The school holidays are the perfect time to take that long-awaited trip with the family or enjoy experiences closer to home. While it's true that prices can inflate during this period, you're also likely to find a great deal that can help you save on flights, accommodation, packages, activities and car hire.
We've narrowed down the deals you'll want to take advantage of for the school break.
School holiday travel deals
Dealexclusive
10% off activities with code FD300 at RedBalloon
Elevate your adventures with RedBalloon's special offer: use code FD300 for 10% off activities in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and more. This discount applies to select dates and destinations, requiring a minimum spend of $300, and covers experiences like hot air balloon flights, skydives, and high teas. Don't miss out on creating unforgettable moments at a reduced price. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Activities include winery tours, getaways, high teas, spas, sightseeing cruises and helicopter flights. T&Cs apply.
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Up to 30% off selected family holiday hotel deals at Wotif
Create unforgettable family memories with Wotif's hotel deals, offering up to 30% off selected accommodations in popular destinations like Cairns, Gold Coast, and Sydney. Find the perfect family-friendly stay and enjoy significant savings on your next holiday. Limited time offer. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Discover Melbourne's vibrant culture and exciting attractions with hotel stays starting from just $90 at Lastminute.com.au. This deal is available on select dates through December 2025, even including Christmas and New Year's Eve, across various Melbourne locales like the Northern Suburbs and Southbank. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates until December 2024 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin, Canberra and more. The sample rate is for a stay at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort in Cairns.
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours and getaways. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates in Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is for a studio apartment in Mornington Peninsula. T&Cs apply.
Unlock the wonders of Australia with TourRadar's massive sale! Score up to 30% off tours to stunning locations like Cairns, Uluru, and Hobart. Experience the beauty of Australia's diverse landscapes and cultures. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Australia sightseeing cruises from $30 at Adrenaline
Experience Australia's stunning coastal beauty with Adrenaline's sightseeing cruises, starting from just $30. Choose from whale and dolphin watching, lunch cruises, or romantic sunset cruises in iconic cities like Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne. Discover breathtaking views and create lasting memories at an affordable price. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Explore Australia's iconic cities with Wotif's holiday package deals, offering up to 34% off. Book your hotel and flights together for destinations like Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and the Gold Coast on select travel dates. T&Cs apply.
Up to 10% off Melbourne activities + an extra 10% off with code
Available on select dates until 2024 on activities including driving experiences, kayak tours, attraction passes and more. Minimum spend of $300 is required. T&Cs apply.
Best places to travel with kids during school holidays
Gold Coast: It's the place you want to be in during the school holidays. From amusements parks such as Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild to epic outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing and abseiling, both you and the kids will be spoiled for choice on school holidays fun.
Busselton: The calm waters of Geographe Bay make this town south of Perth ideal for a family break.
Darwin: If your kids love adventure and the great outdoors, a trip to Darwin is right up your alley. The Northern Territory is home to fun outdoor activities like camping, hiking and horse riding. There are also plenty of national parks to explore.
Sunshine Coast: Both kids and big kids are catered to on the Sunshine Coast. Beach time, rainforest hikes, 4x4 adventures through national parks and harbour cruises can all be factored into a holiday here whether you're single, a couple or a family.
Byron Bay: Laid-back beach holidays are the name of the game in Byron, plus there are plenty of national parks to explore in the Hinterland.
Thailand: Thailand is a tried-and-tested holiday destination for grown-ups. Castaway-quality beaches, floating markets and a healthy dose of nightlife make it a no-brainer for adults. This country has plenty for families too. Think tuk-tuk rides, short walks in the jungle and the experience of coming face to face with an elephant.
Bali. Offering beach time, massages and luxury accommodation, Bali has become a favourite with Australians. Water parks, marine parks, a monkey forest and a butterfly farm are just a few of the things that can feature on a family itinerary.
Hawaii. The 6 islands of Hawaii offer something different. Families can't really go wrong with Oahu where there are easy hiking trails, affordable house rentals and family-friendly restaurants. Couples should consider "the private isle" Lanai, which is home to Sweetheart Rock and secluded beaches.
Fiji. You can't really go wrong with Fiji. What's not to like about palm-fringed beaches, top snorkel spots, sand dunes and dolphin spotting? Kids should especially like the water sports, such as paddleboarding and kayaking. Grown-ups will really appreciate the island's foodie side – lovo feasts and sundowners by the sea.
Looking for more family holiday inspiration? Check out our top picks for where to go in select Australian cities:
There's no getting around the fact that summer holidays push up the price of holidays, but there are a few things you can do to make sure your getaway won't break the bank.
Keep an eye out for flash sales. Big brands often run short sales. If you're open-minded about where you want to go, you might bag a deal.
Be savvy. Compare holiday prices on a price comparison site like Finder. You're likely to score a better deal by booking in advance.
Consider a big brand. Many of the big-brand holiday companies run deals like free places for children. Sign up to newsletters to keep in the loop and check websites in the lead-up to the school holidays.
Consider all-inclusive. Going all-inclusive can take a bit of the strain off the budget if you're travelling with a brood, so look for a holiday that includes meals, like a cruise or a resort. This is also a great option if you're travelling with other families.
Discover a new destination: The most popular school holiday destinations are likely to have a heftier price tag when you book. Consider travelling somewhere regional or less popular to score a good deal. The more money you save on flights and accommodation, the more you can spend on fun activities while you're there.
Alex Keshen was the global travel publisher at Finder and has been living, breathing and, of course, writing about all things travel for more than 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada and has appeared in Travel Weekly and the Huffington Post. See full bio
This is where you can get the best flight deals online over Boxing Day (26 December) 2022.
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