Don’t panic—we’ve put together a list of the nine best travel-related experiences and products for every avid adventurer. Whether they’re a seasoned backpacker, a serious photographer or just an ‘I love being outside’ -er, these presents will inspire a few, ‘I need to pack now,’ moments and you’ll look like a gift-giving genius.
FOR THE ONES WHO ALWAYS SAY ‘I’VE GOTTA GET FOOTAGE OF THIS’
DJI Mini 4 Pro
AU$1,699
Gone are the days when you had to carry around kilos of back-breaking equipment to get some decent footage. DJI’s newest mini marvel promises epic travel photography thanks to its host of advanced technologies—think flexible shooting-range selections, nightscape optical sensing and a dual camera with 14 stops of dynamic range.
Forget capturing the view; you’ll be able to chase it and still get quality worth the AU$1,699 price tag. It’s lightweight, easy to fly, and perfect for those who want to be a drone master, but aren’t quite there yet.
FOR THE ‘I JUST CAN’T PUT IT DOWN’-ERS
Vagabond
AU$26.99
Reading and adventure don’t often go hand in hand, but Mark Eveleigh’s Vagabond makes you feel as if you’re the one hiking across the Iberian Peninsula with every flip of the page. And you’re in for a wild ride.
This book explores the highs and lows of a life lived on the edge while also celebrating rural Spanish communities that are well and truly on the road to being forgotten. With this incredible story, Eveleigh explores the meaning of offbeat adventure, stumbles upon ridiculous encounters, and has a fair few surprisingly profound moments. And you can too, all you need is a backpack, a hammock and a little touch of crazy.
FOR THE ONES WHO THINK THE BAGGAGE CAROUSEL IS A RUNWAY
July Carry On
AU$325
If you know someone who uses their passport as much as the TikTok app on their iPhone, then a July Carry On is the answer. Sleek, stylish, and built for the modern traveller, this hard case is extremely functional—we’re talking reinforced bumpers, an integrated TSA lock, a multi-stop telescopic handle, a water-resistant and stain-proof nylon lining and a lifetime warranty (what??).
Say goodbye to zippers that get stuck and hello to smooth rolling wheels, a durable design, and enough space for your cousin Jack to pack his whole wardrobe. You can even personalise the case for a nice little Chrissy touch.
CLICK HERE TO TRAVEL IN JULY … OR DECEMBER
FOR THE ‘SHOULD WE GO ON A HIKE?’-ERS
Body Glide Foot Balm
AU$8.99
Picture this. You’re halfway through a 4-hour hike. The terrain’s tough, the sun’s beating down, there’s sweat dripping off your face, and you can feel your left sock slipping a little more with every step. You’re gonna get a blister, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
But what if there was? That’s where Body Glide comes in. Protect your feet and toes at all costs with Foot Glide, your one-stop, anti-blister balm. Before you lace up your runners or buckle your sandals, directly apply the balm onto the back of your heel, in between your toes or wherever your skin rubs for instant blister prevention.
Packed with a bunch of skin-saving ingredients like Apricot Kernel Oil, Comfrey Lead Extract and a couple of the good Vitamins (A & C to be exact), this balm nourishes, restores and softens your skin so you can continue your adventure on foot, pain-free.
FOR THE ONES WHO CAN’T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT THEIR GoPro
GoPro HERO13
AU$649
The newest addition to the GoPro line-up is here, and it won’t just take a video. It’ll perfectly preserve the feeling of catching some serious air skiing on the slopes or the amazement of being surrounded by tropical fish in the South Pacific, all in 5.3K. That’s right, the image quality is so wicked that you’ll get to relive your favourite exhilarating moments over and over again.
In other words, this baby has it all—think a water-repelling lens cover, in-camera video stabilisation, a tall image sensor, wide-angle digital lenses, 10-bit colour, timecode syncing, auto-detection so you don’t have to fiddle with the settings mid-adventure, longer battery run-times and magnetic mounting. Someone’s been extra nice this year.
FOR THE CONSCIOUS DRINKERS
Project PARGO drink bottle
From AU$65
A Project PARGO drink bottle isn’t just a drink bottle; it’s a sustainability statement. Whether you’re telling a burpee who’s boss or dodging spills at your work desk, this bottle not only has your back, but the planet’s too. Let us explain.
With every purchase of a Project PARGO drink bottle, a percentage goes towards implementing clean water filters in communities that need it. Plus, each bottle is leak-resistant, double wall insulated, made out of Pro-Grade stainless steel and super easy to clean (so there’s no lingering funky smells). We reckon there’s a Project PARGO drink bottle with your Aunt Susie’s name on it.
FOR THE ‘I CAN’T SLEEP ON A PLANE’-ERS
Travelrest, All-in-One Ultimate Travel Pillow
AU$63
Who cares if you look a little silly when 8 hours of quality sleep on a plane awaits once you’ve rested your neck down on Travelrest’s All-in-One Ultimate Travel Pillow? A decent sleep while you’re on the move is practically unheard of, but with memory foam inserts that’ll mould to your head, neck and shoulders and an ergonomic design that offers customisable support, this pillow is your first-class ticket to comfort-ville.
It’s also lightweight, compact, and easy to inflate (and deflate), so you can avoid the inevitable stares in the customs queue. Or your sister can.
CLICK HERE TO SLEEP WELL WHEN TRAVELLING
FOR THE ONES WHO ARE REALLY INTO THE FESTIVE ‘SPIRIT’
23rd Street Limited Edition Australian Single Malt Whisky
AU$225
First things first, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill booze, so it can’t be gifted to any run-of-the-mill person (we all know at least one). This is 23rd Street’s Limited Edition Year of the Snake Australian Single Malt Whisky, and it’s bold and refined and it packs a punch—which you’ll find out if the giftee decides to share a glass with you.
Showcasing the wood element of the 2025 Year of the Snake, this smooth and rich whisky has been painstakingly aged in charred oak barrels to highlight a tasty depth of flavour (think wood and fire notes).
Your tastebuds can expect hints of toffee, raisins, vanilla and butterscotch, and your heart can expect to be loved by the lucky person you give it to.
CLICK HERE TO SIP ON THE SNAKE
FOR THE ‘MUST HAVE MUSIC’-ERS
Ultimate Ears MINIROLL speaker
AU$99.95
The Ultimate Ears MINIROLL might be small, but it produces a big sound (just ask your next-door neighbour after a bassy Christmas lunch). You can use it inside, but this little guy is made for the great outdoors.
It boasts an impressive 12 hours of play time, a design that’s water, dust and drop-proof, and hookable straps that let you tote it around wherever you go (read: attach it to your backpack or hang it off your jeans pocket).
It’s even made out of recycled plastic, so you don’t have to feel guilty while listening to Earth by Lil Dicky. What a Christmas win.