The travel trends, destinations and experiences coming in hot for 2027.

From outback destinations set to shine and luxury coastal escapes, to hiking holidays and electrifying events, here’s where travel is taking us in the year ahead. Set your sights on these 27 trends, experiences and destinations redefining the Australian travel landscape.

Best travel experiences in Australia for 2027

1. A new stop on The Ghan

From March, Australia’s legendary luxury cross-country train reroutes the next adventure with the launch of an extended journey connecting Adelaide and Darwin. The new three-night northbound itinerary includes an exclusive Ghan-only organic dinner in the Woolshed at Penobscot Farm in the Clare Valley, featuring biodynamic produce grown across the sprawling property, an extra day to explore outback wonders such as the 600-million-year-old Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and the ruins of Kanyaka Station, north of Quorn.

2. Plunge into reef conservation

Dive deeper into the largest living structure on the planet with preservation top of mind. Contribute to the health of the Great Barrier Reef with Coral Expeditions’ new 11-night Science & Conservation itinerary, an educational journey that includes participation in sea-monitoring initiatives and tropical turtle encounters. Take part in Reef Unlimited’s Reef Recovery Days, an opportunity to participate firsthand in coral planting on the Great Barrier Reef. Or snooze below the stars at reimagined Reefworld, a floating pontoon-slash-luxe hotel moored 39 nautical miles offshore and operated responsibly by Cruise Whitsundays.

3. Catch World Cup fever

Rugby World Cup devotees across the country and world will descend on Aussie capital stadiums including Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and beyond from October for what’s slated to be one of the biggest international sporting celebrations of the 2027 calendar. Regional sportsgrounds in Newcastle and Townsville are also part of the line-up, so travellers can watch a game, stay the night – Novotel Newcastle Beach and Mercure Townsville, we’re looking at you – and visit local favourites the next day, celebrating a win (or nursing a loss) at Merewether Beach or on Magnetic Island/Yunbenun.

4. Traverse Dubbo’s savannah

Spread across 55 hectares, Serengeti Resort at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo will pair giraffe-watching with cappuccino-sipping when it opens in early 2027 with 35 two-bedroom villas and cabins. Expect to see rhinoceros, zebras and antelopes bounding across the grasslands beyond the lagoon-style infinity-edge pool, umbrella-shaded loungers and central eateries. Not only will the resort make use of a previously uninhabited part of the zoo, covering five times the space of the existing savannah habitat, it will also elevate the way you can see, hear and help conservation in action.

5. Stargaze outback skies

Joining South Australia’s River Murray and Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Karlu Karlu Conservation Reserve in the NT is officially – as of August 2026 – among Australia’s three internationally recognised Dark Sky Sanctuaries. Pull off the Stuart Highway to visit the 1800-hectare reserve and sacred site, marvel at the Milky Way glittering above massive granite boulders as frogs warble nearby, or stay overnight (with a valid parks pass and booked campsite) to soak it up until dawn.

6. Sail the new Spirit of Tasmania

Purpose-built for the treacherous waters of the Bass Strait, the new Spirit of Tasmania ships – IV and V – are kitted out with splashy communal areas, refined accommodation, pet-friendly cabins and triple the space for caravans and trailers. Night sailings mean time for seafood platters at the improved Tasmanian Market Kitchen or family-sized pizzas at the Maatsuyker Bar, a live sports broadcast on the heated outdoor patio, acoustic music in the refined Cradle Lounge or gaming in the decked-out arcade before catching Zzzs in the premium lie-flat recliners; four-bed en suite cabins; or spacious, hotel-esque Deluxe suites, which come with a complimentary bottle of Tassie pinot.

7. Cycle through SA wine country

If you enjoy the bucolic beauty of wine regions on two wheels, 2027 is the year for you. Langhorne Creek Discovery Trail is set to open in April in South Australia, connecting four cellar doors across the Fleurieu Peninsula. It’s the latest piece in the 280-kilometre Great Australian Wine Trail, which will eventually connect the state’s major wine-growing regions by bike. It’s part of a nationwide trend: see also Victoria’s 48-kilometre Rutherglen Loops, freshly minted two years ago.

