- Max Adventure, Min Commitment: Gen Z is redefining the “quick trip” with 1-2 day getaways increasing over the past three years. Given how popular travelling for sport is, major event host cities are trending, as are locations that are only a short drive away. Trending short stay spots include:
- AU: Albany, WA; Launceston, TAS; Southern Downs, QLD; Shepparton, VIC
- It’s Time to Touch Grass: Australians will be heading off the beaten track with a surge in off-grid retreats and families wanting to disconnect seeking out destinations close to the coast and waterways. Nature escapes on peoples lists include:
- AU: Shoalhaven, NSW; Glamorgan Spring Bay, TAS; Bass Coast, VIC; Busselton, WA
- International: Sardinia, Italy; Goa, India; Ujung Kulon, Indonesia
- Mainstage Tourism: Major cultural, sporting, and music events aren’t just driving social trends, but travel ones. 65% of the top-searched dates and cities in 2026 align with global moments like the Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup and Carnival, while Australians will be flocking to sporting events like the AO and Asian Women’s World Cup and to watch global superstars such as Lorde and Bad Bunny, as the Gold Coast beats Brisbane for travellers seeking out sports and gigs! Top locations for 2026 include:
- AU: Melbourne, VIC; Gold Coast, QLD; Adelaide, SA; Brisbane, QLD
- International: Toronto, Canada; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Guadalajara, Mexico; Milan, Italy
- Drop the Significant Other, Pick Up the Backpack: “Me time” is replacing “plus one” with solo travel experiencing a renaissance, fuelled by online conversations that encourage self-discovery over relationship status. Popular 2026 solo hotspots include:
- AU: Busselton, WA; Surf Coast, VIC; Wingecarribee, NSW; Gold Coast, QLD
- International: Costa del Sol, Spain; Algarve, Portugal; Tromsø, Norway; Inverness, Scotland; La Altagracia, Dominican Republic
- We’re getting hands on: . Foodie travel is on the rise, with wine regions and culinary escapes topping both searches and wishlists. Because let’s be honest, everything tastes better when you’ve stirred the pot yourself. Fueled by viral TikTok, Aussies are chasing their next flavour fix, from vineyard pours to hands-on cooking classes. Trending culinary and wine destinations include:
- AU: Canberra, ACT; Bega Valley, NSW; East Gippsland, VIC; Bundaberg, QLD
- International: Var, France; Bangalore, India; Melbourne, Australia; Lisbon, Portugal; Istanbul, Turkey; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan
