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

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
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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.

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.

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.
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Look up: The Aurora Australis might be visible tonight

    Rachael ThompsonBy Rachael Thompson
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    The most severe solar storm of the year is underway.

    A powerful solar storm is happening right now, and if you’re in southern Australia, tonight might be your chance to see the colourful display.

    According to the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) at the Bureau of Meteorology , a severe geomagnetic storm is underway. They have issued an Aurora Alert, meaning space weather activity is favourable for viewing the spectacle: “Severe geomagnetic storm in progress. Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at regions as far equatorward as middle latitudes.”

    According to the ASWFC’s website, Aurora Alerts are issued “when space weather activity favourable for viewing aurora is in progress. When an alert is current, the alert information indicates the latitudinal range in terms of high, middle, low and equatorial regions where aurora may be visible under good observing conditions.”

    What is the Aurora Australis?

    A man with a head torch looking at the Aurora Australis
    Tasmania is the best place in Australia to see the spectacle. (Image: Tourism Tasmania)

    The Aurora Australis – also known as the Southern Lights – is one of the most dazzling natural displays visible to the human eye. Put simply, the phenomenon occurs when the sun releases a massive burst of charged particles and magnetic fields into space.  These particles are captured and funnelled toward the southern poles by Earth’s magnetic field, colliding with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. The collisions result in light being emitted and a spectacular natural dancing rainbow ensuing. 

    The past two years have been particularly good years for viewing the phenomenon. 

    How to see the Aurora Australis

    An Aurora Australis display at night along the coastline
    A Southern Lights display can last minutes to hours. (Image: Unsplash/Graham Holtshausen)

    Tasmania has historically been the best spot to see the Aurora Australis due to low light pollution and its position closer to the South Pole than mainland Australia. South Arm Peninsula, Bruny Island and Cockle Creek are popular viewing locations on the island.

    But the good news is the ASWFC has shared that it’s possible the Aurora Australis could be seen further north, in mid to southern parts of Australia.  

    In Victoria, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Point Lonsdale and Phillip Island are favourable locations; in New South Wales, Jervis Bay, Kiama or the Blue Mountains might offer you the glowing display; and in South Australia, the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Eyre Peninsula offer excellent southern exposure. 

    A Southern Lights display can last minutes to hours, with the best active window typically being between 10pm and 2am.

    You can read more about the natural light display in our Southern Lights guide and stay up to date via the Bureau of Meteorology website