8. Jackson Pollock in Perth

In April, Jackson Pollock’s seminal Blue poles will premiere for the first time in Western Australia, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia through early September, as it goes on its first road trip in more than 20 years. The five-metre-long work – anchored by eight black strokes and an erratic collection of drips and splashes – will feature at Perth’s Art Gallery of Western Australia alongside an events program, talks and community activities centered on the Expressionist piece.

9. Art in the Red Centre

“We don’t speak too much with our mouth, we pick up a paintbrush," says Warumungu artist Joseph Williams Jungarrayi, who made a powerful statement in the 2026 Vincent Lingiari Art Award with his piece Three Brothers, which was painted on a colonial mining map and took out the DLC Delegates Choice prize. The stories told through art in the Red Centre are captivating and illuminating – so much so, the desert art scene was included in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2027 book. Discover the magic yourself at the Desert Mob festival in Alice Springs/Mparntwe each spring, or all year round at the local Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Tjanpi Desert Weavers and Mbantua Aboriginal Art galleries.

Best places to visit in Australia in 2027

10. Broome

Broome’s legendary sunsets aren’t going anywhere, but Cable Beach, the place to watch them, is getting a serious refresh for 2027. A $75 million transformation is set to add a splash park, accessible playground and new event spaces. That’s more ways to play and better access to the beach, while coastal protection works will safeguard the shoreline for the future. For a luxury Broome stay, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is a tropical oasis of palms, gardens and contemporary Australian art, just steps from the sand. Head to Sol Mediterranean for long poolside lunches at the adults-only Ocean Pool (reserved for staying guests), or Lunar Bar, a late-night cocktail spot; retreat here after watching the sun sink into the Indian Ocean.

11. South Australia

South Australia is the first state in the country to earn its own Michelin Guide, which was revealed in October, making 2027 the year to eat your way from vineyards to city in pursuit of new Stars and Bib Gourmands. Mark your calendar for 30 April to 9 May for Tasting Australia, a state-wide food festival presented by Journey Beyond, with more than 150 events across South Australia celebrating its producers, chefs and winemakers. For a slick new city stay, Little National Hotel Adelaide brings design-led comfort and 360-degree rooftop views, while Crystalbrook Sam (opening late December) ups the luxe factor with swish design, rooftop dining and Eléme Day Spa.

12. Tasmania

On Tasmania’s Flinders Island – a wild, remote outpost in Bass Strait considered one of Tasmania’s best islands – granite mountains tumble towards empty beaches, wallabies graze and life is decidedly unhurried. Now there’s a new way to experience it. Outscape has launched four- and five-day all-inclusive regenerative journeys for just 12 guests to explore the rugged island with coastal trails, wildlife encounters and topaz hunts. Nights in waterfront accommodation bring a softer side, with saunas, cold plunges and long-table dinners. It’s slow travel with a dramatic backdrop – and maybe a drop of artisan gin. It’s Tassie, distilled.

13. Arnhem Land

Shaped by more than 60,000 years of living culture, Arnhem Land remains one of Australia’s most remote wilds – a vast, rugged landscape of wetlands, ancient escarpments and pristine coast where few travellers venture. In 2027, Outback Spirit by Journey Beyond offers a rare way in, with Traditional Owner-led experiences, cruising the sacred Arafura Swamp, rock art and wilderness stays. Bookend the journey at Darwin’s newly opened Larrakia Cultural Centre, celebrating the rich Larrakia culture, and maybe try your hand at weaving or spear-making.

