Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes travelled across Australia for their television series, Men Down Under. Karen Robinson, Sunday Times, asked them about their trip
So much is made of the vast size of Australia that it can be daunting to plan a holiday Down Under. However, there are few places in Australia that can't be reached from Sydney within a day - though Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes took considerably longer when they followed the route of the Oympic flame earlier this year. And right now, the weakened Australian dollar means it has never been
cheaper to visit. So, what were the highlights of the trip - starting with the essentials?
Where did you find the best food?
MC: I would have to say Sydney, though the Greek food was great in Melbourne, and the mudcrabs, just about anywhere coastal, were terrific.
NM: In Sydney - really good seared tuna, great salads and lots of ace sushi.
And your favourite Australian drink?
MC: Water! Really, it's great in the heat. We drank so much beer I got sick of it, though it's also very appropriate in the heat - the gentle buzz suits the slow pace.
NM: Australian wine. I came back with 15 cases, fantastic wines from Margaret River and the Barossa Valley, reds and whites. I drank a fair amount of lager - but far more wine!
Favourite hotel?
NM: Rushcutter's Bay in Sydney. It was great to be somewhere so posh after the outback.
MC: My wife and I went to Hayman Island, a resort on the Great Barrier Reef, with our baby daughter Emily. We got great snaps of her in the pool.
Most amazing sight?
NM: It's difficult to pick just one. Flying over the Kimberleys was amazing, but there are some fantastic beach views, too. And the approach to Melbourne by plane: it's desert - then Gotham City.
MC: I found Thursday Island in Queensland both geographically and and historically incredibly exciting. It has a real South Sea culture. The most northern tip was like a desert island, but also very rainforesty and exotic. You can look up the Endeavour Strait and hear stories of Captain Cook and the savages. But that's closely matched by Tasmania, which is a lot more temperate. And Uluru/Ayers Rock was amazing.
Best town?
MC: Melbourne - it had a great atmosphere and along the south coast strip came the closest to what we would consider a town, although not because it was European or English in any way, but there was something . . . For instance we went to an Australian Rules football game and in the gents they had a baby-changing facility, which was great and
quite switched on.
Best journey?
MC: The whole thing was a journey. Routes and means of transport are an integral part of Australia. Distances are so vast that the journey becomes an event in itself. The small planes were fun - we took a turn at flying one.
Most relaxing day?
NM: Five hours on horseback mustering cattle in the bush in Katherine, Northern Territory. Being out there in the silence, with the cattle trotting along in front of you . . .
Most energetic day?
NM and MC: Surfing.
MC: Well, trying to learn to surf and doing it badly.
NM: I didn't manage to stand up.
MC: I struggled just to get my wetsuit on.
NM: Exhausting . . .
MC: . . . but brilliant.
Best night out?
MC: Sydney Gay Mardi Gras. We were in the parade, you know.
NM: Taking Butch, our director, out to dinner in Sydney and ordering his favourite meal for him - roast pork and crackling.
What surprised you most?
MC: The pioneer mentality. Not that it was a surprise exactly, but it is just not in your thinking if you come from here.
NM: They don't actually wear corks on their hats, but the Australian temperament is generated by the environment, which is vast and can be hostile.
What was the most indispensable item in your luggage?
MC: My hat. The sun can be fierce.
NM: Loads of sunblock (I hate wearing hats, I get "hat hair").
And the most useless?
MC: A suit.
NM: Thick trousers and woolly jumpers. I wore shorts the whole time.
Best souvenirs?
MC: My wetsuit - not that I've worn it since.
NM: Wine - and great surf gear, trainers, shirts and trousers.
Top tip for anyone going on holiday to Australia?
NM: Give yourself time. It's a continent, not a country.
MC: Take a hat.
The second part of Men Down Under is on Thursday (BBC1, 9.30-10.20pm)
