As Australia approaches the busy holiday season, Expedia and Wotif have released the Summer Travel Outlook, revealing the most popular domestic and international destinations with savvy tips for booking a last-minute getaway.
New Wotif data shows Aussie travellers can find great value domestic Summer accommodation rates under $250 a night by holidaying in Darwin and inland destinations such as Launceston and Orange. As a beach-loving nation, coastal areas, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and Port Stephens, remain favourites.
Expedia reveals Tokyo is still the most popular international holiday destination over the Aussie Summer, while Singapore knocked Bali off the number two spot.
Aussies continue to be lured by island destinations such as Thailand, Fiji and Hawaii, which offer a wide range of all-inclusive accommodation options. In fact, almost half (47%) of Aussie travellers is likely to stay in an all-inclusive hotel in 2025.
"Christmas and Summer are peak travel periods, but Aussies can still find cost-effective holidays in Summer, provided they are flexible with destinations and travel dates, for example travelling overseas in late January can be up to 118% cheaper than the lead up to Christmas week,” says Sarah King, Expedia Group Travel Expert.
"Our hot tip for domestic travel is to consider Season Swapping by visiting a destination in its traditional off-season. For example, Tropical North Queensland regions like Townsville or Cairns can offer up to 22% off over the Summer, as well as unique experiences such as wet season wildlife and waterfalls.
"Internationally, Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia always stretch the Aussie dollar further. For a hassle-free holiday, consider an all-inclusive stay to spend less time planning or budgeting and more time relaxing, with everything needed for a memorable getaway in one place.”
Domestic Summer travel booking tips from Wotif:
•Best day to travel to beat the crowds: Sunday.
•Least busy week to travel: 2nd last week of January (January 20-26) which is 87% less busy than in the Christmas week (December 23-29).
•Best value time to travel domestically: booking accommodation for January 29-30 is the best value days to travel over the Summer holidays. For those that aren’t back at school until early February, consider taking a break towards the end of January.
Embrace flexibility: try broadening horizons when it comes to destinations to find less crowds and a better deal. For example, travellers can save up to 122% in Darwin and 22% in Cairns on accommodation by holidaying in the Summer instead of Winter.
International Summer travel booking tips from Expedia:
•Best value travel dates: January 26, when average ticket prices are nearly 118% cheaper than December 16.
•Best value day to fly: Sunday.
•Busiest travel date and day to fly: Friday, December 23.
•Best date and day to travel to beat the crowds: January 31; Sunday is 21% less busy than flying on Friday.
Best week to travel internationally for better accommodation rates: Two weeks before Christmas (9-15 December) could save travellers around 28% than booking in the Christmas week (December 23-29).
