Adriatic ambling
With eight national parks and many more protected areas, Croatia offers a wealth of options for hikers and nature-focused travellers eager to soak up the sublime surrounds.
I'm a Melbourne-based writer and editor specialising in lifestyle, travel, design, arts and culture, and food and wine.
You can find my work in The Guardian Australia, Traveller, Escape, Explore, delicious, MindFood Magazine, The Saturday Paper, Travel + Indulgence, Jetstar Magazine, Jetstar Asia Magazine, Virgin Australia Magazine, Mercedes Me, Epicure, goodfood.com.au, RoyalAuto, Horizons, Bentley Magazine, Domain, M Magazine, Sunday Life, Spectrum and many more.
See below for some of my latest stories and a small selection of my work published over the past 10 years.
If you'd like to get in touch, connect with me on LinkedIn or send me a message via email at justinecostigan [at] gmail.com
With eight national parks and many more protected areas, Croatia offers a wealth of options for hikers and nature-focused travellers eager to soak up the sublime surrounds.
People have long dug up this black boggy soil to burn for heat and cooking. Now, peatland habitats are getting the attention they deserve.
Managing editor of The Place Economy® by Hoyne, a book showcasing the link between visionary placemaking and better-performing economies, higher profits, and healthier communities.
LATEST STORIES
Near the Italian and Austrian borders, there is an exquisite region Australians have yet to discover.
Marseille in France has more than 10 million passengers a year, but its setup looks well-equipped to handle many more.
The Mediterranean has no shortage of beautiful locations, but this 20-kilometre coastline on France's Cote Bleue is different.
TRAVEL FEATURES
Instead of hopping from country to country, consider immersing yourself in a slow sailing experience by cruising the Croatian coast.
Wilsons Promontory National Park is on a path to become a conservation sanctuary to preserve and protect flora and fauna and serve as a climate change refuge.
Dimboola in regional Victoria was once a dying town but it has defied the odds to become a regional success story.
A series of unfortunate events led to muted coverage of the architect's eye-opening gallery in regional New Zealand. But 24 years after his death, Hundertwasser's work is more prescient than ever
Studying Italian in Naples is about more than mastering grammar and vocabulary. It's a rare chance to peek inside the city's soul.
It's all about the journey, not the destination, when you travel with a friend who likes to chat.
It would be challenging to find a more theatrical hotel arrival. First there is the boat trip to Ischia across the azure waters of the Gulf of Naples. Then, a 10-minute ride from the port on a small bus through the island's narrow cobblestone streets.
As I sit here writing this at my desk in Melbourne, my passport is stuck at Auckland Airport Police Station...
Roma StarBike's Ancient Appian Way e-bike tour takes in a large part of the famous road, ancient monuments, and some of Rome's most beautiful parks and gardens.
Forget the bain Marie, bland international cuisine, and high prices, and follow the locals.
Meet the rescue dogs offering the Victorian Alps' wildest rides.
From ancient middens to award-winning estuaries, oysters are the jewels in the Sapphire Coast’s crown.
How learning a new skill overseas gets you closer to living like a local.
It's not just the runways where the best Paris fashion can be found. Parisians have their own shopping secret - the city's treasure trove of vintage stores.
Soho House Mumbai is the newest property for the Soho House group, which owns 23 private clubs across the UK, Europe, North America and now, India.
Forget the shopping centre model, this beautiful new airport puts traveller comfort at the centre of its design
A walking tour of Mumbai's UNESCO World Heritage listed Art Deco precinct
A street photographer is determined to give Mumbai’s Art Deco treasures their due
Beautiful, laid back and uncrowded, Thailand’s north-west offers a serene alternative to the beach and party scene.
Laid-back luxury and wellness? How to combine the two on a Bali escape
The night sky reveals another, fascinating side to Uluru's ancient culture
LIFESTYLE FEATURES
Imagine being able to see a doctor as soon as you wanted to or, even better, seeing a specialist for a non-urgent consultation straight away. In Italy, this is the reality I found.
Melbourne spent millions in a failed attempt to green its grey laneways. A successful scheme shows the better way to beautify the city comes from empowering residents.
