Travel Tips

Camping is as much a part of Kiwi culture as remembering to blow on the pie. Whether you’re camping in a tent, campervan or prefer a cute cabin, if you’re after lakefront, beachfront or in the middle of the bush, Northland’s got you. 

Pristine immaculate coastline, endless lingering sunshine and bountiful local produce—Townsville has become a marvel of North Queensland for good reason, with a string of decadent new openings around the charming town awaiting exploration.

Summer is here and good times are just around the corner, which means it's the perfect time to switch off, uncover new places and rediscover beloved gems on a chilled-out staycation.

A town in the shadow of an incredible picture-perfect volcano, and with a mix of art and adventure on offer, New Plymouth makes for a great weekend getaway.

Sometimes you’ve just had your fill of hotels, motels and Holiday Inns and you’re yearning for something with a little more… personality. When that mood strikes, it’s all about Airbnb. And if you’re bound for Taupo, you’ll be very pleased to know there’s a bunch of great places on offer. 

We want to help you live the dream in WA, so we asked the passionate locals who call it home to share all their must-visit experiences across this stunning state. Dive into our guides to the best places to play, eat and stay, steeped with local knowledge and all the tools you need to plan the trip of a lifetime.

Desperate for the ultimate no-drama escape that’ll maximise those leave days?

Make all of your balmy island dreams come true via a luxe cruise to the South Pacific. 

Destination Hamilton? You’re in for a treat. Despite the Auckland-wide glee of hating on Hamiltron, erh, Hamilton, this long stretch of gravel really is worth a visit. 

Rid yourself of life's stresses at this tranquil oasis. 

Adrenaline-pumping activities, forest-bathing among ancient trees and unwinding in relaxing hot springs is the idyllic trifecta that awaits you in Taupō. Here are some of the best hotels to stay at when you get there. 

Taupo is a firm favourite among Kiwis for a cheeky getaway at any time of the year, here are the best motels in Taupo.

Keen to lock in some affordable accommodation for your next trip? Check out some seriously great Rooms around Aotearoa at Airbnb.

The Queen Charlotte Track is a three-to-five-day tramping and mountain biking track that traverses the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

Sometimes you just need to get out of the city, disconnect and recharge—and with DoubleTree Karaka’s luxe fit-out, divine culinary experiences and pop-up bars, we can’t think of a better spot to escape the everyday grind and breathe in some of that fresh country air less than an hour away from home

If you’re longing for a summer break but are short on time and funds, why not check out some gems on our very own doorstep? A summer on the Land of the Long White Cloud has so much to offer—even in terms of bargain hotel deals.

We're spilling our secrets on all the best tours you need to get amongst to make the most of your time in Auckland. 

Ready to get adventuring? Here are the best free camping spots in New Zealand.

Roadies are practically a rite of passage in Tāmaki Makaurau and Kirikiriroa Hamilton, being just over an hour’s drive away, makes for a great option.

Swimming with manta rays, sunrise hikes and daily snorkelling is on the cards for your getaway to Yasawa Islands, Fiji. 

Activate relaxation mode. 

Oh, bella Roma. It seems that this ancient land always manages to weave  some sort of magic on its visitors, leaving them desperate to return again and again - and with so many stunning historical monuments and some of the world’s greatest restaurants, it’s not hard to see why.

We’re spoilt with natural beauty here in Aotearoa, from snowy mountain peaks and sprawling beaches to galactic views—it’s no wonder we want to capture every second.

Paradise is open and you'll be surprised how easy it is to travel there, provided you can remember where your passport is buried. Here are 15 things you'll want to pack for the perfect holiday in Fiji paradise. 

Just because we're into the swing of Autumn doesn't mean our holiday plans go on hold. In fact, as the colder months draw near, it's even more important to break up the dreary season with a well-deserved getaway. 

The term zero waste has been on the upward trend for a while now, but it’s one that we hope will stick around for the long haul. When you consider that one million plastic bottles are purchased around the world each minuteand that 91% of plastic is never recycled, well it’s enough to make your head hurt. Most people are aware by now of what you need to do to reduce your waste at home, and it’s not all that different when you’re travelling, but we’re going to break it down for you so there are no excuses.

We sought the help of some of our favourite travel bloggers to clue us in on the places that don’t get the love they deserve and boy, did they deliver.

Discover some of the natural spots in Rotorua that are great to take a breath or two in and simply reconnect with nature and yourself. 

Start digging out your gear, tuning your ski and snowboard and booking flights to Queenstown this winter because the NZ ski season starts this June. 

If you hadn’t previously considered this nature lover’s paradise as a destination for a soul-enriching Aussie holiday, here are four good reasons to convince you to book the trip to Tasmania.

The fine-dining scene is fantastic but Tasmania’s real point of difference—and appeal—is the short distance between paddock/trawler and plate, and the chance to meet the passionate distillers, winemakers, chefs, fishermen, providores and fromagers who call this community-minded, culinary haven home.

