Australian Outbound Travel Surges with Strong Interest in Japan China and Thailand

Published on December 27, 2025

Australian Outbound Travel Surges as residents set new records for international journeys in 2025, with official data showing a notable rise in outbound trips and expanding interest across key Asia Pacific destinations. New figures from Tourism Research Australia’s forecasts and Australian Bureau of Statistics arrivals and departures data confirm that Australians are embracing international travel at unprecedented rates, particularly leaning into short‑haul routes across the Asia Pacific region. This trend signals robust travel demand for holiday experiences and visits abroad at a time when global travel patterns continue evolving.

Official national tourism forecasts project that Australian residents are likely to take about twelve point six million outbound international trips in 2025, reflecting significant growth compared with prior years and building on the sustained appetite for travel beyond domestic borders. Australia’s strategic tourism outlook also anticipates ongoing expansion in both international and domestic travel through 2030, cementing the nation’s role as one of the most active travel markets in the Asia Pacific.

Outbound Growth Reflects Travel Sentiment and Global Connectivity

The rise in outbound travel aligns with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data on overseas arrivals and departures, which show consistent increases in international movements during 2025. Short‑term resident departures and arrivals both climbed year‑on‑year, affirming Australians’ growing readiness to explore overseas destinations.

This vigorous travel behaviour reflects Australians’ prioritisation of leisure and cultural experiences abroad, with leisure travel continuing to dominate outbound trip purposes. The trend highlights a re‑energised global travel appetite after years of constraints, emboldening travellers to seek experiences that stretch well beyond traditional holiday patterns.

Key Destinations Continue to Draw Strong Demand

Government forecast insights and national travel data suggest that short‑haul destinations across Asia and the Pacific region remain especially popular with Australian travellers in 2025. While outbound travel to a range of countries has increased, destinations such as Japan, China, Vietnam and Thailand have risen strongly in recent travel patterns, reflecting both cultural appeal and ease of access from Australia.

Japan, in particular, stands out as a growth leader in outbound travel, with strong interest from Australians seeking seasonal experiences, cultural immersion, culinary exploration and dynamic city breaks. Australia’s proximity to Asia and expanded aviation capacity on key routes supports these travel flows.

Alongside Asia’s appeal, Pacific Island nations and Indonesian destinations continue to attract Aussies with their tropical climates and leisure‑centric offerings. This diversification of travel interests showcases a widening palette of travel motivations and experiences beyond conventional holiday spots.

Government Data Shows Ongoing Tourism Momentum

Official tourism forecasts for Australia highlight a broader picture of travel momentum into the coming years. The national strategy anticipates both inbound and outbound travel numbers rising as connectivity improves and traveller confidence grows.

Domestic travel remains an important part of the national travel landscape, but outbound travel has outpaced domestic movements in 2025, demonstrating strong interest in international exploration. This pattern illustrates Australians’ desire for broader cultural experiences and global discovery while maintaining interest in local travel opportunities.

Meanwhile, short‑term visitor arrivals to Australia have also risen, with combined official figures showing inbound tourism growing year‑on‑year. These patterns reflect a resilient and dynamic tourism environment, as both Australians travel abroad and international visitors journey to Australia.

Travel Patterns Evolve with Global Trends

The latest official figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics underscore how 2025 has shaped up as a vibrant year for travel. Overseas arrivals and departures data show sustained increases in international travel throughout the year, reflecting broader global mobility and a renewed desire for cross‑border experiences.

At the same time, long‑term strategy forecasts signal that this vibrant travel phase may moderate moderately after 2025, but significant growth continues into 2026 and beyond. This suggests that Australian travellers will keep pushing boundaries internationally while travel planners and tourism stakeholders prepare for evolving demand patterns up to 2030 and beyond.

A New Era of Global Travel for Australian Residents

Australian Outbound Travel Surges in 2025, marking a pivotal year for international travel with record outbound journeys and strong interest in Asia Pacific destinations. Government forecasts and official movement data confirm that Australian travellers are embracing global explorations with renewed confidence, widening their travel destinations and enriching their experiences abroad. With rising interest in culture, leisure and regional travel opportunities, the travel landscape for Australians continues to evolve dynamically, underscoring the importance of strategic planning and connectivity for future tourism growth.