Q&A: Journalist Sarah Harris

Journalist and co-host of Network Ten’s Studio 10 and host of Shark Tank talks about her love of camping and how to hit Fortitude Valley.

1. As a child, our family holidays were always to…

Cheap and cheerful spots where we would pitch a tent and get back to nature. One of my favourite places to go as a kid was Second Lagoon on Bribie Island, where you can camp almost on the beach, just behind the dunes. Falling asleep to the roar of the ocean is heaven!

2. Now if I have time for a short break…

I love to pop down to the Gold Coast to unwind. Tallebudgera Creek and Palm Beach are gorgeous, easygoing places.

3. My local’s tip for my home town brisbane is…

To make sure you grab some brunch at a cool cafe in Fortitude Valley before taking a stroll along the Riverwalk in the sunshine. Finish the day with a cheap beer at Merthyr Bowls Club at New Farm on the river – they do great food, too.

4. My souvenir of choice is…

A fridge magnet. I’m a sucker for these from faraway places – the gaudier, the better.

5. My carry-on is usually filled with…

A spare change of clothes, a book and a pack of cucumber and aloe make-up wipes, which are great for a quick ‘truckie shower’ if you want to feel fresh in a hurry.

6. My travel wardrobe always consists of…

A super comfy pair of walking shoes. I love getting to know new places on foot.

7. When I’m on the road, I’m listening to/watching…

A new podcast or documentary on my iPhone, but if I’m on a plane for any extended period of time then it’s trashy reality telly all the way!

8. My last holiday read was…

Murder in Mississippi by John Safran. It’s a murder mystery that I could not put down when I visited Positano in Italy a couple of years back. I was pregnant with my son, Paul, so I took that trip a little easier, soaking up the sun and reading by the beach.

9. I can’t leave home without my…

Cucumber and aloe wipes! The next time you’re on a plane for 14 hours, you’ll know why.

10. My favourite Australian restaurant is…

A little Italian joint called Il Perugino in Mosman, Sydney. The staff are warm, the food is authentic and it’s a special place for my hubby and me – he proposed after dinner there.

11. The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done on holiday is…

Well, I’m actually pretty sedate on holidays. I’d rather chill out and recharge than chase an adrenaline high. While my husband has run with the bulls in Spain, the most daring thing I’ve done is get a fish pedicure in Thailand.

12. The last place I visited was…

Zurich, Switzerland (stunning place, so expensive!) for three days and we haven’t really had a holiday since having our son (born December 2015). I think we’re at that phase of our lives where our trips will be very kid friendly. I just have to convince my city-slicker husband to give camping a go.

Watch Sarah on Shark Tank, which airs Tuesday evenings on TEN.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding.

You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.

1. Lake Tyrrell

Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.

2. Nhill Lake

There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.

3. Lake Bringalbert

Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.

4. Lake Hindmarsh

If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.

5. Pink Lake

Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland.

6. Lake Lascelles

On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.