Overland Adventure Travel | Inspiration

Happy Australia Day!
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Celebrated annually on 26th January, Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the proclamation (at that time) of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of New Holland. In honour of this day, we’d take a brief look back at some of the best pics from our time Down Under!...
Interview With An Adventurer…
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Dave Cornthwaite is a British adventurer, author and motivational speaker. Probably best known for his Expedition1000 project, an ambitious series of twenty five non-motorised journeys of at least 1000 miles in length, Dave has travelled the world, seeking adventure and raising money for charity in any way he can.
Travel & Film: the truth behind the tales…
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Without a doubt, one of the best things about travelling is just how much you can learn about the places you visit and the things you see along the way. We found ourselves continually fascinated by the history of every town, city and country we stepped foot in – it seemed that everywhere we went; there was a story behind every idiosyncrasy or landmark we encountered.
Aussie Adventures for the Adult Gapper
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Ever heard the phrase “youth is wasted on the young”? Well whether you agree with this or not, it’s certainly true that the whippersnappers of the world aren’t the only ones entitled to fun, freedom or adventure! Finally, adults with a yearning for adventure and self-improvement are cottoning on to the fact that they are allowed to take time out to experience the world too...
Win tickets to the Adventure Travel Show and Get Inspired for 2012…
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Way back in January 2010, Richard and I made our way down to London in search of travel inspiration. We knew that we wanted to do something different, something bold and something exciting for the year ahead, but had no idea where to start. All of the amazing life-changing experiences we’ve had over the last year can all be traced back to the Adventure Travel Show, so in the hope that you can benefit from the inspiration it gave to us, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to the show in January.
Guest Post: How to Travel Java to Bali Overland…
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Travelling between Indonesia’s best-known islands is a lot easier than most backpackers might think. Having done the trip myself, soon after finishing a stint teaching English in Vietnam, I found out just how straightforward it is. Looking to do the same? Here’s how I’d recommend tackling this epic adventure of booze, beaches and bare-naked Aussies!
Crikey! Ten things you never knew about Australia….
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You may know that Australia is home to 7 out of 10 of the world’s deadliest snakes, you might even know what a billabong is and you definitely know that Aussies talk a bit funny, but did you also know that Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service is the largest medical practice in the world? Here are a few more things you (possibly) never knew about our favourite land Down Under...
Tips for Travelling the Trans Siberian Rail
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Siberia isn’t somewhere we all get to see. It’s a vast wilderness, home to stunning scenery and traditional culture. Taking the Trans Siberian railway gives travellers the opportunity to experience it for themselves, while enabling them to reach such far flung destinations as Vladivostok, Beijing, Korea or Japan.
Nordic Wonders of Wild Camping
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Without a doubt, the best thing about camping is the freedom it offers, together with the unrivalled bliss of being ‘at one’ with the great outdoors. Wild Camping (or ‘free’ camping), gives you a taste of adventure that organised campsites simply can’t compete with; however many people are concerned about where they are or aren’t allowed to pitch up for the night.
Two Wheel Adventure… Cycle Camping
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You’ve heard of backpacking, campervanning, hiking and horse riding... you may have experienced bus travel; rail travel or even hitchhiked your way to adventure, but something you may have overlooked is the increasingly popular trend of cycle camping.
Swap your Winter for a Kiwi Summer…
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If you’re already fed up of the windy UK weather this winter (particularly those of you ‘up north’) then you’ll probably have started daydreaming about next summer already. But what if we told you that you didn’t have to wait 6 months for your sunshine fix and that a bright and sunny summer awaits you right now, just 12,000 miles away in New Zealand…
Make 2012 the year you’ll never forget…
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With the end of the year fast approaching it’s time to ask yourself whether 2011 lived up to your expectations. If not, why not make a pledge to ‘do something different’ next year and ensure that 2012 really is the year that you’ll never forget....
Celebrating Christmas around the Globe …
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Now that many towns and cities across the UK have already celebrated their big 'Christmas Lights Switch On! we thought it was about time we started getting into the festive spirit too. To get us started, Amy from MapTheGap.co.uk has done some digging and given us a little insight into how some of our favourite countries celebrate Christmas...
Photo Blog: New Zealand in Pictures…
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A road trip really is the perfect way to see New Zealand in all her glory. Cruising up and down stunning coastal roads and twisty mountain passes for a month, gave Richard and I some of our most memorable moments. We thought we'd take you on a photographic journey to just some of the awesome places we visited on both the North and South Islands...
