10 Eco-Friendly Products Every Traveller Needs To Be More Sustainable

If you’ve ever visited a beach piled high with rubbish or been overwhelmed by the sight of plastic water bottles left behind in a pristine environment, then you’ve probably stopped to think about how, as travellers, we can do our bit to further reduce our environmental footprint.

From eco-friendly luggage to chemical-free toiletries, here are 10 items to add to your sustainable packing list that will ensure conscious travellers set off on the right foot.

1. Sustainable travel towel

In the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams writes of the importance of towels for doing everything from wrapping around one’s head to ward off noxious fumes, to waving in emergencies as a distress signal.

If Adams had penned the novel in 2020, said travel towel would have been an Evolve eco-friendly towel made from 80 per cent recycled polyester (that’s about 20 plastic drinking bottles right there).

The anti-microbial towel was created by an environmental science teacher who wanted to inspire his students to make a difference. Ten per cent of proceeds from buying the planet-friendly towel are donated to charity and free carbon shipping is included for all orders over $75. RRP $69.

Evolve eco-friendly towels are made from 80 per cent recycled polyester

2. Eco-friendly luggage

What’s a sustainable packing list without a sustainable backpack? And one made from recycled plastic bottles to boot? Eco-minded business travellers will appreciate the fold-down Crumpler Backpack Colourful Character made from recycled plastic bottles and the addition of a back pocket with a waterproof zip, while day-trippers will love that the bag will go the distance when they’re heading off-road on an adventure.

The bag has an external water bottle pocket and padded shoulder straps, and is stylish enough to be embraced by urbanites looking to show off their eco cred in the office. RRP $199.

Eco-minded business travellers will appreciate the fold-down mechanism

3. Tote Bag

A sustainable Eco-Tote Bag is indispensable when travelling. Use it as carry-on to stuff in your reusable noise-cancelling headphones and neck pillow (to avoid using the disposable headphones supplied on long-haul flights), place it over your shoulder to mooch around a farmers’ market in Mexico or to shop for everyday items at a local supermarket.

You can even use it to wrap around your toiletries bag to prevent a shampoo blowout on the plane or to segment your dirty undies. We love the stylish Angie Rehe X Eco-Tote Eco – L’Amour Cat. $49.95.

4. Stainless-steel cutlery

Disposable cutlery is doled out willy-nilly everywhere from inflight meal service to food courts. Thankfully, Messermeister is now in the mix, doing its bit to tip the scales in favour of reusable cutlery.

The German knife brand introduced a new chef-grade travel set designed for adventurers: each foldable set comes with its own canvas carry case, making it safe and convenient to pack when you go camping or on a road trip. The range has been crafted using stonewashed stainless carbon alloy blades, which means it’s durable, easily re-sharpened and cleaned. The 4-in-1 Adventure Chef tool includes a dual-action serration knife, fork, spoon and integrated bottle opener. RRP $64.95 to $119.95.

Messermeister is now in the reusable cutlery mix

5. Food container

A great habit to get into when on the road is to travel with a stackable food jar made from stainless steel, which will keep food hot or cold for hours and is more durable than plastic. If you’re self-catering, this is a must-have that will save you money as you can pack the leftover soup or pasta from the night before into the leak-proof food jar for a picnic on the go.

Choosing a container or food jar that is stainless steel means it’s built to last, non-toxic and eco-friendly. We love the Zoku Neat Stack Food Jar, which is perfect for packing porridge or chia pudding; it’s also handy when you front up to a street food vendor and ask for your dinner to go in your very own vacuum-insulated container. $44.95 to $59.95.

Zoku Neat Stack Food Jar is perfect for packing

6. Water Filter Bottle

A sleek, water filtration bottle is the perfect accessory for travellers who like to journey through a remote forest, bike or hike, or travel to countries where clean water is not readily available. A bottle with a water filtration system enables travellers to drink water from ponds, lakes, rivers or streams while on the hop.

Those who purchase a LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle can also quench their thirst for paying it forward: for every product purchased, a school child receives safe water for an entire school year. LifeStraw also produces a sleek, sturdy sustainable stainless-steel water filtration bottle.

