It has been a wierd and unsure yr with journey alternatives few and much between. Nonetheless, we discovered ourselves with alternatives to discover our lovely house state, Queensland, and reap the benefits of the New Zealand journey bubble whereas it was open. Truthfully, it was a yr that was removed from excellent and one which introduced numerous challenges personally and professionally. However there’s a lot to be thankful for.
The Little Gray Field Journey Awards are our means of exhibiting our immense gratitude and somewhat further love and assist for the great individuals who make the yr’s greatest journey moments attainable. We simply need to say an enormous thanks to every individual we met and labored with this yr. With out additional ado, listed here are the Little Gray Field Journey Award Winners (and, I suppose, our journey highlights) for 2021!
Greatest Australian Vacation spot
Winner: Rainbow Seaside, Queensland
Rainbow Seaside has been near each our hearts for a really very long time and, revisiting this yr, we received the prospect to take pleasure in it as soon as extra and see how a lot its grown! Boasting lovely seashores, unbelievable 4WD-ing spots and a few unbelievable new eateries, this seaside spot is equal elements attractive, enjoyable and stress-free.
Runner-up: Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland
Honourable point out: Noosa, Queensland
Greatest Abroad Vacation spot
Winner: W?naka, New Zealand
It’s superb we have been capable of get abroad this yr and I nonetheless can’t imagine how fortunate we’re that Australia and New Zealand are so shut! Of all of the spots we visited on our street journey by the north and south islands, W?naka stands out probably the most. It’s, with out hesitation, my favorite place in New Zealand. A spot brimming with beautiful surroundings, unbelievable meals, outside adventures and the loveliest locals.
Runner-up: West Auckland, New Zealand
Honourable point out: Mackenzie Area, New Zealand
Greatest Beneath-the-Radar Vacation spot
Winner: West Auckland, New Zealand
Nothing fairly ready me for the uncooked and staggering great thing about the West Auckland shoreline. Having been so journey starved for therefore lengthy, the wild vitality of Karekare Seaside and Piha Seaside took my breath away. We had an unforgettable day exploring coastal trails, visiting waterfalls, consuming on the black sand seashores and infrequently seeing one other soul.
Runner-up: Kenilworth, Australia
Honourable point out: Tin Can Bay, Australia
Greatest Luxurious Lodging Expertise
Winner: Cross Hill Lodge & Domes, New Zealand
Our keep in a decadent Cross Hill Geo Dome was a journey dream come true! Nevertheless it wasn’t simply the distinctive and opulent lodging that made this keep so particular. Set in opposition to spectacular Lake Hawea, it’s the sense of heat and welcome that oozes by all the private touches and moments of connection you expertise throughout your keep. This can be a spot that may stick with me for a very long time to return!
Runner-up: Cordis Auckland, New Zealand
Honourable point out: Meriton Surfers Paradise, Australia
Greatest Funds Lodging Expertise
Winner: Highlands Farmstay (Govt Barn), New Zealand
Once in a while you unearth a gem on Airbnb and, this yr, we discovered probably the most unbelievable spot in Twizel. Set throughout the Darkish Sky Reserve this inexpensive lodging spot boasts an epic bathtub good for stargazing in freezing temperatures. Geared up with every little thing you might want for a calming, self-contained keep its additionally house to a variety of pleasant cattle, providing loads of enjoyable issues to do throughout your go to.
Runner-up: The ‘Outdated Glenroy Dairy’ (Airbnb), Australia
Honourable point out: Residence 5 (Airbnb), New Zealand
Greatest Seaside Expertise
Winner: Piha Seaside, New Zealand
Most years it’s a sun-drenched spot that takes the cake however I couldn’t assist falling in love with wild Piha Seaside. On a cool winter day we made our means throughout the sand, rain drizzling from time to time, gazing on the rugged shoreline whereas tucking into heat soup and toasty bread. It was completely completely different to what I often go to the seaside for and, by some means, so soul nourishing!
Runner-up: Rainbow Seaside, Australia
Honourable point out: Kings Seaside, Australia
Greatest Meals Expertise
Winner: Social Consuming Home + Bar, Australia
We have been grateful to expertise some actually great, native meals in 2021 and one we received’t quickly overlook is Social Consuming Home + Bar. This understated spot delivers a real meals expertise combining unbelievable service, nice atmosphere, an thrilling menu, lovely plating and, most significantly, spectacular meals. From begin to end it was pure perfection! We’re so fortunate to have this spot inside driving distance of house.