Photo Flashback: The Boys at Ayers Rock…
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One of our favourite pics of our Australia trip! And possibly our entire trip. Sums up the Oz Bus 21 spirit in one photo I feel! Here is Rich, Chris and Ross toasting our arrival at Ayers Rock the only way they know how! Which iconic landmark has caused you to crack open the bubbly? We want to hear about it!..
More Memories of an Epic Adventure…
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Carrying on with our trip down memory lane where we shared the highs, lows and regrets we had during our 11 month overland trip, we have now turned our thoughts towards the places that affected us the most and the lessons we learned along the way...
And the Winner Is…
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A big thank you to everybody who took part in our recent market research – you have helped to shape the future of our website and for that we are eternally grateful. As a thank you for giving us your opinions on travelling, we entered you all into a prize draw to win a brand new digital camera and are now happy to reveal that the winner is...
News: Brits vote Australia as “Best Country to Visit Worldwide”
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Australia has been awarded as the “Best Country to Visit Worldwide” in this year’s British Travel Awards. The award, which is decided by nominations from travel industry professionals and then a public vote by over 700,000 Brits, has seen Australia finish ahead of European destinations Spain and Italy. Would you agree with this vote? If yes, what's your favourite place in Oz?..
Highs and Lows of an Epic Adventure…
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When Richard and I first decided to go travelling we didn’t know quite what to expect... Whilst we imagined exotic beaches, vast landscapes, iconic landmarks and lots of beer; nothing could have quite prepared us for the roller coaster ride that our 11 months on the road would become.
Fantastic Fireworks From Around the Globe…
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Whilst fireworks on the 5th of November may be an English tradition, there are many other events held in various countries, where the night sky is lit up in spectacular displays of light. So to get us all in the mood for Bonfire Night, we thought we’d share with you a selection of some of our favourite firework photos from around the globe...
Photo Flashbacks: Our favourite Angkor Ruins…
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EVERYBODY who has been to Cambodia has no doubt been to Siem Reap and taken a trip up to nearby Angkor - the ancient city that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire between AD802 to 1351. Whilst it's most famous ruin is Angkor Wat, this was by no means our favourite. A few hours spent wandering the city will unearth some amazingly beautiful buildings which are often overlooked by visitors...
‘Home is where the heart is’ – The End of an Epic Adventure…
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I can’t even describe to you just how gut-renching it was to look out of the aeroplane window and see Australia getting smaller and smaller beneath us. The four and a bit months we’d spent Down Under were full of the most amazing experiences we could ever imagine – we will never forget our time there...
Xin chào Vietnam! Hong Kong to Hanoi Overland…
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China and South East Asia are one of the best regions in the world to travel overland, not least because you get to see, hear and feel much more of it than you would if you simply hopped on a plane to get from one city to the next. Going overland is easier than you may think – it just takes a little planning and experimentation to plot out a route...
Photo Flashbacks: Rainbow over Lake Wanaka…
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This pic was taken as we were cruising up New Zealand's Haast Pass in Fred, our trusty 21 year old camper van. Looking out over Lake Wanaka we spotted about three rainbows beaming brightly above the clear blue waters and are proud that we were able to capture one of them on camera...
Five unusual delicacies to taste on your travels..!
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One of the joys of travelling is sampling local foods, wines and delicacies. Some local delicacies are unintimidating – but sometimes, they might not be that appetising. The traditional foods offered in some places might even test your gag reflex...
Melbourne: The Final Chapter…
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Next on our list were the Treasury Gardens, followed by Fitzroy Gardens, where we headed straight for Cooks Cottage. This cottage was constructed in 1755 in the English village of Great Ayton by the parents of Captain James Cook. Cook, as you probably know, is famous for being the first European to encounter the east coast of Australia...
Four ‘must do’ outdoor activities in Australia
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Living life in the great outdoors surely refers to Australia. This vast continent of desert, gorges, rainforests, rivers, lakes, cliffs, beaches and snowy mountains is an outdoor lovers paradise. Australia really comes alive, and makes you feel alive, in the outdoors...
Photo Flashbacks: Hanging Plank Road, San Huangzhou
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When I look back at this photo now I can't quite believe we had the nerve to walk around this! This was taken on a magical day back in August 2011 following a Kung Fu lesson with a Shaolin Monk at the footfills of a mountain.
