Top Bucket List Items in a Post-Pandemic Australia

If there’s one thing this global pandemic has taught us, it’s that it has reignited our desire to travel.

Month-long lockdowns and international border closures have made it painfully obvious that we once took boarding a plane for granted. Now that travel restrictions are easing up, new ‘travel bubbles’ are being established and borders within our own country reopen, Aussies have caught the sniff of the travel bug once again.

Many of us have developed a whole new sense of appreciation for our own country, spurring us on to explore this Great Southern Land as well as those overseas destinations we have yet had the chance to visit.

Unsurprisingly, according to a new survey on Australian seniors and their mindset post-Covid-19, 60% of seniors have their top bucket list item as either travelling internationally, or travelling domestically.

If you are gearing up to travel again and are needing some inspiration, let these top bucket list items be your guide for a reinvigorated sense of travel after covid-19.

1. Glamping in Outback Australia

Even if social distancing is no longer required in a covid-free world, nothing says ‘socially distanced’ more than the Australian Outback!

One of the best destinations to head to once travel opens-up is our own country. Get the local travel market thriving again by visiting the red centre. Uluru is the spiritual heart of Australia and makes for a great place to unplug and connect with nature.

Try 5-star glamping under 5 billion stars and enjoy waking up to the sun rising over the red desert sand and the iconic Ayers Rock.

2. Cruise the Bay of Islands in New Zealand

Barely 4 hours from Auckland you’ll find an archipelago of islands - the Bay of Islands.

Consisting of 144 spectacularly beautiful islands of golden beaches and dazzling wildlife, you can spend your day kayaking between islands as dolphins frolic beside you, go on historic nature walks, and discover traditional Maori culture in Northland; the birthplace of New Zealand.

3. Train ride the Canadian Rockies

Take in the dramatic beauty of the Canadian Rockies without leaving the comfort of your own private train car.

The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury train that will give you the best views of Canada’s snow-capped peaks and glaciers, taking you on a journey that spans three full days with two overnight stops at the famous ski-town of Whistler and Quesnel.

4. Visit the National Parks of USA

The national parks of the USA are severely underrated. You may have heard of the Grand Canyon, but did you know the US is home to 423 national parks, including some of the oldest and most historic landmarks in the world.

From the wilderness of Yosemite National Park to the volcanic marvel of Yellowstone (home to the world’s largest collection of geyser’s) you’ll be left speechless at the size and scope of the USA’s natural landscape.

5. Go on a European river cruise

One of the top bucket list items for most, now is the time to make the dream of a European river cruise a reality.

Ideal for seniors or anyone wanting a more intimate or stress-free way to travel, river cruises operate on some of those most breathtaking and historic landmarks in Europe. From the castel-lined banks of the Rhine to the commanding cities of St. Petersburg in Russia, you’ll be met with an entire itinerary of activities to go see and do.

6. Attend a Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan

Also known as ‘Sakura’, the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the arrival of spring - a celebration dating back over a thousand years.

You’ll want to travel to Japan between February and April and head straight to Ueno Park, Tokyo for this magical event. Home to more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees, you can wander the pink flowered streets as you watch traditional songs, dances, and performances as well as traditional Japanese tea ceremony to awaken your senses and marvel at nature’s beauty.

7. Enjoy the Mediterranean in Cyprus

Balmy nights, sun-drenched sands, and the birthplace of Greek goddess Aphrodite, a visit to this Greek Island will have you in love.

The incredible Mediterranean weather is one of the best things about Cyprus - but it does go hand-in-hand with its long and fascinating history. From Tomb of the Kings (a necropolis of underground tombs spanning 2km) to walled cities and historic artifacts, you’ll get a whole history lesson just from walking the streets of its capital of Nicosia.

While the pandemic has derailed travel plans, the good news is that it has given people more time to think about and plan for their next dream trip. As travel tops the list when it comes to our post-covid plans, now is the time to begin exploring our own countries even if that begins with our immediate state. There is a lot to explore in our own backyards, and while tourism is low, you can enjoy popular local destinations without the busy pre-pandemic levels. By spending the weekend somewhere local, you are helping businesses and those in the tourism industry stay afloat until we are finally ready and able to freely travel internationally again.