Summer holiday trick that can save you 45 per cent
Summer holidays are always considered the busiest time of year for travel, and if you are planning to hit the road this year you’ll need to get a move on.
New data from Stayz has revealed that some of the most popular destinations around Australia are already at 50 per cent capacity for bookings in December 2026 and January 2027.
Coastal destinations are proving the most popular for the summer holidays. Getty
But if you’re worried all the best deals have already been snapped up, don’t be.
Experts say if you have a little bit of flexibility around travel plans then you can still enjoy some decent savings.
In fact, the final week of January is shaping up as one of the best-value periods of the summer season, with holiday homes on average up to 45 per cent less than Christmas week, while also benefiting from fewer crowds, according to Stayz.
“We’re already seeing strong demand across many of Australia’s favourite beach destinations, with holiday homes filling up ahead of the peak summer period,” Sarah King, Stayz travel expert, said.
Shoalhaven is another popular spot filling up quickly for the summer holidays. Getty
“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.”
It is little surprise that the most popular destinations for summer are coastal spots, with holiday homes in Byron Bay, Shoalhaven, the Mornington Peninsula, the Whitsundays, and Kangaroo Island all filling up quickly.
For those wanting more choice and availability, experts recommend travellers consider inland regions such as the Southern Highlands, Barossa Valley, and Yarra Valley.
Experts say straying away from the coast may be the better option. Nine
Popular holiday home destinations for summer:
- Shoalhaven, NSW
- Byron Bay, NSW
- Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Gold Coast, QLD
- Mornington Peninsula, VIC
- Geelong, VIC
- Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
- Whitsundays, QLD
- Kangaroo Island, SA
