About Me

Hello and Welcome to Freedom Years Travel!

I’m Alison, the creator behind this blog, and I’m so happy to have you here. Freedom Years Travel is where I get to blend my passions for exploring new places, planning trips, photography, and storytelling. I’m right there in the mid-life chapter (how did we get here so fast?), and I hope this blog inspires others around our age to embrace the freedom and adventure of independent travel.

My love affair with travel began at age seven, on a family holiday to Fiji. When the local police band welcomed our cruise ship into port, I was instantly captivated. From that moment, my first taste of new cultures had me hooked. By my teens, I had a European tour brochure stashed in my dresser drawer—a cherished little escape that I wore thin, flipping through its pages and daydreaming about distant adventures whenever I wanted a distraction from studying.

In school, my favourite subjects were Modern History, French, and English. However, I ended up studying…science! At that time, sensible choices that led to stable employment were strongly encouraged. After an unforgettable year backpacking across the U.S. and Europe in my mid-twenties, I settled into the conventional pattern of a full-time job, marriage, mortgage, and raising kids. Now, while I’m not quite an empty nester, my children are (almost) independent. So, I’m ready to shake off the “sensible” routine and embrace my own adventures.

When I travel, it’s all about making the most of the experience without breaking the bank. I aim for affordable comfort—think 3 to 4-star stays with the occasional splurge. I spend hours planning every detail, often drawing from other travel blogs for inspiration. Although package tours have their perks, I much prefer the flexibility and freedom of independent travel.

So here’s to stretching the travel budget, seeing the world our way, and always having a new adventure in sight!

Travel Destinations

To date, I’ve travelled to the following countries:

Australia – my hometown is Brisbane, Queensland. I’ve been lucky enough to explore every state in Australia and many of the beautiful regional areas. I’m convinced Sydney ranks among the most stunning cities in the world, and Australian beaches are right up there with the best. There’s still so much more to see!

South Pacific

• New Zealand
• Fiji
• Tonga
• Vanuatu
• Samoa

Asia

• China
• South Korea
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• The Philippines