I feel and look refreshed. It's my fountain of youth," she previously said. "I have been doing cryotherapy for a while and will keep it up as long as possible." She explained that each session costs $55 and does it twice a week. Stewart has also been doing it for a year which is helping her burn 800 calories each session. The grandma also sticks to eating protein-rich foods and avoids alcohol. Images: Instagram

Beauty & Style

Local council accidentally crushes woman's car and belongings

A NSW grandmother is still awaiting compensation three months after the local council admitted to accidentally seizing and crushing her car. Wendy Tucker said she is upset at how heartless the council has been when it came to offering help, fixing its mistake, and being clear about what happened to her 1997 Toyota Camry and personal belongings, while critics described the incident as embarrassing and evidence of incompetence on the Central Coast Council’s behalf. Mrs Tucker told A Current Affair, "I just thought the council would have been more forthcoming. "It was my only car, and it had things in it - personal belongings, emotional things - you get attached to your vehicles regardless of how good or bad they are." Mrs Tucker said that three months ago, she rang the police and council rangers, fearing her car, which was parked near her daughter’s home, had been stolen. The 61-year-old high school science lab assistant claims she was told by the council that the car had been towed, and to expect a letter in the mail that would outline the next steps she should take. Unfortunately, the next day she received a call from the council informing her that the car had been accidentally crushed. The warning letter from the council arrived a few days later. Mrs Tucker said, "I thought they were exaggerating but apparently it had been crushed completely.” Former Central Coast councilor Greg Best said “heads should roll” after the incident. "Surely they should have just sat down with Mrs Tucker over a cup of tea and said 'sorry, here's what we're going to do'. "This council wracked up the largest financial debt and financial loss of any council in Australia and it has now gone to an all time high in its incompetence and embarrassment." The Council confirmed the car was left in a street at Point Clare for roughly eight weeks during NSW’s COVID-19 lockdown, and that it towed the vehicle following complaints from nearby homeowners. While this is within the council’s power, it is required to contact the registered owner and give warning that the car had been impounded. The Central Coast Council <a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/aussie-grandmothers-car-crushed-by-nsw-council-without-warning/b04415f6-ce57-42aa-a2ca-c263a61073f8" target="_blank">provided two statements</a> to A Current Affair, and later offerred an apology to Mrs Tucker. Their most recent statement says, amongst other things, that the “Council apologies to the car owner that adequate notice wasn't provided by letter to the registered address, and despite Council undertaking the process lawfully within the legislation, compensation is assured to the car's owner.” Image: Channel 9

Legal

From the Red Centre to the green tropics, Australia’s Outback presents a palette like no other

