Intrepid Travel has launched a new campaign aimed at the fast-growing 55+ market, encouraging older Australians to take the extended trip they never had in their youth.
The ‘Golden Gap Year’ initiative is anchored by a nationwide competition offering one Australian aged 55 and over the chance to win a 12-month Tailor-Made travel experience valued at up to $100,000, plus $25,000 in flights.
Developed with creative agency Alt/shift/, the integrated campaign spans broadcast, print, digital and social channels and features a real Intrepid customer sharing their experience of later-life travel.
The move comes as research commissioned by Intrepid found 80 per cent of Australians aged over 55 never took a traditional gap year, with one in five saying they regret missing out.
Intrepid Travel head of ANZ PR, Sarah Lindsay, said the campaign targets a segment with both the time and financial capacity to travel but who may lack the confidence to plan extended trips.
“Our research shows many Australians who missed out on a gap year are now considering making up for lost time,” Lindsay said.
In addition to the competition, Intrepid has launched a dedicated ‘Golden Gap Year’ hotline to connect prospective travellers with consultants who can design longer itineraries tailored to their pace and interests.
Intrepid Travel, general manager Global Experiences, Erica Kritikides said small-group tours can help remove barriers for older travellers considering extended journeys.
“There’s a generation of Australians ready to travel for longer but unsure where to start,” Kritikides said.
The research also highlighted shifting motivations across age groups, with older respondents more likely to have entered the workforce immediately or said extended travel was not common when they were younger.
Applications for the Golden Gap Year competition open today and close on 15 March 2026.
