Published on
October 4, 2025
Luxury travel habits among wealthy Australians are shifting fast. The destinations topping their wish lists in 2026 look different from just a few years ago, with new favourites climbing the rankings and old staples slipping.
Image: Getty
Virtuoso’s 2026 Luxe Report has found Japan has overtaken Italy as the top destination for Australian and New Zealand travellers. The annual survey draws on insights from more than 2,400 travel advisors across Virtuoso’s global network, including Australia and New Zealand. It tracks where affluent travellers plan to go in the year ahead, the trends shaping those decisions and the experiences attracting the most interest.
Japan leads several categories, including solo travel and family holidays, with travellers gravitating toward destinations that combine cultural depth with ease of movement.
Antarctica has emerged as the top “destination on the rise,” reflecting growing demand for expedition cruising and remote experiences. Sri Lanka, Norway, Vietnam and Egypt round out the top five in this category. Greenland, Iceland and Bhutan are also gaining attention as travellers look for destinations with space and stricter visitor caps.
Europe remains popular, but Australians are starting to look beyond traditional hotspots. Riga, Albania’s coastline, Montenegro’s Adriatic resorts and Malta’s old towns are among the destinations drawing interest. Avoiding over-touristed locations now ranks as the top sustainability priority for Australians.
The report also highlights shifts in how Australians are travelling. Advisors are seeing a rise in longer, slower itineraries, particularly among older travellers. Safari trips are getting smaller, river cruises are spending more time in port, and food and wine experiences are taking precedence over fast sightseeing.
Luxury travel spending is increasing but becoming more targeted. There’s growth in private buyouts, yacht charters and ultraluxe packages where every element is included. Wellness travel has expanded across generations, with a focus on structure and health rather than short-term fixes. Overall, Australians are taking fewer trips but investing more in each one.
Here’s what topped the luxury travel rankings for Australians in 2026, according to the Virutoso Luxe Travel Report.
The Top Luxury Travel Lists for Australians in 2026
Top Global Destinations
Japan
Italy
Greece
Croatia
Fiji
Japan has dethroned Italy as the number one destination for Australian luxury travellers. Image: Getty
Destinations on the Rise
Antarctica
Sri Lanka
Norway
Vietnam
Egypt
Antarctica has emerged as the top “destination on the rise” for Australian luxury travellers. Image: Getty
Top Cities
Tokyo
Kyoto
Paris
Barcelona
London
Paris slipped down to third spot. Image: Getty
Top Honeymoon Destinations
Fiji
Maldives
Greece
Italy
Bali
Pool deck in Kokomo Private Island Fiji.COURTESY OF WALKER CORP.
Top Family Travel Destinations
Fiji
Bali
Japan
Vietnam
Italy
Bali remains a favourite for Australian families, ranking second on the list of top family travel destinations for 2026. Image: Getty
Top Solo Travel Destinations
Japan
Italy
Canada
United Kingdom
Greece
A packed beach in Tropea, Calabria, Italy. Image: Getty
Top Travel Trends
Expedition cruising
Multigenerational family travel
Immediate family travel
Active/adventure trips
Ocean cruising
Luxury cruising remains one of the strongest travel trends for 2026, driven by growing demand for expedition itineraries and longer voyages. Image: Getty
Top Ultraluxe Experiences
All-inclusive everything (jets, transfers, fine dining)
Privacy through buyouts and hidden islands
Celebration travel (birthdays, anniversaries)
Passion-point trips (art, sport, wine)
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