'Travel is booming': a third of Aussies plan an overseas trip in the next year

These are some of the key findings of the 2025 Heartbeat of Australia report, the country's most comprehensive annual study of national sentiment, which reveals the travel and buying intentions for people in regional and metro Australia.

The report found the majority of Aussies plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. People in regional Australia are more likely to plan travel within Australia (61 per cent of survey respondents) compared with those in the cities (58 per cent).

Kate Cox, Head of Travel at ACM and Publisher of Explore Travel, said Australians have "rediscovered their backyard - and they're not done exploring it yet".

"The data shows the appeal of exploring Australia remains strong, which makes sense when you live within striking distance of some of the country's most extraordinary landscapes. That's reflected in the steady appetite we're seeing for road trips, rail journeys and domestic cruises in Explore," she said.

The Heartbeat report found more than a third of people plan to travel overseas in the next year, however city respondents are more likely to travel abroad at 36 per cent, compared with 34 per cent of people in the regions.

Cox said this showed there was "still a healthy dose of wanderlust" across the board.

"Australians are more confident about heading overseas again, with many combining a big international trip with shorter local escapes," she said.

"What's clear from the Heartbeat data is that the desire to travel - near or far - has become part of our national DNA. Australians are planners; they're constantly thinking about their next escape."

The Heartbeat report shows cruising holidays are popular, particularly with people in the regions, where 12 per cent indicate they plan to take a cruise in the coming year, compared with nine per cent of their city counterparts.

"Cruising continues to win hearts in regional Australia," Cox said.

"For travellers who want to unpack once and see the world - or their own coastline - it's unbeatable value and convenience. We're seeing strong interest in domestic itineraries that depart from ports like Brisbane and Fremantle as well as the growing popularity of river cruises in Europe and Asia."

According to Cox, travel is no longer a luxury to be indulged in when time and money allow, but "a vital part of how we live, connect and recharge".

"It's moved from the 'nice-to-do' list to the essential column - and we're seeing that reflected in Explore's audience growth, content engagement and strong advertiser demand across both digital and print," Cox said.

"At Explore Travel, we're seeing huge engagement from readers who want trusted, first-hand recommendations - whether that's for a weekend road trip or a once-in-a-lifetime cruise. Travel isn't just back, it's booming and audiences want to engage with our content in a more thoughtful way.

"2026 is shaping up to be a year of considered adventure. Australians are spending wisely, looking for trips that deliver both value and meaning. From the feedback we see across Explore's audience, the focus is on connection - with people, places and purpose."

The survey also checked the mood for buying and renovating homes across Australia. City respondents are more likely to be planning to buy a home or investment property during the next 12 months, at 11 per cent, compared with nine per cent of people in the regions.

Home renovations are also on the radar, particularly for regional Australians, with 19 per cent planning to renovate their home or investment property during the coming year, compared with 14 per cent of city respondents.

Other top plans for the coming 12 months are: buying furniture or appliances (33 per cent of regional Australians and 30 per cent of city respondents); buying new technology including phones, TVs and laptops (30 and 34 per cent); buying a new or used car (20 and 22 per cent); and changing banks (10 and 12 per cent).

The 2025 Heartbeat report, conducted by ACM, publisher of this masthead, in partnership with research agency Australian Regional Insights and the University of Canberra, is based on a survey of more than 7300 people.

The study, now in its fourth year, examines confidence and community wellbeing in regional Australia, which is home to 9.9 million Aussies - or 36 per cent of the country's total population.