Here’s every place I’ve been lucky enough to explore so far – starting with my home town of Sydney, then around Australia and further afield to Indonesia, Europe and the UK. Some have full guides already, and the rest are on their way. Pick a spot, grab a coffee and start planning.
Sydney
My home base, and honestly still one of my favourite cities in the world. I could write about Sydney forever, so here are the spots I keep coming back to.
Bondi
Sydney’s most famous beach and it earns the hype. Swim at Icebergs, do the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, then settle in for brunch or a drink with a view.
Coogee
A little more relaxed than Bondi but with just as much going on. Ocean pools, a great pub scene and the perfect finish line for the coastal walk.
Clovelly and Gordons Bay
The best snorkelling spots in the eastern suburbs. Calm, clear water and a good chance of spotting the friendly blue groper if you’re lucky.
Manly
Half the fun is getting there – the ferry from Circular Quay is one of the best value harbour trips you can take. Then it’s beaches, Shelly Beach snorkelling and the Spit to Manly walk with its hidden little harbour beaches.
Watsons Bay
Fish and chips on the grass, harbour views back to the city and the clifftop walk at The Gap. One of the best lazy Sunday afternoons in Sydney.
Shark Beach and the Hermitage Foreshore Walk
A gorgeous harbour walk past tiny secluded beaches, ending at Shark Beach in Nielsen Park – which is much calmer and prettier than the name suggests.
Redleaf
A sweet little netted harbour pool in Double Bay with a cute cafe right on the water. Great for a swim and a coffee without the ocean beach crowds.
Cronulla
The Shire’s beach hub, and easy to reach by train. Long stretches of sand, a scenic esplanade walk and plenty of places to eat and drink afterwards.
Palm Beach
Right at the tip of the Northern Beaches. Do the hike up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for one of the best views in Sydney, then reward yourself with a swim.
Circular Quay and The Rocks
The classic postcard Sydney – the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and cobblestone laneways full of old pubs. Touristy, sure, but it never stops being beautiful.
New South Wales
Blue Mountains
The easiest escape from Sydney and somehow it never gets old. Dramatic lookouts, bushwalks for every fitness level and cosy little towns made for a long weekend.
Jervis Bay
Some of the whitest sand and clearest water you’ll find anywhere – and it’s only three hours from Sydney. If you haven’t been yet, this is your sign.
Hunter Valley
Wine, cheese, rolling vineyards and long lunches that turn into long afternoons. Perfect for a weekend away with friends or a low-key getaway for two.
Byron Bay
Yes it’s busy and yes it’s worth it. Beautiful beaches, the lighthouse walk at sunrise and a laid-back vibe that’s hard to leave behind.
Coffs Harbour
A relaxed coastal town with great beaches, a gorgeous jetty and plenty of room to slow down. A great stop on a north coast road trip.
Narooma
A sleepy south coast gem with crystal clear inlets, seals lounging on the rocks and a pace of life that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
Queensland
Gold Coast
Big beaches, theme parks, rooftop bars and a hinterland full of rainforest and waterfalls. There’s more to it than Surfers Paradise, promise.
Brisbane
A sunny, easygoing city with a great food scene, riverside walks and a warmth (literally) that makes it easy to love.
Cairns
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree. Come for the reef, stay for the tropical rainforest and the slower pace.
Hamilton Island
Island life done properly – golf buggies, turquoise water and day trips out to Whitehaven Beach, which really does live up to the photos.
K’gari (Fraser Island)
The world’s largest sand island and an absolute adventure. Think 4WD beach highways, freshwater lakes like Lake McKenzie and wild, untouched scenery.
Victoria
Melbourne
Laneway coffee, incredible food, great shopping and an arts scene that keeps you busy rain or shine. Just pack a jacket – always pack a jacket.
Tasmania
Hobart
A small city with a big personality. Salamanca Markets, MONA, Mount Wellington and some of the best food and wine in the country.
Freycinet
Home to Wineglass Bay, one of the most beautiful spots in Australia. The hike up to the lookout is worth every step.
Northern Territory
Uluru
There’s nothing quite like seeing Uluru in person. The colours at sunrise and sunset, the sheer scale of it and the quiet of the desert – it’s a trip that stays with you.
Indonesia
Uluwatu, Bali
Clifftop beach clubs, world-class surf breaks and sunsets that stop you in your tracks. Uluwatu is Bali at its most dramatic and a great base if you want beaches over busy streets.
Gili Islands
A short boat ride from Bali, these three tiny islands have no cars, just bikes, horse carts and impossibly clear water. Snorkelling with turtles here is a must.
Europe
Copenhagen
Colourful Nyhavn, bikes everywhere and a food scene that punches way above its weight. Copenhagen is effortlessly cool and incredibly easy to explore.
Stockholm
A city spread across islands, with a cobblestoned old town, waterfront walks and fika breaks built into the day. Honestly one of the prettiest cities in Europe.
Paris
It’s a classic for a reason. Long walks along the Seine, pastries for breakfast, wine for dinner and a beautiful building around every corner.
United Kingdom
London
Markets, museums (lots of them free), cosy pubs and a different neighbourhood to discover every day. You could visit ten times and still not see it all.
Bristol
A creative, friendly city with a buzzing harbourside, colourful houses, street art around every corner and the Clifton Suspension Bridge stretching over the gorge.
Stonehenge
Standing in front of something that’s around 5,000 years old is a pretty special feeling. An easy day trip from London or Bristol and well worth it.
Sandbanks
A glamorous little peninsula on the Dorset coast with soft sandy beaches and calm water. It’s proof that the UK can do a proper beach day when the sun comes out.