With holiday season upon us, new research conducted by insurance provider Youi reveals cost-of-living pressures have impacted road trip habits, with more than 1 in 3 Aussies taking fewer trips and 1 in 4 visiting destinations closer to home in the past 12 months.
Despite changing habits, inflation has not dampened the nation’s appetite to head outdoors. The survey, conducted with more than 2000 Australian travellers, shows road trips remain a crowd favourite, with more than half of those surveyed planning a road trip adventure in the next two to three months.
Individuals reported that the motivators behind taking road trips include freedom and flexibility (56%), the chance to explore Australia (52%) and being able to spend quality time with family and friends (48%). About 35% of respondents also cited their motivation is due to the cost being cheaper than other holidays, such as international travel.
To urge Australians to continue exploring the great outdoors, Youi has teamed up with leading outdoor booking platform, Hipcamp, to create Youi’s Great Australian Road Trip unveiling five itineraries showcasing Australia’s unique destinations, coast to coast.
Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle, Marni Jackson says a road trip is the ultimate way to embrace the holiday season with family and friends without breaking the bank.
"Australians have always had a taste for adventure and exploring what’s on offer in our backyard. As the cost of living continues to rise, we’re seeing this impact the way that Aussies approach holidays and travel. While many are looking for ways to travel more affordably, the desire to explore the open road remains strong,” she says.
"Prior to setting out on your road trip this Summer, preparation is key to avoid unexpected costs. There are plenty of ways to keep your road trip enjoyable and within budget, such as seeking free or low-cost attractions, planning in advance and conducting thorough checks on your vehicle.”
Almost half of Aussie travellers surveyed drove up to 500 kilometres on their most recent road trip, with 1 in 4 spending more than 17 hours on the road. The data also reveals that 75% of travellers have had an unpleasant surprise on a road trip in the past 12 months. The most common challenges included flat tyres (25%), unexpected road closures (25%) and extreme weather (23%).
Hipcamp Global Social Media Lead, Brooke Wood says it’s no surprise Australians are eager to head outdoors this Summer to enjoy the best of what Aussie nature has in store.
"Australia is home to world-class landscapes, including destinations such as Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Coast. Beyond these iconic destinations, Australia also has plenty of hidden gems waiting to be explored,” she says. "We’re seeing that Australians are making the most of every kilometre travelled, with people seeking and fitting as much exploration into their itineraries as possible. Our itineraries aim to streamline the planning process by providing travellers with a useful resource.
Each respondent surveyed spent on average $1108 on their last road trip, including fuel, accommodation, meals and entertainment; while 74% of travellers cited fuel as their biggest expense, followed closely by accommodation (56%).
To view Youi and Hipcamp’s itineraries, revealing the best of what Australia has on offer as well as the survey findings, visithttps://www.youi.com.au/you-connect/articles-and-guides/youis-great-australianroad-trip-aussie-travellers-habits-and-behaviours-revealed.
