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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.

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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.

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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 check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.