Epic Queenstown New Zealand Day Trip: Hiking Mount Alfred

Most travelers who come to Queenstown stop after taking in the staples of this epic little resort town on New Zealand’s South Island.

Bungy jumping. Check. Jetboating. Check. Skydiving. Check.

It seems everything Queenstown has to offer will simultaneously tempt fate, defy gravity, and break the bank.

While these activities (and more) are on offer in the Adventure Capital of the World, the shining light in Queenstown is the huge variety of hiking, biking and simply stunning scenery that sits literally on little Queenie’s doorstep. While you’ll get a taste of what this area of the world has to offer when you hop on the cramped bus to Milford Sound (and you should), to really understand Queenstowns natural beauty, you’ve got to check out some of the exceptional nearby hikes (and bike rides) which are begging to be explored.

Experiencing the beauty of the South Island on your own will blow most guided tours out of the water.

In the past six months, I’ve developed a passion for taking in and really experiencing everything the Southern Lakes of New Zealand has to offer.

It really is the New Zealand way.

There are a couple of fantastic hikes which leave from Queenstowns central Shotover Street. Head up through the Ben Lomond forest, past the AJ Hackett Ledge Bungy site, and head back to towering Ben Lomond. For something less strenuous, check out the hike up to the Queenstown Hill; both afford priceless views of Lake Wakatipu, Cecil Peak and the aptly named Remarkables.

The opportunities for exploration are opened wider if you have your own transportation. If you’ll be in Aotearoa for awhile, consider buying a campervan when you arrive; otherwise, one of the best ways to travel around New Zealand is with your own transportation so hire a car. When you get to Queenstown, head down towards Glenorchy and climb Mount Alfred.

Climbing Mount Alfred

This 1,375 metre peak juts out between the Dart and Rees River valleys and simply begs to be climbed. Natureshop.co.nz recently offered me some hiking gear to sample and I tackled Mount Alfred for the second time with my flatmate Jo, a pair of Keen hiking boots, and a Merino Icebreaker midlayer. Excellent gear for what might just be one of the best day hikes in the greater Queenstown area.

The hike begins from the western side of Mount Alfred in the Dart River valley; follow signposts to the start of the Routeburn Track and you’ll see the carpark where the track begins about 20 kms from quaint Glenorchy.

As usual, DOC (the Department of Conservation) overshoots the realistic time it would take for someone of a reasonable fitness to hike the track; while my flatmate and I managed to do the hike in under four hours, this included a fair bit of running on the decent. Basic hiking should have you to Alfred’s nearly 1,400 metre summit and back in a cool 5 – 6 hours.

This hike is unique to many in New Zealand in that it contains a fantastic mix of hiking through the dense bush, with some scrambling near the top along with panoramic views from the summit.

Even those with a minor affliction to vertigo should be able to handle the scrambling that is a welcomed break-up to the half day adventure.

The first two hours is spent climbing through ancient, moss covered, silver beech forest which is prevalent throughout this area of New Zealand. New Zealand’s largest remaining indigenous forest will keep you company as you climb 600 or 700 metres above the valley on a well defined trail.

As you climb, you’ll cross a number of streams, moss covered felled trees, native New Zealand ferns and roots which have grown over the trail.

I tackled Mount Alfred with these Keen Targhee Mid II hiking boots. They were excellent for the hike with a 4mm sole that provided a solid bit of traction over the slippery roots, rocks and leaf covered trail. While a more rigid boot might have been beneficial, I enjoyed the flexibility that these boots provided. Solid enough to provide some ankle support going up; yet flexible enough to do a bit of a trail running coming down.

About two hours into the climb, you eventually reach the bush line where the beech forest ends and the tussock begins.

Here, the climb really gets interesting.

While the trail isn’t marked from this point on, there are a couple obvious routes that will take you the the plateaued summit. Vere slightly left and an easy scramble will take about 30 minutes to find the top.

Don’t forget to look back and take in the views…

The final scramble to the top is an absolute rush; especially with the cold wind whipping off the valley – it’s a fantastic feeling to finally pull yourself up onto the summit. The 360 degree views are quite simply stunning.

While there was a bitterly cold gale at the summit, the Icebreaker mid layer (made from New Zealand wool) provided a great insulation from the bone-chilling cold.

After popping up to the plateaued summit, you can spend time wandering around and taking the views of Lake Wakatipu, the Dart & Rees Valleys, the Humbolts (if the weather is clear!) and majestic Mt Earnslaw.

Be aware the weather patterns can change very quickly in the alpine environment. Looking towards Lake Wakatipu, it was essentially clear blue skies; towards Fiordland, a storm was brewing.

Looking back on Lake Wakatipu.