By Reader's Digest, in partnership with APT From the sunburnt sands and ochre-hued escarpments of its Red Centre to the lush green rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, Australia’s Outback packs a punch when it comes to the kaleidoscope of colours on show. <a href="https://www.aptouring.com.au/?utm_source=readersdigest&utm_medium=advertorial&utm_content=20200302_outback2020_readersdigest_native&utm_campaign=outback2020">APT</a> has been operating tours in the Outback for more than 50 years, and are experts in tailoring holidays to showcase the best of each magical region. A world of rainforest and reef In Cape Tribulation, rainforest-clad mountains tumble down to meet the coastline, where pure white sands and turquoise waters dazzle. This is the only place on Earth where two World Heritage-listed sites meet – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The Daintree is the oldest tropical lowland forest in the world and is home to thousands of species of birds, animals and reptiles. Here, giant fan palms, emerald green vines and ancient ferns tangle together, forming a dense rainforest that makes you feel as though you are stepping into Jurassic Park. On tour APT offers an 11-day 4WD adventure through Cooktown & Cape York. Arrive in Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas, where you’ll spend a night at the luxurious Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Travel to Mossman Gorge in Daintree National Park and set off on a Dreamtime Gorge Walk. Explore Cape Tribulation and Cooktown then visit Split Rock, an intriguing Indigenous rock art site. Take a helicopter flight into the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve before continuing north to the tip of Cape York. Here, set out on a walk to the tip of the peninsula and enjoy a helicopter flight for an aerial perspective on this incredible landscape. Be moved by the outback’s heart As the light shifts and changes throughout the day, so does the landscape at Uluru – the Outback’s spiritual heart. At sunrise, feel an overwhelming sense of calm as you watch this mighty monolith come to life against a pastel-coloured sky. In the afternoon, Uluru appears as an ochre-brown hue, scored with dark shadows. As the sun begins to set, it bathes the rock in burnt orange, then a series of deeper and darker reds, before it finally fades into charcoal as night falls. Spend a night at the Field of Light and savour dinner under the stars, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the didgeridoo. With Uluru in the background, watch in awe as 50,000 soft lights cover the desert floor behind you. On tour On APT’s 11-day Central to South Explorer tour, start your journey in Uluru, where you’ll embark on a base tour at sunrise and experience a night at the Field of Light. Learn about the history of opal mining in Coober Pedy then travel along the iconic Oodnadatta Track to WIlliam Creek. Take an included scenic flight over spectacular Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre before journeying to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. While here, spend two nights at the Ikara Safari Camp – the perfect base for exploring Wilpena Pound National Park. A winery lunch in Adelaide’s Clare Valley is the perfect ending to your journey. Getting your fill of Lake Eyre Few sights in Australia stir the soul more than that of the normally dry Lake Eyre filling with water and suddenly teeming with life. The lake, properly known as Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, relies on monumental rains in Queensland and the Northern Territory for water to begin to flow into it. Last year saw the lake reach levels unseen for almost half a century, and it is hoped that 2020’s northern monsoon season will see the region once again alive with fish surging through the rivers that feed Lake Eyre, and its surface thronged with an array of birdlife including hundreds of thousands of pelicans. In a land battling drought and bushfires, the vision of water shimmering on the surface of the lake is life affirming. And it is something to be treasured and celebrated, so take this rare chance to go with the flow. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.413612565445px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843791/red-centre-2-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5655363ea89d4bf1b0684a7bf50cfbba" /> Paradise found amid corals and blooms Stretching over 1,100 kilometres of seemingly untouched coastline, Western Australia’s Coral Coast is a marine paradise like no other. Here, waves lap lazily on pristine white-sand beaches and turtles sweep through sheltered turquoise bays. The crystal-clear waters of Ningaloo Marine Park harbour the world’s largest fringing reef. Beneath the surface, you’ll find dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, and more than 500 species of fish. There’s more to discover on land, where colourful blankets of native wildflowers burst into bloom between August and September along the spectacular Wildflower Way. For a whole new perspective on the region, take to the skies on a helicopter flight over the Dampier Archipelago. The staggering contrast between brilliant white beaches, aquamarine waters, and the rugged red Pilbara landscape is a breathtaking sight – one that can only be experienced from the air. On tour Board the MS Caledonian Sky in Broome and navigate the remote islands of Western Australia’s Coral Coast on a 15-day small ship expedition cruise and 4WD adventure. Discover life below the surface while snorkelling the clear waters of this marine paradise. Disembark in Geraldton and continue the adventure as you explore Kalbarri National Park and the eerie limestone Pinnacles. To finish up your journey, there’s a stay in a luxury eco-tent on the beautiful Rottnest Island. This article originally appeared on <a href="mailto:https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/from-the-red-centre-to-the-green-tropics-australias-outback-presents-a-palette-like-no-other">Reader's Digest.</a> Photos: Reader’s Digest

Domestic Travel

Meet the youngest person to run a solo lap of Britain

Elise Downing never thought she was a gifted runner. She tried running a marathon, dressed as a crayon, but gave up before finishing and was found crying on the side of the road. She wasn’t phased by her previous marathon failures, as six weeks later, she set out on a marathon of epic proportions, leaving from London’s National Maritime Museum with a tent on her back and a map that she couldn’t read to run around the coast of Britain. She became the first woman and the youngest person to run a lap of Great Britain by herself, having completed the 5,000-mile journey back to Greenwich in 301 days. Along the journey, she crashed with over 200 strangers for a night and suffered several injuries on the way. She was often slowed down by chaffing from her running tights and her backpack rubbing on her shoulders. After finishing the impressive feat, Elise recalled her travels in her book titled Coasting: Running Around The Coast of Britain – Life, Love And (Very) Loose Plans. In her book she explains that the clockwise route around the UK was never an issue, saying “I just keep the sea to my left, surely.” She also explained that the hole in her back was caused by friction from her sports bra clasp wearing a big hole in a T-shirt she didn’t want to change because she had become “weirdly superstitious” about taking it off. “It’s probably one of the most ridiculous ideas I had,’ she writes. ‘I can’t explain myself.” Elise’s 40 mile-per-day jogs were often interrupted by ferocious storms and decided to name them as old friends. She wrote in her book, “Your own mortality suddenly feels very apparent in those moments. I had to take an alternative inland route quite a few times to avoid literally being blown out to sea.” Despite the trials and tribulations, Elise witnessed the kindness of people firsthand. She wrote, “I realised how fundamentally good most humans are. It was a huge privilege to be welcomed into so many people’s homes, and I feel really lucky to have had the chance to meet so many different, amazing people.” “Running the coast of Britain was technically a solo challenge, but I really don’t think I would have made it to the end if it wasn’t for all the help I received.” Image credit: Instagram @elisecdowning

