AbstractA telephone survey of domestic Australian tourists was conducted to determine the relative contribution they make to estimates of per capita alcohol consumption. The overall drinking patterns of interstate tourists were examined, along with contrasts between those who visit the Northern Territory and those who visit other parts of the country. The results show that drinking generally increased when people were on holiday. Amount of alcohol consumed did not differ by destination, but destination did distinguish the prevalence of holiday drinkers and the amounts of alcohol usually consumed by tourists when they are at home. The self‐reported reasons for increased or decreased drinking by people when they are on holidays are also presented. The implications of these various findings for the calculation of per capita consumption estimates for the Northern Territory and other jurisdictions are discusse