Are the buses in Peru safe? How do I buy tickets?? Where can I even go?!? For first-time visitors to Peru, it can be a bit daunting to figure out how you're going to get around the country on a bus and actually see all of the places you've been dreaming about— but is a hop-on/hop-off bus ser[...]
About 90 minutes north of Cusco in the shadow of the Peruvian Andes, the lush Urubamba Valley once formed the heart of the Incan empire and was an important agricultural area supplying food for the surrounding regions. Now, this approximately 100km-long valley is home to some of Peru's most impress[...]
Machu Picchu is far and away the most spectacular and well-known of Peru’s ancient ruins, but it’s certainly not the only architectural legacy left behind by the Incas. Within walking distance of Cusco city, a number of impressive and often lesser-known sites provide equally remarkable insights[...]
Just south of Lima on the Pacific Coast of Peru, the small town of Paracas is truly a nature-lover’s paradise, replete with stunning coastal scenery, its own vibrant Nature Reserve, and an incredible abundance of native wildlife. Paracas is perhaps best known for its proximity to the Ballestas Is[...]
Surrounded by golden sand dunes and bathed in perpetual sunshine, the tiny town of Huacachina is quickly becoming a favourite destination for visitors to Peru's Pacific Coast. From sandboarding and dune buggy rides to paragliding over the desert, there's no shortage of adventures to be had—but th[...]
Home to South America's only desert oasis, the charming, pocket-sized Huacachina has become an essential stop for backpackers along the Gringo Trail— framed by towering sand dunes, offering plenty of adventurous activities, and bathed in nearly perpetual sunshine, it's incredibly easy to see why.[...]
Lima is the first port of arrival for nearly every visitor to Peru, but unfortunately it often remains just that— it's all too common for travellers to immediately hop on a domestic flight to Cusco or catch a bus further down the coast, completely cutting Lima out of their itinerary. This quick t[...]
Sampling national dishes and local delicacies is one of my absolute favourite ways to experience a new destination— the smells and tastes of Peru, the customs surrounding food preparation, and various mealtime traditions will tell you more about this country than any city tour every could. It may[...]
As Australia's largest city (and arguably its most beautiful), there really are an insane number of things to do in Sydney— so much so that it can be downright overwhelming to know where to explore first. I lived in Sydney for almost 7 years, during which time I was constantly ticking off local f[...]
From beach bums and bushwalkers to foodies and history buffs, Sydney is a lively, sparkling metropolis with a seemingly infinite number of activities for every kind of traveller. As with everywhere in Australia, though, some of that magic lies outside of the city itself, off the typical tourist trac[...]
To satisfy character requirements of the 820/801 Partner Visa for permanent residency in Australia (and sponsorship of a partner to migrate), it is necessary to complete police checks in every country you've lived for more than 12 months in the last 10 years. For most onshore applicants (and defini[...]
With global processing times currently at 23-29 months for the 820/801 Australian Partner Visa, it's very likely that you'll want to travel outside Australia sometime before your visa is granted, whether it be to visit your family, attend a conference overseas, or simply to take a holiday. Unfo[...]
One of the many requirements for the 820/801 Partner Visa is to meet minimum Australian health standards, as assessed by an official health check or health assessment. This is conducted at a Home Affairs-approved medical clinic and involves a series of tests (the exact nature of which are based on[...]
As a passionate animal lover, wildlife encounters have always been a highlight of both weekends away and far-flung overseas trips. Recently, this has included amazing experiences like safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Reserve, where lions and leopards lounged within met[...]
Spanning 45km of the Blue Mountains National Park from Jenolan Caves to Katoomba, the Six Foot Track was constructed in 1884 as a horse route between the two cities; exactly 100 years later, the track was opened to hikers and is now one of Sydney's most popular overnight hikes. Setting out for two[...]
The third and final day of our Six Foot Track adventures takes us through misty Megalong Valley and the lush rainforests leading up to Explorers Tree in Katoomba, where we have only a short journey back to the car and then onwards to Sydney for much-needed showers. Even without the dramatic sandsto[...]
Our second day on the trail, although not terribly scenic in and of itself, proves to be our most eventful day yet as we travel 24km between Black Range and Cox River before being caught in a torrential downpour mid tent set-up. It's unpredictable (and somewhat tragic) moments like these that make[...]
This Easter Long Weekend (or at least after spending Friday working on my thesis for about 14 uninterrupted hours), I decided to get outdoors, clear my head, and maybe work up a bit of a sweat that wasn't the result of stress. My lovely friend Barbara and I had been chatting about the Six Foot Trac[...]
Within an hour of central Sydney and yet a world away from the city bustle, escape into nature and discover the dramatic beauty of Australia's oldest national park on the Royal Coast Track, a stunning 30km bushwalk along secluded golden beaches, lush palm forests, and wind-sculpted cliffs. And if i[...]
For lovers of both sub-alpine and coastal bushwalking, amazing local food and wines, secluded beaches, and charming cities, Tassie really does have it all. This little island state may not garner anywhere near the international renown of Sydney or the Great Barrier Reef as far as tourists are concer[...]