Jessica van Vonderen

43, ABC news presenter/journalist, North Brisbane

What time do you wake up on a Saturday? Either when Harry, 9, and Benjamin, 5, come and do “stacks on!” in the bed, or if I’m lucky, I get to sleep until my alarm goes off at 6.45am, then I go to pilates.

Where and when do you exercise? Three mornings a week at my local pilates studio, but I’m keen to get back into cycling. Does kicking the footy and playing Nerf wars count?

What’s your go-to weekend breakfast?

Coffee, newspaper (the actual paper kind), fried eggs on toast with lashings of my mum’s homemade pickles.

Favourite park/green space? Roma St parklands has been my go-to since the kids were born. A combination of water dragons, beautiful gardens, playgrounds and ice cream.

Local coffee haunt? The coffee shops under the ABC studios at South Bank know us all very well. An early afternoon skinny latte helps keep me going until on-air time.

Best spot for date night? A movie and dinner. The Barracks has a bunch of delicious options to enjoy when (partner) Andrew and I get a rare night out.

Favourite takeaway? Thai or Vietnamese. Fresh and tasty. Reminds me of overseas travels.

Favourite live music/theatre venue?

For many years, I absolutely loved going to Woodford Folk Festival to check out new bands from Australia and overseas. So pleased for them that the festival is back this year after a Covid hiatus.

Favourite beach? Straddie and K’gari are just gorgeous. For an easy break, we tend to end up at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast – it’s quieter, there’s surf or calmer waters in Currumbin Creek and parks for the kids.

Favourite place to holiday or hidden treasure in Queensland?

I don’t know if it’s a secret, but the experience of seeing a turtle nesting at Mon Repos, near Bundaberg, under moonlight at midnight is something I’ll always treasure. I’d also like to go back to Carnarvon Gorge for a camping trip one day. It’s magical there.

What’s your perfect Saturday? Sunshine, a bushwalk, a nap, family, friends and music around the fire pit at home.

Jessica Van Vonderen, 7pm ABC TV News, Friday-sunday