Rob McFarland

Travel writer

After abandoning a sensible career in IT, Rob McFarland now divides his time between Sydney, the US and Europe. He’s won seven writing awards, including Australian Travel Writer of the Year, and offers writing courses for tourism operators, PR professionals and aspiring travel writers. While not averse to a 5-star hotel, his most memorable travels include scaling the mountain behind Machu Picchu and rafting Patagonia’s Futaleufu River. Follow his travels on Instagram @mctraveller.Connect via email.

Central Asia

Don’t want to rough it? You can now do this intriguing part of Asia in style

With more and more travellers interested in this Central Asian region, better facilities and upgraded infrastructure are a godsend.

Rob McFarland

Adventure holidays

One of the world’s biggest cities is a surprising hiking heaven

Of all the things I expected to find in this Asian megacity, fabulous hiking wasn’t one of them.

Rob McFarland

The author and his shelter for the night.

Adventure holidays

If you’re fussy, you die: My three nights surviving in the bush (with an expert)

As someone who still cuts the crusts off his sandwiches, this experience teaches me new skills and a lot about myself.

Rob McFarland

The quirky, little-known US town that should be a famous destination

When I was deciding where to stop in Nevada during a long train journey, my only criteria was that I wanted to go somewhere I knew nothing about.

Rob McFarland

Finland regularly tops “world’s happiest country” lists.

Europe

Secrets of the happiest country on Earth

What is happiness? One country appears to have figured it out, having topped the World Happiness Report rankings for the past eight years. Clearly, they’re doing something right.