AUSTRALIA BY BUS by Steve Kaffen (Russia)

Australia is an ideal country to explore by bus. While most visitors spend their time in the urban centers, Australia’s scenic gems, historic sites, and vibrant cultures, including those of native Aborigines and other Indigenous groups, are scattered along the coasts and in the vast interior of desert, mountains, and windswept brush of the Outback. Buses go to these places. Because of the time limitations that most visitors have for travel, and the extreme distances to many points of interest, bus travel might effectively be combined with flights to the nearest cities.

Bus travel is more than transportation; it is part of the journey. A visitor can fly over and look down, hopefully on a clear day. He or she can whiz past by train and catch panoramic glimpses of places and people that pass too quickly. Or he or she can move along at a reasonable pace and experience the passing scenery and local lifestyles, the photographic opportunities, and the camaraderie, particularly at rest stops where fellow passengers and drivers engage in spirited conversation and exchange ideas and contact information. The backgrounds of the drivers are interesting: teacher, store manager, artist, and one suggested by the author, comedian. They love their work and the chance to show visitors their beautiful country. Using narratives and some 500 photographs and descriptions of cities and towns, scenery and sites, events and activities, and the Aussies, Steve Kaffen takes the reader on a grand journey Down Under. Welcome aboard!

Steve Kaffen (Russia 1994-96)

Steve Kaffen has explored most countries and has authored over a dozen related books including two that were named Best Travel Book by Peace Corps Worldwide. He is a long-time member of the Explorers Club, nominated by mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary after they met high in the Nepal Himalayas. His travels have included close encounters with mountain gorillas, orangutans, kangaroos, yaks, camels, penguins, sharks, and a herd of buffalo all staring at him. As the Peace Corps’ Assistant Inspector General for Auditing and Senior Auditor (2003–11), he reviewed the operations in about half (35) of its posts. The best part of the country visits, per Steve, was getting to know hundreds of staff and volunteers.

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Steve has worked in public accounting, corporate, and government, and he currently serves on the D.C. Metro’s advisory committees on Accessibility, Bus & Rail transit, and Bus Network Redesign. He grew up in New York City and has also lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, and now Washington, DC.