Favourite Aussie summer hot spots about to get even more crowded

Exclusive: No New Zealand, no Bali, no Fiji, no nothing.

Just 13 weeks out from Christmas, Australians are planning family holidays not just domestically, but without leaving their own state borders.

And some of Australia's most popular destinations could become even more crowded this summer, as Aussies close out their year from hell with much-needed local breaks.

New data provided exclusively to nine.com.au by travel site Wotif has revealed how Aussies have radically altered their regular summer travel plans.

Coastal hotspots like Byron Bay, Whitsundays and the Coral Coast are seeing even stronger interest than previous years, according to Wotif data.

Western Australians, Queenslanders and Tasmanians are the least likely of all Australians to travel outside state borders, the data showed.

WA residents searching for holidays inside their state is up 75 per cent, compared to last year.

Queenslanders (60 per cent) and Tasmanians (55 per cent) are not far behind.

The premiers of all those three states have been particularly stringent with coronavirus border lockdowns, not wanting anyone in or out.

According to Wotif data, the minds of Victorians are not on holidays.

Holiday search activity from Victorians, who are edging slowly closer to the end of a tough lockdown, is significantly depressed compared to other states.

Victorians appeared most interested in visiting Geelong and coastal towns on the Great Ocean Road this summer.

If trends continue, NSW's North Coast will be very crowded this summer as New South Wales travellers find alternates to crossing state borders or going overseas, Wotif managing director Daniel Finch told nine.com.au.

"This summer won't be like previous years," he said.

Kingscliff, Yamba and Byron Bay were attracting heavy interest, Finch said.

He believed the newly opened Qantas route from Sydney to Ballina would see even more holidaymakers on the North Coast than usual.

Any hopes for an Australia-New Zealand travel bubble appear well and truly popped, if Air New Zealand's boss is on the money.

Greg Foran, the airline's chief executive, told the Sydney Morning Herald the likelihood of quarantine-free air travel between Australia and New Zealand won't be considered for at least another six months.

Top Trending Summer Destinations, according to Wotif.com*

New South Wales

1. Forster – accommodation interest up over 240%

2. Kingscliff – 215%

3. Coffs Harbour – 180%

4. Yamba – 170%

5. Newcastle – 170%

6. Bundanoon – 170%

7. Port Macquarie – 160%

8. Port Stephens – 150%

9. Byron Bay – 140%

10. Wollongong – 65%

Queensland

1. Whitsundays – 280%

2. Sunshine Coast – 220%

3. Hervey Bay – 130%

4. Gold Coast – 80%

5. Maryborough – 50%

Western Australia

1. Coral Coast – 300%

2. South West – 250%

3. Golden Outback – 130%

4. Busselton – 125%

South Australia

1. Yorke Peninsula – 600%

2. Kangaroo Island – 175%

3. Fleurieu Peninsula – 100%

4. Barossa Valley – 70%

5. Limestone Coast – 50%

Victoria

1. Geelong – 50%

2. Great Ocean Road – 15%

* Based on accommodation interest on Wotif.com from 5 September 2020 – 11 September 2020 compared to 7 September 2019 – 13 September 2019 for travel between 20 December 2020 to 2 January 2021.

Words: Mark Saunokonoko

Interactives and graphics: Tara Blancato