United States
- Domestically, Queensland dominates the top 10 popular destinations
- Internationally, colder winter escapes are on the rise
- Late January is the sweet spot to avoid crowds and potentially save money
SYDNEY, November 19, 2025 – Today, Expedia revealed the most popular and trending domestic and international summer destinations with last-minute booking tips, as one in two (51%)* Aussie travellers prefer to holiday over the busy festive seasons than spend it at home with family.
Expedia’s domestic summer travel insights
This summer is shaping up to be a busy travel season for Queensland, with the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches taking out Australia’s top 10 holiday destinations. Beyond Queensland, trending Expedia data shows Aussies are shifting inland for milder summer weather and slower escapes, with Yarra Valley, VIC (+85%), Jindabyne, NSW (+65%), and New Norfolk, TAS (+50%) on the rise.
“If you haven’t booked your summer escape yet, there’s still time,” said Sarah King, Expedia Travel Expert. “The coast will always be classic; however, it’s worth looking inland this year, especially for last-minute bookings. Destinations such as Jindabyne, NSW and Daylesford, VIC, can potentially offer average daily accommodation rates of up to 55% less than the popular coastal hotspots and often less crowds.”
Expedia’s most popular and trending domestic destinations
| Most popular domestic summer destinations (excluding capital cities)[1] | Top trending domestic summer destinations[2] |
| 1. Surfers Paradise, QLD 2. Broadbeach, QLD 3. Southport, QLD 4. Main Beach, QLD 5. Mermaid Beach, QLD 6. Burleigh Heads, QLD 7. Maroochydore, QLD 8. Coolangatta, QLD 9. Noosa, QLD 10. Caloundra, QLD | 1. Yarra Valley, VIC (+85%) 2. Jindabyne, NSW (+65%) 3. Tweed Heads, NSW (+55%) 4. New Norfolk, TAS (+50%) 5. Daylesford, VIC (+45%) 6. Kingscliff, NSW (+35%) 7. Kangaroo Valley, NSW (+35%) 8. Kiama, NSW (+30%) 9. Mission Beach, QLD (+30%) 10. Barossa Valley, SA (+25%) |
Expedia’s international summer travel insights
Expedia reveals Asia has claimed six of the top 10 international summer destinations, drawing Aussies in with its culture, connectivity, and value for money. Trending snow spots like Sapporo, Japan (+70%), Helsinki, Finland (+50%), and Whistler, Canada (+30%) suggest a desire to experience traditional winter regions in its prime, as over a third (36%) of Aussies want to swap the summer heat for a cooler-weather escape.
“For Aussies wanting to experience a last-minute winter wonderland, flexibility is key to stretching the travel budget further,” King said. “Expedia data shows the second half of January is predicted to be the least busy time to fly, with potential savings of up to 60% on flights, compared to the peak Christmas period.”
Expedia’s most popular and trending international destinations
| Most popular international summer destinations[3] | Top trending international summer destinations[4] |
| Tokyo, JapanBali, IndonesiaSingaporeOsaka, JapanLondon, UKBangkok, ThailandFijiNew York, USAHo Chi Minh City, VietnamParis, France | Shenzhen, China (+145%)Sapporo, Japan (+70%)Helsinki, Finland (+50%)Hanoi, Vietnam (+40%)Kowloon, Hong Kong (+40%)Whistler, Canada (+30%)Dubai, UAE (+25%)Prague, Czech Republic (+20%)Auckland, New Zealand (+20%)Taipei, Taiwan (+15%) |
Expedia’s travel sweet spots to maximise value over summer
- Best time to travel domestically[5]: The last week of January (between 26 January until 1 February 2026)
- It’s predicted to be 80% less busy, and travellers can save up to 30% on accommodation, compared to Christmas week up to New Year’s Eve (22 – 31 December).
- Best time to travel internationally[6]: Between 19 – 31 January 2026
- It’s predicted to be 45% less busy, and travellers can save up to 60% on airfares, compared to the week before and during Christmas (15-28 December)
*Third-Party Methodology
Expedia research commissioned in collaboration with OnePoll. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from OnePoll. Total sample size was 1,000 Australian adults who are travelling this summer. Fieldwork was undertaken between 30 October to 3 November 2025. The survey was carried out online.
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FAQ
Q1: What are the most popular destinations for summer 2025–26?
A1: Expedia.com.au demand for travel 1 Dec 2025–31 Jan 2026 shows Queensland beach hotspots leading (Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Noosa) alongside other high demand coastal towns.
Q2: When is the best time to travel to save money and avoid crowds?
A2: Predicted sweet spots: domestic 26 Jan–1 Feb 2026 (up to ~30% cheaper on accommodation vs 22–31 Dec and ~80% less busy) and international 19–31 Jan 2026 (up to ~60% airfare savings and ~45% less busy vs mid-December).
Q3: Which destinations are likely to offer the best value or lower average daily rates?
A3: Trending regional escapes — e.g., Yarra Valley, Jindabyne, New Norfolk — often show lower average daily rates (as much as ~55% less) than coastal hotspots and can be better value for summer trips.
Q4: How much can I expect to save by travelling in the late January windows?
A4: Estimates from Expedia analysis indicate up to ~30% off accommodation domestically and up to ~60% on international airfares when comparing late January windows to peak Christmas travel periods.
Q5: How reliable are these insights and what data was used?
A5: The Summer Travel Outlook combines Expedia.com.au accommodation demand and booking data for travel 1 Dec 2025–31 Jan 2026 with an Expedia commissioned OnePoll online survey of 1,000 Australian adults (fieldwork 30 Oct–3 Nov 2025).
Q6: How do I find and book the best deals on Expedia?
Search expedia.com.au or the Expedia app, set your travel dates and filters (price, location, amenities), compare guest ratings, and consider the late January sweet spots for lower prices and fewer crowds.
Q7: Should I choose a coastal hotspot or a regional escape for summer?
Q7: Coastal hotspots offer classic summer activities and vibrant atmospheres; regional escapes typically deliver milder weather, fewer crowds and better nightly rates — pick based on your priorities (beach vs relaxation vs value) and compare options on Expedia.
[1] Based on an analysis of domestic accommodation demand on Expedia.com.au for travel between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026, excluding capital cities
[2] Based on an analysis of domestic accommodation demand on Expedia.com.au for travel between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026, compared to the same period the previous year
[3] Based on an analysis of international accommodation demand on Expedia.com.au for travel between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026
[4] Based on an analysis of international accommodation demand on Expedia.com.au for travel between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026, compared to the same period the previous year
[5] Predicted best value and busiest times are based on an analysis of booked domestic data on Expedia.com.au for travel between 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025
[6] Predicted best value and busiest times are based on an analysis of booked international data on Expedia.com.au for travel between 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025
