7 secrets to score a cheap last-minute holiday

If you think you’ve already missed the boat, relax! Follow these tricks and tips to book the holiday you thought you couldn’t have.

Words by Natasha Dragun

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Admission: I’m really lazy when it comes to booking holidays. Perhaps it’s because I travel frequently for work; maybe it’s just in my nature. Either way, I’ve often found myself in December with two weeks free at the end of the year – and nowhere to go.

This could be a costly dilemma – “could” being the operative word, because there are many ways to have last-minute (let’s not say “unorganised”) adventures over busy travel periods. Flash sales, spontaneous trips, destinations you’ve never thought of – these are some of the perks of not planning ahead. And there’s still time to score a deal as well, as these tips attest.

1. USE TRAVEL AGENTS

EXPERT ADVICE: “There’s a common misconception that booking through a travel agent is more expensive, but the reality is quite the opposite,” says general manager for Flight Centre Global Product – South, Jason Hartley. “Thanks to exclusive industry deals, agents can often help you save more than if you were to book your own trip, and of course they save you time and effort while navigating the complexities of last-minute bookings – so it’s a win-win.”

STAY: It’s only a four-hour flight from Sydney to Fiji. But getting there can be costly over popular holiday periods – if you can find a flight at all. Agents not only have connections but also access to deals, which means you can get the best possible rate at hotels like family-friendly Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort or romantic Marriott Resort Momi Bay with its overwater bungalows, all the while knowing you have someone working in the background to take care of things if your travel plans go awry.

DO: Take the kids to Kula Wild Adventure Park to zip line through the rainforest or skid down a waterslide. Then cruise out to private island Malamala Beach Club, where you can spend the day snorkelling, paddleboarding and sipping tropical cocktails.

2. BROADEN YOUR DESTINATION SEARCH

EXPERT ADVICE: “If you’re booking at the last minute, widen your search to include regions or areas rather than specific locations,” says country manager for Airbnb, Australia and New Zealand, Susan Wheeldon. “On Airbnb, you can also take advantage of the clickable map, which can help you find suburbs a short drive away from popular areas – places you may have never heard of before, but are within easy reach.”

Susan says searching “northern New South Wales”, for example, will help you find off-the-beaten-track listings for affordable stays in places like the quaint town of Maclean on the banks of the Clarence River, which featured in Airbnb’s Tiny Towns Guide earlier this year.

DO: While Byron Bay – an hour’s drive north of Maclean – packs out over the warmer months, the Clarence Valley retains its chilled vibe year round. While you’re here, pick up the pace along the Yuraygir Coastal Walk, a 65km trail that can be broken into sections, with snorkelling, swimming and camping opportunities along the way. Then take to the Clarence River in kayaks or whitewater rafts for another thrilling adventure amid nature.

STAY: Follow the Tiny Towns Guide and in the Maclean region of northern NSW you can check in to pet-friendly Yamba Tiny Houses, a pair of small and sustainable abodes set over 12ha of farmland 10 minutes from the beach.

Wombat Creek Eco Lodge has space for four guests, with stunning views of the surrounding trees, rock formations and mountains from both bedrooms and the expansive patio.

3. MAKE THE MOST OF FREEBIES

EXPERT ADVICE: Parks Victoria has made camping at 131 (normally) paid campgrounds free of charge from December 1 until June 30. Bookings are essential, even though there is no charge to popular campgrounds including Hattah-Kulkyne near Mildura and Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory. They join thousands of other free camping opportunities across parks, reserves and state forests.

STAY: Among the free plots this season is the Budj Bim Campground, set among the lava flows of an ancient volcano in the state’s southwest. Camping spots are within reach of a crater lake, as well as flushing toilets, hot showers and shared fireplaces. There are two campgrounds along the 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing, open from November to April and set among staggering snow gums and along rocky ridges. Get set for serious stargazing in this unpolluted pocket of the state.

DO: On Gunditjmara land, Budj Bum Cultural Landscape is Australia’s newest World Heritage Site, and the only one of its kind recognised solely for Aboriginal significance. Drop in to discover the world’s oldest aquaculture system with an Indigenous guide. Then cruise along the Great Ocean Road – Budj Bim is at the western end of this legendary coastal route.

4. STALK SOCIAL MEDIA

EXPERT ADVICE: “If you want to get a good deal, especially over Christmas, you need to move fast and the best way to stay on top of what’s on offer is by following the social media accounts of top travel providers,” says Mercedes Maguire, a journalist who rounds up the top-value holidays available in Australia and beyond every week for Escape. “This is particularly true of airlines like Virgin Australia and Jetstar, who often have flash sales, sometimes just 24 hours long.”

