Gitnux/Report 2026

Australia Tourism Statistics

Domestic tourism keeps momentum with 82% of Australians taking at least one trip and $122 billion spent on domestic travel, while the visitor split swings sharply toward interstate travel and day trips. International arrivals are back at 8.9 million, 85% of the 2019 level, with China, the UK, and new growth from India and Singapore shaping what travelers expect from Australia next.
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May 14, 2026Updated
Australia Tourism Statistics
David KowalskiWritten by David Kowalski·Edited by Sophie Moreland·Fact-checked by Nicholas Chambers
Published ·Updated
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Australia’s tourism pulse is visible in the latest figures, with 666,000 jobs supported by AUD 166 billion in tourism revenue and 8.9 million international arrivals marking an 85% recovery from 2019. Domestic travel is just as commanding, from 120 million holiday trips to day visits that reach 250 million. Next, you will see how state by state visitor patterns, spending habits, and travel motivations reshape the map.

Key Takeaways

  • Tasmania recorded 5.5 million domestic overnight visitors in 2023
  • New South Wales saw 32 million domestic nights stayed in 2023
  • Queensland hosted 24 million domestic visitors in 2023
  • China remains top long-haul market with high spend per head in 2023
  • India fastest growing market at 25% annual growth projected to 2028
  • New Zealand short-haul loyal with 80% repeat visitation rate
  • Sydney received 4.1 million international visitors in 2023, 46% of national total
  • Melbourne hosted 2.7 million internationals in 2023, strong for events
  • Gold Coast welcomed 1.8 million international tourists in 2023, beach focus
  • International tourism expenditure reached AUD 48.2 billion in 2023, up 118% from 2022
  • Domestic tourism spending hit AUD 122 billion in 2023, representing 70% of total tourism revenue
  • International visitors spent an average of AUD 5,400 per trip in 2023
  • In 2023, Australia recorded 8.9 million international visitor arrivals, a 85% recovery from 2019 pre-pandemic levels
  • New Zealand was the top source market with 1.3 million visitors to Australia in 2023, accounting for 14.6% of total arrivals
  • Chinese visitors numbered 583,000 in 2023, up 120% from 2022 but still 45% below 2019 peaks

Australia welcomed 8.9 million international arrivals and 82% of Australians took domestic trips in 2023.

Related reading

01 · Category

Domestic Tourism Statistics28 stats

01
Tasmania recorded 5.5 million domestic overnight visitors in 2023
02
New South Wales saw 32 million domestic nights stayed in 2023
03
Queensland hosted 24 million domestic visitors in 2023
04
Victoria's domestic tourism generated 45 million visitor nights in 2023
05
Western Australia had 12 million domestic trips in 2023
06
South Australia recorded 8.7 million domestic overnight stays in 2023
07
82% of Australians took at least one domestic trip in 2023
08
Average domestic trip length was 3.8 nights in 2023
09
Interstate travel accounted for 55% of domestic tourism in 2023
10
Domestic holiday trips totaled 120 million in 2023
11
Visiting friends/relatives drove 42% of domestic trips in 2023
12
Day trips numbered 250 million domestically in 2023
13
Car travel used by 78% of domestic tourists in 2023
14
Camping and caravanning saw 12 million participants in 2023
15
Regional domestic visits grew 8% to 65 million in 2023
16
35% of domestic tourists engaged in nature activities in 2023
17
Food and wine festivals attracted 18 million domestic attendees in 2023
18
Grey nomads (over 55s) took 28 million trips in 2023
19
Families comprised 31% of domestic overnight groups in 2023
20
Solo domestic travel rose to 15% of trips in 2023
21
Beach holidays chosen by 52% of domestic tourists in 2023
22
Bushwalking participated in by 22 million Australians in 2023
23
Domestic aviation carried 45 million passengers in 2023
24
61% of domestic spending on accommodation in 2023
25
Repeat domestic visits to same destination 48% in 2023
26
Northern Territory domestic arrivals 2.1 million in 2023
27
ACT domestic tourism 4.8 million nights in 2023
28
Digital bookings for domestic trips 72% in 2023
Interpretation

Domestic Tourism Statistics Interpretation

Australia, in a spectacular show of national self-discovery, sent 82% of its population on a multi-night road trip to sleep in each other's spare rooms, camp in each other's backyards, and repeatedly fall in love with their own country, proving the best adventures are often the ones you can drive to.