14. Canberra

Canberra is upping its accommodation game in December 2026 with luxury glass-domed Eco Suites entering the scene on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Off-grid stays with remote-controlled roofs that open to the stars and stargazing telescopes await, making for a relaxing weekend getaway. In the city, 225-room Crystalbrook Aurora is set to open in early 2027 with a 300-seat Raku restaurant bringing Japanese fine dining. Time a stay for the cultural blockbuster Terracotta Warriors: Immortality & Empire, bringing original warriors and other treasures from ancient China to the National Museum of Australia from 11 December 2026 to 2 May 2027.

15. The Murray River

The mighty Murray, lined with river red gums and steeped in paddlesteamer history, is at the heart of Echuca Moama, recently named Victoria’s Top Tourism Town for 2026. And what better way to cruise this iconic waterway than aboard APT’s brand-new PS Australian Star, the country’s first five-star paddlesteamer and the largest in the southern hemisphere. Hop aboard this river queen, with a restored 1907 woodfired steam engine integrated into a hybrid propulsion system, for a three- to seven-night journey mixing the nostalgia and romance of the Murray with fine dining, regional wines and historic towns. Old river, new luxury.

16. Outback NSW

Think you know NSW? Head west and you may have to rethink. Old mining towns, opal fields and Broken Hill’s surprising art scene feel a world away from the coast, while the moonlike landscape of Mungo National Park offers a glimpse into tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal history. AAT Kings is making it easier to join the dots with its new Outback New South Wales Adventurer. Launching in 2027/28, the nine-day guided tour travels deep into the lesser-known west, mixing local experiences with tales and history.

17. Cool-climate Queensland

Stanthorpe has been hiding in plain sight, but being named Australia’s Top Tourism Town for 2026 might just have let the cat out of the bag. High on Queensland’s Granite Belt, it’s a world away from the Sunshine State clichés, with cool-climate vineyards producing sophisticated wines, including a growing crop of ‘Strange Bird’ alternative varieties. Add in apple orchards, farm-gate produce, granite monoliths, historic towns and heritage rail journeys and there are plenty of good reasons to swap the coast for the country. You might even encounter a bit of snow on a crisp winter day. Yes, really.

18. Western Sydney

Sydney’s west is gearing up for take-off with the opening of Western Sydney International Airport. The striking new Powerhouse Parramatta brings world-class exhibitions and a new rooftop garden and observatory, while Gulguer National Park – eventually expanding to more than 1100 hectares in size – opens up bushland for walking, biking and wildlife spotting. New hotel openings including Atura Oran Park, just 20 minutes from the airport, will bolster Western Sydney’s appeal. It’s also an easy launch pad to the spectacular Blue Mountains, where a new wave of luxury is taking hold with the reopening of Emirates Wolgan Valley, the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge, and the revitalisation of historic Lilianfels as Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains.

Biggest travel trends for 2027

19. Everyday wellness

For years, wellness has often been framed as an occasional indulgence – something associated with exclusive European health retreats and a hefty price tag. In Australia, a countermovement is taking shape: the micro-dosing of wellness on the road. Novotel is pioneering this shift. Its Longevity Everyday strategy starts with the basics: new beds for better sleep and increasingly plant-forward menus with Novotel Sydney Darling Square even boasting its own onsite microfarm. Newly opened Novotel St Kilda brings the program to life through coastal walks, fitness access and seasonal Victorian produce at Urban Kitchen & Bar. The brand has also partnered with WWF-Australia to help protect whale migration corridors.

20. New-wave nostalgia

Small coastal towns, local bakeries, fish and chip shops and old-school pubs: these are just some of the hallmarks of a nostalgic holiday – something 60 per cent of Australians are hankering for, according to new findings by Airbnb. Rutherglen (Vic), Carmel (WA) and Falmouth (Tas) are among the destinations tapping into the trend towards a ‘new’ nostalgia, with more than two thirds of travellers seeking out unfamiliar places with a familiar feel, rather than simply retracing the footsteps of their youth.

