Q&A with Travel Blogger Ashlea Wheeler
When did you start your blog ‘A Globe Well Travelled’ and why?
I've been obsessed with travel for as long as I can remember. I started A Globe Well Travelled in 2014 as a way to share my knowledge on destinations as well as travel planning advice. At first I had just a small following of friends and family, but over the years. it has grown to over 50,000 readers who stop by my blog each month!
How many countries have you visited and what was your favourite?
So far I've visited 42 countries, and it's extremely difficult to pick a favourite - I'd probably have to go with USA as it's the country that I've spent the majority of my time abroad. USA is so diverse with plenty of interesting areas to explore. I just can't get enough of it!
What is your greatest personal accomplishment?
I'm proud that I worked hard to become self-employed in my 20s. It took many years to get there but I eventually managed to create a career for myself. I don't earn loads of money, but that never mattered to me - all I wanted was independence, and I got it!
Where did you grow up and have you visited Queensland / Brisbane before?
I grew up in Hobart, and have also spent time living in Newcastle, Sydney, and New York City throughout my 20s. I visited southeast Queensland a handful of times as a kid, but the last time I was in the area was over 10 years ago. Revisiting Brisbane as an adult has been a completely different experience to my last family trip in 2006.
What makes Moreton Island appealing to you as a holiday destination?
It's not often that I pick beach destinations for my holidays, but I love the idea of unique experiences when I travel. I saw a photo of the Tangalooma Wrecks on social media, and I just knew that I had to go!
What do you think makes the Tangalooma Wrecks so unique?
I've never seen anything like the Tangalooma Wrecks elsewhere in the world. It's rare to have a place where you can freely snorkel with loads of colourful fish so close to a major city. I noticed that many international tourists will travel out to the wrecks when they visit Brisbane, but I also discovered that most of the Brisbanites I met had never been to Moreton Island, even though it's so close to where they live. They're missing out on such an amazing destination!
What was your most memorable experience during your day cruise to Tangalooma Island Resort?
I'd say that snorkelling the wrecks was the most photogenic activity, but sandboarding on the desert safari was also memorable! I was very nervous about laying on that thin wooden board and zooming down the dunes, but somehow I managed to avoid stacking it on the way down, and my husband even said that I got the most speed of everyone in our tour group. Apparently my technique was near perfect!
If you had to pick a song that sum’s up your day at Tangalooma, what would it be?
One of my favourite musicians at the moment is Brisbane's own Mallrat, and I'd say the melody of her song 'Better' would fit the vibe of my time at Tangalooma perfectly. It's relaxed and happy, and it has a hint of that bittersweet feeling of wanting something good to never end.
What is your travel style? Do you have any tips for travelling on a budget?
I consider myself a budget traveller. I’ll scour the internet to find good deals on flights, accommodation, and tours, making sure that I travel comfortably but never paying more than I need to. Even though I don't travel in luxury, I do always consider spending a little extra money on unique experiences such as day tours or events - I think it's important to make the most of every destination we visit and that might mean splurging every now and again.
What’s the one item you never leave home without when travelling?
My mirrorless camera! I’m very passionate about photography (which has been a hobby of mine for years), and I want good quality photos when I travel so that I can share them on my blog and with my followers on social media. I have photography gear ranging from a GoPro to a drone, but my mirrorless camera is my go-to for travel photography.