Sharon Gourlay

Sharon Gourlay

Founder of Dive Into Malaysia

Expertise Malaysia travel, travel planning, travel booking

Education Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies from Griffith University, Certificate III in International Travel Sales from AFTA Education and Training, Graduate Diploma of Education from Monash University

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Highlights:

  • Featured in many publications including USA Today, Qantas, Families Magazine Australia, Daily Mail and more
  • Speaker at numerous travel blogging conferences including Travel Blog Exchange (Tbex), Travel Blogging Summit and Travel Massive and is well known in the travel blogging community
  • Holds a BA in Asian studies including the Malay language, teaching and travel agent qualifications

Experience:

Sharon first fell in love with Malaysia in 2004 when she travelled up the west coast, eating everything available. This was further affirmed in 2015 when Sharon and her family, including two young kids, moved to Penang for a year. She doesn’t think anywhere could be better to live.

Sharon has travelled to 98 countries and spent many years of her life exploring the globe. This has lead to many skills from quickly working out the best way to travel from A to B to finding the best hotel. These days she primarily travels with her 3 children currently aged from 7 – 13 years old so she also has many family travel kid wrangling skills!

Sharon completed an arts degree majoring in Asian Studies at Griffith University. This included studying the Malay language and she loves learning more about the history and culture in this part of the world.

Her favourite part of Malaysia is Penang, closely followed by East Malaysia or Borneo as it’s often called.

When not writing for this site, Sharon is out exploring the world and everything Malaysia.

Education:

Sharon’s educational background enables her to share and teach you how to plan your own trip to Malaysia as easily as possible. Her travel qualification enables her to work as a qualified travel agent and has meant she has learned many tips and tricks for booking travel. Her teaching qualification helps her explain it all to you here.

Her humanities degree has helped her love of everything history, language and culture and grown her appreciation for this part of the world.

You can read more about Sharon and her family here.

Sharon’s Guides To Malaysia

ABC Beach Tioman

ABC Beach, Tioman Island (Air Batang)

ABC Beach, Tioman is a great place to stay or visit on your trip. All you need to know about…

episode 13

Episode 13: Food, History, Culture And Nature In Penang

Wondering if it’s worth stopping in Penang on your Malaysian adventure? Located off the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, Penang…

Batu Caves

Batu Caves: Everything You Need To Know BEFORE Visiting Here

Looking for the best attractions in Kuala Lumpur? Then you’ll definitely be visiting the Batu Caves temple complex located on…

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Road

Top 13 Best Kuala Lumpur City Tours And Package Options

All the best Kuala Lumpur city tours from Kuala Lumpur city bus tour or sky tours to a Kuala Lumpur…

Penang Youth Park

32 Top Things To Do In Penang With Kids

Have the best Penang family trip with this guide of all the best things to do in Penang with kids…

Kek Lok Si Temple Penang

Top 9 Best Penang Tour And Package Options!

All the best Penang tour options from food tours in Penang to a Penang day tour package in this beautiful…

Watching roti jala being made in penang

Penang Food Tours: Exactly What It’s Like On The Best Food Tour In Penang

Full review of the best Penang food tours. Everything you need to know including where it is, what you can…

episode 12

Episode 12: Best Tips For Booking Accommodation, Tours And Attractions

Planning your trip to Malaysia and want to book accommodation, tours and attractions? Fantastic! But don’t do it until you…

malaysia when to go

Best Time To Visit Malaysia: When To Visit Malaysia For Your Dream Trip

Planning your trip and wondering when to visit Malaysia? In this guide, we tell you the best time to visit Malaysia…

Top 10 Best Hotel In Semporna, Sabah

Top 10 Best Hotel In Semporna, Sabah

Looking for the best hotel in Semporna, Sabah? There are some great choices! We have all the answers to where…

Timba Timba Island, Semporna, sabah

Timba-Timba Island: Everything You Need To Know

While this area of Malaysia is known for its beautiful islands, few come close to just how stunning Timba-Timba Island…

Mataking Island Sabah

Mataking Island: Everything You Need To Know

Full review of visiting Mataking Island. Everything you need to know including where it is, what you can find there…

Lego, Shopping And More In Johor Bahru

Episode 11: Lego, Shopping And More In Johor Bahru

Wondering if it’s worth stopping in Johor Bahru (JB) on your way into or out of Malaysia? Located opposite Singapore,…

Laksa

Most Famous Malaysian Food: An Introduction To Malaysian Food And Eating In Malaysia

There is no better country in the world for eating. Malaysia has such an interesting mix of cultures which comes…

Entopia Penang

Entopia Penang: Everything You Need To Know

Full review of visiting Entopia Penang. Everything you need to know including where it is, what you can find there…

char kway teow

Simply Enak Food Tours (And Discount Code!)

Learn all about the amazing Simply Enak food tours in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

Hard Rock Desaru

Hard Rock Desaru Review: Everything You Need To Know About Staying Here

Full review of the Hard Rock Desaru Hotel. Everything you need to know about this hotel including the facilities, the…

How To Get Around Malaysia Quickly, Easily And In Comfort

Episode 10: How To Get Around Malaysia Quickly, Easily And In Comfort

Want to know how to get around Malaysia? In this episode, we share how to get around Malaysia via flights,…

Muo Boutique Hotel

Muo Boutique Hotel Review: Everything You Need To Know About Staying Here

Full review of the Muo Boutique Hotel. Everything you need to know about this hotel including the facilities, the rooms…

what to do in KL at night - Jalan Alor night food court

Jalan Alor Food Street🍜: What To Expect, What To Eat And More

While there is much I love about Kuala Lumpur, I have one absolute stand-out favourite spot – Jalan Alor Food…

Berjaya Times Square Hotel

Awesome Times In Our Berjaya Times Square Hotel Review, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hotel review of our top hotel in Kuala Lumpur at the Berjaya Times Square hotel.

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Road

Top 12 Malaysia Road Trip Adventures From Singapore, KL And Borneo

Want the best Malaysia road trip? Or inspiration for a road trip from Singapore or within Malaysia? Here’s top itineraries…

Pangkor Laut Resort Emerald Bay

Pangkor Laut Resort Review🏝️: Everything You Need To Know About Staying Here

If your idea of the perfect Malaysian vacation includes luxury, nature, privacy and a perfect tropical island, Pangkor Laut Resort…

Time for a boat cruise! Jetty at Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort

Top 7 Best Sandakan Tours – Turtles, Orangutans And More

All the best Sandakan tours from a Sandakan river tour or orangutan tour to a multi-night adventure package visiting turtles…