21. Gig-tripping

Heritage and hiking trails may have written the book on slow travel, but a fresh trend towards music trails is keeping audiophiles closer to home – sometimes on full-blown, state-wide odysseys. Take QLD Music Trails – The Outback’s epic 1400-kilometre self-drive symphony, which culminates in the Outback Sounds festival in Mount Isa in May. And grooving through various country towns over the coming year, a self-guided Central NSW ‘gig trail’ takes in dedicated Elvis, Beatles and ABBA tributes along the way.

22. The great Aussie mini-break

When it comes to holidaying well, quality over quantity is the golden rule. Carnival Cruise Line research shows more than half of Australians find multiple local short breaks far more cost-efficient than a lengthy overseas trip. Adrian Williams, Accor’s chief operating officer PME, Pacific, agrees a mini break can feel just as rewarding when there are compelling reasons to go. “Whether that’s a great restaurant, an event, a new hotel or simply the chance to explore somewhere close to home." Think long weekends in regional standouts like Echuca or Mudgee, a few days in wine country or a quiet coastal pocket. Day hikes, city staycations and even quickie cruises, where the pool deck is the main port of call, round out the short-stay spectrum.

23. Sportcations

Data insights from Expedia show 57 per cent of travellers will attend a sports game as a gateway into local culture, but the group’s research also shows more travellers are flying explicitly for the love of the game. On home soil, the Australian Open, F1 Grand Prix and TCS Sydney Marathon remain three of the biggest calling cards, except now, each fixture marks a momentum-building step towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Golf tournaments, surf comps and hardcore endurance challenges are drawing equally devoted crowds.

24. New frontiers

In 2027, whichever wild landscape you drop into, chances are, a world-class lodge is waiting. Just look at the Blue Mountains debut of Emirates Wolgan Valley as a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, or newcomer Ever Bloomfield on the Daintree Coast – so remote, there’s no direct road access. Intrepid has launched ‘Stay Intrepid’: a collection of immersive properties designed to connect guests to local culture, including through First Nations-led experiences. In 2027, Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory is braced to reveal refurbishments, while Abercrombie & Kent is scheduled to open its first Australian eco lodge in WA’s Purnululu National Park. Come 2028, luxury operator Beckons will reveal a nine-suite hideaway, each one with knockout Ulur−u views.

25. Hiking holidays

Spectacular topography and infrastructure have made Australia a global leader in multi-day hiking, and the choices just keep coming. Joining the Great Walks of Australia portfolio in late 2025 alongside the Kangaroo Island Signature Walk, the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk (both operated by Tasmanian Walking Company) saw its first flush of hikers in April, a group who now surely have their sights set on NSW’s upcoming five-day Great Southern Walk. Victoria’s Mount William Station Grampians Southern Ranges Walk, also set to launch in 2027, is another one to watch, combining wineries and pastoral stays over four days.

26. The bathhouse boom

Australia has built an international identity around golden beaches, but modern bathhouses are making the biggest local waves. The arrival of VELA Spa & Bathhouse at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley in NSW signals a trend worth driving for, while Melbourne’s latest Heal Bath House puts high-street hydrotherapy in Brunswick East. Bathhouses are also expanding, with Melbourne’s seminal Sense of Self opening a new 1000-square-metre venue in Sydney’s Surry Hills. If getting dirty is the next big wellness ritual, try it first at Adelaide’s new Mineral Bathhouse, with its self-led mud scrub.

27. The grand gathering

Wrangling family together for a milestone celebration can be notoriously tricky – unless you sweeten the invite with an exclusive-use villa. On Tassie’s east coast, Saffire Freycinet marks the growing move towards intimate group travel with the opening of its new 800-square-metre Jewel Private Villa. On the Gold Coast, RISE Kirra Point penthouse recently redefined multi-generational beachfront luxury at an impressive 760 square metres. Or, if your group really needs the space, there are whole-island buyouts – à la South Australia’s Rumi on Louth.