The Journal
Adventures, Guides & Stories
Real guides from real trips — destination breakdowns, packing lists and honest stories from Barbados to Patagonia.
hiking-camping
My Shoulder Season Camping Kit — How It's Evolved Since Having a Toddler
There's a version of me from four years ago who would have laughed at my current kit list. Back then it was a 36L Osprey Sirrus and zero toddler gear. Here's how it's evolved since Freddy arrived.
toddler-travel
Patagonia with a Toddler: Three Weeks at the End of the World
Three weeks in Patagonia. Three generations — my mum at 67, me, and Freddy who turned three on a boat in the Strait of Magellan surrounded by 120,000 penguins. A trip most people said was too ambitious.
trip-planning
New Zealand Travel Guide: 4 Weeks Around Aotearoa (2026)
A complete 4-week New Zealand itinerary covering both islands — Auckland, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Wellington, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the Catlins, with everything you need to plan your own trip.
barbados
Barbados Packing List: 20 Items You Must Have
Your flights are booked — now what to pack? A local's guide to exactly what to bring to Barbados, from beach essentials to evening looks, with honest product recommendations.
toddler-travel
How to Keep Toddlers Entertained While Travelling
Every toy, hack and trick that's actually kept my toddler entertained on planes, road trips and long waits in restaurants.
trip-planning
Long Haul Flight Tips: How to Survive Long Haul Flights
Surviving long haul economy flights takes more than hoping for an empty seat next to you. Here's everything that actually makes a 13-15 hour flight bearable, from packing to layovers.
trip-planning
Budget Breakdown: Canadian Rockies Road Trip
The full cost breakdown of our two-week RV road trip from Whitehorse to Calgary through the Canadian Rockies — flights, rental, gas, groceries and campsites, compared against staying in hotels.
barbados
Barbados on a Budget: How to Visit Without Breaking the Bank
Barbados has a reputation for being expensive — but there is a completely different version of the island available if you know where to look. A local's honest guide to doing Barbados cheaply.
barbados
Self Drive Island Tour of Barbados by a Local
You've done the south coast. You've done the west coast beaches. You've barely scratched the surface. Here is how to drive the full island in a day — from a Bajan who has done it dozens of times.
road-trips
New Zealand South Island Road Trip: Mount Cook to the Catlins
A week through the deep South Island — Milford Sound, Mount Cook, the Nevis Bungy, Dunedin and the wild, largely undiscovered Catlins coastline. The best week of my New Zealand trip.
gear-guides
Osprey Renn 50L Review: The Best Pack for Solo Mums
Travelling with a toddler as a solo mum means packing enough for two without weighing yourself down. The Osprey Renn 50L is the pack I've found strikes the perfect balance — here's the full breakdown.
hiking-camping
Minimalist Packing Guide for Solo Mums Travelling with Toddlers
How I fit everything for me and my toddler into one Osprey Renn 50L backpack, whatever kind of adventure we're heading into.