Welcome to “TravMedia's Travel Writer of the Month," where we highlight an active journalist or editor within the TravMedia community. We have so many amazingly talented, successful and inspirational professionals in our midst — let's meet Susan Elliott...
Q. Where are you based? I tread the golden sands of Avalon on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
Q. What outlet do you write for? Who is your audience? What are your travel specialties? Read all about it... in MiNDFOOD, Vacations & Travel, Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Luxury Travel Magazine. I do wilderness, wild food, wacky outback adventures and wondrous nature. I am also the co-host of Travel Oz Global on the TEN Network and proud to be ASTW's "Travel Broadcaster of the Year" for 2025.
Q. What are your professional pet peeves? Travellers who harp on about their past trips. Be present people.
Q. In your past professional life, you were … Prawn Trawler 'cookie' in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Marketing manager for a corrupt Monte Carlo Baron. News Reporter for Channel 7, Presenter on Sydney Weekender.
Q. Where would you like to return to?
Take me forward, not back. I have never been to the 'top of the world' ... Alaska, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Svalbard, Russia.
Q. What's on your bucket list? A sauna. With a bucket of water. I'm a late convert, but wrap me in Western Red Cedar and fire up those coals... anywhere in the world. My last steamy experience on a Norwegian lake (via canoe) was so exceptional I have night sweats dreaming about it.
Q. Where do you travel for fun? Norfolk Island. The world's most beautiful island. No argument.
Q. Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is … Smuggling my young self into the sleeper cab of a truck to get from East to West Germany, past Checkpoint Charlie. Until we crossed the border I was certain it could be my coffin (and may have scratched my initials on the seat, just in case!)
Q. What advice would you give your younger professional self? Don't get into strangers' trucks.
Q. What nugget would you like to add that we haven't touched on? Embrace next gen. I am so grateful for the many mentors in my life and love being one.
Q. How best should people contact you? susanelliott000@gmail.com or +61407 071 188
