Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, NSW: The New 3-Day Multi-day Rainforest Hiking Adventure

Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, NSW: The New 3-Day Multi-day Rainforest Hiking Adventure

Conquering 48km of Ancient Trails

Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, NSW: The New 3-Day Multi-day Rainforest Hiking Adventure

Conquering 48km of Ancient Trails

The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk is a multi-day hiking experience that immerses you in the lush World Heritage-listed rainforests of New South Wales, Australia. This trail winds through Mount Jerusalem National Park, Nightcap National Park, and Whian Whian State Conservation Area, offering a journey through diverse landscapes and rich history.  

Originally designed as a 4-day, 42km hike, we decided to challenge ourselves anqa2Zd complete it in 3 days, 2 nights, covering a total of 48km with some trails. This condensed adventure packed a punch, filled with breathtaking scenery and demanding but rewarding trails.   We’d been watching carefully on the NSW Parks website for updates for it’s launch, and coincidently after signing up for email updates, it launched the next day! It was a sign….. Easter well spent in nature! See a recap of the hike done in 3 days instead of 4 (2 nights instead of 3) with notes at the bottom for pricing, booking and packing. All images available for purchase as prints, please Email us.

Day 1: Manns Road Track Head to Sand Ridge Campground

A Journey into the Rainforest's Embrace

Day 1 Stats:

  • Distance: 12.2 km with side trip to Unicorn Falls (4.2km return)

  • Time: 4 hours

  • Ascent: 567m  |  Descent: 427m

  • Minimum Elevation: 124m  |  Maximum Elevation: 345m

Our journey began at the Manns Road track head in Mount Jerusalem National Park* mid morning, ready to explore the undulating paths that led us through tall eucalypt forests and subtropical rainforest. The contrast in bark textures was immediately striking, with rugged ironbarks and smooth coachwoods lining our path.  

The trail offered an optional side trip to Unicorn Falls which was so worth it, a 4.2km return detour to a peaceful waterfall. The first day of this adventures being a smaller distance meaning you can start the track a little later and have lunch here or a snack and take in the beauty of the falls.

Continuing on the main track, we descended into the lush gully of Whisky Creek, navigating seven creek crossings with clear running waters and a vibrant green canopy overhead. This was breathtaking, the air was so fresh, the sound of trickling water, the deep green foliage, a highlight of the trip!

As we ascended Middle Ridge and crossed Sand Ridge bridge, we took a short break to sit on the bridge and take in the scenery with a snack. The trail led us through riparian rainforest before a final climb to Sand Ridge campground. Nestled beneath ancient New England blackbutt eucalypts, the campground provided a tranquil space to rest and reflect.   We reached camp at 3.30pm, setting up our tent on our platform, taking in the beautiful trees and surroundings before joining fellow hikers at the tables to make dinner.

*NOTE: We stayed in Casuarina and drove to the end of the track at Minyon Falls in the morning and dropped our car there (locked up and no valuables in the car), then organised transport to meet us at Minyon to take us to the start of the track. To start this track, it is best to be dropped at the starting point by someone or organising transport and then picked up at the end of the track or have your car there. There are recommendations for transport on the NSW website however weren’t available for us for the weekend we did the track. If this is overwhelming for you, opting for a guided tour company like Connect Adventures, takes the hard work out of planning, transport, food and your gear!  

Day 2: Sand Ridge Campground to Yelgun Kyoomgun Campground

The Longest and Most Challenging Day

Day 2 Stats:

  • Distance: 17.1 km

  • Time: 6 hours

  • Ascent: 999 m  |  Descent: 517 m

  • Minimum Elevation: 274 m  |  Maximum Elevation: 838 m

 

Rising at 6.30am, we prepared our salmon and cheese spread wraps ready for the big day ahead…. Packed up the tent, repacked our bags and on the track. Day 2 proved to be the most demanding, testing our endurance with steep climbs and rewarding us with sweeping views. With no water refill points until our destination, we set out early from Sand Ridge campground, embarking on a 2-hour climb through eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest. The sandstone steps were a beautiful touch along this tough part of the climb!

Grasstree lookout offered magnificent views over the Tweed Caldera, with Wollumbin (Mount Warning) rising in the distance. Walking along ancient Widjabul Wia-bal routes, we observed the transition from rainforest to warm temperate rainforest and then to eucalypt woodland, spotting lace monitors along the way.  Be mindful as there are still a lot of trees down around the area from the cyclone, a few climbing over branches spots may be necessary (may have had a couple of trips on day 2… eeeek).

We reached Tweed Valley lookout, with views stretching across Commissioners Creek Valley, and took a small 200m side trip to Jerusalem Cliffs (leaving our pack at the junction) for dramatic views over Doon Doon and Border Ranges National Park. Crossing the Doon Doon saddle marked our entry into Nightcap National Park, where we were greeted by the ancient and otherworldly landscape. Byron View lookout offered a glimpse of Byron Headland, breathtaking.

The final climb led us past Doughboy Mountain View lookout and Tea Tree lookout, with the historic Postman’s Tree standing tall. We descended through temperate rainforest to Yelgun Kyoomgun campground, where the distant lights of Lismore provided a magical end to a challenging day. This was a beautiful part of the track! Be mindful as you come to the bottom of this rocky decent, there is no sign to the campground…. Please turn left and walk down the fire path, you’ll find the campground a few hundres metres down. Sat around the tables once we set up our tent and got to know some of the other hikers on the trip, one of the lovely parts of hiking….

 Day 3: Yelgun Kyoomgun Campground to Minyon Falls Lookout

A Grand Finale of Views and Waterfalls

Day 3 Stats (combining day 3 & 4 into one)

  • Distance: 18.8 km

  • Time: 5.5 hours

  • Ascent: 417 m  |  Descent: 800 m

  • Minimum Elevation: 279 m  |. Maximum Elevation: 739 m

Combining the original Day 3 and 4 into one, we were up nice and early to be on the road by 7am! Starting earlier did mean we were faced with a LOT of leeches, 30-40 on us in the first 3 hours, please wear long sleeves and long pants and keep an eye on each other for them climbing up your boots/pants, or landing on your hands, neck etc.

Our final day began with a descent along the Nightcap Range ridgeline, journeying through shifting landscapes of rainforest and eucalypt forest.  Combining the two days was very achievable and we still walked the full Gidjuum walk through the campsites so we could see all the lookouts and views. Personally, the last campsite, Weeun Weeun, was the most beautiful with views over the Wanganui Valley (a shame we didn’t get to stay there haha).

The track followed gentle logging roads, crossing Peates Mountain Road and linking up to Perlite Road and Fork Fire Road. A secluded creek offered a perfect cool-down spot.

Wanganui Gorge lookout provided sweeping views of Coopers Creek and Goonengerry National Park, with cascading waterfalls. Arriving at Weeun Weeun campground, perched on the edge of the gorge, we took in the unique perspectives of the Wanganui Valley and had our lunch here at the lookout spot.

The final leg of our journey led us along a clifftop path with stunning views, winding through rainforest and eucalypt forest towards Minyon Falls. We carefully navigated creek crossings, boardwalks, and a rustic timber walkway before reaching Rummery Park campground. This spot was gorgeous, we will be back to camp here again, it was a lovely spot next to the creek!

Following Boggy Creek walk, the crashing roar of Minyon Falls guided us to the spectacular lookout, offering a breathtaking view of the deep palm-shaded gorge and a fitting end to our 3-day adventure. This last 2km was some of our favourite memories with the beautiful waterfalls and spots to take in the cool air. We finished the track at Minyon Falls, relieved to get the hiking boots off and stretch the back out again (your bag is so important on these, as someone who has back and neck problems from a past car crash, our osprey bag’s special back support system helps a lot with long hikes/carrying weight).  Having the car parked here made for an easy trip to the Gold Coast for an afternoon swim in salt water and then an Airbnb for the night! An amazing 3 day adventure.

Reflections on the Trail

Completing the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk in 3 days was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. The diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to sweeping lookouts, offered a new wonder around every corner. The physical demands was moderate as we had lighter packs and were mindful to only wear one outfit hiking and bring one camp outfit (and backup thermals in case of cold nights). The sense of accomplishment and the beauty of the natural world made every step worthwhile.

This hike is a must for anyone seeking an immersive and challenging adventure in one of Australia’s most stunning rainforest regions.

Additional Notes:

  • The original 4-day itinerary can be found on the NSW National Parks website.  

  • Transfers to and from the trailheads can be arranged through local tour operators.  

  • Ensure you are well-prepared with adequate water, navigation tools, and camping gear.

HOW TO BOOK:

Visit the National Parks NSW website below to find out more about the multi-day walk and how to book: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/experiences/gidjuum-gulganyi-walk

COST:

$172.80 for 2 people for the 3 nights of camping. You are assigned a tent platform number each night. Done over the 3 nights (we did it in 2 nights/3 days), it works out to be $57.60/night for 2 people ($28.80/each).

HOW TO PREPARE:

See my comprehensive blog post HERE in prep for the Overland Track, giving  a very detailed breakdown of our gear, food prep and brands etc. The difference with this hike was it was 3L of water each day in our packs due to the heat, only 3 days food (so around 2kg-3kg total for the two of us).

NEED SUPPORT ON YOUR HIKE?

For those seeking to experience the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk without the hassle of planning and preparation, we highly recommend Connect Adventures. We had the pleasure of consulting with Jason in the prep for this hike and were thoroughly impressed with his knowledge and support.  

Connect Adventures specialises in small group, multi-day hiking tours in NSW's most spectacular natural settings. They deliver premium, immersive experiences that foster a deep connection with the environment.

Choose your adventure: opt for a fully catered hike where you carry only a day pack, with gear transported for you, or carry your own pack. Either way, prepare for an unreal culinary experience that rivals the natural beauty, with fresh, delicious meals showcasing local and native ingredients.

With Connect Adventures, everything is taken care of, allowing you to simply enjoy the journey. Their expert wilderness guides are trained in first aid and passionate about sharing their knowledge of the local flora, fauna, and Indigenous cultural history.

Visit their website to learn more and book your hassle-free Gidjuum Gulganyi adventure.

Conquering the Overland Track: A Comprehensive Guide to Tasmania's Iconic Hike

Conquering the Overland Track: A Comprehensive Guide to Tasmania's Iconic Hike

 

The Overland Track. The name alone conjures images of rugged peaks, pristine forests, and the raw beauty of Tasmania's wilderness. It's a call to adventure, a promise of life-changing experiences in one of the world's most spectacular wilderness areas.

For over a year, my husband and I dreamt of this iconic 65km trek (or like us, 100km+ including summits) through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, a jewel of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Imagine Christmas surrounded by glacially carved valleys, ancient rainforests, fragrant eucalypt forests, and golden buttongrass moorlands. This is the Overland Track, Australia's premier alpine walk, drawing adventurers globally.

Join me as I share the challenges, triumphs, and magic of our six-day Christmas adventure, from Cradle Mountain's trailhead to Lake St Clair's serene beauty. It's a journey into the heart of Tasmania's Highlands and one of the most memorable experiences of our life.

Pre-Track Logistics:

Getting there: Flying into Launceston from Brisbane two days before our trek allowed us ample time to finalise preparations. We stayed at an Airbnb in Launceston on the 23rd December to enjoy a cosy bed and repack our bags in a more organised fashion. Remember, a well-packed bag can make all the difference on the trail!

Supplies: Launceston proved to be a great place to pick up last-minute supplies. Within the city centre there is both Paddy Pelon and Aspire Adventure Equipment as well as grocery stores. We grabbed gas canisters, wraps, fruit, avocados, and dehydrated meals. Remember to double-check you have everything you need before heading to the trailhead.

Overland Track Transport: For transport to and from Cradle Mountain, we used the Overland Track Transport company. They picked us up from our accommodation in Launceston (and can also pickup from Hobart) and took us on the 2-hour trip to Ronny Creek (approximately $90 per person). We also opted to hire a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) from them for $50 rather than buying one (much more costly), they have a range of gear you can hire if you don’t want to invest in the full purchase. This crucial piece of safety equipment provided peace of mind knowing we had a reliable way to call for help in case of an emergency. As part of our return booking, they also had the convenience of being able to leave an extra bag with them to be picked up after our trek, considering our upcoming golf trip at Barnbougle, was an invaluable perk.

Accommodation Pre-Trek: We highly recommend spending the night before your trek near Cradle Mountain. Not only does it allow you to attend the mandatory 3pm briefing at the visitor centre the day before your hike (rather than the morning of), but it also ensures you can catch the first shuttle to Ronny Creek at 8:15 am the next morning, maximising your first day on the trail (especially if you’re summiting Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff). We decided to treat ourselves to a night of luxury at the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village, staying in a Luxury Cottage with a spa bath ($280 per night). It was worth every penny! A romantic spa bath, a final shower, a comfortable bed and a beautiful restaurant with great food, a great idea before six days of roughing it! Plus, the location was perfect, just a short walk from the visitor centre.

