Unconventional activities prove popular as SA day trips surge

Day trips on the rise as people find affordable ways to experience new adventures

19 April 2024: As the cost of living continues to strain domestic and international travel plans for Australians, a refreshing trend is emerging across South Australia: the resurgence of day trips. 

With the South Australian Tourism Commission revealing that ‘Day Trips’ are now injecting an impressive $2.3 billion into SA’s tourism sector – new data from Big Red Group has found that Australians are gravitating towards unconventional adventures outside major cities to keep their travel costs in check – with a number of experiences heavily contributing to the surge.

Key trends in Australia’s festival state include: 

• Quad biking has surged by +35.1%
• Virtual Reality experiences have skyrocketed by +69.4%
• Wineries are also seeing a notable boost as Aussies explore local vineyards – including Margaret River
• Skydiving stands out as SA’s top experience, with some operators reporting an astonishing +239.4% increase in bookings year-on-year

David Anderson, CEO of Big Red Group, highlights that a surge in day trips reflects a significant change in tourism behaviour and suggests it could have a profound impact on local tourism businesses, offering new opportunities for growth and engagement in the industry.

“We’ve recently seen just how much day trips are worth to South Australia – and for local experience operators, this trend gives them an opportunity to lean into what makes them unique, strengthening and diversifying their offering to maximise revenue streams. 

“There’s also an opportunity for attractions to capitalise on the day trip trend by providing Aussies with an option to bundle experiences with transport, making it more cost effective and convenient for day-trippers to try out new experiences. It’s something we’ve seen rise in popularity over the past twelve months. 

“For tourists, the rise in day trips means a chance to make the most of their time exploring new destinations without having to break the bank. Staying within a short day trip away also allows for Aussies to contribute to their local economy and support local experience operators.”