So when you’re backpacking in Queenstown, don’t make the mistake that many do: check out the bars, yes – jump off a bridge, you bet - just make sure you get out and get into the great outdoors.

Have you been to Queenstown? Add your favorite nearby hikes in the comments section below.

Considering hiking Mount Alfred? Feel free to contact me with questions.

The Natureshop provided me with complimentary gear for this hike but the opinions here are entirely my own; for ‘nature’ inspired products that are friendly to your body and the environment, check out Natureshop.co.nz.

Technorati Tags: Day Trip from Queenstown, Hiking New Zealand, Mount Alfred, New Zealand Backpacking Tips

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5 Tips for Finding Vegetarian on the Road

This post is by contributing author Lauren Fritsky of The Life that Broke.

As a proud Iowan, I’m a lover of red meat; so, when I’m on the road backpacking, my biggest challenge is finding a steak that can compare with good, Iowa beef. Contributing author Lauren Fritsky has a different problem: finding vegetarian food while traveling the world. Check out these five tips for finding veg-friendly food on your next backpacking adventure.

“Do you have a vegetarian option?”

As someone who doesn’t eat red meat or pork and dates a straight-up vegetarian, I’ve heard a range of laughable responses to this question — everything from:

“Yes, we have fish” to “Just take the ham off.”

Sigh.

If you’re tired of dealing with similar confusion from servers who think that vegetarian means that if the meat’s white, it’s alright, try these tips for actually finding food you can eat on the road.

1. Find restaurants online

Anyone who has stood on a street corner in Asia and watched a shop owner kill a live animal might seriously doubt that vegetarian cuisine is possible in all parts of the world. But it is! Sites like Happy Cow let you plug in your destination and eating preferences to find restaurants around the world.

Veggies on the Road is another resource listing eateries across the globe that offer at least three vegetarian dishes. If you have some semblance of an itinerary, look up your next destination and print out the list of vegetarian and/or vegan restaurants these sites. Don’t forget to smile as you walk away from the cleaver-wielding shop owner to your plate of mock chicken with veggies.

2. Say it right

Some people are unsure of what vegetarian really means. The same goes in foreign lands where definitions for the practice may differ and language barriers can make it difficult to find what you want. This resource from the International Vegetarian Union supplies key phrases in many languages to help you find veggo on the road.

You can also use the Veggie Passport iPhone app to translate your food preferences into 33 languages.

So the next time you’re in the Czech Republic, you can confidently ask “Mate take nejaka vegetarianska jidla?”

3. Get aPPetizing

Speaking of apps, you’ll never go hungry looking for vegetarian or vegan food again if you have an iPhone. Apps like VegOut and VeganSteven let you find restaurants near you and even pull up the menus.

4. Don’t eat at local restaurants

Weird tip, huh?

If you’re having trouble eating meatless at the local restaurants, try hotel dining areas — even if you’re not staying there — and pubs.

Many people don’t think to try and dine at accommodations they haven’t booked into, but the public is free to eat at places like Marriot. Hotel menus often have a wider variety of options than some of the local eateries, including vegetarian, depending where you are in the world.

Pubs might also have bar menus full of non-meat fare. Even if you have to build your dinner by ordering a baked potato, side salad and hummus with bread, it’s better than nothing.

5. Eat what you want, where you want

Did you know that Minnesota actually has a law allowing anyone on a restricted diet to take their own food into any restaurant and eat it right there? Individuals can also ask the wait staff to heat up their food in the oven or microwave.

It’s worth checking if areas you’re traveling to have similar laws.

Even if they don’t, other vegetarian travelers have had success asking restaurants to heat up or cook their tofu, rice or veggies. Sweetness will take you a long way here, so be polite and overly thankful if you’re accommodated. Convenience store microwaves are another option for heating up your homemade or store-bought vegetarian meal if you find an obliging clerk.

Depending on where your travels lead you, you might always have to stay on your toes to find vegetarian. But a little Internet and iPhone savvy plus some local know-how should keep you up to your elbows in tofu from Tampa to Tokyo.

What are your tips for finding vegetarian on the road?

Technorati Tags: Street Food, Travel Tips, Vegetarian

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15 Tips for Your First Experience Backpacking in New Zealand

The Land of the Long White Cloud is a destination well worn onto the backpacker trail. And for all the right reasons. An epic combination of stunning scenery, adventure sports, and friendly locals combine to make one hell of a place to travel to.

Not only is New Zealand beautiful, New Zealand is easy to travel around. In fact, New Zealand is arguably one of the most backpacker or independent budget traveler friendly countries in the world.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a better spot to break into the world of long term travel.

New Zealand is addictive. Trust me. I originally came for a 12 month working holiday, yet 18 months later, I’m still here.

