The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows Canadian arrivals to NSW surpassed 2019 levels in March 2026, reaching 9820. Canada was the ninth largest source of international visitors to NSW during the period.
The surge follows Tourism Research Australia data showing Canadian arrivals to NSW reached 101,200 in the year ending December 2025, up 13.2 per cent year on year. Canadian visitors stayed 1.8 million nights (up 20.6 per cent year-on-year) in the state and spent $229.7 million (up 41.8 per cent).
The average Canadian visitor spends 17.6 nights in NSW, with 33 per cent of visitors from Canada also visiting regional NSW.
Travellers aged over 55 were the largest visitor cohort (45 per cent) in 2025, with 95 per cent of all visitors to NSW from Canada not travelling to Australia on a group tour.
According to TRA, Canadian visitation to Australia is forecast to reach 200,000 visitors in 2030. Canadian visitors come to Australia to visit friends and relatives more than other international visitors and are more likely to visit regional Australia than other international visitors.
Key demand-driving experiences include sightseeing, going to the beach and visiting national and state parks.
Canadian travellers also show a willingness to pay a premium for experiential and eco-friendly travel products and services.
According to Tourism Australia, Canadian travel distribution channels are concentrated, with a few large wholesalers handling most of the outbound travel to Australia.
Canadians favour using travel advisors more than other travellers globally, and 73 per cent typically research a trip two to eight months in advance.
To learn about destinations and conduct research, many Canadians visit Tripadvisor or Booking.com. However, when planning long-haul itineraries, most will talk to and book via a travel agent.
