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
12 Reasons to Visit Byron Bay with Kids
Byron Bay in NSW is famous for its beautiful beaches and alternative lifestyle, the people watching here is first class, but it’s also the perfect place for your next family holiday. When you first think […]
Read More25 Places to Eat on the Gold Coast – with or without kids
You will never run out of places to eat on the Gold Coast. If there’s one word that sums up the Goldy, besides FUN, it would be options! With the Coast being the fastest growing […]
Read More17,000 Kilometres on the Road in Australia – are we there yet?
You probably already know this but just in case you don’t, Australia is friggin HUGE! I already knew this of course, but since we started our road trip around Australia I have a new appreciation […]
Read MoreWhy Dreamworld is the BEST Theme Park on the Gold Coast
I’m calling it. I’m officially declaring Dreamworld as the best theme park on the Gold Coast. Now, I’m not saying the other parks aren’t worth a visit, but if you only have the time and […]
Read MoreMovie World Gold Coast with kids … best. day. ever
This is the BEST. DAY. EVER. We were only about one hour into our visit to Movie World and those words had already come out of Kalyra’s mouth about five times. Bugs Bunny and the […]
Read MoreFacing Fear on the SkyPoint Climb, Surfers Paradise
See that building up above? Yeah, the really tall one with the spire on top? That’s the Q1 Building on the Gold Coast. Did you know you can actually climb to the summit? Sounds crazy […]
Read More6 Months Road Trip in NSW, Vic, Tas – Stats & Favorites
So much has happened since we took off on our big Australia road trip. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and here we are already 6 months into our family adventure. The planning, […]
Read More17 Places to Eat in Melbourne + Reader Suggestions
There’s not many guarantees in life, but this is one of them – there is no shortage of places to eat in Melbourne, and you could have enough options for all tastes and budgets to […]
Read More3 Hip and Quirky Miami Boutique Hotels
Confession: I’m from Florida and I love Miami. Magic happens in the place where South America, the Caribbean, and North America mix in an eclectic cultural explosion that you have to taste, hear, and experience to […]
Read More11 Ways to Enjoy a New York Summer
One of our great traveling memories was spending Christmas and New Years Eve in New York City back in 2003. We spent 10 days visiting New York City over this period and had an amazing […]
Read MoreVisit Hosier Lane, Melbourne for Graffiti Art
You’ve probably already seen photos of Hosier Lane in Melbourne? It’s easily recognizable from many tourism photo campaigns and one of the most popular things to do in Melbourne. During our 8 day visit to Melbourne, […]
Read More5 Reasons to Stay at Mantra Southbank – Family Accommodation in Melbourne
It was cider time. On a Sunday. In Federation Square. With old friends. Had it been 17 years ago, when we lived in London together it would have been snakebites. We’re a bit tamer now […]
Read More