Be it the quality of life, the miles and miles of untouched, remote and spectacular scenery, or the laid-back no-worries outlook on life, something about New Zealand will grab you and not let you leave.

So you’re considering a trip backpacking in New Zealand? Sweet as (as they say). While New Zealand is welcoming and easy to get around, you might have some questions about your trip here.

Consider these,

15 Tips for Your First Experience Backpacking in New Zealand

1 ) Travel North to South

Almost daily I get emails from backpackers planning their trip to New Zealand. One of the most common questions I get is:

Should I start on the North Island or the South Island?

While the North Island is stunning (be sure to check out the Bay of Islands and definitely don’t miss the chilled out Coromandel Region), the South Island is where it’s at. As it will be the highlight of your trip, it’s the logical place to finish.

The mountains are taller, the drives are more spectacular, the Great Walks are greater, and the beer is better so finish on New Zealand’s South Island.

2 ) Avoid the Chain Hostels

There is no shortage of budget accommodation throughout New Zealand. From hostels, to budget motels to holiday parks with self contained accommodation, you won’t have a problem finding a place to lay your head at night.

As New Zealand is frequented by thousands of young backpackers each year, the big chain hostels are present throughout the North and South Islands. Many of the major backpacking destinations have Nomads or Base Backpacker cattle yards.

While many of these are adequate – and some quite flash (I’m talking about you Nomads Queenstown) – there are heaps of character filled, independently owned hostels that will compliment your trip to this small island nation.

Check out the BBH backpackers (Budget Backpacker Hostels) and get to know their quirky owners, settle down with a glass of New Zealand wine next to their wood burners, or listen to the sea from their gardens.

For $50 you can get a BBH card and save $3/night at hostels throughout New Zealand.

3 ) Arriving to New Zealand

Chances are your flight to New Zealand will arrive in Auckland – this characterless city of the North Island will (unfortunately) be your welcome to Aotearoa.

The Airbus Express will be your best choice for the quick, 45 minute trip to the Auckland CBD. Tickets are only $23 round trip and can be booked online so you’re set to go when you land.

Consider these Auckland budget travel tips for your first couple days in the city – and most importantly, don’t stay too long – there is too much to see outside of NZ’s largest city.

4 ) Consider Buying a Campervan

New Zealand absolutely begs to be explored behind the steering wheel of your very own campervan.

You won’t realize how many of these converted, backpacker-filled vans flock New Zealand’s roads until you’re here yourself. If falling asleep to the sound of the surf and waking to the sunrise sounds appealing to you, then a campervan just might be the right mode of transportation for trip.

Traveling New Zealand by campervan gives you loads of flexibility, allows you to get off the beaten path, and you will ultimately save you heaps on accommodation costs.

Many backpackers in New Zealand buy a van when they arrive and sell it prior to their departure. Surprisingly, buying a campervan in New Zealand is a simple and straightforward process; however, do be aware that a certain amount of risk is involved and not all of the campvervans in New Zealand are good investment.

If you don’t do your research properly, your van could explode just outside of Queenstown after doing a solid 430,000+ kilometers.

5 ) If Not, Hire a Campervan

Assuming you’re not comfortable taking on the risk of buying a campevan, at the very least hire one for the duration of your stay.

Freedom camping is possible in many areas around New Zealand and you can save a significant amount on accommodation when you consider a shared dorm is often $30 per night.

In areas where freedom camping is not allowing, the Department of Conservation runs basic campsites that are as little as $5/night.

6 ) Get a 2Degrees Sim Card

If you’re traveling with an unlocked mobile, you’ll be able to pick up a sim card when you get into New Zealand. While there are a couple different providers to choose from, your best bet is undoubtedly 2Degrees.

They offer cheap, international calls back home to Mom & Dad as well as cheap calls throughout New Zealand – for $19 you can get 30 minutes of talk time, 2000 texts, and for you iPhone users – 50MB of data.

7 ) 3…2…1 Bungy! Do it.

New Zealand is an adrenaline junkies’ paradise. If you can dream it, chances are you can do it in New Zealand.

You can jump off bridges or out of planes. You can roll down hills in giant, water filled balls. You can run off cliffs with parachutes strapped to your back. You can cruise down rivers narrowly missing canyon walls in a jet boat. Or you can go black water rafting deep below the earth’s surface. Really, you can do it all.

Whatever you do, make sure you do a bungy jump

AJ Hackett established the world’s first permanent, commercial bungy jumping operation in Queenstown in 1982. Today, there are three in Queenstown alone for you to choose from (K Bridge, Nevis Highwire Bungy, & The Ledge Bungy).

It’s a terrifying experience – arguably, one of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to do, yet it’s an absolute rush and a must for your trip to New Zealand.

