Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

New report from Big Red Group reveals surge in demand for thrilling adventures

New report from Big Red Group reveals surge in demand for thrilling adventures
June 25, 2025

The Autumn 2025 report from Big Red Group - Australia and New Zealand’s largest experience marketplace - found consumers are increasingly seeking thrills - with 18.5% of experiences served in Autumn falling under the adventure category.

Thrilling adventures like helicopter flights grew exponentially (+92.9%) and offerings including ziplining, bungy jumping, and giant swings also jumped by +71.4%.

The report, which analyses booking data from close to 200,000 experiences taken between 1st March and 31st May, supports the broader trend toward adventure tourism, with the market forecasted to grow from $53.33 billion in 2025 to approximately $174.03 billion by 2032.

Big Red Group data also revealed a strong swing toward a growing desire for distinctive experiences that offer something meaningful, exciting, or novel as spending shifts toward high-value moments and travel consumption climbs.

Key findings within the report include:

  • Tourists increase touch downs with inbound travel up 6% YOY, with strong demand seen from China, India and the United Kingdom as helicopter flights (+ 92.9%), canyoning (+71.9%) and sightseeing/cultural tours (+71.9%) draw in international visitors.
  • Climate resilience emerged as both a trend and a necessity amid unprecedented deluges in Autumn. With Coolcationing, flexible booking policies, and weather-proofing among the ways operators and travellers are adapting to a changing climate.
  • Curated culinary hubs on the rise after industry emerges from chaotic half decade. Big Red Group served over 27,000 ‘wine & dine’ experiences in Autumn, contributing to the country’s food tourism market, which is projected to soar to $165bn by 2033.
  • Melbourne takes pole position knocking off long-time rival Sydney to take top spot in season’s experience destination hot list, with the Formula One Grand Prix and AFL opening round drawing record crowds and encouraging bookings.
  • Autumn hotlist heats up as Hot Air Ballooning and Sightseeing & Cultural Tours rise into the season’s experience hotlist, however, Theme Parks once again held onto the top spot, with close to 12.5% of total experiences served in the category.
  • Wild weather continued to wreak havoc in Autumn, with heavily affected areas like Coolangatta (-50.2%) and Broadbeach (-27.4%) dipping. Yet, North Queensland told a different story as Port Douglas (+47.6%) and Cairns (+22.9%) grew exponentially.
  • Locals lived it up as the trend toward short-stay getaways continued this season, with getaways surging by +16.3% as back-to-back long weekends enticed Australians to head away and experience the best the nation has to offer.
  • Less stuff, more stories as consumers increasingly seek quality experiences over quantity - and become more willing to spend, so long as it feels unforgettable. It comes as the average order value for big-ticket items increased for RedBalloon and Experience Oz.

On the new seasonal report, David Anderson, Chief Executive & Co-Founder at Big Red Group noted “consumers are showing us that they are seeking experiences that are unforgettable, leading to the prioritisation of high-value activities that enrich or excite. They want ‘quality over quantity’ - and they’re willing to spend for it, so long as it feels memorable. This was a key mindset we saw reflected in our booking data which analysed close to 200,000 experiences served across RedBalloon, Adrenaline, and Experience Oz in Autumn.

“As decision-making becomes more centred around emotionally resonant experiences, the tourism and experiences industry is certainly well poised to benefit from this mindset shift. Couple this with a continued rise in travel consumption and intent, and it’s clear the industry is evolving into something even more impactful and exciting”.

Access the ‘Seasonal Experiences Index: Autumn 2025’ report from Big Red Group 

Methodology:
The ‘Seasonal Experiences Index: Autumn 2025’ report was developed by analysing over bookings across Big Red Group brands and wholesalers, conducting roundtable discussions with experience operators and regional tourism operators - and leveraging third-party reports to quantify how the current state of the nation is impacting consumer behaviour.

Related Articles

25th June 2025 - MusicNT to launch new Music Export Fund

26th June 2025 - Penrith NAIDOC event to celebrate and recognise First Nations communities

26th June 2025 - Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift expected to open for first day of operations on 27th June

25th June 2025 - Designs released for North Bellarine Aquatic Centre Stage Two

25th June 2025 - ‘Burning Man’ Director announced as second keynote speaker at Australian Festival Industry Conference 2025

25th June 2025 - Victorian Government criticised for broken National Parks promises

25th June 2025 - Australian Olympic Committee welcomes Kirsty Coventry to IOC presidency and acknowledges Thomas Bach’s service

25th June 2025 - Northern Territory Aboriginal owned businesses can now access funding for technology and infrastructure

25th June 2025 - Record visitor spending boosts Victorian economy

25th June 2025 - 11 leading Australian tourism businesses inducted into Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame

