New Zealanders are returning to the Sunshine State in droves following the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble in recent weeks, with new data showing south-east Queensland is among the top five holiday picks.
The Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast are the favoured Queensland locations being searched by New Zealanders, ahead of idyllic locations like the Whitsundays and Cairns.
Accommodation providers say it's welcome news, with New Zealand visitors a vital part of their business.
Surge in holiday searches
According to new Airbnb data, there has been a huge surge in searches for stays in Australia by New Zealanders over the past five weeks.
But spokeswoman Susan Wheeldon says nearly four times the amount of Aussies are hoping to escape to New Zealand.
"So we've actually seen a 400 per cent increase in Aussies who are looking to get away to New Zealand and, on the flip side, those Kiwis returning back into Australia have climbed up over 150 per cent in just one month," she said.
"[As the top regional location in Australia], the Gold Coast always punches above its weight.
"So not only the incredible weather, beaches, amazing restaurants, but you've also got that mix of pockets of hinterland, so it's no surprise that the Gold Coast is so high on the Kiwis' wish list.
"And also there are lots of people looking to reconnect with family and friends."
'Can't wait to see them'
Gold Coast hinterland local Wilson Gaythwaite has worked as an accommodation provider for more than 20 years.
He said Kiwis have always been a vital part of his and his wife Christine's business, which offers luxurious stays in Beechmont overlooking the mountains and clouds.
He said while the pandemic and bushfires in the hinterland last year saw their regular patronage drop, he said domestic travel offered a silver lining.
"There was a negative impact over the past year from the bushfires, people didn't want to come when the bushfires were on and Binnaburra had been very badly impacted, and then of course with COVID," he said.
"There's a lack of other places to go and so people have been flooding here really.
"We have been very fortunate; we're booked out almost all the time."
Mr Gaythwaite said he had already begun welcoming New Zealand guests taking advantage of the travel bubble, and businesses are pleased to see their return.
"We used to get a lot of visitors from New Zealand, and I mean a lot," he said.
"And obviously we lost that market for quite a considerable amount of time.
"But New Zealand has been a very big part of our business in past times and we're hoping, really hoping, that we will see those numbers return.
"We're looking forward to welcoming more of them back and hopefully in large numbers — can't wait to see them."
