Australia Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 11 October 2024

Australia consistently draws in travellers from around the world with diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. From large cities such as Sydney and Melbourne to natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru, it attracts millions of visitors each year.

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How many people visit Australia each year?

Over 7.97 million international visitors traveled to Australia in the year ending June 2024, showing an increase from the previous year but still below the 2019 peak.

In 2019, Australia welcomed 9.3 million international visitors, but this dropped to 6.7 million in 2020.

The numbers further declined to 150,000 in 2021 due to travel restrictions.

Recovery began in 2022, with visitors increasing to 1.11 million, and continued in 2023 with a rise to 5.43 million.

How many people visited Australia in 2023?

Australia welcomed 6.6 million international visitors in 2023 (year ending December 2023), achieving 76% of 2019 levels in a strong rebound from the pandemic.

Over 2.4 million came to see family and friends, while 2.6 million listed holidays as their main reason for visiting.

More than 418,000 visitors travelled to Australia for education.

How many people visited Australia in 2022?

Australia welcomed 3.4 million visitors in 2022 (year ending December).

New South Wales stood out as the preferred destination, attracting over 1.58 million tourists, with Victoria closely following, welcoming 1.04 million visitors.

How much do visitors spend in Australia every year?

Tourists to Australia spent $31.7 billion in 2024 (year ending June 2024), which is 3% higher than June 2019 levels.

How much did visitors spend in Australia in 2023?

In 2023, visitor expenditure in Australia increase, with total spending reaching $28 billion (achieving 89% of 2019 levels).

Over $4.6 billion was spent by those visiting friends and relatives, and approximately $8.3 billion was spent by holiday travellers, with about $10.4 billion spent by education-focused visitors.

How much did visitors spend in Australia in 2022?

In 2022, international visitors contributed over $12.7 billion to the Australian economy.

New South Wales and Victoria were the main beneficiaries, with tourist spending reaching over $5 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively.

Where do visitors to Australia come from?

New Zealand has ranked as the top source of visitors to Australia over the past four years, with the number of visitors exceeding 1.1 million in 2023 and contributing $2 billion to the Australian economy.

Other major sources include the UK with 617,000 visits, the USA with 561,000, and countries like China and India, with 507,000 and 375,000 trips, respectively.

How long do visitors stay in Australia?

Visitors stayed an average of 35 nights per trip to Australia in 2023, spending a total of 242.3 million nights.

Impact of Coronavirus – Australia Tourism Statistics 2020 & 2021

From April 2020 to March 2021, Australia permitted entry to only 60,200 international visitors due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global travel. This was a 99.3% decrease from the previous year’s over 8 million visitors.

During the same period, visitors spent $794 million, representing a 98.1% drop from the more than $41 billion spent the year prior. Visitors from the US were the highest-spending group, with expenditures of $115 million.

Australia Travel Resources

Top Attractions in Australia

Great Ocean Road, Victoria: This coastal drive sees approximately 1.6 million visitors annually and is known for its sea cliffs and landmarks, such as the Twelve Apostles.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory: Home to Uluru and Kata Tjuta, this UNESCO World Heritage site receives around 300,000 visitors each year. It is recognised for its cultural and spiritual significance.

Rottnest Island, Western Australia: The island welcomes over 770,000 visitors annually, with many drawn by its beaches and unique wildlife, including the quokka.

Sydney Opera House, New South Wales: The Sydney Opera House attracts about 10.9 million visitors annually and hosts over 1,500 performances each year.

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland: The world’s largest coral reef system receives approximately 2 million visitors annually, attracting those interested in diving and snorkelling, and is known for its diverse marine life.