Asia is replacing the Euro Summer for many Aussies in 2026

Sri Lanka
Compact and diverse

Why: With history, food, beaches and nature packed into a tiny island, Sri Lanka is increasingly on the Aussie travel radar. It explains Bunnik Tours’ 56 per cent increase in bookings in 2025 and 75 per cent jump already for 2026.

“It’s one of those rare destinations that offers incredible diversity in a relatively small space; think ancient cultural sites, wildlife safaris, lush tea country and beautiful beaches, all within one itinerary,” says Bunnik Tours’ co-CEO, Sacha Bunnik. “For many travellers, it delivers the same richness you’d expect from multiple European countries, but without the longer travel time or price tag.”

Kate Iles, agent with Where2Travel, says you can’t beat it for the depth of experiences you can have in one country. “There’s game drives, beaches, amazing scenery and food, but for me it’s all about the tea plantations,” says Iles, listed as a Sri Lanka specialist on TravelAgentFinder. “Seeing how locals pick tea, manufacture it and then being treated to high tea overlooking the plantation is a really special experience.”