'Fill your bucket': Are you above or below the 'countries visited' average?

The average Australian traveller has been to 20 countries, which is higher than most, but what do we get out of it?

According to data from people who downloaded the Visited app, Australia's average is higher than the average 17 countries for other international travellers, and people from only five nations travel more than Australians - UAE, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands and Norway.

Visited shows when Aussies travel, we go to the United Kingdom the most, followed by France, the USA, Italy, Germany, Thailand, New Zealand, Spain, Indonesia and Singapore.

Hobart's Gillian Woodley has been to 120 countries over 28 years and is a firm believer in the power of travel to "fill up your bucket".

The luxury travel advisor for Travel Associates says Australians were born to travel, and you don't need to have been to many nations to benefit from the transformative power of getting out of your comfort zone.

"I think inherently, when you come from a big country with big, vast open spaces, we tend to want to explore those," she said.

Visited data shows while abroad, Aussies are more likely to explore beaches, go to beer-drinking destinations, explore national parks, go snorkelling and diving, and track down our favourite film locations than other travellers.

Ms Woodley says the way Australians travel is changing. Though "fly and flop" beach holidays are still popular, more people want to get away from the crowds to experience something unique.

"I think people want something more untamed. They want to feel something," she said.

"Expedition everything" is trending right now - from expedition cruises, to hikes and group tours. Ms Woodley returned recently from Mongolia and rated it in her top destinations ever, along with Portugal, Iceland and Antarctica.

One of her favourite experiences was Mongolia's Golden Eagle Festival where Kazakh eagle hunters, known as Burkitshi, honour their heritage.

In Ms Woodley's tour group, there were women who had lost husbands and others who were travelling solo, and all returned with "this glow".

"Travel just gives you something you didn't even know you needed ... it just really does open up your eyes to the world, and I think it honestly makes you a better human."

Ms Woodley believes travel can compel people to undertake noble acts, like volunteering for a worthy cause. She said it allows people to see what's important in life.

"As humans, we actually need so little, but we want for so much," she said.

According to the 2024 Muval Index, what most Aussies want in the next 12 months is a holiday (56 per cent), more than a baby, new home, new job or new love.

Those aged 35-44 are in most need of a holiday with almost 70 per cent considering going on an overseas trip in the next 12 months.

Tasmanians are the most eager holiday-makers, with two-thirds considering going on an overseas trip in the next year.