Australia's Summer 2026 Trends: Travel, Shopping & Wellness Guide

Whether you're an Aussie local or tuning in from abroad, here are the top trends you need to know – with a special focus on Australia, but insights for the world.

Travel Trends: Melbourne Adventures & Safety First

Melbourne has emerged as a hot destination for 2025–2026. In fact, Melbourne was recently one of the world's most wishlisted cities (ranked 19th globally, even ahead of Sydney at 21st) on a major travel platform. Interest isn't just local – search terms like "viaje a Melbourne" and "viagem a Melbourne" (Spanish and Portuguese for "trip to Melbourne") have been trending, indicating surging curiosity among international travelers.

Major airlines such as Virgin Australia are catering to this demand with competitive fares and direct routes, making it easier to plan a travel to Melbourne or Sydney adventure.

While city escapes are popular, savvy travelers know to prioritize safety, especially during Australia's summer. Terms like "vic emergency", "Melbourne emergency", and "Victoria emergency" have spiked in search trends. Whether you're road-tripping along the Great Ocean Road or exploring the suburbs, checking VicRoads traffic alerts and Emergency Victoria warnings has become as routine as checking the weather. This heightened emergency awareness ensures that your trip to Melbourne or any Aussie journey remains safe and enjoyable.

3-Day Melbourne Summer Itinerary (Example)

This sample plan gives visitors a feel for how locals actually spend a long weekend in Melbourne.

Day 1 – City & Laneways

• Morning: Coffee in the CBD, laneway street-art walk (Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane).
• Midday: Lunch at Queen Victoria Market and a stroll through Carlton Gardens.
• Evening: Yarra River walk and dinner along Southbank, checking VicEmergency for any heat or smoke warnings before heading out.

Day 2 – Coastal Escape

• Morning: Train or drive to St Kilda for a beach walk and breakfast.
• Afternoon: Optional day trip along the Mornington Peninsula or Great Ocean Road (booked ahead, with VicTraffic and weather apps checked).
• Evening: Sunset views back in the city and a relaxed dinner in Fitzroy or Collingwood.

Day 3 – Markets, Parks & Wellness

• Morning: Slow start with a park walk (Royal Botanic Gardens) or light jog around The Tan.
• Midday: Browse local makers’ markets for skincare, hair care and superfoods like moringa or herbal teas.
• Evening: Early dinner and wind-down routine – tea, journalling, and a clear travel plan for the next leg of your trip.

Online Shopping Boom: Temu, eBay, Amazon & Australia Post

Australia's online shopping landscape is experiencing explosive growth. The big news? Temu – a newcomer e-commerce app – is taking the nation by storm. Since launching in 2023, Temu's rise has been phenomenal: by late 2024 it captured about 20% of online retail spend in its category, surpassing eBay's 17% share.

In October 2024, Temu even knocked eBay Australia down to third place for the first time, while Amazon Australia maintained the lead with over 50% market share. Australians are flocking to Temu for its bargain deals and seamless experience – no wonder queries like "temu online shopping" and "temu login" are trending as new users sign up in droves.

According to Roy Morgan data, 4.7 million Australians made purchases on Temu in a 12-month span (up 24% year-on-year). This Temu Australia craze is reshaping e-commerce, with even sellers showing interest (buzz around Temu卖家中心, Temu's "seller center", highlights how the platform is drawing global vendor attention).

Traditional marketplaces aren't sitting idle. Amazon Australia continues to grow – in 2024 Australians spent more on Amazon than any other marketplace – and eBay Australia is adapting to fierce competition. Overall, Australian e-commerce hit a new peak: consumers spent a record $69 billion online in 2024, a 12% jump from the previous year.

This surge is evident in the day-to-day life of Aussies. During the 2025 holiday season, Australia Post delivered nearly 111 million parcels in Nov–Dec 2025, its busiest peak on record. On one December day, over 3 million parcels were delivered, and 7.9 million households shopped online during those two months – staggering figures that show how ubiquitous online shopping has become.

How Australians Are Shopping Smarter Online

As marketplaces grow, so does the need for smarter habits. Many Australians now follow a simple checklist before hitting “Buy now”:

• Compare prices across Temu, Amazon and local retailers rather than assuming one app is always cheapest.
• Check seller ratings and delivery estimates, especially for time-sensitive summer items like swimwear or sunscreen.
• Use parcel lockers or secure delivery options in apartment buildings to avoid missed deliveries.
• Watch for returns policies and restocking fees, not just the headline price.

This blend of convenience and caution is what defines the 2026 Australian shopper: tech-savvy, price-aware and increasingly mindful of sustainability and packaging waste.

Beauty & Hair Care Trends: From Great Clips to Natural Tips

Beauty and hair care products are experiencing a renaissance, blending global influences with local preferences. One surprising trending term has been "Great Clips" – the name of a popular North American salon chain. While Great Clips doesn't operate in Australia, its viral online hair tutorials and style tips have caught the eye of Aussie audiences.

This reflects a larger trend: Australians are tuning into global beauty content and then seeking local solutions. In salons from Sydney to Melbourne, stylists report more clients asking for trendy cuts like the "Italian bob" or "French bangs" after seeing them explode on TikTok. Even the humble side-part hair style made a comeback, garnering billions of views on social media.

