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The unexpected regional city Aussies are heading to this Easter

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
An inland city is rising above its coastal counterparts for holidaymakers this Easter.

Many Aussies might have their sights set on beachside getaways this Easter, but one under-the-radar destination is quietly stealing the spotlight.

New data from Expedia has revealed that Toowoomba is the country’s top trending domestic destination this holiday period. Demand for the city has skyrocketed by 315 per cent – outpacing some of Australia’s most iconic coastal escapes.

Why Toowoomba?

Toowoomba, Qld
The regional city of Toowoomba is located two hours from Brisbane. (Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Considered Queensland’s largest inland city, Toowoomba sits on the edge of the Great Dividing Range in southern Queensland, around a two-hour drive from Brisbane. And while its ranking may come as a surprise to some, locals and long-time fans have been asking the same question for years: why not Toowoomba?

On the surface, Toowoomba could easily be overlooked as a holiday destination. But spend a little time here and the appeal quickly becomes obvious. It’s a place rich in heritage and culture, where country charm meets modern living.

Toowoomba, Qld
Country charm and modern living are all part of the package in Toowoomba. (Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland)

There’s an endless list of things to see and do, with an annual calendar that could rival any capital city. The Easter period alone is brimming with events, from local markets and live theatre productions to a 100,000-strong Easter egg hunt.

Go beyond the calendar to uncover the city’s foundational fabric, which comes to life at the Cobb+Co Museum . Documenting over 50,000 years of Queensland history, the museum is home to displays like the National Carriage Collection, comprising 47 beautifully restored horse-drawn vehicles. But it’s more than just something to look at.

Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba, Qld
Check out the vintage National Carriage Collection at Cobb+Co. (Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Visitors can get hands-on with workshops exploring heritage trades like blacksmithing and millinery, or step back in time with period costume dress-ups.

Another must for history buffs is DownsSteam , a volunteer-run museum showcasing a range of railway memorabilia. For art aficionados, there’s the Regional Gallery . For foodies, the city has a thriving local cafe scene. If you’ve got a passion worth travelling for, Toowoomba has an answer.

Table Top Mountain in Toowoomba, Qld
Hike to the summit of Table Top Mountain for panoramic views. (Credit: Ariana Potamianakis)

Outdoor enthusiasts are equally spoilt for choice. The city is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, from Table Top Mountain to Picnic Point Lookout. Less than an hour’s drive away, Ravensbourne National Park is also home to hiking trails, babbling brooks, scenic views, native wildlife and more than 80 bird species.

Unpacking the data

According to Expedia, Toowoomba has clearly emerged as a new favourite for Aussies this Easter. Compared to the same period last year, demand among domestic travellers has surged by a staggering 315 per cent, placing it well ahead of Byron Bay – which saw a 145 per cent increase.

Queens Park in Toowoomba, Qld
Domestic demand around Toowoomba has surged by a whopping 315 per cent. (Credit: Nathan McNeil)

When it comes to the most popular Aussie destinations this Easter, a broader trend begins to emerge. As autumn approaches, travellers are clearly chasing the last of the warm weather, with nine of the top 10 destinations located by the beach.

The Gold Coast remains the top pick, but hotspots like Port Stephens and Noosa aren’t far behind. Meanwhile, 79 per cent of Aussies are choosing to stay local this year, suggesting rising fuel prices are also shaping travel decisions.

The full list

The top trending domestic destinations this Easter:

  1. Toowoomba, Qld
  2. Byron Bay, NSW
  3. Port Stephens, NSW
  4. Tweed Heads, NSW
  5. Coffs Harbour, NSW
  6. Wollongong, NSW
  7. Newcastle, NSW
  8. Noosa, Qld
  9. Canberra, ACT
  10. Port Macquarie, NSW

The most popular domestic destinations this Easter:

  1. Gold Coast, Qld
  2. Sunshine Coast, Qld
  3. The Whitsundays, Qld
  4. Cairns, Qld
  5. Port Douglas, Qld
  6. Port Stephens, NSW
  7. Central Coast, NSW
  8. Byron Bay, NSW
  9. Busselton, WA
  10. Launceston, Tas
Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.