As I began reading this book, I thought the style of the author was a bit 'flowery' with lengthy, detailed descriptions of all the flora and fauna, scenery, places of interest and Homo sapiens she was encountering on her travels.  Having completed the book, I now realise that it was the enthusiasm and wonder of the writer which was being shared with the reader.  I feel I have just spent six months travelling around Australia and learning in great detail about the country and its multi-cultural population.

From day one, when Cynthia lands in Sydney, then quickly moves on to Brisbane to begin her adventure, we are swept along on the delight that each new day delivers.  We are taken on an exhaustive and exhausting tour of the country, in a roughly anti-clockwise direction.  All the major towns are visited and explored thoroughly - the locals, the sights, the museums, and as she travels about, she adds her well-researched background material to enhance our experience.

It is only when we move out of the towns and cities and into the forests, the outback, and the wilderness that Cynthia really blossoms.  She undertakes many and varied camping trips, horse trekking, hiking trips, and boat trips, but not without the odd scrape.  She began the journey with broken ribs, caused whilst horse riding in preparation for the trekking, but they gradually heal and she becomes more relaxed and able to enjoy all that Australia has to offer.

Many fellow travellers and acquaintances encountered along the way have become firm friends and many exchange visits ensued, thereby extending the adventure indefinitely.  Cynthia seems to have turned her life around by chasing the dream she had of travelling to and around Australia, and her passion for the country and its culture comes across in her writing.

A totally absorbing and entertaining book, which has been carefully researched and is very well written.

Reviewed on 11/13/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Suzy Watts

Reviewed on 01/04/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Claire Franek

Cynthia Clampitt had a secure job with a steady paycheck and decided to leave it all behind to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She packed up her stuff and headed to Australia where she spent the next 6 months recording everything she saw, did and felt. She spent time in the cities but really connected with the country and bush areas of the continent. She did everything from hiking, climbing, and horseback riding to shopping, eating great food, and relaxing. She experienced as much as she could in those 6 months and turned those experiences into, “Waltzing Australia”, one of the best travel books I have ever read.

Within the pages of this fabulous travelogue Ms. Clampitt manages to express the beauty of the places she visits in a way that makes it easy for the reader to picture. She also throws in a little history here and there which made it even more interesting to me.  However, what I enjoyed the most were her descriptions of her encounters with the people of Australia. When I was there I found the people to be extremely friendly and helpful and it was nice to see that Ms. Clampitt had the same experience with those she met throughout her journey.

Whether you have been to Australia or not, I highly recommend “Waltzing Australia” as either a great introduction to one of the most spectacular places on Earth or as a wonderful reminder of your past trip. Either way, this beautifully written book that will have you planning a first trip or a return visit in no time!

Reviewed on 12/25/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member April Hanson

<meta http-equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <title></title> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> </style>

Waltzing Australia takes the reader on a guided journey through many places in the outback country.
I chose this book because my tween age son wants to go there and has wanted to for about four years. My son has dreamed and talked of Australia. I had a swap with a native of Australia and he was thrilled to have a little piece of Australia. I am having him read this journey/book also so that he can feel as if he were almost there. I can now see his fascination of it and I also now dream of going there one day.  So if you ever thought you would want to go to Australia, read this book and go along as the author does throughout many places. 

Guided by the authors narration, it is a journey, a quest, a sole searching event.  Just wonderful how the dream is made a reality.  You feel like you could reach out and touch the many places she describes through this story. The details the author uses makes it fascinating and really let you imagine each place that she travels. You will become acquainted with locals as she is throughout the journey. The story makes images come alive and just how beautiful this wonderful place must be.

The story or journey as it feels is becomes also my dream to one day see and experience all that Australia has to offer. It is a first-hand account of a marvelous place that would fascinate readers who are interested in Australia or have not ever thought of Australia, learn the people, the place and just feel like you also have escaped to down under.  Quite a detailed journey so be ready to sit back , relax and take the time and have your own travel through your mind using this book.  Just a great book about a person who took that chance and made a dream come true. A great read for a adults, teens and possibly tweenagers. Sit back on a rainy or snowy winter day and enjoy a trip to Australia through this book. Remember its summer there.

Reviewed on 11/23/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Kim Beldowski