Easter getaway ideas that won't break the bank
Easter’s just about here once again and if you feel like spending your hard earned cash on a short break instead of chocolate and hot cross buns, we’ve got some great getaway ideas that won’t cost the earth (although if you want to go a little more luxe you can do that too).
Clare Valley – South Australia
If rustic settings, great food and award winning vineyards are just your style for a short break then the Clare Valley - about 90 minutes drive from Adelaide - has bucket-loads of things to see and do (and eat and drink). The region is home to more than 40 wineries that are spread throughout a number of small villages and if you’d like to get a little exercise while you’re there, the Riesling Trail is a good option for a decent bike ride (or even a walk).
While you’re in the area, make sure you check out the bamboozling Mintaro Maze, a living hedge maze, consisting of over 800 conifers, feature fountains, twists and turns to trick even the most committed explorer. There’s even an Easter bunny hunt – great fun for the whole family and pretty reasonable at $8 for kids and $15 for adults.
A quick check on travel booking site Wotif shows (at the time of writing this blog) that there are still plenty of budget accommodation options available ranging from $450 to $700 per room for a 3 night stay from Friday 19 April to Monday 22 April.*
Mt Buller – Victoria
If it was the ski season there’s no way that Mt Buller would make our list of budget Easter holiday destinations, but at this time of year it’s off season and that means plenty of bargains to be had!
There are plenty of things to do at Mt Buller including exploring the village, self-guided trail walks and off-road mountain biking. The village square is home to a giant Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday, with thousands of eggs to be found – and later that day All Terrain Cycles are hosting a 2-hour mountain bike skills class for anyone aged 12 to 17.
You’ll need to get in quick but according to Wotif you can still bag a bargain 3-night stay for under $500.*
Hunter Valley – NSW
Yes we know this is the second wine district we’ve included in this blog but the Hunter Valley is such a seriously cool place to visit that we couldn’t leave it off our list. Nestled in the heart of the region is Hunter Valley Gardens, a naturally beautiful place to experience nature and some time for peaceful reflection. At the entrance to the gardens you’ll find a quaint village with a unique collection of shops offering everything from delicious meals, coffee and wine to exquisite clothing, glassware and jewellery.
Look out for the giant Easter egg hunt on Easter Saturday and Sunday, where every little one will receive an Easter chocolate gift. A family pass (2 adults and 1 child) will set you back $70 but for that you’ll also get access to the Mega Creatures (dinosaurs, dragons and creepy crawlies) exhibition and dinosaur fossil dig.
The Hunter Valley isn’t the cheapest destination to head to over the Easter break, but you can still grab some good accommodation for under $1,000 for 3 nights.*
Noosa – Queensland
Noosa is one of Queensland’s top holiday spots but you can still snatch a bargain Easter holiday there even though we’re only a few short weeks away from the break. There is so much to see and do in Noosa that you’ll be spoiled for choice but make sure you take a hike through the national park, take a trip down Hastings Street and hire a kayak for a few hours of fun on the Noosa River.
Don’t forget to head to the famous Eumundi Markets on Easter Sunday to enjoy the annual free Easter egg treasure hunt.
You’ll need to hurry to get a bargain price but there are still options available for under $800 for a 3-night Easter stay.*
Busselton – West Australia
Just a 21/2 hour drive from Perth, Busselton is the gateway to the famous Margaret River region, but there are also loads of things to do in Busselton itself. The beachfront features the 19th-century Busselton Jetty, a wooden pier that stretches nearly 2km to the Underwater Observatory - where you can view the wonders of life on a coral reef. Also worth a visit are the Sunday markets and the towering tuart trees of Tuart Forest National Park in the northeast.
No Easter egg hunts have been publicised in Busselton so if you want to get involved you’ll need to head inland a little to Yallingup Siding – the Rivendell Restaurant and Cellar Door is hosting a free Easter egg hunt for the kids, together with face painting, pony rides and games on the lawn.
There are a surprising number of quality accommodation options still available in the Busselton area, with plenty of options coming in well under $1,000 for a 3 night stay.*
Getting there
If you want to head away this Easter but need a little financial help to make it happen, just check out our flexible mini-loans from $1K - $5K to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the cash into your bank account within a few hours - so you can start planning your Easter budget escape today!
*Prices correct at time of publication. May be subject to change without notice.