Wotif Managing Director Daniel Finch says regional areas are in high demand for those keen to get out and take a break.

"Many regional areas are seeing unprecedented interest on our site," he said.

"According to Wotif research*, half (46 percent) of Aussies would like to keep away from the crowds and because of that, we're seeing a huge spike in interest for destinations outside of the usual hotspots."

Peter Caddey is the manager for tourism and marketing for Inverell Council, and he says there has been a significant increase in the number of visitors to the town recently.

"We've been insane since we reopened on July 1 after the shutdown," Mr Caddey said.

"We have had people from all over the place - it's been amazing.

"We're constantly getting over 200 people a day in the visitor centre - this time of year we would normally start to get busy, but in the previous months we wouldn't normally see those sorts of numbers.

"Last week we're talking about 230 people in the visitor centre every day - it's been incredible.

"Normally at this time of year we would get around 165 people a day so there is definitely a marked improvement."

Mr Caddey said there was not one type of demographic in particular who appeared to be travelling - just an increase overall.

"We are still seeing a lot of wanderers and young families," he said.

"But it's across the board - we are seeing people from every type of market, which has been pleasing and exciting. It's a diverse range of traveller type - just more of them."

There is also not one main thing bringing them to town because Inverell has something for everyone Mr Caddey says.

"Everyone is loving coming for the fossicking and fishing, and the history, because they know it is safe and has a lot to offer," he said.

"Inverell is still very popular with fossickers because we still have lovely sapphires, and a lot of people come to Copeton Dam for the Murray Cod because it is the only waterway in Australia that doesn't have a closed season.

"And a lot are just coming for the peace and quiet, or shopping, plus we have a couple of wineries as well - so there is something for everyone."

While some other New England towns have reported an increase in demand for higher end accommodation My Caddey says all types of accommodation are getting booked out in Inverell.

"From motels, caravan and camping and the high range as well," he said.

"It is pretty hard to get accommodation at the moment so we always advise people to pre-book if they can, but we always manage to find something for someone if they just turn up here."

Mr Caddey said he believed the Queensland border closure as well as pent up demand following the recent COVID restrictions were to thank for the boom in local tourism.

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Mr Finch agreed that with border restrictions still in place across most parts of the nation, NSW residents in particular are opting to holiday closer to home.

"At Wotif.com we're seeing a spike in regional NSW travel, in fact, following the announcement in May that leisure travel in NSW could recommence, we've continued to see accommodation interest for NSW destinations rise on Wotif.com, up by close to 160 percent* over the last four months," he said.

National Parks and Wildlife Service properties in the area are busy at the best of times and right now, if you haven't already booked something for the coming school holidays, you may be disappointed.

"Bookings across all National Parks and Wildlife Service parks in the New England and Northern Tablelands are very tight for the upcoming school holidays and long weekend," a spokesperson for NPWS said.

"We have seen a surge in visitors and bookings across NSW since the coronavirus lockdown period and typically the September and October period is one of our busiest across the state.

"We would urge anyone planning on visiting and camping in a national park to plan ahead, check the website and make a booking online before you visit."

In June the top ten trending Aussie destinations on Wotif.com were: 1. Armidale, NSW; 2. Tamworth, NSW; 3. Rockhampton, QLD; 4. Stanthorpe, QLD; 5. Gladstone, QLD; 6. Hunter Valley, NSW; 7. Orange, NSW; 8. Kiama, NSW; 9. Port Macquarie, NSW; and 10. Dubbo, NSW.

*Wotif research commissioned in collaboration with YouGov, June 2020. Total sample of 1,247 Australian adults 18+ who travel away from home on holidays, distributed throughout Australia. The data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.

**Based on accommodation interest on Wotif.com from 13 May 2020 compared with 9 September 2020.