These random acts of kindness will transform your travel experience

Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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This Random Acts of Kindness Day, plan one of these acts for your next holiday and make the world a better place.

On Random Acts of Kindness Day the message is clear: do something today (and every day) that will make someone’s world just a little bit better. And what better time to spread positivity than when you’re on holidays around the country, living your best life?

If you need a little inspiration to provide a ray of sunshine, try one (or all) of these acts of kindness.

1. Pay it forward

There are plenty of easy ways to pay it forward on your holiday, both to locals and to other travellers. Go out for a nice breakfast (as if we need to encourage you) and buy a coffee, or a meal, for the person in line behind you. If your accommodation doesn’t have a laundry and you visit a laundromat for a quick clothes wash, leave a few extra coins around for someone else to use on their wash. If you’re on a road trip, leave a gift voucher for petrol at the petrol pump with a sign for the next car that drives up to use it. You get it, if you can, give it to someone who might not be able to.

person holiding coffe and croissant in cafe
Buy someone else a coffee when you grab brekkie. (Image: Thai Liang Lim)

2. Give compliments

When we receive genuine compliments from strangers, that aren’t overstepping or about another human’s body, it has the ability to completely turn a bad day around. Tell someone you love their style, or they parked really well, or maybe they have a delightfully contagious laugh. whatever it is, just make it positive and true.

graffiti wall with sign saying just be nice
Just be nice.

3. Share positive feedback

On holiday, we encounter even more customer service professionals than in regular life. As a former customer service worker myself, I can promise you that those professionals have heard just about every complaint there is, but people just really don’t go out of their way to share positive feedback. Time to change that fact. If you get great service at your hotel, a restaurant, while doing a little vacay-shopping – whatever it is, take an extra five minutes to tell them, or their manager or name them in a positive online review.

two cafe workers serving coffee
If someone makes you the best coffee ever, tell them. (Image: Crew)

4. Say ‘hi’ to a stranger

The best thing about being on holiday is all those social walls coming down. I know that I’m definitely about 30 times more open to conversations with strangers the second I leave my home city. Harness that carefree attitude and say hello to a stranger. Who knows, that chat might be their only one for the day.

5. Practice self-kindness

Perhaps the easiest person to show kindness to (in theory), is yourself. And, if you happen to be on holiday, the best time to lean into treating yourself. Book an experience you really love today, whether it be a massage or a long hike. Maybe try writing a gratitude list as well, to really lift your mood. Trust me, they’re easy to do on holidays.

man on hike in australia
Treat yourself to Australia’s incredible views. (Image: Chris Fuller)

6. Clean up

What better way to give back to the place you chose for your getaway than picking up a few pieces of rubbish and putting them in the bin where they belong? This is especially amazing when you’re in a protected beach or camping area.

aerial view of people on white sand beach
Love the beach you’re holidaying on? Take a piece of rubbish away with you. (Image: Niklas Ohlrogge)

7. Leave a big tip

Tipping culture might be growing in Australia, but it’s definitely not common or expected. So maybe give someone an extra treat today whether they served you coffee or cleaned your hotel room.

8. Put your phone away

Speaking of self-kindness, have you ever had a day away from technology? As someone who is very plugged in, I can assure you it’s an incredible feeling. If you can’t put your phone away for the whole day (and if you can’t on holiday, then when can you?), then be sure to put it down when spending time with your fellow travellers and give them your full attention.

friends eating burgers around a table
Do your loved ones the kindness of putting down your phone. (Image: Dan Gold)
Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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The top 10 events you don’t want to miss in Victoria in 2026

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    From cycling and comedy to boating and begonia appreciation, there’s an event in regional Victoria that’s sure to have you circling dates on your calendar.

    1. Festival of Sails

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    The Melbourne to Geelong passage race will be held for its 183rd year. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    When: 24–26 January
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    2. Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

    cyclists during the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
    Catch the best cyclists as they wind through Victoria’s coastal towns. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    When: 31 January – 1 February
    Where: The Bellarine Peninsula

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    3. Riverboats Music Festival

    the performers at Riverboats Music Festival, Murray River
    The annual music festival is staged under majestic red gums by the Murray River.

    When: 13–15 February
    Where: Echuca–Moama

    Get along to bop and sway under the canopy of red gums at this annual music festival . Hosted by the twin towns of Echuca–Moama, the stage is set for Murray River-adjacent revelling as historic paddlesteamers peacefully chug alongside the event. As well as music, there’s dancing, food trucks and plenty of atmosphere to absorb.

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    the Neerim ArtsFest south sculptures
    Admire stunning works at Neerim ArtsFest. (Image: Nicky Cawood)

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    a street parade during the LGBTQIA+ ChillOut Festival
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    Pride in the country has been cheered on every March in Daylesford since 1997 with the riotous annual LGBTQIA+ ChillOut Festival . This colourful regional spectacle is an inclusive celebration of diversity that plays out across a vibrant parade, burlesque performances, a bush dance and a carnival. Get bedazzled, find a wig and stick on the false eyelashes for this fun party.

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    a woman admiring flowers at The Ballarat Begonia Festival
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    Chinese dragon Dai Gum Loong dance at The Bendigo Easter Festival
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    When: 3–6 April
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    a glass of wine at the Grampians Grape Escape
    Enjoy a wine tasting experience. (Image: Anthony Evans Photography)

    When: 1–3 May
    Where: The Grampians

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    10. Comedy in the Vines

    Comedy in the Vines at Cherryhill Orchards
    Get the good times rolling at Cherryhill Orchards. (Image: Saige Prime)

    When: 24–26 October
    Where: Yarra Valley

    The premise of Yarra Valley’s Comedy in the Vines , held at Cherryhill Orchards, is that wine and laughs pair well. Few arguments can be made, so get along this month (or next year), to have a giggle and a gamay. This year, taking the stage is the likes of Merrick Watts, Tommy Little, Ray O’Leary and Takashi Wakasugi. There are also masterclasses, a riesling and oyster shot bar, and plenty of food and music between gigs.