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We’re not even two months into the year, but for a lot of us, the big summer holiday has become a blurry, sepia-toned memory. The remedy? Probably booking another one. According to Webjet’s Go Somewhere Special 2026 travel trends report, half of Australians (50 per cent) say a trip is the thing they’re most excited about this year – beating out many of life’s so-called “big moments”. Getting married? Nothing on a beach break.
According to WebJet, the wanderlust isn’t just talk. The stats say that nearly 45 per cent of Aussies are planning to travel more in 2026 than they did last year, with the average person mapping out four trips across the year – roughly 2.6 domestic getaways and 1.7 international adventures. And when it comes to local bragging rights? NSW has been crowned the second most exciting state to visit in 2026, sitting just behind Queensland (and ahead of Victoria).
The report – based on a survey of more than 2,000 Australians from across the country – shows that nearly nine in ten people (86 per cent) are planning a domestic trip this year. Queensland may be winning hearts overall, but NSW is hot on its heels.
Internationally, Japan tops the list of most exciting destinations for Aussies in 2026, followed by New Zealand, the USA and Indonesia. But the fact that NSW has clinched the number-two spot domestically suggests we’re equally keen to rediscover our own backyard.
Katrina Barry, Managing Director and CEO of Webjet Group, says travel is becoming something Australians are actively building their lives around, explaining that planning a trip is “part of the excitement, and travellers are spending months researching, comparing and finding the right experience at the right value before they go somewhere special.”
Keen to hear the other trends? Thirty per cent of working-age Australians (18–59) say holidays are key to their mental health, and 48 per cent agree that rest and relaxation is the occasion most worth travelling for this year. Affordability still matters (22 per cent say it’s the most influential factor when choosing a destination), followed by safety, good weather and ease of travel.
The takeaway? Whether it’s a vineyard tour in the Hunter, a coastal escape on the South Coast or a city staycation in a luxe hotel (27 per cent of travellers say they’d splurge on accommodation over flights), NSW is on the hit list for a heap of Aussie travellers in 2026, and we don’t blame them.
You can check out Webjet's full trend report here.
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