Travel diary: Never Never Land

When it comes to holidays, it’s known… I’m a planning queen. But this holiday was a different one for me because I did ZERO planning.

Janaye, one of my longtime besties and fellow photographer (owner of The Frames of Minds), proposed a trip to a small island off Townsville called Magnetic Island (Yunbenun). The catch? She would take charge of the entire itinerary. My plan-a-holic side was hesitant.. work was busy.. I had a holiday booked to Tasmania the following week and of the dates she wanted to go... but this little voice popped into my head saying "You Only Live Once.. you sit at a desk all day, go see something new". So, I said YES, let’s do it. Little did I know, it would become an unforgettable escape to what we fondly call 'Never Never Land: where time doesn't exist.'

Magnetic Island (Yunbenun), or our 'Never Never Land,' is a hidden gem that quickly became one of my favourite places. Picture this: riding mopeds around a tranquil island that feels like your own little slice of heaven. Surrounded by lush green mountains, graceful boulders, and the mesmerising blue and green hues of the ocean, all shaded by a canopy of a thousand palm trees (I think this is where the dream of Velvet Palms started).

The beauty of this island lies in its ability to make you forget about time and embrace the now (something which is often forgotten when you’re at your desk staring at a screen all day). We made an promise to try and take at least one trip a year to adventure away, get inspired outside and see beautiful places.

As we revelled in the magic of Magnetic Island, a thought struck us: Why not share this inspiration with others? We can enjoy time in the sun, get inspired and do what we love… take photos! And so, Vacay Visuals was born—a soulful project where we take a few brands to join us in picturesque locations where the inspiration is flowing, for mini photoshoot packages.

Our unplanned escape to Never Never Land taught us the importance of embracing spontaneity and the magic of Mother Nature and her beauty. If you're curious about our next adventure, head over to Vacay Visuals for exclusive access to upcoming trips.