Forget all the stories of ‘would-have-been’ grey nomads stampeding to the airport to take advantage of the soaring Aussie dollar at glamorous overseas holiday destinations. Forget all the stories of older travellers racing to become ‘blue nomads’ aboard the ever more affordable and extremely exotic-sounding luxury cruises.
Nah, when all’s said and done, the Aussie traveller knows which side their bread is buttered on. A new survey has revealed that, when it comes to the hunt for idyllic beaches, you’re better off hitching up your van rather than dusting off your passport.
Tourism Australia’s Domestic Consumer Demand Survey tested six of Australia’s most iconic beach holiday destinations against the likes of Bali, Thailand and Fiji … and the home-grown heroes cruised to victory.
Six out of 10 Australians rate local beach destinations higher than our biggest Asian and South Pacific rivals.
Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said Australians’ love affair with domestic beach holidays was an enduring one.
“’This research confirms our country offers some of the most beautiful, safe and high quality beach holiday experiences in the world,” he said. “There’s a place, of course, for overseas holidays but it never fails to amaze me that people are prepared to battle queues and immigration to sit on busy beaches, sharing the sea frontage with noisy pubs and heaving night clubs, when Australia has some of the world’s most incredible pristine coastline and beaches.”’
Spot on, Andrew.
Nonetheless, Australians are continuing to travel overseas in record numbers, with more than eight million international trips in the year to November, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.
Australians’ favourite beach holiday destinations … according to the survey
1. Broome/Exmouth, Western Australia
2. Tropical North Queensland
3. Whitsundays, Queensland
4. Gold Coast, Queensland
5. Thailand
6. Fiji
7. Freycinet/Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
8. Fleurieu Peninsula/Kangaroo Island, South Australia
9. Bali, Indonesia
The survey also revealed that value for money was the most important factor when choosing a beach holiday. This was followed by natural beauty, climate, safety and quality of accommodation.
Will you travel overseas in the future or is it Australia’s open road or bust for you? Comment below.
We’re always saying we live in the best country in the world. So why slum it? Hehe.
I have travelled overseas the past few years, for holidays to places such as Bali,Thailand, Singapore, & some Pacific Islands such as Fiji & Samoa. The reasons for this are value for money, & service in all these countries the people take a real pride in giving good service .Whereas in Australia giving good service is a dirty word & most people in the hospitality indrustry seem to think it is beneath them.
I regularly watch travel shows & get emails on a regular basis & never cease to be amazed at the prices for accomadation in Australia, it is no wonder that people are going overseas for their holidays.
The reasons are many, our labour costs are to high, & our air fares to expensive, as an example it is often cheaper to fly to New Zealand for a holiday, that it is to fly to say Broome.
As Iam now getting old I have now bought a camper trailer so that I can afford to see Australia without it costing me a fortune.
I don’t mind supporting Australian Tourism, but not to subsidising it.
Michael Sheridfan
Tropical North Queensland? Surely one of the requirements of a beach holiday should be that you can actually swim there, rather than getting monstered by stingers.