In the Bush Wanderlust podcast series, Ali Smith and Katie Watson take listeners on a road trip around the Narrabri region in North West NSW.
It’s the place Ali and Katie are both lucky enough to call home. But of course, this series isn’t just about the place: it’s also about the wonderful, intriguing, diverse and super fun people who live here. Ali and Katie can’t wait to introduce you to the loveable locals, many of them are their mates, and share their resilient, entertaining and inspiring stories. From every country bride’s dream wedding caterer to an adaptable farmer turned barista and a proud Gamilaraay woman whose love story will make your heart skip a beat, the Bush Wanderlust podcast will fuel your travel desires and give you a taste of country life. Who knows? You might even fall in love and decide to make the Narrabri region your own home. Ali and Katie both did! These two birds from the bush will explore all the magnificent wonders right here in our backyard and have plenty of fun along the way including a cheeky visit to a nudist retreat and uncovering the secrets to spotting the elusive pink slug (the slippery little sucker is exclusive to the Narrabri region). It’s time to hit the road and #stayinthebush. As the locals say – just you, five million stars, a mountain range and a yowie. Ali and Katie would like to thank the Narrabri Region Tourist Information Centre for supporting their podcast project. As well as, the talented Pip Brett and her team in Orange who organised The Huddle - a fabulous networking event Ali and Katie attended earlier this year. It was a weekend of inspiration and lots of tips from some kick-ass businesswomen and two of the hottest words that weekend were podcasts and collaboration. So Ali and Katie collaborated to make a podcast to show the spectacular Narrabri region. Enjoy!
Meet Ali
Ali Smith works as a journalist and loves having a job that takes her to new and exciting places to meet remarkable people. Every day is different when you’re a journo. She can’t get enough of a feel-good yarn and is happiest listening to and sharing the stories of great Aussie characters. Ali worked as a producer with Channel 9 for more than a decade at 60 Minutes, Today show and in the Canberra Press Gallery. She also reported for ABC radio in WA’s beautiful Kimberley region (awesome gig!). A few years ago, Ali traded the big smoke for the bush and currently lives on a farm near Burren Junction, NSW with her other half Angus but still travels around the region writing stories and taking photographs for The Courier and Wee Waa News newspapers. Apart from encounters with the odd curly creature that gets WAY too close to her bush cottage for comfort, Ali says she’s pretty much living the dream - 180 degrees of stars, fresh air, no traffic and plenty of good company like her neighbour and talented podcast partner Katie Watson.
Meet Katie
Katie Watson is a designer and content creator. Specialising in the integration of all things creative. She is a mother of three, master of one, (her newborn Waldo) who she gave birth to during the production of the Bush Wanderlust Podcast. Throughout her career, Katie has worked in a number of varied communications, marketing, digital media and design roles including at the Narrabri region Visitor Information Centre and has had the privilege of working with a wide range of businesses in a variety of industries and locations across Australia. Katie now lives on a property at Spring Plains in North West NSW, and when she’s not busy designing / podcasting, she can be found helping her husband Ben run their mixed farming enterprise. Katie says she enjoys the highs and lows of living on the land with her family and friends, and if her week goes to plan it proves miracles do happen.