Experiential tourism is the ultimate – to not just view a country’s culture but to “do” it – and that’s what north Queensland’s Fiona Lake is offering with her 2017 British Isles “Paddock to Plate” tour.
Best known for her glorious coffee table books documenting Australia’s largest and most famous cattle stations through her lens, the north Queensland photographer has amassed an array of contacts over the years, which she’s now putting to good use to help people explore the UK and Ireland on a more intimate level.
Nearly a month in length, participants will explore landscapes that have been farmed for centuries, visiting farm shops and marts, the UK equivalent of our saleyards, and exploring issues such as how to bridge urban-rural divides, animal welfare management, the pros and cons of farm subsidies, and livestock identification and disease management.
Urban encroachment, juggling the management of priceless heritage with farm efficiency gains, and their own vegetation management issues (hedgerows can’t just be knocked over to make larger fields) are also sure to be topics of conversation.
It’s what Fiona says makes her tour unique – meals with local farmers, who are “champing at the bit to meet Australian counterparts, chew the fat on common issues, and share a laugh”.
As if that’s not enough, the tour group will also meet up with people such as the founder of Open Farm Sunday, the previous chairman of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists, and an eloquent solicitor known for successfully defending clients against animal rights extremists’ accusations.
Fiona says she’s always been curious, always examining similarities and differences, and telling the stories of people who have their stories told less often.
“Since publishing my first book in 2005 I’ve been conversing with people all over the planet – a fantastic and completely unexpected benefit of self publishing and selling direct,” she said.
“I was startled to discover on the very first farm tour I went on, that leading a farm tour uses all the skills I’ve gathered over 30-plus years.
“That’s immensely satisfying.”
Fiona’s aim is for passengers to have a personal tour and pick up some great ideas along the way, as well as recognising what they do well already.
She’ll be making use of her personal network for special visitor dinners planned in Ireland, Scotland and England, and when the tour meets Welsh farmers at the Royal Welsh Show, the UK's largest and widely regarded as one of the world's best.
Magic photo tips bonus on UK tour
Although Fiona Lake says she’s branching out from her first love of photography on the British Isles Paddock to Plate tour, there will be plenty of opportunities to pick her brains on how to get that perfect shot.
“It’s one of my roles on the tour, to help people get good photos,” she said. “People can pick my brains all the way around. It’ll be like a month-long workshop.”
Fiona is keen to help everyone capture fantastic travel images, whether via mobile phones or expensive camera equipment.
Some of the memorable events they’ll be filming will be the Highland Games in the heart of Scotland's north, and enjoying lunch with hundreds of cheese producers on judging day at the world's largest cheese show, in England.
Fiona has visited more than a dozen countries in her career, and she has an uncommon knack of knowing what will appeal to others, whether it be a free-range pig farm or a huge Scottish grain-growing estate.
Other ag-related highlights include a historic woollen mill in Ireland and an English tannery supplying luxury car and furniture makers, and there will be plenty of opportunities to savour food that has travelled straight from producers to chefs, and to pick up inspiring marketing ideas.
“No two days will be the same and there'll be time for many early morning or evening walks to discover quirky features in the towns and villages we’ll be staying in,” said Fiona.
“Farmers are typically independent and many worry about feeling hemmed in with a tour group, but there's plenty of choice and free time en route.
“In fact, farmers often discover they're enjoying sharing observations and a laugh so much they choose to walk around together, when given the option to scatter. Many return home with life-long friendships.”
The tour leaves Australia during the height of the English summer, on July 11, when outdoor events are in full swing, the countryside is in full bloom and harvesters are still circling hedgerow-enclosed fields, and returns on August 7.
First time travellers are welcome as well as repeat visitors wishing for a more personal tour of rural regions.
Although this tour is a first for Fiona, she says she wouldn’t do it unless she was confident of her product.
“And we’ve got fantastic bus drivers – they’re tour guides too, so it’s not just me!”
Quadrant is in charge of travel and accommodation bookings.
Fiona says numbers are limited and booking early is advisable. Contact Fiona for the detailed itinerary: (07) 4728 4922 or via www.fionalake.com.au
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
