Julie Fison

Books for Easter, too

A big thank you to my friend and fellow writer, Sherryl Caulfield for a wonderful Easter gift – a copy of her new novel, Come Full Circle. The story is the third in the Iceberg Trilogy and promises a raw conclusion to the series, as a woman goes on a journey discover the missing pieces of her life. Congratulations on your latest achievement, Sherryl. Can’t wait to get stuck into it!

Big congrats also to my former neighbour and long-time friend, the mega-talented artist, Megan Forward, who’s just about to launch her first picture book A Patch from Scratch.

Jesse and Lewis want to grow their own fruit and vegies, just like people do on a farm. They’re going to dig and build, plant and grow, and when they’re finished they’re going to have a feast!

Looking forward to catching up with Megan and seeing her work at Avid Reader!

I’m also excited about the Queensland launch of Rich & Rare – a collection of short stories and illustrations from almost 50 great Australian writers and artists. The book includes pieces from Michael Gerard Bauer, Gary Crew, Justin D’Ath, Scot Gardner, Kerry Greenwood, Libby Hathorn, Leigh Hobbs, Sofie Laguna, Kirsty Murray, James Roy, Shaun Tan and Gabrielle Wang. I have a story of intrigue in the cane fields of North Queensland, called Sugar is Sweet in the collection.

Australia’s favourite author, (and that’s official) Isobelle Carmody will be doing the honours at the State Library event, while James Moloney will be launching Isobelle’s new book – Alyzon Whitestarr. The event is free, but if you want to come along, you need to register right away here.

Hope to see you there!

Leeches and laughs: walking at O’Reilly’s

“If you find a fallen tree on the path, don’t try to climb over it,” the guide at O’Reilly’s on the Queensland/NSW border tells us earnestly. “I’ve seen those things shoot down the hill. You don’t want to be on one, when that happens.”
No. I definitely don’t want to fly down a gully clinging to the mossy bark of an Arctic Beech and have to wait to be rescued at the bottom with a broken ankle (and that’s a best case scenario).

I won’t be climbing over any fallen trees. In fact I’m wondering if I should leave the comfort of the lodge at all. Perhaps a day in the library with a cup of tea might be a good option. The spa also looks inviting.

I’m on a walking weekend with my book group, but a wave of thunderstorms have hit the Lamington National Park leaving countless hazards in its wake. We’ve had to cancel our planned 23 km walk along the Main Border Track and we’re looking at alternatives. The resort guide is keen to make sure we understand the risks before we set off anywhere. She advises us to take warm clothes and food in case we get stuck in the bush. OK. Now I’m getting nervous.

We download an emergency app, sort out a packed lunch and plenty of water and bravely head off for the Box Circuit – a track on the more protected side of the mountain that should be a reasonably safe option.

The route isn’t really important. For me, walking is all about the journey. The chance to enjoy the rainforest, catch up with friends, find out what’s really going on behind the happy-family snapshots on Facebook. Maybe even talk about books.

It’s a foggy morning and light drizzle is falling, but once we’re on the track, the towering Booyongs protect us from the rain. Light filters through the fog, hanging among the fern trees as we wind our way down to Canungra Creek. It’s damp and there must be a thousand leeches per square metre, but the rainforest couldn’t be more beautiful. It feels so pre-historic that I wouldn’t be surprised if a dinosaur strolled out of the mist. A hobbit wouldn’t be out of place either. But I get a nasty shock when a snake decides to join us on the track.

“Watch out for the red-belly black,” one of my fellow walkers calls calmly. “It’s much more scared of you, than you are of it.” That, I doubt.

I’ve only just recovered from the snake encounter when an enormous blue crayfish gives me the shock of my life, snapping its pincers menacingly from the side of the track. You don’t see that every day. Luckily.

We eat lunch standing on a wet boulder at Picnic Rock to minimize our interaction with leeches. It’s not entirely successful, the little buggers don’t just jump off the track, they also launch themselves from the trees. Someone finds a leech in her belly button. Not cool.

We make it back our gorgeous villa without having to resort to the emergency app. I’ve transported a sock full of leeches on our 20km walk and my feet are aching. But I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

Walking with friends is therapy for the body and the mind, no matter where the track leads.

6 stunning things to see on Hawaii’s Big Island

The island of Hawaii, or the Big Island, as it is also known, really is big. A week here is just enough time to get a taste for the diverse natural beauty. I’ve listed six of my favourite experiences but there are loads more great places to see. I hope to have more time to explore the Hilo side of the island on another visit.

Night snorkel with manta ray

Manta ray snorkelling off the Kona Coast — It looks like a UFO, but it’s a manta ray rolling beside the boat.