Whether you’re after a slow, healing holiday or exhilarating adrenaline experiences — or perhaps a mixture of the two — Tasmania has you covered. With nearly half of its landmass protected as national park and World Heritage wilderness, this easily accessible Australian island state offers a rare balance of heart-thumping adventure and heartwarming relaxation.  

From hiking the Cradle Mountain Overland Track to cycling Tasmania’s East Coast, this is your chance to slow down and see this island state from a new perspective. You’ll feel the crunch of wilderness beneath your feet, breathe in the crisp sea air, and hike to misty mountaintops in what is a true bucket list-worthy experience. 

With a thriving arts scene, fascinating wildlife, pristine wilderness and mouth-watering foodie experiences, Tasmania is the perfect destination for a memorable and rejuvenating overseas getaway for every type of traveller.

The Coromandel Peninsula, home to some of the country’s most idyllic beaches, native flora and relaxed seaside towns, is the ideal place for a weekend—or midweek—getaway. From quirky Airbnbs to breezy villas and bougie coastal homes with panoramic views, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here are the best places to stay in the Coromandel.

If you, like us, have been waiting all lockdown for news of when overseas travel restrictions would lift, you’re going to want to hear this. According to reports, international travel to Australia and the Pacific, aka the New Zealand/Australia travel bubble, is likely to reopen before Christmas.

You’d be kidding yourself if you said you weren’t interested in seeing the Aurora Borealis in all its magnificence. There are several ways to realise that dream, but one of the easiest, and more pleasant, is to book yourself in at one of the completely transparent Buubble Hotels in Iceland.

Just in case you needed another listing saved in your Airbnb wishlist, a private island is now for rent in Italy, and if you can round up 16 mates, it’ll only set you back about $77AUD per night, per person.

If you Google it, the official happiest city in the world is Helsinki, but Copenhagen is hungry for that accolade, so hungry that they’ve just opened the first happiness museum, aptly named The Happiness Museum.

Jump on this hop-on-hop-off bus tour, taking you through 18 countries in 70 days.

Need to escape reality for just a moment? Take a look at this piece of holiday-porn in Norway, close your eyes and pretend you’re there for a minute or two. What you’re looking at is called Svart, it’s a hotel that’s currently in the works at the foot of a giant glacier just above the arctic circle.Note 

We know you’re itching for a holiday overseas as soon as possible—us too. But with countries shutting their borders for months now, the possibility of a European summer felt further and further away. Fortunately, after what feels like an eternity, several coveted holiday spots are preparing to welcome visitors again.

​It’s been the number one question on many of our minds lately. Sure, we’re pumped to be able to eat in a restaurant again and sink a beer at the local pub (eventually), but the wanderlust-seeker in us is aching to know when we can book that overseas holiday again.

The unassuming tourist in us all has most likely fallen victim to blurting out a “feels like I’m in a movie” at one point while galavanting overseas. Fortunately, there are at least a few famous locations across the globe where there’s some truth to that statement, and some are far easier to visit than you’d think. 

We know travel is off the cards for the foreseeable future, but thanks to a bunch of virtual experiences you can still dial up the wanderlust from home. There’s just one part still missing—the luxury accommodation that comes with a holiday.

If you thought Instagram and YouTube was the only vice to satisfy your travel bug, think again.

COVID-19 is quite literally taking over the world and if you’re one of the hundreds of thousands who had planned to travel in the next little while, you’re most likely re-thinking or are being forced to postpone your trip. 

If you’ve ever found yourself in Bali during school holidays or hoiking your suitcase up 100-year-old staircases in Europe during a heatwave, you’ve probably learned that choosing where to travel is just as important as deciding when to go.

It’s impossible (not to mention unethical) to ignore the climate crisis that’s going on in the world today, but we’re the first to admit that we’re probably not going to stop travelling anytime soon. Instead, we’re trying to find the most eco-friendly ways to live our best lives. 

From the Summer Olympic Games to cultural extravaganzas and hot hotel openings, there are dozens of reasons to plan a holiday for 2020. Here are the cities and countries to add to your travel itinerary in the New Year. 

If you, like us, are waiting impatiently to accrue your next lot of annual leave and scanning airfare deals to line up with public holiday weekends, you might want to put the credit card down for a minute. 

Going on an overseas holiday is one of life’s most exciting adventures, however, it doesn’t come without its stresses. So, we’ve teamed up with Cathay Pacific to suss out the best tips and tricks to minimising stress and maximising a good time

There’s nothing better than a good waterfall with the thundering flow of water, dramatic rock faces and bright blue foamy water. Whether you want to admire one from afar, swim below one or climb down one, there’s sure to be a waterfall for you not too far away. While it’s a hard list to narrow down, we’ve found 10 of the best waterfalls in the world, from the world-famous to the lesser-known gems.

Add This Hidden Beach Town To Your Bucket List STAT!

Holidays are meant to be about unwinding and relaxing, but these days they can be more about getting that perfect shot for Instagram, ticking off a new place without really experiencing it and drinking your body weight in cocktails every single night. If you’ve ever said, or even thought, something along the lines of “I need a holiday to recover from my holiday” it’s time for you to discover the art of slow travel. 

