From the outback to the rainforests, beaches and islands, Australia is home to some of the worlds best experiences and natural landmarks. However, often many people perceive local Aussie holidays to be more expensive and time consuming compared to international travel.
With Australia Day upon us, we’ve crunched the numbers and debunked the myths once and for all, comparing some of our most iconic landmarks against overseas equivalents, proving local holidays are a winner in 2017.
1. For history and ancient culture: Swap Stonehenge, England for Uluru, NT
There’s nothing more true blue than Uluru, however wotif.com research* shows more Australians have ticked Stonehenge off their travel list than the ancient indgenenous landmark, which makes it time to put Uluru at the top of your Aussie to-do-list in 2017.
Not only is Uluru filled with rich indigenous culture, there are so many different ways holidaymakers can get up close and personal with its raw beauty, such as a hike around the base, a helicopter flight over the region, or even ride high on a camel at sunset for a different perspective.
Price and time comparison: On average, it is 4 x times cheaper for Aussies to fly to Uluru (ex capial cities, on average)** than Stonehenge and 4 x times quicker to get there (ex capital cities, on average)***.
2. Craving a little island time? Swap Fiji for Hamilton Island, QLD
If lazy days in tropical paradise are calling your name, skip the overseas flight, currency conversion and travel time with a resort holiday closer to home on The Whitsundays largest inhabited island.
While Aussies will always have a soft spot for the friendly locals, turquoise waters and white sand beaches of Fiji, Hamilton Island is set to be hot in 2017*. With one in two (53%) Aussies admitting it is on their hit list, despite only 18% of people stating they have previously travelled there.
Price and time comparison: On average, it is a third cheaper to get to Hamilton Island than Fiji** and two hours quicker to get there from Australian (on average ex-capital cities)***.
3. Into the wild: Swap the Amazon Rainforest for the Daintree Rainforest, QLD
Both the Daintree Rainforest and the Amazon Rainforest are tropical paradises close to the equator, with similar climates, rainforest layers and many different species of animals and plants.
However our home grown hero is not only much more accessible for a cheeky long weekend break, it also basks in the honour of being the oldest of the two, while being filled with indigenous culture and thousands of species of birds and other wildlife to discover.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is 4 x cheaper to get to the Daintree Rainforest than the Amazon Rainforest** and 6 x quicker to get there from Australian (on average ex capital cities)***.
4. Get your khakis on: Swap Kruger National Park for Kakadu National Park, NT
If you want to get the adrenaline pumping by witnessing some of the worlds most deadly animals in their natural environment, skip the lengthy flight to South Africa for a short break to Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu.
Kakadu National Park, lies just a few hours drive from Darwin and is the closest experience to the African safari you’ll find on home soil. From croc-spotting adventures, outback plains, billabongs and swim holes (safe from the crocs!) Kakadu is outback escapism at its best.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is 3 x cheaper to get to Kakadu National Park than Kruger National Park** and 4 x quicker to get there from Australia (on average ex capital cities)***.
5. Don’t let the Kiwis win any more titles in 2017: Swap Queenstown, NZ for Cradle Mountain, TAS
New Zealanders are no doubt basking in the glory that Wotif research* shows more Aussies have crossed the ditch to visit Queenstown than Tasmania’s world heritage listed Cradle Mountain Lake St.Clair National Park.
Cradle Mountain rivals Queenstowns beauty with its rugged mountain peaks, towering forests, hikes and lodge style accommodation, plus it’s got the added benefit of being a quick domestic flight away.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is 2.5 x cheaper to get to Cradle Mountain, Tasmania than Queenstown** and half the time to get there from Australia (on average ex capital cities)***.
6. Meet the friendly locals: Swap Vancouver Island for Kangaroo Island, SA
Although both islands allow you to disconnect from the mainland hustle, while discovering coastal wildlife in their element, Kangaroo Island is a natural wonderland which allows for the chance to enjoy a slice of the ‘real Australia’.
