Are you an aspiring photographer, videographer or social media influencer? Sail Croatia is offering you the chance to join one of its 2022 sailings and explore Croatia for free. If you’re successful, you’ll be asked to produce content (which Sail Croatia will use in its marketing) on and off the ship. In return, you’ll receive a free cruise, which includes onboard accommodation, select meals and access to allocated excursions. (Photography: Milica Spasojevic)

It sounds like there should be a big catch, but house sitting (and pet sitting) comes with free accommodation. By registering with an organisation like Aussie House Sitters, you have the chance to stay for free in houses throughout the country. You agree to take care of someone’s house, garden and even their pets and in return you get to stay, rent free. (Photography: Junel Mujar)

Travelling between two destinations can be pricey, but not if you sign up to become a relocation driver. Rather than rental car companies paying for expensive trucks to relocate vehicles from one place to another, they offer drivers the chance to relocate their rental cars and campervans for free. Companies like TransferCar offer free one-way rentals to anyone over 18 with a full driver’s license. (Photography: Daniel Tran.)

If you’re a rising star in your field and want to travel overseas to explore a topic or issue that you’re passionate about, then the Churchill Fellowship is for you. The Fellowship is designed to be an international travel experience, and while the amount awarded for every Fellowship depends on how many countries you visit and how long you go for, the average value is around $28,000. Interested? Hop to it, because applications close at the end of April.

This may appeal to a certain type of person, but there’s no doubt that couch surfing is a cost-efficient way to travel. The original way to stay with locals, couch surfing has about 12 million devotees throughout the world in over 200,000 cities who share “their life, their world and their journey”. And just in case you’re wondering, you don’t actually have to sleep on a couch. It could be in a spare bedroom or on an air mattress. Think of it like Airbnb, but before it got fancy.

Travel is the name of the job if you’re a flight attendant, and with many countries now aiming for travel to hit pre-pandemic levels, airlines are finding themselves in short supply of flight attendants. Some airlines are even temporarily increasing pay in an attempt to alleviate labour shortages.

There are plenty of ways to give back to local communities while also getting to see more of the world. Organisations like the Peace Corps, Australian Volunteers International and WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) are leading the way when it comes to placing volunteers in areas where they’re most needed. You’ll get to use your skills, meet fascinating people and have experiences beyond what you’d ever have at home.

If you don’t get green around the gills at the thought of being at sea, then a ‘shipboard’ career working as a cook, entertainer, steward or in guest relations on board a yacht or cruise may be your ticket to seeing the world and getting paid to do so. Check out job opportunities with cruise companies like Royal Caribbean or Viking.