Australia has ranked among the world’s top destinations for wellness travel, placing eighth in a new global self care index as demand for wellbeing focused trips continues to grow.
The study by international health insurance provider William Russell found that 58 percent of travellers are planning a wellness trip in 2026, reflecting a shift away from traditional sightseeing toward experiences that prioritise mental and physical wellbeing.
Europe dominates global self care rankings.
Austria ranked first overall with a self care score of 9.31, followed by Switzerland in second place, while Finland and Iceland shared third. The Netherlands, New Zealand and Canada also placed ahead of Australia in the top ten.
Australia ranked eighth with a self care score of 8.43, supported by strong healthcare investment, high access to mental health professionals and a growing wellness infrastructure including walking trails, yoga studios and spas.
The index analysed factors including healthcare spending, life satisfaction, access to mental health workers, walking trails and availability of wellness facilities.
The findings highlight a broader trend toward slower, more mindful travel, with destinations offering nature, relaxation and wellbeing experiences becoming increasingly attractive to travellers planning 2026 trips.
