We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but winter is right around the corner. While folks in tropical Cairns or humid Darwin might welcome the cool change, the same can’t be said for those toughing it in the chillier parts of Australia. If you’re thinking of hacking the system and escaping the cold, then it's time to get packing. Fresh research has revealed the top winter holiday destinations for Aussie families in 2024, and the sunny Gold Coast has reclaimed the top spot.
To uncover the most popular winter destinations for families, Booking.com tracked accommodation searches for adults planning to travel with at least one child between June 1 and September 1, 2024. They broke the rankings down by domestic and international travel, also looking at destinations that saw the highest surge in searches compared to previous years.
It’s no surprise that the Gold Coast snagged first place in the domestic rankings, boasting balmy average winter temperatures of 21°C. That’s pretty ideal for a stroll on the city’s golden sands, a thrilling day at the many theme parks, or an adventure in the stunning hinterland. The Sunshine State’s crown jewel outshone last year’s favourites, Sydney and Melbourne, reclaiming its first-place ranking from 2022.
Queensland dominated the rankings, claiming nine of the top 20 spots, with Cairns in fourth place, Brisbane in fifth and Port Douglas in sixth. Other hot spots like Airlie Beach, Noosa Heads and Townsville also made the cut, with Mooloolaba experiencing a 20 per cent increase in popularity since 2023 – the biggest jump behind Adelaide, which just sneaked in at number 20.
Further from home, Aussies will once again be flocking to Bali this winter, with the tropical island being home to three of our top ten international destinations for families this year. Tokyo jumped three spots since 2023, now ranking as the second most popular international getaway spot for families in winter, while last year’s most popular destination, London, came in third place. However, anywhere warmer than Oz from June to August is a winner in our eyes.
Here are the top 20 most searched winter destinations in Australia for families in 2024:
- Gold Coast
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Cairns
- Brisbane
- Port Douglas
- Perth
- Darwin
- Canberra
- Hobart
- Jindabyne
- Airlie Beach
- Adelaide
- Mooloolaba
- Noosa Heads
- Hamilton Island
- Townsville
- Palm Cove
- Byron Bay
- Adelaide
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