Australia’s domestic tourism industry remained stable in the June 2025 quarter, according to the latest National Visitor Survey results released by Tourism Research Australia on 24 September 2025.
Overnight trip volumes rose 2% year-on-year. Nights away also increased 2%. However, total spending fell by 3% compared to the same period in 2024. This suggests cautious consumer behaviour despite strong interest in travel.
Australians were clearly eager to explore, especially during the Easter break which fell within the quarter. But many were more mindful of discretionary spending. Supporting this, the year-ending data to June 2025 showed trip volumes remained steady, while spend and nights declined modestly.
The data also reveals some gender-based patterns. Female travellers averaged longer stays (3.4 nights vs 3.2 for men) but spent less per trip. A larger share of women travelled to visit friends and relatives. Business travel — often linked to higher spending — was more male-dominated.
At the state level, trip volumes increased in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, NT and Tasmania. The Northern Territory stood out, with strong growth in both trip numbers and overnight spend. This likely reflects growing domestic interest and the impact of major events programming. In contrast, some jurisdictions such as Victoria, WA and the ACT recorded more subdued spending levels, reflecting differences in traveller behaviour and regional economic conditions.
Despite a slight national drop in expenditure, daytrips surged. Australians took 69 million day trips and spent $11.2 billion. These were driven mainly by leisure travel and social visits.
As policymakers and industry leaders review this data, the message is clear. Travel demand remains solid. However, consumer confidence and perceptions of value-for-money are shaping domestic travel behaviour. The challenge now is to ensure that investment, accommodation capacity and regional strategies match these evolving patterns.