More related reading

04 · Category

Tourism Revenue and Expenditure25 stats

01
International tourism expenditure reached AUD 48.2 billion in 2023, up 118% from 2022
02
Domestic tourism spending hit AUD 122 billion in 2023, representing 70% of total tourism revenue
03
International visitors spent an average of AUD 5,400 per trip in 2023
04
Accommodation accounted for 24% of international expenditure at AUD 11.6 billion in 2023
05
Food and beverage spending by tourists totaled AUD 15.3 billion in 2023
06
Shopping expenditure by international visitors was AUD 7.8 billion in 2023
07
Airfare costs for inbound tourism reached AUD 18.5 billion in 2023
08
Domestic day trippers spent AUD 45 billion in 2023
09
Tourism contributed 5.1% to Australia's GDP in 2023 at AUD 166 billion total
10
Inbound tour packages generated AUD 4.2 billion in 2023
11
Average nightly spend per international visitor was AUD 250 in 2023
12
Gambling expenditure by tourists was AUD 3.1 billion in 2023
13
Cultural attractions revenue hit AUD 2.9 billion from international visitors in 2023
14
Transport spending within Australia by internationals was AUD 9.7 billion in 2023
15
Domestic overnight spending averaged AUD 1,200 per trip in 2023
16
Entertainment and recreation took AUD 6.4 billion from tourists in 2023
17
Health and wellbeing tourism spend was AUD 1.8 billion in 2023
18
Education-related tourism expenditure reached AUD 12.5 billion in 2023
19
Cruise passenger spending totaled AUD 1.2 billion in 2023 ports
20
Luxury tourism segment generated AUD 8.9 billion in 2023
21
Adventure tourism spend was AUD 5.6 billion from internationals in 2023
22
Sydney Harbour attractions drew AUD 2.1 billion in 2023
23
Regional tourism expenditure grew 12% to AUD 35 billion in 2023
24
Total tourism jobs supported 666,000 in 2023, linked to AUD 166B revenue
25
Great Barrier Reef visitor spending was AUD 6.2 billion in 2023
Interpretation

Tourism Revenue and Expenditure Interpretation

While Australians are happily propping up their own backyard economy with $122 billion in domestic trips, international visitors have arrived with equally full wallets, spending a lavish $5,400 each to ensure our nation's beauty is enjoyed, but never for free.

05 · Category

Visitor Arrivals and Demographics29 stats

01
In 2023, Australia recorded 8.9 million international visitor arrivals, a 85% recovery from 2019 pre-pandemic levels
02
New Zealand was the top source market with 1.3 million visitors to Australia in 2023, accounting for 14.6% of total arrivals
03
Chinese visitors numbered 583,000 in 2023, up 120% from 2022 but still 45% below 2019 peaks
04
UK visitors reached 1.1 million in 2023, comprising 12.4% of international arrivals to Australia
05
US tourists totaled 760,000 in 2023, with an average length of stay of 32 nights
06
Female international visitors to Australia made up 52% of total arrivals in 2023
07
The average age of international visitors was 42 years in 2023, with millennials (25-40) representing 38%
08
28% of international visitors to Australia in 2023 were visiting friends and relatives (VFR)
09
Holidaymakers accounted for 46% of international arrivals in 2023, totaling 4.1 million visitors
10
Business visitors numbered 1.2 million in 2023, up 15% from 2022
11
Singapore contributed 450,000 visitors in 2023, a 90% increase from 2022 levels
12
Indian arrivals hit 320,000 in 2023, growing 200% year-on-year
13
65% of international visitors arrived via Sydney Airport in 2023
14
Repeat visitors made up 41% of international arrivals in 2023
15
Families with children represented 22% of international visitor groups in 2023
16
German tourists numbered 210,000 in 2023, focusing on nature-based activities
17
South Korean visitors reached 180,000 in 2023, up 150% from 2022
18
72% of international visitors used mobile apps for trip planning in 2023
19
Average group size for international visitors was 2.3 persons in 2023
20
Japan sent 140,000 visitors in 2023, preferring luxury experiences
21
Malaysian arrivals totaled 380,000 in 2023, short-haul proximity driving growth
22
55% of visitors from Europe stayed over 3 weeks in 2023
23
Indonesian visitors numbered 250,000 in 2023, up 110% YoY
24
18-24 year olds comprised 15% of arrivals in 2023
25
Canadians visited 170,000 times in 2023, adventure focus
26
French arrivals were 190,000 in 2023, cultural interests dominant
27
35% of arrivals flew direct international flights in 2023
28
Dutch visitors totaled 110,000 in 2023, eco-tourism enthusiasts
29
48% of arrivals were first-time visitors in 2023
Interpretation

Visitor Arrivals and Demographics Interpretation

Australia's tourism scene is showing robust, if not yet fully healed, vital signs, with Kiwis leading a surge of globe-trotters who are slightly more female, decidedly millennial, and stubbornly insistent on overstaying their welcome—especially the Americans with their 32-night marathons—while the recovery plays out in fascinatingly uneven fashion, from India’s explosive 200% growth to China's slow and steady climb back.
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David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Australia Tourism Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-tourism-statistics
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David Kowalski. 2026. "Australia Tourism Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-tourism-statistics.

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