Little Grey Box Travel awards 2021: the year’s best destinations, food, stays and experiences

It has been a strange and uncertain year with travel opportunities few and far between. Still, I found myself with opportunities to explore my beautiful home state of Queensland and take advantage of the New Zealand travel bubble while it was open. Honestly, it was a year that was far from ideal and one that presented a lot of challenges. But there’s so much to be grateful for.

The Little Grey Box Travel Awards are my way of showing immense gratitude and a little extra love and support for the wonderful people who make the year’s best travel moments possible. I just want to say a huge thank you to every person I met and worked with this year. Without further ado, here are the Little Grey Box Travel Award Winners (and, I suppose, my travel highlights) for 2021.

Planning your trip?
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Hotels, I use Agoda
Insurance: Cover-More
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Travel eSIM: Simify

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Best Australian Destination

Winner: Rainbow Beach, Queensland

Rainbow Beach has been close to my heart for a very long time and, revisiting this year, I got the chance to enjoy it once more and see how much it has grown. Boasting beautiful beaches, incredible 4WD spots and some fantastic eateries, this seaside spot is equal parts gorgeous, fun and relaxing.

Runner-up: Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland
Honourable mention: Noosa, Queensland

Best Overseas Destination

Winner: Wanaka, New Zealand

It’s amazing I was able to get overseas this year and I still can’t believe how lucky I am that Australia and New Zealand are so close. Of all the spots I visited on my road trip through the north and south islands, Wanaka stands out the most. It is, without hesitation, my favourite place in New Zealand. A place brimming with stunning scenery, incredible food, outdoor adventures and the loveliest locals.

Runner-up: West Auckland, New Zealand
Honourable mention: Mackenzie Region, New Zealand

Best Under-the-Radar Destination

Winner: West Auckland, New Zealand

Nothing quite prepared me for the raw and staggering beauty of the West Auckland coastline. Having been so travel-starved for so long, the wild energy of Karekare Beach and Piha Beach took my breath away. I had an unforgettable day exploring coastal trails, visiting waterfalls, eating on the black sand beaches and rarely seeing another soul.

Runner-up: Kenilworth, Australia
Honourable mention: Tin Can Bay, Australia

Best Luxury Accommodation Experience

Winner: Cross Hill Lodge & Domes, New Zealand

My stay in a decadent Cross Hill Geo Dome was a travel dream come true. But it wasn’t just the unique and luxurious accommodation that made this stay so special. Set against spectacular Lake Hawea, it’s the sense of warmth and welcome that oozes through all the personal touches and moments of connection you experience during your stay. This is a spot that will stay with me for a long time to come.

Runner-up: Cordis Auckland, New Zealand
Honourable mention: Meriton Surfers Paradise, Australia

Best Budget Accommodation Experience

Winner: Highlands Farmstay (Executive Barn), New Zealand

Every now and then you unearth a gem on Airbnb and, this year, I found the most incredible spot in Twizel. Set within the Dark Sky Reserve, this affordable accommodation spot boasts an epic bathtub perfect for stargazing in freezing temperatures. Equipped with everything you could need for a relaxing, self-contained stay, it’s also home to a number of friendly farm animals, offering plenty of fun things to do during your visit.

Runner-up: The ‘Old Glenroy Dairy’ (Airbnb), Australia
Honourable mention: Apartment 5 (Airbnb), New Zealand

Best Beach Experience

Winner: Piha Beach, New Zealand

Most years it’s a sun-drenched spot that takes the cake but I couldn’t help falling in love with wild Piha Beach. On a cool winter day we made our way across the sand, rain drizzling every so often, gazing at the rugged coastline while tucking into warm soup and toasty bread. It was totally different to what I usually visit the beach for and, somehow, so soul nourishing!

Runner-up: Rainbow Beach, Australia
Honourable mention: Kings Beach, Australia

Best Food Experience

Winner: Social Eating House + Bar, Australia

I was grateful to experience some truly wonderful local food in 2021 and one I won’t soon forget is Social Eating House and Bar. This understated spot delivers a true food experience combining fantastic service, great ambience, an exciting menu, beautiful plating and, most importantly, spectacular food. From start to finish it was pure perfection. I’m so lucky to have this spot within driving distance of home.

