I wake to the sound of birds chirping and waves gently lapping at the nearby shoreline. I’ve had the most amazing sleep, and I’m so cosy and warm that I don’t want to get out of bed – but then I sit up and crack open the door to the most incredible ocean view I’ve ever woken up to. This is my idea of a holiday. I’m guessing van-cation isn’t the word you would have attached to this kind of travel, so I’ll say it… van life. There’s a reason – actually, quite a few reasons – that #vanlife became a viral sensation. Living in a van, whether it’s long-term or just for a week, can be one of the mos ..read more

Image credit: Jake Wilton For a wannabe photographer (like me), there’s just as much beauty to be captured underwater as there is on dry land. The problem lies in learning the skills to do so. Unfortunately for me – much like with astrophotography – underwater photography feels (at least so far) entirely beyond my capabilities. Take a look below at my best effort to date, which I took on a trip to the incredible Great Barrier Reef. For emphasis, let’s compare it side-by-side with one from Jake Wilton – a Nikon Creator, ocean, nature and travel photographer, diver, and marine biologist wit ..read more

On our recent Kilbirnie Peak trip, we had all the modern luxuries – they don’t call it glamping for no reason – but we still found ourselves wanting power where there was none. One of the perils of working on the road, I guess, but it was a good thing we’d brought along the EcoFlow Delta 2. When I needed to get some work done and realised my laptop was flat, but I wanted to work by the campfire – Delta 2 to the rescue. At bedtime, having forgotten about our phones all day, we realised we needed an alarm in the morning. Of course, the tent didn’t have power, but all I needed to do was grab the ..read more

“Ohh. Myyy. Gooddd!” Lori’s excitement at the views from Kilbirnie Peak can’t be contained, but I’m totally speechless. We’ve just arrived at Kilbirnie Peak and slowly driven the rocky track to its summit, where our luxury glamping accommodation is perched. To our right, rural hills roll out to a wind farm in the distance, but we’re most excited to see the view we’ll be waking up to. We jump out of the van and climb the few steps onto the deck. “You have got to be kidding me.” I finally have words. It isn’t much, but it’s the best I could manage. The photos on Hipcamp don’t even come close t ..read more

Mexico’s wastland is awash with all kinds of outdoor adventures, from exploring tropical beaches to traversing huge canyons and 2,000-metre (and more) mountain peaks. It will definitely surprise you. Some think of Mexico’s west as the arid part of the country. However, the tropical landscapes are just as stunning as Tulum’s beaches. You shouldn’t miss this waterfall-dotted part of Mexico, especially if you want to escape the tourist crowds. Although La Huasteca can get busy, it is not as busy as the beach destinations most tourists flock to, and is mostly known by Mexicans.  I faced ..read more

A sudden squall almost takes the map from your hands as you try to check your directions from the train station to Minnamurra Point. You assume this is nature’s way of confirming that, yes, you’re most definitely approaching the Kiama Coast Walk, and decide to put the map away. Soon, you’re standing on the grassy track at Minnamurra Point with the salty air filling your nostrils, watching the sun glinting off the waves as they dance along the Boyds Beach shoreline at the mouth of the Minnamurra River. It’s a magical place, and this is just the beginning. Welcome to one of the most picturesqu ..read more

When travelling to Jordan, most people head to the south of the country where Petra and Wadi Rum are located. But the wild green mountains and unique flora and fauna of the Ajloun Highlands in the north of Jordan are an under-visited gem just waiting to be discovered. Located around 76 km north of Amman, the main attractions of Ajloun are the Ajloun Forest Reserve and the nearby Ajlound Castle. Ajloun Forest Reserve is one of Jordan’s Nature Reserves, under the control and protection of Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). The reserve protects over 13 square kilomet ..read more

Beyond the postcard-perfect views of Santorini and small villages perched on its cliff sides, I’d always heard tales of a captivating hike that stretches from Fira to Oia. A journey of approximately 10.5 km (6.5 miles) that promises to immerse you in the island’s beauty. To be completely honest, I did have my reservations. Could a hike that’s so popular still offer a sense of solitude and wonder?​ My friend had been on this trail countless times. She’d often regale me with stories of the path’s varying terrains, from paved pedestrian streets to rustic dirt paths. “You have to experience it ..read more

At the height of the ‘Gold Rush’ in the 1850s, the rugged terrains of Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria were sprawled with tents and makeshift abodes – impromptu villages pulsating with the dreams and aspirations of miners from distant lands. These now peaceful landscapes, where Spa Country visitors rejuvenate, and hikers reconnect with nature on the Goldfields Track, were once a frenzy of activity and sound – a kaleidoscope of accents and languages, horses galloping and picks striking rock. It’s unimaginable what the Djaara, who had lived in harmony with this land for thousands of ..read more

Ancient ferns bow gently across the trail, and mossy tendrils hang from ancient trees. Your nostrils fill with the fragrant mixture of damp earth, decaying vegetation, and a cocktail of subtle scents of the diverse rainforest vegetation. A chorus of unseen songbirds serenade you as you walk, accented by the sound of the forest canopy rustling in the breeze as if whispering secrets of a time when dinosaurs roamed Gondwanaland. Hiking through Dorrigo National Park is like visiting a living museum – or a living gallery with nature’s artistry on display. A relic of ancient times, preserved and p ..read more