 |
| Newcastle |
With only weeks left to go in the year, leading online travel site Wotif.com has released the 2021 Summer Sun Index** to assist with last minute holiday planning. Through an analysis of accommodation availability and affordability, trending traveller interest and weather patterns, the Wotif Summer Sun Index offers insider tips on great summer destinations you may not have considered this summer.
It comes as recent Wotif data and research confirms, that while traditional summer favourites such as the Gold Coast in Queensland and North Coast in New South Wales continue to be the most popular destinations, 68% of Aussies are looking for something new, with 49% wanting to travel somewhere they’ve never been*.
Wotif Managing Director, Daniel Finch says: “This year’s summer holiday period is set to be a bumper season. Particularly for travellers who are excited to be out seeing more of Australia, reuniting with loved ones and for tourism and hospitality operators, after another challenging year. There is a real buzz as Aussies embrace travel again and operators prepare for a busy summer.
Finch continues: “As we head into the warmer months, there’s no better time to get back out there and book a holiday that also supports local operators. From the regions to the capital cities, Australia is brimming with incredible experiences that are sure to provide Aussies with a much-needed break, as the end of year approaches.”
In what is great news for New South Wales, the state makes up five destinations on the Wotif Summer Sun Index, with Tamworth securing the top spot on the list. The music capital of the country, Tamworth’s affordable accommodation, great weather, and proximity to the coast, make it a top road-trip destination to visit this summer.
Other inland destinations making the top 10 include Barossa Valley (SA) and Albury (NSW), boasting incredible food and drink experiences. If you’re set on heading to the coast this summer, make it a trip to Tweed Heads (NSW), Bargara (QLD), Geelong (VIC), Townsville (QLD), Newcastle (NSW), Wollongong (NSW), or Apollo Bay (VIC), all of which are still showing availability, at this stage.
According to Wotif research*, 45% of Aussies are looking forward to attending an event or festival during their summer break, and there’s plenty on offer in the destinations featured on the Wotif Summer Sun Index, including Tamworth’s Country Music Festival, the Barossa Polo, Albury’s Borderville Circus Festival and Australia's most colourful and diverse beer festival, GABF, in Geelong.
Finch adds: “It’s extremely promising to know 67%* of Aussies agree that supporting local tourism and hospitality recovery is a consideration when booking domestic travel for the summer period, and we hope to see Aussies take this in to account when planning their summer getaway, to try something new and venture beyond their tried and tested favourites.”
For those planning their summer getaway, there are still options available on Wotif.com, offering affordable accommodation and activities for the whole family. To check out this year’s awesome summer travel deals, visit www.wotif.com/lp/deals
Destination Insights:
1. Tamworth, NSW
Aussies love a Big Thing, and Tamworth, home to The Big Golden Guitar and Australia's largest music festival – Tamworth’s Country Music Festival (January/February 2022) – is one of this year’s top trending summer destinations with travel interest, up over 105% when compared to 2020**. While many will enjoy the opportunity to spot a cowboy at local livestock events, Tamworth also has an impressive cosmopolitan edge, with excellent accommodation options, boutique shopping, and high-end eateries.
2. Barossa Valley, SA
Already a popular hotspot for travellers who like to wine and dine their way around town, the Barossa Valley has seen more than a 125% spike in accommodation interest compared to last year**. While the region is known for its wineries and the Barossa Ranges, a quirky day trip awaits in the nearby German-inspired town of Hahndorf. The town offers architecture, food, and gardens all with a hearty dose of European culture without the need for a passport!
 |
| Albury |
3. Albury, NSW
While many flock to the coast in summer, avoid the crowds in the town of Albury, which still offers plenty of places to cool off, including Lake Hume, the Murray River local swimming pools. With the Snowy Mountains and Rutherglen wine regions nearby, there is something for every type of traveller. Albury is home to Aboriginal-owned Indigenous gallery Central Desert, as well as scenic nature walks and bike tracks, exciting laneway art, indie gigs and the annual Borderville Circus Festival (planned for 4-18 December 2021).
4. Bargara, QLD
If you’re chasing the sun and sea, look no further than Bargara, which boasts a stunning coastal location in the Bundaberg region and only two days of wet weather over summer (on average)**. With the Southern Great Barrier Reef stretching along the coast, kick back and relax on one of the beaches spanning from Nielson’s Park to Kellys Beach. Swim with the fish at The Basin, a protected swimming spot best enjoyed during high tide, or head to one of the many cafes to satisfy your appetite.
5. Tweed Heads, NSW
The NSW North Coast is the ideal summer destination, offering perfect weather, pristine beaches and plenty of excellent restaurants and bars. An alternative to the increasingly popular Byron Bay, Tweed Heads is the perfect choice for those looking for a more laid-back getaway. It’s a popular area for the Christmas and New Year period, so try visiting in January and February when there are more accommodation options available. With World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, and pristine beaches, such as Kingscliff, Casuarina, and Cabarita, there’s something for everyone.
