Skip the fuel sting with these affordable Easter getaways and staycations across Australia.
Amid recent climbs in fuel prices, Aussies are rethinking long drives. In promising news, the Albanese government has announced it will temporarily be cutting fuel costs by 26.3 cents per litre from 1st April to provide some relief. That epic East Coast road trip may still be off the cards while the effects take their time to settle in – but there are still plenty of wallet-friendly escapes within your home state. Below are our top tips and picks for affordable Easter holidays in each Australian state for 2026, complete with accommodation that’s not too late to book.
Tips for saving money this Easter holiday
Swap cars for regional and tour buses this Easter. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Look to alternative transport: regional bus and train services, along with day tours with transport included, are your best friend
Join holiday park memberships for savings on accommodation
Target late school holidays periods when prices are lower
Plan for a city staycation; stay closer to home or in cities with good public transport networks to save on fuel
Best affordable Easter getaways in Australia 2026
NSW
Regional experiences
Explore Katoomba with the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Blue Mountains Explorer Bus
This hop-on-hop-off bus operates every day and takes you to the Blue Mountains’ most coveted attractions, as well as its best-kept treasures.
Free Easter egg hunt at Robertson Public House & Kitch, Southern Highlands
Hop along to the festivities at this annual easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday, where you’ll find sweet treats and pub grub alike.
Jetty Foreshore precinct, Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour has a cyclable and walkable jetty precinct. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Spend the day strolling, biking and dining around this good-vibes-guaranteed waterfront hangout. And for foodies, the lively Harbourside Markets on Easter Sunday are a must.
Tours from Sydney to the Hunter Valley
Hope Estate is one of many excellent wineries in the Hunter Valley. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Explore the famous Hunter Valley wine region with ease with companies such as RRR Tours, who offer a transfer from Sydney – no car necessary.
Sydney experiences
Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Easter Show
This much-loved Easter extravaganza at Moore Park pulls out all the stops – thrilling rides, stage shows, mazes and much more.
Hills Easter Show
Visit this Easter show at Castle Hill Showground from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April for magic shows, jumping castles, fireworks and dodgem cars. Family entry tickets (two adults, two children) cost $30.
Fairfield Easter Show
This six-day event attracts thousands of visitors each year, and promises kelpie dogs, rides and free circus workshops in 2026.
NSW accommodation
Return to nature at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina Beach. (Credit: Destination NSW)
The holiday park has fun activities for all ages. (Credit: Destination NSW)
NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort, South Coast
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Central Coast
NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park
Mantra, Novotel, Mercure and Peppers properties across the state
Savings deal: Two nights at the new 25hours Hotel The Olympia, located in Sydney’s Paddington, from $569 when booked through Luxury Escapes. Includes a daily a la carte breakfast plus a $50 dining credit.
Head to the Bendigo Easter Festival on Saturday 4 April to witness a traditional lion and dragon dance presented by Bendigo Chinese Association. Spoiler: it’s set to end with the lighting of 100,000 firecrackers.
Geelong Easter Fest
Join the giant easter egg hunt at Geelong Easter Fest 2026, and linger for the foodie trucks, carnival games, line dancing and Easter Bunny meet and greet.
Mountain biking, Falls Creek Easter Festival
Falls Creek is a stellar mountain biking destination. (Credit: Falls Creek)
Pump up the adrenaline and enjoy the thrill of mountain biking with Blue Dirt MTB Shuttles from Falls Creek Easter Festival.
Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Festival
Join the Easter fun run, enjoy live music and peruse flea markets at this Beechworth community fest, running from 3 to 6 April.
Melbourne experiences
Family Museum Sleepover, Melbourne Museum
Spend a night at Melbourne Museum, slumbering among dinosaurs on a cloud-soft, ergonomic Ecosa mattress. Grab your torch and learn about dino fossils unearthed over 67 million years.
Melbourne Skydeck
Sky-high views at Melbourne Skydeck. (Credit: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)
Rally the crew and head 300 metres above ground to the southern hemisphere’s highest public observation deck for unparalleled views over Melbourne’s skyline.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park, Frankston South
BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park, Dandenong South
Quest Apartment Hotels, Melbourne CBD: Quest on William, Quest Southbank, Quest Jolimont, Quest East Melbourne
Dorsett Melbourne, Melbourne CBD
Queensland
Regional experiences
Mary Valley Rattler Easter Express, Gympie
Hop aboard this iconic heritage steam train for a special Easter Sunday voyage from Gympie to the quaint town of Amamoor. The three-hour journey passes spectacular landscapes, with onboard volunteers happy to share the fascinating history behind the train.
Easter in the Country, Roma
Ever experienced Easter in the Queensland outback? It’s a hoot. Roma’s Easter in the Country is the place to be, offering rodeo comps, country tunes and market stalls in spades.
Easter Eggstravaganza, Sanctuary Cove
On Sunday 5 April, this free Gold Coast fest is dishing up a day of sweet surprises, scavenger adventures (with a chocolate reward, naturally) and animal encounters.
Brisbane experiences
Easter Family Fun & Markets, Coochiemudlo Island
The Easter markets on Coochiemudlo Island, held on Saturday 4 April, are set to sizzle with creativity – from bonnet making and rock painting to themed markets. Don’t miss the bunny visit at 10am.
Easter activities at Felons Brewing Co, Howard Smith Wharves
Spend the Easter long weekend at laidback Felons Brewing Co, which will feature a reptile show, egg hunt, bunny-shaped pizzas, fresh hot cross buns and outdoor cinema sessions for the whole clan.
