How Wealthy Australian Retirees Are Spending Their Time in 2025

Retirement in Australia isn’t what it used to be - especially for the country’s wealthiest retirees. For a growing number of financially independent Australians, life after work is less about slowing down and more about living well. From luxury cruises to passion projects, Australia's affluent over-60s are rewriting the rules of retirement in 2025.

Travel with Purpose

Travel remains a top priority for retirees with the means to explore. But post-pandemic, wealthy Australians are approaching it differently. Instead of “once-in-a-lifetime” bucket list trips, they’re opting for slower, more meaningful travel experiences - extended stays in Italy or France, immersive safaris in Africa, or cultural tours led by historians and chefs.

Multi-generational travel is also booming. Many retirees are choosing to take their children and grandchildren along, turning family holidays into unforgettable shared adventures.

The Golden Age of Cruising

Cruising has become a signature pastime for Australia’s wealthy retirees. Once seen as a luxury, it’s now an essential part of their annual calendar.

High-end lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Viking are catering to this market with long-haul world voyages, boutique expedition cruises, and even residential ships where passengers live at sea for months at a time.

The appeal? Unpack once, enjoy five-star service, and wake up to a new view every morning. For many, it’s a seamless blend of community, comfort, and adventure - a “floating resort lifestyle” that perfectly fits the modern retiree mindset.

Investing in Health, Fitness and Longevity

With access to the best healthcare and wellness programs, wealthy retirees are treating their health like their most valuable asset. In 2025, longevity clinics, nutrition coaches, and tailored exercise programs have become part of everyday life for many.

Wellness travel is also on the rise - from yoga retreats in Byron Bay to luxury health resorts in Queensland’s hinterland. The focus isn’t just on living longer, but living better: energy, mobility and mental clarity are the new status symbols.

Passion Projects and Purpose

For high-achieving Australians, stopping work doesn’t mean stopping entirely. Many retirees say they miss the structure and purpose of professional life - so they’re finding new ways to contribute.

Some join start-ups as mentors or advisors; others sit on not-for-profit boards or start passion ventures like boutique vineyards, art galleries, or social enterprises. It’s not about income - it’s about influence, creativity, and staying mentally active.

Philanthropy as a Lifestyle

Giving back has evolved beyond writing cheques. Many wealthy retirees are turning to hands-on philanthropy, using family foundations or donor-advised funds to support education, conservation, and health initiatives.

There’s a growing sense of “purposeful giving” - retirees using their skills, time, and networks to make a direct difference. It’s philanthropy that feels personal, not transactional.

The Social Dividend

After decades of work and travel, many retirees value connection above all else. They’re building rich social lives through dinner clubs, cultural memberships, and small investment or giving circles.

Cruises and lifestyle communities have become popular not only for comfort but for the built-in sense of community - an antidote to loneliness and a reminder that retirement can be as social as you make it.

Reimagining Home and Lifestyle

In 2025, Australia’s wealthiest retirees are rethinking where and how they live. Downsizing no longer means compromising - many are moving into architecturally designed apartments near the coast or city hubs, trading space for convenience and style.

Others keep dual residences - one by the ocean, another in the city - reflecting a lifestyle of freedom, flexibility, and family connection.

Retirement as Reinvention

Australia’s affluent retirees are proving that retirement doesn’t have to mean retreat. It can be a renaissance - a time to explore, contribute, and enjoy the rewards of a lifetime’s work.

In 2025 and beyond, they’re not asking, “What will I do with my retirement?”  They’re asking, “What will I do with my freedom?”