New research has lifted the lid on where grey nomads most love to travel best and the results are no surprise … the Outback!
According to the Roy Morgan research, people aged 55 and over are far more likely than younger age groups to favour travelling in inland and outback destinations rather than coastal hot spots.
Compared to the average Australian, over-55s are 93% more likely to nominate Far West NSW (Cobar, Broken Hill, Bourke, Lightning Hill etc) as a potential holiday destination, and 89% more likely to nominate Far North SA/Coober Pedy, and 70% more likely to name Outback Queensland (Charleville, Longreach, Mt Isa).
On the other hand, when it comes to coastal destinations they are 62% less likely than the average Australian to choose Surfers Paradise, and more likely to tend towards less ‘well-trodden’ places like Kangaroo Island and Hervey Bay.
It seems that grey nomads’ reputation for following the sun is well deserved also, with over-55s 38% less likely than the average Australian to name NSW’s High Country and Snowfields as somewhere they’d like to holiday, and 26% less likely to name Victoria’s High Country and Snowfields.
“Unconstrained by the demands of jobs or children, grey nomads have the time and freedom to explore this huge country of ours and visit places that others simply don’t get to,” said Angela Smith from Roy Morgan Research. “Travel agencies and operators keen to tap into this potentially lucrative market need to understand its particular needs, preferences and behaviours, and tailor their communications accordingly.”
Ms Smith said that although the holiday destinations that top the wish-lists of Aussies aged 55 or older are very similar to the rest of the population … Melbourne, Hobart, Perth and Sydney …, some striking differences emerge once the focus goes beyond the capital cities.
“While Surfers Paradise rates highly among the total population as a place they’d like to holiday, over-55s would rather go to Broome, Cairns or Margaret River,” she said.
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Self explanatory really when read in conjunction with the article of 20th Nov. re, schoolies.
Hi we live in south australia are looking at traveling through out back nsw via Bourke, Longreach along the Mitchel highway then across to the coast with our caravan around july. We are wondering what the roads are like out there and is there plenty of other travelers who take that root. Also is there plenty of overnight free camp spots
I want to travel with a caravan via broken hill, I’m headed to Kingaroy but will be towing a caravan.
I would like to know the best way to go and wanting good roads.
Can someone give directions?