No Time For A Holiday?

We may have been a nation of travellers, but newly-released figures show that less of us are having holidays thanks to increasingly busy schedules.

Tourism Research Australia has found that 75% of all 18-30 year olds surveyed spend one week or less on holiday each year.

The Gen Y generation, many of whom see travelling to Europe or Asia for months at a time as a rite of passage before university or starting their careers, now blame longer hours at the office and increasingly busy schedules for taking such short breaks.

For those with children, the traditional longer family holiday is also becoming a thing of the past. The GFC continues to affect how families spend disposable income, while the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that out of 1.5 million Australian families, 80% claim to be pressed for time.

Day and overnight trips are gaining popularity, which is good news for local tourism operators, who have had a tough few years thanks to a number of natural disasters, a buoyant US exchange rate and the economic crisis.

Tourism Australia are also supporting the local tourism push with their new campaign There’s nothing like Australia, with managing director Andrew McEvoy hoping that "people encourage other Australians to take a fresh look at the best local holiday experiences."

Thinking of a quick escape? Here are some of our favourites:

If you're in Sydney: try the South Coast for its miles of sparkling white sands, or the Hunter Valley, arguably one of the world's great wine destinations.

If you're in Brisbane: try Moreton Island, only 75 minutes from Brisbane, which is the perfect nature getaway. Fish, four-wheel drive or camp right on the beach.

If you're in Melbourne: we love Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.

If you're in Perth: the Margaret River is one of the country's beauty spots. Sip wines, watch the sunsets and enjoy long drives along the spectacular coastline.

If you're in Canberra: the quiet fishing village of Ulladulla is a great base to pick up some fresh oysters and enjoy them by any of the nearby beaches.

What's your favourite day or overnight destination?