Ghibli Park is known as the Studio Ghibli theme park but doesn’t contain any rides. Instead, it’s an immersive experience in the world of Studio Ghibli films. You can walk through scenes from the animations, snap a selfie next to famous characters like Totoro, and even look around iconic buildings like World Emporium (the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart). Ghibli Park opened in Nagoya, Japan in November 2022. It features five areas spread out over the large, leafy Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. In this Studio Ghibli Park review, I share how to get tickets (which sell out fast), wha ..read more

Our multi-course meal at Monk Kyoto was one of our favourite meals in Japan (and the world). While the food at Monk isn’t really Japanese, the restaurant very much has a Japanese soul, and I can’t imagine a place like this in any other country. It’s a serene, intimate dining experience (just 14 guests) with a chef who cares deeply about his creations. The dishes use local seasonal ingredients and are prepared with love and beautifully presented. Vegetables are the focus, simple but flavourful, with most things cooked in a wood-fired oven, including pizza, the star of the show. Chef Imai and h ..read more

Mission Beach is a blissfully relaxed beach town in Tropical North Queensland far from the hustle and bustle of Cairns and Port Douglas. It’s made up of four coastal villages linked by 14 kilometres of idyllic (mostly empty) golden beach fringed by palm trees—a quintessential tropical paradise. While most people come here for relaxation, there are enough things to do in Mission Beach to keep you busy including rainforest walks, wildlife spotting (it’s one of the best places to see the unique cassowary bird), and snorkelling trips to a quiet section of the outer Great Barrier Reef. In this pos ..read more

Bedarra Island Resort describes itself as barefoot luxury and we agree. Its luxury lies in its secluded location, on an island that feels like it’s all for you, and its exclusivity with just 12 villas hidden amongst the rainforest overlooking beautiful, empty beaches. With just 24 guests (adults-only), Bedarra offers a personalised experience that’s rare to find. We felt thoroughly spoilt with delicious meals, free-flowing wine and cocktails (all included), and attentive service. The resort doesn’t feel stuffy or fancy, though. There’s no dress code, the staff is happy to chat over a cocktail ..read more

Noosa, Queensland is one of the most beautiful beach towns in Australia—we fell in love with it during our three-month stay. The relaxed town features golden beaches, a scenic river, and subtropical rainforest. Much of the land is protected as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, so it’s lush and green with no high-rise development. There are plenty of things to do in Noosa—from surfing and swimming in the ocean to hiking in the national park and kayaking in the nearby everglades. As well as all the outdoor activities, Noosa has a superb food scene with some wonderful restaurants and the best farmers ..read more

Driving off-road around K’gari (Fraser Island) is one of the most fun adventures we had in Queensland, Australia. We cruised on long beaches and bumped down sandy forest tracks, swam in a turquoise lake and floated in a crystal clear creek, hiked down sand dunes and through rainforest, and spotted the iconic dingo. K’gari is a special place—it’s the world’s largest sand island (122km long) and is UNESCO World Heritage-listed for its unique landscapes. It’s the only location on Earth where subtropical rainforests grow entirely on sand, and it’s home to half the world’s perched freshwater lakes ..read more

Noosa National Park is a highlight of the beautiful beach town of Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The free park features stunning coastal and forest trails, quiet beaches, and plenty of birds and wildlife, all easily accessible from Noosa Main Beach. Don’t expect to have the trails to yourself as it’s popular with locals and visitors for walks, runs, and surfing. You can find quiet spots, though, especially if you head inland. Sunrise is my favourite time to visit. During my three months in Noosa, I visited the park many times for runs and walks. In this post, I share the best walks in ..read more

Noosa is one of Southeast Queensland’s top holiday destinations and has a fantastic food scene that makes the most of the amazing local fresh produce. From authentic Neapolitan pizza and delicious Asian fusion to creative fine dining and meals with ocean views, there’s a lot to enjoy. We spent three months eating our way around town and here are our picks for the best restaurants in Noosa. There are a lot, so we share our absolute faves at the top. You’ll find a map at the end with all the restaurants, cafes, bars, and food shops mentioned here. Contents Best Places to Eat in Noosa: Our Top ..read more

As appealing as the Sunshine Coast’s beaches are, it’s well worth tearing yourself away for a day (or preferably longer) to explore the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. In the green interior, you can walk through lush rainforest and swim in waterfalls, drive past rolling hills with views down to the ocean, shop in cute villages for locally made products, and enjoy delicious food and drink. The Hinterland is perfect for a romantic getaway (it’s popular for weddings) as there are many unique places to stay including cosy cottages (and treehouses!) with spa baths and fireplaces. But there’s plenty to ..read more

The beach town of Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast flies under the radar compared to some of the more popular destinations in the area. The laidback town retains a classic holiday vibe with most of the things to do in Caloundra focused on the ocean. Surfing, swimming, kayaking, and boating are all popular activities in Caloundra. For the less energetic, you can relax on one of the many beaches, enjoy beautiful coastal walks, eat delicious food, and admire colourful street art. Caloundra is also well placed for exploring the gorgeous Sunshine Coast Hinterland and the iconic Glasshouse ..read more