October 21, 2025 — 5:00am
Despite the political situation – and the high cost of travelling there – Australians aren’t staying away from the US. Recent traveller numbers show a 5 per cent rise in Australians heading to the US, year-on-year, according to the Australian Bureau Of Statistics.
But what surprises me most is: we’re all going to the same places. There is no other country on Earth where we have as little imagination when selecting our internal destinations. We’re predictable: our five favourite US destinations are (and have long been) New York City, Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Even when we dare to dream, we don’t go beyond the obvious: in a poll by nine.com.au in July, Hawaii was the most desired destination to travel to, followed by… you guessed it: New York City, and California.
In a country influenced by rising costs, we’re choosing the most expensive places to travel to. Hotels are most expensive in Hawaii. Followed by New York City, then California. Meanwhile, California just pips Hawaii as number one for overall costs for travellers.
There are 50 US states: Australians en masse will be lucky to see four of them. Think outside the box and not only will you save American dollars, you’ll be the only Australians there.
If you want a harbour city like San Francisco, why not check out Seattle? You can access over 300 islands within 90 minutes’ drive or a ferry right from the city. If you want to see stars, don’t take open-air bus tours through Beverly Hills, hang out in lesser-known places where they live freely, like Santa Fe, New Mexico, or Nashville, Tennessee.
If you’re a foodie, NYC is hardly America’s only “food city”, Chicago is actually rated by many food magazines (like Bon Appetit) as being superior – it’s home to 21 Michelin-starred restaurants.
If you’re a sports fan, opt for a city like Boston, it’s one-13th the size, with 10 times fewer people than New York City, yet it’s home to some of the country’s most iconic sports stadiums and teams (like Fenway Park, the oldest baseball stadium in the US, which you can access via a $US2.40/$3.70 train ride from the city centre in five minutes). Or try Pittsburg or Philadephia, and be among America’s most fanatical fans, minus international tourists who don’t scream anywhere near as loud anyway.
If you’re a wine lover, California’s Napa Valley might be iconic, but you can’t taste wine for less than $US50. Go a state up to Oregon, with its 19 wine regions – including Willamette Valley, said to produce the world’s best pinot noir – or keep going to Washington State, the second-largest wine producing state with over 1000 wineries, often among snow-capped mountains and forest reserves.
If you like road tripping, California’s Highway One might be legendary, but it’s packed with tourists, especially in summer. Try a traverse of the “other” US coast on the Atlantic Coast Highway from New Jersey to Florida.
While Las Vegas might be a magnet for sucks in all our party people, there are as many all-night options in New Orleans, Miami or Atlanta – or try Austin, Texas, the live music capital of the world.
The US is the fourth-largest country on earth, covering 10 million square kilometres. The possibilities for travel within it are practically endless. Next time, go somewhere your neighbours haven’t…
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.
Craig Tansley is a Gold Coast-based freelance travel writer with a specialty in adventure, and a background in the South Pacific.