Trying to entice tourists back after the global pandemic means China has never been more affordable and accessible to travel to. Australians are showing renewed enthusiasm for travel to China, with tourism surging thanks in part to a 30-day, visa-free policy introduced mid last year and budget-friendly tour packages. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showed the number of Aussies visiting China surged to 85.32 per cent in 2024, up to 580,500 visitors, compared to the year before (313,240).The strong Aussie dollar only makes a trip to China more enticing to your bank account. One Australian Dollar currently buys 4.6 Chinese Yuan. One Aussie traveller revealed in a TikTok she spent just $999 during 10 days in China on a Trip A Deal tour.

Japan Aussies need no encouragement when it comes to booking a trip to Japan. Some 920,000 of us travelled to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2024, compared to 613,000 in 2023. So why the sudden surge in interest? Two reasons. The Aussie dollar is strong compared to the Japanese Yen, which makes travel more affordable. One Japanese Yen is equal to 96 cents (AUD). Plus, airlines like Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have increased flight services to Japan, which means they have become more affordable. If you’re travelling to Tokyo, why not check out our guides on where to find the best ramen, sushi and restaurants.

‘The White Lotus effect’ may change things, but for now Thailand still gets you luxury for less. But get in quick before tourists around the world catch wind of what good value Thailand is. One Australian Dollar currently buys you 21.36 Thai Baht. While international luxury resorts are still quite exxy, locally-owned accommodations are still good value. If you venture out to the lesser-known islands you can get a taste of island luxury for a fraction of the price it would cost in Europe.

The arrival of low-cost carrier Vietjet in Australia saw a spike in interest from budget-savvy travellers. Not only is it affordable to get to Vietnam, but food, accommodation and experiences are considerably cheaper than other tropical destinations. The strong Aussie dollar also helps. One Australian Dollar will buy you 16,184 Vietnamese Dong.

Bali almost like a second-home to Aussies and it’s easy to see why. The Australian Dollar goes a long way in Bali. One Australian Dollar gets you 10,308 Indonesian Rupiah. Similar to Thailand, internationally-owned beach bars and hotels will still cost you, but street food, local restaurants and villas will stretch your dollar further.

This tropical paradise is fast becoming an affordable alternative to the Maldives. Here are 8 reasons why we’re obsessed with Sri Lanka at the moment, but the strong Aussie dollar also means you can kick back on stunning beaches, stay in lush accommodations and dine on exquisite foods for less. One Australian Dollar currently buys 187 Sri Lankan Rupee.

The ultimate Europe dupe, Turkey is just an hour boat ride from the nearest Greek island and offers similarly stunning coastline, luxury resorts and incredible dining venues for a fraction of the price, especially when you compare the strength of the Aussie dollar to the Euro and Turkish Lira. One Australian Dollar will buy you 23 Turkish Lira. Whereas one Australian Dollar will buy you 60 cents (Euro). Turkish Airlines also started flying from Sydney and Melbourne in 2024. The increased capacity and competition has made flight prices to Turkey more affordable too.

Affordable airfares? Check! Strong Aussie dollar? Check! All the makings for a holiday that won’t break the bank. Jetstar launching flights to Seoul made South Korea more attainable to budget-conscious travellers. The fact one Australian Dollar buys 917 South Korean Won also makes a convincing case for why now is the best time to travel to South Korea.

The Australian dollar is quite strong compared to the South African Rand right now. One Aussie dollar will buy 11.68 South African Rand, which means you can have a seaside escape in Cape Town for about half the price of what it would cost you to travel around Europe in summer.

Like anywhere else, it can get more expensive in the summer months so slightly off-season travel might be best. In 2024 tourists were paying 120 lek (about $2) for a coffee in a seaside café in Saranda only to find the price doubled overnight to high season prices. A local beer will cost between 100 and 200 lek (around $1.61–$3.22), and 500 lek (approximately $8.05) will get you a decent local dish of veal and vegetables. One Australian Dollar buys around 60 Albanian Lek. Overall, Albania is cheaper than most other European countries. For how much longer, is anybody’s guess.