Why Australians are flocking back to Hong Kong

Hong Kong has enjoyed a massive 27% surge in Australian visitors in 2025 compared to the year before, re-establishing itself as a both a favourite destination and a top stopover en route to the rest of Asia or indeed the world.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), some 469,000 Australians touched down in the city during 2025.

Fuelling this resurgence of “The Pearl of the Orient” is a wave of new flights and the opening of major new attractions.

“In 2025 we saw Hong Kong Airlines launch direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Hong Kong, and Cathay Pacific resumed direct flights from Adelaide,” noted Karen Macmillan, HKTB’s Director for Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific.

Hong Kong is packed with activities and attractions.

In addition, Sydney and Melbourne are now graced by Cathay Pacific Boeing 777s sporting the airline’s latest Aria Suites business class.

For Aussies headed to Hong Kong, it wasn’t just about getting there, but also what was happening on the ground.

It's hard to believe that Boeing 747s used to land here...

The much-anticipated opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park – located on the site of the legendary former airport – gave the city a new focal point.

The Hong Kong Sevens in March 2025 christened the new precinct, drawing thousands of rugby fans who might have skipped the event in previous years; the 2026 rugby round kicks off next Friday, April 17.

The Hong Kong Sevens world rugby championship remains a drawcard.

Macmillan also pointed to the perennial appeal of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival in October, while school holiday periods also performed strongly throughout the year.

Other perennial factors in Hong Kong’s favour, Macmillan says, include “travel time, its breadth of attractions, and a relatively high proportion of English speakers.”

Visitors to Hong Kong can discover a whole new side of the city when they get out of the city.

Crucially, the tourism board has been working to reposition Hong Kong not just as a destination in itself, but as a “stopover city of choice” – a title arguably challenged by the likes of Singapore and the Gulf cities in recent years.

Our 48-hour Hong Kong stopover guide will help you sample the best of the city in the shortest period of time, or you can really dive in and experience Hong Kong like a local.