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
The 7 Best National Parks in California You NEED To Visit [2026 Update]
When people think of California, they are usually thinking of the vibrancy of LA, the amazing beaches, the endless warm weather and golden sunrays, or the juicy oranges and sprawling vineyards, but rarely do they […]
8 Of The Best Gold Coast Playgrounds For Kids Of All Ages [2026 Update]
There’s no shortage of playgrounds on the Gold Coast for kids to let off steam on. Almost every beach and green space has a playground or some kind of play area to offer. The people […]
10 Beautiful Walks On The Gold Coast Not To Miss [2026 Update]
Ask me what my favourite way to explore a destination is, and I always say it’s walking. Especially in Goldie, as there are so many beautiful walks on the Gold Coast that allow you to […]
7 Fun Activities in Williamsburg To Do with Kids Besides History [2026 Update
Williamsburg is most well-known for its incredible live history experiences and attractions, making it one of the best travel destinations in the U.S for history buffs. But what about families? I don’t know about you, […]
11 Best BBQ Spots On The Gold Coast To Fire Up The Barbie [2026 Update]
Is there anything better than the smell of BBQ, the sound of meat sizzling, and the pristine Pacific Ocean as your backdrop? If this sounds idyllic to you, then you might be wondering where are […]
35 Unmissable Things to Do on O’ahu, Hawaii [2026 Update]
They call O‘ahu “The Gathering Place,” and it certainly earns that name. Here, everyone is welcome, and it has the most social vibe of all the Hawaiian Islands. It’s where surfboards and hula skirts share […]
11 Unmissable Things To Do In Coral Bay, Western Australia [2026 Update]
Coral Bay is a small coastal town most famous for being the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef. It doesn’t take long to walk around Coral Bay – there’s only a handful of shops, most of […]
21 Unmissable Things to do in Knoxville, TN [2026 Update]
The idea of visiting Knoxville first came to us in 2006 whilst chatting with some University of Tennessee grads in San Diego. It’s only taken us 11 years to finally visit but so glad we did, Knox rocks as they say, here’s why!
14 Fun Things To Do In Williamsburg, VA [2026 Update]
Most people think about Williamsburg as a destination to learn more about Civil War History and the American Revolution, and it is, but there are so many more things to do in Williamsburg, VA, besides […]
15 Best Beaches in Melbourne to Visit And Escape The City [Updated 2026]
Who knew there were so many beautiful beaches in Melbourne other than St Kilda and Brighton? It’s amazing what you can discover when you spend a bit of time in the city, and you decide […]
19 Fun Things To Do In Mobile, Alabama [2026 Update]
Mobile in Alabama is full of maritime history, unique culture, and hospitable people. Nicknamed the “Azalea City” due to the extensive amount of azaleas along its streets, you can already picture how beautiful this coastal city […]
15 Unmissable Things To Do In Montreal, Canada [2026 Update]
Montreal is a city that inspires anyone who visits. From marveling at its stunning architecture to diving into its vibrant culture, there are countless things to do in Montreal and places to visit. What sets […]