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
17 Best Beaches In New South Wales To Visit! [2026 Update]
Growing up in New South Wales, we were blessed to have been surrounded by some beautiful beaches and endless opportunities to admire the Pacific Ocean. After spending 18 months road tripping in Australia, we can […]
16 Romantic Things To Do On the Sunshine Coast [2026 Update]
If you’re planning a romantic getaway in Queensland that doesn’t involve islands, scorching temperatures, and sand following you back to your cosy cabin, then you might want to consider the Sunshine Coast. It’s not often […]
25 Unmissable Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland [Updated 2026]
Dublin is one of the most magical and unique cities in the world – it’s where pub doors open up to rooms of Irish folk music and laughter, where down every cobblestone lane, historic Georgian […]
18 Awesome Things to Do in Bathurst, NSW with kids [2026 Update]
I took Kalyra for a daddy and daughter weekend getaway to Bathurst in New South Wales, and what a pleasant surprise that trip turned out to be. I thought it was just a town for […]
25 Things To Do In LA With Kids, Skipping The Boring Ones
As the second biggest city in the USA, you can be sure that there are endless fun things to do in Los Angeles with kids. And I’m also sure you are just as bored as […]
22 Exciting Things to Do in Port Macquarie, NSW [2026 Update]
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 […]
14 Amazing Things to do in Sedona with Kids [2026 Update]
The desert town of Sedona might not be the first place you think of taking your kids to. I can already hear the tantrums; it’s too hot, I don’t want to go hiking, but once […]
The Most Unmissable Places to Visit In Tennessee For Your Bucket List
Planning a trip to Tennessee? After a month long Tennessee road trip, here are 4 of our favorite places to visit in Tennessee and suggestions on what to see and do in each destination!
30+ Unmissable Things To Do On The Gold Coast [2026 Update]
Our list of 28 things to do in the Gold Coast for families has activities and adventure for kids (and parents) of all tastes and all ages.
The Ultimate 2 Day Gold Coast Itinerary: The Best of 48 Hours!
Looking for a Gold Coast itinerary? Here’s how to spend 48 hours on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
21 Unmissable Things to Do in Darwin
Darwin is Top End Australia’s most dynamic city. It’s a city of heat, colour and an edgy vibe. I arrived half expecting a laid-back tropical town; what I found was a frontier city shaped by […]
Guide to Litchfield National Park: Things to do + more!
Sunlight dances on the termite mounds like molten gold as I step onto the red earth of Litchfield National Park, amazed that I am still standing on Planet Earth. Located just an hour and a […]