Don’t delay: these 9 summer holiday destinations are already 50% booked
Credit: Two Palms / Harry Pope
Summer beach houses are the closest thing Australia has to a national tradition, and this year more than half of Stayz’s are already spoken for across nine of the country’s favourite coastal markets.
The nine are:
A hotel has hundreds of near-identical rooms. A holiday home is one property, and once someone books it, nobody else can.
“Holiday homes are a little different to hotels. Once a property is booked, it’s no longer available to other travellers, so booking ahead can mean more choice," says Stayz Travel Expert Sarah King.
If you can hold out, the last week of January is the sweet spot for savings and availability. Stayz data puts holiday homes on average up to 45 per cent cheaper than Christmas week (22–27 December), and describes the week as 90 per cent less busy. Think a quieter beach, a free spot on the deck and fewer queues for the barbecue.
The catch is that it only works if you can travel then. School return dates differ by state, and some homes have minimum stays.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
For travellers who’d rather keep their dates earlier in the break, three inland regions still have strong availability, and each makes a good summer case.
Lookout walks, village-hopping and exploring pubs, bookshops and antique stores. It’s under two hours from Sydney, so a long weekend works, and the evenings are usually cooler than the coast, which makes a shady garden and a cold drink feel like the point of the trip.
Cellar doors, long lunches and a Saturday-morning wander through the farmers market in Angaston. It’s about an hour’s drive from Adelaide, so a weekend is easy, and a house with a big verandah earns its keep at the end of the day, when a glass of shiraz and a designated driver are all the plan you need.
Gin tastings, cellar doors and a sunrise hot-air balloon over the vines. It’s about an hour from Melbourne, which suits a short break, and a slow afternoon in summer makes the case for staying put.
There are early-booking savings too. Many Stayz properties offer discounts for bookings made at least 60 days ahead.
Christmas week is a group sport, and the houses that suit a big crew are the first to go. If that’s your plan, book now. If you have any flexibility, the last week of January is the better bet.
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Read moreDiscover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback
Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.
Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.
Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.
Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.
Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.
Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.
Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours.
Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.
Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.
The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.
A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.
A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.
After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.
Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.
Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.
As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.
Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.
Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.
Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.