All LifeStraw components are recyclable, except the carbon filters. But the company is now evaluating a recycling program that takes it a step closer to that goal. RRP $62.95.

LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle quenches thirst for paying it forward

7. Lip Balm

While hard-core environmentalists may well curl the corner of their lip up in contempt for frequent flyers, it’s a fact that many of us want to see the world and do so in a more sustainable fashion. Enter the Pure Planet Club Lip Balm, designed to replenish the moisture that is sucked out of your lips and into the pressurised cabin on that long-haul flight to Chile an Patagonia.

The soothing lip balm is organic, the lip balms are encased in handcrafted, plastic-free, compostable packing, made from 100 per cent uncoated PCW paper, USDA-certified organic, cruelty-free and gluten-free, recyclable and available online. Pucker up with a three-pack of the organic vanilla lip balm for $30, which includes delivery to your door.

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8. Reef-friendly sunscreen

Investing in good-quality reef-friendly sunscreen is a no-brainer. Piff that gloopy bottle of toxic sunscreen and put a chemical-free version on your sustainable packing list that is both good for your skin and the environment.

Sukin’s SPF30 Sheer Touch Facial Sunscreen responds to increasing consumer demands for sunscreens that are free of the chemical oxybenzone, coral reef-friendly, not tested on animals and 100 per cent vegan. The formula includes a rich blend of rosehip oil, green tea and cucumber. RRP $24.95.

9. Deodorant Paste

Feel better about yourself and your impact on the planet by travelling with a deodorant paste rather than an aerosol antiperspirant that contains aluminium compounds. Black Chicken Remedies has something to squawk about with its bicarbonate-free Axilla Deodorant Paste for sensitive skin.

The cute little green-and-black jar of BO basher is chemical free and contains only natural and certified organic ingredients. Better still: it is vegan and cruelty-free. The paste is completely invisible when applied and has a clean citrus scent that is free from sweat blockers. RRP $18.50.

The paste is completely invisible when applied

10. Eco-Friendly Bamboo Toothbrush

A 2016 report showed that more than 30 million plastic toothbrushes end up in landfill in Australia every year. A bamboo toothbrush is a sustainable alternative to this environmental abomination. Forgo the mini toiletries or amenity bags when you fly and BYO Flora & Fauna Bamboo Toothbrush, which has soft bristles. While the bristles are nylon, they can be recycled.

The biodegradable toothbrush is made from MOSO Bamboo. Yes, caring for your dental health is important; so is being kind to the planet. Check out the Flora & Fauna website for a range of products that will help you be ethical and eco-friendly on your travels. RRP $3.95

Flora & Fauna Bamboo Toothbrush bristles can be recycled

For more on ethical and sustainable travel and wildlife experiences visit our Conscious Traveller section.

From sophisticated new sleeper trains and opulent hotel openings to the exploration of new frontiers, we’re now finding ourselves in our own gilded era of travel. These 21st-century travel experiences are leading the way.

If we were to turn back the clock 100 years, there was a real romance to travel – the dawning of a glamour-filled jet age, refined rail sojourns and first-class cruising where the voyage itself trounced the destination.

We’re feeling a similar excitement in the air about travel in 2026. Think state-of-the-art cruise liners allowing access to destinations formerly off-limits, resort launches where avant-garde architecture takes centre stage, and a return to the days of luxury locomotives. This reoccurrence of the advances, adventure and elegance of a bygone era has not only come full circle; it’s now superior.

How? Travel has become more mindful, intentional and accessible. This includes environmental initiatives by operators determined to leave less impact on the planet and a shift towards a deeper cultural exchange with the local communities we visit. Whether it’s exploring previously hard-to-reach cities such as Uzbekistan’s Khiva, staying with a family to experience village life in Nepal or discovering new frontiers in Antarctica, our round-up of ‘new golden age’ travel experiences is a snapshot of how we are travelling today, as well as into promising new horizons.

Exploring the emerging city of Khiva

The walled inner city of Khiva, Uzbekistan. (Credit: Getty/Mlenny Khiva)

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road city of Khiva used to be off the radar for many travellers, but 2026 has changed all that. You can thank a new bullet train service connecting Khiva to Bukhara and Samarkand, slashing the trip from the capital of Tashkent from 15 hours to under eight. Add renovations to Urgench International Airport, and interest in this fascinating city is rapidly on the rise.