Travel Trouble

Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth face controversy on NSW’s South Coast

Kiama and Berry, on NSW’s South Coast, have seen an influx of A-list movie stars in the area including Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, as the celebrities shoot scenes for an upcoming movie. But, the stars have received a frosty reception from Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who vented his frustrations about the celebs being allowed to travel freely in the region despite widespread public health orders and nearby Shellharbour being in lockdown. “This makes a total mockery of the public health orders,” he wrote on Twitter. “People can’t see family and friends, funerals are limited to 10, no cases in Shellharbour but still locked down, but apparently A-listers producing movies is essential.” The actors and crew filming Poker Face, which Crowe is directing and starring in, are believed to be following COVID-safe protocols. Though some have raised concerns about the filming, others are finding it a welcome distraction. Cathy Law, the editor of Kiama’s community newspaper, The Bugle, said she had been hearing rumours of Crowe and the crew’s arrival in town for a while. “We heard a couple of rumours yesterday,” Ms Law said, which Russell confirmed on Twitter. “I just think it’s fantastic for Kiama tourism now and into the future. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Shooting in Kiama. What a beautiful place. <a href="https://t.co/rVYET2Tx52">pic.twitter.com/rVYET2Tx52</a> — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/russellcrowe/status/1424701482494881793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> Destination Kiama chair Mat Brown agreed, saying the filming had created a lot of excitement and came as a welcome distraction during the pandemic. “It’s not the first time we’ve had blockbusters filmed here,” Councillor Brown said. “There’s a lot of interest around the place from visitors and locals. “Once they are released, they are really important for tourism.” Poker Face is a psychological thriller that centres around a billionaire (Crowe) who gathers his friends to his Miami mansion for a high stakes game of poker. Scenes will also be filmed at Sydney’s Fox Studios and the movie is set to be released in America in 2022. Image: Liam Hemsworth / Instagram, Russell Crowe / Instagram

Movies

Gold Coast family in mourning over 1 in 4,500 death

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A Queensland family is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old boy who died after sustaining a seizure in his sleep. Jett Somerhayes-Nixon died on ANZAC Day after failing to wake up after the seizure in his sleep. His aunt, Lucy Somerhayes, wrote on the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jettys-sendoff-family-support?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer" target="_blank">family's GoFundMe page</a> that their “Jetty Spaghetti” had autism and was “plagued by seizures over the past few years”. “But although it wasn't easy, he was the happiest little boy, he loved to sing, dance and make everyone laugh... he was at his happiest if everyone was laughing, singing and dancing with him,” Ms Somerhayes wrote. “He has now gone on to 'rave in paradise', but his family needs help right now to help with funeral costs and give him the send-off he deserved, and to help support them whilst they try and face life without their young, happy, smiley, singing boy.” Somerhayes spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/unbearable-family-mourns-boy-who-died-from-seizure-sleep-003651622.html" target="_blank">Yahoo! News</a> about the loss of her nephew. "It's completely unfair and unbearable that such a massive personality could leave us in such a tragic way," she said. "It's so incredibly quiet without him." Jett suffered from 50 to 60 seizures a day, which led to him being hospitalised as well as needing a wheelchair to get around. However, the family said that Jett hadn't had a major seizure for months before he died. The family believe that Jett died from Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), as the family found out the cause of death on Thursday and want people to be aware. “In general, people living with epilepsy are at a one in 1,000 risk of SUDEP per year,” Epilepsy Australia says. “In children, SUDEP is an even rarer occurrence with the risk as low as one in 4,500. Most, but not all, cases of SUDEP occur during or immediately after a seizure.” Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/unbearable-family-mourns-boy-who-died-from-seizure-sleep-003651622.html" target="_blank">Yahoo! News</a> </div> </div> </div>

Caring

Central Coast's changing face attracts Sydney downsizers - would you retire here?

