Great gifts for travellers, at home and on the road

There’s an old saying that ‘it is better to give than to receive’. When it comes to picking gifts for those who live and breathe travel though, it can be hard to know where to begin.

A world map? Too cliche. A portable espresso machine for barista-style caffeination on the go? Now you’re talking.

If you’re looking for travel gifts that go that extra mile, whether for a business traveller or lifelong nomad ticking off every country in the world, these could be just what you’re after.

Bellroy Tech Kit

Every tech-savvy traveller is familiar with the tangle of phone cables and laptop chargers that inevitably form in their bag. Rather than allowing these wires to live free range, you can tidy them up in a sleek and stylish accessory bag, like the Bellroy Tech Kit. Available in six colours, it starts at $89.

Wave goodbye to tangled cables with the Bellroy Tech Kit.

Wacoco Picopresso

An early start requires an early coffee fix. Most hotel options are limited (we’re looking at you, Blend 43 sachet), so a portable espresso machine – like the Wacaco Picopresso – is a good investment. It makes delicious, barista-style coffee in minutes. Simply take pre-ground beans with you, add hot water, and you’ll be buzzing in no time. Prices start at $189.90.

BYO coffee beans and you're well on your way to a morning caffeine fix.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

Small size, big sound. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 noise-cancelling earbuds are perfect for every occasion, whether it’s for that early morning jog or an inflight binge-session of whatever the latest hot-Netflix series is. Easy to pair and to use, they start at AU$399.95. Read our review here.

These clever, compact and comfortable noise-cancelling earbuds deliver on every front.

Icebreaker Merino 200 Thermal Top

Whether skiing down a mountain or hopping on a long international flight, layers are your best friend when travelling in cold temperatures. Icebreaker’s Merino 200 range of thermal tops and leggings ($109.90) are a perfect base layer, both naturally odour resistant and moisture wicking. That means they can stay fresh, even on a 16-hour flight from Perth to London.

The thermoregulating Merino wool keeps you warm when you want it, cool when you need it.

DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro

Good things often come in small packages. That's the case with the new DJI Mini 3 Pro, a fresh take on the Mini that still flies just under the 250g weight threshold required to register it with the your local aviation safety authority. 4K footage, 48MP photos, Advanced Pilot Assistance, Active FocusTrack, a 34-minute flight time, up to 12km flight transmission. It's a remarkable thing.

Purchased as part of the $1478 Fly More Combo, which includes extra batteries and a carry bag, it's a great option for those dipping their toes into the world of drone photography. 

Perfect for beginners, yet packed with features professionals will appreciate.

Aesop Travel Kit

Low humidity on planes is renowned for drying out skin. Instead of feeling like they’ve trekked through the Sahara on touchdown, travellers can stay hydrated with an inflight skincare regime, like the Aesop ‘Arrival’ Kit, which retails from $41. There are also climate-specific options from $80, like ‘Nashville’ for warmer climates, and ‘Amsterdam’ for temperate and cooler ones. 

An easy way to look and feel your best on the road.

Fujifilm X-E4

A favoured choice of amateur and professional photographers the world over, Fujifilm is renowned for its high-quality, compact cameras. The X-E4 (retail $1,399) is no exception – a mirrorless camera with a tilt and flip screen, and pancake-style lens that slips easily into the pocket. Image quality is great out of the box, and it’s capable of shooting 4K video.

Small size, big image quality.

Tumi 19 Degree Aluminium 

Functional, stylish, and sure to turn heads as it glides through the airport, Tumi’s 19 Degree Aluminium range is a thing of beauty. Available in silver and noir mat (black), the International Carry-On is perfectly suited to short stays and overnight trips. It retails at $1,490. 

You can tell a lot about a person from their luggage...

Wine Journey Pack

One of the great joys for wine lovers is the chance to seek out and sample drops from around the globe. Between trips, a case delivered to your door is always a nice surprise. Rather than gifting a random assortment of bottles, a Wine Journey pack delivers a curated experience sourced from some of the world’s greatest (and most underrated) wine regions.

Take your taste buds on an international adventure - from the comfort of home.

Technogym Jump Rope

Staying fit can sometimes be a challenge when travelling, with long lunches followed by longer dinners getting in the way of a regular fitness routine. The Technogym Jump Rope ($145) could be the answer; a go-anywhere product that easily slips into your luggage. It features professionally designed handles and ball joints for smooth rotation. And it looks pretty stylish too. 

The perfect exercise tool for burning calories and improving coordination.

STUFF skincare

Maintaining a skincare regime at home and on the road is an easy way to look and feel your best. Rather than just taking care of your skin, STUFF skincare can also make a difference in a young person’s life. For every $1000 in sales, the Ian Thorpe-backed brand funds a boy to go through a life-changing program with preventative mental health charity The Man Cave.

Products have been formulated with Aesop Global Director of Innovation, Dr Kate Forbes.

Riedel BYO Bag

A perfect accompaniment to the wine is the Riedel BYO Bag, designed for al fresco indulgence and fitting up to four stemmed glasses. Riedel is one of the world’s leading glass manufacturers, adding a touch of class to your favourite drop. Padded for protection, the $250 bag comes with two carry handles and a handy strap to sling it over your shoulder, plus adjustable inserts that can be moved to fit the size of your glass.

Never get caught without your premium glassware.

Zenith Defy Extreme

A premium watch is a gift someone never forgets. Made of light-yet-robust titanium, the Zenith Defy Extreme – a luxury timepiece with an impressive pedigree – is perfectly-designed for the needs of travellers. It can take the bumps that inevitably happen on the go, plus it comes with a quick strap-change mechanism allowing you to easily switch between the supplied straps.

