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Justine Costigan

Justine Costigan

Contributor

Justine Costigan is a Melbourne writer.

Berkeley River Lodge in the Kimberley.

Luxury Australian lodge has bounced back from disaster better than ever

A tropical cyclone ripped through this region in November, but a first-time visitor would barely notice.

  • Justine Costigan
Crossing Boambee Creek, near Coffs Harbour.

Epic 2885-km Australian train journey is both luxurious and laid-back

There are people who like train travel and people who love train travel. I’m one of the latter, especially when the train is as beautifully appointed as this.

  • Justine Costigan
Comacchio has the canals of Venice, without the crowds.

Italy’s ‘Little Venice’ is so overlooked even many Italians don’t know it

This small lagoon town, close to the Adriatic coast, is another of those tiny jewels in Italy’s vast treasure chest of cultural riches.

  • Justine Costigan
A snow-covered hutte in Switzerland’s Graubunden region.

Staying here is my favourite thing in the world

Beaches are beautiful but to me, they take second place to the alps. The steadfast, majestic beauty of the mountains does something to me that I can’t explain.

  • Justine Costigan
Cycling the Lake Dunstan Trail.

Most people do this NZ trip for the views. I had a different motive

I’m looking forward to mountains and valleys, lakes and rivers, but I’m hoping this slow exploration will help me get to know the people and places better too.

  • Justine Costigan
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River cruising alone.

My awkward dilemma as the only solo traveller on a cruise

Who would I socialise with when everyone had already found their tribe? Americans? Canadians? Brits? Or just go for the familiarity of Australians?

  • Justine Costigan
The Great Southern– all 711 metres of it.

If you love train travel, this Australian journey ticks all boxes

For most of the year, this train is the Ghan, travelling the historic route between Darwin and Adelaide. Come summer, there’s a change of scenery.

  • Justine Costigan
The Moselle River and Trier, Germany, the birthplace of Karl Marx.

The surprising birthplace of one of history’s most radical thinkers

I’m interested in learning more about someone whose ideas have fundamentally shaped 175 years of world history. But others are less enthused.

  • Justine Costigan
Surf breaks at Jiguma Beach.

Nothing ever happens in this coastal Aussie town. It’s my idea of heaven

We tried family holidays in different parts of Australia. But when we returned to this childhood spot, I knew we’d found the right place.

  • Justine Costigan
The Moselle river’s scenery is perhaps even more spectacular than the Rhine’s.

I thought this European river was amazing, then we turned down another

The Rhine is spectacular, but when we turn left at Koblenz, the scenery becomes even more beautiful.

  • Justine Costigan