In Australia, NSW's Central Coast region’s natural beauty, improved transport access and shift to high-quality new housing are helping to attract downsizers from Sydney. Downsizing.com.au spoke to a local agent to understand more about the region’s growing appeal. Attractive lifestyle and transport access Michelle Tucker, a Central Coast-based McGrath agent, says there are several drivers enticing downsizers to ‘The Coast’ (as locals prefer to call the region). Ms Tucker said the picturesque Brisbane Waters and the region’s magnificent beaches are key attractors. “The lifestyle of the Central Coast has always been an attractive proposition for downsizers,” Ms Tucker said. Ms Tucker also says transport access is also about to improve, with the <a href="https://northconnex.com.au/">North Connex roadway project</a> close to completion. This project is expected to make the trip from the Central Coast to the centre of Sydney some 30 minutes faster. “Downsizers want to stay connected to the city’s amenities, and this is particularly so for those originating from Sydney,” Ms Tucker explains. “They want everything at their fingertips. They still want to go to shows in Sydney and meet their friend for lunch. They don’t want to give up their Sydney lifestyle.” In addition, Central Coast residents have the choice of two major airports, Sydney’s Kingsford Smith and Newcastle Airport at Williamtown. It is also possible to take a train from Gosford to Central Station in 70 minutes. Relative value for money Ms Tucker says the downsizer market on the Central Coast is split between locals and those moving from Sydney. “We recently sold a beautifully appointed penthouse with sweeping views of Brisbane Waters to downsizers from Killara, a northern Sydney suburb, for $1.6 million,” she says. “To find an apartment like this on the North Shore with sweeping water views of say Middle Harbour or Sydney Harbour, you could expect to double and even triple the price. “Not only has this couple bought into a fantastic lifestyle but downsizing to the Central Coast leaves money in the bank.” However, Ms Tucker said that the Central Coast hasn’t always offered the housing product matching the region’s lifestyle delights. “It’s only in the last few years we’ve seen an increase in brand new luxury apartments come onto the market,” she said. Changing face of Gosford With more residential towers in various stages of development in Gosford and Point Frederick, the local restaurant, café and bar scene is improving with a bullet. “You come out of your apartment, and you’re on the waterfront, go to a restaurant or café in town. Gosford is starting to happen, and there are places to go,” Ms Tucker says. In addition, both of the region's major hospitals are <a href="http://www.gwhr.health.nsw.gov.au/">currently undergoing a major redevelopment.</a> Properties on the Central Coast Ms Tucker is currently marketing the luxury <a href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/property/sale/47280/ravello-luxury-apartments">Ravello</a> residential apartment project, being developed by veteran media industry figure John Singleton at Point Frederick. Located on the former site of the iconic Monti’s Ashore fish and chip shop, Ravello includes 40 apartments and has largely uninterrupted views over Brisbane Water. The project will be completed in 2021 and includes one, two and three-bedroom apartments, and three penthouses. There is only a limited number of one-bedroom apartments available from $460,000, while two-bedroom apartments begin at $830,000. “Central Coast downsizers love large apartments with big terraces as they still want space for the Christmas lunch and in this respect, developments such as Ravello tick these boxes,” Ms Tucker says. Another new Central Coast project currently on offer is Retire Australia’s <a href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/property/sale/44418/expect-a-lifestyle-thats-second-to-none">Rise at Wood Glen</a> project at Erina. The Rise at Wood Glen will comprise 58 purpose-built two and three-bedroom independent living apartments against a backdrop of award-winning gardens and bushland views in the existing Wood Glen retirement living community. Independent living apartments in Stage 1 range from $650,000 to $1,050,000. The Central Coast also continues to offer more affordable property in existing retirement villages and land lease communities. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/news/664/Central-Coasts-changing-face-attracts-Sydney-downsizers">Downsizing.com.au.</a>

Retirement Life

20 people injured after violent volcano eruption off New Zealand coast

An eruption from a volcano on White Island in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty has taken course, with unconfirmed reports of up to 20 people injured. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12292240" target="_blank">The New Zealand Herald</a> reported rescue helicopters are on the way to the island and it is understood up to 100 people may have been on the island at the time of its disastrous eruption. White Island Tours boats were reportedly near the island. A level four alert has been raised – it is the second highest rating meaning there is an eruption hazard on and near the volcano. The island is 48 kilometres from the Bay of Plenty, a bight in the northern coast of New Zealand's North Island. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Whakaari/White Island is erupting. More information soon. <a href="https://t.co/B5m4BSa4bt">pic.twitter.com/B5m4BSa4bt</a> — GeoNet (@geonet) <a href="https://twitter.com/geonet/status/1203851449483984896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2019</a></blockquote> The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) released a national warning statement for a moderate volcanic eruption, describing the environment as “hazardous in the immediate vicinity of the volcano”. “Volcanic hazards may impact areas on and near the volcano. Ashfall may impact areas distant from the volcano. People should stay out of designated restricted zones.” <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D10212478296591803%26set%3Da.10203084101142788%26type%3D3&width=500" width="500" height="612" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> Cameras positioned near the volcano was believed to have displayed people hiking near the eruption site shortly before the explosion. Geological hazard trackers GeoNet had noted there had been somewhat of a moderate volcanic unrest on the island for weeks, before Monday afternoon's eruption. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Yup looks like it... Both of the cameras in the crater have changed significantly. <a href="https://t.co/eVEAfm94oo">pic.twitter.com/eVEAfm94oo</a> — Brady Dyer (@BR4DY) <a href="https://twitter.com/BR4DY/status/1203854492917063680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2019</a></blockquote> Dan Harvey, a man fishing approximately 40 km from the island, told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12292240" target="_blank">The New Zealand Herald</a> a dark plume of smoke projected into the sky about 2.15pm. “I looked over and saw a burst of steam coming up. There was nothing above the island at that time. It was just clear blue sky. It was unusual to see it go from nothing to steam erupting out of it,” he said. MORE TO COME. Image: Instagram @byminke

