When to book to get the best holiday home deals for Easter and the summer
If you prefer to stay in a holiday house or apartment rather than a hotel, you'll know the best ones go fast.
But with the Easter holidays approaching, booking site Stayz has revealed tips to getting the best value for your trip.
And while checking the reviews has become a must-do for any holiday, a great way to get yourself a good deal is to book a newer listing, Stayz says.
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This lavish house in Noosa, Queensland is still on offer for Easter. Supplied
That's because they have discounts if you're one of the first three to book them on the site.
Bosses at Stayz have offered plenty of other budgeting and planning tips.
When to book for the best holiday homes and deals
Stayz said almost 70 per cent of holiday homes in some Easter hotspots will be booked by March, but there were still some on offer.
The Easter long weekend is Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21, and there's no time to lose if you plan to go away.
"It's a mistake to treat holiday homes like hotels. With space for only one group at a time, there's more competition to book homes, especially those with standout amenities in top locations," Stayz travel expert Sarah King said.
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Cowes Beach on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia Getty
"When you find that dream house – beachfront, game room, bunk beds, and a pool steps from the ocean – don't wait.
"A week or two can make the difference between being just steps from the beach or on the other side of town."
Popular destinations like Forster and Port Macquarie in NSW, the Gold Coast in Queensland and Margaret River in Western Australia book up quickly.
If you can't find a place in your top spot, consider other places like Ulladulla in NSW or Phillip Island and Geelong in Victoria, which may have more availability for Easter, Stayz said.
For the summer holidays, experts reckon booking far out - by August 21 - according to their data.
If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, consider travelling mid-January next year for more summer holiday home options.
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This home in Bateman's Bay, NSW is still available for Easter. Supplied
Availability in that January window is usually better for top destinations like Jervis Bay in NSW, Rye and Sorrento in Victoria, and Noosa and the Gold Coast in Queensland, Stayz said.
Another tip if you don't have school-aged kids is to go in a "dead week" such as just before or after peak times.
According to Stayz, some dead weeks to keep in mind include mid-March before the Easter and autumn school holidays, mid-June before the winter school holidays start, and the last week of October after the spring school holiday peak.
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Easter: Noosa in Queensland, Batemans Bay and Jervis Bay in NSW.
Winter school holidays: Jindabyne, Thredbo and Coffs Harbour in NSW, Falls Creek in Victoria, Surfers Paradise, Hervey Bay and Port Douglas in Queensland.
Spring school holidays: Noosa in Queensland, Forster and Port Stephens in NSW.
Summer holidays: Ulladulla and Port Stephens in NSW, Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Phillip Island, Victoria, Margaret River, Western Australia.
