2024… what an incredible year! I know I say this every year, but reflecting back I’m amazed at all the phenomenal places I’ve been and things I’ve done in just one year. I’ve been on the road for the entirety of 2024: I started the year in Australia, then moved to New Zealand. I flew around the world to spend some time in Minnesota in summer, then spent a month traveling around Europe – mainly France, but also visiting Spain, Andorra, and the Netherlands. I flew back to New Zealand, and settled back down here! I visited 8 countries in 2024, 2 of which (New Zealand and Andorra) were new for me.
Besides when I skipped 2020 and 2021 (for obvious reasons), I’ve written these annual recap posts every year since I’ve been blogging. It’s fun to look back at the year, and select some of my favorite memories and moments on the road. You can read my top travel experiences from previous years here:
2016 – seeing Victoria Falls from a microlight and moving to the UK
2017 – White Nights in St. Petersburg, Russia, and seeing the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
2018 – feasting on the best food in Georgia and visiting Iceland
2019 – camping around the Isle of Skye in Scotland and traveling through the Balkans
2022 – exploring Orkney, hiking the West Highland Way, and a treat yo’self trip to Greece
2023 – living on Great Keppel Island in Australia and backpacking Thailand
I don’t have any requirements for what goes into this list – it just has to be a good travel moment. I had so many good ones from this year of long-term travel, it was hard to pick! Here are my top travel experiences of 2024.
Finishing my Lap of Australia
Of course, no moment in my life will ever truly compare to the feeling when I finished my Lap of Australia back in Sydney. Driving a Lap will be the greatest accomplishment of my life. I am so proud of myself, and looking back, I can’t believe I actually did the damn thing! 338 days and 36,000km later, I found myself back in Sydney. It has forever changed me and the feelings of jubilation, pride, and empowerment I felt as I looked across to the Sydney Opera House will stay with me forever.
Read More: I Drove a Lap of Australia – Solo!
Road tripping New Zealand
I spent 5 weeks traveling around New Zealand, living in a van with Mick (who I’d only spent 2 days with after meeting him in Australia, before we did this trip!) and exploring as much as possible. It was a true highlight of my year (and my life), getting to experience New Zealand on a road trip and seeing so many amazing places around the country! It convinced me I needed to stay longer in New Zealand, to see more of this superb destination while I still had a working holiday visa here. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Read More: How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand for 6 Weeks?
A canoe trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota
I spent most of my childhood going on canoe trips in the Boundary Waters with my family, but hadn’t been on one as an adult – my last trip was 19 years ago! This summer, I got to return with my parents and sister, and it was so meaningful. It was hard work (I can’t believe my parents did all that while taking care of two kids!), but magical. Waking up to perfectly still lakes with water like glass, canoeing along the International Border between the US and Canada, hearing the loon calls, and experiencing this untrammeled wilderness with my family was simply the best. I’ll carry those memories with me forever – and hopefully I’ll get to go on another trip!
Seeing so many friends around the world
It’s a blessing and a curse, to know and love people all around the globe. While I always have someone to visit, it means I’m always missing someone, too. I got to see two of my Aussie friends that I met on the road, Jason and Hayley, towards the end of my Lap, as they conveniently both live in East Gippsland in Victoria! It was so great to reconnect with them as I headed towards the finish line. I also got to catch up with my friends in Sydney when I was back – thanks for letting me crash Julia, Utsho, and Nura!
I had a brief overlap in Auckland with my best friend Nate, marking our fifth country and fourth continent we’ve hung out in! I got to see so many friends and family when I was back in Minnesota – I was extremely busy, but it was so so worth it! My Europe trip was centered around getting to see Mick in Lyon and Rachel in Toulouse. Plus, I got to see Noemi and Michi, who I met in Australia when we lived together on Great Keppel Island, for a very brief visit in Barcelona.
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If there’s anything I’ve learned from the last two years of long-term travel, it’s that there is nothing better in life than being in the physical presence of your friends, family, and loved ones.
Tasmania
Without a doubt, one of the highlights of my entire year in Australia was the month I spent traveling around Tasmania. I had a fairly intense itinerary, and slept in my car every single night – but wow, was it worth it. I did some of the most amazing hikes of my life, swam at stunning beaches and lakes, saw unique wildlife, made my own dreams come true, and genuinely had the time of my life.
One of the best moments of my life was in Tassie, when I finally made it to the summit of Mt. Amos in Freycinet National Park, and looked down at the view of Wineglass Bay at sunset. It was a moment I’d dreamed of for years, since I found out Tasmania existed. A moment I’d been planning for months, a moment I’d been waiting for since I landed in Australia. I got to the top and immediately burst into tears. It was so special.
Read More: 49 Spectacular Places You Must Visit in Tasmania, The Best Hikes in Tasmania, Australia, A One-Month Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
Hiking in the Pyrenees
I had never been to the Pyrenees before, but WOW – I was blown away! Hiking in this spectacular mountain range was a top moment of my Europe trip. I had an incredible day hiking in France around Coumebière, and another awesome day hiking in Andorra to Estany de Cabana Sorda. It’s a stunning part of the world, and definitely somewhere I intend to go back to and explore more.
