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 sleek, well-made carry bag that’s like a Swiss Army Knife of pouches and on-the-go convenience? 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.

Espresso Portable Monitor

Compact and lightweight, the Espresso portable monitor is a game-changer for business travellers, allowing you to enjoy the productivity boost of a second screen anywhere you go.

Simply plug it into your laptop and you’re ready to go – no additional software required.

The 15-inch model is 5.3mm thick and weighs a mere 865g - perfect for slipping into your backpack.

Available in 13” and 15” versions with a crisp 1080p resolution, the Espresso is designed and developed in Australia and works seamlessly with Windows and Mac laptops. It’s also touchscreen! Read our in-depth guide here.

Starting at $499 from Espresso.

Bellroy Weekender Duffel Bag

Style meets function with the Weekender Duffel Bag from Bellroy, an Aussie brand founded in 2010 and which has since amassed a globe-spanning reputation for quality across its range of products — from wallets and passport holders to laptop sleeves and bags.

The bag has grab loops at each end for easy overhead bin retrieval.

This duffel is like a Swiss Army Knife with multiple pockets and pouches, including a padded 13” laptop sleeve and storage for headphones, water bottles and more. Reinforced zippers and leather handles add a sense of refinement too.

$419 from Bellroy.

SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD

Whether you’re an avid photographer seeking boosted storage or simply prefer having a backup of your hard drive in case things go awry (touch wood), having a portable SSD like the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable is always a good idea.

As the name no doubt hints, it’s portable and lightweight – just 77.5 grams, to be specific – plus tough enough to withstand almost anything your travels can throw at it. It boasts 3m drop protection, plus an IP65 water resistance rating and 5-year warranty.

It also has a handy carabiner loop to attach to your backpack or camera bag.

Available in 1, 4 or 6TB options from, starting at $228 from Officeworks and JB Hi-Fi.

Ponting Wines

Ricky Ponting is one of Australia’s most celebrated cricketers. He’s also an avid wine lover with his own label: Ponting Wines, which debuted in 2019 in collaboration with winemaker Ben Riggs. And you can now experience them onboard Royal Caribbean.

Throughout the Australian 2023/24 summer cruise season, passengers sailing on 2- to 18-night cruises from Brisbane and Sydney can raise a glass of handpicked rosé, red or white wine.

Wines are available on Ovation, Quantum and Brilliance of the Seas until April 2024.

Not cruising? These premium drops are also available online and at Dan Murphy’s.

Starting at $149 per 6 pack from Ponting Wines.

Manta Sleep Mask

Finding an eye mask in your amenity kit is always appreciated – especially on overnight flights. That said, most are made of flimsy material and elastic bands that become more uncomfortable as the flight wears on. There is a better option.

Rather than sticking with airline-supplied masks, it’s worth upgrading to the likes of a Manta Sleep Mask, which is made of lightweight material and delivers 100% blackout with zero eye pressure and a comfortable wraparound soft mesh strap.

Headphone positions on the Sleep Sound can be easily adjusted.

Going a step further is the Sleep Sound model, which adds ultra-thin Bluetooth headphones to help mask ambient noise. It’s ideal for side sleepers too, with a 20-hour battery life that’s more than enough for long-range connecting flights.

Starting at USD$39 (AUD$57) from Manta Sleep.

Nikon Z fc

Travellers with an eye for style and passion for photography will be in their element with Nikon’s Z fc – a lightweight mirrorless camera sporting a retro 70s aesthetic yet brimming with high tech enhancements, from flip-out vlogger screen to 4K video with auto-focus eye detection.

Nikon Z fc is available in 12 eye-catching colours.

Among its many features are a 20.9MP sensor, wireless connecting, burst shooting up to 11 fps, and a fully-articulating rear LCD, plus a handy USB-C charging outlet (meaning you don’t need to carry a separate charger on the road).

Starting at $1,699 (body only) from Nikon. 

Acqua di Parma Arancia La Spugnatura

A zesty, citrus rich scent evoking feelings of lazy days in the Mediterranean, feasting on fresh seafood and raising a glass to the sunshine. That’s Acqua di Parma’s Arancia La Spugnatura in a nutshell… or bottle as the case may be.

The fragrance is sunny and uplifting - exactly the feeling you want on holiday.

The limited-edition release comes in a vibrant cobalt-blue porcelain bottle adorned in hand painted citrus motifs, while the fragrance itself uplifts with notes of lemon and mandarin, contrasted by bitter almond and crisp injections of black pepper.

$325 for 100ml from David Jones.

QuietOn 3.1 Sleep Earbuds

A restful night’s sleep is vital for functioning the next day. Though usually easy in your own bed, staying at a hotel is a different story. The ‘first night effect’ often takes hold, engaging your fight or flight instincts with every foreign sound. That’s where the QuietOn 3.1 comes in.

Ear tips are made of water and sweat-resistant memory form.

Made for sleeping, not for music, these Finnish earbuds use noise cancelling tech to block out road noise, aircraft drone, and even a heavily snoring partner, helping you get those seven-plus hours in blissful silence. They’re small enough for side sleepers too.

$429 from QuietOn.

GHD flight+ travel hair dryer

Having a quality hair dryer is a basic hotel essential. That said, there’s a rising trend for many to leave them off the in-room amenities list. Rather than putting up with a bad hair day, the GHD flight+ could be a perfect way to say bon voyage to frizz.

