Next year’s shaping up to be a good one for travel. Maybe there’s a trip you’ve been meaning to take for a while, or there’s one or two travel destinations that have been sitting on your bucket list for longer than you’d like to admit. Whatever you’re planning, it doesn’t hurt to start mapping it out now.

If you’re flying from Melbourne Airport, sorting parking early keeps things simple on the day. We have onsite parking options close to the terminals, and booking online only takes a few minutes. Where things get more exciting is figuring out what kind of getaway makes the most sense for you.

If food is the reason you travel (or just a very good excuse!), 2026 gives you plenty to work with. From local street food stalls to restaurants with global recognition, these destinations serve up something memorable at every level:

• Tokyo, Japan – You could spend a whole trip eating and still barely scratch the surface. From steaming bowls of ramen tucked into quiet alleyways to Michelin-starred sushi counters, it’s a city where everyday food feels special, and special food doesn’t have to be complicated.
• Venice, Italy – Beyond the postcards, there’s a food scene shaped by salt air, fresh seafood and regional produce here. Expect slow lunches, simple ingredients and a lot of love for classic Italian cooking.
• Barcelona, Spain – Come for the tapas and stay for the buzz. Whether you’re hopping between local eateries or settling in at a busy market, the mix of tradition and new-school flavour is part of the fun.
• Hanoi, Vietnam – Street food here isn’t just convenient; it’s essential. Pull up a stool for a bowl of pho or bite straight into something crispy, spicy or sweet. The flavours are bold, fresh and fast.
• Taipei, Taiwan – This is where the night markets are the main event. Noodles, dumplings, bao and a dozen other things you’ll want to try before deciding what to eat again tomorrow.
• Paris, France – Whether it’s a bakery down the street or a spot with a Michelin star, the city knows how to make a meal feel like a moment. Here, every neighbourhood has something worth sitting down for.

PRO TIP: Look for markets, bakeries, home kitchens and side streets. They often say more about a place than a set menu ever could.

If you're drawn to places with a strong sense of identity, these cities offer plenty to take in. Think historic streets, layered stories and the kind of detail that stays with you long after you’ve left.

• Dublin, Ireland – Take a walk through time along cobblestone streets lined with Georgian terraces and old bookshops. The city’s rhythm sits somewhere between old-world charm and quiet rebellion.
• Seoul, South Korea – Tradition and tech live side by side here. One moment you're crossing a palace courtyard, the next you're under a skyscraper watching the city light up after dark.
• Buenos Aires, Argentina – Culture lives in the details here, from tango in the plazas and murals on the walls to historic sites hidden between bookstores and old cafés.
• Marrakech, Morocco – The medina is a maze worth getting lost in. From tiled riads to buzzing alleyways, every turn reveals something deeply Moroccan. It’s also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• New York, USA – It’s the kind of place you already half-know, but nothing beats standing in it. Layered, loud and full of stories, it mixes landmark energy with everyday culture.
• Vancouver, Canada – This one rewards slow travel. Modern galleries, Indigenous art, and neighbourhoods shaped by generations of migration give it a rich cultural depth.
• Sydney, Australia – There's more history here than first meets the eye. The city offers plenty beyond the views. You’ll find colonial sandstone buildings and preserved laneways, plus a nightlife scene that keeps evolving.

PRO TIP: Don’t be afraid to take a detour and keep walking. Every city has a surface and a deeper layer, so if it feels like you're only seeing the polished version, you probably are.

After space, quiet and long views? Whether it’s a direct flight from Melbourne Airport or part of a longer trip, you're not short on options. Australia’s national parks already offer plenty, but if you’re looking further afield next year, these nature-led trips are worth adding to the calendar:

• Banff and Jasper, Canada – Drive through national parks that feel like they never end. Between alpine lakes, moose crossings and winding mountain roads, the scale here is something else.
• South Island, New Zealand – Head south for sharp peaks, still water and walking tracks that deliver the kind of silence you didn’t know you needed. The South Island knows how to do wild well.
• Utah and Arizona, USA – Swap greenery for sandstone. This stretch of North America is all about red rock canyons, open desert and road trips where the journey is the best part.
• Sacred Valley, Peru – If you’re after altitude and quiet, you’ll find both here. Go beyond the usual stops and into cloud forests and open trails with fewer crowds and bigger views.
• Hill Country, Sri Lanka – Start your morning in misty tea fields and end it in a national park. The landscapes shift fast, and there’s always something around the bend.
• Eastern Cape, South Africa – From coastal drives to wildlife reserves, this region rewards early starts and slow travel. The best part? Every detour feels like the right one.

PRO TIP: Don’t plan every stop around a photo. The best parts of nature trips are usually the bits that happen between viewpoints.