8 ) Don’t Try to Fit Too Much In

Planning a trip to New Zealand isn’t an easy process. In fact, it’s bloody difficult. Why?

There is such a wide variety of things to do, landscapes to see, and experiences to be had, that you’ll not know how you can fit it all in.

To be honest, you probably can’t. Unless you’re committing two or three months to New Zealand, it’s impossible to see it all in one go. The biggest mistake you can make when coming to New Zealand is attempting to do too much in too little time.

You’ll enjoy your experience backpacking in New Zealand heaps more if you have time to relax and spend a little longer in those untouched little corners of New Zealand you’ll inevitably find.

9 ) Experience a Great Walk

A road trip around New Zealand will reveal a country considerably untouched by the human hand. Sure, tourism is big business in many of New Zealand’s destinations, yet a huge part of the country is as remote and untouched as it is stunning.

Almost 30% of land in New Zealand is publicly owned and much of this has been converted to National Parks.

There are a series of multi-day Great Walks throughout New Zealand and you should experience at least part of one on your trip here. Check out the Routeburn Track near Queenstown, the Abel Tasman Coastal Track near Nelson, or one of the other seven Great Walks.

10 ) Try WWOOFing

If you’ll be staying in New Zealand for more than a couple weeks, you might want to consider WWOOFING (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) for part of your trip.

Wwoofing is a host system where you can exchange a couple hours of work each day on an organic farm in return for free food and accommodation.

It’s a fantastic way to save some money, meet interesting local Kiwis, and get a feel for a different aspect of life in New Zealand. The majority of people swing through New Zealand, see the sites, jump off bridges and miss the small and out of the way places that make New Zealand so unique.

These Wwoofing experiences and tips are a great place to start if you’re considering this for part of your stay.

11 ) Walk on a Glacier

While most of these tips aren’t experience focused, walking on a glacier is one that undoubtedly deserves to make it on the list. New Zealand is filled with wonders, and you’ll find two on the West Coast of the South Island – the Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers.

These ancient pieces of ice start in the Southern Alps and stretch all the way to coastal, temperate rainforest only miles away from the sea at 300 metres above sea level.

Walking on one is an iconic New Zealand experience and one that you should have while you’re here.

The West Coast itself is a unique and fascinating area of New Zealand, so be sure to spend at least a couple days exploring the rugged coastline from Karamea all the way to Haast.

12 ) Hitchhiking in New Zealand

If you decide to buy a campervan, rent a vehicle, or get around by bus, you’ll be shocked at the number of hitchikers you see in New Zealand. It’s quite common and a very budget-friendly way to see New Zealand.

Clearly, care should be taken – you shouldn’t hitchhike at night and you’re probably better off with a mate (might as well minimize your risk), yet it’s a bloody exciting way to see the country.

New Zealanders are a friendly lot and you’re bound to have some interesting chats once you do get picked up.

If you decided to give it a go (and you should), you’re best off on the outskirts of a town, and make sure there is room for the driver to pull over; if there isn’t, you won’t get picked up – it’s as simple as that. A smile never hurts and a sign saying where you want to go will probably speed up your chances of getting a lift.

13 ) Beware of New Zealand Internet

As any travel blogger, Facebook addict, or general internet using backpacker that has come to New Zealand knows, the state of the internet here is dreadful.

It’s often slow, more often expensive, always charged by data usage (Skyping is difficult), and almost never included with your stay in a hostel.

Slowly, more and more cafes are offering free internet yet without a doubt New Zealand is far behind the rest of the world. Your best bet for finding free WiFi is at the local library with the other backpackers who have figured the system out.

14 ) Go Mountain Biking

Mountain biking in New Zealand is unsurpassed by few places in the world and Kiwis love their bikes about as much as they love “The Rugby.”

Wherever you are, you’re bound to find some single track trails (just ask at the bike shop in town, there is bound to be one), yet Rotorua on the North Island is arguably the mountain biking capital of New Zealand.

Hire a bike and spend the day exploring the miles (and miles) of single track trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest – chances are, you’ll want to go back for day two.

In a country where budget activities are few and far between, mountain biking is a fantastic way to spend a day and see the countryside (plus, you’ll burn off the calories from all those budget-saving meat pies you’ve been eating).

15 ) Get Off the Beaten Path

In a country the size of the state of Colorado, you have less than 4 million people, 40 million sheep and every possible landscape you could imagine.

There is so much to be seen that no guidebook (or blog post) will ever point you in all the right directions. Use this to your advantage, and seek out your own untouched areas of Aotearoa.

A highlight of your trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud should be getting off the beaten path and finding your own special corner of this idyllic part of the world.

