Australian holidaymakers generated an estimated $84 million in additional spending over a two-week summer period, according to NAB analysis.
Restaurants, retail and accommodation providers captured the largest gains.
“The influx of visitors drives peak-period revenue for small businesses and contributes a significant portion of annual turnover,” NAB Executive for Metro and Specialised Business Julie Rynski said. “Accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors are the primary beneficiaries.”
The analysis, based on almost 500,000 merchant terminal transactions, identified Lorne and Lakes Entrance in Victoria, St Helens and Swansea in Tasmania and Jervis Bay in New South Wales as the towns with the biggest overall increase in spending.
Accommodation in Lakes Entrance rose 600 percent, while retail in Margaret River, Western Australia, increased 786 percent.
”Higher trade levels mean more shifts for seasonal staff and additional orders for suppliers,” Rynski said. “Business operators expect strong demand to continue through the Australia Day long weekend.”
The additional spending over the summer period was from Saturday 20 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026, according to NAB analysis of merchant terminal data.
The two-week surge increased total spending in key tourism industries in 20 summer holiday towns from an average of $104 million in a normal fortnight (May 2025) to $188 million, representing an 80 percent rise.