If you think you’ll get snow board (soz) of drizzly city life this winter, there’s only one thing you should be doing—hitting the slopes. 

Melbourne is a city like no other, the perfect balance of fast-paced bustle and artsy hidden gems with an out-of-this-world food scene and beautiful history all make for the perfect excuse for a quick trip across the ditch.

Experiencing the local cuisine is usually the number one priority for us when on holiday, and there’s no better place to do it than at a local market. Whether you’re after ready-made deliciousness to dig into on the spot or you want to check out the local produce from the area, here are the best food markets around the world.

 Portugal's capital city is fast becoming a go-to destination for wanderlusters. 

There’s something strangely thrilling about watching your frequent flyer points increase; it’s almost as exciting as seeing your savings account tick over. The promise of free stuff is a massive drawcard, with most of us trying our best to score everything from free flights to lounge access to discounted accommodation.

Busabout is on the hunt for six travel hungry content creators to undertake the job of a lifetime. That’s right, you could be getting paid to travel around Europe, Asia or the USA.

Heads up team, this is your culture bucket list the next time you’re in town for tea with the queen.

From empowering women and off-peak seasons to zero waste travel and Central Asia, we explore the travel trends to watch out for in 2019.

When it comes to travel, there’s two things that are for sure: bikes are always the best mode of transport for exploring, and wine is always your friend. Combining the two seems like a no-brainer for globe-trotting lovers of wine and the outdoors. From historic and world-famous wine regions in France, Italy and Australia to paths-less-ridden in South America and South Africa, we’ve no shortage of places to sip and cycle in this endlessly wonderful world of ours. Here are 18 wine countries to discover by bike.

2018 was a big year in travel. We checked out undiscovered spots in our own backyard, natural beauties across the ditch and far-flung places that absolutely blew us away.

You’ve probably heard that old chestnut: the world’s getting smaller. It’s not true, of course. The world’s the same size it’s always been. But travel trends are definitely skewing towards the obscure, the exotic and the difficult-to-pronounce. A decade ago, Paris or Venice were worth maximum bragging points—now hipsters are getting back from a 4-week jaunt through central Asia saying things like ‘Yeah Ulaanbaatar was great. Bit boujee though. I think Mongolia’s become too mainstream.’ Avoid these people at dinner parties.

Travel is about broadening the mind, sure. But it’s also about cutting corners, pinching pennies, squeezing every Euro, and not being too proud to smuggle hostel croissants in your purse. And the good news is, there’s a bunch of ways to save money while you travel, particularly when it comes to packing. 

Summer is nearly here, which can only mean one thing—it’s time you booked a holiday. Specifically, a holiday to Samoa

Not your average 25-year-old, Grace Forrest set up Walk Free Foundation when she was just 17 years old and in just eight years it has worked to liberate almost 19,000 people from slavery—so you could say she’s doing an OK job.

You’ve been saving your hard-earned dollars ahead of your grand adventure. You’ve booked the flights, sussed your visas and it’s only a matter of time before you’re lazing on a beach with your out of office on. But the hard part isn’t over yet. You don’t want your money to slip between your fingers in a few short days or weeks.

There is a lot you look for when buying a suitcase, but guys this Herschel one literally has it all.

Summer is juuust around the corner and we couldn’t be any more excited. Keen to get out of town but don’t wanna venture to the other side of the globe? Dunedin is the place to be!

It’s already mid-year people. We know, we know—it feels like only yesterday we set our out of offices for the Christmas break and now it’s EOFY, and we’re officially ready for a holiday. Chances are you are too, so if you can relate to any of the below, we suggest booking a holiday, stat.

The Laylow Waikiki has turquoise hues and pastel pink tones aplenty.

Just a whole heap of #poolporn really to up your next vacay by a few hundred likes.

Michelin starred to the hilt and guaranteed to make your pals jealous, these are the best hotel restaurants in the world right now. Get booking.

After all, travel is great, but pampered travel? Divine.

Waiting for your suitcase to come out of the carousel can be one of the most draining parts of travelling. First of all, there never seems to be a time when your bag is one of the first to come out. Secondly, all the bags are bleak, boring and ugly (including your own) which makes it confusing to distinguish which one is yours.

We hate to break it to you, but it’s almost half way through the year already, and we don’t know about you, but we’re seriously behind on our travel goals for 2018. That’s why we’ve put together this list of under the radar (yet epic) destinations you need to tick off before the year is out.

Hello, summer! We’ve been waiting for you all year. Bring on weekend roadies exploring this rad country we like to call home.

We all know star signs are the basis of everything we are. Every single one of us is who we are as a result of where the moon was at the exact time we were born. It’s just a fact of life, kind of like Bigfoot, or the genuine people you meet on Tinder.

Living in London is a rite of passage for folks Down Under, including us.

I know you have a hard job, but I need you to do one thing for me: stop judging us. We are currently in the fifth circle of hell, hurtling through the sky in a metal tube filled with bad food, screaming babies, and recycled farts.

Now the only complaint we have with the Gold Coast scene is that we can barely keep up with all the new wine bars, cafes and stellar restaurants on offer.