Gold Coast Instagrammer Lauren Bath’s top 10 off-the-beaten track travel spots

IT’S hard not to get swept up in what’s #trending, especially when it comes to travel. But if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, Gold Coast Instagrammer Lauren Bath shares the places you need to put on your bucket list.

Lauren Bath snapped this incredible photo of the Eliassen Rorbuer Cabins in Hamnoy, Lofoten Islands. Picture: @laurenbath

IT’S hard not to get swept up in what’s #trending, especially when it comes to travel.

But if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, Gold Coast Instagrammer Lauren Bath shares the places you should definitely put on your bucket list.

The Gold Coast woman has more than 463,000 followers on the social platform and has been able to quit her job as a chef to pursue it fulltime.

“I got on to the platform early, in about August 2011,” Lauren told News Corp said.

“At that stage it was still iPhone only. I managed to get a great community going early, and was regularly featured on the popular page. I had already firmly established myself when Facebook bought out Instagram and Android got involved.”

1. Around the Bend

Lauren Bath snapped this amazing photo of Wadi Mujib in Jordan. Picture: @laurenbath

WADI MUJIB — JORDAN

Jordan is destination that is struggling due to nearby conflict but remains both safe and staggeringly beautiful. For the intrepid traveller I would definitely recommend a hike up Wadi Mujib for spectacular views, even for beginners.

2. Close up Milky Way

Lauren Bath snapped this beautiful photo of the Devil’s Marbles aka Karlu Karlu in the Northern Territory, Australia. Picture: @laurenbath

DEVIL’S MARBLES AKA KARLU KARLU — NT, AUSTRALIA

I am a massive fan of Australia and many of my favourite places are in my own backyard. The Devil’s Marbles might be a bit of a drive but this is a spiritual place. On your way back through to Alice Springs make sure to visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary.

3. Herd of Reindeer

Lauren Bath photographed this herd of reindeer at Porotila Reindeer Farm, Ivalo, Finland. Picture: @laurenbath

POROTILA REINDEER FARM — IVALO, FINLAND

I love passionate tourism operators and the Sami family that run the Porotila Reindeer Farm in Finnish Lapland have passion in spades. I’d recommend a winter trip to enjoy the aurora.

4. Horizontal Falls

The Kimberley, Australia, is one of Lauren Bath's favourite places. Picture: @laurenbath

THE KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA

Another Australian choice and a bucket list destination, not just the Horizontal Waterfalls but the Kimberley region in general. Do both the aerial and the water crossing to enjoy this spectacular natural phenomenon.

5. Moody Lofoten Islands

Lauren Bath snapped this incredible photo of the Eliassen Rorbuer Cabins in Hamnoy, Lofoten Islands. Picture: @laurenbath

ELIASSEN RORBUER CABINS — HAMNOY, LOFOTEN ISLANDS

Believe it or not you can actually stay in those cabins down there and it’s not even that expensive, getting to the Lofoten Islands is an adventure but one that you would never regret.

6. Oryx Dunes

Lauren Bath snapped this amazing photo at the Oryx Dunes near the Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai, UAE. Picture: @laurenbath

AL MAHA DESERT RESORT — DUBAI, UAE

Deep in the desert of Dubai is an incredible luxury resort doing amazing things for the conservation of local species, including the Oryx. A night or two at Al Maha is something to save for!

7. Rest Stop

Lauren Bath snapped this amazing photo in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Picture: @laurenbath

GRINDELWALD TO FIRST (TOP OF ADVENTURE)— SWITZERLAND

Switzerland is so beautiful everywhere you go and hardly off the beaten track when the public transport system is so good but Grindelwald First is a bit of a trek and the hiking and views are well worth the effort to get there.

8. Spirit Island Jetty

Spirit Island in Alberta, Canada is on Lauren Bath's top places to visit list. Picture: @laurenbath

SPIRIT ISLAND — ALBERTA, CANADA

It’s no secret that the whole of Alberta is one of my favourite places in the world but Spirit Island is truly unique. You’ll need to access this place by boat and you’ll be one of only a handful that get to see this place.

9. The Dark Hedges Selfie

The Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland is off-the-beaten path but worth a look according to Lauren Bath. Picture: @laurenbath

THE DARK HEDGES — NORTHERN IRELAND

The Dark Hedges are becoming incredibly popular but there is still some challenges to finding the place as it’s tucked away in Northern Ireland and you won’t find it on GPS. Get there early to avoid the crowds.

10. Two Dolphins

Lauren Bath snapped this amazing photo of two dolphins on a tour in Kaikoura, New Zealand. Picture: @laurenbath

DOLPHIN TOUR — KAIKOURA, NEW ZEALAND

Kaikoura, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful and wild places I’ve ever visited with an incredible variety of nature based tours. Swimming with the Dusky Dolphins was a career highlight for me.