The top 10 travel destinations Aussies are loving right now

By Jack Dona · · 6 min read
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An aeroplane flies through the sky, high above the clouds. On its side are printed the words: 'It's time for a holiday'.

Australia’s appetite for travel, while not completely in the black, has recovered impressively after the pandemic, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

In the year to June 2023, over 8.3 million Australians travelled internationally, which is only about 74% of pre-COVID levels. However, it does illustrate a massive rebound from 2021-22, when borders were closed and only 1.6 million Australians boarded an overseas flight. 

As we all remember, during the COVID-19 pandemic, travel – especially for holidaymakers – was largely off the cards. 

While we were busy avoiding crowds and masking up to take the bins out, listless aeroplanes dreamed of floating merry hordes of Aussie travellers over land and sea to new destinations. And we never thought it would end… 

Doesn’t it seem like a world away from us now? 

If you’re after some travel inspiration, or stuck on where to go next, here’s a breakdown of where Australians love to travel most. 

Most popular overseas countries for Australians:

Vietnam

View of fishermen fishing on river in Thung mountain in Tra Linh, Cao Bang province, Vietnam with lake, cloudy, nature
Thung mountain, Cao Bang, Vietnam.

Coming in as the 10th most popular overseas destination for Australians, Vietnam’s storied culture and spectacular scenery (not to mention affordability) are big draw cards for travellers. 

Whether you’re there for the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, or to soak up some history in the ancient Vietnamese capital, Hue, this Southeast Asian country is a must-see for any traveller worth one’s salt. 

Related: Travel insurance Vietnam

Japan

People at the Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. The street is narrow and filled with bars and restaurants.
The narrow street of Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, packed with small bars and restaurants.

In 9th place, Japan remains one of the most popular overseas destinations for Australian travellers, despite dropping a few ranks since COVID came through. 

Still, for lovers of contemporary Japanese culture and cuisine, or travellers who love to dig through big cities with great nightlife (like Tokyo), Japan offers plenty of adventure for those willing to find it. 

Related: Travel insurance Japan

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Singapore

Merlion Statue, the official mascot of Singapore, at Marina Bay in Singapore. It is a mythical creature with a lion head and the body of a fish widely used to represent the city.
Merlion Statue, the official mascot of Singapore, at Marina Bay in Singapore.

The 8th most popular travel destination for Australians is the island nation of Singapore. We’ve touched on Singapore’s amazing Changi Airport before, but there’s a whole lot more out there to get yourself acquainted with.

Aside from being among one of the cleanest cities in the world, Singapore offers a wide variety of tourist attractions like the Gardens by the Bay, treks through the Southern Ridges, and architecture ranging from 19th-century heritage homes to cutting-edge contemporary structures. 

Related: Travel Insurance Singapore

Fiji

Two people lounge on beach chairs under the shade of a straw umbrella.
Octopus Resort in the southern Yasawa Islands.

In 7th place on Australia’s most popular travel destinations list is Fiji. I might add, it’s not hard to see why. 

Aside from being close to Australia, Fiji also boasts wild landscapes, tropical beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and pristine lagoons. 

With over 300 islands to choose from, that’s a lot of coastline. But if you’re after the perfect island getaway, featuring sun, sand, and surf, then Viti Levu (home to the popular city of Nadi) and Vanua Levu will be top of your list, as this is where the action (or, relaxation) is.

Thailand

A young woman paddles a kayak down a river surrounded by leafy rock formations and trees.
Kayaking through the mangrove forest in Krabi, Thailand.

Thailand comes in at 6th place on the list of Australia’s favourite places to travel in 2023. With a rich and vibrant culture, world-renowned cuisine, and tropical lifestyle, this Southeast Asian nation attracts roughly half a million Australians each year on average.  

The capital, Bangkok, is by far the most well-travelled city in Thailand for Aussies, especially those looking to go backpacking on a budget.

India

A long line of visitors waiting to enter the Lotus Temple in New Delhi.
No, that's not the Sydney Opera House. It's actually the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India.

Cracking the top 5 is India, a destination that has boomed in popularity this year, and one of the few countries where the number of Australian travellers has surpassed pre-COVID levels by 16%! 

While a big contributor to India’s popularity among Aussies could be due to our nation’s growing community of Indian expats, new airline routes that make it easier for us to fly direct may also have made an impact. 

The home of Bollywood and the Taj Mahal, big cities like Mumbai and New Delhi, and a centre of spirituality in South Asia, India is a destination that can be tough to travel, but ultimately rewarding. 

Related: Travel insurance India

The United Kingdom (UK)

A wild rock formation pokes out of the sea in Aberdeen, Scotland. In the foreground are little pink flowers and a grassy slope.
Aberdeen, Scotland.

Like India, there’s a large expat community of people from the UK who reside in Australia, which would undoubtedly contribute to the UK’s 4th place ranking in our list of favourite overseas destinations. 

From the hustle and bustle of London, to the open countryside of Scotland (with its fantastic right to roam laws), the UK’s popularity among Aussies doesn’t really surprise – especially since Australians don’t need a visa for the UK in many cases. 

The UK is Australia’s gateway to Europe, proving (in my experience) to be a great way to settle into a big Euro trip without a language barrier and grow accustomed to living out of a suitcase (not to mention jetlag). 

Related: Travel insurance UK

The United States of America (USA)

A mountainous landscape in Yosemite National Park, California.
Yosemite National Park, California, USA.

Australia’s 3rd favourite travel destination is the USA: a powerhouse of Western culture and a land of diverse regions that cater to as many types of travellers as you can poke a selfie stick at. 

Are you looking for the latest in fashion or the forefront of culture? New York City is where you’ll find it. Want to get back to nature in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world? Drive out to Yosemite National Park in California – and bring a camera, or you’ll wish you had. Keen for a road trip? The iconic Route 66 caters to just that. 

While the US has dropped off a little in popularity, bringing in just over half the Aussie travellers it did pre-pandemic, the country still has a lot to offer if you know where to look. It’s an impressive testament to the USA’s magnetism for Aussies to take third place regardless of its waning popularity. 

Related: Travel insurance USA

Indonesia

A large rock, surrounded by the ocean, home to a Hindu temple, Tanah Lot.
The Tanah Lot Balinese Hindu temple.

Coming closer to home, Indonesia is the 2nd most popular destination for Australians to travel to, continuing our decades-long love affair with places like Bali. 

Aside from the nation’s great affordability for Australian travellers, Indonesia boasts prime surfing destinations like Kuta, cultural centre points like Ubud, and a melting pot of history, language and cuisines in the nation’s capital, Jakarta. 

Super popular among backpackers and those wanting to wind down and enjoy a day by the ocean (or resort pool) with a cocktail in hand. 

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New Zealand

A view of a sprawling city from the top of a mountain.
The view of Auckland city-centre from Mount Eden.

Australia’s No.1 favourite overseas destination is, of course, New Zealand! Just a stone’s throw away, across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s stunning natural scenery looks almost as magical in person as it does in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

Visit Hobbiton in spring, hit the slopes in winter, or check out Auckland’s stunning harbourside food scene, only a few hours flight from the east coast of Australia. 

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International travel checklist

If it’s been a while since your last overseas holiday, make sure you: 

If you’re after some top-tier coverage, make sure you read up on the best travel insurance in 2023, as decided by the Mozo Experts Choice Awards, and read some of Mozo’s travel insurance guides for tips and travel hacks that you might not have thought about.

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards

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