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Short on inspiration for travel in 2026? Planning a great Australian road trip doesn’t need to be the predictable expedition up and down the eastern seaboard or a trek across the wide sweeping plains and red dirt. Nor does your next overseas travel experience need to be jampacked with tourist staples. These travel trends for 2026 can take your next holiday from dry as dust to an experience that engages the imagination, nurtures the neurons and reminds us that being present and adaptable is what really living is all about.
Things don’t always go as planned even in the best laid itineraries, but that doesn’t mean unexpected hurdles need to result in days of disappointment. Having some alternative plans up your sleeve can transform a setback into success.
On a recent trip to New Zealand we hoped to see a gannet colony on the limestone cliffs of Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkes Bay region. However, plans were scuppered when we realised access to the headland was only available via a van tour – which happened to be booked out on our arrival. Undiscouraged, we stopped for a cuppa at the local café and asked if there was another way (there wasn’t). Plan C was to look at the wishlist of local landmarks we’d bookmarked in Google Maps while watching travel vlogs on Youtube. Nearby was the stunning walk to Te Mata Peak, which we luckily reached before access gates opened to let a parade of noisy SUVs up to spoil the peace.
Te Mata Peak, Hawkes Bay New Zealand. Credit: Bridie Schmidt
Going with the flow doesn’t have to be all about the pivot either. Pencilling in “down days” between big ticket tourist activities can create unforgettable moments, as can doing a more mundane activity like catching a local ferry. We did this in Auckland when we missed the harbour tour boat and ended up on a $7 ferry ride to picturesque Devonport instead. The upshot - a delicious fish and chips, and a cider or three, without the worry of driving back to the hotel.
Likewise, unexpected weather doesn’t have to rain on your parade. If a wet day or extreme heat wasn’t in your forecast, pivoting to inside activities like a visit to the local art gallery or museum, or a movie, might be the ticket.
One of the biggest costs when travelling is the accommodation, no cap (that means “genuinely” for those uninitiated in modern parlance). There’s ways to save without having to resort to sub-par stays though!
Glamping at Glenayr Farm, Mudgee. Credit: Destination NSW
It’s all too easy when travelling to hone in on the well-trodden tourist hotpots, and typically for good reason. Aside from the obvious benefit of seeing a famous landmark, you’ll often find guided tours, familiar foods, reliable transport and well-maintained amenities. But it can also make for a busy, noisy – and often expensive – day at the expense of more unique experiences.
Unconventional stops like historic jails, abandoned mining towns or a decommissioned lighthouse are an opportunity to escape the drudgery of tourist traps, and offer insight into the way people lived, struggled and endured, leaving you with a clearer understanding of the past in a way that no postcard could ever capture.
A couple wind their way up inside Montague Island Lighthouse, Narooma. Credit: Destination NSW
Ask a local at the café where their favourite spots are, or simply go for a wander around town to discover unexpected gems. If you’re AI travel planning to find somewhere quieter to visit, remember also to ask if there are any risks, like challenging roads and river crossings – and check the local hazards and weather apps for dangerous forecasts.
On that note, avoiding the crowds as well as the heat may be exactly what you want to plan for. This is where “coolcations” and “calmcations” come in – and they are exactly what they sound like.
Taking a road trip to higher altitudes or lower latitudes is where it’s at when you want to beat the heat. Think alpine ski towns, highland plateaus or southern beaches and forests. Just be aware that weather can turn, rain clouds love a mountain, and you need to pack for all seasons. But when you’re prepared, those shifting skies can offer moments of awe – a rainbow after a storm or a crisp morning mist. With a bit of sense and flexibility, you’ll be rewarded with a breath of fresh air, unexpected beauty and a story worth telling.
Crafters Cabin, Jindabyne. Credit: Destination NSW
Likewise, staying put in one place can offer a different kind of escape – one where stillness is the goal. Instead of rushing from place to place to see all the sights, you can settle in, letting each day unfold with simple pleasures – a cup of coffee as you watch the light change, or finishing that book you’ve had by the bedside for months. While you may not fill your calendar, you’ll fill your senses and find a deep appreciation for being exactly where you are.
