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With summer only weeks away and domestic travel restrictions starting to ease, Australia’s most trusted car retailer Subaru has launched its ‘Great Australian Detour’ research report, highlighting some of the changing Aussie travel habits of 2020.

Whilst international borders remain closed, the travel bug amongst Aussies is still alive, with new research revealing 61% of Australians are taking more road trips in 2020. Despite this, almost half of Australians (45%) are bypassing the tourist attractions and detour signs on the road. As a result, the majority of drivers are missing out on discovering some of the country’s best local attractions in their pursuit to get to their destination.

Furthermore, more than 1 in 3 (35%) stated they had never taken a scenic route, tourist drive or detour, with Gen Z (41%) and Baby Boomers (40%) being the most likely to want to get to their destination by the most direct route. Meanwhile, Millennials are the generation who choose to take scenic routes (72%).

Despite a number of travellers bypassing the detour, Subaru revealed taking the road less travelled has its perks. The most common reasons for detours were that travellers had some extra time to enjoy the drive (51%), to visit a tourist attraction or heritage site (49%), to visit a natural site or walking track (42%) or to visit a well known restaurant, food store or winery (23%).

Amanda Leaney, General Manager Marketing Subaru, said “This year has presented a number of challenges in regards to travel plans, however, it has also provided an opportunity to discover what our country, and indeed our own state or territory, has to offer. With scenic route signs placed across Australia, we’re encouraging people to take that turn whilst travelling on the road and enjoy the unexpected moments along the way.”

Unsurprising to some, Queensland was rated as the first state people will travel to when restrictions ease (22%), followed by New South Wales (17%), Tasmania (11%) and South Australia (7%).

This was consistent with every state ranking Queensland as their #1 or #2 destinations except Tasmanians with only 9% saying they want to visit QLD.

The campaign coincides with the launch of Subaru’s Great Australian Detour competition encouraging Aussies to get out and share a hidden gem they’ve discovered on an Australian detour. Each week, from 23rd November 2020 until 17th January 2021, Subaru will be giving away a $500 accommodation voucher for those who share their favourite locations to encourage more discovery of backyard.

Additionally, participants can nominate an essential worker who has done something great for the community and deserves a break, to win a $1000 accommodation voucher. To enter or nominate an essential worker visit https://www.subaru.com.au/great-australian-detour