Melissa Fagan

Writer, editor, researcher, content producer

Australia

I've been working as a writer, editor and content producer for close to 20 years.

I mostly write for publications and clients in the travel, not-for-profit and health sectors, but I have also worked within the arts & entertainment, education, and government sectors.

I'm also the author of a memoir What Will Be Worn: A McWhirters Story, published by Transit Lounge in 2018. The book was longlisted for the NiB Literary Award.

Portfolio

Blogs and features

Time
07/20/2021
Gold Coast, Australia: The World's 100 Greatest Places of 2021

Australia's sixth largest city, Gold Coast, hugs the country's eastern coastline: think perennially warm water, some of the world's best surf and a reputation for glitz and glamour. Its trendiness continues this year with many additions. In Palm Beach, The Mysa Motel is a newly opened (and nearly 100% solar-powered) seven-room property, bursting with retro upcycled details like vintage breeze blocks.

Intrepid Travel Blog
07/28/2019
An introductory guide to snacks and street food in China

First of all, a disclaimer: this list of snacks and street food is no way comprehensive. How can it be? This is China: current population 1.4 billion that includes at least 55 ethnic minorities in addition to the Han Chinese, and over 5,000 years of history.

Fodors Travel Guide
08/27/2018
The World Nomad Games Look Like 'Game of Thrones' Come to Life

The World Nomad Games are, without a doubt, one of the most photogenic events on earth. The last Games, held in 2016, featured a thousand musicians playing the komuz (traditional Kyrgyz three-stringed instrument) in unison, a burning horseman riding at full gallop, and Steven Seagal-and that's just the opening ceremony.

Intrepid Travel Blog
03/21/2018
What it's really like to visit Kyrgyzstan, the land of the nomads

Around 80% of Kyrgyzstan is mountainous, and shepherds still spend the summer months in the Alpine meadows, living in yurts while they tend to their flocks. In the traditional nomadic cultures of Central Asia, it is common for travellers to break their journey at a stranger's yurt.

BOQ Best Practice
11/01/2017
Coming Together

Personal finance feature for BOQ Specialist Best Practice magazine.

QWeekend
03/18/2017
Way of the Nomad

Profile of nomadic vet, Dr Campbell "Cozy" Costello for QWeekend, the weekend magazine for the Courier-Mail.

Urban Walkabout Brisbane
2014
Concrete, but not as you know it

Profile of Jouni and Sami Jarvela, owners of Pop Concrete, written for the Urban Walkabout Brisbane blog

Urban Walkabout Brisbane
2014
The heart and soul of Teneriffe

Profile of AJ and Mac, co-owners of Samson and Sophie cafe, written for the Urban Walkabout Brisbane blog.

Urban Walkabout Brisbane
2014
Travel is her muse

Profile of Robyn McKendry, owner of Magnolia Interiors, written for Urban Walkabout Brisbane blog.

Detour
2012
Animal Attraction

Travel article about Magnetic Island written for Detour, the official Greyhound publication.

Detour
2012
Take a bow, Bowen

Travel article about Bowen written for Detour, the official Greyhound publication.

Marie-Claire
2007
Tango

Travel feature for Australian Marie-Claire magazine about learning to dance tango in Buenos Aires.

Copywriting

NSW National Parks
06/15/2018
Giriwa walking track | NSW National Parks

Discover Aboriginal culture along Giriwa walking track, and enjoy water activities on Burrill Lake, in Meroo National Park, near Ulladulla.

NSW National Parks
06/15/2018
Muzzlewood track | NSW National Parks

Muzzlewood track is a summer mountain bike trail, and year-round walk, that links Bullocks Flat and Thredbo Diggings campground, in Kosciuszko National Park.

NSW National Parks
06/08/2018
Kedumba River Crossing campground | NSW National Parks

Blue Mountains National Park Overview Kedumba River Crossing campground is a walk-in campground in a remote part of Blue Mountains National Park. Set in an open, grassy area with views of Mount Solitary, it's a peaceful place to stay on an overnight bushwalk in the Jamison Valley.

