Alcohol-fuelled, balls-to-the-wall bacchanalian holidays are out; unwinding in nature with friends is in. Younger travellers increasingly opt for soft-reset trips – low-key escapes that swap bar-hopping and jam-packed itineraries for hiking and bonding in nature. But is the travel industry keeping up?
The classic rite of passage for Australians fresh out of school or uni was the 45 places in 45 days bus trip of Europe. An attraction-ticking itinerary that packed in all the highlights while gallivanting through the Continent at breakneck speed on a mega coach.
But that style of youth group trip has fallen out of favour for a generation that’s drinking less and hooking up less.
Topdeck’s recent research shows Gen Z travellers rejecting this touristy style of large group touring towards an interest in understated, yet immersive trips.
In a Topdeck survey of more than 2,000 young travellers, 68 per cent said they’d prefer to travel in a group of up to 20 people for more intimate and socially connected travel experiences and 64 per cent believe small-group travel is less stressful.
More than half (59%) say they would avoid large groups that are mainly focused on partying.
It comes as multiple studies highlight that younger Australians are in the middle of a loneliness and burnout epidemic with one in four reporting feeling isolation as an everyday stressor.
Soft-reset trips are in
Lazy, low-key getaways are 2026’s chillest travel trend for young travellers.
Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26 global travel trends report found 54 per cent of travellers are keen on more secluded and serene spots with 62 per cent saying these types of trips help ease anxiety and stress.
Wotif notes that Aussies are trading hustle for harmony. In 2026, half of Aussies (50%) say they’ll swap over-planned trips for peaceful escapes in smaller towns for a gentler pace and fewer crowds.
Most Aussies report leaving a slower-paced destination feeling relaxed (67%), less stressed (54%) and recharged (52%).
Holiday rental site Vrbo also reports higher demand for cosy cabins in the woods, peaceful beach cottages and secluded lake lodges to boost relaxation and reconnection as part of the soft-reset trip trend.
Slow travel picks up pace
Vrbo notes JOMO (‘joy of missing out’) and slow travel trends, such as urban foraging, fly-fishing, stargazing and leaf-peeping, as travellers increasingly seek closer connections with nature.
That slow travel trend translates to 91 per cent of Aussie travellers interested in staying on or near a farm as mentions of farm-related experiences in Stayz guest reviews have surged 300 per cent year-on-year.
Popular farmstay activities include hiking trails, animal interactions from birdwatching to collecting eggs, and reading and crafting.
Likewise, Stayz points to the rise of ‘readaways’ – literary-themed travel – with 94 per cent of Aussies seeking getaways focused on reading, relaxation and quality time with loved ones.
Soft-reset trips and similar travel trends
Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report also notes that one in four global travellers are keen on slow travel, and one in five travellers want simpler escapes that leave room for spontaneity, aka ‘soft travel’.
One in five global travellers will lean into ‘hurkle-durkling’, essentially a Scottish phrase for bed rot, while on holiday, and 24 per cent more are disconnecting from social media.
In Australia, Big Red Group has similarly seen wellness bookings surge by 34.1 per cent year-on-year this winter along with getaways (up 15.1%) and classes and courses (up 11.2%).
Arts and crafts interest surged by 26.9 per cent and cooking classes were up 14.2 per cent compared to winter 2024.
