Anyone who loves travel surely has a bucket list – a wish list of once-in-a-lifetime places and wild adventures just waiting to be ticked off. And when it comes to unforgettable experiences, Australia delivers in spades – think snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, watching the sunset at Uluru or climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. So it comes as no surprise that Australia has landed in the top three in a 2025 study on the ultimate bucket list destinations in the world.
Now, it’s important to note that this research by Travelbag is based on a survey of more than 1,000 people across the UK. So, while it doesn’t fully capture the bucket lists of travellers globally, Australia’s rep as a dream destination is backed by plenty of previous international tourism data.
Aussies are obsessed with Japan, so we totally get why it ranked as the number one bucket list destination for Brits, with almost a third (32 per cent) putting it on their hit list. Social media plays a huge role in this wanderlust, with that figure jumping to 43 per cent for Gen Z (ages 16-28).
Canada took second place with 31 per cent of people eager to visit, closely followed by Australia at 30 per cent. According to the researchers, “The appeal of the country lies in its contrast between iconic natural wonders and vibrant urban experiences. From snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef and relaxing in the Whitsundays, to exploring cosmopolitan hubs like Sydney and Melbourne, Australia offers something for every kind of traveller."
A trip to Australia is most in demand among Gen X (ages 45-60) – but if you’ve reached that age and still haven’t made it Down Under, you’re doing something wrong.
Of Brits actively planning holidays, Australia came in second only to the US, with five per cent currently organising a trip Down Under. That figure almost doubles (9.6 per cent) for Millennials – but fair warning: a trip Down Under has a way of turning into a one-way ticket.
Here are the most popular bucket list destinations of 2025
1. Japan
2. Canada
3. Australia
4 Maldives
=4. USA
5. Seychelles
6. Bali
=6. Mauritius
7. Mexico
=7. Thailand
8. St Lucia
=8. Dubai
9. South Africa
10. Sri Lanka