10 of the Best Places to Travel in Australia in 2026

There's never been a better time to explore your own backyard. Whether you're craving the kind of trip that fills your camera roll and your soul, or simply looking for the best holiday destinations in Australia that don't require a passport, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the great domestic escape. Think eco-conscious adventures, slow travel, cultural deep-dives, and coastal dreaming - all within a few hours of home.

We've rounded up 10 of the best places to travel in Australia right now, paired with the perfect Strand bag for the journey. Because where you go matters — but so does what you carry.

If there's one place every Australian should experience, it's the Great Barrier Reef. Stretching over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast, it's one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems - and in 2026, eco-conscious travel has never been more important. Whether you're snorkelling the outer reef, gliding over coral on a glass-bottom boat, or simply soaking up the electric blue of the Coral Sea, this is bucket-list territory is a must-do.

Pack this: The Nere n.motion Tote Bag is your ideal reef companion. Its dedicated wet pocket keeps soggy swimwear and snorkel gear separated from the rest of your belongings, while the water-resistant outer holds its own whether you're splashing off a pontoon or catching sea spray on a glass-bottom boat tour. Grab the bag in Green and you’ll blend right in to the turquoise waters.

There are few places in Australia - or the world - that carry as much spiritual weight as Uluru. Home to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, this ancient landscape is a living classroom in Indigenous history, culture, and connection to Country. Walk the base of Uluru at sunrise, explore the domed formations of Kata Tjuta, or simply sit with the silence of the desert and let it settle into you.

Pack this: The Nere Momentum Backpack is built for exactly this kind of adventure. Completely hands-free for guided walks and cultural tours, it's spacious enough to carry a water bottle (essential in the outback heat), a camera, sunscreen, and everything else you'll need for a full day of exploring. Lightweight, durable, and thoughtfully designed for the modern explorer.

You don't need to fly to Europe for cobblestoned laneways, Italian espresso, and French crêpes - Melbourne has been doing all of it for years. In 2026, the city claimed its crown as one of the best cities in the world, and it's easy to see why. Spend a morning ducking between Degraves Street and Centre Place, hunting down a ‘magic’ (your barista will know) and a pastry. In the afternoon, stroll through the NGV, before finishing off your day with cocktails and dinner along the Yarra. Melbourne isn't just a city - it's a whole mood.

Pack this: Match the city's effortlessly chic energy with the AYA Juni Crossbody Bag. Fashion-forward and functional, it's the kind of bag that looks right at home dangling from your arm in a café or slung over your shoulder at a gallery opening. This is the bag Melbourne dresses for.

The Gold Coast is so much more than Surfers Paradise, though the skyline rising above the beach at sunset is a sight worth lingering for. What makes this stretch of Queensland coast one of the best holiday destinations in Australia is the sheer contrast it offers: world-class surf one moment, lush subtropical rainforest the next. The hinterland is just 30 minutes from the sand, where the ancient volcanic rim of Lamington National Park offers some of the most dramatic rainforest walks in the country. Beach and bush luxury, all in one trip.

Pack this: The Nere Newtown Carry-On 55cm Wheelbag is the ultimate hybrid travel companion for a destination this dynamic. A soft-shell wheel bag constructed from durable PU Coated Polyester, it rolls smoothly through the airport and stows in the overhead locker with ease. But here's the real trick: zip open the hidden compartment and you've got a fully functional backpack, with concealed straps ready to go the moment you land. It’s a beach bag by day, adventure pack by night.

While the Great Barrier Reef draws the crowds, Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia offers something rarer: an intimate, untouched encounter with one of the planet's great marine wonders. In 2026, Ningaloo Reef remains one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks and manta rays - and you can wade straight in from the beach, no boat required.

Pack this: The Nere Seeker Carry On Backpack was made for trips like this. Lightweight and durable with plenty of internal organisers, its ideal for storing reef-safe sunscreen, a snorkel mask, and your underwater camera. This backpack is essential for the modern explorer, carrying everything you need without weighing you down.

