ON THE ROAD, AGAIN: With COUNTRY ROAD X Live With Us // NORTHERN RIVERS. A change of season is coming; you can feel it in the air. You know the kind, those mornings that are so crisp and fresh that the cool air sends goosebumps all over your body. The sun is beginning to rise a little later and curling up beside one of your best friends in a loft apartment nestled between the beautiful coastline of Byron Bay and the rolling hills of Bangalow is the perfect escape. 

ON THE ROAD: With COUNTRY ROAD X Live With Us // THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. I started out on this journey heading in the direction of the unknown. That’s the true freedom and beauty of the open road. You get to discover more of Australia with the windows down, hair blowing wild in the wind, nostalgic songs and good company – all of which makes heart sing. 

Maintaining an active lifestyle and always dreaming my next adventure, big or small, near or far. Camping is a fantastic way to get outdoors, to escape the bustle of everyday life and find some stillness, some peace and tranquillity in nature — to reset. 

I’d had been looking forward to heading to South Africa for quite some time and before I left everyone kept saying to me “Oh you just wait, you’re absolutely going to love it.” and LOVE it I did. I have to admit I had no idea what to expect, I mean, I knew it was going to be a beautiful destination, but I don’t think I was prepared for just HOW beautiful it is. 

Taking a break whenever I can back in Australia and visiting all my favourite places to just “be.” A chance to recenter and immerse myself in the beauty that is a place, which I am lucky enough to call home. Kick starting a micro-adventure series with TEVA Australia. // Please head to the full blog post here. Get out there! M. x

Checking in from paradise.  Recently I had the opportunity to visit Bali with my beautiful, beautiful friend and roommate Chelsea. A girls trip combining a holiday with work, which was perfectly timed – – we spent some time getting back to our roots, taking the moment to appreciate every day and a new rising sun, exploring Bali, slowing down, practising yoga and eating incredible, nourishing food. Collecting memories not things. 

We are all visitors here, in this time, in this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow and to love, and then we return home. – Australian Aboriginal proverb Spent some time with good hearts in my soul place. It’s so good to be home. M. x  

The world is huge and we are tiny. Explore it. ✧♡• In just under two and a half hours from Brisbane you can escape to paradise.  You know those places that you instantly connect with, that pull at your heartstrings in an unfamiliar but almost comforting way? Calling you back again so much so that you spend days dreaming about your return, before you even leave? I was pleasantly surprised and completely blown away with the incredible untouched beauty of Vanuatu. 

Life is not about milestones, but moments • The open road, fresh air in our lungs and laughter filling our bellies: eight days on the road with Tourism Queensland and Toyota Australia.  One of my biggest photo updates this year. I’m feeling incredibly grateful to have spent time with good friends exploring all the natural wonders of my home state along The Pacific Coast Way, a 1700km stretch linking Brisbane to Cairns. 

The stars will remind us of the beauty in our struggles and we won’t feel so lost anymore. I recently spent a week on the road with some of my favourite Australian Photographers/Instagrammers and friends. We took the Grand Pacific coastal drive which starts in the Royal National Park, less than an hour south of Sydney and makes its way through the Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven regions.  

Beautiful things don’t have to cost the Earth • I was recently a part of @etsyau’s #city2outback adventure featuring Evie and Essie, based in the picturesque foothills of Hobart’s Mt Wellington. The Children’s clothing label Evie & Essie is the joint love of best friends and lifelong crafters Suki Hopgood and Sarah Crawford. Suki and Sarah hosted myself and the Etsy team for a few days, showing us around the unique beauty of Hobart with the city and its surrounds being a constant source of both inspiration and escape. 

“I wonder if the things that remind me of you, remind you of me.”  I recently went on a whirlwind (and I really mean whirlwind) adventure to Colombia with Kathmandu. What can I tell you about it? My itch for South America has only just been scratched and I’m left wanting more. We hit the ground running and began filming at the airport in Medellín city. I’ve never hidden that I am not much of a city girl, but I think the cute streets, botanical gardens and salsa-dancing nightlife in Medellín are attractions I’ll go back for. 

“Can we take a ride? Get out of this place, while we still have time.” My heart feels heavy today. Reminiscing on this afternoon drive and always an adventure with you. Still, learning to let go. 

My second trip to the red centre was one to remember. It’s nice discovering places you don’t know too much about. I try not to do too much beyond the basic research before visiting a place because I find there’s something exciting about getting to a new destination and letting it surprise you.

I’ve always wanted that cabin in the snow with a fireplace experience and Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge fulfilled that exact fantasy. Only a 5.5hr drive from our home in Melbourne, Steen and I set off along the Great Alpine Road. I remember not too long ago someone recommended this drive to me as they knew of my love adventure and since google imaging it I couldn’t get this place out of my head. 

A big adventure. Sarah, Jackson and I drove for just over 3.5 hours to get to this location. And then we got completely lost. After walking for over an hour by the time we got to these dunes we could see where we wanted to be, but had no way of physically getting there within the remaining hours of the day. Not that it mattered all that much because as usual, nothing goes to plan when you have a plan. Throwing all caution to the wind, with fading daylight, we improvised. 

Afternoon light dancing around the room at one of my favourite locations with this girl, who has a heart of gold. Oh how I love working with her. M x

We packed the car and went away for an adventure. Driving around the coast of Phillip Island, seal spotting, rainbow sighting, hiking over cliff tops, sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sound of the ocean with my best friend. 

Landscape and beautiful skies aside, there’s no denying one of my favourite things to work on is portraits. Taking it back to the way I learnt – just me, my camera and my beautiful subject Natascha Elisa.

We visited Marysville last year had such a great time we couldn’t wait for the snow to fall to come back. It’s such a beautiful drive through The Black Spur and past some of our favourite locations in Melbourne. Only 90 minutes away from home and one of the cheapest and funnest ways to waste some time with my best friend.