Last-minute New Year holiday ideas for the whole family

Left holiday planning a little late? With a little flexibility you can still make the most of New Year deals, writes Dilvin Yasa.

Wow, the end of the year has really crept up on us, hasn't it? If you're suddenly faced with that holiday 'what am I going to do with the kids in January?' panic, don't worry.

We've done the research to help you find something to lock in quickly and easily. Here's how.

Embrace the art of 'last minute'

As the saying goes, 'the early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese'. While it's not ideal to have left making holiday plans so late (the best deals can be found if booked well in advance), that doesn't mean there aren't great January deals to be had. 

Start your search by visiting the 'last minute' section of sites such as Flight Centre, Webjet, Luxury Escapes, Jetstar and more. On lastminute.com.au, for example, you'll find a four-night with airfares deal for City Point Suite Melbourne from $643 per person, while Jetstar is currently advertising a five-night package (complete with international airfares, plus additional extras such as private transfers, beach club access, cocktails and massage) at Plataran Canggu Bali Resort & Spa from $1,090 per person. 

Choices are limited at this time of year, but provided you remain flexible, you can still find a good bargain.

Search for cheap flights 

We'll wait for you to stop laughing before we continue…

Okay, affordable flights aren't a regular occurrence at the moment, but they do happen (a great example of this is the recent $229 launch fares for Jetstar's service to Rarotonga).

It goes without saying that if you haven't already done so, you should sign up to various airlines' newsletters so you can get in quickly when a sale fare is announced. 

Expedia.com.au has a great cheap January flight deals section that's well worth a look, and while you're searching sites such as Skycanner, Cheap Flights and Kayak, be sure to look at the cost of booking two separate one-way flights with different airlines, or flying to a cheaper airport near your destination. 

Head inland

Not down with paying eye-watering prices for a private rental in the likes of Palm Beach or Byron Bay? While everyone else is booking properties on the coast, consider making a trip inland and utilising the 'pools' search on sites such as Stayz and Airbnb. Homes positioned inland tend to be cheaper at this time of year than those in summer high demand areas. 

Try camping

Even if you detest the idea, most kids are pretty big on the idea of spending a little downtime in a tent. While many campsites are already booked out all summer long, you can still find solid availability for January at some Big4 Holiday Parks as well as Discovery Parks. Campstay will also show what's available in campsites and caravan parks around your searched destination.

Consider a city break

Cities empty out during the January holidays and do you know what that means? Terrific deals you're unlikely to find at any other time of the year. It doesn't have to be a CBD stay either; it could be locking in a weekend stay somewhere like Sydney's Blacktown (in the Western Suburbs). It's home to Raging Waters Sydney, Skyline Drive In Cinema, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney Zoo, Sydney Motorsport Park and Atura Hotel Blacktown. Simply zero in on suburbs with attractions and make a mini-break out of it.

And one more thing…

Be sure to check out the likes of Cudo and Scoopon. Although deals change regularly, a quick search conducted on the latter earlier today yielded wonderful results, including a five-night January stay for two at ibis Styles Bali Legian for $329 including daily breakfast, daily lunch or dinner, a one-way airport transfer and welcome drink on arrival.