Cockatoos, quiet beaches, turtles and a self-drive boat—our Whitsundays adventure continues as we travel from Airlie Beach to Townsville.

What are your travel plans for 2026? Last-minute trips, dream destinations and how global travel changes might shape your next adventure.

Storms in New Zealand changed our travel plans, leading to an unexpected road trip adventure along Australia’s stunning East Coast.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? My top 5 dream travel destinations and a simple exercise to inspire adventure.

Looking for family days out in North Devon? For Albie’s 11th birthday we headed to Exmoor Zoo, one of our favourite local spots.

There’s something about the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula that feels wonderfully untouched. Rugged, remote and wildly beautiful — it’s the kind of place where you can properly exhale. Craig and I are always on the lookout for small, off-grid, cabin-style escapes with a serious wow factor — our kind of short break. Over the years we’ve found some absolute gems through Canopy Camping Escapes , and this particular stay was no exception. Finding “The One” We’d been bro

When you have a February birthday in the UK, you can almost guarantee one thing: it’ll either be freezing cold, wet and windy — or all three. So what do you do when you want to celebrate without spending a fortune, especially with teens and tweens in tow? Living in North Devon, we had that exact quandary. Ordinarily, I might choose somewhere a little further afield — perhaps the Eden Project or an aquarium adventure — but neither Craig nor I fancied a two-hour drive each way.

I didn’t expect my recent 30-hour layover in Bali to become one of the most confronting environmental experiences of my life. Friends who live up in the far north of the island had warned us: “You won’t get the real Bali unless you head up here.” Unfortunately, with such a short stay, Craig and I simply didn’t have the time. We agreed this would be our taster trip — and next time, we’d explore beyond the main tourist stretch. We stayed in a stunning hotel in Legian , just a

On our journey back to the UK from New Zealand, we were faced with a 30-hour layover in Bali. Now, for some, that may feel like an inconvenience — for us, it was an opportunity. After asking friends for recommendations, a few suggestions proved just a little too far from the airport for such a short stay. Convenience mattered this time. As always, I scanned the usual booking platforms and made the most of my Platinum Booker status on Hotels.com and Expedia.com — one of my f

Sometimes the best stays are the ones that almost didn’t happen. On our recent trip north, Craig and I stumbled across what turned out to be an absolute gem in the stunning Whangārei Heads area on Airbnb . Initially, the cabin wasn’t available for our first night, so we booked elsewhere. But there was something about it — and the genuinely warm, friendly communication from the owner, Kathy — that kept pulling us back. So we booked it for the following night. That decision? On

Whangārei Heads is one of those places that quietly sneaks into your favourites list — and then refuses to leave. Tucked into Northland’s rugged coastline, it offers the perfect short-break escape: wild beaches, dramatic volcanic peaks, sheltered bays, and that constant sense that you’re never done discovering it. It’s close enough to Whangārei town to duck back in if needed, yet far enough away to feel like you’ve properly escaped the hum of everyday life. And like New Zeala

Bay of Islands, New Zealand There’s something about a recommendation that keeps resurfacing. Urupukapuka Island had been mentioned to me more than once as a must visit in the Bay of Islands. Then, when I started searching for ideas for Craig’s slightly-belated birthday adventure, it popped up again — this time with the tempting promise of a “fishing adventure.” That sealed it. As the largest island in the Bay of Islands, Urupukapuka is also one of the most accessible. With n

The Bay of Islands—and Northland more broadly—has always held a special place in my heart. Every visit feels like a homecoming, and I always try to make the most of whatever time I’m lucky enough to spend up there. This most recent trip with Craig didn’t quite go to plan thanks to good old Mother Nature and the tropical storm she decided to throw at the east coast. Still, we made it north, albeit for a shorter stay than originally planned—and as usual for us, the accommodatio

On this trip, we were determined to make it right to the very top of Northland — something we hadn’t quite managed on our previous adventure. Spirits Bay was firmly on Craig’s fishing wish list, but there was one small issue… he’s not exactly a die-hard tent camper. Despite us owning all the gear, if there’s a way to avoid sleeping on the ground, he’ll find it. Enter Houhora Heads Holiday Park — the perfect middle ground between camping and comfort. Cabin Comfort Without Los

There are some places that quietly mark your life, and no matter how far you roam, they keep tugging at you. For me, the Bay of Islands is one of those places. For over twenty years it has held a truly special place in my heart—one that continues to draw me back, and now, my partner Craig too. This corner of the Northlands isn’t just a destination; it’s a feeling. A blend of ocean air, layered history, relaxed living, and landscapes that invite you to slow down and stay awhil

On our latest trip to Waihi Beach, we decided — very last minute (as in, the day before!) — to book a proper house instead of our usual smaller stays. We’ve been trying to lean more into “living” in New Zealand when we visit, especially in places we love returning to, and Another on Leo turned out to be exactly the kind of base we’d hoped for. We’d spotted it on a few booking platforms before and always thought it looked good value. We booked five nights initially, and while

This visit came about thanks to a classic Coromandel curveball — the weather turned, our original spot in Waihi Beach was fully booked, and we needed a last-minute save for Saturday night. Straight onto Hotels.com we went, and within minutes we’d locked in a Queen Tropical Garden Villa at Pacific Harbour Villas . It actually wasn’t our first time doing a last-minute dash here. We stayed a couple of years ago under similar circumstances, so we already knew this place was our

One of the highlights of our time in Waihi Beach was the stunning coastal walk to Orokawa Bay. We’ve done variations of this walk in the past, but this time we tackled the entire track with fishing rods and towels in tow, turning it into a full day coastal adventure. The walk begins at the northern end of Waihi Beach, where a well-marked trail climbs gently through coastal vegetation. From the first lookout, the Pacific stretches endlessly ahead, with waves crashing against r

Waihi Beach is one of those places that keeps calling us back. We’ve been here a few times now and every visit reminds us why we love it – long stretches of sand, salty air, great surf, and that relaxed coastal vibe that instantly slows you down. This time, though, it’s just myself and Craig. No kids, no schedules, just a couple of days away. The only catch? The weather had other ideas. Wind, rain, and grey skies rolled in, closing the beaches for swimming and surf. When the

Every year I ask my boys where they’d like to go or what they’d like to do. Sometimes that question comes back to bite me… but where’s the fun if it doesn’t? After a summer break in Fuerteventura, we casually mentioned a winter, pre-Christmas trip. Without hesitation, they both said they wanted to go to Euro Disney “when it’s all Christmassy.” I wasn’t sure I could make it happen — but I did. In November, for a belated birthday treat for my eldest, we headed off for a long we