Australians are travelling in large numbers, but a new survey reveals that many are returning from their holidays more exhausted than when they left, and younger travellers are experiencing burnout at the fastest rate.
Australians might be clocking up the frequent flyer points, with 23 per cent (5.2 million) planning an overseas trip and 57 per cent (13 million) a domestic holiday in the year ahead, but new research reveals they’re coming home more wiped out than ever.
A survey of an independent panel of 1,009 Australians, commissioned by travel insurance provider Insure&Go, found a staggering 75 per cent admit they finish a holiday feeling more tired than when they left.
One in five (21%) Aussies confess they always need “a break after my break”, while just a quarter (24%) say they actually return feeling refreshed.
The holiday habits sabotaging our downtime
So what’s going wrong?
At the top of the list, sabotaging our valuable holiday time is poor sleep thanks to red-eye flights, late nights and lumpy hotel mattresses, called out by 34 per cent of respondents.
That’s closely followed by itinerary overload, with 27 per cent admitting they cram so much into their trip that their escape turns into an endurance event. Planning and organisation stress increases by a further 18 per cent, while 7 per cent say work worries prevent them from properly switching off.
Did someone say “Hello, Travel advisors?”
“We’re seeing travellers treat a seven-day break like a seven-day sprint – long-haul flights, packed sightseeing, poor sleep,” says David Mayo, Commercial and Marketing Director of Insure&Go.
“Fatigue isn’t just an inconvenience when travelling; it can heighten the risk of illness and accidents. Tired travellers may be more likely to ignore early symptoms of sickness, misplace valuables and make impaired decisions that can quickly derail a trip.”
Gen Z are the most burnt-out travellers
A massive 83 per cent of 18–29-year-olds say they drag themselves home tired, with only 17 per cent claiming they feel refreshed after a holiday. Two of the biggest culprits for younger travellers are the stress of juggling bookings and logistics (26%) and an over-full itinerary (24%).
Generation X (30–49-year-olds) and Boomers (50+) aren’t immune either. More than three-quarters (78%) of Gen X and 69 per cent of Boomers return fatigued, with poor sleep from long flights, late nights, and uncomfortable accommodations being the primary cause, accounting for 29 per cent of Gen X and 42 per cent of Boomers.
Boomers, however, appear to pace themselves better than any other age group, with 31 per cent finishing a trip genuinely refreshed, almost double the recovery rate of Gen Z.
“If your holiday leaves you needing another holiday, you’re not alone,” Mayo says. “Fortunately, just a few practical changes can help ensure you return rested, restored and ready to go.”
Part of a bigger burnout picture
Insure&Go’s findings land against a broader backdrop of rising stress and late-year burnout across Australia. Recent national surveys show nearly half of Australians rating their stress levels at the high end of the scale, while many say they feel like they’re “crawling towards the Christmas break” and are craving holidays that feel different – not just another rinse-and-repeat trip.
At the same time, Aussies are spending big and travelling longer. International barometer data shows Australian travellers outspend many of their global peers on summer holidays and take some of the longest breaks. Yet, many still struggle to return feeling genuinely recharged.
It all adds up to a clear message: holidays are more important and more emotionally loaded than ever, but many itineraries are failing the “rest and reset” test.
Psychologists also warn that simply stepping away from the office doesn’t guarantee you’ll feel better afterwards. Burnout isn’t just about being physically tired; it can include emotional depletion, decision fatigue, social overload and sensory overwhelm. A packed group tour might be fun, but it’s unlikely to fix someone who is mentally overloaded and craving quiet.
The good news? Wellbeing research suggests holidays can still deliver a meaningful boost, especially when they’re designed with recovery in mind and balanced with some downtime at home before and after the trip.
Five holiday health hacks
- Schedule a buffer day: Build in a buffer day at each end of the trip for genuine rest, especially before heading back to work.
- Prioritise sleep: Where possible, avoid punishing red-eye flights or, if you can’t, add an extra hotel night after late arrivals to catch up on sleep.
- Slash itinerary bloat: Resist the urge to see and do it all. Leave room for lazy mornings, long lunches or pool afternoons.
- Switch off from work: Mute work emails and communications and enable emergency contacts only, so your brain gets a real break.
- Check your insurance: Ensure your travel insurance policy covers medical treatment abroad, so you’re protected if fatigue leads to illness or an accident.
How agents can sell “restful” holidays, not just holidays
For the trade, there’s a clear opportunity to turn this fatigue story into better-designed trips (and happier repeat clients).
- Start with the feeling, not the destination: Ask clients how they want to feel when they get home – energised, calm, inspired, or simply caught up on sleep and design the itinerary from there.
- Dial down the pace: Swap one or two “must-see” activities for free time, or trade a multi-country dash for a single-region deep dive.
- Normalise buffer days in quotes: Establish a standard pre- or post-trip buffer day, especially for long-haul journeys, and frame it as protecting their holiday investment.
Because if three-quarters of Aussies are coming home from holidays feeling wrecked, not rested, and paying more than ever for the privilege, the winners will be the advisors who can sell trips that actually restore their clients, not just move them.
