Rob McFarland
Travel writer
After abandoning a sensible career in IT, Rob McFarland now divides his time between Sydney, the US and Europe. He's won six writing awards and regularly runs workshops for aspiring writers. Follow his travels on Instagram @mctraveller
The epic European hiking trail hardly anyone knows about
Never before have I encountered such an astonishing diversity of terrain and panoramas on one trip.
- by Rob McFarland
★★★★½
Oslo
Electrical company HQ’s spectacular transformation into Gatsby-esque hotel
At Sommerro, there are seven restaurants and bars, a private cinema, a library, a theatre, the city’s first rooftop pool and a sprawling basement spa and wellness area so vast they give you a map.
- by Rob McFarland
It’s a miracle Europe’s most breathtaking mountain pass exists at all
One of the highlights of any trip to Norway is this 108-kilometre ribbon of tarmac that squirms its way over a 1434-metre-high plateau.
- by Rob McFarland
Nine must-do highlights of Split, Croatia
With a prime position on the Adriatic coast, Croatia’s second-largest city offers an extraordinarily well-preserved Roman palace, an atmospheric Old Town and delightful beaches.
- by Rob McFarland
A ludicrously scenic byway isn’t even the main attraction at this US park
Although bison are the primary attraction, don’t leave Custer State Park without driving through this explosion of soaring, needle-like granite peaks.
- by Rob McFarland
★★★★
Hotel reviews
Swish Bangkok hotel has genuine wow factor (and glass-bottomed pool)
With a sensational pool and bar, this is a notable new addition to Bangkok’s hotel scene that offers a taste of the high life without the hefty price tag.
- by Rob McFarland
Nine must-do highlights of Auckland, New Zealand
Few cities can boast such an array of natural and man-made attractions, including a breathtaking holiday island.
- by Rob McFarland
Climbing Northern Europe’s highest mountain is surprisingly easy
The hardest thing about summiting Norway’s highest mountain? Pronouncing it.
- by Rob McFarland
America’s startling ‘geological hiccup’ is a candy-coloured wonderland
This drive meanders through an otherworldly landscape of such arresting beauty that you’ll be repeatedly compelled to pull over just to gawp at its majesty.
- by Rob McFarland
America’s second-largest landowner is a media mogul gone wild
For decades, the creator of CNN has quietly been buying up great swathes of the American wilderness with one goal in mind: saving it.
- by Rob McFarland