Snorkelling at night isn’t something I would normally rush to do. But I am so glad I put aside my shark phobia to hang out with manta ray. We went out with Neptune Charlie’s, punching out of Kailua Bay in a heavy swell and anchoring just before sunset at a spot

Credit: Neptune Charlie's — This is more like it. Credit: Neptune Charlie’s

favoured by manta ray. There, we slipped into the water with our snorkel gear and clung to a modified paddle board, fitted with torches. It was dark and rough, but we were rewarded by visits from four manta ray, that swam in the torchlight, providing us with an amazing view of these graceful creatures and an unforgettable experience. The Kona Coast is apparently the only place that manta ray are regularly attracted by the light as they chase plankton. Amazing!

Visit Mauna Kea at sunset

Watching the sun set from anywhere on the Big Island is pretty amazing, but the view from Mauna Kea volcano is really something special. The visitor centre is above the clouds and provides for a stunning spectacle as the sun disappears, but beware: the drive back to the Kona Coast (where most of the resorts are) is pretty hairy at night. It was foggy and pelting with rain when we passed through the saddle road between the volcanoes. Not much fun in the dark!

Kilauea Iki Crater walk

There are loads of great hikes in the Volcanoes National Park. The visitor centre has all the details on where to find lava action and a good summary of the sites not to miss. The top places right now are the steam vents, lava tube and the Jagger Museum (for viewing the most active part of the crater). The walk at Kilauea Iki Crater is a great addition to those sites. It descends through tropical rainforest onto the volcanic crater floor. The contrasts are incredible and well worth the hour-long diversion.

Kayak on Kealakekua Bay

Captain Cook – the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands met a nasty end at Kealakekua Bay in 1779. A monument on the north side of the bay commemorates the great British navigator. There are no roads to the monument but the site can be visited by foot or by water. We rented

kayaks from the bottom of Napoopoo Road for the half-hour paddle across the bay to the monument. Boats can’t land on the site, but take snorkelling gear as the bay is clear and full of fish. Just beautiful. Stop on the highway just north of the bay for a burger at Annie’s. So good!

Visit the fishponds at Mauna Lani

You wouldn’t cross oceans to visit a few mullet, but these traditional fishponds, fed by the sea are a tranquil oasis. If you are lucky enough to be staying in the Mauna Lani area, a morning run around the ponds is a wonderful way to start the day. The mullet in the ponds are very acrobatic and most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Keep your toes out, as the occasional moral eel and barracuda find their way in from the sea.

Drive through the Kohala Mountains to the Waipio Valley Lookout

The Kohala Mountains are a stark contrast to the lava fields of the Kona Cost. Much of this northern corner of the Big Island is pastoral land – green rolling hills and ranches. The drive from the Kona Coast to the stunning Waipio Valley lookout takes you through the town of Waimea. Stop here for a monstrous pulled pork sandwich at The Fish and The Hog. The unspoilt Waipio Valley, which can be accessed only by 4WD, was closed due to a dengue fever outbreak when we visited, but the view from the lookout is worth the drive. Return to Kona via the quaint town of Hawi (the tail end of the Hawaii Ironman) in the far north, and look out for whales as you descend to the coast.

Enjoy!

5 fab things to do on Oahu

I feel like I’m betraying Australia by even thinking about a beach holiday in the US. But Hawaii – with its iconic beaches, volcanoes and distinctive place in history, is extremely enticing.

And after just four and a bit days on the main island of Oahu – I see why everyone raves about the place. It really is special.

To make the most of Oahu – a car is essential. Restaurant bookings are also vital.

And a word of warning – the traffic around Waikiki and Honolulu is truly terrible in peak hours. Avoid it if you can.

I’ve listed five fab things to do on Oahu (in no particular order). It’s definitely not an exhaustive list. Feel free to add your favourites in the comment section!

Paddle boarding on Waikiki at sunset

Everyone wants to catch a wave at Hawaii’s most famous beach. And anyone can – pretty much. The gentle surf and massive boards at the rental kiosks make sure of that. The downside – it’s packed out there on the beach breaks. All I manage to do is catch a surfboard on my back! For me, paddle boarding is the way to go. I’m pretty useless at catching waves but striking out towards Diamond Head at sunset is unforgettable.