So take it slow, make some wrong turns, start conversations with the locals, and get to know New Zealand for what it is – one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Have you been backpacking in New Zealand? Leave your tips in the comments section below.

Technorati Tags: Backpacking in New Zealand, Budget Travel New Zealand, New Zealand, Travel Tips

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7 Reasons Why Your Travel Blog Doesn’t Get as Much Traffic as You Want

If you’re considering a backpacking trip around the world, you should be writing a travel blog. One thing to remember is you won’t be alone. The travel blogosphere is vast and growing daily.

There are heaps of reasons why you – and literally hundreds of other people – write travel blogs.

You meet fantastic people who share your interests, you have a chance to document your travels, and hopefully you will inspire other people to escape their comfort zone and explore the unknown.

If you’re writing a travel blog, chances are you want people to read it. You have something to say, photos to share, and advice to give. What if you’re not getting as much traffic as you’d hope for?

What if no one seems to be reading, retweeting, or commenting on your blog posts?

One of the most rewarding aspects of writing a blog is knowing there are people listening to you. Remember, your blog won’t become successful over night – yet you should undoubtedly be aiming for success.

So, grab a coffee, a beer, or a cup of tea and think about these

7 Reasons Why Your Travel Blog Doesn’t Get as Much Traffic as You Want:

1) You Post Too Often

More and more people are becoming interested in travel blogs. That’s exciting.  Be they cubicle dwelling virtual travelers, career breakers planning a trip, or other travelers on the road, the number of people that follow travel blogs is growing. Rapidly.

So is the number of travelers writing a travel blog. The market is quite simply flooded with blog posts.

If you’re posting four or five times each week, your readers – who are inevitably following other travel blogs – simply won’t be able to keep up with the travel photos, travel advice, or stories you have to share.

2) Your Posts Are Too Long

Writing a travel blog isn’t easy. You’re forced to balance traveling, with planning, with meeting other travelers, along with everything that goes into actually running a travel blog. You have to come up with ideas for posts, format them, answer emails from your followers, and deal with advertisers.

So don’t make it any harder than it has to be.

As your readers are busy, don’t make them read small novels – anything over 1,000 words is too long. Keep your blog posts short and sweet and more people will take the time to read them.

3) Where Are the Photos?

Blog readers are visually influenced. Regardless of what you’re writing about, you should be including photos. Lots of them.

Photos add life to your blog and make your posts easier to read.

Creative Commons offers up heaps of fantastic photos you’re free to use – just be sure to give credit when credit is due.

4) You Only Talk About Yourself

By the very nature of being a traveler, you’re bound to have stories to tell. That’s fantastic – but there is a time and a place. Believe it or not, your travel blog often isn’t the place.

You got really drunk last weekend? Fantastic. You went on a great tour with a funny guide? Sweet as.

Your audience doesn’t need to know, and doesn’t want to know, what you’re doing each day you’re on the road. Keep your posts appealing to a wide range of people and your traffic numbers will inevitably increase.

5) You Don’t Read Other Travel Blogs

The travel blog community is fantastic – it’s filled with open, helpful, and genuine travelers who share your same passions. One of the best ways to gain traffic and traction in the travel blogosphere is by reading, commenting, and promoting other blog posts.

The faces behind the blogs you visit regularly will slowly make their way to your blog – and by leaving compelling comments, you’re bound to pick up traffic from other commenters as well.

6) You Don’t Use Enough Lists

One of the most important things to consider when writing a blog post is the title. This is what determines whether or whether not someone will potentially even click through to read your post.

Your post titles should be both compelling and list focused.

• 7 of Australia’s Most Spectacular Views received 100 retweets in less than a week
• 7 Reasons You Should Experience Backpacking in Thailand has received 75 retweets
  
• 20 of New Zealand’s Best Views has received 108 retweets
• 7 Tips for Successful Long Term Travel has received 121 retweets

Your posts will gain far more traction and traffic if you consider what sells well in the social media community.

7) You Haven’t Waited Long Enough

Your travel blog won’t become successful overnight. It’s as simple as that.

Even if you’re doing everything right – and have been for months – you still may not be getting as much traffic as you want. Keep at it.

While many travel blogs pop up each day, an equal number fizzle out. Stay focused and continue to offer compelling, new, and photo-rich content and the traffic and interaction on your blog will steadily increase.

What’s your take? Leave your feedback or traffic generating tips in the comments section below.

Technorati Tags: Backpacking, Blog Advice, Travel Blog, Travel Blog Tips

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7 of Australia’s Most Spectacular Views

This is a guest post by Ryan Martin – contact me if you’re interested in writing for Backpackingmatt.com.

Imagine road tripping with your best friends along the world-famous Eastern Coast of Australia. You have the open road, fresh Aussie mountain air, and endless deserted white sand beaches Throw a surfboard on the rack and I don’t think you’ll ever leave.

