The top luxury travel destinations for Australians in 2026

Experiences

Luxury travel habits among wealthy Australians are shifting fast. The destinations topping their wish lists in 2026 look different from just a few years ago, with new favourites climbing the rankings and old staples slipping.

Virtuoso’s 2026 Luxe Report has found Japan has overtaken Italy as the top destination for Australian and New Zealand travellers. The annual survey draws on insights from more than 2,400 travel advisors across Virtuoso’s global network, including Australia and New Zealand. It tracks where affluent travellers plan to go in the year ahead, the trends shaping those decisions and the experiences attracting the most interest.

Japan leads several categories, including solo travel and family holidays, with travellers gravitating toward destinations that combine cultural depth with ease of movement.

Antarctica has emerged as the top “destination on the rise,” reflecting growing demand for expedition cruising and remote experiences. Sri Lanka, Norway, Vietnam and Egypt round out the top five in this category. Greenland, Iceland and Bhutan are also gaining attention as travellers look for destinations with space and stricter visitor caps.

Europe remains popular, but Australians are starting to look beyond traditional hotspots. Riga, Albania’s coastline, Montenegro’s Adriatic resorts and Malta’s old towns are among the destinations drawing interest. Avoiding over-touristed locations now ranks as the top sustainability priority for Australians.

The report also highlights shifts in how Australians are travelling. Advisors are seeing a rise in longer, slower itineraries, particularly among older travellers. Safari trips are getting smaller, river cruises are spending more time in port, and food and wine experiences are taking precedence over fast sightseeing.

Luxury travel spending is increasing but becoming more targeted. There’s growth in private buyouts, yacht charters and ultraluxe packages where every element is included. Wellness travel has expanded across generations, with a focus on structure and health rather than short-term fixes. Overall, Australians are taking fewer trips but investing more in each one.

Here’s what topped the luxury travel rankings for Australians in 2026, according to the Virutoso Luxe Travel Report.