Lonely Planet writer Jessica Lockhart details guidebook writing reality

In an opinion feature for the NZ Herald, Lonely Planet writer Jessica Lockhart reports that working on travel guides involves long days running from 5am to 9pm, while naming New Caledonia as a travel pick for 2027. Lockhart details the reality behind guidebook writing, debunking the perception that the job is a continuous holiday by outlining packed daily schedules and rigorous editorial constraints.

The Daily Grind of Guidebook Authoring

Writers typically pack up and leave their accommodations by 7:30 a.m. to physically visit every single hotel, restaurant, attraction, and tour featured in the publications. Lockhart states that she once maintained this punishing schedule from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for roughly 45 days straight, leaving her feeling like a zombie by the end of the assignment. Days on the road start at 5:00 a.m. with writing and admin work, and writers typically stay in a different place every night before driving to the next destination and arriving at a hotel room around 8:00 p.m. to handle social media, laundry, and phone calls home. Lockhart currently researches Dunedin, Waitaki, and the Catlins for an upcoming update of the New Zealand Aotearoa guidebook publishing next year.

Page Limits Force Writers to Cut Travel Content

The biggest challenge of compiling travel literature is managing strict page limits rather than enduring physical exhaustion, according to Lockhart. The New Zealand Aotearoa guidebook spans approximately 680 pages, yet writers must routinely cut valuable material because even a 1,000-page book would prove insufficient to feature every location. Writers must frequently participate in activities outside their personal preferences, such as automobile museums or seafood cruises, to ensure the content serves a broad audience. Lockhart notes that she has spent significant time in World War II and automobile museums despite having little interest in aviation or engineering, and has gone on countless seafood cruises despite not eating fish.

New Caledonia Recommended for 2027 Travel

Lockhart names New Caledonia as her primary travel destination recommendation for 2027, highlighting it as an ideal winter getaway less than three hours by direct flight from Auckland. She notes that during her visits over the preceding 12 months, she experienced pristine beaches, empty lagoons, French cuisine, and connections with Kanak communities. The destination is featured among 50 locations in the Best in Travel 2027 guide, which carries a retail price of $34.99 and is available through Whitcoulls and the publisher’s online store.

Cultural Exploration Across Global Destinations

Visitors to the South Korean region encounter contemporary art sites like the Waljong Art Museum, Lee Jung-seob Street, and the Arario Museum Tapdong Cinema, which integrate modern history into the local scenery. These regional attractions reflect the diverse cultural experiences that guidebook publishers systematically document for international readers. Heading to Seogwipo reveals traces of modern and contemporary Korean art melded into the lyrical scenery, including Lee Jung-seob Street where the artist lived as a refugee from the Korean War and the Waljong Art Museum designed by Lee Wal-jong.