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.

More than just a stopover, Albury Wodonga is an elevated city escape immersed in nature.

Perhaps best known as a road trip stop between Sydney and Melbourne, Albury Wodonga offers a combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences and a vibrant food scene that make it well worth its own journey.

Nestled on the banks of the mighty Murray River and surrounded by famed wine and gold rush regions, this riverside town packs a broad punch. Discover how best to spend your days on the border.

Exploring the Murray River

1. The Crossing Place Trail

woman looking at sculpture along Crossing Place Trail loop — Admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists.

Head to the original crossing places of the Murray River since 1848 – at the junctions of Bungambrawatha Creek and Oddies Creek. Today, these crossings are still used by cars and cattle, but the five-kilometre Crossing Place Trail loop connects the two bridges for bike riders and walkers.

Wander through gum trees, and maybe even spot local platypus and birdlife. Stop along the way to admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists, see evidence of a scar tree and learn about the importance of this billabong environment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2. Canoe The Murray

two people kayaking along the murray river at Noreuil Park — Hire canoes or kayaks and get out on the river.

What better way to get a feel for the Murray River than by getting out on its waters? Hire canoes or kayaks from Canoe the Murray , then explore solo or join one of the offered tours. Get up early for a Sunrise and coffee tour, watch the sun dip below the water on a sunset tour or choose one of several daytime trips.

Stand-up paddleboard hire and other water sports, fishing and swimming are also available to river explorers.

3. Noreuil Park Foreshore

aerial of Noreuil Park albury wodonga — Cool off at Noreuil Park Foreshore. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Just outside Albury’s CBD, the riverside Noreuil Park becomes a hub of activity as the weather heats up. Set up on picnic tables under shady trees, use the public barbecues (or pop into the nearby cafe) and cool off with a float down the river.

4. Mungabareena Reserve and Water Works

Mungabareena Reserve albury wodonga — Spend time at Mungabareena Reserve. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

Delve into nature and culture at the beautiful Mungabareena Reserve . Recognised by state law as a ‘Declared Aboriginal Place’, it was once a historical meeting point for trade and journeys to Mount Bogong for the local Wiradjuri people and still holds deep significance.

It’s another popular spot for fishing, swimming and picnics, while the nearby Water Works area is a great place for spotting wildlife. Try your luck seeing platypuses, wood ducks or rainbow bee-eaters.

Adventuring on Lake Hume

1. Walk the dam wall

parent and child look at the view from the damn wall walk at lake hume — Enjoy the view from the dam wall. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

The majestic Lake Hume – a massive man-made reservoir on the Murray River – was once the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere.

A great way to get acquainted is by walking along the dam wall, taking in views of outflows, electricity turbines and the transmission plant from above. Not to mention vistas of the lake and the Murray. It’s a particularly gorgeous spot for sunsets and sunrises.

A wide sealed walkway gives easy access to the wall, and informative signs and displays along the way educate on the dam’s construction.

2. The High Country Rail Trail

This 44-kilometre trail hugs the shoreline. Stop along the way at the historic town of Tallangatta, relocated to its current position in the 1950s after its original location was flooded. Cross the lake over the bright red Sandy Creek Bridge. Enjoy a lakeside picnic or go for a swim at Ebden, Ludlow’s or Huon Reserve.

3. Water sports

two people watching SUP boarders and a boat our on the water at lake hume — Dive into water sports on Lake Hume.

Lake Hume is a popular local spot for boating, fishing, and swimming. Drop a line or dive right into the clear waters.

Sip and Savour

1. Dux Albury

two people sitting at counter drinking wine inside Dux Albury — Sit down to delicious meals and wine at Dux.

Those looking for a high-end dining experience need to book a table at Dux Albury in the heart of Albury Wodonga. Sit down for curated wine lists, cocktails and share plates. Think starters like burrata with beetroot, chervil, caper berry and sherry, mains like Wagyu sirloin with Café De Paris, red wine and caramelised onions and all manner of fresh seafood.

2. Murray Towns Brewing Co.

people being served lunch at Murray Brewing Co. — Recharge at Murray Brewing Co.

Perched on the banks of the river, Murray Towns Brewing Co . has come a long way since two mates started experimenting in their backyard chook shed. With all beer brewed onsite and a sun-drenched beer garden to drink them in, it’s a perfect stop along a bike ride or walk.

3. Temperance and General

Step into Albury’s original laneway bar, Temperance and General . Set inside a historic building, but offering a modern vibe, the bar is locally famous for its cocktail list. Stop in before or after dinner for a creative tipple.

4. BeanStation Cafe

two people drinking coffee at Bean Station albury wodonga — Dine on a modern Australian menu.

Dine on a modern Australian menu , inside the historic Wodonga train station building, dating back to 1873. Pop over in the morning and line up with the locals for great coffee and all-day brekkie, or head over after midday to swap the beans for local wines and Aussie boutique beers.

5. River Deck Cafe

waiter holding two dishes at Riverdeck Cafe albury wodonga — Soak in views and good food at Riverdeck Cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Another dining destination next to the Murray, the award-winning River Deck Cafe provides a large deck covered in dappled sunlight that makes for the ideal long lunch spot. Here, menus focus on natural, native and local ingredients sourced from regional farmers and producers across Albury Wodonga and surrounds.

Museums, murals and more

1. Albury Wodonga Public Art Trail

Gain a sense of Albury Wodonga’s vibrant arts community while wandering the Public Art Trail. Works range from sculptures and murals to wrapped infrastructure. Be sure to check the council map before you head out, so you don’t miss a thing.

2. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA)

couple admiring the art at Murray Art Gallery — Stop into one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

MAMA forms the heart of art and culture in Albury Wodonga, some may say the entire Murray region. In fact, it’s one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. What makes it so lauded? The museum has earned a reputation for curating innovative, original exhibitions from some of the best contemporary Australian and international artists.

3. HotHouse Theatre

Originally built in 1928 as the Butter Factory Theatre, HotHouse Theatre has been a home of performance since 1997. Stop by to see the best of new Australian theatre. Continue to explore unique architecture on the Historic Building Walking Tour of Albury, the perfect way to round out your stay.

Start planning your Albury Wodonga getaway at visitalburywodonga.com.