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

Desaru Ostrich Farm Waiting to be fed

Desaru Ostrich Farm: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Visiting Desaru and looking for things to do? Interested in ostriches? In either case, consider visiting the Desaru Ostrich Farm.…

Desaru Fruit Farm entry

Desaru Fruit Farm: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Looking for fun attractions in the Desaru area? They don’t come bigger and with more things to do than the…

resort long beach Perhentian

Perhentian Islands Accommodation Guide: Top 12 Best Resort In Perhentian Island [2024]

So you’re doing it! You’re going to the beautiful Perhentian Islands. Great choice! But now it’s time to find the…

senai airport

Best And CLOSEST Hotel Near Senai Airport [2024]

Travelling to or from Senai Airport in Johor Bahru and need a hotel near Senai Airport? Excellent! We have all…

Taman Perlin, Johor Bahru Highway Road

EXACTLY How To Get From Johor Bahru To Kuala Lumpur [2024]

Kuala Lumpur has a lot of things to offer visitors, especially when it comes to sights and interesting things to…

lexis port dickson private pool

The Perfect Port Dickson Villa With Private Pool Options [2024]

We love visiting Port Dickson (or PD). It’s convenient to Kuala Lumpur and the airport and, best of all, it…

Some turtle tracks on the beach at Selingan Turtle Island

Selingan Turtle Island: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

If you love turtles and would love to see them in Sabah, this is the place to head. Selingan Turtle…

Kuala Terengganu bus station

EXACTLY How To Go From Kuala Lumpur To Kuala Terengganu [2024]

Heading to Kuala Terengganu and wondering how to go to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur? I can help you work…

Taman Negara Canopy Walk

Top 7 Best Taman Negara Tour And Package Options! [2024]

The first section of the Canopy Walk When a rainforest has existed for over 130 million years, it’s sure to…

Kuala Lumpur

CLOSEST And BEST Hotel Near Hospital Kuala Lumpur [2024]

Looking for a hotel near hospital Kuala Lumpur? We have you covered in this article. Kuala Lumpur Hospital is conveniently…

Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm entrance

Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Looking for a cool attraction near the Desaru Coast area? I have one for you – Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm.…

Putra Mosque

EXACTLY How To Get From Kuala Lumpur To Putrajaya [2024]

Want to visit Putrajaya while you’re in Kuala Lumpur? Or maybe you need to go for work? While Putrajaya and…

Penang top places to visit Street Art

Top 10 Choices For The Best Hotel In George Town, Penang [2024]

Heading to Penang and looking for the best hotel in George Town Penang? George Town is a great place to…

best resort in malaysia for family

Our Top 13 For The Best Resort In Malaysia For Family [2024]

We have visited many countries with our three kids and one of the most kid-friendly is definitely Malaysia. And part…

A Buddhist Temple in Sandakan

Top 9 Best Hotels In Sandakan And Sepilok [2024]

Heading to Sandakan? Lucky you! It’s a beautiful part of the world. The next step after deciding to go is…

ferry perhentian island to kuala besut

How To Get From Kota Bharu To Perhentian Islands [2024]

Travelling to the Perhentian Islands from Kota Bharu (or vice versa) and wondering how to get from Kota Bharu to…

Perdana Putra

Putrajaya Attractions: 14 Best Things To Do In Putrajaya [2024]

Going on a Putrajaya trip and want to know all the best things to do in Putrajaya? We have you…

water playground at Legoland Malaysia Water Park

EXACTLY How To Get From Singapore To Legoland Malaysia [2024]

Taking a trip to Legoland from Singapore? Great choice! It’s a lot of fun! Wondering how to get to Legoland…

Legoland Malaysia water park lazy river

Best Legoland Singapore Package Options! [2024]

Taking a trip to Legoland from Singapore and looking for the best Legoland Singapore package? You’re in the right place!…

Legoland Malaysia ticket entry

Legoland Malaysia Promotion Offers [2024]

If you’re planning a trip to Legoland, I highly recommend you read this article to find the details of any…

Blue Lagoon Port Dickson

All About Blue Lagoon, Port Dickson [2024]

Blue Lagoon Port Dickson (also called Tanjung Biru) is a small, but very nice beach in the Port Dickson area.…

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: The Perfect Itinerary For 2 – 5 Days [2024]

Travelling to Malaysia and looking for the perfect Kuala Lumpur travel itinerary? Perfect! We can help in this KL itinerary…

Sarawak River, Kuching

Top 12 Best Hotels In Kuching, Malaysia [2024]

Heading to Kuching? Lucky you! It’s a beautiful part of the world and one of my favourite spots in Malaysia.…

langkawi best things to do on a yacht Eagle Square from the sea

24 Incredible Things To Do In Langkawi: Complete Guide 2024

One of the most popular islands of Malaysia, Langkawi is a must visit for many travellers and deservedly so. It…