Australia Leads in Chinese Golden Week Travel Bookings with a 19% Increase
Australia has emerged as a prime international travel destination for Chinese tourists this year. Flight booking data reveals a significant increase in demand during China’s week-long Golden Week national holiday (October 1–7, 2026). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that flight bookings from China to Australia for October 2026 were up by 19% compared to the same period in 2025.
The popular travel booking platform, Trip.com, listed Australia among the top destinations for Chinese travellers this Golden Week. The platform highlighted that holidaymakers are now opting for “longer and further trips beyond the region.” Official immigration data from China also recorded over 2.2 million inbound and outbound passengers during the concurrent Mid-Autumn Festival period alone — marking a 16.8% increase year-on-year. Melbourne-based travel agent Zhang Cheng, owner of Great Wall Travel Services, confirmed to ABC News that her agency was “fully booked” with Great Ocean Road tours throughout the week.
Industry observers have noted a significant evolution in Chinese tourist preferences. While the tourist numbers to Australia have not yet returned to pre-COVID highs, today’s Chinese visitors are favouring smaller group experiences and self-drive road trips, prioritising quality over quantity. Tourism operators in destinations like Canberra, Melbourne, and regional Victoria are reaping the benefits of this shift. Cultural events and nature-based itineraries are proving to be especially popular among the growing wave of high-value visitors.