Cities just as popular as the sea

AUSTRALIANS usually associate summer holidays with the beach but a new poll suggests people are just as likely to stay in the big smoke or head to the bush for their break.

A nation-wide survey commissioned by the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia suggests holidaymakers are evenly split across cities, the countryside and the coast.

Some 33 per cent of Australians will stay in a city or urban environment while on holiday, the Nielsen poll suggests, with the same number heading to the bush for their break.

Somewhat surprisingly, only 31 per cent of respondents said they’d be heading to the beach. The poll found the most popular day trip activity was catching up with family and friends ahead of retail therapy and dining out.

“For many Australians nothing says summer like enjoying the sand between one’s toes at the beach (but) more and more Aussies will be spending their holidays enjoying the incredible range of attractions and activities in our cities, either on a holiday or on a day trip,” TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said.