Overland Track Briefing/Check-in: On arrival at Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, you will need to present your booking confirmation (digital or paper copy) and undertake a walker briefing session to receive your Overland Track Pass. As part of checking in, please give the PWS staff member a completed Overland Track Safety Checklist (they have them printed there), identification and any relevant concession cards. You must collect your pass by 1:30pm on the day of departure (or the day before departure after 3pm. TIP: To save you time, do the briefing the 3pm the day before your hike, this will allow for an earlier start on your first day with the first shuttle from the Info centre at 8.15am.

Gear & Packing List

Everyone prepares for the Overland Track differently, but these are the key pieces of gear that proved their worth and secured a permanent place in our packs.

Hiking Backpacks

  • Em female – Osprey Aura AG 50 1.88kg purchased from K2 Base Camp Brisbane

  • Corey male – Osprey Atmos AG 65 2.18kg purchased from Paddy Pelon – both had great support with its AntiGravity suspension mesh in the back and hips, delivering a weight-defying fit that  doesn’t’ even feel like you’re carrying 20kg-22kg!

Sleeping Bag & Liner

  • Em female (warm sleeper) Sea to Summit Flame FMII long sleeping bag, comfort 2 degrees, 505g, teamed with a Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor 265g – Adds up to 8 degrees C of warmth to a sleeping bag. So was very comfortable sleeping with these two on the track (sleeping in my thermals) and allowed for me to be able to use them also in QLD separately or in colder climates around Aus together.

  • Corey male (hot sleeper) Sea to Summit SparkII long sleeping bag, comfort 4 degrees 560g, teamed with a Sea to Summit Thermolite Extreme Reactor – 342g – gave a great thermal boost for Corey.

Sleeping Mat

  • Seat to Summit Self Inflating Large Mat – 907g, packed size 16.5 x 33cm, 3.5 season mat. We put this inside a waterproof sea to summit bag and then secured on the outside of our packs. LINK They weren’t noisy and were reasonbly comfortable!

Water Sack: Thorzt 3L 230g and Outrack 3L 142g

Small Day Pack: Sea to Summit Ultra Sil 20L Day Pack 72g, easy to attach the the outside of your bag for day trips LINK

Tent: Zorali Highlands 2 Person tent. Waterproof, durable, 2.8kg packed weight. Good tent, however a bit heavy for multi day hiking but we already had this tent. LINK

Clothes & Shoes: Approx 2.3kg

  • Clothing: We both brought one hiking set for the whole trip (you can wash the arms in streams or just suck it up haha – NoPong underarm was our savior on the trip). That included long hiking pants (that could zip off for swimming, I wore Zorali pants LINK and Corey wore Cedarberg), a thermal top as a base layer, long sleave breathable top, then a fleece layer. Our second set was a set of thermals for sleeping and lululemon tights as back up. Most people around camp just wear tights and a top, very casual. We both brought light wear waterproof thongs too for around camp. We brought 4 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of injini toe socks which were great to avoid blisters, then a merino wool set as a backup or second set if it was cold. Every day we had our merino inner gloves handy and waterproof gloves for when it rained, neck gaiter for blocking out the wind/rain and beanies were a must! We both had rain jackets and rain pants that we were every day due to it raining and there being a cold wind. It was a great blocker and protected us from getting cold. We had a mountain design waterproof jacket from anaconda, and a MacPac waterproof jacket. Our rain pants were from anaconda.

  • Hiking Shoes: We both wore leather scarpa boots and couldn’t recommend them enough, money well spent! We waterproofed them again before the trip and they lasted until day 5 with no wet socks even after being dredged through mud for 4 days! LINK

  • Camera and spare battery: 600g – I couldn’t do the trip without my little Canon M5 (my trusty faithful mirrorless that’s been all over the world with me). I had it secured to my bags arm strap with a peak design clip, making it easy to grab off to take a shot when I wanted. When it rained I hid it in my rain jacket!

Food:  

  • Prior to commencing the track, I sorted all the food out on the kitchen bench into daily sections and then breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. I then entered all the meals into MyfitnessPal to check calories and macronutrients to ensure we were getting enough calories each day.

  • Breakfast: Oats, protein powder, LSA mix, dried fruit, coffee sachets and hot chocolates. If we were on the track early, we had a high calorie oat bar.

  • Lunch: In the first 2 days we had wraps with either salami, tuna/salmon (packets from coles/woolies) with cheese, avocado and sometimes for some extra flavour, put crushed Doritos on for some extra cheesy taste.

  • Dinner: Dehydrated meals, salmon/tuna/salami with noodles or cous cous, soup mixes, we also packed dehydrated vegetables to put in each meal for extra nutrition

  • Snacks: Freeze dried strawberries, nut mixes, oat bars, homemade beef jerky, crushed Doritos, real fruit sticks, soy crisps

Tips & Recommendations:

  • Join the Overland Track Facebook Group – this was a game changer and where I sourced most of my information over the 6 months in prep for the hike. The group are very helpful with questions and a great space to see what others have done.

  • Training: In preparation for the track, I strength trained at the gym 4 days a week and also practiced with a weight back on my back on the treadmill. This allowed my body practice of holding a significant amount of weight. One of the biggest regrets of hikers is not being ready for the weight of the bag. Getting a few longer hikes under your belt is a must in the lead up to this!

  • Navigation: We downloaded the full offline map of the track from Garmin Explore. This allowed us to view the entire trail offline and set start/stop points each day with navigation!

  • Weather Preparedness: We packed for all seasons and had them handy in case the weather changed quickly. In a period of 10 mins we had sun, strong wind, sideways rain and hail!

  • Fuel Up: Oats + protein powder (add protein after cooking!), LSA, milk powder, dates, peanut butter, or high-calorie bar for quick breakfasts. Wraps with salmon/tuna/salami & cheese (avo for first 2 days) make easy lunches. Save gas burner meals for dinner. Snack smart: nuts, trail mix, fruit sticks, soy chips, jerky, dried fruit.

  • Bird-Proof: Small lightweight locks or S-Biner carabiners (Bunnings) keep scavengers out of your bags!

  • Pack Liners: Heavy-duty black bin bags (Coles/Woolies) work great! Bring duct tape for repairs + a spare bag.

  • External Storage: Wrap sleeping mat in a waterproof bag and secure it outside your pack to save internal space.

  • Waterproof Boots: Treat leather boots (Scarpa recommended) with leather boot wax twice before the trek for maximum water resistance.

  • Anti-Chafe: Men - knee-length skins prevent chafing and odour.

Day-by-Day Account:

Day 1 on the Overland Track 25/12/24 : Ronny C​​reek to Waterfall Valley,  17.3km with Cradle Mountain Summit, 7hrs 15 mins with breaks, 897m elevation 🥾⛰️🌧️ ❄️☀️

Departing for the Overland Track on #ChristmasDay was something special! We checked in at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre the afternoon before for the 3pm briefing and collected our Overland Track pass (we suggest doing this to save time). We had our last snuggle in our comfy bed, staying at the Wilderness Village (walking distance to the info center) before setting off for Day 1 on the track, getting the shuttle from the info center to Ronny Creek stop (15 mins).

The ascent to Crater Lake is gradual, followed by a very steep, short ascent to Marions Lookout with a chain to assist you up, this was necessary with a 20kg pack on your back hahah. Most of the day is exposed alpine plateau walking, unreal views to Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff. We summited the incredible Cradle Mountain (1545 m) in 2 hours return with it’s incredible views across the alpine plains and some fun boulder scrambling. 

Waterfall Valley Hut was beautiful, situated under Barn Bluff creating an unreal silhouette of the mountain! Keep an eye out at the old Waterfall Valley Hut for the local wombats, we saw a mother and her baby near the stream! The hut is well designed with the rooms having 8 timber beds in each room and separate from the kitchen where you setup your sleeping mat on one of them and leave your bags out on the hangers (all inside the building). The tent platforms here are amazing, but they were all taken when we arrived, so we camped inside the hut. The sunset on the front deck of Waterfall Valley Hut is a site to see! Some of our group hiked on the extra 7.8km to Lake Windermere as they had a different route planned out for their hike – easily possible on your first day but we were exhausted from the Summit climb.

Reflecting on this day, it was the best day of the trip, the sun was out, it was beautiful temperature with a top of 20, the landscapes were beautiful and open and made for stunning photographs….. the rest of the trip was overcast and raining haha but made for a fun all-weather Overland experience.

 

Day 2 on the Overland Track 26/12/24: Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere​, 11.8km with side trip Lake Will, 4hrs with breaks, Elevation change 286m 🥾⛰️🌧️ ❄️☀️

A relatively easy day and great recovery after a big day 1 and the weight of the bag on your hips/feet. From Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere is a less strenuous stretch over alpine heathlands, lakes and tarns. This section is exposed and above 1000 meters in elevation. We did the side trip of Lake Will, 3km return, leaving our bags at the junction covered with the waterproof cover and small carabiners locking up our zips to stop the currawongs getting in (yes, they can undo zips, they are smart and want your food!). There is a gorgeous little beach area that you can sit at and have a swim at too!

Camping is not permitted around Lake Windemere however, the overnight sites are just 500 meters from its shore. Once we arrived at Windermere Hut, we gathered some of our group together and went down to the lake to have a swim. There’s a little area next to the shore with rocks and stairs into the water, it was cold, but refreshing and made you feel clean! This hut was new and very modern with a nice seating area at the front looking out to the lake.

Day 3 on the Overland Track 27/12/24: Lake Windermere to NEW Pelion, 20.46km, 7hrs with breaks, 517 elevation gain with side trips of Old Pelion Hut  🥾⛰️🌧️ ❄️☀️

Woke to the sound of wind and rain today, the rain has set in for the next 3 days and the thermals, layers and waterproof jacket and pants and gaiters are going on!

Today was a long walking day, encircled by distant mountains; Pelion East, Ossa, Thetis, Achilles and Pelion West and the Du Cane Range. Setting off in the rain was glorious, rain in the face, beautiful views, cool breeze, stone pathways with waterfalls, lots of mud puddles, challenging but rewarding. As we hit the open buttongrass plains we were hit with a storm and it even HAILED! We were blown away (quiet literally, the wind was brutal), it was the most invigorating experience with all the elements, hiding under our jackets lol

We then adventured through myrtle-beech rainforest (Lord of the Rings scenes – a few too many goblin jokes were made) and eucalypt forest (very similar to Gold Coast Hinterland).  We descended into Frog Flats coming closer to the end of the day. By the end we were exhausted from navigating stepping stones, avoiding deep mud pools and walking on roots, but it was all part of the fun. We did the side trip just before the hut to Old Pelion Hut – 1 km, 0.5 hour return from track junction. Pelion Hut is a charming 1917 historic hut, once built for miners and now a day-use area.

The Pelion hut was an older style hut, very big, with a big deck overlooking the plains and mountains. It was a very busy hut due to this linking up to other hikes from Walls of Jerusalem and side trips. So bring your ear plugs, we had people turning up at 10pm!

Day 4 on the Overland Track 28/12/24: Pelio​n to Kia Ora , 13.82km, 4.5 hours, elevation 540m

Day four we woke to a downpour which was a little disappointing as today was Mt Ossa summit day….   Mount Ossa (1617m) is ​​Tasmania’s highest peak, and the walk is steep and exposed at 5.2 km and 4-5 hours return from track junction. We were excited about summiting this mountain but you can’t control the weather. We secured our packs at the track junction (the Currawongs had already been into a couple of people’s bags, ripping out rubbish!) and set off hoping for the best. We kept our fingers crossed that the rain may pass, however hiking up the many stairs to the mid point was a view in itself!

We were joined by our new friends Bre and Ishan at the ‘Japanese Garden’ walking through this breathtaking alpine garden, beautifully placed stone path designs, colourful shrubs and lots of rock formations. It was one of the highlights of our trip! As we got past the garden to the opening between the mountains we were hit with some serious winds and it started to SNOW! Surreal. At this point we turned around as it was getting unsafe and barely could stay standing. We took in the views and the moment and continued our decent.

We then continued the journey, this leg of the track is full of rainforests and mountain summits. Al​ongside Douglas Creek, we descended to Pelion Gap, the valley between Mount Ossa and Pelion East. There is a gradual descent across buttongrass plains and eucalypt forest to Kia Ora. The Kia Ora hut was gorgeous and beautifully designed. We wrote in the memory book there, had a nice big dinner and prepped for a big day 5 with our clothes, snacks and packs (an early start).

