THE HIT LIST
THE TV STAR REFLECTS ON 25 YEARS OF GLOBETROTTING WITH GETAWAY
After 25 years and 30 seasons of jetsetting around the world as the host of Australia’s longest-running travel program Getaway, there is no doubt that Catriona Rowntree has picked up hundreds of stamps in her passport. But the star reveals there are still plenty of places she’d like to explore once borders open again – and Japan is at the top of her list.
“I’ve never been able to nab a trip to Japan and everyone I know who has been ends up saying it is their new favourite destination,” the 49-year-old tells WHO. “Once the travel restrictions are over, I think I’m going to book a family holiday there,” she adds, referring to her husband James Pettit and sons Andrew, 11, and Charlie, 10.
Do you know how many times you have been overseas?
No. I’m so grateful for every trip that I never want to be the type of traveller who is just ticking places off a list. It misses the entire point of travel. You could visit somewhere like Tuscany in Italy a hundred times and still not see everything, explore every village. How has the past year been for you while
travel has been largely off the cards?
Very challenging. I was packing and getting ready to go to Antarctica when I got a call [from Getaway producers] saying, “We think you could get stuck in Buenos Aires.” And I thought, that’s fine, I love Argentina. As time would tell, people did get stuck there. Then as the lockdowns started, I went through all the emotions of anger, depression, and then finally surrendering and embracing the here and now.
Where else is on your list to head to when we can travel again?
I’ve been taking online French classes with the Alliance Francaise and I would really love to put that into practice, so I’m dreaming of France. It does look like our travel bubbles will open up to islands in the South Pacific first, though, so maybe I’ll end up practising French in New Caledonia. Although I am also a big advocate for travel within Australia. We have some wonderful hidden gems here. My family and I just returned from a trip to Picnic Island in Tasmania. It is the only island in the world where you can live among a colony of penguins. It is the best holiday we’ve ever had. I’d also really love to go diving with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in WA.
What has been your worst travel experience?
I’ve been mugged a couple of times and I’ve had passports confiscated, but mostly it’s just been things like leaving a favourite pair of shoes in a hotel or getting home to find I only have one earring.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?
I think it is great to have an inquisitive appetite. I had a cha-om omelette in an Asian market once which tasted like a fart. I’ve had deep-fried cicadas – they’re really crunchy and great! I’ve probably had some things which would turn people’s stomachs, but as long as it’s not too spicy, I’m up to give it a try.
What are your favourite souvenirs?
I have the most wonderful collection of hats I’ve built up over the years. It started in a Chinese mountain top village when I swapped my hat for a Bhutanese one. I’ve also got a fisherman’s hat from Greece, and I get a magnet every time I go somewhere new. It’s a subtle way to impress people.
By Kylie Walters
(Getaway’s 30th Season Special airs on Sat., May 15, 5.30pm on Network Nine)