Visiting the aviation museum at Pearl Harbor

Control Tower at Pearl Harbour — Control Tower at Pearl Harbor

I imagined Pearl Harbor to be something like a theme park. But it’s not like that at all. It’s an immaculately maintained and beautiful cemetery – a memorial to those who lost their lives when the US base came under attack in 1941. The boat trip to the wreck of the USS Arizona is a moving experience. (It can be pre-booked online at the National Parks site). But for me, the highlight is the aviation museum. Here, the hangers, planes, control tower and runway remain in their original condition. The area was used in the filming of ‘Pearl Harbor’. It’s so surreal that I’m half expecting a clean-shaven Ben Affleck to stroll out of a hanger in his flying jacket. Waiting … waiting. No. OK, moving on.

Watching the real surfers on the North Shore

The North Shore of Oahu is the home of big waves and pro surfers. Hanging out on the beach watching the pros take on the waves is a great way to soak up some atmosphere. We spend the afternoon at Waimea Bay, where the surf is so treacherous the lifeguards won’t even let the tourists get a toe in the water. Fine by me. I’m very happy enjoying the spectacle from the sand. For a post-surfing snack, try the tacos at the North Shore Tacos truck at Sunset Beach – delicious. The view is amazing, too.

Zip-lining

Strapping on a harness, getting clipped onto a 200 metre cable and flying between the trees is another way to enjoy the North Shore scenery, have some fun and work your abs along the way. We do a three hour session at CLIMB Works zipline and love it. The course is spectacular and there are plenty of thrills to keep my teens amused. Great guides, too – with just the right combination of banter and professionalism.

Cruising along the Windward Coast

Highway 83 follows the stunning east coast, hugging picturesque bays and quiet beach-side neighbourhoods. It provides the perfect antidote to the crowds of Waikiki.

Enjoy!

Happy 2016!

You know you’re on holidays when you relish the chance to get out of bed at daybreak. With the Noosa River calling, and a paddleboard with my name on it, who has got time to sleep.

Sting rays are flitting across the river bed, pelicans are sailing past, early-rising fishermen head for the bar, and a sea eagle is keeping an eye on proceedings from the top of an old gum as the sun peeps through the clouds.

The Noosa River inspired my first adventure series for kids – Hazard River, published five years ago, and I still can’t get enough of the place.

My resolution for 2016: to come here more often!

Happy New Year to you. Hope you’ve got lots of great adventures ahead.

Books for Christmas

Queues, dodgy carols, aching legs, confusion over what size feet my nephew has. Not for me, this Christmas.

This year I’m avoiding the festive-season shopping chaos and buying everyone a book and a pig (or maybe an orangutan).

Here’s what my Christmas list looks like. (Look away now if you’re hoping for a present from me.)

For my Teen Son: Legacy by Tim Cahill

Blurb: The story of one of the most admired Australian sportsmen, international football star Tim Cahill. With his trademark honesty and directness, Tim reflects on what it takes to make it to the top – the sacrifices, the physical cost, the mental stamina, the uncompromising self-belief and self-determination, the ruthlessness, but also the decency, the integrity, and the generosity. An autobiography that is more than a record of the goals and the games, Tim Cahill’s story is a universal reminder of the importance of making your moment count.

For my other Teen Son: Rich and Rare, edited by Paul Collins

Blurb: A collection of stories and artwork from Australia’s best loved writers and illustrators. With pieces by Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobbs, James Roy, Justin D’Ath, Kirsty Murray, Simon Higgins, Gary Crew, Scot Gardner, there’s something for everyone.

For my Hubbie: A Brief History of Seven Killings, by Marlon James

Blurb: A Brief History of Seven Killings chronicles the lives of a host of unforgettable characters – slum kids, one-night stands, drug lords, girlfriends, gunmen, journalists, and even the CIA. Gripping and inventive, ambitious and mesmerising, A Brief History of Seven Killings is one of the most remarkable and extraordinary novels of the twenty-first century.

For my Dad: Napoleon’s Last Island by Tom Keneally

Blurb: Betsy Balcombe as a young woman lived with her family on St Helena. They befriended, served and were ruined by their relationship with Napoleon. To redeem the family’s fortunes William Balcombe, Betsy’s father, betrays Napoleon and accepts a job as the colonial treasurer of NSW, but William never recovers from the ups and downs of association with Napoleon. Tom Keneally, with his gift for bringing historical stories to life, shares this remarkable friendship and the beginning of an Australian dynasty.

For my Mum: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks

Blurb: A unique and vivid novel that retells the story of King David’s extraordinary rise to power and fall from grace. With stunning originality, acclaimed author Geraldine Brooks offers us a compelling portrait of a morally complex hero from this strange age – part legend, part history. Full of drama and richly drawn detail, The Secret Chord is a vivid story of faith, family, desire and power that brings David magnificently alive.

