CRAIG MAKEPEACE - FOUNDER

Craig Makepeace is a dynamic blogger, photographer, content creator, and entrepreneur, who is the co- founder of two online brands: This is Raleigh, a platform for anyone looking to explore the best of Wake County, and YTravelBlog, one of the world’s most influential travel blogs.

Craig has worked with the biggest brands in the world and has been featured by notable sites such as the Today Show, Conde Nast, and FOX Business, USA Today, Travel & Leisure, Forbes, National Geographic online and My Carolina CBS17.  In addition, Y Travel Blog has received a Modern Ontrapreneuer award from Ontraport for “Best Online Publisher” and has been recognized by the White House… twice!

Craig was invited to the White House in 2014 as a top global travel influencer to attend the first travel summit. And he received a green card in 2020 for yTravel’s extraordinary ability in the art of travel blogging and for his contributions to the growth of tourism in the USA.

Before becoming an online entrepreneur, Craig played Professional Rugby League for six years in Sydney with the North Sydney Bears. Originally from Australia, Craig and his wife Caroline have been exploring the world together ever since they met in 2000. Together, they have visited over 56 countries and have lived in five countries.

They traveled full time with their daughters for seven years, which included an 18-month road trip around Australia and 11 months across the USA. He is an expert in family travel and running an online business from the road.

As a full time professional travel blogger since 2010, Craig has successfully worked with some of the biggest brands in the world including Lonely Planet, Airbnb, Canon, Amex, Ford, Nissan, Qantas, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Globus Tours, Allianz Travel Insurance.

Locally in Raleigh, he has worked with big brands and small businesses such as RDU- International Airport, Nextdoor, Kane Realty, Outer Banks Tourism, Blue Water Spa, and Harris Teeter.

Craig is also a fully licensed drone operator and, aside from shooting images for This is Raleigh blog and social channels, he has captured images for the Carolina Hurricanes, Ocracoke Island and Outer Bank Tourism, North Hills (Kane Realty) and more.

Craig’s passion for travel, combined with his expertise in digital marketing, has enabled him to create a successful online business that provides travel advice, inspiration, and resources to thousands of people worldwide.

Craig has presented at the Raleigh Rotary Club, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and keynoted at the NC Public Relations Society of America Conference.

In addition to running his blog and social brand, Craig calls his work a personal mission to inspire and empower others to travel more and create a life they love. He’s proof that travel can be a lifestyle, and he’s passionate about helping others achieve the same level of freedom and fulfillment.

Craig first moved to Raleigh in 2004 and fell in love with the City of Oaks. He’s a travel addict, sports fanatic, beach lover, and passionate craft beer drinker.

ALL ARTICLES WRITTEN BY Craig Makepeace

Scenic aerial overlooking Werri Beach, Kiama.

15 Best Beaches in South Coast NSW, Australia

By Craig Makepeace / March 23, 2023

Although I haven’t been to every beach in Australia… yet, I’m pretty confident the South Coast NSW has some of the best beaches in the country. We spent three weeks in this region, and I […]

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colorful rocks on the breakwall at sunset

22 Exciting Things to Do in Port Macquarie, NSW

By Craig Makepeace / March 22, 2023

I grew up holidaying in Port Macquarie and have fond childhood memories of camping at the Breakwall Caravan Park and having endless fun at the beach. We loved those trips to Port Macquarie. It was […]

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A beach

Your Guide To Visiting The famous Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay

By Craig Makepeace / March 22, 2023

I only started paying attention to Hyams Beach after seeing it splashed across a billboard at a train station in Sydney. In front of me was this pristine looking beach with incredibly clear water, powdery […]

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story bridge brisbane

The Ultimate Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary

By Craig Makepeace / March 21, 2023

The iconic east coast road trip from Sydney to Brisbane, known as the Legendary Pacific Coast, is one of Australia’s top road trips. Stretching 900 kms along the Pacific Highway corridor it has something for […]

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Untitled design

Hiking the Gorgeous Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk with Kids

By Craig Makepeace / March 19, 2023

When you visit Byron Bay – and you MUST visit Byron Bay – one of our top recommendations for things to do is an early-morning walk to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. In case you didn’t know, Byron […]

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a porch on a house

A Stay At The Historic Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages, NSW [Review]

By Craig Makepeace / March 18, 2023

Enjoy a weekend getaway at the heritage listed Sugar Loaf Point Lighthouse in Seal Rocks, Australia.

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sky costanera santiago

18 Awesome Things to Do in Santiago, Chile

By Craig Makepeace / March 15, 2023

Are you thinking of visiting the Chilean capital but you’re not sure what things there are to do in Santiago? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Santiago is a large city with a laid-back […]

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Sajama National Park

16 Unmissable Places to visit in Bolivia, South America

By Craig Makepeace / March 12, 2023

Ahhh, Bolivia. A country of great beauty, stunning landscapes, and unique tourist attractions. A country with the highest capital city in the world, the largest salt flats in the world, mountains, jungles, lakes, and everything […]

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Surfer walking along Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay.

11 Stunning Byron Bay Beaches You Must Set Foot On

By Craig Makepeace / March 9, 2023

The Byron Bay Beaches are legendary. It’s not just Australians and the surfing community who know about Byron Bay, but people all over the world. They draw thousands of international visitors from around the world […]

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woman and child posing to camera in front of beach view

The Sensational White Sands Walk in Jervis Bay

By Craig Makepeace / March 8, 2023

Man, I loved this coastal walk. It’s one of those trails I could have just kept on walking (even with a 2-year-old strapped on my back). I’m putting the White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum track in […]

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West MacDonnell Ranges

29 Best walks in Australia: Short to Multi-Day Walks

By Craig Makepeace / March 3, 2023

Our favorite way to explore any destination is on foot and during our 18-month road trip around OZ we were on a mission to discover some of the best walks in Australia. We love walking as […]

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puerto natales patagonia

The 15 Best Cities in Chile to Visit!

By Craig Makepeace / March 3, 2023

Sometimes it’s the most underestimated cities and towns that leave the biggest impression on us as a traveler. While Chile is a top destination in South America for many, most people come to Chile for […]

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