The hair dryer comes with its own premium carry case.

Lightweight and foldable, it’s 25% smaller and 49% lighter than a full-sized dryer and also comes with dual voltage functionality, so it’ll work at full power no matter where you travel.

$150 from GHD.

Lumira La Dolce Vita Candle Discovery Set

Scent has an amazing ability to transport you to a place or time – or holiday, as is so often the case. Lumira’s La Dolce Vita discovery set was created with that feeling in mind.

Vegan friendly, made in Australia and in travel-friendly sizes, the candle trio pays homage to the Italian stunning landscape, from Positano’s ocean spray to the florals of San Remo. Each one burns up to 15 hours, allowing you to enjoy memories of Italian holidays over and over.

Boutique fragrance house Lumira specialises in perfumes, home scents and body care.

The discovery set includes La Primavera, Tuscan Fig and Paradiso del Sole candles.

$120 from Lumira.

Chargeasap Zeus

Picture this: you’ve just checked into the hotel, your phone, laptop and GoPro are about to die and there’s just one powerpoint. Rather than triaging which device is more vital, simply plug in the Chargeasap Zeus and charge them all at the same time.

International plugs are easily switched out with a simple slide and click.

With 270W of power and four ports – three USB-C and one USB-A, it’s suitable for the latest Macbook Pro 16”. Even better, it’s smaller than Apple’s rather-oversized 140W charger and comes with an OLED screen for tracking charge speed, plus four travel adapters.

USD$219 (AUD$327) from Chargeasap.

Orlebar Brown ‘Bondi’ Bulldog swim shorts

Whenever you’re on the road, it’s nice to have a little reminder of home. These limited edition Bulldog swim shorts from British brand Orlebar Brown – featuring an eye-catching image of the Bondi Icebergs pool by Australian photographer Stuart Cantor – are a good way to do that.

Founded in Britain, Orlebar Brown is now part of the Chanel luxury fashion house.

Plus, they’re bound to be a good conversation starter for Aussies far from home.

$495 from Orlebar Brown.

Google Pixel Tablet

Google Nest hubs are a regular sight in homes these days, most commonly used in the kitchen for basic browsing, streaming music and making shopping lists. They’ve never really hit their stride beyond that though. The hybrid Google Pixel Tablet changes that.

Fusing the features of a portable tablet and hub, the two-in-one device is a fully realised tablet allowing you to run apps and stream movies when travelling or relaxing on the couch, while a supplied docking station turns it into a smart home display when you’re not.

The tablet seamlessly pairs with Pixel phones and earbuds.

It boasts an 11-inch screen plus 8MP front and rear cameras, as well as Google Assistant voice control. While not on par with the latest iPad, the docking station and in-built speaker gives it a real edge, making it useful in more ways than one.

$599 from Google.

TUMI Alpha International Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-On

Whether journeying to far off lands or staying close to home, a sturdy, well-designed carry-on is worth its weight in gold. In line with TUMI’s reputation for quality, the Alpha International Dual Access firmly adheres to that brief – with some nifty enhancements to boot.

TUMI is also well known for its '19 Degree Aluminum' range.

Zips, pockets and pouches abound, allowing you to keep belongings in check, while a built-in USB port ensures gadgets remain juiced up on the go and a separate garment sleeve keeps your suit or jacket in shape. It’s expandable too.

$1,700 from TUMI.

LARQ Bottle PureVis

Peace of mind is a precious thing. When it comes to drinking water – especially in destinations far from home – you want to know it’s safe to consume. With that in mind, a drink bottle like the self-cleaning LARQ PureVis is a worthwhile investment.

The UV light eliminates bio-contaminants such as E. coli.

The bottle’s built-in UV light eliminates a reported 99% of harmful bacteria in just one minute, while its double-wall design also keeps your drink hot for 12 hours or cold for up to 24.

For countries notorious for particularly poor water quality, LARQ also has a version with a filter.

$157 from Officeworks or USD$99 direct through LARQ.

Krondorf Icon 2019 King’s Mantle Shiraz

Quality wine never goes astray as a gift, particularly when you’ve put some thought into the one you choose. While each Australian wine region has its own distinct flair, one name which never fails to put a smile on a wine enthusiast’s dial: Barossa.

Krondorf’s cellar door and wine bar offers self-guided flights and masterclasses.

Part of the Icon series from Krondorf, the 2019 King’s Mantle Shirazis the essence of Barossa in a bottle. It’s bold with notes of dark chocolate and intoxicating aromas of spice, and once enjoyed is sure to inspire a visit to Krondorf’s Tanunda cellar door.

$150 from Krondorf Barossa.

Sodashi Rejuvenating Discovery Set

Low humidity on planes is notorious for drying out skin. Rather than itching in silence, rehydrate with an inflight self-care regime, like the Rejuvenating Discovery Set from Sodashi – the Australian skincare brand used in the spa at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.

Sodashi also offers Elite and Balancing sets for different skin types.

Featuring a fragrant blend of lavender, gotu kola (used in Chinese and Indian herbal medicines), and rosewood, it contains a clay cleanser, facial mist and face and neck moisturiser. There’s also a silky smooth eye mask, all within a stylish travel-size bag.

$129 at Sodashi.

Prices accurate at time of publishing.