With Australia Day around the corner, leading online travel site Wotif.com has conducted research which aims to highlight travel experiences in our own backyard and calls on Aussies to make 2017 the year to see more of the land down under.

The research highlights that although most Aussies have visited the major cities and beach towns within their state, many haven’t gone beyond the known hot spots, with only 12%1 of Australians enjoying the glory of ticking off every state and territory and one in 20 (5%) admitting they have never left their own state.

Demand for domestic travel continues to grow, up 9% in 2016. This trend will likely continue in 2017 with 88% of Aussies planning a holiday this year and three quarters (73%) of those opting for a domestic trip. Specifically, short breaks outside of the major capital cities are set to be popular, with 84% wishing to head for the fresh air of a National Park and one in two (53%) saying a local island getaway is calling their name.

Small waterfall and pool with clear water, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia

Bang for buck experiences are also on trend, with 90% of Aussies saying if the price was roughly the same, they would go to a few destinations rather than just one.

According to Wotif.com Travel Expert, Amanda Behre as we celebrate Australia Day on Thursday it is positive to see that there is strong interest in local travel in 2017.

“From the red desert, to the reef, to the wildlife and wine regions, there are some incredible experiences to be had locally, often for a fraction of the price and travel time, allowing for the option of a few smaller trips throughout the year rather than one big overseas holiday.

“Traditionally Aussies are renowned as extensive global travellers, with many admitting to feeling the need to travel further to get their cultural, adventure or relaxation fix, with two thirds (67%) of people admitting they’d prefer to travel as far afield as possible.”

“Despite the trend in recent years to go overseas for rich travel experiences, it’s promising to see strong interest in off-the-beaten track domestic trips in 2017. As we celebrate Australia Day on Thursday, we’re calling on Aussies to book a local trip and explore somewhere new in their own backyard this year”.

View of the 12 Apostles

Wotif.com debunks the myths on Aussie travel:

It’s cheaper to travel overseas: A third (34%) of Aussies believe it is cheaper to travel overseas than within Australia. However, Wotif has crunched the numbers and compared world-class attractions against similar Aussie experiences, with local travel up to 400% cheaper in some cases. For example, airfares to enjoy the rich culture and outback landscapes of Uluru (Ayres Rock Airport) are four times less than flights to see Britain’s ancient prehistoric monument, Stonehenge (London Airport). Despite this more Australians admit to having visited Stonehenge than Uluru.

I’ve been everywhere man: Just 12% of Australians have been to every state and territory, and the majority of the time it’s the major capital cities and beaches they’ve ticked off, with Sydney (82%), Melbourne (79%), Brisbane (71%), Gold Coast (71%) and Canberra (59%) the most popular. With 7.692 million kilometers to discover, there’s always somewhere new to check out locally. According to the research, some of the destinations we are internationally renowned for are the ones Aussies are least likely to have visited to date, including Freycinet National Park (17%), Kakadu National Park (16%), Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (16%), Kangaroo Island (14%), Norfolk Island (7%).

The culture overseas is more interesting: Seven in ten (69%) Aussies who travel overseas or further afield admit they do so to experience a different culture. Really?! Australia is filled with interesting culture and history. Visit the Daintree Rainforest in far North Queensland and not only will you get a tropical escape, you can also learn the stories of the Kuku Yalanji tribe who lived in small camps along the banks of the creeks and rivers. Or even in Sydney, only 10% of Aussies have jumped on the ferry out to Cockatoo Island, which has a fascinating history dating back to the 1800’s and is one of 10 inscribed convict sites in Australia on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

There is more adventure to be had overseas: Almost one in two (46%) Australians believe there is more adventure to be had overseas or further afield, even though people from around the world come to Australia for adrenalin raising experiences. From seeing crocodiles in the wild in Kakadu National Park, to hiking in the wilderness of Cradle Mountain Tasmania and swimming with the whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, Australia is filled with action and adventure.

Australia is too big and time consuming to get around: Australia may be the world’s largest island, however as locals we have the advantage of it being our home base, meaning less travel time and more holiday time. Wotif compared Australian experiences with their overseas counterparts and found on average it’s six4 times quicker to get to the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland than it is to travel to the Amazon Rainforest. Or if you are after a mix of good wine and surfing beaches, it’s on average four times quicker to travel to Margaret River than to Cape Town for a similar experience. Full details and infographic can be sent on request.