South Australia's Barossa Valley is where domestic travel slows right down - and that's entirely the point. A long winery lunch, an artisan cheese board, and wine glasses that stay full - what more could you ask for? The Barossa Valley is home to some of Australia's most celebrated cellar doors, and a well-paced afternoon here is one of life's simple pleasures. The only question is: how do you get the good stuff home?

Pack this: The Nere Stori Carry On 55cm solves that problem beautifully. Its hard-shell construction protects your wine, artisanal spreads, and olive oils on the journey home - no bubble wrap required. Pack it smart, travel home happy.

Few drives in the world match the drama of Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Winding 243 kilometres along a rugged coastline from Torquay to Allansford, it passes towering sea cliffs, ancient rainforests, and of course, the iconic Twelve Apostles rising from the Southern Ocean. The key to a great Australian road trip is a great front-seat companion to store your snacks, your camera, and other road trip essentials.

Pack this: The Nere Bondi Nylon Large Tote Bag is exactly that. Generous in size, comfortable to carry, and easy to dip in and out of at every lookout stop, it's the road trip bag you didn't know you needed. Sling it over your shoulder for the short stroll to the cliff edge, then toss it back in the car and keep driving.

Sometimes the best holiday destination in Australia is the one where you don't actually do very much at all. Byron Bay has built an entire identity around the art of slowing down - the long mornings, the afternoon swims, the golden hour that seems to last forever. A slowcation along the NSW coast is the perfect city escape, and Byron Bay's beaches, markets, and hinterland villages make it one of the most beloved places to travel in Australia.

Pack this: The Nere Fold Up Travel Duffle Bag is basically the Byron Bay of bags - effortless, laid-back, and more than what it appears to be on the outside. It squishes into an overhead locker without a second thought, making it the perfect grab-and-go companion for a spontaneous day trip to Nimbin or a weekend among the hinterland fig trees.

Darwin operates on its own rhythm. Sundowners at Mindil Beach Sunset Market, where food vendors, local art, and spectacular tropical skies make for one of Australia's great evening experiences. And just 100 kilometres south, Litchfield National Park delivers a cascade of waterfalls and crystal-clear natural swimming holes that feel genuinely otherworldly. Darwin is the ultimate hub for the kind of Aussie adventure travel that's both laid-back and unforgettable.

Pack this: The Nere Seeker RFID Sling Bag is perfect for navigating the bustling night markets and hiking out to Florence Falls. Compact, secure, and hands-free, the RFID-blocking technology keeps your essentials safe while you focus on the good stuff - like finding the best laksa in Darwin.

Australia is full of world-class places to travel - and the right bag makes every single one of them better. From eco-adventures on the reef to long lunches in the valley, Strand has the carry-on companion for wherever 2026 takes you.

Shop all domestic carry-on travel bags online or in-store today.

Australia is spoilt for choice in 2026. For nature lovers, the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef both offer world-class marine experiences, while Uluru remains one of the most spiritually significant and awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. If you're after a city buzz, Melbourne has claimed its spot as one of the best cities in the world this year. The honest answer? It depends on what you're after - which is why we've rounded up ten of the best Aussie destinations to help you decide.

It's hard to go past Queensland for sheer variety: the Great Barrier Reef and the Gold Coast's surf and hinterland both offer something distinct. That said, Victoria's Great Ocean Road, Tasmania's wilderness tracks, and Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef are all making a strong case in 2026. The best domestic holiday destination is ultimately the one that matches your travel style, whether that's adventure, culture, relaxation, or a long lunch in the Barossa Valley.

The golden rule for domestic travel in Australia is to pack light and pack smart. A quality carry-on bag means no checked luggage fees and no waiting at the carousel - just land and go. The right bag makes all the difference for your domestic travels. Just make sure it holds all of your travel essentials, including sunscreen, your camera, and a drink bottle.