Real travel stories
9 signs you’re a Bali Bogan (but don’t even know it)
Bali? Why would I go to Bali? Sure, it’s gorgeous, with amazing beaches, markets, and cultural experiences. But with all the partying, binge drinking and spot-you-from-a-mile-away Aussies, I could just go to the Gold Coast, right? These were just a few of the thoughts I had when my partner suggested that he and I go …
25 years and counting: Why I keep going back to the Big Banana
I was young, stuck in a country town, and desperately missing the coast. To save our sanity, a couple of friends and I decided to take a road trip to Coffs Harbour. That was more than 25 years ago, and that trip began a love affair with a town that boasts one of Australia’s iconic …
Why I travel solo (and you should too!)
One of the most frequent questions I get asked these days is “Where’s your next trip?” It seems to roll off the tongue of my friends and family right after “How are you?” and I love it! I know how lucky I am to be able to pick up and take off as I please …
5 reasons every Sydneysider should climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
‘Incredible, iconic, traffic congestion’ are four words you’d probably never use together, yet they perfectly describe how the average Sydneysider feels about the Sydney Harbour Bridge. That included myself until about one month ago, when I finally got the chance to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Now I can only describe it as something truly …
Pro tips: 8 travel hacks from a flight attendant
Travelling isn’t always glamorous. Ziplock bags instead of designer purses, and slippers instead of stilettos are the staples of a seasoned traveller’s wardrobe. But if anyone can make it look effortless, it’s a flight attendant. They always look cool, calm, and collected, even after a 15-hour over nighter. How do they do it? I know …
Why my husband and I go on holidays without the kids
I actually credit my kids with giving me my love of travel. Growing up and into my early 20s, I could never understand why people would work all year to save for a holiday that was over in an instant. Then when I was in my late 20s, we took the kids overseas for a …
Why I love travelling with my grandkids
I’ve been on a few holidays with my grandsons since they were born – one of the more memorable being a three-week road trip down the Highway One coastline in California, taking us from Santa Monica to San Diego. While it is more work than travelling with adults, holidaying with your grandkids is an experience …
Why we went on our honeymoon before our wedding
Trekking in the Himalayas was a long-time bucket-list holiday for my wife and I. We both love getting off the beaten track, so a trip to India ticked a lot of boxes. I have travelled to India for work and was fascinated by the diverse culture and bustling nature of day-to-day life; my wife, on the …
12 more travel traditions you need to start now
Travel traditions; love em’ or hate ‘em, they really do help you remember your trips in a meaningful (and sometimes weird!) way. I recently wrote 18 Travel Traditions You Need to Start Now and the response from our Wotif Facebook community was great! It seemed like everyone had an opinion on our travel traditions, with some of …
Should you take your kids out of school for a holiday?
Most families contemplate it, but as a responsible parent, is it wise to pull your children out of school to go on holidays? My answer is yes! As a mother of two primary-school-aged children, here are the reasons why I do it, and my tips for how to do it responsibly. Why you should do …