NSW National Parks
06/08/2018
Dunphys campground | NSW National Parks

Please enable javascript to access the full functionality of this site Back to previous page Blue Mountains National Park Overview Located at the end of Megalong Valley, Dunphys campground is a remote yet well-maintained campground for adventurers and families, in Blue Mountains National Park.

NSW National Parks
05/25/2018
Jennifer Street boardwalk | NSW National Parks

Looking for short walks in Sydney? Jennifer Street boardwalk in La Perouse is a short, wheelchair-accessible walking track perfect for a weekend stroll in the eastern suburbs.

NSW National Parks
05/15/2018
Hosies | NSW National Parks

Hosies offers accommodation in a beautifully-renovated 1870s building in the historic gold rush town of Hill End, near Mudgee. Discover the attractions, history, and walking tracks of Hill End Historic Site, from your doorstep.

St John of God Health Care
09/01/2016
Infant mental health

Copywriting for relaunch of St John of God Health Care website.

St John of God Health Care
09/01/2016
Palliative care

Copywriting for relaunch of St John of God Health Care website.

St John of God Health Care
09/01/2016
Dermatology

Copywriting or website relaunch: Dermatology services provided by St John of God Health Care

St John of God Health Care
Bariatric surgery

Copywriting for website relaunch: Bariatric surgery services provided by St John of God Health Care.

Classic Safari Company
2015
Expeditionary Cruising

Short description of journey type "Expeditionary Cruising' for Classic Safari Company's website relaunch in 2015.

Classic Safari Company
2015
Do before you Die

Short description of journey type 'Do before you Die' for Classic Safari Company's website relaunch in 2015.

Classic Safari Company
Camp Fire Stargazer

Short description of 'Camp Fire Stargazer' traveller type for relaunch of Classic Safari Company's website in 2015

Classic Safari Company
2015
A Bush Luxury Lover

Short description of 'A Bush Luxury Lover' traveller type for relaunch of Classic Safari Company's website in 2015

Urban Walkabout Brisbane
2014
M&A Apartments

A 35-word description of M & A Apartments, written for Urban Walkabout's 2014 Fortitude Valley guide - print and online.

Urban Walkabout Brisbane
2014
Samson & Sophie

A 35-word description of Samson & Sophie cafe, written for Urban Walkabout's 2014 Fortitude Valley guide - print and online.

Urban Walkabout Brisbane
2014
Fourth Wall

A 35-word description of Fourth Wall cocktail bar, written for Urban Walkabout's 2014 Fortitude Valley guide - print and online.

Urban Walkabout Brisbane
2014
Ryan Renshaw

A 35-word description of Ryan Renshaw gallery, written for Urban Walkabout's 2014 Fortitude Valley guide - print and online.

Urban Walkabout
2014
Yoga in Daily Life

A 35-word description of Yoga in Daily Life written for Urban Walkabout's 2014 Fortitude Valley guide - print and online.

Inspired Adventures
2013
Kilimanjaro Challenge 2014

A 6-page proposal for Kilimanjaro Challenge 2014, a trekking challenge and fundraising adventure created by Inspired Adventures for Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

Inspired Adventures
2012
Cycle for a Smile 2013

Information pack for Cycle for a Smile 2013, a cycling challenge and fundraising adventure created by Inspired Adventures for Operation Smile.

Inspired Adventures
2012
2013 Cycle for Girls

Double-sided DL flyer for 2013 Cycle for Girls, a fundraising adventure to Cambodia created by Inspired Adventures for Plan Australia.

Travel Indochina
2010
Your dining experience

Sample page from Travel Indochina's 2011-12 River Cruising brochure.

Travel Indochina
2009
Welcome to Indochina

Sample page from Travel Indochina's 2010 Footloose Indochina brochure.

Editing

Fodor's Essential Australia
1/1/2019
South East Queensland

South East Queensland chapter of the Fodor's Essential Australia

AndAlso Books
2018
Within/Without These Walls

Within/Without These Walls is a collection of Brisbane stories by more than twenty creative writers and historians, set in or around some of the city’s best known and most loved buildings. Published in association with Brisbane Open House 2018.