It has been an odd and unsure yr with journey alternatives few and much between. Still, we discovered ourselves with alternatives to discover our stunning residence 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 perfect and one which offered quite a lot of challenges personally and professionally. But there’s a lot to be pleased about.
The Little Grey Box Travel Awards are our means of displaying our immense gratitude and a bit of additional love and help for the fantastic individuals who make the yr’s greatest journey moments potential. We simply wish to say an enormous thanks to each individual we met and labored with this yr. Without additional ado, listed here 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 received the prospect to get pleasure from it as soon as extra and see how a lot its grown! Boasting stunning seashores, unbelievable 4WD-ing spots and a few improbable new eateries, this seaside spot is equal components attractive, enjoyable and stress-free.
Runner-up: Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland
Honourable point out: Noosa, Queensland
Best Overseas Destination
Winner: W?naka, New Zealand
It’s superb we had 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 via the north and south islands, W?naka stands out essentially the most. It is, with out hesitation, my favorite place in New Zealand. A spot brimming with beautiful surroundings, unbelievable meals, out of doors 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 thus 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 opulent lodging that made this keep so particular. Set towards spectacular Lake Hawea, it’s the sense of heat and welcome that oozes via all the non-public 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 from time to time you unearth a gem on Airbnb and, this yr, we discovered essentially the most unbelievable spot in Twizel. Set inside the Dark Sky Reserve this reasonably priced lodging spot boasts an epic bathtub excellent for stargazing in freezing temperatures. Equipped with all the things you possibly can want for a calming, self-contained keep its additionally residence to quite a few pleasant livestock, 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 means throughout the sand, rain drizzling every now and then, 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 Beach, Australia
Honourable point out: Kings Beach, Australia
Best Food Experience
Winner: Social Eating House + Bar, Australia
We had been grateful to expertise some really fantastic, native meals in 2021 and one we received’t quickly overlook is Social Eating House + Bar. This understated spot delivers a real meals expertise combining improbable service, nice atmosphere, an thrilling menu, stunning 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 residence.
Runner-up: Edgewater Dining & Lounge, Australia
Honourable mentions: Amigos Wanaka, New Zealand
Best Breakfast Experience
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 trustworthy! A really cosy neighbourhood spot well-liked with locals, it served up the most effective espresso I had all yr. The inside looks like a whimsical ebook retailer and the menu boasts an amazing 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
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 possibly can simply stroll proper previous it. Venture inside and also you’ll discover a wonderful restaurant serving up essentially the most scrumptious Japanese meals I’ve skilled outdoors 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 exhausting to decide on only one dish. In addition to their scrumptious meals Nodo additionally boasts distinctive espresso and the most effective donuts within the recreation. 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 form of service you obtain in a brasserie in Paris. Not solely had been the drinks right here visually beautiful, they had been scrumptious too and completely accompanied by stunning 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 from time to time you get the chance to do one thing you’ve by no means performed 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 outdoor and hands-on with the uncooked great thing about this area is the right approach 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 grasp I’d been lacking out on exploring the waterways! Turns out, 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 Under. Combining consolation, enjoyable and exquisite surroundings this expertise is ideal for everybody! We spent a very good few hours placing alongside gently, seeing the realm 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 received the prospect to expertise one thing we by no means have earlier than – the caravanning way of life! Setting off with zero expertise, the crew at Outdoor Aussie Adventures taught us all the things we would have liked 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, when 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 ?miki Tours), New Zealand
While visiting Christchurch this yr I needed to try to discover experiences to assist me join higher with town and ?miki Tours did simply that. The Kai (meals) Safari Tour takes you out into the center 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. If 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 Tours), Australia
Best Airport Experience
Winner: Queenstown Airport, New Zealand
We had been solely inside a few airports this yr however Queenstown simply takes the cake! Located a brief drive from the center 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 replenish on fudge and sweets for the journey residence and an amazing Japanese restaurant.
Best Airline Experience
Winner: Qantas, Economy Class
There was just one airline we flew with this yr and I gotta say, we had been grateful to even have the ability to 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 received to tick it off our bucket lists and it was definitely worth the wait! We cherished driving via the plush rainforest then zooming alongside broad 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 high.
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 kind of issues I want we’d began doing sooner! Before leaving for New Zealand we received pay as you go native sim playing cards from SimsDirect they usually made our whole 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 had 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 the most effective factor ever! Perfect for any journey on a chilly day we turned obsessive about filling ours with espresso or tea and stopping someplace stunning 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
Winternal: Cory & Charlotte (@cjexplores)
In a yr the place journey alternatives had been restricted, Cory and Charlotte of CJ Explores had been a beacon of sunshine and inspiration! Capturing stunning pictures for his or her Instagram and creating improbable 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 really pretty individuals so remember to test them out!
Best Travel 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 pal’s dad and mom out on the earth 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 once they’re not attempting to be. They’re only a delight!
Just a fast observe to substantiate 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!
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Agoda – resort bookings
Booking.com – resort bookings
Cover-More – journey insurance coverage
Motorhome Republic – RV leases
RentalCars.com – automotive leases
SimsDirect – journey SIM playing cards
Skyscanner – flight bookings
Surfshark – VPN
TourRadar – tour bookings