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Where Will Aussies Be Travelling To In 2017?

There has never been a better time to channel that wanderlust.
'Just leave me here, thanks.'
Mlenny Photography
'Just leave me here, thanks.'

On a scale of one to ten, how high are your end-of-year wanderlust levels?

Pretty high, we'd imagine. As 2016 draws to a close, we've been looking back on our year of travel and what's in store for 2017.

Including where these trends are taking us.

Aussies are collectively known for being an adventurous bunch. And this can only be spurred on by new exciting flight routes that are opening our eyes to more (at times, unexpected) hot spots.

With the help of data from flight comparison platform Cheapflights, here's where to dip your toes next.

China

On the back of Chinese and Australian airlines joining forces, it looks like more Aussies will be making the trip. From all angles, China has a lot to offer.

Once you get past the scale and stature of this:

Getty Images/iStockphoto

You won't be able to unsee this stunning scenery from Zhangjiajie National Park that you just can't get anywhere else.

Now that's epic.
KingWu
Now that's epic.

Oh, and they have giant pandas. Enough said.

Try and say no to that face.
Getty Images
Try and say no to that face.

Finland

Is it just us or are pictures from the fjords of Scandinavia popping up more frequently across social media?

According to Cheapflights, more Aussies are set to be hitting Finland in 2017.

If you're a nature nut, this should be your go-to. Finland is covered in lakes and forests -- more so than any other European country.

Oulanka National Park in norther Finland, where lakes and trees are abound.
Getty Images/LOOK
Oulanka National Park in norther Finland, where lakes and trees are abound.

AND Finnish Lapland is your best shot at spotting the Northern Lights. They're also called The Aurora Borealis, by the way, and they can appear more than 200 nights each year. Which is pretty much every night in winter.

Yep, this is a thing.
sysimages
Yep, this is a thing.

Polynesia

Let's jet a little closer to home. If the rising popularity of Scandinavia brought to you by Disney's Frozen is any indication (according to Cheapflights, visits to Norway rose by 20 percent), we can only guess what kind of attention new release Moana will bring to the South Pacific.

When we mention French Polynesia, you're probably picturing this.

Yep, that's Bora Bora. Her fame is unwavering.
shutterstock
Yep, that's Bora Bora. Her fame is unwavering.

But French Polynesia is enormous. And there are actually a lot more to the islands beyond Bora Bora.

Over 1,000 of them.
Steve Allen
Over 1,000 of them.

Whilst it's slightly harder to get to (you'll need to fly with Air Tahiti), those days spent island hopping and cycling will be eternally worth it.

Canada

Canada is turning 150 in 2017, and when it comes to celebrating, they are not holding back.

It's all kicking off on New Year's Eve. Aside from the usual celebrations featuring the Calgary Stampede, what we love is the latest offering from the stewards of the country's protected natural treasures. 'Parks Canada' is opening the country's 47 national parks and reserves up to the public for free.

This glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park is 14 km outside of Alberta, Canada.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
This glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park is 14 km outside of Alberta, Canada.

What a time to be alive and wandering.

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