Embrace the Wanderlust

Trip ideas, inspiration and information for all travellers

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Alowyn Gardens Yarra Glen: Beautiful!

Alowyn Gardens Yarra Glen: Simply beautiful!

As a former local and frequent visitor to the Yarra Valley region I have heard a lot of good things about The Alowyn Gardens Yarra Glen. So, on my recent visit to the area I decided to drop by the gardens and take a look around for myself. And I wasn’t disappointed! Especially as it was autumn and the changing colours of the season where evident.

Alowyn Gardens Yarra Glen

The Alowyn Gardens…

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GETTING AROUND MELBOURNE

I’ve lived in Melbourne most of my life and know the city very well. Now that I am living interstate one of the questions I am frequently asked by friends who are planning to visit the city is “what is the best way of getting around Melbourne”? Here’s my advice.

WALKING

One of the best ways to explore Melbourne is on foot. The grid layout of the city makes getting around Melbourne easy to…

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Hotel Review: The Swanston Hotel Melbourne

After spending a few weeks in the Yarra Valley region of Victoria I decided to spend a couple of days in Melbourne’s CBD before heading back to the Gold Coast. As this was a last minute decision I logged onto Trivago to check out some hotel deals.

For me, the location of my accommodation has always been a priority, especially when I’m travelling solo. I want a hotel that is centrally located in a…

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COLDSTREAM BREWERY; A must for beer lovers

COLDSTREAM BREWERY; A must for beer lovers

If you heading to the Yarra Valley region for great a day out and you’re more of a lover of beer than wine, I highly recommend you stop by the Coldstream Brewery pub for a nice cold ale and a bite to eat.

Located approximately 45km east of Melbourne’s CBD at 694 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream, the Brewery offers an excellent range of locally produced ales, gourmet food, good service and a cosy pub…

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Blue Lotus Water Garden: Let's take a walk!

Blue Lotus Water Garden; Let's take a walk! Located in the picturesque Yarra Valley region of Victoria, the Blue Lotus Water Garden is Australia’s largest water garden.

Along my travels I have visited my fair share of famous botanical gardens, such as the stunningly beautiful Keukenhof in the Netherlands, but until my recent visit to the Blue Lotus Water Gardens I had never actually seen a garden solely dedicated to waterlily and lotus flowers.

BLUE LOTUS WATER GARDEN

The Blue Lotus Water Garden was established in 2004 by Geoff and Yvonne Cochrane and officially…

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My Guide for Packing Light

Packing light is a process. After years of over-packing or packing the wrong things, I feel that I have finally mastered the art of carry-on packing.

In terms of packing light for travel, I can confidently say that after years of over-packing or packing the wrong things, I feel that I have finally mastered the art of carry-on packing.

I realised this recently when Julia, my fourteen year old niece who lives in Perth, recently came to Melbourneto visit her Nana and me for a week during the school holidays. When Julia arrived, I couldn’t believe…

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Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery

SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIOUS! It's the only word to describe a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. This popular foodie destination is set amongst the picturesque countryside of the Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s premium wine producing regions.

Scrumdiddlyumptious! It’s the only word to describe a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, located at 35 Old Healesville Road Yarra Glen in Victoria.

Just a short one hour drive from Melbourne’s CBD the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is a popular ‘foodie’ destination set amongst the picturesque countryside of the Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s premium wine…

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10 GIFT IDEAS FOR THE TRAVELLER IN YOUR LIFE

Christmas is fast approaching and it’s time to start gift shopping! To help you find the perfect gift for the traveller in your life, I’ve put together a list of my favourite travel essentials. Each of these travel inspired gift ideas are suitable for both men and women and won’t break the budget, which makes them an ideal present to put under the tree for your loved one.

10 Gift ideas for the Traveller in your life!

If you can hear Mariah Carey, Michael Bubble and Bing Crosby singing festive songs when you’re out shopping you know that Christmas is fast approaching and it’s time to start gift shopping!

To help you find the perfect gift for the traveller in your life, I’ve put together a list of my favourite travel essentials. Each of these travel inspired gift…

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Paradise Jet Boating at Surfers Paradise

A tour with Paradise Jet Boating at Surfers Paradise Gold Coast is like experiencing the thrill of a roller coaster ride, only on water; and it’s definitely loads of fun.

PARADISE JET BOATING AT SURFERS PARADISE

A tour with Paradise Jet Boating at Surfers Paradise Gold Coast is like experiencing the thrill of a roller coaster ride, only on water; and it’s definitely loads of fun.

Paradise Jet Boating has been ranked by Trip Advisorin 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 as the number one jet boat ride in Australia. They are also certified by ECO Australia and T-QUAL recognising…

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5 top tips for saving for your trip

5 top tips for saving for your trip: Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic weekend getaway to Paris, a two week safari in South Africa or an extended journey backpacking through South East Asia, one of the best decisions you can make is to save the money you need for your holiday before you actually go.

Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic weekend getaway to Paris, a two week safari in South Africa or an extended journey backpacking through South East Asia, your holiday is going to cost you some pennies.

One of the best decisions you can make is to save the money you need for your holiday before you actually go. This way, you can relax and enjoy the trip free from the worry and burden of any…

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Pelican Feeding at Charis

Pelican Feeding at Charis Seafoods, Gold Coast: A great day out!

HARLEY PARK

For a great day out on the Gold Coast head to Harley Park located by the peaceful Broadwater at the northern end of the Gold Coast. The park provides a relaxing escape for all ages and boasts terrific barbecue facilities, shaded picnic tables and an awesome adventure playground overlooking the water that includes a sunken ship, slides, rockers and a flying fox.

At the back of the park…

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Travel Insurance

Why you need travel insurance

Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and if they happen when you’re overseas the cost of medical treatment can be incredibly expensive and financially crippling. Even a brief stay in an American hospital can cost tens of thousands of dollars and a medical evacuation from this region can range from AU$75,000 up to AU$300,000. Worse than this, in some countries…

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Currumbin Creek

Currumbin Creek: Enjoy a day on the water SUP boarding and kayaking

Imagine this; blue skies, pristine sandy shorelines and a dolphin swimming in the distance as you slowly glide along the crystal blue waters of the beautiful Currumbin Creek on your stand up paddle board or kayak.

Whether you’re a holiday maker or a local like me, there is no better way to spend a day, or even a few hours, than…

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