Quick to react has been Golden Eagle Luxury Trains and The Samarkand Express which have added Khiva to their 2026 rail itineraries, while Cox & Kings has included the Central Asian city to its multi-country 2027 ‘Stans’ itinerary.

Check out Khiva’s preserved inner-walled fortress, the first UNESCO site in Uzbekistan, explore ancient minarets and ornate mausoleums, and try traditional fare at Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant. Looking for fancy digs? The Mercure Khiva is due to swing open its doors later in 2026.

Riding the rails on the Eastern & Oriental Express

inside the Eastern & Oriental Express — Onboard the train, rich fabrics are complemented by elm, cherrywood and teak marquetry. (Credit: Ludovic Balay)

Recapture the romance of rail travel through the tropics of Southeast Asia on the refurbished Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia.

The resurgence of train travel reflects how we are travelling today – slower and with a new appreciation for both scenery and cultural exchange. Include a large dollop of old-world glamour, and the three-night Wild Malaysia tour truly delivers. Winding its way deep into the Malay jungle, the journey makes plenty of pit stops for exploration along the way.

Having been resurrected from a 1970s sleeper, the luxury locomotive now comes replete with plush interiors of hand-cut marquetry dressed in oriental silks and embroidery – there’s even a Dior Spa. Watch the world go by from the Observation Car, indulge in fine wining and dining, kick up your heels in the Piano Bar, then snooze it all off in your sumptuous sleeper car.

Embracing Mother Nature in Peru

Travelling to Peru is like stepping into a kaleidoscope of contrasting cultures and landscapes. Whether you’re learning about shamanic natural remedies in the pre-Inca Colca Valley, cruising the wilds of the Amazon on a luxury river ship or discovering firsthand why the contemporary capital of Lima is celebrated for its culinary and artistic scenes, there are myriad reasons why this colourful country is topping wish lists.

One such experience is the Ultimate Peru by River and Rail journey (five days) by Abercrombie & Kent, available in 2026. This incredible river cruise allows you to truly connect with the jungle rhythms of the Amazon via skiff and on foot with in-the-know local guides, and includes nights onboard newly launched luxury riverboat Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary.

Spot exotic creatures such as sloths, macaws, piranhas, and pink dolphins on the daily excursions, before juxtaposing these wild encounters with a return to pure pampering on the boat.

Seeking sustainable community experiences in Nepal

tharu woman — Tharu woman and master weaver Parbati Chaudhary in Bhada Village. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

While Nepal has traditionally attracted visitors to traverse its majestic mountains – Everest and Annapurna in particular – travel experiences in this beautiful Himalayan nation are expanding.

Home stays, where you reside with Nepali families and take an active part in their daily lives, are a growing attraction. It’s a win:win for local youths – who took their country back after bloody protests in 2025 – wanting to stay in Nepal rather than moving abroad for work, as well as foreigners seeking a deeper cultural experience. Nepali women, Indigenous people and marginalised castes are also benefitting from home stays, upping the feel-good factor even further.

Leading the charge is Community Home Stay Network, which links travellers to local-family hosts. Travel off-the-beaten path to homes in areas including Tharu in the south, learn how to cook Nepali style, and take part in traditions such as making moonshine, dancing and weaving straw handicrafts.

Exploring new frontiers in Antarctica

an ice window at Wilhelmina Bay — A breathtaking ice window captured at Wilhelmina Bay on the Antarctic Peninsula. (Credit: Renato Granieri)

Gone are the days when a trip to Antarctica meant a perilous voyage through the Drake Passage on a vessel holding the mere essentials. Innovative cruise ships now offer a smooth and sophisticated passage to the White Continent, as well as experiences formerly off-limits.

Abercrombie & Kent’s 19-day Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands: Holiday Voyage captures it all. Spot breaching whales and gracefully gliding albatrosses from the deck, before stepping onto this Narnia-like landscape with daily Zodiac excursions. Observe adorable penguin and fur seal colonies, visit Antarctic communities that were previously too remote, and get so close to colossal icebergs that you’ll feel humbled by their scale.

