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Top Travel Journalists in Australia (2025)

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Discover and contact the top Travel journalists in Australia, updated for 2025. If you're interested in contacting Travel journalists, you can sign up below and download the Travel journalists contact list!

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Brian Johnston

Travel journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald / The Age (Traveller section), Australia
Australia
Travel
Lifestyle
Culture

Brian Johnston (b. 1968) is Australia’s preeminent travel writer, crafting nuanced narratives for Traveller since 2010. His 3,000+ bylines blend cultural anthropology with service journalism, dissecting how tourism reshapes—and is reshaped by—global communities.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Cruise Industry Evolution: Tracks environmental and labor practices, not just itineraries
  • Indigenous Tourism: 43% of his 2023 pieces highlighted First Nations experiences

Avoid When Pitching

  • Luxury hotel openings without community impact data
  • Generic "top 10" destination lists
"I seek stories where tourism dollars become tools for cultural preservation." —Johnston, 2024 ASTW keynote

Carla Grossetti

Travel journalist at Australian Traveller, Australia
Australia
Travel
Food
Lifestyle

With 30+ years shaping Australia’s travel and food discourse, Carla Grossetti masterfully dissects how destinations articulate identity through cuisine and culture. Her work for Australian Traveller, delicious., and international outlets like BBC Travel reveals three core pillars:

  • Luxury Redefined: Seeks stories where opulence serves ecology, like her Silky Oaks Lodge analysis of rainforest-integrated architecture
  • Regional Renaissance: Charts how local producers (from Coffs Harbour macadamia farmers to Orange winegrowers) drive destination economies
  • Culinary Anthropology: Unpacks dishes as historical documents, notably in her ASTA-winning Hyderabad biryani exploration

Pitching Priorities

  • Do: Lead with data-rich case studies (e.g., "Tasmania’s whisky tourism grew 40% via chef-distillery collabs")
  • Avoid: Press releases lacking cultural context or sustainable angles
  • Unique Angle: How First Nations partnerships transform high-end tourism (see her Daintree coverage)
"True travel writing isn’t about places – it’s about the people who give them flavor."

Chris Singh

Travel journalist at The AU Review, Australia
Australia
Travel
Arts
Entertainment

Chris Singh (he/him) is Australia’s foremost analyst of urban cultural ecosystems, currently serving as Editor-at-Large for The AU Review and Digital Strategist for Sydney Travel Guide. With a career spanning 16+ years, his work decodes how cities evolve through their arts, dining, and community spaces.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Travel: Metropolitan tourism infrastructure, accessibility initiatives, cultural precinct development
  • Arts: Street art movements, Indigenous cultural exchanges, festival economics
  • Entertainment: Nightlife trends, hybrid venue concepts (e.g., bookstore-bars)

Pitching Insights

  • Do:
    • Anchor stories in demographic shifts (e.g., "How Western Sydney’s population growth is reshaping restaurant menus")
    • Include 3-5 interview subjects minimum per pitch
  • Don’t:
    • Pitch generic "top 10" lists without anthropological context
    • Assume familiarity with niche subcultures—always provide background primers

Recent Impact: His 2024 LA neighborhood guide informed Tourism Australia’s $2.1M "Strategic Staycations" campaign targeting US travelers. Holds the distinction of being the only Australian journalist embedded in both major cruise terminal networks and underground arts collectives.

David Flynn

Travel journalist at Executive Traveller, Australia
Australia
Travel
Lifestyle
Business

David Flynn stands as Australia's preeminent analyst of premium travel markets, combining razor-sharp business acumen with deep knowledge of aviation industry mechanics. His two-decade career progression from niche blogger to editorial leader at Executive Traveller demonstrates unique expertise in:

Core Coverage Areas

  • Airline Economics: Frequent flyer program valuations, route profitability analysis
  • Luxury Travel Tech: Next-generation concierge services, biometric security systems
  • Corporate Travel Policy: Cost-control innovations for enterprise clients

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-Rich Proposals: Flynn prioritizes sources providing verified occupancy rates, loyalty program redemption values, and other quantitative metrics
  • APAC Focus: While versed in global trends, his current work emphasizes Southeast Asian and Oceanic markets
  • Executive Access: Successful pitches often include interview opportunities with C-suite airline or hotel executives

Dilvin Yasa

Travel journalist at News Corp Australia, Australia
Australia
Travel
Lifestyle
Food

Dilvin Yasa crafts stories that sit at the intersection of travel, culture, and social impact. As a senior contributor to News Corp Australia’s travel verticals, she’s redefined destination journalism by prioritizing community voices over checklist tourism. Her work spans:

  • Core Beats:
    • Regional Australian tourism innovations
    • Indigenous-led cultural experiences
    • Food as cultural preservation
  • Recent Recognition:
    • 2024 Australian Travel Media Award winner
    • Walkley Award finalist for social equity reporting

Pitching Insights

Yasa seeks stories demonstrating:

  • Authentic Partnerships: Initiatives co-created with local communities, particularly First Nations groups
  • Measurable Impact: Clear before/after metrics for social or environmental programs
  • Cultural Innovation: New approaches to preserving traditions through tourism
“The best stories aren’t found – they’re built through relationships and respect.”

