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Category: Travel

23 Hobbies Perfect for Long-Term Travelers (That Actually Fit in Your Suitcase)

When you’re traveling for a long time and bouncing between locations it can be hard to maintain hobbies. Not having access to a permanent setup can make it hard. This is unfortunate because having a hobby has many benefits. Hobbies boost mental well being, give you a sense of structure, and allow you to learn new skills. Having a hobby while traveling can make your journey more rewarding.

As a long term traveller I understand the struggle of balancing an inconsistent schedule with a steady hobby. I have been doing some research and talking to fellow backpackers to find travel friendly hobbies.

Below are 23 travel hobbies that are suitcase-friendly, location-flexible, and perfect for long-term travelers. These hobbies will keep you creative, active, and can enrich your travel experience.

Travel Journaling

A classic travel companion. One of the first things I noticed when I started backpacking is how popular journaling is. So many travelers bring a notebook to document thoughts, feelings and memories. It can also be a great tool for planning. Journaling helps you reflect on your adventures, process your thoughts, and preserve memories. The best part is you come home with a meaningful souvenir.

Sketching

A small sketchbook and a pencil can turn any layover, park bench, or café table into an art studio. Bringing a sketchbook with you allows you to develop your skills on the road. You can learn techniques and master urban sketching or get out into nature. You could also get creative and delve into abstract designs. This is the ultimate travel hobby because you can do this from pretty much anywhere. The internet if full of free resources to learn how to perfect your craft.

Photography

Travel naturally offers fresh backdrops for photography. Whether it’s landscapes, street photography, or portraits, you’ll always find new subjects. With so many opportunities to develop your skills this is the perfect hobby for traveling. It’s also a great way to preserve memories and grab some pictures for your socials.

Playing the Ukulele

Lightweight and portable, the ukulele is one of the most travel-friendly instruments. This is another activity that is surprisingly popular in backpacker communities. It can be a great way to make friends. You can bring a ukulele to many activities like a beach or park hangout or a bonfire. It’s fun, social, and small enough to strap to your backpack.

Learning Languages with Duolingo

A hobby that doubles as a practical skill. While staying in backpacker hostels I got used to the bings and chimes of Duolingo. It seems everyone is trying to learn or maintain skills in a second language. This is a very practical use of free time especially when you combine it with immersive learning experiences. Using apps like Duolingo helps you pick up local phrases, connect with people, and navigate new places

Collecting Souvenirs

This is my guilty pleasure travel hobby. I love collecting small trinkets from wherever I go. It can be nice to buy something special while travelling. It can be a tough hobby, especially for long term travellers. Make sure you pick something small and portable to collect like jewelry, stamps, or postcards. I personally have a collection of shot glasses from meaningful locations.

Cooking

Let’s face it, food is going to be a part of your budget no matter what. Of course going out to eat is a fun part of travel but homemade meals save money. Learning about local cuisine is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a culture. Consider taking a local cooking class or looking up local recipes online and sourcing food from local markets. Trying your hand at local dishes is a great way to learn new skills as well as try fantastic food. You may even have a new go to meal to cook when you return home.

Hiking

A pair of good shoes and a small daypack are all you need to explore natural trails almost anywhere in the world. Hiking can be one of the key reasons to visit an area and can be performed at all different skill levels. Some of the coolest hikes with features like lookouts, waterfalls, and interesting natural formations can be found on tourist friendly short-hikes. Of course more challenging trails can be exciting to the right hiker: such as the multi-day overland pass route in Tasmania.   Alltrails is a great resource for finding hikes anywhere in the world.

Reading

Love it or hate it, reading is a great activity on the go. Suited to filling in time on layovers or between activities. It can also be a great way to decompress and some travelers look forward to reading at a nice cafe or on the beach. If you plan to stay in an area for a while many libraries allows you to check out books or even get a library card.

Wine Tasting

Wine lovers and casual drinkers alike can pick up wine tasting on the go. Wine is a huge industry with many wine regions around the world. Finding vineyards or bars with local wine tastings can be a great way to learn about the nuances of wine culture. From different varieties and vintages to details like notes and tannins a lot goes into wine. Learning about wines in different regions can lead you to a lifelong appreciation of wine. Your excellent win taste may help you beyond your travels.

Yoga

Yoga requires only a little floor space and a travel mat (or a towel). It’s also easy to find yoga classes across the globe. In fact many backpacker hostels offer on site yoga classes for free. This is a great way to stay fit on the go and bring a sense of groundedness to your life.

Stargazing

One of my favorite travel hobbies. There’s nothing like finding a dark spot, looking up, and learning the constellations visible from different parts of the world. Learning about the stars is a centuries old tradition and travel can help you see some interesting things. From fantastic dark sky areas to natural phenomena like the aurora borealis it’s great to see what the area you are staying in has to offer. It can also be really interesting to see what different cultures have to say about the stars. Many cultures have different stories about the night sky and the constellations it contains.

Birdwatching

A lightweight pair of binoculars and a pocket guide (or app) are all you need. Bird species vary dramatically across regions. Ranging from colorful tropical birds near the equator, to puffins in Iceland or penguins in Australia. This can be a really interesting way to discover an area’s ecosystem.

Scrapbooking

Take your ticket stubs, maps, and photos and turn them into a creative scrapbook to document your journey in a tangible, personal way. Turning random bits of nostalgia into an aesthetic scrapbook is meaningful and cool. It’s a great way to make a souvenir and express your creativity and scavenging skills.

Geocaching

A global phenomenon Geocaching exists all over the world. With various online groups and apps Geocaches exist where you least expect them. These unique scavenger hunts send you to locations across localities. It’s a great way to go sightseeing in an area and even uncover some hidden gems you would otherwise miss.

Running

An easy way to stay fit and explore new neighborhoods at the same time. All you need is good shoes and maybe a running app. This tried and true hobby is a great way to boost physical and mental endurance and you can train for cool events like races and meetups.  Apps like Strava are popular among backpackers. This app can help turn your morning jog into a social hobby and helps track your progress.

Blogging

My personal favorite travel hobby. Document your travels, share stories, and maybe even go all in and build a community or income stream. This is a great way to develop skills like SEO, writing, and content creation.

Social Media Creation

Turn your travels into stories, reels, or vlogs. Social media is a hobby that lets you document and share your story, sharing a unique perspective on a location.

Chess

A universal game of strategy chess is very popular among travelers. This game transcends borders with players from all over the world. It’s a game with endless learning potential. A small travel chess set or a phone app means you can play with new friends in hostels, parks, or cafés around the world.

Tarot Card Reading

A deck of tarot cards is light and compact. Reading for yourself or new friends can be a fun, mindful way to reflect or connect. It can be interesting to learn different ways to pull cards and reflect on the meaning. It can even help you when navigating new situations and an unclear path.

Crocheting or Knitting

Portable and meditative, these crafts keep your hands busy throughout the day and you can create some cool things on top of it. Macrame is another beginner friendly version of this hobby. I recently made a cool macrame water bottle holder. Crocheted pieces are trendy and can fit well into a summer travel wardrobe.

Biking

Many destinations have bike rentals or community bike shares. Cycling is a great travel hobby. It serves as a way to explore a city or the countryside at your own pace. Local bike trails can take you to some interesting and scenic spots and you can save money on a car rental or cab fare.

Adventure Sports

Travel is the perfect way to get into adventure sports with rentals, lessons, and experiences available around the globe. You could take up kitesurfing and visit destinations like South Africa or learn to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef. When you travel you open yourself up to so many of these cool experiences.

Picking your travel hobby

Long-term travel doesn’t mean giving up hobbies. It’s a chance to discover new ones or take old passions to new places. I realized how important hobbies are on my long term travels in Australia. Of course travel in itself can be a hobby, but having some go -to activities for those in between moments can be great. No matter what travel hobby you choose you will add consistency to your travels and enrich your experience.

July 20, 2025
Bartending Across Borders: What I Learned Pouring Drinks in the USA and Australia”

10 Surprising Differences Between Bartending in the United States and Australia

When I was in my twenties, I paid my way through university slinging drinks and perfecting my bartending skills. What started as a side job quickly became a passport to the world. I figured I can really do this anywhere. Why not see what pouring pints looked like on the other side of the globe? I packed my bags and landed in Australia, ready to shake, stir, and serve in a whole new culture. I quickly discovered a few differences bartending in Australia. From the way I was paid to drink preferences, the differences made the job even more fascinating.

Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a fellow traveler, or thinking about bartending your way across the world, here are the top 10 things that set bartending in the USA and Australia apart. Cheers!

1.) Free-pouring

In the United States free-pouring is a standard practice. This is when bartenders pour liquor directly from the bottle into the shaker or cocktail. American bartenders measure the amount using a counting method. This is usually pretty accurate for skilled mixologists however it leaves room for error. I noticed that In Australia Free Pouring is usually against house policy. Typically we use a measurement tool called a jigger.

