Don’t delay: these 9 summer holiday destinations are already 50% booked
Credit: Two Palms / Harry Pope
Summer beach houses are the closest thing Australia has to a national tradition, and this year more than half of Stayz’s are already spoken for across nine of the country’s favourite coastal markets.
The nine are:
A hotel has hundreds of near-identical rooms. A holiday home is one property, and once someone books it, nobody else can.
“Holiday homes are a little different to hotels. Once a property is booked, it’s no longer available to other travellers, so booking ahead can mean more choice," says Stayz Travel Expert Sarah King.
If you can hold out, the last week of January is the sweet spot for savings and availability. Stayz data puts holiday homes on average up to 45 per cent cheaper than Christmas week (22–27 December), and describes the week as 90 per cent less busy. Think a quieter beach, a free spot on the deck and fewer queues for the barbecue.
The catch is that it only works if you can travel then. School return dates differ by state, and some homes have minimum stays.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
For travellers who’d rather keep their dates earlier in the break, three inland regions still have strong availability, and each makes a good summer case.
Lookout walks, village-hopping and exploring pubs, bookshops and antique stores. It’s under two hours from Sydney, so a long weekend works, and the evenings are usually cooler than the coast, which makes a shady garden and a cold drink feel like the point of the trip.
Cellar doors, long lunches and a Saturday-morning wander through the farmers market in Angaston. It’s about an hour’s drive from Adelaide, so a weekend is easy, and a house with a big verandah earns its keep at the end of the day, when a glass of shiraz and a designated driver are all the plan you need.
Gin tastings, cellar doors and a sunrise hot-air balloon over the vines. It’s about an hour from Melbourne, which suits a short break, and a slow afternoon in summer makes the case for staying put.
There are early-booking savings too. Many Stayz properties offer discounts for bookings made at least 60 days ahead.
Christmas week is a group sport, and the houses that suit a big crew are the first to go. If that’s your plan, book now. If you have any flexibility, the last week of January is the better bet.
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Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is often voted the number one short stay in Australia, and for good reason. From its beautiful coastline and scenic trails to exceptional food and wine, it’s the perfect escape any time of year, but especially as the weather grows cooler.
Picture afternoons relaxing in the soul-warming hot springs. Evenings by a cosy fireplace, sipping one of the region’s renowned Pinot Noirs and tucking into a delicious meal made from local produce. Now stop imagining, and start planning; here’s why the Mornington Peninsula should be your next long weekend adventure.
At only an hour’s drive southeast of the city, the Mornington Peninsula offers unbeatable convenience. If you’re taking the Eastlink tollway to Peninsula Link, look out for eclectic roadside artwork such as Callum Morton’s high-rise hotel (hint: you can’t check in).
The Mornington Peninsula separates Port Phillip Bay to its west and Western Port Bay to its east, making it the only place in Victoria you can see a sunrise over one bay and sunset over another.
Its spectacular coastline varies from sandy swimming and surf beaches to dramatic rocky cliffs. Mt Martha Beach, known for its colourful beach huts and calm clear waters, was named in Tourism Australia’s Top 10 beaches for 2026. Nearby, Arthurs Seat Eagle offers gondola rides to the peninsula’s highest point, where you can enjoy breathtaking vistas.
For a different perspective from the water, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming with the bay’s resident dolphins, or catch a ride with Searoad Ferries from Sorrento to Queenscliff (the tip of the opposite Bellarine Peninsula). Pop into their new Sorrento terminal for sweeping views from its floor-to-ceiling windows and a bite to eat at Mediterranean restaurant ONDA.
While the Mornington Peninsula is now synonymous with cool climate wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it was originally renowned for apple production. There are many orchards still in operation, like fifth-generation Mock Red Apple; taste craft ciders (the Mulled Spiced Cider is a must in winter), and don’t miss the famous apple pie.
Of course, it would almost be a sin not to dine at a winery restaurant, or at least try a local wine. Stop at Foxey’s Hangout for casual share plates and a glass of Chardonnay on the deck; or for a more formal affair, the light-filled restaurant at Paringa Estate offers a fine dining set menu on weekends, with picturesque estate views.
Pt. Leo Estate has no less than three separate dining experiences to choose from, ranging from a wine terrace to contemporary fine dining, all sourcing seasonal Victorian and local Mornington Peninsula produce, and offering stunning vistas over Western Port Bay.
And opened in 2025, the restaurant at Crittenden celebrates regional produce with a modern Australian menu that pairs beautifully with their sustainably crafted estate wines.
Bring your hiking boots, because from beachside strolls to breathtaking cliffside walks, the Mornington Peninsula boasts incredible scenic trails for all fitness levels.
The Red Hill Rail Trail follows the old railway line between Merricks and Red Hill, while the Bushrangers Bay Walking Track is the go-to trail for rugged coastal scenery, linking Cape Schanck and the Boneo Road picnic area (part of the longer Two Bays Trail).
The region is also home to several national parks providing plenty of opportunities to connect with nature, whether it’s a walk, picnic, or simply admiring the local flora and fauna. Golf lovers will rejoice with gorgeous courses such as the world-class Moonah Links or Flinders Golf Club, one of Victoria’s oldest golf courses.
Soaking in one of the Mornington Peninsula’s mineral-rich hot springs is a must in the cooler months. Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is the newer addition, with 25 contemporary geothermal pools, a sauna and steam room set amongst elegant coastal landscaping. Book a Night Owl session to watch the sunset from the pools, and extend your visit with a spa treatment or dining at their restaurant.
Across the road, the Peninsula Hot Springs offers two main bathing areas, cafes and a spa in a natural bush setting. The Bath House comprises over 70 bathing and wellness experiences, including their iconic Hilltop Pool, a reflexology walk, and Nepalese mineral showers; while the Spa Dreaming Centre is a serene adults-only sanctuary.
Wander the Southern Hemisphere’s largest privately owned sculpture park at Pt. Leo Estate, glass of red in hand, or pop into the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery to view one of their seasonal exhibitions. Seawinds Garden is also home to a sculpture collection by William Ricketts, surrounded by exotic and indigenous gardens.
If you’re more of a history buff, book a tour of the Cape Schanck Lighthouse, or spend an afternoon at Point Nepean National Park. Here, you can explore walking trails through the traditional country of the Bunurong people, learn the history of the old Quarantine Station and discover military forts and tunnels.
The Mornington Peninsula’s standout accommodations are an experience in themselves. Escape to The Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, a luxe retreat perched in the dunes above the springs. Or indulge in the dramatic luxury of Jackalope Hotel, home to a vine-facing pool and spa and the chef-hatted Doot Doot Doot.
For a dose of European country charm, stay at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill, set amongst lush gardens and vines with a cellar door and chef-hatted restaurant. Or for more contemporary, yet still charming, surroundings, the InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula is a historic hotel reimagined as a luxe coastal stay with European flair, including a pool deck and on-site bathhouse.
Start planning your long weekend at visitmorningtonpeninsula.org