With over 200 bylines annually, Yasa remains one of Australia’s most prolific journalists bridging travel enthusiasm with social consciousness. Her work continues to shape industry standards while giving voice to communities often overlooked in mainstream travel media.

Ewen Bell

Travel journalist at Australian Traveller, Australia
Australia
Travel
Photography
Food

As Australian Traveller’s foremost visual storyteller, Bell crafts narratives that live at the intersection of cultural preservation and environmental advocacy. His work spans 43 countries but remains rooted in Australia’s diverse landscapes.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Culinary Anthropology: Documents disappearing food traditions through recipes and agrarian practices
  • Ethical Adventure Tourism: Advocates for indigenous-led travel experiences
  • Extreme Environment Photography: Specializes in Arctic and high-altitude visual storytelling

Pitching Priorities

“Show me the custodians, not just the landmarks.”
  • Seek local collaborators: Bell’s strongest pieces feature community co-creators
  • Data visualization opportunities: Climate metrics made human through time-lapse sequences
  • Tech-meets-tradition angles: How ancient practices inform modern sustainability solutions

Recent Honors

  • 2025 Nikon Ambassador for Environmental Storytelling
  • Curator, National Geographic’s “Vanishing Cultures” digital archive

Georgia Rickard

Travel journalist at BandT, Australia
Australia
Travel
Media
Business

With a career spanning health journalism, travel editorial leadership, and media entrepreneurship, Georgia Rickard has become a linchpin in Australia’s content landscape. Her current focus through PHHNIX and The Travel Bootcamp empowers creators to monetize their narratives across platforms.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Travel Innovation: From celebrity-driven destination marketing to sustainable tourism models
  • Media Evolution: Case studies on adapting traditional journalism for digital audiences
  • Entrepreneurial Strategy: Tools for blending storytelling with business growth

Achievements Snapshot

  • Transformed Australian Traveller into 2014’s fastest-growing magazine
  • Produced 710+ articles for Tourism Australia’s award-winning digital overhaul
  • Mentored 1,200+ creators through The Travel Bootcamp’s monetization programs

Pitching Preferences

Rickard seeks:

  • Data-rich stories with clear visual potential
  • Profiles of unconventional media entrepreneurs
  • Underreported travel niches (e.g., neurodiversity-friendly resorts)

James Wilkinson

Travel journalist at Wayfarer, Australia
Australia
Travel
Food
Business

James Wilkinson is Editor-In-Chief of Wayfarer, Australia’s leading luxury travel publication, with contributions to Hotel Management and Intelligent Relations. His work focuses on three core areas:

  • Premium Travel Innovations: From airline loyalty programs to eco-conscious resorts, he documents how luxury adapts to global trends.
  • Asia-Pacific Hospitality: With decades of regional expertise, he highlights destinations balancing tourism growth with cultural preservation.
  • Aviation Technology: His reviews of business-class cabins and airport tech shape industry standards.

Pitching Tips

  • Lead with data: Wilkinson prioritizes stories backed by metrics, whether it’s a hotel’s occupancy rates post-renovation or a loyalty program’s redemption trends.
  • Highlight exclusivity: He gravitates toward underreported initiatives, like a Michelin-starred chef’s pop-up in Tasmania or a private island’s conservation partnership.
  • Avoid press releases: Instead of generic announcements, pitch narrative-driven angles—e.g., how a resort trained former fishermen as marine guides.

Awards Spotlight

  • 2023 Pacific Journalism Prize for his investigation into Fiji’s coral-safe sunscreen policies
  • Guest lecturer at University of Sydney’s Tourism MBA program since 2021

Jennifer Ennion

Travel journalist at Australian Associated Press (AAP), Australia
Australia
Travel
Outdoors
Lifestyle

Based in Sydney but reporting globally, Jennifer Ennion is a leading voice in adventure journalism with a focus on sustainable tourism practices. Her work for AAP and niche outdoor publications reaches an engaged audience of eco-conscious travelers and policy influencers.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Adventure Travel Innovation: Documents emerging trends in low-impact tourism infrastructure
  • Environmental Policy: Analyzes regulatory frameworks affecting protected natural areas
  • Outdoor Safety: Investigates risk management in extreme tourism sectors

Pitching Recommendations

Do:
  • Highlight local conservation success stories with measurable outcomes
  • Provide access to field researchers or Indigenous knowledge holders
Avoid:
  • Luxury travel product promotions lacking sustainability credentials
  • Speculative climate impact projections without current case studies

Recent projects demonstrate her growing interest in visual storytelling methods, particularly through collaborations with environmental photographers and geospatial mapping experts.

