Originally published: Karryon, 01 April 2026
Australians are pulling back on Easter travel plans, with new data revealing widespread cancellations and shorter trips as cost pressures bite. However, industry hopes fresh fuel relief measures could still salvage late bookings and boost confidence.
Research from the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF), collected between 26 and 29 March, shows nearly half (41 per cent) of Australians have either cancelled or scaled back Easter travel. Many are choosing closer-to-home holidays, while others are cutting trip length or opting out altogether.
Road travel has taken the biggest hit. Intentions to holiday within the same state fell from 27 per cent to 21 per cent in a month. By contrast, interstate travel has held steady, edging up from 8 to 9 per cent, while international travel dipped slightly from 4 to 3 per cent.
Who’s feeling it?
Osmond said Gen X travellers were feeling the impacts of fuel prices and global tensions the most. According to the TTF data, Gen X-ers were “the most likely to say they’d cancelled their Easter travel plans altogether”.
“By contrast, younger Australians appeared to be more adaptable with Gen Z travellers in particular opting to modify their plans and travel closer to home or shorten the length of time they’re away,” Osmond said.
In another study by Pureprofile, one in two respondents said higher fuel costs have influenced their plans.
The survey, which polled over 1,000 Aussies in March, also found that nearly two-thirds now expect to stay home, while those travelling are opting for shorter, closer-to-home trips.
Check out our full Easter infographic blog here >
