From thrills to chill: Young Queenslanders embrace slower, wellness-focused travel

Young Queenslanders are ditching packed itineraries and embracing more down time, with new RACQ Travel research finding relaxation-focused holidays are the most sought-after escape, trumping both adventure and culture-driven trips.

The statewide survey found almost a quarter (24%) of millennial and Gen Z travellers preferred luxury or resort stays with one in five (18%) also adding wellness retreats to their vacation agenda*.

RACQ Travel Sales Lead Kasey Cooke said the latest trends highlighted a shift away from the traditional travel styles of young Queenslanders.

“While travel remains a priority for young Queenslanders, our research indicates this generation is favouring holidays that focus on health and wellbeing.” Ms Cooke said.

“They’re opting for relaxing getaways like spa trips, nature retreats, or easy-going beach vacations where they can unwind.

“This is definitely a shift from the more thrill-seeking and event-based travel we’ve seen by younger generations in the past.”

RACQ Travel’s statewide survey also uncovered 30% of young travellers had reconsidered travel plans in the past 12 months due to rising costs.

"The data indicates young Queenslanders are adopting various strategies to make holidays affordable and more than one in five are utilising buy now, pay later options or take advantage of travel deals," she said.

“Similarly, with ongoing conflict in the Middle East, travellers may be favouring more localised trips than heading abroad.”

Queensland is well placed to meet this growing demand, with a wide range of wellness retreats offering travellers the chance to slow down, reset and stay closer to home.

A rainforest waterfall at Daintree Ecolodge. Photo Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

Where to go for a restorative escape

Gwinganna Retreat & Spa

Arrive at Gwinganna by winding up into the Gold Coast hinterland, where the noise drops away and the view opens out across valley and ocean. Days here are simple and unhurried: early‑morning Qi Gong as the sun comes up, long walks through bushland, proper time set aside to rest, and unmissable afternoons spent drifting between magnesium pools, saunas and quiet treatment rooms in what’s famously the largest spa in the Southern Hemisphere. After 20 years, Gwinganna knows exactly how to help people properly switch off, reset their rhythms and head home feeling clearer and steadier than when they arrived.

Eden Retreat

Eden feels tucked away from the moment you reach the end of the Currumbin Creek Road, surrounded by rainforest. There’s no TV, limited phone use and no pressure to be anywhere. Everything is personalised from the start, with programs shaped around how you’re feeling rather than a fixed schedule, and meals that are nourishing. As Australia’s longest‑running health retreat, Eden sticks to what works: space, routine, nature and time, and lets the reset happen naturally.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

High in Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s is where rainforest runs the show and time has been politely ignored since 1926. By day, the experience is hands‑on and outdoorsy: guided bird walks, waterfall hikes, treetop strolls high above the canopy and long lunches overlooking the ranges. By night, things slow right down with fireside drinks, hearty meals and glow worms lighting up a fern‑filled gully after dark. Celebrating 100 years in 2026, this family‑run icon balances character and comfort.

Daintree Ecolodge

Hidden deep in the world heritage Daintree Rainforest, Daintree Ecolodge is the kind of place where the soundtrack is birds, water and the rainforest settling in for the night. Accommodation comes in the form of elevated tree style bayans tucked into the canopy, with screened balconies, outdoor baths and nothing flashy to distract from what’s outside. Spend day drifting between swimming in the creek, wandering rainforest trails, spa treatments and long meals at Julaymba Restaurant, where local produce leads the menu.

Spicers Tamarind Retreat

Set just outside Maleny, Spicers Tamarind Retreat leans into indulgence early: private villas hidden among palms, decks made for long soaks and days that gently lead to dinner. Time is easily lost between short walks, afternoon swims and sinking into the warmth of the grounds before heading to The Tamarind, where bold, modern Asian flavours set the tone for lingering evenings.
Discover Queensland’s Wellness Way

*Survey findings from RACQ Quarterly Consumer Omnibus, FY26 Q3, n=510
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