Oz Home & Family Life

Our three weeks of live music in Sydney began with AKMU Sydney consistently attracts world-class singers and bands, bringing global music right to our doorstep. As a Korean-born Australian , I especially cherish the opportunity to see live performances by Korean artists. There is a quiet warmth in hearing familiar voices and my mother tongue perform in the city I now call home. Over three unforgettable weeks, our family attended three very different live performances: the indie-pop duo AKMU , the powerhouse vocal group MAMAMOO , and the world-renowned classical soprano Sumi Jo . Each evening offered a distinct atmosphere, lasting memories, and a wonderful connection to music. AKMU: Songs That Feel Like Stories Our musical marathon kicked off with AKMU (Akdong Musician), the talented brother-and-sister duo consisting of Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun. Raised in Mongolia by missionary parents before winning Korea's K-pop Star 2 , their music has always stood out for its sincerity and ...

Milo enjoys spending time with friends of every size at the park Milo’s Dog Friends and the Two Times We Nearly Lost Him When Milo became a member of our family, our daily routine changed in many happy ways. As an energetic Jack Russell, he needs plenty of exercise, so we usually take him out for walks and playtime for more than an hour each day. Because of these regular outings, Milo has met many dog friends at local parks and along our walking routes. Our extended family and friends also have pets, and Milo becomes very excited whenever they visit our home or when he sees them at the park. Milo is always excited when a four-legged friend comes to visit Milo does not seem to care whether his friends are small, large, fluffy, or smooth-coated. As our photos show, he is comfortable with dogs of every shape and size—whether running at top speed, playing chase, or simply relaxing side-by-side. Size has never mattered to Milo when choosing his friends  Watching him interact with his co...

During our Alice Springs to Darwin on the Ghan , we quickly learned that not every inviting stretch of water in Australia's Top End is a safe place to swim. The weather was hot, and the beaches and waterways often looked tempting, but crocodiles are a very real part of life in the Northern Territory. After taking a Darwin Crocodile cruise, our tour guide’s regular disclaimers to only swim in officially designated areas hit close to home. After hearing so many crocodile warnings, we wondered whether we would have an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim at all. Then our guide took us to Florence Falls . A View from Above Our first view of the twin waterfalls and plunge pool at Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park Florence Falls is located in Litchfield National Park, approximately 120 kilometres southwest of Darwin. Before walking down to the plunge pool, we stopped at the lookout. From above, we could see two waterfalls tumbling over the rocky escarpment into a deep pool sur...

  Meet Milo, our ball-obsessed Jack Russell who joined our family during COVID and quickly became one of us The Little Dog Who Changed Our Home: Welcoming Milo During COVID Sometimes the family member you never planned for becomes the one you can't imagine living without. A Quiet World Suddenly Stopped Like so many families around the world, our daily lives changed dramatically in 2020. Durin g the COVID-19 pandemic, the busy suburban streets around our Sydney home suddenly fell silent. Living at the bottom of a hill, we were used to hearing cars accelerate up the road all day long. Almost overnight, all traffic stopp ed. The world felt strangely quiet. We spent more time inside our house than ever before. Family holidays were canceled, restaurant s were closed, and simple weekend outings became impossible. Our children had often asked about getting a dog over the years , but we had always assumed it would be too much work. Life was already busy enough. However, during thos...

The illuminated Bondi Icebergs Pool as night falls, with Pacific Ocean waves crashing over the outer wall A Peaceful Autumn Evening Walk Along Bondi Beach:  Winter Travel Guide & Local Experience When most people think of Bondi Beach, they imagine hot summer days, crowded sand, surfers catching waves, and tourists filling the promenade. However, taking a quiet evening walk along Bondi Beach in late May reveals a completely different side of this iconic Sydney destination. As autumn gradually gives way to winter in Australia, Bondi becomes noticeably quieter. The crowds thin out, the pace slows, and the beach takes on a calm, peaceful atmosphere that is often overlooked during the busy summer months. Why Visit Bondi Beach in Autumn and Winter? During summer, finding a tranquil moment at Bondi can be a challenge. In autumn and winter, however, the beach seems to belong to the locals and those willing to slow down and appreciate its natural coastal beauty. On this particular even...