Last-minute summer and Christmas deals you can still book

Don’t despair, your dream summer getaway is still possible.

Christmas: a time of family, giving and exorbitant travel prices. You’re probably thinking that to nab any kind of deal you would have needed to book months, if not years, ago. The good news is there are still summer and Christmas deals and we’ve even done the hard work for you.

Tips for finding last-minute Christmas deals

First tip is you have to be as flexible as Simone Biles both for destination and time.

Pick your destination

Avoid the most popular domestic family holiday destinations. According to AirBnB, family holidaymakers have been searching all the usual suspects for summer getaways this year, including Broadbeach and Alexandra Headland in Queensland; Jervis Bay, Scotts Head and Bowral in NSW; Saint Helens in Tassie and Augusta in WA.

It’s no surprise they are all coastal.

Looking inland can provide some amazing summer holiday inspiration with affordability and vacancies. Think Mudgee in NSW, the Coonawarra in SA, Granite Belt QLD or Wheatbelt WA.

Cities also tend to empty out over the Christmas holidays so it’s often the best five-star hotels at three-star prices time of year. Just be mindful of major events that bring the crowds back, like Sydney’s NYE celebrations and the AO in Melbourne the most obvious.

Finally look north and outback. Data from Wotif suggests that heading to Cairns in summer can save you up to 22 per cent on accommodation prices when compared to a winter visit. A summer vacay to Darwin can save you a whopping 122 per cent on accommodation because it tends to clear out in the warmer months. And Ayers Rock Resort is at its absolute cheapest in summer.

Shangri-La The Marina Cairns — This could be you in Cairns, for 22 per cent less. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

A quick note on everyone’s favourite, Tassie. This is the apogee of peak season and incredibly hard to find availability – but we have a trick for you below if you are hell-bent on getting to the Apple Isle over summer.

Pick your time

In general, the best dates to travel if you’re looking for a good price are the 23-28 December or after 12 January.

Be flexible with your flight times. Moving your flights a day or two on either side can lead to big savings.

Look at travelling options that traditionally offer more bang for your buck, like a cabin inside a caravan park or choosing an all-inclusive tour or cruise so there are no added costs after you pay upfront.

And finally, if it’s not deals you’re after, but simply availability, try splitting your stay into smaller chunks and be prepared to move around a few hotels – they may not have a room for a whole week, but several hotels may have two or three nights available that you can stitch together.

Pick up the phone

When you’ve narrowed down your destination, pick up the phone and call your desired accommodation or holiday letting agent to check if they have any availability, rather than relying on a Google search.

Operators are so busy in the lead-up to Christmas they won’t update their inventory for online travel portals like Stayz, Expedia, Booking.com as quickly – you may just be the lucky caller who nabs a last-minute deal.

Christmas deals in Queensland

Wondering if you can still find anything worth booking in the Sunshine State? This might be the hot place to be over summer, but we’ve rounded up a few deals you can still book.

For those still wanting a classic Goldie getaway, Dorsett Gold Coast is offering two Standard King rooms to fit a family of four from 20-26 January 2025 for $3622 .

Further up the coastline, turtle season at Mon Repos is in full swing and a brand-new resort is helping guests make the most of the experience.

Turtle Sands Resort is offering a Family Glamping Tent that fits four for $3251 from 23-28 December.

Or, relax on the go with a once-in-a-lifetime journey on the Great Southern Train journey. Travelling for two nights from Adelaide to Brisbane, you can book a Gold Class twin cabin (with room for two and including a compact en suite) for $1895 per person when you depart on December 20 or 27.

The Isoletto Pool Club at dorsett gold coast — Relax in style at Dorsett Gold Coast’s Isoletto Pool Club.

Christmas deals in New South Wales

There are plenty of inland towns in NSW worth a trip, but if you’re hoping to stay coastal you still have some options. Even in Byron Bay.

In fact, you can book a one-bedroom cabin with Discovery Holiday Parks for just $1579 from 23-28 December.

Or head to Ulladulla – a finalist for the Top Tourism Town award in 2024 – and stay at Burril Lake with Discovery Holiday Parks in a two-bedroom cabin that fits a family of four for $2140 when you book stay dates from 23-28 December.

Angourie Resort is offering a good deal for a getaway to Yamba with a two-bedroom Villa going for $3576 from 6-12 of January 2025.

Cupitt's Estate, Ulladulla — Visit wineries like Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla. (Image: DNSW)

Christmas deals in Victoria

Summer can be the best time to check out the arts, food and culture that makes Melbourne so famous.

Stay in a Deluxe Twin Room at Dorsett Melbourne from 23-28 December for $1388, or a two-bedroom Luxury Suite at Meriton Suites from 5-9 January 2025 for $1488.

Head a little out of the city to the very happening Geelong (especially when it comes to the foodie crowd) thanks to a stay at Discovery Holiday Parks in a Superior Two-Bedroom Cabin for $1919 from 23-28 December.

Dorsett Melbourne room — Stay in Melbourne’s centre at Dorsett. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Christmas deals in Western Australia

Just two hours south of Perth, indulge in the quintessential Aussie beach holiday with Discovery Parks – Bunbury Foreshore . Stay in the Superior Cabin from 23-28 December for $2623.

Christmas deals in the Northern Territory

Contrary to popular belief, Uluru is actually amazing to visit in summer. There are fewer crowds, you can still fit all your activities into the day while getting to relax over lunchtime when it’s at its hottest. And the accommodation deals are probably at their best.

Stay in a Standard Room at The Lost Camel Hotel for just $225 per night (minimum of three nights). Plus, a bunch of guest activities are included for free.

 Or stay in Darwin at the H on Mitchell Apartment Hotel for two nights at just $349 total. You’ll get a daily continental breakfast and a $50 dining credit to Lizards Bar & Restaurant, plus more, to sweeten the deal.

uluru — The Red Centre is usually cheaper to explore over summer. (Image: Tourism NT / Kate Flowers)

Cruising and touring Christmas deals

And now for our Tassie trick. Book a tour!

The tour companies have booked all your accommodation, excursions and experiences for you (and typically at a better rate than if you did) plus most of your meals. Meanwhile, plenty of others have missed out as they can’t find the accommodation.

Explore Tasmania for five nights with Intrepid for $1640 per person when you depart on 31 December. Wineglass Bay, Bay of Fires and interactions with the local wildlife, from Tasmanian devils to fairy penguins, are all on offer. Plus you get free evenings to explore on your own.

Or opt for AAT Kings for a four-night East Coast Highlights tour for $2138 when you depart on 27 December.

Royal Caribbean Cruises is ready to show you around the coastal beauties of Queensland (like Airlie Beach) with a six-night itinerary staying in a balcony room for $1750 per person when you depart on 4 January 2025.

aerial shot of tasmania's bay of fires and red rocks — Join a tour to see the best of Tasmania. (Image: Tourism Tasmania)

There you have it! Get on those summer holiday deals now before they disappear.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.