News

The reason why fires are lighting up the east coast of Australia

Last week saw an unprecedented outbreak of large, intense fires stretching from the mid-north coast of New South Wales into central Queensland. The most tragic losses are concentrated in northern NSW, where 970,000 hectares have been burned, three people have died, and at least 150 homes have been destroyed. A <a href="https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans">catastrophic fire warning</a> for Tuesday has been issued for the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas. It is the first time Sydney has received a catastrophic rating since the rating system was developed in 2009. No relief is in sight from this extremely hot, dry and windy weather, and the extraordinary magnitude of these fires is likely to increase in the coming week. Alarmingly, as Australians increasingly seek a sea-change or tree-change, more people are living in the path of these destructive fires. Unprecedented state of emergency Large fires have happened before in northern NSW and southern Queensland during spring and early summer (for example in 1994, 1997, 2000, 2002, and 2018 in northern NSW). But this latest extraordinary situation raises many questions. It is as if many of the major fires in the past are now being rerun concurrently. What is unprecedented is the size and number of fires rather than the seasonal timing. The potential for large, intense fires is determined by <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00512.x">four fundamental ingredients</a>: a continuous expanse of fuel; extensive and continuous dryness of that fuel; weather conditions conducive to the rapid spread of fire; and ignitions, either human or lightning. These act as a set of switches, in series: all must be “on” for major fires to occur. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301032/original/file-20191111-194628-1xowzaz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301032/original/file-20191111-194628-1xowzaz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> L ive fuel moisture content in late October 2019. The ‘dry’ and ‘transitional’ moisture categories correspond to conditions associated with over 95% of historical area burned by bushfire. <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016GL0686140" class="source">Estimated from MODIS satellite imagery for the Sydney basin Bioregion.</a> The NSW north coast and tablelands, along with much of the southern coastal regions of Queensland are famous for their diverse range of eucalypt forest, heathlands and rainforests, which flourish in the warm temperate to subtropical climate. These forests and shrublands can rapidly accumulate bushfire fuels such as leaf litter, twigs and grasses. The unprecedented drought across much of Australia has created exceptional dryness, including high-altitude areas and places like gullies, water courses, swamps and steep south-facing slopes that are normally too wet to burn. These typically wet parts of the landscape have literally evaporated, allowing fire to spread unimpeded. The drought has been particularly acute in northern NSW where record low rainfall has led to <a href="https://biocollect.ala.org.au/acsa/project/index/77285a13-e231-49e8-b212-660c66c74bac">widespread defoliation and tree death</a>. It is no coincidence current fires correspond directly with hotspots of <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/drought/">record low rainfall and above-average temperatures</a>. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301040/original/file-20191111-194650-458t68.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301040/original/file-20191111-194650-458t68.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Annual trends in live fuel moisture. The horizontal line represents the threshold for the critical ‘dry’ fuel category, which corresponds to the historical occurrence of most major wildfires in the Bioregion. Estimated from MODIS imagery for the Sydney basin Bioregion Thus, the North Coast and northern ranges of NSW as well as much of southern and central Queensland have been primed for major fires. A continuous swathe of critically dry fuels across these diverse landscapes existed well before last week, as shown by damaging fires in September and October. High temperatures and wind speeds, low humidity, and a wave of new ignitions on top of pre-existing fires has created an unprecedented situation of multiple large, intense fires stretching from the coast to the tablelands and parts of the interior. More people in harm’s way Many parts of the NSW north coast, southern Queensland and adjacent hinterlands have seen population growth around major towns and cities, as people look for pleasant coastal and rural homes away from the capital cities. The extraordinary number and ferocity of these fires, plus the increased exposure of people and property, have contributed to the tragic results of the past few days. Communities flanked by forests along the coast and ranges are highly vulnerable because of the way fires spread under the influence of strong westerly winds. Coastal communities wedged between highly flammable forests and heathlands and the sea, are particularly at risk. As a full picture of the extent and location of losses and damage becomes available, we will see the extent to which planning, building regulations, and fire preparation has mitigated losses and damage. These unprecedented fires are an indication that a much-feared future under climate change may have arrived <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222328">earlier than predicted</a>. The week ahead will present high-stakes new challenges. The most heavily populated region of the nation is now at critically dry levels of fuel moisture, below those at the time of the disastrous Christmas fires of 2001 and 2013. Climate change has been predicted to <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF08133">strongly increase</a> the chance of large fires across this region. The conditions for Tuesday are a real and more extreme manifestation of these longstanding predictions. Whatever the successes and failures in this crisis, it is likely that we will have to rethink the way we plan and prepare for wildfires in a hotter, drier and more flammable world.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/126750/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ross-bradstock-1495">Ross Bradstock</a>, Professor, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-helene-nolan-179005">Rachael Helene Nolan</a>, Postdoctoral research fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/drought-and-climate-change-were-the-kindling-and-now-the-east-coast-is-ablaze-126750">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

