Episode 1554 — From Alice to Cairns' Coral Sea

In episode 1554, host Murray Stewart broadcasts from Cairns after recently relocating from Alice Springs. He sets the scene from an Airbnb on Charles Street — steps from the blue Coral Sea — and travels around town with his senior support person Heather, catching Ubers, visiting Cairns Central Shopping Centre, and enjoying a memorable haircut. Murray shares vivid travel anecdotes and roadside observations, including conversations with local Uber drivers who moved from other Australian cities and now speak passionately about how much they love living in Cairns. One driver’s colorful comment — “not for all the tea in China” — illustrates the strong civic pride Murray encounters, and a passenger’s note that this place is “as close to perfect as you’re going to get” becomes a springboard for reflection. The episode contrasts the fervent local affection Murray hears in tropical Queensland with his own deep attachment to Alice Springs. He explores themes of civic pride, why people fall in love with where they live, and what that devotion might mean for broader national attitudes — including a wish that more Australians, especially political leaders, would embrace and celebrate that love for country. Guests on the episode are informal and local: there are no scheduled studio guests — instead, the episode features Murray himself, his senior support worker Heather, his daughter (who takes the lead on an impromptu dinner outing), and the everyday people he meets while out and about. Key points include the emotional contrast between regions, the contagiousness of local pride, personal travel highlights, and an open-ended sign-off as Murray heads out to an unknown dinner destination. Listeners can expect a warm, observational episode full of place-based storytelling, candid conversations with locals, reflections on community and belonging, and Murray’s characteristic humor and affection for his home in Alice Springs.