Travelling to a location where the currency conversion works in your favour is undeniably liberating. Converting every single purchase, lest you return home with an explosive credit card bill as a souvenir, is certainly not relaxing. True freedom and relaxation lies in travelling without regularly opening your calculator app.
“Currency strength isn’t usually the first thing you think about when planning to travel but it affects almost every aspect of the trip. If the Aussie dollar is weak in your chosen destination, this can mean you’re paying a premium on everything you spend,” said Tristan Dakin, ANZ Country Manager of Wise, one of Australia's leading authorities travel money.
In 2026, the Australian dollar is looking stronger for travel than in 2025, but not compared to every single other currency. If you’re looking to choose your next holiday destination based on the best currency conversion, we’ve put together a list of locales. Crowd favourites like Japan still offer incredible value, but did you know that you could also add Turkiye or Hungary to your itinerary?
Japan
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Australians are still flocking to Japan for a reason. In 2025 the currency conversation was definitely favourable, but in 2026 it’s even better. “The Australian dollar is up around 10 per cent against the yen over the past 12 months, and more than 34 per cent over the last five years,” said Dakin. The Australian dollar buys 108 yen at the time of writing, it means there's rarely been a better time for Australians to pay a visit. Hotspots like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are incredible, but don't leave cities like Hiroshima, Sapporo or Naoshima off your list.
Turkiye
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The Australian dollar is at a five year high against the Turkish lira, buying just over 30 lira at the time of writing. Most part of Türkiye have a cost of living that is comparatively more accessible than in Australia, so even without the favourable exchange rate it is a more affordable destination compared to much of the Northern Hemisphere. Tour cities like Istanbul for your hit of culture and history, or you can sail through the Turkish Islands for some of the best beach hopping in the world.
Aotearoa (New Zealand)
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"New Zealand is always popular with Aussies given its proximity, but it’s particularly appealing at the moment, with the AUD gaining almost 5 per cent on the NZD over the past year, and more than 7 per cent when we zoom out to two years," says Dakin. The conversion rate is now the highest it's been in five years, buying $1.15 NZD. Auckland is always a favourite, but the natural beauty of New Zealand's South Island – including Fox Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Hooker Valley and Milford Sound – is hard to beat.
Argentina
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Five years ago, the AUD bought 134 Argentine pesos. Now it buys over 1,000. It would be remiss not to mention that Argentina has had difficulties controlling inflation, so some of the increase in the buying power of the Australian dollar does correlate to that trend. But even when you factor in the inflation problems, Argentina still offer immense value for Australians. It is also one of the most diverse and beautiful countries, with world-class skiing, wine regions, cities, forests and deserts. First-timers won't want to miss the capital Buenos Aires, but also regions like Mendoza.
Morocco
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If you're looking for that idyllic Mediterranean holiday but the euro is still out of reach, just know there's more than one way to access the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria are all on the Mediterranean Sea too. In 2025, the Australia dollar suffered against the Moroccan dirham, but there's been a 2026 comeback and the exchange rate is approaching what it was in 2023. For beach locations, you can try Saidia and Martil, or Essaouira to the West. But don't forget essential stops like Marrakech or Chefchaouen.
Vanuatu
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Vanuatu is one of those ethereal island escapes on all travel moodboards and 2026 might be the perfect time to go. The Australia dollar is at a four-year high against the vatu and it's only four hours away from most East Coast destinations. Island hopping is the name of the game in Vanuatu, and try to pick accomodation with the overwater bungalow experience.
India
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The Australian dollar is up by 16 per cent against the Indian rupee in the last year – in fact, the conversion rate is at a five-year high of 64 rupees per dollar. "Beyond the well-travelled Golden Triangle, travellers can head south to Hampi’s UNESCO ruins, Gokarna’s secluded beaches, and Madurai’s temples, all at a fraction of the cost of more tourist-heavy spots. Travellers can enjoy these rich experiences while keeping costs manageable," Says Dakin
Phillipines
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The Australian dollar is also at a five-year high against The Phillipines' peso, at nearly 41 pesos per dollar. Dakin said: "The Australian dollar is up around 13 per cent when compared to the Philippine peso over the past year. While you may have heard of Boracay, the Philippines has over 7,000 islands, so there are a ton of options to explore."
Indonesia
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Doesn't matter the price, as one of our closest neighbours, Indonesia will always be a travel hotspot for Australians. But perhaps a longer sojourn is on the cards given the improvements in exchange rate. "The AUD up over 16 per cent against the Indonesian Rupiah in the past 12 months, and over 9 per cent over the past five years," said Dakin. "Beyond Bali, islands like Lombok and Flores offer a more authentic, low-key experience, from trekking to hidden waterfalls and visiting traditional weaving villages to discovering remote beaches and volcanic landscapes. Indonesia is a budget-friendly destination where travellers can enjoy luxury stays."
Egypt
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Egypt is the holiday destination of a lifetime. The Great Pyramids are one of the wonders of the world, the Nile River is the longest rive in the world and the Sahara Desert is the world's largest desert. It's a history and nature-lover's dream. But it also has incredible beaches; with beachy towns along the Mediterranean Coast and even coral reefs and water sports along the Red Sea. The Australian dollar is currently at a five-year high against the Egyptian pound, buying 33 pounds per dollar.
Central America – Belize, Honduras, Guatemala
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If you were craving a tour of Central American, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala all offer great value for Australians. Belize has incredible locations like Caye Caulker, Guatemala has the breath-taking Tikal and Honduras has arguably the best beaches in the entire region. The Australian dollar is at a four-year high against the Belize dollar, a five-year high against the Honduran Lempira and a three-year high against the Guatemalan Quetzal.
Uzbekistan
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The Australian dollar currently buys 8,540 Uzbek soms, this is the highest conversion in the last five years. An architectural gem, Uzbekistan has been quietly evolving into the next tourism hotspot for those looking to immerse themselves in a truly unique experience. It has the natural beauty of the mountains, but also the vibrant bazaar-style cityscapes with plenty of Islamic-style architecture.
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