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
10 Top Tips For Travelling South America with a baby
Travelling South America with a baby may not be the adventure most people are willing to take, but it certainly is a unique family vacation! When travelling with a baby, you will encounter the affectionate […]
Facing Fear on the SkyPoint Climb, Surfers Paradise [review]
The Gold Coast is most well known for its golden beaches, tropical mountains, and lush green hinterland, but it’s also home to Australia’s highest external building climb, an open-air climb to the top of the […]
My Experience Scuba Diving In Sydney From Shelly Beach
Learning to scuba dive at Shelly Beach in Sydney with Pro Dive was awesome. It’s a perfect dive spot in Sydney for beginners and you’re right near Manly!
Staying At Mantra Southbank Melbourne: An Honest Review
Located on the banks of the Yarra River is Mantra Southbank Melbourne, part of a chain of holiday apartments who have lodgings in many of Australia’s top destinations. When we were looking for a place […]
How To Visit Warner Bros Movie World, Gold Coast with kids
BEST DAY EVER, is how our family would describe our visit to Warner Bros Movie World on the Gold Coast. We were only about one hour into our visit and those words had already come […]
How To Visit Dreamworld Gold Coast With Kids
Now, I’m not saying the other parks aren’t worth a visit, but if you only have the time and budget for one theme park in Goldie, make it Dreamworld & Whitewater World, one of our […]
Staying At The Luxurious Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort, Whitsundays: An Honest Review
We’ve all heard of The Whitsundays, the tropical paradise in North Queensland. If you’re planning on making a trip here, no doubt you’ve heard of Australia’s most iconic private island resort; Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort. […]
Can You Walk Across The Sydney Harbour Bridge? Yes, Here’s How!
It’s no secret that one of the biggest landmarks in Sydney is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Interestingly, most people think the only way to see the bridge as a pedestrian is to climb it, but […]
The Ultimate Colorado Bucket List: 15 Unmissable Attractions
If you’re wondering unbeatable adventures to have in Colorado, then you’ve come to the right place. Colorado is a treasure trove of adventures, from hiking in the national parks to soothing your aching muscles in […]
The 15 Best Things To Do In Massachusetts, USA
If you’re looking for things to do in Massachusetts to add to your bucket list, then you’ve come to the right place. Massachusetts is a state in the New England region that offer’s a wealth of […]
19 Exciting Things To Do In Georgia, USA
Georgia is one of those states that you don’t think is a hot destination, and then you go and you absolutely fall in love with it, and that’s because there are so many things to […]
16 Useful Tips For Traveling to the Philippines
Of all the countries in Southeast Asia to travel to, perhaps the country that most people skip traveling to is the Philippines – not because it’s not worth visiting, but because it’s such a mission […]