Things to do in the Blue Mountains: 24 Hour Travel Guide

Are you looking to spend 24 hours in the beautiful Australian Blue Mountains? Then look no further because today I'll be taking you through the ULTIMATE 24 hour itinerary including how to get there, what to do, what to eat and more. The Blue Mountains is located a short 2 hour drive from Sydney and is the perfect place to go for a day trip out of the city.

How to get there from Sydney

This itinerary is designed for driving due to the distance between some of the different locations. It is possible to catch the train to the Mountains however you may need visit less places. 

WHEN TO GO

The Blue Mountains can be visited all year round. During the Summer months (December - February) temperatures average around 18°C. Summer in the Blue Mountains is peak season so it is worth planning in advance and booking any activities/ restaurants you are wanting to visit. During Winter (June - August) the average temperature is 5°C - making it possible that you will see snow on your visit.  

Things to do in the Blue Mountains: 24 Hour Travel Guide

This travel guide will take you to some of the Blue Mountain's best lookouts, historic spots, gardens and more.

Morning Spots

Lennox Bridge - Start the morning off by visiting Lennox bridge, the oldest stone bridge that still exists in Australia. There is a small parking area near the bridge that allows you to access it with ease. There are steps that lead down to a creek which flows under the bridge. This is a quick stop but worth a visit.

Sunflower field - Glenbernie Family Farms is a gorgeous field where you can pick your own sunflowers. It costs $10 to enter (you can book tickets here) and then you pay a few dollars per sunflower that you pick. Don't make the same mistake I did and forget garden scissors!

The Grumpy Baker - Drive 20 minutes from the farm and you will arrive at the most delicious bakery in Bilpin. Filled with fresh bread, pastries and pies, it is the perfect spot to grab a snack to keep you going. 

Afternoon Spots

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Blue Mountains Botanic Garden (@bluemountainsbg)

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden - The Botanic Garden features hundreds of plant species from around the world, grouped together based on their geographical origin. There's a European inspired garden, South African section and an area of rare plants that are local to the Blue Mountains region.

Walls Lookout - Located within the Blue Mountains National Park, this spectacular lookout can be accessed via a short walk. The track is a relatively easy 2 km return. The start of the walking track is located on Bells Line of Road. Turn off the road at the ''Pierces Pass Picnic Area'' sign and park in the carpark. 

Bilpin Cider Co. - After a busy day, head to Bilpin Cider for some food + local ciders. If you are the designated driver, try the range of non-alcoholic ciders.

Planning a trip to the Blue Mountains? Follow me on Instagram for more Blue Mountains content.

 

You may also like:

• Things to do in Sydney: 24 Hour Travel Guide
• You *NEED* to Visit These 15+ Instagrammable Spots in Sydney

 

Pin this post

5 Reasons You Need To Start A Blog in 2022

"Blogging is a thing of the past."

"No one reads blogs anymore." 

"The blogging sphere is oversaturated."

Right? 

Wrong.

There's actually never been a better time to start a blog. Don't believe me? Keep reading..

5 Reasons You Need To Start a Blog in 2022

Reason #1: There's more people on the internet than ever before

As of January 2021, 4.66 billion people were using the internet worldwide - that's almost 60% of the world's population - and this number is expected to continue rising. But that's not the only number that's rising. Statistics tell us that Aussies spend on average 5.5 hours per day on their phones and that number is increasing for younger generations. 

So if you think it's 'too late' to start a blog, you might need to rethink that! As more and more people around the world use the internet and stay on it for longer, there becomes more people that you can write for. 

Reason #2: People will always need help

Whenever I tell people I write a blog, many people ask if I write about what I did that day. While there may still be a few bloggers doing this, the most popular content among bloggers now are how-to articles (77%) and listicles (57%). People will always need help - whether it's how to parent, how to make money or how to build a bed frame - blogs are here to stay for the long-term.

👉 FUN FACT: The first blog post ever was created by Justin Hall in 1994 as an outlet for his writing and a place to share his thoughts. Although it wasn't until the late 90s that the term 'blog' was used. After over 20 years, Justin still runs his blog today.

