Australia’s exotic bucket list revealed

For many of us, travel in retirement is a no-brainer. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that new research from ING DIRECT reveals our desire to venture off the beaten track doesn’t dwindle with age.

One in two Aussies want to use their retirement to embark on adventure travel with almost 40 per cent planning to set off for an ancient city to see archaeological artefacts.

John Arnott from ING DIRECT said there’s a clear appetite for more adventurous travel in retirement, with just one third of Australians leaning towards traditional holiday options:

“While it’s not surprising millennials are planning adventure holidays in retirement, it’s fascinating to see those close to retirement are also attracted to adventure travel.”

“With the gap year for Millennials firmly entrenched in our culture in recent years, it appears that older Australians are seeing their retirement as an opportunity for a grown-up gap year of sorts and an opportunity to experience non-conventional destinations,” Mr Arnott said.

However, research also found there is a disconnect between retirement travel aspirations and smart money management now. Most Australians plan to fund retirement travel plans from their personal savings (55 per cent) or super (43 per cent), but worryingly, less than 20 per cent intend to top up super before retirement.

“Two thirds of Australians are concerned they won’t have enough money to fund their overseas travel in retirement, yet people aren’t helping themselves to get ahead by taking control of their super.

Mr Arnott added: “Adventure holidays don’t come cheap but taking simple action now could mean the difference between a holiday around Australia or taking off for whatever exotic location is on your bucket list.”

So where are we set to travel in retirement? With an average six-week stint the preferred amount of ‘vacay’ time, ING DIRECT has revealed the exotic destinations on our bucket lists:

Australia’s exotic bucket list destinations

Greek Islands (1.9 million Australians)
Caribbean (1.6 million Australians)
Antarctica (1.1 million Australians)
Iceland (1 million Australians)
Vietnam (967,000 Australians)
Galapagos Islands (637,000 Australians)
Brazil (630,000 Australians)
Russia (625,000 Australians)
Nepal (590,000 Australians)
Cuba (537,000 Australians

Antartica_Flickr - Christopher Michel Iceland - Flickr Moyan Brenn

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

ING Direct