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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What to expect from the Tamar Valley’s newly renovated cellar door
The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.
The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.
Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.
Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.
Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.
Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.
Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.
Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.
The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.
Come for a taste, stay for an experience.
A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.
As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.
For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.
Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.
Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.
The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.
Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.
Start planning at tamarridge.com.au and pirietasmania.com.au.
