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Craig Tansley

Craig Tansley

Travel writer

Craig Tansley is a Gold Coast-based freelance travel writer with a specialty in adventure, and a background in the South Pacific.

Koh Lipe, Southern Thailand.

Go west: 16 highlights of the other great ocean on our coast

The Indian Ocean stretches from WA to the east coast of Africa and offers a wealth of islands, many with white-sand beaches ringed by coconut palms and aquamarine water.

  • Lee Cobaj and Craig Tansley
The springs are geo-thermally heated.

Now you can see the NT’s most spectacular parks, crowd-free

Tour operator Rob Woods doesn’t like crowds. And when people pile into the Territory’s famed attractions in the dry season, he says there’s a better way.

  • Craig Tansley
Praia da Marinha in Algarve is one of the most iconic beaches of Portugal

The 16 best places for a beach or island escape in 2025

Feeling the squeeze? We’ve got the perfect antidote with these handpicked places to lay down a towel.

  • Craig Tansley
Green Point Beach. Tasmania’s best big wave surf spot (home of the Rip Curl West Coast Classic surfing event since 1975) presents plenty of options for non-surfers too.

Australia’s 10 greatest beaches you (probably) haven’t heard of

All over Australia there are beaches only locals know about that are often just as good, if not better, than the ones that make international “world’s best beaches” lists.

  • Craig Tansley
Kotor, Montenegro.

The allure of a luxury cruise endures

In the cruising world travellers seek to temporarily leave their lives ashore and be inspired with highly personalised experiences, enthralling itineraries, and upscale luxury on ships that feel like boutique hotels floating on the sea.

  • Craig Tansley
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Kirra Point is so close to the beach, you’ll feel like you’re on a boat.

You won’t find a better spot for a holiday apartment in Australia

Five minutes from the airport, Kirra Point is in an easy-to-navigate beach community with breathtaking views over the water.

  • Craig Tansley
The pool at the station looks more Port Douglas than outback NT.

The surprising thing about Australia’s famous outback homestead stay

Bullo River Station is a five-star luxury property offering a five-star luxury experience, but its appeal has nothing to do with the trimmings.

  • Craig Tansley
The Burleigh Pavilion is part of the gentrification of the south.

It’s the best part of the Gold Coast, but most drive straight past

The city’s rapidly gentrifying, cool “southern” end is not the high-rise hub you’re probably thinking of.

  • Craig Tansley
The Cheshire Cat Motel provides a retro style-motel on the southern Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast’s best hotels and resorts for different budgets

Goldie stays range from kitsch retro-style motels to beachside family resorts and romantic retreats in the hinterland.

  • Craig Tansley
Former tattoo parlour turned Cali-inspired restaurant and bar.

The Gold Coast’s best places eat and drink

The Gold Coast’s dining scene used to revolve around surf clubs. Now a throng of talented chefs has turned the region into a genuine foodie hot-spot.

  • Craig Tansley

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/by/craig-tansley-hvf50