Swimming with Manta Rays in Fiji
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In 2010 I was in two minds about whether to stop off in Fiji after a year backpacking in Australia and New Zealand. Thankfully I did - and I discovered that, if you’re prepared to get off your hammock and do some exploring, you can experience some incredible adventures…
Rooftop Bars and Non-Stop Laughs…
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We’ve spoken previously of Melbourne’s fantastic network of laneways and alleys which hide a host of treats for the more intrepid tourist – but many more of the city’s best kept secrets aren’t found around corners and back streets... instead, they are hidden high up in the sky in the form of funky rooftop bars.
Five things to see and do in Hoi An…
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As Vietnam’s premier beach destination and one of the country’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites, Hoi An is increasingly gaining popularity as a tourist destination. There is plenty to see and do around the city - but if you’re short on time then don’t miss these five fantastic attractions.
Melbourne: A day in the life of a tourist (part two!)
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Our last post from our travels Down Under, left you in Melbourne city centre, following an awesome day of sightseeing where we photographed lots of street art, went up the SkyDeck and took a tour on the City Circle Tram. But believe it or not, there was still plenty more for us to see and do before hanging up our walking boots for the day!
The Canadian Adventure: Ontario…
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One of the worlds most awesome places and a far cry from its 'nice but boring' image, Canada is a definite must for those of you who appreciate beauty, adventure and fun. MyDestinationInfo fills us in on Ontario...
Cape Town: a must-do for all adventurers
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A rich cultural history and a stunning geographical location makes Cape Town one of the most amazing places in the world to visit... Originally known as the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ during colonial times it is well known for its staggeringly beautiful landscape and incredibly diverse wildlife.
The Best of Melbourne’s Street Art
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Having been in Melbourne for almost two months, we decided that we still hadn’t seen as much of it as we should have. So we thought we would plan some alone-time with the city and make a list of its ‘must see’ attractions in preparation for a day in the life of a tourist...
Ten tips for overland travel!
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We wrote this post two months after we left London for our epic overland journey to Oz, so we thought that it's about time we shared our ten tips for overland travel with you!...
How NOT to plan a RTW trip!
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A look back at the lead up to our epic adventure and our own tips for "how NOT to plan a year long trip around the world!"..
Pakistan
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Pakistan is one of Asia’s best kept secrets. As well as offering its visitors a host of sophisticated beach resorts and fascinating ancient sites and cities to wander through, Pakistan is also one of Asia’s premier trekking and expedition destinations
Nepal
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The ‘Roof of the World’. Nepal is a diverse and mountainous wilderness which offers remarkable diversity for a relatively small country. There really is something for everyone in Nepal and one visit to this mystical land is rarely enough...
China
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An epic land spanning extensive mountain ranges, river valleys, forests and historic landscapes, China offers a multitude of mesmerising experiences that will remain in the hearts of her guests long after they leave...
Java
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Java is fantastically diverse with an impressive chain of volcanic mountains running from east to west, attracting adventure seekers from all over the world...
Laos
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One of the world’s best preserved, pristine environments is rapidly shaking off its war-torn image and is fast becoming a Mecca for adventurous travellers...
Cambodia
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The wild, untamed landscape of Cambodia, coupled with its fantastic heritage and warm friendly people, gives this country an edge that appeals to travellers from all over the world...
Vietnam
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The Vietnamese are some of the friendliest, most spirited people you will ever meet and Vietnam has developed into an exciting country, that still too few people have had the pleasure of visiting...
Turkey
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This hugely popular country has quickly overtaken many traditional travel destinations as the number one venue for a relaxing get away or adventure holiday to beat all others!..
Hungary
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A land of culture, history and delightful landscapes, Hungary is still a somewhat undiscovered destination for many travellers but really is a fantastic place...
Austria
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When you think of Austria you will more than likely imagine snow capped mountains, alpine meadows and sunny skies, but there is more to this distinctive country than meets the eye...
Czech Republic
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The Czech Republic is one of Western Europe’s most popular destinations and once you step out amongst the Bohemian delights it holds, it’s easy to see why...
Belgium
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Belgium is a facinating country with a long history of contrasting cultures and languages. It takes the best of its surrounding regions and blends them together...
Australia
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Forget about just throwing another shrimp on the Barbie, sunbathing all day or hitting the surf in the early hours – while you can of course do all of this in Australia, this amazing country has so much more to offer!..
Malaysia
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A vibrant land of art, culture and colour, Malaysia is a compelling place to visit with stunning scenery in the form of tropical rainforests, cityscapes, beaches and mountains. A hugely diverse multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society...
India
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A land of culture, colour and spice, India and its vast landscape offers something to delight every kind of traveller or tourist. India is bursting with life on all sides, with mountains, valleys, beaches and bustling cities...

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