Sun, Sand and Shorter Flights: These Islands Trending with Australian Travellers Are Ripe for a Winter Escape
Australians chasing sunshine are swapping lengthy overseas trips for these idyllic island holidays just a few hours away.
The mid-winter chill has settled in, but it doesn't have to be this way when a huge part of the world is basked in glorious sun. Yet rather than travelling all the way to Europe for some much-needed warmth — unprecedented heatwaves notwithstanding — a selection of close-to-home island destinations are on the rise with Australian travellers.
So, instead of spending the better part of a day on a plane just to get some sun, Expedia's 2026 Island Hot List highlights ten picture-perfect island getaways that also keep your travel costs to reasonable levels. And with searches for islands up 40 percent overall in the past year, now is the time to book a slice of castaway bliss that's more or less around the corner.
So, what topped the list for growing year-on-year interest? That'd be New Caledonia, one of Australia's closest but often overlooked island escapes. Found amid the South Pacific, this French territory offers crystal-clear lagoons, affordable luxury resorts and even the odd Parisian-style cafe, so it's hardly surprising search interest is up 75 percent.
Next on the list is Palau. Never heard of it? Others are catching wind of this stunning archipelago, with search interest up 60 percent. Renowned for its pristine marine environment and world-class diving, the Palau Royal Resort is a suitably luxe stay. Vanuatu is well-known to Australians, but interest still grows (up 45 percent) in its fascinating culture and volcanic landscapes.
Also attracting island seekers is Cebu in the Philippines, where white-sand beaches, stellar scuba diving and urbane hotels overlooking the Mactan Channel provide the ideal base for island-hopping. Then, across the South China Sea, Malaysia's Langkawi archipelago — consisting of 99 islands — is just one more trending destination for lush rainforest getaways.
Then, leave behind the heaving cities for Jeju in South Korea or Okinawa in Japan. You might also choose Fiji for a lavish beachfront stay amid coconut groves, or the Cook Islands for a mountain-meets-coast retreat. However, you don't actually have to leave Australia at all. With travel interest currently up ten percent, the Whitsundays is perfect for snorkelling in the sea, then catching sunset by the pool.
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Images: Supplied.
