NATURE is the soul’s antidote to work, schedules and stress. Whether it’s an offline breather by the coast, a gathering of family and friends around the campfire, or a high–energy adventure in the bush, the lure of the great outdoors is not only a tourist trend on the rise, but a necessary getaway, restoring a sense of self, peace and wellbeing.
According to Tourism Research Australia, demand for nature–based activities among Australians has seen overall growth of close to 50 per cent over the past decade, with some activities, such as visiting botanic or public gardens, growing by a whopping 85 per cent.
While the research shows more Australians are heading to the great outdoors than ever before, nature–based activities across the board have also, not surprisingly, flourished.
From 2014 to 2024, the number of intrepid bushwalkers grew by an impressive 81 per cent. And as more people pulled on bucket hats to breathe in fresh air, visits to national and state parks also rose by 73 per cent.
For those wanting to linger longer in nature, caravanning and camping surged by 40 per cent, while wildlife parks, zoos and aquariums welcomed 46 per cent more animal lovers.
And when it comes to all things aquatic, the beach remains a beloved Aussie pastime, but activities beneath and beyond the waves grew too. Snorkelling increased by 38 per cent, dolphin watching by 26 per cent, surfing by 9 per cent and fishing by 8 per cent.
This remarkable growth in nature–based experiences reflects not only our deep–rooted love of the outdoors, but also a desire for balance in an increasingly hyper–connected world, a much–needed counterweight to lives so often lived online.
