Rusty Compass - an independent travel guide to Australia, Cambodia and Vietnam

Travel guide to
Australia · Cambodia · Laos · Vietnam

handpicked · independent

Sydney's new harbour swimming pool - right by The Rocks

Photo feature

Sydney's new harbour swimming pool - right by The Rocks

There is probably no major city in the world that’s better set up for swimmers than Sydney. We're... enlarge

FEATURES

30 years exploring Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City Blog

30 years exploring Vietnam

2023 marks 30 years since I led my first tour through Vietnam. It was August 1993. After decades of war and economic hardship, a long-awaited optimism was taking root across the... more

The bus to Bondi is broken - Sydney's public transport is a shambles

Sydney Blog

The bus to Bondi is broken - Sydney's public transport is a shambles

The 333 service to Bondi Beach is Sydney's busiest bus route. It's especially popular with international tourists. It’s in dismal shape -... more

What's new in Sydney - a cultural travel guide

Sydney see and do

What's new in Sydney - a cultural travel guide

Sydney is changing fast. There are loads of new things for travellers to see and experience in the city from museums and galleries to new... more

Sydney has a new King - a visit to historic Government House

Sydney Blog

Sydney has a new King - a visit to historic Government House

One of the peculiar things you’ll discover as a visitor to Australia in 2023 is that our head of state isn’t Australian and doesn’t live... more

Travel has changed forever II - the big players

Sydney Blog

Travel has changed forever II - the big players

The small businesses of the international travel industry are its heroes. Across the world, most of the businesses that survive in tourism... more

Travel has changed forever I - risk and reward

Sydney Blog

Travel has changed forever I - risk and reward

When borders began to reopen in Australia and South East Asia at the end of February 2022, I found myself very quickly back out on the... more

Hoi An Postcard 2022 - Vietnam is open

Hoi An Blog

Hoi An Postcard 2022 - Vietnam is open

How is Hoi An, Vietnam's most loved World Heritage travel destination, faring after the reopening of borders in March 2022? Check out the... more

RECENT REVIEWS

Hoi An

Hoi An Introduction

Hoi An

Most travellers will rate Hoi An close to the top of their list of places to visit in Vietnam. It’s a perfect combination of history, architecture,... more

Hoi An eating

Hoi An eating

Hoi An eating

Hoi An is the birthplace of some of Vietnam's most delectable local specialties. Cao lau is a favourite of mine. There are other specialties too.... more

Sydney

Sydney Introduction

Sydney

Sydney is one of the world's most recognisable and best-loved cities. Its dazzling harbour setting and natural beauty are matched by a thriving... more

Australia

Australia Introduction

Australia

Rusty Compass is home - in Australia.After three decades of non-stop international exploration, Rusty Compass has landed home in Australia. A global... more

Beaches of Sydney

Sydney see and do

Beaches of Sydney

Sydney's beaches are legendary - they're a big feature of the city's summer lifestyle and a magnet for global travellers. Even if you're not a... more

Vietnam

Vietnam Introduction

Vietnam

I've had the privilege of exploring Vietnam for thirty years. I've lived many of those years in the country too - I have to pinch myself when I... more