Reason #3: It's easy and cheap to start a blog

Blogging is one of the few business models where it is possible to get started with no money and no experience - all you need is access to the internet. There is so much FREE information out there on how to set up your own blog in a matter of minutes. 

Take it from me, I set-up this blog when I was 15 years old without ANY experience or knowledge about blogging, how to take photos or how to write. 

Starting a blog is super easy - all you need to do is get started!

Reason #4: There are so many ways to make money

If you are wondering how much money you could make blogging then strap yourself in because this may come as a shock to you. Many newbie blog owners can earn hundreds a month while established bloggers can earn thousands monthly. 

HOLD UP. I am NOT telling you to quit your job and start a blog that is 'guarenteed' to make money. Instead I'll be sharing ways that people can generate revenue for their blogs.

The one that all of us know about - if you've ever been on a blog before - is Google Adsense. If you sign up to this program, you get paid every time a user clicks on the ad (otherwise known as cost per click). 

Another popular way to make money is through affiliate marketing. This is where you recommend products/ services to your readers using special tracking links and you make a small percentage every time someone makes a purchase using your link. Cool right?

Some other ways to generate revenue is by selling a product, creating sponsored blog posts or reviews, sell e-books or sell services. 

👉 PRO TIP: Click here for a great resource on other ways to making money online

Reason #5: Blogs vs Social Media

Social media is great for inspiration however blogging is a superior tool for storytelling and sharing in-depth information. There's room for both to exist and actually social media is a fabulous resource to help grow your blog. 

Another great aspect of blogs is that they stay relevant for longer. No one is looking at your Instagram to see what meal you were eating 5 years ago. Whereas on a blog, if you create what's known as evergreen content (content that provides information that stays relevant over time) it can still get traffic years later. 

Finally, social media algorithms are changing All. The. Time. Whereas your blog, once you start self-hosting, is your website that you own. There's also a lot more certainty of it sticking around vs social media. You don't 'own' your social media profile - if Instagram gets deleted one day, you will have lost your following. Unless someone decides that we won't be having websites anymore (unlikely) then your blog is here to stay (woohoo).

Start Today

According to this website, there are currently more than 600 million blogs on the internet and that number is expected to continue rising. It's time to jump on the blogging bandwagon - get creative, teach people something and maybe even make some money from it.

Remember that future you will wish you started today.

Have you wanted to start a blog but haven't yet? What has been stopping you?

You May Also Like:

20 Mistakes That Beginner Bloggers ALWAYS Make

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Blogging

26 Tips on Running a Successful Blog

9 Ways to Share your Blogposts

Tips for Collaborating with Brands

Pin this post!

 

15 Christmas Money Saving Hacks You Need To Try

This list of money savings hacks you NEED to try this Christmas will give you ideas and inspiration on how to save a little money this Christmas, making it a less stressful time for you and your loved ones.

Do you find it overwhelming trying to save enough cash for Christmas presents, decorations, food, wine & other costs that seem to come up during December?

This comprehensive guide will give you everything you need - from saving money on gifts, making a little extra cash & putting your DIY skills to use.

Christmas can be a financially stressful time for many, however with a little planning and creativity, you can make less money go a lot further.

Why Should You Budget for Christmas?

Budgeting for Christmas allows you to enjoy the holiday season without the stress of added debt. Rather than spending all of your money (and more) on presents, decorations and other Christmas knick knacks, you can spend only what you need. This allows you to keep any leftover money to pay bills, get out of debt and build both emergency and long term savings.

How to Create a Christmas Budget

There are 5 EASY steps to follow in order to set-up your own Christmas budget:

1. Write down how much money you will make between now and Christmas (e.g. $1000) 

2. List your ongoing expenses for a month: mortgage, rent, electricity, petrol, phone (e.g. $500)

3. Calculate your budget by subtracting your expenses from your income (e.g. $1000 - $500 = $500)

4. List all Christmas expenses and their costs - these may include presents for family, wine to take to dinners, groceries for Christmas meals, decorations, a Christmas tree, wrapping paper etc. Add up all of the costs.

5. If your Christmas list costs more than your budget, go through and cull the money wasters using the tips in this blog post! Ask yourself which are the 'essentials' and which are the 'nice to haves.' 

