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Indonesia and more destinations are attracting Australians as international travel regains its excitement. Bali remains a powerful favourite, while rival destinations across Asia and beyond offer fresh reasons to travel. Australians are returning to Indonesia for beaches, culture, food and memorable island experiences. At the same time, Japan, Thailand, New Zealand and other destinations are capturing attention from travellers seeking new adventures. These rival destinations are helping reignite global travel dreams with diverse experiences and easy holiday inspiration. Travel And Tour World explores why Indonesia, Bali and more destinations are drawing Australians again. Read the full story to discover where Australian travellers are heading next.

Indonesia, New Zealand and More: Six Favourite Destinations Australian Travellers Continue to Choose

Japan is now one of the strongest overseas destinations for Australians, with 992,550 short-term resident returns recorded in 2025–26. That represented roughly 8% of all Australian overseas trips.

However, Japan is not alone in attracting Australian holidaymakers.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data recorded 12.71 million short-term resident returns in 2025–26, the highest annual total on record. About three in five trips were holidays, showing how strongly leisure travel is shaping Australian outbound tourism.

Indonesia remained the biggest destination, followed by New Zealand, Japan, China and the United States.

Thailand, India, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Fiji also remained among Australia’s major international travel markets.

For travellers planning their next overseas escape, these destinations offer very different experiences. Indonesia combines beaches and culture, New Zealand delivers mountains and adventure, while Thailand offers temples, islands and food.

India adds heritage and gastronomy. The UK appeals to repeat cultural travellers, while the United States provides enormous variety across cities, national parks and coastal destinations.

Australian Overseas Travel: The Numbers at a Glance

The figures show a dramatic post-pandemic recovery. Indonesia climbed from only 93,400 trips in 2021–22 to 1.78 million in 2025–26. Japan’s recovery was even stronger proportionally, reaching more than double its 2018–19 level by 2025–26.

1. Indonesia: Bali Remains the Big Australian Favourite

Indonesia is the clearest alternative for Australians looking for an overseas holiday. ABS recorded 1,777,270 Australian resident returns from Indonesia in 2025–26, representing about 14% of all Australian short-term overseas trips. Holiday travel accounted for 86.2% of Indonesian trips, showing the country’s strong leisure orientation. The five-year progression is striking: 93,400 trips in 2021–22, 1,127,180 in 2022–23, 1,531,190 in 2023–24, 1,741,370 in 2024–25 and 1,777,270 in 2025–26. Indonesia therefore added more than 1.68 million trips between 2021–22 and 2025–26. Bali remains the obvious starting point, but travellers can build a broader itinerary through Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua and other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. The official Indonesian tourism authority highlights Kuta for surfing, Sanur for quieter beaches, Ubud for culture and rice terraces, Besakih Temple for heritage and Tanah Lot for sunset views. Food should be part of the journey, with travellers able to try dishes such as babi guling, ayam betutu and lawar. A practical seven-day plan could begin with three nights in southern Bali, followed by three nights around Ubud and a final night near the airport. Travellers wanting greater adventure can extend the trip towards Komodo National Park. Official Indonesian tourism information promotes island-hopping, snorkelling, trekking and marine experiences around Komodo. For accommodation, visitors can choose from hotels and resorts around Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua, while Ubud works well for boutique stays and cultural retreats. A longer Indonesian holiday can combine Bali with Lombok or Flores, giving Australian visitors a way to move beyond the busiest resort areas.

2. New Zealand: The Easy Adventure Escape

New Zealand remains Australia’s second-biggest overseas destination. Australian residents recorded 1,489,460 trips to New Zealand in 2025–26, equivalent to approximately 12% of all short-term overseas trips. The five-year sequence was 195,370 in 2021–22, 1,196,620 in 2022–23, 1,309,860 in 2023–24, 1,409,320 in 2024–25 and 1,489,460 in 2025–26. The destination therefore added more than 1.29 million trips compared with 2021–22. New Zealand is particularly suitable for travellers seeking road trips, hiking, scenery, food and Māori culture. Tourism New Zealand promotes Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown as gateways to varied experiences. Rotorua combines geothermal landscapes with Māori cultural experiences, while Queenstown is positioned as an adventure centre. A strong 10-day itinerary can start in Auckland, continue to Rotorua, travel to Wellington and then cross to the South Island before ending in Queenstown. The official New Zealand itinerary also highlights Waitomo, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Franz Josef, Milford Sound and Queenstown. Food is another reason to extend the journey. Travellers can seek fresh seafood, crayfish in Kaikōura, Marlborough mussels, salmon and Māori hāngī. Tourism New Zealand specifically promotes kaimoana, kina, kūmara and hāngī experiences. Accommodation ranges from hotels and boutique lodges to holiday parks, farm stays, hostels and glamping options. For Australian travellers, New Zealand’s proximity also makes shorter breaks practical. A four-day Auckland escape works for a city holiday, while a two-week North and South Island journey provides a much deeper experience.

