Where Australians are travelling this summer 2025-26: Top trending destinations

Let's make your holiday inspo board very full.

1. Japan: The Aussie favourite that's not slowing down

Why it's trending

• December and January = peak winter magic
• The ski season starts pumping early
• Tokyo gives you neon-lit NYE energy
• Osaka serves up food adventures you'll be raving about for years

Hot spots for Aussies

• Niseko & Hakuba - powder that feels like falling into a giant bag of icing sugar
• Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs - the 2024 opening is still drawing massive crowds
• Kyoto - for calm, culture, and 10,000 photo ops

TIDs tip

Flights sell out faster than an Aussie trying to leave work on December 19. Book early, especially for school holiday dates.

2. Fiji: The ultimate tropical reset

If your summer dream is chilling so hard your smart watch thinks you've stopped moving, Fiji is calling your name.

Why it's trending

• Short, easy flights from Australia
• Perfect for last-minute December sunshine
• Resort deals spike after December 26
• Warm water, warm sunshine and even warmer people waiting to welcome you

Where Aussies are escaping to

• Denarau for families and first-timers
• The Coral Coast for lagoon lovers
• The Mamanucas & Yasawas for island-hopping heaven

TIDs tip

Summer brings the occasional tropical storm and while it would be great to be able to control the holiday weather, sometimes things don't go to plan. Consider packing TID travel insurance so you can focus on the fun!

3. Europe's winter cities: Christmas markets & NYE fireworks

Europe is always popular for Aussie travellers. While we're sweating through January, our feeds are filled with friends clinking hot chocolate in the snow. If you want to swap sweltering temperatures for scenic snowdrifts, consider a Euro winter getaway.

Why it's trending

• Northern Lights are hitting peak visibility
• Christmas markets remain a bucket-list staple
• Euro summer was hectic in 2025, so Aussies are flipping the script and doing Euro winter instead

Where Aussies are getting festive

• Germany for markets that smell like cinnamon and sugar
• Austria & Switzerland for snowy fairytales
• Finland for Santa, saunas, and the sky doing neon tricks
• Edinburgh for Hogmanay, aka New Year's Eve on rocket fuel

TIDs tip

If your suitcase contains both swimmers and thermals, you're doing this right.

4. Queensland's coastlines: Local summer for the win

Some summers call for "no passport, no worries".

Why it's trending

• Domestic travel is having a moment (again)
• December-January weather = prime beach mood
• Perfect for road trips and long weekends
• Lower stress: no customs queues, no exchange rates, no jetlag face

Where Aussies are road-tripping

• Sunshine Coast - laid-back vibes + long beaches
• Whitsundays - objectively unfair in beauty
• Port Douglas - rainforest meets reef
• Gold Coast - theme parks, nightlife, and beach days that don't end

TIDs tip

Stinger season is in full swing up north, so pack your common sense (and your rashie).

5. Singapore: The mini-city break that does the most

Why it's trending

• It's the ultimate stopover destination that's now a standalone fave
• Food, culture, shopping, nightlife - all in one compact playground
• Perfect for a 3-5 day summer escape
• New attractions launched through 2025 keep it fresh

Where Aussies are stopping over (and staying)

• Sentosa for beaches, bars, and Universal Studios
• Jewel Changi (yes, the airport is a destination)
• Kampong Glam & Little India for eats that rewrite your tastebuds

TIDs tip

Singapore NYE fireworks over Marina Bay? Put it on your 2025 bucket list.

6. Bali & Lombok: The classic that still slaps

Bali is the avocado toast of holiday destinations: reliable, comforting, and always worth it.

Why it's trending

• Consistently affordable for peak season
• Aussie-friendly culture and food
• Trendy new stays in Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud
• New direct flights to Lombok increasing interest

Where Aussies are checking in

• Canggu - cafes, surf, yoga, repeat
• Uluwatu - cliffside sunsets with main-character energy
• Nusa Lembongan & Lombok - quieter, cleaner, calmer

TIDs tip

January can be rainy, so pack a good mood and a waterproof phone case.

7. New Zealand: Nature's summer blockbuster

If 2025 was the year of "main character energy", then NZ is the perfect backdrop.

Why it's trending

• Close to home but feels worlds away
• Summer = long sunny days for hikes, lakes, wineries, road trips
• Perfect for outdoor lovers and "off-grid but make it cute" travellers

• Queenstown for adventure (or wine... or both)
• Wanaka for quieter lakeside serenity
• Auckland for culture, food, and island-hopping
• Christchurch→Dunedin road trips for scenery that feels too good to be true.

TIDs tip

If you're renting a campervan, book like... yesterday.

8. Hawaii: Sun, surf & all-day good vibes

It's been a slow burn, but Hawaii is becoming a top pick again for Aussie summer travellers.

Why it's trending

• Direct flights to Honolulu are back in full swing
• Multi-island itineraries are booming
• Weather is perfect, and crowds are manageable in January

Where Aussies are touching down

• Oahu for first-timers
• Maui for the comeback era
• Big Island for volcanoes like you've never seen before
• Kauai for Jurassic Park vibes, minus the dinosaurs

TIDs tip

Book rental cars early - availability can drop fast during peak season, and prices climb quicker than a Hawaiian sunset.

So... Where should you go this summer?

Whether you're chasing snowflakes, sunshine, or something that includes both (chaotic but admirable), summer 2025-26 is shaping up as one of the most exciting travel seasons in years.

The game plan?

Follow your vibe. Follow the weather. Follow the cheap flights. And remember: nothing slows down holiday joy like flight delays, cancellations, lost bags, or last-minute emergencies, so consider travel insurance before you're at the gate wondering why your bag is sunbaking in the wrong country.

Cover is subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the PDS.