My dreams coming true at Hobbiton
Of all the things I was most excited for in New Zealand, visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set was at the top of the list. I’d dreamed of this day ever since I found out that you can actually visit the Shire in real life, and see the beautiful movie set in a permanent location. I booked tickets six weeks in advance; I paid for a campsite the night before so that I could be sure of a shower to wash my hair. I’ve been a Lord of the Rings fan since a teenager, and The Hobbit was one of my favorite books as kid. I don’t think I’d ever been as excited for a tour as this one. And Hobbiton did not disappoint.
I wept throughout my hours touring Hobbiton. Seeing Bag End, stepping inside a real hobbit hole, and having a pint at the Green Dragon was like something out of my greatest dreams. My guide was engaging and full of fun facts (yes, even a super fan like me learned a few new things!), and our stops were timed well. I nearly ended up with a job working at Hobbiton!
Part of why this was such a special day for me was because I shared the experience with someone who knew how much it meant to me, and who wanted me to have – genuinely – the time of my life. He took all my pictures, made sure I was at the front of the group to snap pics, held my hand as I cried tears of joy, and patiently waited as I did my thing. Thank you to Mick, for understanding the assignment.
Read More: What to Know About Visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set: A Dream Come True
Exploring the Vic High Country
One of the most underrated parts of Australia I visited on my Lap? The High Country in Victoria. I decided to go here thanks to a friend’s recommendation to hike Mount Feathertop. The entire area blew me away – there are SO many amazing hikes here, and the views over the mountains are superb! In winter, this is one of the best places in Oz for skiing. But it’s well worth a hiking trip the rest of the year.
Read More: A Hiker’s Guide to the Victoria High Country, Australia
The perfect day in Wanaka
Roy’s Peak is one of the most epic hikes in all of New Zealand – it’s one of the top experiences in the whole country! And I lucked out, with phenomenal weather and views on the day I hiked to the summit. The hike was long and hard – although it’s popular with the Instagram crowd, it is a real mountain hike, with over 1000 meters of elevation gain! Afterwards, it was off with the sweaty hiking clothes and straight into the lake for a swim. The water felt so refreshing! We finished the day with a huge ice cream by the lakeshore. It was absolutely perfect.
Read More: The Most Epic Hike in Wanaka: What to Know About Roy’s Peak
Visiting so many Lord of the Rings locations in New Zealand
Hobbiton was an incredible experience – but I actually got to see SO many LOTR film locations around the country! From Lake Alta and Twelve Mile Delta, to Mavora Lakes and the Hobbit’s Hideaway in Wellington, I managed to visit a number of locations featured in the movies. It was so meaningful, and I wept tears of joy so many times. Traveling, being able to go to the places you want to go to, and making your own dreams happen, fills me with so much emotion. I can’t wait to see more LOTR film locations over the next few months here!
Read More: Lord of the Rings Film Locations to Visit in New Zealand
Being able to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most popular day hike in New Zealand, and with good reason: it’s an epic traverse across some of the most fascinating and varied landscapes in the country. I’d heard that the weather can be hit or miss, and to plan for multiple days around Tongariro National Park, so that you can do the hike on the day with the best weather forecast. Unfortunately, as the days passed, the weather forecast for the three days I’d had planned in Tongariro got worse and worse. With extremely poor weather and hazardous conditions predicted, I didn’t think we’d be able to go at all. In a last attempt, I checked the forecast at 9pm the night before we’d originally planned to do the hike. The forecast had completely changed! No hazards and excellent visibility were predicted – I’ve never booked a shuttle service so fast! The hike the next day was phenomenal, with amazing views all around. I feel so lucky that I got to experience this bucket-list hike!
Read More: Tongariro Alpine Crossing: What to Know About New Zealand’s Most Epic Day Hike
Celebrating my birthday in Minneapolis with my friends
I’ve spent most of my recent birthdays alone hiking in the mountains, or in the outback in Australia (last year). I was so excited to return to Minneapolis and get to spend my birthday surrounded by some of my best friends. Just being in the same physical place as some of my favorite people brought me so much joy, and I’m so appreciative to have friends who make time for me on the rare occasions we’re in the same city. It was just a relaxed night at a brewery with a few beers (and tacos and cheesecake!) – but I loved it.
Drinking my favorite beer straight from the source at Schell’s Brewery
My favorite beer is Grain Belt Nordeast, brewed at Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota. For years I’ve been wanting to do a brewery tour, and see where the magic is made. This year, I finally did just that! My friend Lisa and I went out on a daytrip to New Ulm, going on a tour of the brewery which ended with a tasting (of course). Getting to drink Nordeast at the site where it’s made was just heavenly – plus the tour was really informative and a bargain for just $10!
Finally returning to the Minnesota State Fair
After a long eight-year hiatus, I finally made it back to the Great Minnesota Get-Together! I planned my trip back to MN specifically to be sure I could go to the Fair. It is so different from what I remember – but so much is still the same! I loved eating as much as I could, seeing the seed art, people watching, and just enjoying the vibes. My food highlights were a foot-long corn dog (my favorite fair food!), Sweet Martha’s Cookies (of course), cheese curds, a chocolate milkshake, and trying lingonberry beer. My friend Lisa and I went on a great weather day and it was just the perfect!
