Gift for 20 year old heading off to Australia

[maddiemookins16mum]

One of my lovely work colleagues is leaving next week and going to Australia for a year. I’d like to get her a small, but pratical (if possible) gift but have no idea where to start. Does anyone have any suggestions, maybe had their own DC been travelling down under who swear by something they were given etc.

A pair of flip-flops (for hostel showers and beaches) wrapped with a gift tag that says something about thongs...

But really just cash would be great.

One of those super fast drying small towels?
A universal waterproof case for mobile to take underwater pictures?
A scarf that also has secret zips in for valuables?

A Turkish towel.

Hammam towel
A nice light notebook for writing her travel notes in
One of those Polaroid machines you attach to a phone and print out photos (great for making friends)
Cross body bag
Lightweight scarf

A sleep scarf
trtltravel.com/products/trtl-travel-pillow

They also sell them on amazon. Amazing inventions for flying or travelling long distances

Cash is always what is ultimately in short supply. If you can change it into dollars before giving it to her it will feel more special :)

Uk to Oz adapter or $50 bucks

A hat, sunscreen and a first aid book. It's bloody hot down here and everything is trying to kill you!

Face sunblock.

Packing cubes!!
The best invention ever for backpacking. Easier to compress clothes fur efficient packing and means no more rummaging through your whole bag for that one item.

We used them for a 3 month trip to NZ and it made such a difference.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.t3.com/amp/features/best-packing-cubes

We have the Pro cubes set in the above link and they are perfect. Really good quality and a good mix of sizes. Enough to fill a decent sized rucksack.

Personalised make up bag in bright colour so easy to find in ruck sack and they can keep anything they want in it.

Them vacuume seal bags so she can get loads into her suit case .
Mozzie repellent, if it's spray type make sure it's under whatever the limit on liquids is .
Aus phrase book.
Do you know where she is staying ? Flowered or fruit to be delivered on the day of her arrival

I bought a friend heading off on her travels a St Christopher's pendant.

I'm not religious but quite like the idea of it protecting travellers. It was inexpensive so she didn't worry too much about losing it.

Otherwise, my most useful travel items are:
A dirty laundry bag (you can get pretty ones!) to separate stuff in your bag and handy for taking straight to the laundry room
Microfibre towels
Drysacks (great for wet swim stuff or wet washing when you're on the move)
Solid shampoo and conditioner bars and the travel tins from Lush
Sleep mask and ear plugs if she's staying in hostels
The Trtl neck scarf someone mentioned upthread

Australian dollars!

I would give her Dollars i know it isn't memorable but extra cash is always handy

As a down under resident I wouldn't recommend getting her either spfs or mozzie repellent. SPF in Aussie has stricter rules than the EU as the sun is ridiculously strong and I certainly wouldn't recommend anything lower than 50+. Also Mozzie stuff is super tropical strength here that I don't think is available there. Flip flops are cheap as chips here too.

Lululemon do a vinyasa scarf that can be worn as a scarf, snood, wrap, top and skirt and it also ideal as an impromptu shade or rug to sit on. Love mine and ideal for travel.

I’ve opted for one of the towels, thanks for the great suggestions 😁