Why you should travel during a ‘dead week’ (and when to do it)

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
hero media
Avoid the crowds, save big and enjoy top holiday spots in peace – here’s why you should book your next trip during a ‘dead week.’

Picture this: fewer crowds, cheaper stays and a chance to experience Australia’s most popular destinations without the chaos of peak holiday seasons. Welcome to the magic of ‘dead weeks’ – those rare travel sweet spots when demand takes a dip and savvy travellers can cash in on great deals.

According to Stayz’ 2025 Holiday Planning Guide , timing your trips around these underrated periods could be the smartest way to secure your dream getaway without the usual stress.

So, what exactly is a dead week?

These are short, specific periods that immediately precede or follow peak travel times – when families are back at work and school, and the average nightly rates for accommodation take a welcome nosedive. Here’s how to plan your next break during a dead week and make the most of these golden windows of opportunity.

March: The pre-Easter escape

Aerial Drone Picture of the White Sand Hyams beach in New South Wales, Australia
Stay in Jervis Bay for your pre-Easter holiday. (Image: Getty Images/Roman Skorzus)

Easter is one of the most competitive travel periods of the year, with popular coastal spots like Noosa, Batemans Bay and Jervis Bay booking out well in advance. But if you can sneak in a break before the Easter madness, mid-March offers the perfect opportunity. Expect milder temperatures, quiet beaches and better rates on holiday homes.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

June: The calm before the winter rush

skiers Falls Creek
Falls Creek is the ideal winter destination.

Winter school holidays send skiers and snow lovers flocking to Jindabyne and Thredbo, but mid-June – before the school bells signal the start of the break – is an ideal time to book a last-minute winter escape. Whether you’re after crisp mountain air or a cosy beachside getaway, you’ll find better availability in winter hotspots like Coffs Harbour, Falls Creek, Surfers Paradise, Hervey Bay and Port Douglas, before the winter crowd settles in.

October: The secret spring getaway

First light on Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, located in the Hunter region of NSW
Discover Port Stephens in springtime. (Image: Getty Images/lovleah)

Spring school holidays see families heading to sunny spots across the country, but the magic of late October lies in its post-holiday lull. This is the perfect time to score discounted stays in coastal havens before summer prices start creeping up. Forster, Noosa and Port Stephens all offer incredible value at this time of year.

January: The summer dead week you should know about

Gold Coast Cityscape
Head to the Goldie when most people go back to work. (Image: Getty Images/Still Horizon Studio)

The post-New Year lull in mid-January is one of the best-kept secrets for scoring a summer getaway without the peak-season price tag. While the Christmas/New Year period sees a rush of travellers filling up Australia’s top holiday spots, demand starts to drop from the second week of January, making it the perfect time to secure a last-minute escape. Destinations like Jervis Bay, the Mornington Peninsula, Noosa and the Gold Coast often have better availability during this time, meaning you can still enjoy the height of summer without the peak-season crowds. Plus, with many families heading home for school and work, beaches, restaurants and attractions become far more relaxed.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

How to maximise your dead week travel

Cape Naturaliste coastline in South Western Australia
The Margaret River region is a holiday hotspot to book in advance. (Image: Getty Images/Paola Giannoni)

Flexibility is key when planning a trip, even during a dead week. Even shifting your stay by a day or two can unlock significant savings, as accommodation prices fluctuate based on demand. Look for discounts on holiday homes, as many offer reduced rates for longer stays or early bookings.

Booking in advance is still crucial – while dead weeks see lower occupancy, the best properties can still be snapped up quickly. Additionally, consider travelling mid-week rather than over weekends for even better deals. Airlines and hotels may also offer hidden perks, such as free upgrades or discounted add-ons, so it’s always worth asking. Finally, use price-tracking tools or sign up for travel deal alerts to ensure you’re getting the best possible rate.

