It has been a wierd and unsure yr with journey alternatives few and much between. Still, 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. Honestly, it was a yr that was removed from preferrred and one which offered lots of challenges personally and professionally. But there’s a lot to be pleased about.
The Little Grey Box Travel Awards are our method of displaying our immense gratitude and just a little additional love and assist for the great individuals who make the yr’s finest journey moments attainable. We simply wish to say an enormous thanks to each particular person we met and labored with this yr. Without additional ado, listed below are the Little Grey Box Travel Award Winners (and, I suppose, our journey highlights) for 2021!
Best Australian Destination
Winner: Rainbow Beach, Queensland
Rainbow Beach has been near each our hearts for a really very long time and, revisiting this yr, we obtained the prospect to get pleasure from it as soon as extra and see how a lot its grown! Boasting lovely seashores, unimaginable 4WD-ing spots and a few implausible new eateries, this seaside spot is equal elements attractive, enjoyable and enjoyable.
Runner-up: Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland
Honourable point out: Noosa, Queensland
Best Overseas Destination
Winner: Wānaka, New Zealand
It’s wonderful we have been capable of get abroad this yr and I nonetheless can’t consider how fortunate we’re that Australia and New Zealand are so shut! Of all of the spots we visited on our street journey by means of the north and south islands, Wānaka stands out probably the most. It is, with out hesitation, my favorite place in New Zealand. A spot brimming with beautiful surroundings, unimaginable meals, outside adventures and the loveliest locals.
Runner-up: West Auckland, New Zealand
Honourable point out: Mackenzie Region, New Zealand
Best Under-the-Radar Destination
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 power of Karekare Beach and Piha Beach 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
Best Luxury Accommodation Experience
Winner: Cross Hill Lodge & Domes, New Zealand
Our keep in a decadent Cross Hill Geo Dome was a journey dream come true! But it wasn’t simply the distinctive and splendid lodging that made this keep so particular. Set towards spectacular Lake Hawea, it’s the sense of heat and welcome that oozes by means of all the private touches and moments of connection you expertise throughout your keep. This is 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
Best Budget Accommodation Experience
Winner: Highlands Farmstay (Executive Barn), New Zealand
Every every now and then you unearth a gem on Airbnb and, this yr, we discovered probably the most unimaginable spot in Twizel. Set throughout the Dark Sky Reserve this inexpensive lodging spot boasts an epic bathtub good for stargazing in freezing temperatures. Equipped with every little thing you might want for a calming, self-contained keep its additionally house to numerous pleasant cattle, providing loads of enjoyable issues to do throughout your go to.
Runner-up: The ‘Old Glenroy Dairy’ (Airbnb), Australia
Honourable point out: Apartment 5 (Airbnb), New Zealand
Best Beach Experience
Winner: Piha Beach, 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 Beach. On a cool winter day we made our method throughout the sand, rain drizzling on occasion, gazing on the rugged shoreline whereas tucking into heat soup and toasty bread. It was completely totally different to what I normally go to the seashore for and, one way or the other, so soul nourishing!
Runner-up: Rainbow Beach, Australia
Honourable point out: Kings Beach, Australia
Best Food Experience
Winner: Social Eating House + Bar, Australia
We have been grateful to expertise some really great, native meals in 2021 and one we gained’t quickly overlook is Social Eating House + Bar. This understated spot delivers a real meals expertise combining implausible 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 Dining & Lounge, Australia
Honourable mentions: Amigos Wanaka, New Zealand
Best Breakfast Experience
Winner: Bumbles Cafe, Australia
I didn’t anticipate this humble Gold Coast cafe to throw down fairly prefer it did, I’ve to be trustworthy! A really cosy neighbourhood spot standard with locals, it served up one of the best espresso I had all yr. The inside looks like a whimsical e-book retailer and the menu boasts an excellent mixture of classics and inventive 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
Best Restaurant Experience
Winner: Etsu Izakaya, Australia
If you possibly 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. Venture inside and also you’ll discover a lovely restaurant serving up probably the most scrumptious Japanese meals I’ve skilled exterior of Japan. Not to say, the service is impeccable!
Runner-up: Margo’s Queenstown, New Zealand
Honourable point out: Social Eating House + Bar, Australia
Best Cafe Experience
Winner: Nodo, Australia
I dwell 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 arduous to decide on only one dish. In addition to their scrumptious meals Nodo additionally boasts distinctive espresso and one of the best donuts within the sport. An added bonus – the whole place is Gluten Free!
Runner-up: White Picket Fence, Australia
Honourable point out: No Name Lane, Australia
Best Bar/Drinks Experince
Winner: Edgewater Dining and Lounge Bar, Australia
Another 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 effectively!
