The Great Escape Travel Survey reveals the No.1 Aussie travel bucket list experience

When Aussie travellers were asked to name the number one Australian travel experience on their bucket list, a surprising spot came out on top. 

It's official. Aussie travellers are keen to explore their own backyard. Especially the more rugged parts of our beautiful country. 

Escape recently surveyed 5199 Aussie travellers to get an insight into their travel habits and bucket list destinations.

When asked about the number one Australian travel experience on their bucket list, Western Australia dominated. It was the #1 State or Territory in the country on traveller's must-do list, with 34 per cent of respondents mentioning it.

So what exactly are travellers keen to do in the west?

When you read through the responses, a visit to the Kimberley region of Western Australia - particularly on a cruise - came out as one of the top experiences travellers were keen to do (10 per cent). 

Broome and Cable Beach is a goal for many local adventurers.

Broome and Cable Beach, with its stunning sunsets, topped 7 per cent of the respondents dream destination lists - though a number of people bemoaned that fact that it could be "difficult and expensive" to get to.

Many respondents said they were keen to explore the Abrolhos Islands, which is a chain of 122 islands and coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, about 80 km west of Geraldton in WA.

The Abrolhos Islands, west of Geraldton, feature on many people's Aussie travel bucket list. Picture: Tourism WA

Coming in behind Western Australia in the #2 spot was the NT, with 23 per cent of mentions. 

Though one survey respondent (with a classic Aussie sense of humour), responded "anywhere but Darwin" when asked where they wanted to visit Down Under.

Another stand-out bucket list experience for those wanting to visit the NT was a jaunt to the Red Centre to see Uluru, with 12 per cent of respondents saying this was on top of their Aussie travel bucket list. 

Slow travel also seems to be hugely appealing - other popular bucket list experiences include The Ghan train journey (4 per cent), road trip and caravanning around Australia (3 per cent).

Seeing Uluru was also a big ticket item for a lot of travellers. Picture: Supplied

Queensland came in at number 3, with many saying they wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef and the rugged Cape York Peninsula.

While an outback adventure did appeal to many, some of the respondents seem to prefer the finer things in life, with one saying the top of their travel bucket list was "a long long weekend being chauffeured through the South Australian Barossa region sampling the best reds on offer. Preferably in winter or autumn combined with a lovely fireside dinner at a nice restaurant".

Some prefer a civilised splash of red over the dust of the Red Centre, thank you very much. Picture: SATC

How the other states and territories faired on the survey

#4 - Tasmania, with 9 per cent of mentions

#5 - South Australia, with 5 per cent of mentions

#6 - New South Wales with 3 per cent of mentions

#7 - Victoria, with 3 per cent of mentions

Originally published as The Great Escape Travel Survey reveals the No.1 Aussie travel bucket list experience