Runner-up: Edgewater Eating & Lounge, Australia
Honourable mentions: Amigos Wanaka, New Zealand
Greatest Breakfast Expertise
Winner: Bumbles Cafe, Australia
I didn’t count on this humble Gold Coast cafe to throw down fairly prefer it did, I’ve to be sincere! A really cosy neighbourhood spot well-liked with locals, it served up the perfect espresso I had all yr. The inside seems like a whimsical e book retailer and the menu boasts a terrific mixture of classics and artistic bites to pattern. I’m obsessed with crumpets and was blown away by the scrumptious sourdough crumpets and granola with ultra-wobbly pannacotta! YUM!
Runner-up: Morning After, Australia
Honourable point out: Relishes Cafe, New Zealand
Greatest Restaurant Expertise
Winner: Etsu Izakaya, Australia
In case you can’t inform already, the Gold Coast was the hero of our foodie adventures this yr and Etsu Izakaya was a transparent standout. True to the izakaya you’ll discover in Japan, Etsu is completely understated from the skin and you might simply stroll proper previous it. Enterprise inside and also you’ll discover a gorgeous restaurant serving up probably the most scrumptious Japanese meals I’ve skilled exterior of Japan. To not point out, the service is impeccable!
Runner-up: Margo’s Queenstown, New Zealand
Honourable point out: Social Consuming Home + Bar, Australia
Greatest Cafe Expertise
Winner: Nodo, Australia
I stay for breakfast and my favorite cafe of the yr was Brisbane’s personal native gem, Nodo. The fit-out of the Hawthorne cafe is simply attractive with a menu that makes it exhausting to decide on only one dish. Along with their scrumptious meals Nodo additionally boasts distinctive espresso and the perfect donuts within the recreation. An added bonus – your complete place is Gluten Free!
Runner-up: White Picket Fence, Australia
Honourable point out: No Identify Lane, Australia
Greatest Bar/Drinks Experince
Winner: Edgewater Eating and Lounge Bar, Australia
One other Gold Coast gem, Edgewater is completely positioned overlooking the glittering waterways round Surfers Paradise. The service right here was a standout, reminding me of the sort of service you obtain in a brasserie in Paris. Not solely have been the drinks right here visually beautiful, they have been scrumptious too and completely accompanied by lovely waterfront views. It’s simply the icing on the cake that meals is spectacular as nicely!
Runner-up: Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery, Australia
Honourable point out: O.G.B, New Zealand
Greatest Journey Expertise
Winner: Lord of the Rungs Climb (with Wildwire Wanaka), New Zealand
Once in a while you get the chance to do one thing you’ve by no means completed earlier than and it awakens one thing in you! For me, it was an unrealised love of climbing all because of Wildwire Wanaka. Hanging off the facet of a cascading waterfall, soaking in views over Wanaka was completely magical. Getting outside and hands-on with the uncooked great thing about this area is the right technique to expertise it and I can’t wait to return and do that one once more.
Runner-up: Canyon Swing (with Shotover Canyon Swing), New Zealand
Honourable point out: The Mountain Expertise (with The Cardrona), New Zealand
Greatest Distinctive Expertise
Winner: Cosy Traditional Self Drive (with Duffy Down Beneath Boat Rent), Australia
Having lived near the Gold Coast most of my life I used to be shocked to grasp I’d been lacking out on exploring the waterways! Seems, it was definitely worth the wait as we received the prospect to do it for the primary time in a Duffy boat with Duffy Down Beneath. Combining consolation, enjoyable and delightful surroundings this expertise is ideal for everybody! We spent an excellent few hours placing alongside gently, seeing the realm from a brand new perspective and having fun with a waterfront lunch.