 

Day 5 on the Overland Track 29/12/24: Kia Ora​​ to Pine Valley (Skipping Windy Ridge/Bert Nichols Hut), ​​​28.5km, 8.5 hours with side trips, 737 elevation ⛰️🌧️ ❄️☀️

This was our biggest day on the track and some of the highlights of the trip, rising early to be on the track for 7am. Our new friend Isham joined us today, starting our day in some light rain to keep us cool and refreshed.   From Kia Ora Creek, the track continues through rainforest to the historic Du Cane Hut. We walked through the glorious King Billy pine, sassafras and myrtle forests, before reaching the junction and our first side trip to D'Alton and Fergusson Falls (1 km, 1 hour return). There was a small decent down some stairs to the falls (leave your pack at the top) to some beautiful views. 20 minutes further down the track we reached the Harnett Falls side trip (1.5 km, 1 hour return.) this was absolutely one of our highlights of the trip. We secured our bags at the junction, packed some lunch and snacks and adventured down to the falls. The path and stairs down to the Harnett Falls was something out of Lord of the Rings…. The beautiful forests, stepping stones through water, little boardwalks through the water stream to the bottom of the waterfall. There was a rocky/tree vine climbing around some of the edges to get to the bottom of the falls, but it was glorious!

We continued the journey through wet sclerophyll forest, which continued to be one of our wettest and muddiest days! Our scarpa boots and ingini socks finally gave into the mud and wet and one big stack ended in the legs being drenched lol we did well to last to day 6. We reached Bert Nichols Hut, had a quick break then ventured on as we still had a fair distance to go to arrive at Pine River. The views as we continued were gorgeous, with the Du Cane Range surrounding us.

The Pine River section of the track was one of the most spectacular. We turned off the Overland Track to the right towards the valley and began our very wet and muddy hike through vines, rocks, water and suspension bridges. We were exhausted, our legs hurt, backs, feet, this part of the track was a hard slog... When we were close to the hut, there was a stunning river stream along the path and then we could smell a fire…we were nearly running at that stage. We reached at 4.45pm, what a day! Unpacked all our muddy gear and enjoyed the coal fire warmth of the older hut. We slept inside tonight, they had big bunk where 3 people shared the top and bottom. A must do side trip! We wished we had of had another day here to do the Acropolis (1481 m) and explore a little more.

Day 6 on the Overland Track 30/12/24: Our Last Day! Pine Valley to Narcissus Hut/River to the Ferry, 10.36km, 2 hours 30 mins, 104 ascent

A surreal moment being the last day on the track! It was a 4am start for us today, due to having to be at the ferry terminal by 9.30am (tried to get a later ferry but they never had availability months in advance). We popped the head torches on and packed up our things and hit the track before sunrise, it was beautiful.

We gunned it from Pine Valley back to the track junction in record time and then continued on towards Narcissus. This las leg we walked through eucalypt forest and across buttongrass plains. Narcissus Hut is on the banks of the Narcissus River at the head of Lake St Clair. We finished the day crossing the river via a suspension bridge before reaching the Narcissus Hut.

If you are ferrying out, once we arrived at the Hut, you need to go into the hut and use the radio to call into the ferry to reconfirm your arrival. That moment of taking off the bag and sitting at the ferry terminal looking across Lake St. Clair was incredible. Taking the bag off knowing it was the end lol that feeling was priceless. The ferry was about 30 mins over to Cynthia Bay and the end of the track. We went into the Lake St. Clair visitor Centre and had our park passes stamped and of course, went for a beer and a burger to celebrate with our new friends. A photo at the Overland Track sign was a must! We waited then for the 2pm transport to take us back to Launceston to continue our trip. The perfect end to the trip going back to Launceston to celebrate New Years at their beer festival.

Overland Track Important Information:

  • Overland Track - plan your trip: The Overland Track is a walk to remember, but it also a serious undertaking that requires careful planning. Read through our planning material to make sure you have all the bases covered.

  • Overland Track - walk options: There are many options available for walkers on the Overland Track. Find out more about individual, group, tour experiences, walking with children, educational groups and winter walking.

  • Overland Track - walk notes: Wondering what to expect on your Overland Track experience? Take the time to look over our walk notes to plan out your itinerary.

  • Frequently asked questions

  • Book Online: All bookings are made online at www.overlandtrack.com.au using Visa or Mastercard. No phone bookings.

  • Availability: Book your departure date only. The entire trek is then secured. Check availability for your starting date, not the whole trek.

  • Booking Details: Have full names, DOB, state, and nationality for each walker (up to 8 per booking). The paying person's details are crucial for contact and refunds.

  • Information Pack: Order online (allow 4 weeks) or buy at Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. No refunds if it doesn't arrive in time.

  • Full Dates: If your ideal start date is booked, have backup dates ready. No waitlist exists, so check the website for cancellations.

  • Transport: Book transport to/from Cradle Mountain & Lake St Clair separately. Ferry from Narcissus to Cynthia Bay MUST be pre-booked (Lake St Clair Lodge website).

  • Pass Collection: Collect your pass at Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre before your trek (with booking confirmation, ID, Walker Safety Checklist, and concession cards). Check-in times vary; contact the center if you can't make it in time.

  • Briefings: Attend a mandatory 30-min briefing at Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre on your departure day (or the day before 3pm).

  • PLBs: Hire PLBs from Service Tasmania, visitor centres (limited), or private companies

  • Parks Pass/Shuttle: Your booking fee covers park entry and Cradle Mountain shuttle during your trek (Oct 1-May 31). You'll need a separate pass/ticket for pre/post-trek park visits or treks outside the booking season.

  • Contact: Overland Track Booking Team: 1300 827 727 or OverlandTrack@parks.tas.gov.au

Cost Breakdown

FLIGHTS & INSURANCE: $939

  • FLIGHT: BNE to Launceston direct $347 each = $694

  • FLIGHT: Launceston to Brisbane direct Flights $169 each = $245

TAS Park Passes: $590

  • Tasmania Park Pass total $295pp = $590 total this includes your shuttle

ACCOMMODATION: $280

  • Overnight at Cradle Mountain before starting the trail. Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village - Luxury Cottage with Spa Bath $280/night

OVERLAND TRANSPORT: $180

  • Launceston to Cradle Mt 12:00pm (11.45am CBD pickup) $90.00ea = $180

  • Arrive for 3:30pm check-in at Visitor Centre. FREE luggage storage

  • Fuel and PLB’s available​​. Lunch stop on the way.

OVERLAND TRACK TRANSPORT RETURN: $170

  • Lake St Clair to Launceston 2:00pm $85.00 = $170 total

  • Free transfer of ticket date if finish early or late​ (subject to availability). CBD Drop-off from 5:00pm

FOOD $300

  • Meals for 2 x people for 6 days, homemade jerky, approx. $150pp

TOTAL $2459

If there’s any information you would like about the trip or wanting to purchase printed artwork from the images taken, please contact us.

🇨🇦 🇺🇸 The Bucket-list Canada & Northwestern United States Nature Road Trip: 4 weeks, 8 National Parks, 5500kms travelled - Artwork available!

THE BUCKET-LIST CANADA & NORTHWESTERN UNITED STATES NATURE ROAD TRIP: 4 WEEKS, 8 NATIONAL PARKS, 5500KMS TRAVELLED - ARTWORK AVAILABLE!

A Canada and US roadtrip was always on our bucket-list of travel experiences to do in our lifetime…. It wasn’t until our friends Ryan and Becca asked us to be a part of their wedding in Niagra Falls that we decided to make it a reality. We spent over 12 months planning the trip, working it in with the wedding events to begin our 5 week adventure. Of course, being a photographer, I used this opportunity to capture some unreal landscape photography along the way to form part of a travel photography portfolio of work which is available as prints! Enjoy our full travel blog, plus the artwork created from each beautiful country! Please feel free to enquire below for print orders and what image you love.

Our 4 week adventure spanned from 12 May 2023 - 14 June 2023 consisted of… 2 countries & 8 spectacular Canadian and American National Parks.

  • Canada: States Ontario, British Columbia & Alberta

  • The United States of America: New York State, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming & Washington

  • 8 National Parks across these countries: Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Waterton Lakes, Mt Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades National Park

Our 4 week journey was split into 3 parts as per below, hiring 2 cars (through Turo) and a van through Canadream, travelling 5500kms with the goal to see and explore as much nature and National Parks as we could.

  • Part one: Canada/Northwestern US car trip 9 days - Toronto (Ontario), Niagra Falls (Ontario), over the border to Rochester (New York State) for the PGA golf championships, returning to Toronto to fly out

  • Part Two: Canada/Northern US Van trip 13 days:

    • Canada: Calgary (Alberta), Banff (Alberta), Lake Louise (Alberta), Cranbrook (British Columbia)

    • Northwestern US: West Glacier Lake McDonald area (Montana), Butte (Montana), West Yellowstone National Park (Montana), Lonesomehurst Campground (Montana), Flagg Ranch Campground (Wyoming), South/East Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), Grand Tetons Jenny Lake (Wyoming), Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone (Wyoming), Three Forks (Montana), East Glacier St Mary’s Campground (Montana), East Glacier National Park (Montana), Many Glacier (Montana)

    • Canada: Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta), flying back out of Calgary (round trip)

  • Part Three: Canada/Northern US car trip 11 days:

    • Canada: Vancouver (British Columbia), Squamish (British Columbia), Whistler (British Columbia)

    • Northwestern US Washington State Area: Bellingham, Olympic National Park, Mt Rainier, Seattle, North Cascades National Park, Mt Baker and flying back out of Vancouver (British Columbia)

Corey and I would love to share this experience with you all below, places to see, hikes, food adventures, please comment below if you have any questions or if you’re interested in purchasing any artwork or prints from the trip.

PART ONE

Canada/Northwestern US car trip 9 days - Toronto (Ontario), Niagra Falls (Ontario), over the border to Rochester (New York State) for the PGA golf championships, returning to Toronto to fly out

TORONTO

To begin our journey we flew from Brisbane to Vancouver, Vancouver to Toronto for Corey to be a part of the bucks party in Toronto. We stayed central in the city in the Garden District area in an airbnb, walking distance to Downtown. During our time there we explored the city on foot doing 30,000 steps one day, we loved:

  • Toronto Music Garden

  • St. Lawrence Market

  • King Street for a night out exploring and finding a great beer place. We loved Mascot Brewery @mascotbrewery

  • Third wave for great coffee @thirdwavetoronto


NIAGRA FALLS

We hired a car through Turo in Toronto and drove to Niagra for the wedding week. We started the week with a wine tour in the Niagra Region, tasting the famous ‘Ice-Wine’ with the wedding group. The week involved lots of fun attractions, including the boat experience into the falls, behind the falls experience, and the illumination tower experience. Becca & Ryan’s wedding was a beautiful day and being MC for this beautiful couple was the most special role. They both looked incredible and we all shared an incredibly memorable night with them. After a big night at the wedding, we drove back to Toronto to fly out to Calgary for our next leg of the trip.

ROCHESTER - PGA GOLF CHAMPTIONSHIPS ⛳️ 🏌️‍♂️

PGA Championship at Rochester Oak Hill Country Club, USA

Being the golf lovers that we are, Corey and I couldn't resist driving the 90 minutes from the wedding in Niagra Falls, Canada over the border to Rochester, New York State to experience our first PGA Pro. What an experience! We even gave a few yells from the front row for our Australian Cameron Smith 🙌

PART two

Canada/Northern US Van trip 13 days:

  • Canada: Calgary (Alberta), Banff (Alberta), Lake Louise (Alberta), Cranbrook (British Columbia)

  • Northwestern US: West Glacier Lake McDonald area (Montana), Butte (Montana), West Yellowstone National Park (Montana), Lonesomehurst Campground (Montana), Flagg Ranch Campground (Wyoming), South/East Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), Grand Tetons Jenny Lake (Wyoming), Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone (Wyoming), Three Forks (Montana), East Glacier St Mary’s Campground (Montana), East Glacier National Park (Montana), Many Glacier (Montana)

  • Canada: Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta), flying back out of Calgary (round trip)

TIP: Before beginning the journey into the US, invest in a “America The Beautiful” pass for entering the parks, depending if you’re an international visitor (like us - we purchased the annual pass), or a resident, there are passes to save you money entering the parks and quicker at the gates!

CALGARY

We teamed up with our friends Jesse and Jason (from Brisbane) to enjoy the next leg of the trip together. After flying from Toronto to Calgary and checking into our Calgary airbnb, we didn’t wait to get out into Calgary’s Kensington District to explore for dinner. Having daylight until 10pm made exploring so much fun and the days long and eventful. Our most rated experiences in Calgary:

  • Dinner at Hayden Block Smoke & Whisky @haydenblockyyc for some delish #bbq

  • Exploring Kensington Rd and crossing the Peace Bridge and night walks along Bow River

  • ☕️ Coffee at Good Trade Co @goodtradeco

  • 🍳 The most delicious breakfast toasties at PB & J YYC @pbandjyyc the PB Smashed Burger is a must!