For my God-daughter: The Red Queen, by Isobelle Carmody

Blurb: The time has come at last for Elspeth Gordie to leave the Land on her quest to find and stop the computermachine Sentinel from unleashing the deadly Balance of Terror arsenal. But before she can embark on her quest, she must find a lost key; and although she has long prepared for this day, nothing is as she imagined. This is the final, dramatic volume in series of books that undoubtedly shines as one of the most fantastic, and fantastical, tapestries ever woven.

For my Nephew: Two Wolves, by Tristan Bancks

Blurb: One afternoon, police officers show up at Ben Silver’s front door. Minutes after they leave, his parents arrive home. Ben and his little sister Olive are bundled into the car and told they’re going on a holiday. But are they? It doesn’t take long for Ben to realise that his parents are in trouble. Ben’s always dreamt of becoming a detective – his dad even calls him ‘Cop’. Now Ben gathers evidence and tries to uncover what his parents have done. The problem is, if he figures it out, what does he do? Tell someone? Or keep the secret and live life on the run?

For my Niece: The Call of the Wild – Choose Your Own Ever After, by Julie Fison (a very good read, even if I do say so myself)

Blurb: Phoebe Wright and her besties, Annabel and Kimmi have been invited to the coolest party of the year! But when Phoebe realises it’s on the same night as her Wild Club’s movie-night fundraiser, she’s totally torn about what to do. In this pick-a-path story, the reader gets to decide how the story goes.

And for me: (thank you for asking) I’m hoping for my friend Sherryl Caulfield’s third and final instalment in The Iceberg Trilogy – Come Full Circle.

Blurb: The story of three generations of Canadian women, each feisty in their own way, and their hopes, dreams and awakenings. It starts in 1995 when Rebecca, first introduced in Seldom Come By, is approaching 96, Gene, her daughter, is in her 62nd year and Lindsay, her granddaughter, will celebrate her 33rd birthday in Sydney.

For everyone: World Vision has an inspiring range of gift ideas for families in the developing world – including pigs, goats and llamas.

Adopt an Orangutans for Christmas to help preserve this unique and endangered species. Check out Save the Orangutan for details.

For more summer reading ideas, check out the Smitten series for teens and Hazard River for kids who love adventure!

Tall, Dark and Distant

When Georgia meets Nik on her family summer holiday, she’s sure he’s too good to be true. He’s gorgeous, with god-like abs and an adorable English accent. Then Georgia discovers that he’s actually a member of an obscenely wealthy Russian family, and he wants to get to know her better. Nik catapults Georgia into a world of private yachts, fast cars and expensive jewellery. Having a billionaire for a boyfriend certainly comes with benefits, but it also comes with a price. How long will it take before life in the fast lane spins out of control?

Hazard River

Holidays are normally fun – right? But when Jack Wilde, his brother Ben and their friends Lachlan and Mimi visit Hazard River nothing is normal. The gang comes up agaist rogue fishermen, smugglers and dodgy developers as they explore the River. How will they survive the summer?

Merry Christmas!

Julie xx

Rich and Rare launch night

Isobelle Carmody launches Rich & Rare with some help from Meredith Costain and Adam Wallace.

Rich & Rare - a collection of work from some of Australia's most talented writers and illustrators. — Rich & Rare – a collection of work from some of Australia’s most talented writers and illustrators.

Catching up with the hugely talented and gloriously witty Jude Rossell.

How many writers and illustrators can you pack into the offices of an independent Melbourne Publishing house?

Ford Street was going for the record on Friday night with the launch of Rich & Rare – the latest anthology for teens, edited by Paul Collins.

Ford Street was packed with hugely talented and wonderfully witty Australian writers and illustrators (just like the Rich & Rare collection, itself) with uber fantasy writer, Isobelle Carmody introducing the contributors and cleverly weaving a thread to connect the collection of diverse pieces.

So glad I jumped on a plane to join the celebrations.

FOMO, moi? Probs.

Find out all about Rich & Rare here.

Straddie’s whale highway

Whale watching at Point Lookout. There's one out there, I promise. — Whale watching at Point Lookout. There’s one out there, I promise.

They call the waters off North Stradbroke Island the ‘Humpback Highway’, which sounds a lot like a marketing gimmick until you go there.

I’m spending a week at Point Lookout over the September school holidays, keeping an eye on teens (it’s also pre-schoolies’ season) as well as doing a bit of writing, and I quickly

discover that ‘Straddie’, as everyone calls it, really is an amazing place to see whales. Pretty much every time I go for a walk I spot one – lazing around off Main Beach, breaching off Frenchman’s and waving at me as I do the North Gorge walk.