When it comes to hair care products, the emphasis is on natural and effective. There's fast-growing interest in scalp health and organic ingredients. A notable example is the rosemary oil craze for hair growth. On TikTok and beauty forums, scalp oils have surged in popularity – up 34% from last year – with rosemary oil touted as a top ingredient to nourish the scalp and stimulate growth.

Australians are experimenting with these trends, looking for ways to combat summer frizz or sun damage to their tresses. Hair products like leave-in conditioners with UV protection, sulfate-free shampoos, and DIY hair masks (using kitchen ingredients like avocado or eggs) are in demand. Meanwhile, the concept of "skinimalism" in skincare has a parallel in haircare – people want fewer, better products for their hair.

Traditional Remedies Making a Mark

Take curry leaves, for example – an ingredient long used in Indian households for hair nourishment. There's growing awareness that curry leaves are rich in antioxidants and nutrients, and some Aussies are trying curry leaf oil or tonics as natural solutions for hair fall. In holistic practice, a coconut oil infused with curry leaves is believed to strengthen hair and prevent thinning.

Similarly, moringa oil (from the moringa plant) is being incorporated into boutique hair products for its vitamin E and zinc, which support scalp and hair health. The fusion of cultural wisdom with modern science is yielding beauty and hair care products that are both innovative and rooted in nature.

Wellness & Superfoods: Moringa, Tea & More for a Healthy Life

Health and wellness remain at the forefront of Australian trends, with a big focus on natural products. One standout is moringa oleifera, often called the "miracle tree." Moringa has surged in popularity as a superfood – and not just globally, but in Australia specifically.

Market research projects that Australia's moringa products market will exceed USD $90 million by 2030, thanks to growing awareness of moringa's nutritional benefits. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, moringa powder is used in smoothies and supplements for energy, immunity, and even skin/hair health.

Australian wellness brands like NutriThrive (Melbourne-based) offer lab-tested moringa powder and even moringa soap, catering to demand for clean, plant-based products. Australians are incorporating moringa into everything from daily lattes to skincare – it's that versatile!

Black Tea: More Than Just a Cozy Drink

Alongside moringa, other traditional ingredients are trending. Dried curry leaves, beyond their culinary use in delicious curries, are valued for health – they contain compounds with potential antioxidant and digestive benefits. Some nutritionists note that curry leaves might help with cholesterol and blood sugar management when used in diet, aligning with the broader trend of functional foods.

Likewise, black tea is enjoying renewed fame. With its high flavonoid content, black tea offers antioxidants that support heart health and gut health. Many Australians are rediscovering tea time as a wellness ritual – opting for premium Darjeeling black tea or herbal blends as a caffeine alternative to coffee. Black tea's antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals in the body, potentially reducing risks of chronic disease, so it's a guilt-free sip for your afternoon break.

Australians' interest in wellness is holistic – mental health, fitness, and diet all blend together. Yoga and meditation continue to be popular (especially as folks manage stress and emergency Victoria updates during fire season), and many are pairing these practices with superfoods like moringa for an added boost.

Importantly, Aussie wellness trends often set the example for the world. The focus on sustainability and local sourcing is strong – people prefer products that are eco-friendly and brands that give back. As we move into 2026, expect trending beauty and hair care products to feature more edible ingredients, and expect pantry staples like curry leaves or herbal teas to be marketed as beauty enhancers.

Sample Summer Wellness Routines

To move from inspiration to action, many readers find it helpful to see what a realistic day actually looks like. Here are two simple patterns Australians are using this summer.

Example 1 – Office Worker in Melbourne

• Morning: Light breakfast, black tea instead of a second coffee, short walk before work.
• Afternoon: Healthy snack (fruit, nuts) instead of vending machine trips; online shopping reserved for one short window rather than all-day browsing.
• Evening: Early dinner, a moringa smoothie or warm drink, short stretch or yoga session, and screens off 30–60 minutes before bed.

Example 2 – Family on School Holidays in Queensland

• Morning: Check local fire and weather alerts, pack water and sun protection, simple home-made breakfast.
• Afternoon: Beach or pool time balanced with rest in the shade; snacks built around fruit, yoghurt and whole grains.
• Evening: Light dinner, herbal tea, minimal late-night screen time so kids and adults get more restorative sleep.

These are not rigid rules, but practical templates that blend travel, shopping and wellness into a lifestyle that still feels enjoyable.

Summer 2026 FAQs

To finish, here are a few quick answers to common questions Australians and visitors are asking this season.

What should I pack for a summer trip to Melbourne or Sydney?

Plan for heat but respect how quickly conditions can change, especially in Melbourne. Light, breathable layers, SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are essentials. Add a compact rain jacket and a warmer layer for cooler evenings or unexpected changes in weather.

How can I stay safe during heatwaves and bushfire season?

Download the VicEmergency app (for Victoria) before you travel and check alerts daily, especially if driving through regional areas. On extreme-heat or smoke days, keep outdoor activity to the cooler parts of the morning and evening, drink plenty of water and follow official advice if any warnings are issued.

How do I enjoy summer food and drinks without feeling sluggish?

Focus your biggest, most nutrient-dense meals earlier in the day and keep late-night eating lighter. Swapping some coffees for black tea, adding fibre-rich foods and superfoods like moringa, and keeping an eye on sugary drinks goes a long way toward keeping energy and digestion steady across the holidays.