BANFF

The 12 days of #VanLife through Canada and the US started in Banff National Park with our friends Jesse & Jason.

We picked up our van from Canadream in Calgary, purchasing a family discovery pass for the Canadian National Parks from them (recommended) and did a typical Walmart shop for supplies. We then drove from Calgary to Canmour with a stop at @thegrizzlypaw for dinner and continued onto Banff to set up camp at Campground Tunnel Mountain (Please ensure you have booked ahead on the Canada reservation site HERE).

The views along this drive were incredible, let alone the rest of Banff! Corey and I were in awe 😍 Our 2 day adventure involved the following:

  • 🇨🇦 Exploring the town of #Banff walking along Bow River

  • 🥾 Up early to get to Lake Louise for before 7am. We suggest you get there for 7am or earlier to ensure you get a park easily. We then hiked up the mountain on the Agnes Lake trail and Tea House exploring a little further up the mountain for some rock stacking and meditation. The views here were unreal! The lake was frozen, it started to rain and the atmosphere was surreal! The boys kept climbing up to Big Behive with insane views of Lake Louise and the Mountains.

  • 🏨 We had a little explore of the gorgeous building Fairmont Chateau on our way back

  • 💧 Post hike recovery at the Hot springs pools at @canadianhotsprings

CRANBROOK

We went separate ways from our friends, and began our trip south towards the USA bornder. To break up the trip we travelled from Banff to Cranbrook (3 hours) to have lunch and play a round of golf at the beautiful Cranbrook Golf Course and decided to stay at KOA Cranbrook. It was a beautiful spot just outside of town with great amenities. With Canadream, we received a discount on KOA campgrounds.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: WEST
West entrance due to the ‘Going to the Sun Road’ being closed

Our next stop was the West entrance of Glacier National Park, only 3 hours from Cranbrook. Visiting Glacier National Park has been something we've been dreaming of for a long time! Due to the winter period and snow on the road the famous ‘Going the Sun Road’ wasn't open all the way through.

So we did Glacier in two stages, the West, Lake McDonald and Agra Campground and then the East side, staying at the gorgeous St Mary Campground.

When we arrived into West National Park our eyes lit up 👀 ⛰️😍 the view from Lake McDonald with the mountains behind was a dream come true! We drove the Going the Sun Road as far as we could to Avalanche Point, exploring all the views along the way! The Agra Campground was a lovely spot close to the lake, however no power or waste, so having a van with generator, water and supplies was great.

That night we sat and watched the sun set, at 10pm haha, over a couple of beers as we watched Lake McDonald’s colours come to life! The images speak for themselves, this was mesmerising! Lake McDonald is quiet well known for its beautiful clear water, partly due to it’s extremely low temperatures that prevent the growth of plankton, and its stunning coloured rocks.

TRAVEL: DRIVE We then travelled in the van from Lake McDonald to West Yellowstone (6.5hrs). A big driving day, broken up with a stop in at the town Butte - historical town of mining and stopped at Butte Brewing & Pizza Company and had a pizza, beet and played on their foosball table.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK:

West Entrance

Yellowstone became a National Park on March 1, 1872, protecting more than 2 million acres of of mountain wilderness, amazing geysers and vibrant landscapes.

It was fascinating to be exploring the glorious supervolcano. One of the world’s largest active volcanoes lies beneath Yellowstone. The first major eruption of the Yellowstone volcano occurred 2.1 million years ago and covered more than 5,790 square miles with ash.

We loved exploring each entrance, not only were there spectacular sights, we also got to see many animals.... we saw a grizzly Mum and her three cubs, deer, antelope, moose, marmots, bison, a black bear!

After travelling the 6.5 route from Glacier, we made our way towards the west entrance, staying one night at Lonesomehurst Campground before entering the park the following day. Entering from the west entrance we made a day exploring the below. Give yourself a good 2-4 hours to do this due to traffic and lots of wonderful stops!

📍 West Entrance: Fountain Flat Drive, Paint Pot, Midway Geyser Basin, Biscuit Basin, Old Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, Craig Pass 8262ft, West Thumb area

That afternoon we made our way to the Flagg Ranch Campground (near the Southern Entrance of the park), so we could be closer to Grand Tetons for our next adventure day. Read below this to see our Grand Tetons adventure day, returning back into the South of Yellowstone to stay in the park at Bridge Bay.

South, East & North (driven after the Grant Tetons)

In order to see the rest of Yellowstone National Park while making the most of our kms and fuel, we went south to Grand Tetons (more detail below) and that afternoon made our way back up to the South entrance into the park to stay at Bridge Bay Campground. This allowed us to camp the night and get up early to see the East and North loops of the park. We visited:

📍 East and North Entrance: Mud Volcano, Upper Falls, Backtail Plateau Drive, Mammoth Hot Springs

We then travelled North out of the park heading towards Three Forks (2 hrs). After exploring that morning, we stopped for BBQ lunch outside of Yellowstone at Emigrant called 'Follow Yer Nose BBQ' for a authentic American BBQ experience. We then continued on to Three Forks KOA to camp the night.

GRAND TETONS NATIONAL PARK

Our day exploring at Grand Teton National Park was a highlight of the trip! We drove from Flagg Ranch Campround in Yellowstone to Grand Teton for a hiking explore day 🥾

We drove down into the parks' North Entrance stopping at Jackson Lake Overlook and Willow Flats Overlook, both some of the most spectacular views of the mountains reflecting in the water! We then crossed the Jenny Lake Dam down to Jenny Lake Visitor Centre.

Jenny Lake was glorious 😍 with its beautiful blue water and views on the Tetons. We hiked the from the visitor information centre, around the lake and up to Inspiration point 7200ft/2194m.

With All Trails downloaded, we continued on up to Cascade Canyon Trail with spectacular views, walking through a beautiful gorge seeing waterfalls, snow and we saw a moose.

On our return, we took the shuttle boat that runs across Jenny Lake back to the visitor centre. The hike was 13.2km and we did it over 4.5 hours with breaks for lunch, it is a must do!

A spectacular moment, seeing a Grizzly bear and her 3 cubs coming back from Grand Tetons to Yellowstone at the flats near Jackson Lake.

That afternoon we drove back to Yellowstone National Park staying at Bridge Bay Campground.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: East
East entrances due to the ‘Going to the Sun Road’ being closed

After staying at Three Forks KOA (going from Grand Tetons, through Yellowstone East, staying the night then continuing on the journey to Three Forks), we travelled the 4.5 hours to the East entrance of Glacier National Park. On our travels we met a lovely lady doing a similar route to us, she suggested we MUST travel the highway 49 route to see some of the best views, she was not wrong! See our highlights of the trip below. This part of the trip was a dream and some of our most memorable moments 😍 ✨️


❤️ Corey Played golf at Glacier Park golf course, surrounded by some beautiful views of the mountains. The golf course opened in 1934

❤️ Driving Highway 49 into the park, the most beautiful drive through the mountains, visiting Two Medicine Lake then back on the Highway 89. Two Medicine campground was closed due to snow and too early in the season, it was a very eerie feeling being there with no one around!

❤️ Camping at Saint Mary Campground with beautiful views out to the nature and an afternoon walk down to the river

❤️ We decided to stay 2 nights at that campground as we loved it so much! Explored the Going the Sun Trail as far as we could by car, then by foot.

❤️ On the road we visited lookouts along Saint Mary Lake, Baring Falls and Jackson Glacier Overlook. Did the St Mary & Virginia Falls Trail - Hiked from St Mary's carpark with views to die for of Virginia Falls. 6.3km took us 2 hours with stops at the waterfalls to dip our feet.

❤️ With Going the Sun Road being closed at Jackson Glacier Overlook we went past the road closure up until we couldn't go any further at Siyeh Bend due to snow and a grizzly being relocated. 4km walk along the road ⛰️

🐻 We saw a grizzly bear across from the lake on our way back to the campground, a spectacular moment!

On the morning we were leaving East Glacier, we went to the visitor information centre and asked if there was any other hikes worth doing in the north of the park before we continued our journey. The rangers suggested Ptarmigan Pass at Many Glacier area, however said no one had reached the top due to snow fall and the track being closed on the wall. He said we could possibly get to the lake and that in itself was a beautiful view. Thank gosh we did, because this hike was spectacular!

The hike was a little scary as no one had done it yet that day due to no footprints and the untouched snow, so we had our bear spray, our walking poles and music playing to be safe. We made it up to the Ptarmigan Lake which was breathtaking, but you couldn’t go any further up to the tunnel due to the snow. This hike later in the year would be the best experience! 14km trail done over 4.5 hours with a stop at the top. Lots of snow areas and fields too. Spectacular views!

This was BY FAR one of our favourite parts of our whole trip!

WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK

As we were coming to the end of ‘part 2’ of our trip, we had a couple more days before we had to drop the van back to Canadream in Calgary and wanted to spend it away from the city areas. After doing some googling, we found a little area on the border of US and Canada called Waterton Lakes that had a beautiful golf course. So after our morning hike at Many Glacier, we set off to Waterson Lakes (1 hour drive) to check it out. Driving into this beautiful town was one of the most incredible views! The prairies of Alberta meet the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in Waterton Lakes National Park. We called into the golf course and booked a round for the next day and spent the afternoon exploring the town.

Of all the areas we had camped over the trip, this was the highlight at Waterton Lakes Campground. We had front row views of the water and mountains, waking up to this. We booked our camp spot right at the waters edge, unreal! We were joined by hundreds of prairie dogs, they are the cutest (and on the golf course)! We walked down to for dinner at the local diner Zum's Eatery & Mercantile, great chicken!

On day two, we had a golf day at Waterton Lakes Golf Course with some of the most spectacular views of the mountains! Due to being injured in a car crash earlier in the year, I unfortunately couldn’t play on the trip but made a great caddie. A storm rolled it, which made for an interesting but beautiful end to the golf round haha. To finish off the afternoon and warm up, we stopped in at the landmark 1920's Prince of Whales Hotel. What a sight to see! Walking into the hotel, the floor to roof windows took your breath away. We had a couple of beers and played card games with a view you could only dream of. That night we made friends with a few of the locals at the campground, had dinner by the lake with a fire and listened to music, it was bliss.

This saw the end of our van trip, travelling from Waterton Lakes back to Calgary (3 hours) to drop the van back to Canadream before our lunch time checkin for our flight. Next stop….Vancouver!

PART three

Canada/Northern US car trip 11 days:

  • Canada: Vancouver (British Columbia), Squamish (British Columbia), Whistler (British Columbia)

  • Northwestern US Washington State Area: Bellingham, Olympic National Park, Mt Rainier, Seattle, North Cascades National Park, Mt Baker and flying back out of Vancouver (British Columbia)

VANCOUVER

To start off part three of our trip, we stayed in Vancouver for 2 nights in an airbnb in downtown Vancouver. This area was walking distance to everything, however in the heart of the homeless area (didn’t affect our stay as they were mostly quiet and didn’t approach you). We did all the tourist spots in the city and found some great coffee and craft beer places, see some of our hightlights below:

☕ Coffee at Revolver (325 Cambie St, Vancouve)

🌳 Walking from Downtown Vancouver over to Stanley Park exploring the area - VanDusen Botanical Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park.

🍝 Dinner at The Old Spagetti House Factory in Gastown

🌁 Explored Lynn Canyon Park, suspension Bridge and then lunch at 5 guys burgers amazingggg!

⛰️ Drove up Cypress Mountain to Bowen Lookout near the ski fields (not active due to summer)

🍸 We were lucky enough to be able to have a special dinner night out with friends from the wedding who lived in Vancouver! They suggested the renowned, 1 Star Michelin restaurant AnnaLena, a beautiful fine dining experience in Vancouver. Voted #9 of Canada’s best restaurants and Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Best Contemporary - Vancouver Magazine, it definitely lived up to its name! It was an incredible experience, from seeing the chef’s sketched up menu, to the final piece, the atmosphere, the service, the drinks, but the food was just divine. An investment of course, but an experience well worth it!

On our second day we had our Turo car dropped off to us so we can explore the other parts of Vancouver we couldn’t do on foot before starting our 10 day journey around the coast.

SQUAMISH & WHISTLER

To start our drive, we headed north from Vancouver to Squamish (1 hr). Being the summer, there wasn’t any snow but it was still great to experience the Sea to Sky Highway & Gondola. At the top, we enjoyed a beer at the restaurant with views to die for. Being summer, there were a number of hikes, mostly easy quick ones which was nice for some exercise while travelling. We did the Wonderland Lake Loop 2.3km, a nice easy and accessable hike. We then continued onto Whistler to stay overnight (50 mins).

