The brutal reality check that hits every backpacker flying from SE Asia into Australia. The barman at the first pub I walked into after dropping my bag slid a schooner across the bar and said nine dollars. I handed over a tenner and stood there waiting for change that wasn’t coming. He’d already moved on. I picked up the glass and did the maths in my head the way you do when you already know the answer isn’t good. Here’s what Southeast Asia does to you. It makes you genuinely […]

The post It Stopped Feeling Like Travelling and Started Feeling Like Surviving appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

The Hunter Valley is a bit of a legend in Australia. As our oldest wine region, it carries a certain weight. But for a first-time visitor, it can be… overwhelming. On my first trip years ago, I made the classic mistake: I bounced between the three giant, famous wineries you see on every billboard, tasted the same two styles of wine, and left feeling like I’d missed something. I had. The real soul of the Hunter isn’t on the main road. It’s tucked down dusty driveways, in small tin sheds, […]

The post The Insider’s Itinerary: How to Find the Real Hunter Valley (Beyond the Big Names) appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

I have spent nearly 6 months in Australia over the past 20 years of traveling in this part of that world. I keep returning because of its geographic landscape, history, food, wine scene, and incredible diversity of experiences. And the fact that it never feels over crowded. But the one destination that has eluded me so far has been Tasmania. Recently I began thinking about exploring this island and began doing some research in preparation for a possible visit. First, I’ll start with the basics: Tasmania is not a country, […]

The post Chasing Wilderness: Why Tasmania Just Hit the Top of My Travel List appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

It is no secret that New Zealand is famous for its outstanding and pristine natural landscape. From lush forests and tumbling waterfalls to sprawling mountain ranges and never-ending coastlines, there are endless opportunities to get outside and enjoy the country’s best running trails. Whether you are searching for a family-friendly activity to get the kids out of the house for the day or a challenging but manageable opprtunity to break in your new men’s running shoes, the picturesque New Zealand landscape offers numerous running trails to enjoy all year long. […]

The post Chasing the Sun: The Best Running Trails in New Zealand appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of visiting or living in Australia will tell you that this vast country has plenty to offer lovers of all things nature. Its sheer size hosts a variety of different ecosystems, biomes, and natural wonders that need to be seen to be believed. Australia is home to the largest artesian system in the world, with nearly 600 artesian spring complexes found throughout the country, divided into 12 major groups ranging in size and temperature. There has never been a better time than now […]

The post Winter Dip: Exploring Australia Thermal Springs appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Australia is one of the most beautiful countries to explore. With vast open land, mountains, and bush, it is also home to countless incredible hiking trails. Here are a few of the best ones you need to experience. Overland Track & Cradle Mountain Mountain The Overland track is widely regarded as one of, if not the best, in Australia. Spanning over 60km, this moderate path is ideal for newbies and experienced hikers, and you can walk for up to 7 hours in a day. While the “vape ban Australia” news […]

The post Breathtaking Hiking Trails In Australia appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

From magnificent sandstone buildings to extravagant marble interiors, there is always something charming and beautiful about historical architecture with a rich history behind it. In Australia, multiple heritage-listed buildings have been refurbished and transformed into hotels, giving travellers a chance to experience the old-world charm of these gorgeous buildings. In this guide, we have handpicked the 8 best heritage hotels in Australia that are nothing but captivating. Capella Sydney is one of the best-designed heritage hotels in Sydney. The 5-star luxury hotel is built inside a heritage-listed sandstone building, previously […]

The post The 8 Best Heritage Hotels in Australia appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Imagine stepping aboard one of the luxurious dinner cruises on Sydney Harbour, surrounded by shimmering waters, iconic landmarks, and the promise of an unforgettable evening. Now picture yourself as someone who loves intimate experiences, seeking a serene dinner cruise, only to find yourself trapped in a boat with a bustling crowd. Or you crave mild temperatures, but the summer heat threatens to dampen your spirits. It hardly sounds fun, does it? Fear not! We’ll help you find the best time for your dream dinner cruise in Sydney. We will point […]

The post Setting Sail On Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise – We’ll Tell You When! appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

There is little need to introduce Byron Bay. Most travelers have either visited Byron Bay, NSW or have the destination firmly added to their Australia travel bucket list. The breezy town on NSW’s North Coast is famous for its abundance of beaches as well as its hinterland of rainforest, artistic neighborhood, and inventive culture. Once the preferred hangout of hippies and bohemian sea changers, it has since attracted forward-thinking restaurateurs, designers, and celebrities. Since the 60s, when surfing was at its peak, Byron Bay has changed significantly. Beach shacks have […]

The post A Perfect Day In Byron Bay, Australia appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Several years ago I spent a year travelling and living in Melbourne, Australia. One of Australia’s great cities – it is not to big and not to small either. And I was attracted to the friendly people; it wasn’t hard to make new friends at all. My time in the country was quite an adventure – living in a new place with new sights, sounds, and experiences. It did remind me of my time in Canada a little bit – with numerous similarities between both first world countries. The primary […]

The post Travelling and living in Melbourne, Australia appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Sitting on a 17-hour flight I felt like an ungrateful child.  I had the opportunity to take an amazing trip halfway around the world. UK office blocks are full to the dropped-ceilings with dreams of Down Under. Australia had just never been on The List. My husband and I were visiting friends who had fallen in love with Sydney and emigrated.  I assumed it would be very similar to the UK, and when we landed, it was.  Everything is in English, the Victorian architecture is similar to the UK, and […]

The post All Aboard the Australia Bandwagon appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Queenstown should be at the top of your bucket list on your trip to New Zealand. Located in the South Island of the country, you’ll find yourself surrounded by remarkable mountain peaks (coincidentally one of the ranges is called The Remarkables), turquoise lakes and native greenery. Five days in Queenstown is the perfect amount of time to stay. We’ve chosen our nine best things to do in Queenstown, from walks to wineries and adventure activities. Take a Gondola Ride up Bob’s Peak Take in the views of Queenstown without having […]

The post 9 Best Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Aotearoa, the Maori name for New Zealand stayed in my head days after I inhaled its poetry, its wild forest, its volcanic lake in a caldera, the slow, gentle rhythm of its longest river, Waikato and its multi-cultural people. The North Island floated in my landscape that wanted to hear its voice during fall. There I was introduced into the polyglot voices of the Pasifika experience of Karlo Mila, a poet who captures the essence of relationships both of the urban landscape and the island cultures that dot the South […]

The post New Zealand of My Thirst appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

A tourist information office is conventionally known as a resource where visitors can learn about the local region. Generally, these are nondescript locales that seldom merit a mention. However, during my vacation in New Zealand, the local tourist information office took on a whole new meaning for me. Owned and managed by Tourism New Zealand, i-SITE Visitor Information Centers not only offer the best information to help tourists navigate, they have much-extended functionalities beyond what one normally expects from a conventional tourist office. For a small fee, visitor’s can take […]

The post i-SITE New Zealand, more than just a regular tourist information office appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

If a trip Down Under is on your bucket list, take note that United Airlines launched a new Houston to Sydney daily nonstop service on January 18th. United is the only airline offering nonstop service from Houston to any Australian destination. I was lucky enough to be on board for the festive inaugural flight. Here’s the scoop on the 8,596-mile journey. Aussie Treats To Tempt The Taste Buds The party started at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, United’s hub. Before boarding, appetites were tempted with an assortment of traditional Australian […]

The post United’s New Houston To Sydney Route Takes Flight appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.