Win a 10-day travel writing road trip across Australia!
Applications have closed and the winners have now been announced.
Take a trip from beach to bush on the ultimate Australian road trip and write about your adventures along the way!
Once again, we have teamed up with Lonely Planet to bring you our 2016 Travel Writing Scholarship. This year, we're sending 3 talented aspiring travel writers to the land down-under – on an Australian road trip!
Watch the video below to learn more:
This opportunity is now closed.
All these prizes could be yours:
3-day workshop with a Travel Writing Pro
We'll fly you to Melbourne to attend a custom travel writing course under the mentorship of Lonely Planet author Anthony Ham. Learn how to find a great story, create solid pitches, and gain a better understanding of the travel writing industry.
10-day custom road trip across Australia
Each writer will then embark on their own 10-day road trip with $3000 AUD spending money. PLUS receive a free Adventure Tours Australia trip, up to 3 Urban Adventures day tours and free campervan rental courtesy of Travellers Autobarn!
Free accomodation
Our friends at YHA Australia have got your accommodation covered. Stay in their unique and convenient hostels and make some amazing friends along the way!
You're insured
As always, we've got your back. You'll receive travel insurance for the duration of your trip from World Nomads.
- In partnership with:
How do I apply?
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Write a 2500 character story about a travel experience around one of the following themes:
- How did I end up here?
- A local encounter I’ll never forget.
- The time I discovered...
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Plan your itinerary.
Tell us two Australian experiences you'd like to write about on your road trip.
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Complete an application form which includes contact details and a maximum 1500 character essay on why you should be chosen and what the opportunity will mean for you.
Your answer will provide considerable weight in the judging process.
Note:
One application per person. The application must be submitted in English.
NOTE: Once you apply, you will not be able to go back and edit your story, so please make sure you are completely satisfied with your essay before you submit an application.
Important dates
What are the judges looking for?
You’ll need to convince our judging panel through your writing that you have the spirit of adventure and passion for travel writing to be chosen for this scholarship.
- Great descriptive ability (without getting flowery)
- Strong eye for detail
- Ability to uncover a great travel story and tell it in a compelling way
- Excellent spelling and grammar and a knack for avoiding clichés
The 3 recipients of the Scholarship, along with the shortlist of best entries will be published on the WorldNomads.com website on July 15th, 2016.
Looking for inspiration?
Check out some of our past winners and meet your mentor:
FAQ
We've listed the top question here.
- Am I considered a professional travel writer?
Essentially this is a 'learning opportunity' for someone who is looking for an introduction into the travel writing industry and more importantly, is keen to be mentored. For the purposes of this opportunity, we would consider you to be professional writer if you have been published regularly in commercial blogs, newspapers, travel magazines or travel journals. We would also consider you to be a professional writer if you derive more than 25% of your income from writing of any kind.
If you have only had a few stories published, or keep a regular travel blog then we would not consider this professional.
Please consider the spirit of the program which is intended to help those with a burning desire to be a professional travel writer and need some help getting started.
- Do I have to write to the themes mentioned in the application form?
Yes, as a travel writer it is important to demonstrate your ability to stick to a given brief.
- What will I be doing during the workshop?
The 3 scholarship recipients will be flown from their countries of residence to Melbourne where they will spend 3 days at the Lonely Planet Australia headquarters to attend a customised travel writing workshop. Under the mentorship of veteran Lonely Planet author Anthony Ham, the winners will learn how to find a great story, create solid pitches, improve their writing skills and gain a better understanding of the travel writing industry.