25th June 2025 - Cvent launches new AI capabilities across its platform

25th June 2025 - REVL Training renews member payments partnership with Ezypay

25th June 2025 - Negawatt Projects to stage latest aquatic centre energy efficiency seminar

24th June 2025 - AFL purchases Waverley Park from Hawthorn FC

24th June 2025 - AUSactive reveals finalists for 2025 AUSactive National Awards program

24th June 2025 - Venue Industry Congress panellists discuss technology adoption in Venue Management

24th June 2025 - Local residents object to plans for Taronga Zoo’s new Sky Safari

24th June 2025 - Pollstar names Marvel Stadium among Global Top 10 venues

24th June 2025 - Hong Kong’s Water World Ocean Park holds first ever Nighttime Water Party

24th June 2025 - PCYC NSW and Wilson Security collaborate to enhance youth employment outcomes

24th June 2025 - Tekapo Dark Sky Project marks 20 years of astrotourism

24th June 2025 - Lisa Hopkins appointed to PCMA Regional Advisory Board

24th June 2025 - Queensland Rugby League unites with state government to combat betting harm

24th June 2025 - Tenpin Bowling Australia looks to expand in schools with School Sport Victoria partnership

24th June 2025 - Surf Lakes Global appoints Troy Warfield as Chief Executive to lead global expansion

24th June 2025 - Northern Territory looks to boost tourism with focus on military history and new experiences

24th June 2025 - Major international child development conference heads to Australia for the first time

23rd June 2025 - Your Reformer and SOON Future Studies collaborate on mapping the shifts redefining how we move

23rd June 2025 - Gymnastics Australia appointment looks to strengthen organisational governance and stakeholder relations

23rd June 2025 - UniSport introduces new festival experience for Nationals on the Gold Coast

23rd June 2025 - Escalating Cambodia Thailand border disputes sees crossings closed to tourists

23rd June 2025 - Mildura Council gains recognition for its gender equity in sport program

23rd June 2025 - A-League’s Western United served with pay breach notices

23rd June 2025 - Australian Institute of Sport launches new initiative to help athletes tackle life after sport

23rd June 2025 - Sydney’s historic Callan Park to be transformed into significant urban parkland

23rd June 2025 - Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre expands school holiday program to meet community demand

23rd June 2025 - Robyn Kuhl to Step Down as Chief Executive of Volleyball WA

23rd June 2025 - Western Australian Government launches PlayOn WA: 2030 by 2030

23rd June 2025 - LIV Golf Adelaide continues to deliver for South Australian economy

23rd June 2025 - Federal Government invests $2 million in support of Australia’s 2026 Winter Paralympic Quest

23rd June 2025 - Tixserve joins with Rugby Australia to redefine fan experience for 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour

23rd June 2025 - Upgrades to Sydney’s Coogee Beach aim to divert pollutants further offshore

23rd June 2025 - UNICEF highlights the importance of outdoor play

22nd June 2025 - Live Nation APAC acknowledges new members of its Legend Club

22nd June 2025 - Hutt City’s Te Aroha Softball Club secures Matariki award

22nd June 2025 - FILEX Business Summit returns for 2025

22nd June 2025 - Thailand campaign launched to redefine the remote work experience

21st June 2025 - Eventbrite launches new product for music venues, concerts and festivals

5th June 2025 - Big Red Group Chief Executive notes experience economy shows optimism albeit with challenges

28th April 2025 - Big Red Group Chief Executive calls on incoming federal government to safeguard regional tourism

24th March 2025 - Big Red Group report reveals Australia’s tourism and experiences industry finding its stride again

11th March 2025 - Big Red Group calls for support to help tourism and experience operators recover from ex-Cyclone Alfred

3rd October 2024 - Big Red Group partners with Welcome to Country to enhance indigenous experience access

13th September 2024 - Big Red Bash organisers cancel 2025 edition but plan 2026 return

3rd September 2024 - Big Red Group report highlights resilience of Australia’s tourism and experiences industry

16th July 2024 - Big Red Group data shows 200% increase in demand for wellness tourism

5th July 2024 - Big Red Bash delivers impressive three day outback music festival

26th June 2024 - Big Red Group appoints new Head of Brand and Marketing

27th May 2024 - Big Red Group encourages tourism operators to connect with Gen Z via TikTok


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

PerfectGym

Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…

read more

Access / Fitness / Marketing / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 

InterQuad (International Quadratics) 

InterQuad (International Quadratics)  With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

GEOFF NINNES FONG AND PARTNERS

Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Design / Venues

 
 

Worldwide Sports Management

Principal Consultant Simon Weatherill has spent the last 20 years developing the world renowned Melbourne Sports Hub, as former Chief Executive Officer of the State Sports Centres Trust…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business