Related: 10 Ways to Actually Stick to Your Budget *Christmas Edition*

Money Saving Hacks 

1. Use Old Gift Cards

Do you have any unused gift cards from last Christmas sitting around? If you aren't planning to use it for yourself, there's nothing wrong with using it to buy gifts. That way the gift card doesn't go to waste and it is a money win for you!

2. Try Cashback Sites

Cashback sites, as the name suggests, give you money if you purchase certain products. Be careful to only use this for items you were already planning on purchasing, rather than buying items just because they are 'cheaper' than usual.

3. Shop Early

Shops tend to inflate prices as demand goes up closer to Christmas. If you start planning what you want to buy earlier in the year, you can wait until the item goes on sale to buy it.

4. Make Your Own Gifts

If you can't afford to get some people gifts, make something. Create a photobook, decorate a photo frame or even look up a recipe for bath salts. If you are stuck for ideas, head to Pinterest for an endless list of DIY inspiration. 

Related: How to Make an Affordable DIY Advent Calendar

5. Create a Gift Basket

Put together a bespoke collection of items to create the ultimate hamper for any occasion. Some ideas to get you started:

Movie Night In Hamper - popcorn, chocolate, wine & DIY 'movie night in' voucher

Spa Night Hamper - face mask, cleanser, hand cream, candle, chocolates

Baking Hamper - put all of the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies (or any other dessert) into glass jars you have at home and print out the recipe.

Games Night Hamper - all their favourite snacks + game (you can get this from a second hand store or find a cheap one)

👉 Pro Tip: A lot of these items you can get from the dollar store or make yourself! Once again, Pinterest is the place to be for creative hamper ideas. 

6. Give an IOU

Make a voucher for an experience to do together. This could be for a movie night in, picnic at the park or brunch at home. The benefit of this is that it postpones spending until January. 

👉 Pro Tip: Gift a friend an experience such as a movie night at your place or picnic at the park. You can create a voucher for this in Canva (for free)!

7. Homemade Christmas Cards

Does anyone ACTUALLY keep store bought Christmas cards longer than a month? And if you are one of those people that keep them, when is the last time you read through them? Spending money on a piece of paper that's folded in half is a money waster! Especially when you can make them yourself for free!

👉 Pro Tip: Use the free version of Canva to make professional looking Christmas cards in less than 5 minutes!

8. Secret Santa

Would you rather receive 5 random items that cost $30 that you probably won't use or one bigger present that's $60 that is something that's better quality? The great things about doing a Secret Santa with friends or family is that it's a win-win, you save money (since you only buy for 1 person) and everyone gets a better present!

👉 Important: This tip is as an alternate idea for people you would already be buying presents for. I am not suggesting you organise Secret Santa's with all your different groups of friends.

9. Price Comparison Sites

Make sure you are getting the absolute BEST deal on your purchases by using a price comparison site. There are loads of them out there so you should find one easily with a quick Google search. 

10. DIY Wrapping Paper

in my opinion, this is a contender for the biggest waste of money at Christmas. Not only this, but it's going straight into landfill! Save some money buy using old newspaper & twine OR brown paper - which you can get here for $5.

Related: DIY Christmas Bon Bons to Make This Festive Season

11. Buy Second Hand Items

You can purchase second hand items - sometimes barely used - from a charity shop, Facebook marketplace or eBay. This also helps reduce waste by gifting a pre-loved item.

12. Gift Your Time

Gifting your time is such an underrated gift. Ideas on how you could do this:

1. Offer to babysit their kids for free

2. Offer to cook a meal

3. Offer to pet sit

4. Offer a specialised service - it's time to lean into your skills. Know how to do hair, make-up, fix a car, repair an appliance?

13. Celebrate Christmas Later

Obviously this is not for everyone but definitely something to consider if you are celebrating with a small group of people and can be a bit flexible. Christmas decorations, food and gifts are so much cheaper after the 25th of December. 

14. Shop Online

Shopping in stores can be stressful and can result in you making impulse purchases. If you add exactly what you need to your online shopping cart, you aren't rushed to make purchases and can wait for the best deals on those items. 

👉 Pro Tip: Write a physical Christmas shopping list and cross off each item as you purchase. 

