Rob McFarland – Travel Writer

Hiking in the Canadian Rockies - photo by Rob McFarland

Escape travel section, Australia – Aug 21, 2011

I’m huddled with a dozen others on an outcrop at 2500m in the Canadian mountains.

After a glorious morning of hiking along high ridges, meandering through an eerie burnt-out forest and zig-zagging down steep snow-covered slopes, the weather has turned.

The wind picks up, the temperature falls and fat raindrops are splashing insistently against our faces.

It’s not the ideal situation to be in when you’re a four-hour walk from your accommodation. But Dave, our guide, is unperturbed. A quick call on the radio and five minutes later we hear the welcome sound of our ride home. Chad deftly lands his Bell 212 helicopter 3m from where we crouch.

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Bull riding at Calgary Stampede - photo by Rob McFarland

Escape travel section, Australia – Aug 21, 2011

I’m 2m away from a man with one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. A day in the office for 24-year-old J.B. Mauney involves hopping on the back of one tonne of muscle, hoofs and horns and trying his hardest to stay there for eight seconds.

After which he has to get off without being trampled or gored to death.

To psyche himself up, he’s hitting himself, hard and repeatedly, in the arms, legs and head. It’s an unusual but effective technique. He’s won the event for the past two days running.

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Downtown Toronto - photo by Rob McFarland

GQ Australia - April 2011

Ask most Australians what they know about Toronto and they’ll likely answer “not much”, which is surprising given it’s the fifth-largest city in North America. While it might not have the profile of LA or New York, it’s not short on charm. The world’s most multicultural city, Toronto boasts 200 different ethnicities and 130 languages. There’s a kaleidoscope of neighbourhoods including five Chinatowns, two Little Italys, a Little India and even a Little Poland.

Throw in a lakeside location, the nearby Niagara Falls and a thriving film industry and Aussies’ lack of interest seems downright ridiculous.

Read the rest of this story here: 24 Hours in Toronto (PDF)