For some, they are morbid curiosities. But for many mothers, their children's milk teeth are treasured mementos that might find their way into custom-made jewellery
The Fitzroy of today - filled with bars, cafes, markets and designer boutiques - was unimaginable. But back then, locals loved the cheap rent and "anything goes" attitude.
It's never been easier to take a flattering image of yourself. So why do people commission professional portraits of themselves or loved ones?
Do some cats just hate women? Or am I doing something very wrong?
From Tokyo to Cairo, 10 photographers around the world have captured a snapshot of life in their cities for the National Gallery of Victoria's Triennial
Far from being an unwelcoming or male-dominated community, Australia's horror fanatics are 'some of the sweetest, nicest people'
From roller rinks to roller disco, roller skating is enjoying a radical revival
Experience a little bit of Milan in Melbourne
Fifteen years after Sex and the City first appeared on HBO, the love for the iconic TV show and its costumes is as fervent as ever.
Magic happens when designers collaborate with dancers
What other pet will keep you company and feed you at the same time?
FOOD & WINE FEATURES
Three Australian food experts weigh in on which kitchen essentials are worth trying at home - and which should be bought off the shelf
Insider tips from Australia's best bakers
An island in the South Pacific is enjoying the sweet smell of success with an aromatic crop
Meet the growers supplying the growing desire for Victorian truffles
A mighty river, local growers and great food combine to make Mildura a must-see city
Where to find the ingredients to recreate your favourite Indian foods at home
Backyard booze or fine tipple? Grappa's no longer the rough heart starter of old
Post-war Italian and Greek migrants helped transform Melbourne's coffee and cafe culture
PODCASTS & RADIO INTERVIEWS
I chat to ABC Radio Melbourne host David Astle about my Guardian Australia story about the people who keep their children's baby teeth (including me).
Architect Antony DiMase and I explore the impact of war on cities and the people who live in them. From current battlegrounds in Gaza and Ukraine to historical conflicts, they discuss what happens to cities when buildings and infrastructure is destroyed, the different approaches to rebuilding, and why we need to be talking about this right now.
In a new format for Season 3 - Antony and Justine explore the recent announcement by the State Government to demolish the Housing Commission Towers in Melbourne.
Megan Hess left our shores as many young Australians did to head over to the old dart in the 70s and 80s to try their hand in the big league.
As the Melbourne nights and mornings get chillier by the day, there are thousands of southerners just waiting to escape to the Sunshine Coast in general, or Noosa in particular. Which is where Melbourne reporter Justine Costigan escaped to a week ago to research what's new in this popular Queensland getaway.
Justine Copstigan loves to spend time in regional towns and most has recently visited Dimboola, which has come a long way from the days when in 1979 it was the subject of a comedy movie set around a about a wedding reception, Justine was researching a story about regional towns and was fascinatred to discover Dimboola had fallen in love with Steam Punk that has now become the theme of an annual local festival.
LISTS, SNAPSHOTS AND ROUND-UPS
The delicious. guide to the best places to eat, drink, stay and play in Noosa.
If there's one thing Australia has in spades, it's vast expanses of the great outdoors - just perfect for hiking.
What's new, Noosa? Just a host of new bars and eateries to electrify your taste buds.
Criss-cross Europe on these popular rail routes for an experience that is far more enjoyable than air travel
More than just a place to read, libraries offer some of the world's most beautiful and innovative architecture.
Journeying fast doesn't mean missing out - and these train rides prove it.
From beachside paths to bush sanctuaries, explore these five easy-to-ride urban bike trails
So you want a coveted front row seat at the hottest show in town? Here's all the info you need to score tickets to world's most in demand events
From the World Heritage Listed sites to the Whawha beer, Zimbabwe offers rich rewards to adventurous travellers
Make a bike trip part of your next Victorian holiday with five of the most picturesque pedal-powered destinations
Do you travel with your next meal always on your mind? Me too. Here's my guide to the best places for a fabulous food-focused holiday in Australia.
The inspirational Australian entrepreneur shares her thoughts on staying grounded, making the hard decisions and why we need more women in business.
There's nothing like a short break from the city to refresh and reconnect.
In conversation with the woman behind Sydney's acclaimed White Rabbit Gallery
From remote wilderness to wine country, beach breaks and more, South Australia has loads to offer city-dwellers...
Throughout Melbourne 's inner and outer suburbs, wild and wonderful pockets of nature offer...