Scene & heard
Sound travels and when you do, too, your experience of a new place is very much shaped – and sometimes inspired – by what you hear, writes Sarah Pickette.
Arriving at your destination after dark is special. Then dawn breaks and birds sing, their calls as fascinatingly unfamiliar as the stirring of exotic trees in the breeze. The traffic begins; there are horns and shouts and music to take in. Our perception of a place is very much formed by what we hear – and sometimes by what we don’t, as anyone who’s ever craved the silence of a bush track can attest. There’s a wealth of wonderful destinations around the world where what you hear is sure to be the highlight of, or even the reason for, your trip. We’ve put our ears to the ground to bring you six of the best auditory experiences.
Hear the call of the wild
Australians are spoilt for choice when it comes to the sounds of nature. From the rainforest’s insect hum and the coastline’s crashing waves to birdsong in the bush or the near-silence of the desert, it’s all here. Further afield, keen audiophiles might like to explore Mongolia’s Khongor singing dunes, where constant winds create a symphony as they shift the sand; or Echo Point, near India’s Kerala, one of the world’s best spots for hearing your own voice echo back at you. However, the ultimate aural adventure might be on an African safari at night, when the animals are most active and vociferous.
Attend a concert at Sydney Opera House
You don’t need to leave the country to enjoy one of the world’s finest concert halls. Seating more than 2000 people, the high-ceilinged, timber-panelled Concert Hall in the Sydney Opera House delivers outstanding acoustics and is home to the largest pipe organ of its kind (it’s so unique, there’s only one person in the world who knows how to tune it). You can catch all manner of wonderful performances here, from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to rappers and rock acts. Any event you have tickets to here will sound the best it possibly can. sydneyoperahouse.com
Tap your toes in an Irish pub
Few performances are as joyfully infectious as when a bunch of locals spontaneously whip out a harmonica, fiddle or accordion and start playing their favourite jig-inspiring tunes in the corner of an Irish pub. Set your
sights on Cork – this Irish county offers a wonderful heritage pub trail where you’re almost guaranteed to enjoy good tunes over your Guinness. corkheritagepubs.com
Get jazzy in New Orleans
Nine-million tourists a year can’t be wrong: when it comes to jazz, New Orleans is the undisputed global capital. You’ll hear it in clubs, restaurants, festivals, parades and simply drifting along the city’s streets.
This colourful US city turns 300 years old this year, so what better time to visit the Big Easy? neworleansonline.com
All the fun of the festivals
The most enjoyable way to hear music is undoubtedly in the company of others who love it, too. From Glastonbury in the UK to Coachella in the US, today’s biggest music festivals are major tourist drawcards in their own right. But music lovers can get their fix without digging out the passport, as
Australia hosts some of the world’s best festivals. Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass is where you can kick back and hear music from all manner of genres in July, and Falls Festival celebrates every New Year’s Eve with three days of camping and music. January’s Rainbow Serpent in Lexton, Victoria, is another great musical offering, with side serves of art and spirituality. 1ivemusic.com
Experience the art of sound
If you prefer to experience art with your ears rather than your eyes, check out what’s on offer at the Biennale of Sydney (running until June 11), where you can take in the work of Hong Kong sound artist Samson Young among the many fantastic exhibits. Elsewhere, check out Melbourne-based Experimenta’s Make Sense exhibition about life in a digital age, which features unique sound installations. It’s on at the University of Tasmania’s Hobart Plimsoll Gallery until May 27. experimenta.org
There’s music on every corner in New Orleans, where street performers are part of the city’s lively culture. But the tempo really picks up for the annual Jazz & Heritage Festival, which usually begins on the last weekend in April.
OPPOSITE An African night safari is an unforgettable experience. Apart from the calls of elephants and other large animals, sounds from lesser- known creature such as reed frogs and nightjars fill the air.
Sounds – whether they’re musical, natural or ambient in source – lay down some of the deepest memories we take home from our travels.