Explore Travel Live

The beloved Australian destination everyone's escaping to this winter

But if you want to embrace the chill, head south.

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland
Sarah Falson
Updated May 20, 2025, first published May 16, 2025

As the weather cools down, Queensland is coming out as the clear winner for trending domestic travel destinations.

According to Airbnb data, half of the top-10 destinations this winter by search are in Queensland: Whitsundays, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Southport and North Stradbroke Island.

Winter in far north Queensland offers prime temperatures for camping, hiking and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef.

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In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, winter is home to festivals including the Brisbane Festival, and the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival.

NSW has also been popular for winter holiday planning with Sydney, Newcastle and Pokolbin in the top 10, along with the southern mainland capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide.

Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said winter is a popular time for Aussies to travel with the June long weekend and school holidays.

Story Bridge in Brisbane at dusk. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland
Story Bridge in Brisbane at dusk. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

She said it was "no surprise" Aussies wanted to escape the cold to the warmer climate of the "sunshine state", but they were also looking for experiences beyond the beaches.

"Wine regions like Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley and the many wineries in close proximity to Adelaide and Melbourne are also trending - all perfect for a winter tipple," Ms Wheeldon told Explore.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Tasmania is luring Aussies to Hobart and the north-west of the state to experience winter in full force during its "off season".

Kayaking on Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. Picture: Nick H Visuals
Kayaking on Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. Picture: Nick H Visuals

Discover Tasmania is encouraging Aussies to don their winter wollies and get a bit wild out in nature.

Off season adventures include the Kuuma Nature Sauna, Australia's first sauna boat styled on a floating escape popular in Nordic countries where participants spend time in the on-boat sauna and then jump in the cold sea.

If getting out in nature is more your style, kayaking tours of Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain continue on through the colder months, weather dependent.

Dove Lake in winter. Picture: Sean Scott Photography
Dove Lake in winter. Picture: Sean Scott Photography

When it comes to overseas travel this Aussie winter, Airbnb data shows Asia is proving popular, with its proximity to Australia and warmer climate.

"Vietnam is emerging as a go-to destination probably because it's a direct flight, the time difference isn't too bad and it's affordable," Ms Wheeldon said.

"We've also seen Italy really having a resurgence - potentially since the popularity of The White Lotus."

Sarah Falson
Words bySarah Falson
Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.

My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.

Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.

My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.