Silversea‘s Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages will soon include a stay at The Cormorant at 55 South, the southernmost hotel on Earth purpose-built to bring uncompromised comfort to guests travelling to Antarctica.

When it comes to protecting this fragile eco-system, the future is also looking bright: HX Expeditions has partnered with the University of Tasmania to create a world-first educational course allowing cruise guests to dive into Antarctic science and sustainability, while A&K pours funds into conservation efforts and uses energy-efficient hybrid ships – all in trademark luxury, of course.

Indulging in New Zealand’s exceptional dining

Ayrburn, Queenstown — The Ayrburn precinct serves up delicate dishes.

By welcoming the Michelin Guide to sample Aotearoa/New Zealand’s finest gastronomy for the first time, our cousins across the ditch have now become serious players on the world culinary scene.

And there’s never been a better time to experience NZ’s greatest gastronomy with the inaugural guide currently going to press. Sample haute cuisine in Queenstown with a side serving of theatrics by culinary director Paul Froggatt at Essence in the new ROKI Collection hotel, and pull up a chair at Amisfield for its delicious degustation experience under new chef Sung Peng, with the world-renowned restaurant slated to reopen in July.

And it’s not just Queenstown holding all the culinary cards. The Michelin inspectors travelled to rate the best epicurean artistry in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington and Ōtautahi/Christchurch against the world’s most renowned restaurateurs (bring loose pants).

Bedding down at design-led hotels and farm stays

a woodfired sauna at Azuma Farm Koiwai — A woodfired sauna deepens the meditative state at Azuma Farm Koiwai. (Credit: Azuma Farm Koiwai)

New grand dames on the global hotel stage are receiving a standing ovation for their triumphant 2026 openings.

Return to old-world elegance at the Orient Express Venezia, a reimagined former 15^th-century royal residence set in Venice’s Palazzo Dona Giovannellii. It certainly makes for a regal stay, with grand Neo-Gothic windows and restored Baroque splendour blending seamlessly with modern luxury flourishes. Also bringing the fantasy factor is France’s Zannier Île de Bendor on a petite private island off the Provençal coast. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea – and with three luxe, design-led accommodation concepts to choose from – this resort exudes golden-era glamour.

In a breath of fresh air, we’ve also seen an uptick in farm stays. Trade the urban rush for a rambling rural retreat at Sibbjäns, Sweden’s first boutique farm stay, or opt for horseback riding followed by woodfired saunas on the sprawling eight-hectare Azuma Farm Koiwai in Japan.

Cruising the Danube on a festive Eastern Euro adventure

The magical Pécs Christmas Market in Hungary. (Credit: Emily Murphy)

Dreaming of a white Christmas? While floating past snow-dusted, fairytale cities on a river ship in Eastern Europe makes for an amazing voyage, when you add the magic of Christmas the whole experience becomes, well, more magical.

From twinkling trees and tinsel to red-nosed reindeer and wreath decorations, the festivities greet you the moment you step aboard AmaMagna by AmaWaterways. The ship then spirits you away along the Lower Danube for a seven-night Gems of Southeast Europe adventure from Romania to Hungary.

Explore Bulgaria’s medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo, glide into the dramatic Iron Gates crossing into Serbia; and sip on fine wines at Croatia’s Kast Winery (one variety made famous by Queen Elizabeth II). The highlight? For many it’s wandering the shimmering Christmas markets in Hungary’s Pécs. Peruse stalls selling unique handicrafts, try the traditional treat of kürtőskalács (chimney cake), and warm your cockles with a cup of mulled wine.

Delving into the buzzing city of Beijing

Lama Temple, Beijing — Calm and chaos at Lama Temple in Beijing. (Credit: Natasha Bazika)

Walking the line between its imperial past and a frenetic, futuristic present – Beijing is an exciting city to dive into.