Cruise through time: The coast of Papua New Guinea

It’s like stepping back to an earlier age when foreign travel really was exploration where anything can happen. PNG is a land that has many attractions ranging from excellent diving, world-renowned walks, rare flora and fauna, and hot springs and volcanoes. There’s an exotic foreignness in this near neighbour. The coast and islands are beautiful. Elsewhere that spells over-development: seek untrammelled golden sands and you’ll find it shaded by highrise hotels; look for fish and coral living in unpolluted topical waters and you’d find you’ve arrived long after the developers. In PNG you are well ahead of the rush. Tufi The coast surprises in its diversity. Arriving by sea to Tufi, a clifftop village with a population of just 400 people, you cruise into what can only be described as a beautiful jungle-fringed fiord. From here you can go deep-sea fishing or scuba diving, or take a short walk to seek huge birdwing butterflies. Besides these, the world’s largest butterflies, PNG boasts 2000 species of orchids and over 700 bird species including 43 Birds of Paradise. At a pretty nearby beach you can swim and snorkel amongst the coral. Or head up a river accompanied by a colourful local guide. An aluminium tinny takes you part way up the river, to transfer to dugout outrigger canoes fitted with bamboo platforms on which to luxuriated while young local girls skilfully paddle the craft under fallen trees and around sand bars. Eventually, you arrived at a glorious river beach enclosed by high hills and broad leaf vegetation. Here the men of the village slice and dice a tree trunk to extract taro while numerous naked children used the outing as a chance for a party. Australia seems a long way away. Rabaul As news reports once showed, Rabaul is situated on a beautiful bay, treacherously fringed by volcanoes. It’s now a virtual ghost town after the major volcanic eruption of two decades ago – and it looks like a ghost, too, with the old city centre covered in grey volcanic dust. Eruptions are ongoing and most locals live in nearby Kokopo, a few kilometres from the town that was once referred to as “the Jewel of the Pacific”. Fergusson Island Also volcanic, Fergusson Island is the largest of the D’Entrecasteux Islands in the Solomon Sea off the southeast tip of the mainland. This is a lesson in volcanic landscapes writ large with fields of bubbling mud pools and steaming geysers. The water has coated everything in a rime of white calcium and the local villagers use the scalding pools as cooking pots. New Britain, New Ireland, the Bismark Sea – the colonial heritage of Papua New Guinea lives on in names and government structure. English is very widely spoken. But a voyage along the coast of PNG has the atmosphere of a journey of discovery of ancient culture and customs and of a new nation endeavouring to establish its place in the world. Mystic Sepik Of all the rivers in PNG the most renowned is the Sepik that flows for about 1000 km from the Highlands to the Bismark Sea. Throughout PNG you’ll find remarkable carvings and traditional masks but in the Sepik you find artworks that were born in your worst nightmares. You can buy it directly from the villages or there are excellent art and craft shops in Port Moresby holding artefacts from across the entire nation. Despite PNG being a very foreign land, there are constant reminders of Australia and the two nations’ connection. In the island community of Kwato there’s a memorial to Reverend Abel who felt the best way to civilise the local populace was by introducing cricket. The city of Alotau was the World War II site of the 1942 battle of Milne Bay where the Australian forces became the first to force the Japanese army to retreat on land. Kokoda Trail A place of pilgrimage that also combines a rite of passage is the Kokoda Trail that runs for 100 km across the rugged Owen Stanley Range north of Port Moresby. It was the scene of some incredible bravery and fortitude from the Australia troops that pushed the Japanese back along it in 1942 in perhaps the worst conditions in the world. Mud and mountains, heat and humidity all ensure it remains a 10-day challenge that is very rewarding to accomplish. Simply cruising By far the easiest way to get around the coast and islands of PNG is on a small cruise ship. Written by David McGonigal. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/cruise-through-time-the-coast-of-papua-new-guinea.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Cruising

Can you spot the snake hidden on this deck?