We stayed just the one night in Whistler to explore the township in summer. We would LOVE to come back in winter as the ski runs and fields look to die for. When we were there, the slopes had been turned into BMX biking trails, so for adventure families, this is a must! It was interesting to read about the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games. The township was bustling even in summer which was great to see. The next morning we were up early as we had to backtrack to Vancouver before heading south towards Olympic National Park.

BELLINGHAM

To break up the trip, we travelled South from Whister to Bellingham (3hrs), staying at an airbnb hotel. There is some beautiful coastline around in this area, so we went exploring outside of the town driving along Chuckanut Drive to the small town of Chuckanut as we found a highly rated oyster farm on google maps, Taylor Shellfish Farm. We hit the jackpot, this was an oyster farm that suppliers to the restaurants and we got to experience it right at the water. We tried 4 varieties of oysters with a nice crisp beer and a great view!

We did some exploring around this area too which was lots of fun! We went for dinner and drinks at the local food trucks and brewery area, Goods Brewing, and had one of the best burritos we’ve ever had there. The Bellinham township is very small and a nice stop over on your way to Olympic National Park.

The next day we started our route south to Olympic National Park. To break up the drive we travelled via Swinomish Golf Links for a round of 9 holes before reaching Coupeville to take the ferry across to Port Townsend. TIP, check the schedule of the ferry before you go and book online, we ended up having to wait 2.5 hours to get on due to the ferry being full as we thought it would be ok to just turn up lol It was a long day!

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK (STAYING AT PORT ENGELES)

After crossing the long awaited Coupeville to Port Townsend ferry, we mad our way to Port Angeles, where we would stay in our airbnb for 2 nights allowing us to easily explore Olympic National Park. Due to having a car this time around we stayed in airbnbs close to the parks for easy access. Being a rainy late afternoon when we arrived, we did some town exploring and then went for a drive out to Twin Beach (35 mins outside of town) as Corey had been doing a lot of research about oysters and best places to find them fresh and it was supposed to be here. We never found any oysters haha but we did see 2 sea lions by the water!

Unfortunately one of the areas we wanted to visit, Hurricane Ridge, had a fire at their visitor centre and it burnt down, so they closed that area of the park which was so sad to see. We instead went to the beautiful Lake Crescent, where we sat on the pontoon and enjoyed our lunch while looking out over the glacier water. We Finished the afternoon with a trip to Marymere Falls, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. The resort offers three mineral hot spring soaking pools and one Freshwater Pool. The spring water comes from rain and melting snow, which seeps through cracks in the sedimentary rocks where it mingles with gasses coming from cooling volcanic rocks. The mineralized spring waters then rise to the surface along a larger crack or fissure. It was beautiful sitting in the warmth of the pools, looking out at nature and then doing a cold plunge into the fresh pool!

On our third day we started our 6.5 hour tourist drive to Mt Rainier, Ashford. Instead of driving direct to Ashford we went along the coastline so we could enjoy Rialto Beach, 'the ‘whole in the wall’ rock formation on the beach, Ruby Beach and making our way back to Ashford. As we approached Mt Rainier, which we were very excited to see this giant, the weather was horrible and cloud coverage blocked all views of the mountain haha. Bring on tomorrow!

MT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK (STAYING AT ASHFORD)

We arrived late to the Mt Rainier area after travelling from Port Angeles to Ashford (6.5 hours) taking advantage of exploring along the way. Unfortunately, due to bad weather we couldn’t see any of Mt Rainier so we checked into our airbnb (a little tiny home at the back of the Rainier Base Camp) and we relaxed for the night.

The weather wasn’t great our second day at the mountain which was unfortunate, however we thought we’d make the most of going up to the mountain anyway to see the information centre and we explored some of the areas around the carpark. We went to the Nisqually entrance and had a look at Myrtle Falls (very little visibility) and played with some snow and made a snowman. It was actually crazy how much you couldn’t see in front of you! We walked on the snow and saw Marmots walking around everywhere. After checking the weather, it was supposed to be sunny the next day when we left, so we prepared for an early morining rise to climb the mountain. Being positioned at the Basecamp Bar & Grill was very handy (the owners also owned our tiny home, so we stayed on the premises), we went to the hire area and got ourselves some snow cleats to go onto my hiking books. Being a full snow trail and with an injured arm, I wanted to be safe, so these accompanied by our poles meant I was much more stable for our walk. I was still in my wrist splint from my car accident and recovering from surgery, so just wanted the extra protection when walking.

We took advantage of the relaxing atmosphere and cuddled up at our tiny home with a couple of beers, nice dinner and the heater. The weather looked good for the following day, so we planned for an early wakeup.

Day 3 morning we rose to a fair bit of cloud coverage, but the forescast said sun, so we trusted this and headed up the mountain for 7am. As we made our way up, it was like the heavens opened, we passed through the clouds and the sun was shining beautifully and the view of the mountain was a sight I’ll never forget! We started our hiking from the Nisqually Entrance at the Paradise Inn area and visitor centre.

We prepped our walking gear, poles, rain jackets, food and sunscreen and we were on our way! We use AllTrails paid subscription to download our trails and track them on our Garmin watches, this was very handy to stay on track seeing as you couldn’t see any trails, just snow. This was very helpful when embarking up to Panarama Point. Once we were on the trail, we just kept going as there was so many beautiful views to see. We made it nearly to Camp Muir area and were so proud of how far we hiked, particularly with me not being able to use my arm. It was one of the most beautiful look outs I’ve ever seen. Corey and I sat at the rocks and had our lunch and breathed in the fresh air and were just present in that moment.

Mt Rainier is a glorious mountain at 14,410 feet, it is the tallest volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range and the most glaciated peak in the continental United States. This is a must hike! If you go later in the year, it will be much easier to climb, beautiful greenery at the lower areas and waterfalls. We then embarked onto Seattle, nearly 2 hours of driving for our next adventure in the city.

SEATTLE

After finishing our hike, we spent the afternoon driving to Seattle (2 hours away). We settled into our airbnb in the 10th Avenue East, Seattle area and went walking to find dinner out in Capita Hill. It was a bustling and vibrant area. We had lots planned for day 2, so we had an early night ready for our city exploring. Things we recommend in Seattle:

🖼️ Museum of Pop Culture MoPop - This was insane! One of the best Museums we both have ever been to. We spent 3 hours in here as they featured a few incredible exhibitions - ‘A Visiual History of Hip-Hop’ incredible photographs and footage of the ages, Nirvana, Science Fiction, ‘Indie Game Revoluion’, ‘Fantasy W'orld’ (great as we are Lord of the Rings fans), ‘Scared to Death’ horror films, a guitar gallery and Sound Lab.

🍲 Explore Pike Market

🦀 Seafood Dinner at the Crab Pot

⚾ Baseball game a T-Mobile

NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK (STAYING AT SEDRO WOOLEY)

The next morning we travelled North 2.5 hours from Seattle to North Cascades National Park. We started at the visitor centre to get a map (we collected them at every National Park) and did the small walk there, the ‘Trail of the Cedars’. We then travelled to the glorious blue Diablo Lake. The turquoise colour of the lake is a result of the suspended fine rock particles refracting the sunlight. The rock particles, called glacier flour, enter the lake when rocks from the mountains erode by the ice and flows into the water through glacial streams. EPIC! A must see on the route is the Ross Lake Overlook, unreal!

We spent the day at the park and continued onto our airbnb accommodation at Sedro Wooley (1hr). We wanted to be positioned close to Vancouver to fly out but not in the city. We wanted to make the most of our last day travelling to the airport by calling past Mt Baker.

MT BAKER ON THE WAY TO AIRPORT

The last day of your holidays is always a sad one! We got up early from our accomodation at Sedro Wooley and did the 1.5 hour drive to Mt Baker. Due to there being still a lot of snow around in June the park was closed. We explored as far up the mountain as we could near the ski field which was pretty cool, there was no one to be seen and incredible amounts of snow. Us Aussies loved it! We made our way to Vancouver airport, meeting with our Turo owner dropping the car outside the airport area and he dropped us (legend!).

That ends our incredible 4 week journey across Canada and the Northwestern United States. Please drop me an email if you have any questions if you’re planning this trip! Enjoy :D We’ll be back with another for the South West USA soon!

The Adelaide Adventure: Must do Food, Wine & Experiences

Adelaide.jpg

The Adelaide Adventure: Must do Food, Wine & Experiences

A visual journey by Emily Clarke of Life Portraits

When you think of Australia’s ‘must visit’ cities , Adelaide isn’t one that immediately comes to mind. However, with all the covid advertising for exploring Australia, Adelaide sparked my interest and after doing some more research, I was blown away by this beautiful city. How had I not visited this incredible city yet?!

My partner, Corey, and I love travel experiences, so as my early 30th Birthday getaway, we booked a long weekend adventure to Adelaide to celebrate. It turned out to be a much bigger celebration with him popping the question while we were there! <3

The Adelaide region is renowned for its wine & food, hills and coastlines and it’s beautiful churches and old buildings, and boy, did it deliver! Take a visual journey through our 4 day adventure of Adelaide and the surrounding regions!

Adelaide City

We were lucky enough to stay in a beautiful North Adelaide cottage walking distance to the city (check out the airbnb HERE). The picturesque streets are filled with heritage mansions, villas, and worker’s cottages shaded by the canopies of perennial trees. With its renowned Melbourne and O'Connell streets for cafes, restaurants and trendy boutiques, it’s a beautiful area to stay while you’re Adelaide.

We spent a full day exploring Adelaide city on foot and if you’re not a big fan of getting 25,000+ steps in one day haha there is the free city connectors running two loops – an inner city loop and an extended loop around North Adelaide providing a link to popular city attractions and shopping, dining and services destinations. Walking from our Airbnb in North Adelaide we saw the City Botanical Gardens, Zoo, Adelaide Oval and the beautiful gardens surrounding the city. Our first stop was on the other side of the city the Adelaide Himeji Gardens, stepping past the ornate gates to the beautiful little wonderland to experience the beauty of Japan. We then walked to the renowned Adelaide Central Market, the premier food destination for multicultural cuisine and fresh produce, a must visit for your food and culture fix! We explored the many streets of the Rundle Mall, the main city shopping precinct and then made our way over to the MOD. MOD is is a futuristic museum of discovery, sitting at the intersection of art and science. We loved experiencing the ‘It’s complicated’ exhibition and interacting with the installations.

Of course one of the most memorable parts of our trip was our food experiences! After a lot of research, we had two places on our must-visit place while in Adelaide, Africola and Luigi Delicatessen.

Africola is one hell of a food and dining experience. The restaurant offers a set menu of incredible North African dishes that you can allow the chef to choose to bring out and changes according to seasonality. As quoted by The Fork, “Africola brings serious funk to Adelaide’s dining scene. The tasty North African cuisine, crafted by head chef, Duncan Welgemoed, is sure to lure you in so that you can experience mini flavour explosions with every bite. Enjoy African specialties of meat and vegetable dishes as well as breads, dips and pickles.” And they were spot in! We got to experience the full kitchen experience at the bar, watching and capturing the food as it was crafted on the plate. One of the BEST food experiences i’ve had in my life! PLEASE, book in advance and experience Africola, we booked a month in advance, it’s HOT!

Luigi Delicatessen is your first class italian experience by passionate owner Luigi from Naples. Upon entering his beautiful atmospheric restaurant you are greeted like family. There is no menu, he and his staff join you at your table and explain the fresh and authentic meals being cooked that day in the kitchen and they help cater your choice to your taste and needs. WOW, is all I can say! We were celebrating two occasions, my early 30th and Corey proposed the night before, so it was an experience to remember. Luigi chatted to us like friends, told us the story of his Mamma and her influence on the restaurant before she passed, celebrated our news with us with a champagne and guided us with our food choice - three beautiful pasta seafood and ragu dishes with fresh garlic bread. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough! You will not be disappointed, you only have to look at the 1200+ 5 star reviews on tripadvisor haha with another from me!

Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf

A trip to Adelaide isn’t complete until you’ve visited the Adelaide Hills. We hired a car so we were able to do day trips from Adelaide and LOVED the atmosphere of Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf. Must visit spots on your way up the mountain is Mt Lofty Summit for views to die for, Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens for your nature fix and a drive by Mt Lofty House to see the 5 star boutique hotel with views to die for.

Our next stop was the gorgeous township of Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. The streets had so many beautiful touches of character like you were in Germany! We visited The Haus Restaurant and had their HUGE platter featuring a pork hock, schnitzel, sausages, double smoked bacon, sides and of course accompanied by a German Beer. Before heading back to Adelaide we had to visit the renowned ‘The Lane Vineyard’ to do some tastings. Such a beautiful winery with breaktaking views. We walked away with their 2016 ‘Reunion’ Shiraz for our special occasion weekend, superb!

