The internet is chock-full of tempting travel offers and some people often think that the last-minute deals will save them a bundle. Quentin Long explores the myths and the realities of clicking on that too-good-to-true dream holiday, asking us to think twice or thrice before booking.
1. Beware the ‘50 per cent off’ temptation
Ask yourself, 50 per cent off what, because it can be a meaningless term. The bulk of people buying a particular fare could be paying 40 per cent, for example. Research the original offer by cross checking as many booking engines as possible.
2. Do your research and find the average price first
Know roughly what you should be paying for a hotel in your city of choice. Expedia.com and Hotels.com have a great service where you can discover the average price for hotels at any given star level in a given city.
3. Great rate! Pity about the room…
Check that the room you’re being shown in the picture is the one you are actually booking. Beware of extremely cheap rooms in quality hotels because they may be offering you the worst room (pokey, noisy). Also, check out how close your hotel is to the centre of town (or wherever you want to be) otherwise you could end up in the middle of nowhere. Overall, cheap last-minute accommodation deals are associated with lower quality rooms.
4. They want you to pay up front… but should you?
Many of the cheapest travel deals require you to pay upfront on your credit card. Calculate if the interest on the purchase to see if the deal is still in your best interest. How much better would that cash be on your mortgage offset account, for example?
5. Run a fine-tooth comb through the fine print
Timing is probably one of the biggest issues with last-minute deals and many offers will lock you into a rigid contract. First up, check the cancellation policy – what penalty will you be charged if you need to cancel or reschedule (if it’s allowed). Often, there will be a minimum stay policy too.
There’s no shortage of exceptional eateries in regional Victoria. From casual classics to finely tuned fine diners, here’s our pick of the plentiful bunch.
Le Foyer Brasserie, Bendigo
Le Foyer serves upscale French fare.
From the owners behind Bendigo’s beloved The Woodhouse comes this newly opened elegant French bistro. It’s all about welcoming warmth at this city fine diner, after all Le Foyer , translates to ‘the hearth’ in French. A place to linger in the chic, Parisian-style salon, the menu unfurls in the classics, from beef bourguignon to steak frites and mille-feuille.
Riverbank Moama, Murray River
Dine on the banks of the Murray at Riverbank Moama. (Image: Cindy Power Photography)
If you’re journeying on or beside the Murray, it’s only fitting that you dine by its banks. This nature-nestled restaurant by the river is idyllic for a long, sun-filled lunch. The menu is an unfussy playlist of the hits served with a seasonal spin – and the mood is as gently flowing as the nearby water.
Felix, Geelong
Felix offers a relaxed French bistro experience. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)
Soft brown banquettes, walnut hues and a terrazzo bar welcomes with relaxed French bistro vibes at Geelong’s Felix . But really, it’s the collage of simple, seasonal flavours that make this restaurant an easy-going favourite. Come for brunch or dinner; vegans are welcomed with a dedicated menu.
The Perch, Lavers Hill
Savour the seasonal menu at The Perch.
A laid-back classic of the Great Ocean Road, The Perch at Lavers Hill welcomes those taking a pause from the serpentine drive. Lunch in the warm-wood dining room is accompanied by vineyard vistas and fleeting cameos from native birds.
The Shared Table, Ballarat
The Shared Table in Ballart.
If you go for the ‘Dine without Decision’ option at this beloved eatery , you’re free from the tyranny of food envy with a chef-selected procession of dishes that highlight the bounty of the Midwest region. Think mochi gnocchi with pumpkin and XO or Western Plains pork cotoletta.
Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula
Paddock-to-plate dining at its finest. (Image: Arianna Harry Photography)
This fine diner , which opened in early 2025, has been lauded as one of the region’s most ambitious and significant openings in recent years. Set on a 400-hectare, cliffside Cape Schanck property that delivers the kitchen with a cornucopia of produce, it’s elegant and honest paddock-to-plate dining at its most refined.
Mount William Station, Grampians
Dine on elevated seasonal and local produce at Mount William Station. (Image: Phil Hocking)
Whether you’re staying at this luxe historic station or just swinging in for dinner with friends, the shared table vibe here is country hospitality at its most welcoming and elevated. Seasonal and local produce guides chef Dean Sibthorp’s hand for plates finessed with the mountain-fresh flavour of the Grampians.
Emerald City, Yarra Valley
Emerald City offers a curated dining experience that is wonderfully intimate.
You’re certainly not in Kansas anymore when you slip behind the emerald curtain from Cavanagh’s Whiskey and Alehouse to the diminutive Emerald City . Allusions to the fraudulent wizard and Dorothy aside, this acutely intimate four-seat diner is a curated experience worthy of a road trip. As you may imagine, bookings are essential.
du Fermier, Trentham
du Fermier is Trentham’s exquisite French fine diner. (Image: DJN Photography)
Annie Smithers’ intimate, farmhouse-y French fine diner is not at all new, but it is every bit iconic. It’s long attracted food-lovers to its charming dining room for a set menu that undulates with the seasons. If you’re a gourmand to your core, book into one of Annie’s delightfully informal masterclasses.
Messmates Dining, Gippsland
Inside Messmates Dining. (Image: Fotoarco)
This Warragul diner’s menu is a well-arranged collection of delicious, farm-forward morsels crafted, quite simply, to delight. Dishes such as French onion dip scooped onto nigella seed crackers and fresh-made pasta tossed with a black pepper and butter emulsion are all about balanced, enjoyable flavours paired with good wine.
