Aussies are a laid-back bunch - and it turns out, that’s exactly what we like to do when travelling.
New research from Money.com.au shows that more than a third of Aussie travellers (37%) rank a beach holiday as their top travel choice.
The survey asked more than 1000 Australians to rank their favourite type of holiday whether at home or abroad. Beach breaks were the clear winner across all age groups, but particularly among Millennials and Gen Z (both at 41%).
‘Active’ holidays that include physical activities like hiking, diving and snowboarding ranked second (12%) and were also popular among younger Aussies, particularly Millennials (18%). Urban holidays in big cities and cultural trips focused on history, art and food tied for third place, each chosen by 11% of Australians.
Gen Z (22%) and Gen X (14%) are the most likely to opt for an urban holiday. Meanwhile, Boomers (14%) and Millennials (12%) are more likely to prefer a cultural trip.
Road trips were also a popular choice for 1 in 10 Australians (10%), but were especially favoured by Boomers, with 1 in 5 (20%) preferring to hit the open road - whether in their own backyard or overseas.
Money.com.au’s Editor, Sean Callery, says Australians are rethinking their downtime, with younger and older generations looking for very different experiences.
"Australians are choosing to switch off, not pack more in when travelling. Beach holidays are the perfect way to recharge the batteries and the main attraction is free, so it’s a no-brainer especially if you’re paying for flights and accommodation," he says.
"There’s also a generational split in how Aussies want to travel. While younger travellers are chasing sun and adventure, older Australians are looking to brush up on culture - whether that’s in cities with a rich history or out on the open road.”
Cruises ranked lower on the list for Aussie travellers (9%), followed by seasonal breaks (short holidays tied to a specific season or holiday period) at 4%, staycations (3%), camping (2%) and wellness retreats (1%).
The top 10 holidays Aussies love most:
1. Beach holiday: a go-to for Aussies who want to relax without spending too much.
2. ‘Active’ holiday: for people who enjoy activities like hiking, diving, surfing or snowboarding.
3. Urban holiday: a short break in a big city, whether at home or overseas.
4. Cultural trip: visiting places for the food, history and local experiences.
5. Road trip: for those who want to travel at their own pace and explore by car.
6. Cruise: a slower, all-in-one option with travel, food and entertainment included.
7. Seasonal holiday: planned around a specific season (e.g. Summer, snow season) or holiday period (e.g. Christmas).
8. Staycation: taking time off to relax at home or nearby, without the hassle or cost of travel.
9. Camping: an affordable way to get outdoors and take a break from everyday life.
10. Wellness retreat: a low-key getaway to rest up or focus on your health.
