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The rise of passion travel: how your hobby can shape your next trip

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
By swapping postcard-perfect itineraries for passion-fuelled adventures, travellers are finding new ways to explore and connect.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll know what it feels like to have an intense passion or hobby quietly guide your choices, sometimes even subconsciously. For me, it’s always been words – they’re the reason I lose countless hours in a bookshop, pore over essays on linguistics for leisure and analyse the lyrics of all my favourite songs.

Words are the reason I chose to study Communications at university. The reason I took intensive French classes for eight years, a passion that took me to France as an exchange student at the young age of 14. Somehow, words have managed to influence most of my decisions in one way or another, and will no doubt continue to do so throughout my life – from the way I spend my weekends to where I travel next. Turns out, I’m not alone either.

What is passion travel?

To put it simply, passion travel is all about letting your hobbies lead the way. It’s when your love for something – whether that be food, art or sport – shapes your travel itinerary. Rather than ticking off landmarks, you’re connecting what you love doing at home with where you go in the world.

Biking in Thredbo, NSW
Passion travel is about letting your hobbies guide your holiday. (Image: Destination NSW)

According to a recent report by Booking.com, more people are chasing meaningful travel experiences that align with their interests, as well as a greater sense of purpose at the heart of each trip. Yogis are signing up for wellness retreats. Athletes are planning their annual leave around marathons. Foodies are mapping out itineraries based on local markets.

While I’ve never been lucky enough to book an entire trip based on my love for books, I have found ways to integrate my passion into the trips I take. On my way to a quiet weekend stay at Osborn House in the Southern Highlands, I made sure I had a few spare hours to spend at the Berkelouw Book Barn, which I’d been eager to check out for ages.

Berkelouw Book Barn in the Southern Highlands, NSW
On a recent trip to the Southern Highlands, I stopped at Berkelouw Book Barn. (Image: Destination NSW)

During a recent work trip to explore Townsville’s burgeoning arts scene, I still found time to check out the local bookshop. Even if I can’t find time for a visit, I always make sure I bring a book with me, so I can still indulge in my passion – even if it’s just for five minutes with my morning coffee or half an hour before bed.

As an introvert, it’s a comforting way to weave a little bit of home into an unfamiliar place – a reminder that even when everything around me is new, I can still ground myself in something I love. But it’s also a way to connect. Stories are often great conversation starters, and many bookshop adventures have led me somewhere unexpected. In that sense, it isn’t just about doing what you love but seeing where that love can take you.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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What are the benefits?

In a 2025 study titled Igniting creativity through travel: The roles of interest, cognitive flexibility, and destination information presentation style, Lujun Su, Huixuan Chen and Zhibin Lin found that environmental novelty, the act of experiencing somewhere new, doesn’t just satisfy your wanderlust; it boosts your creativity, too.

Using the broaden-and-build theory developed by social psychologist Barbara Fredrickson in 1998, research revealed that being in an unfamiliar setting can evoke greater cognitive flexibility, making creative thinking more likely.

Nature journalling in the Adelaide Hills, SA
Studies have shown that travel improves creativity. (Image: Visit Adelaide Hills)

When you’re immersed in something you genuinely love, you tend to be more present, observant and engaged. You start to notice the little details: the texture of a local fabric, the scent of freshly ground coffee, the sound of waves crashing on the shore. These sensory moments can spark inspiration and creativity long after a trip has ended, turning travel into a journey of self-discovery and real memory making.

In her book, titled The Happy Traveler: Unpacking the Secrets of Better Vacations, professor of psychology Dr Jaime Kurtz further posits that travel rooted in passion or purpose tends to be more restorative, because it engages you in something intrinsically fulfilling rather than just escapism.

Yoga class at Elements of Byron Bay, NSW
Engaging in your hobbies can make travelling more restorative. (Image: Destination NSW)

While travelling has always been focused on exploring a destination, people are now choosing to invest in themselves along the way. In a world where time is precious and holidays are growing increasingly shorter, combining wanderlust and wellbeing seems like the ultimate way to spend your time off.

Dr Kurtz, who has written for several research publications on the topic, states that travel is most beneficial when it’s “pleasurable, meaningful and engaging." It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures why passion-driven travel is on the rise. Trips grounded in what we find the most enriching and inspiring create a deeper sense of purpose, satisfaction and overall happiness.

And really, isn’t that what travel is all about? Whether you’re following your obsession for food through Melbourne’s best restaurants or bookshop hopping through the Blue Mountains, these are the experiences that make us feel the most connected not just to the world, but to ourselves.

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How to do it

If you’ve ever considered booking an entire holiday around what you love most, here’s your sign to do it. Whether it’s sipping your way through the Barossa Valley’s best cellar doors or hitting all of Sydney’s top art galleries in one go, your passion-led itinerary is sure to add an extra layer of excitement to every moment.

Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, NSW
Art aficionados can visit the iconic MCA in Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mountain bikers, why not tackle the Munda Biddi Trail? Or if you’re a big fan of sport, plan your next trip to Melbourne around the Australian Open. Wherever your interests lie, there’s always a destination ready to match them.

But before you start booking, there are a few handy tips and tricks that can help you along the way. Firstly, it’s important to pick one hobby that really matters to you – it’ll keep choices manageable and ensure the trip feels meaningful. Be sure to do your research and prioritise key bookings in advance, too. If there’s a workshop or event you don’t want to miss, make sure it’s booked in early.

As much as itineraries can help, you should leave a little room for surprises. Try to avoid planning every minute so there’s still space to explore. It’s also crucial to factor in time to rest. A passion trip can easily become exhausting if you overload your schedule, so allowing time to relax and recharge will make the whole experience more enjoyable.

Kayaking in Pambula, NSW
Add your favourite activity to an upcoming itinerary. (Image: Destination NSW)

Of course, not everyone has the resources to book an entire holiday around a single hobby or interest – and that’s perfectly okay. The beauty of passion travel is that it can be as simple as slipping your latest read into your carry-on. Or packing a sketchbook to capture the scenery. Sign up for a local cooking class. Join a local kayaking tour. Even visiting the weekend market in a new town can help you connect with what you love.

If you don’t really have an interest that truly speaks to you, don’t worry. Sometimes it’s the trip itself that helps you discover a new passion. Maybe you’ll fall in love with photography while chasing sunsets along the coast. Or discover your green thumb after visiting a botanical garden. Travel has a funny way of awakening hidden parts of ourselves – and the best souvenirs are often the ones we bring home in our hearts.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Taking the route less travelled along the Great Ocean Road

    Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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    The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns. 

    It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach, the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.  

    Bells Beach
    Bells Beach is known for its epic surf break and is at the start of the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet 

    Split Point Lighthouse
    The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road. Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.  

    Split point lookout
    The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.  

    This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities. 

    Lorne to Birregurra 

    Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park, which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.  

    Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.  

    From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.  

    Erskine Falls
    Erskine Falls is one of many falls within a day trip of Lorne. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae, helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.  

    Brae restaurant
    Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Apollo Bay to The Otways 

    Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.  

    A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.  

    Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles 

    Twelve Apostles
    One of the famous Twelve Apostles, limestone sea stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean. (Image: Ben Savage)

    The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.    

    It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.  

    The Grotto
    The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

    Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.  

    Port Campbell to Timboon 

    Timboon Fine Ice Cream
    Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

    Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.  

    Warrnambool to Port Fairy 

    Warrnambool building
    A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

    In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.  

    Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.  

    The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.    

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Staying there

    Oak & Anchor
    The Oak & Anchor in Port Fairy.

    The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit. 

    The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip. 

    Eating there

    The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.  

    Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.