3. United States: The Long-Haul Classic Still Matters

The United States recorded 679,600 Australian resident returns in 2025–26, placing it fifth among Australia’s leading destination countries. The five-year comparison shows 169,710 trips in 2021–22, 609,000 in 2022–23, 714,300 in 2023–24, 746,220 in 2024–25 and 679,600 in 2025–26. Unlike most major destinations, the United States remains below its pre-pandemic level. ABS calculated 2025–26 travel at 63% of 2018–19 volume, making America the weakest recovering destination among the top ten. Nevertheless, the country remains attractive because Australian visitors can choose completely different holiday styles. A first trip could combine New York, Washington and Boston, while a West Coast itinerary can connect Los Angeles, San Francisco and California’s national parks. New York City alone welcomed approximately 65 million visitors in 2025, including 12.5 million international visitors. Its tourism sector generated $84.7 billion in total economic impact and $55.6 billion in direct visitor spending. Travellers can explore Manhattan landmarks, Broadway, museums, Central Park and neighbourhoods across all five boroughs. NYC’s official tourism organisation also highlights its large hotel inventory and extensive dining scene. California provides another strong option. Official tourism information promotes Yosemite, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, beaches, wine regions and road trips. Food can become a major part of a California journey, ranging from Mexican-inspired cuisine and seafood to farm-to-table dining and wine-country experiences. A 10-day first-time itinerary could spend four nights in New York, three in Los Angeles and three in San Francisco, although travellers should allow longer for internal travel. Those seeking nature can replace a city stop with Yosemite or another national park.

4. United Kingdom: Heritage, Food and Repeat Visits

The United Kingdom recorded 606,080 Australian resident returns in 2025–26. The five-year figures were 129,640 in 2021–22, 539,650 in 2022–23, 618,570 in 2023–24, 635,510 in 2024–25 and 606,080 in 2025–26. The market has recovered strongly from the pandemic years but remains below its 2018–19 level. ABS places 2025–26 travel at 90.8% of the pre-COVID benchmark. Britain has a particularly strong repeat-travel market among Australians. VisitBritain reports that 62% of Australian holiday visitors, excluding British expatriates, had made a previous Britain trip within the preceding ten years. It also recorded a record 511,000 holiday visits and 592,000 visits to friends and relatives from Australia in 2024. London remains the natural gateway, but travellers can build a much richer itinerary by adding Bath, Edinburgh, York or the Lake District. Official tourism information describes London as a combination of history, culture, green spaces, shopping and global food. Bath provides Roman heritage, Georgian architecture and thermal experiences, while Edinburgh combines historic streets, palaces and its castle setting. The Lake District adds hiking, lakes, countryside and country-house accommodation. A 10-day route could include four nights in London, two nights in Bath, two nights in York or the Lake District and two nights in Edinburgh. Food options range from classic British dishes to international cuisine, while regional pubs and countryside restaurants provide a more local experience. Travellers can stay in central hotels for city access, then switch to country inns or boutique properties outside London.

5. Thailand: Beaches, Temples and Food in One Journey

Thailand attracted 624,260 Australian resident returns in 2025–26, making it another major Asian choice. The five-year sequence was 66,990 in 2021–22, 422,620 in 2022–23, 535,250 in 2023–24, 643,530 in 2024–25 and 624,260 in 2025–26. Despite the slight decline from 2024–25, the 2025–26 figure remained 110.4% of the 2018–19 pre-pandemic level. Thailand works especially well for Australians because a single holiday can combine cities, beaches, mountains and food. Bangkok provides temples, markets, shopping and historic attractions. The Tourism Authority of Thailand highlights Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace area, Chatuchak Market and Yaowarat among Bangkok’s attractions. Chiang Mai provides a contrasting northern experience, combining Lanna culture, Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, walking streets, mountain landscapes and local food. Phuket offers beaches including Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala and Mai Khao, together with diving, snorkelling and sailing. Food should be central to the itinerary. Official Thai tourism information highlights local dishes, Michelin-listed restaurants, markets and regional specialities. A practical 10-day itinerary could include three nights in Bangkok, three nights in Chiang Mai and four nights in Phuket. Travellers wanting quieter beaches can consider northern Phuket or extend towards Krabi. Accommodation is available across city hotels, beach resorts, boutique properties and wellness stays. Thailand is therefore particularly suited to Australians who want several holiday styles without changing countries.