Australia is a lucky country. We have beautiful landscapes, a laid-back culture, incredible cities and some of the best beaches in the world. So, what’s the trade off for living Down Under? We have to deal with the odd snake from time to time. A family from Buderim, Queensland, found this out first-hand over the weekend, when they discovered a python which had cleverly hidden itself on their back deck. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastSnakeCatchers/" target="_blank">Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers</a> were called out to the property and tasked with the job of removing the serpent, but once they arrived they had a little trouble finding it, posting the below photo. Can you spot the cleverly hidden python? <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSunshineCoastSnakeCatchers%2Fphotos%2Fa.1484959141755876.1073741830.1483562515228872%2F1949230368662082%2F%3Ftype%3D3&width=500" width="500" height="541" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe> If you can’t, don’t worry. You’re not the only one! We’ve highlighted where this deceptively clever serpent has hidden itself, scroll through the gallery above to see where. 'This little coastal carpet python couldn't have been more than a week old,' Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers posted on Facebook. 'The little guy decided that curling up in the very corner of the outdoor lounge would be a safe place to laze away the day.' Have you ever had an encounter with a snake? Let us know in the comments. Hero image credit: Facebook / Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers

News

George and Amal Clooney share rare glimpse of life with twins in new interview

For two of the most recognisable faces in the world, George and Amal Clooney are notoriously picky about the moments they choose to address the press. But the aesthetically-pleasing couple <a href="https://www.vogue.com.au/" target="_blank">loosened their lips for Vouge</a> this month to speak about their twins Alexander and Ella, who were born in June 2017. And the 40-year-old human rights lawyer, who graced the edition’s cover, was even happy enough to share the twin’s first words with the fashion magazine. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BhYzGOOhZRH/" target="_blank">A post shared by Vogue (@voguemagazine)</a> on Apr 10, 2018 at 4:00am PDT </div> </blockquote> "We've had some 'Mamas' and 'Dadas,' " Amal shared. "George was very careful to ensure that 'Mama' was the first word." What a lovely couple. What are your thoughts?

Movies

Camilla criticised for her appearance at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

The Duchess of Cornwall has been criticised for appearing bored during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast last night. Camilla, who was in attendance with her husband Prince Charles, was spotted by Channel 7 cameras numerous times flicking through a Games program with seemingly little interest for the live action in front of her. <img width="393" height="306" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/04/04/16/4AD29D1600000578-5578395-image-a-65_1522857305531.jpg" alt="She was snapped flicking through a Games program as the ceremony took place in front of her" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-b022bd38bc8f5163"/> She appeared to ignore former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie as he officially welcomed her and Prince Charles to the games. Prince Charles officially opened the Games on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. “Over the years these ‘Friendly Games’ have shown the potential of the Commonwealth to connect people of different backgrounds and nationalities,” the Prince said to the 35,000-strong crowd in Carrara Stadium. But Camilla’s boredom was not the only moment that sparked commentary on social media during the marathon 140-minute showcase. Right from the start the athletes’ procession was a cause of interest with some nation’s eclectic uniform choices – including Welsh athletes wearing striking Hawaiian shirt-like ensemble. An unfortunate wardrobe malfunction also saw viewers around the world subjected to a bare bottom during Ricki-Lee Coulter’s beach-themed performance. <a href="https://twitter.com/Sir_Smartee/status/981483384433094659/photo/1" title="View image on Twitter"> </a>

News

There’s a massive python in this walk-in wardrobe

On the long list of animals you don’t want to cross paths with when you’re opening your walk-in wardrobe, a giant python has to be pretty close to the top, but this became an all-too-unpleasant reality for one Sunshine Coast family. Stu, the animal expert behind the popular <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastSnakeCatchers/" target="_blank">Snake Catcher 24/7 Facebook page</a>, was urgently called out to a residence in Montville last week, and as you can see from the footage below he certainly had his work cut out for him. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FReptileCatcher%2Fvideos%2F1575137789229254%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> “The is not what you expect to find in your ensuite as you’re about to go to bed,” Stu says. “Ohhhh, this is good. He’s just checking out ya fashion," he adds. “He’s a unit… He’d be a good six or seven-foot, he’s got a bit of a food-item in his belly.” Stu bags the snake and eventually relocates it to a safe space, but it was a close call. What do you think of this footage?

