It's not too late! The best last-minute Easter breaks available now

There’s still time to book an Easter getaway. These last-minute stays are still available, but not for long!

As autumn starts to kick in, the Easter break is our last chance to catch the tail-end of warmer weather before the mercury plummets. And in combination with Anzac Day, this period is the golden ticket to leave-hacking your way to a longer break. So, it makes sense that many of us are setting our OOO and heading to the great outdoors for the holidays: camping, hiking, and making the most of the pleasant temperature.

Parkbooker is a booking platform that helps travellers find, compare and book Holiday Parks around Australia. They’ve analysed the best caravan parks, cabins and campsites to find those still available to book over the Easter break. According to their data, there are still pockets of availability across the country, but spots are disappearing fast.

Haven’t booked anything yet but dreaming of getting away this Easter? Listen up, because there are still great getaways to lock in now.

The Daintree, Qld

Australia is full of UNESCO-listed gems, and you can knock off two of them at once this Easter break. There are still glamping tents, campsites or cabins at Daintree Beach Resort , located between the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. April is smack-bang in the middle of turtle-hatching season, the perfect reason to head up north and witness one of nature’s miracles.

mosman, daintree rainforest places in australia — See the ancient Daintree Rainforest. (Image: TEQ)

Seaside Villages, Tas

Tassie’s big-ticket attractions may be booked out, but the good news is that it’s a perfect opportunity to discover some of the Apple Isle’s hidden gems. For instance, Stanley in the state’s Northwest is home to The Nut – an ancient volcanic formation that towers above the historic seaside town. There is still camping and cabin availability at BIG4 Stanley , right on Tallows Beach.

Stanley is a quaint town in Tasmania’s north that’s home to an ancient volcanic formation. (Image: Getty/THP Creative)

Over on the east coast, BIG 4 St Helens is a quaint coastal town from which to explore the world-famous Bay of Fires, known for its distinctive landscape of granite boulders and bright orange lichen. The area is also home to fantastic hiking and biking trails for an active holiday away.

South Ballina, NSW

In the wake of Cyclone Alfred, holiday cancellations swept across Northern NSW and southern Queensland. But the region is open to tourists, and your visit can help recovery operations while you enjoy a restorative break. There is campsite availability at Ballina Beach Nature Resort , the perfect wellness retreat with meditation spaces and walking trails to an outdoor fitness circuit.

Visiting towns affected by Cyclone Alfred that are open for tourists is a great way to support recovery in the region. (Image: Getty/Turnervisual)

Mission Beach, Qld

Combining Reef, Rainforest and Relaxation, Mission Beach in Queensland’s Tropical North is the perfect destination to chase the sun before the mercury begins to plummet. Hideaway Holiday Village , located opposite the beach, still has campsites left. It’s a family-friendly destination and a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Dunk Island, a 15-minute ferry ride away, is abundant with places for snorkelling among the coral reefs.

Agnes Water Hinterland, Qld

Agnes Water is a coastal town at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. There are still spots available at 1770 Eco Camp , a camp set among 24 acres of tropical bushland with freshwater dams and modern amenities. Unplug from the busyness of daily life and snap up one of the remaining campsites. Spend your Easter break surrounded by Native gums, palms and wildlife – including kangaroos, echidnas, and kookaburras.

an aerial view of Agnes Water, Qld — Go kayaking across the pristine waters of Agnes Water. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

It’s not too late! The best last-minute Easter breaks available now