Q&A: PAUL HOCKING

NAME: PAUL HOCKING

OCCUPATION: PRODUCT MANAGER

CITY: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

What’s been your favourite holiday?

Hiking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Japan would have to be the highlight of my travels so far. We spent five days hiking between ancient temples and small mountain villages, swimming in mountain rivers, bathing in traditional Japanese onsens and eating incredible home-cooked meals. The warmth of the locals we stayed with and the stunning scenery has me longing to go back.

Hiking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Japan

What’s your favourite, or most frequent, Australian destination?

I may be biased as it's only a few hours away, but I always come back to The Grampians in western Victoria. My family took us there every year and each time I visit I am instantly at peace. I still try and spend a few days in the Grampians every year.

It’s common knowledge around here that you’re the Canada travel expert. What’s your number one tip?

I always tell people to visit Canada and Alaska in May or late August/September. Travelling through the Rockies in May gives you the magical snow-capped peaks, and the bears are active after a long hibernation. September in Alaska is the perfect time to witness the salmon run. Wildlife comes from everywhere to feast before the long winter.

Which famous person would you most love to travel with?

Larry David would be the perfect travel companion. He is hilarious and would get us into plenty of trouble which always makes for a good story.

Did you always want to work in travel?

Travel has always been a big part of my life so it was an easy decision to make a career out of it. Even with the challenges the last few years has thrown at our industry, I feel extremely lucky to work in travel every day.

Where else would you most like to live in the world?

After a few years living in Sweden and Canada, the next home base should be somewhere warmer. I could see our little family setting up in Spain or Portugal for a couple of years.

Where are you off to next?

My next trip is to WA to visit my brother and explore the Margaret River region. It's been a tough few years apart so I can't wait to get over there and explore his home with him!

MAIN IMAGE: Peyto Lake in the Canadian Rockies