The new travel trend where you fly across the world to meet strangers who share your secret passion

Imagine travelling alone to the other side of the world, only to find a group of people who speak your shorthand.

This is the travel experience of choice among an increasing group of Australians heading overseas, who are booking trips based around special interests and passions.

Whether it's a love of Jane Austen novels, quilting, hunting for truffles, chasing the northern lights or navigating rugged terrain on a motorbike, there's a tour out there for every special interest.

For Mahalath Halperin, a semi-retired architect, and Joc Coventry, a former outdoor adventure store owner, a passion for motorbiking in remote areas led them to leave their regional home behind to find a global tribe.

"There's always things that do not go according to plan, which are stressful at the time, but great stories to tell afterwards," Halperin said.

The couple have now explored India, Nepal, New Zealand, Turkey, Italy, Bosnia, Spain, Morocco, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Iceland, Japan, Scotland and other countries on motorbike, with their crew in tow.

"There's some safety in numbers... you've also got other people who are there to share the experience with," Coventry said.

For the former adventure outfitter, the safety net is just a bonus. The real appeal of a special-interest tour is the fast camaraderie that happens when you can bypass small talk.

"You click with people and form these lifelong friendships. If you've got somebody to share a mind-blowing experience with, it becomes a much better journey," he said.

For those seeking their own tribe, here are some other quirky overseas tours on offer.

Coventry has become so embedded in the motorbike touring world that he is stepping up to lead the next expedition, through the Himalayas, himself.

For keen bikers, Coventry's trip through the high-altitude deserts of Spiti Valley and Zanskar is like no other.

"A lot of where we go would be difficult to do without being on a tour, because quite remote, so organising public transport, that sort of stuff, would be hard," Coventry said.

Highlights of the tour include mastering Umling La, one of the world's highest motorable passes, and visiting Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley with culinary stops for thukpa and momos.

This trip is designed for travellers who want to talk about the more technical sides of navigating high mountain passes, while sipping chai by the roadside.

This tour is timed to coincide with Europe's largest patchwork event, the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham from July 30 to August 2.

The itinerary traces Scottish and Welsh textile heritage before heading to the main event in Birmingham, with several days of dedicated workshops, lectures and shopping opportunities.

The package is fully escorted and designed for those who want to study traditional British weaving alongside an international community of fellow makers.

Knitting by day, sky-gazing by night: this is Stitchtopia's Northern Lights Knitting cruise through the fjords of Norway

Departing from Bergen Knit Fest, this specialty cruise is perfect for those who want to explore historic yarn mills and remote craft villages, such as Alesund.

There are hands-on masterclasses led by expert designers using traditional Norwegian wool, and at night, guests gather on the ship's deck to watch the Northern Lights.

For those who love great food and wine, there's no better pilgrimmage than to Bra, Italy, the birthplace of the Slow Food movement.

It's a particularly good trip if you time it to coincide with the annual International Alba White Truffle Fair in October and November.

The slow-paced Gastronomic Piedmont tour itinerary travels through the Langhe hills includes a truffle hunt, private wine tastings at historic Barolo estates such as the Ascheri winery and dining at osterias and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Touring the South East of England, this is the perfect trip for green thumbs looking for a few new gardening tips and tricks.

These small-group tours offers exclusive access to the Chelsea Flower Show in May, with stops at Kew Gardens, Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst, and Great Dixter.

Designed for the luxury traveller, this trip is capped at 18 people and includes accommodation at boutique hotels.

Calling all Mr Darcy fans, this tour is an immersive literary experience timed for Bath's annual Jane Austen festival.

The itinerary traces the author's life through her childhood home in Steventon, her writing cottage in Chawton and her burial site at Winchester Cathedral.

Formal Regency costume hire is arranged, as well as Grand Regency Costumed Promenade tickets and historic dance workshops.