This is a joint profile for Hazel and myself (Ollie)! We’re 28 and 27 years old, and live in Tasmania (Australia).
We only discovered the couch surfing app a few months ago and so haven’t had the chance to host anyone at our home in Tasmania, but we’re keen to host when we return.
I love the idea behind the couch surfing as it incentivises travellers to engage more with the locals but also makes it easier to meet like minded people.
We often find the best conversations and connections you make with people are over a meal and as we both love cooking, we would be happy to cook for you if that is of interest, otherwise we’re also happy to give you space if need be.
We’re not big drinkers and are conscientious travellers, but we’re still young and open to late night chats. We’re both keen on travelling in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable and are always up to suggestions in ways we can improve.

We love hiking and outdoor activities but are also excited to try new things. We’ve been enjoying learning about the history of the places we’ve been travelling to and trying local food!
Ollie is a keen surfer and photographer, while Hazel enjoys painting, graphic design and playing music.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Essentially to meet the locals and make a more memorable experience when staying in a new place.

From a social perspective I like that couch surfing forces travellers to engage more with the people that live or work in the area. It creates a more wholistic approach to travelling which I believe is as much about meeting people and exchanging stories as it is about seeing a new place, and taking a photo.

I’ve recently come to appreciate that using couch surfing also means you’re putting less strain on local rent prices, by avoiding short term rentals

So from a financial perspective, it’s nice to know that while I’m travelling or someone is visiting my area, we’re not forcing locals out of that area by driving up rent and home prices, through the use of air bnb or other short term rental sites.

This latter point has been really eye opening on our travels throughout Europe, as many of the “tourist hotspots” are devoid of locals instead entire suburbs, towns or cities are full of tourist accommodation, leaving no room for people to live in these places.

As such Hazel and I have been doing our best to avoid these sorts of accommodation, and have been staying with people we know, camping or house sitting, and more recently couch surfing!

Interests

Hiking, surfing, history, sewing, painting and food

• board games
• socializing
• hiking
• surfing
• history
• food lover
• movies & books
• arts and culture

Music, Movies, and Books

Folk music, Synth pop music, new local music, and all sorts of live music.
We love a lot of low budget independent films, art house films but are also pretty happy watching whatever is new at the cinema.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Did an 8 day hike with friends in the middle of winter through the snow.

Teach, Learn, Share

Ollie knows a bit about viticulture and can try and teach you how to surf.
Hazel is great at sewing, painting and is currently doing a graphic design course.
Both of us are always happy to share our cooking though.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A cooked meal, a few stories and a laugh

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand