Australian travellers will go for short trips and big moments, according to Airbnb travel trends for 2026 based on search volume and viral social videos. From global icons to off-grid escapes, street parties to solo trips, here are the destinations and trends shaping how travellers will explore the world this year.
Short trips and big moments are set to define how Aussies will travel in 2026 with major cultural, music and sporting events continuing to drive travellers to host cities.
The majority (65%) of top-searched dates and cities in 2026 align with global moments, such as the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup in North America and Carnival in Brazil.
Locally, the Australian Open and AFC Women’s Asian Cup are big drawcards for sportscursions this year as well as stadium tours by Lorde and Bad Bunny.
Airbnb travel trends data shows Gen Z Aussies are opting for the quick trip with one-to-two-day getaways increasing over the last three years, particularly for Albany, WA; Launceston, Tasmania; Queensland’s Southern Downs and Shepparton, Victoria.
Nature is also calling in 2026 with Aussies keen to head off-grid and disconnect in coastal havens and near waterways, whether that’s overseas in Sardinia, Italy; Goa, India or Ujung Kulon, Indonesia; or at home in the Shoalhaven, NSW; Glamorgan Spring Bay, Tasmania; Victoria’s Bass Coast or Busselton, WA.
Solo travel continues to trend in 2026 with destinations, such as Spain’s Costa del Sol; Portugal’s Algarve; Tromsø, Norway; Inverness, Scotland and La Altagracia, Dominican Republic, grabbing solo travellers globally.
In Australia, popular solo hotspots include Busselton, WA; Victoria’s Surf Coast, Wingecarribee, NSW and Gold Coast, driving the Airbnb travel trends 2026 locally.
Unsurprisingly, food tourism still fuels our travel appetites, thanks to social media. From cellar door pours to hands-on cooking classes, travellers are chasing their next flavour fix in Var and Paris, France; Bangalore, India; Lisbon; Istanbul; and Tokyo.
In Australia, Melbourne attracts global foodies while locals are keen to sample the culinary offerings in Canberra, NSW’s Bega Valley, Victoria’s East Gippsland region and Bundaberg in Queensland.
Read the full list here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Aussies in 2026 are swapping long breaks for short escapes, big crowds for local flavour and digital detoxes for discovery. For advisors, it’s a reminder that micro-travel, solo adventures and event-linked itineraries are the big-ticket trends to watch.
