We love rural, small towns for their laid-back lifestyle and warm hospitality. Australia is not short of them, too. Despite being a small town, there are plenty of things to do in Mudgee, New South Wales, which is known for its wine production, historic buildings, and vibrant community spirit. Mudgee. | Credit: Destination NSW Why, oh why, did we wait 40 years to visit Mudgee? We grew up only 4 hours away, but it wasn’t until our 18-month road trip around Australia that we made the effort to go. Well, let me just say Mudgee, as wine regions go, you’re a great alternative to the Hunter Valley ..read more

So we’re naming the Bungalow Bay Koala Village on Magnetic Island as one of the coolest hostels in Australia. And there’s a good reason for this – it’s the only place on the island where you can sleep inside a wildlife sanctuary with cuddly koalas. How many places in the world allow this experience? Whether you’re a budget traveler, or a family like us, there’s no competition when it comes to finding a place to stay on Magnetic Island, especially if you love animals like us. It stole Kalyra’s heart. Everyday, she’d ask if she could do the wildlife tour and have breakfast with with crocs, liza ..read more

Most people think that nothing interesting exists on the western side of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales, but I’m here to tell you that this is far from the truth. As it turns out, there are a number of things to do in Coonamble and the surrounding region. This small town is known as the gateway to The Pilliga Forest, and is also nestled in a convenient location to reach the Macquarie Marshes and Warrumbungle National Park. Warrumbungle NP | Credit: Destination NSW As well as exploring this iconic forest that’s known across the country for its rugged landscape, Coonamble boasts Aus ..read more

Rockhampton in Central Queensland is known for two things; caves and crocodiles. I love travel experiences that teach my girls a little about the world, and it’s even better when it also fascinates them. That’s why we decided to make a stop in this Queensland town on our Australia road trip, because there are so many things to do in Rockhampton that provide eye-opening and inspiring experiences for families. Rockhampton makes its name from its beef production, being the largest bull breeding town in Australia, but it’s also known for its natural beauty. Being on the banks of the Fitzroy River ..read more

If you’re looking for a destination that’s famous for its gourmet wineries, award-winning restaurants, and picturesque rolling countryside views, then head to the town of Orange in New South Wales. Despite being a small town of less than 50,000 residents, there are plenty of things to do in Orange. It’s location in the Central Tablelands, with an altitude of over 863 meters, means its the perfect destination for the great outdoors. Orange is also known as “Australia’s Colour City,” not just by because of its strange name but because of the vibrant nature colors it exhibits in Autumn, adding an ..read more

If you’re looking for a great experience to have in Hunter Valley, then look no further than a hot air balloon flight. Hot air balloon flights over Hunter Valley are a great way to get spectacular views of the region, as well as have a memorable way to remember your trip. As the sun rises, you’ll soar above the picturesque vineyards and farmland, marveling at the stunning scenery below. What’s more is that The Hunter Valley is renowned for its premiere wines, and what better place to sip on a cool glass of champagne than with a champagne breakfast from the vantage point of a hot air balloon? T ..read more

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo is one of the most famous zoos in Australia, known for its open-range exhibits that not only allow you to get up close and personal with a diverse range of animals, but also allows animals to roam freely without feeling caged. As animal lovers, and parents of children who love animals, we are always conscious of whether or not a zoo will be a worthwhile activitity. Normally, we find it hard to get up for a trip to the zoo. After spending five months in Africa, including safaris at some of the top game parks and reserves like Kruger National Park in South Af ..read more

Ah, Winton Queensland. You sure caught us by surprise! This tiny, remote town is not on every traveler’s radar, and it wasn’t even on ours until our friends told us about it. “It’s only a one-street town, but we liked it. It was quaint, and it’s so nice to sit outside at the pub on the corner and watch the Winton world go by.” Despite being only home to around 856 people (according to the 2021 census) you’d be surprised by the amount of things to do in Winton. It’s surrounded by vast, open desert plains, cutting it off from everywhere and everyone, so you can be sure the locals have created s ..read more

Australia is the sixth biggest country and is also one of the most diverse. With every state and territory, there is such a different landscape and climate from the next, the best way to see it is undeniably from the road. Driving in Australia doesn’t need to install fear in you. If you have an international drivers license and are confident on the road in your own country, then you have nothing to fear about driving around Australia. Driving on Kangaroo Island However, there are some things you need to be aware of when taking a road trip in Aus in order to save time, money, fuel economy and s ..read more

It was blowing a gale when we arrived at our campsite in Denham, 30 minutes down the road from Monkey Mia. It was so bad that the pole that holds up the canvas roof over the girl’s bed in the camper trailer snapped. The Jayco strikes again. It wasn’t welcoming, like the gentle, soothing breezes we thought we were going to find at the coastal destination of Monkey Mia in Western Australia, and it had us thinking “is Monkey Mia worth visiting?” or should we pack up and go home. We’re used to bad weather and annoying circumstances on our travels, and rarely let it dampen our experience of a plac ..read more