If you really must travel in peak periods, here’s your deadline

Lighthouse beach seen from the lighthouse in Port Macquarie in the summer
Book your Port Macquarie trip soon to avoid disappointment. (Image: Getty Images/Stephane Debove)

Timing is everything when securing accommodation, especially during peak travel periods.

For the Easter long weekend (18–21 April 2025), availability is already tightening in popular destinations such as Forster, Port Macquarie, the Gold Coast and the Margaret River. Stayz data suggests that less than 50 per cent of properties will still be available by the end of February, with that number dropping to under 30 per cent by early March.

Planning ahead is even more critical for summer holidays, as the last week of December is expected to be the busiest travel period of the year. Demand for holiday homes in hotspots starts surging by mid-June, and availability continues to tighten through July and August, so securing your summer stay by 21 August is highly recommended.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
View profile and articles
Qantas planes sitting together at airport
Australia

Qantas slashes flights and raises fares as fuel crisis bites

Four routes suspended, capacity cut five per cent as Iran war sends jet fuel costs soaring.

Read more
Lyrid Meteor Shower - Night astrophotography skies with light trails from streaking meteors in April.
Australia

The world’s oldest meteor shower is back – here’s how to see it in Australia

Your guide to catching the 2026 Lyrids.

Read more
Ghost Mushrooms
Australia

A rare natural phenomenon is about to light up Australia’s forests

Ghost mushroom season is almost upon us – here’s where to spot them.

Read more
This app can predict flight delays up to 25 hours in advance
Australia

This app can predict flight delays up to 25 hours in advance

Using live data and smart technology, this flight-tracking tool is keeping travellers one step ahead.

Read more
hero media

Good food, beautiful nature & history: your guide to a long weekend in West Gippsland

(Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
    Continue
    From rainforest walks and scenic drives to historic gold-rush towns and standout regional dining experiences, you can find it all in West Gippsland.

    Hover over West Gippsland on Google Earth and you’ll see vast tracts of land spread out like green velveteen around the Toorongo Falls Reserve. It’s a landscape that feels almost impossibly lush for a region sitting little more than an hour from Melbourne.

    Track southeast in late autumn and early winter and you’ll see pockets of the Mt Baw Baw Plateau dusted in snow. In addition to the forests of mountain ash veined with creeks and rivers, there are pastures and farmland cross-stitched together to form pretty patchworks.

    But West Gippsland isn’t defined by scenery alone: in addition to its awe-inspiring nature, a Venn diagram of the region includes gold-rush history and great culinary experiences.  Spend a long weekend here and it quickly becomes clear how often these three overlap.

    Getting there

    Messmates Dining west gippsland
    Spend the weekend eating and exploring in West Gippsland. (Credit: Messmates Dining)

    Getting to West Gippsland involves as easy drive – it’s just over an hour out of Melbourne along the Monash Freeway.

    Not driving? Catch the train from Melbourne on the Gippsland line, terminating at either Traralgon or Bairnsdale, and hop off at Warragul or Drouin.

    Visit historic villages

    Walhalla historic township
    Wander into Australia’s Gold Rush history at Walhalla. (Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    The West Gippsland region is on the Traditional Lands of the Kulin and Kurnai nations, specifically linked to the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai and Wurundjeri Peoples, whose connection to Country stretches back thousands of years.

    European settlement occurred in the 19th century as timber cutters, farmers and gold seekers pushed into the region’s dense forests. Small towns grew around sawmills and railway lines, and many of those gold rush settlements, timber towns and railway villages still shape the character of the region today.

    The most evocative of these is Walhalla Historic Township , a remarkably preserved gold-rush township tucked deep in the mountains. In the late 1800s, it was one of Victoria’s richest goldfields. Today visitors can step inside that history at the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, where underground tours reveal the scale of the mining operation that once powered the town’s prosperity. Nearby, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway retraces part of the original narrow-gauge line through the valley, offering a slow journey past forest and river scenery.