6. Geelong, VIC
With access to the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong may be known for its proximity to the coastline, but it has so much more to offer. Summer travellers can explore seaside villages, take a taste trail across the region’s burgeoning foodie scene, enjoy a surf or swim in the nearby beaches, be inspired by the creativity and culture at local museums or attend Australia's most colourful and diverse beer festival, GABF, which returns on 15 January 2022.
7. Townsville, QLD
Townsville remains a popular tropical destination for Queenslanders (the average summer temperature sits at 30 degrees)**, with intrastate flight deals to the region making it even easier to have an epic summer adventure. From the beaches and the rainforests to Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville has it all. Not only are there fantastic and affordable accommodation options in town, but there are also plenty of family activities on offer, including the weekly farmers markets in both Townsville and Magnetic Island.
8. Newcastle, NSW
For travellers looking for a coastal base with lots of accommodation options, why not try the second biggest city in New South Wales and the second oldest in Australia. Newcastle not only offers a cosmopolitan-meets-seaside vibe, but it hosts events, natural attractions and nature reserves, a thriving foodie scene, and is less than an hour’s drive from wine tasting in the Hunter Valley.
9. Wollongong, NSW
Close to the heart of Sydney, Wollongong is where the mountains meet the sea. A reliable destination for eager summer travellers, with great accommodation options in the region, and a stack of great beaches and outdoor areas to explore, including the Royal National Park. Travellers can take it easy with various walking trails, or level up with skydiving or the Jamberoo themed water park nearby.
While many flock to the coast in summer, avoid the crowds in the town of Albury, which still offers plenty of places to cool off, including Lake Hume, the Murray River local swimming pools. With the Snowy Mountains and Rutherglen wine regions nearby, there is something for every type of traveller. Albury is home to Aboriginal-owned Indigenous gallery Central Desert, as well as scenic nature walks and bike tracks, exciting laneway art, indie gigs and the annual Borderville Circus Festival (planned for 4-18 December 2021).
4. Bargara, QLD
If you’re chasing the sun and sea, look no further than Bargara, which boasts a stunning coastal location in the Bundaberg region and only two days of wet weather over summer (on average)**. With the Southern Great Barrier Reef stretching along the coast, kick back and relax on one of the beaches spanning from Nielson’s Park to Kellys Beach. Swim with the fish at The Basin, a protected swimming spot best enjoyed during high tide, or head to one of the many cafes to satisfy your appetite.
5. Tweed Heads, NSW
The NSW North Coast is the ideal summer destination, offering perfect weather, pristine beaches and plenty of excellent restaurants and bars. An alternative to the increasingly popular Byron Bay, Tweed Heads is the perfect choice for those looking for a more laid-back getaway. It’s a popular area for the Christmas and New Year period, so try visiting in January and February when there are more accommodation options available. With World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, and pristine beaches, such as Kingscliff, Casuarina, and Cabarita, there’s something for everyone.
6. Geelong, VIC
With access to the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong may be known for its proximity to the coastline, but it has so much more to offer. Summer travellers can explore seaside villages, take a taste trail across the region’s burgeoning foodie scene, enjoy a surf or swim in the nearby beaches, be inspired by the creativity and culture at local museums or attend Australia's most colourful and diverse beer festival, GABF, which returns on 15 January 2022.
7. Townsville, QLD
Townsville remains a popular tropical destination for Queenslanders (the average summer temperature sits at 30 degrees)**, with intrastate flight deals to the region making it even easier to have an epic summer adventure. From the beaches and the rainforests to Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville has it all. Not only are there fantastic and affordable accommodation options in town, but there are also plenty of family activities on offer, including the weekly farmers markets in both Townsville and Magnetic Island.
8. Newcastle, NSW
For travellers looking for a coastal base with lots of accommodation options, why not try the second biggest city in New South Wales and the second oldest in Australia. Newcastle not only offers a cosmopolitan-meets-seaside vibe, but it hosts events, natural attractions and nature reserves, a thriving foodie scene, and is less than an hour’s drive from wine tasting in the Hunter Valley.
9. Wollongong, NSW
Close to the heart of Sydney, Wollongong is where the mountains meet the sea. A reliable destination for eager summer travellers, with great accommodation options in the region, and a stack of great beaches and outdoor areas to explore, including the Royal National Park. Travellers can take it easy with various walking trails, or level up with skydiving or the Jamberoo themed water park nearby.
 |
| Apollo Bay |
Offering a slightly cooler climate but still plenty of sunny days is Apollo Bay, a foodie and nature lover’s heaven. The town lives up to its reputation for the freshest seafood, and the local restaurants do not disappoint with daily seafood specials for lunch and dinner. If you’re looking to stretch your legs, look no further than the Great Ocean Walk, a one-way, long-distance walk extending East to West, just over a hundred kilometres between Apollo Bay and the iconic Twelve Apostles. For something a little less strenuous, The Treetop Walk is a 2km, one hour rainforest experience, taking you right into the treetops via a walkway. It is the longest and tallest walkway of this kind in the world.
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
No comments:
Post a Comment