A great time traveling around France
I love Europe, and I had just a genuine good time exploring more of France this year. I enjoyed all the destinations I visited – most new, some old. I started in Lyon, spent a week in the French countryside in La Garde-Adhémar, went to Marseille, Avignon (with a daytrip to Arles), and Toulouse (with daytrips to Carcassonne, Albi, the Pyrenees, and Foix) before leaving for Spain. I hated lugging my heavy suitcase around the cobblestone streets and on/off buses and trains, but I just really enjoyed traveling in France. After so much driving this year, it was nice to travel mainly by public transport and be back in a comfortably familiar travel style!
Finding a home in Twizel, and experiencing the Mackenzie Region in all seasons
I ended up in Twizel because the best job offer (where I could save the most money) was here. I moved at the end of May, left in the middle of August, and returned at the beginning of November. I’ll be here for another month and a half, before another road trip. After traveling for so long, living out of my car and my suitcase for well over a year, it felt so good to settle down. It felt so good to have somewhere feel like home. I loved having friends I saw regularly at work, and a community that could support me. I was very lonely in Australia, and my experience in Twizel was a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Coming back to New Zealand for summer, I felt so deeply that returning to Twizel was the right decision for me. I have adored getting to experience better weather here, to see the lupins bloom and to go swimming in the glacial lakes. It was so great to come back and see my friends! It’s always going to be a special place for me and I hope to enjoy as much of the area as I can over the next few months.
Read More: The Best Walks in Twizel, New Zealand
Returning home to York (even if it was brief)
I had a very short visit in York at the end of September, in-between my time in the US and my adventures gallivanting around Europe. I was full of apprehension and nervous about going back – was I still going to like it? Would it still feel like home? What if I hated it after spending so long away? I was very happy to instantly feel at home in my city – I love this place, and it definitely is where I plan to be long-term. I got to catch up with so many good friends, go on some of my favorite Yorkshire hikes, and spend time in my favorite city. I know York will be waiting to welcome me home when the time comes.
Read More: All of my York posts!
Meeting so many amazing people on the road
Since I left the UK in February 2023, I have been blessed to meet so many incredible people, and form amazing, life-long friendships with people around the world. I can’t even start to count how many wonderful people have come into my life in 2024. So many new friends, particularly in New Zealand and my small town of Twizel. I am full of gratitude to know so many inspiring, kind, adventurous, intelligent, and thoughtful people. A thank you to everyone I’ve connected with this year!
Falling in love again
I debated including this (or if it should go into my “worst travel moments” post, lol), but I don’t feel I can share my top travel moments without sharing such a meaningful personal experience. I fell in love again this year, which (as I’m very happily divorced) I never thought would ever happen for me ever again. While difficult and challenging in many ways, it was an amazing experience.
We met hiking a mountain in Tasmania, and spent two days together before I invited him to travel around New Zealand with me. He was crazy enough to say yes and booked a flight! We spent an amazing six weeks together in New Zealand, living in a van and road tripping for over a month, getting to know one another in such an intense and intimate experience. We saw each other again in France later this year, which was also amazing yet difficult. Unfortunately, neither of us see a long-term future together, as we live in different countries and neither of us are moving. But while there’s no happy ending, I’m immensely grateful for the experience of being in love again. It was wonderful. Thank you, Mick.
Expanding my business as a freelance writer
While I have a lot of moments I’m proud of this year, I think I’m most proud of the work I’ve done to expand my freelance business and establish myself as a writer. When I started work in New Zealand this year, after spending the last ~16 months working for myself on my blog, I quickly realized that I no longer had as much free time to spend on this passion. I decided to take a step back from my blog, in order to focus on freelance work that would pay better.
While I can’t say I’ve made much money or gained stable work, I have had some small successes – and one big one, when I was published by Business Insider! I’ve persevered and continuing to pitch articles and apply to jobs even though I’m usually rejected from almost all of them. I’ve gained experience in pitching, applying, networking on LinkedIn, and not giving up. I hope that, if I keep applying and pitching, more and more work will come my way. I’ve spent so much time identifying myself as a blogger, but this year I really allowed myself to be a writer. And I enjoyed it so much! Truly, I love writing – putting words together to craft a story, to engage an audience, to say something important.
My goal for 2025 is to do all this and more. I hope to cobble together enough freelance income streams to be able to financially support myself, and work for myself as a freelancer. This was always my goal for my year (one year, lol) in Australia. And while this didn’t happen in Australia, or really in New Zealand, the foundation has been laid for transforming this into a real, viable, career. I’m excited for what the future holds!
2024 has been full of ups and downs. But reflecting back on the year, I’m so grateful for all the wonderful experiences I’ve had. I’ve traveled to so many incredible destinations, and I’m thankful for it all. Here’s to new adventures in 2025!
Thank you all for following along on my journey! Here’s to a travel-filled 2025!
What were your top travel experiences of 2024? Any exciting plans for 2025?
