With school wrapping up for the term, it’s not too late to start planning and packing for a good old fashion summer holiday on home turf.
From the beaches, to the outback and city regions, we’ve crunched the numbers and predicted the destinations where Aussie families can nab a deal over the January holidays based on average rates per night for two adults and two children, for bookings made in December 2015 for January 2016*.
Nelson Bay, NSW: $227 a night
Just a couple of hours out of Sydney, Nelson Bay comes alive over the summer period, with plenty of resort and apartment style accommodation available. Spend your days discovering the many hidden beaches, trek up Tomaree Head summit or jump on a boat for an afternoon dolphin spotting cruise.
Mermaid Beach, QLD: $235 a night
The heat really turns up on the Gold Coast over summer, however that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to book an escape. Try Mermaid Beach, which is not only more chilled out than its nearby neighbours, but also family friendly. Within easy reach of the Gold Coast attractions and it’s also just a short walk along the sand to the popular dining scene at Broadbeach.
Alice Springs, NT: $173 a night
If you’re more comfortable with an Akubra hat than a surf board, skip the beach and head for the red desert plains of Alice Springs. Learn about the kids of the outback at the Alice Springs School of the Air centre, visit native wildlife at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre and take a dip in one of the Macdonnell Ranges swimming holes. Hot tip: it’s hot in central Australia at this time of year, so opt for a hotel with a pool to cool down in.
Yamba, NSW: $248 a night
The sleepy town of Yamba on the mid North Coast of NSW buzzes over the summer period. Enjoy the simple feel of a childhood holiday gone by and lose track of the days by having a bite of fresh local seafood amongst the pelicans, picnic over local organic produce, or just laze away sun-kissed days at one of the regions 16 beaches. Another hot tip is to swap the beach for the river and take the ferry down the Clarence River to Illuka.
Swansea, TAS: $227 a night
If you’re looking to avoid the warmer temperatures of mainland Australia, a trip to Tassie, which is usually a few degrees cooler, should do the trick. The seaside village of Swansea is positioned within an easy 30-minute drive from world famous Freycinent National Park. Not to be missed is the many beautiful beaches, the town’s local history museum and the quirky ‘Spiky Bridge’ just out of town which was built by convicts.
Scarborough Beach, WA: $197 a night
Experience Perth’s beach culture with a stay at Scarborough Beach over the holiday period. This stretch of sand is one or Perth’s longest and whitest beaches making it perfect for sculpturing a sandcastle or two before soaking up the colours of a Western Australian sunset. It’s also just an easy 20 minutes’ drive from Perth city, making it the perfect option for those looking to combine seagulls with the CBD.
Torquay, VIC: $174 a night
The beach region of Torquay, just 90 minutes from Melbourne is home to the surfing mecca of Bells Beach, however, the good news is you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy the region this summer. Discover the family friendly and protected spots for those more comfortable with smaller waves, snorkel at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary (not as scary as its name suggests!) or take a road trip and uncover secret spots along the Great Ocean Road.
Limestone Coast, SA: $163 a night
The Limestone Coast stretches from Coorong right down to the Victorian border and is a well-known spot to stretch the legs for a few days when doing the Melbourne to Adelaide road trip. With plenty of local secrets along the way, the towns of Mount Gambier and Robe are the ideal base in between checking out the local wildlife, beaches and World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves.
Bundaberg, QLD: $174 a night
Bundy may be a region famous for its rum, however that doesn’t mean it can’t be family fun! Enjoy a tropical summer North Queensland style and snorkel at the Basin Rock Pool area, take the kids on the turtle themed slides at the Bargara Foreshore Turtle Playground or enjoy a bushwalk at Cania Gorge National Park.
Eyre Peninsula, SA: $155 a night
Home to dolphins, sea lions, and some of the world’s biggest Great White sharks, this South Australian region is the ultimate match for the animal loving and adventurous family. Port Lincoln is one of the region’s main towns and also happens to be home to the infamous Shark Cage Diving, as well as the tamer, family friendly sea lion experience. After your wildlife adrenalin hit, relax and set up with a picnic at one of the many free BBQ areas around town.
*Best value school holiday destinations are based on the average daily rate for 3 – 5 star rated and self-rated accommodation bookings for two adults and two children on Wotif.com in December 2015 for travel dates 31 December 2015 – 31 January 2016 for the described destinations. Prices shown are in Australian dollars and are not the rates displayed on the site. Rates are subject to accommodation selections made.