Barossa Wine Tour

You haven’t experienced the full experience of Adelaide until you’ve been on a wine tour. With so many options for wine tour regions, the hardest decision is choosing which one! We went with the “Taste the Barossa” full day wine tour. Our incredible experience included Chateau Yaldara, Peter Lehmann where we had a gorgeous lunch platter of cheese and meats to pair with our wine, Lambert Wines & Wolff Bass. Our tour guide Dallas was wonderful and made a fun experience with lots of knowledge along the way.

Fleurieu Peninsula

South Australia has some spectacular natural attractions however a lot of them are long distances from Adelaide - Great Australian Bight, Mt Gambier, Coober Pedy, Flinders Ranges, Murray River (for another trip!). So we explored closer to Adelaide, only 40 mins south, the Fleurieu Peninsula. We LOVED exploring Hallett Cove Boardwalk area learning about the vast arrays of geological features, past ice ages, climatic changes, prior shoreline positions and erosion activities and how they have impacted the coastline. We walked down to the beach side and embraced the beauty of the many layers of sediment and beautiful colours on the cliffs. We couldn’t leave without bui8lding rock towers out of the beautiful smooth rocks!

We drove inland and visited some of the renowned wineries and breweries D’Arengerg Cube, Swell Brewery, Shifty Lizard Brewery and Hugh Grant Wines. Finishing the day with a trip to Port Willunga Beach & Caves, these unique caves which have been carved into rock, were once used by fishermen to store their boats and fishing rods.

The Tasmanian Roadtrip Adventure Itinerary, Hobart to Launceston: Brisbane Portrait & Commercial Photography

My partner, Corey, and I live for adventures together, quality time, food & drink experiences, going out of our comfort zones and exploring the beautiful world around us. Earlier in the year we planned ourselves a Tasmania roadtrip as we’ve never been to the beautiful state and had heard many great things from our friends who had travelled there and lived there.

So here goes, here is our 1 week itineary of all the amazing adventures, the moments captured and all the information you need to plan your own trip. I just love seeing new places and documenting it through the lens as you will see below.

Day 1: HOBART
Salamanca Markets, fresh seafood, Mount Wellington, Lark Distillery & Preachers for Beers!

Up at the crack of down, we caught the the early flight to Hobart on Saturday morning, arriving into the beautiful historical city, picking up our hire car and explore the famous Salamanca Markets (only on Saturdays 8.30am-3pm)! There was so much variety in this market; food, wine, gin, crafts, more food, plants, produce, singers, art and much more. We explored grabbing a german sausage on the way before trying the famous “Fish Frenzy” for our dose of fresh Tasmanian seafood on the waterfront.

Our accomodation, Macquarie Manor Hotel, was positioned right in the centre of town so everything was within walking distance which was great! We found ourselves a craft beer shop, got ourselves some specials and made our way up to Mount Wellington, 1,271 metres above sea levels, only 20 mins from Hobart city and with views to die for. Don’t forget to bring a few layers it was 10 degrees colder up there. We finished our day with a visit to a creative and quirky spot called Preachers in the city, followed by the Whisky distillery, Lark, for some tasting paddles. What a day! To be bed early for our sunrise ferry to Bruny Island.

Day 2: BRUNY ISLAND
Bruny Island Cheese Company, “The Neck” Lookout, 3 Hour Wilderness Tour with Bruny Island Cruises

Up before sunrise, we made the jounrey from Hobart to Kettering (30 mins) for the first Ferry of the day over to Bruny Island. We went straight to the famous “The Neck” to see the beautiful views before the crowds arrived, then back tracked to Bruny Island Cheese Company for them to open. We tried some beautiful cheeses and came away with some cheese and alchohol for our romantic night in Adventure Bay. We were lucky enough to check in to our accommodation before our wilderness tour, at 43 Degrees at Adventure Bay, WOW is all I can say. Right on the beach, beautiful wooden luxury rooms with a spa! It was beautiful. We checked-in for our 3 hour wilderness tour and as we were getting onto the boat it started to POUR DOWN! It really added to the experience haha it was a memorable one that’s for sure. The images speak for themselves…. Cruising around the cliff faces of Tasmania seeing nature, animals, seals, dolphins and taking in the beauty! Breathtaken by this experience we came back to land, had a beautiful seafood dinner at Hotel Bruny, we recommend the Seafood Chowder and grilled seafood. Finishing the night with a spa and relax with cheese and wine - ‘This is living Barry’

Day 3/4: ROADTRIP TO COLES BAY

Hobart Bakery Jackman & Ross, Devils Corner Winery, Freycinet National Park

“On the road again…..”

Being on holidays, it was nice to start our morning off nice and relaxed with our 43 Degree’s hosts bringing us some contintental breakfast snacks to start our day, waking to the sound of the ocean by our door! We packed up and caught the Ferry back to Kettering, drove back through Hobart and called in at the renowned Jackman & Ross bakery for a scollop pie and lamb and rosemary pie (and a cheeky bit of nutella cheesecake for the road haha). We stocked up on fresh salmon, prawns, cheese, wine, and salad goods for our trip to Coles Bay. The 2 hour drive flew by, calling in at the beatiful Devil’s Corner winery to do some wine tastings and take in their beautiful views. We walked away with a lovely bottle of Pinor Noir. Once we arrived at Coles Bay, we checked into our little ocean view cabin at Big4 Iluka @ Freycient and started our afternoon with a cheese platter, prawns and a glass of wine looking over the ocean.

The next morning we ventured out to Freycinet National Park to see one of the world’s top 10 beaches, Wineglass Bay. What an unreal sight to sea, crystal blue waters, beautiful rock formations and colours to die for. We also explored the Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay and the Cape Tourville Lighthouse lookout for views like we’ve never seen! We finished our stay with a nice meal down at the Coles Bay Tavern, walking distance from Big4!

Day 5/6: ROADTRIP TO LAUNCESTON
Full day Tamar Valley Wine Tour, city exploring, Cradle Mountain trip

To say the trip went out with a bang is an understatement, these last 2 days were UNREAL! We packed up and got on the road for our 2 hour trip to Launceston. We arrived at our hotel, Adina Apartments, to be conveniently picked up at 11am for a full day wine tour with Tamar Vlley Wine Tours. We were greated by the very polite, experienced and delightful Terry. On our 6 hour journey through the Tamar Valley in our mini bus, we got to experience wine tasting at Clover Hill, Pipers Brook (with a beautiful gourmet lunch), Sinapius and Delamere (with a delish cheese platter). The day was delightful, with Terry educating us along the way about wines and the region. We came away very happy with our experience, our beautiful lunch and cheese platter, with a lovely bottle of Clem Blanc from Sinapius. Also a little tipsy haha. We got Terry to drop us into the local craft beer bar called St Johns Craft Beer Bar, enjoying some yummy chicken breast and chips and Tasmanian craft beers. We then moved onto the close by spot Tandy’s, ending the night with a ‘to-death’ match of connect 4 haha

The next morning we were excited to tackle the breathtaking Cradle Mountain. From Launceston, the drive is 2 hours up the mountain and the views along the way are sensational. On arriving, we had an idea of the tracks we wanted to do, but we JUMPED out of our comfort zones and decided to do the hard tracks up to the summit, we travelled all this way! And that was the BEST decision we ever made. Corey and I started with the beautiful Dove Lake Circuit then hiked our way up Marion’s Lookout (very steap with chains) to reach the beautiful lookout. We caught a glimpse of snow, so we had to keep going haha. Corey had never seen snow before so we had to venture on, up and up the mountain towards the summit. We played in the snow, it poured down rain and we loved every minute of it! We chucked on our ponchos and we continued on the journey on the top of the mountain on the breathtaking Horse Track. We nailed out the 4-6 hour route in under 4 hours it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. A MUST DO! On our route back down, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a number of wombats too. On a high, we drove the 2 hours back to Launceston, made ourselves some beautiful salmon and salad for dinner and went out for a few final drinks to celebrate our trip!

DAY 7: FLY OUT OF LAUNCESTON
Morning Trip to Catrat Gorge

We would have loved to have spent more time at both Hobart and Launceston! We will be back again soon. Before dropping our hire car back we took a morning visit to the beatiful Catarat Gorge right in the Launceston city. A beautiful gorge with hanging bridge, cable chairs over the water and playground. It was the best start to the day and we were sad to say goodbye.

WHAT A TRIP TO REMEMBER!

The Must-Visit Beauty of Tenterfield, NSW... Brisbane Fitness, Family & Wedding Photographers

Tenterfield is a breathtaking regional town in New South Wales, just 3 hours from Brisbane. This little town has become my second home since my partner Corey started working out there on an engineering job.

The town has so much history, beautiful sites to see, national parks, the scenery is to die for! I sometimes spend my weekdays there when I don’t have photoshoots, so I can focus on the business in a lovely environment. My early morning consist of ‘rugging up’ (yes, it gets very cold here) and going out for a morning walk to see what stunning scenes I can find.

I wrote a blog about my experience here and in the Granite Belt with their wineries and national parks HERE and the beautiful White Cottage Flower Farm HERE.

See my visual journey of Tenterfield below.

Check out more on the town at Tenterfield Tourism

Em x

A Real Indian Wedding Experience: Brisbane Portrait & Commercial Photographers

It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to travel to India with your Indian friends to be a part of a traditional Indian wedding. When Amit and PJ jokingly said over dinner that we should come, at first we laughed and said “that would be unreal” and then we though more after they said the offer was there. How could we not!

In reflection of this trip, this experience was an opportunity of a lifetime, travelling to India with our friends for 2 weeks of celebrations for a traditional Indian Wedding, their cousins wedding.

Our first stop was Mumbai - Staying in a lovely 5 star hotel and venturing out to explore the streets, to do some shopping for traditional clothing and try some of their famous food.

We then flew to their hometown of Goa - We stayed mostly in Magao with our friends family and each day when we didn't have wedding events, they organised a driver for us! We travelled through North and South Goa, exploring their beaches and most renowned attractions and of course ate at some incredible traditional indian shacks and restaurants.

While in Goa, we got to be part of the wedding events of PJ and Amit's family. Including the Sangeet Dance event, ladies Henna day, traditional male and female religious functions, the wedding itself and the reception. All spread over a 2 week period.

With a gap in the wedding events, my partner, Corey, and I flew to Delhi and booked a fully personalised 4 day Golden Triangle tour - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This opened us up to the culture and history of India and some of the unreal monuments this country has to offer.

See an insight into our travels below, explaining some of the wedding events and traditions, some of the memories, food and the indian lifestyle captured on the trip. Each section details where it is in India and some explain the meaning behind the images. I hope you enjoy this visual journey as much as I loved taking it!

Em x

Exploring Goa

During our time in India we were based in Goa with our friends families. We spent some time in South Goa in Margao, exploring the beaches and attractions, markets and shops of this area and then to North Goa to Panjim to explore the Latin area, old Goa and the shopping and monuments.

The Sangeet

The pre-wedding dance celebratory event. This musical night is a celebration of the union of not only the couple but the bonding of both families. The families choreographed 14 dances to display on stage to the family, it was UNREAL!

Mehndi Day

Mehndi Day before the Wedding - A form of body art originating from the Indian subcontinent, in which decorative designs are created on a person's body, using a paste, created from the powdered dry leaves of the henna plant. 

The Wedding

The Wedding is the official traditional religious function where the bride and groom’s families and friends witness the marriage of Sanju and Sohal. There are many traditional processes including the families gifting the bride/groom gold, jewellery and other gifts. The bride and groom do not see each other through these religious events until they are on stage where they are revealed to each other. Watching these moments was incredible!

Delhi

To begin our 4 day Golden Triangle tour we flew from Goa to Delhi. We began the day nice and early at 7am starting at Qutub Minar with no one in site. I was blown away by this building and it’s unique structure and details. We also visited the Indian Gate, Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), took a rickshaw through Old Delhi, visited the site of Gandhi’s ashes, the Lotus temple and some local shops of craftwork. Our driver then began the 4 hour journey to Agra, stopping at the Akshardam Temple on the way out.

Agra

Arriving at our 5 star hotel Jaypee Palace was incredible! Marble featured throughout, beautiful views over the 25 acre property, surrounded in grasslands, pools and our room featuring an unreal balcony over the views. We rested up that night ready for our 5.30am rise to catch the Taj Mahal at sunrise! Witnessing the Taj Mahal in person was incredible, especially capturing it’s beauty at sunrise. After this unreal experience we also explored the red fort, local craftsman stores and saw a lot of the major buildings in Agra. After a full morning in Agra, we hit the road with our driver to Jaipur, seeing the famous Step Well on the way there.

