Leading destinations visited by international arrivals to Australia 2023

Sydney reigns as Australia's most-visited destination among international tourists, welcoming over 3.1 million visitors in 2023. This popularity extends beyond foreign travelers, as Sydney also topped the lists for domestic overnight and day trip visitors, solidifying its status as the country's tourism powerhouse. The city's appeal spans various traveler segments, from holidaymakers to business visitors.

Tourism sector revival in Australia

Australia’s tourism industry has shown resilience and recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. While international visitor numbers to Australia plummeted in 2020 and 2021, they rebounded significantly in 2024, surpassing seven million, approximately 1.25 million less than the peak visitor influx witnessed in 2019. This upturn reflects a gradual return to pre-pandemic levels, with vacations and visiting friends and relatives emerging as the primary reasons for international travel to Australia. Domestic tourism has also played a crucial role in the sector's recovery, with around 112 million domestic overnight visitors recorded in 2023.

Where are Australia's tourism hotspots? 

Beyond Sydney, other major cities and coastal regions attract substantial visitor numbers. Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and the Gold Coast round out the top five destinations for international tourists. New South Wales, home to Sydney, captured over a third of all international visitor nights across the country’s states and territories in 2024, highlighting the state's dominance in the tourism market. Victoria followed as the second most popular state, likely due to its concentration of visitor attractions, such as the Great Ocean Road. In terms of domestic tourism, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane alongside the New South Wales North Coast and South Coast comprise the most popular destinations among locals taking overnight trips.