6. India: Heritage, Food and Longer Cultural Journeys

India recorded 615,740 Australian resident returns in 2025–26, placing it among the leading destinations for Australian travellers. The five-year sequence shows 157,500 trips in 2021–22, 483,770 in 2022–23, 515,000 in 2023–24, 590,560 in 2024–25 and 615,740 in 2025–26. India was therefore almost four times larger in 2025–26 than in 2021–22. Its 2025–26 volume also stood at 147.9% of the 2018–19 level, according to ABS. India’s appeal comes from the scale of experiences available. First-time visitors can follow the Golden Triangle through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. India’s official tourism portal describes Delhi as a destination combining historic monuments, museums, markets, green spaces and food. Its major landmarks include the Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. Agra provides the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, while Jaipur adds forts, palaces, markets and Rajasthani cuisine. Travellers wanting a longer trip can continue towards Kerala, Goa or other regional destinations. The official Incredible India platform also highlights Kerala destinations including Munnar, Kumarakom and Kochi. Food is a major part of the experience, from Delhi’s street-food traditions to Rajasthan’s dal bati churma and Kerala’s regional cuisine. A 10-day plan could include three nights in Delhi, two in Agra, three in Jaipur and two in Delhi before departure. A 14-day version could add Kerala or Goa. Accommodation ranges from city hotels and heritage properties to beach resorts and boutique stays. Travellers should allow more time between destinations than a simple map suggests because India’s distances, traffic and transport conditions can significantly affect journey times.

Five-Year Comparison: How Australian Travel Has Changed

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics. Figures represent short-term resident returns and border movements, not unique individuals.

Which Destinations Have Recovered the Most?

Japan is the standout performer, with Australian travel more than doubling its 2018–19 level. India and Indonesia also sit substantially above their pre-pandemic benchmarks. By contrast, the United States remains 37% below its 2018–19 level.

A Practical Australian Traveller Comparison

What the Numbers Mean for Travellers

The latest statistics show that Australians are not simply returning to international travel. They are distributing their holidays across destinations with very different experiences.

Indonesia remains the strongest choice by absolute volume. New Zealand benefits from proximity and year-round outdoor experiences.

Thailand continues to combine affordability, beaches and food, while India is attracting travellers interested in longer cultural journeys.

The United Kingdom retains a powerful repeat-visitor market, particularly among Australians with family and historical connections.

The United States remains important despite its slower recovery.

Japan, meanwhile, has emerged as the strongest performer relative to its pre-pandemic baseline.

For travellers planning future holidays, the lesson is clear: Australia’s outbound market is no longer centred around one type of international vacation.

Beach escapes, nature journeys, heritage tours, food-focused holidays and long-haul city breaks are all competing for Australian travellers.

The strongest destinations are those that offer multiple experiences within a single journey.

That gives global travellers a useful roadmap too. Indonesia can deliver islands and culture. New Zealand combines nature and Māori heritage. Thailand blends food and beaches. India offers history and regional cuisine. Britain delivers centuries of culture, while America provides extraordinary geographic variety.

For travellers deciding where to go next, the latest Australian travel figures offer a valuable indication of which destinations are attracting sustained international interest.

Conclusion

Indonesia and more destinations are giving Australian travellers fresh reasons to explore the world again. Bali remains a favourite, but Japan, Thailand, New Zealand, India and other destinations are offering equally compelling experiences. From beaches and island escapes to food, culture, nature and heritage, travellers now have more choices than ever. The latest travel figures show that Australians are embracing both familiar favourites and new experiences. Travel And Tour World highlights how this changing travel landscape is creating exciting opportunities for global tourism. For travellers planning their next international holiday, these destinations offer inspiration, variety and unforgettable journeys beyond the usual travel path.