Australian travellers are putting a greater focus on personal growth, flexibility and discovery according to Hilton's newly released 2027 Trends Report.

The report shows Australians are placing less emphasis on external validation and increasingly seeking travel experiences that feel personally meaningful, rewarding and right for them.

Hilton Senior Vice President and Commercial Director, Asia Pacific Ben George said: "The ‘Great Rebalance’ marks a shift from passive tourism to experiences with personal purpose, with travellers increasingly looking to engage more deeply with the places they visit.

"Across Asia Pacific, travellers want to return from their travels with something lasting — a new perspective, a deeper connection, or a renewed sense of wellbeing.”

Australians are increasingly blending the digital and the analog to enhance wellbeing, support restoration and connect more deeply with themselves, their surroundings and others.

According to Hilton, half (50 per cent) of Australian travellers actively seek experiences that calm the body and reset the nervous system and 71 per cent say travel enables them to recharge mentally and physically in ways they can't easily achieve at home.

Around 75 per cent of Australians say fresh air and the outdoors are essential to how they relax while travelling, and more than half (52 per cent) spend more time immersed in nature while travelling than they do at home.

Australians are also increasingly seeking wellness experiences that foster a deeper connection to destinations.

Growth getaways: travel that changes you

In Australia, travel is becoming more than a break from everyday life, as it is increasingly viewed as a catalyst for personal growth.

The benefits of travel often begin before the journey itself. The Hilton report shows three in four Australians (75 per cent) agree that having a trip on the calendar gives them a purpose to work toward.

Around 37 per cent of Australians also say that travel helps them discover new interests or passions.

Globally, Gen Z travellers are two times more likely than Baby Boomers to want to return home with a new hobby or interest they can continue to pursue.

The micro-travel mindset

Time has become one of the most valuable – and limited – resources shaping how people travel. Rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity to get away, Hilton said Australians are embracing shorter, more frequent trips that are easier to plan and fit into everyday life.

Around 58 per cent of Australians like to plan travel that allows them to experience a lot in a short amount of time.

According to Hilton, the definition of a short trip varies by region. About 78 per cent of Australian travellers consider a trip of less than three to four days to be a "short trip".

For more information on the trends shaping travel in 2027, read the full Hilton 2027 Trends Report here.

Day-tripper travel surge in NSW

The latest Tourism Research Australia data shows day trippers spent a record $16.2 billion in the year to June 2026, as visitors increasingly opted for shorter, more frequent trips across Sydney and regional NSW, while spending more on each trip.

NSW was number one nationally for domestic visitors, nights and expenditure, with 126.4 million domestic visitors travelling to the state during the period, including 64 million visitors to regional NSW.

Day-trip visitation rose 7.3 per cent year-on-year to 87.2 million, while expenditure surged 34 per cent, highlighting strong growth in spending on shorter trips.

Domestic day trips were the major driver of visitor and expenditure growth during the period, with the strongest results recorded among the 35-54 age group.

There were 25.3 million domestic day-trip visitors to NSW who engaged in nature and outdoor based activities in NSW in the year ending June 2026. These visitors spent $4.3 billion in the state.

During the period, there were 19.8 million domestic overnight visitors to NSW who engaged in nature and outdoor-based activities. These visitors stayed 70.8 million nights and spent $15.9 billion in NSW.