The Aussie coastal spot with the cheapest average flight prices this spring

Long-haul flights and expensive international holidays are taking a backseat this spring.

Fresh ABS data reveals overseas travel spend by Australians officially cooled off during the June quarter for the first time since the pandemic.

Instead, travellers are hunting for high-value domestic getaways that offer maximum reset for minimum spend.

From $114 return flights to hidden coastal gems, we joined forces with Skyscanner to map out the best-value spring escapes across Australia.

Australians are choosing domestic, coastal and nature-rich destinations for short breaks - especially during the spring months, says Skyscanner Australia travel expert, Jarrod Kris.

Affordability is key, with Aussies wanting an escape that feels "genuinely different from everyday life".

Skyscanner data shows Lord Howe Island is the top-trending domestic destination in September and November this year, according to flight searches made between January and September, up 31 per cent on the same period last year.

Searches during the same time period show Launceston is also trending, up 10 per cent, while Newcastle is up 3 per cent and Busselton is up 2 per cent.

"Together, these trending destinations point to a growing appetite for regional and coastal getaways that combine accessibility, value and unique experiences," Kris says.

For Aussies looking for the cheapest flights this season, Ballina is appearing as one of the most affordable spots with an average flight price of $223 per seat across one-way and return journeys from other airports around Australia, followed by Launceston at $249, according to Skyscanner data from the same period.

The Gold Coast and Hobart follow closely behind with average seat prices of $290 and $294 respectively.

Travelling with the little ones? A Sydney family of four travelling to Brisbane could all fly from $162 return per person on 22 September, Skyscanner data shows.

If you're keen to try one of the season's trending destinations, a Sydney couple could fly to Busselton from $364 return per person in October, which is the cheapest month to fly in spring, according to Skyscanner.

Or if Ballina is more your style, a Sydney couple could fly there from $114 return per person on November 17.

Skyscanner's Kris says domestic travel is becoming a more important part of the travel mix this year as Aussies look for ways to manage rising costs without giving up their holidays.

Recent Skyscanner research found 57 per cent of Aussies say getting the best value for money is the most important factor to them right now when booking travel.

"For short breaks, that value isn't just about price - it's about making a few days away feel worthwhile," Kris says.

The same piece of research found 77 per cent of Aussies are willing to cut back on at least one everyday expense to make room for travel in their budgets.

Reflections Holidays CEO, Nick Baker, says instead of choosing somewhere based on what everyone else wants to do, there is a real freedom of going back to basics and figuring out what you want from a holiday.

"That may mean going overseas, but it can just as easily be a few days surrounded by nature, where you can slow down and properly reset," he says.

Bookings across the holiday parks and the brand's Wilderluxe safari-style tents are up 10 per year on year for spring.

A sole traveller or couple could camp at Byron Bay metres from the beach for $70 a night in the off-peak season (outside of school holidays and public holidays), while a family of four could stay in an economy cabin for about $124 at Copeton Waters, or $215 by the beach in Bermagui.

"If you can be flexible and stay mid-week, there are further discounts," Baker says.

For the brand's more premium Wilderluxe offering, rates start from $575 per room per night for two people at Lake Keepit.

"The two-night Big Sky Dreaming package includes accommodation, daily breakfast, the Big Sky Dreaming experience, which brings together Aboriginal storytelling and Western astronomy, plus complimentary kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking and biking," Baker says.