Home to 74 paradisiacal islands situated in the heart great barrier reef, this magical place is a non negotiable for tourists visiting Queensland. Most of the Whitsunday Islands are uninhabited and are a protected National Park teaming with wildlife, surrounded by colourful coral and white silica sand. But there are a few islands that are open for tourists to holiday on. When to go? The Whitsundays are located in tropical Queensland so temperatures rarely drop below 23 degrees all year round but the best times to go are Spring or Autumn. Avoid traveling during Jan-Mar as it is the rainy season, temperatures are very high, humidity is high and it is school holidays. ‘Stinger season’ also runs during the warmer months (Oct-May). That being said, jellyfish can be present year round. April- May: Heat and humidity are less, days are bright and clear with pleasant temperatures of high 20s. Jun-Aug: Best time to be in luck of spotting majestic humpback whales. Cooler temperatures of low- mid 20s dropping to 16-17 degrees at night. Sept- Oct: Peak season with glorious temperatures of high 20s, clear days and light winds. Whitsundays highlights: Whitehaven beach…
Western Australia is an enormous land mass, bigger than any European country and if it was its own country, it would be the 10th largest in the world. The sheer size of the state and long stretches without anything at all except desert for hundreds of miles, may put some travellers off visiting it. But don’t let the mammoth drives discourage you from visiting this beautiful area as you will be handsomely rewarded with beautiful vineyards and artisan food down south, pristine beaches with no-one in sight for miles along WA’s 12,500 km of coastline, red desert meeting the glistening blue sea, unforgettable sunsets, gorges and waterfalls in the National Parks and an abundance of marine life in the Indian Ocean. WA has a carefree spirit about it that’s free from the baggage and busyness of the east coast. It is also rich in Aboriginal culture that is far more apparent than any other part of Australia. You could spend months travelling up the coast and inland to explore the outback but we managed to fit what are considered the highlights of WA into a month long trip. The best way…
Byron Bay, located on the north east of NSW is the epitany of chill and laid back. It is well known for it hippy vibes, surfing paradise, boho boutiques, vegan cafes and a place where shoes are optional. Byron manages to combine the carefree finesse of the 60’s with modern day cool. There is something for everyone here from joining the local surfers at the legendary breaks or disappear into the hinterland in search of quaint towns and artesian food. Byron stole my heart on my first visit, I loved it so much so I booked to return a month later before I had even left. The minute you arrive you are hit with holiday feels and a sense of calm. Byron has been THE place for Sydneysiders to visit when interstate and international travel was off the cards so it has become a lot busier in recent times but despite the extra traffic, it has retained it’s charming small town feel. There is so much to do here, you won’t be short of activities to keep you busy. But it’s also a perfect place to chill, enjoy great food and do nothing…
Escaping to nature, detoxing from our hectic, digital lifestyles and discovering nature whilst staying in comfort is what Tiny Away is all about. Sometimes all we want is a getaway, and a true break from all the distractions, hustle and busyness of our general lives. Tiny Away was a perfect way to spend quality time together with nothing to do bar enjoy nature, cook and listen to the birds chirping, without the interference of the sound of others or traffic. The Tiny Away we stayed in was located just a five minute drive outside of Berry, a very quaint town in Shoalhaven region of the New South Wales. It’s a perfect location for a quick night away from Sydney being only a 2 hour drive south of the city and a ten minute drive to Seven Mile Beach National Park. True Colours Tiny House The tiny house we stayed in was called True Colours, located on 5 acres and surrounded with animals such as horses, dogs, chickens, and a cat, a veggie garden, and fruit trees. The property is an equine assisted therapy centre. We were honoured to be the first guests to stay in this gorgeous home…
The North and Central Coast of New South Wales is beautiful with so many gorgeous, empty beaches that go on for miles (literally, one of them 31 km long), rainforest, pristine National Parks, mountains and dotted with cute, quaint seaside towns. I took a road trip up the coast, North of Sydney and finishing up in Byron Bay. I wasn’t sure what to expect although I had heard of the beautiful expansive beaches and quieter towns where people are friendlier and things move at a less hectic pace. I would highly recommend a road trip up the coast, stopping to explore the beaches, National Parks, sunrises, hikes and quaint cafes. Central Coast Long Jetty Named appropriately for its three extremely long jetties, this once sleepy town has been dubbed the “Newtown fo the Central Coast” and has been gaining attention and fast becoming the Central Coasts hippest destination. With plenty of cool eateries, unique boho boutiques, sleek bars and pretty jetties, it is perfect for a lunch stop off or a day out from Sydney. Things to do: Enjoy a walk along the jetties and the Foreshore walk. They are even more beautiful at sunset. 2…
