Interning; it’s a rite of passage in the media industry. It’s that requisite stepping stone between study and becoming a fully-fledged professional. Theoretically, it’s a win-win situation for everyone - the intern gets experience and new skills, while the hosting company is able to offload some tasks. For a lucky few, that relationship can evolve into something more permanent, say, a paid full-time position? However, it doesn’t always work so smoothly. At my first work experience gig, I was 16 years old and at a Canberra-based architecture firm. In the longest week of my life I learned two things: licking...

A road trip to Queensland is a New South Welshmen must-do. But for some, the well-beaten Pacific Highway is more of an over-do. Here, we quit the coast and veer inland to uncover the New England Tablelands in northwest NSW, on route to the border. The difference in kilometres isn’t much more than the coastal alternative (about another 200km), but we suggest adding a few more days to the itinerary to really check out the scenery. Here are 10 reasons you didn’t know to take the inland route:   THE LANDSCAPE The region covers thousands of square kilometres, meaning the...

For newcomers to wine, here are some tips and tricks to enjoying the nectar of the vines…   It’s Friday afternoon in the AT office, but this isn’t your usual end of week. Today is our favourite afternoon of all afternoons in our bi-monthly schedule. More than when the latest issue is sent to print, more than when it first hits news stands. For this is the Friday, which occurs once an issue, when the AT team gathers around our boardroom table and samples selected wines from clever Australian winemakers. Admittedly, it’s not hard work. And as AT’s resident wine...

Just what makes the perfect getaway? It’s the first week back in the AT office after the Christmas break and it seems we’re a fussy bunch. While I enjoyed laying low, catching up with family and friends, there was a pang of jealousy when I heard about the adventures had by our editor Georgia, who was gallivanting overseas, before a whirlwind trip up and down and NSW coast. However, she claims to have returned to the office weary as ever, envious of my quality down time. This ‘grass is always greener’ mentality appeared again and again as many other AT...

Mother Nature was pretty generous when it came to Australia. Sandy beaches, crystal blue waters, tropical rainforests and some weird and wonderful critters that inhabit them too. (Sorry platypus, I’m looking at you). But admittedly over the past 200 years, this great land down under has taken a hammering. Forests cleared, waterways polluted and native wildlife populations depleted. And it is this eco-undoing, coupled with a growing interest in the lesser-known corners of Oz, which has fostered many volunteer-holiday programs to spring up around Australia. So forget manicures and margaritas, these are holidays with a difference. Breaks that are about...

AT’s Alissa Jenkins soothes a broken heart with a one-of-a-kind massage (no, not one of those). When I was offered a Perfect Gold Body Massage at Sydney’s Observatory Hotel, I couldn’t blurt out “yes, oh please yes!” fast enough. After all, anything that involves ‘gold’ and ‘massage’ in the same name is sure to be a deliciously decadent experience… Right? Right. But when the big day arrives, my hopes of happily spending the afternoon lapping up luxury are suddenly shattered when my phone goes off. It’s a text. From my boyfriend. “We need to talk…” the message begins. And we...

Social media, it’s everywhere. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Flickr…take your pick. And it appears that no matter what industry you’re in, if you’re part of an operating business, you need to jump on the bandwagon or get left behind with those who thought colour television was but a passing fad. Granted, social media has been a vehicle for spreading information that isn’t necessarily intelligent (see sensations like “Chk Chk Boom”, ‘planking’, ‘photo bombing’, “Bondi Hipsters”…). However it has also proven to be a powerful tool for increasing awareness - from raising the profile of talented musicians to warning communities...

Jumping out of a plane at 14 000 feet above land is a horrifying concept to Alissa Jenkins, but in the name of research she does it anyway.   Every bodily response suggests this is not a good idea. Anxiety, sweaty palms, and er, nauseating stomach-flips have well and truly set in. Convinced I am about to meet my mortal end, I am on the way to Sydney International Regatta Centre near Penrith Lakes where I will prepare to skydive over the city. After filling out numerous forms (which although necessary is not reassuring), I change into a pair of...

Over the past couple weeks I have found myself craving some creative stimulation, yearning for some good ol’ fashioned one-on-one time with my artbook. There’s something so therapeutic about forgetting about the world and the stresses it holds, and focusing on nothing but line, shape and colour. But when I went to my art supplies drawer, it was an ‘Old Mother Hubbard’ moment, finding nothing but a few stubs of charcoal, smudged paper and a blunt 2B pencil. But of course the upside to this dilemma meant it was time to check out some ofSydney’s supplies stores (which for me...

Here at AT, we’re always on the lookout for new Aussie books that relate to travel or seeing our big brown land for the review section in our magazine. But with space restrictions, word limits and all the other elements that must be considered when putting the mag together, this means we get sent a few that for whatever reason, don’t quite make it in. So I thought this week I’d take the opportunity to give some of these great reads some deserved exposure. IMAGES TO THE INTERIOR By Philip Jones ($39.95,WakefieldPress) Based on the rich collections of historical photographs...

As a newcomer to Sydney, I am still adjusting to the plethora of performances, festivals and other events, which are seemingly always on offer.Having come from a small country town in the NSW Snowy Mountains, the availability and accessibility of regular entertainment can at times be overwhelming Since moving I’ve attended shows such as the No Laughing Matter Comedy Gala, Sydney Vivid Festival (on every year in The Rocks – check it out!), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Sculptures by the Sea, Laneway Festival… and that doesn’t include the new pubs, clubs, restaurants and classes I’ve tried out too....