Runner-up: Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery, Australia
Honourable point out: O.G.B, New Zealand
Best Adventure Experience
Winner: Lord of the Rungs Climb (with Wildwire Wanaka), New Zealand
Every every now and then 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 aspect of a cascading waterfall, soaking in views over Wanaka was completely magical. Getting open air and hands-on with the uncooked great thing about this area is the right solution 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 Experience (with The Cardrona), New Zealand
Best Unique Experience
Winner: Snug Classic Self Drive (with Duffy Down Under Boat Hire), Australia
Having lived near the Gold Coast most of my life I used to be shocked to understand I’d been lacking out on exploring the waterways! Turns out, it was definitely worth the wait as we obtained the prospect to do it for the primary time in a Duffy boat with Duffy Down Under. Combining consolation, enjoyable and delightful surroundings this expertise is ideal for everybody! We spent few hours placing alongside gently, seeing the world from a brand new perspective and having fun with a waterfront lunch.
Runner-up: All Blacks Experience, New Zealand
Honourable point out: Mauao (Mount Maunganui) Summit Walk, New Zealand
Best Multi-Day Tour Experience
Winner: Jeep & Caravan Self Drive (with Outdoor Aussie Adventures), Australia
This yr we obtained the prospect to expertise one thing we by no means have earlier than – the caravanning life-style! Setting off with zero expertise, the crew at Outdoor 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 unimaginable itinerary. It was so enjoyable travelling in a brand new method and, in case you noticed my Insta-Stories, you’ll know Matt took to it like a duck to water and is formally able to be a gray nomad.
Best Day-Tour Experience
Winner: Kai Safari Dinner Tour (with Āmiki Tours), New Zealand
While visiting Christchurch this yr I needed to attempt to discover experiences to assist me join higher with town and Āmiki Tours 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 method, expertly led by heat and welcoming locals. If you ever go to Christchurch a tour with Āmiki 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 Tours), Australia
Best Airport Experience
Winner: Queenstown Airport, New Zealand
We have been solely inside a few airports this yr however Queenstown simply takes the cake! Located 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 possibly can fill up on fudge and sweets for the journey house and an excellent Japanese restaurant.
Best Airline Experience
Winner: Qantas, Economy 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!
Best Bucket List Moment
Winner: Driving a 4WD alongside Rainbow Beach, Australia
Having visited many instances over time the 4WD experiences of Rainbow Beach had all the time eluded us. But we lastly obtained to tick it off our bucket lists and it was definitely worth the wait! We beloved driving by means of the luxurious rainforest then zooming alongside large stretches of seashore bordered by the ocean. Driving previous the colored sands, gazing up on the Carlo Sand Blow and stopping on an empty seashore for a swim and a snack was the icing on prime.
Runner-up: Taking an epic North to South Island Road Trip, New Zealand
Best Travel Tech
Winner: Prepaid Travel Sim (from SimsDirect)
This is a type of issues I want we’d began doing sooner! Before leaving for New Zealand we obtained pay as you go native sim playing cards from SimsDirect and so they made our complete journey simpler. From wanting 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 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Best Travel Accessory
Winner: Insulated Travel Flask
After speaking about all of it yr we lastly purchased a journey flask/thermos and it has grow to be one of the best factor ever! Perfect 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 a neighborhood bakery.
Runner-up: The Comfy Original
Honourable point out: Allocacoc PowerCube
Best Travel Instagrammer
Winterior: 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 implausible content material for YouTube they spent the yr exploring Queensland earlier than setting off on their large lap round Australia. They’re splendidly proficient and really pretty individuals so remember to examine them out!
Best Travel Vlogger
Winner: Beth and Paul (YouTube)
No different channel impressed pleasure for us in fairly the identical method as Beth and Paul’s. It’s like watching your finest good friend’s dad and mom out on the earth having a stunning time and I can’t get sufficient of them! They’re so candy, real and entertaining and I discover them so humorous even once they’re not making an attempt to be. They’re only a delight!
Just a fast word to verify the Little Grey Box Travel 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!
Useful journey sources to your subsequent journey!
If you discovered this submit helpful, we’d be grateful in case you used the affiliate hyperlinks beneath. We’ll make a small fee at no additional price to you. Rest assured, these are the services and products we love and use ourselves. Thanks to your assist! Phoebe and Matt x.
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Agoda – lodge (& house) bookings
Booking.com – lodge bookings
Cover-More – journey insurance coverage
Motorhome Republic – RV leases
RentalCars.com – automobile leases
SimsDirect – pay as you go journey SIM playing cards
Skyscanner – flight bookings
Surfshark – on-line safety & VPN
TourRadar – tour bookings