Runner-up: All Blacks Expertise, New Zealand
Honourable point out: Mauao (Mount Maunganui) Summit Stroll, New Zealand
Greatest Multi-Day Tour Expertise
Winner: Jeep & Caravan Self Drive (with Outside Aussie Adventures), Australia
This yr we received the prospect to expertise one thing we by no means have earlier than – the caravanning life-style! Setting off with zero expertise, the group at Outside Aussie Adventures taught us every little thing we wanted to know, helped us settled in and hooked us up with the Jeep and the caravan and an unbelievable itinerary. It was so enjoyable travelling in a brand new means and, for those who noticed my Insta-Tales, you’ll know Matt took to it like a duck to water and is formally able to be a gray nomad.
Greatest Day-Tour Expertise
Winner: Kai Safari Dinner Tour (with ?miki Excursions), New Zealand
Whereas visiting Christchurch this yr I needed to try to discover experiences to assist me join higher with the town and ?miki Excursions did simply that. The Kai (meals) Safari Tour takes you out into the guts of Maori tradition, native historical past and distinctive meals. It’s an opportunity to style and expertise the area in a really highly effective means, expertly led by heat and welcoming locals. In case you ever go to Christchurch a tour with ?miki is a should.
Runner-up: Cruise ‘n’ Canoe (with Everglades Eco Safaris), Australia
Honourable point out: Coldie on the Goldie Brewery Tour (with Hop On Brewery Excursions), Australia
Greatest Airport Expertise
Winner: Queenstown Airport, New Zealand
We have been solely inside a few airports this yr however Queenstown simply takes the cake! Situated a brief drive from the guts of Queenstown you continue to get to benefit from the surroundings from contained in the terminal. There are nice cafes, a lolly store so you’ll be able to fill up on fudge and sweets for the journey house and a terrific Japanese restaurant.
Greatest Airline Expertise
Winner: Qantas, Economic system Class
There was just one airline we flew with this yr and I gotta say, we have been grateful to even be capable of fly!
Greatest Bucket Checklist Second
Winner: Driving a 4WD alongside Rainbow Seaside, Australia
Having visited many instances through the years the 4WD experiences of Rainbow Seaside had all the time eluded us. However we lastly received to tick it off our bucket lists and it was definitely worth the wait! We cherished driving by the plush rainforest then zooming alongside extensive stretches of seaside bordered by the ocean. Driving previous the colored sands, gazing up on the Carlo Sand Blow and stopping on an empty seaside for a swim and a snack was the icing on prime.
Runner-up: Taking an epic North to South Island Street Journey, New Zealand
Greatest Journey Tech
Winner: Pay as you go Journey Sim (from Simify)
That is a kind of issues I want we’d began doing sooner! Earlier than leaving for New Zealand we received pay as you go native SIM playing cards from Simify they usually made our whole journey simpler. From trying up eating places and cafes on the fly to discovering instructions, staying related and altering flights on the final minute, they have been invaluable.
Runner-up: Apple Watch
Honourable point out: Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wi-fi Noise Cancelling Headphones
Greatest Journey Accent
Winner: Insulated Journey Flask
After speaking about all of it yr we lastly purchased a journey flask/thermos and it has turn out to be the perfect factor ever! Excellent for any journey on a chilly day we grew to become obsessive about filling ours with espresso or tea and stopping someplace lovely for a spot of morning tea, paired completely with goodies sourced from an area bakery.
Runner-up: The Cozy Authentic
Honourable point out: Allocacoc PowerCube
Greatest Journey Instagrammer
Winside: Cory & Charlotte (@cjexplores)
In a yr the place journey alternatives have been restricted, Cory and Charlotte of CJ Explores have been a beacon of sunshine and inspiration! Capturing lovely images for his or her Instagram and creating unbelievable content material for YouTube they spent the yr exploring Queensland earlier than setting off on their massive lap round Australia. They’re splendidly proficient and actually beautiful individuals so make sure to test them out!
Greatest Journey Vlogger
Winner: Beth and Paul (YouTube)
No different channel impressed pleasure for us in fairly the identical means as Beth and Paul’s. It’s like watching your greatest buddy’s dad and mom out on the planet having a beautiful time and I can’t get sufficient of them! They’re so candy, real and entertaining and I discover them so humorous even after they’re not attempting to be. They’re only a delight!
Only a fast notice to verify the Little Gray Field Journey Awards are based mostly solely on our experiences. None of those spots has been paid for or requested by any of these included, it’s all legit love!
