The top five destinations for Australians over the four-day "weekend'' are the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and over to New Zealand, according to Flight Centre.
Meanwhile, Travel.com.au says this year Sydney is the most popular Easter destination, followed by Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne. Adelaide beat Melbourne as an Easter destination for the first time in several years, it says.
Domestic flights have accounted for 51 per cent of all flights booked through Travel.com.au for travel during the lead up to the Easter break (April 5-7), it says.
Quick domestic getaways continue to remain popular during this time of year, Travel.com.au general manager Renee Welsh says.
"Despite the recent trend of Aussies jetting abroad, over Easter we consistently see Aussie travellers looking to their homeland for a holiday break.''
Online experience booking company, GoDo.com.au, says for the people in Sydney over the break, Blue Mountains and Sydney Harbour experiences have proven extremely popular.
In Melbourne, a dinner River Cruise along the Yarra River has been a hit, while Gold Coast visitors have locked in trips to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Reef Ryder Island Cruise.
Currumbin Sanctuary
Currumbin Sanctuary's Linda Thomas introduces a four-month-old puggle (baby echidna). Picture: Tim Marsden
Source: The Courier-Mail
Here are some suggestions for a last minute Easter getaway that won't break the bank:
CAMPING BEYOND MELBOURNE, VIC
Victorian Caravan Parks Association says there are still vacancies for Easter at many caravan and holiday parks throughout Victoria. Big4 parks in Port Fairy, Phillip Island, Badger Creek and Inverloch, for instance, all have cabins still available. For a list parks with Easter availability see: www.vicparks.com.au
SHOW BAGS, RIDES AND FAIRY FLOSS, NSW
The Sydney Royal Easter Show, held from April 5 to 18, is an annual extravaganza of show bags, adrenalin pumping rides, animals on show, displays of farm produce, live music and food and wine. It takes place at Sydney Olympic Park and starts early in the morning and ends each evening with a fireworks display. See: www.eastershow.com.au
EASTER BUNNY IN BENDIGO, VIC
The Bendigo Easter Festival has been in existence since 1870, and is the oldest community festival in Australia that occurs every Easter, this year (April 6-8). The festival includes a giant Easter egg hunt, plenty of entertainment for kids and opera under the stars for grown ups. While in Bendigo, the Grace Kelly exhibition is on at Bendigo Art Gallery (until June 17).
Bendigo Easter Festival
Bendigo's Chinese dragon and lions are a feature of the city's annual Easter festival. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied
If you're looking to get closer to God this Easter without attending a religious sermon, then head to one of these former convents, churches and cathedrals now operating as guesthouses, B&Bs and eateries throughout Queensland:
- In Warwick you can rest your head on a pillow at Abbey Of The Roses - a heritage-listed ex-convent. Built in 1891, this guest house has metal-pressed ceilings, antique furniture and stained glass. Stay in a Nun Cell or the Mother Superior room. See: www.abbeyoftheroses.com
- The Church at Hillview Cottages, located on the outskirts of Kingaroy, celebrates its 100th birthday this year. The property features a four poster-bed with lace canopy, wood fireplace and a double spa bath. See: www.hillviewcottages.com.au
- Spend the night under the high-gabled roof of a traditional Queensland country church. The Chapel at Prendergasts Vineyard Retreat, just two and a half hours from Brisbane in Moffatdale, features a private bedroom and ensuite decorated in traditional period furnishings. See: www.prendergasts.com.au
- Perched close to heaven, high in the Gold Coast hinterland, the Old Saint Johns Church at Beechmont on the Scenic Rim offers self-contained accommodation. See: www.cloudsonbeechmont.com.au
- The Old Church B&B is a character-filled historic church in the little village of Milford, just five minutes from Boonah. It was built by locals in the 1870s and features vaulted ceilings, church pews, pulpit and fireplace. See: www.oldchurchbnb.com.au
chapel b&b
At The Chapel at Prendergasts
Vineyard Retreat, visitors spend the night in a traditional country
church. Picture: prendergasts.com.au
