Palm-fringed Australian city skyline

Darren Jonathon

Honest travel guides for Australia and beyond

From hidden laneways in Melbourne to working holidays in Cairns, Darren shares the guides he wishes he had before every trip.

Where do you want to go?

Popular:Working holidaySydneyMelbournePerthGreat Barrier ReefUluruCalifornia

Darren enjoying a drink with the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind him

The face behind the guides

G'day, I'm Darren

I'm an expat in Australia with over a decade of living abroad, and I've made the move down under twice, once in 2010 and again in 2012. These days I spend my time exploring every corner of the country, from big-city weekends to the middle of nowhere, and writing the honest guides I wish existed when I started.

Expect real travel advice, a few expat stories, and zero fluff. If it's not worth your time or money, I'll tell you.

More about Darren

Where to next?

Pick a corner of the world

Fresh off the blog

Latest travel guides

Australia Travel

Oct 2026

Sydney Working Holiday Guide: Best Suburbs, Jobs and Things to Do

Australia Travel

Oct 2026

Newcastle Weekend Trip from Sydney: The Underrated Coastal City

Australia Travel

Oct 2026

Jervis Bay Guide: Hyams Beach, Green Patch and a Long Weekend from Sydney

Australia Travel

Oct 2026

Hunter Valley Winery Tour Guide: My Wineries and How to Do It Right

World Travel

Oct 2026

San Diego Travel Guide: Balboa Park, La Jolla and the Beach City Done Right

World Travel

Oct 2026

The Perfect California Road Trip Itinerary: San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite, LA and Highway 1

World Travel

Oct 2026

Yosemite Travel Guide: Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and Planning Your Trip

World Travel

Oct 2026

Staying Outside Yosemite and Driving In: What It's Actually Like

World Travel

Oct 2026

Napa Valley Travel Guide: Castello di Amorosa, Beringer and Planning a Tasting Trip

World Travel

Oct 2026

Odd Things to Do in Los Angeles: Cemetery Tours, the Old Zoo and More

World Travel

Oct 2026

Los Angeles Travel Guide: Hollywood, Griffith and Getting LA Right

World Travel

Oct 2026

Riding Waymo in San Francisco: What a Driverless Taxi Is Actually Like

World Travel

Oct 2026

House of Prime Rib: San Francisco's Most Famous Steakhouse

World Travel

Oct 2026

San Francisco Travel Guide: The Golden Gate, Alcatraz and the Hills

World Travel

Oct 2026

California Travel Guide: San Francisco, Yosemite, Napa and the Coast

World Travel

Oct 2026

Dollywood and the Titanic Attraction: A Pigeon Forge Guide

World Travel

Oct 2026

New Orleans Travel Guide: What's Amazing, What Isn't, and an Honest Verdict

World Travel

Oct 2026

Nashville Travel Guide: Honky-Tonks, the Parthenon and Why It's My Favourite US City

World Travel

Oct 2026

The Sazerac House: New Orleans' Best Free Attraction

World Travel

Oct 2026

Ark Encounter: Visiting Noah's Ark in Kentucky

World Travel

Oct 2026

Space Center Houston: A Guide to NASA Mission Control

World Travel

Oct 2026

Salvation Mountain and East Jesus: California's Strangest Detour

Travel Tips

Oct 2026

FIFO Mental Health: Looking After Yourself (and Each Other) on a Roster

Travel Tips

Oct 2026

FIFO Camp Life: What Mining Village Accommodation Is Really Like

Travel Tips

Oct 2026

FIFO Mining Rosters Explained: 2/1, 8/6, Even Time & More

Australia Travel

Jun 2025

Unusual Things to Do in Melbourne: Less Common Activities for Everyone

Australia Travel

Jun 2025

Travel to Melbourne from Sydney: Best Transport Options for Your Trip

Australia Travel

Jun 2023

10 Fun Things to Do in Sydney With Friends

Expat Life

May 2023

12 Reasons to Move to Australia

Expat Life

May 2025

An Expat's Top Tips on How to Make Friends in Sydney in 2025

Travel Tips

Jul 2024

Discover Airalo: Your Ultimate Solution to High Roaming Bills when Travelling

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