Move over Gold Coast. This Queensland town is surging in popularity for Aussies
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With Easter fast approaching (Good Friday is April 3, Easter Sunday is April 5) last-minute planners are thinking of holidays.
And experts have revealed where Aussies are most keen to spend the break.
According to Expedia, a surprising destination is gaining more and more attention among domestic travellers.
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Toowoomba, Queensland was named the top 'trending' destination with interest up 300 per cent. Getty
Toowoomba, Queensland was named the top 'trending' destination with interest up over 300 per cent.
West of Brisbane, the Victorian-era town has risen in popularity over the past few years.
It has country pubs, heritage buildings and mountain biking trails.
You can visit the Down Steam Toowoomba rail museum, the Queensland Museum Cobb & Co.
There's the gorgeous Queen's Park and even a Japanese garden at University of Southern Queensland.
Sarah King, Expedia Travel Expert said the cooler climate, heritage streets and manicured parklands are among the attractions.
"We see events continuing to drive uplift to regional Australia, with Meatstock coming to Toowoomba in the second week of April and acting as a major drawcard. The festival attracts thousands of visitors from outside the region, generating demand and local tourism," she tells 9Travel.
"More broadly, value for money remains key, with average accommodation rate of around $250 per night making Toowoomba an appealing short break option."
The town was already gaining momentum as a hotspot last year too.
Bridges in the Japanese Gardens in Toowoomba, Queenlands, Australia Getty
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Most popular domestic destinations for Easter
There was no surprise in the most popular Aussie destinations overall.
They were all by the beach because as Aussies try to squeeze the last sunshine out of summer.
The Gold Coast remains the top pick, while hotspots like Port Stephens in NSW and Noosa are surging as travellers chase a final dose of warmer weather.
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The Gold Coast remains the top pick for Easter holidays. Getty
Staying local is popular, no doubt due to the rising cost of living, with Expedia revealing its research found 79 per cent of Aussies were not travelling far.
It's also not too late to book if you fancy going somewhere.
"Keeping your options open on timing and destination is key," Sarah said.
"The Expedia app is showing Launceston, Brisbane, and Canberra are destinations with good availability and value with average accommodation rates ranging from $200 to $350 per night, making it easier to snap up a last‑minute deal if you haven't booked yet."
If you want to save money, leave your trip until the week after Easter when you'll get better availability and up to 10 per cent cheaper prices.
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Port Stephens is also in the top 10. Getty
Most popular domestic Easter destinations
- Gold Coast, Queensland
- Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- The Whitsundays,Queensland
- Cairns, Queensland
- Port Douglas, Queensland
- Port Stephens, NSW
- Central Coast, NSW
- Byron Bay, NSW
- Busselton, Western Australia
- Launceston, Tasmania
Top 'trending' domestic Easter destinations
- Toowoomba, Queensland
- Byron Bay, NSW
- Port Stephens, NSW
- Tweed Heads, NSW
- Coffs Harbour, NSW
- Wollongong, NSW
- Newcastle, NSW
- Noosa, Queensland
- Canberra, ACT
- Port Macquarie, NSW
Nusa Dua in Bali also surged in popularity this year the site says. Getty
International Easter hotspots
As for international hotspots, Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore have been named the top international spots Aussies are searching, Booking.com says.
Nusa Dua in Bali also surged in popularity this year, according to the most recent data.
"Booking.com search data shows Australians are increasingly using the Easter long weekend to travel within Asia," Joanne Whitby-Lee, APAC Home Area Manager at Booking.com, says.
"Nine out of 10 top international destinations Aussies are travelling for over Easter are in Asia. Seoul is particularly trending at the moment, rising 14 places since the same travel time last year."
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Top international Easter destinations
- Tokyo, Japan
- Seminyak, Indonesia
- Singapore, Singapore
- Seoul, Korea, South
- Nusa Dua, Indonesia
- Queenstown, New Zealand
- Legian, Indonesia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Ubud, Indonesia
- Osaka, Japan
