With petrol prices and the cost of living putting a squeeze on the classic long-haul holiday, savvy travellers are looking to their own backyards for world-class experiences that don’t require a second mortgage for a tank of fuel.
Demand for domestic travel continues to surge this year. Specifically, “Micro-cations”, short breaks outside of capital cities, are the trend of choice. Many are heading for the fresh air of National Parks, while one in two Aussies say a local island getaway is calling their name.
Bang for buck is the name of the game. 90% of Aussies say if the price was comparable, they’d prefer to visit multiple local gems rather than just one destination.
“From the red desert to the reef, Australia offers incredible experiences for a fraction of the price and travel time of an overseas trip,” says Wotif.com Travel Expert, Amanda Behre. “By staying local, you can afford a few smaller ‘recharge’ trips throughout the year rather than blowing the whole budget on one big international flight.”
Debunking the Top 5 Myths of Domestic Travel
1. It’s cheaper to travel overseas
A third of Aussies still believe international travel is the more affordable route. However, when you factor in current exchange rates and soaring fuel surcharges on international flights, local travel can be up to 400% cheaper. For example, airfares to experience the rich culture of Uluru are often a quarter of the cost of flying to London to see Stonehenge. Yet, statistically, more Australians have visited the UK than our own Red Centre.
2. “I’ve been everywhere, man”
Most of us have seen Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast, but Australia spans 7.692 million kilometres. We are internationally renowned for destinations that locals are actually the least likely to have visited. Have you ticked these off yet?
Freycinet National Park, TAS (Only 17% of Aussies have been)
Kakadu National Park, NT (16%)
Kangaroo Island, SA (14%)
Norfolk Island (7%)
3. Overseas culture is more “interesting”
Seven in ten Aussies head abroad to “find culture,” yet our own history is among the oldest on earth. In the Daintree Rainforest, you can walk with the Kuku Yalanji people and learn stories that pre-date modern civilization. Closer to the city, only 10% of Aussies have taken the ferry to Cockatoo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a convict history as fascinating as any European fortress.
4. There is more adventure to be had overseas
Adrenaline junkies needn’t look further than our coastline. From swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef to hiking the wild terrain of Cradle Mountain, the world comes to us for adventure. Staying local means you can spend your budget on the experience like a guided trek or a scenic flight rather than just the transit to get there.
5. Australia is too big and time-consuming to navigate
With petrol prices top of mind, the “Big Lap” might feel daunting, but the rise of regional hubs and electric vehicle infrastructure makes “hub-and-spoke” travel easier than ever. Staying in your home state means less time in transit and more time actually on holiday.