Runner-up: Edgewater Dining & Lounge, Australia
Honourable mentions: Amigos Wanaka, New Zealand

Best Breakfast Experience

Winner: Bumbles Cafe, Australia

I did not expect this humble Gold Coast cafe to throw down quite like it did. A very cosy neighbourhood spot popular with locals, it served up the best coffee I had all year. The interior feels like a whimsical book store and the menu boasts a great mix of classics and creative bites to sample. I’m obsessed with crumpets and was blown away by the delicious sourdough crumpets and granola with ultra-wobbly panna cotta.

Runner-up: Morning After, Australia
Honourable mention: Relishes Cafe, New Zealand

Best Restaurant Experience

Winner: Etsu Izakaya, Australia

If you can’t tell already, the Gold Coast was the hero of our foodie adventures this year and Etsu Izakaya was a clear standout. True to the izakaya you’ll find in Japan, Etsu is totally understated from the outside and you could easily walk right past it. Venture inside and you’ll find a beautiful restaurant serving up the most delicious Japanese food I’ve experienced outside of Japan. Not to mention, the service is impeccable!

Runner-up: Margo’s Queenstown, New Zealand
Honourable mention: Social Eating House + Bar, Australia

Best Cafe Experience

Winner: Nodo, Australia

I live for breakfast and my favourite cafe of the year was Brisbane’s own local gem, Nodo. The fit-out of the Hawthorne cafe is just gorgeous with a menu that makes it hard to choose just one dish. In addition to their delicious food Nodo also boasts exceptional coffee and the best donuts in the game. An added bonus – the entire place is Gluten Free!

Runner-up: White Picket Fence, Australia
Honourable mention: No Name Lane, Australia

Best Bar/Drinks Experience

Winner: Edgewater Dining and Lounge Bar, Australia

Another Gold Coast gem, Edgewater is perfectly positioned overlooking the glittering waterways around Surfers Paradise. The service here was a standout, reminding me of the kind of service you receive in a brasserie in Paris. Not only were the drinks here visually stunning, they were delicious too and perfectly accompanied by beautiful waterfront views. It’s just the icing on the cake that food is spectacular as well!

Runner-up: Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery, Australia
Honourable mention: O.G.B, New Zealand

Best Adventure Experience

Winner: Lord of the Rungs Climb (with Wildwire Wanaka), New Zealand

Every now and then you get the opportunity to do something you’ve never done before and it awakens something in you! For me, it was an unrealised love of climbing all thanks to Wildwire Wanaka. Hanging off the side of a cascading waterfall, soaking in views over Wanaka was absolutely magical. Getting outdoors and hands-on with the raw beauty of this region is the perfect way to experience it and I can’t wait to go back and do this one again.

Runner-up: Canyon Swing (with Shotover Canyon Swing), New Zealand
Honourable mention: The Mountain Experience (with The Cardrona), New Zealand

Best Unique Experience

Winner: Snug Classic Self Drive (with Duffy Down Under Boat Hire), Australia

Having lived close to the Gold Coast most of my life I was shocked to realise I’d been missing out on exploring the waterways. Turns out it was worth the wait, as I got the chance to do it for the first time in a Duffy boat with Duffy Down Under. Combining comfort, fun and beautiful scenery, this experience is perfect for everyone. I spent a good few hours putting along gently, seeing the area from a new perspective and enjoying a waterfront lunch.

Runner-up: All Blacks Experience, New Zealand
Honourable mention: Mauao (Mount Maunganui) Summit Walk, New Zealand

Best Multi-Day Tour Experience

Winner: Jeep & Caravan Self Drive (with Outdoor Aussie Adventures), Australia

This year I got the chance to experience something I never had before: the caravanning lifestyle. Setting off with zero experience, the team at Outdoor Aussie Adventures taught me everything I needed to know, helped me settle in and hooked me up with a Jeep, a caravan and an incredible itinerary. It was so much fun travelling in a new way and I took to it like a duck to water. Safe to say I’m officially ready to be a grey nomad.

Best Day-Tour Experience

Winner: Kai Safari Dinner Tour (with Amiki Tours), New Zealand

While visiting Christchurch this year I wanted to find experiences to help me connect better with the city, and Amiki Tours did just that. The Kai (food) Safari Tour takes you out into the heart of Maori culture, local history and exceptional food. It’s a chance to taste and experience the region in a very powerful way, expertly led by warm and welcoming locals. If you ever visit Christchurch, a tour with Amiki is a must.

Runner-up: Cruise ‘n’ Canoe (with Everglades Eco Safaris), Australia
Honourable mention: Coldie on the Goldie Brewery Tour (with Hop On Brewery Tours), Australia

Best Airport Experience

Winner: Queenstown Airport, New Zealand

We were only inside a couple of airports this year but Queenstown easily takes the cake! Located a short drive from the heart of Queenstown you still get to enjoy the scenery from inside the terminal. There are great cafes, a lolly shop so you can stock up on fudge and sweets for the journey home and a great Japanese restaurant.

Best Airline Experience

Winner: Qantas, Economy Class

There was only one airline we flew with this year and I gotta say, we were grateful to even be able to fly!

Best Bucket List Moment

Winner: Driving a 4WD along Rainbow Beach, Australia

Having visited many times over the years the 4WD experiences of Rainbow Beach had always eluded us. But we finally got to tick it off our bucket lists and it was worth the wait! We loved driving through the lush rainforest then zooming along wide stretches of beach bordered by the ocean. Driving past the coloured sands, gazing up at the Carlo Sand Blow and stopping on an empty beach for a swim and a snack was the icing on top.

Runner-up: Taking an epic North to South Island Road Trip, New Zealand

Best Travel Tech

Winner: Prepaid Travel Sim (from Simify)

This is one of those things I wish I’d started doing sooner. Before leaving for New Zealand I got a prepaid local SIM card from Simify and it made my entire trip easier. From looking up restaurants and cafes on the fly to finding directions, staying connected and changing flights at the last minute, it was invaluable.

Runner-up: Apple Watch
Honourable mention: Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Best Travel Accessory

Winner: Insulated Travel Flask

After talking about it all year we finally bought a travel flask/thermos and it has become the best thing ever! Perfect for any adventure on a cold day we became obsessed with filling ours with coffee or tea and stopping somewhere beautiful for a spot of morning tea, paired perfectly with goodies sourced from a local bakery.

Runner-up: The Comfy Original
Honourable mention: Allocacoc PowerCube

Best Travel Instagrammer

Winner: Cory & Charlotte (@cjexplores)

In a year where travel opportunities were limited, Cory and Charlotte of CJ Explores were a beacon of light and inspiration. Capturing beautiful photos for Instagram and creating fantastic content for YouTube, they spent the year exploring Queensland before setting off on their big lap around Australia. They’re wonderfully talented people, so be sure to check them out.

Best Travel Vlogger

Winner: Beth and Paul (YouTube)

No other channel brought me as much joy this year as Beth and Paul’s. It’s like watching your best friend’s parents out in the world having a lovely time, and I cannot get enough of them. They’re so genuine and entertaining and just a delight.

Just a quick note to confirm the Little Grey Box Travel Awards are based solely on my own experiences. None of these spots has been paid for or requested by any of those included, it’s all legit love.

Frequently asked questions

When were the Little Grey Box Travel Awards first published?
The awards have run annually since the early days of Little Grey Box, recognising the year’s best travel moments across destinations, food, accommodation and experiences.

Are the Little Grey Box Travel Awards sponsored?
No. Every winner is chosen based entirely on personal experience. No brand paid to be included and none was told they would receive an award.

Can I still visit the places mentioned in the 2021 awards?
Most of the destinations and experiences featured are still operating and worth visiting. Wildwire Wanaka continues to run its Lord of the Rungs waterfall climb and has since added a new Climb and Canyon experience. Social Eating House and Bar, Etsu Izakaya, Edgewater Dining, Bumbles Cafe and Nodo are all still going strong. I’d recommend checking current opening hours and booking ahead, particularly for popular spots like Etsu.

What year do the awards cover?
The 2021 awards cover travel experiences from that calendar year, a period when international travel was heavily restricted, and most adventures happened closer to home in Queensland and during the New Zealand travel bubble.

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