Why solo travellers are flocking to this one Australian state
Solo travel is on the rise, as Aussies are choosing to take holidays on their own this year.
Airbnb data shows a recent 90 per cent jump in solo travel searches, compared to the same time period in 2024.
It's not just big international trips either - many are taking short breaks to domestic destinations alone. And most of us right now seem to be flocking to Queensland.
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Solo travellers are seeking the sun and the sand this winter. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Perhaps it's a desire to shake off the winter blues, or the appeal of being on the coast for a wellness-focused escape.
Airbnb's trending domestic destinations this winter for Australian travellers feature a lot of Queensland destinations, with the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast topping the list.
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These two beachside locations are particularly attractive for their range of offerings for travellers who want to focus on relaxation during their trip.
Wellness tourism has seen a huge surge in search interest in the last few years, in part thanks to a post-COVID mindset shift toward prioritising our health.
Noosa has great beaches and an even better food and drink scene. Tourism and Events Queensland
NSW cities, including Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, and Wollongong, are also on the list of popular Airbnb searches for solo travellers.
These are particularly of interest for Sydney-based travellers, who can take themselves on a road trip for a long weekend of me time.
Three WA cities also made the list, which proves that Aussies love warm weather and beautiful nature experiences.
Townsville also got a nod, which is popular as the gateway to Queensland's stunning Magnetic Island.
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Magnetic Island is ideal for a solo weekend away. Melissa Findley
Trending travel domestic destinations this winter for Australian travellers:
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Townsville
- Broome
- Newcastle
- Coffs Harbour
- Wollongong
- Albany
- Esperance
- Mackay
Palermo offers a beautiful holiday. Getty
Of course, Aussies are also setting their sights overseas, for longer trips that cover a number of cities.
According to Airbnb, Italy is a particularly popular place for Australians holidaying overseas. But we're not heading to Rome and Venice.
Three Italian cities - Genoa, Palermo, and Capri - can be seen on the list of trending destinations, which signals a shift away from popular tourist destinations in favour of more low-key, under-the-radar spots.
Similarly, the two Japanese cities on the list (Naha and Fukoka) are lesser-known cities, perfect for travellers who have already seen Tokyo and want to get away from the crowds.
Naha is a more chilled-out alternative to Tokyo. Getty
Airbnb's trending international destinations this winter for Australian travellers:
- Genoa, Italy
- Soller, Spain
- Naha, Japan
- Stavanger, Norway
- Palermo, Italy
- Capri, Italy
- Fukuoka, Japan
