As the frontman for legendary band Cold Chisel and with a successful solo career, NRMA Member Jimmy Barnes has been in the spotlight for almost 30 years. And that is set to continue with the release this month of his thirteenth studio album. With songs drawn from his recent experience with open-heart surgery, the album is called Out in the Blue. Ironically, the spot Jimmy describes as ‘my place’ takes him straight into the blue – sailing the Whitsundays.
“For me sailing in the Whitsundays in North Queensland is the most incredible place to be. It means total relaxation and I felt that from the first time I went there. I love sailing and how I feel when I’m up there – free, relaxed, no one around. It’s special and something I don’t get in any other place.
“We rent a schooner – we’ve booked the same one up there about five times – and sail around. The boat comes with two crew members who sail the boat and cook for you. But we like to cook so we help out and we always make sure we take on board all the spices and ingredients that we love. The crew also let us help them sail the boat and we all have a go. It’s great. It really adds to the experience of what I love about being out there.
“I always go with my family. One year we also took some friends who were visiting from overseas. We rented another boat for them and raced each other from one island to the next. We had such a great time – no-one was watching us or even knew or cared who we were so it was just us and our friends having a fantastic time, doing what it’s all about – sailing.
“We pull up at Whitehaven Beach sometimes and explore that – there’s no-one around. We stay well away from the resorts and from as many people as possible.
“You can snorkel and scuba dive from the boat – once I was scuba diving and this loggerhead turtle bobbed up in front of me. And we often see whales and dolphins swim by – unbelievable. But for me it’s all about sailing and how relaxed I feel when I’m out there. It’s hard to describe that feeling, particularly if you’re not into sailing but I love the solitude, the water, the wind. There’s no-one around except my family and I can totally unwind.”
Do you have a place that is special to you? You don’t need to be a celebrity but you will need to write to us and tell us where your favourite Australian place is and what it means to you. Contact Open Road at Level 23, 388 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or e-mail open.road@mynrma.com.au.
