
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

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 DarrenStart here
New around here? These are the guides people read most
New to Australia?My Working Holiday in Australia Experience: What I Learned & My Advice
Everything I learned from two working holidays down under.
Read the guide →
Chasing big money?Can You Get FIFO Mining Jobs With No Experience?
How to land a FIFO mining job with zero experience.
Read the guide →
Moving to Sydney?Where to Live in Sydney: An Expat Guide
The suburbs, rents and traps, from someone who lives there.
Read the guide →
On a budget?The Best Backpackers in Australia: Comfy Beds, Good Mates, and Plenty of Fun!
The best backpacker hostels around the country.
Read the guide →
Space nerd?Space Center Houston: A Guide to NASA Mission Control
NASA's Johnson Space Center: the real Saturn V, the Shuttle and Rocket Park.
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Beyond Australia?Salvation Mountain and East Jesus: California's Strangest Detour
California's painted mountain and a desert art camp, out past the Salton Sea.
Read the guide →Where to next?
Pick a corner of the world
Fresh off the blog
Latest travel guides
Expat LifeOct 2026
Best Apps for Backpackers in Australia: What I Actually Use
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UK and Ireland vs Australia: What Actually Costs More
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Sydney Working Holiday Guide: Best Suburbs, Jobs and Things to Do
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Newcastle Weekend Trip from Sydney: The Underrated Coastal City
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Jervis Bay Guide: Hyams Beach, Green Patch and a Long Weekend from Sydney
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Hunter Valley Winery Tour Guide: My Wineries and How to Do It Right
World TravelOct 2026
San Diego Travel Guide: Balboa Park, La Jolla and the Beach City Done Right
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The Perfect California Road Trip Itinerary: San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite, LA and Highway 1
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Yosemite Travel Guide: Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and Planning Your Trip
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Staying Outside Yosemite and Driving In: What It's Actually Like
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Napa Valley Travel Guide: Castello di Amorosa, Beringer and Planning a Tasting Trip
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Odd Things to Do in Los Angeles: Cemetery Tours, the Old Zoo and More
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Los Angeles Travel Guide: Hollywood, Griffith and Getting LA Right
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Riding Waymo in San Francisco: What a Driverless Taxi Is Actually Like
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House of Prime Rib: San Francisco's Most Famous Steakhouse
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San Francisco Travel Guide: The Golden Gate, Alcatraz and the Hills
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California Travel Guide: San Francisco, Yosemite, Napa and the Coast
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Dollywood and the Titanic Attraction: A Pigeon Forge Guide
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New Orleans Travel Guide: What's Amazing, What Isn't, and an Honest Verdict
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Nashville Travel Guide: Honky-Tonks, the Parthenon and Why It's My Favourite US City
World TravelOct 2026
The Sazerac House: New Orleans' Best Free Attraction
World TravelOct 2026
Ark Encounter: Visiting Noah's Ark in Kentucky
World TravelOct 2026
Space Center Houston: A Guide to NASA Mission Control
World TravelOct 2026
Salvation Mountain and East Jesus: California's Strangest Detour
Travel TipsOct 2026
FIFO Mental Health: Looking After Yourself (and Each Other) on a Roster
Travel TipsOct 2026
FIFO Camp Life: What Mining Village Accommodation Is Really Like
Travel TipsOct 2026
FIFO Mining Rosters Explained: 2/1, 8/6, Even Time & More
Australia TravelJun 2025
Unusual Things to Do in Melbourne: Less Common Activities for Everyone
Australia TravelJun 2025
Travel to Melbourne from Sydney: Best Transport Options for Your Trip
Australia TravelJun 2023
10 Fun Things to Do in Sydney With Friends
Expat LifeMay 2023
12 Reasons to Move to Australia
Expat LifeMay 2025
An Expat's Top Tips on How to Make Friends in Sydney in 2025
Travel TipsJul 2024
Discover Airalo: Your Ultimate Solution to High Roaming Bills when Travelling
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