Quintessential Aussie holiday town makes waves on global list
A Queensland town has been named one of the hottest spots for 2026.
Perched on the coast between two World Heritage-listed sites, it's no wonder the eyes of the world are on Port Douglas.
The small resort town just north of Cairns has been tipped by Booking.com as one of the world's top 10 trending destinations for next year.
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Port Douglas is home to the famous Four Mile Beach. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Now in its tenth year, Booking.com's Travel Predictions are based on insights from tens of thousands of travellers across the globe.
Port Douglas was the only Aussie destination to make the list of trending places.
The gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, this laid-back coastal town has everything you need for a holiday - whether you want it to be relaxed or action-packed.
The inclusion on the list only adds to the fact that Queensland is an ongoing fave for Aussie travellers.
An exclusive Nine.com.au survey found the Sunshine State is the most popular place our readers want to travel to in 2026.
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Vietnam beaches are gaining traction. Getty
Also on the list is Mũi Né, a beach resort town in southeastern Vietnam. A tropical destination with the added bonus of culture, history, and great food, it's set to see an influx of visitors.
Aussies are already in a travel love affair with Vietnam, as record numbers of tourists head there during the upcoming holiday season.
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Guangzhou blends old and new. Getty
Guangzhou, China, a sprawling port city just northwest of Hong Kong, also features on the list.
Since the country relaxed its visa rules in 2024, there has been about a 20 per cent increase in Australian visitors to China, making it our fifth-most visited country.
A rising culinary and cultural hub with a rich history, Guangzhou is gaining traction with Aussies, especially thanks to direct flights available from mid-December.
Philadelphia, in the US, also made the list, probably due in part to the fact that it is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The USA is also celebrating its 250th birthday next year.
Philadelphia is just a few hours from New York City. Getty
Trending destinations for 2026
- Mũi Né, Vietnam
- Sal, Cape Verde
- Bilbao, Spain
- Barranquilla, Colombia
- Philadelphia, USA
- Guangzhou, China
- Manaus, Brazil
- Munster, Germany
- Port Douglas, Australia
- Kochi, India