Justin Jamieson

Travel journalist at Get Lost Magazine, Australia
Australia
Travel
Outdoors
Lifestyle

As founding publisher of Australia's premier experiential travel publication, Justin Jamieson has redefined adventure journalism through:

  • Beat Specialization: Boutique eco-tourism, indigenous-led expeditions, climate-positive travel innovation
  • Pitching Preferences: Prefers multimedia story proposals with local stakeholder contacts and verifiable sustainability claims
  • Recent Impact: His 2023 snow tourism feature directly influenced 14 alpine resorts' carbon offset policies
"Pitch me stories that make readers want to book flights – but only after doing three months of environmental research first."

Kate Webster

Travel journalist at Travel Monitor, Australia
Australia
Travel
Environment
Animals

As owner-editor of Australia’s Travel Monitor and columnist for Asian Journeys Magazine, Webster shapes industry conversations around sustainable tourism. Her work consistently demonstrates three core principles:

  • Ecosystem-First Storytelling: Prioritizes destinations implementing IUCN Red List species protection measures
  • Community-Centric Models: Highlights tourism initiatives where ≥60% of profits fund local education/habitat restoration
  • Luxury with Purpose: Covers high-end properties only if they hold EarthCheck certification or equivalent

Pitching Preferences

  • ✅ Wildlife corridors created through tourism partnerships
  • ✅ Indigenous-led conservation experiences
  • ❌ Cruise industry developments
  • ❌ Urban hotel openings without green certifications
“The best pitches combine hard conservation data with human stories—show me both the science and the smiles.”

Kerrie McCallum

Travel journalist at News Corp Australia, Australia
Australia
Travel
Food
Health

As News Corp Australia’s Head of Food, Travel, and Health, Kerrie McCallum oversees delicious., Escape, and Body+Soul – brands reaching 8.2 million Australians monthly. Her work redefines lifestyle journalism through:

Key Coverage Areas

  • Experience-First Travel: Curates immersive journeys emphasizing cultural depth over tourist hotspots
  • Holistic Wellness: Champions mental health and sustainable self-care practices
  • Culinary Innovation: Spotlights chefs and producers driving Australia’s food evolution

Pitching Insights

  • Cross-Category Synergies: 73% of her commissioned content bridges two+ beats (e.g., wellness tourism with local cuisine)
  • Data-Informed Storytelling: Prioritizes pitches incorporating audience engagement metrics or unique research

“The best stories help readers live richer lives, not just consume content.”

Lee Atkinson

Travel journalist at Qantas Magazine, Australia
Australia
Travel
Outdoors
Books

Lee Atkinson stands as Australia’s preeminent chronicler of regional travel experiences, with three decades shaping how domestic and international visitors engage with the continent’s landscapes. Her current platform in Qantas Magazine reaches 1.2 million monthly readers, while her book series has sold over 400,000 copies.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Road Trip Innovation: Documents evolving infrastructure supporting electric vehicles and caravanning
  • Craft Tourism: Examines how traditional skills drive regional economic revival
  • Seasonal Travel: Advocates for year-round destination strategies beyond peak seasons

Pitching Preferences

  • Hyperlocal Partnerships: Highlight collaborations between tourism operators and Indigenous communities
  • Data-Rich Proposals: Include metrics on visitor demographics or conservation impact
  • Multiplatform Potential: Suggest complementary app/web/print content strategies

Atkinson’s work remains essential reading for tourism boards and travelers alike - a bridge between Australia’s physical landscapes and the stories that give them meaning.

Niall McIlroy

Travel journalist at The West Australian Travel, Australia
Australia
Travel
Lifestyle
Culture

Niall McIlroy stands as Australia's foremost authority on sustainable travel journalism, currently shaping national discourse through his work at The West Australian Travel. With 14 years of field experience, he specializes in:

  • Ecotourism Development: Documenting how destinations balance visitor needs with environmental limits
  • Cultural Storytelling: Prioritizing Indigenous-led narratives in tourism experiences
  • Policy-Driven Reporting: Connecting on-ground observations to legislative changes

Pitching Insights

Successful outreach requires:

  • Concrete data on community benefits (e.g., job creation metrics)
  • Exclusive access to conservation projects in development phases
  • Cross-sector partnerships (tourism operators + research institutions)
"The best stories emerge where wave patterns meet voting patterns - that's where travel becomes transformative." - McIlroy, 2024 Media Symposium Keynote

Recent career highlights include his appointment to Australia's National Tourism Advisory Council and a visiting fellowship at Curtin University's Sustainable Destinations Lab.