    Further west, Noojee is a classic mountain village. It’s surrounded by dense forest and waterfalls and has become a natural base for exploring the Baw Baw region. Just outside town, Noojee Trestle Bridge stands as one of West Gippsland’s most striking relics of the rail era. The towering wooden structure is the tallest surviving trestle bridge in Victoria and today forms the centrepiece of an easy scenic walk with wide views across the valley.

    Alpine Trout Farm west gippsland
    Catch your own lunch at Alpine Trout Farm. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    At Alpine Trout Farm near Noojee, visitors can fish for trout in mountain-fed ponds before enjoying the catch prepared fresh onsite. It’s a simple experience that reflects the area’s long connection to the surrounding waterways.

    Back in Warragul , the region’s main service town, the story shifts from heritage to modern regional life. With galleries, restaurants and sweeping views across the rolling farmland of Gippsland, the town has become a lively hub linking the district’s past with its evolving food and cultural scene. Drive through the town and you’ll find heritage buildings, old pubs and weatherboard cottages that hint at the area’s early days as a frontier landscape.

    In other towns the past survives in quieter ways – a historic hall here, a century-old bakery there.

    Walks, waterfalls and wild places

    Toorongo Falls in west gippsland
    Stroll Toorongo Falls Reserve. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    Even simple roadside stops can feel cinematic in West Gippsland. The region also delivers plenty of opportunities to lace up your walking shoes.

    One of the region’s most rewarding nature escapes lies just outside Noojee at Toorongo Falls Reserve . A network of walking tracks winds through the cool-temperate rainforest where towering mountain ash trees filter the light and the air smells of rich, damp earth. The 2.2-kilometre trail to the viewing platform overlooking Toorongo Falls is short, but spectacular, as the water cascades down over moss-covered rock faces into a cool, green gully in Little Toorongo River.

    Further north, the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort offers year-round adventures. In winter, the mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders. The warmer months are just as compelling, with scenic drives to see alpine wildflowers, mountain bike trails and panoramic hiking routes that open across the plateau.

    Cyclists and walkers looking for a more relaxed pace can follow the Rokeby Neerim Rail Trail , which traces a former railway line through farmland and small Gippsland villages. The mostly flat trail passes rolling paddocks, creeks and historic bridges, making it an easy way to drop it down a gear when exploring the countryside.

    Taste the best eats of West Gippsland

    Hogget Kitchen west gippsland
    Taste the best of the region at Hogget Kitchen.

    For many travellers, the real drawcards of West Gippsland are the food and wine. The region sits in the heart of Victoria’s fertile dairy country, and that agricultural backdrop has helped shape a dining scene where seasonal produce and local provenance take centre stage.

    Hogget Kitchen has helped put Warragul firmly on the radar for serious regional dining in West Gippsland. Here, head chef and owner Trevor Perkins runs the kitchen alongside well-known winemakers William (Bill) Downie and Pat Sullivan. Hogget Kitchen lives up to its promise of exceptional destination dining; what lands on the table depends largely on what nearby farms have harvested that week as well as a wine list from Wild Dog Winery and other Gippsland producers.

    Warragul is also where you’ll find Messmates Dining where the kitchen team is led by Michelin-trained chefs. The Euro-leaning bistro and wine bar brings a polished edge to the local dining scene using produce sourced from across West Gippsland.

    For something more casual, the century-old Noojee Hotel is the kind of hub that every traveller dreams of finding after a long drive. Expect generous pub classics served on the sunny deck in summer or beside the crackle of a log fire in winter.  Nearby, rustic Toolshed Bar, Bistro & Cabins is the place to go for a wood-fired pizza topped with smoked local trout paired with Gippsland wine, making it a rewarding stop for lunch or an overnight stay.

    Time your visit with the Truffle Festival

    Food lovers visiting in winter should consider timing their trip to coincide with Noojee Truffle Festival , running from 10 July to 2 August 2026. The inaugural event celebrates the region’s emerging truffle industry with tastings, special menus and events built around one of winter’s most prized ingredients.

    Start planning your long weekend in West Gippsland at visitgippsland.com.au .