I ultimately left Australia; yet is sure wasn’t easy.

For a couple months in 2010, I traveled the entire eastern coast of Australia with two of my English mates. Throughout this trip, I came across some unbelievable vistas. Sit back and enjoy:

7 of the Most Spectacular Views in Australia

1) Twelve Apostles

To get to the 12 Apostles, you’ll need to take the Great Ocean Road, Australia’s equivalent to Highway 101 in America. The views along the drive are gorgeous, but nothing compares to the Twelve Apostles.

The huge rocks that jut out of the ocean seem almost unnatural. And as you walk along the cliff edge, look down to see the backs of birds gliding in the wind. It’s a true natural gem. If you surf, bring a board to catch some waves along the drive.

2) Sydney

While most people have seen a photo of the Sydney Opera House, it still doesn’t prepare you for seeing it with your own eyes. The Opera House is one the most idyllic monuments in Australia, so it’s a must for anyone backpacking in Australia.

If you wanna catch a show, great. Just be prepared to put a second mortgage on your home to do so.

3) Blue Mountains

Unanimously voted as a World Heritage site, the Blue Mountains are a great place to camp, watch the sunset, or just take in some amazing views.

The series of cliffs and gorges are blanketed in Eucalyptus. These Eucalyptus give off gases that quite literally give a blue hue to the horizon.

4) Byron Bay

Byron Bay is an absolute backpacker’s haven.

Party at Cheeky Monkey, lounge on the beach, shop, or surf in the waves. Byron Bay has got it all. Just be prepared to get sucked in. I’m one of many who lost a few days of my life to Byron Bay.

5) Indian Head, Fraser Island

Unfortunately, they don’t let you bomb around the world’s largest sand island in your own rented 4×4 anymore. Instead, you have to be escorted by a guide in a caravan. Luckily for me, I was in one of the last groups able to explore the island on our own.

On the far end of the island is Indian Head, where you can look down and see the shadows of sharks swimming below. In the evenings, sunset over the horizon is nothing short of spectacular as you camp next to wondering dingos.

6) Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsundays are home to the world’s whitest and finest sand. In fact, it’s the sand that made the lens for the Hubble Telescope. The contrast between the azure waters and ghost white sand is mesmerizing.

The sand is so fine, you can even use it to clean your teeth. Just be sure not to swallow.

7) Great Barrier Reef

I’ve never seen water so blue as that in the Northeast of Australia. It sometimes hard to distinguish the blue of the water to the blue of the sky. As the world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef does not disappoint.

Some of these views are compounded in beauty when you throw in a gorgeous pink and orange sunset; others are just plain amazing in their own right.

Don’t take my word for it. Get on a plane and check them out yourself.

I promise you won’t regret it.

About the Author: Ryan has been backpacking around the world since 2005 and has recently launched FollowMeEverywhere.com to combine his love of travel with work. If you like his stuff, feel free to subscribe, and if you know anyone looking for a travel writer, travel photographer, or travel guide, let him know. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanMartin07

Technorati Tags: Australia, Backpacking, Backpacking Australia, Travel Photos, Travel Tips

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5 Ways to Fund Your Travels Around the World Online

Many long term backpackers and budget travelers choose to document their journeys around the world through travel blogs. It’s an excellent decision for many reasons; you learn from fellow travel bloggers, meet others who are share your passions, and occasionally are offered free travel.

One logical step for many who write travel blogs is monetization. The allure of traveling the world and funding these travels through a travel blog is huge.

Imagine this office view on a daily basis.

One important fact to remember is this: You won’t fund your travels solely through a single travel blog - at least not right away.

Nonetheless, a travel blog is a start and one of the many different ways you can develop an alternative income source to help fund your trip around the world.

Here are five ways to fund your travels around the world online.

1) Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate Marketing is a multimillion dollar industry online that presents an excellent way for you to fund your travels around the world.

The idea is relatively simple – and something you see online daily.

Click through links on travel websites pointing to airfare search engines, hostel booking sites, or many other products are very often affiliate links. The owner of the website is paid a small portion of referring sales.

By developing a simple and focused website which offers products that other people want and search for, you have the chance to make a passive income online.

This Affiliate Marketing for Beginners Course details everything you need to know about starting up your own affiliate marketing website.

The course is especially beneficial for travel bloggers as everything you learn will directly benefit your travel blogging future. You’ll learn keyword research, WordPress site development, content authoring skills, and heaps of information on Search Engine Optimization. Corbett gladly answers questions you have throughout this online and multiday course.

If you’re serious about making a passive income online, this course is absolutely invaluable.