Byron Bay, renowned for its turquoise waters, laid back vibe, gleaming sand and tropical climate. It is fast becoming famous for its amazing food, drinks and cafe culture. When researching Byron, one of the top things to do was eating and drinking so here is a guide to the best restaurants, cafes and bars in Byron Bay. The brunch scene is the strongest I’ve seen yet and rivals any city I’ve visited. It is paradise for any foodies and coffee lover alike with a plethora of cafes, restaurants and coffee shops lining the streets. The vegan and vego scene is pretty strong here too with many vegan and vegetarian restaurants, vegan menus in places and great vego and vegan options on all the menus. Dinner: Daughter in Law. A new Indian restaurant on the scene where St Elmo previously was, it might seem familiar to anyone who has been to it’s sister restaurant, Don”t Tell Aunty, in Surry Hills, Sydney. This authentic The theme is cocktails and curry, bright lights, vibrant colours and tasty food for sharing. It is set at a reasonable price point and the food is extremely tasty. They…
Mudgee is a small country historical town located 268 km northwest of Sydney, past the Blue Mountains. It is surrounded by dozen of wineries, which is the obvious reason visitors flock to the colonial town. The food scene in Mudgee has a lot to offer too with an array of restaurants and cafes lining the main street. Mudgee is about a 3 and a half hour drive from Sydney, making it a perfect distance for a weekend break or an extended weekend throwing in a stop off in the Blue Mountains on the way. Best time of year to visit: Spring and Autumn are undoubtedly the best time to year to visit Mudgee. Due to its inland location, it can get bitterly cold during the winter and extremely warm during the summer, neither of which make ideal conditions for sitting in vineyards sipping wine. The cherry blossoms are in bloom in Spring (Sept- Nov) which make a gorgeous backdrop to vineyard photos. The night time is still chilly (lows of 7 degrees) but the days are sunny and dry in general. In non COVID times, September is when the calendar peaks with the Mudgee Food and wine festival which is…
Singapore is such a great city. It is so diverse and has a eclectic mixture of cultures. My favourite part of the city is the mix of the old and new, bright lights, modern shopping malls juxtaposed with the old temples, grand mosques and traditional shops. For such a small country and relatively compact city, there is such a wide range of things to do. There are great hikes and wildlife within a few mins from the heart of the city. Best time to visit Singapore I went during the rainy season which wasn’t ideal as a lot of the sights are outdoors and when it rains, its pours. Although for the most part, Singapore is a year round destination, the best time to visit is during Singapore’s dry season, between February and April. Singapore’s monsoon season is December- January and is slightly cooler. Although the torrential downpours of rain weren’t ideal, the run up to Christmas is a wonderful time to experience the bright lights of Singapore. The Gardens by the Bay are extra special during the festive period. Here are some of the highlights from my trip to Singapore and…
This is got to be the best way to travel between Coron and El Nido in Palawan if you have the luxury of time and a bit of extra money. It is definitely the most unique way of traveling between the islands and I would recommend it to everyone if they have the time. The expedition cruises last between 3-5 days depending on what option you go for. I opted for the 3 day cruise between El Nido and Coron. It was a fantastic experience islanding hopping around remotes islands visited only by a very lucky few, sleeping on private islands in little huts, enjoying incredible food freshly caught from the sea by our resident spear fisher, meeting families from the remotes islands, snorkelling with turtles and making friends for life around the camp fire at night. Trip overview: The trip I did and the most popular one lasts 3 days, 2 nights. It leaves from Coron/ EL Nido at 8am and everyone meets before at the pier for a safety briefing. You arrive into Coron/ El Nido (depending on the direction you travel in) just after sunset (6pm) so you can enjoy one last sunset from the boat…
The Kawasan falls are arguable the most beautiful series of waterfalls in the Philippines and are the most visited of all the waterfalls. The are on the island of Cebu and can be reached from anywhere on the island but the closest place to visit them from is from Moalboal in the south west of Cebu. The waterfalls are famous of their gatorade blue colour and for the canyoneering you can do from the various cliffs into the pool beneath. Every corner or hostel in Moalboal will have signs for canyoneering tours and full day tours to the Kawasan falls which if you’re tight on money, tight ton time and hate tours like me you will want to dodge. The tours start from 1500 peso upwards and can be as much as 3000 peso from Moalboal. It is the perfect spot for canyoneering as Kawasan Falls in Cebu offers all the activities that compromise canyoneering: swimming, climbing, hiking, cliff diving and so much more. This includes you transport, entrance fee, tour guide, lunch and equipment. The tours usually pick you up at 9 am and return somewhere about 3-4pm in the afternoon. I prefer having the freedom…