Hiking Roy’s Peak was one of my favorite days I’ve had in New Zealand so far. It’s a challenging climb, and not one to be underestimated: this is a hike up a real mountain, and you need to be prepared. It’s also a very popular route, with the crowds to match (especially for sunrise). Here’s… Read More The Most Epic Hike in Wanaka: What to Know About Roy’s Peak
Mount Sunday was one of my first destinations on my big New Zealand road trip earlier this year. And it was also one of my favorite places from the entire trip! This epic hill in the Ashburton Lakes region was the stand-in for Edoras, the capital of Rohan, in the Lord of the Rings movies.… Read More Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Mount Sunday (Edoras)
Queenstown is a must-visit destination on any trip to New Zealand. It’s full of adventurous things to do, and the scenery around Lake Wakatipu is breathtaking. There are so many good walks to do in the area, it can be hard to choose! Here are the most beautiful day hikes to do around Queenstown, New… Read More The Best Day Hikes Around Queenstown, New Zealand
Mount Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in Australia, rising 2228 meters above sea level. It’s a pretty popular peak to summit! There are several different routes to the summit of Kozzie (as it’s known). The Summit Track is the shortest route up from Charlotte Pass, or you can take the chairlift up from Thredbo for… Read More The Best Route Up Mount Kosciuszko: The Main Range Loop
So, you’re heading to New Zealand on a working holiday visa? Congrats! Moving abroad is one of the hardest but most rewarding things you can do – I would know, I’ve done it three times now! A working holiday visa is a fantastic way to live abroad short-term, explore a new destination, and experience an… Read More Moving to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa: How to Start Your Life (2024 Guide)
The Vic High Country was a favorite stop of mine on my Lap of Australia. This is one of the most underrated destinations in the country! In winter, it’s a super-popular spot for skiing and snow sports. But I visited in March, and it was a hiker’s paradise! It’s not on the classic Melbourne-Sydney coastal… Read More A Hiker’s Travel Guide to the Victoria High Country, Australia
New Zealand has been a dream destination of mine for decades. After spending a year Down Under in Australia, I knew I wanted to visit New Zealand and finally explore this spectacular country. I spent the first six weeks of my working holiday visa in New Zealand traveling, before settling down to work. As always,… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand for 6 Weeks? (2024 Budget)
Going “up north” is an age-old tradition for people in Minnesota, particularly those who live in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. “Sorry I can’t be there, I’m up north for the weekend.” “Oops I never responded, bad signal up north.” “What are you doing in two weeks? Want to head up north… Read More Amazing Places to Visit Up North in Minnesota
After living in Yorkshire for nearly seven years, the North York Moors National Park is one of my favorite areas. Without a doubt, the Hole of Horcum is my favorite hike not just in the North York Moors or Yorkshire, but in the entirety of the UK. I’ve done this walk so many times I’ve… Read More Hiking the Hole of Horcum in the North York Moors
Cradle Mountain is a symbol of Tasmania: the jagged mountain peak is one the most recognizable on the island. If you’re a hiker, you’ve likely already heard about this mountain – it’s one hike you can’t miss in Tassie. The hike up to the Cradle Mountain summit is long and challenging. But it’s absolutely spectacular… Read More Cradle Mountain Summit: What to Know About This Epic Hike in Tasmania
A trip to Tasmania is a huge undertaking – it may look small compared to the rest of Australia, but there is so much to see here! I spent one amazing month of my Lap of Australia road tripping around Tasmania, and loved every second. If you’re looking to put together a one-month itinerary for Tasmania,… Read More A One-Month Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
Driving a Lap of Australia is one of the most epic adventures you can ever do. I would know – I did it myself! But a journey of this magnitude means doing a lot of research, planning, and preparation beforehand. From how you’ll travel, what your setup will be, and where to go (and when!), there’s… Read More Driving a Lap of Australia: Top Tips for Planning Your Trip
Tasmania is one of my favorite places I visited on my Lap of Australia. This island state has so much to offer, especially if you enjoy being outdoors and hiking. There are simply so many spectacular spots to visit, it’s hard to choose! Here’s my pick of the most incredible destinations to see in Tasmania.… Read More 49 Spectacular Places You Must Visit in Tasmania
Looking for a fantastic day hike in Tasmania? Head to Mount Field National Park and tackle the Tarn Shelf Circuit – this walk goes past beautiful alpine lakes, climbing up onto the shelf for spectacular views over the area. This was one of my favorite hikes in all of Tasmania, and that’s saying something as… Read More Hiking the Tarn Shelf Circuit in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania
My month road tripping Tasmania was one of the best of my entire Lap of Australia. Tasmania is a dream to explore – especially if you like the outdoors and hiking. Public transportation is very limited or simply non-existent in Tassie, so most people choose to rent a vehicle and road trip. After driving all… Read More 12 Tips for a Road Trip Around Tasmania
I spent one glorious month in Tasmania, road tripping the island as part of my Lap of Australia. Tassie, as it’s affectionately known, is like a playground for people who love being outdoors: hiking, swimming, paddling, wildlife spotting, and more. Tasmania is an incredible destination for hiking – there are simply so many phenomenal walks to… Read More The Best Hikes in Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania was one of my favorite places that I visited during my Lap of Australia. It really is heaven on earth for people who love being outdoors and hiking! Camping is popular throughout Tassie, and there are some phenomenal free campsites around the state. If you’re traveling Tasmania on a budget, this post is for… Read More The Best Free Camps in Tasmania
The Lake District, in the north of England, is one of my favorite places on earth. I visited for the first time in April 2017, and was completely enchanted. It’s a destination that I return to regularly, and an area I know extremely well. There is so much to see and do in this national… Read More 30 Incredible Places to Visit in the Lake District
Driving a Lap of Australia – solo – will be one of my greatest achievements for the rest of my life. There are so many unique and incredible places to visit in Australia; I feel so lucky that I got to visit so many of them! If you’re planning a road trip from Adelaide to… Read More The Best Stops on a Road Trip From Adelaide to Melbourne
Driving a Lap of Australia – solo – is my greatest accomplishment to date. I spent 338 days on the road, and slept in my vehicle for 158 nights. This was my year in Australia: on the road in my Nissan X-Trail, driving and road tripping, living my best life and having incredible adventures. Living… Read More What I Learned About Life Living Out of My Car