Queensland accommodation
NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort, Gold Coast
Discovery Parks – Fraser Street, Hervey Bay
Discovery Parks – Bargara, Coral Coast
Mantra South Bank Brisbane
Western Australia
Regional experiences
Escape to seaside Mandurah, accessible by train from Perth. (Credit: Unsplash/Serina Bird)
Mandurah getaway
Just 75km from Perth and easily accessible by train, Mandurah makes for a wonderful, affordable Easter getaway. The Transperth Family Rider ticket is just $7, making it a super affordable day trip or overnight escape.
Mandurah is home to around 100 dolphins that can often be spotted from the shoreline. Join a low-cost dolphin cruise with Mandurah Cruises or hop aboard Mandurah’s very own pirate ship, then round out the day by visiting The Giants of Mandurah, a free outdoor sculpture trail perfect for walking or cycling adventures.
The Rottnest Express Easter Egg Hunt
This free and fun family activity will make your day trip to stunning Rottnest Island all the more memorable as you spot eggs around popular island locations. Simply book a ferry ticket with a Rottnest Express Quokka Club membership (a program that lets WA kids ride the ferry for free) and collect your hunting checklist before departing.
Perth experiences
Easter Family Fun Fair at Mandoon Estate
Taking place on 4 April 2026, this free event in a beautiful Swan Valley setting promises an animal farm, cellar door and bundles of Easter magic.
Easter Markets @ The Quay
Celebrate Easter along the Perth Esplanade and get to know some of the city’s most talented makers at this bustling outdoor marketplace.
WA accommodation
Say hello to the resident dolphins that come right up to the shore in Monkey Mia. (Credit: Unsplash/Ben Douglas)
RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Shark Bay
Mandurah Coastal Holiday Park, Mandurah
RAC Karri Valley Resort, Yeagarup
South Australia
Experiences
Bike About
Jump on two wheels and access some of South Australia’s top tourism hotspots with Bike About hire and tours, from vineyard touring in the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills to an e-cycling safari through Monarto Safari Park.
Meadows Easter Fair, Adelaide Hills
This sprawling annual four-day treasure market in the Adelaide Hills is sure to delight all ages with 130 stalls selling everything from bric-a-brac to handmade art, vintage clothing to fabulous food.
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
SA accommodation
Discovery Parks – Port Augusta
Comfort Inn Regal Park, North Adelaide
Mount Pleasant Hotel, Adelaide Hills
Tasmania
Experiences
Join the fun at Street Eats @ Franko. (Credit: Amy Brown)
Street Eats @ Franko, Hobart
Every Friday evening from December through April, Street Eats @ Franko takes over Franklin Square with Tasmanian gourmet goodies, craft sips and cheerful music.
Red Decker sightseeing tours, Hobart
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a tourist in your own city, boarding the open-top, double-decker buses at Red Decker makes it easy to explore 20 captivating stops across the city.
Kids’ easter egg hunt, Burnie
Slated for Saturday 4 April 2026, this classic annual egg hunt at Burnie Park is buckets of fun and free for all.
Tasmania accommodation
Mövenpick Hotel opened in Hobart in early 2021. (Credit: Loic Le Guilly)
Mövenpick Hobart
BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat
Burnie by the Bay Apartments
Peppers Seaport Launceston
Northern Territory
Experiences
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
Get your creative juices flowing with a visit to MAGNT. Not only is it free admission, but you’ll get to explore a spectrum of compelling exhibitions, including Exit Art from regional Year 12 students.
Parap Village Markets, Darwin
Spend Saturday morning at the famous Parap Markets, where you can savour flavours from South East Asia from a host of buzzy food stalls (including the beloved Mary’s Laksa) or take home a locally made gift.
Easter Egg Hunt at the Waterfront, Darwin
The 2026 iteration of this well-loved Easter festival, taking place Saturday 4 April, will feature a special Easter bonnet parade, petting zoos and jumping castles. Secure a picnic spot or book a table at one of the nearby F&B venues.
NT accommodation
Bed down for a comfy stay at Mercure Darwin Airport Resort.
Mercure Darwin Airport Resort
Rydges Darwin Central
Discovery Parks – Alice Springs
Safari Lodge Motel, Tennant Creek
ACT
Experiences
Find fresh air at the National Arboretum Canberra. (Credit: Kannika Afonso/VisitCanberra)
National Arboretum Canberra
Fall back into step with nature and enjoy the fresh air at the National Arboretum, home to more than 44,000 rare and endangered trees. Check out the Forest Sculpture Gallery, take kids to the multi-sensory POD playground for kids and admire award-winning architecture.
Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, Canberra
Hop along to Canberra’s oldest market institution on Easter Saturday. There’ll be plenty of farm-fresh produce and delicatessen goods, as well as free Easter cookie decorating and carrot pot planting for the little ones.
ACT accommodation
Mercure Canberra blends modern comfort and affordability. (Credit: Mercure Canberra/Ina J Photography)
Capital Country Holiday Park, Sutton
Adina Serviced Apartments Canberra Dickson
Mercure Canberra
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.
Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.
Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.
And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.
Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.
Day 1: An eventful day
Morning
Explore The Strand.
Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.
Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.
Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.
Afternoon
Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.
For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.
Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.
Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.
Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.
The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.
Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.
End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.
However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.
Day 3: Natural delights
Morning
Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)
Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.
A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.
Afternoon
Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.
Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.
Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.
