Travel tales: Tom Williams reveals his number one travel tip

For many Australians, prime-time TV staples such as Getaway and The Great Outdoors were once our primary source of travel inspiration – a weekly showcase of the depth of beauty, history, culture and experiences that lay just beyond our borders.

Well-known radio personality and presenter Tom Williams was a reporter on The Great Outdoors from 2001-2009, with visits to far flung locales across Costa Rica, Switzerland, the Arctic Circle and beyond all leaving an indelible mark on his life.

Though Tom and the program are no longer on the air, he hasn’t lost the passion for discovering the unknown – or adding more stamps to his passport.

What is it about travel that inspires you?

I think it’s just the freedom to explore. Once you step out of your local environment you realise that people do things a little differently to what it's like in your world. And when you really get into that new destination and way of life, you can learn so much.

My number one tip for any traveller is to just walk around – to get out and explore somewhere new. Don’t take a map; let your nose and your eyes discover something new. You’re going to be alright. That’s where the best memories come from.

What are some of your fondest travel memories?

My favourites often involve sports and active adventures, like skiing and surfing. I’m a pretty fair weather board rider these days, so if it’s warm and uncrowded and a beautiful environment, I just love it.

Places like Hawaii and the archipelagos of Indonesia.

Indonesia's Gili Islands are a bucket list destination for surfers the world over.

When it comes to alpine skiing, it’s those big European resorts where it’s just massive open ranges and space for me; the diversity in all of the runs you can do.

They’re where my best memories are connected to – half I’ve built with my friends and the other with my family.

Where have you travelled recently and what surprised you about the trip?

Over December-January we visited Germany and Austria, specifically to go skiing.

Our first stop was Sölden, then Obergurgl and what really surprised me is when you go to those villages and resorts, all of the houses and accommodation have a really authentic look.

As a carpenter by trade, my heart’s very much attached to architecture and design and I just think their construction and architecture is so unique. Even on the drive there you’re passing through all these beautiful forests and that’s where they’re harvesting all the timber.

Austria's ski mecca of Solden, in the Ötztal Valley.

So many cultures tend to leave that heritage behind, saying ‘Oh, let’s just go modern’. But these two towns seem to have really held onto and embraced their tradition. It’s beautiful to see.

Sometimes the best experiences happen by accident. Do any come to mind?

The first time I travelled with my wife (this was before we were married) I’d kind of bestowed upon her the virtues of my fantastic travelling skills. We’d just arrived in Dallas on our way to Colorado to go skiing in Aspen. If you’re familiar with it, you’ll know Dallas Airport is huge.

We were sitting in the lounge – they don’t call flights – and Rachel was saying ‘Are you sure we shouldn’t be getting on our flight?’ I was like nah, nah, we’ve got heaps of time. And then it dawned on me that we had to actually get to the gate, which was a train ride away.

When we eventually arrived it was just that classic movie scene of getting to the gate to see your plane pulling away. The attendant just looked at us as if to say ‘No, you’re not getting on it’. 

What are some of the most memorable hotels or restaurants you’ve been to?

Without a doubt the Four Seasons George V in Paris. It just has the most beautiful foyer and restaurants, and the rooms… you open up the doors to see that classic Parisian scene and just say, ‘Wow, it doesn’t get much better than this’.

Four Seasons George V is also home to three Michelin star restaurant, Le Cinq.

Qualia on Hamilton Island is another I highly recommend. Just magic.

For the restaurant, I once had to film a segment at a restaurant in Beijing called Guolizhuang. Everything on the menu was penises and testicles. It was one of those ‘only in China’ moments and I was told if you eat it, it’s going to be really good for… certain aspects of life. It was disgusting.

I did a stand-up to camera before I went in and said ‘the old saying is you are what you eat, and if that is to be true then I am in real trouble’. It was hot pots of testicles and the like. Everyone was just pushing me to eat it. It was horrible. Some things just aren’t meant to be eaten.

Where’s the one city or country you could never tire of visiting?

Hawaii. Away from the big centres, it’s just paradise.

It’s also home to really genuinely nice people, plus it’s easy to get to and there’s so much to see, from beaches and towns to hopping on a plane and flying above an erupting volcano! Plus you can find all those little adventures where there’s absolutely no one and you get it all to yourself.

Another thing I absolutely love is to seek out the really traditional family-owned kitchens where the food isn’t fancy, but just so wholesome. It’s nice to go and embrace that local culture head on, rather than sit in the chain restaurants or sit in the hotel.

Which is your favourite Australian destination and why?

Hamilton island. I’ve had some really great times sailing and surf ski paddling, which is my chosen sport. The conditions and water are just beautiful. It’s also really easy to get to and when you’re on Hamo, it just seems like the whole place is on holiday. Everyone’s really got a great attitude.