Not every trip needs to be busy. If you're looking for something slower, calmer and a little more grounded, these places are known for doing things differently. Whether it’s thermal waters, soft landscapes or thoughtful local initiatives, the pace here is part of the appeal.

• Oulu, Finland – A quiet northern city that’s part of a national wellness initiative focused on sustainability and calm, close-to-nature experiences. Good for travellers who prefer gentle days over packed schedules.
• Hakone, Japan – Just outside Tokyo, this mountain town is known for its hot springs, forest walks and ryokans built for slowing down. Everything here invites you to pause.
• Rotorua, New Zealand – Thermal waters, mineral-rich pools and a deep connection to the land make Rotorua a natural choice for wellness-led travel. The experience is restorative without needing a packed itinerary.
• Ubud, Indonesia – Between yoga retreats and soft jungle surrounds, this travel destination has long been a draw for those who want stillness without isolation.

PRO TIP: Keep in mind that wellness travel isn’t about expensive spas. It’s about how you spend your time and whether it gives you back the energy you came to find.

If sunshine’s the goal next year and you’d rather be near the water, these warm-weather getaways are easy to look forward to. Think long seasons, soft coastlines and the kind of holiday that doesn’t need too much planning once you’re there.

• Bali, Indonesia – Laid-back towns, tropical coastlines and that familiar rhythm where everything moves a little slower. Whether you’re surfing or not, the beaches here feel like a proper break.
• Cebu, The Philippines – White-sand islands, boat days and world-class snorkelling in clear, warm water. This is the kind of trip where the days blend in a good way.
• Aruba, Caribbean – Want calm seas, warm breezes and beach weather that sticks around year-round? Aruba is perfect if you want sun without the constant itinerary.

PRO TIP: Don’t underestimate the value of short transfers and low-effort logistics. The quicker you can get from the airport to the water, the better the whole trip feels.

Got your 2026 travel calendar sorted? Now it’s just about making the trip to the terminal as easy as the trip itself. Melbourne Airport has a mix of onsite parking options that fit whatever you’ve got planned, from short stays to longer getaways and everything in between:

• Value car park: Planning a longer trip? The Value car park is a good fit when you're going to be away for a little while. It's open-air, budget-friendly and easy to access via Airport Drive or Mercer Drive. A free 24/7 shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes to Terminal 1 (best stop for travellers flying domestic Qantas from Terminal 1, or for international airlines from Terminal 2) and Terminal 4 (best stop for domestic travellers flying Jetstar, Rex, Link Airways, or Virgin Australia). And if your trip lines up with a busy travel period like the school holidays, you can book Value Express. This is a seasonal valet-style service where you leave your car near Bus Stop B and our team parks it for you.
• Terminal car parks: If your 2026 plans include early flights, tight turnarounds or just getting to check-in without extra steps, the Terminal car parks make that part easy. There are two locations, both offering a mix of open-air and undercover parking spaces. The Terminal T123 car park links directly to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 via a covered bridge and is ideal if you’re flying with Qantas, Virgin Australia or heading overseas. The Terminal T4 car park is just a 100-metre walk to the Terminal 4 entrance and is perfect for those flying with Rex, Jetstar, Link Airways or Virgin Australia.
• Premium Self Park: Are you the traveller who likes to stay in control? Premium Self Park lets you do just that. You get the closest parking bays to the terminal entrances without handing over your keys. You’ll find these spots on Level 1 of both the T123 and T4 car parks. The bays are undercover, which comes in handy for early flights, hot days or if you’ve got kids in tow.
• Premium Valet: Tight schedule? Premium Valet offers an even faster way to park and get going. Drive into Level 1 of the T123 car park, hand over your keys and head straight to the terminal while our team parks your car for you. It’s the kind of setup that works well for early departures, short work trips or any day you want to keep things moving.
• Qantas Valet: No time to book ahead? No worries. With Qantas Valet, you just pull up, hand over your keys, and that’s it. You can even ask for an optional car cleaning service while you’re on your trip, so you can return to a fresh car. It’s open to all travellers, but if you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you’ll earn points if you park here.

No matter where 2026 takes you, booking parking ahead of time makes the lead-up easier. You’ll lock in lower rates than drive-up prices, choose the car park that suits your trip, and know exactly where you’re headed from the moment you leave home.

Every online booking also includes a built-in grace period in case you're running a little early or late. And if you want extra cover, you can add Overstay Guarantee, which covers delayed returns due to illness, border closures or flight cancellations.

Locking in your flights early gives you something to look forward to. Pairing them with the right airport parking option? That just makes the whole thing easier from the start.

You can pre-book airport parking in just a few steps and up to 12 months in advance. If your plans shift, you can head to Manage My Booking to update your entry time, change dates, or even extend your stay after you’ve already parked.

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