In case it’s crept up on you (again), Father's Day in Australia is almost here - Sunday 6th September. Dads are famous for their jokes and being notoriously difficult to buy gifts for so we’ve done the hard work for you.
If he still writes by hand, keeps a notebook in his jacket pocket, appreciates really well-made stationery - you are in the right place. Whether you are shopping for fun dad, kind dad, wise dad, strong dad or best dad, below are our favourite Father's Day gifts for the dad who loves to write, draw and create.
For the dad who insists he doesn't need a thing
A.k.a personalised and engraved Father's Day gifts for dads
Every family has one, and the answer is almost always something he would never buy himself but will actually treasure. Make it personal. A personalised Bookbinders Design notebook (from $24.50) or other notebooks, such as a Traveler's Company one, with his initials turns "I don't need anything" into "how did you know".
And it is not just notebooks - we personalise all kinds of stationery in store and online, so you can add his initials, name or a date to just the right gift. Have a look at everything we can personalise.
For the sentimental one
Dads can be sentimental too. A Semikolon Heritage photo album ($75) is the kind of gift you fill with family photos before you wrap it, a year of moments he can hold in his hands. It comes in a range of heritage colours, and if you have more memories to fit, the Medium and Large sizes give you room to grow.
For the everyday writer
Some dads just want a pen that feels good in the hand and works every single time. The Caran d'Ache 849 rollerball ($105.95) is a modern classic, slim and beautifully balanced, and they come in many colours. For a different style, the Fisher Bullet Space Pen ($74.95) is the cool NASA one that writes upside down, in the freezing cold or out in the shed, a pocket-sized piece of engineering with a story to tell.
For the dad curious about fountain pens
If Dad has ever said he would love to get into fountain pens, this is his year. The Kaweco Classic Sport ($59.95) is the perfect first fountain pen and so easy to love - pocket sized, forgiving and a joy to write with. The Kaweco styles and colour options are amazing.
The Pilot Metropolitan ($57.95) is another brilliant starting point with a smooth, reliable nib. New to all this yourself? Our guide to the best beginner fountain pens and our practical guide to nibs will help you choose with confidence.
For the maker and the organiser
Gift for the architect, the engineer, the tinkerer, the dad who loves a well-designed tool and a place for everything. A Toyo Steel stationery box ($59), which comes in a variety of colours, is a pressed-steel toolbox for pens, notes and desk odds and ends that looks as good as it works.
Pair it with any of the amazing Superior Labor bags when he needs to carry it all. These utility totes come in hard-wearing waxed canvas and leather, they are hand made and designed for practicality with an understated style and really dependable quality.
The Makers Cabinet creates impecably designed and durable tools for creative and technical drawing, like rulers, sharpeners, and compass tools. Did you know that their Høvel pencil plane ($79) is one of Adam Savage's favourite tools?
For the traveller
For the dad who is always planning his next trip, a good leather notebook for keeping a journal is a gift that goes a long way. The refillable Traveler's Notebook (from $84.95 for the Passport size) is built for a life on the move, with its leather cover softening beautifully with every journey. Pair it with the solid-brass Traveler's Company rollerball ($110.45), a pen that gets a beautiful patina over time.
Shop leather journals and travel notebooks
For the collector
For that dad who already knows his fountain pens and nibs, give him something he will remember. The Sailor 1911 Standard with a 14k gold nib ($555) is a benchmark writer, the sort of pen that becomes a lifelong companion and, eventually, an heirloom. If he already has the pens he loves, treat him to an ink instead: a bottle of Pilot Iroshizuku ink ($27.95) in one of its beautiful nature-inspired shades is a small luxury that never misses with fountain pen lovers.
Shop luxury pens or browse fountain pen inks.
Still deciding? Build a little set
When you want it to feel like more, put a few things together. For example, a Kaweco Sport, a bottle of ink and a notebook make a complete, considered gift, and adding his initials to the notebook gives it something no shop-bought hamper can match.
Father's Day gift FAQs
When is Father's Day in Australia in 2026?
Father's Day in Australia is on Sunday 6 September 2026, and it's always the first Sunday of September.
What is a good Father's Day gift for a dad who wants nothing?
Choose something personal and useful that he would not buy himself: a personalised notebook with his initials, a pen he will carry every day, a compendium or a quality carry case.
What are good last-minute Father's Day gifts?
A gift card is always welcome, and small, giftable items like a quality pen, a bottle of ink or a pocket notebook ship quickly. If you are local, you can also collect in store at The Galleria on Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
Do you offer personalised or engraved gifts?
Yes. Many of our notebooks can be personalised, and a wax seal with his initial is an easy way to make a gift feel bespoke. See our personalised range for options.
What is a good first Father's Day gift?
A personalised photo album to capture the year's memories, or a keepsake pen he can pass on one day, both make a meaningful first Father's Day gift.
Still deciding? Browse all of our Father's Day gift ideas and find something Dad will treasure. Order early to make sure it arrives before Sunday 6 September.
