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
Guide to Springbrook National Park’s Best Walks
Visiting Springbrook National Park, Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland, Australia Don’t forget to visit Twin Falls and stay at the Mouse House Retreat
The Ultimate Great Beach Drive Sunshine coast Road Trip Itinerary
The first thing you notice on the Great Beach Drive is the sound: tyres whispering over hard-packed sand, waves crashing on the East and birds singing up ahead. The fact that you’re driving on a […]
14 Unmissable things to do in Uluru (Ayers Rock)!
We all know the scene, it’s Australia’s most sacred and photographed monoliths. Rising out of the red sands, Uluru, also known as Ayres Rock to most, is an ochre-colored beacon that stands as a humbling […]
16 Unmissable Things To Do In Noosa, Queensland! [2026 Update]
Noosa is a small town tucked into Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Although a popular resort town, it’s polished without feeling precious. On our 18-month family road trip around Australia, it was more than just a pretty […]
The Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List: 24 Stunning Places You Need to Visit!
Tasmania is a hidden gem perched on the edge of the world. This island state is Australia’s wild-hearted wonder, where misty mountains brush against mystical lakes, where beaches are unspoiled and the air is clean. […]
Free Things to Do in Sydney: Where Fun Doesn’t Have a Price Tag
Sydney is a city that blends sun, surf, and culture, but it’s also known as being one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit. But guess what? You don’t need to empty […]
30+ Unmissable Things to Do in Arizona: The Grand Canyon State!
The count down is on until we start our 2 year USA road trip and we want you to help shape our journey. Today we want you to help us create our things to do in Arizona bucket list.
14 Unmissable Things To Do On Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), Australia
Just a stone’s throw off the coast of Perth, Rottnest Island, or Wadjemup to the natives, is a sun-soaked oasis with turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and Australia’s rare and cheeky marsupials, quokkas. Although we […]
The Top 50 Beaches in Australia Ranked and Verified [From Personal Experience]
We spent 18 months driving around Australia and visited hundreds of beaches. There’s said to be over 10,000 beaches in Australia, and while we can’t say we’ve seen them all, we’ve seen our fair share. […]
10 Best Bangkok Floating Markets To Visit!
Bangkok is full of honking motorbikes and bustling streets, but on its meandering waterways, you can find a unique slice of the Big Mango. On Bangkok’s khlongs, or canals in English, you will find long-tail […]
The Ultimate Guide to Australia’s Best National Parks: Explore Nature, Wildlife & Scenic Adventures
Australia doesn’t do subtle wilderness. Our national parks aren’t given national park status simply because they’re vast, they’re places that rearrange your sense of scale, make you question whether you’re still on planet Earth, and […]
Complete Guide To The Grand Palace, Bangkok & Is It Worth It?
There’s nowhere in Bangkok that shines brighter than the Grand Palace. It’s a place where rooftops glisten like dragon scales and where gold leaf is draped across stupas that dazzle in the sunlight. The meticulous […]