2.)Raspberry Cordial

When I started bartending in Australia I was surprised to find Raspberry Cordial behind the bar. In the USA we tend to use Grenadine. This is a popular pomegranate flavored syrup used as a non-alcohol additive to many bar drinks in the United States. The bars I worked at didn’t have any grenadine.A few of my coworkers didn’t know what grenadine was. I believe it is available at some bars in Australia, but is not as much of a staple as in America. On the other hand Raspberry Cordial is very popular in Australia.

3.)Fire Engine vs Shirley Temple

My next surprise working behind the bar in Australia was a Fire Engine. Luckily the woman who ordered a round of Fire Engines for her family was happy to help me out and explain.

A Fire Engine is a non alcoholic kids drink made with sprite (lemonade) and raspberry cordial. In America we have an equivalent called a Shirley Temple made with Grenadine and sprite and topped with two cherries. It’s also common for adults in both countries to order an “Adult” version of these drinks. This is a fun nostalgic throwback.

4.) Stubbies

Another learning experience for me was finding out bottled drinks like beers and seltzers are referred to as stubbies. This is good to know. Especially because many Australian bars are allowed to serve carry-out drinks if they are unopened. Some customers come in to buy stubbies rather than a draft beer. (If you are bartending check the house rules on this as licenses vary by establishment.)

5.) Lemon Lime Bitters

A very popular Aussie Drink I had never heard of before is Lemon Lime Bitters. This drink has become a personal favorite of mine. To make one: Muddle fresh lemon and lime. Then add Aragosta Bitters to the glass. Next add Ice and 30 ml vodka (optional can be non-alcoholic). Pour lemonade or sprite on top and give it a stir. Some people also choose to add extra lime juice or lime cordial.

I had always thought of bitters as an ingredient in whisky based drinks like the old fashioned. The lemon lime bitters drink is cool because it turns it into a refreshing summertime drink. It is also popular when made as a non-alcoholic beverage.

6.) How Customers Order.

Working in a tourist destination we had customers from all over the world. Every so often some customers from my country the USA would come in and I would be sent in to “handle” them. American customers are different from Australian customers. Australians tend to be pretty low maintenance and like drinks the classic way. They are happy to order off the menu or go with a classic cocktail. The most popular Aussie drink seems to be a pint of beer.

When Americans order cocktails they like to order with their own special twist. They ask you to go “light on this” add“extra of that” “oh can you add a splash of cream”. As an American service industry worker I learned a customer first approach. I relied on tips for years so I usually just accommodate requests no matter how crazy.

Australians seem a bit put off by this sometimes, it’s just a cultural difference.

7.)Lemonade vs sprite

One of the hardest things for me to get used to is that when Aussies order a “lemonade” they are referring to Sprite.

Don’t worry if you want an American style lemonade while in Australia just order a Solo. This Aussie soda is made with fresh lemons and is available at most bars. It has become a personal favorite of mine.

8.) Actually Getting Paid.

When working in the United States in a tipped position I was paid a base rate of $3.89 per hour. Yes you read that right. Of course in the USA tips factor into your wage. A 20% tip is standard for bartenders and servers. Often I would make great money from tips and if I was busy I could make between 20-50$ per hour. Of course if nobody comes in I basically work for free. You never know what you will make. In Australia as a casual worker I made a base rate of $32 per hour. The drawbacks to this are employers keep hours to a minimum and you don’t get much extra money from tips.

9.) Holiday Pay

On top of regular wages Australian Employees are entitled to many award rates for various things. For example I would get paid a bit extra after 10pm. I got paid time and a half on Sunday and an extra 25 percent on Saturday. On public holidays I was paid 250% of my usual rate. This meant my $32 and hour went up to a whopping $80 per hour. The only drawback is employers keep hours to a minimum on high award days. I would be sent home as soon as things slowed down.

10.) Making Change

One of my favorite things about bartending in Australia is that cash payments are super easy. This is because in Australia the tax is included in the total price. So if something costs $10 the tax is directly included in the $10.

In the USA tax is added in addition to the listed price so if something is $10, there is an additional sales tax usually around 7%. So that 10$ drink is actually 10.70$. If a customer pays with 11$ you need to give them change in coins. It’s not a big deal but the even number payments in Australia make life a lot easier. They also have 1$ and 2$ coins.

June 28, 2025
Airlie Beach Cafes: Best Spots for Coffee and Breakfast

Airlie Beach is a major tourist destination. With so many visitors coming and going every day Airlie is home to some amazing cafes to keep everyone caffeinated. This list of the best Airlie Beach Cafes will help you satisfy your coffee cravings.

Whether you need a quick take away before your tour, a hearty breakfast on a backpacker budget, or a nourishing smoothie bowl by the ocean, Airlie Beach is brimming with café options to suit every mood and wallet. In this guide, I’ll break down the top spots into four handy categories so you can easily plan your perfect coffee or brekky stop.