While despite the name ‘Kangaroo Island’, it also happens to be home to plenty of other local wildlife, from sea lions, to penguins, echidnas and koalas.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is 5.5 x cheaper to get to Kangagroo Island than Vancouver Island** and 8 x quicker to get there from Australia (on average ex capital cities)***.
7. Prison break: Swap Alcatraz, San Francisco for Cockatoo Island, NSW
Wotif research* reveals that more Australians have visited San Francisco’s infamous island, Alcatraz, than Sydney’s Cockatoo Island, which many don’t realise also has its own colourful prisoner past.
Despite Sydney being one of Australia’s most popular cities, only 10% of Aussies have managed to jump on the ferry out to Cockatoo Island according to Wotif research*. From the early settlement convicts, to the stories of the prisoners in the early 1900’s, visitors today can not only learn about the island’s unique history, they can even stay overnight with camping and cottage options available on Wotif.com, making it the perfect weekend escape in the heart of Australia’s biggest city.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is 6 x cheaper to get to Cockatoo Island than Alcatraz, San Francisco** and 7 x quicker to get there from Australia (on average ex capital cities)***.
8. The new capital of cool: Swap Washington, DC for Canberra.
All eyes may be on Washington, DC at the moment, however for a political inspired holiday closer to home, drop into the nations capital Canberra.
Switch US history for Australia’s political past with a visit to the old and current Parliament House. Or for more educational experiences, pay your respects at the Australian War Memorial, learn a thing or two at Questacon, or get in touch with your creative side at the National Gallery of Australia.
Once you have worked up an appetite, eat your way through the local foodie scene which has undergone a revolution itself in recent years.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is more than 6 x cheaper to get to Canberra than Washington, DC** and 11 x quicker to get there from Australia (on average ex capital cities)***.
9. Drink all of the champagne: Swap Champagne region, France for Yarra Valley, VIC
If you’d like to be whisked away to France’s champagne region, but your bank balance won’t allow it, try the next best thing on Aussie soil with a long weekend in the Yarra Valley, just an hour out of Melbourne.
The Yarra Valley is famous for it’s wines however it also takes pride in the title of the local home of Domaine Chandon. Not only does this winery’s traditions hail from the Moët & Chandon in France’s Champagne region, it also owns the exclusivity of being the only Australian sparkling wine with a genuine French heritage.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is more than 7 x cheaper to get to the Yarra Valley than Champagne, France** and 11 x quicker to get there from Australia (on average ex capital cities)***.
10. Soak up the vines and the beach: Swap Cape Town, South Africa for Margaret River, WA
If the ocean, food and wine is your ultimate holiday combination, than skip the extra travel time and stay on local turf with a break to Margaret River, WA.
Cape Town and Margaret River are both hot spots for food and wine lovers, with hundreds of world class wineries and restaurants all within close proximity to the ocean. However a holiday in Margaret River is not only closer to get to for Aussies, it’s also a great way to support local wine makers and restaurants.
Price and time comparison: On average (ex capital cities), it is 3 x cheaper to get to Margaret River than Cape Town** and 6 x quicker to get there from Australia (on average ex capital cities)***.
So there you have it! Tick off your 2017 Aussie travel wish list with a local break or two in 2017.
About Wotif’s Australian Travel Research
*The research was commissioned by Wotif and conducted by Lonergan Research in accordance with the ISO 20252 standard. Lonergan Research surveyed 2,018 Australians aged 18+. Surveys were distributed throughout Australia including both capital city and regional areas. The survey was conducted online amongst members of a permission- based panel, between 26th October and 2nd November 2016. After interviewing, data was weighted to the latest population estimates sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
**Average flight prices are based on the average flight ticket price for all ticket fare types on Woif Group websites in the period of 1 January 2016 – 30 September 2016 ex Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Perth for the listed destinations. Prices shown are in Australian dollars, booked on the Australian site and are not the rates currently displayed on the site. Rates are subject to flight and date selections made.
***Travel time is based on the average time it takes to get to the mentioned destination ex Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Perth – based on a one-way fare on the quickest route.