15. Skip the Turkey

Instead of cooking a big turkey or ham, find a cheaper meat to save some extra money.

It's crucial when trying to save money during the festive season, to stop comparing your Christmas to others and come up with new traditions that work for you & your budget.

Know someone else that needs this too? Please share!

You may also like:

• 10 Ways to Actually Stick to Your Budget (Christmas Edition)
• The Ultimate Christmas Playlist
• 7 Best Christmas Movies of All Time

Disclaimer: The content presented by Milky Way Blogger is provided as general information purposes only and should not be taken as accounting or legal advice. You are responsible for your own due diligence and should seek a financial advisor if necessary.

Pin this post!

Things to do in Sydney: 24 Hour Travel Guide

Sydney is one of those cities that you could spend days in exploring hidden beaches, rooftop bars, Insta-worthy brunch spots, national parks & galleries. If you only had 24 hours to spend in this amazing city, there is still so much you can get done. 

In this quick guide, I am going to share all of my tips on how to spend 24 hours in Sydney, Australia. It is jam packed with all of the best well-known locations to visit, cafes, bars & galleries. 

Getting Around 

If you are visiting for 24 hours, your cheapest option is going to be public transport. There are plenty of buses, trains, trams & ferries to travel around and paying for it couldn't be easier. Just tap your debit/ credit card when getting on/ off public transport. If that isn't an option for you, head to a newsagent and grab an Opal Card (our local transport card). It is free, you just have to load money onto it!

24 HOUR TRAVEL GUIDE

This travel guide will take you to Sydney's best beaches, cafes, galleries and dining spots.

MORNING STOPS

Heart Cafe - My first stop would have to be Heart Cafe, Bondi Beach. This cafe not only serves up a good cuppa coffee, but it employs disadvantaged youth to help build their confidence and self-esteem.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Heart Cafe (@heartcafebondi)

Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk - This 4km walk will take you along cliff-top paths past some of the most famous beaches in Sydney.  

👉 PRO TIP: Go early to avoid the crowds and wear suncream!

Bronte Ocean Pool - Take a dip in the ocean pool at the Southern end of the beach.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maddy Saraceno (@madtravels92)

👉 PRO TIP: There are free change rooms and showers next to the ocean pool.

Speedo's Cafe - Named one of the world's most Instagrammable Cafes, visit this popular brunch spot with spectatular views of Bondi Beach. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Speedos Cafe 🚩Bondi Beach (@speedoscafe)

👉 PRO TIP:  Want to try the food without having to pay inflated prices? Grab takeaway from Speedo's to save some money and eat your meal across the road on the beach!

LUNCH OPTIONS

China Town - Head to China Town for the tastiest noodles, dumplings, soups & more. 

AFTERNOON STOPS

QVB - This building filled with boutique shops is the perfect place to wander after lunch. The Romanesque is complete with stained glass windows, arches, intricate flooring and an inner glass dome.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tara Milk Tea (@taramilktea)

Circular Quay - Walk along the promenade for spectacular views of the famous Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

The Rocks - If you have time, wander through the laneways of The Rocks - a historic neighbourhood filled with old pubs, markets, eateries and sandstone buildings.

👉 PRO TIP:  Had enough walking outdoors? Head to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) at Circular Quay.

DINNER & DRINKS OPTIONS

Ume Burger - Head to Ume Burger, Barangaroo for affordable Japanese burgers and beers on tap, by the water.

👉 PRO TIP:  Don't fancy a burger? Wander along the strip at Barangaroo for all sorts of dining options.

Fancy a Drink? - Walk 10 minutes to Old Mate's Place, a hidden 2 storey cocktail bar. The hard to find bar is located on Level 4, 199 Clarence Street, Sydney. Once you arrive at the address, you will need to make your way up 4 levels of stairs. Once inside, another set of stairs will take you to the rooftop section.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Old Mate's Place (@oldmatesplace)

There you go. My complete guide to spending 24 hours in Sydney. If you are a Sydney-sider (what we locals call ourselves), what are some of your favourite activities around Sydney? Drop a comment below with your recommendations!

You may also like:

You *NEED* to Visit These 15 Instagrammable Spots in Sydney

Pin this post!