Meet SA’s top 10 Instagram travel influencers to help you plan your next trip including Ashley Swallow
Free flights, hotels and plenty of money-can’t-buy experiences are some of the perks that come with being a micro-influencer for this jetsetting South Aussie.
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Paid flights, free hotel rooms and plenty of money-can’t-buy experiences are some of the perks that come with being a travel influencer for this jetsetting South Aussie.
But for Flinders Park local Ashley Swallow it is also an opportunity to share her passion for adventure.
“I’ve always loved travel ever since I was young and I moved to the United Kingdom when I was 21 and worked for a travel company over there in admin,” the 31-year-old influencer said.
“I just realised I wanted to be doing more travelling and less behind the scenes and then I guess that’s where Instagram came in.”
The micro-influencer with 4.5k followers monetised her page just 18 months ago and has been treated to a range of bespoke experiences, including an all-expenses-paid trip to Fiji with Jetstar.
“Everything was included, except for food, which was unreal.” Ms Swallow, who shares her travels under the handle @ashleyswallow, said.
“I got to swim with bull sharks which was absolutely insane.
“It was my first time diving, so I got to do bucket list experiences.”
SCROLL DOWN TO MEET MORE SA BASED TRAVEL INFLUENCERS
Ms Swallow said the companies she has collaborated with included “a lot” but some deals did not come without compromise.
“Sometimes it’ll be ‘we want to send you on this tour, but you have to get yourself there’,” she said.
“Sometimes you can plan your trips around it.
“If I know I’m going somewhere for either work or something, then I’ll reach out to brands.
“It’s just like, ‘hey, I have this audience, I have this experience. I’m going here. This could benefit you and me’.”
In a competitive industry Ms Swallow said the key to surviving the grind was to “back yourself”.
Despite all he travels abroad, Ms Swallow, who is originally from Melbourne said many of her favourite destinations were in South Australia.
“SA has got some crazy places, and you can’t go past Flinders Ranges,” she said.
“SA is so diverse – that’s why I love it here. You can have beautiful, beautiful beaches, you can have the Hills, you’ve got Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, and it’s all within the one state.
“You don’t need to travel 24 hours for that. You can take a weekend and just enjoy your backyard.”
For those looking to travel more over the next few months, Ms Swallow’s top tip is to “embrace the chaos”.
“Have a little time in there to be spontaneous,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to be this crazy, big holiday. It can just be an amazing two day camping trip with friends or with your partner. There’s no one way to do it.”
Ms Swallow is just one of many South Aussies using Instagram to capture their travel snaps and influence the masses.
Are you a victim of post-holiday depression?
Do you dread opening your phone to see pictures of your sun-kissed friends swimming in the crystal clear waters of Italy?
Are you over the cold weather and craving some Euro-summer vibes?
Well, you’re in luck.
While your days in the European sun may be over for this year, you can satisfy your travel craving by following this list of SA travel influencers bringing your dream holiday straight into the palm of your hand.
These travel bugs can even show you how to make the most of your days off in your own backyard without breaking the bank.
BROOKE UPTON
Handle: @brooke.upton
Followers: 102k
While fashion and lifestyle may be Brooke Upton’s usual topics for influencing, in May she took her followers on a trip to Europe through her aesthetic Insta posts and envy-worthy stories.
With sponsorships and gifts from Pandora, Strandbags and Airbnb, Ms Upton made her way through the French Riviera, Spain and Paris.
Oh, and you best believe her outfits were perfectly styled the entire time.
ELISE COOK
Handle: @elisecook
Followers: 335k
Owner of Down the Rabbit Hole Wines, Elise Cook has been posting pics from her European adventures since June.
With hubby, Dom and kids, Pippa and Bobby in tow the family’s posts are set to satisfy your sunshine cravings.
Their recent Santorini snaps will have wanting to pop on your bathers and eat poolside yiros.
GRIGGS OUTDOORS
Handle: @griggs.outdoors
Followers: 887
Jesse and Levi Griggs prove that you don’t need to catch a 24 hour plane to have the holiday of your dreams.
Their recent trip through the great Australian outback showcased just how beautiful our amazing country is.
Plus with a baby adventurer joining them in a few months, their travels are only set to get even cuter!
JANE DOYLE
Handle: @janedoyle7
Followers: 3379
Since leaving the 7NEWS desk, Jane Doyle’s Instagram has been flooded with travel pictures from her trips to the Galapagos, Europe and the Arctic.
The news anchor turned unexpected travel influencer shows that life does not have to slow down after retirement with her adventures inspiring us all to keep on exploring.
LAUREN J LEE FROM SOUTH AUSSIE ROADTRIPS
Handle: @southaussieroadtrips
Followers: 1099
When it comes to roadtrips in our great state, Lauren J Lee who shares her adventures under the name South Aussie Road Trips is the master.
This Instagram page will ensure that your weekends are fully booked with activities around SA.
You can also find great deals and travel hacks over on Lauren’s other page @satravelhacks.
SALTY AND LOST
Handle: @saltyandlost
Followers: 14.4k
Content creator, “adventurer and ocean lover” Jemimah shows off all the amazing ways you can enjoy your downtime in South Australia.
You might swear that Jemimah is part mermaid from the way she dives in various stunning reefs and sinkholes.
Her beach shots will remind you that you don’t need to travel to Italy or France for beautiful beachside days, you only need to hop in the car and explore our very own coastline.
SOUTH AUSSIE WITH COSI
Handle: @southaussiewithcosi
Followers: 135k
If you are looking for travel ideas and destinations in SA, then you can’t go past Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello’s Instagram page.
Cosi loves sharing his home state with his followers as much as he loves exploring it himself.
If you’re looking for an extra special experience to add to your next road trip itinerary Cosi is the man to inspire you.
A QUAD ADVENTURE
Handle: @aquadadventures
Followers: 165
This family of four love showing off all the incredible things to do in South Australia.
From coastal gems to hidden hills escapes and everything in between this Instagram page provides you with a million and one different adventures you can have right here.
TRAVELLING WITH TOM
Handle: @travelling_with_tom_
Followers: 11.2k
Along with his wife Emily and daughter Goldie, Tom Schumacher travels around SA showing there “is heaps to do” here.
“During 2020 when Covid closed the international, and domestic borders. My passion for travelling Australia was ignited,” he told his followers.
“I began to explore my home state (South Australia), and I was amazed at how much there was to see and do, that I had no idea existed.”
The family are also busy restoring their 1980 Vintage Windsor Caravan to go off grid which they look forward to driving around more of Australia’s hidden gems.
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