Sharon Gourlay

Sharon Gourlay

Founder of Malaysia Uncovered

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

Arriving at Tanjung Gemok Jetty

EXACTLY How To Get To Tioman Island

All the exact details for how to get to Tioman Island whether you are coming from Johor Bharu, Penang or…

Mersing Harbour Centre

EXACTLY How To Get From Singapore To Tioman Island

Need to know how to go from Singapore to Tioman Island? All the options are described here in detail so…

Tioman Island best time to visit

EXACTLY How To Get From Kuala Lumpur To Tioman Island

Need to know how to go from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island? All the options are described here in detail…

Tioman Island Ferry at Salang

EXACTLY How To Go From Mersing To Tioman: Ferry And All!

Mersing is the main pathway to Tioman Island. Learn exactly how to get from Mersing to Tioman and find discount…

Redang Island jetty and boat

EXACTLY How To Get To Redang Island

How to get to Redang Island including flights via Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, buses, and the ferry to Redang…

Diving on Redang Island - Dive Boat

EXACTLY How To Go From Singapore To Redang Island✅

Need to know how to go from Singapore to Redang Island? All the options are described here in detail so…

Laguna Redang ferry to Redang Island

EXACTLY How To Get From Kuala Terengganu To Redang Island

Heading to Redang? Here’s exactly how to get from Kuala Terengganu to Redang Island from the cheapest to the fastest…

Beach at Redang Marine Park

EXACTLY How To Go From Kuala Lumpur To Redang Island

Need to know how to go from Kuala Lumpur to Redang Island? All the options are described here in detail…

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary The monkeys come charging in for some food

EXACTLY How To Go From Sandakan to Semporna

Need to know how to go from Sandakan to Semporna? Taking a bus, taxi or car is described here in…

Sandakan Central Bus Station

EXACTLY How To Go From Sandakan To Lahad Datu

Need to know how to go from Sandakan to Lahad Datu? Taking a flight, bus, taxi or car is described…

how to go pulau perhentian from singapore

Exactly How To Get To Perhentian Islands

How to get to Perhentian Islands including flights via Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, buses, and the ferry to Perhentian…

The pool area at The Andaman Langkawi

Top 14 Best Resorts in Langkawi [2026]

Looking for the best resorts in Langkawi? Read our list of the top 13 from all parts so you can…

Penang accommodation batu ferringhi beach

Exactly Where To Stay In Penang Island [2026] Best Places🏝️

Wondering where to stay in Penang? Read our guide to the best areas and the best place to stay in…

Ferry from Kuala Kedah in Langkawi Island, Langkawi Ferry

EXACTLY How To Get To Langkawi: Quickly, Cheaply And Easily [2026]

How to get to Langkawi quickly, easily and cheaply! Exact instructions for taking flights, buses and the ferry to Langkawi…

Redang Island jetty and boat

Redang vs Perhentian vs Tioman: Which East Coast Island Should You Visit? 🥰

Looking for the best east coast island in Malaysia? Read our full comparison of Redang vs Perhentian vs Tioman after…

top 5 hotels in Penang near street art

What To Do In Penang In 3 Days [Penang Itinerary] 2026

Enjoy Penang with this detailed Penang itinerary for 3 days. Exactly what to do in Penang in 3 days including…

So much great snorkelling in the Perhentians

Top 15 Incredible Things To Do In Perhentian Islands

Full guide of things to do in Perhentian Islands including the best diving, snorkelling, trekking and more. All the best…

Snorkelling on Redang Island

Top 10 Incredible Things To Do In Redang Island🥰

Full guide of things to do in Redang Island including the best diving, snorkelling and more. Find all the best…

Shangri la Rasa Sayang Penang

Best 5 Star Hotels In Penang [2026]

Looking for the best 5 star hotel in Penang? Click here for our list of the best luxury hotel in…

Penang top places to visit Street Art

Top 10 Choices For The Best Hotel In George Town, Penang [2026]

Looking for the best hotels in George Town, Penang? Read this list of the best places to stay in George…

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

EXACTLY How To Get From Miri To Brunei [2026]

Need to know how to go from Miri to Brunei? Taking a flight, bus, taxi or car is described here…

Malaysia tourist sim card

How To Buy The Best Malaysia Tourist Sim Card📞[2026]

How to buy a Malaysia tourist sim card so you have cheap phone and internet access as soon as possible…

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: The Perfect Itinerary For 2 – 5 Days

Looking for the perfect Kuala Lumpur itinerary? Here it is! Whether you are looking for 2,3,4 or 5 days in…

Chin Swee Caves Temple Genting Highlands

16 Incredible Things To Do In Genting Highlands⛰️🥰

Have the ultimate Genting Highlands trip with this guide of all the best things to do in Genting Highlands and…