Unsung coastal region gets nod as Australia’s best
An unsung coastal region has been named the best in Australia – as twin surveys show we’re switching our focus to domestic travel.
Travel app Wotif has named Port Stephens, in the NSW Hunter region, the winner of its 2025 Aussie Town of the Year title.
Wotif said the region, about half an hour north of Newcastle and two hours from Sydney, had “must-see beaches, sand dunes, sea life, national parks, and over a 75 per cent increase in accommodation interest”.
Port Stephens is made up of diverse towns and suburbs, including Corlette, just west of Nelson Bay, Soldiers Point and Shoal Bay. Other drawcards include the Tomaree National Park, and the Stockton Sand Dunes – the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cairns in far-north Queensland was the runner-up in the survey, based on a YouGov survey of more than 1000 Australians. Mandurah in Western Australia took third spot.
“[This award] is about celebrating the destinations and world-class travel experiences in our own backyard,” Wotif Travel expert Rebecca Hurley said on Wednesday.
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“From Cairns to Port Campbell, and Mandurah in the west, Aussies are spoilt for choice and by all accounts, 2025 promises to be a positive year for domestic travel.”
Wotif said value for money would continue to be important in 2025. All of the destinations in its top 10 list offered affordable accommodation options, with an average nightly rate on the travel app of $175-$300.
“With Easter and the school holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to lock in a short break,” Hurley said.
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The annual list is in its eighth year. The awards recognise towns and regions that show clear signs of being a “trending destination” for the year ahead based on the Wotif data index that looks at accommodation affordability, quality and traveller satisfaction.
The 2024 list was topped by the central Victorian goldfields city of Bendigo, followed by Broken Hill in outback NSW and Stanthorpe on Queensland’s Scenic Rim.
This year, Wotif also found that 78 per cent of Australians plan to travel domestically in 2025 – up 9 per cent on last year.
It mirrored a similar survey from coach tour operator AAT Kings, which found that 70 per cent of Australians planned to prioritise domestic travel this year – “valuing cost, flexibility, and adventure in their travel choices”.
“Travellers are increasingly looking for authentic, curated experiences that offer flexibility and a sense of adventure while keeping value for money front and centre,” chief executive Ben Hall said.
“The desire for local experiences, paired with a focus on safety, reliability and value, shows the ongoing demand for domestic options in 2025.”
AAT Kings data, revealed in its 2025 Domestic Travel Insight Research, focused on Australians over 45. It found that even those planning to head overseas were still keen to stay close to home – New Zealand was the top international destination.
“Flexible, hassle-free travel experiences are at the forefront of travellers’ wants, alongside a desire for adventures off the beaten path that offers the thrill of exploration without the complexity,” the AAT Kings report said.
“Asked about the most important factors for domestic travel, cost was a major driving force, with 62.7 per cent of respondents selecting it as their key consideration due to lower travel expenses compared to international destinations.”
Wotif said its survey found that 28 per cent of Australians wanted to visit new domestic destinations this year. Short breaks were also popular, with three to five days the sweet spot for a holiday at home.
