Travel Stories - Phil Brown, Writer, Journalist, Brisbane, Australia

Phil Brown - Travel Stories

Phil Brown has been writing travel for more than two decades. If you've read his book Travels With My Angst you'll know he's not the best traveller in the world but Phil has written on locations from the Himalayas to the Scottish Highlands where he once bagged a Munro. Look it up if you don't know what that means.

His favourite destination is always Hong Kong and his favourite hotel is always The Peninsula, that's a given, but he has ranged far and wide and here you can read about some of his journeys.

Travel Stories:

Island of calm - A visit to Hayman Island in the Whitsundays is the ultimate in relaxation
Story Phil Brown - Qweekend, The Courier Mail, Saturday November 30, 2024
The right fit - Hong Kong is tailor made for all tastes, from culture vultures to shoppers and ardenatural beauty, these expeditions were
Story Phil Brown - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, August 10 - 11, 2024
Why Hong Kong is far more than just a stopover destination - Phil Brown - The New Daily - May 24, 2024
Why slow travel makes sense in a fast-paced modern world - Phil Brown - The New Daily - Mar 01, 2024
Singapore sojourn - A swish new hotel is the perfect base camp from which to explore this fantastic city -
Review Phil Brown - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, Jan 20-21, 2024
THE PERFECT SYDNEY HOTEL FOR CITY SLICKERS - Phil Brown - Writer - August 1, 2023
A tale of two cities - Paris and the French gastronomic capital of Lyon are must-visits
Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, March 11-12, 2023
Sydney’s next big thing - The building is designed to be gentle and unassuming but the artwork and the views are spectacular
Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, January 21-22, 2023
A room with a view - Being right at the heart of the city on Circular Quay is perfect for a cultural foray into Sydney.
Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, October 1-2, 2022
Slowly does it - A journey from Sydney to Adelaide on the Indian Pacific is a wonderful leisurely journey with the food a particular feature as the train makes its way through the Outback - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, July 23-24, 2022
Camping, no … Glamping? Too right - Take in the splendour of the Outback from the comfort of luxury tents that make roughing it a distant memory - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, July 10-11, 2021
Impressions of Melbourne - Visit an extensive exhibition in the Victorian capital and stay at a stunning and rather arty new hotel. - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, June 26-27, 2021
Discovering the spirit of the Outback - A train ride from Brisbane to Longreach is a gentle introduction to the wonders of the west - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, May 15-16, 2021
Chilling out on bay watch - Discover the serenity of Tangaloomabelow the water, from the air, or just lolling on the beach - Qweekend magazine, The Courier-Mail, February 27-28 - 2021
Chilling out in front of the fire - For a bracing mid-week break from the big smoke, a cosy Stanthorpe cottage ticked all the boxes - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, August 15 -16, 2020
Secret’s out on creative capital - Whatever your interest – food, history, art or politics – vote with your feet and discover more on a tailormade tour of Canberra. - Brisbane News, March 18 edition
THE HEART OF KOWLOON - You won’t forget a stay at The Peninsula Hong Kong, where glamour and warmth accompany spectacular views. - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, Feb 15-16
Feast for the senses - Shop ‘til you drop, indulge in fine food and wine and allow time for a history lesson in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay - Brisbane News Jan 29 to Feb 4
THE COMPACT CULTURAL CAPITAL - For a cool change, Hobart offers a feast of culinary and artistic delights - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, September 7 - 8, 2019
The fabulously funky Fantauzzo - You don’t have to be an art lover toappreciate the impressive works that line the walls of this new contemporary hotel - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, June 15-16, 2019
Out of the annals of Soviet history - Another Gentleman in Moscow stays at the stunning Metropol Hotel, setting of Amor Towles’s 2016 novel. - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, April 6-7
"The general vibe of the QT Sydney hotel is, well, vibrant" - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, Feb 2, 2019
Yen for culture - Experience the art of the Japanese tea ceremony, or shop ’til you drop. You can do both in one day from The Peninsula Tokyo - Brisbane News, November 7 - 13, 2018
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth - “This was Sydney’s first five-star hotel”. - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, October 27-28, 2018
Neon Wonderland - Shinjuku is about colour and movement in a city of lights, people and action - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, September 22-23, 2018
Peninsula Tokyo - "The location of the hotel is terrific if you plan on some Ginza shopping and eating". - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, August 25-26, 2018
Sofitel Wellington - “Nothing in this compact and cultural city is far from the hotel”
Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, July 7-8, 2018
The capital of Kiwi culture - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, June 16-17, 2018
West Hotel Sydney - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, April 28-29, 2018
Paris in Style - Brisbane News, March 28 - April 3, 2018
Le flâneur in the City of Light - Qweeekend magazine, The Courier-Mail, March 17, 2018
London from the air - Qweeekend magazine, The Courier-Mail, Feb 10-11, 2018
Scotland the brave - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, February 3-4, 2018
Spice up your life at Chippendale - The Courier-Mail Jan 27-28 edition of Qweekend - 2018
New Sydney Sofitel is tres chic - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, December 9-10, 2017
Oasis outside the bustle of Byron - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, August 19-20, 2017
BOUNTIFUL BANGKOK - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, July 1-2, 2017
Safe harbour at Pier One - Qweekend, The Courier-Mail, June 24-25, 2017
An oasis of dreams - QWeekend magazine, The Courier-Mail, June 3, 2017
WHERE TO STAY
Palace Intrigue - Brisbane News May 24 - 2017
Live like a king in splendid luxury at a beachside resort on the stunning Thai coast long favoured by royals
Space for relaxation at Noosa - QWeekend
Where to stay ...
BEAUT IDEA - Brisbane News, Dec 14-20, 2016
Hotel pairs the art of living with major artist’s show
ZOO WITH A VIEW - The Courier-Mail Saturday Oct 22.2016
SYDNEY’S TARONGA ZOO MARKS ITS CENTENARY THIS YEAR AS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S FOREMOST LIVE ATTRACTIONS
Culture club - Brisbane News edition 26 Oct to Nov 2. 2016
Creativity revives a once jaded Sydney locale
Wild about Honkers - Brisbane News edition of Oct 19-26-2016
Explore Hong Kong’s hidden wonders
AN EASTERN STAR - QWeekend, The Courier-Mail, Sept 10/2016
Since the days of empire, The Peninsula Hong Kong has been revered as the finest hotel east of Suez
GREAT ESCAPE - In the footsteps of convicts, between city and sea
"The convicts might not have had such a great time in The Rocks but it worked for us".
HIDDEN HONKERS - May 18 - 24 2016 brisbanenews.com.au
Kowloon’s backstreets conceal a wealth of wonders ...
WONDERFUL WHISTLER - 24.10.2015 - The Courier Mail
Summer or winter, Whistler is a magic destination and The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the place to stay, writes Phil Brown
GROOVY VANCOUVER - 19.09.2015 - The Courier Mail
The locals call it ‘Van-groovy’ and Vancouver is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and there’s plenty to do all year round, writes Phil Brown
Palace intrigue
Live like royalty in the luxury confines of a legendary Waikiki Beach hotel
Bay dream believer
Eat your fill then chill on a Thai island idyll
Top 10 Singapore Favourites
If Paris is a movable feast, what does that make Singapore?
Honkers heaven
Embrace the thrilling intensity of Tsim Sha Tsui
Bali - Spellbinding spot
In Sanur, it’s all about kicking back and taking things slowly
Macau - Cultured pearl
Rich history adds lustre to an Asian port of call