Home & Garden

US holiday: East Coast or West Coast?

East or west, which is best (for you)? Landscapes Winner: West Coast One of the world’s most breathtaking coastlines, golden sand beaches, starkly beautiful desert, iconic national parks and jaw-dropping mountains – the West Coast has this category in the bag. The East Coast is lovely in its own way, but you won’t find the sheer variety of dramatic landscapes that you get at every turn in the West. History Winner: East Coast All of the USA’s oldest European settlements are on the East Coast and you can step back as far as the early Spanish settlers. Visit the oldest city in the country, St Augustine in Florida, then see where the first Pilgrims arrived to settle the new world around Boston and New York City. Weather Winner: West Coast The weather on much of the West Coast is practically perfect year round. Hot dry summers, cool mild winters and hardly any of the extremes that you’ll experience in the east. Plus, you can travel just a little way inland for your hit of snow at resorts like Lake Tahoe. Culture Winner: East Coast Los Angeles has around 100 museums. New York is home to more than double that. Over East, you’ll also find the most famous theatre strip in the world, Broadway, plus a rich literary tradition, galleries, fantastic bookstores, national monuments and much more. Food Winner: it’s a tie People like to make fun of American cuisine, claiming it’s all fast food in enormous sizes. But in reality, you’ll find some of the most exciting, innovative, delicious food and exceptionally good produce in the USA. In the East, you can feast on fresh lobster every day or tuck into a classic New York steak. West side, try on trend food trucks, the latest celebrity restaurant and out of this world Mexican-inspired meals. Have you ever travelled in the US? Where did you visit?

International Travel

Sharks chow down on whale off the coast of WA

On the list of things you don’t want to be doing in life, getting between a shark and its lunch is pretty high up there. But, for a few boaters floating in the waters near Garden Island, Western Australia, this nearly became a reality. Barry Watkins and his wife, who filmed the footage, were out cray-fishing when they spotted multiple sharks chowing down on an enormous whale carcass. Check out the remarkable footage below. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CxNNqWSPBew" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Have you ever seen anything like this? Video credit: Barry Watkins via Storyful

International Travel

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"Unidentified life form" found off New Zealand coast

Not without my dog! Man wins anti-discrimination case against pet chihuahua

Hero dad coward-punched while trying to rescue car crash victim

New rule poses major changes for popular tourist destination

“World’s hottest grandma” reveals paparazzi hell

Local council accidentally crushes woman's car and belongings

From the Red Centre to the green tropics, Australia’s Outback presents a palette like no other

Meet the youngest person to run a solo lap of Britain

Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth face controversy on NSW’s South Coast

Gold Coast family in mourning over 1 in 4,500 death

Central Coast's changing face attracts Sydney downsizers - would you retire here?

20 people injured after violent volcano eruption off New Zealand coast

The reason why fires are lighting up the east coast of Australia

Cruise through time: The coast of Papua New Guinea

Can you spot the snake hidden on this deck?

George and Amal Clooney share rare glimpse of life with twins in new interview

Camilla criticised for her appearance at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

There’s a massive python in this walk-in wardrobe

US holiday: East Coast or West Coast?

Sharks chow down on whale off the coast of WA

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

"Unidentified life form" found off New Zealand coast

Not without my dog! Man wins anti-discrimination case against pet ﻿chihuahua

Hero dad coward-punched while trying to rescue car crash victim

New rule poses major changes for popular tourist destination

“World’s hottest grandma” reveals paparazzi hell

Local council accidentally crushes woman's car and belongings

From the Red Centre to the green tropics, Australia’s Outback presents a palette like no other

Meet the youngest person to run a solo lap of Britain

Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth face controversy on NSW’s South Coast

Gold Coast family in mourning over 1 in 4,500 death

Central Coast's changing face attracts Sydney downsizers - would you retire here?

20 people injured after violent volcano eruption off New Zealand coast

The reason why fires are lighting up the east coast of Australia

Cruise through time: The coast of Papua New Guinea

Can you spot the snake hidden on this deck?

George and Amal Clooney share rare glimpse of life with twins in new interview

Camilla criticised for her appearance at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

There’s a massive python in this walk-in wardrobe

US holiday: East Coast or West Coast?

Sharks chow down on whale off the coast of WA

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Not without my dog! Man wins anti-discrimination case against pet chihuahua