As Australia's largest city (and arguably its most beautiful), there really are an insane number of things to do in Sydney— so much so that it can be downright overwhelming to know where to explore first. I lived in Sydney for almost 7 years, during which time I was constantly ticking off local favourites and hidden gems, falling more in love with this city with every coastal walk, beautiful view, and OTT brunch.[...]
From beach bums and bushwalkers to foodies and history buffs, Sydney is a lively, sparkling metropolis with a seemingly infinite number of activities for every kind of traveller. As with everywhere in Australia, though, some of that magic lies outside of the city itself, off the typical tourist track in the beautiful national parks and coastal towns that surround NSW's capital. I lived in Sydney for nearly 7 years, a[...]
Spanning 45km of the Blue Mountains National Park from Jenolan Caves to Katoomba, the Six Foot Track was constructed in 1884 as a horse route between the two cities; exactly 100 years later, the track was opened to hikers and is now one of Sydney's most popular overnight hikes. Setting out for two or three days, visit underground palaces of crystalline stalactites, explore lush and vibrant Megalong Valley, look up a[...]
The third and final day of our Six Foot Track adventures takes us through misty Megalong Valley and the lush rainforests leading up to Explorers Tree in Katoomba, where we have only a short journey back to the car and then onwards to Sydney for much-needed showers. Even without the dramatic sandstone cliffs and sprawling valley views that you'll find on most other walks in the Blue Mountains, this trail has proven t[...]
Our second day on the trail, although not terribly scenic in and of itself, proves to be our most eventful day yet as we travel 24km between Black Range and Cox River before being caught in a torrential downpour mid tent set-up. It's unpredictable (and somewhat tragic) moments like these that make the absolute best hiking stories, and thankfully with the help of several glasses of wine, we are able to laugh about it[...]
This Easter Long Weekend (or at least after spending Friday working on my thesis for about 14 uninterrupted hours), I decided to get outdoors, clear my head, and maybe work up a bit of a sweat that wasn't the result of stress. My lovely friend Barbara and I had been chatting about the Six Foot Track for quite a while, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to drive out to the Blue Mountains and tackle this histor[...]
Within an hour of central Sydney and yet a world away from the city bustle, escape into nature and discover the dramatic beauty of Australia's oldest national park on the Royal Coast Track, a stunning 30km bushwalk along secluded golden beaches, lush palm forests, and wind-sculpted cliffs. And if its proximity to the city and incredible natural scenery weren't enough to convince you, the Coast Track also offers a fa[...]
Undeniably one of the world's most beautiful cities, visitors flock from every corner of the globe to discover Sydney and its iconic Harbour, falling in love with this glittering, beachfront metropolis in a matter of minutes. Truly, the only bad thing about any trip to Sydney is the inevitable feeling of leaving too soon (even after 6 years, I still haven't run out of exciting new things to do). So whether you're her[...]
Crusing by tropical beaches and lush rainforests, through quaint coastal towns and two bustling capital cities, along ocean vistas and lake views, and over some truly dramatic landscapes on Australia's east coast, the Legendary Pacific Coast touring route is one of the country's most iconic, jaw-dropping road trips, and one that absolutely deserves a place on your bucket list. With several partial drives over the yea[...]
On the last day of our Pacific Coast road trip, Diana and I finally treat ourselves to a bit of a sleep-in (7am is now considered a sleep-in, apparently), waking up in Port Macquarie to sunny spring weather and empty beaches. We were originally scheduled to be back in Wollongong this afternoon for more work, but as often happens with research, all of our plans were scrapped by a coach at the last minute and we now ha[...]
After an amazing two days road tripping from Wollongong to Newcastle and continuing on through Port Stephens and Port Macquarie, Diana and I are beyond excited for another day on the road. We've got quite a distance to cover today, making our way from Nambucca Heads all the way to Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast so that we can begin our research with the NRL tomorrow, but there are still heaps of exciting stops planned[...]
The journey from Sydney to Brisbane along "The Legendary Pacific Coast" is without a doubt one of Australia's most beloved road trips, and one I've driven several times throughout the years, although never once in its entirety. I have wonderful memories of slow summer drives up the coast, camping out in sunny Lennox Head, sleeping in the back of the car in Nimbin, or renting a beachfront apartment in Byron Bay.. And[...]
Occupying part of Sydney's pristine Northern Beaches just a stone's throw from the CBD, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is the perfect place to escape the bustle of the city and unwind for a weekend. Lose track of time swimming at secluded beaches, walking to panoramic lookouts, and patting friendly wallabies, all from the park's only campsite, The Basin. I finally checked out this water-access campground with a few[...]
If impossibly picturesque views over Sydney's Northern Beaches are your thing (and they should absolutely be everyone's thing), there is no better spot than the Barrenjoey Lighthouse in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, accessible via a short but sweet walk near the town of Palm Beach (which you may recognise as Home & Away's iconic Summer Bay). Instantly obsessed with photos overlooking the narrow Barrenjoey Peni[...]
Every winter, thousands of Humpback Whales make the incredible 5,000km journey from Antarctica's cold, krill-rich waters to the Great Barrier Reef, where they mate, give birth (and enjoy a well-deserved tropical holiday) before returning home in spring. These beautiful giants, spanning up to 15m in length and traveling in pods of 3-5 whales, are actually increasing in number due to recent conservation and anti-whalin[...]