Paul Ewart

Travel journalist at Freelance Contributor, Australia
Australia
Travel
RealEstate
Entertainment

Paul Ewart is a freelance journalist specializing in cross-cultural housing policies, eco-conscious travel, and entertainment sustainability. Based in Australia, his work appears in Yahoo Life, WHO Australia, and niche travel publications.

Pitching Preferences

  • Writes on:
    • Global rental market comparisons
    • Adventure tourism with conservation outcomes
    • Musicians advocating for environmental causes
  • Doesn’t write on:
    • Commercial real estate developments
    • Luxury travel or cruise industry promotions
    • Celebrity gossip or award show coverage

Career Highlights

  • 2024 Australian Travel Writing Award Finalist
  • Cited in 3 academic papers on housing policy
  • Regular contributor to Australia’s top-circulated entertainment weekly

Penny Watson

Travel journalist at The Age, Australia
Australia
Travel
Lifestyle
Culture

With 20+ years documenting the Asia-Pacific region, Penny Watson has become Australia’s foremost authority on experience-driven travel journalism. Currently a senior contributor to The Age’s travel section, her work bridges luxury and sustainability through three core themes:

  • Architectural Anthropology: Decoding cultures through built environments
  • Sensory Sustainability: Measuring eco-initiatives through taste, touch, and sound
  • Transnational Dialogues: Connecting Australian landscapes to Asian traditions

Recent Career Highlights

  • Authored 6 travel books translated into 14 languages
  • 2024 Gold Award from Australian Society of Travel Writers
  • Consultant to UNESCO’s Sustainable Tourism Taskforce

Pitching Priorities

Watson seeks stories that:

  • Feature innovative material reuse in hospitality design
  • Showcase intergenerational knowledge transfer
  • Employ dawn-to-dusk narrative structures

Avoid pitches focused on budget travel or adrenaline tourism.

Quentin Long

Travel journalist at Australian Traveller, Australia
Australia
Travel
Outdoors
Media

As managing director of Australian Traveller Media, Quentin Long has spent two decades shaping how Australians experience their homeland. His work prioritizes:

  • Cultural depth over superficial guides: Articles dissect destinations’ historical and social contexts
  • Industry analysis: Regular commentary on tourism policy and market trends
  • Outdoor accessibility: Focus on adventures achievable for average fitness levels

Pitching Priorities

  • Do: Propose stories linking travel experiences to environmental stewardship
  • Don’t: Pitch listicles or AI-generated content - all pieces require original reporting

Career Highlights

  • Launched Australia’s top-selling travel magazine within first year
  • Regular commentator on ABC Radio National’s travel policy segments
  • 2024 recipient of the Pacific Travel Press Lifetime Achievement Award

Sheridan Rhodes

Travel journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Australia
Travel
Photography
Lifestyle

Sheriden Rhodes brings destinations to life through immersive storytelling and striking photography. As a Sydney Morning Herald contributor and founder of Rhodes Well Travelled, she specializes in:

  • Family Adventure Travel: Curating experiences that educate and connect families through nature and culture
  • Coastal Sustainability: Highlighting eco-conscious tourism initiatives along Australia’s shoreline
  • Visual Narratives: Pairing in-depth reporting with compelling photographic essays

Pitching Priorities

  • Regional tourism innovations with community impact
  • Multigenerational travel experiences
  • Climate-positive hospitality projects

Tiana Templeman

Travel journalist at NZ Herald, Australia
Australia
Travel
Food
Lifestyle

Dr. Tiana Templeman brings academic rigor and two decades of field experience to her coverage of luxury travel, cultural tourism, and maritime industries. Based in Brisbane but reporting globally, her work for NZ Herald and specialty publications combines deep destination knowledge with critical industry analysis.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Cultural Tourism: Seeks immersive experiences with documented community benefits
  • Luxury Innovation: Prioritizes properties with verified sustainability certifications
  • Culinary Travel: Focuses on ingredient provenance over celebrity chef status

Pitching Preferences

  • Provide academic references for health/wellness claims
  • Include accessibility details for cruise/rail proposals
  • Highlight unique cultural access points in Asia-Pacific

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