The Cooee Journal

Travel Tips, Guides & Stories

Destination guides, practical planning advice, and honest insights from a Queensland tour team that walks the trails every week.

Nature
12 min

Australian Wildlife: Where and When to See It

Kangaroos, koalas, platypus, whales, and more — where to find them in the wild, best times of day, and practical spotting tips.

Read More →
Nature
12 min

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef Responsibly

What the reef actually looks like now, how to visit without making things worse, choosing operators, and what to realistically expect.

Read More →
Nature
12 min

Bushwalking for Beginners: 10 Easy Trails in Queensland

Beginner-friendly walks across Queensland — Gold Coast hinterland, Brisbane, and Cairns with distance, difficulty, and what you'll see.

Read More →
Travel Tips
10 min

What to Expect on a Small Group Tour in Australia

Never done a guided tour? Here's an honest walkthrough — from the morning pickup to the drive home.

Read More →
Planning
12 min

How Much Does an Australia Holiday Cost in 2026?

Realistic daily budgets for backpacker, mid-range, and comfortable travel — flights, accommodation, food, transport, and free experiences.

Read More →
Planning
10 min

How Far Apart Is Everything in Australia?

The number one planning mistake: underestimating distances. Drive times, comparisons, and realistic itineraries by duration.

Read More →
Planning
12 min

Driving in Australia: What International Visitors Need to Know

Left-hand driving, road rules, fuel costs, outback safety, wildlife hazards, and when to skip the car entirely.

Read More →
Planning
10 min

The Australia Packing List: What to Bring, What to Skip

The essentials that actually matter, region-specific additions, what to skip, and what's cheaper to buy when you arrive.

Read More →
Planning
10 min

Travelling Australia in Winter: Why the Dry Season Is the Best Season

Mild weather, fewer crowds, lower prices, whale season, and the best reef visibility — why June to August might be the smartest time to visit.

Read More →
Culture
10 min

A Guide to Bush Tucker: Native Australian Foods Worth Trying

The world's oldest food culture — finger lime, lemon myrtle, wattleseed, kangaroo, and where to experience them respectfully.

Read More →
Culture
8 min

Understanding Acknowledgement of Country as a Visitor

What it is, why it happens, and what it means for you — a respectful guide for international visitors to Australia.

Read More →
Travel Tips
10 min

How to Choose the Best Tour Guide in Australia

Green flags, red flags, and the qualities that separate a great guide from a script-reader with a microphone.

Read More →
Destinations
10 min

Gold Coast Hidden Gems: Beyond the Beaches

Hinterland waterfalls, rainforest walks, local markets, and the places most tourists never find — from a team that lives here.

Read More →
Destinations
10 min

Adventure Tours Across Australia

From coastal walks to outback expeditions — adventure experiences for every fitness level across Queensland and beyond.

Read More →
Nature
10 min

Camping in Australia: A Practical Guide

National park campgrounds, gear essentials, booking systems, and campfire rules — what visitors need to know about sleeping outdoors.

Read More →
Travel Tips
8 min

AI and Travel: What's Actually Useful in 2026

Cutting through the hype — which AI tools genuinely help with trip planning and which are just noise.

Read More →
Planning
10 min

Best Budget Travel Destinations in Australia

Where your dollar stretches furthest — affordable regions, free activities, and smart alternatives to the expensive tourist traps.

Read More →
Travel Tips
10 min

Digital Nomad Destinations in Australia

Co-working spaces, reliable WiFi, and the best towns for remote workers who want to combine work with Australian adventure.

Read More →
Culture
12 min

Understanding Aboriginal History: A Timeline for Visitors

65,000 years of continuous culture — key periods, cultural practices, and why understanding this history enriches your visit.

Read More →
Travel Tips
8 min

Best Travel Apps and Tools for Australia

The apps that actually help — offline maps, fuel finders, park passes, weather, and the ones you can skip.

Read More →
Travel Tips
10 min

The Beginner's Guide to Adventure Travel in Australia

First-timer advice for outdoor adventures — what to try, how to prepare, and how to find your comfort zone in the Australian outdoors.

Read More →
↑ Back to Top