Denise Stephens

Freelance writer and photographer

New Zealand

I'm a freelance travel writer based in Auckland, New Zealand. My work has appeared in print and digital media in New Zealand and internationally, including the Sunday Star Times, Otago Daily Times, New Zealand Herald, Verve, Vacations & Travel and Fly Solomons.

I want to inform and inspire readers so that they can take the next step in making their dream trip a reality.

Recent destinations include Tohoku, Nagoya and Tokyo in Japan. Forthcoming destinations include Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

I am a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers and Travmedia.

Portfolio
Verve Magazine
05/31/2026
Walking Through Old Japan

The Nakasendo Road winds through centuries-old villages and forests in the Japanese Alps.

Otago Daily Times Online News
01/26/2026
Another side of Japan

Inuyama had everything Denise Stephens was looking for in a traditional Japanese town - a castle, shrines and temples, a classic garden, and a...

Otago Daily Times Online News
04/14/2025
Lighting up Lunar New Year

Denise Stephens experiences the vibrant spectacle that is Taiwan's national Lantern Festival. We stepped out of Taoyuan High Speed Rail Station...

Sunday Star Times
03/16/2025
Where to eat, stay and play in this buzzing Asian capital

Taiwan’s capital is a buzzing modern city with a complex past. Whether Taipei is the start of your trip to Taiwan, or a stopover on the way to Europe, dive into the city’s diverse attractions and enjoy life like the locals.