Humpback whales pass here on their way to the annual love-in at Hervey Bay and then return with their calves in spring, en route to the Antarctic. According to a local tally more than 2000 whales have been spotted off the coast by September!

But it’s not just whales that make Straddie special – pods of dolphins surf the waves, turtles bob around the rocky headlands and it’s also a hot spot for manta rays (apparently). Then there are the beautiful protected beaches, wild stretches of coastline, superb walks and laid-back restaurants. This really is a stunning place to be on teen duty. As for my writing … it’s been a bit neglected. In fact my whale count exceeds my word count.

Oh, well – there’s always next week.

Eating:

Our favourite local eatery is Fishes at the Point. It looks like a fish ’n chip shop, but it serves a good range of fantastic food at great prices. The outdoor tables can be pretty chilly when the wind gets up – which it often does at Point Lookout, but the food is worth it. Our other fave is Baz’s Beach Bar and Grill for fantastic ribs and pizzas, while the Stradbroke Island Hotel, at Cylinder Beach, is a great spot for a sundowner.

Stay:

We stay in an apartment at Whalewatch, overlooking Main Beach, a stunning 32 kilometre stretch of coastline. There’s the chance of spotting a whale from the balcony, as the name would suggest, but it’s mostly too windy during our stay to make the most of the outdoor area.

There are lots of accommodation options around Point Lookout as well as extensive camping grounds along the relatively protected northern stretch of beaches. Houses on Tramican Street have the best of the views, but it’s a long hike home from the beach!

Travel:

Getting to Straddie means either a 45 minute car ferry ride or a 25 minute water taxi from Cleveland (on Brisbane’s bayside) to Dunwich (on the western side of Straddie). From there, Point Lookout is a 20 minute drive or there is a bus service from the water taxi terminal.

Ferries along with everything else get heavily booked over the holidays, which means planning is essential, but by far the most difficult part of the journey is getting on the barge for the trip back to Brisbane, and leaving Straddie behind.

See: Discover Stradbroke

A beauty – Rich and Rare

Get ready for a collection of original works from almost 50 fab Australian authors and illustrators. Rich and Rare, Ford Street Publishing’s latest anthology for teens hits bookshops next month – promising something for everyone.

Paul Collins has put together an amazing line-up for this hefty volume and I’m very excited to be part of the collection with a contemporary story of intrigue in the cane fields of North Queensland called Sugar is Sweet.

Enjoy some of Australia’s best stories, poetry and artwork from the likes of: Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobbs, James Roy, Justin D'Ath, Kirsty Murray, Simon Higgins, Gary Crew, Scot Gardner and many others… — Enjoy some of Australia’s best stories, poetry and artwork from the likes of: Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobbs, James Roy, Justin D’Ath, Kirsty Murray, Simon Higgins, Gary Crew, Scot Gardner and many others.

I’m loving the front cover by Shaun Tan!

Ford Street is running a competition to determine where Rich and Rare will be launched. Check out the details here.

And order your copy of Rich and Rare here.

Book Week stories

Celebrating Book Week with Uber Librarian Alison Findlay and Picture Book Queen Juliette Maclver

A massive round of applause to all of the school librarians who made Book Week rock. Far from being the buttoned-up noise-Nazis that we’ve come to expect, the librarians I’ve encountered love to see kids excited about reading, and they’ll happily put on a costume, throw a parade and lure authors away from their desks to get things going.

Holidays are normally fun – right? But when Jack Wilde, his brother Ben and their friends Lachlan and Mimi visit Hazard River nothing is normal. The gang comes up agaist rogue fishermen, smugglers and dodgy developers as they explore the River. How will they survive the summer?

I spent Book Week with students from John Paul College and Churchie, in Brisbane, sharing the inspiration for the Hazard River series.

Things started for me with a holiday on the Noosa River. My sons teamed up with friends and spent the summer exploring sand banks, dodging sting rays and snakes. I had to write about it.

I’m delighted to see Shark Frenzy, Bat Attack, Snake Surprise, Tiger Terror, Blood Money and Toads’ Revenge still entertaining kids five years after the first book in the series was published.

The stories are fast-paced and action-packed with a subtle message about the environment. Even though there are very angry animals on the covers (thanks to Illustrator Extraordinaire – Marc McBride), the baddies are rogue fishermen, dodgy developers and smugglers.

One class I worked with came up with some very creative answers to the big mystery in Shark Frenzy. Why did a dead shark wash up on the bank of Hazard River? Perhaps it was killed by a zombie diver. Or maybe it was a rogue chicken.

You’ll just have to read the book and find out!

Book Julie for a school visit.

See the Hazard River teachers’ notes.