Grey Gap Year Report: Australia's seniors embrace a new travel trend
Solo travel in Australia has increasingly become a common lifestyle choice, not just among Gen Z and Millennials, but also the older generations.
YouGov conducted a survey, commissioned by low-cost carrier Scoot, with over 5,000 respondents across five countries within Asia-Pacific (APAC), including 1,017 respondents from Australia, to unpack the growing solo travel trend across the region.  
It revealed 8 in 10 travellers in Australia embarked on solo trips in the past year, with more than half (54 per cent) undertaking two or more trips.
The interest in solo travel is expected to continue, with close to nine in 10 Aussies planning to take a solo trip in the next 12 months.  
'For many Australians, it's no longer just about ticking off bucket list destinations, it's about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself, and embracing the destination,' Adam Kelly, general manager of Scoot Australia, said.
And, while often a popular movement among younger generations, a new report has revealed there's an emerging shift in the way Aussies over the age of 50 perceive travel.
More seniors are leaning into 'soul-searching' travel experiences, something that has typically been reserved for young people as they flip the narrative of the 'gap year' often associated with uni students, and create their own trend – the 'grey gap year'.
Close to 3 in 10 (29 per cent) have travelled alone in the past five years and almost 1 in 5 (16 per cent) are considering it, according to the Grey Gap Year Report 2025, commissioned by Australian Seniors.
'Our seniors are more confident, they're healthier than they used to be and living longer
than previous generations,' Gabby Walters, associate professor from University of Queensland, told news.com.au.
'There's also what we call Subjective age bias (the difference between chronological age and felt age) where we are seeing our older generation feeling and acting younger than they would have done previously.'
The report revealed over 2 in 5 have travelled solo or are considering solo travel in the future, showing how older Aussies are 'finding themselves' abroad.
'Digital media and having a lot more exposure to what's out there is making travel a lot easier,' Ms Walters said.
'In the past we would have seen package tours where you just pay one price and everything's organised for you.'
However, Ms Walters said the report reveals that older generations are finding more enjoyment in doing the travel planning themselves and the anticipation that comes with it.
'There's also so much more choice than previous years with platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb.'
'A lot more countries are also open and more accessible and easy to get around than previously.'
She said slow travel is gaining traction more than ever, with over 33 per cent having previously taken a 'slow trip'.
'This also explains why the behavioural patterns and travel motivations revealed in the study are not dissimilar to those of younger generations,' Ms Walters said.
Spending kids' inheritance
In fact, seniors are embracing travel so much, the report reveals they're spending kids' inheritance, also known as the 'SKI trend'.
According to the findings. while savings are the main holiday funding source (68 per cent), one in ten (10 per cent) seniors admit to using their children's inheritance.
Significantly, nearly 7 in 10 (68 per cent) do not worry about this, and a similar percentage (69 per cent) feel no guilt.
'There's more appreciation of wanting to see your parents live a fulfilled life than sitting there waiting for that lump sum of money when they pass away,' Ms Walters said.
'So I don't think as many people would be disappointed or not accepting of this trend.'
According to the report, 43 per cent of seniors believe creating travel memories is more important than leaving a financial inheritance.
Multigenerational travel is also prevalent, with 2 in 5 (40 per cent) of seniors travelling with different family generations, primarily for quality time (61 per cent) and shared memories (41 per cent).
'The fact they're shifting that money in advance through the family travel experience means their kids are still benefiting by taking them on a family holiday and sharing that with them,' Ms Walters added. 'That allows them to experience that gift of giving.'
Solo travel among Gen Z
Solo travel has gained massive momentum among Aussies which has been especially prevalent in Gen Z and Millennials, with Tourism and Transport Forum (TFF) Australia recently reporting that 26 per cent of 18-24s and 22 per cent of 25-30s are interested in booking a solo trip.
Reflections Holidays is seeing this shift first-hand, with a noticeable increase in bookings for singles across its regional NSW locations.
'Solo travel used to be niche, but now it's a movement,' Alisa Wells, Regional Park Manager of Reflections Holidays, said.
'We're seeing more Australians than ever actively choosing to travel alone, not because they have to, but because they want to.
'It's a conscious decision to take back your freedom and enjoy your independence while also being able to truly switch off and embrace time in nature. Women in particular are leading this shift, carving out time for themselves in meaningful ways.'
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However, Ms Walters said the report reveals that older generations are finding more enjoyment in doing the travel planning themselves and the anticipation that comes with it. 'There's also so much more choice than previous years with platforms like and Airbnb.' 'A lot more countries are also open and more accessible and easy to get around than previously.' She said slow travel is gaining traction more than ever, with over 33 per cent having previously taken a 'slow trip'. 'This also explains why the behavioural patterns and travel motivations revealed in the study are not dissimilar to those of younger generations,' Ms Walters said. Spending kids' inheritance In fact, seniors are embracing travel so much, the report reveals they're spending kids' inheritance, also known as the 'SKI trend'. According to the findings. while savings are the main holiday funding source (68 per cent), one in ten (10 per cent) seniors admit to using their children's inheritance. 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