If you want to be centrally located, the palatial Peninsula Beijing is hard to beat. From here, strap in at street level for a stroll among the city’s famed hutongs (ancient alleyways), pausing to taste traditional delicacies such as jianbing (savoury breakfast crepe) and dumpling soup. Then scope out the narrow lanes dotted with siheyuan courtyard homes (there are only 1000 left), and if you love to shop, head to Taikoo Li Sanlitun for a mix of luxury brands and local labels.

And it wouldn’t be a well-rounded trip to this history-rich city without experiencing its highlights reel. Admire golden-topped architecture in the Forbidden City, take a hike on the Great Wall of China and pay a visit to Tiananmen Square for both remembrance and observation on how it operates today.

Embarking on a round-the-world cruise

Can’t decide where to go on a cruise? On a round-the-world voyage you can live out all your dreams at sea.

It’s not a new idea – the first world cruise occurred more than a century ago on Cunard’s RMS Laconia in 1922 – but a reimagining. If you don’t have a spare year up your sleeve, you can now join for specific legs of the journey (unlike the 1922 trip), and ships have been modernised with sustainability measures, contemporary designs and a less formal feel.

Queen Anne, also by Cunard, cruised the world in 2026 with guests joining at handpicked ports, including in Central America for the extraordinary experience of crossing the Panama Canal. If you want the full adventure by circumnavigating the globe, Queen Anne will set sail on another world voyage in 2028.

Discovering the joys of small-group travel in Spain

Intrepid Travel's olive oil and wine tasting at Molino El Vínculo, Grazalema — Sample organic wine and olive oil on a tasting tour in Molino El Vínculo in Grazalema with Intrepid Travel. (Credit: Intrepid Travel/Tim Luck)

Small-group touring is a travel trend currently soaring, with many embracing it as an authentic, intimate and insightful way to visit a country – with VIP benefits to boot.

The small-group format, typically capped at five to 15 guests, is now accounting for around 62 per cent of group travel worldwide. And operators such as Intrepid Travel, APT Luxury Travel and Janesco Travel are among the frontrunners in this space, handling all navigation and insider experiences within an intimate group led by expert guides.

Seeking a Spanish sojourn? Small-group journeys to the vibrant southern Andalusia region are now topping bucket lists. Be mesmerised by flamenco dancers from a professional dance school (rather than touristy versions), learn how to make authentic sangria with a private class, skip queues at the Real Alcázar of Seville royal palace, and score a seat at the best Andalusian restaurants, sans waitlist.

Learning from the past in Japan

inside the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum — The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum presents a sobering dive into the nuclear event. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience a war-time atomic bomb, hopefully the closest any of us will ever get is a visit to Nagasaki.

While on a cruise excursion to the Japanese city aboard the Diamond Princess, you can visit the fascinating hypocentre of the Second World War bomb dropped to widespread annihilation in 1945. While there is no doubt this is heavy material to digest on a tour, it comes with a message of hope – that the horror of a nuclear war should never happen again.

There is also much more to this 11-day Japan Explorer Cherry Blossoms with Princess Cruises voyage. Witness the world’s most active volcano in Kagoshima, join a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and marvel at Mt Fuji in Shimizu. Also don’t miss the onsen experiences onboard the ship or its many mouth-watering local culinary offerings. Next departure is March 2027.

Supporting a typhoon-ravaged community in Vietnam

Zannier Bai San Ho — Time to kick back at Zannier Bãi San Hô. (Credit: Amber Hunter)

When typhoon Typhoon Kalmaegi ripped through Vietnam’s south-central coast in November 2025, it left a devastating trail of destruction.

And Zannier Bãi San Hô, an expansive 98-hectare beachfront resort, took a direct hit. An incredible five-month clean-up and restoration has now seen the Green Globe-certified retreat reopen, thanks in large part to the local community who rallied to help rebuild it. The support goes both ways; the 180-strong resort staff is made up of 177 locals – their livelihoods dependent on it.

You can help by simply booking a stay here. It’s hardly a punish, when you consider the beauty and luxury of this place; picture private pool villas and powder-white beaches. Take to the sapphire waters for water sports, visit local fishing villages and sweat it out at the onsite fitness centre. Or, if relaxing’s more your jam, simply loll by the pool with a good book.

10 items to add to your sustainable packing list