Australian Outbound Travel: Landscape & Outlook (Autumn 2025 → Full‑year 2026)

Australian Outbound Travel: Landscape & Outlook (Autumn 2025 → Full‑year 2026)

We have gathered here information about Australian outbound tourism stategistcs.
Australian residents have returned to international travel at record pace. A total of 11.6 million outbound trips were taken in the year to December 2024, up 16.2 % on 2023, and the first quarter of 2025 alone saw 1.85 million leisure departures (+15 % YoY, +54 % on 2023)

Travellers are also spending more: marketing‑intelligence firm MassCom Global puts the average 2025 trip budget at AUD 9 800 (≈ EUR 5 880), 15 % above pre‑pandemic levels, with one‑third of Australians planning multiple overseas holidays in the year.

Several macro forces are fuelling the boom: seat capacity is forecast to be 23 % higher by December 2025, visa‑free access has broadened to 12 new countries, and the Aussie dollar remains strong against key Asian currencies. Airlines are racing to add long‑haul lift: Qantas will launch nonstop “Project Sunrise” flights from Sydney to New York and London in H2 2026 and is lifting Vancouver–Sydney to daily from January 2026 (+68 % seats)

For Autumn 2025 (Sep‑Nov), operators already report a decisive pivot to Europe’s shoulder season—Intrepid Travel says off‑season Italy bookings are up 166 % YoY as Australians chase cooler weather and smaller crowds. Asia will keep its volume lead, but “coolcation” itineraries in the Nordic and Baltic region are on track for 20‑30 % growth year‑on‑year as travellers diversify.

Looking to calendar 2026, most analysts foresee another 8‑10 % rise in total departures, passing 13 million trips. ReportLinker projects outbound international flights climbing from c. 120 000 in 2025 to ≈ 123 000 in 2026 (+2.3 %), while m1nd‑set expects Pacific‑region international passenger volumes—heavily influenced by Australian travellers—to exceed 2019 levels by 2026 after a 17 % CAGR since 2023With new ultra‑long‑haul aircraft, capacity expansions and a growing cohort of affluent, travel‑centric seniors, outbound spend is tipped to reach ~AUD 120 billion (≈ EUR 72 billion) in 2026, up from about AUD 100 billion in 2024

Average Spending, Duration & Seasonality of Australian Travelers in Europe

Average Spending
ANZ data (Euro Summer): Australian ANZ cardholders spent an average of
AUD 2,480 (≈ EUR 1,490) per trip, excluding flights and accommodation, during Euro Summer 2024. This was slightly lower than the AUD 2,833 (≈ EUR 1,700) spent in 2023.

Europ Assistance / InsureandGo: Australians budget on average
AUD 4,602 (≈ EUR 2,760) for a full summer holiday (including flights, lodging, food, activities).

Example – Greece: Australian visitors spent approx.
€128 / night (≈ AUD 188), based on local tourism data.

Backpackers report spending around
AUD 100–150 / day (≈ EUR 60–90), including meals, transport, and attractions.

Duration of Stay
ANZ: Average trip length during Euro Summer is 13–14 days, with many extending to 31 days (1 month).

Europ Assistance: Reports a typical trip duration of 2.1 weeks (~15 days).

Greece – Q3 data: Australians stayed an average of 10.9 nights.

Budget travelers often stay 3–4 weeks to maximize the value of the long-haul flight.

Peak Travel Season
High season: June to August, with July being the peak month.

Shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October): Growing in popularity for better weather, lower costs, and fewer crowds.

The Role of the Baltic & Nordic Countries
“Coolcation” Trend: Rising Popularity of the North
Australian travelers are increasingly choosing cooler, less crowded destinations in Northern and Eastern Europe, including: Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland

Booking Growth (Year-on-Year)
Country Increase in Bookings
Estonia +60%
Lithuania +27%
Norway +40%
Finland +10.4%
Iceland +21%
Denmark +6–33% (regional)

Data from Webjet, ForwardKeys, and tour operators like Intrepid Travel (source: The Australian, The Latch, Toolbox Travel).

Why the Baltics & Nordics?
Escape from heat & overcrowding in Southern Europe.

Unique experiences: midnight sun, fjords, eco-tourism, Northern Lights.

Better value during shoulder seasons (spring/autumn).

Remote appeal for Australians seeking something different.

Costs in Northern Europe
While often pricier than Southern Europe, travelers see value in the experience.

Daily budget:
AUD 150–250 (≈ EUR 90–150) depending on activities and destination.

Total trip cost:
AUD 3,000–5,000+ (≈ EUR 1,800–3,000+) for a 10–21 day trip including flights.

Summary Table
Metric Europe (Avg.) Baltic & Nordic Region
Trip Budget (Total) AUD 2,480–4,600 → EUR 1,490–2,760 AUD 3,000–5,000 → EUR 1,800–3,000+
Daily Budget AUD 100–200 → EUR 60–120 AUD 150–250 → EUR 90–150
Trip Duration 10–31 days 10–21 days (often shoulder season)
Peak Travel Period June–August (esp. July) Increasingly popular in spring & autumn
Booking Growth Flat or declining in traditional hubs +60% Estonia, +40% Norway, +27% Lithuania, +21% Iceland

Conclusion:
Australians spend on average AUD 2,500–4,600 (EUR 1,500–2,800) for European trips, lasting 2–4 weeks. “Coolcations” to Baltic and Nordic regions are growing rapidly, driven by climate comfort, unique experiences, and crowd avoidance. Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, and Finland are emerging as key destinations with year-on-year booking increases of 20–60%.

ToolBox Consulting conduct a Roadshow in Australia in October 2025

This is our 7th Australian Travel Workshop, gathering together Suppliers from all over Baltic and Nordic countries with services covering such as Adventure Tours, Accommodation, Outdoor Activities Summer and Winter, Inclusive Travel, Routes, FIT and Group Packages, City Breaks, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Incentive Travel, and Cruises around the Baltic Sea and Norwegian Sea.

More information: https://www.toolboxtravel.fi/event/australia-roadshow-2025/

Sources

AFTA

ANZ & ForwardKeys (Euro travel trends)

CATO

Europ Assistance / InsureandGo (budget and duration)

Toolbox Travel Consulting (Nordic/Baltic growth data)

The Australian, Webjet, Flight Centre (booking statistics)

Reddit & user testimonials (daily budget estimates)