Saddle up: 'Cowboy core' is taking over travel in Australia

Travellers are getting in the saddle in search of ‘cowboy core’ vacations. We break down the trend here, as well as how you can experience a slice of stockman life. Giddy up.

Our culture has an enduring fascination with cowboys, from classic Clint Eastwood films to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album that took over the airwaves last year. And it’s not just an American thing – Australia has its distinct Akubra-wearing stockman archetype that has been canonised in films like The Man from Snowy River.

But our fascination isn’t just shaping how we dress, it’s translating to the ways we travel, too. Skyscanner named ‘cowboy core’ as a defining travel trend of 2025, reporting that 29% of Aussie travellers are fans of this style of travel, with this figure rising to 44% among 18-24-year-olds. The same report showed an 18% increase in hotel bookings offering horse riding over the past year, signalling a growing appetite for cowboy-style escapes. So what exactly is this trend, and how can you experience it in Australia?

a ringer at Bullo River Station — Station stays like Bullo River Station are bringing cowboy core to the fore. (Image: Shot By Thom)

What is ‘cowboy core’ in travel?

In simple terms, a ‘core’ is something that captures a mood or theme, mostly through visual elements. And while ‘core’ is mostly applied to aesthetics and clothing, it can also refer to places and experiences. So in this sense, ‘cowboy core’ is anywhere you can don a wide brimmed hat and not look out of place: around a campfire, atop a horse, staying on a cattle station (or a ‘ranch’ as Americans would call it). Ultimately, it’s about experiencing a slice of life and stepping into someone elses shoes for a moment (or cowboy boots, so to speak). With the built-in romance of rugged terrain, pastoral bliss and inspiring landscapes, it’s no wonder travellers are keen to immerse themselves in stockman life.

Bullo river — Experience life on a cattle farm at stations like Bullo River Station.

Being a real drover might mean roughing it, but it doesn’t mean travellers have to. ‘Bush luxury’ is a category of accommodation unique to Australia that blends five-star comforts with immersive outback experiences. Think cattle stations that double as some of the country’s most coveted stays.

“There’s nothing like it, you know. [The nature] is just that vast nature that just grabs you up like a big hug, and the stars will just blow your socks off," says Edwina Shallcross, who owns and runs Bullara Station near Exmouth, WA alongside her husband Tim.

Bullara Station lets travellers stay on a working cattle property, with everything from unpowered campsites to glamping tents and design-forward lodges that exemplify bush luxury, as well as an outback bar and restaurant in a repurposed wool shed. Edwina says that the uptick in people arriving at the property surged after COVID, sparked by a renewed interest in domestic travel.

the interior of a safari hut at Bullara Station — Stay in a rustic safari hut at Bullara Station.

“COVID really shook everyone up in terms of them thinking ‘life is short, we need to get out on the open road,’ Shallcross says. “I felt like we could offer was this really solid, reliable landscape that people were just so fascinated with. And people just wanted to immerse themselves in the authenticity of nature".

This, coupled with a renewed focus in pop culture has given rise to an embrace of all things cowboy in everything from blue jeans to travel choices.

“I don’t know if it was Beyonce’s This Ain’t Texas, but I see the outfits of all these people coming in on a Friday night, and the girls have got the boots and they’re rocking the denim, just looking so country. We’ve had TV shows like Yellowstone and Territory that have a rural theme, so I think pop culture has kind of brought it back."

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How to experience cowboy core vacations in Australia

The outback is home to some truly iconic station stays, and nothing says ‘cowboy’ like a night spent out on the ranch. In addition to Bullara Station, the ultra-luxe Bullo River Station in NT is an iconic stay, located where the Top End meets the vivid red and blues of the Kimberley (Australian Traveller recently checked in to check out this luxury lodge on a 400,000 acre cattle farm). But it’s far from the only accommodation of its kind, we’ve rounded up some of the best station stays around the country, too.

Bullo River Station, NY — Don your Akubra when you enter Bullo River Station. (Image: Elise Hassey)

If you’re craving adventure, Australia has its very own calendar of rodeo events, with the Ord Valley Muster in the Kimberley being one of the biggest events of its kind. Or enjoy the solitude on a horse riding holiday, including on a multi-day adventure through the Snowy Mountains with Snowy River Horseback Adventures that will turn you into a bona fide Banjo Patterson.

Thredbo Valley Horse Riding in NSW — Spend the day horse riding through the Snowy Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

But, truth be told, you don’t have to book a five-star luxury outback stay to experience cowboy core. It can be as simple as road tripping in a ute or heading out camping under the stars and gathering friends around a campfire (cowboy hat and harmonica optional). After all, it’s the simplicity of being in nature that makes it magical.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery. Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda, and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines.

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk, one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines, where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala. Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie, right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk, an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park. Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast, a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery, where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal, which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores, between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch. Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong. A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery, which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen. It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

Saddle up: ‘Cowboy core’ is taking over travel in Australia

Travellers are getting in the saddle in search of ‘cowboy core’ vacations. We break down the trend here, as well as how you can experience a slice of stockman life. Giddy up.

What is ‘cowboy core’ in travel?

How to experience cowboy core vacations in Australia

Something in the future.

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What’s on around Australia in October 2025

Why winter is the best time to be on the New South Wales coast

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

Winter on the Central Coast

Winter in Wollongong

Travellers are getting in the saddle in search of ‘cowboy core’ vacations. We break down the trend here, as well as how you can experience a slice of stockman life. Giddy up.

What is ‘cowboy core’ in travel?

AI Prompt

How to experience cowboy core vacations in Australia

Something in the future.

Australia’s best coffee revealed – and it isn’t where you think it is

This off-grid Blue Mountains cabin was just crowned Airbnb’s best nature escape

What’s on around Australia in October 2025

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

Winter on the Central Coast

Winter in Wollongong