STAY: Keep watch for regular deals on flights to “second cities” in the Australian states you want to fly to, like Launceston in Tasmania. When you touch down, stay at Kurrajong House, a renovated 1879 estate brimming with Victorian charm. If you want to switch off, drive 1.5 hours west and tune out at one of the six Tiny Escapes Cradle Valley, each self-contained, fully off-grid and set in one of Tasmania’s most spectacular wilderness areas.

DO: Cataract Gorge is one of Australia’s great urban oases, a 5km forested reserve a short walk from the heart of Launceston. Catch the chairlift up for epic views, then picnic around the pool. Wherever you’re staying, be sure to stop by Josef Chromy Wines, a 10-minute drive from the city, where the grounds and restaurant are as dreamy as the cool-climate drops on offer.

5. REGISTER FOR PRICE ALERTS WITH HOLIDAY BOOKING WEBSITES AND AIRLINES

EXPERT ADVICE: “When travellers are short on time and looking to book a great deal quickly, it’s worth registering to receive email alerts from booking sites for great ways to save on travel,” says Booking.com‘s regional manager for Oceania, Todd Lacey.

“You’ll get messages about Booking.com ‘Late Escapes Deals’, offering over 15 per cent off select stays for bookings until January 7, 2025. You can also join the Genius program, giving you easier access to even more deals and discounts. If you are a Level 2 Genius member, for example, you are eligible for 10-15 per cent discounts on participating properties.”

STAY: According to Booking.com, Bali’s Seminyak neighbourhood is the second-most searched destination among Australians over the holiday period. If you’re splashing out and want to be close to the action, check-in at eco-friendly Potato Head Suites & Studios, where activities range from candle-making to sound healing and tarot reading. Over the holiday period, live music is a daily (and nightly) highlight at the beach bar. If you’re travelling with a clan, Bali Family Villas offers a range of options with multiple-rooms and obligatory pools to cool off in.

DO: Seminyak is the birthplace of beach bars, and there are a parade to choose from along the shoreline, including Finns and Ku De Ta. When you’re not watching the day disappear, take surf lessons, yoga classes, cooking workshops or foodie tours. Being based here means you can avoid traffic by walking between destinations.

6. THINK REGIONAL

EXPERT ADVICE: Beaches, islands and outback. Small wonder Queensland is Australia’s most popular domestic destination over the holiday season. But instead of fighting the masses for a hotel room on the Gold Coast or in Noosa, it pays to look regional instead.

“There’s so much of this state to discover and if you’ve left it late to book, it could be a sign to explore the incredible regions outside of the highest-demand areas,” says acting Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Ollie Philpot. “The incredible beaches of Agnes Water and 1770, the hinterland, and charming Queensland country regions like Toowoomba, or the reef from Bundaberg north.”

STAY: You can snap up plenty of hotel deals in Toowoomba, 125km inland from Brisbane in the Darling Downs region. Try Rosalie House, where cottages are set across a vineyard. Or Hollow Tree Farm, a self-contained cabin with space to sleep five.

DO: You’ll find it hard to drag kids away from the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co, with its interactive displays and family-friendly activities exploring Queensland’s heritage of trading via horse-drawn carriages. The glam Art Deco Empire Theatre in the heart of town hosts everything from Broadway productions to gigs by Australian singing legends – after a show, toast your good fortune with a glass of something delicious that you’ve picked up from nearby Preston Peak Wines, set high on the granite ridges of the Darling Downs.

7. CONSIDER PACKAGE DEALS

EXPERT ADVICE: “For the best value over the Christmas holidays, package deals are your best bet. We’ve got a selection of incredible offers that can save you hundreds, especially if you’re open to a little flexibility in your holiday plans,” says Flight Centre‘s Jason Hartley.

“Bundling your flights, accommodation, insurance, and tours together can also lead to savings, so it’s a good idea to book everything in the one go if you can.”

STAY: Fancy spending seven nights in the Pacific on a cruise to Vanuatu with Royal Caribbean? Or two weeks with Azamara exploring Japan, Vietnam and Singapore? Flight Centre’s package cruise deals include airfares, accommodation on board your ship of choice, all meals and much more at rates you’d be hard pressed to find on your own. All you need to do is pack your sense of adventure.

This article first appeared in escape.com.au