As Australians rethink mid-life and retirement, new research from Intrepid Travel reveals a generation ready to embrace the extended travel opportunities they never took in their younger years.
According to a nationally represented survey of more than 2,000 Australians, Intrepid found 80% of Australians aged 55 and over never took a traditional gap year in their youth, compared with 50% of those under 55. Of those who missed out, one in five say it remains a regret.
Now, many are looking to change that. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Australians aged 55+ say they would take 12 months off to travel if given the opportunity, while 67% have considered “making up for lost time” with extended travel later in life.
The shift is reflected in booking behaviour. Intrepid Travel reports a 52% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers aged 55+ between 2024 and 2025, signalling growing demand for immersive, longer-form travel experiences among older Australians.
The research sheds light on why this generation was less likely to take time out to travel when they were younger. More than half (53%) say they went straight into work, while 43% say extended travel after schooling simply wasn’t the norm at the time.
By contrast, among younger Australians who did not take a gap year, study commitments (40%) and financial pressures (23%) were the most commonly cited barriers.
Intrepid Travel General Manager Global Experiences, Erica Kritikides, said the findings highlight a broader shift in attitudes toward ageing and travel.
“There’s a whole generation of Aussies that never had the chance to take a gap year, and while many are ready to make up for lost time, the reality of planning extended travel can be a real barrier for people,” she said.
The data also challenges assumptions about what older travellers want. While visiting friends and family remains important for 65% of Australians aged 55+, interest in more immersive experiences is strong, with 36% drawn to cultural travel and around one in four list adventure travel as their top preference – ahead of cruises or purely relaxation-focused holidays.
Experience and life stage appear to be shaping confidence and motivation. Forty per cent of Australians aged 55+ say they now have a deeper appreciation for different cultures than they did in their 20s. Nearly one-third (32%) report feeling more confident and open to new experiences when travelling today.
Practical considerations are also shifting. Half (50%) say they can now afford to travel more comfortably, while 44% say they finally have the time.
Together, the findings point to a generation reframing mid-life not as a slowdown, but as an opportunity – with extended travel emerging as a defining aspiration.
Proudly Australian owned and operated