Australia Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 01 July 2025

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?

About 126.79 million total visitors travelled to Australia in 2024.

Total visitor arrivals in Australia had steadily increased to 126.12 million in 2019 (8.71 million international, 117.41 million domestic) before the pandemic struck.

In 2020, the pandemic caused the total arrivals to drop to 74.22 million visitors (1.71 million international, 72.51 million domestic). Overall numbers then recovered slightly in 2021 to 82.29 million total visitors (220,000 international, 82.07 million domestic)

By 2022, Australia’s tourism sector showed signs of recovery with 111.63 million total visitors (3.42 million international, 108.21 million domestic), and in 2023, arrivals further increased to 122.80 million (6.64 million international, 116.16 million domestic), though still below pre-pandemic levels.

Arrivals increased to 126.79 million total visitors in 2024 (7.63 million international, 119.16 million domestic), representing strong recovery momentum and exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

How many tourists visited Australia in 2025?

Australia recorded approximately 761,230 international arrivals in March 2025, representing an increase compared to March 2024.

How many people visited Australia in 2024?

Approximately 126.79 million total tourists visited Australia in 2024.

This includes 7.63 million international visitors (still 12% below the pre-pandemic peak) and 119.16 million domestic visitors (exceeding pre-pandemic levels).

How much do visitors spend in Australia every year?

Visitors spend over $150 billion in Australia each year.

In 2019, total visitor spending reached $126.07 billion ($45.38 billion international, $80.69 billion domestic) before the pandemic impacted global travel.

Mirroring the decrease in tourist arrivals, total visitor spending dropped to $56.71 billion in 2020 ($11.07 billion international, $45.64 billion domestic), followed by an increase to $63.18 billion in 2021 ($2.43 billion international, $60.75 billion domestic).

By 2022, tourism spending rebounded to $121.02 billion ($19.76 billion international, $101.26 billion domestic), about 96% of the 2019 level.

In 2024, total spending in Australia climbed to $159.17 billion, comprising $48.87 billion from international visitors and $110.30 billion from domestic visitors, setting a new record, representing a 26% increase from the pre-pandemic peak of 2019.

How much do people spend in Australia in 2024?

A total of $159.17 billion was spent by tourists visiting Australia in 2024, which represents a 26% increase from the pre-pandemic peak and thus exceeded 2019 levels significantly.

How much money does Australia make from tourism?

Tourism’s direct Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $78.1 billion in current prices for the 2023-24 financial year, representing a 9.1% increase from the previous year.
The sector is vital to the economy and directly employed 619,500 people in 2023-24, equating to 1 in every 23 jobs in Australia.

How much does it cost to visit Australia?

The average visitor spending per capita in Australia varies significantly between international and domestic tourists, with an overall average of $1,255 per visitor.

International visitors spend an average of $6,405 per person during their visit, while domestic visitors spend an average of $926 per person.

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 a total of 1.26 million tourists in 2024.

This was followed by China with 829,000 tourists. The United States (669,000), the United Kingdom (605,000), and India (421,000) also contributed a significant share of the market.

How long do visitors stay in Australia?

International visitors stayed an average of 37 nights per trip to Australia in 2024, with a median duration of 12 days in the 2023-24 financial year.

Domestic visitors stayed an average of 2.8 days per trip, reflecting the shorter nature of domestic travel within Australia.

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.

How popular is Australia as a tourist destination?

Australia remains one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations in 2025, with continued growth in both international arrivals and global recognition.

In 2024, Australia ranked 5th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, welcoming approximately 126.79 million total visitors.

The country also performed well in terms of revenue, with total visitors spending $159.17 billion, which exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 26%.

Additionally, Australia’s tourism sector contributed $78.1 billion to the direct GDP in 2023-24, accounting for 2.9% of the total Australian economy.

When is the peak tourist season in Australia?

December and February each represent high shares of yearly Australian tourism.

December is the busiest month, with 15.2 million visits. accounting for 12% of total visitors, followed by February with 13.9 million visits (11%).

January sees about 11.4 million tourists (9%), and the other popular months include March (12.7 million visits) and November (11.4 million visits) of annual visitors.

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Summer (December to February) is the most popular time, offering warm weather and numerous outdoor activities. This is ideal for exploring beaches, cities, and many national parks.

Autumn (March to May) and Spring (September to November) are also good times, with pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful seasonal changes.

Winter (June to August) varies significantly across the continent – ideal for tropical regions like Queensland, while southern areas experience cooler temperatures.

When is the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef?

The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is during the dry season (May to October) when weather conditions are most favorable for diving and snorkeling.

However, to enjoy optimal water visibility and weather conditions, June to August is ideal.

When is the best time to see Australian wildlife?

The best time to see Australian wildlife is during the spring months (September to November) when many animals are active during breeding seasons.

Early morning and late afternoon year-round provide the best opportunities for spotting native wildlife across all regions.

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.