Quick Airlie Beach Cafes to Grab-and-Go

As a traveller the itinerary can often put you in a massive time crunch. Sometimes you just want a good coffee and breakfast to-go as fast as possible. These Airlie Beach cafes are ideal for travellers in a hurry who don’t want to sacrifice quality for convenience. Located near key departure points and main streets, they’ll get you caffeinated and on your way in no time.

Le Kiosk Cafe

Perfect for early risers, Le Kiosk Cafe sits right at the marina where most Whitsundays tours depart. Known for its smooth flat whites and friendly service, this little spot is ideal for takeaway coffees and light bites before setting sail. Open early most mornings.

Garuma Cafe & Express

For speedy service without skimping on quality, Garuma is your go-to. Their expertly brewed Piazza D’oro coffee and fresh breakfast rolls make it a favourite of both locals and tourists looking for a quick, satisfying fuel-up.

Wisdom Cafe

Hidden slightly off the main street, Wisdom Cafe is a peaceful stop if you want a quiet moment with your takeaway brew. Freshly made egg muffins and healthy wraps are great if you’re grabbing a light snack on the go.

Breakfast on a Budget in Airlie Beach

Travelling on a backpacker budget but still craving a solid brekky to start your day? These cafes offer hearty, affordable breakfast options without breaking the bank—perfect for solo travellers, backpackers, and families wanting good food at a reasonable price.

Sidewalk Cafe

Located right on the Esplanade Sidewalk Cafe is a local favourite thanks to its affordable and generous breakfast menu. Serving classic bacon and egg rolls, house baked muffins, and coffee deals, all in a relaxed outdoor setting right by the water.

Cafe One 3

Cafe One 3 serves great coffee brewed from Byron Bay beans along with budget-friendly, filling dishes like banana pancakes and toasted sandwiches. The laid-back vibe makes it a hit with backpackers looking for tasty, no-fuss meals.

The Deck

With all-day breakfast options and solid portions, The Deck is ideal for those wanting value for money. Their smoothies and frappes are also great picks if you want something light and refreshing without splurging. Conveniently located on Main Street.

Health-Focused Airlie Beach Cafes

Airlie Beach also caters to the health-conscious traveller, offering fresh, nourishing meals alongside top-notch coffee. Whether you’re a regular healthy eater or you just want something fresh while you recover from a crazy night out in Airlie. These cafes specialise in smoothie bowls, vegan options, and gluten-free treats—perfect for a pre- or post-beach meal.

Bohemian Raw

If you love smoothie bowls and good vibes, Bohemian Raw is a must. Their acai bowls are local favourites, packed with fresh fruit and granola, and they proudly brew Proud Mary coffee for that quality caffeine hit.

Wisdom Cafe

Yes—it’s so versatile it makes the list twice! In addition to their grab-and-go options, Wisdom Cafe shines with fresh smoothie bowls, veggie wraps, and gluten-free treats for health-minded visitors.

Fat Frog Beach Cafe

A short drive from Airlie, Fat Frog is known for its bright, beachside setting and nutritious menu. They serve Campos coffee alongside nourishing options like avocado toast and vegetarian breakfasts. Plus, it’s dog-friendly!

Waterfront Cafes in Airlie Beach

For those who want their coffee or brunch with a side of ocean views, these waterfront Airlie Beach cafes deliver unbeatable scenery with your meal. Perfect for lingering a little longer, they offer laid-back vibes and prime people-watching spots.

La Tabella Trattoria

Sit back with an expertly brewed Toby’s Estate coffee and enjoy gorgeous waterfront views at La Tabella. Their Italian-inspired menu makes this spot ideal for a relaxed coffee or late brunch with friends.

Paradiso Rooftop Restaurant

With its sunny rooftop space overlooking the water, Paradiso is a great spot for brekky waffles, iced coffees, or even a cheeky mimosa. A fun, open-air atmosphere makes this café perfect for slow, scenic mornings.

Sidewalk Cafe

This charming spot appears again thanks to its unbeatable beachfront location. Affordable coffee, sea breezes, and a casual vibe make it a great place to start—or end—your day by the water.

Which Airlie Beach Cafes Will You Choose?

Whether you’re grabbing coffee on the run, fuelling up with an affordable brekky, nourishing your body with healthy eats, or soaking in ocean views with your latte—Airlie Beach cafes have you covered. No matter your budget or taste, this tropical town’s café scene will leave you satisfied and ready for your next Whitsundays adventure.

June 16, 2025