Jaipur

Jaipur was my most anticipated place to see with it’s pink city, beautiful buildings and unreal monuments. We started our morning with a great buffet breakfast at our 5 star hotel Holiday Inn Jaipur, then took on the day with a tour of the Amber fort, probably one of the most impressive buildings Corey and I have both witnessed. What used to be a palace is now a large fort that is incredible to see! We then ventured through the Pink City seeing the Palace of Winds, we visited a textiles manufacturer and saw how they created carpets and printed clothing and finished the day with a tour through the incredible Jaipur Palace. Corey and I got an Olla around the city and went for a romantic dinner at the rooftop Peacock Restaurant in the city. It was unreal! What a way to end the trip.

OMA GOSH WHAT A WEEKEND

SURFING IN THE SHADOW OF CYCLONES

With Cyclone Oma causing havoc up and down the Southern Queensland coast this weekend there seemed no better time for my son and I to have a father and son weekend combining our love of surfing and of cameras.

Now when it comes to photography I’m pretty confident saying I know my stuff but when it comes to surfing, while I love both doing it and watching it, I have to be honest and say I’m pretty hopeless at it.

My little boy on the other hand is still learning his camera work but loves his surfing and after only a couple of lessons can go off and catch a wave and unlike his dad actually stay standing riding it to the end.

All that said the set after set of bumper waves crashing up and down the Gold and Sunshine Coasts were well beyond anything we could even pretend to go out in so we decided to stay on dry land, break out the cameras and have a great father and son weekend watching and capturing the action by surfers we can only dream about ever being as good as.

And what a pleasure it was to watch those men and women out among terrifyingly large crashing waves. Saturday was the most dramatic down at Kirra Point and Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and then Sunday a quieter session up at the Spit at Noosa.

Though while I must say the surfing was impressive, and it is always fantastic to photograph people in their element, what was more impressive to me was my little boy using a big telephoto lens for the first time and shooting fast sports for the first time and nailing some absolutely amazing shots.

No random firing of the camera for him, but careful framing and timing his shots for the best drama. He has owned and been using cameras since he was three. Now at 11 he is becoming a really accomplished young photographer.

As a father there is no greater thing than sharing two of your favourite things with your child and also watching them develop realising with pride that they will, without doubt, one day surpass you at both of them.

So here are my pics….. and my son’s follow below…

And here are a small number of Jack’s….

Brisbane Fitness, Family & Wedding Photography | Brisbane Photography Training 

www.lifeportraits.photography






The Great Ocean Road Road Trip Adventure: Brisbane Portrait & Commercial Photographers

A TICK OFF THE BUCKET LIST... THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

I've always dreamed of travelling to the Great Ocean Road and capturing it's raw beauty. So this year I planned a 4 day getaway road trip with my partner Corey to explore the coast.

Starting in Melbourne with a hire car, we travelled all the way down the coastline visiting the towns of Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay (for a sneaky scallop pie and brewery beer) and Port Campbell. Some of the most unreal locations to see were of course the 12 Apostles, Loch ard Gorge, The Grotto, London Bridge, Gibson’s Steps, Bay of Islands, the Californian Redwoods Forest and some lookouts along the way.

We stayed at a beautiful cottage 12 Apostles Cottages, 5 mins drive from the Apostles, so we could easily enjoy the many natural beauties along the coastline at sunrise and sunset (and to miss the crowds)!

Here's a few of my favourite memories along the way! We are so lucky to have such unbelievable natural wonders in our country!

Em

Brisbane Portrait & Commercial Photographer | Brisbane Commercial Photography

Go on... GET LOST!!! A day at the Woodford Folk Festival

SOMETIMES THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS GET LOST….

So the other day I jumped in my car, packed the big medium format camera and went for a drive to see what I could see and look at doing some landscape photography…. I had no particular direction in mind, I just wanted to get lost, take random turnings and see where I ended up.

Leaving Brisbane, I drove up to Toowoomba then along the range through Crows Nest, Black Butt, Kilcoy then just before Woodford saw a sign to “Festival”

It was late in the day by then and I had decided to head for Mooloolaba to do a coastal sunset shot but the word Festival stuck in my head.

I captured this shot at Mooloolaba…..

49629712_10157039176436942_4556919172449173504_o.jpg

…but while waiting for the light to be right, I jumped online on my phone…. stupidly I never actually realised that the Festival would be the famous Woodford Folk Festival…. I know, I’m an idiot but for some reason I never thought that would be between Christmas and New Year.

Now, I do love my music and folk music included, but I had never really contemplated the Woodford Folk Festival, it never really seemed my thing…. but it is the quiet time between Christmas and New Year, I had time on my hands and so on the way home I decided I would buy a day and night ticket for the next day and just see what happened.

…And what a great decision that was…. what a great festival it is.

I drove back up to Woodford for 10am the next morning and stayed until 11pm that night. Saw great artists including Cat Empire, Butterfingers, Nattali Rize and numerous others. Ate great food, sat and chatted to really interesting and genuine people, and honestly have never relaxed so quickly in all my life… and no that wasn’t because of anything else that people jokingly comment on about being readily available at Woodford.

In all honesty I went not knowing what to expect but found a fantastic, family orientated, all age friendly event with great music, great food, great workshops and an amazingly fun and lovely crowd of thousands of attendees.

You can go at a frantic pace and see as many of the acts as possible or slow right down and just lie in the sun with a beer or gin and tonic near one of the stages and let the atmosphere wash over you. I went for more of the latter than the former :) and just felt the tension built up from a lot of hard work over the past couple of months just drift away.

One day and one night just does not do the festival justice, so the plan is already in place that next year I’ll be taking the camping 4x4 and staying up there. I don’t know if I would do the full five days, but definitely three is on the cards, and I can’t wait.

So the lessons learned (or maybe re-learned)…. take the time to go and get lost, you never know what you might find…. and if you do find something that peaks your interest, just go and do it. You never know you might even find you enjoy yourself.

Andy

A Gym Environment Like No Other - Strength Sanctuary Stafford - Brisbane Commercial Fitness Photography

With so many gyms, franchises and personal trainer businesses around now it’s hard to find one that you’re going to love and suit your needs.

I came across Strength Sanctuary in Stafford through a friend, and from the moment I stepped into this gym, I was blown away. The environment, the equipment, the welcoming owners and members… it has it all.

Located in a large warehouse in Stafford, owners Oran and Nic created a place they always dreamed of to train - amazing equipment, great music, graffiti walls, table tennis, dogs allowed, couches and in the company of friends.

Not only is this an amazing place to train, I regularly use this as a location for my photoshoots as it’s so vibrant in it’s colours and has so much room and great equipment for my clients. They also have an outdoor area with plants and sled area also. As Oran & Nic always accommodate me and my fitness clients, I thought I would return the favour by capturing this sanctuary of theirs.

See below for some great images of their space, to find out more about them see below:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strengthsanctuary/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/strength.sanctuary

Em

Brisbane Commercial Fitness Photography | Brisbane Gym

The White Cottage Flower Farm: Tenterfield's Hidden Gem - Brisbane Commercial & Portrait Photographers

This week I had the chance to have a few day getaway to Tenterfield to see my partner and for a little country retreat. Between business work, I set out on foot to explore the town with its beautiful historical look and feel, tree lined streets, roses and flower gardens and old buildings. I also explored the ‘Tenterfield’ instagram location tag to see if I could find some hidden gems from the locals… and I did!

It is here that I found the White Cottage Flower Farm. The farm is the home of Mandy & Hamish Reid, passionate lovers of cottage gardens, flower farming and vintage and farmhouse wares. I contacted with Mandy to see if I could come and visit, take some photographs and setup my laptop for the afternoon for some work and she was more than happy for me to do so.

I got to know Mandy & Hamish’ story and had to share it with you all! The couple have lived in Tenterfield for 23 years and only in the past 8 years they’ve been selling plants/flowers at their nursery and vintage homewares and only the past year have they opened up the flower farm.

Before living in Tenterfield they weren’t big into gardening, they were inspired by the beauty of the region, cool climates and the gardens in Tenterfield.

When Mandy & Hamish first started the project, the beautiful ‘White Cottage’ that is one of the main features of the garden was actually a colourbond shed and they transformed it into the beautiful nursery and homewares space that it is now. It is filled with stunning natural light, stained glass windows, flowers and vintage homewares.

The White Cottage is open to the public Tuesday - Sunday, 9am-5pm where visitors can pick their own fresh flowers, explore the gardens and purchase items from the vintage wares and also from the nursery. For those that don’t have a garden they can come to the cottage and pick their own varieties, such a priceless thing to do! I explored the garden and got to experience this first hand, the smells, the nature, the sounds, it was glorious.

The garden is a passion for both Mandy & Hamish, where they share the duties between them. Hamish does the maintenance on the garden and heavy lifting while Mandy taken great pride in planting, designing and styling the homewares store. The garden is filled with 120 David Austin Roses, 80 Peony Roses, foxgloves, sweet peas and all cottage perennial flowers.

On occasions Mandy hosts floral workshops and painting workshops for those of the community and people from the around the region attend. She has a great following on instagram, great branding and people come from far and wide to see the gardens.

If you’re in the region, it’s a MUST SEE! See some images below.

Em x

An Authentic Italian Experience: Brisbane Food Photography

Who loves Italian!?

I'm a hugeeee lover of authentic food and unique food experiences and had the opportunity to experience Prova Pizzeria in Stafford recently for an amazing feast! A big thanks to Cat & Joe for looking after Corey and I with a beautiful tapas entree, two pizzas for our main, red wine and of course finishing with nutella doughnuts surrounded by a pizza base bowl! TO DIE FOR!

I couldn't help but capture some of experience ❤ 

I must try in Brisbane for a beautiful authentic Italian experience with a range of items on the menu. Thanks Cat & Jo for having us, we loved the hospitality, customer service and your added personal touch!

Em x 

Brisbane Food Photography
www.lpcommercial.photography

5 reasons why you MUST visit the Southern Downs & Granite Belt Region: A Photographers Journey

In the past month, both Andy and I have experienced just a small taste of what the beautiful Southern Downs & Granite Belt has to offer and we are BLOWN AWAY! Find out why below....

Only recently under the LP Commercial Photography brand, Andy photographed for the Southern Downs & Granite Belt Council as part of a new marketing campaign, opening my eyes to its beauty. As a result, I ventured to the region for the weekend as my partner is now working in the Tenterfield area for the next 2 years and I wanted to explore some of the amazing things the region has to offer! See some of my top reasons why you must visit the Southern Downs & Granite Belt Region below.  

1

The Amazing Tours: Sit back, relax and enjoy the numerous wineries, breweries and beautiful food tours on offer around the region.

Southern Downs & Granite Belt: Brisbane Portrait and Commercial Photography

You can base yourself from a number of towns in the region - Stanthorpe, Ballandean or Tenterfield and be within close proximity, 30-45mins, to many of the highlights of the region! There are some breathtaking cottages and homely accommodation in these areas, however you have to get in quick as everything sells out quick! We were based in Tenterfield and due to the sell out in Stanthorpe and close by, we organised a tour from Tenterfield to the winery region. 

I was very lucky to get in contact with Kevin from Tenterfield Tours, who picked us up from Tenterfield and took us for a private half day tour of 5 wineries in the region (only a small portion of the nearly hundred on offer!). This was the best experience and Kevin had so much knowledge and his customer service was 5 star! He's definetly worth contacting if you want to explore the region as he offers winery tours and nature tours!. Here's a little look at the 5 wineries we got to see, experience and enjoy taste testing at below.

BALANCING ROCK WINES

2

The National Parks: The perfect place to explore with the family for the weekend

There are so many national parks in the region, however we were able to explore one while visiting for the weekend, Girraween National Park. Known for its 'The Pyramids' and 'Balancing Rock' we had it down as a must see. 

Located outside Stanthorpe in the Ballandean area, Girrawean is known for its huge granite boulders, it's 30km of walking and bike trails and Castle Rock or Bald Rock Creek camping areas.  We parked at the Bald Creek Day Area and walked to the amazing Granite Arch, followed by the climb up the hill to 'The Pyramid' (not for the faint hearted, it's a steep climb!) for breathtaking views over the region! 

Bald Rock National Park is next on our list with the natural beauty of their smooth rock formations as well as Boonoo Boonoo National Park and falls.

3

The beautiful locations and scenery for photography: The entire Southern Downs and Granite Belt Region and Tenterfield Shire is filled with the most beautiful photographic locations and lookouts!

Between the Stanthorpe to Tenterfield regions is just glorious! Crossing the QLD border to NSW to explore another beautiful region. See some of the beautiful locations below. 