Swiss watchmakers Zenith have been making precision timepieces since 1865.

Porsche Heritage Collection Weekender Bag

Porsche may be synonymous with high-octane pursuits, yet the iconic German car manufacturer also excels in the premium lifestyle space too, offering everything from watches to luggage and fragrances. Inspired by the Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition, its Heritage Collection Weekender canvas bag ($1,085) is an absolute knockout. 

The Weekender features high quality leather straps, and three separate inner compartments.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones

Featured in our review of the best wireless headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is worth every penny. It’s a fashion statement too, with a distinctive design, plus comes with a bevy of enhancements such as adaptive sound and Speak-to-Chat functionality. An improvement on the already excellent version 4, the sound is always pitch perfect. Available now from $549. 

The Sony WH-1000XM5 comes with a 30 hour battery life.

Maverick & Co Briefcase

Leather briefcases are a staple item for business travellers. But, a lot tend to be quite bulky and old-fashioned. The Manhattan from Maverick & Co is a slim, compact and modern briefcase, featuring a crosshatch Saffiano leather exterior and vibrant range of interior colours. It retails from $339. 

A modern businessman or woman deserves a modern briefcase.

APPELLES Nourishing Starter Kit

Australian brand Appelles is a fixture in many local hotels – and, as a result, in many travellers’ at-home toiletry stashes too. Rather than leaving it to hotel stays for them to nab a few more bottles, a Nourishing Starter Pack featuring five of its most popular products is a neat gift.

No need to nab the hotel toiletries, you can take your own.

Frequent Flyer status

Know someone who loves to travel but not often enough to achieve loyalty status? If you’re at the top of the Velocity or Qantas Frequent Flyer ladders, you can give the gift of status to the companion of your choice – and they too can experience the joys of those gilded perks. 

Give the gift of Gold status to the companion of your choice.

Aviator Wallet

The humble wallet has had an award-winning makeover. Made from materials used in aircraft construction, including carbon fibre and aluminium, the light-weight Aviator Wallet took the German Design Award for Excellent Product Design in 2021. Starting from$186 (€125) it comes with space for up to 20 cards, seven coins and banknotes.

Compact and ultra-light, the Aviator Wallet features a handy slide mechanism to access cards.

Zegna Soft Shell Technical Fabric Jacket

A good quality jacket is an essential part of your travel kit, but so too is one that can withstand whatever life may throw or spill on you. The Zegna Soft Shell Technical Fabric Jacket ($1,955) is made for exactly that, a versatile contender for all kinds of weather. Styled with a stand collar, it features a detachable quilted lining and hidden zipper closure, plus it rolls away neatly into your carry on and won’t crease.

A functional addition to any frequent travellers' kit.

Portugal: The Cookbook

Travel and food go together like salt and pepper. It’s part of the fun to try new dishes and exotic flavours, and maybe even then try to recreate them at home.

Only $79.95, Phaidon’s Portugal: The Cookbook is designed for just that, though you don’t strictly need to travel, with the book a visual feast through the country’s history, regions and more. It includes 550 recipes from breads and soups to seafood, savoury cakes and desserts. Yes, Portuguese tart is one of them.

A culinary adventure from the comfort of home.

Senreve Maestra Bag

Fashion brand Senreve has pulled out all the stops with its sensational Maestra range. Designed for flexibility and comfort, the sleek and stylish bag can be worn as a satchel, tote, crossbody, or backpack. It features eight interior compartments, with space to hold up to a 15” laptop. Available from $1,450, including free shipping to Australia.

The Senreve Maestra is perfect for travel, or as an everyday bag.

Apple AirTag

Time is precious. Rather than wasting it in line at the baggage claim, the Apple AirTag system (read our review here) allows you to track exactly where it is via your phone. Beyond luggage, you can use the 20c-sized device to keep track of your keys or handbag, all from just $45.

No more wondering if your bags made it onto the plane.

CurrentBody Dr Harris Sleep Mask

Sleep masks are an appreciated inclusion in inflight amenity kits. But, while useful for blocking out light, it would be nice if they were more comfortable. The CurrentBody Sleep Mask ($165) is a good option.

Not only is it plush and lightweight, it’s also said to promote sleep and reduce wrinkles using carefully placed silicone dots that ‘stimulate the nerve endings in your face’.

Wake up feeling refreshed with this premium eye mask.

Bellroy Travel Wallet

With the return of international travel comes the need to keep a passport at hand. The downside is you can feel a bit like a pack mule with full pockets. An all-in-one travel wallet with space for cash, cards and a passport is a nice alternative that keeps everything in one convenient place. The excellent Bellroy Travel Wallet retails from $179.

Everything you need in one stylish and convenient place.

Threshold Utility Scarf

Keeping belongings safe when travelling is always a big consideration. Rather than bringing back the 90s with a bum bag, traveller gifts like the Threshold Utility Scarf (from $91) make an attractive, multi-purpose alternative. It includes two zippered pockets with plenty of room to store personal items. 

Comfort with a practical twist.

Rodd & Gunn Batch Duffle Bag

A short trip calls for a grab-and-go bag. The chocolate brown Batch Duffle Bag from Rodd & Gunn is a very attractive choice. Supple leather; perfect stitching. Lined with the brand’s classic check fabric, it features 2 internal device pockets and an internal zip pocket. At $949, it’s a gift that could end up being the perfect travel companion.

Made from high-quality New Zealand leather.

Looking for more festive inspiration? Take a look at our Christmas travel gift guide here.