"Our focus is on converting that interest into a decision to book," TNZ regional manager for Australia Barry Eddington said yesterday.
The figure came from online research.
Mr Eddington updated about 100 Wakatipu tourism operators on the critical and lucrative Australian market during a presentation at the Crowne Plaza hotel, in Queenstown, part of a one-day regional tour visit by TNZNew Zealand was considered a year-round destination.
A total of 140,000 Australians visited these shores last summer, up 16% on the summer before.
TNZ recorded an increase of 4% last autumn and a 2% decrease in winter this year.
Mr Eddington said 2010 winter arrival figures were still good, as the 2009 winter resulted in growth of 28%, as many Australians used their $900 stimulus package on New Zealand's skifields.
"We noticed a significant increase in first-time travellers to New Zealand," Mr Eddington said.
TNZ's target was to boost the Australian market by 65,000 extra passengers on last year's figures, or by 6.2%. by June 2011, he said.
However, New Zealand's major competition was "pent-up demand" by Australians for mainstream long-haul markets, specifically North America and Europe.
The Australian dollar was at a 27-year high against the United States dollar and US flights were half the price of those in 2008.
US operators were also reducing their package prices by 15%.
Mr Eddington said the Australian economy was "very strong", driven by mineral exports.
There was also new confidence in the rural sector, now the drought was officially over.
Export prices were up 28% on 12 months ago and the economy was predicted to grow by 3% in the next 12 months.
Unemployment was about 5%, compared with 9.6% in the US and 10% in the Eurozone.
Australia was also predicted to enjoy a budget surplus by 2012-13.
"In a consumer sense they're in a pretty good position, but in all of their spending, they are definitely looking for value," Mr Eddington said.
"There's a very strong Australian dollar, especially against the US dollar, which has been parity, or very close to it, for weeks, making holidays and imports cheaper. It's big news and most Australians know that."
