After abandoning a sensible career in IT, I’m now a full-time travel writer, dividing my time between Sydney, the US and Europe. I regularly speak at travel events and have helped hundreds of aspiring travel writers, PR professionals and tourism operators through my writing courses.
Writer
I’m a regular contributor to the travel sections of Australia and New Zealand’s leading newspapers and magazines, including the Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday Telegraph, NZ Herald, Vacations & Travel, MindFood and International Traveller.
I’ve also been published in Nat Geo Traveller, GQ, The Guardian, The Observer, The Daily Mail, The San Francisco Chronicle and The South China Morning Post.
I’m a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and have won six writing awards, including Australian Travel Writer of the Year.
While not averse to the charms of a five-star hotel, my most memorable experiences include scaling Huayna Picchu, the mist-shrouded mountain behind Machu Picchu; rafting the Futaleufu River in Patagonia and trekking to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Speaker
An accomplished and experienced speaker, I’ve presented at numerous travel conferences and events on topics including writing, pitching and how to run an effective press trip.
- TravMedia Summit
- Australian Festival of Travel Writing
- Society of American Travel Writers
- Australian Society of Travel Writers
- Association of National Tourist Office Representatives
- Australian Federation of Travel Agents
- University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education
As a travel expert, I’ve been interviewed on Sky News Business, ABC radio and I’m a regular guest on Traveller’s Flight of Fancy podcast.
Trainer
For more than a decade, I’ve been helping aspiring travel writers, PR professionals and tourism operators improve their writing skills.
Students of my travel writing courses have been published in every major newspaper and magazine in Australia.
Many PRs have said my PR writing course is the most insightful training they’ve ever had.
Contact
To contact me about writing, speaking or training opportunities, email rob@robmcfarland.org – I’d love to hear from you!
Rob McFarland 