The summer holidays are almost upon us, with just weeks left until most of us are (happily) forced to take annual leave. While some people are content just chilling by the local pool, more than half of Aussies prefer to holiday during the busy festive season. So, where’s everyone heading this summer? Expedia has just revealed the top domestic and international trending destinations for Aussies from December through February – and it’s just the inspo you need to book a last-minute trip.
Trending data from Expedia’s Summer Travel Outlook report reveals Australians are saying sayonara to busy beaches and jam-packed itineraries, instead heading inland for milder weather and a slower pace of life. The biggest winner this summer is Victoria’s Yarra Valley, which saw a huge 85 per cent jump in demand for accommodation compared to last year. Honestly, we wouldn’t mind spending our summer picnicking in lush vineyards, picking fresh cherries, sipping wine at sunset and sleeping in a tiny home under the stars.
This inland trend extends to Jindabyne in New South Wales (+65 per cent), New Norfolk in Tasmania (+50 per cent), Daylesford in Victoria (+45 per cent), NSW’s Kangaroo Valley (+35 per cent), and South Australia’s Barossa Valley (+25 per cent). Theoretically, as these destinations are all on Australia’s east coast, you could tick them all off in one big summer road trip. Just save us a seat!
“If you haven’t booked your summer escape yet, there’s still time…” said Sarah King, Expedia travel expert. “Destinations such as Jindabyne and Daylesford can potentially offer average daily accommodation rates of up to 55 per cent less than the popular coastal hotspots and often less crowds.”
A handful of underrated Aussie coastal towns are also on the rise, with Byron Bay’s neighbour, Tweed Heads, landing third after seeing a 55 per cent increase in demand. It’s joined in the top ten by NSW gems, Kingscliff and Kiama. If you’re keen to jump aboard the coastal bus, Expedia says the last week of January is prime time for a last-minute getaway. This period is forecast to be 80 per cent less busy than the frantic week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and you could save up to 30 per cent on accommodation.
For Australians travelling overseas, a winter wonderland experience is top of the bucket list. Trending snow spots like Sapporo (+70 per cent), Helsinki (+50 per cent) and Whistler (+30 per cent) are on the rise, as more than a third of us look to ditch the summer heat. Plus, we bet many Aussies are chasing the Northern Lights, especially since 2026 is primed to be the best year to see the lights in a decade. Got a spare room? Asking for a friend.
Asia also appears to be drawing Aussies in with its culture, connectivity and serious value for money. Interestingly, Shenzhen in China is the trendiest international summer destination, recording a mega 145 per cent rise in demand for accommodation. Other Asian hotspots, like Hanoi, Kowloon and Taipei, also ranked in the top ten. You can check out the ten trendiest domestic and international destinations for Aussies this summer below.
The 10 trending domestic summer destinations for Australians
- Yarra Valley, VIC
- Jindabyne, NSW
- Tweed Heads, NSW
- New Norfolk, TAS
- Daylesford, VIC
- Kingscliff, NSW
- Kangaroo Valley, NSW
- Kiama, NSW
- Mission Beach, QLD
- Barossa Valley, SA
The 10 trending international summer destinations for Australians
- Shenzhen, China
- Sapporo, Japan
- Helsinki, Finland
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Whistler, Canada
- Dubai, UAE
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Taipei, Taiwan