2) Freelance Copywriting

Chances are if you’re writing a travel blog, you have a keen interest in travel writing. Many travel based companies don’t specifically employ a travel writer to create content for their websites. Instead, they work with content generating companies who employ writers to produce travel pieces on request.

While you won’t fund your retirement (or nightly stays at the Hilton) from these assignments which are paid per word – anywhere from three cents to twenty-five cents – it’s a great source of income if you already enjoy writing and research, specifically about travel.  An hours worth of work can easily bring in $25 – $50.

Check out listings on ProBlogger.net or Online-Writing-Jobs.com.

3) Sell Text Links

Many companies are in the sole business of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). While Google doesn’t specifically disclose its search engine algorithm, it’s understood that one factor which benefits a website is the number of links pointing towards it.

If your travel blog has a Google PR, chances are you’ll be able to sell travel related text links on your website to travel companies looking to boost their rankings in the search engines. This monthly stream of income is an excellent and common way to monetize your travel blog.

Matt at NomadicMatt.com offers heaps of advice and details on how to make the most out of selling text links in his excellent eBook – How to Make Money With Your Travel Blog.

4) Paid Blogging Opportunities

Not interested in taking writing assignments from a copywriting company? Would you prefer to write what you want, when you want?

Then consider making extra cash through paid blogging work that can be found online.

I’d be pulling the wool over your eyes if I said that these options were readily available. They aren’t. Yet through continued interaction with the travel blog community, you stand the chance of stumbling across a golden opportunity. I was fortunate enough to win a competition run by the Flightster.com blog some months back and now contribute to their rapidly growing travel website.

You’re fortunate enough to be reading this post.

Check out Travel Generation for an opportunity to be paid up to $50 NZD for posts featuring your travel stories, tips, and experiences backpacking around the world.

5) Diversify Your Interests Online

These income sources take time, commitment, research, and most importantly – diversification.

One thing that each of these revenue streams have in common is they won’t develop overnight. If you want to make steps towards becoming location independent and living the lifestyle of a digital nomad, you have to diversify your interests online.

While most of these income sources won’t make you rich, they will allow you to live an alternative yet satisfying life.

Do you have any tips for earning an income online? Leave your advice and feedback in the comments section below.

Technorati Tags: Backpacking, Make Money Online, Travel Advice, Travel Blogging Tips

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7 Reasons You Should Experience Backpacking in Thailand

Thailand & Backpacking. The two go together like Sang Som & Coke.

Is backpacking in Thailand easy? For the most part. Should you expect challenges? Definitely.

If you want order, normality, and don’t want to be placed outside of your comfort zone, you probably shouldn’t visit Thailand. Expect language barriers. Expect that someone will try to scam you. Expect to get lost. Expect squat toilets. Expect the power to go out. Expect delayed buses.

If you’re willing to take these challenges in stride and are keen to experience a part of the world that is unlike anywhere else, then backpacking in Thailand is right for you. Here are:

7 Reasons You Should Experience Backpacking in Thailand

1) The Capital City

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, is a series of contradictions, layered in smog and drenched in heat. It’s a chaotic rush of traffic, horns, and pollution.

You have BMWs sharing traffic clogged streets with dated motorbikes and tuk tuks. Bald-headed monks sporting traditional orange robes ride Bangkok’s excellent public transit system whilst typing away on iPhones. Five star hotels share the same streets as slums that local Thais and immigrants from SE Asia call home.

It’s a strangely addictive city that begs to be explored.

Not to be Missed: Khao San Road, food from the street stalls scattered throughout the city, and the Giant Reclining Buddah.

2) The Locals

You’ll be hard pressed to find a country with a more welcoming, laid-back, and friendly population (and I’ve just spent a year backpacking in New Zealand). Thailand is called the “Land of Smiles” for a reason, and you can expect a hospitable welcome almost anywhere you travel to.

Mai pen lai translates roughly to “no worries” and is very much indicative of the Thai’s outlook on life. Similarly, sanuk translates to fun and permeates all aspects of Thai culture. Thais love eating together, drinking together, and generally living and having fun together.

Expect smiles, a carefree outlook on life, and generosity – soon, you’ll wonder why you’d ever want to leave.

3) The Nightlife

Thais love to party. Your experience backpacking in Thailand should include a healthy dose of the country’s nightlife. Chances are, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll stay out far later than you expected.

Drinking in Thailand is cheap; you can get a beer for $2, a cocktail for $5, and a bucket filled with Sang Som (Thai Whiskey, which is actually rum), Coke, & Red Bull for $7.

Whether you’re drinking in a classy Bangkok club, a Thai bar filled locals, a Koh San Road street bar, or a moonlit and music filled beach, you’ll soon understand that the nightlife in Thailand is second to none.

4) The Cost of Living

To say backpacking in Thailand is budget friendly is a gross understatement.

Backpacking in Thailand is cheap. Really cheap. You can expect quality accommodation for $10 / night, delicious street food meals for $2, overnight air-conditioned bus rides for $15, and a long taxi ride around Bangkok for less than $5.

Adventurous Kate, myself, and a Swedish mate chartered a private longtail boat with a driver on Koh Phi Phi for an entire afternoon. We saw Maya Bay (where they filmed “The Beach”), went snorkeling, and watched the sunset. The cost? $30.

5) The ExPats

Many people are aware of these advantages and have temporarily made Thailand their home; from location independent lifestyle designers, to dive instructors, to travel bloggers, to English teachers, there is a great group of foreigners who have relocated to Thailand.

And I don’t blame them.

Your visit to Thailand won’t be complete without seeing Thailand through their eyes. Find out the best spots to eat, to drink, and get a feel for what life in Thailand could be like. Just be careful, you may never leave.

6) The Food

Thailand’s food is a culinary delight; from spicy curries, to aromatic stir-fries, to barbecued meats, to fried crickets, to the quintessential pad thai noodles, there is something to please even the most discerning backpacker’s palate.

For anyone traveling on a budget, you don’t need to look further than the street vendors scattered throughout Thailand’s streets and alleyways. Street food in Thailand is cheap, it’s delicious, and it’s safe. I ate food from street vendors literally every day for six weeks and wasn’t sick once.

Expect to pay anywhere from $1 – $3 for a full meal. You won’t be disappointed.

7) The Beaches

Thailand’s South is a tropical paradise. On the East Coast you have the Gulf of Thailand with Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui. On the West Coast you have the Andaman Sea with Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi.

While each island has its advantages and disadvantages, they all are home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches. Think fine white sand, clear water with tints of blues and greens, and beachside bungalows.

These beaches are the reason many backpackers travel to Thailand and the reason many never leave.

Have you traveled through Thailand? Leave your backpacking tips and top experiences in the comments section below.

Technorati Tags: Backpacking, Backpacking Thailand, Beaches, Budget Travel Tips, Thailand, Travel Tips

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Bungy Jumping in Taupo

New Zealand is home to a number of adventure activities – from skydiving, to white water rafting, to jet boating, to bungy jumping. Prior to my move to the Southern Hemisphere, I never seriously considered the act of throwing myself off of a bridge. Seemed foolish. Seemed dangerous. Seemed terrifying.

And it was.

Shortly after arriving in Auckland, I came to realize that it would be wrong not to toss myself off of a bridge. AJ Hackett established the world’s first permanent, commercial bungy jumping operation in Queenstown in 1982. As I wouldn’t be in Queenstown for a number of weeks, I decided I couldn’t wait that long to jump. My first leap would be in Lake Taupo, high above the Waikato River – 47 meters high, to be exact.

The traditional bungy jump often takes place off of a bridge – not in Taupo. The Taupo jump is off of a cantilever platform which juts out from a cliff over the clear blue waters of the Waikato. The view of the opposite shore of the river, contrasting with the steep cliffs on either side of the platform, makes you feel much higher than the 154 feet above the water you are.

I arrived at the jump site on a sunny, Sunday morning. A number of people were congregated around the viewing area watching the adrenaline seekers make the leap. With my nerves on edge, feeling slightly hung over from the previous nights drinking, I decided a New Zealand beer would be in order. As I nursed my Monteith’s Original Ale, I realized that postponing the inevitable jump wasn’t making things any easier.

After paying the required $109 for the privilege of defying death and jumping off a ledge, I was escorted out onto the platform. Taking a seat, my legs were bound together with a sort of harness. Attached to the harness was a carabiner. Attached to the carabiner was a rubber bungy cord. A frightening taste of what was to come, the cord was tossed over the edge of the platform. My stomach plunged as I felt the cord pulling on my legs.

I was told to stand up, and awkwardly shuffled my way to the edge. Trying hard not to look down to the waters of the Waikato below me, I listened to the last-minute instructions of the (hopefully) competent Taupo Bungy employee. I listened to him count,

“Three, two, one, bungy.”

And I leaped headfirst towards the beautiful water below me. It was a brilliant feeling. An instant rush of adrenaline that can’t be adequately described by words. An addictive rush that I guarantee I’ll experience again in the coming months.

Check out the video of my bungy experience:

Thinking of making the leap yourself? Before heading to the Bungy Site, stop into Taupo’s iSite for the ‘mates rates’ deal. If you can convince a mate to jump with you, you’ll both receive free DVDs of your experience (a $70 value). You know you want to …

Technorati Tags: bungy jumping, New Zealand, Taupo

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