You’d be surprised at the number of famous people there are living just down the road, in hidden little valleys, tucked away in the bush, or in plain sight.
From the super famous to the somewhat famous, and even the famous adjacent, we’re going to bring you their stories in this new monthly feature.
Channel Nine Travel Guides stars and self-professed travel snobs, Kevin Moloney and Janetta (Jet) Stones, are back from the Logies, and the Express chatted with them about their lives, adventures, their move to the country, and getting recognised on the street.
Born and bred in Melbourne, Jet began her career working for fashion label Norma Tulla before moving into sales with Trans Australia Airlines.
Kevin, who also grew up in Melbourne, got a job working in HR at TAA where he met Jet.
“And the rest, as they say, is history,” Kevin says.
“Being with the airline was an incredible experience. Back in the 80s, it was a very social workplace, spawning many airline marriages!”
In the early 2000s Jet and Kevin saw an 1861 miner’s cottage advertised for sale in Maldon. With quite a few people at the inspection, the pair acted quickly and purchased the property for a bargain price.
“It was cute, quaint, cosy and quirky, and the total opposite of what we were living in Abbotsford,” Jet says.
“We had the best of both worlds – or three worlds for that matter – the speed and freneticism of Melbourne, the quiet open spaces of Maldon, and the thrill of overseas destinations.
“Working at the airline certainly gave us our love and lust for travel and we are still travel addicts,” she says.
The couple renovated the old mine manager’s cottage a few times, making sure to maintain the historical feel, but in 2012 when they retired, sold their house in Melbourne and moved to the cottage permanently, they decided to extend and renovate once more.
“It now had secret rooms, hidden doors, traditional timbers, stone floors and an acre of garden – something I could never achieve in Abbotsford,” Kevin says.
Jet says while they were happy in the cottage, they were always looking forward to a new challenge.
“Once we had the house and garden looking and feeling the way we wanted, we needed another project, so we sold it and bought another – just 400 metres up the road.
“I turned to Kevin and said, ‘What have we done?’. We’d sold a lovely home that we’d poured our heart and soul into for another one that needed so much work, I just couldn’t imagine how anyone could live there.
“I’ll admit it – I had more than just a few doubts. Let’s face it. It was a dump!” Jet says.
“Yes. But the result turned out so well,” Kevin says.
“We did a massive renovation, transformed the garden and now we have a unique and beautiful home and we love it.”
Not long before the move Jet had seen an ad on TV for a new travel show that said, ‘If you like to travel and can afford to take three months off, apply here’.
Despite Kevin’s skepticism (“What would they want with us?”) Jet was determined to put in an application. Once she had progressed with the application process she decided she’d better involve Kevin (who eventually came on board) and the pair applied.
After months of interviews, phone conversations and screen tests, Kevin and Jet were offered the role as cast members on Travel Guides, something that absolutely changed their lives.
That was back in 2015 and since then the pair have filmed 55 episodes over seven seasons in destinations all around the world.
“To say it’s been a wild ride would be a massive understatement,” Kevin says.
“We’ve always been huge travellers, but this sort of travel is next level!
“There have been some wild experiences – eating deep-fried tarantulas in Cambodia, jumping out of airplanes in Queensland, being set on fire at a stunt training camp and other whacky… “And what about zip-lining above active volcanoes in Hawaii?” interjects Jet.
“Or going under Iguazu Falls in a tin dinghy? Oh yes, we’ve done some crazy things on the show and they’ve taken us out of our comfort zone too many times. The way we travel on the show is very different from how we would do it ourselves,” she says.
“Not everyone is aware, but we don’t have a clue where we’re going until we get to the airport. We could end up in Adelaide or Amsterdam. We get a temperature list and a bit of a packing list and that’s it.
“We’re super-organised when it comes to travelling so being in the dark is a bit discomforting.”
“We’re getting used to it though,” Kevin says.
“Being on Travel Guides has really changed our lives,” Jet says.
“Who would have thought that at our age we’d be stopped in the street and recognised? Everyone is terrific and wants to share their stories with us – we love it.”
“It’s really weird. We’ve spent so many years poo-hooing the Logies but it’s a very different story when you’re nominated, and an even more different one when you actually win the statue,” Kevin says.
“Now that the show’s got two of them on the mantlepiece (Most Popular Lifestyle Program), I take back everything I’ve ever said about them – it’s a night that is way too much fun.”
“Whether they’re on the Gold Coast or in Sydney, it’s just so exciting to be all dressed up and rubbing shoulders with Australia’s celebs,” Jet says.
“There’s really nothing else like it. I remember when I was a young girl, thinking how glamorous they are, and now we’re right among the glamour, It’s a little surreal, but in a good way.
“We’ll keep going to the Logies as long as Travel Guides is nominated. And we’ll keep doing Travel Guides as long as Channel Nine asks us.
“Who knows, there might even be a series of Travel Guides on Zimmer Frames!” Jet laughs.
“Since we moved to central Victoria, we’ve sort of lived a charmed life and Travel Guides has added to that charm and offered us a lifestyle that we know to be very fortunate,” Kevin says.
“We know that for a fact and appreciate every minute of it. Retirement for us took a major detour and we’re very grateful for it.
“We’re heading off on Sunday for the first trip of Season 8. We have no idea where we are going – but we’re secretly hoping it will be Peru!”