 

4

The Breweries: Explore the new craft breweries around the region

My partner and I are brewery lovers and on a mission to visit all the breweries across QLD. The Granite Belt Brewery was on our MUST VISIT list! Set in the outskirts of Stanthrope with beautiful cottages alongside the brewery for your weekend stay, winery vines and the natural forestry surroundings, it was just beautiful! Stepping inside the brewery was like being transported into a ski lodge in Canada with the high roof wooden, cost feeling with lovely couches and welcoming feeling. Corey and I had to try the tasting paddle and ordered 4 of their beers to test the palatte. A MUST DO if you're travelling to the region. We missed out on booking here due to being sold out, but we plan to return to stay in their homely cottages with spa bath and fire! The perfect romantic weekend away!

On our next visit we plan to visit the Deepwater Brewing near Tenterfield and explore this area and national park, as well as Brass Monkey Brew House near Stanthorpe. 

5

The Food: With so much on offer between the wineries, cheese factory and local restaurants you can't go wrong in the Southern Downs & Granite Belt region for food!

Find out all the best places to go HERE.

The Beauty of Japan & the Suntory Alcohol Experience

From April 9-13 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Japan to photograph for alcohol brand Suntory on their " The House of Suntory - The Nature and Spirit of Japan" media trip. The journey included experiences in Osaka, Kyoto, Yamazaki, Tokyo and the Southern Japanese Alps. I accompanied journalist James to capture the stories of this journey to assist him in his articles as well as imagery for Suntory. 

Take a look behind the scenes of the culture, food and fun that we had on this amazing trip. A big thank you to Suntory for giving us this opportunity. 

PUBLISHED ARTICLE:

Great to see the imagery from the Suntory Japan trip featuring in the media! Big thanks to James Atkinson for the great article. View the Good Food article HERE.

Em x

FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES

SUNTORY DISTILLERY EXPERIENCES 

LANDSCAPES & SIGHTSEEING

Brisbane Commercial Photography: Brisbane Food & Drink Photography
www.lpcommercial.photography

Insomnia And Your Camera Can Be The Perfect Partners

4am Saturday morning. It's the end of a franticly busy couple of weeks and it's my first day off in a while with no commitments and the first real chance for a sleep in... but I'm wide awake.

No matter what I try and do, sleep is not coming back to me.... 5000 sheep have jumped the garden gate in my head and nothing is happening. The reality is I'm not going to sleep as the jobs and images of the past two weeks are still playing through my mind... my body may have switched off but my brain won't.

You might think at a moment like this it's not the time for someone to pick up their working tools, but for me, grabbing the camera is exactly what I need. It's at times like these I pick up my Pentax medium format 645Z a couple of lenses, a ten stop ND filter and head for the car.

Outside it's a crisp pre-dawn morning, the first morning this year when you can feel winter in the air and the last vestiges of sleep are torn away in one chilly bite.

20 minutes later, the stresses and strains of the previous couple of weeks are fast receding in the rear view mirror. I'm chasing the sunrise to a wailing soundtrack of guitars and vocals. Eric Clapton, Blue Oyster Cult, Jimi Hendrix and a host of others are blasting out of the wonderful Bang Olufsen sound system in my Audi to a backing track of a purring V6 engine. I no longer care about sleeping, I'm wide awake with a road trip wide grin on my face.

Watching the crescent moon fade and the deep black of the sky slowly change to an indigo blue I pull off the highway at Currumbin at the tail end of the Gold Coast with just 20 minutes to spare before sunrise.

It's perfect, a cloudless sky, fishermen creating silhouettes on the rocks and as the yellow and orange hues start to creep over the ocean horizon heralding the rise of the sun I'm set up on the beach, Pentax tripodded and waiting for the day to begin in earnest.

For me this is the ultimate relaxation. The waiting moments that come with landscape photography, the calm and peace of studying the sky and colours and light waiting for the right moment to press the shutter. It's such a trance like contrast to the invariably fast paced photography that fills my working days, particularly when working with the Pentax. It is an amazing camera but one that demands that you take your time and think things through to get the best out of it. I'm using a ten stop ND filter to slow the exposures down and mist up the crashing waves taking my shutter speeds over the five minute mark, again slowing down the photographic process and making me take my time. As a consequence, heart beat and mind slow as well and finally for the first time in a while, with the chill sea breeze, the crashing waves and the sun finally coming over the horizon, I start to relax. 

Ten exposures later that's it... the day has begun the sun is up. It's time for a trip to a nearby Surf Life Savers Club for a steaming cup of coffee or three and a decent breakfast.

On the way back home the sound track changes... Lene Marlin, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars take over where Clapton and Hendrix left off. At home a little bit of time is spent processing up the pictures then an easy dinner and finally the mind has switched off and a night of wonderful, restful sleep begins.  

Andy

A Reason To Get Up In the Morning

Emily and I are pretty lucky in our jobs.... its a rare thing when what you do for a living is also your key passion and creative outlet in life. It means we take every opportunity to go out and shoot whenever we can.

Like this morning. I love landscape photography, it's one of the ways I like to relax. So since we had an early morning meeting on the Gold Coast anyway (resulting in some exiting news which we hope to be able to talk about soon!!), we set off really early to beat the traffic and to catch the sunrise at Snapper Rocks. 

These are some of the shots I took and we even made a little video about it too which we will get up on the facebook as quickly as we can.

For the technical among you, I set up two cameras, at each location to allow me to capture two slightly different looks in the short space of time we had to capture the sun behind a narrow cloud bank. 

One was the trusty Canon 5d MKIV with a 16-35mm zoom set at 16mm and shooting fast shutter speeds to capture every splash and peak of every wave. The other was my beloved Pentax 645Z medium format camera with a 35mm lens and a 10 stop Neutral Density filter which blocks a load of light and lets me shoot at really slow shutter speeds while pointing straight at the sun (up around 2 minute exposures this morning). This has the affect of turning the incoming surf into a wonderful milky misty spray.

See what you think.

Andy

Coffs Coastal Adventure

As a yearly tradition, my partner and I escape to somewhere new in Australia from boxing day until New Years. This is our time to relax, watch the cricket, explore, read, reflect on our year, cook beautiful food, photograph landscapes, relax at the beach and enjoy each others company. 

This year we had the company of our friends for a few days which was a lovely experience. We stayed at the most amazing Airbnb in Coffs Harbour that had 2 bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, laundry facilities, a beautiful patio overlooking bush land, a BBQ, comfy beds, not to mention our hosts Bill & Marie were such lovely people! Check out their Airbnb here, well worth a stay!

The Coffs Coast has so many amazing places to explore..... See below for a visual insight into our trip away. <3

See more great things to do in Australia with RV Lifestyle - 100 Best Things to Do in Australia

Look at Me Now Headland, Moonee Beach

Dorrigo

Just an hour west of Coffs Harbour along the delightful Waterfall Way driving route, Dorrigo is on the doorstep of the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. Enjoy spectacular lookouts, enchanting waterfalls and exhilarating walks in the beautiful rainforest on the North Coast of NSW. We visited Dangar Falls, Skywalk lookout, Crystal Shower Falls Walk which are shown below :)

Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve

 

 

 

Brisbane's Enchanted Garden

If you're looking for something fun to do with the family this Christmas check out Brisbane's The Enchanted Garden at Roma Street Parkland. The gardens have turned into a fairy wonderland with it's beautiful lights, colours and secret fairy doors. 

Andy and I had to visit and capture what the iPhone cannot! With only 3 days to go, I would suggest getting there at least an hour early to line up (or you could be waiting a long time). Andy and I arrived for 5.30pm and the gates opened at 6.30pm. If the queue is too long for the kids, never fear, as there are some amazing views from the outside surrounding bridges. While you're in the city, why not take advantage of the outdoor cinema in the park which is next door or the Gold Lotto City Hall Lights or the amazing Christmas Fireworks and South Bank Christmas Markets! Loads to do this Christmas in Brisbane, such a beautiful city we live in :D

We highly recommend paying a visit to the Enchanted Garden, which is still open as per below:

  • 15 Dec, 2017 6:30PM - 15 Dec, 2017 9:30PM

  • 16 Dec, 2017 6:30PM - 16 Dec, 2017 9:30PM

  • 17 Dec, 2017 6:30PM - 17 Dec, 2017 9:30PM

Check out more information here at Visit Brisbane or on the Fb event here.

Enjoy our images below :D

Andy & Em

A Trip of a Lifetime! Europe from a Photographers Eye 📷

EuropeTrip_Cover.jpg

It's been over a month since returning from my trip around Europe with my partner Corey and WOW has that month flown! We've been run off our feet at the LP HQ but loving being busy coming back from holidays. 

I wanted to share with you all some of the amazing memories I captured along my journey and some of the reasons why I loved each place. If you're thinking about going to Europe you have to check this out! 

Ireland

We spent our first day in Dublin, visiting the Guinness Storehouse, pouring a perfect pint, exploring the alleyways of the Temple Bar area before hiring a car and ventured out to countryside Cavan to my Nana's house. 93 years of age and still the most humorous, loving and amazing woman. It was an amazing time seeing family (Dad being one of 7 so the family is large) and made the 3 hour trip to Giants Causeway to experience the beauty of this natural wonder, 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Always of favourite of mine is the beautiful Cabra Castle and we couldn't leave Ireland without having a true Irish breakfast with my family! 

Berlin

Berlin was such a historical, beautiful, creative and art filled city! This was one of our favourite places that we visited. We enjoyed great food including pork knuckle, curry wurst and schnitzels, we consumed cheap alcohol while enjoying the beauty of the monuments by the river (you can drink in public!), immersing ourselves in the many monuments of Berlin's history including the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building, Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Cathedral, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin TV tower and many more. We walked at least 20km each day exploring the many sights and hidden gems. A MUST VISIT! 

Amsterdam

Amsterdam was such a beautiful place, with pops of green, red and blue colours, a maze of canals which made for beautiful imagery and lots of history and culture. We had a relaxing two days visiting the attractions such as the "I am Amsterdam" sign, Ricksmuseum, the flower market, the Red Light District with time left over to just enjoy the beautiful sights. Watch out for the manic bike riders, everywhere! 

Paris

Paris was a much larger city than I ever imagined it to be. It was widespread, with many sights to see and thriving with tourists, we did 20km a day walking, easy! I have always wanted to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral, especially after watching the movie the Hunchback of Notre Dam, it was beautiful. Corey and I were lucky enough to organise a few months in advance to meet up with my best friend Nikea (friends since we were like 5) and her husband Michael to explore some of Paris together. It was amazing having friends to visit these wonderful places with including the Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs and the Louve Museum. 

Switzerland

The highlight of our trip was the stunning Switzerland! Corey and I have been dreaming of seeing this place for a long time and the moment we began crossing the border from France and began witnessing the mountains, blue lakes and greenery our mouths were on the floor. I will let the images speak for themselves!

We didn't stay in the city areas as we wanted to experience the real culture and beautiful sights. We based ourselves from Interlaken for the first couple of days allowing us to train to the town of Grindewald to see Grindewald First, exploring the town of Interlaken and it's lookout Harder Kulm, then onto the valley towns of Lauterbrunnen and Murren. Lautterbrunnen was like something from a movie, waterfalls showering over the cliffs of the valley, glaciers melting into large waterfalls which we were able to walk through, base jumpers and hang gliders flying through the clouds. I was on cloud 9 this whole time. However, be prepared to be eating food from the grocery store and making your own meals as everything is beyond expensive (e.g. Chicken breast was $50/kg!). Murren was a little town on top of the valley with no cars, hardly any noise to be heard and is up in the clouds! We spent a whole afternoon sitting on a hill watching hang gliders run over us and jump off the cliff while having a beer and falling asleep (this was living). I can not recommend enough for people to visit these beautiful, unreal locations! 

Rome

A historical city of beautiful ruins, pebbled streets, great food and some of the best monuments. We spent a couple of days in Rome before getting aboard our cruise ship to the Greek Islands so we wanted to relax while also seeing the sites. Our accommodation was located right across the road from the Colosseum so we were within easy walking distance of these beautiful places! 

Greek Isles Cruise

To finish our holiday, we booked a Royal Caribbean 9 night Greek Isles Cruise which included stops at Sicily where we visited Taormina, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes Island,  Naples where we visited Island of Capri and Athens. I witnessed some of the most beautiful coastal scenes I have ever seen and lapped up the sun while I had the chance. We did most of the exploring on our own rather than going through the boat excursions as we purchased a sim overseas and research our modes of transport. This made for a very cost effective way of seeing things!

After reflecting on the trip, I don't think I would have changed anything considering I planned it all myself. We had such a great time with a balance of sites, relaxing, exploring and enjoying ourselves. If anyone has any questions regarding the planning or are wanting to purchase any of the images as digitals/prints etc feel free to send me an email on emily@lifeportraits.photography

Let's create something beautiful!